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Medical Forum / General / Alternative / January 2008

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The Cherokee Physician - Historical Medical Literature

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rpautrey2 - 30 Jan 2008 23:21 GMT
An interesting native american medical book.
Here's the table of contents and introduction.
PA
Excerpt From And Link To:

The Cherokee Physician, or Indian Guide to Health,
as given by Richard Foreman, a Cherokee Doctor

James W. Mahoney
Published: Asheville, N.C., Edney & Dedman, 1849

WebRoots.org:
http://www.webroots.org/library/usanativ/tcpigth0.html

Nonprofit Library for Genealogy & History-Related Research
A Free Resource Covering the United States and Some International
Areas
Library - United States - Native America

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  THE
                          CHEROKEE PHYSICIAN,
                                   OR
                        INDIAN GUIDE TO HEALTH,

                              AS GIVEN BY
                   RICHARD FOREMAN, A CHEROKEE DOCTOR;
                COMPRISING A BRIEF VIEW OF ANATOMY, WITH
                   GENERAL RULES FOR PRESERVING HEALTH
                      WITHOUT THE USE OF MEDICINES.

                     THE DISEASES OF THE U. STATES,
                    WITH THEIR SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, AND
                    MEANS OF PREVENTION, ARE TREATED
                          ON IN A SATISFACTORY
                                 MANNER.

                            IT ALSO CONTAINS
                     A DESCRIPTION OF A VARIETY OF
                            HERBS AND ROOTS,
                MANY OF WHICH ARE NOT EXPLAINED IN ANY
                 OTHER BOOK, AND THEIR MEDICAL VIRTUES
                      HAVE HITHER TO BEEN UNKNOWN
                        TO THE WHITES; TO WHICH
                            IS ADDED A SHORT
                              DISPENSATORY:
                                   BY

                            JAS. W. MAHONEY.
                             EDNEY & DEDMAN,
                            ASHEVILLE, N. C.
                                 1849.

DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE:

  Be it Remembered, That on the 6th day of October, 1845, William
Mahoney, of said District, hath deposited in this office, the Title of
a
Book, which is in the words and figures following, to wit:

"The Cherokee Physician, or Indian Guide to Health,
"as given by Richard Foreman, a Cherokee Doctor, com-
"prising a brief view of Anatomy, with General Rules
"for Preserving Health, without the use of Medicines.--
"It also contains a description of a variety of Herbs and
"Roots, many of which are not explained in any other
"Book, and their medical virtues have hitherto been un-
"known to the Whites; to which is added a short Dispen-
"satory, by James W. Mahoney," the right whereof he claims as
Proprietor, in conformity with an act of Congress, entitled an
act to amend the several acts respecting copy-rights.

A true copy from the Records in my office.

SEAL.

JAMES W. CALDWELL,
Clerk of the United States
Court for the District of
East Tennessee.

CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION

Section 1
 PART ONE.

 CHAPTER I.
 ANATOMY.

 CHAPTER II.
 THE ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH WITHOUT THE USE OF MEDICINES.

Section 2-A & 2-B
 PART TWO.
 CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMPTOMS
 OF DISEASE, AND THE METHOD OF TREATMENT.

Section 3
 PART THREE

 CHAPTER I.
 DISEASES PECULIAR TO THE UNIMPREGNATED STATE.

 CHAPTER II.
 DISEASES OF THE PREGNANT STATE.

 CHAPTER III.
 SECTION I.
 LABOUR

 CHAPTER IV.
 SECTION I.
 DISEASES CONSEQUENT ON DELIVERY.
 AFTER PAINS.

 CHAPTER V.
 FALLING OF THE WOMB.

 CHAPTER VI.
 DISEASES OF CHILDREN.

Section 4-A
 PART FOUR
 INDIAN MATERIA MEDICA.
 PRINCIPALLY BOTANICAL.

 CLASS No. I. - EMETICS.
 CLASS NO. II. - CATHARTICS.
 CLASS NO. III. - STIMULANTS.
 CLASS NO. IV. - TONICS.
 CLASS No. V. - ASTRINGENTS.

