The Midwest pioneer, his ills, cures, & doctors - University Library ...

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whole body from the air, and then place him over the
steam. Change the stones as often as they grow cool, so
as to keep up a lively steam, and keep them over it; if they
are faint, throw a little cold water on the face and stomach,
which will let down the outward heat and restore the
strength— after they have been over the steam long
enough, which will generally be about 15 or 20 minutes,
they must be washed all over with cold water or spirit
and be put in bed, or may be dressed, as the circumstances
of the case shall permit."
This treatment with certain modifications was effective
in cases of dropsy, cancer, humors, mortifications, "fellons,"
dysentery, consumption, rheumatism, "scalt" head,
venereal diseases, and fits. In his treatment of an old maid
"much disordered for many years and very spleeny," complications
of a serious nature almost developed, for so
speedy was the woman's recovery that she immediately acquired
a husband, who ungraciously accused Dr. Thomson
of using love powder. Steaming might be supplemented
at times by the use of an electrical machine for external
applications. Perhaps this was the Perkins influence.
Dr. Thomson's cures naturally brought vociferous criticism
from the regular members of the profession. In 1809-
10 he was charged with murder after the death of a patient,
supposedly from use of the "screw auger" lobelia. Fortunately
for our story, if not for his patients, he was acquitted,
perhaps much better off for the resultant publicity.^ A few
years later a petition for a law against quackery, specifically
naming him, was sent to the New Hampshire legislature.
But the Law giveth as well as threateneth to take away,
for in March, 1813, the United States Patent Of^ce granted
a patent to Dr. Thomson— the first of a number which it
was to issue to various "doctors" in ensuing years. This gave
him the exclusive right to administer six concoctions,
"No. 1," "No. 2," etc., in the healing of specific diseases.
Ten years later this patent was replaced by a fourteenyear
right, which before its expiration was renewed for
another fourteen-year period.