1870: Briante's Indian methods of healing asthma and bronchitis

On the title page of his book "The Old Root and Herb Doctor" published in 1870, John Goodale Briante said that he lived "for many years with the St. Francis Tribe of Indians, at Green Bay; also for several years with the Pottawattamies and other tribes. "otanic

He said his book contained "directions for preparing and using their most valuable remedies, as used by him (Briante), in his extensive practice throughout the Eastern and Middle States." (1, page 136-7)(2, title page)

In the preface of his book, he said:

The Remedies given may be relied upon, and are the result of a long and careful study of the system followed by the natives of this country, whose singular success in the treatment of disease is well known;and are the same used by the Doctor, during a successful practice of thirty years.

If the directions here laid down are carefully followed it will, in many cases, save the expense and trouble of calling upon the family physician and prove of the greatest value at times when his attendance cannot be procured.

Did he really learn from the Indians?

We may never know.

It is possible, however, that many of the remedies he described were actually Indian remedies.  Yet it is also possible they were simply made up remedies, or remedies borrowed or stolen from Aborigines of some other nation.

Most Indian remedies were simple, containing only one or two roots or herbs. Most remedies containing more than this were probably just made up remedies. 

Regardless, he profited by selling his products, and his book, during the later course of the 19th century, providing hope for millions of people seeking the all mighty cure for the ailments that plagued them, while at the same time avoiding the costly trip to a medical doctor's office.

He did this near the end of the hey day of Indian, or botanic medicine, before there were laws regulating it.

The following are his remedies for asthma and bronchitis:

1.  Asthma:

Take one half ounce Elecampane root (good for diseases of the chest), pulverized, one half ounce of Flos Sulphur, four scruples of Belladonna leaves, pulverized, one Drachm of Senega root; Mix them well and divide into ninety powders, one of which is to be taken three times a day. (1, page 27, 91)

2.  Asthma:

• DROPS FOR ASTHMA. Take two ounces Syrup of Orange Pee, on-e half ounce Wine of Ipecac, one half drachm Tr. Stramonium, one drachm Tr. Opium. In severe attacks, give one tea-spoonful every hour. (1, page 53)
• Indian Turnip, or Dragon Root,  Poplar Bark and Owen's Root (2, page 90-91).

2. Bronchitis:

Take Blue or White Vervain, steep and give a wine-glass full three times a day. Rub the neck and stomach with "Specie of Oil." (See Receipt.)

All of the ingredients could easily be found in their natural environment and prepared by anyone.

References:  

1. Vogel, Virgil, "American Indian Medicine," 1970, London, Oklahoma University Press
2. Briante, John Goodale, "The Old Root and Herb Doctor, or the Indian Method of Healing," 1870, New Hampshire, Granite Book Company

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter

1837: The botanic asthma remedy of Carter and/or Mathes

It is the year 1837, Andrew Jackson is president, you live on the frontier, and you are suffering from a fit of asthma.  What do you do to treat your difficult breathing?

Well, for one thing, you could grin and bear it and wait for nature to bring your breath back.  But there are too many uncertainties with this route, such as: how long can you suffer like this? What if your breath doesn't come back, then what?

Another option would be to find a doctor at some nearby village, which was highly unlikely.  Besides, what if the long ride there made your asthma worse and there wasn't a doctor, then what?

There was another option, one you might have read about in a local paper, and that was to seek the help of a root and herb doctor, which was in its hey day during the Jackson Presidency.

You certainly heard about Samuel Thomson and his army of root and herb doctors plastered across the nation.  Would there be one of these in the nearest village? It wasn't worth the risk to find out.

A fourth option might be your best bet, and this was to have in your possession a book of root and herb remedies written by a root and herb doctor.  You just happened to have on your desk such a book by J.E. Carter, and A.H. Mathe called, "The botanic physician."

The book contained every thing you needed to know about root and herb medicine, botanic medicine, folk medicine, Indian medicine, herb Medicine, stick medicine, or whatever you wanted to call it.  You read about the book a while back in some random newspaper you read, and you purchased a copy at some random general store.

You read some nasty things about these sorts of doctors, that they were copycats, quacks, or otherwise pent on peddling their fake products, most of which contained just alcohol, just to make a buck.  But you weren't concerned about that, especially while you were sitting in your log cabin, miles from any village, struggling to breathe.

Your best hope was that Carter and Mathe were among the few honest root and herb doctors hoping to help their fellows.

You open the book to a page you had marked, sneezing and sniffling as you do so.  You read the passages you were looking for.

ASTHMA OR PHTHISIC.

This complaint is a spasmodic affection of the lungs, which mostly comes on by paroxysms or fits. It is attended with a short, difficult, frequent respiration, with a peculiar wheezing; there is also a stricture or tightness across the breast, which produces a peculiarly unpleasant sensation. Some have so light an attack of this disease, that they experience but little difficulty from it except when they take cold. Others are never entirely clear of its symptoms. Those who are afflicted with this complaint, experience an increase of the symptoms in the evening, and during the early part of the night. Towards morning the symptoms suffer some abatement-; sometimes enough to let the patient get some sleep, but the patient cannot lie down, without increasing the difficulty of breathing, and suffering a sensation similar to suffocation. This complaint is so easily known, that we deem it unnecessary to add any thing more on the symptoms.

TREATMENT

This distressing complaint has long been numbered with those that could only be mitigated, and not cured; but the introduction of the botanic practice has stripped this disorder of its wheezing terrors, and offered the afflicted asthmatic a relief from this suffocating torture. In the whole compass of medicine there are but two articles yet discovered, that are very useful in this complaint, or deserve any thing like the character of being specifics for it; and these are botanic remedies.

The tincture of lobelia, given in doses of a tea-spoonful twice a day, or the pulverized lobelia given in doses of from half to a whole tea-spoonful, once a day, has been found almost a specific for this disorder. In some eases, the pulverized root of skunk cabbage, administered in doses of a half or a whole tea-spoonful mixed with honey or melasses, and repeated as the symptoms may require, often gives relief, in some kinds of asthma when the tincture does not effect a cure. It acts both as arc expectorant, and anti-spasmodic, which gives it a peculiar advantage in some cases of this complaint; yet in most cases, the tincture of lobelia is the surest remedy. In severe cases of long standing, it will be necessary in addition to the above, to carry the patient through several courses of medicine, at least one a week until a cure is effected. It will be necessary for the patient to make a daily use of some diaphoretic tea during the whole time he is using other remedies. He will facilitate the restoration of health and vigor, by using the astringent and bitter laxative tonic powders; and if his bowels ire incline to be costive, give him the stimulating tonic clyster occasionally to keep them regular.

Next to the book are the boxes containing the ingredients.  You prepare them, ingest, and wait.

What would it be like to have asthma on the American Frontier in 1837?" Sometimes it's good just to let our imaginations run wild.

