Alexandria Gazette

I feel it my duty, now that the excitement has somewhat subsided, on the occasion of Mr. John Harris' death, to offer a few remarks in my own defence, and in vindication of the Thompsonian practice from the serious, and (as many believe) the very unjust charges now afloat in this community. Let it be borne in mind that all which is now known abroad, all which has yet been done, is ex parte. Therefore, in justice to the public, my friends, and myself, I will, with your permission, give the other side of the question—the history of Mr. Harris' disease—the symptoms -the practice pursued—and the properties of the medicines used: -Wednesday Sept.22 at 5 o'clock P. M. Mr. Harris sent his boy with a request that I should visit. I accordingly repaired to his residence. Mr. Harris observed to me that he had a relapse of the Ague and Fever, and proceeded to make a statement of his case as follows.—He had been to work in Virginia for Mrs. Fitzhugh and had there been sick with the Ague and Fever. There he took a dose of "calomel. (ten gr ) and drank freely of Boneset Tea by which he supposed himself relieved of the disease. At this time he wrote to Mrs. H---. that he was well. This letter was half way on the way an hour, before he was taken with a relapse. indicated by a severe chill Desirous of reaching his family, where he might receive proper attention. he at the first opportunity took the Mail Boat on her trip up the river. In order to accomplish thus he engaged some colored men to row him five miles. Soon after he entered the Steam Boat he was taken with a second chill. So much for the history of his disease as given by Mr. H himself. After hearing these statements, and examining the patient. I observed to him that his fever was then on him. and as that was not the most favorable time to operate. he had better send for me on the return of his chill. when I would administer a course of medicine.

Thursday morning, about 10 o'clock, Mr. Harris again sent for me. I then, agreeably to promise, visited him to administer the Thompsonian medicines. On examination found the following symptoms.. Sensible lassitude—want of appetite—sickness of the stomach—slight chills alternating with flushes of heat— stools resembling the washings of meat and were highly fetid a fixed and burning pain which increased by pressure upon the abdomen—very thirsty—skin dry and hot—short laborious breathing, with frequent retching— tongue red on the edge with a dry brownish coat in the centre—the knees frequently raised in order to remove the pressure of the bed clothes.

These were the symptoms of Mr. Harris disease at the time of my visit to administer medicines, which disease I pronounced inflammation of the bowels and treated accordingly.

TREATMENT BEFORE 12 O'CLOCK.—First. I gave him 1 gill of tea composed of Bayberry, Cayenne. and Umbel. Two minutes after an enema composed of the same ingredients with 1 tea spoon Lobelia, 1 tea spoon No. 6. Ten minutes after, 1 gill of Lobelia tea which relieved him of his retching. Ten minutes after, 1 gill of Lobelia tea which produced slight emesis, I then gave a tea cup full of Spearmint tea which caused the nausea to subside. I next applied a cataplasm to the abdomen composed of Slippery Elm. Cracker, and Ginger.

TREATMENT AFTER 12 O'CLOCK. First, an enema composed of warm water, Bayberry, Cayenne, Umbel, Slippery Elm, No 6 and 1 tea sp. Lobelia. I next applied a hot brick to his feet, I then gave him 1 gill of stimulating tea ingredients 1 tea spoon Bayberry, 1 do! Cayenne 1 do of Umbil. do of Lobelia, 7 do. of Sugar, to 1 quart of boiling water. At this stage of the treatment's. through the alarm of the family who were unacquainted with, and utterly opposed to Thompsonianism—Dr P. was sent for, unknown either to the patient or myself No sooner had the said M. D., made his appearance, and simply applied his finger to the pulse of Mr. H., than he proceeded at once, to charge me with having poisoned him" This was without any enquiry into the nature and circumstances of the disease, or the nature and amount of medicines I had administered.

Thus was the further administration of my medicines cut short. During the few hours that Mr. Harris was in my hands. I treated him in strict accordance with the principles of the Thompsonian practice, and I have no doubt -had not my treatment been thus cut short in the midst of the course, and a physician of the opposite practice called—but that the deceased would have been restored to health. if his case was within the reach of remedies of any kind whatever.

In further justice to the public and myself, I will now present briefly, the properties of the several medicines which were used. Lobelia inflata. Muscular relaxant, antiasthmatic sialogogue, and general secretant, through relaxation. Its effects are followed by reaction of the stomach and chest. or emesis. Umbel, or Valerian, Nervine and bitter tonic.— Capsicum, Annum, Cayenne. A pure stimulant, Ginger, the same—of course secretant and tonic. Spearmint, Antspasmodic and Nervine, Bayberry Stimulant, deobstruent, and astringent, Slippery Elm, emollient, Number Six. Detergent, antiseptic. and tonic. [See Curtis' Obstetrics on pages 157, 158, 159, 160 ]

The public may have observed, as I have, a notice in the Baltimore Clipper in which the death of Mr Harris was charged upon the undue use of Thompsonian medicines. through the mal-practice of Joseph Taylor. I should like to know how any man, with the facts of the case before him, could come to any such conclusion. But were all these facts candidly brought out before the jury of inquest? Was the person most of all interested in the decision, called before the jury that all the evidence and facts, pro and con might be presented? If not, was there a post mortem ex. amination by competent men, that the facts might, in this way be fairly made known? To all these questions let me say to the jury, and to an honest public. No

'The main evidence in the case was the opinions of two M D's. Now one of the said practitioners may be fairly supposed to have some interest in placing the death of Mr Har. ris on the Thompsonian practice, and myself.— Query. Why was there not a full investigation? Query again. Why was not the deceased opened? Query again. Was the M D., afraid to unveil the effects of mineral poisons taken by Mr. H. at various periods under the direction of the old practice. Query again. Was Dr P. fearful of finding some of his own noxious drugs in the stomach of the deceased? What ever may have been the reasons, it is to be presumed he did not assign them.either to the jury or any one else. The public must judge.

JOSEPH TAYLOR, T B. P.

oct 7—11