(seq. 325)

316

Materia Medica

Stimulants

Dr Cullens direction respecting the use of this powder are of so
much utility that I am induced to read them to you the powder
he says is to be given in the morning when the ordinary sleep or
time of it is over, sleeping is not compatable with it, but is
commonly favourable to sweating, for security against cold the patient
is to be laid in woolen, make the powder into a bolus and swallow
it in a wafer as the powder is apt to be thrown up by vomiting,
no lunch should be taken untill the sweat breaks out
when warm tea should be taken in small and moderate
doses is the sweat should not continue to the feet, warm
bricks or bottles filled with warm water should be apply'd
in order to make it universal. Consult Dr Cullen on this
head the exhibition of Dovers powders I omit the
ostridated tartar and substitute loaf sugar and Gum Arabic.
I also make nitre one of the ingredients but I vary the
formula in different ways. In short I am convinced with
Dr Cullen that Dovers powders when exhibitted in
the manner he describes an invaluable medicine, some
Physicians condemn the use of opium in rheumatism.
Sydenham did not use it before the third day, Blackmore