Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

80

Materia Medica

Astringents

chewed increases the saliva, the leaves are more active than the stalk, they contain more Gum than Resin, water is its best menstruum, and I prefer the decoction to infusion. It was first introduced into practice about the year 1745. Some German Physicians have praised its qualities in the most unqualified terms, whilst others have said as much against it. Dr Haen highly recommends it in calculous cases he gave it in doses from ℈i [1 scruple] to Ʒfs [½ dram]. Dr Fenican has used it with advantage in nephrites, he cured twelve out of sixteen by giving mild purgatives, he gave it in doses of 5 grs. [5 grains] larger doses excite nausea but I have frequently taken from a ℈i [1 scruple] to Ʒfs [½ dram] without any disagreeable sensation. In Catarrhus Visico. I have no doubt it is a verry valuable medicine, it may do harm if a febrile state exists. I have used it with great advantage in that species of Nephritus Podagra. It sometimes produces a lightness of the chest, this I have myself experienced. Bark has the same effect on me. It has been recommended in gonorrhea and I can recommend it to you in cases of long standing both internally and in the form of injection. I thought I was the first that used it in this disease, but I find Mr Bell has

84

Materia Medica

Astringents

Just as the bark does in the discharge of ulcers. A boy of 14 years of age was admitted into the Pennsylvania Hospital with calculous he discharged thick foeted urine. Dr Shepperd prescribed Uva. Ursi. for two or three weeks he was discharged cured, but returned in a short time with a relapse. In a case which came under my care I advised the patient to use Uva. Ursi. tea a cure was completed and in a short time discharged a calculous this appears with the experience of others the modus operandi of this medicine is extremely difficult to determine it purges and sometimes inflames the stomach. I cannot say how it acts on the calculous. I think it cannot be by dissolving it, some think it only prevents the increase of calculi. I believe nine cases out of ten are from gout they frequently go hand in hand. The Nephrites Podagra does not occur while the patient has gout in any other part of the body. I believe its good effects may in part be ascribed to its tonic power. I was affected for considerable time with gout in my feet, it left them and made its appearance in the kidneys, by the use of Uva. Ursi. I was considerably relieved some supposed it possessed of a sudorific power, but I confess I never suspected anything like it.

136

Materia Medica

Tonics

in many parts of this state, and plentifully in New Jersey, it is a strong bitter and discovers no (astringency) acrimony it strikes a black colour with the Sulp. ferri, water and Alkohol extract its virtues, it is used in infusion or the expressed juice in dose of Ʒi [1 dram] it pukes and purges, according to some authors it has been serviceable in keeping of Paroxysms of the gout, it has been used in Nephritis Podagra, it was thought usefull in Scrophula and diseases of the skin, in New Jersey it is used with success in rheumatism.

Centaurium Benedictum. This is a native of Spain, it is a simple and pure bitter, it leaves have a penetrating bitterness when tasted, though not verry durable, water extracts its virtues, J Bertrin used it in ulcers but I cannot believe it of much service, it has done good in remitting fevers, and infusion is used to excite vomiting, and assist other emetics which it does verry well it is an antiseptic.

Columbo. The London Colledge have of late adapted the name of Columba instead of Columbo, this is a native of Asia &c. We are not acquainted with its botanical history, it is a most important medicine being perhaps the strongest and purest bitter, it gives out its virtue best to spiritous