A collection of cases illustrating the restorative and sanative properties of Swaim's panacea in a variety of diseases.

  • Swaim, Wm. (William)
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A collection of cases illustrating the restorative and sanative properties of Swaim's panacea in a variety of diseases. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    numerous conjectures have been formed as to its com- position; each one more incorrect than the preceding: one has supposed it to be muriate of gold—another, corrosive sublimate; this one has supposed it to be ar- senic, and that one a decoction of sarsaparilla, or ci- cuta. In fact, there is scarcely a remedy of value in the whole Materia Medica, that has not, in the opinion of some, displayed its peculiar effects in the adminis- tration of the Panacea. Surely, the fact of its having cured several cases in which all of these various reme- dies had been previously employed, is sufficient to con- vince any one, that it consists of neither one of these articles, but that it possesses the properties of all; and, if they continue to persist in the belief that it does con- sist of some or all of them, then we know not how they account for its acting so much more beneficially under the care of one person than another—unless, indeed, they conceive that the miraculous power of curing by the touch, has descended from the ancient kings of France and England, to the truly fortunate proprietor of the Panacea! In this publication, I mean not to derogate from the profession of Medicine; none can entertain for this sci- ence a more exalted opinion—a more profound respect; I merely advance what my experience with this medi- cine fully sanctions. Daily do we behold something new in almost every art and science; new discoveries and improvements continue every day to be advanced; in a word, no science, no art, is perfect; each day dis- closes some imperfection of the preceding, and in all human probability, the day will never arrive when man shall have attained the acme of perfection. With these few general observations I shall proceed more immediately to the subject, and bring before my readers a relation of some few cases, with remarks, which will fully illustrate the position laid down, viz. its utility in the diseases mentioned. Many other cases, equally satisfactory, might be added, but as it