Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

574

Materia Medica

Diuretic

he gave it Pneumonia. Some of the Physicians of Edinburgh and Copenhagen tells us that they found it injurious in Phrenitis Vera. I should suppose that it was improper in true Pneumonia being a pretty powerfull and perminant Stimulus. I have not employ’d it in this disease but I have in Pneumonia Trachealis & in the West India Pneumonia, it has been used in Cynanche Trachealis or Croup,(5) [footnote back 1 page] by Dr Archer of Maryland and he says with great success. I have given it in many cases of croup & exhibitted it in strong decoction of the root and that in large doses, it is most efficacious when it is Emetic or Diuretic, and sometimes it acts as a cathartic but not often. I gave it with advantage combined with calomel and Ipecacuanha, but nevertheless have not forgotten the lancet, with respect to the dose it is not necessary to be precise, the following is my formula.

Rx Senaka root ℥i [1 ounce] Aq. Bulliens lbi [1 pound]

Beat or cut the root then add the boiling water, it should then be put down to the fire, but without boiling it, and frequently strained, it is fit for use in half an hour, to a child 5 years old I gave a desart [dessert] spoonfull every 3 or 4 hours untill it excites plentifull puking & expectoration we should avoid copious puking. I think that this