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

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Notebook containing descriptions of various diseases and medical conditions and recommended treatments collected by New England physician Samuel Stearns (1747-1809) in circa 1773. There are entries in alphabetical order including instructions on preventing abortion (miscarriage), setting fractures, and for treating melancholy, taken sometimes from the published works of other physicians, such as Richard Brookes (1721-1763), whose prescription for cancer Stearns transcribed. The notebook is dated 1773 and may have been intended for publication as part of a medical dispensatory Stearns was attempting to compile, beginning in 1772. As part of his efforts, Stearns traveled to hear medical lectures in North America, England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. The volume bears the locations including London, England; Québec, Canada; and Pembroke, New Hampshire, on the title page and flyleaf.

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(seq. 6)
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(seq. 6)

The 5 opening Roots Smallage, Asparagus, Fennel, Petroselina, Butchers-Broom. The 5 emollient Herbs Marshmallons, Mallons, Mercury, Pellitory é [ye?] Wall. Violets, The 4 cordial Flowers Flowers of Borage, Buglofs, Roses, Violets. The 4 Greater hot Seeds Aniseed, Caraway-Seed, Cummin-Seed, Fennel Seed. The 4 Lesser hot Seeds Seeds of Bishops Weed, Stone-Parsley, Smallage, Wild-Carrot The four greater cold Seeds Seeds of Water Millions, Cucumbers, Gourds, Melons The four lesser cold Seeds Seeds of Succory, Endive, Lettuce, Purslain.

Last edit 12 months ago by Ardilla
(seq. 7)
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Abortion & how to prevent it

If Abortion cant be prevented External & Internal Remidies must be Exhibited which tend to bring away the Secundines and hasten the Lochia.

To prevent Abortion keep the Body open in the first Months of Pregnancy with Laxatives bleed in the 3d Month and afterwards give an Electuary of the Bark as a Strengthner If the Pains are coming bleed in the Arm and give Linseed Ol. Conf. alkerm. Antispasmodics or the epileptic powder with Cinnam. Water If threatned with a fluxe of Blood bleed as before and give a Draught made of s. ij of powder of Rad. Valerian. Tinct. Ros. oz. jv. Syr wild Poppies oz. j. If the Case is very urgent give the Styptic Powder. Lay a pl. Ad. hernium to ye Loins If from a Cough give Storax Pills at Night If from Acute Diseases bleed in the Beginning. If from a Tenesmus Inject Mucilages and make Suppositories of Sperm. Cit. Mutton Tallow white Wax and Saffron Mixt. Rx. Alum oz Sang. dracon. dr. ij. m. f. pulv. Styptic s. j - dr. ss pro dosibus Exhibit. thrice in die

Last edit 12 months ago by Ardilla
(seq. 8)
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Achores

This is a sort of a Crusted Scab which makes an Itching and Stinck on the Surface of the Head. For the Cure See Scald-head

& Agues

Emetics, pro re nat Ipec. gr. X. in Strong Constitutions give Emet. Tarter. Tinct. Saccra oz. j Rhei amara oz. j. Sal. Amoniac - gr iij. 10. Haustus Salinus dr. j. - vj. See Fever Nerve Bolus Diaphoreticus. s. ij. Julep Diaphoreticus. Chl. ij. hora ij See Fever Perip. Febrifuge Elect. è ye Bark dr. j. every 3d hour. Tinct. of the Bark oz. ss - oz. j. Both Bitter Infusions oz. jv. in the Morn. Ol. Succin. ... gut ij - 20

Electarium Peruvianum Rx. Pulv. Cort. Peru oz. iij. Syr. Aurant. q. s. add in some Cases Rad. Serpt. virg. oz. j. The Dose is oz. j - oz. jss. every 2d or 3d hour

Last edit 12 months ago by Ardilla
(seq. 9)
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After Pains

If a woman has caught Cold Tea with Saffron is proper & So is an Infusion of Chamemoile Broths cum Sem Carraway Flores Absinth. Chamem vel Cort. Aurant. Bitter Tinct. in a hot Infusion is good. Ol. amygd. d. in a hot Vehicle is proper. Rx Liq. Laud. gut. xxv. Rx. Sperm. Cit. s. j Sal. Volat. Corn. Cervi Gr. 5. Bals. Peruv. gut. 5. Theriach. Andromach dr. ss Syr de Mecon. q. s. M. pro Bolus If a heat Continues Exhibit ye following Rx Pulv. Chele. Canc. C. Gr. 15 Cinab. or iij. Sal. Nit. gr 5. Croci Gr. jv. M. f. pulv. In dangerous Cases give Emollient and Carminative Glysters & Lay to the Belly Bladders filled with the warm Decoction of Flor. Cham.

how ever if the Lochia is regular the Body Had better be too Costive then otherwise. wherefore Catharticks must be avoided

& Abscesses

When the Supperation is Compleated Open the Abscess If the Abscess is of the Veneral or Pestilential kind apply Caustics to Open them. Apply any of the Following Bals. Vulnerry. Bals. Traumat. Bals. Locatella. Ung. Egypt. Ung. Gm. Elem. Ung. Basilicum. Epulot in Cerate Saturnine Ointment.

Last edit 12 months ago by Ardilla
(seq. 10)
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Air, its admirable Effects

Exhalations from Stagnant and Corrupt Waters may be Reckoned of the Poisonous kind Thus those that Live in low wet Marshy Places are Liable to Agues the Measles and Small Pox of the Worst Sort as also Pestilential and Spotted Fever. Floods and Inundations of Rivers are Bad for the same Reason especially in hot Countrys Rainy Years and much South Wind is unwholsome Endemic and Epidemic Diseases, which Reign in Certain places under Certain Constitutions of the Year, Generally owe their Origin to Various Exhalations and Filthiness in the Air In this Case acute Fever with Exanthemata of all Kinds as Small Pox Measles, Tertians, Quartans, Double Tertians Burning Fevers, Pleurisies Opthalmies, Quinzeys Catarrhal Fevers as well Benign as Malignant Erysipelatous Disorders, Rheumatismus, Gouts, Diarrheas, Dysenteries and Bastard Pleurisies When there has been Excessive Rains Followed with hot Days and then Sudden Cold People are very sickly

Last edit 12 months ago by Ardilla
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