Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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regulated according to the age of the patient generally from grs iij [3 grains] to V to that X or XV has been sometimes three or four times a day, but it has been given in doses of a Ʒ [dram] every three hours. Dr Heberden told me he never knew it hurtfull in gout, it is the only bitter that has retained its character, all others have been accused of containing something narcotic, a beautifull tincture is formed by putting ℥ ij [2 ounces] Colombo in lb ij [2 pounds] Proof Spirit. Dr Percival’s experiments prove that the columbo has not the power of stimulating the sanguiferous system, but I must have some other proof before I can believe it. I believe both gentian and columbo, particularly the former have the power of affecting the heart and arteries as stimulants, the columbo has been used as a cure in intermittants, the colombo is particularly usefull in such cases as when the chill and succeeding fever is not as violent as general, in such cases it is preferable to the Pulv. Cort. Peruv, it has been used in hectic Pulmonary fevers. Dr Cullen says he has used it in dyspepsia. I consider it one of the most important tonics that can be employed in this disease. I use it in substance in large doses it must be continued for a long time. Lichen Islandicus. Iceland live wort or moss

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some cases depending on debility where it is usefull.

Phthisis Pulmonalis. This in its early stage is generally attended with an inflamitory diathesis, which the bark must necessarily increase by its tonic power. Dr Cullen thought it was hurtfull 9 cases out of 10 are generally observed when the hectic was of the tertian type it sometimes prevented the paroxysm, but they returned and no good was effected. Dr Reed never saw it do good, Bergius on the contrary says he never knew it prove injurious, even in those cases when the blood showed an inflamitory crust. I have met with some cases similar to those of Dr Cullen the chills were distinct and the patient lived only four months, when the chills are severe the bark may be employd to check them. Professor Murray relates a case when the matter puked up was a sweet mucous, this mucous is destitute of factor, a laxity and debility pervaded the whole system, in this case he used the bark with much advantage, this kind of consumption is much more frequent than is immagined, in most cases of hemorrhagy bark is improper, as they are mostly of the active kind, where the bark is used it requires

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this subject I refer you to Dr Roys dissertation.

Prunus Virginiana or more properly Cerasis Virginiana or Wild Cherry. The berries possess a narcotic quality, the bark of the root exerts the properties of the tree most powerfully = though that of the trunk is most commonly used = it is a verry valuable tonic in many diseases, and it is verry durable in its effect = I think I have seen it cure one case of lumbar abscess, attended with Hectic fever. In Pulmonary Consumption, I have seen it usefull and known it relieve cough.

Salix Alba or Common Willow. The bark is bitter and astringent and nearly equal to the oak bark in the process of tanning = it has been used with success in intermittant fevers dose from ℈i to ℈ij [1 to 2 scruples].

Esculus Hippocastinum or Horse Chestnut. As a substitute for the Peruvian Bark it has been recommended by several verry respectable writers, in intermittants it is a good tonic and might be used with advantage* [footnote back 1 page]

Cornus Florida. Or Common Dogwood, deserves our notice, the bark is considerably astringent, I have

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the administration of the bark in the cure of intermittants.

Old Ulcers. Assuming carious appearance the oxide of arsenic has been used with advantage and we are informed by experiments of Dr Sternson that such ulcers after the failure of arsenic have been successfully healed or cured by the application of roasted onions. Dr Maguir asserts that the oxide of arsenic predisposes to pulmonary consumption, but I have never heard an instance of this in this country = I think I have known it to remove a predisposition to this disease. I know not whether arsenic has ever been used by any person except myself to prevent the recurrence of hectic fever = which is generally ushered in by a cold fit, in a case that came under my notice where the patient was labouring under hectic fever and with a distressing cough; the bark nauseating her, I consequently exhibitted the arsenic the consequence was that my patient in a short time was so much better of her indisposition that she was able to go out, and long after she relapsed and the fever was so much more severe and accidentally of the hectic kind with Phthisis to which she was predisposed I exhibitted the arsenic again and with the best effects, after being several