(seq. 573)

566

Materia Medica

Diuretics

considered at the time Phthisis Pulmonalis it effected a cure. I suspect
however that this was nothing more than a catarrh. In Pneumonia,
I have employ’d it after reducing the pulse by the lancet sometimes I
administered it with the mucillaginous mixture. Sometimes in the
saturated tincture,* [footnote back 1 page] but I frequently combine it with Nitre in the following
Formula

Rx
Tinct Digitalis gtt 80 or 100 [80 or 100 drops]
Nitre Ʒi [1 dram]
Water ℥viij [8 ounces]

M fit. the dose is a small
table spoonfull 6 or 8 times in
the 24 Hours, the Digitalis
has been employ’d to prevent abortion, but I have not often used it.
It's proper I should say something of exhibitting our medicine in
diseases. I generally administer it in two forms in Tincture and in
Substance as powder and Pills, the former is a verry convenient method,
but I have more generally found the medicine usefull in substance.
Dr Darwin made a saturated tincture of it but from the
uncertainty of it I prefer the powder or pills. Dr Ash gave it in infusion.
When the medicine is good ½ gr. [grain] in powder is a dose and should be
gradually increased, the dose should not be given soon after each other
since the effect of one dose will sometime be allay’d untill the day
after the exhibition. I therefore recommend that you begin with ½ grain
twice or thrice in the 24 Hours, the dose of the Tincture is gtt. 6 [6 drops] drops 2 or 3 times