A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEDICINE. 13: 
two hot bricks, put them in a bucket of hot water, directing 
his wife to cover him with blankets round the neck. He 
stripped the child and held her between his knees over the 
steam, her head like his own being uncovered. Hesteamed her 
for 20 minutes, giving her some of the bayberry tea every few 
minutes; by this means a great perspiration was induced. 
After sponging her carefully they put her in warm clothes 
to bed, and sat watching her. From the first they were 
encouraged by improving signs, and ere morn had come there 
was a great improvement. The doctor was surprised to see — 
the child, and was not over pleased at the success of a lay- 
man. Thompson told him he intended to doctor his own 
family in future, and afterwards gave him a hint to shift, 
which he soon did. For a long time the family did not want 
any doctoring ; but the neighbours soon learnt of Thompson’s. 
skill in herbs, and applied to him when in need of medical aid. 
His fame grew apace, and the doctors began to persecute him 
and by this means advertise him. About this time an epidemic of 
fever broke out ina town not far from him, Many had died and 
many were dying; eight out of ten of the patients were lost by 
the doctors. Some of the leading men heard of Thompson, and 
called a meeting at which it was resolved that a postchaise be 
sent at once for him. He returned with it, taking a friend as. 
an assistant. They began at once and gave the same treatment: 
in every case, and did not lose one patient. The treatment 
was what is now known (see index) as the Thompsonian course. 
The many calls on his time prevented him from giving due 
regard to his family and farm; so that, after consulting with 
his friends on the subject, he determined to sell out and 
devote himself to healing the sick. In his visits to the woods 
to collect his remedies he found out a way to test the virtue 
of plants. Chewing some of the leaves, he learned to detect 
their virtue by the taste and impression left in his mouth. If 
bitter, he concluded them tonic; if sour and leaving a roughened 
feeling on the tongue, they were rightly judged astringent ; if 
nauseating, then he classed them emetics; and first in this 
class he discovered that most potent of vegetable medicines, 
