Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

336

Materia Medica

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

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Materia Medica

Stimulants

the granulations which it forms between the fingers are pretty good tests with respect to the dose. Mr Wall says that under grs vi [6 grains] he never knew it do any good, Cullens dose is from X to XXX grs. [10 to 30 grains].

Small has published a dissertation in which he endeavors to prove this article worthy attention Artificial Musk. This has been recommended by Musgrave and many Physicians and by Mana invented, and is thus prepared Rx Ol. Amber Ʒi [1 dram] concentrated Nitric Acid Ʒiij [3 drams] the acid is to be added to to Oil guttation and after the action has ceased the product is to be well washed in water it is then to be dissolved in Alcohol in propotion of X grs. [10 grains] Musk to a pint of Alcohol, two drops of this is a dose to a child, it is said to be equal to the best animal musk, it is much employd in many diseases &c.

Castor. This is generally supposed to be obtained from the inguinal glands of the bever, but we now know it is a peculiarly odiferous matter which is produced from 2 bogs, the best castor is brought from Russia in round hand balls. Dr Cullen says it is often found a powerfull antispasmodic in nervous diseases, it is also employ'd as an emmenagogue. Castor is best given in substance and in large doses from X to XXX grs. [10 to 30 grains] or even to Ʒi [1 dram]. The tincture is made thus Rx Castor Ʒij [2 drams] Proof

604

Materia Medica

Emmenagogues

action, this Idea is novel to you but I am not the first who advanc’d it. My opinion is that no two medicines exert the same effect upon the system and instead of the usual arrangement of Materia Medica think that one founded on Physiology would be far the best. Thus we have Columbo, quassia & Gentian acting peculiarly on the bowels, Bark on the bloodvessels, Amber on the muscles. Foetid gums on the nerves, Digitalis on the secrition, Sulphur on the surface, and Mercury on the glandular system, but it has been urged as an objection to specific that it must act on some other part at the same time it produces this effect, to this we may advance that there are some medicines which act banefully on one part and benificially on another, thus Carbonic Acid introduced into the lungs produce death, while in the stomach it moderately stimulates and disposes to health, the Viper’s venom in the stomach produces no effect while on the skin it gives rise to all the Phenomena of violent inflamation; matter of Gonorrhea in the stomach is innocent, while in the eye it produces inflamation.

Argot.* [footnote back 1 page] Smut, Citale Cornutum & is the rust of Common rye, & is now almost universally used by the Physicians of New York to promote a speedy delivery in which