(seq. 415)

408

Materia Medica

Stimulants

used it in this disease, the Volatile tincture has also been employd in
some cases of dropsy. I have no experience in this practice but suppose
it may be usefull from its diuretic effect.

Myrrh. This is a
Gum Resin of a yellow redish colour of a fragrant aromatic smell Mr
Brusil has rendered it probable that it is obtained from a sensitive
plant. It is a stimulant and in small quantities it promotes appetite
and digestion, but in large produces heat. It has been used in
intermittants in combination with the bark. Dr John Armstrong was
in the habit of employing Ʒi [1 dram] every three hours in
Angunia Maligna the myrrh has been much used, from its pectoral qualities it has
been much employ’d in the suppurative stage of Pulmonary Consumption.
Myrrh has been used with Sal. Martis in hysteria, it has been
much employ’d in deterging small ulcers, but less now than formerly
as a balsam, it is verry acrid. Dr Sydenham says that he found
Myrrh with the preparations of iron usefull in febris Alba. Dr
Cullen thought that it would be good in flaxcidity of the system
which retains the menses, the virtues of Myrrh are extracted by water
and spirits of Wine but better than the latter.

Siloquoso These are well deserving the attention, by this term is ment
those plants which are furnished with seed vessels resembling horse radish.