Certificates of the efficacy of Doctor Perkins's patent metallic instruments.

CERTIFICATES, &c.

GEN. TYLER, AND MR. LORD.

I JOHN TYLER, of Preston, in the country of New-London and State of Connecticut, hereby certify, that on or about the 17th day of June last, I was con|fined by a Wound, which I had before that time receiv|ed, by cutting my right leg transversely, in which I had taken cold; and at that time the sore was in a high state of inflammation, and gave me great pain, to such a de|gree that I had been obliged to keep my leg in a hori|zontal position, in a chair, the most of that day,—when Doct. Elisha Perkins, of Plainfield, called on me, and having operated on me a few minutes with his patent metallic instruments, the pain in my leg wholly ceased, and the redness and inflammation of the wound entirely disappeared. I was free from pain that night, and indeed the pain and inflammation both ceased from that opera|tion, and never returned again.

And I further certify, that my wife at that time was sorely afflicted with rheumatic pains in her hip, which had been upon her a number of years, and had affected her to such a degree as to render that side shorter than the other, and to make her unable at that time to raise herself from her chair without the greatest difficulty, or to walk across the room without learning on her staff, and with that support, not without the greatest inconvenience; and Doct. Perkins operated upon her a few minutes, when she declared herself free from pain, and immediately rose from her chair, without any assistance or apparent difficul|ty, and walked several times across the room without her

staff, or any other support, and has continued to this time able to walk in that manner; not having com|plained of, or been troubled with pain in the night (of which she had much complained before;) and has truly been to all appearance, a different person, as to the use of her limbs, from the time of that operation, from what she had been for years before.

JOHN TYLER.

Preston, July 29, 1796.

I THE subscriber was present at the time of the a|bove operation, and fully concur in the above statement of facts by Gen. Tyler.

JAMES LORD.

MR. NATHAN GLOVER, & MR. AMOS SIMONS.

I NATHAN GLOVER, of Plainfield, in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut, certify, that for seven years past, I have been frequently visited with severe turns of the Quinsey, which (notwithstanding the application of internal and external means, adminis|tered by the most skilful neighboring physicians) have never lest me within eight or ten days.

About the first of July, 1796, I was again severely at|tacked by this disease, and in about twenty-four hours, my throat became very much swelled and inflamed, and extremely painful. I was at this time visited by Doct. Perkins, who operated on the diseased part, with his pa|tent metallic instruments.

The pains after two or three operations, wholly left me, and the inflammation entirely disappeared; the swelling did not maturate and break as it had usually done,—but in about twenty-four hours wholly subsided, and my throat became perfectly well.

The turns of the Quinsey which I have heretofore had, through not more severe in their first attacks than this, have never left me short of the term of eight or ten days; whereas this continued but two: And I have no doubt but it would have no doubt but it would have lasted as long as the others, had not Doct. Perkins operated with his instruments. I believe the cure to be effected whol|ly be his means.

NATHAN GLOVER.

Plainfield, August 9, 1796.

I THE subscriber was residing at the house of Mr. Glover, and was present at the above operation, and per|fectly agree with him in his statement of facts.

AMOS SIMONS.

CAPT. JOSHUA BOTTUM.

I JOSHUA BOTTUM, of Plainfield, in the county of Windham and state of Connection, certify, that I have been troubled with a rheumatic pain in my arm for four months, which was often extremely distressing. Having heard much of the surprising efficacy of Doct. Perkins's patent instruments, but being myself an unbeliever in this method of removing pains, in conse|quence of the suggestions of his enemies, I neglected using his means, until on or about the 15th of July, when I myself operated on my pained arm about six minutes, and to my utter surprize, the pain entirely ceas|ed, and has never returned. I have every reason to be|lieve that a radical cure was effected by that one opera|tion.

JOSHUA BOTTUM.

Plainfield, August 5, 1796.

MR. AND MRS. SNOW.

I ELIZABETH SNOW, of Plainfield, in the state of Connecticut, certify that in the month of June, 1795, I was sorely afflicted with pains in my ancles, which had settled there after a severe fit of sickness, and had troubled me to such a degree that I became very weak and emaciated. In this unhappy situation I con|tinued about three months, until in the month and year above-mentioned, I applied to Doctor Elisha Perkins who visited me and operated on the pained part of my an|cles, with his metallic instruments. Immediately the pain ceased and has never since returned. I am persuad|ed a radical cure was at that time effected.

ELIZABETH SNOW.

Plainfield, August 3, 1796.

I THE subscriber fully concur with my wise, in the a|bove statement of facts.

ABRAHAM SNOW.

