I connexion with the stomach and bowels. allude more particularly to Rheumatism, Gout, Tic Douloureux, Apoplexy, Cough, Piles, &c. Further, as in this land of active minds, the effects of digestive disease on the mind are prominent though not sufficiently recognized, especial stress has been laid on laid on the harassing phenomena of Thought which are coincident with the signs in the stomach and bowels: an important fact, since were it sufficiently attended to in the early part of the complaints treated of, many distressing hours, days, and years might be avoided. Accordingly, the action of the Passions is entered upon, and its consequences considered in each of them: which comprehends the digestive complaints of men of business, literary men, and others. In this portion of the general subject the First Part terminates. In the Second Part, in continuing the subject of the Passions, and under the head of Ambition, opportunity will be taken to give the detailed account of the last illness of NAPOLEON, showing how it grew from bad to worse, was connected with the mind on the one hand, and was aggravated by physic on the other. In the meanwhile, as the two Parts will form one volume, an en graving of NAPOLEON from the original sketch by Horace Vernet is given with the present one, although the case of the Emperor will form part of the subsequent one. In this last also an essay on the effects of the drugs in most common usage will be given, and the disorders each one begets, together with the manner in which it does so, will be mentioned:-a beacon, I trust, to warn from the mischief-working employment of those so-called remedies. The subject of DIET will form another section of this Second Part, and some commonly received errors on that head be discussed. Finally, in the Second Part, an exposition of the manner in which Stomach Complaints and Drug Diseases may be both prevented and radically cured by the operation of water, employed according to a variety of methods, and with reference to a variety of symptoms, will be given. And the entire subject wound up with a concise account of what constitutes HEALTH, and of the first dawning of DISEASE. I should apologise to my readers for appending to this Part certain Letters to Dr. Hastings, had I confined myself to the matter of personal and professional dispute between that person and myself. But as the reader will find in them much information concerning the Water-cure, as it is practised in Malvern, the mode of proceeding when here, the objections that have been made against the great modern discovery, and the best manner of availing himself of it, he may with propriety be referred to the Letters for much that could not have been imparted in the body of the treatise which precedes them. Many might infer, from the very friendly interchange of ideas between myself and Dr. Hastings, that I was at loggerheads with the whole of my professional brethren. I think it but justice to them and myself to state, that this is far from being the case. Since my work on the Water-cure appeared, I have had the pleasure of receiving many very friendly letters on the subject from medical men, standing high in the profession. They have also sent me patients from London, Cheltenham, and Liverpool. Since I have been here I have had four of my professional brethren under my care, and have had the additional satisfaction of seeing them depart satisfied, that the Water-cure was a system of the greatest value; acknowledging that it was all fair and above board, and without a mélange of "hocus pocus." Some medical men have not been exactly pleased with my style of writing, others have said, "it was just the thing;" each may have his reasons for his taste and opinions in this matter. I have, also, mine; and they agree with those of Sir Astley Cooper, who says, that there are times and seasons when "milk and water language" is not the most appropriate or useful. In my "WATER-CURE," every one must acknowledge that I have strenuously avoided personalities. Let those who write against it say as much. It is impossible to please I have no ambition to place myself every one. in the position of the old man and his donkey. I write what I think is right, and am ready to defend it, as well as to reply to any personal attack in the vein and humour of the aggressor. For, as Dr. Hastings justly observes, "England expects every man to do his duty" to himself, which ought to comprise his duty to his neighbour. Let them attack the WATER-CURE as much as they please, while I attack the DRUG SYSTEM; between us we shall elicit some useful truths. I have only further to add-and I am sure all who know me will acknowledge its correctness-that no one can find a greater pleasure in, or be more desirous of, being on a friendly footing with every one, than myself. J. W. |