Dr. Solomon's "A Guide to Health."

by Caroline Rance on January 3rd, 2009

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Dejected

This is not a remedy as such, but one of the many self-help publications advertised in 18th- and 19th-century newspapers.

The advert gives no indication of the author’s name, but it is undoubtedly Dr. Solomon of Liverpool, whose Anti-Impetigines we featured the other day and whose Cordial Balm of Gilead was one of the most widely advertised (and expensive) remedies for ailments brought on by “dissipation in youth.” The Guide to Health was not highly thought of by the medical establishment.

“We have had patience to read part,” said the quack-busting journal The Medical Observer in 1806, “and we candidly say that we cannot discover anything to commend, but much to censure…

…The work is swelled out with attestations of the efficacy of his balsam, which the intention of the author in its publication is to recommend.”

Look out for more about Dr. Solomon in due course, but for now here’s the advert (which, incidentally, could quite easily be talking about the internet.)

NOTHING, perhaps, weakens the mind so much
as a pernicious practice, which takes possession
of the whole mind and attention, and prevents its vo-
taries from following their respective avocations, by
engrossing their ideas, even when they should be em-
ployed in devotion or business; it renders them stupid,
dull, and thoughtful, and destroys all their vivacity,
cheerfulness and health; by bringing on consumpti-
ons, weaknesses, barrenness, and all that dreadful
train of nervous complaint, which makes them timid,
whimsical and ridiculous. It agitates the mind, causes
frightful ideas and horrid dreams, and ultimately
renders them fearful of even being left alone for a
few minutes!
Surely such a train of miseries proceeding from this
cause, might be sufficient to deter young people from
entering into such a course! doubtless it would, if
they were sufficiently aware of it. But these are not
all the baneful effects of this habit, as will be found in
that excellent publication, entitled “A Guide to
Health,” fiftieth edition, which is considerably im-
proved from the former ones, illustrated with a num-
ber of remarkable cases and many letters from per-
sons restored to health, strength and happiness, after
innumerable remedies had been tried in vain.

Source: The Ipswich Journal, Saturday 3rd January, 1801.
Note: Lack of capitalisation for “doubtless” is as shown.

Tags: Dr Solomon, Georgian, history of medicine, quacks
Categories: Books & Pamphlets, Youthful indiscretions

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