Herbs are more effective than Drugs

Thomson's system was brought to England in 1838 by another herbalist of high repute, A. I. Coffin (1798-1866), who built up large practices in Leeds, Manchester, and eventually in London, spreading wider the physio-medical theories by energetic lecturing and the writing of many books.

For some years before Coffin landed in England there had been a considerable revival in herbal teaching and practice in this country, and a medical reform agitation was being energetically conducted. This movement was headed by Samuel Westcott Tilke, who was born in 1794 at Sidmouth, Devon. Tilke's father followed the trade of a baker, but the latter's skill in amateur veterinary work led his son's thoughts in the direction of human healing. While earning his living in London at his father's occupation, Tilke's study, observation and skill were turned to account after working hours in the gratuitous treatment of any sick people with whom he came in contact. Some of his cures were so notable that they obtained more than local fame. Two philanthropic noblemen, the Lords Howden and Seymour, approached Tilke and persuaded him to leave his baking and devote his future life entirely to the service of the sick. Thus, in 1832 the former baker was practising non-poisonous herbal medicine at 8 Thayer Street, Manchester Square, in London's West End. Here he was remarkably successful and, although large numbers of the poor received his attention free, he was also cosnsulted by many wealthy people, from whom he did not hesitate to exact payment in proportion to the size of their reputed fortunes !

Orthodoxy appears to have been fairly tolerant at this time, as Tilke avoided the treatment meted out to Thomson in America. Indeed, he kept on quite good terms with both doctors and Press. The Times reviewed his "Autobiography" very favourably, and almost attained generosity in one of its comments : "Any man who makes such unceasing efforts as Mr. Tilke has done to alleviate the sufferings of humanity under disease which usually defies all medical skill is entitled to honourable mention." It must be remembered, however, that The Times of 100 years ago was a journal of radical outlook, being itself engaged in a bitter struggle on behalf of the rising class of industrialists against the landed proprietors of an era which was passing. This was a period of great economic change. The steam age had dawned. Other great inventions were showering wealth upon the propertied classes, and originality of thought in many different fields was consequently encouraged rather than frowned upon.

Tilke's relations with the profession are referred to in the "Autobiography" itself : "At this time I frequently used to enter into debate with members of the Medical Profession upon the subject of Gout, contending that the acting or direct cause was the existence of an acrid and ill-conditioned humour in the system, which could only be thrown off through the pores of the skin, not denying at the same time that the primary cause was connected with the alimentary canal." This stressing of the importance of food in the causation of disease is in accord with the views of modern herbalists, and is by no means confined to gout.

In spite of the virtual cessation of legal hounding of natural healers at this time, a certain amount of general propaganda was conducted against them. For example, a lecture was advertised to be given at the Assembly Rooms, Bath, on 15th June, 1849, "by a medical gentleman" (unnamed) concerning the "dangers" of lobelia and cayenne. Both of these agents were, and are, important items in the materia medica of the physio-medicals, were included in the English herbal practice through the influence of Coffin, and have been used by herbalists in this country to the present day. The properties and uses of lobelia and cayenne are discussed under their respective heads in the Cyclopedia section of this volume. It need only be noted here that the Bath protest was conducted by a school whose practice consisted largely of bleeding, blistering, and the administration of calomel and laudanum.

The work of Coffin, representing American physiomedicalism, and Tilke, whose ideas were founded upon the old English herbal medicines plus the "water cure," resulted in a synthesis between the Thomsonian and English schools of herbalism. This has been developed throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century and to our own times by such men as John Skelton, pupil of Coffin, practising herbalist and lecturer, and author of Family Medical Adviser, Plea for the Botanic Practice of Medicine, and Epitome of the Botanic Practice of Medicine. Those books are read throughout the English-speaking world, and, together with his work as editor of the Botanic Record, entitle Skelton to a place in the line of Thomson, Coffin and Tilke.

The tendency among herbalists of recent years is to stress, even more than has been done in the past, the importance of healthy habits of living, and especially of proper eating. The reason for this becomes apparent when it is remembered that we are now living in an age of huge monopolies and that this phase in the development of the economic system has particularly harmful effects in the sphere of food supply.

These considerations bring us to the study of herbalism as it is taught and practised at the present time, and are discussed in the next section.