Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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Materia Medica

Errhines

at present than they were formerly, snuff of the tobacco and indian turnip is said to be usefull in amaurosis, candour obliges one to declare that the use of tobacco does not appear unfavorable to longevity, numerous instances have been collected of persons who have arrived to an old age, and who had long been in the habit of chewing and snuffing, snuffing should be avoided by all those who wish to shine as public speakers as it is injurious to the voice.

Assarabacca. This is a most powerfull errhine and common about the hills of Pennsylvania and is called crowfoot and wild ginger, this is the basis of the Pulvis Stimulantorius of the London and Edinburgh Colledges. Dr Cullen says that grs iij [3 grains] of it is a dose and that four grains make a good snuff.

Squill. The common squill is a considerable errhine.

Poke root. The powder of the root of the common poke of this Country is also an errhine, the assarabaca, squill, and poke root should have been mentioned before tobacco.

Digitalis or Foxglove. The pulv. leaves of the foxglove are considerably errhine, and when apply'd to the nose occasion a discharge. I shall now speak of the more acrid and powerfull of this class of medicines.

Euphorbium Officinale. Dr Cullen says the more acrid the errhine of which this is one, are apt even in moderate doses to inflame the