i 
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«^ J/ y-f^.
 
 
 
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                  THE


                  BEING

A NEW SYSTEM  OF PRACTICE,

               FOUNDED ON
                 CONTAINIHC

I. A DESCRIPTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS—THEIR PRO-
   PERTIES, LOCALITIES, &C. AND THE METHOD
        or'PREPARING AND USING THEM.

II. A TREATISE ON THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, PREVEN*
  TION, AND CURE OF DISEASES, INCIDENT TO THE
     HUMAN FRAME} WITH A SAFE AND SOVE-
         REIGN MODE OF TREATMENT.
FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES AND PRACTITIONERS.
           BY DAVID ROGERS.


           ROCHESTER, JV. F.
Printed FOR the  author—by h. LEAm;woiiT3?>
                  IB24. 
Northern Listrict of New-York, to mt:
            BE IT REMEMBERED, That, on the fourteenth day of
            May, in the forty-eighth year of the Independence of the Uni-
           :ted States of America, A. D. 1824, David  Rogers, of the
            said District, has deposited in this Office the title of a book,
            the right whereof he claims as author and proprietor, in
the words following, to wit:

  *' The American Physician ; being a  new System of Practice, foun-
ded on Botany.  Containing I.  A Description of Medicinal Plants, their
Properties,  Localities, fitc.— And the Method  of  preparing and using
them.  2 A Treatise, on the Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Cure of
Diseases incident to the human frame ; with  » safe  and sovereign mode
of treatment.   For the use of Families and Practitioners.   By David Ro-
gers. "

   In conformity to the act of the Congress of the  United States, entitled
*' An act for  the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of
Maps, Charts, and Books, to the. authors and proprietors of such copies,
during the times therein mentioned ;" and also,  to the act entitled  " An
act supplementary to an act entitled  l An act for the encouragement of
learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the au-
thors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,1
and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of Designing, Engraving
and Etching historical and other prints."
                           R. R. LANSING, Clerk
                              of the Northern DxsX of New-York. 
jKSfflffjLQa
   THAT the present  privileged system of medicine,
 with all its modern improvements, is in theovy still im-
 perfect, and in practice often productive of disasterous
 consequences, is too notorious to  require  proof.  I need
 not here revive the complaint of the thousands and the
 tens of thousands, who,  after having suffered  many
 things'from physicians, and having spent alltheirliving
 upon them,  were nothing bettered,  but rather grew
 worse: I need scarcely advert to the proverbial selfish-
 ness of a set of men, who, upheld  by authority, have,
 according  to  the general sentiment of mankind, been
 noted for sacrificing humanity, truth, and every good
 principle at the shrine of avarice and  popularity:  nor
 would I increase the odium which  seems to ,rest on  a
 profession, thronged indeed with a host of unprincipled,
 bigotted, persecuting, and bloated—human vampyres,
 (a disgrace to any profession;) since that same profes-
sion has, I am prond to acknowledge, been adorned by
men of real science  and  real merit—distinguished for
liberality and a list of other virtues, such as must rank
 them among the ben of mankind.  Though I may have
 suffered from the slander  of intolerant individuals, un-
 worthy to  be named in  this work, I have no wish to
 criminate any, nor to demean a profession, which, like
 all good  institutions, is, in the hands  of wicked men,
capable of abuse.  I aim at an object  more worthy of
attention: 1 have heard the widely extended complaints
of human sufferers,  smarting under  the hand of sys-
tematick cruelty; wasting away by poison,administered
as medicine; and pining in despair when the last penny
lias gone as i fee  to a rieh practitioner.  In v'^v of 
*V                    PRE F ACL
 such facts, did I conceive no desire to produce a reform,
 I should be unworthy the name of a man.
   On  the other hand, when 1 observe the means of
 health scattered so profusely around us in almost every
 field and forest—placed as it were, within the reach of
 every hand that will deign to  accept, it is natural to
 wish that the kind efforts of nature be seconded—that
 her gifts be received and applied to useful purposes.  I
 believe the publick welfare requires a better system of
 medicine than has heretofore appeared; a system more
simple in its principles and details;  more agreeable to
common sense; better adapted to popular apprehensions
and wants, in order that such as need most the kind re-
lief of charity, may not suffer most from authorized op-
pression.  Were people generally aw are of  the  enor-
mous disproportion between the expenses, of medicines
and medical  services,  and the price of o^ber articles j
were they apprized of the adulterations and other im-
positions practised in the importation of foreign drugs;
there would be one united voice against the use of such
drugs,  against encouraging such services.  Does it re-
flect honour on that kind Providence who  supplies the
wants of all creatures, to  suppose that  the science  of
health  in which every child of Adam is so deeply con-
cerned, must necessarily be the exclusive privilege of a
 few? that it should be locked up in  an unknown lan-
 guage, or merged in a mass of  learned lumber—re-
 quiring an age of study to explore and  apply its prin-
 ciples to useful purposes ?  A. reference to the Aborigines
 of our  country is  sufficient to refute  such doctrine.  Is
 it credible that diseases peculiar to our climate and our
 country, can find no remedy nearer than Peru or Ice-
 land, Cochin China or Japan ? Is it credible that the
 thousands of vegetables that beautify and perfume our
 fields and groves have no valuable use in relation to
 the health and comfort of man ? A belief in the wisdom
 of the  Creator, who does nothing in vain, must lead us
 to a different conclusion.   In fact the more the medicg,! 
Preface.
i  v
properties of vegetables have been explored, the more
have they been found to lurnish supplies for the nour-
ishment  and health of the animated  part of creation.
Exotick vegetables may perhaps prove useful, especial-
ly if naturalized by cultivation in our own soil, in our
own climate ;  but it is at least probable, if not certain,
that our  own native plants are abundantly sufficient to
answer all the medical demands of our country.  And
ought  not every man so to value  his  own  health, and
the gifts  of  Providence for preserving and  restoring
health, as to make this a part of his study?  Has it not
occurred even to physicians of the learned order, that
every man may and ought, at a proper  age and to  a
certain extent, to become Mas own physician?'   This
cannot be questioned when we consider how much dep-
ends on diet, temperance, and exercise.  And may I not
be allowed to suggest, that every womau—every mother
especially, ought to be a physician as well as nurse, in
her own family? Surely those charitable ladies, whose
plans of beneficence go beyond meretheory—who have
hands capable of doing good, as well as minds for de-
vising  good, will not find their  feelings  revolt at my
suggestion.  Many, I know, act on this plan already—
and to better effect than the most scientifick practitioner;
and to their own families at  least, they become emphat-
ically  " beloved physicians."
  To assist such practical philanthropists, I have pre-
pared what seemed tome necessary, a plain and concise
work, relative  to medicinal plants and their use in cu-
ring diseases.   Concerning my pretensions to medical
skill and the efficacy of the methods of cure here recom-
mended,  I  shall at present add nothing, except what
may be found  in such certificates as I shall present to
the reader.  [See Appendix.}


  The following extracts, from some  of the most able
writers on medical science, will serve to corroborate
                        I* 
VI       -            PREFACE.
the foregoing statements, and more fully prove the fal-
lacy and inconsistency of the modern fashionable prac-
tice.

             FROM THE MEDICAL GUIDE.
   " It is a happy feature in modern manners that me-
dicine is no longer the property of a privileged order-
To every individual, health is the most valuable of sub-
lunary possessions; it is fit, therefore,  that  all should
be instructed in the methods of restoring pr preserving
it, so far  as is compatible with the ordinary vocations
of life.   To promote this salutary purpose has been the
great object of the attention I have paid to these  sub-
jects for many years."
   "Domestick medicine has been,  of late years, so suc-
cessfully cultivated in this country, that it is no longer
a question, whether the publick has been really benefit-
ted by the works of popular  writers on the subject ?
The  only question is, which  is the most beneficial to
the country, domestick medicine, or regular medicine?
-*—being actuated by  no other motive than that of ad-
ministering relief to a  distressed fellow creature, instead
of overdrenching their patients  with medicine.
   "By a knowledge of medicine, a person  is  ena-
bled  in his  own   immediate   case,  as well  as   that
of his friends and neighbours, to  distinguish  the man
of merit from the  pretender.-  Of those medical men
who persist in decrying all attempts to diffuse a know-
ledge of medicine among the mass  of mankind,  I
would advise the publick to inquire to what  degree of
perfection the healing art is brought?  Is  there a  fun-
damental principle established  upon which all medical
men agree? Is not the art founded on conjecture, and
do not physicians, even  in  acute  diseases, recommend
diametrically opposite to each other?  The fact is, that
 such is the deplorable state of the art, that if a patient
 consults twenty physicians, he will find, that even in  a
 simple case, all will give a different opinion respecting 
PREFACE.
v'lj
ehher the seat, the nature, or mode of cure of his mala-
dy !!  If this be the perfection to which the medical art
is brought, surely no set of men has a right to claim
the exclusive privilege of attending the sick, and pre-
scribing  for  the cure of their maladies, on account of
possessing a. superior knowledge of the nature and cure
of diseases.   It is the interest of the partially educated
physicians, that an  utter ignorance should prevail in
regard to the arcana of their profession* and that their
practices should be known only to themselves, and he
who dares to  reveal them is sure to be visited with the
full measure of their wrath  and indignation.   The
author,  like other popular writers, has been honoured
with his share of their abuse.  As the^diffusion of gen-
eral knowledge has completely undermined the great
basis of  medical  mystery, he would earnestly entreat.
these  liberal gentlemen, instead of cloaking their igno-
rance under the mask  of gravity and importance, to
cultivate the art as becoming men of real science ; and
before they take upon  themselves the important office-
of physician, to  render themselves  conversant  with
"very branch of medical science,  so  as  to be able to
concentrate the rays of each department on the grand:
question  of practice,  and to endeavour to be in advance
with domestick medicine."
    FROM THE AMERICAN DISPENSATORY, PAGE 635*
   {: It was the observation, of Professor Cullen, one of
 the most celebrated writers on themateria medica that
 any age has produced, that the writings on. that subject
 are, for the most part, a compilation of mistake*, arid
falsehoods.  And  he adds, that these errors arise  from-
 the obstinacy of old professors, and their blind attach-
 ment to theory, as welli as the vanity of young physi-
 cians, being the authors of observations that are hastily
 made and dressed iathe closet; and besides, many of 
Yin
PREFACE.
  the operations of nature have been falsely imputed to
  the effects of medicines, pretendedly founded on expe-
  rience.   So distant  are they from a true and  faithful
  delineation of nature.  Allied to these evils are  the nu-
  merous frauds  and  sophistications of chemistry  and
  pharmacy, and the reprehensible practice of adminis-
  tering nostrums or secret remedies, and other popular
  impositions, the fertile and disgraceful sources  of em-
  piricism.
     "A knowledge of the medicinal powers, possessed by
  the indigenous vegetables, of which our own soil is so
  abundantly productive,should bedeemedan acquisition
  of primary importance.  However disparaging  to me-
  dical erudition,it is but justice to confess, that  we are
  indebted to the bold enterprise of illiterate pretenders,
 • for the discovery of some of our most active remedies.
  It is, therefore,  extremely desirable, that our patriotiek
* physicians and citizens should  unite  their  exertions in
 •the investigation of native substances, and institute such
  chemical analyses and experiments as will tend  to elu-
  cidate their specifick properties."


            FROM " THE GUIDE TO HEALTH."
     "That the knowledge of medicine is only to be ob-
  tained by much perseverance, is not to be denied; nor
  is it  to be denied, that in this age, the gates of know-
  ledge are open to all men, or that those who shall most
  sedulously apply themselves  will acquire the  largest
  store.   Happy it is for this country, that every science
  is open to every one who shall choose to explore  it: and
  thrice happy are its- people, that the study of physick
  is  not restrained  to' those alone, who  ha^e  passed
  through various ceremonies." 
CONTENTS
 Abortion
 Ague
 A kali Wash
   do. Draught
 Alkanoke
 Aider
 Anti-bilious Powder
 Anti-sciofulous do.
   do.    do.  Plastc.
 Apoplexy
 Asthma
 Arse-smart
 Ash

 Barrenness
 Baberry
 Bathing Drops
 Balm of Gilead, Barberry
 Birch
 Bitters
 Bittersweet
 Birth Soot
 Biles
 Blood Root
 Blood Vein
 Bleeding at  the Nose
 Boneset
 Bruises or Sprains
 Brake
 Brier
 Buck Thorn
 Butterfly
 Bur  Root
 Burdock
 Burns

 Caster Oil,  Bean,
 Cancer Powder
Catharlick  Pills
  do.  Powder
 Cataplasm;
Page. ? Cancer
   73 5 Canker
 74 f Catarrh
 42 | Carrot
 43 | Cayenne
  1 $ Caustick
 2 | Cellendine
43 l Cholick Powde.
44 | Chlorosis
44 | Child Birtb
75 J Cholera Morbus
"i> 5 Cholick
 2 ? Clover
 3 | Clevera
   ? Collecting and curing Medicine 41
77 £ Compounding and preparing do. 42
 30
*82
 S3
 11
 12
 SS
 13
 50
109
I OS
 83
 84
 15
 15
     Cough Powder
45 £ Constituent  parts of the
 4 |   man Machine
 6 ? Consumption
46 | Corns
 6 t Costiveness
 5 | Cough
78 i Cobush
 6 5 Comfiey
 7 | Cocash
78 f Coltsfoot
 7 5 Columbo
80 » Cramps
 8 \ Croup
10 i Cranes Bill
 9 5 Crowfoot
10 ? Cuts
11 J Cuckold
18 5 Cucumber Tree
73 ( Cucumber Wild

10 | Dandelion
45 l Decoctions
47 | Diaphoretick Tea
48 . Diuretick Powde*
48 $ Diet
hu-
 50>

 66
 86
 88
 88
 83
 13
 18
 14
 15
 15
 90
 91
 IS
 16
 91
 IT
 11
40

18
51
51
51 
a
CONTENTS-.
Diabetes*	92	I Pcllitory	SO
Dropsy	9S	[ Piles	112
Dysentery	94	! Poisons	12T
Elder	18	> Phlebotomy	63
Elever	is	! Plantain	29
Elecampane	J9	I Pleurisy	112
Elm	20	• Poplar	30
Emetick Powder	51	; Prim Hage	31
Emetick Sulution ■	61	; Princes' Pine	30
Erysipelas	H8	! Pregnancy	113
Erysipelas Powder Expectorant Powder	52 52	: Queen of the Meadow	31
Eye water	53	Rickets	in
Fainting	96	Rheumatism	116
Felons	96	Rose Willow	39
Fern	21 ;	Rupture Plaster	54
Fire weed	ci '	Rupture Wort'	32
Fit Root	20 j	Rupture	11*
		Rushes	12
Ginseng	r<2 '		
Ginsen	22 '	Salve	i5
Golden Rod	22 ;	Sarsaparilla-	32
Gold Thread	23 :	Salt Rheum	US
Golden Seal	23 !	Scoke	32
Green Ozier	29 ;	Scull Cap	jS
Hemlock	23 i	Scaldhead Seneca Oil	120 34
Hydrophobia	129 ]	Seat of the Organs	67
Itch Ointment	53 i	Solomon Seal	2
Jaundice	107 j	Spice Bush -	36
		Snake Weed	2
Lavements	53 :	Snake Root	3
Lady Slipper	24 \	Snuff	55
Labradore	24 ;	Strengthening Plaster	65
Lettuce Wild	26 !	Steaming	56
Lime Water	43 :	Star of Egypt	36
Life Everlasting	25 ;	Strangury	120
Lily	25 |	Syrups	51
Lobelia	26 :	Sweating	121
Mandrake	26 '	"Temperance	58
Man Root	27 :	Tooth Drops	56
Marsh Rosemary	27	do. Powder	56
Marjoram Measles Milk Weed Mullein	28 ro9 28 29	Unicorn Venereal Disease Vermilion, Vervine, Vine	36 121 Maple 37
Mumps	111	Wickup	38
Nerve Ointment	54	White Snake Root Whites	35 124
Palpitation	111 i.12	White Swelling, Worms	125
Palsy		Worm Seed	34
 
 
 
AMERICAN  PBY8IC1AX.
 A  Description of Medicinal Plants,  their  Properties
   or Virtues, Localities, fyc. arranged in Alphabetical
   order.

  [JVcft —When a Plant bears several names, the one in most common
 use  is inserted first.]

                   ALKANOKE.

   Description.—This shrub grows usually about ten
 feet high, rarely more than twenty.   It bears yellow
 berries, set in clusters or bunches.   The bark resem-
 bles that of yellow birch.
   Piter.—It commonly grows in swamps where there
 is a cold atmosph'Te.   I have found it in the vicinity
 of the 13! ack river, (N. Y.)  also,  in the states of Maine
 and Vermont.   In Maine it is abundant.
   Vikti r.s.—The ba.k is a moderate astringent.  An
 ounce of this steeped in one quart of water  and drank
 daily for a considerable time, cleanses the blood by ex-
 citing the  secretions of the  liver, hnu'ts  the nervous
 system, and >tn nirthens  tiie memory.    It is useful iu
jaundice, consumptions, and all other morbid affections.

