Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

149

Diaphoretics

Phlegmasia. In this class of disease strict attention must be paid to the surface of the body regarding its temperature, if that be above the sweating point it must be reduced by bloodletting or any other depleting remidy, as cold.

Rheumatism. Here cold would be improper to the joint and their use should be supply'd by Saline effervescing draughts at which time Diaphoretics are highly usefull, a combination of Ipecacuanha, calomel, and cicuta are verry deservedly praised, the extract of cicuta in dose of 10 or 12 grains is verry usefull; In the confirmed cronic State, Stimulants are necessary, there are Guaicum, Mezereon, Vol. Alkali, Sarsaparilla and Savin, which last I particularly recommend from my own experience in the alms hous [house], here the pulse was verry feeble,

191

Diaphoretics

teaspoonfulls will relieve the spasm.

Daphne Mezereon. Is a plant verry nearly allied to the former of an acid taste, aromatic odour and used in the same way, in tincture, decoction, and infusion, 1 lb of the first pr Diem [per day]. It is also used in the same diseases but not with so much Success.

Sarsaparilla. Is another plant partaking pretty much of the same qualities used with the same indications & not much more general Success.

193

Diaphoretics

Laurus Sassafras. This is an indigenous plant of the United States and stands next to Guaicum. In the shape of tea or decoction it is a verry popular practice to administer one or two lb [pound] pr Diem [per day]. It also enters as an ingredient in the Lisbon Diet Drink, (as follows).

Rx Rad. Sarsaparilla ℥iij [3 ounces] Cort. Rad. Sassafras ℥fs [½ ounce] Shavings of Lignum Vita Ʒiv [4 drams] Liquorice Root Ʒiv [4 drams] Merzereon Ʒifs [1½ drams] Red Saunders Ʒi [1 dram] Aq. Bulliens lbvi [6 pounds]

Macerate with a gentle heat 6 hours, then boil it down to lbiij [3 pounds] adding towards the end the Mezereon and strain the liquor. Dose iij or iv ℥i [3 or 4 ounces] four or five times in a day. the Saunders only gives it

197

Diaphoretics

been exhibitted, with this view a combination of Opium, Calomel and cicuta are verry usefull, and in the confirmed chronic state 10 or 12 grains of the extract alone has been highly praised, in this state all the stimulating Diaphoretics are used as sarsaparilla, Mezereon, Guaicum, Savin, Vol. Alkali &c. Savin particularly in a low case which occur'd in the alms house, little fever, pulse full, low degree of heat &c, after half a drachm [dram] was given three times a day for several days absorbtion commenced and the patient

424

Materia Medica

Errhines

opium and it prevented the dull headache, which the latter alone is apt to occasion, it also acts as a laxative upon verry delicate women, I have known 2 or three grains act in this manner on such persons it has sometimes excited salivation. Of late it has been used in caries Mr Block has advised Assafoetida ℥i [1 ounce] Camp Ʒi [1 dram] to be mixed together and that Ʒi [1 dram] of this mixture should be taken morning and evening, he says he cured a caries of humors by this method, the medicine has also been recommended by other Physicians in cases of carries of Syphilis, it has been used in our Hospital without success, it is employ’d in various forms, in the solid form as pills or in solution, it is best however in tincture as in the Spirit Volatalis of the Edinburgh Dispensatory

Gum Ammoniac. This is a peculiar gum resin has little of the foetid odour therefore Cullen thinks its powers are considerable I have employ’d it but a little. Dr Wistar thinks highly of it in asthma, for a more acurate account of this valuable medicine (see) Daphne Mezereon.

Stimulating Evacuants or Errhines. Are those substances that occasion a discharge from the nose either of mucus or thinner fluid, this evacuation is generally ended with sneezing but not always, their effect is only to increase the natural secretion, they not only increase it but continue for some time