(seq. 203)

194

Materia Medica

Tonics

James the first the frequency of crooked legs introduced the use
of boots.

Cancers. The bark has been used in cancers,
I do not think it has ever affected a cure. Though as Dr Cullen
has supposed it has certainly done service in altering or amending
the nature of the discharge. Dr A of London has a high
opinion of it as a remidy in this disease combined with hemlock
and sublimate of Mercury, upon the whole though I cannot
think the bark has cured the genuine cancer, yet with many
respectable writers I believe it has been of service combined
with other medicines. I am next to consider its use in
convulsive diseases.

Epilepsy. Sometimes depends
on an organic affection of the brain for which there is no
remidy, where it is connected with a plethor or a turgessence
of the blood vessels of the brain, bark would be improper,
here bleeding is of use, and the blood generally discovers
signs of inflamation. Dr Cullen says it can only be usefull
depending on a mobility of the system, but he prefers the
Mineral tonics, Vit. Alba. Cup. Ammon. &c, he found most
benifit from large doses given immediately before the
paroxysm Werchoffs found it of much advantage.

Tetanus.