(seq. 417)

410

Materia Medica

Stimulants

horse radish. I shall speak both of their internal and external use,
and first of the latter, under the head of Silaquosa I shall
speak chiefly of the Mustard and Horseradish and of their internal
use. Bergius and other Sweedish Physicians used mustard seed in
intermittants. Bergius combined the seed with bark, it is said that
the bruised seed in spirits have been usefull, the Sylaquosa have been
used in rheumatism and Palsy, in pure cronic rheumatism they are
very proper the entire mustard seed to the extent of Ʒij vel Ʒiij [2 or 3 drams] twice or
thrice a day is very usefull, it heals the stomach and is diuretic, if
it is bruised it is apt to be emetic, Rx Mustard seed one tea spoonfull
hot water 1 gill [4 ounces]. Dose one or two teaspoonfull, four, five or six times
a day. I have used it myself and know it to be benificial, the horse
radish is likewise employ’d in Rheumatism but this is exhibitted
in wine, Bergius employ’d it in a similar manner, he cut it into
small pieces took half a spoonfull every day without chewing it, the
siliquosa and particularly mustard and horseradish are sometimes
usefull in dropsy, but notwithstanding their diuretic qualities, they
would sometimes be prejudicial here on account of their
stimulating qualities. I think the dropsy is sometimes owing to a
paralytic affection of the lymphatics and they would probably be of service