(seq. 507)

500

Materia Medica

Emetics

from what species of plant it is derived, it has long been known and
employ'd in practice. Linneus supposed that it was afforded by several
plants, it is however known to be the Calicocea Ipecacuanha.
The root consists of cortex and medullary parts, it was formerly
supposed that the bark alone was emetic, but it is now acertained that
the wood contains half the emetic quality, in the bark there are
some resinous particles. Ipecacuanha does not give a powerfull of
perminent stimulus to the stomach, but when it is proper to employ a
gentle emetic and merly to evacuate the stomach of its contents, I
know of none more suitable than Ipecacuanha. We are informed
that the Brazillians use ℥i [1 ounce] for an adult in substance, and Ʒij [2 drams] in
infusion. In Germany and England they formerly added a little
Tart. Emet. to the Ipecacuanha. Small doses only are necessary, we
are not often obliged to go beyond grs X vel Xij [10 or 12 grains] and often 100 [10] pukes
violently, but with the Ipecacuanha we meet with in the shops
grs. XV or XX [15 or 20 grains] are necessary, and sometimes more. Dr Cullen
says to excite vomiting we are not to depend on less than grs X [10 grains] and
sometimes more, he thinks it will produce no effect without warm water.
No warm water is necessary when the Ipecacuanha is good, what
I have said will account for the different opinions respecting the