MRS. STERNS.

I HERBY certify, that I have been troubled with pain and weakness in my wrist, for upwards of six years, attended with a swelling which had become hard and protuberant, about the size of a walnut.

In November last, Doctor Elisha Perkins operated on the part affected, with his metallic instruments, which give an immediate relief; and I have experienced no pain there since. The swelling very soon subsided, and my wrist is in all respects as well as ever.

RACHEL STERNS.

Plainfield, August 2, 1796.

DOCTOR RUFUS JOHNSON, A Member of the Medical Society of the State of Con|necticut.

I CERTIFY, that in the course of my practice, a few months past, I have made frequent experiments with Doctor Perkins's patent instruments, and have with but very few exceptions, succeeded to my great aston|ishment, removing rheumatic pains, head-achs, agues in the face, cramp-convulsions, and inflamatory swellings of the throat.

The pains after being once eased, have in but few in|stances returned; and then by a repetition of the oper|ation, have been wholly removed.

From my own practice, and from what I know of the practice of others, I esteem Doctor Perkins's method of removing pains, a very important and useful improve|ment in the healing art; and wish that his instruments may be generally dispersed, that mankind at large may have it in their power by these simple means, to ease themselves of most of the bodily pains which so many experience.

RUFUS JOHNSON, Physician.

Canterbury, August 10, 1796.

DOCTOR T. BACKUS, Member of the Medical Society, of the State of Con|necticut.

I THE subscriber was called on the 4th instant, to attend a patient, by the name of James Crawson, who for the term of nearly five years, has been frequently

trouble with a species of epileptic fits.—When I first saw him, he had experienced in the course of the day, about twelve, each of which usually held him nearly fifteen mi|nutes. At the commencement of one of them, I took from him about fourteen ounces of blood; but discov|ering no happy effect, I applied Doctor Perkins' patent metallic instruments to his right leg, in which he usually experienced the first attack of his fits. The whole leg immediately became limber and free from spsams, and he soon revived without suffering a general convulsion. About twenty minutes after, I being out of his room, was informed that the symptoms of another fit appear|ed, and before I could operate on him, he was universally convulsed with an entire loss of reason. I then applied the instrument to his right leg, six or eight strokes, when the spasms immediately ceased, and he recovered his rea|son. In a short time, he was seized with another, which was removed very much in the manner of the last, the in|struments not being applied until a general convulsion had taken place. I then seated myself on his bed, that I might be enabled to apply the means more seasonably. Here I very soon discovered the symptoms again, but by applying the instruments, the symptoms immediately disappeared. Several others at intervals, commenced with their usual symptoms, by so contracting and cramp|ing the right leg, that the utmost exertions of two men were scarcely able to straighten it, each of which were, in less then a minute removed by five or six strokes of the instruments, before they had extended to the other parts of the body, the leg almost instantaneously be coming perfectly lax.

By the request of a number of gentlemen, who were then present, when the symptoms of one appeared, I ceased to operate, that we might determine whether the above operations had prevented the general convulsions, which before the applications of the instruments, had always succeeded the first attack in his leg. Immedi|ately he fell into a severe fit, which appeared in one uni|versal spasm. In this situation, I suffered him to conti|nue a few minutes, when by applying the instruments to

his leg again, in less than one minute he was entirely free from any kind of spasm, and imme|diately recovered his reason. I still continued by his side, and prevented several other general attacks by opera|ting with the instruments at the beginning of the symp|toms. About one hour and a half after the first opera|tion, the fits entirely subsided. He became easy and ex|perienced none of those disagreeable sensations, which he ever had after former attacks of this kind. He informs that he had usually been afflicted with these fits except at a few intervals, about twenty four hours from the time they first commenced, and it is presumed the application of the metallic instruments, not only shortened the fits, but lessened their number, as at this time they continued not more than nine or ten hours from their first com|mencement, and about an hour and a half after the first application of the instruments. He further observes, that he has discovered none of that debility which had universally succeeded his former attacks, and continues to this day enjoying better health than usual.

THOMAS BACCUS, Physician.

WE the subscribers were present at the above opera|tions and fully agree with Doctor Bachus, in his state|ment of facts.

• CHARLES MILLER,
• JOHN LESTER,
• PHINEHAS KINDAL,
• JOHN PIKE,
• RECOMPENCE HALY.

Plainfield, Aug. 9, 1796.

DOCTOR JAREB DYER, Member of the Medical Society of the State of Con|necticut, and Surgeon to the 21st Regiment.

