(seq. 91)

82

Materia Medica

Astringents

preceeded me, he thinks it the most effectual remidy in use, he
gave from ℈i [1 scruple] to Ʒfs [½ dram] thrice a day it soon lessened the quantity
of viscous matter in the urine. I have no doubt found them
it would be found usefull as an injection. It has been
employed by some in gangrenous ulcers in preference to the bark.
But neither of them are equal in this disease to the Spanish
Oak Bark. Professor Murray has recommended it in Leucorrhea
and I think it may be serviceable. Dr Donald Monroe after
many many trials in different diseases thought it unworthy of the
praise it had received. I cases of bloody urine it may from its
stimulus be improper, it slightly increases the frequency and
fullness of the pulse. It does not increase the quantity of urine
it is said to afford an acid liquor, this is not true as Mr
Mitchell my pupil has proved. It has been supposed to act
on the calculi immediately and dissolve them, but from many
dissections this is found to be erroneous as the calculi
have appeared undiminished although the symptoms were
relieved. Haller supposed it acted by robbing the calculi of its
mucous and dissolving it in part. Calculi is always attended
with an irritated state of the urine which this medicine corrects