Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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