References:

1. Carter, J.E., A.H. Mathes, "The botanic physician, or family medical adviser:  being an improved system, founded on correct physiological principles comprising a brief view of anatomy, physiology, pathology, hygiene, or art of preserving health: a materia medica, exclusively botanical, containing a description of more than two hundred and thirty of the most valuable vegetable remedies: to which is added a dispensary, embracing more than two hundred recipes for preparing and administering medicine.  The diseases of the United States with their symptoms, causes, cures, and means of prevention.  Likewise, a treaties on the diseased peculiar to women and children," 1837, Madisonville, Tennessee, Published by B. Parker and Company

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter

1823: More native American asthma remedies

John D. Hunter lived among the Indians and learned about their medicine through the normal course of life. There were many other "whites" like Hunter who lived among the Indians, some who were kidnapped by them as Hunter was, and others for the simple purpose of studying them as George Catlin did.

Virgil J. Vogel researched and studied their records and recorded a list of Indian remedies in his book "American Indian Medicine.

Some of these remedies as they pertain to our asthma and respiratory therapy history are listed here: :

• Skunk Cabbage:  Mainly used for consumption more so than asthma, but it was used as an expectorant. In either case, the dried roots were used. Imagine a medicine man bringing you this stinky remedy and saying, "Well, eat up."   (2, page 207, 367)
• Red Cedar Berries (perus virginiana) and Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense):  A "steeped infusion" of these was used by the Rappahannocks. (4, page 207)
• Balsam Poplar:  It was turned into a salve that was inserted into the nares by the Pillager Ojibwas to relieve congestion caused by a cold (which would probably sometime be allergies).  It was used for colds, catarrh (a cold), and bronchitis. (2, page 276-7)
• Indian Balsam:  (Balsam fir (Abies balsamea):  Vogel says that Hunter said it was good for colds, coughs, asthma, consumption. (2, page 277-8)
• Corn oil:  Dr. D.C. Jarvis (1881-1966) wrote about folk medicine, and noted that corn oil was often recommended for hay fever, migraine, and asthma. (2, page 293)
• Cottonseed oil:  Used in South Carolina and by the Mayans to treat asthma. (2, page 295)
• Ginsing Root (Panax quinquefolius L):  It was often used as a panacea by the North American Indians, Europeans and the Chinese.  The French are known to have used it for asthma.  (2, page 307)
• Green Helebore:  Used by the Iroquois to relieve catarrh. It was also used as a narcotic to treat asthma and other lung diseases.  It was also used to reduce heart rate and blood pressure.  (2, page 316)
• Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum L.): It's often used as a narcotic, and is the source of marijuana.  It made it's way to the United States and Europe to be included in asthma powders and cigarettes.  It was used by the Indians for asthma and whooping cough, although mainly because it "promoted perspiration." (2, page 319)
• Indian Turnip:  Hunter says it was mixed with spikenard and wild licorice to treat a cough. It was also used for asthma, chronic catarrh, fever, and a variety of other ailments. An "Indian Doctor" by the name of John Briante said "the dried and pulverized root" was good as an expectorant, for asthma.  Dr. David Clapp (1811-1853) said it was good for asthma and chronic cough.  (2, page 322)
• Jimson weed (Datura Strammonium):  The Rappohannock Indians of Virginia smoked leaves for shortness of breath.  It is similar to Belladonna, and was often used in folk medicine as a hallucinogenic and asthma remedy.  As it made it's way to America and Europe in the early 19th century, it was determined to have an alkaloid called Atropine in it that was a mild bronchodilator.  (2, page 328) Modern medicines such as Atropine, Atrovent, Spiriva are been derived from this plant, although many of the modern mediicnes are synthesized (made in a factory)
• Mullen (Verbascum thapsus L.):  The leaves were smoked to relieve asthma and sore throat by the Mohegans and Penobscots.  The Catawbas "boiled het root and sweetened it to make a syrup for croup in children." The Creeks "boiled the roots with those of button willow for a drink used internally for coughs. The leaves were also boiled and the patient bathed in teh infusion while it was hot.  The Forest Potawatomis smoked the dried leaves for asthma, but Smith is uncertain whether they learned teh practice from teh whites or vice versa.  A smoke smudge was made of the leaves and the fumes inhaled for catarrh adn to revive an unconscious patient.  The Menominees smoked the root for pulmonary disease.  Smith said he had often seen whites smoke the leaves for asthma and bronchitis, and tehat the flowers were believed to be diuretic (good for heart failure) and had been used for tuberculosis."  (2, page 341)
• Tobacco:  It was used (probably ingested) by the Maya for asthma, cough and headache, as well as a variety of other ailments.  Some considered it a panacea.  It was even used by some to treat bad breath.  Of interest to note is that while many people loved this panacea, Vogul writes that "The 'Counterblaste to Tobacco' of James I has been widely quoted for its quaint condemnation of smoking as a 'custome lothsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmefull to the braine, dangerous to the Lungs, and in the blacke stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrible sigian smoke of the pit that is bottomlesse.'"  Vogul also notes that the "Menominees inhaled tobacco smoke to induce a narcotic state.  The blowing of tobacco smoke into the ear for earache was reported in this century among the Chickahominys, the Mohegans, and the Malecites... Louisiana Choctaws blew tobacco smoke on snakebites."  So tobacco was used as early inhaltions and fumigations of sorts.  (2, page 380-385)
• Wintergreen:  It was made into a tea and used as a remedy for asthma.  It was also used for "coughs and diseases of the breast," according to Dr. Clapp.  (2, page 394)
• Balsam of Copaiba:  It was used as an expectorent and diuretic
• Balsam of Tolu:  It was used as an expectorant.  Vogul also notes that "In 1822 Dr. Bigelow called it useful in chronic bronchitis, asthma, and catarrh." 

So there's a small sample of some of the remedies that were used by native Americans, many of which made their way to the American and European pharmacopoeia. 

References:

1. Vogel, Virgil J. "American Indian Medicine," 1970, London, Oklahoma University Press

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter

1823: Hunter shares native American asthma remedies

Figure 1 - John D. Hunter

John D. Hunter published a book in 1823 describing his experiences growing up among the Indians of North America, providing us a rare opportunity to see inside Indian Tribes. Of particular interest to our asthma history is Hunter's description of how the Indians perceive hasthma and what remedies they used to treat it.

Hunter recollected no idea where he was born, although he knew the Indians massacred his parents, and took him prisoner. He became the property of a warrior named Fongoh of a tribe of the Kickapoo Nation along the Kalkaska river in Michigan. The Kickapoo were among the hundreds of thousands of Algonquin Indian tribes, and they were nomads who "roam with unrestrained freedom" to hunt for game and to cultivate the soil for the purpose of planting crops used to make food and crafts. The main crop of the Indians Hunter lived with was sugar, at least while they lived along the Kalkaska River. (1, page 8)

Figure 2 -- Kickapoo Hut (wickiup) and tribal member

The Kickapoo set up huts called wickiups, which consisted of an "oval base and a rough frame covered with reed mats, grass, or brushwood."

You can see a picture in figure 2.

As they traveled from place to place these were easily set up. Inside many of these homes, and amid the contents carried on their backs as they traveled, were medicine bags made of beaver or otter skin that were "curiously ornamented."

These bags contained "small sacred articles," along with "medicinal barks, roots, and herbs." Since they were considered sacred, not even "unhallowed hands" would interfere with their contents. (1, page 342)

Hunter said that...

