INTRODUCTION.
Knowledge which is conducive to self-preservation is of primary importance. That great educator, profound thinker, and vigorous writer, Herbert Spencer, has pertinently said that, "As vigorous health and its accompanying high spirits, are larger elements of happiness than any other things whatever, the teaching how to maintain them is a teaching that yields to no other whatever. And therefore we assert that such a course of physiology as is needful for the comprehension of its general truths and their bearings on daily conduct is an all-essential part of a rational education."
Believing that the diffusion of knowledge for the prevention of disease is quite as noble a work as the alleviation of physical suffering by medical skill, we have devoted a large portion of this volume to the subjects of physiology and hygiene. These we have endeavored to present in as familiar a style as possible, that they may be understood by every reader. Freely as we have received light upon these subjects have we endeavored to reflect it again, in hopes that a popular presentation of these matters made plain and easy of comprehension to all people, may lead the masses into greater enjoyment of life—the result of a better preservation of health. This we do in part as a public acknowledgment of our obligations to society, to whom every professional man is a debtor. He belongs to it, is a part of its common stock, and should give as well as receive advantages, return as well as accept benefits. We know of no better way to signify our appreciation of the public confidence and patronage, so generously accorded to us, than to offer this volume to the people at a price less than the actual cost for an edition of ordinary size. This we do as a token of the cordial reciprocation of their good will. In giving to the people wholesome advice, by which they may be enabled to ward off disease and thus preserve the health of multitudes, we believe we shall receive their hearty approval, as well as the approbation of our own conscience, both of which are certainly munificent rewards. We believe that good deeds are always rewarded, and that the physician who prevents sickness manifests a genuine and earnest devotion to the common interests of humanity.
We have no respect for the motives of those medical men who would withhold that information from the people which will direct the masses how to take care of themselves, and thereby prevent much sickness and suffering. Nor is the diffusion of such knowledge antagonistic to the best interests of the true and competent physician. The necessity for his invaluable services can no more be set aside by popularizing physiological, hygienic, and medical truths, than we can dispense with those of the minister and lawyer by the inculcation of the principles of morality in our public schools. The common schools do not lessen the necessity for colleges or universities, but rather contribute to their prosperity. Nor are we so presumptuous as to anticipate that we could possibly make this volume so instructive as to render "every man his own physician." No man can with advantage be his own lawyer, carpenter, tailor, and printer; much less can he hope to artfully repair his own constitution when shattered by grave maladies, which not only impair the physical functions, but weaken and derange the mental faculties. What physician presumes to prescribe for himself, when suddenly prostrated by serious illness? He very sensibly submits to the treatment of another, because he realizes that sickness impairs his judgment, and morbid sensations mislead and unfit him for the exercise of his skill. If this is true of the physician, with how much greater force does it apply to the unprofessional! If a sick sea-captain is unfit to stand at the helm and direct his ship, how utterly incompetent must the raw sailor be when similarly disqualified! Nor is the physician as competent to treat those near and dear to him, when they are suffering from dangerous illness, as another medical man not similarly situated, whose judgment is not liable to be misled by intense anxiety and affectionate sympathy.
Notwithstanding all these facts, however, a knowledge on the part of the unprofessional, of something more than physiology and hygiene, and appertaining more closely to medicine proper, will many times prove valuable.
In the first stage of many acute affections which, if unheeded, gradually assume a threatening aspect, endangering life and demanding the services of the most skilled physician to avert fatal results, the early administration of some common domestic remedy, such as a cathartic, or a diaphoretic herb, associated with a warm bath, a spirit vapor-bath, or a hot foot-bath, will very often obviate the necessity for calling a family physician, and frequently save days and weeks of sickness and suffering.
So, likewise, are there numerous, acute diseases of a milder character which are easily and unmistakably recognized without the possession of great medical knowledge, and which readily yield to plain, simple, medical treatment which is within the ready reach of all who strive to acquaint themselves with the rudiments of medical science. But in sudden and painful attacks of acute disease, life may be suddenly and unexpectedly jeopardized, and immediate relief prove necessary. While under these circumstances the prompt application of such domestic treatment as good common-sense may dictate, guided by a knowledge of those first principles of medical learning which we shall hereafter endeavor to make plain, may result in speedy and happy relief, yet at the same time there should be no delay in summoning a competent physician to the bedside of the sufferer.
Then, and not the least important, there are the various chronic or lingering diseases, from all of which few individuals indeed, who pass the meridian of life, entirely escape. In this class of ailments there is generally no immediate danger, and, therefore, time may be taken by the invalid for studying his disease and employing those remedies which are best suited for its removal. Or, if of a dangerous or complicated character, and, therefore, not so readily understood, he may consult either personally or by letter, some learned and well-known physician, who makes a specialty of the treatment of such cases, and whose large experience enables him to excel therein.
In consideration, therefore, of the foregoing facts, we deem it most profitable for our readers that Part Fourth of this volume should be arranged in the following manner:
The milder forms of uncomplicated, acute diseases, which may be readily and unmistakably recognized, and successfully managed without professional aid, will receive that attention which is necessary to give the reader a correct idea of them, and their proper remedial treatment.
We shall devote only such attention to the severe and hazardous forms of acute diseases as is necessary in order to consider their initial stage, with their proper treatment, not attempting to trace their numerous complications, or portray the many pathological conditions which are liable to be developed. For, even by devoting much space to the latter, we could not expect to qualify our unprofessional readers for successfully treating such obscure and dangerous conditions.
We shall devote the largest amount of space to a careful and thorough consideration of those chronic diseases, which, by a little study, may be readily recognized and understood by the masses, and for the cure of which we shall suggest such hygienic treatment and domestic remedies as may be safely employed by all who are in quest of relief. In the more dangerous, obscure, or complicated forms of chronic diseases, the correct diagnosis and successful treatment of which tax all the skill possessed by the experienced specialist, the invalid will not be misled into the dangerous policy of relying upon his own judgment and treatment, but will be counseled not to postpone until too late, the employment of a skillful physician.
The apportionment of space which is made in considering the various diseases and their different stages, as well as the course which the people are advised to pursue under the different circumstances of affliction, is not always in accordance with the plans and recommendations which have been made by others who have written works on domestic medicine. Most of these authors have attempted, by lengthy disquisitions, to teach their readers how to treat themselves without the services of a physician, even in the most hazardous forms of disease. In such dangerous maladies as typhoid, typhus, yellow, and scarlet fevers, typhoid pneumonia, and many others, in which life is imminently imperiled, such instruction and advice is decidedly reprehensible, as it may lead to the most serious consequences. We are confident, therefore, that the manner of disposing of the different subjects which are discussed in the succeeding chapters, and the course of action which is advised, will commend themselves to our readers as being such as are calculated to promote and subserve their best interests.