                BLACK  ALDER.
       w
  Description.—It  commonly rises  four or five feet
 in t!:e f>nn  of a hedge bush.  The bark  is of a dark
 gray, interspersed with white  spots.   The rind, when
 • hewed, will turn the spittle y, low.   It bears round
 berries, which are red at the time of frost.
  Place.—It grows it, swamps and wet places.
  VTittTi-J-:s.—The rind is the part mad<j use of, which
 is considerably asi' intrent and  bitter.   The bark made
                         2 
        TAG ALDER.  ANGELICA.   ARSE-STUART.

 into a tea,-or into bitters, strengthens the stomach and
 allays the irritation of worms.   The bark  made into a
 fine  powder and given to  children  that are troubled
 with worms, often expels them.   The juice of the ber-
 ries has  the same effect.

                  TAG ALDER.

   This is so generally  known  as to render a descrip-
 tiorrunnecc .-.-.ary.
   \ irtues.—The. bark and tags made into a tea and
 taken freely on an empty stomach, opens the obstruc-
 tions of the fluids in general, purges  humours, and al-
 lays internal  heat.  Cloths,  applied to a hot swelling,
 kept constantly wet with a strong decoction of the bark,
 afford much relief.

                   ANGELICA.

   Description.—There are two species of this plant
 which pre indigenous, growing spontaneously in inter-
 vals, about springs, and in rich places. They are often
 cultivated in gardens.  They rise to the height of four
 ci five feet, having large round hollow stalks, with
 sn.all joints set at a considerable distance apart, divi-
 ding at the too into  many  branches.   At the ends of
these  branches, they  bear  seed  resembling that  of a
 parsnip.   The seeds arc ripe in  August, and have j
ptm'._.ent aromatick quality.   The roots are irregularly
dt. led into branches, running  in various directions,
ai.  living ti-e same taste as the seed.   The two kinds
Of;.   ilea diner not much except in the size, and the
 ap.  '.i'uee of the haves.
   i  r.rcEs.—Tt  possesses a strong,  acrid,  pungent
quality.  It h^ps du-e.-tion,  promotes the secretion of
water, and removes iiatulence and wind cholick.

                 ARSE-SMART.
   This is so common  as to ivoui,-.. no description. 
       WHITE ASM.  PRICKLY ASH.   BABERY.      fc

  Virtues.—This hot herb, bruised and applied ex-
ternally on cold  swellings,  causes a dispersion, dis-
solves coagulated blood, and resists putrefaction, both
internal and  external.  A strong decoction  taken in-
ternally, raises internal heat, discusses humours, atid;
raises the  action of the moving fibres.

                  WHITE ASH.
  Description.—This tree is generally found  grow-
ing in every forest in this  country.   In its straightness
and  size,  it is exceeded  by few trees.   The bark is
white and very rigid.
  Virtues.—It possesses  a  pungent  stimulating qua-
lit}'.  A decoction made of the  bark of  young treesj
acts  as a gentle aperient or cathartick.   It  promotes
perspiration, and resists poison.

                 PRICKLY ASH.
  Description.—This shrub commonly grows about
six feet  high, set with sharp prickles or thorns.   The
leaves are small and notched.   The berries  and bark
are exceedingly pungent to the taste.
  Place.—It  generally grows in moist ground, about
swales, and by the side of streams.
  Virtues.—It tends to warm and quicken  the circu-
lation of the blood.  It invigorates the nerves, quick-
ens the appetite, and removes lethargy.

                    BABERY.

  Description.—This is for the most part, a very
scraggy bush, growing three or four feet high, sending
out ma 113'  branches set full of smooth green  leaves.—
From the sides of the branches grow small berriesv.
from  which a greeu tallow is extracted, known by the
name of babery tallow.  This and the bark of the roots
are the parts commonly used in medicine. 
 4         balm-of-cilead.  barberry.

   Place.—It generally grows in swamps, or wet land.
   Virtues.— The bark of the root has a pungent and
 astringent quality, and  is moderately bracing.  The
 bark, made into a fine powder, acts as a strong sternu-
 tatory,  or  headache snuff.  It  is good against  the
 scurvy, and is frequently used to cleanse the teeth.

              balm-of-gilead.

   Description.—It often grows as large as a common
 forest tree, with branches all the way up.  The bark
 of the limbs and upper part of the trunk  is smooth,
 and of a greenish colour; that of the lower part more
 brown and rough.   The  leaf has a smooth  surface,
notched rouud the edges, and terminating in a point.
  Virtues.—The balsam is the most useful part of
this vegetable.  It has a very penetrating, strengthen-
ing and healing quality.   It may be formed into tinc-
tures, salves and plasters.   It is chiefly used in debili-
 tations, consumption and rheumatism.

                 BARBERRY.
  Description.—From one root many sprouts grow
up, in the form  of a  bramble, sometimes six feet and
upwards, bearing clusters of long  red berries, which
are ripe at the time of frost,  and  stay on through the
winter.  Being of a pleasant sharp acid, they are often
made into preserves and jellies.  The rind is yellow,
and of a pleasant bitter.
  Virtues.—Bitters made of the bark have long been
used in the jaundice.   The juice of the berries purges
the sharp humours of the stomach and bowels; corrects
and  strengthens the  digestive powers, and improves
the appetite.
                  ttfrth Hoot.
  There are three species of Birth Root, which grow
 commoi 1>  in  most parts of this  country, viz: White,
IJed, and Red and White. 
      white birth root,   red birth root.      5

            WHITE BIRTH ROOT.

  Description.—Early in  the  spring it.sends up a
stalk eight or ten inches  high, with three large smooth
green leaves near the top, and a  white flower of three
leaves about an inch above the other leaves.   From the
centre of the blossom there grows a white bud, with six
sides or ridges, containing seed.  The root is soft, and
is covered with little knobs and fibres.
  Place.—It commonly  grows where there  are beech
and maple.
  Virtues.—It is frequently given in hysterical com-
plaints, in asthma, and in female  obstructions.

              RED BIRTH ROOT.
  Description.—This  is about the same shape and
size as  the white;  but it  bears a red flower and bud.
  Virtues.---It  removes  canker, suppresses  fluor
albus, and strengthens the nervous system.

      RED  AND WHITE  BIRTH ROOT.
  Description.---This produces  a  red and  white
flower:  the red part forming a circle about halfway,
in the inside  of the blossom :  the bud is round, and the
outside of the root is whiter than that of the other spe-
cies: in other respects it is much  like them.
  Place.—This plant commonly grows where there is
hemlock  timber.
  Virtues.—It removes the  obstructions of the biliary
duct, excites the secretions of the  liver, relieves  cholic
and pains in the stomach, and is useful in gravel com-
plaints.   One-fourth of  a tea spoonful  of the powder,
in half a gill of warm water,  is a  sufficient dose.

                 BLACK BIRCH.

  Description.—The bark  of this tree resembles that
of black cherry: tiie leaves resemble those of yellow
                        2* 
6  . BLACK BIRCH.  BITTER SWEET. BLOOD ROOT.

birch: its flavour is like that of wintergreen, somewhat
stimulating and aromatick.
  Place.—4t generally  grows in the  coldest parts of
this country; on the sides of hills, mountains, &tc.
  Virtues.—It is both stimulating and strengthening.
It is good in all syrups and decoctions, and is useful to
remove cold swellings.   For this purpose,  several
thicknesses of flannel should be bound round  the part
affected, and kept constantly wet with  a strong decoc-
tion of the .bark.

       BITTER SWEET.   (Amara Dulcis.)
  Description.—It shoots up a woody vine  ten feet
or more, winding round  whatever tree, he. that stands
near enough.  The leaves are long and pointed, of a
light green hue:  the berries hang  in  bunches, which
are  red in the fall: the root runs several feet under the
surface of the ground, the outside of which is red.
  Place.—It grows  in intervals and hedges, and other
rich places.
  Virtues.—It removes obstructions of the liver, and
spleen; dissolves congealed blood, and  promotes the
secretion  of urine.   It  is useful  in  ointments and
poultices  to abate inflammations, a^nd to bring down
swellings.

                BLOOD ROOT.

  Description.—Early in the spring this grows up
with large oval  leaves,  of an  olive green:  it grows
about  six inches high,  and produces  a  small white
flower.   The root is smooth and fleshy, of a  red co-
lour:  the green  root,  when  broken,  exudes a juice
resembling blood.
  Virtues.—It is very acrid and pungent, and is good
against the scrofula. A tea spoonful of the pulverized
root, taken in half a gill of warm water, will operate a*
an  emetick:  but usually very harsh.  The powders 
              BLOOD VEIN.   BONESET.            7

 sprinkled on an  old ulcer,  will cleanse it effectually
 from scurf, canker, and fungous flesh, and produce a
 healthy appearance.  The  powders snuffed  several
 times in a day, prove a sovereign remedy for the poly-
 pus in the nose.  An ounce of the powder steeped in
 one quart of gin or  whiskey, and  a table spoonful
 taken every morning, is good for those who are troub-
 led  with the asthma.   It is useful in all syrups intend-
 ed to open and purify the system.

                 BLOOD  VEIN.
   Description.— It has a small round stalk growing
 a foot and a half high, with a few small leaves branch-
 ing  into divers parts at the top:  it bears small yellow
 flowers, which put forth in the latter part of June, and
 continue till fall:  seve.al large green leaves grow  close
 to the ground,  marked with  large purple veins,  their
 under side having  a  hairy appearance:  the  root is
 small and fibrous, and of a bitter taste.
   Place.—It seldom grows any where except  among
 oak  and pitch pine timber.
   Virtues.—A tea made of the  whole  plant, taken
 daily for a considerable time, will purify and increase
 the blood and flesh.   If taken for some time previous
 and  at  the time of labour,  it facilitates,  and  affords
 much ease.

          BONESET.   (Thoroughwort.)
  Description.—This plant commonly grows about
 three feet high.  The  leaves  are rough* notched, and
 pointed.   They grow in  opposite  couples, encircling
 smalljoints all the way up.  At the top they divide in-
 to branches, producing small  white flowers at their ex-
 tremities.
  Place.—It  grows  in  wet  grounds, about  fields,
 swamps, and waste places.
  Virtues.—It possesses an  emetick and cathartick
quality.   A strong decoction made of the herb, and 
8      consumption brake,   winter brake.

taken freely, operates as an emetick: pills made of the
extract, operate as  a cathartick:  a tea made of the
leaves and flowers,  is  very good for hysterical affec-
tions.  It opens the  system in general.

           CONSUMPTION  BRAKE.

  Description.—It has a slim tender stalk, growing
tp the height of a foot or more, dividing into branches
towards the top, with small leaves finely cut or indent-
ed at the edge,  and  of a bright olive hue.   One stalk
grows out without leaves,  bearing fine flowers,  suc-
ceeded by small seeds.   The root is small and has se-
veral prongs.
  ^Pfoce.—It grows scatteringly, in most kinds of soil.
  Virtues.—It is good to expel putrescence and acri-
mony.   A tea made of the tops and roots, sweetened
with honey, is  very serviceable to persons  who are
troubled with a  dry  cough.  When made into a poul-
tice, it draws powerfully.

               WINTER BRAKE.

  Description.—This  is a  kind  of evergreen plant,
putting forth new branches every spring, at  the  time
the  old ones decay.  About half  a dozen  stalks  rise
yearly from one root, about a foot in length, with long
leaves, which look as if  deeply cut around the edges.
The branches decay only to the surface of the ground,
leaving sprouts  from the main root, which live for ma-
ny years.
  Place.—It generally grows in a hard, cold and wet
soil, or such as  produces beach, maple and  hemlock
timber.
  Virtues.—It is one of the most powerful astringents.
A tea spoonful of the  powder in a tea cup full of hot
water, repeated as circumstances may require, is a safe
and sure  remedy for a relax.  It is good  to astringe
blood vessels, and prevent  the leakage  of sinews,. 
         HIGH BUCKHORN.  LOW BUCKHORN.       ft

               HIGH BUCKHORN.
   Description.—It puts forth divers slender trailing
 stalks, three feet or more in length,  from a little turfy
 protuberance, or hillock:  it has long narrow leaves,
 deeply cut around  the edges.
   Place.—It usually grows in  swamps wHere there is
 black ash timber, and in wet places.
   Virtues.—The heart of the root is the part chiefly
 used: the powder, or root,  beaten in cold  or warm
 water, becomes a thick ropy substance—a mucilage—
 which is very strengthening.   It is a good article in
 strengthening sjrups.

               LOW  BUCKHORN.

   Descriptjon.—From  different  parts  of  the  root
 several stalks grow up a foot or more in height, bear-
 ing at the top small  green seeds.  The root is exter-
 nally black, and internally greenish, extending two or
 three fvet.
   Place.—It grows about  cold springs and swamps.
   Y iRTUEs.—It possesses a strengthening quality, be-
 ing somewhat mucilaginous.   It is  serviceable in all
 debilitated or weakly habits, to take a tea spoohful of
 the powder, in a gill of hot water, tw6 or thjfee times a
 day.

                BUCK  THORN.
  Description.—This tree is about the  size  of a
plumb tree, hearing blark berries similar to the whor-
tleberries.  The trees  are seldom to be found in this
country,  and require cul'hation.
  Virtues.—tAs a  cathartick, few medicines answer a
better purpose than the berries of this tree:   they are
good  to purge humours.   From forty  to  sixty of the
berr.es may be taken with  safety;  though  seven or
eitht  have been known to operate.  The juice is often
pussed out and made into an elixir. 
 10   BRIER.   BUTTERFLY.   CASTOR OIL BEAN.

                     BRIER.
   The high brier, or blackberry bush, is so generally
known, as to render a description unnecessary.
   Virtues.—The bark of the root, which is the most
useful  part, has an astringent quality.  A strong de-
coction or tea, made of this, and taken with discretion,
cures or relieves all intestinal fluxes.  It is also good
to wash foul sores.

         BUTTERFLY.  (White Root.)

   Description.—It sends up  divers stalks  two feet
high, set with long narrow smooth leaves, dividing in-
to short branches at the top, and bearing bright yellow
flowers, set in oval clusters or bunches,  supported by
long foot stalks.  The flowers appear in July or Au-
gust : the r<?ot resembles that of a parsnip in size and
shape,  externally brown, internally white, and exten-
ding deep into the ground.
   Place.—It commonly grows in a sandy soil, in fields,
and by the side of fences and stumps.
   Vir.tues.—This plant is useful in almost every dis-
ease.   It opens the system generally; relieves the cho-
lic and pleuritick pains; stays hemorrhages;  and ex-
cites perspiration.

     CASTOR OIL BEAN.   (Palma Christi.)
   This  vegetable  is cultivated in  many parts of this
country, in fields and  gardens, and  yields the  well
known castor oil.
   Virtues.—It operates mildly as a cathartick:  the
dose is  from one to two table  spoonfuls of the  ex-
pressed oil.

              SKUNK CABBAGE.

   Description.—It grows up early in the spring, with
several large broad elevated leaves, of an olive color,
possessing a strong noxious scent,  somewhat  resem- 
     SKUNK CABBAGE.  BURPoOT.  WtrD CARROT.   11

 bling that of the animal from wl, ch it takes its'n.one.
 Close to the rooi grow a a  In!! c.i.taniirg seed, about
 as large as a hazle nut: these are t»e strongest pan of
 the plant.
    Virtues.—It possesses  a very acrid pungent quali-
 ty, and may be used for con;. I:s, consumptions, fever,
 asthma,  rheumatism,  and  iu all cases where stimu-
 lants and expectorants are  necessary.   One tea spoon-
 ful of the powder made of the root, may be taken se-
 veral times a day,  in  a gill of hot  water.

           BUR ROOT.   (Clove Root.)
   Description.—It has a  small rqund-stalk a foot and
 a half hiyh, dividing  into  brandies towards the  top,
 and producing round  burs, which  when dry resemble
 a dry  clovei head,  and often  stick  to clothes. £ Seve-
 ral large rough leaves grow close to the ground.   The
 root  is  small, with prongs,  and  has  an aromatick
 .'lavocr.
   Place.— It grows in hedges and waste lands.
   Virtues.—It is moderately bracing; produces an
 increase of blood and  flesh;  promotes digestion;  and
 raises the spirits.  One root thoroughly bruised  and
 steeped  in a pint of boiling  vwuer,  with  a  suitable
 quantity of milk and sugar, makes  a healthy, p!i -isant
 beverage to  be taken  at  meals; and for people of
 weakly  habits, much preferable  to foreign teas.

                WILD  CARROT.

   Description.—It has a hollow slender stalk three or
four feet high, with  several  long branches growing
from the joints,  bearing round dented leaves of a blue
colour.   At the  end of the  br-nclM s grow smail white
flowers.   The root is small, with  prongs, and dies be-
fore the stalk; then a new one succeeds, which, being
attached to the stalk, supports  it  till  killed  by  the
frost; at which time the new root, having obtaiued its 
 12           CAVEN.VE, or red pepper.

 growth, has a yellow bud,  prepared to put  forth a
 new stalk the ensuing spring.
   Place.—It grows jn swamps and wet places.
   Virtues.—A  tea  made  of the seeds, and  taken
 freely without  any other  diluting liquid, gives much
 relief to those  who are afflicted  with the gravel and
 stone.  A decoction of the whole herb taken for a con-
 siderable time, opens obstructions in general and pur-
 ges the humors.
   Caution.—This plant  bears a considerable resem-
 blance to the musk rat root, which proves a fatal poi-
 son,  if taken in any  considerable  quantity.   The
 leaves of this plant are longer, and more j;:g^td, than
 those of the  wild carrot;  the roots, also, are larger,
 and more fleshy* but  the stalks and flowers resemble
 each other  considerably, and  they often  grow  about
 the same places.

