Background
Thomson was born on February 9, 1769 in Alstead, N. H. He was the son of John and Hannah (Cobb) Thomson. His father was a struggling pioneer farmer, who put his son to work on the farm when he was five, though he had been lame from birth.
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The Friend to Health: Being a Selection of Valuable Truths Relating to the Preservation of Health; From the Works of Thatcher, Franklin, Thompson, Salzmann, &C (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from The Friend to Health: Being a Selection of V...)
Excerpt from The Friend to Health: Being a Selection of Valuable Truths Relating to the Preservation of Health; From the Works of Thatcher, Franklin, Thompson, Salzmann, &C The mind, unconscious in many instances of its own good, seeks and explores no farther than to an swer the immediate wants of necessity, and thereby subjects itself to inconveniences that a little attention and study might well avoid. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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New Guide to Health: Or, Botanic Family Physician, Containing a Complete System of Practice, Upon a Plan Entirely New; with a Description of the ... Them to Cure Disease. to Which Is Prefi
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
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Report of the Trial of Dr. Samuel Thomson, the Founder of the Thomsonian Practice: For an Alleged Libel in Warning the Public Against the Impositions ... False Colors, Before Judge Thacher, in the Mu
(Excerpt from Report of the Trial of Dr. Samuel Thomson, t...)
Excerpt from Report of the Trial of Dr. Samuel Thomson, the Founder of the Thomsonian Practice: For an Alleged Libel in Warning the Public Against the Impositions of Paine D. Badger, as a Thomsonian Physician Sailing Under False Colors, Before Judge Thacher, in the Municipal Court of Boston, April Term, 1839 Gives notice to his friends and the public that he has returned to this city and resumed his professional duties. The brill1ant success which has always attended his practice in diseases of every class and of almost every degree of malignity, is the only evidence 'he desires to present to the public of the civalue of. The medi cines he prepares, and of h1s skill ln administering them. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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A Narrative Of The Life And Medical Discoveries Of Samuel Thomson
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The Thomsonian Manual: Or Advocate of the Principles Which Govern the Thomsonian System of Medical Practice (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from The Thomsonian Manual: Or Advocate of the Pr...)
Excerpt from The Thomsonian Manual: Or Advocate of the Principles Which Govern the Thomsonian System of Medical Practice In speaking, as above, - Of the classes yet opposed to the Botanic symem, we purposely have omitted to - ineludethe death-dispensing disciples of Paracelsus-fi-sthe race Of mercury dealers. That they should be disposed to favor any thing reform or simplify the system of medical practice, is not to be expected by are acquainted with even the ordinary springs Of self-interest. It would be and humane, most certainly, if they would endeavor to promote reform - abut we may not suppose they will correct abuses who profit by their existence; and the selfishness Of the world is so general, that we can hardly expect the dogmatic herd of ordinary M. D.'e to pursue a course dissonant-to their real or apparent interest. Their Opposition, ridicule and misrepresentation we look for, then, as a matter of course and, expecting nothing less, we shall' be always in readiness to combat it, whenever it'has the temerity or thecourage to make a stand. In order to hasten the adoption of the reformed system by the people generally, all that to us appears necessary, is, that the Thomsonian practitioners sh-o-uld exert themselves to accumulate and'imbody in a form suitable for publication in Thomsonian periodicals, such cases and facts as come within the compass Oftheir practice or their Observation, the tendency Of which would be to enlighten and convince the public; and that they, and the friends of the system and humanity generally, should then lend their aid-ih extending the circulation Of those facts'am'ong th This done, and we have not a doubt of the happy result; for, let and learned blockheads argue as they may, there is, among intelligence and discernment to judge correctly of testimony virtue enough to guard, and sustain, and properly to appreciate truth and honesty, when once they have been made manifest. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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- A narrative of the life and medical discoveries of Samuel Thomson : containing an account of his system of practice, and the manner of curing disease with vegetable medicine, upon a plan entirely new; to which is added an introduction to his New guide to health, or botanic family physician, containing the principles upon which the system is founded, with remarks on fevers, steaming, poison, &c.
- A course of fifteen lectures, on medical botany, denominated Thomson's new theory of medical practice : in which the various theories that have preceded it are reviewed and compared. Delivered in Cincinnati, Ohio
Samuel Thomson
Edit ProfileEducation
At ten the boy had one month's schooling. He took a great dislike to farm work, and from his earliest years spent most of his time in the fields and woods. Here he became interested in herbs and their medical uses. One especially impressed him because of its peculiar effect in producing vomiting and profuse perspiration. It was lobelia inflata, and later he was to use it extensively in his career of healing, claiming its medical properties as his own discovery.
