Better Eyesight Without Glasses Retrain Your Eyes

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Better Eyesight Without Glasses
Retrain Your Eyes And Rediscover 20
20 Visi
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 » IK. • ^ * t f, ^' J' M. ,#'■ /:jiv' ..;i*5' \ .' •V^' ;*?. ,> ^*-
#^.. .^f; I' 
 I I llf^ KEW HIDE TO IIEALiTH: OR, SOTANIC FAIVniiV
PHYSXCIAN. CONTAINING [Link] STSTfeM OF PRACTICB
UPON A PLAN ENTIRELY NEW; wi rn fDESCRIPTION OF THE
VEGETABLES MADE USE OF* AND DIRECTIONS FOR. PREPARING
AND ADMIN ISTERIJJG THEM TO CURE DISEASE. J TO WHICH II
rnBFlXRO ■i. M..4K.I8ATI¥ OF THE ^k lilFE A>'I> MEI>ICAIi
I>IS€OVEI2IES •4-'- ' "^ OF THE AUTHOR. |RST BROCKVILLE FROM
THE SECOND BOSTON EDITIOTS.', i %;BY SAMUEL THOMSON.
■"■■" " ;";-"|;; •":-^T .'.;'-, — «**«©»^— ■ PBINTET^ FOR W.
[Link], BV \VX. BVEI.L JR^4i CO. MM ttlMHl
,*,i LP ■ ■ / 7'. /. i ^ ■ I. •a
 4 AD VER TISEMENT. TO THE PITBLIC. The preparing: the
following work for the pre« hag be«n a task of [Link] difficulty and
labotir, for to comprise in a short ,iornpa«s and to convey a correct
understanding of the snhj'ct^ JTrom Kiich a mass of iiiatcriAls as !
have been enabled to collect |fcv thirty years practice, is a business
of no small majsnitude.—^The plan (hat has been adopieri I thouiht
the best to «:ive a correct knowledge of my system of practice ; and
am confidf nt that the descriptions and directions are sufficiently
explained to he undeistood by all those who take an interest in this
important If ubjcct. Mucli r/iOre mi«!;ht have been written ; hut the
maia ©bject has been to confine i* to the practice, and notjjincr
more is itated of the theory, than what was necessai^y to givf a
general tnowledge of the system. If any errors shouhl be discovered
it i hoped that Ihey will be viewed with cantlonr; for in first
fubli»liing a work, such thinsis are to be expected ; Init much are
has beentakrn that there slioidd be no erior, wliicl» would cause any
mi>lake in the practice, or preparinji the mediciiie. Many persons are
practising by my system who are in the 'lahit of pretending that they
have made great improvement^, and in fome instances it is well
known that poisonous diugs ^tave been made use of under the
name of my medicine, which ha? counteracted iti operation, and
thereby tended to destroy the confidence of the public in my system
of practice ; this has never been authorized by me. The public are
therefore cautioned against |sucb conduct, and all those who are
well disposed towards my item, are desired to lend their aid in
exposing all such disboa!st practices, in order that justice may be
done. Those who tponsess this work, may by examining it be able to
detect any [improper deviations therefrom ; and ihey are assured
that any I practice which u not conformable to the directions given,
and deed not agiee with the principles hereiu laid do\vn, is uuau*
ihoriscd by me. Q 1.'^
 J wufwiiMB « v^T^ ifi/i^,^mvr •«!»"?!■' "' 'u;: •»/. -^
.:•,.;.;,!*, m l7'^ J5. li .)■/=■ ' «» . :'?^
 1 4 PREFACE. WRITTEN BY A FRIEND. 44 . I, . i : t ' There
is no subject in which the great family of manItind have a deeper
interest, tlian that of medicine ; tc lessen the sum of human
suflering by alleviating pain and removing those diseases that all are
subject to, is a duty of the greatest importance of any undertaking
that man can engage in. Health is the greatest blessing th'^.t can be
enjoyed in this life ; and to be deprived of it takes awoy all our
pleasures and comforts and makes every thing in this world appear a
dreary waste. Thia will readily be admitted by every one ; but in
what lanner disorder can best be removed or prevented, is a fubject
that has engaged the attention of many wise len, who have existed
in different ages, from the earli%st times to tlie present day,
without, as we humbly lifeonceive, very much benefiting mankind by
their labors. "I'heir inquiries it would seem have been directed to
the* investigation of visionary theories, of the form and curious
construction of the body and members, upon mechanical principles ;
to the neglect of what is oi the greatest importance, "^ correct and
useful practice by a direct application to the cause of disease. This is
like ^pursuing a shadow and losing sight of the substance ; for
ithere are certain ca\ises and cf/ects in the works cf creation that are
above the comprehension of man, and the general principles of
animated nature are as correctly Lnown by the whole human family
as by the most viae md learned.