   C A YE N NE, or I IE D  PE PP ER.   ( Capsinm.)

   Description.—There are many species of this fiery
 hot hero, which difier  much  to  then  size, rbape and
 strength: the  smallest species is  the most City.  ;  ,i«d
those  that grow in hot  climates are strrnur-r than iho-e
growing in a  cold climate.  1 shall m< ,,t:on  only two
kinds.   One  is nearly oval, the  largest of which are
about an inch in diameter: the other commonly  pmvvs
from two to three inches long, and  i.-, three-fourths of
an inch through the thickest part:  they have long been
known; are cultivated in gardens, and raised  annu-
ally from the  seed.
  Virtues.—They possess a very hot stimulating qua-
lity:  the powders may be taken from one-eighth to
one half a tea spoonful, in  a gill of hot water, at once
 It  is good iu all cases of colds and debility:  it quick-
 ens the circulation of  the fluids, and promote,- inspi-
 ration.                                         ' 
        WILD CELLENE1NE.   WHITE COHUSH.     i*>

             WILD CELLENDINE.
   Description.—The stalks of this herb grow about
three feet high: they are transparent; set with large
joints, and have  divers long branches,  bearing pale
green leaves and yellow flowers.
   Place.—It grows  about  springs,  and moist shady
places.
   Virtues.—It cleanses the  liver  and  spleen,  ant!
opens the urinary passage.  It is good in dropsies
and jaundice.



   There are  four sorts of Cohush—the White, Blue,
Red, and.Black Cohush.

               WHITE COHUSH.

   Description.—It has a stalk a foot and a half high,
dividing into long branches towards the top, producing
pointed le ives, cut in at the  edges with sharp notches.
From the centre grows a long stem, bearing white ber-
ries,  set on long foot stalks.   The root  is irregularly
shaped, with numerous fibres.
   Virtues.—It has an opening and  stimulating qua-
lity.  A  tea made of the berries or  root, relieves the
wind cholick.  It  removes  flatulence and  hysterical
complaints.

                 RED COHUSH.

   Description.—This can scarcely be distinguished
from the White, except by the taste,  or  by the colour
of the berries, which are red.  It is not so common as
the other species.
   Virtues.—A tea made of the root or berries, and
taken freely, removes  female obstructions and' gre«;j
sickness   U is both strengthening and cleansing. 
 14   BLUE COHUSH.  BLACK COnUSlI.  COCASH.

                BLUE COHUSH.
   Description.—This plant grows about as large as
the two preceding, but produces blue berries.  The
leaves are round and indented; the root is more fibrous
than that of the two preceding kinds.
   Place.—These  three kinds grow, in  almost  every
kind of soil.
   Virtues.—The blue cohush is opening and strength-
ening.  It excites the secretions of the glands.

               BLACK  COHUSH.

   Description.—It  has a stalk five or si* feet high,
dividing into branches at the top.  It produces white
flowers which  are succeeded by small  round  shells
containing  the  seed.   The  root is externally black,
and irregularly shaped, with prongs.
   Place.—It commonly grows in what are called oak
openings.
   Virtues.—It is a powerful stimulant.  It purges
the blood and  humours, and removes swellings and
rheumatism.  It may be used in removing all obstruc-
tions of the system.  A tea spoonful of  the powder
of the root, in a gill of hot water, is a sufficient dose.

                   COCASH.          ^

   Description.—This plant has one or more rough
hairy stalks, five feet high, divided into several branch-
es towards the top, bearing long slender  leaves, and
purple and yellow flowers.   The root is fibrous.   It
flowers about the last of August, and continues till frost.
   Place.—It grows in swamps and about wet places.
   Virtues.—It removes obstructions of the fluids.
The root, bruised and steeped, in brandy or other spi-
rits, and taken frequently, relieves such as are afflicted
with rheumatic complaints.   A tea made of any part
of die plant is good agaimt  canker. 
      WINTER CLOVER.  CLEVERS.  COLTiFOOT.    1"

              WINTER CLOVER.
  Description.—This herb grows somewhat like a
small vine, spreading its branches on the ground, bear-
ing small round green leaves, and red berries.
  Place.—It  is commonly found where hemlock tim-
ber grows.
  Virtues.—A tea made of this herb gives much re-
lief to women in travail.

                  CLEVERS.

  Description.---It  has a  weak, slender,  rough,
square stalk, two or three feet in length, set full of joints,
with  divers branches  growing from  it.    At each
joint grow six small  pointed  leaves,  together with
small stems bearing small white flowers.
  Place.—It grows in moist places, and climbs upon
any  thing standing contiguous.
  Virtues.—It possesses a diuretick quality.  A  tea
of this herb may be given in all cases with safety.

                 COLTSFOOT.

  Description.—This plant usually has three or four
largo leaves;  in  shape  somewhat resembling a colt's
foot, which are supported by foot stalks four or five
inches high.  It has a long slender root, about the size
of a  large goose quill.
  Virtues.—It has an aromatick pungent taste, some-
what stimulating.   When used as a medicine, it is usu-
allv  combined with some other articles, to render them
more stimulating and pleasant to the taste.

                  COLUMBO.

  Description.—This plant rises to  the height of
three or four  feet, bearing large  leaves and  yellow
blossoms.   The root is  long and smooth, of  a, yellow
hue. extending deep into the ground. 
Il>     C0LUMB0.  WATER CRESSES.  CROWFOOT.

  Place.—It grows in oak timbered  land in the wes-
tern part of New-York, in Ohio, and  in  the western
territories.
  Virtues.—It is a pleasant bitter.  It is strengthen-
ing, warming, and bracing to the nervous system.

    CRANE'S BILL.  (Upland Evan's Root.)

  Description.—It sends  up*several  small hairy
stalks of different sizes.  The flowers  contain five small
purple leaves, from the centre of which grows a kind of
spear or beak, in the shape of a crane's bill, from which
it takes its name.  It flowers in the latter part of May.
  Place.—It  grows in most lands in  this country.
  Virtues.—It is astringent: it braces the  nervous
system, destroys canker ahd humours, and stays intes-
tinal  fluxes.  A tea spoonful of the powdered  root, in
a gill of hot water, is a dose.

              WATER CRESSES.

  Description.—They grow from the seed annually,
in and about  brooks.   They spring up early in the
fall, and grow for the most  part under water during
the winter and spring.   They have long jagged leaves,
of a French green colour; the root is  w hite and fibrous.
  Virtues.—They  possess  a  very  acrirl  pungent
quality.   They  quicken  the appetite, and purge the
blood and humours;  they are  exceedingly useful  in
scrofula, scurvy, and consumptive disorders.

                  CROWFOOT.

   Description.—This herb has several stalks, two
feet high, or more, with  many long  branches, and
dark green leaves, appearing as if cut in many parts.
It bears bright yellow flowers, whit h are succeeded by
 small spiked  shells containing seeds.  The root is small,
 having many long white fibres.  It  begins to flower in
 the latter part of May, aud continues t<U fall. 
cuckold,  cucumber tree.          11
  Virtues.—It is generally used in drawing blisters.
For which purpose,  take  a  handful of the tops and
roots, bruise them, wet them with good vinegar, sim-
mer them about twenty minutes in a covered cup, put
them in a linen cloth, which should be folded when ap-
plied to the part to be blistered.  Keep it bound to the
place twelve or fourteen hours: over this keep a flan-
nel cloth constantly wet with  vinegar.  When these are
taken ofl*  cover the place with dry linen.  The  blister,
when drawn, is to be treated in the usual  way.

                   CUCKOLD.
  Description.—It has a stalk four or five feet high,
with long blanches  growing  out  in opposite pairs,
bearing flowers of a brownish yellow, in round clusters.
It has a forky  seed, apt  to stick in clothes, he.  The
leaves are long, serrated, and pointed, set on long foot
stalks;  the root is woody  and fibrous.    i
  Place.—It grows about fields, fences, and wet places.
  Virtues.—It is good against all humours, and pu-
rifies the  blood from venereal taints.   A tea made of
the whole plant may be taken  freely in  all diseases.
A tea made of the young  leaves carefully dried in the
shade, resembles foreign tea  in taste, but  in quality is
much superiour.

              CUCUMBER TREE.

  Description.—It usually grows very slender and
tall; less than  most forest trees.   The leaves are large,
long, and  pointed.  It bears  a fruit resembling, in size
and shape, the garden cucumber.
  Place.-r-h grows for the most part in intervals of a
rich soil.              •»
  Virtues.—The bark has a pungent aromatick qua-
lity. It strengthens the stomach and nerves, warms and
purifies  the blood.   The  bark  prepared, in a Jtea or
bitters, .guards against the  ague.
                        3* 
18    dandelion, burdock,  dwarf elder.

                   COMFREY.
   This plant is so common as scarcely to require a de-
scription.
   Virtues.—It is an excellent mucilage, of a strength-
ening  quality, whether used  internally or externally.
It is generally combined with other articles.

                  DANDELION.

   Virtues.—This well  known herb  possesses an
opening and  diuretick quality.  It excites the secre-
tions of the liver  and kidneys, and  strengthens the
system generally.

                   BURDOCK.
   Virtues.—The leaves of this herb arc commonly
applied externally for draughts.  The seeds possess a
diuretick and diaphoretick quality.   A tea made of the
bruised seeds,  and taken freely, excites perspiration
and  relieves  the strangury.   A tea ofthe root taken
freely  for a considerable  time, purifies the blood, and
causes  it to circulate freely, moistens the skin, and ex-
pels humours.

                YELLOW DOCK.

   Virtues.—It is good  against the scrofula.  A de-
coction made ofthe bruised root, and taken for a con-
siderable  time, cleanses  the  humours.  The bruised
root mixed with cream or fresh butter, and kept  in  a
sand heat for five or six days, makes .a sovereign  oint-
ment for the itch.  A  poultice made of the bruised
tops and roots, and kept  on  scrofulous or cancerous
ulcers, often relieves the complaint.

               DWARF ELDER.
   Description.—It has a rough hairy stalk, a foot
and a half high, producing  bunches  of blue berriep 
   WHITE ELDER. WHITE ELIVER. ELECAMPANE.   19

about  the size of small  peas.  It has a  long woody
root running horizontally.
   Place.—It generally grows where there is  hemlock
timber.
   Virtues.—A tea of this  root taken  freely for a
considerable  time, opens the obstructions ofthe fluids
in general.  It is serviceable in all scorbutick and scro-
fulous complaints.

                WHITE ELDER.
   This is too well known to require a description.
   Virtues.—The flowers, berries, and bark are cool-
ing laxatives.  The flowers and inner  bark, simmered
in cream or fresh butter, make a cooling ointment for
scalds  or bums.

               WHITE  ELIVER.

     (Hellebore,  Itch Weed,  Indian Poke Root.)

   Description".—It has a hairy stalk, three feet high,
with long broad leaves, which are smaller near the top.
The root is  short and knotty, full  of long spungy
fibres.
   Place.— It grows in cold springy places.   A
   Virtues.—It is good against the scrofula.  A fine
powder made of the  root and  used freely as a snuff,
cures the catarrh; made into an ointment, as directed
with the yellow dock, it cures the itch;  this and  the
dock might well be combined for the  same  purpose.
The same may be applied to scrofulous tumours.   Re-
member that, this should never be taken internally.

                ELECAMPANE.    ,

   Description.—It has a large stalk, three feet high
or more, with large pointed leaves, the smallest near the
top.   It divides into small branches near the top, pro-
ducing  yellow blossoms similar to those  of the wild 
20          SLIPPERY ELM.   FIT ROOT.
sunflower.  The root is white, with  prongs running
deep into the ground.
  Place.—It often grows in waste land,  and by the
side of highways.
  Virtues.—It is absorbing; good against scrofula;
an antidote to all -humours;  and useful in  coughs and
consumptive complaints.  It may be used internally or
externally.
               SLIPPERY ELM.

  Description.—There are two kinds of elm that arc
mucilaginous, the bark of one being more  brittle than
the other, which is called the short kind.   The  trees
are similar in their appearance;  but seldom grow so
large as forest trees in general, or the other kinds of elm.
  Place.—They grow most commonly in intervals.
  Virtues.—They are strengthening.  Those who
have weak lungs may derive much benefit  from fre-
quently eating  the rind fresh  from  the tree.   The
powder  is good to thicken  poultices, rendering them
smooth and  more drawing.   The fresh  bark, well
bruised and steeped in cold water, makes a  strengthen-
ing beverage, which  may be taken freely  in all  cases
of consumption or debilitation.

                  FIT ROOT.

  Description.—Of this plant there are  two species,
one White, the other Red and Yellow.  Their size,
shape, and general qualities  are similar.   They grow
about four or  five inches in  height,  with very  small
leaves set close to the stalk, and at the top a flower
which turns downwards.   They commonly grow  in
clusters,  half a dozen or more in a place.
   Place.—They grow in most soils in this country.
   Virtues.—It  has an antispasmodick   quality.—
Haifa tea spoonful of the dried plant, in one fourth of
a tea cup full  of hot water, and  sweetened, is a suffi
cient dose for a child one year  old. 
      fire weed,  sweet fern,  blue flag.    21

                 FIRE WEED.
  Description.—It has a stalk commonly about four
feet high,  with divers branches and leaves all the way
up.  The flowers are white, and fine as silk.
  Place.—It grows in newly cleared land.
  Virtues.—An ointment made ofthe bruised leaves,
simmered  in fresh butter, relieves  the hemorrhoids or
piles.  The bruised leaves rubbed on the parts poisoned
with ivy, give relief, if applied immediately after the
first symptoms are perceived.                «,

                 SWEET FERN.
  Description.—This  bush commonly grows about
three feet high, with many long branches, full of notch-
ed leaves of a green colour.  The flowers are of a
reddish hue, and fragrant.
  Place.—It usually  grows in barren places, aboui
heaths, ponds, and sandy plains.
  Virtues.—It is very purifying and strengthening.
A tga of any part is  good in all cases of debility, indi=
gestion, relax, or dysentery.

        BLUE  FLAG.   (Flower de Luce.)

  Description.—This  grows in clusters, with long
pointed leaves', a foot or more in length, branching oft'
from the root.  It has a stalk a foot and a half high,
bearing a  flower qf  three leaves, intermixed  with dif-
ferent colours.
  Place.—It commonly gi dws in and about wet places.
  Virtues.—^"It is  very acrid and f ungeut.   Pills
mad^e of the extract operate as a cathartick.  Powders
jnade ofthe bud on  the top ofthe root  have the same
effect.   A tea made of the  root, taken  moderately,
stops the hemorrhage or flooding.  It may be combined
with other articles, in  syrups, for  consumptions on
coughs.   Steeped in whiskey or gnij it is good'in ve-
nereal diseases. 
cat tail flag,  ginseng,  ginsln.
               CAT TAIL FLAG.

   Virtues.—The fresh  root, bruised  and wet with
 cold  water, and  applied  to  external  inflammations,
 gives great relief.  It may be applied to sore eyes, or
 any hot humour, sw'elling, he.

                    GINSENG.

   Description.—Jt  has  a  stalk about a  foot high,
 dividing into three branches, bearing a few pointed
 and indented leaves.   From  the centre rises a, short
 stem, bearing small white flowers,-which are succeeded
 by red berries.   The root is  of a yellowish  white.
   Place.—It generally grows in forests of hard wood
 timber.
   Virtues.—It has a stimulating, aromatick flavour.
 Taken in tea or bitters, it strengthens the stomach and
 memory.  The Chinese ascribe extraordinary virtues
 to the root of this plant.

                    G1NSEN.

   Description.—It has a cluster of stalks, two  feet
 or more in height.   The leaves  grow out from  the
joints, standing opposite to each other, all the way  up.
 Above the foot  of the leaf grow reddish flowers, suc-
 ceeded by yellow berries.
   Place.—It generally grows in oak timbered land.
   Virtues.—It is very pungent and stimulating; good
 against lethargick complaints.

                 GOLDEN  ROD.

   Description.—This herb has a small round stalk,
 about three feet  high, set all the way up  with long,
 narrow, smooth leaves.   Near the top k divides  into
 sundry branches, and bears small yellow flowers.
   Place.—It grow s in a light sandy soil, and is rarely
 to be foundJn this country. 
      GOLD THREAD.   GOLDEN SEAL.  HEMLOCK.   23

   Virtues.—It  has a stimulating aromatick  quality,
 and is good to guard the stomach against infectious
 effluvia.
                 GOLD  THREAD.

   Description.—It is  a beautiful evergreen plant,
 the roots of which are creeping, thread-shaped, and of
 a bright yellow colour.
   Place.—It commonly  grows in and about swamps.
   Virtues.—The roots  have an intensely bitter taste,
 without warmth  or astringency.  Gold thread  is a
 pleasant tonick, and promotes appetite  and digestion.
 It  is  a  popular  remedy in  sore mouths  and ulcers,*
 though not very  powerful in  these complaints.       Nf.'