...every encroachment made upon their territory, whether with or without their consent, is, sooner or later, regarded as infringement of their natural rights, and has frequently given rise to long, cruel, and exterminating wars, not only between different tribes, but between the Indians and the whites. They regard the latter with much the most scrupulous jealousy; because experience has taught them that every settlement on their part, within their boundaries, is a precursor to their farther recess, which, they most sensibly feel, will only terminate with their final expulsion, extermination, or incorporation with those they esteem their natural and most bitter enemies. (1, page 8)

This, he believes, is how he came to live among the Indians. He watched them go to war with white families, and massacre the warriors, and take the children prisoners. While jealousy is a main cause for war, he said that in most cases the the Indians were "provoked" by "frauds and thefts practised upon them, which provoke to retaliation and aggression; consequently, the innocent and guilty indiscriminately suffer. Such conduct, mutually practised by them and the whites, along the whole extent of the conceived, though arbitrary boundary, is the cause of the inveterate hostility that exists between them, and leads to all the scenes of Indian cruelty that are practised on the frontier settlers." (1, page 9)

So it was in this way that he and others like him were "forced to assume the Indian character and habits," and after a while they became "happy and contended as though they had assembled directly from the Indians, and were in possession of their patrimony." (1, page 13, 14)

Many of the other white children raised by the Indians adapted to the simple primitive life so well that they chose to live out the remainder of their lives among the Indians, Hunter said.

He added that he was not one of these.   (1, page 13, 14)

When he was 19 or 20 he says he was allowed to go free, and he most duly accepted his freedom. He returned to become a citizen of the United States, and it was during this part of his life that he wrote of his experiences among the Indians.  (1, page 13, 14)

The first Indians he lived with marched north to Mackinac where there was better hunting, and they joined with other Indians, and at some point these Indians, and all the Indians he lived with, were massacred, and once again all the women and children were taken prisoners. Somehow along the way he ended up with a tribe associated with the Osages, who were much less settlers as the Kickapoo were, and more likely to wander in search of game. Occasionally they came into skirmishes, as did the Kickapoo, and in the course massacres occurred, and the heads of enemy warriors were walked back to camp, along with prisoner women and children. He didn't know the name of the tribe, although he knew they were among the Pawnee. (1, page 18)

His tribe ended up among the Kansas tribe, were ambushed, and members of his tribe either fled, were killed, or taken prisoner. Hunter was among those taken prisoner, and with his new tribe set off on a long march to the Kansas River. He was "adapted into the family of Kee-nees-tah by his squaw (wife), who had lost a son in one of their recent engagements with the Pawnees. I was exceedingly fortunate from this election; and not only the chiefs and squaws, but the whole tribe, treated me with regard and tenderness. This conduct in respect to myself was not singular, for all the women and children were treated in the same manner; while the warriors who were so unfortunate as not to fall in battle were nearly all tortured to death: a few of them, however, were respected for their distinguished bravery, and permitted to live amongst them. (1, page 19)

In comparing the Kickapoo with the Kansas, he said:

Injustice to my own feelings, I cannot avoid making some remarks in this place, on the difference of character that exists between the Kickapoo and Kansas Indians. The former are treacherous, deceitful, cunning, not tenacious of a good character, exceedingly remiss in their social habits and intercourse, and are held in humble estimation by the neighbouring tribes: while the character of the latter, according to the estimation I formed of their conduct to me, is directly the reverse.  In this difference of their general character, it is, however, possible for me to be mistaken; but gratitude is a virtue inculcated by all the Indian tribes with which I have been acquainted; and so great was the change of conduct towards me, after my transposition from the former to the latter, that I am persuaded my readers will excuse me, even should I have committed an error. (1, page 19-20)

They had horses, and they ate venison, buffalo meat, corn, nuts, etc. He learned how to ride horses, learned how to hunt, and learned to protect his hunting grounds from encroachments. He learned their virtues, values, and customs by listening to the "inspiring narratives" of the sages. The sages, according to Hunter, would say things like:

"Never steal, except it be from an enemy, whom it is just that we should injure in every possible way. When you become men, be brave and cunning in war, and defend your hunting grounds against all encroachments. Never suffer your squaws or little ones to want. Protect the squaws and strangers from insult. On no account betray your friend. Resent insults — revenge yourselves on your enemies. Drink not the poisonous strong-water of the white people; it is sent by the Bad Spirit to destroy the Indians. Fear not death; none but cowards fear to die. Obey and venerate the old people, particularly your parents. Fear and propitiate the Bad Spirit, that he may do you no harm; — love and adore the Good Spirit, who made us all, who supplies our hunting grounds, and keeps us alive."

It is in this way that Hunter learned the ways of the Indians, and became a credible author on the subject. He said that the Indians were were a very healthy people, and that the warriors were morel likely to die in a fray as compared to natural causes. There were essentially few diseases among the Indians, and most tribes were familiar with the diseases that were most common to their tribe, and by trial and error they learned of the best remedies for treating these maladies. Since asthma was a disease that plagued those who lived to old age, there would be remedies for asthma in many medicine bags. (1, page 342)

He wrote the following about asthma:

Asthma. — When we consider the hardships the Indians undergo, it is not surprising that they should be subject to asthma. This is not an unfrequent disease among them. Their remedies are blisterings, fomentations, and anodynes. There is, perhaps, no complaint, in which Indian remedies are more successfully employed. They use the sweat-oven, as before described, with great success. Sometimes relief is obtained by the application of small bags of wet ashes upon the breast; and sometimes by inhaling the streams arising from water poured upon hot stones, and herbs of various kinds. But by far the most valuable remedy ever used among them for the cure of this distressing complaint, is a small plant, .wesh-ke-nah. This plant somewhat resembles the common flax, though it is more branched, and not linty like the latter. An infusion of it, roots and tops together, in doses of half a pint, at intervals of twenty minutes, till relief is obtained, is the usual mode of administering it . In a short time its beneficial operation is perceivable by a gentle moisture on the skin, more easy respiration, ability to lie in a recumbent posture, &c. Shortly after a more copious sweating comes on, attended with an expectoration of phlegm or mucus, and entire relief from pain. The patient now falls into a comfortable sleep, from which he awakes free from his disease. Thus have I seen these untutored followers of Esculapius subdue some of the worst cases of asthma. (1, page 443-4)

This description of asthma is not the same as our modern definition. As would be normal for the time, his description was mainly of the symptom of shortness of breath or dyspnea, which could be from any generic cause.

He also explains the asthma remedies stored in the medicine bag.

