The following Cases,illustrative of the beneficial properties of the Balsamic Elixir,in Cough,Hooping Cough,Asthma,and Pulmonary Complaints,which had previously baffled the skill of the most eminent medical practitioners,are selected from various others.
Sir,—I feel induced to send you the two following cases (for the encouragement of yourself, and the benefit of the public at large) of the beneficial effects of your invaluable medicine, the Balsamic Elixir. A few weeks ago, (a neighbour, who lives opposite me,) a young man of the name ofJames Howe, was afflicted with a most distressing Cough, Shortness of Breath, &c. He had had medicine from a Chemist in the neighbourhood, and also been under an eminent Physician in the city, but to no purpose. Indeed, the Cough was so incessant, that it seemed to threaten a lingering Consumption—when I persuaded his mother to try your Balsamic Elixir, (which they purchased at Mr. Willoughby’s, Bishopsgate-street,) and, although not more surprising than true, after taking only one bottle, was perfectly recovered.
The other case is that of a young man, about the same age as the above (twenty years,) who was also afflicted with a most violent Cough, which all the medicines he could get could not remove. The young man, above mentioned, finding the good effects upon himself of your Elixir, strongly recommended it to him; and, after taking a 1s. 1½d., and a 2s. 9d. bottle, he was perfectly recovered. The above persons have authorised me to send you this testimonial of the value of your inestimable medicine, the Balsamic Elixir; and for myself, Sir, I can assure you, if ever I should need it, I shall have recourse to the same.
I am, Sir, yours respectfully,
Ephraim Moore.
30, Spital-square, Mile-end,New Town, Nov. 24, 1837.
Peter Redford, Alfred House Academy, Kingsland-road, about the close of July, became severely afflicted with a violent cough, incessant wheezing, attended with very great difficulty of breathing, which deprived him of rest for several weeks together, only in an erect posture, through fear of suffocation. He was attended by three skilful medical gentlemen. But his complaint still remaining unabated in its violence, he was persuaded to make trial of this excellent specific, with which solicitation, through necessity, he gladly complied, on the 5th of September; and, after taking it a few times, he felt such considerable relief in breathing, that he was induced to continue it, and in less than a week, the distressing and alarming sensations of wheezing were so far abated that he again ventured to lie down in his bed; and from this time his health and strength began gradually to increase, and were so far restored, that on the 12th of the present month (October) he recommenced his profession, in full enjoyment of accustomed health.
N.B. Only three bottles, at 2s. 9d. were purchased, and half the last was rendered unnecessary by the cure.
Wm. Harmer, Bookseller, Stroud, Gloucestershire, suffered exceedingly for several years (especially in the winter and spring) with a most distressing Cough, for which he could never obtain permanent relief; and for some time past he concluded that his disorder was a confirmed and incurable asthma: in addition to which, in the beginning of February last, he had a most severe attack of Influenza, which rendered his Cough still more distressing, and the difficulty of breathing almost to suffocation.
He states that, although he is a book-seller, and a Vendor of Patent Medicines, he never heard of this Balsamic Elixir till about a month since, when he saw the announcement in the “Patriot” newspaper, of my pamphlet, called “Consumption Curable.” He immediately ordered from his Booksellers,Longman and Co., six copies; on reading the work, he says that he felt an anxious desire to give the medicine a trial, and immediately ordered from my wholesale Agent, six 2s. 9d. bottles, and three boxes of Flemming’s Pills. In a letter, renewing his order, he observes, “By the use of three bottles, I am happy to inform you, I have obtained almost a cure; the first bottle gave me more relief than all the medicine I had taken for the preceding three months. It is my intention to keep a regular supply of the medicine, and to do all in my power to recommend it, as I can with confidence.”
In a further communication, dated 3rdAugust, 1837, he says, “I have been very successful in the sale of the Elixir; and in every case where its virtues have been tried, I have received a most favourable report of its curative properties.”
