(seq. 547)

540

Materia Medica

Cathartics

Gamboge. This is the product of different vegitables, that
of our shops is from a plant called "Gambogia". I have found this
article verry usefull in the form of a pill containing three or 4 grains
it will often purge after ℈i [1 scruple] of calomel has failed and Castor Oil will
will not produce that effect.

Alloes. This is the inspisated
Juice of the Alloes Pafoliata, made by cutting off the leaves near
the stem, and drying the juice that is obtained from them, alloes
is a good cathartic and is not often used alone, it is I believe one of the
ingredients of the different kinds of purging pills used in the United
States. It has been long supposed to exert a specific effect upon the Intestinal
Canal, it is verry proper when there are obstructions and retention of
the menses, but not in cases of hemorrhoidal tumors.

Scammony. This is the product of a species of
Convolvulus. It is a concrete juice, the dose of which is from 3 to 12 grains it
is generally saturated with sugar.

Collocynth. This
is a verry drastic purge. It grows in Egypt, Turkey, and Persia, and
the part employ’d is the pulp of the fruit, it is nauseous and bitter,
and is seldom employ’d by it self, but generally combined with
other medicines, the dose is from 4 to 12 grs. [grains] it violently irritates the
intestines and if used alone occasions bloody stools; I do not think it