Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

372

Materia Medica

Stimulants

air is dissipated in the form of vapour, in vessels hermatically sealed it looses none of its weight, it is not entirely soluble in water, but from the taste it imparts to water it must be partially so, it is entirely dissolved in twice its weight of Spt. Vin. Rect. but if water is added to that solution the camphor is precipitated, one of the nicest ways of using camphor in practice is by rubbing it down with Gum Arabic and Myrrh, Camphor 20 vel [or] 30 grs. [grains] Gum Arabic Ʒij [2 drams] Sach. Alb. Ʒij [2 drams] Aq. Font ℥viij [8 ounces] M. fit. we shall now direct our attention on animals, and first on insects. A piece of camphor placed near an ants hole, affects them considerably, every insect except moth is destry’d by putting them into a glass vessel containing camphor; its effects are various on each a dog took Ʒij [2 drams] and was affected with all the symptoms of hydraphobia, this is an interesting fact, symptoms of this disease are produced by many stimulants, the stomach of animals were inflamed and contained an unusual large quantity of mucus, the active powers of camphor appear to reside in the volatile parts, and therefore it probably acts cher fully on the brain and nerves, peices of camphor have been vomited nearly the size they were taken after acting violently Dr Monroe has made experiments to prove that it is absorbed when externally apply’d. I shall mention its effects upon vegetibles but I refer you to my publication in the fourth Vol of the Philosophical Society

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Materia Medica

Stimulants

used it in this disease, the Volatile tincture has also been employd in some cases of dropsy. I have no experience in this practice but suppose it may be usefull from its diuretic effect.

Myrrh. This is a Gum Resin of a yellow redish colour of a fragrant aromatic smell Mr Brusil has rendered it probable that it is obtained from a sensitive plant. It is a stimulant and in small quantities it promotes appetite and digestion, but in large produces heat. It has been used in intermittants in combination with the bark. Dr John Armstrong was in the habit of employing Ʒi [1 dram] every three hours in Angunia Maligna the myrrh has been much used, from its pectoral qualities it has been much employ’d in the suppurative stage of Pulmonary Consumption. Myrrh has been used with Sal. Martis in hysteria, it has been much employ’d in deterging small ulcers, but less now than formerly as a balsam, it is verry acrid. Dr Sydenham says that he found Myrrh with the preparations of iron usefull in febris Alba. Dr Cullen thought that it would be good in flaxcidity of the system which retains the menses, the virtues of Myrrh are extracted by water and spirits of Wine but better than the latter.

Siloquoso These are well deserving the attention, by this term is ment those plants which are furnished with seed vessels resembling horse radish.