James Moss, Cabinet Maker, High-street, Peckham, Surrey, having witnessed the good effects of this cough medicine on one of his children, in Hooping Cough, was induced to apprize me of that circumstance, for the benefit of others. The child had, for some time, been suffering from that painful disorder. A friend, being very anxious about the child, presented the parents with a 2s. 9d. bottle of the Balsamic Elixir, and its value soon appeared in the beneficial effects it produced; for after about three or four times taking it, the disorder abated, and a few more doses removed it altogether. His age is three years.
C.Siburn, 4, Upper Bland-street, Great Dover Road, aged 40, at about the age of fifteen, caught a violent cold, which brought on difficulty of breathing, ultimately terminating in Asthma. She had been a victim to that disease ever since, and tried every remedy which medical men could prescribe, without deriving the slightest benefit. During the two last winters, the complaint rapidly increased, so much so that her life was despaired of. For weeks together she was bolstered upright in bed, from fear of strangulation from the congealed phlegm which clogged her lungs, and produced the greatest possible difficulty of breathing. It was delightful to witness the astonishment and gratitude she evinced at the efficacy of the Elixir: for, after taking a few doses, it produced expectoration in a way she never before experienced; and her breathing was instantly relieved. On the third night she retired to rest, and slept with great composure until five o’clock the following morning. She is now perfectly free from every symptom of the disorder, and has continued so ever since.
Patrick Conner, 14, Regent-street, Hunter-street, Old Kent-road, suffered greatly from a distressingly severe Asthma, demonstrated by its usual symptoms, extreme difficulty of breathing, which existed, more or less, for the last ten years. Having heard of the cures produced by this celebrated Balsam, and being then in a deplorable condition, he resolved to give it a fair trial. When he commenced taking it, his breath was very short, so much so, that it was with the greatest difficulty he could walk about; and his fits of coughing were so violent, and long continued, that he was in perpetual danger of expiring under the effort. His health naturally declined, and his flesh wasted away; and to all appearance, he was rapidly hastening into a decline. In a letter of thanks, he says, “I bless God, and am truly thankful that I ever heard of your medicine. I found almost immediate benefit from it; and, as I continued to take it, my amendment was very rapid. In short, I can now walk about, and breathe quite easy; and my cough has entirely ceased, and never since returned.”
Happily this is not a solitary case, for a vast number of patients, similarly affected, have derived equal benefit.
Frances Hunt, Little Ebury-street, Pimlico, had from her youth been subject to shortness of breath, fits of coughing, pain in the side, and general debility: from taking one cold upon another, and the neglect of a remedy, these sensations greatly increased in their length and violence, and at length terminated in the disorder called Asthma. She was exceedingly ill with the complaint last winter, and continued so at intervals, throughout the summer—the least exertion frequently occasioning spitting of blood. The parish surgeon attended, and gave her medicine, but to no purpose. Having seen an account of the Balsam, and read a case exactly corresponding with her own, induced her to purchase a 2s. 9d. bottle. She had not taken more than three doses of the medicine before she felt wonderfully better; the tightness in her chest ceased; she coughed less frequently; and her health much improved. She purchased another bottle, and before it was exhausted, she was completely restored to health.
Two of the children ofMary Ann Gorham, 3, Queen’s-row, Paradise-row, were alarmingly ill with Hooping Cough, for which various medicines were given, without effect, until the Balsamic Elixir was administered. After they had taken two or three doses each, they found astonishing relief—it having cleared away from their chests an accumulation of thick phlegm, and appeased the violence of their coughs. She continued to give the medicine, as directed, until a second bottle was consumed, when every symptom disappeared, to the evident surprise of every one who saw the child.
Mr. J. Davis, a respectable farmer of Warden, derived most essential and permanent benefit from the Balsamic Elixir. Hewas from early life severely afflicted with tightness at the chest, cough, and the general symptoms which characterise Asthma, for which he had tried every known remedy, without obtaining the least relief. He had recourse to the Elixir; and its efficacy was soon demonstrated in a complete recovery. He has found it to be a friend in need, to which he invariably resorts, when, from the haziness of the weather, and the dampness of the air, he renews his cold. His health has much improved since he has taken it. A better proof of the high opinion he entertains of its true virtues, cannot be given than his urgent recommendation of it to his extensive connexions in this county; so much so, as to incur the severe censure of the medical men in the neighbourhood, with whose practice he so far interferes. He is prompted to this diligence with the view of doing good; and, what may seem extraordinary, this medicine has done good in every instance where recommended.
