Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

70

Materia Medica

Astringents

in winters after the yellow fever has been in the city than any other time. Galla. They are an excressence formed on the leafs of the oak from a puncture made by a small black insect resembling the species of our black winged fly. The gall is destitue of smell but has an acute taste. Alcohol and water extract the asstringent principle, it yields readily to both and this extract is the most powerfull astringent we have, it has been used in France by Boaldoe in Intermittant fever. Dr Cullen was in the habit of using it, but in combination with gentian, they would answer well in the intermittants of children, being easily taken and the dose small they have been found to be a good substitute for the bark, some physicians are afraid of obstructions from its use, but as it verry often purges I am enclined to think there is no foundation for this fear. I have been obliged to add opium to prevent their purging, in large doses they cause pain, and I never have been able to give them, in as large doses as some recommend. Six grains twice a day is sufficient Mr Bell recommended equal parts of of gall and hogs lard as a remidy in blind fits, this is generally too strong. Dr Cullen used one part of galls to eight of lard this