Part 4

That diet, which most imparts vital power to the blood, and through it to the entire system, must always be preferred in pulmonary cases. By invigorating, we do not mean stimulating food—the object being to strengthen and build up; not to stimulate, and occasion an ultimate reaction, with debility—but permanently to create power. A vegetable diet yields nourishing properties to some, but, in a majority of instances, it is inadequate for the purposes of producing the required nutrition: on the contrary, animal diet partaken with a due regard to the circumstances of the case, always adapting the quantity and quality to the power of digestion, and peculiarities of constitution, so as to prevent fever and disorder, increases the power of the digestive functions, enriches the vital fluid—the blood, and gives tone and vigour to the system.

Frequent changes of air and scene will be found extremely beneficial, both in a physical and mental point of view. The sea air is, of all others, the purest—and on that account, better calculated generally, for the purposes of breathing, in weakly persons. In all air there is more or less of that principle which is essential to life; but the air which passes over an extensive tract of water is not only refrigerated or cooled, but purified; and consequently, the bad effects of the sultry heats of the summer season are counteracted. A temporary sojournment at the sea-side, for the purpose of inhaling the saline particles, with which the sea breezes are impregnated, with occasional excursions on the ocean, or short voyages by sea, will be attended with much advantage, as a means for stimulating the lungs to deeper and more frequent inspiration, and tending to enlarge the cavity of the chest, a matter of great importance. These means will be found highly serviceable, and an excellent auxiliary to the use of the Balsam herein recommended, as possessing a true tonic power, which will brace and invigorate the surface of the body, and exert a beneficial influence on the viscera, especially those connected with the digestive functions. It must, however, be observed, that there are some consumptive patients, with whom sea air never agrees—when country air, especially in the rural agricultural districts, must be substituted.

Exercise is generally beneficial when the degree is proportionate to the strength of the patient, without producing fatigue, and in a pure atmosphere, remote from large cities or towns, in situations not exposed to winds, especially the north-east. The exercise should be in the open air on horseback, the greater part of the day, in fine weather—if the strength will permit; and a nourishing diet of new milk, farinaceous preparations, animal soups, and solid animal food twice a day. The bowels to be gently relieved every second or third day, and the cough mixture—the Balsam, to be continued as before directed.

The Author’s apology for the mention of his remedy in this publication, is, that as it has for the last ten years proved pre-eminently successful, though confined within a limited compass, it becomes his duty to the public more extensively to declare it. The novelty of the doctrine, that Consumption is curable, may gain him many opponents, who would, without this public announcement, have slumbered; but he is determined at all events to persevere, well knowing that his discovery will endure the test of experience and trial, and in the issue must, like other now-approved, but once-rejected articles of the Pharmacopœia, be universally adopted. {11}

In justice to the liberally minded among the profession, it must be observed that, although most practitioners deny the possibility of Consumption being curable, there are a few of their number possessing eminent talent, who have deeply studied the subject, and strenuously contend for the affirmative of the question, corroborated by the evidence of their own experience. While an opposite opinion on the subject is maintained by professional men, equally distinguished for their knowledge of the science, and their utility in their professional pursuits—there can be no doubt but that an enlightened public will decide in favour of the doctrine herein advanced, that Pulmonary Consumption is curable.

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The following Cases, illustrative of the beneficial properties of the Balsamic Elixir, in Cough, Hooping Cough, Asthma, and Pulmonary Complaints, which had previously baffled the skill of the most eminent medical practitioners, are selected from various others.

CONSUMPTIVE COUGH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, &c.

Sir,—I feel induced to send you the two following cases (for the encouragement of yourself, and the benefit of the public at large) of the beneficial effects of your invaluable medicine, the Balsamic Elixir. A few weeks ago, (a neighbour, who lives opposite me,) a young man of the name of JAMES HOWE, was afflicted with a most distressing Cough, Shortness of Breath, &c. He had had medicine from a Chemist in the neighbourhood, and also been under an eminent Physician in the city, but to no purpose. Indeed, the Cough was so incessant, that it seemed to threaten a lingering Consumption—when I persuaded his mother to try your Balsamic Elixir, (which they purchased at Mr. Willoughby’s, Bishopsgate-street,) and, although not more surprising than true, after taking only one bottle, was perfectly recovered.

The other case is that of a young man, about the same age as the above (twenty years,) who was also afflicted with a most violent Cough, which all the medicines he could get could not remove. The young man, above mentioned, finding the good effects upon himself of your Elixir, strongly recommended it to him; and, after taking a 1s. 1½d., and a 2s. 9d. bottle, he was perfectly recovered. The above persons have authorised me to send you this testimonial of the value of your inestimable medicine, the Balsamic Elixir; and for myself, Sir, I can assure you, if ever I should need it, I shall have recourse to the same.