• Wesii-ke-nah.—  It relieves hard breathing. The flax weed—grows in the fissures of rocks, particularly on cliffs, on the margin of the rivers, to the height of ten or twelve inches; the root sends off many branches, which in July produce numerous small pale blue flowers. The Indians gather the plant, while in blossom, and prescribe it for asthmas and coughs with the happiest effect . The roots, leaves, and stalks, are made into a decoction, and given freely to the patient, as warm as he can conveniently take it; and no medicine displays its salutary effects more promptly. I speak thus confidently, because I have witnessed its operations. The Indians sometimes while travelling, or when just returned from long and fatiguing journeys, are seized with the asthma, but are certain to obtain prompt and decided relief from this remedy. I believe it almost uniformly excites a perspiration, on the appearance of which the patient becomes easy. (1, page 410)
• Was-saw-ba-he-ja. — The fat of the bear. Bears' oil.— This is used as a medicine, both internally and externally, in combination with many drugs...  For colds they seethe the roots of wild liquorice in it, which they drink hot as they can well bear it. They also take it for asthma and pleurisy. They esteem it among the most valuable articles of food, especially in their journies. It is highly nutritive, agrees well with the stomach, and produces no thirst . From the smallness of the quantity necessary to satisfy the appetite, it produces no shortness of breath. The Indians, while travelling, take about four ounces in twenty-four hours, which they continue for days together, with very little other nourishment. (1, page 404)
• Ne-pe-sha.—Bad luck to touch it. Milk-weed.— ...The Indians use the roots in decoction for the cure of dysentery, dropsy, and asthma. It is also used as an emetic, and held in tolerably high estimation as a medicine in the above cases. (1, page 414)
• Sin-des-nes-ni.—It grows by the water. Green-twig.—(Willow) This is a shrub very common on the banks of rivers and water courses. It seldom attains to a height exceeding six or eight feet, and is considered valuable in colds, and asthma; they give a warm infusion at night, with a design to excite perspiration. (1, page 411)
• TU-TUS-Se-GA-O-GA-SHE. To expel Wind. Spikenard. — This spikenard is one of the most luxuriant of the forest plants: it grows in the beds of hollows in hilly districts in great abundance, and if it possesses half the virtues ascribed to it by the Shawanee Indians, it merits a high rank in the Materia Medica. They give it with a view to expel wind from the stomach, to stop coughs, and to relieve pain in the breast and asthma. (1, page 422)
• Sweating:  The various herbs above usually cause improved breathing by causing the patient to sweat. (1, page 410)  Another means is to take in a draught of herbs and spices.  Another means was to places herbal solutions on heated bricks, rocks, or pots, and place a blanket or furs over the patient's head.  Another means was the sweat house, where water was placed on heated rocks and the fumes inhaled.  This was done while drinking tea. (1, page 423-4)

There are other ailments that plagued the Indians besides asthma, and these included pleurisy, fevers, and upset stomachs and pains. Consumption also plagued them, although rarely. (1, page 342, 347)

Usually the plagues were short term, and were the result of exposure to the elements and fatigue from long excursions and working hard and bravery. Although at times diseases became chronic, or the patient became "dangerously sick." (1, page 342, 347)

Some of these patients become sick enough to be housed in a hut for sick people, with cots that were raised from the ground. The medicine men would treat these patients daily, and nurses, usually women, would care for their daily needs. These may have been considered as hospitals. As they traveled from place to place, the sick were continuously cared for (1, page 342, 347)

Since pure asthma must have been extremely rare among the Indians, most asthma must have actually been bronchitis from inhaling smoke, or heart failure from old age, and these probably would have been the asthmatics referred to by Hunter. This must have often been what ensued when a warrior lived to old age. Of these, Hunter wrote the following: 

When all natural means fail, the physicians do not abandon their patients; on the contrary, they cling to them till their last gasp, but substitute, instead of their prescriptions, fastings and prayers to the Great Spirit. "So long as there is life," say they, "there is room for hope; and to despair of effecting good, and to neglect means that appear remote and almost foreign to the disease, bespeak a careless and unskilful practice." When their hopes fail, they seldom inform their patients of their danger, but are very cautious that their last moments may be calm and undisturbed. In general, they look upon sickness and affliction as chastisements for their offences against the Great Spirit, and commonly bear them with great resignation and fortitude. When they become peevish and fretful, as sometimes happens, their doctors then say, that the abatement of their disease permits their minds to be idle or unoccupied, and the danger is past. (1, page 350-351)

He described the Indians as having "no anxiety about the future, and they, but leave the world with an apparent satisfaction, under a belief, provided their conduct has been in consonance with the precepts which they have been taught, that their title to the future happiness is unquestionable." (1, page 352-3) 

This must be similar to modern Christians, whose belief in God and the afterlife allows them to end life with grace in dignity.

For the most part, however, as a remedy was needed, either the patient or the nurse, who was mostly the mom or consort or some other woman in the tribe, gave the remedy to the sick person.  

If the remedy no longer worked, which most likely would happen if the person was severely sick (as if close to death), the medicine man (or physician) would be consulted.  I will describe the healing powers of the North American Indian Medicine Man in my next post.  

Note:  Similar remedies were used for colds, pneumonia, consumption, and pleurisy.  (You can find some more asthma remedies by reading "Herbal and Magical Medicine: Traditional Healing Today," edited by James K. Kirkland et al, page 157)

References:  

1. Hunter, John D., "Memoirs of a captivity among the Indians of North America, from childhood to the age of fifteen: with anecdotes descriptive of their customs to which is added some accounts of the soil, climate and vegetable productions of the territory westward of teh Mississippi," 1823, London, Paternoster-Row

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter

1813: Asthma remedy of Peter Smith, Root and Herb Doctor

Father and Doctor Peter Smith (1753-1818) was the son of a physician, he was born in Whales, and he was educated as a physician at Princeton, mainly under the direction of his father.  He was a Puritan, and he was among the many who settled in the territory of the Ohio Valley.  He preached the word of God, and he also healed with his botanic remedies. (3, page 354)

He referred to himself as "Peter Smith, the Indian Herb Doctor" mainly because he preferred to heal with herbs and roots.  In this way, he became well known among the Ohio Valley as "Peter Smith, the Indian Herb Doctor. (3, page 354)

He was not your typical root and herb doctor (botanic physician), one who was looking for a quick way to fame and money.  Near the end of his life he published a book that was filled with botanic remedies and was similar to Samuel Thomson's book "New Guide to Health; or Botanic Family Physician."  (3, page 354).

Father (Dr.) Smith's book was published in 1813, and titled "The Indian Doctor's Dispensatory: Being Father Smith's Advice Respecting Disease and Their Cure" (2, page 136)

It is known as the first materia medica published in the west. (3, page 354)

Among the medical recipes in this book Peter Smith provides us with his botanic remedy for asthma:

Take Sena, pulverized; sulpher, and spermaceti, of each one ounce, two ounces cream of tartar, half an ounce anniseed, pulverised; rub them together in a mortar: take a teaspoon in molasses, going to bed, two or three nights at a time, I have found enough for to relieve me. It is a moderate purge, and a little debilitating. (1, page 82)

Also good for asthma is Chalybeate Oxymel:

Take two ounces of Columbo root, one drachm of Virginia Snake Root, twenty ten penny nails, and one quart of good Vinegar, put them together in an iron pot; simmer it a little over a fire; then let it stand forty eight hours; then boil it down to a pint; strain and wring out the liquor, and return it into the pot;then add one pound of sugar and a gill of spirits; simmer it down on coals to the consistence of molasses, and bottle it up for use.

The common uses for a grown person may be a teaspoon, morning, noon, and night, when the stomach is empty, about ten minutes before meals; but begin with less, and increase the dose, as you find the stomach can bear it.

The intention of the medicin is to recruit the blood, and strengthen the system.  It may be taken a week, and then miss a week; and then take it again, and so at intervals renew the course, more or less, until the patient is quite well and strong.  (1, page 60-61)

So, would you try one of Dr. Smith's remedies?  If you lived in the American west during this era, chances are you might have.