Section 4-B
 CLASS No. VI. - SUDORIFICS AND DIAPHORETICS.
 CLASS NO. VII. - DIURETICS.
 CLASS NO. VIII. - EXPECTORANTS.
 CLASS No. IX. - ANTISPASMODICS AND NERVINES.
 CLASS NO. X. - ANTISEPTICS.
 CLASS NO. XI. - ANTHELMINTICS.

Section 5
 BLOOD-LETTING.
 DISPENSATORY.
 GLOSSARY.
 INDEX.

Page 5

INTRODUCTION.
  Every new publication on this, as well as other subjects, should
have
some grounds upon which it can set up its claim to a share of public
patronage and support. Had I not believed that this work contained
something new and useful, I would not have published it. But,
believing as
I do, that the "HEALING ART," as known and practised by the Cherokee
Indians, would be welcomely received by many: and having personally
tested the efficacy of their remedies, in the cure of diseases after
such
remedies as are usually prescribed by the whites had been tried and
had
utterly failed to effect a cure, I have been induced to commit this
system
to paper. I am sensible that in so doing, I expose myself to the
animadversions of the critics. I am also sensible, (to some extent) of
the
prejudice which prevails in the minds of many, against Medical works,
which are not decked in the flowery drapery of a fine and ornamented
style and technical lore. Believing, as I do, that medicine should not
be merely a study of curious enquiry, but one of the deepest interest
to every son of mortality, I have endeavored to adorn it with plain
practical sense,
rather than with the fascinating decorations of high standing,
unmeaning
names, and technical phrases.

  Those who will take the pains to read and study, will soon be
convinced
that the All-wise Creator in the infinitude of his mercy, has
furnished
man with the means of curing his own diseases, in all the climates
and
countries of which he is an inhabitant; and that a knowledge of the
means
of curing all common diseases, is not so difficult to obtain as has
been
generally represented.

  The really valuable materials in medicine, and those which act with
the
greatest promptitude and power, in the cure of diseases, are few and
simple, and easily to be procured in all countries.

  The Aborigines of our country found the means of mitigating

Page 6

and curing their diseases, in the uncultivated wilds which gave them
birth,--they knew nothing of foreign drugs, but with roots, herbs,
and
plants found in their own country, they mitigated and cured the
diseases
most common to that country. That their knowledge of the medical
properties of the roots and herbs common in the American forest, is
superior to that possessed by the whites will hardly be denied.
Neither
will it be denied by those acquainted with their success, in treating
disease, that they have, in many instances, performed cures, by means
of
roots, herbs and plants, after the usual remedies prescribed by white
physicians had failed. The articles employed by them in the cure of
diseases, are simple, and principally such as can be procured in this
country.

  The time is not far distant, when most; if not all the diseases, of
our
country, will be healed without the use of calomel and mercurial
preparations, and when foreign drugs will be disused by administering
physicians.

  My principal design, in the publication of this work, is to lay
before
the heads of families, the means of guarding against diseases, and
also
such remedies as are best calculated to arrest diseases in their
incipient, or forming stages. I have labored to give such
instruction,
with regard to the nature and symptoms of diseases, as will enable
the
reader to determine, with some degree of accuracy, when the aid of a
skillful physician is really necessary, and also to distinguish the
man of
practical science and wisdom, from the ignorant pretender, and the
assuming quack.

  With these remarks, I submit the work to the inspection of a
liberal
and enlightened American people. The impartial and intelligent reader
will
doubtless award to it its due portion of merit and demerit.

