Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

193

Diaphoretics

Laurus Sassafras. This is an indigenous plant of the United States and stands next to Guaicum. In the shape of tea or decoction it is a verry popular practice to administer one or two lb [pound] pr Diem [per day]. It also enters as an ingredient in the Lisbon Diet Drink, (as follows).

Rx Rad. Sarsaparilla ℥iij [3 ounces] Cort. Rad. Sassafras ℥fs [½ ounce] Shavings of Lignum Vita Ʒiv [4 drams] Liquorice Root Ʒiv [4 drams] Merzereon Ʒifs [1½ drams] Red Saunders Ʒi [1 dram] Aq. Bulliens lbvi [6 pounds]

Macerate with a gentle heat 6 hours, then boil it down to lbiij [3 pounds] adding towards the end the Mezereon and strain the liquor. Dose iij or iv ℥i [3 or 4 ounces] four or five times in a day. the Saunders only gives it