Amidst other cases which might be cited, that ofMiss Reynoldsis particularly interesting. She is of consumptive make; and from a severe cold caught in the autumn, she had an unconquerable cough, with shortness of breath, and was, to all appearance, on the verge of a rapid decline. The Elixir operated beneficially. It soon allayed her cough; her breath improved, her appetite increased, and she speedily recovered strength. This interesting young lady had the best attention the faculty could give: no expense was spared—she was sent to London, and had advice of eminent physicians, but to no effect. The ecstasy of her parents, on once more beholding their only daughter again restored to health, to the astonishment of all who knew her, after the consultation of the faculty to no purpose, may be conceived, but cannot be expressed.
Mr. S. Ketchlee, 5, St. James’s-street. Bermondsey, (opposite the New Church,) has testified of the specific properties of this Balsam, which perhaps cannot be better stated than in his own words:—“Having been afflicted with a most distressing and troublesome cough for the last nine years, which has always increased in the winter, causing me to dread its approach; I felt some considerable apprehensions as the autumn advanced, in consequence of the rapidity with which my cough increased. About this period, I received the welcome intelligence of several cures effected by your Balsam, and feeling a strong inclination to test its qualities in my own experience; I purchased a small bottle, from which I soon found great relief; and by the time I had taken the second bottle, scarcely any remains of my cough were left. Since that period, I have always kept a bottle of the Balsam by me; and when I have taken a fresh cold, had recourse to it. I may say, that I never passed a winter so comfortably, and so free from the harassing sensations induced by coughing, as the last, though the weather has been unusually severe. I feel a great desire to recommend this valuable preparation to the utmost in my power; and trust the blessing of the Almighty will attend it, and that its worth may be extensively known and enjoyed by many thousand of my fellow sufferers. I could write you a long letter to state, that all means I have hitherto made use of, have failed, but think it unnecessary.”
G. Vigurs, Esq., 10, Richmond-terrace, East-street, Walworth, writes as follows:—“Your Balsamic Elixir is, in my opinion, of such unspeakable value to those afflicted with cough, hooping cough, and asthma, (many cures of which I have lately heard,) that, much as I should object to the public announcement of my name in an ordinary case, I feel much pleasure in sending you my warmest recommendation for publicity, with observations on the following cures, which have been effected in my family by its use; and shall be happy to give personal testimonials of its excellence to inquirers. Part of my numerous family was attacked in the winter of 1826 with typhus, and were sometime afterwards the subjects of violent coughs, especially a little girl, about two years of age (for the cure of which the usual remedies were tried in vain). In the course of conversation, your Elixir was mentioned, and I determined to make trial of it. The first bottle wrought wonders; indeed, the children were so far recovered, as to induce the family to abstain from its use; but a few days evidently manifested that their coughs were only arrested, so that I was induced to send for a second bottle, which completed the cures. Allow me to offer you my congratulations on the discovery of a compound so truly advantageous to the afflicted; and to express my warmest wishes that, by a wide circulation, many of our fellow-creatures suffering under such like attacks, may fully realize its beneficial influence.”
Mrs.Elizabeth Thomson, a lady belonging to the society of Friends, called Quakers, aged 63 years, occupying apartments at Mrs. Sims’s, Rye-lane, Peckham, about two years ago was severely attacked by Hooping Cough, which terminated inAsthma, and baffled every means to control it. By the recommendation of a friend, whose child had found benefit from the Balsam in a case of Hooping Cough, betraying the unfavourable symptoms of scanty expectoration, and great debility—she purchased a 2s. 9d. bottle, which completely cured the complaint. Anxious that others, afflicted with the same complaint, should derive the benefit the Balsam is calculated to confer, she felt constrained to forward a testimony of her approbation of the same, of which the above observations are thesubstance.