 • XH "W l\ • 6 [Link]. In the difTcrent a^fs ol'th« world
the incdirul Aicully have, been very jjrolific in forming systoms of the
thoory and practice of medicine. One man builds up a system for
another that comes after him to pull down, who erecto one oi' his
own, which is followed for a lime and ij it is then supplanted by
another. They have gone on this [Link], almost every a^c producing a
new sybtem, to ihe present time ; each one pronounces the oth«>r
to be wronfr. I'hey certainly cannot all be right, and the most iratura)
conclusion is that they are all wrono;; ibr no good has resulted from
all they have done, but on the contrary it has tended to produce
much [Link] and doubt, in the minds of all who seek to q^ain a
correct knov/ledge of the .subject. 'J'he best evidence of this i^ the
bad success that has attended the regular facuUv in liU their
practice, for they do not pretend to a knoAvled
 rREFAf'R. fficulty theory Hystt'in n, who nv, and joiie on
U^.in, to T tu be hv most lor no on ihc on and correct this i^ •uhy in
knowl; and it n in thic, much good would result from it. In the ncv
Pharmacopoei'A ^ot up lately by the medical societies in this
country, an entire new arranoenient is made and new names
adopted, which is to be revised every ten years; this will completely
keep the people in ignorance of the medicine the} use, when
prescribed by the faculty. There can be not the least doubt but there
is mediI cine eaougli grows in o\ir country to answer all the purI
poses necessary in curing every disease incident to the i climate, if
tlie people had a knowledge of it; but the doctors have so much
influence in society, and rnanaire their alfairs with so mucli art for
their own profit and praise, ihat the commoii people are kept back
froiu a
 ■«,l'lip . % 1 ■•■ »'• * ill" 8 FnFFACB. knowledge of %vhai
is of the utmobt importance forthfia tc> know. If nny inaii
undertakes to jjursuo a practice dilloving from what is sunrtionod hy
the regular faculty, let hiin bIiow ever so much ingenuity in his
discoveries, or be ever so successful in curinjr disease, he is liuntcd
down like a wild boast ; and a hue-and-cry rai:jcd against hiin from
one end of the country to the other. I'herc must be some reason for
all this more than an aim to the public good; for the people are
certainly capable of iudiiinfr for themyel''?s, Avliether what i^ done
for them removes their complaint or inert, ies it. It is not
unreasonable we think to conclude, that it arises from a fear that the
craft Im in danger. Nothing could more fully exemplify the above
opinion [Link] tlic treatment which Dr. Thomson has received from
the medical faculty, during the whole of his practice, lie has been
persecuted and pursued with all the mnlice of demons, for no other
cause that can be imagined, tlian because of his extraordinary
success in curing disease, wliich has tended to enlighten the people,
and do away their blind confidence in the infallibility of doctors. This
opposition has not been from the people at large, for all who have
been attended by him, and these who have had a correct knowledire
of his svstem of nrac■^ * 1 tice, are not only well satisfied, but are
thoroughly convinced of its superiority over the practice of the
doctors; and some of the faculty [Link] have examined the subject,
allov/ the discovery to be original and ingenious, and that the
principles upon which it is founded are correct, ir^he physicians
generally had, instead of trying to destroy him and his practice,
enquired into and made themselves acquainted with his
improvements, and tre-ated him with that courtesy due to every
ingenious man, who devotes himself to the advancement of the arts
and sciences, they would have received much useful information on
one of the most important branches of the medical art, that i!>, of
tlie medicinal virtuts of the vegetables of this country, wilh the best
method of ])rcparing and administering tliem to cure disease; but
they seem to ccnsi:ler every thinq,- rclatinfc to tlie subject aa a »crl
'**.
