The Virginia Gazette

Mr. Parks,

London, October 12, 1737.

As soon as the following comes to Hand, please to
publish it in your GAZETTE.

I am your humble Servant,

JOHN TENNENT.

THE Success which has attended the
Rattle-Snake Root in a Pleurisy, evidently shews, that all those who thought
indifferently of it, when proposed, in
that and such Diseases, had their Un-
derstanding lull'd asleep, or were else in
a natural Lethargy, by which their Conception of Matters
was very obscure, otherwise they must needs have seen
more clearly into so plain a Case: And those who vehe-
mently opposed it, are certainly to be suspected of very
great Ignorance; since Matters of Fact, which are incon-
testable Evidence, cry aloud against them.

To all the silly, ridiculous Objections that were raised
against me, I could have answered, The Rattle-Snake
Root cures the Pleurisy: But to let the World be more
fully undeceived, I proposed to discuss the Point fairly,
in Gazette N° 31, and accordingly, there I stated the Ar-
gument, from whence I drew my Consequences. Not
sooner than in Three Months was an Answer made; and
as it was so long about, something extraordinary was
certainly to be expected; but instead of that, nothing
is contained in it, save only ill Manners, Arrogance, and
arbitrary Assertions: And what is most worthy of Re-
mark, is, that tho' the Gentleman or Gentlemen assumed
a Right of using arbitrary Assertions to support the
Argument; yet so marvellous is his or their Ignorance,
that no other Assertions could be chosen, than such as
served to prove what was denied: This will appear very
plainly to any Person who understands the Subject, that
will consider the Argument.

But now, since it is plainly proved by Experience, that
the Rattle-Snake Root cures the Pleurisy, I suppose the
next Objection against it, is,
that it can cure nothing else.

If this is objected, I say that: like all other Objections,
nothing in it; which is most [illegible] themselves. This Root
is certainly one of the best Medicines in the World,
and adapted to most Diseases which Virginia is subject
to, viz. Agues, intermitting Fevers, Jaundice, Dropsy,
&c. As I am now writing on these Diseases, the Book
will be published in Virginia, in a Short Time. In the
mean while, I refer for the Cure of the Pleurisy, of what
Nature soever, to my Essay on that Disease, and the
Gazette No 31. I think it proper however, to give this
further Advice: That in Case the Root should purge
the Patient so much as to affect the Strength, and if the
Method already prescribed in that Case should fail, I re-
commend Ten Grains of prepared Hartshorn, and as
much Powder of Cinnamon; and this Dose to be repeat-
ed every Hour, 'til the Symptoms abate; observing also
Bleeding, as has already been advised. I believe, that a
Case which will not give way to the Prescription in Ga-
zette N° 31, will very seldom happen; yet as such may
possibly, it is therefore requisite to prescribe therein:
For no Time is lost in the Service of the Publick, in a
Thing so valuable as Health.

Homines ad Deos in nulla re proprius accedunt
Quam Salutem hominibus dando.

Cicero de Natura Deorum.