                 GOLDEN  SEAL.
   Description.—It has a stalk, ten" or twelve inches
 high, usually bearing but one leaf, and  that at the top,
 which is of an olive  colour, deeply indented in several
 places, and finely notched round the edges; the  root
 is small, yellow, fibrous, and of a pleasant bitter taste.
   Place.—It usually grows on oak intervals.
   Virtues.—Bracing and stimulating—it restores and
 strengthens the appetite.

                  HEMLOCK.

   Virtues.—The bark of this tree is very astringent:
 a decoction of this often proves a remedy for the relax
 and dysentery; a tea of the boughs, taken  freely, ge-
 nerally produces a profuse perspiration; it is good to
 relieve after pains, and generally useful in removing
obstructions.   The boughs  and inner  bark  of the
young trees are to be preferred.

             GROUND HEMLOCK.
  Description.—It has  several curving boughs, two
or three feet long,* resembling  those of the  high hem-
lock, among which it grows. 
24      UPLAND LADY SLIPPER.   LABRADOR.

  Virtues.—It opens the obstructions ofthe fluids in
general: a  tea made ofthe boughs aflbrds much relief
to women in  the time of labour;  it is also good in
cramps and spasms.

        LOWLAND LADY SLIPPER.

  Description.—It has a stalk  two feet high, with
large leaves all  the way up, the smaller near the top;
producing a white oval flower tinged with red  at the
top—it flowers in July.   The root is composed of di-
vers long yellow fibres, giving a strong scent.
  Place.—It  grows  in swamps, heaths,  and marshy
places.
  Virtues.—It has a bracing quality, and is good in
cramps  cf  the  stomach  and debility of the  nerves.
Haifa tea spoonful of the powdered root, in a teacup
of hot water,  may be taken several times in a day.

         UPLAND LADY SLIPPER.

  Description.—This has a hairy stalk, about a foot
and a half  high, with large pointed leaves all the way
up; it bears an oval yellow flower at the top, in shape
like that ofthe former, but less; in other respects it re-
sembles the former.
  Place.—It  grows on high laud, but is not very com-
mon.
   Virtues.—Its medicinal properties resemble those
of the  former species, but are  rather stronger.  It is
good in hysterical and hypochondriacal affections, and
in convulsions.
                 LABRADOR.

   Description.—This  bush commonly grows about
three feet high, with divers small tough branches, bear-
ing long narrow leaves, which are brown and hairy on
the under side, and curving downwards.
   Place.—It grows  in barren places, about sivampi
 and heaths. 
     WILD LETTUCE.  LOW LIFE.  WHITE LILY.   25

  Virtues.—-It is bracing and strengthening.  A tea
made of the leaves, is by many preferred to foreign
tea to drink at meals; the Chinese, it is said, prefer it
to their own.
               WILD LETTUCE.

  Description.—Of this  plant there are two kinds,
which  are evergreen, and  often grow near  together;
they differ but little except in size;  the larger com-
monly has five or six thick round leaves, an inch or
two above  the surface  of the ground, supported by
slender foot stalks; on a small stem about six inches
high, it bears a small white flower, having five leaves,
turning downwards; it has a long white thready root.
  Place.—They grow in almost every forest  in  this
country, in almost every variety of soil.
  Virtues.—They are good against scrofula, canker,
diarrhoea,  dysentery, dropsy, and  humours.   The
leaves and root may be made into a powder or bruised,
before they are made into a tea.

          LOW LIFE EVERLASTING.

  Description.—It  has a  small white stalk,  with
small leaves, and small round white flowers, with in-
numerable little leaves growing in a whirl, which have
a pleasant aromatick smell.
  Place.—It grows in dry, barren, and sandy places'.
  Virtues.—It is diuretick and strengthening: a tea
ofthe herb is good against strangury, gravel, fluor al-
bus, consumption, weak lungs, and nervous affections.

                 WHITE LILY.

  Description.—It has a round stem, bearing large
round leaves on the  surface of the water; also,  smal-
ler  stems, bearing large white blossoms, with yellow
threads in the centre.  These open to the sun in the
forenoon, and  close into a bud in the  afternoon.   It
has a long thick root, externally black, internally white
                        4 
 26   LOBELIA, OR INDIAN TOBACCO.  MANDRAKE

   JPlace.—It usually grows in fresh water ponds.
   Virtues.—It is  astringent—good  in canker  and
 scrofulous  diseases.  The  root, together with  high
 Wickup, makes a good poultice.

    LOBELIA.   (Indian Tobacco.  Eye-Bright.)
   Description.—Its stalk  is  from  one to two feet
 nigh, with branches closely set all the way up, bearing
 leaves and pods; it produces small purple flowers at
 the ends of the pods; the leaves are small,  and fine-
 ly cut at their  edges; the pods are filled with small
 seeds, which, when ripe, are of a dark brown.
  Place.—It grows  very common in ail  parts of the
 United States, in almost every variety of soil.
  Virtues—It has an acrid pungent taste; the leaves
 or  pods, chewed, produce  an abundant  discharge of
 saliva, a dullness of sensation, a nausea at the stomach,
 and a tremour in the whole system; if taken in large
 quantities, it produces vomiting; a tea, made by boil-
 ing the herb fifteen or twenty minutes, will act as a ca-
 thartick; a tea spoonful of powder made ofthe leaves,
 pods and seeds, in half a gill of warm water, taken at
 once, usually produces immediate  vomiting—some-
 times the dose  must be repeated.   The seeds,  well
 bruised,  and a small quantity taken  in a tea spoonful
 or more  of cold  water, sufficiently repeated, will  pro-
 duce a complete  salivation, without any injurious ef-
fects.   The herb, bruised and steeped in spirits, makes
 a valuable  solution,  which has a more  speedy effect
 than the  powders; it maybe taken  from one to  four
 tea spoonfuls at a time.-. The herb should be collected
when the leaves and pods are turning yellow, and dried
by the »un.
           MANDRAKE,   (May Apple.)
  Description.—It  sends  up a stalk early in  the
spring, a  foot high or more, dividing into two branches,
with a  large leaf on ea'ch branch; a  small stem grows 
MAN ROOT.   MARSH ROoL.'-iiART-
27
up from the  centre or forked part, bearing a  white
blossom, succeeded by a fruit, agreeable to some per*
3ons.  The root  is creeping and jointed,  with  fibres
set at the joints.
  Place.__It grows in most kinds of soil in this state
  Virtues.—It is an emetick and cathartick:  if two
tea spoonfuls ofthe powdered root be taken at once, it
will operate both  as an emetick and cathartick;  but if
the same quantity be divided into six or eight potions,
and one of them be taken every fifteen minutes, it ope-
rates as a cathartick  only.   The  extract, made into
pills, has the same effect.

                  MAN  ROOT.

  Description.—It has  several vines, from  six  to
twelve feet in length, climbing contiguous  trees, &c.
with several large leaves, similar to the leaves of beans;
it bears bell-shaped white blossoms, similar to those of
the morning glory; it  has a very large, fleshy, white
root, growing deep inta the ground.
  Place.—This is an  uncommon plant: I have found
it growing in uplands and flats near the Genesee river;
it grows in many parts ofthe Genesee country, and in
the southern and western states.
  Virtues.—It is a moderate laxative: it opens  the
system  in  general, relieves pains of the stomach and
sides, and corrects the digestive powers; it is commonly
prepared in syrups, teas and  bitters.

             MARSH ROSEMARY.

   Description.—It has several leaves, growing close
to the ground,  whence arise sundry stalks, a foot high
or more, with branches, bearing small leaves and pur-
ple flowers; the root, in size and shape, resembles that
ofthe parsnip.
  Place.— It grows about the sea shore in salt marshes,
and is overflowed by spring tides. 
28    MARJORAM.  MILK WEED.  MOOSEWOOD.

   Virtues.—It is a powerful astringent—relieves caiv
her, sores, and intestinal fluxes.

   MARJORAM.   (Mountain Mint.  Bee Balm.)

   Description.—It has a square, green stalk, two or
three feet high,  from which  grow  long  branches at
right angles, producing at their  extremities a partly
red flower; its leaves are notched, and terminate in a
point.   It flowers in August.
   Place.—It grows in sandy soils, in fields and hedges.
   Virtues.—It possesses an exceedingly hot, pungent
quality, in this respect, having perhaps, no equal: it is
good in cold, phlegmatick complaints, taken internally,
or applied externally.  The  oil  extracted from this
herb, applied with lint to the hollow of an aching tooth,
gives relief.

         WANDERING MILK WEED.

   Description.—It has a reddish stalk, two feet high,
with long branches, smooth  leaves, and small white
flowers resembling those of buck wheat, succeeded by
long  slender pods,  containing seeds and  a silky sub-
stance;  the  root, which runs a considerable distance
under  ground^   is  externally  black, and  internally
white, having a woody pith, which should be separated
from the root when collected.   This herb, when broken,
exudes a milky substance, extremely bitter.
   Place.—It usually grows on the banks of streams.
near fences, &cc.
   Virtues.—It is a laxative—good against dyspepsia,
and  destroys worms; one fourth of a tea  spoonful  of
the powdered root is a sufficient dose.  Made into very-
fine powder, it is good snuff.

         MOOSEWOOD.   (Black Maple.)
   Description.—It is seldom  more than forty feet
high, and six inches in diameter, having  a greenish- 
        mullein,  green ozier.  plantain.     29

streaked bark.  The leaves are large, terminating in
several points.
   Place.—It commonly  grows in a cold soil, with
hemlock timber.
   Virtues.—The bark  is  somewhat astringent:  it
cleanses the humours and  purifies the blood; it is useful
in schirrhous and scrofulous diseases; a tea made  of
the bark, and taken freely for  a long time, arrests the
progress of cancers.

                    MULLEIN.
   Virtues.—The leaves  of this plant, wet with vinegar,
are good to apply  externally where there is pain,
swellings, or inflammation;  steeped in new milk, and
taken inw ardly and applied outwardly, they relieve the
quinsy.  The flowers simmered in soft oil, are good
to relax constricted  nerves and tendons.  The seeds
bruised relieve fits in children.   The juice ofthe heart
ofthe  young  plant,  taken in boiled milk, relieves the
bowel  complaint in children.

                GREEN  OZIER.

   Description.—This bush commonly grows about
six feet high, with branches bearing oval leaves  and
white  flowers,  succeeded by small blue berries; the
barkjs green, interspersed with white specks.
  Place.—It  commonly grows in  hedges, and  by the
side of streams.
  Virtues.—A tea made ofthe bark is good  to cure
internal and external humours, and  sore eyes: the dried
bark, smoked,  relieves the asthma—the  Aborigines
smoke  it as a substitute for tobacco.  The green bark,
bruised, and taken in warm water, is an emetick.

              SWAMP  PLANTAIN.

  Description.—This is an evergreen, having several
long, tongue-shaped, hairy leaves, of a light green
                        4* 
30     PELLITORY.  PRINCES' PINE.   POPLAR.

colour, close  to the ground;  from the root, which is
small and fibrous, rises a stalk, two or three feet high,
bearing flowers, which  are succeeded by small  cup*
filled with small brown seed.
  Place.—It grows in swamps and about springs.
  Virtues.—It is astringent: a decoction of this plant
is good against  canker and  scrofulous humours; it
may be applied both internally and externally.

        PELLITORY OF THE WALL.
  Description.—It has a transparent stalk, about a
foot high;  the leaves and flowers resemble those of
white nettles.
  Place.—It  grows in moist places,  in swamps  and
intervals.
  Virtues.—It  is diuretick: an ointment made of it
relaxes contracted sinews.

                PRINCES' PINE.
       (Wintergreen.  Pipcisaway.  Pyrola.)

  Description.—This is an evergreen, growing about
ten inches high, with small thick green leaves;  the root
is long and winding; the stalk has a wiry appearance;
it produces one blossom, succeeded by a shell  contain-
ing innumerable small seeds.
  Place.—It  grows in  forests, in almost every  kind
of soil.
  Virtues.—It  is somewhat pungent, of a diuretick
quality:  it warms and dissolves the congealed fluids.
and causes an increased action ofthe fibres; it is useful
to discuss cold plegmatick humours, swellings, he.; it
removes rheumatick complaints, cancerous affections,
and leakage of tendons.

       BLACK POPLAR.  (Shaking Asp.)

   Description.—Its  size depends  much  upon the
climate where it grows; it is much the largest in cold 
       PRIM HAGE»  9.UEEN QF THE MEADOW,     Ul

climates.  The bark ofthe young tree is very smooth,
green and bitter; the leaves appear curved and notched
round the edges; the extremities ofthe limbs are thick
and brittle.

       WHITE  POPLAR.  (Shaking Asp.)

  Description.—This  tree considerably resembles
the preceding, and often grows about'the same place;
but the bark is whiter, and when rubbed,  imparts  a
mealy dust, which the other does not; it has  a more
pleasant bitter; the leaves are nearer round, and more
finely  indented;  the  twigi are more slender and
tough.
  Virtues.—The bark, made into a fine powder and
given to children troubled with worms, generally re-
lieves  the complaint;  in its other properties, this re-
sembles the former.

                 PRIM  HAGE\

  Description.—It generally%grows about five or six
fcet  in  height, with long scraggy branches  bearing
black berries;  the bark is smooth and light coloured.
  Place.—It commonly grows in a hard gravelly.soil,
among ledges of rocks, and about stone walls.
  Virtues.—The bark has an antiscorbutick aperient
quality: a tea  of the bark,  taken freely, cleanses.the
system  from  schirrhous  and  scrofulous   affections,
purges humours,  and expels worms.

         QUEEN OF  THE  MEADOW.

  Description.—Several stalks usually grow up to-
gether, about five feet high,  having five large indented
leaves  at each joint;  it bears  flowers of a pale red,
growing in clusters; the root has numerous long white
fibres.
  Place.—It grows in swamps, near streams, and in
wet places, 
32   RUPTURE WORT.   RUSHES.   SARSAPARILLA.

  Virtues.—It is a powerful diuretick: a decoction
of the root removes the strangury, gravel and stone;
it is also good in dropsical diseases and the  gout.

               RUPTURE  WORT.
  Description.—It has branches resembling  vines,
running close to the  ground;  these divide into  less
branches full of joints, out of which  grow  two  small
olive  green  leaves,  also  exceedingly  small yellow
flowers, succeeded by minute seeds.
  Place.—It commonly grows in a cold, barren, gra-
velly soil.
  Virtues.—It is  astringent: it  is good to  heal and
strengthen the integuments of ruptures; a tea of  the
bruised herb relieves all intestinal fluxes.

                   RUSHES.
  Description.—It shoots up several  green, round
ribbed, hollow stalks, a foot and a half  high, divided
by frequent joints.
  Place.—It commonly grows in mbist land.
  Virtues.—It is diuretick:  the herb, bruised and
made into  a  strong  decoction, removes  strangury,
gravel, and  stone; it  excites  the actions of the fluid
vessels, and opens the  pores.

             SARSAPARILLA.
  Description.—The  stalk  rises about a foot  and
a half high, dividing into three branches, having  about
a dozen pointed leaves; the  root is long,  running  a
yard or more under the ground.
  Place.—It grows in every kind of soil,  in almost
every forest.
  Virtues.—It is useful to purify the fluids  in general

             SCOKE.  (Garget Root.)
  Description.—Several large reddish stalks usually
grow up together,  four or five feet high, the branches 
       EC0KE, OR GARGET ROOT.   fiCULL CAP.     33

of which bear long clusters of purple flowers, which are
succeeded by blackish berries, containing a juice that
stains red; the leaves are long and narrow; the root
is white  and fleshy, and branches out in  various di-
rections.
  Place.—It  grows  in  waste  grounds, high ways,
fields, and woods.
  Virtues.—It possesses both emetick and cathartick
qualities: but it is not to be recommended for either of
these purposes, because wherever applied, it produces a
powerful action, especially  where there  are humours
in the system; and as the quantity of  the humours
cannot always be ascertained, no safe rule can be laid
down for administering a medicine of this description.
The root being cut into small pieces, boiled  in twice its
quantity of water, and rubbed on the outward  surface,
draws the humours to the surface, which occasions a
violent  itching; if it cause blotches to rise,  the part
affected  may be immediately scarified, from which
will ooze a yellow  water;  in all cases  of swelling  or
dropsy, this application should  not  be omitted;  it
warms and strengthens the whole nervous system; the
fresh root,  roasted,  makes excellent  draughts;  the
leaves bruised and  simmered in fresh  lard or butter,
make an ointment for scrofulous and schirrous ulcers;
the juice ofthe berries, dried on pewter by  the rays of
the sun, answer the same purpose.

     SCULL CAP.  (Scutellaria Galericulata.)

  Description.—It has  a square  stalk, two feet high,
with sundry branches bearing purple flowers, succeeded
by shells resembling caps;  the leaves are of an  olive
colour, notched round the edges, and pointed.
  Place.—It grows in moist places, and by the side of
streams.
  Virtues.—It has rather  an insipid,  bitter taste; it
strengthens the stomach and braces the nerves. 
 34       SENECA OIL.   SENECA SNAKE ROOT.