References: 

1. Smith, Peter, "The Indian Doctor's Dispensatiry: Being Father Smith's Advice Respecting Disease and Their Cure 1812," print 1901, Reprint 2005, Kessinger Publishing's Rare Reprints, see pages 60, 61, 82, and the introductory "Biography of Dr. Peter Smith."
2. Rothstein, William G., "American Physicians in the Nineteenth Century: From Sects to Science," 1992, Baltimore, John Hopkins University Press
3. Prince, Benjamin F, editor, "A Standard History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio," volume I, 1922, Chicago and New York, The American Historical Society, 

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter

1800-1900: Thomsonian remedies for asthma

Samuel Thompson (1769-1843)

Samuel Thompson did not fashion himself as an Indian Physician, nor did he claim to get his inspiration from the Indians. He did, however, fashion himself as a botanic physician, an expert on herbal remedies. (1, page 131)

Despite his lack of formal education, and lack of knowledge regarding anything medical, he was able to convince many people that his medicine worked, and he earned himself quite a following.

This was contrary to licensed physicians, who endured several years of formal education to learn about the anatomy of the body, the diseases that plague it, and the remedies proven to work.

In fact, it was highly unlikely Thomson, nor any of his followers, knew any more about anatomy and diseases than the people he sold his products to.

Michael Flannery, in an article he wrote for Journal of the Medical Library, said:

In 1834, Thomsonians claimed one and a half million adherents; by the 1840s, optimistic estimates placed their number at between four and six million. (2) 

So Thomson became a very successful botanic physician.  Yet as he earned his success, he also earned the ire of the the medical profession.

In his 1970 book "American Indian Medicine," Virgil Vogel said Thomson...

...managed to become a bete noire to much of the medical profession of his time. (1, page 131)

But there was nothing any licensed physician could do to stop him, at least in most instances.  Not only did Thomson have many followers, there were also many copycats who pretended to be his followers.  Perhaps some had noble intentions, but many simply intended to make some money.

Vogel said:

In those days, no licensing laws or other legal impediments hindered them from plying their trade.  Some of them were fakers and charlatans, while some others were doubtless honest men who imagined themselves to be human benefactors."  (1, page 131)

In this way, Thomson helped create a profession of uneducated people who called themselves doctors and physicians, although licensed physicians called them nothing more than quacks or quack doctors.

The truth is, however, that while many of them were indeed quacks, some of their remedies worked just as well, if not better, than the remedies offered by licensed physicians.

While many botanic physicians, often claiming to be root and herb doctors, claimed to have obtained their remedies from the Indians, Thomson never made such claims.

Instead, Vogel said Thomson claimed to have spent time with...

...an elderly female 'root and herb' healer in his father's neighborhood.  When, to avoid the hard labor of scratching a living from a Vermont homestead, he took to doctoring, he promoted the idea that herbs and natural remedies were superior to mineral and exotic drugs, and was much devoted to 'steaming' or sweating patients in all kinds of ills" (1, page 131)

Thomson said he learned about his favorite remedy, lobelia, which many refer to as Indian tobacco, while "looking for the cows at the age of four."  (1, page 131)

These were obviously good stories, although no one will ever prove whether he was telling the truth, or just fibbing to increase the credibility of his products.

A 2002 article in  Journal of the Medical Library Association, Michael Flannery suggests Thomson was simply playing on the theme set forth amid the nation by the then President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. (2)

Flannery said that while Jackson preached that an uneducated man can run government, Thomson preached that an uneducated man could administer medicine. (2)

Thomson ultimately obtained a patent for his product "that Dr. William Thornton of the U.S. Patent Office termed a 'Fever Medicine,' said Flannery.  He continued:

The duly authorized patent was both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it gave Thomson some legal protection and remedy against those who deigned to usurp his system for their own, on the other hand, it became so jealously guarded by Thomson that it more often than not served merely as a source of contention and division within his growing circle of followers, divisions that turned friends into foes. Thomson quickly came to regard many agents not as allies but as enemies. He became convinced that duplicitous agents sailing under the Thomsonian banner were making unnecessary “improvements” to his system, were out to steal the profits for themselves, or were selling inferior, bootlegged products for quick profit. Thomson's fears were both real and imagined, but he tried to give added protection to his patent as well as create a vehicle for its expansion with the publication of his New Guide to Health, or Botanic Family Physician in 1822.  But even this became a source of difficulty as pirated editions began to dot the countryside." (1)

This provides me a segue into Thomson's asthma remedy.  It is listed on page 77 of volume II of the Botanic Family Physician . He notes in his book to have various correspondents around the United States who are always on the lookout for ideal Botanic Remedies.  Thus, his prescription for asthma is as follows:

THE ASTHMA. A correspondent remarks that, always wishing to do good and to be communicative to the great botanic community, and having been conversant with asthmatic affections, that he has found the following prescription uncommonly successful:

1. A thorough course of medicine several times repeated.
2. An emetic, either by the mouth or by injection, or both, daily, and always during a paroxysm.
3. Use a drink made of the white or silver-colored moss that grows on the limbs of sugar trees—The bark off of or near the roots of the beech tree, cleared of the outward surface—sarsafarilla roofs, spignard roots, wild valerian, of each equal parts—pour on boiling water and make a strong decoction— strain oft' the decoction and sweeten pleasantly with honey—scald and scum. Dose a tea-spoonful at a time every two hours, using a little occasionally if dry, at other times.— This method will seldom if ever fail of effecting a cure in asthma, which appears to be always attended with some obstructions of the bronchia and with some "spasmodic condition of the lungs and diaphragm.

We have no doubt of the efficacy of the prescription, having undo trials of a course very similar with remarkable success. It is a mode of treatment truely Thomsonian in principle, and with pleasure we give it a place in the Recorder.

The Paris Academy of Medicine lately reported the case of a man who died in July last, in that city, delirious, and in the right ventiele of whoso heart was found imbedded a needle, which extended into the cavity. No trace of a cicat rix, by which the needle might have entered, could be discovered on the exterior of the body. He had been sutfering for fomc months from pain in the side. (1, page 77-78)

There you go, there's your Botanic Remedy for asthma. If you want to believe it came from natives, so be it. Chances are, if you were desperate for something to remedy your asth ma, you'd give Mr. Thomson's asthma remedy a whirl.   

References: 

1. Vogel, Virgil, "American Indian Medicine," 1970, London, Oklahoma University Press
2. Flannery, Michael A., "The early botanical medical movement as a reflection of life, and literacy in Jacksonian America,"  Journal of the Medical Library Association, October, 2002, 90 (4), pages 442-454
3. Thomson, Samuel, "The Thomsonian Recorder or Impartial Advocate of Botonic Medicine: and the principles which govern the Thomsonian Practice," 1834, Volume II, Columbus (Ohio), Printed at the Thomsonian Botonic Office by Jonathon Phillips, page 77-78

1759: Hill recommends honey for consumption

Doctor John Hill was an ardent champion for honey as a remedy for nearly every internal ailment, and so it only made sense for him to recommend it to his patients suffering from consumption.

He wrote:

THE great and only hope, for the cure of a consumption, lies in taking it in time; and with that advantage Honey, assisted by a proper course of life, will cure it entirely. Young people, who will take early care of coughs by honey, will escape consumptions often, without knowing they were in danger; and the great hope afterwards lies in a constant use of the same medicine.

