Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

222

Materia Medica

Tonics

Dr Sydenham used it in combination with alliaceous plants.

Dropsy. In the forming state of this disease I have found Iron to do harm. when exhibited it requires nicity and caution.

Cronic Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen. When accompanied with pain or fever the preparations of Iron are extremely efficacious, the vinum chalybeate from the following formula,

Rx Pulv. Calyb ℥i [1 ounce] Vinum lbi [1 pound]

old white or what is better old red wine is far preferable to any other, this is one of the most usefull preparation in promoting digestion and removing visceral obstructions of the abdomen, it may be given in doses of ℥fs to ℥i [½ to 1 ounce] two or three times a day if necessary = In those it is highly recommended by Brown in the form of an Oxyde during the aphorexia.

Modus Operandi of Iron. All the various forms of this medicine exert their power first and chiefly on the stomach and then on every part of the body. Dr Cullen says there is always a quantity of acid in the stomach which dissolves the Iron and causes the black stools, but Dr Cullen here as usual is under a mistake = Dr Lind supposed he could detect in the urine the