Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

444

Materia Medica

Sialagogues

not think so highly of it. I have frequently employ’d it and am of opinion in one respect it is preferable to calomel, it is more manageable when children are affected with the venerial disease by their nurses or parents. I have employ’d it with more advantage than any other medicine. I rubbed it down with Gum Arabic and sugar and to prevent its purging I added laudanum. I begin with small doses exhibitted in milk increase gradually and continue sometime, it is more certain with such patients than calomel.

The Mercurias Cinerious of Dr Blacks has been much used, it is made by dissolving mercury in nitric acid and precipitating by means of ammoniac. I have never employ’d it but its reputation in Europe is great. Dr Saunders preparation is made by pouring on the precipitation above mentioned some spirits of Wine and setting it on fire, lately the Hydragyrum Phosphoratum Has been much praised and is said to be usefull in healing ulcers in a few days particularly when they are seated above the pudenda, it is very active and must be used with great caution for it excites vomiting in the dose of 1 grs [grain]. I have not not employ’d it, but it has been recommended to be exhibitted thus,

Rx Phosphate of Mercury grs iv [4 grains] Pulv Cinnab grs Xij [12 grains] M. fit. dose grs viij [8 grains],

borate of mercury is not used in this country. A mercurial soap has been employ’d