I CERTIFY, that for seven years past. I have been troubled with almost a constant Rheumatic pain

in my left shoulder. For the two last years it has gradu|ally increased till it became very distressing, and has been attended with a stiffness, to such a degree that I could not raise my hand to the top of my head without great difficulty. On or about the 18th June last, I myself o|perated on my shoulder when it was in extreme pain, with Doctor Perkins's patent tractors.—The pain, to my great surprise, wholly left me within six minutes, and my shoulder was soon freed from its former stiffness, so that I could move that arm and shoulder with the same ease, that I could the other.—The pain has but once returned, and then very lightly, in consequence of severe exercise: It was immediately removed by applying the tractors.

I further certify, that I have been afflicted with a pain in my head for twenty years past. It has usually come on in the fore part of the day, and continued ten or twelve hours. Has often been very distressing. About the time of the above operation. I applied the instruments to my head, when in severe pain. I was in a few min|utes eased, and the pain has not yet returned. For three years before this operation, I do not think I have been three weeks at a time free from this complaint. From what I have experienced, and heard of the efficacy of Doctor Perkins's instruments, I doubt not but they will prove of great utility to mankind.

JAREB DYER, Physician.

Canterbury, August 11, 1796.

DOCTOR EBENEZER ROBINSON.

I HEREBY certify, that, I have been acquaint|ed with Doctor Perkins' method of removing pains and inflamations by pointed metallic instruments, for near a year: that I have frequently operated myself, and have generally had success in removing pains and in|flamations of various kinds, among which, are

pains of the head, burns, and rheumatisms, that I have full confidence in the efficacy of the means, and that it is a very valuable discovery.

EBENEZER ROBINSON.

Plainfield, August 10, 1796.

CART. CYRUS SPAULDING.

I CYRUS SPAULDING, of Plainfield, in the state of Connecticut, certify, that from the month of May, to the month of July, 1795, I was in a feeble, de|bilitated state, and was afflicted with almost a constant pain across the small of my back, which at times was very severe. In the month of July, I applied to Doctor Elisha Perkins, for physical aid: He proposed removing my pain with his metallic instrument, without any inter|nal application. As I was far from having any faith in such apparently simple means, I treated them with ridi|cule. However, I consented to his operating on the af|fected part; when in a few minutes, to my great as|tonishment, the pain wholly left me, and has never since returned.

CYRUS SPAULDING.

REV. JOEL BENEDICT.

I JOET BENEDICT, of Plainfield, certify, that I was present at the time that Capt. Cyrus Spaulding was eased of pain by Doctor Perkins, as certified a|bove; and that I have also myself several times removed pains of different kinds by his patent metallic instru|ments. Cures performed in this way appear to me as real, and no more liable to a relapse, than those by any other means. The cure of an accidental scald, I have

myself experienced. The pain was relieved in a few minutes, and the soreness soon left it and the cure was entire. I am persuaded that the invention is important, and will be of great benefit to mankind.

JOEL BENEDICT, Pastor of a church in Plainfield.

August 10, 1796.

REV. WALTER KING.

THIS may certify, that the subscriber has been present, in sundry instances, where pains have been appar|ently removed by the application of metallic instruments, invented and improved by Doctor Elisha Perkins of Plainfield, and that the use of said instruments appear to me, to promise extensive benefit to society.

WALTER KING,Pastor of the second Church in Norwich.

Norwich, August 12, 1796.

REV. SOLOMON MORGAN.

I HEREBY certify, whom it may concern, that I have had opportunity of making use of Dr. Elisha Per|kins's tractor, in cases of pain in the head, and burns, and have succeeded to the relief of the patients; and from what I have heard from others, I believe that said trac|tors are useful to the removing of many of the pains to which we are subject, and think that a more general use of them, may be for the benefit of mankind.

SOLOMON MORGAN,Pastor of the first church in Canterbury.

Canterbury, August 10, 1796.

REV. ELHANAN WINCHESTER.

I CERTIFY that on the 21st of March, 1796, I saw Doct. Perkins's method of cure by pointed metallic instruments, tried with success, upon several patients in the poor-house or bettering-house in Philadelphia;—especially upon a man who was unable to lift his right hand to his head, as was tried before hand, but who after a few minutes operation, was able to remove it at pleasure, and in my sight, put it with ease on the top of his head and back of his neck, and in all directions.

Nearly the same effects took place upon a woman; and all that I saw treated professed that their pains ceas|ed after being treated a short time: And several came voluntarily, and in my hearing, thanked the Doctor for cures he had performed on them about eight weeks be|fore, in removing pains from them, which they declared had not since returned. So that from what I saw with mine own eyes, and what I have heard, I have great hopes that this method will greatly tend to alleviate the miseries of mankind.