Career
At the age of twenty-one he assumed charge of the family farm. His confidence in the curative properties of herbs strengthened, he began to use them, first in his own family and then among the neighbors. Calls for his services increased and at length, formulating a system, he devoted himself wholly to medical practice, his activities extending over all eastern New England.
He soon incurred the enmity of the regular school physicians, who persecuted him for the rest of his life. He became involved in many law suits, was charged with murder on at least one occasion and was once confined for six weeks in a loathsome prison. The trials in which he was involved created a considerable sensation in their day.
His theory of disease was based on the assumption that all ills are produced by cold and that any treatment which increases inward heat will hasten recovery. Although he used many other vegetable remedies, his method in general consisted in prescribing lobelia followed by Cayenne pepper. Usually the vapor bath was also employed.
So great was his success that he decided to obtain a patent for his process. One was granted on March 3, 1813, and a revised patent on January 28, 1823. He also conceived the idea of selling rights to practise his system, and societies were formed in all parts of the country, including the Middle West. Most of the agents whom he employed proved dishonest, and his life was made miserable by their misdeeds.
He published A Brief Sketch of the Causes and Treatment of Disease (1821); A Narrative of the Life and Medical Discoveries of Samuel Thomson (1822); New Guide to Health: or Botanic Family Physician (1822); and Learned Quackery Exposed (1824). Having had no educational advantages, in writing his books he wisely accepted aid from others. A number of short-lived journals, exponents of his system, were issued, among them the Botanic Sentinel (later called Philadelphia Botanic Sentinel and Thomsonian Sentinel), 1835-40, and the Thomsonian Recorder, started in Columbus, Ohio, in 1832, which was later (1837) called the Botanic-Medical Recorder and lasted until 1852.
Although most of the regular school of physicians were jealous of Thomson's success, he was treated with much kindness by such practitioners as Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia, Benjamin Waterhouse of Harvard, and William Tully of Yale.
The significance of his work lies not in any contribution to medical science but in the strong influence that he created against the prevailing practice of his day, in which bleeding, calomel, and opium were the ruling remedies. His residence in his later years was Boston, Massachussets, where, at his home on Salem Street, he died.
Achievements
Works
book
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The Friend to Health: Being a Selection of Valuable Truths Relating to the Preservation of Health; From the Works of Thatcher, Franklin, Thompson, Salzmann, &C (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from The Friend to Health: Being a Selection of V...)
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The Thomsonian Manual: Or Advocate of the Principles Which Govern the Thomsonian System of Medical Practice (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from The Thomsonian Manual: Or Advocate of the Pr...)
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A Narrative Of The Life And Medical Discoveries Of Samuel Thomson
( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
-
New Guide to Health: Or, Botanic Family Physician, Containing a Complete System of Practice, Upon a Plan Entirely New; with a Description of the ... Them to Cure Disease. to Which Is Prefi
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
-
Report of the Trial of Dr. Samuel Thomson, the Founder of the Thomsonian Practice: For an Alleged Libel in Warning the Public Against the Impositions ... False Colors, Before Judge Thacher, in the Mu
(Excerpt from Report of the Trial of Dr. Samuel Thomson, t...)
- A narrative of the life and medical discoveries of Samuel Thomson : containing an account of his system of practice, and the manner of curing disease with vegetable medicine, upon a plan entirely new; to which is added an introduction to his New guide to health, or botanic family physician, containing the principles upon which the system is founded, with remarks on fevers, steaming, poison, &c.
- A course of fifteen lectures, on medical botany, denominated Thomson's new theory of medical practice : in which the various theories that have preceded it are reviewed and compared. Delivered in Cincinnati, Ohio
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The Friend to Health: Being a Selection of Valuable Truths Relating to the Preservation of Health; From the Works of Thatcher, Franklin, Thompson, Salzmann, &C (Classic Reprint)
Personality
He was lame from birth. Without question he was sincere, and he exhibited great courage in withstanding the persecutions of his opponents.
Connections
On July 7, 1790, married Susan Allen, who bore him eight children. Soon after his marriage his wife became ill, and when the regular physicians failed to perform a cure he employed two root doctors, under whose ministrations she rapidly recovered.
References
- The Steam Doctor's Defence: Exhibiting the Superiority of the Thomsonian System of Medicine, in Relieving and Curing Disease; Consisting of Facts and ... on the System, to Which Is Added, Some Accoun
- Discussions Between Several Members Of The Regular Medical Faculty, And The Thomsonian Botanic Physicians: On The Comparative Merits Of Their Respective Systems
- The People's Doctor: Samuel Thomson and the American Botanical Movement 1790-1860 by John S. Haller (2000-12-31)
- The Toadstool Millionaires: A Social History of Patent Medicines in America before Federal Regulation (Princeton Legacy Library)
- Nature Cures: The History of Alternative Medicine in America
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Born
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Died
January 5, 1843 (aged 73) -
Nationality
American