Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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Materia Medica

Astringents

Vis-cum or Miseltoe. This is a parasitic plant. It grows indifferently on several trees, and its properties are the same wherever it is found, it does not partake of any of the properties of the tree, to which it attaches itself, this singular fact has given rise to the question how is it nourished, I answer through the vessels of the tree upon which it grows, for colouring matter has been made to pass through the vessels of the tree upon which it grows into misseltoe. Its a powerfull astringent and considerably bitter. Dr Cullen says it seems to have but verry little strength. Collath recommends it in Epilepsy and some other convulsive disorders, but owns it sometimes failed. Sir John Hoyer used it in quartan fevers from ℥fs [½ ounce] to ℥i [1 ounce] at a dose. Gum Kino. This is brought from Africa we know but little of its Batanical History. It appears to be the production of several different plants on the coast or Gorgia, it is a verry usefull and powerfull astringent, is soluble in the saliva, and has no smell it is dissolved by water and alcohol, the latter extracts most of its virtue. I think it preferable to most other astringents, it sometimes purges, we need not be particular as verry large quantities may be taken without injury, it was

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Materia Medica

Astringents

introduced into practice by Dr Fordicece, he used it in intermitting fevers but observed it often failed when the bark was successful. I have occasionally used it in intermittants and gonorrhea, the following were the most usual prescriptions,

Rx Kino grs 48 [48 grains] Gentian grs 64 [64 grains] Opium grs ij [2 grains]

M. fit doj XII three or four of these to to be taken in the twenty four hours;

In solution Kino Ʒiij [3 drams] Sac. Album. Ʒiij [3 drams] Gum Arabic ℥i [1 ounce] Mice. Aqua Font ℥X [10 ounces] a large spoonfull to be taken every three or four hours, Bell recommends this prescription verry highly as an injection in gonorrhea, Kino and Allum form the Pulv Styptic of the Edinburgh Pharmacopia, this is a verry usefull form. Kino is dissolved by lime water and introduced into the vagina either by a sponge or injection, its colour is a great objection to its employment, as it requires great caution to prevent detection. In hemorrhages of the urethra Mr Bell has particularly recommended it. Dr Fordyce and Cullen were disappointed in its efficacy in Fluor albus, I have never used it, but I have no doubt it may be usefull under proper restrictions. It has been used in Diarrhea and is best in the form of pills Mr Acculy used it in two cases with complete success of Fluor albus in the New York

326

Materia Medica

Stimulants

we be able to manage the disease in warm climates. In my own practice I have always used it in some form or other and never knew one case where it proved injurious. Indeed I do not think we can manage the disease without it. I know it has been said to be injurious from the astringent quality, but this is idle theory. Of lately I have used it with Epicac. but not quite in the shape of Dovers powders, this powder however is an excellent remidy, both in acute and cronic dysentary, in injections opium may be given liberally every two hours or more with barley water, mutton, broth &c in combination with Kino it is an excellent medicine.

Cholera. In cholera opium is an invaluable remidy some writers assert that it is first necessary to wash out the stomach by some diluent drinks. Opium should be administered with a liberal hand, in incipient cases we should give six or eight grains in twenty four hours, or even in half that time, but if we use synapisms a smaller quantity of opium will be sufficient.

Tetanus. I can say nothing from my own experience, writers differ essentially on this head, some of them have offered important arguments on this subject, others quite the contrary. Bergius says that it is an invaluable remidy, and an anonymous writer

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Stimulants

of gout in the feet. I believe that more than half the cases of palpitation that are met with in practice are of the gouty nature. I have observed the pertussis is generally attended with fever and difficulty of breathing, and generally bleeding are verry necessary, here bark cannot be exhibitted, but I use the opium in the form of the brown mixture [pg 320] in the intervals between the puking by the Vit. Alb.

Pyrosis or Water Brash. Linneus asserts that this disease is common in Sweeden and brought on by fresh meats, it continues near the whole of a persons life. Cullen says that it is relieved by opium but this gives only a temporary relief. I think pyrosis is a form of dyspepsia. I once used opium in it, and found it to be a palliative, but this disease was cured only by the oil of Amber. I have given Kino and rubeg. ferri combined with great advantage but I attribute the effect principally to the former.

Cholic. There are many varieties, when the pulse indicates a febrile state of the intestines especially when costive, opium is improper, at least untill some evacuation by purging &c. Hysteric Colic and that proceeding from cold opium is usefull without any previous or particular evacuation, in Billious Colic there is often a super abundance of bile discharged and opium is verry usefull after this has taken place. Our medicine has been