ELHANAN WINCHESTER.

Philadelphia, April. 4, 1796.

REV. MICAIAH PORTER.

I MICAIAH PORTER, of Voluntown, in the county of Windham and State of Connecticut, certify, that I have myself made repeated experiments with Doctor Perkins' metallic instruments, for removing pains and inflammations; that I have almost invariably suc|ceeded to my own astonishment, in curing head-aches, teeth-aches, rheumatisms and burns: In other com|plaints, I have not had opportunity for trial: But I am fully convinced, from my own experiments, and from what I have known of others, that this method of re|moving pains and inflammations from human bodies, is a very important discovery, and that it must contribute very much to alleviate the distresses and infirmities to which our frail bodies are so liable.

MICAIAH PORTER.Pastor of the first church in 〈…〉〈…〉

August, 9, 1796.

Windham County, Aug. 16, 1796.

WE the subscribers certify, that from a variety of cases, which have occured, not only in our own practice, but in that of our neighbouring physicians, we are fully convinced of the utility of Doctor Perkins's patent metal|lic instruments, in removing various pains, spasms and inflammatory affections from the human body, and that the discovery is of importance to the healing art.

Fellows of the Medical Convention.

• * 1.1JOSEPH BAKER,
• *JONATHAN HALL,
• *ELISHA LORD,
• *JOHN BREWSTER,

Member of the Medical Society,

THOMAS HUBBARD.

Extract of a letter from John Vaughan, M. D. State of Delaware.

CHRISTIANA, JULY 14, 1796.

DEAR SIR,

I HAVE operated in a few cases only with your in|struments, for but few have offered since I possessed them.—One case of nervous or hysteric head-ach—perfect|ly cured—a case of odantalgia relieved. The third a young man, who had fallen ten or fifteen feet on the edge of an open ended hogshead, and received a considerable contusion, in the Umbilical Region, with Tumefaction. I bled him three times to little purpose.—But after a|bout two minutes operation, with the instruments, he exclaimed, in extasy—"I am well—I am well—my pain is gone." The pain, however returned in a less degree, but in thirty or forty minutes went off entirely, and he went to work as usual?"

Your friend and obliged humble servant JOHN VAUGHAN.

DR. ELISHA PERKINS.

CALVIN GODDARD, ESQ.

Plainfield, Sept. 25, 1796.

DEAR SIR,

UNTIL of late, I have not been eye witness to many operations, with your Metallic Points—one case which appeared to me a little singular, I will relate—A rough, hardy labourer had a very bad boil upon the outside of his ancle—His leg was swollen to the knee, and his foot, to the toes, looked as tho' the skin was rea|dy to burst—The leg up to the hip, he said, was in ex|treme pain, so that he was deprived of sleep the night preceeding, and the foot was in a high state of inflama|tion—I drew the instruments repeatedly up and down the leg, without any visible effect or decrease of pain, so long that I was almost discouraged—at length however the patient pulled off his coat and flung it aside—(It was one of those cold nights the beginning of this month)—Upon observing his leg, it was of a sudden wet, with sweat—Indeed the sweat burst instantaneously from all his pores—The inflamation, upon the surface of the foot, subsid|ed and the swelling abated—the man declared himself free from pain, went to bed and slept well, and I heard no further complaint—As I had never known of this sweating effect being produced I thought the case worth reporting to you.* 1.2

With sentiments of respect and esteem, Your friend and very humble Servant, CALVIN GODDARD.

REV. JOSEPH DANA.

THE following is a transcript of minutes, taken by the Rev. Mr. DANA, of Ipswich, containing a number (tho' not the whole) of cases in that town, where the subjects have received very sensible and immediate re|lief from Dr. Perkins's metallic points—from the 21st to the 24th of Oct. 1796.

Capt. D R. Old rheumatic pain and inflamed eye; Capt. E. K. An inflamed painful leg; Capt. T. H. Fixed pain in the breast, of long standing; Capt. N. K. Pain in the back; Miss H. old rheumatic pain; Mr. W. D. Old strain in the shoulder attended with stiffness and pain; Mr. J. S. Strained hand with pain; Wise of Capt. A. S. Rheumatism of long standing; Mr. J. S. Violent head|ache; Mr. D. The same; Mr. E. Swollen inflamed bruise; Mr. S. Teeth ache; Mr. N. L. do. Mrs. M. J. Distress at her breast; Miss H. J. Inflamed eye; Mr. J. W. Pain in the side; Mrs. W. Violent head-ache; Mr. W. A. Foot bruised and swollen; Mrs. A. Swelling in the neck; Miss A. B. Pain in the shoulders & breast; Ma|jor C. S.'s Wife, Pains in her limbs, &c. Mr. B. Old rheu|matism; Capt. D. G. Rheumatism, Mrs. T. do.

