Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

54

Materia Medica

Astringents

part to which they are immediately applied this was the opinion of the celebrated Dr Heberden but his observations were not correct, some of his class extend their influence to the most remote parts of the body how else shall we account for their stopping hemorrhage in distant parts when taken internally. I have seen epistaxis and uterine hemorrhage suddenly stopped after the exhibition of the acetate of Lead. Dr Cullen supposed them to act on the nerves alimentary canal and that showing their effects so soon after being taken they could not go farther we have proof of their being sometimes taken into the system, for when madder which is an astringent is used as a diet it colors the bones and all the secretions, nevertheless it can only be a verry small portion and we cannot account for its effects on the supposition of absorption. Dr Mores experiments would seem to prove that the perspirable vessels were dilated by the application of astringents, he concludes no remedy acts by its astringency, but by imparting tone to the stomach. I shall hereafter attempt to show the fallacy of his experiments, in the process of tanning there seems to take place an attraction

594

Materia Medica

Emmenagogues

robust and plethoric ones. Besides the passions of the mind have much influence as amorous dispositions &c But this is a subject too delicate to dwell on, if even we had sufficient time. As some of our Emmenagogues are derived from the tonic and stimulating classes we will treat of them regularly and first of the.

Tonic Emmenagogues.* [footnote back 1 page] The preparations of Iron form some of the most important Emmenagogues they appear peculiar to retention and only proper when there is a flaxcidity of the system. My favourite preparation is the Rubigo Ferri. Dr Cullen supposes that retention of the menses depends on a constriction which I certainly do not believe, yet that is no reason why the medicine should be improper.

Chamomile. The flowers of this I have used on Heberdens recommendation with advantage.

Cold bath. Of all the tonic Emmenagogues there is perhaps not one better than the cold bath, but this is only in retention and even then should sometimes not be employ’d but with great caution.

Rubia Tinctorum. Though this is not a powerfull Tonic it has long been administered as a deobstruent and Emmenagogue. Dr Home of Edinburgh gave it to 19 Patients and cured 14 he gave it to the extent of Ʒfs [½ dram] & Ʒi [1 dram] twice a day and in general found that it

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* The medium dose of the Rubia in substance is from 20 to 30 grs. [grains] but much larger may be used.

** A tumbler full of the tea may be taken at night for 3 or 4 Successive times, it is an active stimulant in nervous diseases.

596

Materia Medica

Emmenagogues

restored the Uterine discharge, before or about the 12th day, and did not lie heavy upon the stomach. I have employ’d it both in private and Hospital Practice, and tho it sometimes failed yet upon the whole I cannot hissitate to recommend it. I will here take the oportunity of mentioning a circumstance worth your recollection, in the year 87, I assisted Dr L_ of Rhode Island in discovering the connection between the mother and foetus in Utero, we try'd whether madder would tinge the bones of the foetus by giving it to pregnant rabits &c but we found it always produced abortion and thus our experiments fail’d.* [footnote back 1 page]

Stimulating Emmenagogues.

Mercury. We have already observed that this article is a stimulant of a verry powerfull kind, it is also classed among the Emmenagogues Dr Cullen thinks it usefull in obstruction, but not in retention of the menses, he did not carry it so far as to excite salivation. I have employ’d it to advantage in retention and have excited a salivation with good effects.

Rosemary. This is an article doubtless familiar to all of you, it is given as an emmenagogue in the form of a decoction.** [footnote back 1 page]

Juniperus Sabina. This is well testafy’d as an Emmenagogue, it has been used to expel the placenta in difficult cases, and