Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

510

Materia Medica

Emetics

although the patient was quite free from pain. I give the medicine both in powder and in wine, the following is the formula for making the wine, Rx Rad. Ipecac. ℥iij [3 ounces] Spanish White Wine lbi [1 pound] M fit. That of the Edinburgh Colledge is thus, Rx Rad. Ipecac ℥i [1 ounce] Spanish White Wine ℥XV [15 ounces] M. digest for ten days and strain, the dose is half an ounce more or less according to circumstances.

Spiraea Trifoliata. Or Indian Puke Root. This grows near Philadelphia, the root consists of bark and wood, the former contains the emetic qualities in a greater degree than the latter and it resides in a small proportion in the stem also, the best method of giving it is to pound the bark and give it in substance, in order to puke it is necessary to give twenty, thirty or even forty grains. I have produced the effect however with fifteen or twenty grains, this medicine has a great resemblance to Ipecacuanha, and the large quantity which is necessary to give is the only objection to its use.

Asarum. Or Wild Ginger. This was much used by the antients [ancients] as an emetic, but is not now, it should be given in powder of ℈i [1 scruple] sometimes less, the leaves also posses the emetic power. It has been employ’d in Intermittants and Whooping Cough, with advantage, it is usefull by its emetic and expectorant qualities.

Scilla Maratima or Squill.4 [footnote back 1 page] This is a native