Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

508

Materia Medica

Emetics

In warm climates particularly it is the best medicine that can be employ’d. I do not suppose it to have any specific action. Dr Cullen was of opinion that it acted as a purgative and others say it is most powerfull when it acts so, particularly Sir George Baker, these opinions are however incorrect, it is thought by Dr Morely to determine to the skin and produce its effects in this manner. I do not believe it acts by purging since the opium I combined with it would prevent that effect, nor do I think it acts by determining to the skin, because those patients who were sweated were not more benefitted than those who were not.

Cynanche Trachealis. In this disease I have successfully employ’d the combination of Ipecacuanha and calomel, in the "colica Hepatica" it has often been found usefull by some of the French Writers. I have already spoken of its effects in diminishing the powers of opium, when I treated of Dover's powders. A girl that swallow'd a large dose of opium was saved by taking continued doses of Ipecacuanha without inducing much vomiting. It is therefore an excellent remidy in such cases by its emetic quality and also by its power of diminishing the powers of the opium, you will always find that grs ij [2 grains]* [footnote back 1 page] with the same of Ipecacuanha will not produce as great an effect as grs I [1 grain] of opium alone. Dover's powders seldom produce sound sleep,

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Materia Medica

Diuretics

Diuretics. These are such medicines as promote the urinary secretion and evacuation of the same, it was the theory of the Humeral Pathologists that they entered into the system and uniting with the peccant matter went to pass off by the kidneys. Diuresis is increased in two ways, by invigorating the absorbents, and by increasing the secretory action of the kidneys, it is also influenced by the state of the cappillary vessels, as when Diaphoresis supervenes, the urine is lessened in quantity by this intention, during the exhibition of a Diuretic the patient should be kept out of bed and his body cool, to increase their activity diluent drinks are verry necessary which must pass off by one of the three emunctories, 1st By Diuresis 2d Diaphoresis, & 3d by Catharsis, it has also been stated that diluents given to promote diuresis are apt to produce effusion thereby dropsy, hence many Physicians enjoin a rigid abstinence from them in the cure of Dropsy, but this practice is almost universally deserted; The disease is attended with great thirst and not satiating it produces atony in the kidneys whence the secretion being lessened dropsical effusions are inevitable. To answer this intention water will generally answer verry well but it is most usefull when combined with vegitable acids and gin: Sir George Baker used large draughts of lemonade and Juniper Tea. They are verry