MR. NATHAN PEIRCE, Master of the Alms-House, Newburyport,

Newburyport, Oct. 28, 1796.

THIS certifies that Dr. Perkins visited the Alms-House in this town yesterday, and performed op|erations with his metallic instruments on three persons, Viz. one woman, and two men, who have been grieviously afflicted with the Rheumatism, and from the best obser|vations, I have been able to make, in so short a time, they all appear to be much relieved of their complaints.

NATHAN PEIRCE. Master of said Alms-House.

REV. LEVI HART.

THIS may certify, That the subscriber has been witness to the success of the application of Doc|tor Perkins Patent Metallic Instruments, in various instances for the removal of pains of the head and oth|er parts of the human body—of rheumatic distress, and of pain occasioned by bruises, where it was exquisite—and the cure has been effected in a short time without any other application.

From personal experience, he is fully satisfied of the utility and importance of the discovery.

LEVI HART.

Preston, October 10, 1796.

REV. CALEB BRADLEY, and Dr. JAMES GOSS.

WE the subscribers, of Gloucester, in the county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts certify that we this day saw Doctor Perkins' Patent Metallic Points appli|ed with success on a child of Mr. James Smith, of fif|teen months old, which had been about an hour before the application very severely scalded, by falling into boiling fat, with one hand and arm; on which large blisters were raised. After a few minutes' operation, the redness and fire almost wholly disappeared, and the child appeared to be eased of pain.

• JAMES GOSS, Physician.
• CALEB BRADLEY, Preacher of the Gospel.

Gloucester, October 19, 1796.

MR. EDWARD HILL.

I EDWARD HILL, of Dorchester, in the county of Norfolk, and State of Massachusetts, hereby certify, that I had been afflicted with the Rheumatism and gout

at times, for nine years past, and at length to such a de|gree as to be unable to walk. But upon application to Doctor Elisha Perkins for the use of his Patent Metallic Instruments, I was in the course of two days so recov|ered as to be able to walk without any pain.

EDWARD HILL.

WE the subscribers were knowing to the facts as above stated.

• NATHAN WEBB.
• RALPH POPE.

Boston, Sept. 23, 1796.

COL. JONATHAN GLOVER.

THIS certifies, That I visited Dr. Elisha Perkins about the 20th September last, with a violent chronic pain in one of my feet, which the Doctor by applying his Tractors removed immediately. Upon my return to Marblehead, I felt a pain as usual, in my other foot, but which on applying the Instruments, which I pur|chased of the Doctor, was removed directly.

I also applied them to Capt. Fettyplece's knee and foot, which were sorely afflicted with pain, and relieved him immediately. Several others I relieved of pains; particularly a pain in a lady's arm, and the pleurisy in a lady's side.

JONATHAN GLOVER.

Boston, October 5, 1796.

MR. CONSTANT FREEMAN, Master of the Alms|house, Boston.

THIS certifies, that Dr. Elisha Perkins, of Plain field, Connecticut, visited the Poor House of this Me|tropolis, about three weeks ago, and performed oper|ations on several patients, with his celebrated Metallic Points; among whom he performed his operation on

one John Patterson. He had been in this Poor House for six months with the Rheumatism—Two months of which he was confined to his bed—Four months he had hobbled about with crutches, when Dr. Perkins per|formed the operation; since which he has thrown aside his crutches, and walks only with a staff, which he uses, not for the Rheumatism, for he has none, but merely for a support, as his thigh bone was then and still re|mains dislocated.

Nancy Blake was also cured, by the Doctor, of the Rheumatism in the small of her back, which had con|stantly afflicted her for more than three years. It has not returned yet.

Benjamin Ross I cured myself of the Rheumatism in the small of his back and hip. This was ten days ago; it has not returned.

Lewis Dumeth, a Frenchman, was operated upon by the Doctor, for the Rheumatism in his lower extremi|ties, which had confined him to his bed and crutches for months: but no sooner was he operated upon than he threw aside his crutches—walked about the house—has walked about the town since, and has had no return of the Rheumatism in either leg.

CONSTANT FREEMAN.

Boston, October 5, 1796.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doctors Baker, Hall, Lord and Brewster, with the author of the metallic discovery, are the five represen|tatives from Windham county to the Connecticut Medi|cal Convention.
• * 1.2

  This sweating is not unusual.