Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

516

Materia Medica

Emetics

Cochineal grs iij [3 grains]. M. fit. in a mortar, let it subside and strain for use, the last article is added merely to colour the solution. Dr Morely says a tablespoonfull is a dose for an adult, and a teaspoonfull for a child, he thinks this the best method for treating consumption I think the medicine is the better if the allum be omitted especially in whooping cough as it may be apt to purge. Dr Morely employ’d this solution in dysentary.

Tartar Emetic.9 [footnote back 1 page] This is a preparation of antimony most commonly used in England and the Unted States. It is made by equal parts of Glass of Antimony and Crem. Tartar boiled together untill the latter is saturated, the mixture is then suffered to cool and it deposits crystals of tartar Emetic, it is decomposed by heat, the alkalies &c. To assist its operation we often use chamomile tea, the dose is from 1 to 5 grs. [grains] when it is desired to puke* [footnote back 1 page] and purge 1 o 1½ grs grains of Tart Emetic combined with 8 or 10 of Ipecacuanha I have found it a verry usefull emetic, when we wish to give it alone and do not know the constitution of the patient we dissolve 5 grs [grains] in 6 tablespoonfull of warm water and give 1 spoonfull every 15 minutes untill it pukes.

Kermes Mineral. This may be made by boiling antimony in a pure alkaline solution, filtering, cooling, and suffering chrystals to deposite, this is much used in France and the

578

Materia Medica

Diuretics

been used to advantage in several cases of Dropsy, it is often Diuretic and increase the effect of the fox glove.

Cynara. Or Artichoke. The root of this is much employ’d in England as a Diuretic, and it is praised by Dr Cullen. Dr Wilson of England has lately published a treatise on it. I have not used it myself therefore can say nothing from experience.

Helliborus Niger. I have already spoken of it under another head, but it is also an excellent Diuretic. Dr Turner says they have often done good in Dropsies.

Gamboge. This is often used as a purge in Dropsies, and it also stimulates the kidneys.

Siliquosa. The whole of the plants are given as Diuretics in Dropsies.

Alliaciae. All of these are Diuretics and they appear in the urine.

Coniferae. These are also recommended and used as Diuretics,

from the Animal Kingdom we obtain two Diuretics, the first is Cantharides these have been used as Diuretics both in substance and in tincture. Hypocrates employ’d in substance, the Tincture is made by macerating together

Ʒij [2 drams] Canth. Cocchinel Ʒfs [½ dram] Spt. Vin. Rect. lbi [1 pound].

Dr Chalmers employ’d cantharides to great

644

Chapman's Mixture for Gonorrhea

Rx Balsami Copaibae } Spiritus Aetheris Nitrosi } aa ℥fs [½ ounce of each] Pulv. Gummi Arabici Sacch. Albi } aa Ʒij [2 drams of each] Tinct Thebaicai Ʒi [1dram] Aquae fontanae ℥IV [4 ounces]

Fiat Mistura. A Table-spoonfull three times a day.

Cathart. pills Ext. Colocynth Ʒii [2 drams] Calomel ℈ii [2 scruples] Tart. Ant Gr ij [2 grains] Ol. Clovis gtt X [10 drops]

Misce - Fiat pillulae XI Viii Dose Three or four at bed time

Whooping Cough Salts Tartar ℈i [1 scruple] Cochineal grs X [10 grains] Aqua ℥IV [4 ounces]

one tea spoonfull every two hours

Salts Tarter ℈i [1 scruple] Cochineal grs 10 [10 grains] Aqua 4℥ [4 ounces] One teaspoonfull every two hrs

of the common alder is said by Dr Barton to cure this disease at the same time washing the ulcers if there are any with the decoction

1984-85 /M/1

Countway Library of Medicine B MS b 52.1 Rare Books Department