Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

484

Materia Medica

Emetics

emetics, this Idea I do not believe to be correct, because this diaphoretic quality is not common to all the emetics, but belongs only to Epecac. and the preparations of antimony, and is not a property of squills. Dr Robinson supposed that emetics produced a constriction of the extreme vessels, Mr Hunter thought there was a sympathy between the stomach and the testacles, he therefore gave emetics in Hernia Humeralis, Mr Monroe informs us that that when a moderate emetic is taken the stomach remains undisturbed for sometime, the antimonial emetics induce purging and a full pulse, squill occasion a flow of urine, it has been supposed the power of vomiting is given to the stomach to enable it to throw of [off] noxious substances, the nausea produced by emetics is termed a sensation of a peculiar kind, inducing vomiting, purging, and sweating. I think we should always keep out of view the Vis Medicatrix Natura, the Idea which Dr Booerhave entertained upon this subject were verry correct, all emetics are not noxious is clearly evinced by water being heated to a certain degree will produce vomiting, it has been said it relaxes the stomach, this cannot be the reason since four times the quantity of warm tea does not excite vomiting, there is nothing noxious in the tickling of a feather.

Of the Use of Emetics in Diseases, and first in fevers, their employment here previous to

492

Materia Medica

Emetics

suitable. Emetics are the best Possable medicines in some Paralytic Affections, when the head is much diseased, they have often been beneficial in Mania, not however the Phrenictic species or when there is much fever, though I have seen them do much good even when there was much excitement, nauseating doses frequently do much good where vomiting would not, they keep down and depress the violence of the strengh of Maniacal Patients, much more frequently than bleeding, cupping, &c. Emetics have been much recommended in Puerperal Fever. Mr D_ has advised us to trust chiefly to them. I was once verry fond of this practice untill in violent case I was induced to employ the lancet and found it to be more effectual.

Hemorrhages of Red Blood. Emetics have been employ’d with advantage. Dr Robinson recommended in Hemoptysis. Dr Cullen tried them although in one case he found them to increase the vomiting verry much, yet he thought they would often be beneficial; Dr Robinson thought they would produce a constriction upon the extremities of the vessels, which put a stop to the hemorrhage.

Minctus Cruentus. Or Bloody Urine, I have had much experience in this practice. I have employ’d the medicine more in Uterine Hemorrhages, it must be