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

Plaster for Gathering Breast

one pint of French Brandy one Gill of Spirits of Turpentine one ditto of Sweet Oil ¼ lb Rosin Soap one Gill of Linseed Oil ⅛ lb Fresh Butter ¼ lb Bees Wax one Tea spoonfull of Common Salt.

To be stewed together over a very slow fire for two hours, and to be applied very hot to the breast on a rag. First rub the breast well with hot vinegar or brandy, and apply after the plaster is on the breast wool dipped in hot spirits under the arm pit —