Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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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

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Materia Medica

Astringents

introduced into practice by Dr Fordicece, he used it in intermitting fevers but observed it often failed when the bark was successful. I have occasionally used it in intermittants and gonorrhea, the following were the most usual prescriptions,

Rx Kino grs 48 [48 grains] Gentian grs 64 [64 grains] Opium grs ij [2 grains]

M. fit doj XII three or four of these to to be taken in the twenty four hours;

In solution Kino Ʒiij [3 drams] Sac. Album. Ʒiij [3 drams] Gum Arabic ℥i [1 ounce] Mice. Aqua Font ℥X [10 ounces] a large spoonfull to be taken every three or four hours, Bell recommends this prescription verry highly as an injection in gonorrhea, Kino and Allum form the Pulv Styptic of the Edinburgh Pharmacopia, this is a verry usefull form. Kino is dissolved by lime water and introduced into the vagina either by a sponge or injection, its colour is a great objection to its employment, as it requires great caution to prevent detection. In hemorrhages of the urethra Mr Bell has particularly recommended it. Dr Fordyce and Cullen were disappointed in its efficacy in Fluor albus, I have never used it, but I have no doubt it may be usefull under proper restrictions. It has been used in Diarrhea and is best in the form of pills Mr Acculy used it in two cases with complete success of Fluor albus in the New York

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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

Tonics

stimulating = I do not use injections near as strong as Bell, and Hunter, and cannot recommend them that are so strong. Powerfull injections often produce hernia Humoralis. I would recomend and prefer this formula

Rx Verdigris Ʒi [1 dram] Sal. Ammoniac Ʒiiij [4 drams] Aqua Font X ℥ [10 ounces]

use it as an injection.

Vitriol Coerul. This has been considered as a sulphate of copper but it is a super sulphate. It has been used with advantage in intermittants the dose should be from ¼ of a grain to 1 grain, three or four times a day as the stomach can bare it. Dr Dan recommends it highly, in the year 1808 I used it in the Pennsylvania Hospital in intermittant fevers when all other medicines had failed. Where it produced nausea I found it better. I have never used it hemorrhagy except those from the lungs which I shall speak of hereafter. Dr Spaulding who attended lectures here last winter informed me that in Uterine hemorrhage he had used it with great advantage in such doses as would create nausea. Dr Monroe used it with success in two cases of intermittants that had resisted every other medicine, he used it in the form of pills

Rx Vitriol Coerul grs.iv. [4 grains] Extract Cort. Peruvianus grs.XXX. [30 grains] M. Fit. Bol. No 16. Each of those

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Materia Medica

Stimulants

not often produce the inconvenience that Cullen ascribes to it, but on the contrary generally brings on pleasant sleep, when opium fails in a case of Mania from an Intermittant in Montpelier the extract of henbane often effects a cure, in chin cough we are told it is usefull, but I think it to hazardous to be given to children, in chordee after bleeding opium is proper, and therefore think henbane would be useful. Mr Bell employd it in this affection. Henbane may be administered in large doses provided we do it by gradually increasing the quantity, the extract suffers from keeping, but when it is properly prepared it will keep for several years without injury.

Stramonium. This plant is a native of this Country it is also called James Town Weed, and on Staten Island it is denominated henbane, it grows in the vicinity of Philadelphia, the smell is poisonous and verry disagreeable. Linneus says that cattle avoid it, but I have seen sheep eat the seed, vessicle &c. It is probable they do not so much eat it for food as for condiment, as we take pepper, mustard &c. Mr Reverly says this being an early plant was gathered by some soldiers in James Town who eat of it, it produced a considerable effect upon them, they committed a thousand extravigances, they were confined for fear of mischief but none of them attempted to hurt themselves