James Garie, 66, John-street, Perth, Scotland, became an Agent for the Proprietor, on the 6th of May, and his testimony to the value of the medicine is as follows:—“I am happy to inform you, that the Elixir has proved most beneficial to many in this town and neighbourhood, who have experienced speedy cures of severe colds and coughs, hoarseness, &c.; and in one particular case, * a very afflicting cough and asthma, of many years’ standing. The reports I am continually hearing of it, are most pleasing and satisfactory.”
On the following month, he further observes,—“Since I last wrote, I have received additional proofs of the beneficial tendency of your Elixir, and have myself experienced its efficacy in the case of a severe cold.
“The Surgeons show great reluctance in recommending this specific remedy, butit has cured where they could not!
“Advices from Dunkeld, and round the country, of the great value of the Elixir, is arriving daily. It is selling fast in Perth, and I have no doubt that in Glasgow, where the medicine has produced incalculable benefit, the demand will be very great. The last 4s. 6d. I had, I have sent to Dunkeld this morning; and another order for 11s. bottles is waiting to be sent to Kilmore. Forward me immediately two dozen each of the 4s. 6d. and 11s. bottles; and three Guinea bottles for LADY WILLISON, who intends to recommend the medicine throughout her extensive circle, in consequence of its efficacy.
“The Hooping Cough is raging here. My son and daughter have been severely affected by it; but both of them have been cured by the Elixir, taken in honey night and morning, in doses of two tea-spoonsful.”
*The following Testimonial addressed to Mr. Garie,is fromCaptain Alexander,an Officer in the Army,residing at Perth.—
“The two bottles of Congreve’s Balsamic Elixir, which I purchased in February last, I am happy to say, have totally removed my asthma, of forty years’ standing. I attribute its beneficial efficacy, under God, to its peculiar balsamic and expectorant properties, in dislodging the glutinous phlegm, which impeded the free action of my lungs—for as soon as that was removed, I could breathe freely. I am sixty years of age, and was first seized with the complaint when abroad. You are at liberty to publish this, as I think the Elixir should be made more extensively known.”
Mr. T., a respectable gentleman, residing in Cavendish-street, New-road, London, had for a considerable period experienced all the symptoms indicative of the disease called Pulmonary Consumption. The complaint originally proceeded from a violent cold, which was followed by a sense of straitness and oppression at the chest, with great difficulty of breathing, violent cough, and great and general emaciation of the body. When he heard of the Balsam referred to in this treatise, he had previously tried almost every other remedy, with little or no advantage. He, therefore, commenced a course of this medicine, under the most unfavourable circumstances. The remedy succeeded in promoting expectoration of slimy matter from the lungs to a considerable degree. Symptoms of amendment rapidly followed; and, as he persevered with the Balsam, his difficulty of breathing ceased. By the advice of his attendant, he then had recourse to the beverage referred to, (page10,) with the usual doses of Balsam, as therein directed, and the patient became convalescent—although physicians had previously pronounced the cure altogether hopeless.
Joseph Lamoreaux, Esq., 33, Green-street, Grosvenor-square, with the sanction of his nephew, who is one of the liberal of his profession, (a surgeon in the Royal Navy,) having heard the fame of this Balsamic Elixir, was induced to try it, and had purchased several of the 4s. 6d. bottles, and derived from it very considerable benefit, in one of the worst cases of harassing cough, with scanty expectoration and impeded respiration. Being desirous of obtaining one of the bottles at One Guinea, he begged I would give him a call, with a bottle of that size, to be paid for on delivery—as he was particularly desirous of communicating to me personally the vast benefit he had found from taking the Balsam; and of suggesting the best mode of taking it. I called uponMr. L., and was highly delighted with his favourable report. In addition to which he presented me with a card of recommendation, defining the peculiar benefit he had derived from the medicine, addressed to Dr. Hitchman, Leamington, Warwickshire; which was forwarded to that gentleman, with a letter on the subject; and, on the 28th of that month, Dr. Hitchman called upon me, to ascertain on what terms he could be supplied with the medicine.
