Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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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.

124

Materia Medica

Tonics

extract is less agreeable. The resinous parts are extracted by spirituous menstruation. It is often necessary to use these tinctures with proof spirits being most agreeable. Professor Barton says that bitters used to an excess destroys the tone of the stomach. I now proceed to speak of particular tonics and first of the gentian, thes are several species known to the botanists, they are all usefull. In healing of tonics I shall begin with the purest and proceed in the order of their purity. Gentiana Lutea. Or shop gentian of Linneus, this is a native of the old world it is a very pure bitter and excellent tonic, the root is the part most commonly used and is of a cylindrical figure, an infusion of gentian retards the putrefaction of meat it has been recommended in fevers of debility to excite appetite &c. Whytt says it operates as a laxative, he remarks he seen it serviceable in some diseases of the stomach, and mentions a gentleman who had long been afflicted with pain in the stomach and was entirely relieved by gentian. This as well as other bitters have for a time prevented the paroxysms of the gout, from this perhaps it was made an ingredient in the Portland powder. This I think is one of our best and purest tonic medicines, when mixed with gall it is equal

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This article Dr Bartons thinks maybe used with advantage in the disease of Scrophula, though he has never used it from its highly stimulating qualities he is inclined to think it may do good.

620

Materia Medica

Anthelmintic

Melia Azederac. Or Pride of China it is also known by the name of Tallow Tree, poison berry Tree, &c it grows in all parts of the Southern States and as far north as the State of Delaware, it is not indigenous being imported from China, Japan &c, the part used is the bark of the root, this is prepared in two ways first the Saturated Decoction the dose of which is a teacup full several mornings in succession. It has also been given in powder, in either way it is verry usefull, and Dr Barton thinks it the best anthelmintic we have, it is now used more than the Spigilia in the Southern States. Its exhibition should be watched with caution as when given in large doses it produces verry alarming nervous effections which are not easily obviated.

Chenopodium. Or Jerusalem Oak, being a verry hardy plant will grow in any situation, it is used in the form of the juice of the recent leaves, powder’d leaves, & decoction, it is I think the most certain and powerfull medicine we have. An oil has lately been prepared from the seed and used with advantage by many, the dose for a child is 5 or 6 gtt. [drops] twice a day for 2 or 3 days, then give a cathartic of calomel to remove the dead worms, at which time repeat the oil, the failure of its operation is owing to the dose

Salts Tarter ℈i [1 scruple] Cochineal grs 10 [10 grains] Aqua 4℥ [4 ounces] One teaspoonfull every two hrs

of the common alder is said by Dr Barton to cure this disease at the same time washing the ulcers if there are any with the decoction

1984-85 /M/1

Countway Library of Medicine B MS b 52.1 Rare Books Department