  BLUE SCULL CAP.   (Scutellaria Lateriflora.)

   Description.—This has a weak slender stalk, with
 long trailing branches,  three feet  or  more in height;
 it has two small pointed leaves, set opposite to each
 other  at the joints,  at  which place grow long blue
 flowers, succeeded by small caps, like the preceding.
   Place.—It grows  about wet  marshy places, by the
 side of lakes, rivers, &c.
   Virtues.—This herb is very bitter: a tea made of
 it and taken freely, produces a free perspiration; it is
 good in all cases where  the perspiration is obstructed;
 it also proves a sovereign remedy for hydrophobia, or
 canine madness.

                 SENECA  OIL.

   There are several springs in the western and southern
 parts  of this state, and  in Ohio, that produce  an oil
 known by this name.  It rises in bubbles to the surface,
 whence it is skimmed off.   The pure oil has a strong
 scent  and a  dark colour.  It is  of a mild, healing
 nature, and is useful  in most cutaneous disorders.

           SENECA  SNAKE ROOT.

   Description.—It grows about a foot high, fifteen
 stalks or more together,  bearing small pointed leaves;
 at the  top grow small white flowers, enclosing  small
 flat seeds; the root is smooth and yellow, having large
 branches.
   Place.—It commonly grows in a dry  sandy or
 gravelly soil.
   Virtues.—It acts  as a diaphoretick and expectorant.

            SWAMP SNAKE ROOT.
   Description.—This  is an evergreen plant;  it has
 large  oval green  leaves, indented  at the edges, with
jarge  veins or seams  on  the underside, supported  by 
        WHITE SNAKE ROOT.   SOLOMON SEAL.     35

long foot stalks; it  has a stalk two* feet high,  with
jagged leaves and small yellow flowers at the top; the
root is  long and slender, externally green, internally
of a scarlet red.
  Place.—It grows in wet places, in and about swamps.
  Virtues.—It is diuretick and bracing: it removes
the obstructions of the fluids, and purges humours.

            WHITE SNAKE ROOT.
  Description.—It has  several stalks about  three
feet high, from  the joints of which  grow two  large
opposite branches, bearing small white flowers; the
leaves are large and notched, set on long foot stalks,
just below the branches; the root consists of innume-
rable long white fibres.
  Place.—It usually grows in a moist soil.
  Virtues.—It  is  stimulating apd  aromatick:  it
strengthens and braces the nervous system;  it  is good
in consumption and debility.

                 Solomon Seal.

  There are two kinds, the Large and the Small,

          LARGE  SOLOMON SEAL.

  Description.—It rises in height from three to four
feet; Its sjalk is round, of a greenish colour, has large
ribbed leaves, regularly  opposed on each  side, and
produces, near  the extremity, several reddish berries}
the root is large, its exteriour surface a light  yellow,
and the interiour white.
  Place.—It generally grows in intervals and on the
banks of rivers.
  Virtues.—Very   mild,  yet very  healing  and
strengthening;' commonly prepared in syrups,.and ad-
ministered ia cases of consumption and general debility. 
35    SPICE BUSH.  STAR OF EGYPT.  UNICORN-

          SMALL SOLOMON SEAL.
  Description.—It is  like the above, only not so
large; and instead of red, bears blue berries, ranged
in pairs under the first leaves; the root is white, and
not so large as the former.   Its properties aie similar,
and they are often found  growing together.

                 SPICE BUSH.

  This is a well known  shrub.   It purifies the fluids,
and promotes perspiration:  a tea of the twigs makes
a pleasant, cooling drink, useful in fevers.

              STAR OF  EGYPT.

  Description.—It has a  small  wiry  stalk, six  or
eight  inches high, dividing into divers branches, and
producing brown spiked  leaves at their extremities.
  Plo^e.—It grow^ in barren  places, in a sandy or
grave1 !y  soil; also, on ledges of rocks, where there is"
scarcely  any soil to support it.
  Virtues.—A tea of  this  herb removes flatulence
and wind cholick; it is useful also in curing ruptures.

                   UNICORN.

  Description.—This  is an evergreen.  It has s.
stalk  ten inches high, bearing a white flower at the top;
it has several  smooth,  light green leaves,  growing
opposite each other, close to the ground;  the root is
small and very hard, with long, wiry, white fibres.   J*
flowers in July.
  Place.—It grows on pitch  pine plains.
  Virtues.—It is bitter and diaphoretick: it relieves
cholick, strangury, rheumatism at:d jaundice.  Haifa
tea spoonful  of the powdered root, in a  gill of hot
water, may be taken several times in   a day.  Thr
flowers, well powdered, make an excellent snuff 
     •INE MAPLE.  VERMILION.   WHITE VERVINE.  3?

                  VINE MAPLE.
   Description.—It has a woody vine,  from  three to
six feet long, climbing up whatever tree, he. stands
contiguous.  The leaf is deeply cut in or indented on
each side, rounded towards the point, and set on long
foot stalks; the root is long and slender, of a bright
yellow.
   Place.—It grows in intervals, near swamps, streams,
and lakes.
   Virtues.—It is a pleasant bitter: it strengthens the
stomach and nervous system, and is useful in debility
and relaxation.

                  VERMILION.

   Description.—This is an  evergreen, with large
round leaves, checkered with different colours, growing
on the ground, from the centre of which rises a stalk,
six inches high, bearing brown  flowers.
   Place.—It commonly grows where there is beech,
maple, and oak timber, a dozen or more of the plants
together.
   Viutues.—It is good against scrofulous disorders:
a  tea of the  leaves and roots purifies the blood  from
putrescent  and virulent humours; the leaves bruised
and  laid  on  scrofulous ulcers,  extract the morbid
matter, and cause them to heal; the same application
eMracts the virulent effects ofthe bite of mad dogs or
rattle  snakes.   It is  useful in  the  composition of
drawing and healing salves.

               WHITE VERVINE.

   Description.—It usnJly has three or foursquare
purple stalks, three  or four feet high, with branches
and leaves set opposite at the joints, bearing long slim
tassels, set with little caps, and containing  four long
br.»w- seec's.   The root consists of long thread-like
iibre?.
                        5 
^8         HIGH WICKUr.  LOW WICKUr,
   Place.—It grows commonly in fields  and waste
places.
   Virtues.—It possesses an emetick and diaphoretick
quality: the  herb,  bruised  and steeped in warm  or
cold water, and taken  plentifully,  proves an  emetick;
steeped in hot water,  it generally excites a  copious
perspiration; it is useful  in colds and obstructions of
the fluids.

HIGH  WICKUP.  (Slippery Root. None-so-pretty.)
  [This herb has several other uames, unnecessary to be inserted, j
   Description.—It has a stalk four or five feet high,
with long slim leaves all  the way up; at the top grow
short branches,  bearing  pale  red  flowers, which are
succeeded by long pods;  the root runs two or three feet
under the surface of the ground, and has a woody pith.
   Place.—It usually grows  where there is spruce and
hemlock timber;  sometimes  among beech and maple.
   Virtues.—The rind ofthe root is a mucilage: a tea
spoonful of the powder,  mixed with  a gill of warm
water, produces a  thick jelly, which is useful  in the
dysentery.   It  is also a useful application for ruptures.
The rind, bruised and steeped in milk, makes a good
poultice to relieve inflammation in the eyes or other
parts.

LOW WICKUP.   (Moose Wood.  Leather Bush.)

   Description.—This shrub grows about  three feet
high, with long branches  spt with  leaves ;  the bark  is
very tough, often  used  for  strings; the wood is  soft,
and so  flexible  that it  may  be bent into  almost any
form without breaking.
   Place.—It usually grows  in forests of beech, maple,
andbaswood.
   Virtues.—It is a powerful emetick and cathartick:
a table spoonful of the juice  extracted, cleanses the
stomach and intestines effectually. 
    ROSE WILLOW.  WORM SEED.   SNAKE VVELI>   $9

               ROSE  WILLOW.

  Description.—This  bush grows about three feet
high, putting out  long sprouts and branches, bearing
long leaves and a large brown bur, in the form of a rose.
  Place.—It commonly grows on pitch pine plains.
  Virtues.—It has an astringent quality:  a tea, made
of the bark of the root, is good to destroy canker, and
heal the excoriated parts.

                 WORM SEED.

  Description.—It has a stalk with long branches,
set full of small green seeds  and jagged leaves of a
Strong and unpleasant scent.
  Place.—It  grows spontaneously in waste places, in
the  middle and southern  states.  It is sometimes  culti-
vated in fields and gardens.
  Virtues.—The oil extracted from the seeds of this
plant, is good to destroy worms;  it is usually given in
doses of six  or eight drops, on sugar, or any other
palatable  substance;  the expressed juice ofthe whole
plant, is sometimes given in a dose of a table spoonful
to a child two or three years old; more frequently the
powdered seeds are employed, mixed with molasses or
syrup.

                SNAKE WEED.

  Description.—There are two kinds, both of which
grow  in moist places.  The  larger kind grows to the
height of three feet,  having  a square green stalk, set
all the way up with long pointed green leaves, notched
round the edges; at  the top grow large buds, with
white flowers tinged with a reddish and purple colour,
and supposed to resemble a  snake's head; the leaves
and flowers have a rank bitter taste.  The  other kind
shoots up a small  round  wiry stalk, about a foot and a
half high, havitlg two leaves  set at each joint, like the
former kind; it is  a keener and more pleasant bitter. 
40        white wood,  wild cucumber.
   Virtues.—A tea of the latter kind, acts as a dia*
 phoretick, and expels humours.  A tea or bitter, made
 of either or both kinds, rectifies the stomach, and gives
 an appetite.

                 WHITE WOOD.

   Description—This tree attains to a very great size,
 bearing  large bell-shaped flowers, which give it a no-
 ble appearance.   The leaves are  cut  transversely,
 forming  a square lobe at their ends; the bark ofthe
 trunk is very thick and rigid.
   Place.—It is rarely to be found in the New-England
 states; but in many parts of  the state of New-York,
 and in the western  and southern states, it  grows in
 abundance.
   Virtues.—The bark possesses a bitter and pungent
 quality, considerably aromatick and bracing: it warms
 and strengthens  the stomach.   A strong tea  made of
 the bark of the roots, removes flatulence  and  wind
 cholick.

              WILD CUCUMBER.

   Description.—It shoots up a small round stalk, a
 foot and  a half high, having several pointed leaves, set
 opposite  in a whirl near the top, bearing small flowers
 at the top, succeeded by small blue berries.   It has a
 small, tender, white  root, with several long fibres.
   Place.—It grows in most kinds of soil in this country.
   Virtues.—It  possesses a  strengthening,  cooling,
 and nourishing  quality.   The  fresh  root, eaten early
in the morning, affords much relief in  consumptive and
 debilitated cases.  Haifa  dozen or more of the roots
 may be taken several times a day, in an empty stomach
Its taste resembles that of a mild turnip. 
<£ollectCnfl airtr <£ttrfng JHrtrtctnr.
   Barks.—Barks from  the bodies of trees should be
 peeled  in the latter period of their running, which  is
 commonly  in  July,  as  they are much thicker and
 stronger than  when  they  first begin  to run.  They
 may be dried in the shade, or by the sun.   The rough
 outward bark, or ross, should be taken off when peeled.

   Barks of Roots should  be  collected early  in  the
 spring, or late  in the fall, while the sap is in the root,
 and cured in the same manner as the preceding.

   Herrs.—Herbs that are intended  for teas or  decoc-
 tions, should be collected while in blossom, or a little
 after, on a fair dry day, when the dew is off, and  spread
 thin in the shade, or exposed to the sun; the former,
 however, is preferable,  as by it  they retain their
 natural hue.

   Herbs that are intended for distilling should  be cut
 when the seeds are ripe,  at which time they yield the
 most oil.

   Roots.—Roots should  be  collected in  the spring,
 before the tops  begin to shoot forth, or in autumn, after
 they are decayed.  Those that are large  and  fleshy,
 should be cut in strips or slices and strung,  after which
 exposed  to  a moderate heat,  so  that  they  may  dry
 gradually.
   After  the barks,  roots,  and herbs are thoroughly
 dried,  they  should be kept close from the air; also,
when  pulverized;  particularly those that  possess an
 aromatick quality.
                        5* 
$rr$jarfttfl antr (Eotttpounulnfl ftfrtifcfne.
  The following specificks  are adapted  to  remove
diseases for which they are recommended.  Where it
is  ndt convenient to obtain all the articles specified,
others, ofthe same nature, may be substituted; or, they
may be  added  to  the  composition.  If neither  the
deficient article nor a substitute can be readily obtained,
both may be dispensed with.

  The dose recommended, is  for an adult, which may
he varied according to the age of the patient, by the
following rule: two thirds of the dose  for a  person
from fourteen  to sixteen; one  half, from seven  to ten;
one third, from four to six; one fourth, to one of three
years old, and one eighth, to  one  of a year old.  The
doses may be increased to twice the strength or quantity
recommended, with safety, which  may be necessary in
obstinate cases, excepting in the alkalies and vermifuge
epecificks.  The weight of medicine, after being cured,,
will be given in avoirdupois weight.

                 ALKALI WASH.

   Take of pearl ash, three fourths of an ounce, which
is about  a table spoonful and a half, and dissolve it in
three gills of  hot water.   This is to be  applied on the
surface of the  body, in cases  of dryness  of the skin; it
cleanses and  opens the pores, stimulates  the  moving
fibres ofthe  skin, and keeps it  moist;-it should  be
applied at the commencement of an operation of steem-
ing, where there is a dry Surface,  as in cases of fever*;
also, several times during the operation. 
ALKALI DRAUGHT.  LIME WATER.         4^
             ALKALI DRAUGHT.

  Take one third of a tea spoonful of pearl ash, and
dissolve it in half a pint of hot water.  This quantity
may be taken at once, either hot  or cold:  it destroys
acidity ofthe stomach, dissolves slime and mucus, and
promotes perspiration.   When given to excite vomit-
ing, after an emetick is~taken, or  a nausea  at  the
stomach, it may be prepared twice as strong.   It may
be  administered freely,  during   the  operation  of
steeming.

                 LIME WATER.

  Take of quick lime, two ounces, and of pure water,
five half pints:  mix—let them steep two hours in an
earthen vessel;  then pour off the clear water, and keep
it closely corked in bottles for u«e.
  Dose.—Haifa gill  maybe  taken  at  once,  several
times a day, in  an empty stomach.   It corrects acidity
ofthe stomach,  and  dissolves  and  discharges the
redundancy  of  slime and  mucus,  which affords  a
lodgement for worms.  A table spoonful may be added
to half a pint  of milk, to  make  it sit  easy in weak
stomachs.

       ANTI-BILIOUS POWDER, No. 1.

  Take of bitter sweet, the bark ofthe roots; dandelion,
the tops and roots; alkanoke, the bark;  swamp snake
root, the tops and roots; wild cellendine, the herb;
white hickory,  the inward bark;  baberry the bark of
the roots; and  black cherry, the bark; equal parts—
pulverize and mix—an  ounce of this mixture  may be
steeped in one quart of pure water,  exposed to a boiling
heat a few minutes.  A gill or more may be taken five
or six times  a day.  It  purifies the  blood, excites the
secretions of the liver and kidneys, and  removes the
jaundice. 
44       ANTI-BILIOUS*   ANTI-SCROPULOUS.

       ANTI-BILIOUS POWDER, No. 2.
  Take of pearl ash, four parts;  and white  and red
birth root, one part; pulverize and  mix—put  them
itito a tight bottle, for use.  Put a tea spoonful of this
mixture into a cup, and pour on a gill of weak vinegar,
or vinegar and sour cider mixed—to be taken while in
the act of effervescence.  Repeat it every five minutes.
until it gives  relief.

      ANTHELMINTICS   (Worm Powder.)

  Take of black alder,  the inward bark; wandering
milk  weed, the roots; Indian  hemp,  the roots;  and
worm seed, the seeds; equal parts—pulverize and  mix.
A tea spoonful, mixed with  molasses, to  be taken in
the  morning, an hour before eating.
  Oil of worm seed produces  the same  effect, and is
  ftoen as follows, viz: to a child of one year old, four
  rops; two years old, six drops; adding two drops for
every succeeding year.   Drop the oil upon sugar, and
grate it into a small quantity of water or tea,  which is
to be repeated every morning  and evening, for three or
four days; then give a  cathartick.   These prescrip-
tions are sovereign  remedies, when worms become too
numerous.

       ANTI-SCROFULOUS PLASTER.

  Take of tar, one gill; two yolks of roasted eggs,
and the inside of a  puff ball—simmer them over  a
slow fire, ten  or twelve minutes; the yolks  should be
added while warm; then strain off for use.   It should
be spread on thin leather  fbr open, scrofulous tumours,
This plaster is a safe and sure remedy for the  scrofula,
sometimes termed kingsevil.

       ANTI-SCROFULOUS POWDER.
  Take of dwarf elder,  the  roots;  sarsaparilla, the 
CANCER POWDER.   BATHING DROPS.      45
roots: vermilion, the leaves and roots; wild lettuce,
 the leaves  and roots  of each kind; and moosewood,
 the bark;  equal parts—pulverize and mix.  An ounce
 of this mixture is to be steeped  in one quart of pure
 water, and a gill or more to be taken several times a
 day,  to purify  the system, and  remove cancerous and
 scrofulous affections.

