Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

364

Materia Medica

Stimulants

the patient in it for some time. Dr Hamlton of Edinburgh cured a cancer of the scrotum by the use of the bath in one month, when the cancer is seated on parts to which the bath cannot be applied as in the rectum, vagina &c, he made use of a syringe, for some kind of ulcers it is said to be better than any other (preparation) application. Mr Home thinks particularly to those of the ancle Joint, or where the ancle is enlarged he thinks a fomentation or poultice by boiling the fresh leaves is the best form, our article has been improperly called cicuta. A scrophulous ulcer on the face has been benefitted by it, grs iij [3 grains] exhibitted internally 2 or 3 times a day in the hands of Dr Khan he has used it in extract internally and in large doses in genuine Lepra in the Pennsylvania Hospital and its good effects were so evident that I should not hesitate to use it, the patient took it by the hands full, this is not a solitary instance for other authors mention its utility in leprous affections. Mr Ralston of Amsterdam has found it an effectual remidy in Elephantiasis which is a variety of lepra. Dr John Fothergill mentions a case of a verry painfull affection of the face which was verry sudden and hemlock was truly usefull. In syphilis it has been used with great advantage in sores succeeding buboes, the recent expressed juice is the best form, that of cataplasms is also used. Withering says it is good in ulcers of the lungs, the inspissated

402

Materia Medica

Stimulants

and tarr water is made by mixing lbij [2 pounds] tar with lbviij [8 pounds] Water. I am told that the negroes of South America when affected with Scicatica are cured by the use of tar water. Dr Cullen says that it appears to strengthen the tone of the stomach, to excite appitite, promote digestion, and cure all the symptoms of Dyspepsia at the same time manifestly promotes the excretions particularly that of the urine. Lind found it usefull in Scurvy, its diuretic effects may perhaps be advantageous here, thus finishes the Conifera. I shall now speak of some stimulants that resemble the coniferae.

Balsam Copaiva. This is an important medicine, it is the product of a tree called Copai. It has been recommended in ulcerations of the lungs Dr Fothergill and Mr Home disapprove of it. Dr Semmonds recommends the balsam, it has been frequently used in gleets, and is an important medicine, it has like wise been employ’d in Gonorrhea internally. I have never used this in recent Gonorrhea but sometimes in Old ulcers. I employ the balsam injection which is prepared thus

Rx Cal. ppt. grs iv vel vi [4 or 6 grains] Bals. Copaiva XXXX [40] Gum Arabic Ʒijfs [2½ drams] Aq. Font. ℥viij [8 ounces]

these should be rubbed down together and a syringe full injected from 4 to 8 times a day, it usefull in old ulcers of Gonorrhea where generous diet porter &c, are necessary, but in recent cases it is injurious.

406

Materia Medica

Stimulants

although it suspends and alters the form of Syphilis it does not cure it. In gouty affections it has been much employ’d

Rx Spirits lbiij [3 pounds] Guacum ℥ij [2 ounces].

Dawson has recommended Guacum in different forms, but that of volatile tincture he prefers made thus

Rx Simp. Tinct of Guacum ℥ij [2 ounces] Compound Spirits of Ammonia Ʒivfs [4½ drams]. M.

Dr Dawson gave a larger dose of this than any of his predicessors for he gave it to the extent of Ʒij [2 drams]. Dr Cullen thinks the Guacum a dangerous medicine in gout. I have used the Guacum in gout and in Rheumatism but in doubtfull cases I exhibit the wartery preparation in acute Rheumatism I have used the following it is Burgesses Preparation

Rx Gum Guacum ℥fs [½ ounce] Gum Arabic Ʒij [2 drams] Sach. Aba Ʒfs [½ dram] Aq. Font ℥X [10 ounces] M. fit. the dose is two table spoons full at a time.

I am informed by Dr Heuston of this City that he found the Rubeg Ferri verry usefull with the Guacum and Red Pepper in Dyspepsia among the prisoners in the cells these patients were troubled with costivness. My form of Exhibitting it here is

Rx Sach Alba Ʒij vel iij [2 or 3 drams] Gum Guacum Ʒij [2 drams] Gum Arabic Ʒij [2 drams] Aq. Font. ℥X [10 ounces] M. fit. the dose is from two to three table spoons full twice or thrice a day I colica Pictonum I have employ’d it advantageously in the above form, it operates as an univerlal [universal] stimulant. Dr John Fothergill has also

486

Materia Medica

Emetics

to the exhibition of bark, in the intervals between the paroxysms has been a verry common practice and perhaps too much so, bark may generally be given without preparations of any kind, but when any evacuations are necessary purges are preferable to emetics, the latter are however sometimes necessary for the cure of fever, in some climates they may be given more freely than in some others, in hot more than in cold climates. The maxim of Hypocrates was emetics in Summer and cathartics in Winter, it is a disputable point among the Physicians whether emetics are proper when there is a determination of blood to the brain, Sydenham advises bleeding before emetics when this is the case, this even might be made a general rule. It is probably that emetics are not so dangerous when there is a determination of blood to the brain as has been supposed, the vomiting at sea never kills although it is generally verry violent. Some physicians disregard the opinion of Sydenham so much as to give emetics in Epilepsy just before the expected paroxysm. I have given them myself with great advantage. Dr Fothergill says the Epilepsy is symptomatic of the state of the stomach and therefore he considers emetic medicines proper on those occasions. Emetic medicines have been recommended in Hydrocephalic Fevers, and also in Cephalic Ones.