Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

165

Diaphoretics

puges [purges] which destroys its diaphoretic power. Nitrate of potash has been used tho I doubt its efficacy except to reduce arterial action by reducing the animal heat and this we have abundantly in the Antimoned preparations of which there are two now in use, James Powders, and Tartar Emetic, the dose of the first is from 5 to 10 grs. of the last from ⅛ to ¼ of a grain, when we want their diaphoretic operations, the best plan is to give it every hour untill it is induced, unless puking supervene as the longer it remains in the stomach the more nausea is induced. This is one of the disadvantages of a timid practice. Ipecac is the most certain safe, and gentle diaphoretic in the dose of 2 or 3 grains every hour or two.

518

Materia Medica

Emetics

Unted States, in large doses it vomits and purges, and in small doses of 1 gr. [grain] nauseates it has been used in dropsy and anguinouse affections.

James's Powder. The composition of this is not exactly known but the supposed Rx is as follows Rx Antimony any quantity calcine it with a considerable protracted heat in a flat unglazed earthen vessel, adding from time to time a sufficient quantity of animal oil and salt well deflagrated then boil it in melted nitre a considerable time then sepperate the powder from the water by dissolving the latter in water. The common way of preparing this powder was follows Rx Sulphate of Antimony rubbed to a coarse powder and hartshorn each equal parts mix and throw them into a wide Iron pot heated red hot and stir them constantly untill they are burnt into a matter of an ash colour, then remove from the fire and rub it to powder and put it in a coated crucabbe [crucible] luto to this cruicable [crucible] another inverted in the bottom of which a small hole is drilled apply the fire which is to be gradually raised to a white heat and kept at this temperature for two hours, lastly rub the matter when cold into a fine powder. Buy analysis Mr P_ found this powder to be composed of 43 parts of Phosphate of lime and 75 of an oxyde of Antimony, this is a verry important article, but its operation is verry irregular, sometimes small doses will operate verry

520

Materia Medica

Emetics

violently. Dr James considers Ʒfs [½ dram] a dose. Dr Monroe thought from 5 to 12 grains sufficient, we should however begin with small doses, perhaps to much is ascribed to this article. James gave it to clear out the stomach after which he poured in the bark. James powder sometimes salivates. I have not used it much but sometimes with more effect than any other antimonial in use. Dr Cullen was the first distinguished Physician who recommended the antimonials in fever and by means of his numerous pupils the practice was verry widely spread, their operation in the cure of fever I think is not completely understood. Dr Cullen ascribes their good to vomiting and nausea. I cannot I think they act by exciting vomiting alone, because if so the other emetics would do equally well, as squills, Foxglove &c. I therefore agree with Dr Fordice that there is something of a specific action which belongs to the antimonials, but I cannot agree with him that vomiting causes much of their effects to be lost, he supposes whenever a medicine vomits, that effect prevents or diminishes its other operations this however is not the case with all emetics. I have already told you that Arsenic cures Intermittants, whether it produces sickness or not, it seems indeed more powerfull to produce the effect when it excites vomiting, the vomiting induced by ipecacuanha, Lead, Copper &c, does not appear to diminish

544

Materia Medica

Cathartics

Glaubers Salts, and is a more expensive medicine.

Sea water. This is a cathartic and a verry certain one but it is not known in what ingredient this quality resides, it is found to contain the Muriates of Soda and Magnesia together with the Sulphate of Lime, the first in the greatest quantity, next, the second and of the third there is the least, the Muriate of Magnesia is properly an active ingredient, we may immitate Sea water by dissolving some of the purging salts, and Muriate of Soda in Water. Sea Water is of use in Scrophulous affections, though common salt is not.

Mineral Cathartics. Of this article though unquestionable one of the most powerfull, I shall say but little having already mentioned it.

Turbith Minerals.* [footnote back 1 page] These are often employ’d as Cathartics, but they may be used as such though its primary operation is that of Emetic, its secondary one is that of a cathartic.

The Antimonials. These may be so managed as to produce a purgative effect, particularly the Tart. Emet. Some Physicians use this mixed with Glauber Salts, in Dysentary I like to add ¼ of a grain of it to each purgative effect. James powder we have already spoken of as an Emetic, and Dr James often gave it as a purge, he observed himself that in its exhibition more Cathartic