               CANCER POWDER.
   Take of green ozier, the bark; beech drops, the tops
 and roots; skunk  cabbage,  the roots; yellow dock,
 the roots;  prim hage, the bark; princes' pine, the tops
 and roots; and red clover, the heads  and roots; pul-
 verize and mix—one ounce to be steeped in a quart of
 water, and a gill or more to be taken several times a
 day.   This cleanses  the  system from cancerous and
 scrofulous affections.

            BATHING DROPS, No. 1.

   Take of alcohol,  or fourth proof spirits, one gallon;
 one  pound of tamarack gum, made fine;  and one
 ounce of cayenne;  mix, and infuse them in sand heat
three  days. From  one  half to a tea' spoonful may  be
taken internally, for  pains of the breast or stomach,
coughs, he.  When used externally, one sixth part of
spirits of turpentine may be added, which  makes  it
more  penetrating—to be applied on the region where
there  is any pain.  The  parts should be well mixed
when applied.

           BATHING DROPS, No. 2.

   Take of alcohol,  one quart, and add  equal quantities
of the oils  of wormwood, tan->ev, white or red cedar,
and hemlock, as much as the spirits will dissolve;  then
add one pint of sharp  vinegar, and a table spoonful  of
cavenne.   This is to be applied externally, in cases of
pains or swellings. 
46   RESTORING BITTERS.   JAUNDICE BITTERS

        RESTORING BITTERS, No. 1.

  Take of unicorn, the leaves and roots; golden seal,
the roots; man root, the roots; babery, the bark ofthe
roots;  and white poplar, the bark; equal quantities-
pulverize and mix.   Steep half an ounce of this mix-
ture, in a pint and a half of gin or spirits, two or three
hours; then add half a  pint of pure water.   Haifa
small glass to be taken three  or four times a day.—
They strengthen and correct the digestive powers, and
increase the appetite.   A tea spoonful of cayenne add-
ed to each potion, converts it into  hot bitters, and
makes it more stimulating.   A small quantity of sweet
sicily, angelica, coltsfoot, seeds of caraway,  penny-
royal, or spearmint, forms them into aromatick bitters,
which  renders them  more  agreeable to the taste, and
may be added to either of the composition of bitters.

         RESTORING BITTERS, No. 2.

   Take of vine maple,  the roots;   gold thread, the
roots;  small snake weed, the leaves; hemlock, the in-
ner  bark; white wood, the bark;  and ginseng, the
roots;  equal parts—pulverize and mix.  One  ounce
of this mixture may be prepared  and used as the pre-
ceding.

         RESTORING BITTERS, No. 3.

   Take of black poplar, the bark; blue scull cap, the
leaves; snake weed,  the leaves; white snake root, the
roots; columbo, the roots;  and coltsfoot, the roots;
equal quantities—pulverize and mix—to be prepared
and taken as the preceding.

             JAUNDICE BITTERS.

   Take of alkanoke, the bark; barberry, the inward
bark;  prickly ash, the bark; black cherry, the bark; 
     RHEUMATICK BITTERS.  CATHARTICK PILLS.   4'i

and ginsen, the bark of the roots;  equal parts—pul-
verize and mix.  This is to be prepared and taken as
the preceding.

  The above preparations of bitters are celebrated for
their peculiar  virtues in fortifying  and strengthening
the stomach:  they procure an appetite, and help di-
gestion.  They are useful in all seasons of the year,
but more particularly in the spring, by bracing the de-
bilitated system, arising  principally from the relaxa-
tion ofthe nerves and fibres, produced  by warm wea-
ther.   It should be recollected, that where spirits do
not agree, they may be steeped in water, or wine; also,
that they should not be given in cases of inflammation
or fever, until the cause is removed.

           RHEUMATICK  BITTERS.

   Take of princes' piue, the tops and roots;  cocash,
the roots; and black cohush, the roots;  pqual quanti-
ties—pulverize and mix.   An ounce to  be  infused in
one quart of spirits, and half a glass, or a glass, of this
preparation, may be taken three or four times a day.

             CATHARTICK PILLS.

  Take of the extract  of mandrake,  thoroughwort,
white ash, and white walnut, equal parts; add powders
of mandrake,  wandering  milk weed, and  cayenne,
enough to form them into a proper consistence to make
pills; blend them well together, and roll them in pow-
ders  of mandrake, or flour, to a common size pill.—
From four to eight are a sufficient  dose.  The extract
is obtained in the following manner:—take any quan-
tity of barks or roots, put them into a kettle, with wa-
ter enough to cover them, and boil them until the water
is about half evaporated; then strain off the decoction,
and boil  or simmer it  gradually down to the cousin
ence of tar or turpentine. 
48     CATHARTICK POWDER.  CATAPLASMS.

          CATHARTICK  POWDER.
  Take of mandrake, the roots;  wandering milk weed,
the roots; and the tops of the roots of blue flag; equal
parts—pulverize and mix.  Divide two tea spoonfuls
of this medicine into six or eight potions, and give a
potion every ten or fifteen minutes, until  they are all
taken.

       CATAPLASMS, or POULTICES.

   The intention of poultices are to sooth the parts that
are irritated, to allay pain  and  inflammation,  and to
reduce swellings.   They never should be applied more
than blood warm.   Cold swellings require dry stimu-
lating poultices, and inflammations require them to be
cold and moist.   They  never should be on more than
six or eight hours, and when applied to hot tumours or
swellings, they should be changed as often as they be-
jcome dry, warm, or painful.

             COLD CATAPLASMS.

   Take fine Indian meal,  and  cold water enough  to
form a moist poultice.

             CLAY CATAPLASMS.

   Take blue or potter's clay, and cold water enough
to form a poultice; spread it  about an  inch thick, and
large enough to cover the affected part.  This and the
preceding are to be applied  where there are cases of
inflammation.

          EMOLIENT CATAPLASMS.

   Take either the fine or coarse Composition Powder;
add a sufficient quantity of hot water, and simmer them
over a slow fire a few  minutes: at the latter end  of
boiling, add fine powders of high wickup, to make it 
CATAPLASM*.
FINE COMPOSITION POWDER.
40
 of a mucilaginous quality.  This may be applied to
 burns, freezes, and  tumours,  either before  or  after
 breaking.

     DRY STIMULATING  CATAPLASMS.

   Take babery and white lily, one part each;  mustard
 seed and  ginger, one part; all made fine—and water
 enough to form a poultice.  After simmering it a few
 minutes over a slow fire, add a large table spoonful or
 two of flour, and apply it to cold swelling tumours, or
 ulcers;  it should be kept wet  with a strong decoction
 ofthe first part.

    FINE COMPOSITION  POWJ)ER, No 1.

   Take of babery, the bark of the roots; butterfly, the
 roots; crane's bill, the  roots;  swamp  snake  root, the
 roots; swamp plantain, the roots;  small lettuce, the
 roots; and sassafras, the  bark  of  the. roots; equal
 quantities—to which add one sixteenth part of cayenne
 —pulverize  into  a fine powder, and  mix.   To a tea
 spoonful of this mixture, add one gill of boiling water
 and a tea spoonful of sweetening.  This potion may be
 taken several limes a day,  in any case.  It eases pain,
 q.sickens the circulation ofthe fluids, and strengthens
 and fortifies the system in general.   It  is often used as
a preparatory for an emetick;  when used  for  that
 purpose,  it should be taken three or  four times, at
 intervals of about twenty minutes, previously to taking
 the emetick: the emetick may  be taken  about ten
 minutes after taking the third or fourth potion ofthe
preparatory;  this process  should  be repeated until it
operates sufficiently.

   FINE COMPOSITION POWDER,  No. 2.

  Take of sweet  fern,  the bark  of the roots; large
'■Mtuce, the foots; white lily, the roots; hemlock, the 
 50  COMPOSITION, CHOLICK, AND COUGH POWDERS.

 bark;  small  angelica, the roots; unicorn, the roots;
 and low buckhorn, the roots; equal quantities—add one
 sixteenth part of cayenne—pulverize to a fine powder,
 and mix:  to be prepared and taken in the same manner
 is the preceding.

     COARSE COMPOSITION POWDER.

   Take of babery, the bark of the roots;  high brier,
 the roots; winter  brake, the roots;  moosewood, the
 back;  white lily, the roots;  marsh rosemary, tire roots;
 wild lettuce, the leaves and roots; equal parts—pul-
 verize into a coarse powder, and mix.  To two table
 spoonfuls, add  three half pints of boiling water, and
 let it steep a few  minutes on a slow:  fire; to a gill of
 this preparation, add an eighth part of a tea spoonful
 of cayenne, and a tea spoonful of sugar, and take  it
 about blood warm.  This scours the mucus or slime in
 the stomach more  effectually than the two  preceding,
 consequently it does more execution, as a preparatory
 to an emetick.

             CHOLICK POWDER.

  Take of butterfly, the roots; white cohush, the roots
 or  berries; unicorn, the  roots; and  cayenne;  equal
parts—pulverize aud mix.   To a tea spoonful, add
one gill of boiling water, and take it every ten minutes,
until it gives relief.  It is to be employed in  cases of
bilious  or wind  cholicks.

               COUGH POWDER.
  Take of butterfly, the roots; elecampane, the roots;
swamp snake root, the  roots; white snake root, the
roots; wild turnip, the roots; skunk cabbage, the roots;
equal quantities—pulverize and mix.   A tea spoonful
to be taken several  times a day, in a gill of hot water,
sweetened-' This composition may be prepared  in  a 
DIAP1I0RETICK.  DIURETICK.  EMETICK.
 syrup, as follows: put half a pound of this mixture,
 and three quarts of pure cold water, into a vessel pasted
 tight; bake it in an oven until the water is half evapo-
 rated; strain off the clear liquor, and add four ounces
 of sugar, and a pint of brandy or spirits; then put it
 into a bottle corked tight for use.   A small glass to be
 taken several times a day.  These preparations are
 used  for affections of the lungs.

   DIAPHORETICK or  SWEETENING TEA.

   Take of blue scull cap,  the leaves;  small  snake
 weed, the leaves; arch angel,  (the aromatick kind,)
 the leaves;  cuckold, the leaves  and roots;  white ver-
 vine, the tops and roots;  and marjoram,  the leaves
 and flowers—mix.  An ounce to be infused in a quart
 of pure water—from a gill  to a half pint may be taken
 every twenty or thirty minutes;  to be employed in
 cases of colds or fevers.  It opens the obstructions of
 the fluids, eases pains, and promotes a copious perspi-
 ration, if taken (reely.

            DIURETICK POWDER.

   Take  of  dwarf elder, the roots; high queen ofthe
 meadow, the roots; rushes, the tops; wild carrot, the
 seed; small  lettuce, the leaves and roots; pellitory of
 the wall, the tops and  roots; and  swamp snake root,
 the tops and roots—bruise and mix. One ounce to fe
 infused in a quart of soft water, and a gill or more
 taken  at once, in ca-es of strangury or  gravel, and
 repeated as often as the patient can bear, till it gives
 relief.

             EMETICK POWDER.

  Take  the leaves, pods,  and  seeds of lobelia, and
make  them into a fine powder;  add a  small quantity
of cayenne and the oil of wintergreen, and keep them 
52        £METICK SOLUTION.  POWDER?.
 in  a tight vessel for use.  From one  half to a  tea
 spoonful may be taken at once, in half a gill of warm
 water  sweetened; repeat the dose till it operates.  It
 should be recollected that boiling water destroys, in a
 great measure, the emetick quality.  It may be cm-
 ployed in all cases and stages of disease, at  any age,
 and in any situation, with safety.

              EMETICK SOLUTION.

   Take of lobelia, the green herb when in blow, one
 pound, bruised; and proof spirits, one quart; put them
♦into a  bottle corked  tight for  use:  Or, steep them in
 an  earthen  vessel  twelve hours; then  strain  off the
 juice, and put it into  a tight bottle for use.  From one
 to four tea spoonfuls may be taken at once.   It is not
 so sure to operate as an emetick in this state as in the
 preceding.   This preparation is employed in cases of
 asthma, lockjaw,  spasms, hysterical complaints,  he.
 It ^sometimes excites a  strange sensation,  for  a  few
 minutes, directly after it is taken—it should not, how-
 ever, excite any alarm, as experience has abundantly
 proved that no harm ever arises from it, when properly
 administered.

          EXPECTORANT POWDER.

   Take of lobelia, the seeds, two parts;  Seneca snake
 j&dr and wake robin, equal  quantities, one  part; and
 mandrake, the roots, onefiart—pulverize fine and mix.
 Take what would  lie  on the point of a penknife twice,
 in half a table spoonful  of cold  water; repeat every
 ten  minutes,  until it causes a nau-ea or spitting.

            ERYSEPALIS POWDER.
   Take of cuckold, the leaves, seeds, and roots; ele-
 campane, the roots; and green  ozier, the bark; equal
 parts—pulverize into a coarse powder, and mix.  One 
    BYE WATER.  Ifch ointment,   lavements.   53

ounce to be steeped in one quart of boiling water, and
a gill taken several times a day.

                 EYE WATER.

   Take  of green oYier, the bark scraped fine, one
ounce;  add three gills  of soft water; infuse or steep
them a  few minutes, and  wet the  eyes affected, with
this decoction, several times a day, applied either warm
or cold.   It will  remove both inflammation  and hu-
mours of the eyes.

               ITCH  OINTMENT.
   Take  of yellow  dock,  the roots; elecampane, the
roots; and white  eliver,  the roots, fresh;4 equal quanti-
ties—bruise and put them into an earthen" vessel; add
as much cream or fresh  butter as will cover the whole,
and expose them  for three  days to sand  heat;  then
strain off the decoction  into  a vessel for use.   To be-
well rubbed on the  parts effected every night, till the
disease ceases  to be troublesome.

            aaucmeiits, or €lsstctrjs.
  Lavements or clysters are  a liquid medicine, injected
into the rectum by means of a pipe or syringe;  they
should always  be  employed in cases of dysentery, cos-
tiveness,  piles, cholicks, debility of the intestines, he.
and  should be prepared of such specificks as tend to^
subdue or remove the complaint.   They are also  used
to nourish the body, when there is great  difficulty in
swallowing, or when the stomach is too weak to re-
ceive food.

           MUCILAGE  LAVEMENT.

  Take a tea spoon  three times full ofthe powders of
high wickup, or four of the  powders of slippery elm,
and dissolve it  in half a pint  of strong tea made ofthe
                       6* 
  54      LAVEMENTS.   OINTMENT.  PLASTER.

  coarse composition powder.  To be used frequently in
  cases of dysentery, or inflammation ofthe intestines.

           ASTRINGENT LAVEMENT.

    Make a strong decoction of the fine or  coarse com-
  position powder.  If the nervous system is weak, arid
  a tea spoonful ofthe powders of lady slipper.   To be
  used in cases of debility, piles, pain in the bowels, he.

             LAXATIVE  LAVEMENT.

    Take a  tea spoonful of the powders  of blood root;
  one of the emetick powders; one of mandrake;  half a
  tea spoonful of cayenne;  and  half a pint of boiling
  water;  then add one ounce of fresh butter or sweet oil.
  To be used in cases of cholick or costiveness.

             NUTRITIVE LAVEMENT.

 *  Take soup, beef tea, or meat jellies:  they should be
  thrown up by a longer tube than common.  These are
  to be used in cases of debility, and as often as circum-
  stances require.

               NERVE OINTMENT.

    Take of bittersweet,  the bark ofthe roots; pellitory
  ofthe wall; and mullein flowers; one pound each, all
  fresh—bruise them and add one gallon of bear's oil, or
4Pany other soft oil; simmer the whole in an earthen or
  iron vessel six hours, over a slow fire;  then strain it off;
  add one pint of spirits  of turpentine, and keep it close
  corked for use.   To  be applied to sprains, bruises,
  contracted tendons, &c.

              RUPTURE  PLASTER.

    Take of fresh  buckhorn bruised, one  part; fresh
  crane's bill bruised, two parts; and white  pine turpen-
  tine, enough to form  a plaster; blend them well to- 
    CATARRH, HEADACH, AND POLYPUS SNUFFS.  55

gether—spread  the composition  on a thin piece  of
leather large enough to cover the affected part, and re-
new it once or twice a week—to be worn under a truss,
and continued some time after the breach is healed.

                    SALVE.

  Take one  pound of beeswax: one pound of salt
butter; and two pound? of white pine  turpentine—♦
melt them together; then  strain  it off for use.  Fir
balsam may be added.  To  be  spread  on lint,  and
applied to fresh wounds or  old  ulcers—it possesses
both a drawing and a healing quality.

              CATARRH  SNUFF.
  Take the roots  of  white eliver, and pulverize and
sift them through  a fine sieve—to. be  used several
times a day.

              HEADACH  SNUFF.
  Take the  bark  of babery roots,  or  wandering
milkweed; pulverize and sift it  through a fine sieve.
To be used for obstructions or pains of the head.

               POLYPUS SNUFF.

  The powders  of blood root, used several times a day,
proves a sure  remedy.

