Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

410

Materia Medica

Stimulants

horse radish. I shall speak both of their internal and external use, and first of the latter, under the head of Silaquosa I shall speak chiefly of the Mustard and Horseradish and of their internal use. Bergius and other Sweedish Physicians used mustard seed in intermittants. Bergius combined the seed with bark, it is said that the bruised seed in spirits have been usefull, the Sylaquosa have been used in rheumatism and Palsy, in pure cronic rheumatism they are very proper the entire mustard seed to the extent of Ʒij vel Ʒiij [2 or 3 drams] twice or thrice a day is very usefull, it heals the stomach and is diuretic, if it is bruised it is apt to be emetic, Rx Mustard seed one tea spoonfull hot water 1 gill [4 ounces]. Dose one or two teaspoonfull, four, five or six times a day. I have used it myself and know it to be benificial, the horse radish is likewise employ’d in Rheumatism but this is exhibitted in wine, Bergius employ’d it in a similar manner, he cut it into small pieces took half a spoonfull every day without chewing it, the siliquosa and particularly mustard and horseradish are sometimes usefull in dropsy, but notwithstanding their diuretic qualities, they would sometimes be prejudicial here on account of their stimulating qualities. I think the dropsy is sometimes owing to a paralytic affection of the lymphatics and they would probably be of service

412

Materia Medica

Stimulants

Dr Mead relates a case of dropsy of the ovarium with ascites which was cured by one tablespoonfull of an infusion of horse radish. In the Scurvy as in dropsy they must act be promoting an evacuation by the skin and kindneys, a strong infusion of horse radish may be given in water to the extent of half a pint two or three times a day, our plants are taken into the circulation for some of them communicate their taste to the flesh of Animals, a weak infusion of mustard in warm water sometimes checks vomiting. Perhaps it is most serviceable in arthritic vomiting, it should not be used too strong for it then might increase the affection. I think that a propper proportion is a teaspoonfull of mustard to a gill [4 ounces] of water which must be agitated and left to subside and the cleanest part exhibitted in a dose of a teaspoonfull at a time. They are employ’d with meal when powerfull effects are to be produced externally, two parts of Pulv. mustard seed and one of rye meal are mixed together with milk, the preparation to the skin acts as a rubefacient and excites great pain, if kept on too long it produces a separation of the epidermis, externally apply'd mustard and horse radish stimulate the system more quickly than cantharides and more quickly in dentition. I have removed convulsions by synapisms apply'd to the rist and ancles, and in convulsions in small pox

496

Materia Medica

Emetics

take up the matter contained in the bubo. Emetics have also been employ’d in the bite of venimous reptiles and are verry usefull here.

Incarcerated Hernia. I have had no experience of their effects, they probably act by exciting nausea, and thus relieve the spasm. They are not commonly used as anthelmintics but worms are often discharged by small doses. In Syngultus or Hiccough emetics have been found usefull.

Particular Emetics. All the emetics are taken from the vegitable or mineral kingdom. Dr Duncans division of emetics is as follows, 1st Incitantia, as Turbith Mineral, Tartar Emetic &c. 2nd Evacuantia. As Ipecacuanha, Squills &c. 3rd Califacientia. As Horse Radish, Mustard seed &c. 4th Narcotica. As Tobacco, Foxglove &c, But these do not act as emetics by their Narcotic powers. I am not satisfied with Dr Duncans arangement he has a class of Incitantia but they are all incitants, he has one also of Evacuantia, but all emetics are evacuants. Professor Dobson has made the following arrangement. 1st Relaxantia, 2nd Resolventia, 3rd Colida, Warm Emetics, 4th Drastica, Drastic Emetics. In my own view of the subject I shall not follow any of their arangements, But divide them into vegitable and mineral. First of the vegitable emetics.

Nicotiana. Dr Cullen does not approve of

512

Materia Medica

Emetic

of Spain, Portugal, Sicily, and Africa, it grows near the sea on that account is called Maratima. The bulb is Emetic, Diuretic, & Expectorant, as an emetic it is not much used, and is not a verry good diuretic, being so uncertain, But is an excellent expectorant. Dr Lewis has shown that it loses ⅘ of its weight by being kept, this loss is however only its water, and 4 grains of the dry squill is equal to twenty of the fresh.

Mustard & Horse Radish. An infusion of Mustard is used to stop vomiting, but both the powder and infusion when strong enough are emetic, it is verry usefull when too much Laudanum has been taken.

Mineral Emetics. Many of the emetics are preparations of copper but the most valuable is the Sulphate of Copper. Or Blue Vitriol. Dr Cullen says he has not employ’d this, but it is used as a nauseating medicine. It is verry highly recommended by Dr Simmons in Pulmonary Consumption, he gave it in the morning in the following manner, the patients take half a pint of water and then takes the blue Vitriol this is thrown up immediately he then swallows another half pint which will also be thrown up, he has varied the dose from 2 to 20 grs [grains]. Of late the Blue Vitriol has been employ’d in the Southern States in Cynanche Trachealis. And is almost

514

Materia Medica

Emetics

the only medicine used in that disease. I have not yet try'd that practice Dr M_ has spoken highly of an emetic called the dry Vomit which is composed of equal parts of Tart. Emet. and Blue Vitriol, the dose is five grains without any liquid from which it is so called, sometimes some of the preparations of mercury are emetic, principally the saline ones, as Corosive Sublimate &c.

Turbith Mineral. This acts briskly as an emetic in doses of of from 3 to 5 or 6 grains, for an adult, it is usefull for this purpose in particular, but if a purge be not given after it pukes it is apt to salivate. I employ it to produce this effect, it is sometimes given in "Hernia Humoralis". Dr Cullen does not like this preparation as an emetic but I have used it in various affections. I have prescribed it in Cynanche Maligna and Scarlatina Anginosa, with success, as an emetic, it appears to throw off an unusual quantity of water from the stomach. I lately gave in "Cynanche Maligna" grs 3 [3 grains] of it to a child 4 years old.

Sulphate of Zinc. Or White Vitriol. This is a quick emetic in doses of from 5 to 6 grains, on this account it is generally given when poisons has been taken into the stomach. I prefer however the Ipecacuanha, or an infusion of mustard in those cases. The Vitriolic Solution has been much praised by Dr Morely his formula is as follows Rx Vit Alba. Ʒiij [3 drams] Rock Allum Ʒi [1 dram] Aq. Bullions lbi [1 pound]