Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

534

Materia Medica

Cathartics

is a Malignant Yellow Fever.

Silaquosa. The unbruised seed of the mustard to the extent of a tablespoon full is a good cathartic I found it usefull to me in regular gout, and it is also proper in chronic Rheumatism, in febris Alba or chlorosis it does not dispose the bowels to costiveness. I sometimes give a table spoonfull two or three times a day, and it does not produce any disagreeable effects on the stomach.

Assa Foetida. This is frequently a verry good purge in doses of from grs ij to V [2 to 5 grains] with delicate women.

Gum Guaicum. A watery solution of this is a good cathartic I have used it particularly in cases of Paralysis, the dose is a table spoonfull two or three times a day.

Senna. This plant is cultivated in Turkey, Syria and Persia, the leaves are disagreeable to the taste, and contain an essential Oil and Gum Resin, this is a safe purgative though it generally gripes a little, to prevent which we are in the habit of combining it with some aromatic or Neutral Salt, as Sal Glaub, Crem Tart.* [footnote back 1 page] &c.

Cassia Marylandica. This plant is indigenous to the Unted States and is a species of cassia Senna the dose is nearly the same, and in the present exigencies of Government requires our attention.

Senaka. This is a Cathartic, Diuretic, and Emetic, it is a cathartic in dicoction and is used in Croup and Dropsy.