 rRKFAc r. 9 r thfm •actice iculty, iiunlcd igainsl I'horc to the
iblc of r ihcm lot unfroin a ) "opiniceived s pracall tlie le iinacuring le,
and of doc'oplc at 1 these f pracy conK' doccd the ^nious, re
cortrying |1 made trf4Uinan, ts and inforof the veget)aring seoni a
«crt ni holv g^roimd, on which no one has a right to tread, but i\ut
rejL^wlarly iniiiaied. f)r. ThoniHon bctran his practice as it were from
acfi(hMit, with no otlx'r view than tin honest endeavour to be useful
to his fellow creatures; and had nothing to fr{iu]t' liiin but his own
experience, lie not having had an educttLi,by admhiistering those
things best calculated to aid her in restoring health. This Is
unquestionably the only correct course that can be pursued with any
'chance of •ucce^, lor all the good tha* can be expected by giving
medicine, is to assist nature to remove the disease, The 'success
with whirh his practice has been attended has atitonished all who
witnessed it, and has led the people ^|- to wonder hoAv a man
without learning could perform ;.| what could not be done by the
learned doctors ; this is ||iot strange, for people most generally form
their opinions |b> what is fashionable, without examining into the
naIturf ol tiiingf^. A maii can be great without the advan]tagc»olan
education; but learning can never make a I wise man of a fool; the
practice of physic requires a ',i^nov»lcdgc tliat cannot be g^ot by
reading books, ; .»v
 10 PREFACE. 1 iif-'tt I? must be obtained by actual
observation and experience. It is very common with the doctors to
call all thoae who practice and have not been regularly educated to
the profession, quacks, and empirics. The definition cf the word
quack, is an ignorant pretender ; and those who are entitled to this
appellation, are best known by the knowledge they possess in their
profession, and the success with which they pursue it; and there
may bo probably more ignorant pretenders found among those who
have received a diploma than in any other class. An empiric is one
who is governed in his practice by his OAvn experimental knowledge
; and Dr. Thomson can have no reasonable objection to be honoured
by this title, for there is nothing valuable in the whole range of the
mecHcal science, but what has been derived from this source. In
ancient times the man v/ho could discover any thing that proved to
be useful in curing disease, was entitled to honourable notice and a
reward for his ingenuity, without regarding whether he was learned
or unlearned. In this way the faculty have obtained all their
knowledge of vegetable medicine, and if thev had confined
themselves to this it would have been much better for the people,
than to make use of those poisonous minerals, which have been the
production of the learned, and is the only addition they have been
able to make to the Materia Medica/ ■ • • " '" ^' ' " ' . In the
following v/ork Dr. Thomson has cndcaroured to embody in a small
compass, and to convey to the public in as plain and simple terms as
he was capable, a correct knowledge of his system of practice, with
his manner of treating disease, together with a description of all the
vegetable productions of our own country that he has found to be
useful in curing disorders, and the best manner of preparing and
administering them. It will be found of the greatest importance to
the people ; being the result of thirty years constant practice, in
attending on all kinds of disease common in this country. It offers to
the public an opportunity to make themselves sufficiently acquainted
with the subject, to enable every one who avails himself
 PREFACE. 11 ince. hose ed to on of ;hose n by d the y bo
th030 class. jy his 11 can ■f this nge of from d disig diseward e was
ve oband if been those Lion of n able idcavvey to capaactice, • with
ns of jful in 12: and Ieatest thirty of disAic an ainted of it, to become
his own pfiysician, with a trifling expense. .' , .. -. ; '• ■V4 .' ; To
