(seq. 347)

338

Materia Medica

Stimulants

strongly recommended in Colica Pictonum, which is sometimes though
not always the effect of lead, it may be employ’d both externally and
internally. Stall says that opium alone has often proved purgative,
in Colica Pictonum he used it with great success it should be
combined with purgatives and may be employed in verry large doses.
Stall gave 13 grains French weight, and a french Physician 69
grains without producing sleep.

Strangulated Hernia. The use of opium is approved of here by Richester and
Van Sweeten, bleeding in my opinion is the most proper practice, but
I refer you to the Professor on Surgery. In mania opium has been employ’d
with seeming success also in Melancholia. Dr Young gave it in the
former. Dr Cullen employ’d it and found it sometimes to moderate
and sometimes to increase the disease, he says some cases depends on
an organic affection of the brain, and such it is hurtfull, but in recent cases
he says it may be often advantageous, the system requires large doses, but
after emetics Cullen says it operates more easily, there are many cases
of mania in which X grs. [10 grains] of tartar is a medium dose, it is also said
that opium makes it operate more easily. I have not often derived much
advantage from opium in mania though I have frequently exhibitted
it, there are many cases of mania proceeding from distress &c. When