Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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