introduce a new system of medical practice and to make an entire
change of the public opinion on so important a subject, is an
undertaking of too great magnitude to be effected without much
difficulty, let its superiority over all others be ever so great; for
whoever undertakes it must expect to have to contend against the
interest of a large class of the commimity, and the prejudices of the
whole. That Dr. Thomson has been able to effect so much, is more
surprising, than that ho has not done more, for he has laboured
under many difficulties besides being opposed by a powerful
combination, whose interest it is to keep the people back from
adopting his practice. He has been obliged to satisfy the people of
what is for their interest, as well as foi' their p^ace and happiness,
against their own inclinations ; and has pursued his own plan with
wonderful perseverance, and with an honest and determined zeal to
do what he thought to be his duty. He seems to have had in view
more the public good than his own interest, for his whole plan has
been to give information to the people as vrell as to relieve them
from disease ; and to put it in their powder to cure themselves and
families in all cases of sickness, without being under the necessity of
employing a doctor. In pursuing this object he has spent the best
part of his days, and has received but very small compensation for
all his labours ; the pecuniaiy benefit that he has realized for his
practice and rights sold, would be no temptation to any one to
midergo the hundredth part of what he has suffered from
persecution. Notwithstanding all the difficulties Dr. Thomson has let
with, and all the opposition he has had to contend Lgainst, his
system is made use of by the people gcnoraK ly in many places, and
is fast spreading in all parts of the jUnited States. Wherever the
people become acquaint[ed with it they universally adopt it, and
consider it of [the greatest value ; so much so, that there arc
hundredw«j [who would not be deprived of the information they
have [received for any sum of money whatever. In sercral H 
 ifiiP;^^>.iL||;i,i.i 13 PRF-FAC E. s n-' towns \iiTge focicties
have been foriiied of [Link] \vho have purchased the rightn, and,
who obligate themsclv«o to assist each other in cases of sickness ;
where ihis has been the case, great benefit has been derived nnd
tho success of the practice has been complete, Tisis seems to be the
best plan forjintroducing a correct knowledge of he system and
practice among the people, and p^itting it in their power to derive
the most advantage from its use ; and if a few of those men who
have the most influence injsociety, would examine into the subject
with impartiality, they would readily be convinced of its superior
usefulness, and by taking an interest in difliising a knowledge of thxi
practice among the people, they vt ould confer a greater benefit on
mankind than by any charitable act they could perform. There has
been one great obstacle in the way of a general extension of a
knowledge of the practice, for the want of some means to convey
correct information how to prepare and administer the medicine,
wiUi the l)est manner of treatment in curing disease ; and also to
prevent all who adopt this system of practice, from being imposed
upon by those who pretend to make use of it without a proper
knowledge of the subjt ft ; for there are quacks under this system as
well as others. Thi.H is obviated by the following work, in which it is
thought will be found sufficient explanations and directions to enable
any one who pays strict attention to them, to mak« use of the
practice with safety and success. , ^ :t,;;Vv''' '• ' • '■ ■■ •"-'■■■
"■;'•■"" '»;-;M' ■■'"'^' ■'"::■'; ^rx . V 'r'- » ', » I ^ ...
 •Me who thi» has iiid iho (^ems to edge of Utiiig it its use ;
illuence impar;iiperior knowlihl conaritable av of a ice, for rmation
w'l'h the also to rom bec use of or there ;. Thi» thought ns to ento
make « WAMR ATIVE OF THE LIFE, &.C. OF SAxMUEL THOMSON.