A consumption naturally begins by a cold taken in the winter, which brings on at first a common cough; and that being neglected settles itself upon the lungs, which by degrees become more and more obstructed, than enflam'd , and afterwards ulcerated: a stow fever attends these last stages of the disorder, and relief comes then too late. Thin and weakly young men are most in danger of consumptions, and these principally from seventeen to three and twenty. Therefore let such persons, and especially at at such time of life, avoid colds as much as possible, and take honey upon the first appearance of a cough.

If the cough does not abate in two or three days, the person should be let blood; and from that time he must avoid most carefully all high season'd foods and strong liquors: he must ride two or three hours every day;: and take a spoonful of Honey night and morning, and half a spoonful at least twice in the day beside.

A common remedy for consumption in this era was to have the patient ride a horse in the fresh air.  This was perceived to make breathing easier.

It rarely happens that the body becomes costive in a course of Honey, but if it does, gentle purges must be taken at times; and the Honey continued. This gentle purging is confined to the first stages of the disease; for toward the end the patient will be too weak for it. If the bad symptoms encreafe in spite of Honey, temperance and exercise, issues will be needful, and very little flesh should be eaten.

With these cautions, Honey, without rashness, will be considered as a cure for consumptions: and it is very singular that physicians, who have shocked the constitutions of their patients with opium and mercury, never have thought of this happy and innocent medicine, whose virtues as an aperient determent detergent and balsamick, they have always acknowledged tho' they never thought of employing it, where such virtues were so greatly wanted. (1, pages 31-33)

If only honey worked as well as Dr. Hill believed, the disease would not have caused so much suffering through the years.   

References

1. Hill, John, "The Virtues of Honey," 3rd edition, 1760, :London,

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter

1769: Hill's asthma panacea is honey

Sir John Hill was a physician and actor who lived from 1714-1775.  He raised bees and published a book in 1759 called "The Virtues of Honey."  It was the first book ever written about honey, although it focused on honey as a panacea for most diseases, particularly pulmonary disorders. (1, page 223)

Chapters four through eight of the book are devoted specifically to the effects of honey on thick phlegm, coughs, hoarseness, consumption and asthma. (2, page 511)

Basically, for all these ailments he recommends honey, honey and more honey.  In fact, he's such an ardent proponent for honey that you'd think he was trying to make money off the sale of it.

His chapter on consumption was rather short and provided little new information. His chapter on thick phlegm was rather long, although he did state that thick phlegm is a condition that usually only affects the elderly, and that it may end in a state of asthma.

His chapter on asthma provides us with a good picture of the general idea of how the medical community perceived asthma during this era, with, with the exception of honey, honey, and more honey as the remedy.

Hill describes two types of asthma: (3, page 25)

• Real Asthma: It's very frequent, and no disease is more troublesome. Honey is a cure. 
• Convulsive or Nervous Asthma: It's only called asthma because the symptoms are the same. It's a less common disorder. Honey will do nothing

He described asthma as...

...usually a disease of elderly people: and those who are subject to it have frequent returns, for all the methods in common use are calculated only for relief of the present fit, not for a lasting cure. Tis fit the old man know his case and danger, especially especially as this sure remedy is at hand; and as his life depends upon avoiding the other.

Hill's description of asthma as either real or nervous differed from many of his contemporaries who were increasingly supporting the idea that asthma was a nervous disorder.  (4, page 71)

And he also questioned the need to use remedies -- such as purging and bleeding, that made the sick feel worse.  He said:

In the extremity of a fit, the surgeon is called in to bleed the person, and this flattering practice is universal, because it gives immediate relief; but fits return often, and if bleeding is so frequently repeated, the constitution is destroyed. (3, page 26)

He said:

We seek from the remotest parts of the world, medicines of harsh and violent operations, for our relief in several disorders, under which we should never suffer, if we would use what the bee collects for us at our doors; and in as many others which tho' no care could make us escape, the same innocent and pleasant juice would cure... Africa is ransacked for its nauseous Ammoniacum to give breath in Asthmas, and in extreme cases the body must be bled by blisters for relief; when this pleasant and safe medicine answer all the purposes of the first, and save all the torments of the later application. (3, page 3-4)

He said there was a time in the past when honey was more often  used.  It was during this time that "disorders of the lungs and breast were unknown: consumptions never heard of, no obstruction of the viscera are seen; and of the long list of chronic diseases scarce one or two known." (3, pages 4-5)

He said some asthma is continuous and some only occur in fits, and honey will help with both.  He said:

"In both cases the difficulty of breathing goes off, when the person has spit up a tough phlegm; and this will always be promoted by the use of honey one of the most immediate and certain effects of which is, making a person cough loose and spit easy whatsoever matter it be that oppresses the lungs." (3, page 27)

He recommended that those who have "continual asthma should take Honey always night and morning; and everything should be sweetined with it, wherin others use sugar." (3, page 27)

For continuous asthma he also recommends for the asthmatic to...

• Choose proper air (where he breathes easiest let him properly reside
• Lie with his head high, and not be too much covered with cloaths
• Avoid any posture of stooping or leaning forward; write upon a high desk, and read sitting upright
• Use some exercise; but never too much, or too violent
• (Enjoy) a temperate diet, early rising, and light suppers
• Use honey constantly (3, pages 27-28)

The fits of occasional asthma tend to occur...

...usually about three in a month; they are more violent and last longer in summer than winter; and the more irregularly the person lives, always the worse they are. In all these cases, the sooner the person begins to spit the lighter and easier will be that fit. Therefore Honey should be continually taken to promote a natural tendency to this; and the approaches of the fit should be watched carefully, that it may be got down in larger doses as that comes on. If the person feels a tightness about the mouth of the stomach two hours after dinner, this is a first sign of its coming on, and he should immediately take a large spoonful of Honey: he should sit still, but upright; and in half an hour take a spoonful more. If the stomach feels swell'd and the person belches frequently, it is a continued sign of the fit gaining strength, and a straightness of the breast and lungs will soon follow. Once in two hours half a spoonful of honey is to be taken; for three times more. Then the person should go to bed and lie with his head high. Generally an hour or two the fit comes on with violence. He should then get up and continually be sucking down a little honey. (3, pages 28-29)

He continued:

If the honey does not take effect, the fit will continue two, three, or four days; the difficulty of breathing all the time continuing, and at the end of the time the person will spit up a foul matter, and grow well. In this case, the use of honey must be continued; several times a day taking a little: the person should eat no meat, nor drink any strong liquor, and by the use of honey it will thus go off.

Of course his prevention is the same as his remedy:  honey.  He said:

It will be first used when the disease is established in the constitution, it will by degrees produce the effect, shortening the fits, and gradually preventing them entirely.

Another remedy he thought was neglected since the introduction of chemical medicines was erysimum (wallflower), which was a diuretic.  He said it's a herb that could benefit asthma when mixed with honey.

If honey truly did prevent and cure most diseases, Hill would have gone down in history as one of the truly great physicians of all time.  Actually, if honey was a cure all, surely it would have been discovered in the ancient world.