I am, Sir, yours respectfully,

EPHRAIM MOORE.

30, Spital-square, Mile-end, New Town, Nov. 24, 1837.

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PETER REDFORD, Alfred House Academy, Kingsland-road, about the close of July, became severely afflicted with a violent cough, incessant wheezing, attended with very great difficulty of breathing, which deprived him of rest for several weeks together, only in an erect posture, through fear of suffocation. He was attended by three skilful medical gentlemen. But his complaint still remaining unabated in its violence, he was persuaded to make trial of this excellent specific, with which solicitation, through necessity, he gladly complied, on the 5th of September; and, after taking it a few times, he felt such considerable relief in breathing, that he was induced to continue it, and in less than a week, the distressing and alarming sensations of wheezing were so far abated that he again ventured to lie down in his bed; and from this time his health and strength began gradually to increase, and were so far restored, that on the 12th of the present month (October) he recommenced his profession, in full enjoyment of accustomed health.

N.B. Only three bottles, at 2s. 9d. were purchased, and half the last was rendered unnecessary by the cure.

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WM. HARMER, Bookseller, Stroud, Gloucestershire, suffered exceedingly for several years (especially in the winter and spring) with a most distressing Cough, for which he could never obtain permanent relief; and for some time past he concluded that his disorder was a confirmed and incurable asthma: in addition to which, in the beginning of February last, he had a most severe attack of Influenza, which rendered his Cough still more distressing, and the difficulty of breathing almost to suffocation.

He states that, although he is a book-seller, and a Vendor of Patent Medicines, he never heard of this Balsamic Elixir till about a month since, when he saw the announcement in the “Patriot” newspaper, of my pamphlet, called “Consumption Curable.” He immediately ordered from his Booksellers, Longman and Co., six copies; on reading the work, he says that he felt an anxious desire to give the medicine a trial, and immediately ordered from my wholesale Agent, six 2s. 9d. bottles, and three boxes of Flemming’s Pills. In a letter, renewing his order, he observes, “By the use of three bottles, I am happy to inform you, I have obtained almost a cure; the first bottle gave me more relief than all the medicine I had taken for the preceding three months. It is my intention to keep a regular supply of the medicine, and to do all in my power to recommend it, as I can with confidence.”

In a further communication, dated 3rd August, 1837, he says, “I have been very successful in the sale of the Elixir; and in every case where its virtues have been tried, I have received a most favourable report of its curative properties.”

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JAMES MOSS, Cabinet Maker, High-street, Peckham, Surrey, having witnessed the good effects of this cough medicine on one of his children, in Hooping Cough, was induced to apprize me of that circumstance, for the benefit of others. The child had, for some time, been suffering from that painful disorder. A friend, being very anxious about the child, presented the parents with a 2s. 9d. bottle of the Balsamic Elixir, and its value soon appeared in the beneficial effects it produced; for after about three or four times taking it, the disorder abated, and a few more doses removed it altogether. His age is three years.

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C. SIBURN, 4, Upper Bland-street, Great Dover Road, aged 40, at about the age of fifteen, caught a violent cold, which brought on difficulty of breathing, ultimately terminating in Asthma. She had been a victim to that disease ever since, and tried every remedy which medical men could prescribe, without deriving the slightest benefit. During the two last winters, the complaint rapidly increased, so much so that her life was despaired of. For weeks together she was bolstered upright in bed, from fear of strangulation from the congealed phlegm which clogged her lungs, and produced the greatest possible difficulty of breathing. It was delightful to witness the astonishment and gratitude she evinced at the efficacy of the Elixir: for, after taking a few doses, it produced expectoration in a way she never before experienced; and her breathing was instantly relieved. On the third night she retired to rest, and slept with great composure until five o’clock the following morning. She is now perfectly free from every symptom of the disorder, and has continued so ever since.

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PATRICK CONNER, 14, Regent-street, Hunter-street, Old Kent-road, suffered greatly from a distressingly severe Asthma, demonstrated by its usual symptoms, extreme difficulty of breathing, which existed, more or less, for the last ten years. Having heard of the cures produced by this celebrated Balsam, and being then in a deplorable condition, he resolved to give it a fair trial. When he commenced taking it, his breath was very short, so much so, that it was with the greatest difficulty he could walk about; and his fits of coughing were so violent, and long continued, that he was in perpetual danger of expiring under the effort. His health naturally declined, and his flesh wasted away; and to all appearance, he was rapidly hastening into a decline. In a letter of thanks, he says, “I bless God, and am truly thankful that I ever heard of your medicine. I found almost immediate benefit from it; and, as I continued to take it, my amendment was very rapid. In short, I can now walk about, and breathe quite easy; and my cough has entirely ceased, and never since returned.”

Happily this is not a solitary case, for a vast number of patients, similarly affected, have derived equal benefit.

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