THERE is nothing, perhaps, more unpleasant than to ' wdte one*3
own life; for in doing it we are obliged to pas« ©ver again, as it
were, many scenes, which we might "H'ish to have forgotten, and
relate many particulars,, which, though they may seem very
important to ourselves, yet would be very uninteresting to the
reader. It is not my intention to attempt to write a history of my life,
^nor would it be in my power to do it if I had such a wish ; rut as 1
have been the greater part of my life engaged (n one of the most
important pursuits, and which is of more consequence to the great
human family,, than any other that could be undertaken by man;
that of allevifiiting human misery, by curing all cases of disease by
the most simple, safe and certain method of practice, I think thi
public will be interested to know ^Jfomething of me, and the cause
of my having taken upI on myself so important a calling, without
being regular^Jy educated to th(' profession, which is thought by
the I world t'^ be indispensably neccseary ; but I shall take th©
liberty to disagree a little with them in this particular » for, although
learning may be a great advantage in acquiring a profession, yet
that alone will never make a great man, where there is no natural
gift» Giving a short sketch of the eirly part of my existence, and
relating those accidental circumstances thut f have occurred during
my life, and which were princiI pally the cause of my engaging in the
h saling art, will ^ en&blt the public to judge mor«» correctly,
whether I B
 ./ ill fp m} U Narrative of ihcLife, 6fC, have taken
thal>oursc,''iri'ruirilIiniy oldest sister n^arriod Samuel Hills, and lived
in Snrry, New Hamp-^mire, and my two brothers live in Jericho,
Vermont. My youngest sister married AY:»tcry Mather, and lives in
tli3 State of Ohio. : : ." That country war, a wih' rness when I was
born ; my father had began there about a year before, at Avhich
time there was no hcuse witliin three miles one way, and about" one
the otlier ; there were no roads, and ihcy had to ^o by marked
trees. The unow v/as very deep when thev moved there, and mv
mother had to travel over a mile on snow slioes through the woods
to got to tlieir habitation. My parents [Link] poor, having nothing to
begin the world with ; but had to depend upon their labor for
support. "My father had bought a piece of wild land on credit, aii:l ":
ad to pay for itby his labor in what he could make ciT the land,
which caused us great hardships and deprivations for a long time. As
soon as I bcfian to fonnaiiy correct ideas ofthingSj my mind was
much irritated by the imT>ressions made on it by my parentp;, [Link],
no doubt with very good intentions, tilled my young head vvith all
kinds of hob-goblins and witch-stories, wliich made a very deep
impression on my mind, and whicli were not entirely eradicatcdjfor j?
ianv years. 1 n^entlon this as a caution to parents, rot ■m n
 iiis life, In do>\o. nar\y those ts that to tht* ;tcm of [,
connply fjicounty s twons'nanic ss. and sister ! Fi55tcr rothf^r, cr
n^arp.^ilnrc, t. M> Ives in n ; iny which ic vray, id llicy y deep )
traro] lo got ing nod upon piece s labor iscd us Iiingf?* ide on
intenoblins Dssion cdffi^r 3, rot Of Samuel Thomson, ' It to t«Jl their
childrhn any thin^ but the truth ; for youngr children naturally
believe wliatevcr their parenta tell them, and when they frighten
tiicm with such stories, for the purpose of making them behave well,
it will most generally have a very bad eflect ; for when they yrrive at
years of discretion, and fmd that all these stories are falsehoods,
tliey will naturally form very unfavourable opinions of their parents,
whose duty it is to set them better examples. My fatlier and mother
were of the Baptist persuasion, and were very strict in their religious
duties. They at^tended meeting every Sabbath, and my father
prayed >night and morning in his family. One day ihey went to
''meeting, and left me and my sister at home alone, and told us that
if we were wicked tliey should send the bear or the knocker to carry
us off. While they were ab•ent I was at play, when we heard a hard
knocking on the outside of the house, which frightened us very
much, and when they came home I told them what had hap[ pened
; but instead of letting us know what it wus, they h told us it was the
knocker they had told us of^ and that or the bear would alwavs
come if we were wicked and ; did not mind and do aa they told us.
It was several years after that my reason taught me that this
knocker as they called it, was a wood-pecker that came on the fc
end of the house. Parents ought to be careful to impress ^ on the
minds of young children, correct ideas of things, and not mislead
tlieir understandings by tell'ng them falsehoods; for it will bo of the
greatest importance as respects their future conduct and pursuits in
life. When I was between three and four year old, my father took me
out with him to work. The lirst business I was set to do was to drive
the cows to pasture, and v/atch the geese, with other small chores,
which occupation kept me all day in the fields. I was very curious to
know the names of all the herbs which I saw gro\ ing, and what
they were good for; and to satisfy my curiosity w^ s couGtantly
making enquiries of those persons whom ^ happened to be with, for
that purpose. All the information I thus obtained, or by my own
observalion, I carefully laid up in m.y memory, and never forgot.