References:

1. Rousseau, George S, "The Notorious Sir John Hill:  The Man Destroyed by Ambition in Era of Celebrity," 2012, U.S., Lehigh University Press
2. Crane, Eva, "The World History of Beekeeping and Honey Hunting," 1999, Great Britain, Gerald Duckworth and Company
3. Hill, John, "The Virtues of Honey," 3rd edition, 1760, :London,
4. Jackson, Mark, "Asthma: The Biography," 2009, New York, Oxford University Press

(Notes:  Other physicians during this time were Philip Stern and John Mudge.  They were busy inventing and patenting inhalers.  A post about them will be coming soon)

Further reading:

1. Buchan, William, "Domestic Medicine: or, a Treaties on the Prevention and Cure of Disease by Regimen and Simple Medicines," 5th edition, 1776, London, Introduction and page 441-5

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter

1769: Buchan and Smellie's self help book

Cover page from "Domestic medicine"

Almost all medical books prior to the late 18th century were written for medical students and physicians, and were therefore long-winded, dry, and full of complicated medical terms that made them difficult for the common person to read.  This all changed in 1769 when two men joined forces to publish a medical book that anyone could understand.

The two men were William Buchan, a physician, and William Smellie, a printer. Buchan is generally given credit for the book, as his name is on the cover and Smellie's is not.  Still, some people believe that Smellie wrote the book, and Buchan's name was put on it simply to give the book credibility.

Smellie  was a printer, editor and encyclopedist who also had an interest in medicine.  His name would only appear in the first edition of the book as the printer.

While the two men probably wrote the book for "economic reasons," they also did it "for the humanitarian purpose of providing substitute for the deficiancies of medial care.  But, besides this, its author saw a useful, even necessary virtue in 'laying Medine more open to mankind'."

The book essentially brought a basic knowledge of medicine, which included information and treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma and tuberculosis, into the homes of thousands of Europeans and Americans.

In this way, a common housewife could easily learn how to treat the common diseases or injuries of the day simply by flipping through the pages of the book.  It would be the 18th century equivalent to doing a Google search for "how to treat asthma," or "what are the common signs and symptoms of pneumonia."

Their book brought scientific ideas about diseases known to physicians, and placed them in an easy to read format, replete with preventative measures and remedies. Their book, "Domestic Medicine" was first published in 1769.

The authors -- be it Buchan or Smellie or both -- believed that if the populace was better educated about medicine, fewer lives would be lost to the diseases mankind faces.

In the preface to the 11th edition, the author said that as a...

...malancholy fact: that almost one half of the human species perish in infancy, by improper management or neglect."

He believed that most of these deaths were due to the "ignorance,"  and that "it is hoped, that when nurses are better informed, their conduct will be very different." (4, page x)

Dr. William Buchan (1708-1809)

So the humanitarian intent was obvious.

Whether the authors succeeded in educating the public cannot be known, although what is known is their book was a huge economic success.  (1, page 217)

"Domestic Medicine" was the most popular "self help book" prior to the 20th century, with over 80,000 copies being sold prior to Buchan's death in 1805.

The book was ultimately translated into every European language, and over the next 200 years would go through 19 editions.  (1, page 217) (2)(5, page 20)

The book was also "published in Philadelphia in 1771," and "continued to appear from a variety of towns and at frequent intervals until its demise at Boston in 1913. Throughout its many variations the basic form of the book remained unchanged." (5, page 20)

While Buchan was credited as writing the book, little else is known of his life. Although we do know that one of his teachers was William Cullen.  Smellie, on the other hand, "compiled, edited and contributed to the first edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica published in 1771."  He also wrote "Philosophy of natural history," another book that had a successful run.  (5, page 21)

William Smellie (1740-1795)

Buchan was a physician, and Smellie extensively studied medicine.  Most evidence suggests Buchan wrote the original copy of the book, and "Smellie compressed, corrected, and to some extent rewrote (it)."  (5, page 21)

Although, to what extent each of these authors actually contributed to the book no one really knows.  Some even, as noted above, go as far to say that Smellie wrote the book himself.  (5, page 21)

Like Cullen and other of his contemporaries of the day, the author of "Domestic Medicine" wrote against following the writings of quacks, which was probably a reference to root and herb doctors, or doctors of botanic medicine.  (3, page 72)

So, a housewife is coddling a 9-year-old boy who is struggling to breathe.  He is sitting in her wooden rocker, pressing his arms firmly on the arms of the chair in order to hold his shoulders up to create more space for air.  He appears stiff, and his entire body rocks with each breath.  She suspects the boy has asthma, so she pulls out her copy of "Domestic Medicine" to learn if this is true.  She yearns for a remedy, and is 20 miles from the physician, and the ground is covered with snow.

She flips through the pages until she got to page 406, and reads:(4, page 406)

The asthma is a disease of the lungs, which seldom admits of a cure. Persons in the decline of life are most liable to it. It is distinguished into the moist and dry, or the humoural and nervous. The former is attended with expectoration of spitting; but in the latter the patient seldom spits, unless sometimes a little tough phlegm by the mere force of coughing." (4, page 406)

She learns that asthma has quite a few causes: (4)

• Hereditary 
• Bad formation of the breast 
• Fumes of metals or minerals
• Violent exercise, especially running 
• Haemorrhoids
• Gout
• Small pox
• Measles
• Sudden fear or suprise
• Any cause that either impedes circulation of the blood through the lungs, or prevents their being duly expanded by the air (4, pages 406-411)

She learns the signs and symptoms of the disease (4, pages 406-411)

Quick laborious breathing, which is generally performed with a kind of wheezing noise. Sometimes the difficulty of breathing is so great, that the patient is obliged to keep in an erect posture, otherwise he is in danger of being suffocated. A fit or paroxysm of the asthma generally happens after a person has been exposed to cold easterly winds, or has been abroad in thick foggy weather, or has got wee, or continued long in a damp place under ground, or has taken some food which the stomach could not digest, as pastries, toasted cheese, or the like. (4, page 407)

This confirms for her that she has the proper diagnosis.  Now for the remedy, if there was one.  She remembers when she was a child her mother made her brother, who suffered from asthma, drink a shot of some liquor, but she couldn't remember exactly what it was.   

She learns that to treat and prevent a fit of asthma, the asthmatic -- in this case her son -- must follow a specific regimen.  If this alone doesn't prevent or allay symptoms, there are certain medicines that can be trialed.  (4, pages 406-410)

• The food ought to be light, and of easy digestion
• Boiled meats are to be preferred to roasted, and the flesh of young animals to that of old
• All windy food, and whatever is apt to swell in the stomach, is to be avoided
• Light puddings, white broths, and ripe fruits baked, boiled, or roasted, are proper
• Strong liquors of all kinds, especially make liquor, are hurtful
• The patient should eat a very light supper, or rather none at all, and should never suffer himself to be long costive. 
• His clothing should be warm, especially in the winter-season.
• Nothing is of so great importance in the asthma as pine and moderately warm air
• Asthmatic people can seldom bear either the close heavy air of a large town, or the sharp, keen atmosphere of a bleak hilly country a medium therefore between these is to be chosen.
• The air near a large tpwn is often better than at a distance, provided the patient be removed so far as not to be affected by the smoke. 
• Some asthmatic patients indeed breathe easier in town than in the country; but this i$ seldom the case, especially in towns where much coal is burnt.
• Asthmatic persons who are obliged to be in town all day, ought at least to sleep out of it. Even this will often prove of great service
• Those who can afford it ought to travel into a warmer climate. Many asthmatic persons who cannot live in Britain, enjoy very good health in the south of France, Portugal, Spain, or Italy.
• Exercise is likewise of very great importance in the asthma, as it promotes the digestion, preparation of the blood and etc. The blood of asthmatic persons is seldom duly prepared, owing to the proper action of the lungs being impeded. For this reason such people ought daily to take as much exercise, either on foot, horseback, or in a carriage, as they can bear.

