The efficacy of Perkins's patent metallic tractors, in topical diseases on the human body, and animals; exemplified by 250 cases ... To which is prefixed, a preliminary discourse, in which, the fallacious attempts of Dr. Haygarth, to detract from the merits of the tractors, are detected, and fully confuted / By Benjamin Douglas Perkins.

Benjamin Douglas Perkins

Date:: 1800

Credit: The efficacy of Perkins's patent metallic tractors, in topical diseases on the human body, and animals; exemplified by 250 cases ... To which is prefixed, a preliminary discourse, in which, the fallacious attempts of Dr. Haygarth, to detract from the merits of the tractors, are detected, and fully confuted / By Benjamin Douglas Perkins. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$that fimilar experiments might be repeated in both of thofe cities. The annexed letter from Mr. Smit H was the/or/a»^?/5 refult of this communica- tion.” [p^ige 6.J It was indeedto be able to procure even om perfon who would permit his name to appear with Dr. Hay garth’s, as con- cerned in fimilar tranfaftions. The two gentlemen to whom Dr. H. fent his Tradlors, his communica- tion, and in it, undoubtedly, many perfuafive argu- ments to unite in his views, it feems, notwithftand- ing, have thought proper to a6l a different part. Now fee what a fpecimen the new adventurer, Mr. Smith, immediately gives us of the candour and dijintereflednefis\nt\i which he commenced his experi- ments, in the following Letter, addrefled to Dr. Hay- CARTH : Sir, Mr, Dyer fome time fince communicated to me the contents of a letter addreffed by you to Dr. M . Confidering it the duty of every regular pra£Htioner to check the daring progrefs of empi- jicifm, I inilaiitly njolunteered my fervices to affift in the defign of inveftigating the merits ignorantly aferibed to Perkinean Eledricity.” [page 6.] Here follows a pretty harfh charge, wliich Mr. Smith undoubtedly fnppofed I fhould hear without emo- tion, and, like the fpaniel, lick the hand that gave the blow. I fincerely hope and truft, that the refult of the experiments will open the eyes of the public to iogrofs an impofuton^[p^gc 7*] We have then * The weaknefs and the intemperate zeal of Mr. Smith has a greater claim upon our pity than refentment. At the very moment the writer was employed in thefe comments, he received the following Note from the Secretary of the Royal Society—Lhe JirR and moR refpe^abie inftitution$

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