Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

135

Diaphoretics

in the brain effusions of lymph of a pus like nature, and taking all the symptoms into consideration it appears to be Typhus combined with Erysipelatous Inflamation. "Treatment". The Practitioners seem generally to have adopted two modes of practice, "first" the profuse use of direct stimulants, and the "Second" The sweating plan. I have tried both and have now no hessitation in deciding in favor of the latter, and in fact nearly all agree to it now. Among the most active means to procure diaphoresis none are so efficacious as the Dovers Powders, Wine Whey, fomentations, and hot Toddy. I have always affected a cure where I could induce perspiration, when any topical affection supervene blisters to the parts will remove it, in the last stage the free exhibition of Vol. Alkali is the "Anchor of Hope" 10 grains

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

570

Materia Medica

Diuretics

noticed as a Diuretic, an infusion of Tobacco is made as follows.

Rx Fol. Nicotiana ℥i [1 ounce] Aq Bulliens lbi [1 pound]

Dr Fowler gave tobacco in this form and began with 60 gtt. [60 drops] 3 times a day.

In Dysuria, Dr Fowler gave 80 gtt. [80 drops] twice a day and found it to make complete cures, Bergius apply’d a fomentation of Tobacco in Phymosis. In Dropsy, I have given it with great advantage in the Pennsylvania Hospital, but my experience in this practice has not been great.

Scilla Maratima.* [footnote back 1 page] Or Squills. As a Diuretic this is equal if not superior to Digitalis. It is generally given in pills or with Gum Ammonic & syrup, there is certainly a resemblance between its Medical Properties and Digitalis. The squill is Emetic, Diuretic, and Cathartic and of course its primary effects upon the heart and arteries are those of a Stimulant, it however acts as such more powerfully than Digitalis. Next to the lancet says Withering I know of nothing that lowers the pulse like squills. Dr Home gave grs X [10 grains] of Squills with grs X [10 grains] of Nitre (with water) to act as a vomit, in Dropsies, this often purged and increased the urine at night, he supported the patient by means of cordials. Dr Cullen does not approve of this practice, the squill is a most powerfull Diuretic