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POINT PLEASANT – Near Kinsale
The publication of recipes for diseases without
knowing whence they come, or even the nature of the medicine
prescribed, has become too common in our country, and has led, in
various instances, to fatal consequences. Some years ago a recipe
was published, recommending large doses of sulphur for the
rheumatism. A gentleman in North Carolina tried it, and was cured
of the rheumatism, it is true; but was entirely deprived of the use
of his limbs for the rest of his life. The following letter gives
the fatal results of another trial of a miserable Quack Recipe. The
only wonder that is both, father and daughter, did not fall victims
to their too easy credulity.
- POINT PLEASANT – Near Kinsale
- Northumberland, Virginia, Sept 19, 1826
To the Editor of the Baltimore Patriot.
Sir
: An
instance of the fatal effects of quakery has recently occurred in
this County near my residence, and as the fatal recipe is now going
the rounds of the newspapers, at the instance of my neighbors. I
communicate the intelligence to you, hoping that no time may be lost
in endeavoring to stop the administering of no deadly a poison: I
will briefly relate the cases. For some time a poor man, a neighbor
named Clement T. Tate, has been afflicted with the ague and fever;
he was told of the remedy of Gin & Sulphur, taken just before the
ague—he procured some Gin and Powdered Brimstone, and administered
to himself one pint of the mixture, and to his daughter, an
interesting Girl of about 18 years old, 3 gills, the effect of it
was this, it produced a most violent fever and delirium in both of
the victims; Mr. Tate is slowly recovering, but his poor daughter
being of a more weakly constitution, suffered much and died in the
greatest agony on the 17th inst. It is believed that the recipe
first made its appearance in one of the Norfolk or Washington
prints.
You can use this as you see fit, I hope the
promuligation of the recipe will be stopped. Yours with respect,
ARCHIBALD R. FARQUHAR. Jr. |
