THE NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 4122, 13 May 1876, Page 2

THE NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL.

To the Editot.

Sir,—"Being for many years convinced ! that the allopathic system of medicine as ! practised at the present day is in general a systein of error, and that it does about as much harrii as 'good to suffering humanity, and also that there are several modem systems of medicine that have, if examiued, superior claims upon our attention, and knowing that a public school of medicine is about to be establishedhere I have been looking anxiously for some of the advocates of the modern systems to come forward to advocate their claims, but have been disappointed. Allow me, then, Mr Editor, to draw the attention of your readers to the very great importance of the occasion. The people of this part of the Britain of the South have determined to teach at their recently-established University a system of medicine, and that system is apparently to be the orthodox or allopathic system I cannot call it a science. Dr Rush compared the so-called science of medicine to ' an unroofed temple, cracked at the sides and rotten at the foundation," and an eminent physician declared that "many of the profession who have ranked high in the medical world have retired from it in disgust, finding all their efforts to combat disease unavailing." Can we call the allopathio system «: medicine a science when every few months i some wonderful medicine is discovered, to be ] again followed soon after by some other more wonderful? And yet the doctors are no more able to combat disiaae

than the above eminent physician'. -: No doubt the Council of the Otago University are placed in a more than ordinarily responsible position in ifiattgtiratb& a school of medicine where individuals wiSoe' taught id; belieVfe—right or wr£ng—that they have the very best knowledge of the curing of the iick—if jerrbneoua how much suffering must be entailed upon humanity. Allow the writer tKeh to suggest that the Council of the Otago University should call to their aid a number of men who are not prejudiced in favor of a University education being indispensable to valuable discoveries in science, men of liberal and independent minds. Let them call for evidence from anyone who will volunteer information regarding any eystem they believe to be the best to cure disease. Allow me to suggest that there is

the homoeopathic system, believed in by a considerable portion of the conununtty. There is also the eclectic system, whicn is spreading rapidly in Ameria; also the hydropathic system, as taught, among others, by Mr. ana Mrs Smedlyin England, wfcere not only thousands were cured of diseases that- could not be cured by the allopathic doctors, but also the doctors were cured/who could neither cure themselves nor yet could get any other doctor tol cure them according to their own useless system; alid last; though not least, there is the botanic system of medicine, as taught by Thomson in America, and by Dr Coffin and others in England: The writer knows a persbri in Otago who has, according to this system, cured several dozens of persons in England, who were given up to die by the doctors. Methinks were the Council of the Otago University as well assured of this fact as I am, that instead of getting from nine to twelve teachers, to be supported by the country, to build up a system which, as already remarked by one of, themselves, is like fa temple unroofed, cracked at the sides, rotten at the foundation," they would get hold of this humble individual and induce 4iim to impart his knowledge of curing disease to those who are desirous to learn.

Earnestly desiring that all who take-an interest in the alleviation of human suffering will feel* the great importance of the consequences involved, and that it is highly, undesirable ibat we should inaugurate any fystem the benefits of which are very doubtfuL.And that at great public expense, what should we care whether our students can "register on the British Medical Register" sblghjas they can give relief to the suffering aiftrlife to the dying? I would beg of my readers wno are interested in this very important matter to read Dr Coffin's ' Botanic, Guide to Health/ Fox, Skelton, Beech, £c ; also Smedly'B system of Hydropathy. ''■ ■ ■■'" #'j? Hoping the above will receive the Consideration that.thejrelief of human suffering deserves, I am, &c, ' . V4T Sjimxa S-fEWA«p,f . .Dunedin, May 11. / •