Stearns, Samuel, 1747-1809. Medical notebook of Samuel Stearns, circa 1773. H MS b1.1, Countway Library of Medicine.

Consumption from Abscesses and Ulcers

This is known by a Feverish and Hectic heat, with thirst Decay of Strength Want of Appetite, a Nausea, Wasting of the Body and at Length want of Sleep. a Delirium and other Symptoms of a Fever till the Patient being quite worn away goes off the Stage without any signs of a Defect upon the Lungs. The ulcer must be Reasonably healed with the Use of Internals as well as externals: Six or Eight ounces of the followings Lime water should be taken three times a Day. Rx Sars. Opt. incis. oz. vj. Uvar. Corinth lb. ss. Post debitum Infusionem coq. in aq. font. lb. xij. ad. vj deinde F. Colatura. In hoc decocto extingue Calc. vive lb. ss. Decantetur lb. per Residentiam depuratur ad Usum If there is no hectic Fever Mercurial Cathartics may be given to hasten the Cure of the Ulcer Thus Rx. Diagryd. Sulphurat. vel. [?] Jalep gr xvj. Merc. dulc. Sexies Sublimated gr. vj. Syr de Spin Cerv. q. s. M. F. bolus Rx. Balsam locatel. Cons. Ros aa dr. ss Bals. peru. gutt jv. Exhib pro re nata Syr Bals. Pills gum Tolu. Decoct. Sarsap. ought to be drank after the Pills. After the Ulcer is cured great Care ought to be taken least the Patient fall into a Pulmonic Consumption Therefore make Isues Continue the Use of the Balsamies, a Milk diet, and mineral Waters.

An Emetic for weak Patients Rx. Aq. Font. oz. j. Tart. Emet. gr. vij. Mix the tart with the water when tis Boiling hot then Give a tea Spoonfull at a time 'till it works

Consumption Asthmatic

This is attended with a Dificulty of Breathing and Constant Wheezing very old persons who are not carried off with an accute Disease, Generally Die of this, but not without a preceeding Cough Shortness of Breath, Decay of flesh and a Disposition inclinable to an Hectic A Milk Diet and Opiates are hurtfull in this Case; even a Grain of Laudanum would endanger the Patients Life. A fine, thin wholsome Air is of the greatest Service Inciding Pectorals are good; Incrassants bad; Honey, Hydromel Balsams gums

Consumption from a Gonorrhea & Fluor albus

A consumption arising from a Gonorrhea. or the Fluor albus is known to be approaching in Men from the Hipocondriae Affection. Sadness, Pensiveness, and Decay of Strength in Women from the Hysteric Passions, and the whole Habit of the Body being Flabby edemeatous, Squalid, and Pale with great weariness and loss of strength. When the Disease is Confirmed, there is a thirst, a hectic Disposition and wasting away of the Body till the Patient falls into a Marasmus, or becomes a Mere Skeleton generally without a Cough or any Sign of a Consumption of the Lungs. If it be Recent the Running must be cautiously stopped; the patient must use exercise and Frictions, and abstain from the free use of Wine and Spiritous liquors, But if there is the least Sign of an Hectic Fever Recourse must be had to a Milk diet the Spaw Waters. &c.

Consumption from the Hypocondria & Hystericks

A Consumption proceeding from Hypocondriac and Hysteric Affections is distinguished from others by an Oppression of the Breast, by unusual Sadness or Melancholly, by frequent Hysteric Fitts, Faintings and other Nervous Symptoms.

Besides the General Methods of Cure, Antihesterics must be given, Such as Spts. C. C. Spts. Sal. ammoniac Tinct. Cast. and especially Chalybeated Mineral Waters for without Chalybeats all other Medicines are Vain but they must be given before not after an Ulcer in the Lungs appears. A Milk Diet and purging are very improper unless the latter is exceeding Mild. Gentle Emetics proportionable to the Patients Strength, relieve to a [Misicle?] in the beginning of the Disease

Opiates are necessary to appease the Spasms of the Stomach Intestines, and other Parts und to procure Sleep.

Consumption from green Sickness

A Consumption proceeding from the Green Sickness and Supression of the Menses, is particularly attended with terrible Prickings, and Violent Pains in the Side, this is the Common Sorce of Female Consumptions Purge with the Tinct. Saccra and give Chalybeats to promote the Menses. But if the tabes are began these things will doo more hurt then good. Therefore the patient must be treated as in the Common Method for Pains in the Side as with Liniments and hot Fomentations till her Menses Return

& Lues Venera

This is of an Asthmatic Kind and is attended with a Defficulty of Breathing Viscous Phlegm without ans troublesome Cough It is Slow in its Progress Cure give Antivenerals Mixed with Pectorals or Salivate if the Patients Strength will admit of it. Gentle purges with Calomel are good A Milk diet is proper with Decoct Sarsap. Balsamic Pills are good

Rad. Sarsap. oz. iij. Rad. Glyct. oz. ss. Aq. Font. Qts iij. Coq. ad Qt j. this Quantity may be taken every Day either warm or Cold this should be Continued forty Days or Longer Balsamic Pillule Rx [Lice?] porcupine ppt. dr. iij. gm. Ammoniac. dr. j. Flor. of Benzoin s. ij. or dr. j Extract Croci & Bals. peru. aa s. ss terebenth. Bals. Sulph. q. s. Exhib. s. j. thrice in a Day