Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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Materia Medica

Tonics

from this circumstance we may account for their health, they also wash their bodies two or three times a week, and thus the disease is prevented = copper exerts its deleterious effects on animals as well as man = as dogs, horses &c. But not so evidently on birds they prefer it to pure water which may be proved by placing two pans in a yard where there are fowls, in one pan shall be pure water in the other an impregnation of copper and they will give the preference to the latter, this substance has never been used in a pure metallic state as a medicine, but I have reason to believe it might be employ’d with considerable advantage, the introduction of copper into practice is of verry antient [ancient] date as far back as the time of Hypocrates.

Acetate of Copper or Verdigris. This is formed by the use of vegitable acids and copper, it is both an astringent and escharotic it has proved usefull when given internally this is more commonly used in malignant ulcers externally, it is used internally with great advantage in such cases of venerial Ulcers as where the bones are affected. By some authors it has been recommended in gleet. Bells formula is grs iij to ℥ij [3 grains to 2 ounces] Ol. Olivar. well rubbed together and used as an injection = I have never used it for I think it too

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Materia Medica

Tonics

medicine. In my own case I have experienced the good effect of lime water in Arthritic vomiting = It generally proves most usefull in the vomiting of children, but it sometimes fails, when a weak solution of assafoetida have been efficacious, the dose of lime water is a small wine glass full in as much milk or water two or three times a day, it has been used as a wash in old ulcers, in burns it is an excellent application and its good effect may be attributed to its tonic power = But of this I am verry doubtfull, I generally use it in the following manner Rx Ol. Olivar ℥i [1 ounce] Lime Water ℥iv [4 ounces] agitated together and applied frequently frequently to the affected part with linnin cloths, this is the best application I ever used in burns, of the Lythontriptic qualities attributed to it by some I cannot say anything of from my own experience.

Muriate of Lime. As a tonic this is more entitled to attention than lime alone it has been highly recommended in Scrophula, dyspepsia, &c, it may be used in either of those diseases to the extent of 1, 2, or 3 Ʒ [drams] a day be commencing with small doses such as will not produce nausea and vomiting, we should always begin with small doses and begin them gradually. I have used it efficaciously in Bronchocele or Goitre, after using Nitric Acid

608

Materia Medica

Emmenagogues

American Peneroyal is different from this I am speaking of but it is also an emmenagogue of great power particularly in cases of sparing menstruation.

Cantharides. The Tinct Cantharides in doses of 15 or 20 gtt. [drops] morning, noon, & night increasing has been recommend in high terms as an emmenagogue and antyhysteric.

Phosphorus. This is the most powerfull, heating stimulant we know, the dose is 1/10 of a grain intimately mix'd with Gum Arabic in the following manner.

Rx Phosphorus grs i [1 grain] Ol. Olivar ℥iij [3 ounces] G. Arabic ℥i [1 ounce]

M intimately and give one table spoonfull every two hours, in this way it is verry powerful; I have used it in a case of low Typhus in the alms house not yet cured.

Helleborus Niger. A Spiritous tincture of the root of the plant is known by the name of "Tincture Melancholia" or Hellebore. I have given this to the extent of 40 gtt [drops] or 50 twice a day increasing gradually, I have gone to the extent of 1, 2, 3, & 4 Ʒ [drams]. I think upon the whole this is one of the most important articles as an emmenagogue that we are acquainted with.

Rue. This deserves attention, it is an emmenagogue

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Materia Medica

Anthelmintics

being too small as I think much larger may be given, it should be given in a little syrup or molasses as the taste is verry unpleasant.

Calomel & Aloes. We come now to speak of those medicines adapted to the cure of Ascarides. Calomel and Aloes given as Cathartics also Enemeta of various substances, as Ʒi [1 dram] of alloes in 1 lb of warm water, lime water, Olive Oil which acts by suffocating them, Common Salt, an infusion of Tobacco, a Solution of Assafoetida, or Hepar Sulphuris. Dr Kuhn is much in the habit of using enemeta and says he has seldom fail'd with one or either of these substances. I prefer the solution of Common Salt, after using the injection some time an active purge of Calomel should be given to remove them.

Polypodium Felix. Or Male Fern, has been used a long time in the cure of Tenea. The symptoms indicating their presence are a constant gnawing pain about the stomach, the dose of the powder is from Ʒi to Ʒiij [1 to 3 drams] taken in a little syrup, and a strong purge given after it has been repeated three or four times. A case is related of one worm 45 feet long being discharged by it, it formed the base of Madame Noufers vermifuge powder wich Louis XVI gave so much for

Dilochos Pruriens. Or Cowhage has been given