Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

166

Materia Medica

Tonics

parts of the body, we cannot in any other way accout for its sudden operation in the cure of intermittants it has been advanced and with some degree of probability, that it cures fever by exciting a new action in the stomach system. I proceed to speak now particularly of its use in fevers, hence a question has generally arisen, at what time or period of the disease will it be proper to administer the bark. Dr Booerhave's maxim was not to administer it untill the disease had lasted some time, Cum morbis jam aliqua tempora duravit, but this rule is not always correct for it is sometimes disagreeable to employ it at the commencement of fevers. I have known some cases prove fatal the second paroxysm which might perhaps been prevented by the use of the bark, this absurd delay originated among the Egyptians who supposed a certain fermentation must take place before any remidy could be given, and it was a law among them never to give medicine untill the third day after the attack. Dr Sydenhams opinion that a morbid matter must be evacuated has never been prooved and is by no means probable. In tertians it should be given after the first paroxysm. Dr Lind found it of great use when administered in a fever. In the year 1765