There was an old la'^y by the n^ime of Ben 
 tfmvnw^} 1(1 Narratiiye of tlu Liftt 4-^. & E^*» M' iv ■4
L,! •[Link]; Ij, if ton lived near un, who used to attend our family when
there was any sickness. At that time there wa-j no audi thing as a
Doctor known amon'hen she used to go out to collect roots and
heibs, she would take me with her, and learn me their nnmes, with
what they v/ere good for ; and I used to be very curious in my
enquiries, and in tasting every thing that I found. The information i
thus obtained at this early age, was afterwards of gre^t use to me.
Sometime in the summer, after I was four years old, being out in the
fields in search of the cows, I discovered a plant which had a
singular branch and pods, that I had never b'jfore eeen ; and 1 had
the curiosity to pick some of the pods and cheu^ them ; the taste
and operation prodi:ced, was so remarkable, that I never forgot it. I
afterv/ards usnd to induce other boys to chew it, merely by way of
sport, to see them vomit. 1 tried this herb .a thi^? way for nearly
[Link] years, without knowing iiny thinj: of its medical virtues. This
plant is what i iiave callvd the Emetic Herb, and is the most
important article I make use of in my practice. It is very common in
most parts of this country, and may be prepared and used in almost
any manner. It is a certain coimter-poison, having never been known
to fail to counteract the effects cf the most deadly poison, even
when t'?kc:i in l?r^^e quantities for self-destruction. There is no
danjiwr 10 be aopreliended from Its use, as it is perfectly harmless
in its operation, even when a large quantity is taken — it opc^ratcs
as an emetic, cleanses the ctomach from all [Link] aliment,
promotes an internal heat, whicl^ is immediately felt at the
extremitii^s, and produces perspiration. The excJusive right, of
using this plant for medicial purposes is «ecured to me by patent,
and my right to tlie discovery ha cv fal an ha ha fc m< Ihl Mi
 V when waj no not hc)racticc ont, or alwayg lot proi else,
family, we bcic used d tv'ike at they my en. The i afterrs old,
lisrovpodff, sity to te and never )y9 to rorait. years, This md is
pracmtry, nner. nown 7 poif-desfrom even 3metnent, elt at I ex?es is
ivery Of Samuel Thomson, 17 has never been disputed ; though the
Doctors hare done every thing they couhl to destroy the credit of it,
by false statements, representing it to be a deadly poison, f^' and at
the same time tliey knew to the contrary, for they 'have [Link] uae of
it themselves for several years, and have tried to defraud me of tlic
discovery. I feel perfectly convinced from near thirty years
experience of its Inedical properties, that the discovery is of
incalculable importance, and if properly understood by the people,
%ill be more useful in curing the diseases incident to Jhis climate,
than the drugs and medicines sold by all ihe apothecaries in the
country. At five years of age my father put me to hard work, and
was very str-ct, using the greatest severity towards 'ine. I u«cd to
sutler very much from pains in my hips and back, being lame from
my birth, and the hard work made me so stilir^ that in the morning
it was with difliculty I could walk. My father's severity tcv/ards mc
^^iiiade me very unhappy, for I was constantly in fear V lest he
should call and I should not hear him, in which '?!caG?, he used to
punish me v^ry severely. I continued ■An this situation till I
v/as^ght years old, when my broth*crs began to be bom<5 help,
which took part of the 'burthen off from me. We suflered great
hardships and lived very poorly; but we always had something to
eat, "^nnd were contented, for we kn'?w of nothintj better; a ^Jdish
of bean porridge and some potatoes, were our con'«iant fare, and
this was better than [Link] others had. 'The greatest part of this
v/inter we had to live in the /barn. In July my father bad got a part
of the roof of a new house covered, and we moved into it; which
was more comfortable than the barn. About this time mv ,- mother
was taken sick, and was carried to Mrs. Benton's for her to take care
of, where she remained for several weeks, durinir which time, by
using such means as this old lady proscribed, chc recovered. At this
time I had never been to school, or had any chance whatever to
learn to read. ?rly fat-ser kept me constantly at w^rk all week days,
and on SuJiday I had to g- a considerable distance on foot tc
meeting, and the rest of the M duT wui kci>t on D^y leet in
hearin?? him re:id tlie ca'o