The Cherokee Physician - End of Introduction

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Contents of this Website (c) 2001-2004 WebRoots, Inc.
A Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation
rpautrey2 - 30 Jan 2008 23:30 GMT
An interesting native american medical book from the 1800's.
Here's the table of contents and introduction.
PA

Link To Book:
http://www.webroots.org/library/usanativ/tcpigth0.html

The Cherokee Physician, or Indian Guide to Health, as given by Richard
Foreman, a Cherokee Doctor..., by James W. Mahoney

Published: Asheville, N.C., Edney & Dedman, 1849

Note: Covers body parts and their functions, symptoms and treatment of
diseases, large section on medical herbs and plants, glossary of
terms.
First five pages are an index we moved to the end of the book and then
created a table of contents

                                  THE
                          CHEROKEE PHYSICIAN,
                                   OR
                        INDIAN GUIDE TO HEALTH,

                              AS GIVEN BY
                   RICHARD FOREMAN, A CHEROKEE DOCTOR;
                COMPRISING A BRIEF VIEW OF ANATOMY, WITH
                   GENERAL RULES FOR PRESERVING HEALTH
                      WITHOUT THE USE OF MEDICINES.

                     THE DISEASES OF THE U. STATES,
                    WITH THEIR SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, AND
                    MEANS OF PREVENTION, ARE TREATED
                          ON IN A SATISFACTORY
                                 MANNER.

                            IT ALSO CONTAINS
                     A DESCRIPTION OF A VARIETY OF
                            HERBS AND ROOTS,
                MANY OF WHICH ARE NOT EXPLAINED IN ANY
                 OTHER BOOK, AND THEIR MEDICAL VIRTUES
                      HAVE HITHER TO BEEN UNKNOWN
                        TO THE WHITES; TO WHICH
                            IS ADDED A SHORT
                              DISPENSATORY:
                                   BY

                            JAS. W. MAHONEY.
                             EDNEY & DEDMAN,
                            ASHEVILLE, N. C.
                                 1849.

DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE:

  Be it Remembered, That on the 6th day of October, 1845, William
Mahoney, of said District, hath deposited in this office, the Title of
a
Book, which is in the words and figures following, to wit:

"The Cherokee Physician, or Indian Guide to Health,
"as given by Richard Foreman, a Cherokee Doctor, com-
"prising a brief view of Anatomy, with General Rules
"for Preserving Health, without the use of Medicines.--
"It also contains a description of a variety of Herbs and
"Roots, many of which are not explained in any other
"Book, and their medical virtues have hitherto been un-
"known to the Whites; to which is added a short Dispen-
"satory, by James W. Mahoney," the right whereof he claims as
Proprietor,
in conformity with an act of Congress, entitled an act to amend the
several acts respecting copy-rights.

A true copy from the Records in my office.

SEAL.

JAMES W. CALDWELL,
Clerk of the United States
Court for the District of
East Tennessee.

CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION

Section 1
 PART ONE.

 CHAPTER I.
 ANATOMY.

 CHAPTER II.
 THE ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH WITHOUT THE USE OF MEDICINES.

Section 2-A & 2-B
 PART TWO.
 CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMPTOMS
 OF DISEASE, AND THE METHOD OF TREATMENT.

Section 3
 PART THREE

 CHAPTER I.
 DISEASES PECULIAR TO THE UNIMPREGNATED STATE.

 CHAPTER II.
 DISEASES OF THE PREGNANT STATE.

 CHAPTER III.
 SECTION I.
 LABOUR

 CHAPTER IV.
 SECTION I.
 DISEASES CONSEQUENT ON DELIVERY.
 AFTER PAINS.

 CHAPTER V.
 FALLING OF THE WOMB.

 CHAPTER VI.
 DISEASES OF CHILDREN.

Section 4-A
 PART FOUR
 INDIAN MATERIA MEDICA.
 PRINCIPALLY BOTANICAL.

 CLASS No. I. - EMETICS.
 CLASS NO. II. - CATHARTICS.
 CLASS NO. III. - STIMULANTS.
 CLASS NO. IV. - TONICS.
 CLASS No. V. - ASTRINGENTS.

Section 4-B
 CLASS No. VI. - SUDORIFICS AND DIAPHORETICS.
 CLASS NO. VII. - DIURETICS.
 CLASS NO. VIII. - EXPECTORANTS.
 CLASS No. IX. - ANTISPASMODICS AND NERVINES.
 CLASS NO. X. - ANTISEPTICS.
 CLASS NO. XI. - ANTHELMINTICS.