Buchan recommends medicine when the asthmatic is "seized with a violent fit. This indeed requires the greatest expedition,:as the disease often proves suddenly fatal."  

Upon reading the word "fatal," she felt a palpation in her chest.  She read the next words fast, yearning to fix up this remedy.  (4, pages 408-409)

In the paroxysm or fit, the body is generally bound; a purging clyster, with a solution of afafeetida, ought therefore to be administered, and if there be occasion, it may be repeated two or three times. The patient's feet and legs ought to be immersed in warm water, and afterwards rubbed with a warm hand, or dry cloth. Bleeding, unless extreme weakness or old age should forbid it, is highly proper. If there be a violent spasm about the bread or stomach, warm fomentations, or bladders filled with warm milk and water, may be applied to the part affected, and warm cataplasms to the soles of the feet. The patient must drink freely of diluting liquors, and may take a tea-spoonful of the tincture of castor and of saffron mixed together, in a cup of valerian tea, twice or thrice a-day. Sometimes a vomit has a very good effect, and snatches the patient, as it were, from the jaws of death. This however will be more safe after other evacuations have been premised. A very strong infusion of roasted coffee is said to give ease in an asthmatic paroxysm. (4, pages 408-409)

He then describes two types of asthma: moist and convulsive/ nervous.  Moist asthma was a common term for asthma that presents with chronic cough and excessive sputum production, and it may actually be what we refer to as chronic bronchitis.  For this type of asthma the author writes: (4)

Such things as promote expectoration or spitting ought to be used; as the syrup of squills, gum ammoniac, and such like. A common spoonful of the syrup, or oxymel of squills, mixed with an equal quantity of cinnamon-water, may be taken three or four times through the day, and four or five pills, made of equal parts of afafœtida and gum-ammoniac, at bed-time*. (4, page 409)

This certainly did not describe her son's asthma.

The author then explained convulsive or nervous asthma as a type of asthma whereby some exciting cause incites the nervous system to send signals to the lungs to cause the muscles wrapping around the air passages to spasm.

Obviously neither Buchan nor Smellie wouldn't have known about bronchial muscles, although they were well aware that air passages of the lungs spasm during a fit.  He explained that spasms generally left no lesions, and therefore were often regarded as a neurosis.  For this type of asthma they said: (4)

For the convulsive or nervous asthma, antispasmodics and bracers are the most proper medicines. The patient may take a tea-spoonful of the paregoric elixir twice a-day. The Peruvian bark is sometimes found to be of use in this cafe. It may be taken in substance, or infused in wine. In short, every thing that braces the nerves, or takes off spasm, may be of use in a nervous asthma. It is often relieved by the use of asses milk; I have likewise known cows milk drank warm in the morning have a very good effect in this case. (4, pages 409-410)

They add:  

In every species of asthma, setons and issues have a good effect; they may either be set in the back or fide, and should never be allowed to dry up. We shall here, once for all, observe, that not only in the asthma, but in most chronic diseases, issues are extremely proper. They are both a safe and efficacious remedy; and though they do not always cure the disease, yet they will often prolong the patient's life. (4, page 410)

So this is what you would learn about asthma upon referencing his book.  As noted above, it was among the few medical self help book prior to the 20th century.  Most other books regarding diseases and medicine were written for physicians.  As noted by Buchan in his 11th edition: (4, page vi)

Although the Domestic Medicine was never intended to supersede the use of a physician, but to supply his place in situations where medical assistance could not easily be obtained, yet the Author is sorry to observe, that the jealousies and fears of the Faculty have prompted many of them to treat this Work in a manner altogether unbecoming the professors of a liberal science: notwithstanding their injurious treatment, he is determined to persist in his plan, being fully convinced of its utility;, nor shall interest or prejudice ever deter him from exerting his best endeavours to render the Medical Art more extensively beneficial to Mankind. 

While such self-help wisdom benefited our house wife, and was generally accepted by the populace, the medical community did not accept it so well.  In fact, physicians resented such information from getting out.  They wanted such wisdom to remain esoteric to only medical students and physicians, mainly because they feared that if people learned how to do what they were trained to do, they would no longer be needed.

Although, as we know today, that is hardly ever the case -- physicians were, are, and always will be necessary.  Yet if someone could treat basic problems in the home, it would be beneficial to the patient, but also to the pocket books of the patient and the patient's family.

It was nothing new for the medical community to look with antipathy toward such a "self-help" book.  In 1768, Dr. Phillip Sterns published a self-help book that was flat out rejected by the medical profession. Although, unlike Stern's book, Buchan's was a major success.

In fact, Buchan's book was so successful it was often plagiarized, as noted by Buchan himself in his 11th edition:  (4, page vi)

But this illiberal treatment of the Faculty is not the only thing of which the Author has cause to complain. By some of them his Book has been served up mangled and mutilated, and its title, type, size, &c. so closely imitated, that purchasers are misled, and frequently buy these spurious productions instead of the real one. That a needy Author, incapable himself of producing an original work, should prey upon another, and that a mercenary Bookseller should vend such productions, knowing them to be stolen, are things not at all to be wondered at: but that all this can be done with impunity, shews that the laws of this country respecting literary property, are still in a very imperfect state, and stand much in need of amendment.

Steeling other people's ideas, and making them available for free, continues to be a problem that plagues mankind to this day.  Both Hollywood and the music industry loses millions, if not billions, of dollars annually because pirated versions of their songs and movies are available for free on the Internet.

Regardless, there were many people in Europe and the United States who benefited from the wisdom available in the book of Buchan and Smellie.  The fact that this was a nice humanitarian effort, one that netted a nice profit I bet, made it worthwhile for Dr. Buchanan to risk his reputation to put is name on the cover.

References:

1. Nulan, Sherwin B, "The mysteries within: a surgeon explores myth, medicine and the human body," a good starting place is 216 where Nulan describes van Helmont's archeus and 
2. Maryland, Hilary, "Medicine and Society in Wakefield and Huddersville: 1780-1870," 1987, Cambridge University Press, page 447 (this information is available too many references to name, and therefore is generally considered to be public knowledge.  I reference Maryland here mainly due to the quality of her reference).
3. Jackson, Mark, "Asthma: The Biography," 2009, New York, Oxford University Press
4. Buchan, William, "Domestic Medicine, or a treaties on the prevention and cure of diseases," 11th Ed., London, 1790, pages 406-410
5. Lawrence, C.J, "William Buchan: Medicine Laid Open," Medical History, 1975, volume 19, pages 20-35. 
6. Buchan, William, "Domestic Medicine: or, a Treaties on the Prevention and Cure of Disease by Regimen and Simple Medicines," 5th edition, 1776, London, pages 406-410

RT Cave Facebook Page
RT Cave on Twitter