(seq. 133)

124

Materia Medica

Tonics

extract is less agreeable. The resinous parts are extracted by
spirituous menstruation. It is often necessary to use these tinctures with
proof spirits being most agreeable. Professor Barton says that
bitters used to an excess destroys the tone of the stomach. I now
proceed to speak of particular tonics and first of the gentian, thes
are several species known to the botanists, they are all usefull. In
healing of tonics I shall begin with the purest and proceed in the
order of their purity. Gentiana Lutea. Or shop
gentian of Linneus, this is a native of the old world it is a very pure
bitter and excellent tonic, the root is the part most commonly used
and is of a cylindrical figure, an infusion of gentian retards
the putrefaction of meat it has been recommended in fevers of
debility to excite appetite &c. Whytt says it operates as a laxative,
he remarks he seen it serviceable in some diseases of the stomach,
and mentions a gentleman who had long been afflicted with
pain in the stomach and was entirely relieved by gentian.
This as well as other bitters have for a time prevented the
paroxysms of the gout, from this perhaps it was made an
ingredient in the Portland powder. This I think is one of our best
and purest tonic medicines, when mixed with gall it is equal