Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

262

Materia Medica

Tonics

Nitric Acid my patient was eventually cured by taking it.

Tin. This medicine was once much used, but has now fallen into disrepute it is a week tonic, and is still employ’d as an anthelmintic, it probably acts in this case mechanically, it has been celebrated for its antispasmodic power, as in Epilepsy those who used it gave it in large doses and it has been said to be advantageous, but in those cases where it was used the disease originated from worms. Monroe has used but always found that worms were voided.

Bismoth. The white oxide of bismoth is that which is generally used though it has never been used in this city, yet it is highly recommended by the Physicians in Europe. In affections of the stomach bismoth should here come next to Lime. The practice of giving this medicine originated in Geneva in the form of the Magistery of Bismoth, and has been used by the Ladies for painting their faces. It is called by Dr Davy the White Hydrate of Bismoth. It is given in hysteria accompanied with dyspepsia. Dr Jackson gave it in the same complaint to the extent of 20 grs. [grains] in 24 Hours in union with gentian and Iron, the patient was completely cured, the usual dose is from 4 to 5 grains combined with Gum. Tragacanth.

624

Materia Medica

Anthelmintics

it is said with much advantage. it is the Setae or bristles of the Pod we use, their action is mechanical, the dose is 1 table spoonfull in a little syrup, it has been used in Ascarides. Other remidies have also been used as Blue Vitriol, Tin, Arsenic, &c.

Oleum Terebinthinae. It was not untill about 2 years ago that this medicine was used with this view and from the cases on record seems entitled to notice. In one case where everything else had fail’d it was given in a dose of ƷIX [9 drams] and with complete success, another case where Ʒifs [1½ drams] was given twice a day and increased to ℥fs [½ ounce] twice a day and even to ℥i [1 ounce] it produced a discharge of the worms, these cases are recorded in the New York Medical Repository the medium dose however to commence with is Ʒi [1 dram] twice a day, it appears we have been too fearfull of the medicine and that our medicines have been given in too small doses. Having now remov’d the worms it becomes us to cure the diathesis which is suppos’d to predispose to their formation, and as that depends chiefly on debility it is best obviated by tonics, and of these the Rubigo Ferri is certainly the best and fully adequate.