(seq. 351)

342

Materia Medica

Stimulants

to lbi [1 pound] of the latter and the half and sometimes the whole is to be used
in twenty four hours, sometimes an aqueous infusion of opium is
better, the internal use of opium is likewise verry usefull in checking the
salivary discharge. I give sometimes three grains in one night, but
sometimes instead of opium alone I combine it with Ipecac. which brings
on a perspiration.

Gangrene. There is no better remidy than
our medicine, especially in that described by Mr Pott. which appears
in the toes and feet, but on this I shall say more when treating of
hemlock. I have but little experience of the use of opium in gangrene.

Cancers. In this disease opium is sometimes necessary, and
when the pain is verry great, in one case that I saw it did injury.

Difficult menstruation. Opium either
in the shape of Dovers powders or with Camphor in some cases of
difficulty in the passage of the natural secretion when there is a
spasmodic contraction of the vessels of the parts, opium is an
excellent remidy, from what I have said Gentleman, that opium
is a verry powerfull, usefull, and universal, (stimulant) remidy,
when judiciously employ’d, but in the hands of the ignorant
practitioner is like a sword in the hands of a furious madman.

Hyosciamus Niger. Or Black Henbane, this