Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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

434

Materia Medica

Errhines Sialagogues

nose to a considerable degree. Mr Ware in Gutta Serena gave such a dose of the Euphorbium as to produce Hemorrhagy. I have employ’d it in cataplasms as a rubefacient. Mr Boyle has known it to cure two cataracts by giving it in snuff, he may have been deceived but this is not improbable it would act as a stimulus to the sympathetics.

White Hellebore. Is an extremely powerfull stimulant.

Helenium Autumnale. This is a native of the United States. In Virginia it is known by the name of sneeze weed, it has yellow flowers and comes forth in autumn. Apply’d to the nose it produces greater effects than the same quantity of snuff, it would make a good Medical Snuff.

White Vitriol. A solution of Vit. Alba snuffed up the nose is said to act as an errhine, but I have never used it, in my opinion these medicines have been too much neglected they have been found usefull in Incipient cases of catarrh, in tooth ache &c. Sneezing is often a favorable symptom in some diseases when produced by nature.

Sialogogues. By this term we mean such medicines as produce a discharge from the Salivary glands, they are divided into external and internal sialogogues, the external sialogogues are such substances as when applied to the mouth stimulate the glands and induce them to discharge, the internal are