Why The Thomsponians Preferred Natural Remedies

Every one, whether physician or layman, who holds in his hands the life of a human being, should seriously consider what an awful thing it is to give a drug the tendency of which is to destroy, while trying to cure. To say the least, it is an exceedingly contradictory, and unreasonable act.

This is another confession made by some of the most eminent physicians in their ignorance of the real nature of physiological disorders called disease, and the uncertainty of the action of their remedies; hence, their conclusion, "medicine is not a science."

It is not to be wondered at, that they came to this conclusion, when we take even a cursory glance at the unscientific remedial agents and methods which they employ in their efforts to cure. There has been too much false reasoning in regard to medicine.

For instance, a physician or patient complains that a certain remedy has lost its effect. If we use reason and consider for a moment, we will quickly see that the nature of a remedy, in itself, never changes. This is a fact of the greatest importance. On this point, Prof. Kirk of Edin-burg, Scotland, says:

" 'Circumstances change but essential natures never. A remedy is always the same in nature, and will have the same effect whenever it is used in the same circumstances. It is not wise, merely to say that the remedy has lost its effect and throw it aside as useless. True skill in such a case looks to the circumstances. The remedy has done all it could reasonably be expected to do; but the circumstances have changed, and another effect is now required.

" 'When we take the common sense view of the matter we are left free to discover the real remedy. We have seen the benefit of this many times over when the actual remedy was found, applied, and the patient cured.

This remedy has often proved in many cases exceedingly simple. For instance, we have placed a finger on the root of a nerve supplying the muscles to the part in which the pain was felt and that pain instantly ceased. We have continued the treatment for perhaps half an hour or so and the pain did not return.

We were told that all our remedies had failed. Every one of those remedies had its true effect and had never lost that, only it was another remedy that was required. What was needed was only a little knowledge of the wondrous system of the living frame of man.

It is a most precious gift that is given to all who accept it, that of knowing how to pass from a remedy when it is not the right one, and so be open to find the correct one. Let us gain a real understanding of the nature of all things with which we have to deal, and let us work on that understanding. God himself [the functioning Law] will teach us when we are willing to follow in the light offered us.' "

This is part of the online book, the Thomsonian System of Herbal Medicine. It is an historical text. For the index, please see this page: History Of Herbal Medicine