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

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Materia Medica

Astringents

chewed increases the saliva, the leaves are more active than the stalk, they contain more Gum than Resin, water is its best menstruum, and I prefer the decoction to infusion. It was first introduced into practice about the year 1745. Some German Physicians have praised its qualities in the most unqualified terms, whilst others have said as much against it. Dr Haen highly recommends it in calculous cases he gave it in doses from ℈i [1 scruple] to Ʒfs [½ dram]. Dr Fenican has used it with advantage in nephrites, he cured twelve out of sixteen by giving mild purgatives, he gave it in doses of 5 grs. [5 grains] larger doses excite nausea but I have frequently taken from a ℈i [1 scruple] to Ʒfs [½ dram] without any disagreeable sensation. In Catarrhus Visico. I have no doubt it is a verry valuable medicine, it may do harm if a febrile state exists. I have used it with great advantage in that species of Nephritus Podagra. It sometimes produces a lightness of the chest, this I have myself experienced. Bark has the same effect on me. It has been recommended in gonorrhea and I can recommend it to you in cases of long standing both internally and in the form of injection. I thought I was the first that used it in this disease, but I find Mr Bell has

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Materia Medica

Astringents

repeated and increased, we may begin with five grs [grains] and increase it to ℈i [1 scruple] several times in the day, before we administer this remidy in morbid evacuations or hemorrhages we should attend to the cause whether it be an increased arterial action or debility. I shall now mention the different diseases in which it has been employed. Leucorrhea. It has been recommended in this disease, which is frequently connected with the Phytisis, I have used it with colombo with advantage it is of much importance to the pulse. Gonorrhea. Many authors have recommended it in this disease. I have used a simple solution, but prefer it mixed with a decoction of the oak bark. Dr Foroler has found it verry usefull in scorbutic hemorrhages. I have used it with success with galls. Diabetes. On the authority of Dr Mead it has been used in this disease, but it would be natural to doubt its efficacy in diabetes, there are however some facts which seem to show it may be usefull in some cases. Dr Wistar informed me he was successfull in a case that appeared to be desperate. Dr Dover had a verry high opinion of it other physicians have used it with success. Dr Darwin supposed it acted by exciting the absorbents of the urinary organs into their natural action, but I

123

Diaphoretics

thus immitating nature. In the commencement the pale dry constricted surface indicate their use, to hasten the termination of the paroxysm and produce a speedy termination after the pyrexia has come on. In the intermission their use is to impart tone to the capillaries and thus break the tone of associated action up on which they depend. These two indications are best answered by giving diffusible Stimulants as Opium Vol. Alkali &.

Alder. The common Black Alder of our Country growing along almost every branch in the United States, this article is both Tonic and astringent, and is strongly recommended by Dr Barton for the cure of Scrophula, he uses it in decoction, and at the same time washes the ulcers if there are any with the same.

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Diaphoretics

every half hour in hot Toddy, Madaira Wine &, the sudden sinking should be opposed by Dessicatories, but we possess verry few capable of acting, the preparation invented by Doct Hartshorn is the only one now in use, that is a decoction of cantharides in Spirit of Turpentine. This formidable disease first made its appearance about 6 years ago in the most distant parts of the Eastern States and spread its ranges South. In this place it prevail’d with great mortality and caused of the greatest ornament to our school. Besides this new form of Typhus there is another produced by long exposure to cold which exerts its sedative operation so far as to extinguish almost every vital faculty. These symptoms are torpor, cold skin, insensibility, loss of muscular power &c. The warm bath, dry heat,