Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

58

Materia Medica

Astringents

sulpuret of ferri, /and to the third simple water, the two first was instantaneously stopped. The other bled several hours. I shall say a few words on the nature of astringents. Dr Cullen supposed an acid and an earth combined to make an astringent, this is not always the case, as for example in the sulphuret of magnesia, the gallic acid has been supposed the principal of astringency, but its principle is not satisfactorily known, the oxy sulphuret of Iron detects this principle. Green vitriol strikes a black colour, Sage for instance, yet this vegitable will not cure the intermittant fever and astringents are best used perhaps in substance but sometimes it is necessary to employ the infusion or decoction. They readily impart their qualities to water or alcohol. We now speak of the use of astringents in diseases. These have been recommended in debility which according to Dr Cullen layes the foundation of dropsy, and by him used with much advantage, but I say they are seldom proper and often hurtfull in the beginning of the disease. Dropsy often commences with increased arterial action requiring bleeding &c. Astringents being more or less stimulant