  The above snuffs may be  scented, either with  the
oil of wintergreen,  sassafras, or golden rod, to render
them more pleasant.  They possess a quality superiour
to common snuffs, affording relief without clogging
the passages from the  head, or afiecting  the speech or
memory.

    STRENGTHENING PLASTER, No. 1.

  Take of the  extract of red beech bark, one part;
and rosin and turpentine, equal  parts; melt the rosin 
 DO    TOOTH DROPS AND POWDER.   CAUSTICK.

 and  turpentine together,  first; then add the extract—
 stir them until they are well blended.  To be spread
 tm thin leather and applied to the weak parts.

      STRENGTHENING PLASTER, No. 2.

   Take the roots of crane's bill, cumfrey and spikenard,
 fresh;  bruise them fine, and add  turpentine enough to
^brra a plaster.  To be applied as the above.

                 TOOTH DROPS.

   Oil of marjoram.  This hot oil seldom fails to give
 immediate relief to the pain proceeding from a hollow
 tooth,  at the commencement  of the  attack.   Dip a
 piece of lint, the size ofthe cavity, in the oil, and place
 it in the hollow of the affected tooth.

                TOOTH  POWDER.

    Take the barks of babery,  yellow  oak, and  black
 alder,  equal quantities-«-pulverize and mix—to  which
 may be added one part ginger.  To be applied In the
 powder or decoction, with a  brush or the end of the
 finger.   It cleanses the teeth and gums from scurvy or
 scorbutick matter, gives the enamel  a smooth polish,
 and a white  appearance, strengthens  the gums and
 loose teeth, and, if regularly used, prevents them from
 decaying.

          ,'  VEGETABLE CAUSTICK.

    Take of babery, the tops and roots; black or yellow
 ash, the bark; and green ozier, the shrubs and roots,
 all fresh; burn them; leach the  ashes through a small
  quantity of strong lime; boil the lye down to the con-
  sistence of turpentine, and put  it into bottles corked
  tight for use,  This caustick  has a superiour quality
  and  strength, without  causing any  swelling or in-
  flammation,  which are generally produced  by other
  causticUs. 
DECOCTIONS.
   The difference between Decoctions and  Infusions
 consists only in the mode of extracting the qualities of
 various substances, by the use of water more or less
 heated.  Decoctions are made with boiling water, over
 a heat producing evaporation.  In this way substances
 are decomposed while their medical properties are ex-
 tracted, and their volatile or aromatick qualities are
 dissipated.  By  this  process the  peculiar virtues of
 many plants may be wasted,  and the preparation ren-
 dered less efficacious,  than if made by  an infusion.
   Infusions or  teas are made by pouring water, either
 hot or cold, upon the substance  after being bruised,
 and steeping it a proper time in a covered vessel, be-
 fore it be poured or strained off for use.   When any
 articles possessing volatile qualities  are to be used in
 syrups or decoctions,  they should be added when the
 boiling of the other articles is nearly finished.
   Syrups differ from decoctions only,  in the addition
 of sweetening and spirits; by which they become more
 palatable, and will keep longer without fermentation.
   It should be recollected that the efficacy of medicine
 depends much on its  freshness and purity;  and  that
 any alteration made by fermentation, or freezing, ren-
 der- them not only useless, but very hurtful.  The wa-
ter used in preparing medicine should be soft and pure.
Snow water is purest,  aud much to be preferred.  Next
to this, is distilled, or  rain water; and lastly, spring
water, when no better can be obtained.
  Syrups are generally prepared in  earthen vessels
covered tight with a  paste or crust,  and baked in an
oven:  The quantity of spirits added may usually be
about one fourth, or one third, of the whole quantity,
when prepared;  and  the sweetening should  be suffi-
cient to render  it palatable. 
TEMPERANCE.
  By Temperance, in this place, is meant moderation
in the use of food,  drink, and exercise.  It is the first
requisite for preventing disease, establishing health,
and obtaining a happy old age.   The stomach readily
discovers  when  it  has  received  its sufficiency;  and
warns us,  by its distention and consequent uneasiness,
or nausea, when any thing improper has been received.
Those,  therefore, who  desire health, must follow the
dictates of common sense, practice a little necessary
self denial,  nor yield  the reins of government to a
dainty or  insatiable appetite.
  Moderate exercise is also essential to health.  If our
exercise be of the most useful kind, it  will furnish us
with our daily food, and place us beyond the reach of
want, besides imparting vigour to the body, and energy
to the mind.    It  excites a  general salutary^ action
throughout the system, promotes the regular secretions,
and  gives an appetite  and  relish  for  that nutriment
which repairs and supports the corporeal machine.
  The all-wise Creator has made ample provision for
the  support and comfort of man.   He has  provided
food as the proper remedy for hunger, water for thirst,
rest for weariness, and medicine  for sickness and pain.
Using these gifts  according to the intention of the
giver, they will prove blessings.   But how different is
the  present race of  men  from those of ancient times!
How  degenerate the  human constitution!  if we may
credit the accounts  of history.   How few attain to old
age, spend  their days  in health, and  die a natural
death!  Has the course of nature changed?   Are the
elements  le-_s  pure?  Is the earth  less  bountiful—the
seasons less  benign?  No.   But men have become less
temperate.  They  are self indulgent, luxurious, and
dissipated;  and this accounts for their degeneracy.— 
GENERAL COURSE OP MEDICINE.
59
Let those who desire the health, the energy, and old
age of our forefathers, practice their self denial, adopt
their  more simple regimen, and  be guided by their
plain common sense.

                 STEAMING,
                       AND

       Che Enteral Course ot ^eoicfue.

   Steaming is extremely useful and necessary in many
diseases.  It removes obstructions  in general, dissolves
congealed fluids,  promotes the regular secretions, and
excites a general action through the system.  It relieves
pains, reduces  febrile and  arterial excitement, expels
acrimony, putrescence and  miasma  through the con-
ducting  apertures of the surface.  It may  be safely
employed in almost any disease, age, op  situation.
   When the patient has a  high fever and severe pain
in the head, commence tjie  operation by first washing
the whole external surface with the alkali wash.   This
operation may be repeated  once or twice a  day  while
sweating.  Give the alkali  draught,  first in  small
quantities and often; i r  the  expectorant powders.—
After the excitement is a little abated, give either ofthe
composition  powders.  After repeating  this dose two
or three times, once in about  twenty minutes, give an
emetick.   Repeat the doses till it  operates effectually.
To promote a copious  perspiration, give  the alkali
draught  frequently; also,  a tea of cayenne.  In the
mean time the patient should stand or sit over a steam,
produced by a hot stoue, partly immersed in a vessel
of water.  He should be covered with a quilt or cover-
let, to confine the vapour.   Hemlock boughs, or  some
bitter herb in the water, reuders the steam more power-
ful and  pleasant.  A  little sharp vinegar  poured on
the hot stone, is  beneficial.  If the patient  be unable
to sit up, place a hot stone  at each side and near the 
 60        GENERAL COURSE OF MEDICINE.

 feet, wrapped first in a wet linen cloth, and a drj' cloth
 over  it.   Renew the steam as often as needful to keep
 up a  perspiration.  If the patient be very cold and de-
 bilitated, the hot stimulating medicine should be given
 more freely,  to support the strength, and increase the
 animal heat.   Should the  patient feel very weak and
 faint  while under the operation,  it usually proceeds
 from  one of  the  following causes:—1. Nausea at the
 stomach, occasioned by the natural operation of medi-
 cine and steam.   In which case, give a large draught
 of alkali made a little stronger than  usual, to  excite
 vomiting.  2. The pores may have become too much
 opened,  in consequence of the relaxed  state  of the
 nerves and fibres;  by which means the heat, the exci-
 ting cause  of motion, escapes too freely.   To obviate
 this, apply a small quantity of cold water to the face
 or-stomach, which will brace the nerves, and cause the
 pores  to contract.  3. It  sometimes is owing  to  the
 want  of fresh air; which the patient should,  in all
 cases, be allowed.
   The length of the operation should be prudently re-
 gulated according to the nature and circumstances of
 the disease.  It may be repeated daily, or every other
 day, a reasonable length of time; or it may  be follow-
 ed up continually till the disease be removed.  I have,
 in some cases, continued the operations night and day,
 for the space of three weeks, even when the patients, at
 the commencement, were very low.  Whenever a long
 operation is necessary, the  perspiration should be mo-
 derate: the  patient may  frequently take soups, beef
 tea, or chicken broth; and at the ordinary time for
meals, more substantial food.  In all cases, th'-y  should
take food whenever the appetite craves it.   At the close
of the operation, let the patient be washed all over with
spirits, vinegar, alkali wash, or cold water; and put on
a dry,  warm dress. In cases of much debility, flannel
should be worn next to the skin.  Exposure to cold
and damp places, must be carefully avoided, 
          OIET—OF YOUTH—OF MANHOOD.        * i


                     DIET.

  In treating of the prevention and  cure of disease?,
something may with  propriety be suggested on  the
subject of diet.  Many  diseases  doubtless  might be
removed, and many more prevented,  without the  use
of medicine, by  a proper  attention to diet, would per-
sons invariably  regard the  dictates of prudence.  In
considering this subject, I shall  endeavour  to suggest
something applicable  to  the various  periods of life,
hoping that  a word of friendly counsel  may not in
 very instance, at least, prove unavailing.-

               DIET OF  YOUTH.

  In the period of childhood and youth, the diet should
in a great measure consist of what are termed diluents,
or aliment in  a fluid state.   Vegetable food, with fre-»*
quent broths  o? soups, is the best kind of nourishment.
Milk,  in its various forms,  should constitute a  great
.u'opc rtion of the  ordinary  food.  Highly seasoned
food of every kind is out of place at this period.   Thq
appetite  ordinarily requires  no artificial excitements;
nor can the system  fail of being injured  by luxurious
and  stimulating food.   The appetite  will  not  crave
suclr food, till it has  already become vitiated by an
ill-judged species  of indulgence. Plain wholesome
food is best, and for drink, pure water  is preferable in
general to any other beverage.

             DIET OF  MANHOOD.

  The quantity of food requisite for the time of growth
may afterwards be in a measure diminished.  JFood of
a more stimulating nature may, however, become re-
quisite, in consequence of the arduous services usually
imposed on the man of mature years.  A due proportion.
of animal food doubtless becomes necessary,  especially 
62       IKLT--OF MANHOOD--OF OLD AGE.

for labouring people.  But the sedentary, the studious,
and the indolent need be cautioned against indulgence
in animal food and stimulating liquors.   Intemperance
in food or drink is usually followed by a train of evils
too numerous and baleful for description.  The health
is impaired, the mind enfeebled, and habits  contracted
which bring ruin  in  their train.  A diet moderately
 simulating may suit.with  such constitutions as  are
delicate and  irritable.   Fermented liquors, moderately
used, may prove salutary for such:  but these should
be cautiously avoided by the more sanguine and vigor-
ous, such as are more liable  to inflammatory diseases,
A vegetable diet,  and water for drink, will contribute
much  to their  health and  comfort.   Persons  of a
phlegmatick habit should avoid such diet as tends to
produce corpulency.  Stimulating food and drink are
thought to be less injurious to persons of this description
than almost any others.   A diet of yoyug meat, with
fruits and  fresh vegetables has been recommended, as
well adapted to persons of a dry habit;  also, the use of
wine  diluted with  water.   Temperance, both  with
respect to food and  drink, cannot be too scrupulously
 observed by persons of every age.

              DIET  OF OLD AGE.

   In old age, or after fifty five, as the second childhood
approaches, the habits of youth respecting diet, should
in some degree be  resumed.  Thus, broth or  soups
and other liquids should constitute a principal part of
the nutriment; such, generally, as shall be found easy
to digest, with a moderate portion of seasoning.  As
the appetite fails, it  may be excited in  some measure,
by a diet somewhat stimulating.  Well fermented li-
quors especially wine is recommended  as suitable for
this period.   The system requires to be cherished and
invigorated, except in habits which ?.re likely to be in-
jured by such regimen. 
         ult:2 0.' 1-11B SICK.  PHLEB0T0MJT.       0^

       DIET OF  DISEASED PERSONS.

   In selecting the species of food best adapted to dU
eased  persons,  the following will perhaps  be  most
likely to answer the purpose.  Fresh meat, with little
or no  seasoning, vegetable and  meat broths, barley
soup, gruel, chickens, or other fowls, oysters, beef tea,
milk,  rice, jellies,  and plain bread  puddings.   After
an emetick, the diet should be of a liquid kind.   After
the removal  of disease, the diet  should be  more sub-
stantial, stimulating, and nourishing.
   When food of any kind is prepared in water and to
be boiled, it should be prepared or mixed cold, and
boiled afterwards: thus, when gruel, thickened  milk,
he.  are intended, put  the thickening into cold water,
and stir  it well before putting it  over the fire to boil.
In this way it will be swelled more, and cooked  more
equally throughout, than if prepared and mixed  in the
act of boiling; and it will set lighter on the stomach,
   "There is one admonition highly necessary—it is
this: that  persons  taking medicines should pay  the
most implicit regard to the  directions given therewith,
and in particular to conform in  eating, drinking, he
for unless  the patient  will render his own  assistance
towards the operation  ofthe remedy, its efficacy must
certainly be weakened,  and often retarded, if not totally
destroyed.   Science may and does teach one how to
prepare and  apply the  productions of Nature, for  her
aid against diseases; but surely it is not  in the power
of all the medical men  to devise a specifick for inconsi-
derate  carelessness."

         i&hlrtototni), or JSiotto Sxttfufl.
   As bleeding ha? proved  far  worse than a useless
application to the afflicted, it is totally expunged from
this  system  of practice.    The  fatal  and disastrous
consequences arising from it daily, ought to convince
those who use such  unnatural means, that they are not 
64        PHLEBOTOMY, OR BLOOD LETTING.
only squandering the most precious fluid, but life itself.
   The following extracts from the Medical  Guide, by
that able and impartial writer, and friend to the human
family, Richard Rees, m. d. of London, will be  read
with unfeigned satisfaction, by all who are friendly to
a right understanding of this important subject.
   "The  operation  of bleeding  being  so  frequently
performed  by farriers and  barbers, it is generally re-
garded by the publick as trivial with respect to its exe-
cution.   However, whether we consider its influence
on the system, or the niceness of the mode, necessary
for effecting it, it is nearly equal  in importance to any
operation in surgery;  and hence many expert surgeons
have almost an invincible dislike to it,  while the person
ignorant of the great nicety, steadiness, and exactness,
necessary, as well  as the effect  on the constitution,
performs it with the  greatest freedom, but not with
uniform success; as is proved by the many melancholy
cases that are admitted into  our  hospitals,  in  conse-
quence of  the  ignorance of  the  operator,  either by
wounding a tendon, or puncturing an  artery.*
   "The symptoms of plethory,  and particularly  the
fulness of pulse, on which popular medical writers have
laid so  much stress,  as indicating the necessity of
bleeding, are very  fallacious; for inflammation  of
the lungs, brains, or bowels, is often attended  with  a
small and feeble pulse, which, after the  loss  of blood,
will become full and strong:  hence, again, in  apoplexy,
the pulse is rendered feeble  in ct>:iseq:vnce  of  the
compression of  the  brain, which, frequently after  tiie

  " * \ blacksmith in Herefortls: re, who had obtained aieat celebrity as
a bleeder, was  requested by his wife to take  a little blood from her  arm,
en  account of some slight indisposition.   The lancet having penetrated
the  brachial artery, and  his usual means of stopping the  flow of blood
failing, he  had recourse to pressing over the orifice  cobwebs  and lint,
with such force  that a considerable portion entered the wound   The blood
still continuing to ooze out, and the arm being considerably swollen, he
gent bei  to the Hereford Infirmary ; but the inflammation having extended
to the cln st, and mortification commenced, amputation was rendered im-
practicable, and the poor woman died the following day ?!" 
PHLEBOTOMY, OR BLOOD LETTING.         65
evacuation of blood, will so far rise as even to indicate
plenitude and strength;  and it often happens in drop-
sical complaints, where the loss of blood would prove
fatal to  the  patient, the pulse will beat with unusual
strength.  The pulse of an  old  person will feel hard
and firm, from the rigidity ofthe coats ofthe vessels."

      "PERIODICAL BLOOD LETTING.
   "The loss of blood at certain periods ofthe year, is
an errour very  common among  the lower  orders  of
people, and, 1 conceive, extremely inimical to the con-
stitution.  A celebrated author observes, that 'he who
wantonly or capriciously squanders this  vital  fluid,
obstructs, and, as it were, cuts off the sources of  his
support  and regeneration.'   The  most essential and
constituent parts ofthe human frame are formed from
the blood;* and though it be true that the blood eva-
cuated  by periodical bleeding is soon reproduced  by
the activity of the vital powers, yet this restoration is
only brought about with considerable  efforts, and  at
the expense  of the  whole machine.  Those persons,
who, from a notion of preventing diseases, suffer them-
selves to be bled regularly, once, twice, or oftener, in a
year, whether they are  indisposed or not, ought to  be
informed that they are using means wbich, if persisted
in, are  likely  prematurely to  bring upon them those
very diseases which they profess so much to dread, and
appear solicitous to  avert.   Where the habit has been
established, it may be safely and easily overcome  by
substituting in the place of bleeding, at those periods,
a gentle purgative;  and in order to prevent  its  future
necessity, to abstain as much as possible from animal
food  and  spiritous  liquors.   A vegetable. diet affords
the same support as  meat,  and has the very important
advantage of not producing plethory."

