MADDEN'S VEGETABLE ESSENCE,

"For the cure of asthmas, shortness of breath, cold, cough, consumption, hooping-cough, or any disease of the lungs."

The proprietor has published a short treatise on the efficacy of this nostrum, which he addresses to the afflicted with the above complaints. He observes, that "as he has not the honour of being "a regularly bred physician, nor the disgrace of being a self-dubbed Doctor, he will avoid, as "much as possible, the technical phrases of "the one, and the hacknied jargon of the "other."

He states, that "it is much to be lamented, "that physicians, whose regular education, great erudition, profound skill, severe application to "the duties of their profession, and ardent zeal "for the welfare of their patients, have pro"cured them well-earned titles, honourable dis"tinctions, and public esteem, are unable to stop "the progress of these dreadful despoilers of "mankind. But, alas! the fact is as notorious

as it is lamentable,-and, after every means "in the usual routine of medicine have been "tried, and the best abilities exerted, in vain, "the unhappy sufferers become wasting sha"dows, are too frequently sent to Bath, Bris"tol, Buxton, &c. there to be soothed out of "the burthen of existence."

He then proceeds to lash his cotemporary advertisers of remedies with severity, but not without justice." It is, however, much more to be "lamented, that so many sacrifices should be

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"made to the ignorance, impudence, and villany of a set of beings, usually termed Quack-Doctorswretches who are daily having recourse to forgery, perjury, and almost every kind of artifice "and fraud, to pick the pockets of the innocent "and unwary; and, with unblushing countenances, hurry deluded mortals in agonies to the grave."

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Our author, with much propriety, observes, "it "would be unpardonable in any man, to recom"mend or introduce to the public a medicine "which had not derived a just claim to superior

efficacy, from long and extensive trial; and be"fore he attempts it, he should pause, and ask "himself this serious question, Am I certain "that this favourite preparation of mine will prove of general utility? The medicine here "named Madden's Vegetable Essence, has been "thus tried, and has fully proved its claim. Its "proprietor has asked himself this question; "and his conscience has cheerfully answered"Yes."

In this solemn appeal to the conscience, we regret he omitted questions similar to the following, which perhaps might have excited some doubt in his mind respecting the effects of the indiscriminate use of his medicine in all diseases of the lungs. Does consumption of the lungs arise from - different causes, and is my remedy applicable to the cure of every species?

Can it be equally applicable to the treatment of the inflammatory stage, the suppurative stage, and ulçerative stage? or do not those different stages require different treatment?

If it have not the power of preventing the formation of matter in the primary stage, and the patient should persist in its use, till the disease ad

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vance to suppuration, and its incurable stage, in consequence of my earnest recommendation? Have the employment of my medicine excluded others which might have prevented such mischief in the lungs? or have I in any way been instrumental to his or her death?

Is not shortness of breath, a symptom of different diseases, viz. inflammation of the lungs, and dropsy, and can my vegetable essence be applicable to both? Is not the treatment necessary in one, fatal in the other?

If Mr. Madden be the conscientious man he wishes the public to consider him, we doubt much whether, after such questions, and a little reflection, he would have been so sanguine in the recommendation of his nostrum.

Mr. Madden declares, that no mineral or metallic substance enters the composition of his nostrum, but that it is merely vegetable essence. It resembles much the infusion of roses of the London pharmacopoeia, both in taste and appearance, and the dose for an adult being only sixty drops, we are inclined to doubt much the accuracy of the assertion; probably Mr. M. may not be aware that oil of citriol is a mineral production. It is by no means deserving of the title of an essence of vegetables.

In detailing its virtues, he states, as soon as it enters the stomach, it mixes with the chyle, and speedily blending with the cenal and arterial blood, and infusing its salutary powers into the circulation, renders the fluids rich and nutritive, promotes digestion, incises the phlegin, dissolves viscid humours, cleanses the viscera, lungs, &c. till the system being purified, and disease and weakness gradually yielding to health and strength, the whole constitution becomes entirely renovated. Even

the most deplorable stages of the disease, where, through neglect or want of timely assistance, the poor worn-out frame hangs hovering over the grave, without hope or possibility of rescue, it will greatly alleviate pain, soothe the anxious imagination of the pitiable sufferer, and thereby in some measure tend to prolong life, &c.

The author concludes, that in recommending this medicine, "he feels he has discharged his duty, "and earnestly hopes that whenever administered the blessing of Heaven will attend it ! ! !"

We have given a full copy of the author's encomiums on the virtues of his medicine, which will enable our medical readers to judge of its composition, and in all respects will exclude the necessity of any observation from us, even to those unskilled in medicine.

We must, however, do the proprietor the justice to say, that he does not, like other advertisers, dwell on the infallibility of his remedy, but principally recommends it as a palliative in advanced

cases.

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GODFREY'S CORDIAL.

An infusion of opium, in a weak proof spirit, flavoured with the essential oil of sassafras (and probably some aromatic seeds) and sweetened with treacle, has been sold all over this country, under the name of Godfrey's Cordial, and we believe has experienced a much greater demand than any other quack medicine whatever. It is chiefly advertised for the diseases of children, as pain in the bowels, gripes, flatulency, fits, &c. &c.

More than three parts of the children that die

in this country, under three years of age, fall a sacrifice to inflammatory affections, either of the brain, lungs, or bowels; and it is a melancholy fact, that such parents whose circumstances will scarcely admit of calling in regular advice, have recourse to cheap advertised medicines, which in such cases, from their anodyne and stimulating properties, are poisonous, and in a few days must destroy every hope of recovery. The most frequent disease among children in London, is inflammation of the lungs, which is always attended with cough, pains in the chest, and great restlessness. These symptoms indicate to the nurse the propriety of anodyne medicines; hence syrup of meconium, Godfrey's cordial, or some similar parations are employed, which answer the nurse's expectations and often her chief wish, in allaying the poor infant's pains, and procuring it some sleep; but the inflammatory affections is increased by them, and a medical man is seldom called in till either mortification or suppuration has taken place, and the child within a few hours of its death; and it not unfrequently happens with the poor, that many, very many children are suffered to die *, without even being seen by a medical man, through their trusting to quack medicines. Inflammation of the bowels is always either at

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So little, however, do this class of people regret the loss of their children, that it is to be feared the observations of a late writer on this species of mortality (or as some might term it, murder,) are but too true, viz. “That many of the poor think fertility the greatest curse that can befal them, and in place of wishing their children to live, so far "does poverty get the better of natural affection, that they are often very happy when they die. It has been supposed by some great characters, that these kind of medicines are employed with no other view than a mode of destroying their children to which no suspicion can attach. A correspondent in Manchester informs us, that a vender of medicines sells upwards of one hundred and forty-four bottles of Godfrey's cordial daily, which he makes himself!!!

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