Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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Materia Medica

Tonics

times relieved and again relapsing she at length died = in Bubonicle or Goitre it has been used with more success than any other medicine as stated by physicians of the Western part of New York, and from finding the disease to be attended with much increased action of the vessels of the Tyroid gland and neighboring parts it coroborates with the theory I have delivered.

Chronic Indurations and Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen. Arsenic has been used with efficacy, Darwin relates a case of palpitation of the heart that was relieved by gtt. iv [4 drops] of the saturated solution of arsenic, this might authorise us to use it in similar cases although I have placed this article among the tonics, I do not think it acts by its tonic power or qualities in the cure of intermittants, I must acknowledge that I am not perfectly well acquainted with its modus operandi, I cannot agree with Dr Darwin when he attributes the cure of intermittants from arsenic to arise from its stimulating effect on the stomach, in Anguina Pectoris and Epilepsy Alexander used arsenic with success it has been employ’d by Foster as an anthelmintic.

Cancer. I can say but little of it in the cure of cancers from my own experience

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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

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Materia Medica

Stimulants

it to its ancient seat, but another application of the camphor translated it to the knee, and he did not use the remidy again for fear of driving the disease to the internal organs. I therefore think camphor a dangerous remidy in acute rheumatism and gout.

In Gonorrhea, I formerly used the medicine but have now laid it aside.

Bronchocele. In this affection of the thyroid gland Camphor has been found beneficial, it has also been used in Epilepsy, combined with Cuprum Amoniacum, Vit. Alba, flor. zink &c camphor has been employ'd in Tetanus, but not verry frequently. Dr Miller says he found it usefull in Asthma. It has been advantageously employ'd as an anodoyne in a painfull and difficult Menstruation by some British Practitioners and myself this medicine has been used in Mania It has failed in some cases and done great good in others, I presume it is best adapted to Melancholic Mania, when the pulse is low and the countenance pail. Camphor dissolved in the Mcilage of Gum Arab. has been externally apply'd by some German Practitioners in cases of Burns. Camphor has been employ’d in many more affections which it is unecessary to mention. Camphor may be given in doses of 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 to 50 vel [or] 60 grs pr diem [grains per day] there are various forms in which it may be exhibitted, it may be suspended in water with Gum Arabic

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Materia Medica

Sialagogues

has commenced, in the East Indies they prefer the unction to the internal use of our medicine. I have employ’d mercury to great advantage in hepatetis, its frequently attended with cough, in this stage mercury produces an astonishing effect.

Broncocele or Goitre. I have elsewhere given my opinion with respect to opium in it, there are a great variety of remidies proposed for the cure of it, but I confine myself chiefly to opium. I have but little to say respecting mercury here. Dr John Professor in England uses the mercurial Pills with great advantage, some writers say that mercury does harm while others say that it only stops the progress of the disease, it is certain it has sometimes yielded to mercury, it sometimes cures itself, or is cured by some other disease as is exemplified frequently.

Dropsy. I have always spoken of its employment in dropsy of the brain, the use of mercury in dropsy is not a modern practice. I have advantageously employ’d the turbith Mineral in combination with the squill especially where the dropsy was accompanied with some obstruction of the viscera. Dr Lind has cured about 40 cases of dropsy by exciting a salivation, the East India practitioners however observe that a salivation does harm in dropsy, also some Europians that have taken mercury for syphilis suffer most from dropsy. Mercury seems to be best adapted to those cases of dropsy arising