Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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sulpuret of ferri, /and to the third simple water, the two first was instantaneously stopped. The other bled several hours. I shall say a few words on the nature of astringents. Dr Cullen supposed an acid and an earth combined to make an astringent, this is not always the case, as for example in the sulphuret of magnesia, the gallic acid has been supposed the principal of astringency, but its principle is not satisfactorily known, the oxy sulphuret of Iron detects this principle. Green vitriol strikes a black colour, Sage for instance, yet this vegitable will not cure the intermittant fever and astringents are best used perhaps in substance but sometimes it is necessary to employ the infusion or decoction. They readily impart their qualities to water or alcohol. We now speak of the use of astringents in diseases. These have been recommended in debility which according to Dr Cullen layes the foundation of dropsy, and by him used with much advantage, but I say they are seldom proper and often hurtfull in the beginning of the disease. Dropsy often commences with increased arterial action requiring bleeding &c. Astringents being more or less stimulant

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in winters after the yellow fever has been in the city than any other time. Galla. They are an excressence formed on the leafs of the oak from a puncture made by a small black insect resembling the species of our black winged fly. The gall is destitue of smell but has an acute taste. Alcohol and water extract the asstringent principle, it yields readily to both and this extract is the most powerfull astringent we have, it has been used in France by Boaldoe in Intermittant fever. Dr Cullen was in the habit of using it, but in combination with gentian, they would answer well in the intermittants of children, being easily taken and the dose small they have been found to be a good substitute for the bark, some physicians are afraid of obstructions from its use, but as it verry often purges I am enclined to think there is no foundation for this fear. I have been obliged to add opium to prevent their purging, in large doses they cause pain, and I never have been able to give them, in as large doses as some recommend. Six grains twice a day is sufficient Mr Bell recommended equal parts of of gall and hogs lard as a remidy in blind fits, this is generally too strong. Dr Cullen used one part of galls to eight of lard this

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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

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usefull, and this plant is a verry common remidy amongt our Indians. Orobanche Virginiana. This is called broom rape or cancer root, this belongs to the calass and order Dydenanira Gymnospermia of Linneus, it is found growing under the Fagus Syleaticu, has a nauseous taste and is a powerfull astringent. I believe this root with arsenic formed what is called Martins cancer powder, for it is well known Martin collected large quantities near Pittsburg and Dr Rush detected arsenic in his powder, it was verry astringent to the taste, here I may remark that astringents are too much neglected in ulcers, they are frequently the most powerfull remidy both internally and externally. I would advise you to try this root in cancers and ulcers. Martins powder was certainly superior to any powder we are acquainted with in the cure of ulcers. I have seen it employed with more success than generally attends those physicians who use arsenic alone.

Tormentilla Erecta. The tormentil root is a very pure astringent, it considerably resembles the cinquefoil, it was considerably used before the chincona and was used in its stead in Germany. Dr Cullen employed it in intermittant fevers it has been recommended to prevent abortions, these are frequently connected with

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hands by taking soup before he began to glaze, bakers are subject to this disease which in some measure serves to show it does not always proceed from the action of lead, type founders are also subject to this complaint. Colica Pictinum. The bowels should always be kept open, for which purpose the christals of tartar and castor oil should always be recommended sometimes the puse [pulse] is full, when bleeding will be necessary. Dr Cullen says it is never accompanied with fever but he is certainly mistaken. Mercurial purges are verry good, but in general Ol. Recini will answer every purpose, and I prefer it in this disease Opium after the bowels have been opened maybe used to relieve pain. Stone says that opium purges by rousing intermittants from their torpor. I have used the warm bath with happy effects and have also poured cold water on the patients feet with advantage, the bad effects of lead is seldom produced by too large doses accidentally taken as by small doses repeatedly taken, large doses sometimes vomit and purge it has been used externally in inflamation as Erysipelas, in injections, in application to sore eyes &c. I think it verry seldom does harm Cullen says it induces mortification, but Darwin says that lead water applied to Erysipelatous