Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

125

Diaphoretics

In the hot, antimonials and saline preparation, thus using cool and refrigenant articles to subdue the present paroxysm & prevent the return. In Continued Fevers during the time of the humoroel pathologists active Sudorifics were used to carry off concocted matter, but it remained for the illustrious Sydenham to point out the absurdity of this practice and pursue a proper one. By the old treatment much of which is too often used now. the body is heated, great thirst, anxiety, oppression, delirium, thobing of the temporal arteries, redness of the eyes, & restlessness, when there is too large a quantity of blood it shows itself, by a fullness in the region of the liver and spleen. Under these circumstances a profuse sweat increases the affection, but the proper exhibition of Diaphoretics are indispensable when the

135

Diaphoretics

in the brain effusions of lymph of a pus like nature, and taking all the symptoms into consideration it appears to be Typhus combined with Erysipelatous Inflamation. "Treatment". The Practitioners seem generally to have adopted two modes of practice, "first" the profuse use of direct stimulants, and the "Second" The sweating plan. I have tried both and have now no hessitation in deciding in favor of the latter, and in fact nearly all agree to it now. Among the most active means to procure diaphoresis none are so efficacious as the Dovers Powders, Wine Whey, fomentations, and hot Toddy. I have always affected a cure where I could induce perspiration, when any topical affection supervene blisters to the parts will remove it, in the last stage the free exhibition of Vol. Alkali is the "Anchor of Hope" 10 grains

180

Materia Medica

Tonics

must be injurious in all inflamitory diseases, gout and Rheumatism have been thought to be the same disease, they are however essentially different, though there may be some similarity in their symptoms, Sydenham thought the bark usefull in some cases of the gout, he used it himself morning and evening. Haller calls it a grand remidy, I think it can only be used in the regular gout with debility. But hardly ever when there is a translation of the affection to the hed or stomach, indeed it should never be used when the vital organs are affected, if the gout assumes the intermittant form the bark may be usefull.

Typhus fever. This is supposed to arise solely from human effluvia. But I have seen it arise from marsh miasm, and although we call the typhus a continued fever, yet I consider the intermittant remittant and typhus all of the same species it is in the first stage an inflamitory fever which lasts longer than any other fever, of course the bark must be at first improper, I would not recommend it while the pulse remains full the eyes inflamed &c. In its course it becomes a disease of debility and then the bark is proper.

Plague. Is a true Synochus or a fever in the first stage inflamitory and ending

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Materia Medica

Tonics

James the first the frequency of crooked legs introduced the use of boots.

Cancers. The bark has been used in cancers, I do not think it has ever affected a cure. Though as Dr Cullen has supposed it has certainly done service in altering or amending the nature of the discharge. Dr A of London has a high opinion of it as a remidy in this disease combined with hemlock and sublimate of Mercury, upon the whole though I cannot think the bark has cured the genuine cancer, yet with many respectable writers I believe it has been of service combined with other medicines. I am next to consider its use in convulsive diseases.

Epilepsy. Sometimes depends on an organic affection of the brain for which there is no remidy, where it is connected with a plethor or a turgessence of the blood vessels of the brain, bark would be improper, here bleeding is of use, and the blood generally discovers signs of inflamation. Dr Cullen says it can only be usefull depending on a mobility of the system, but he prefers the Mineral tonics, Vit. Alba. Cup. Ammon. &c, he found most benifit from large doses given immediately before the paroxysm Werchoffs found it of much advantage.

Tetanus.

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Materia Medica

Stimulants

increased warmth of the bed, and clothes, the patient should endeavor to sleep in an erect a posture as possible, either sitting up or having the head of the bed elevated, he should always preceive himself as cold as possible.

Histeria. In this common affection opium is much recommended, this disease like Epilepsy often depends on a plethoric state of the system, and in such cases opium must be improper but when there are irregular feelings depending on the mobility of the system opium is proper. Dr Cullen however says that the frequent use of opium increases the mobility of the system, in those cases of hysteria depending upon the passions of the mind opium is usefull in large doses.

Palpitations of the Heart. Are sometimes owing to an organic affection of that organ, but it frequently arises from spasm, here opium is extremely usefull.

Asthma. Opium is sometimes injurious or when it depends on a turgessence of the vessels of the lungs, but in asthma of Spasmodic or Catarrhall affections it is a usefull remdy. I believe asthma is often an arthritic affection from observations in my practice. I know a Lady of a gouty family who has violent attacks of asthma, and nothing relieves her but the pain setting in her feet when the asthma leaves her, the same remarks apply to palpitation, this sometimes goes of in the form