Section 5
 BLOOD-LETTING.
 DISPENSATORY.
 GLOSSARY.
 INDEX.

Page 5

INTRODUCTION.
  Every new publication on this, as well as other subjects, should
have
some grounds upon which it can set up its claim to a share of public
patronage and support. Had I not believed that this work contained
something new and useful, I would not have published it. But,
believing as
I do, that the "HEALING ART," as known and practised by the Cherokee
Indians, would be welcomely received by many: and having personally
tested
the efficacy of their remedies, in the cure of diseases after such
remedies as are usually prescribed by the whites had been tried and
had
utterly failed to effect a cure, I have been induced to commit this
system
to paper. I am sensible that in so doing, I expose myself to the
animadversions of the critics. I am also sensible, (to some extent) of
the
prejudice which prevails in the minds of many, against Medical works,
which are not decked in the flowery drapery of a fine and ornamented
style
and technical lore. Believing, as I do, that medicine should not be
merely
a study of curious enquiry, but one of the deepest interest to every
son
of mortality, I have endeavored to adorn it with plain practical
sense,
rather than with the fascinating decorations of high standing,
unmeaning
names, and technical phrases.

  Those who will take the pains to read and study, will soon be
convinced
that the All-wise Creator in the infinitude of his mercy, has
furnished
man with the means of curing his own diseases, in all the climates
and
countries of which he is an inhabitant; and that a knowledge of the
means
of curing all common diseases, is not so difficult to obtain as has
been
generally represented.

  The really valuable materials in medicine, and those which act with
the
greatest promptitude and power, in the cure of diseases, are few and
simple, and easily to be procured in all countries.

  The Aborigines of our country found the means of mitigating

Page 6

and curing their diseases, in the uncultivated wilds which gave them
birth,--they knew nothing of foreign drugs, but with roots, herbs,
and
plants found in their own country, they mitigated and cured the
diseases
most common to that country. That their knowledge of the medical
properties of the roots and herbs common in the American forest, is
superior to that possessed by the whites will hardly be denied.
Neither
will it be denied by those acquainted with their success, in treating
disease, that they have, in many instances, performed cures, by means
of
roots, herbs and plants, after the usual remedies prescribed by white
physicians had failed. The articles employed by them in the cure of
diseases, are simple, and principally such as can be procured in this
country.

  The time is not far distant, when most; if not all the diseases, of
our
country, will be healed without the use of calomel and mercurial
preparations, and when foreign drugs will be disused by administering
physicians.

  My principal design, in the publication of this work, is to lay
before
the heads of families, the means of guarding against diseases, and
also
such remedies as are best calculated to arrest diseases in their
incipient, or forming stages. I have labored to give such
instruction,
with regard to the nature and symptoms of diseases, as will enable
the
reader to determine, with some degree of accuracy, when the aid of a
skillful physician is really necessary, and also to distinguish the
man of
practical science and wisdom, from the ignorant pretender, and the
assuming quack.

  With these remarks, I submit the work to the inspection of a
liberal
and enlightened American people. The impartial and intelligent reader
will
doubtless award to it its due portion of merit and demerit.

WebRoots.org
Contents of this Website (c) 2001-2004 WebRoots, Inc.
A Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation
drceephd@insightbb.com - 31 Jan 2008 00:56 GMT
> An interesting native american medical book.
> Here's the table of contents and introduction.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> preparations, and when foreign drugs will be disused by administering
> physicians.

Well, we still are not at the age and time when foreign drugs will be
disused by administering physicians are we?  The allopaths are still
using calomel and mercurial preparations.

>    My principal design, in the publication of this work, is to lay
> before
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> practical science and wisdom, from the ignorant pretender, and the
> assuming quack.

Certainly the modern, scientific medical MD represents the absolute
heighth of quackery.  That person has a license to maim and kill for
untold profits like no other physician in the history of man.

Thanks for the cite.  I do have some Cherokee in my blood line.

DrCee
 
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