This Balsam has been patronised by some of the most eminent medical men in this country, by whom its qualities have been tried and approved. To some of them the author and proprietor of the pamphlet and medicine has sent considerable supplies; and its virtues have not only made astonishing proselytes to the doctrine advanced, with reference to the speedy cure of pulmonary complaints, coughs, and asthma, in this country, in Scotland, and Ireland, but in Van Diemen’s Land, Malta, the East and West Indies, America, and various other parts of the Continent of Europe, not only is a new light dawning on the mind, but the fame of this remedy is expanding its beneficial influence on the system with the velocity of lightning.
Amongst other interesting circumstances, may be noticed that of the late Rev.Rowland Hill, late of Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars-road, who patronised the use of the medicine, and derived from it singular benefit, in cases of obstinate cough, to which he was subject; as also did many distinguished individuals in his congregation; and other ladies of title and respectability atBathand elsewhere, whose names we are not permitted more specifically to mention.
MissClark, a respectable lady, who attended the ministry of Mr. Hill, after having suffered exceedingly from a most terrible and alarming cough, was induced to purchase a bottle of the Balsam, from the representations of a lady, who had on several occasions procured it, to distribute among the poor; and administered it to others with the most marked advantage in pulmonary complaints, asthma, and confirmed coughs. The effect of the first dose was, she said, truly astonishing—it gave her immediate relief. At night she ceased from coughing and enjoyed tranquil repose: her cough gradually disappeared; and, in a short time, she became perfectly convalescent.
TheBalsamic Elixiris prepared only by the Author, H.Congreve, Shepherd’s Bush, and sold retail at 4s. 6d., 2s. 9d, 1s. 1½d., and in Family Bottles, at 11s. and 22s. each. There is a considerable saving in purchasing the larger bottles. The Proprietor’s name, “Henry Congreve,” is written by him across the Stamp. All others are counterfeit preparations.
Messrs. Hannay and Dietrichsen, 63, Oxford-street, London, are appointed sole wholesale agents for the sale of the above, and the following most valuable preparation, mentioned in pages7and11, which is also compounded by the Author:—
Under the distinguished Patronage ofHIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF SUSSEX,
Dr. FLEMMING’S QUININEandCAMPHOR PILLS, a celebrated remedy for Indigestion, Nervous, Bilious, and Liver Complaints. As a mild aperient, and fine stomachic, they are unquestionably unequalled by any other compound, as they uniformly invigorate the digestive organs, and operate most beneficially throughout the entire nervous system. “Their great merit consists in their mild and gentle operation, inducing a healthy tone of stomach, creating an appetite and relish for food, promoting refreshing sleep, and dissipating morning languor, and general nervousness; and, in short, resuscitating the system.”—Letter of C. Bushman,Esq.,No.3,Addison-place,Notting-hill.
Sold in Boxes, containing a Pocket Manual; or, Concise Treatise on Indigestion, Diet, and Regimen, &c.A work of great importance to those whose limited time will not admit of their perusal of other complicated and voluminous productions on this subject. Price 4s. 6d. each, and eight of the small size boxes of Pills: also, in Boxes of 2s. 9d. and 1s. 1½d. each.See that“Henry Congreve”is signed across the Government Stamp.
Sole wholesale Agents for the Proprietor, Hannay and Dietrichsen, 63, Oxford-street, London, by whom Dealers in the Country are supplied on the usual terms; and sold by all Venders of Patent Medicines in the United Kingdom.
W. Tyler, Printer, Bolt court, Fleet-street, London.
[10]See the “Medical Casket,” (Diet and Regimen) recently published by the Author; a copy of which accompanies each 4s. 6d. box of Dr. Flemming’s Quinine and Camphor Pills, recommended in pages7and8.
[11]On the propriety of concealing the composition of a remedy, Sir Joseph Banks judiciously observes—“I have no doubt a medicine will prove more beneficial to the Public, in a high degree, when confined to the practice of an individual, that it may be well prepared, of the best ingredients, and that the maceration be properly conducted—matters of vast importance to the afflicted.”