Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

400

Materia Medica

Stimulants

be sometimes the case, but I think it acts more properly by stimulating the proper action in the urethra. I gave XV or XX [15 or 20] drops three or four times a day. I also gave it in pills it has been advised in Fluor Albus. Dr Cullen does not approve of it, because he says there are few female stomachs that will bear a sufficient quantity Dr Henderson relates a case of the Abdominal Dropsy which was rapidly cured by the use of turpentine pills, the virtues of turpentine are said to depend on an essential oil which if rubbed on the spine is said to prevent the recurrence of Intermittants. It is a usefull diuretic, since it produces alarming and sometimes fatal inflamation of the Urinary passages, in Sciatica Dr Home employ’d it to advantage it has been used in hemorrhages from the intestines dissolved in the yolk of an egg, and taken in water, the burgundy pitch is usefull in some cases of deafness introduced into the ear. A burgundy pitch plaster has been used in Tenea Capitis it is supposed to remain on the head untill it is encorporated with the hair when it is pulled of [off].

Tar. This is a kind of Half burt [burnt] turpentine, it is somewhat Empyrumatic, the powers of tarr are supposed to be somewhat similar to turpentine, but they are not quite, and it is more disagreeable to the stomach, the tarr has been mixed with gravy, wax &c, as a remidy for lepra,

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.