  " • « Tire blood is the life of man ;' that is, this frr.fd contains one of (he
princip'r* of vitality, oxygen, and distributes nourishment to  everyjpai£<jf
be body,"
                        7* 
               (Kcmstttucut $arts
                       OF

       THE  HUMAN MACHINE.

  The human machine is composed of solids and fluids,
which are subdivided into various parts and forms.
  The solids are divided into bones, cartilages or gris-
tles,   ligaments,  muscles,  tendons,  nerves,  vessels,
glands, and membranes: to these  may be added the
hair  and  nails.
  The fluids are divided into blood, perspirable matter
or 'sweat, pancreatick and  gastrick juices,  nervous
fluid, saliva secreted by the glands, bile or gall mucus,
earwax,  mucilaginous matter  of the  joints,  chyles,
lymph, fat, and marrow.
  Bones are the most solid and hard parts ofthe ma-
chine, forming the basis of shape and strength, being
externally lined with membranes, composed of nerves
and  blood vessels.  Their  insides are  concave and
spongy, having inward membranes, filled with marrow,
the office of which is  to molify and keep them tough
and  flexible.  They have nerves  and blood vessels
distributed through them.
  Cartilages or gristles are insensible, smooth, and
elastick substances, covering the ends of the bones that
have motion, to keep them firm in their proper places,
and  prevent them from irritation.
  Ligaments are  strong and  flexible cords,  to keep
bones and tendons in  their respective places.
  Muscles are flesh  divided  into distinct portions,
having power to contract or expand, and thereby pro-
duce motion.
  Tendons are composed of numerous muscular fibres,
which are more closely compacted and dense than the
fleshy fibres, and serve as braces. 
   CONSTITUENT PARTS OP THE HUMAN MACHINE.   67

   Nerves are soft white cords, originating from the
brain  and  spinal marrow,  spreading and  passing
through all  parts of the system, and  terminating mi-
nutely in the extremities.  They are supposed to con-
tain a subtile fluid, which gives immediate sensation.
   Glands are round kernels, composed of blood vessels,
nerves, and excretory ducts; their offices  are to sepa-
rate a fluid to moisten or secrete saliva.
   Membranes are thin coverings of interwoven fibres,
forming a covering similar to a bladder, which has an
exquisite sensation.
   Vessels are conducting  tubes, composed of mem-
branes.  They constitute the blood and secretory ves-
sels, and excretory and lymphatick ducts.  These are
divided into three systems, which are called the vascular
system, the  nervous system,  and the  cellular  system.
The absorbent vessels are the  lymphaticks and lacteals;
the  former arises from the surface of all parts of the
body, conducting a watery fluid to different parts  of
the  system.  They likewise form the  conducting pas-
sage for the superabundant heat and  perspiration, to
the  surface.   The  lacteals arises from the  intestines'
absorbing a milky substance, extracted from the aliment
in the intestines, and conveying it to the receptaculum.
chyle, thoracick duct, and left subclavian vein.
   Secretory vessels are small tubes or  strainers in the
organs, separating viscous or extraneous matter from
the fluids.
   Excretory vessels, or tubes called ducts:  their office
is to convey superfluous or excrementitious matter from
the system.

      Seat of the (Ersafis, an*  tftcfr <©ft*ce.

   "For the purpose-of imparting this information, I
shall offer a cursory view ofthe principles of life, and
the laws of those organs which animate, continue, and
regulate  the  animal machine; of those which are en- 
68    SEAT 0E THE ORGANS, AND THEIR OFFICE.

gaged in the nourishment or support of the body; and
those whose office  is to convey superfluous or excre-
mentitious matter from it.
  "The leading principle with which I set out, and
which I believe will be conceded by every philosopher,
is, that  heat is the great exciting cause of animal life.
This is proved by the analogy of vegetation; for, when
diminished to a certain degree, the vegetable creation
droops, languishes, and  dies.   It is by heat the seed
is reared  into the stem, blossoms, and  produces fruit.
Nor in animal life is its power less extensive.  By heal
incubation  proceeds, the impregnated ovum is ani-
mated,  formed into structure, and the animal frame
completed in all its functions.   The importance of this
principle  is identified throughout all  creation, being
evident.  The question that naturally arises is, whence
is the source from which, in the animal machine, it is
derived and perpetuated.
  "The brain is the seat of sensation and volition, and,
by a variety of experiments, is clearly concerned in the
production of animal heat.   If the communication of a
part with  the brain be cut off by dividing the principal
nerves,  the heat is considerably diminished, and,  by
tying the  principal  artery, so as to prevent the flow of
blood through it, the  same effect will follow, which
show that the evolution  of heal is dependent on both
the nerves and arterial blood.   Analogy also confirms
this, and demonstrates that heat is the effect of decom-
position, and consequently is the result of more than one
power.  This we see exemplified in fire, where oxygen
is necessary to combustion.  In explaining, then, the
origin of animal heat, it may be observed that oxygen,
the  principle  of combustion,  is supplied from the
atmosphere by the  lungs during respiration:  and that
this  oxygen, combining with the red particles  of the
blood, imparts to  it its brightness and florid colour.
That the  blood  thus oxygenated, or having  received
the principle of heat, is propelled by the heart through 
        THORAX.  PLEURA.   LUNGS.  HEART.     G9

 the arterial system to every part ofthe body. - It is in
 its passage through these vessels that  it parV,  with
 its oxygen,  when it is returned  again to  the  heart
 by another series of vessels termed veins, to  be trans-
 mitted  through the  lungs,  for the purpose  of being
 re-oxygenated.  Hence the  blood in the veins  and
 arteries exhibit different appearances, that ofthe latter
 being bright and florid, while the former is of a  dark
 colour, in consequence of the absence of oxygen."

                Elioraj: or breast

   "This is a large cavity, somewhat in the shape of a
 cone, reaching  from the lower part of the neck to the
 abdomen, from which it is divided by the diaphragm or
 midriff. It contains the pleura, the lungs, the thymus
 gland, (in children) the oesophagus, the ductus thoroci-
 cus, the arch ofthe aorta, branches ofthe venae cavae,
 the vena azygos,  the pericardium, the  heart, the par
 vagum, and the great intercostal nerves.
   " The Pleura is the membrane that lines the  thorax or
 chest, intercostal muscles, and lungs;  it covers the ribs
 internally, and forms the mediastinum  and pericardium.
   " The Lungs  are situated in the chest, and are di-
 vided into  two large portions, called lobes, the one  on
 the right and the other on the left side, which  are sepa-
 rated from each other by a transverse membrane, called
 mediastinum, dividing the chest into two equal cavities.
 The lungs, besides their external  membranes and cel-
 lular texture, of which they  are composed, are a  con-
 geries of air vessels from the wind pipe.
   " The. Heart is  a hollow, muscular viscus,  enclosed
by the membrane called pericardium,  resting  upon the
diaphragm.  It  propels the  blood by its contracting
power, termed systole.   The circulation ofthe blood is
performed thus:  the blood is received  from the arteries
 by the vein>, and is returned by the superiour and in-
li'iiour cava,  to the right auricle of the heart, which. 
70         THE ABDOMEN.   THE STOMACH.

becoming distended, contracts and empties its  blood
into the right ventricle^   The right ventricle then con-
tracts and  propels  the blood through  the pulmonary
artery into the lungs, there  to  undergo a peculiar
change, and to  be conveyed  by the four pulmonary
veins into the left auricle.  The left auricle being dis-
tended, evacuates its blood into the left ventricle.   The
left ventricle propels the blood through the aorta, to be
circulated by the arteries, and again to be returned by
the veins to the heart."

                    ^irtromen.

  " The abdomen contains the omentum, the stomach,
the large and small intestines, the liver and  gall bladder,
the mesentary, the  lacteal vessels, the thoracick  duct,
♦he spleen, the  pancreas, the  kidneys  and suprarenal
capsules, part of* the aorta descendens, and vena cava
ascendens.
  "T%e Stomach  is situated  immediately under the
liver, which covers a great part of it above,  and latterly;
it is  placed transversely in  the left hypochondres re-
gion, from right to left, but somewhat obliquely, so that
its left or upper orifice, called cardia, which is continued
to the oesophagus, lies more towards the vertebrae; awl
the right or lower, called pylorus, which opens into the
intestine duodenum, more anteriour.   It  is composed
of three membranes, which  secrete a  slimy matter, to
protect its internal surface.  Digestion is performed in
the stomach immediately after  receiving  the  food.
The  food thus mixed  with  the gastrick juice forms a
slimy mass, termed chyme,  and as it passes from the
stomach into the intestines, its next receptacle, there is
separated  from it a fluid of a milky appearance termed
chyle, and  nature  has studiously provided that this
chyle, or nourishing part of the food, should be con-
veyed to the circulation, for the support of the body.
The intestines are accordingly furnished with absorbent 
             OF THE INTESTINES.  DIGESTION.       71

   vessels, termed lacteals, the mouths of which are spread
   every where over the internal surface, for the purpose
   of taking up the nutrient part of the digested aliment."
     "The length ofthe intestines of man is no less than
   nine times the length of his body, that a great  and suf-
   ficient surface  may be exposed for the action  of the
   absorbent vessels;  and this is further increased by
   numerous folds ofthe internal coat, which detain also
   the fluid in its passage for the same wise purpose;  thus
   the Jntestines,  from their situation, their  length, their
   different diameters, thicknesses, and folds, may be com-
   pared not unaptly to the root of a vegetable, which
   spreads its  fibres to a great extent, and in  different
   directions, to draw nourishment from every part ofthe
   surrounding soil.  This comparison shows the impor-
   tance of taking proper food, and of its  being  properly
   digested  or  assimilated, for the health and strength of
   a vegetable depends  on the quality of the soil from
   whence it draws  its support.   The great purport of
   taking food to an adult being to support the body in
   the mutation which it is constantly undergoing, a sup-
   ply of  aliment is found to  be  necessary about three
   times in the space of twenty-four hours.  As the chyle
   furnished by this supply is  deposited by the  nutrient
   vessels, the old particles are removed; thus,  we may
   be said, while in  life, to be in the midst of death.   The
   set  of vessels which take  up the old matter, termed
s  absorbents, convey their contents to the mass  of blood,
   from which it is separated by certain organs, and con-
   veyed out of the body.  The organs appropriated for
   this purpose are the liver, the kidneys, and glands of
   the intestines.   Of these,  the  liver  is the principal.
   By it is secreted the bile, which may be considered as
   merely containing the whole feculencies of the blood.
   It has been asserted that the bile tends  to promote the
   digestion of our food; but,  had the Creator  intended
   such an office for this  secretion, it would have been
   emptied into the organ in which digestion is performed, 
n
THE LIVER, THE KIDNEYS, AND BILE.
 viz. the  stomach, and not into the intestines.  But so
 far  from its promoting digestion, it  is found that the
 presence of bile in the stomach  never fails  to disturb
 that organ, so as to excite nausea, and often violent
 vomiting.   The bile, by being emptied into the upper
 part ofthe intestines, may be intended to keep up  their
 peristatjck motion.   The office of the liver is therefore
 a most important one in the animal economy.   Thus
 whatever stimulates this organ, and occasions its more
 vigorous and  complete action in the separation of the
 bile, proves highly useful in the cure of  a  variety of
 diseases, by purifying the blood, and keeping up  the
 peristatick motion of the intestines.   It is the largest
 vi?cus in the abdomen, placed in the right hypochon-
 dres  region,  and  partly  in  the spigastrick region
 It is divided  into three  lobes, is suspended by  five
 ligaments, and  is composed of arteries, veins,  nerves,
 absorbents, excretory ducts, and cellular membranes,
 and is covered by the peritonaeum.
   "Next to the liver, as separating useless parts from
 the blood, may be noticed the kidneys.  By this outlet
 is carried off superfluous water, and the aqueous part
 of our food, which is not appropriated to nourishment,
 the quantity of which amounts daily  to some pounds.
 Besides  the feculent  matter contained in the canal of
 the intestines from the  superfluous parts of  the food,
 there seems to be secreted also from the internal surface
 6f this part, a feculent matter, which constitutes a part
 ofthe foeces discharged from the intestines.
   " The  skin may also be an outlet for superfluous mat-
 ter ofthe watery kind; but this discharge appears to be
principally, if not solely, for the purpose of regulating
the  temperature of  the  body during the  diffeicnt
changes  that take place in the atmosphere, and under
disease.  The vicissitudes ofthe atmosphere, more th; n
impurity, or any chymical  combination, are the rr;;f
causes, of disease to tb.e animal frafne." 
                THEIR

Causes, Symptoms, ^Treatment, $x.

      ARRANGE*) IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.
                   ABORTION.

   As every woman in a pregnant state is more or less
 liable to abortion, the greatest care should betaken to
 guard against it.  It not only debilitates the constitu-
 tion generally;  but renders those who have once suf-
 fered by it more liable to the same  misfortune after-
 wards.  It is most likely to take place in the second or
 third month.  Sometimes it occurs later.   Ifit happen
 after the seventh month, the child may be kept alive by
 proper care.
   Causes.—Violent exercise and fatigue, by lifting or
 carrving heavy burdens, &c;  falls, bruises, jars, as in
jumping; sudden frights or violent emotions; excessive
 evacuations, vomiting, coughing, convulsions, fits,  re-
 laxations and weakness ofthe nervous system.,
   S.mi-'toms.— The signs of approaching abortion are
 similar to tho*e of natural labour; such as pains in the
 back, loins, and lower part of the bowels; nausea or
 sickness  of the  stomach; severe chills;  pains in the
 u, ido ofthe thighs; the breast becomes soft; evacua-
 tions of blood or water from the womb.
   Pkeventives.—Frequent  moderate exercise  in the
 open air will be found useful.  Persons of relaxed
 habits should  take solid food, rise  early, and  avoid
 damp places.  The stomach  should  be kept in  order
 by the frequent use of the restoring bitters and compo-
 sition  powder.  The bowels  also should he kept free 
 "'A    AGUE--ITS SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT.

 by mild aperients or laxatives.  The general course of
 medicine may be resorted to, in any stage of pregnancy.
 The cold bath is also very proper, particularly in re-
 laxations ofthe muscular fibres, he.

                      AGUE.

   This disease is peculiar to such parts ofthe country
 as abound with marshes, or impure and stagnant waters.
 It is supposed to be occasioned by inhaling the effluvia
 arising from such places,  and  drinking impure water.
 This disease generally produces derangement in every
 part of the bod}'.  When there is a clear  intermission
 between the paroxysms or fits,  it  is termed intermitting
fever.   The fits usually have a regular  periodical re-
 currence, in some instances recurring  every day; in
 others, every second or third day.   The  disease is most
 prevalent in spring and summer.
   Symptoms.—It begins  with  a  morbid  irritation, a
 loss of appetite and strength; a dullness of spirits and
 nausea.  The countenance becomes  wan;  the urine
 high coloured; the habit  costive; pain  and weakness
 in the feet and legs;  frequent yawning, stretching, he.
 occur;  and cold  streaks  running up and  down the
 back.   The cold fit begins with a remarkable shiver-
 ing, which  agitates  the  whole body, and  continues
 about  an  hour.   This is  gradually  succeeded  by a
 degree of heat rising to an intense and extreme degree;
 with pain in the head, delirium, quickness -of pulse, and
 thirst.   After the heat has  abated, a copious perspira-
 tion ensues, which diminishes the  vitality and strength
 ofthe body.
   Treatment.—The general  course of medicine, in
the commencement ofthe attack,  proves an immediate
 and sovereign remedy.   If the disease  be suffered to
 prevail  long, the habit in consequence becomes more
 debilitated, the disease, gains strength, the organs of
secretion become more morbid and less able to perform 
    APOPLEXY—ITS SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT.    75

 their office.  It becomes necessary under these circum-
 stances, to produce and maintain a general action, to
 make free use of the antibilious powder, or cold  bath,
 or both means combined.   The patient should take a
 nutritious and generous diet, and moderate exercise.
 By such treatment, I have known  several patients re-
 lieved in  six hours, even after the disease had become
 strongly seated.

                   APOPLEXY.

   An apoplectick fit is a sudden deprivation, in some
 degree, of sense  and of voluntary motion, occasioned
 by a compression of the brain, in consequence of an
 over  distention of the blood vessels of the head.  This
 disease usually attacks such persons as have passed the
 middle stage of life.  Its victims usually are persons of
 full and corpulent habits, with a short neck; such as
 lead  an inactive life, indulge themselves in luxury,  and
 make free use of fermented liquors.
   Symptoms.—Apoplexy  is  sometimes preceded by
 headach, giddiness, drowsiness, numbness in the extre-
 mities, and  dimness of sight.  More usually without
■ much previous indisposition, the person falls down sud-
 denly; the face appears florid and bloated; the blood
 vessels ofthe head and neck appear distended; breath-
 ing difficult, accompanied  by a  snorting noise;  pro-
 found  sleep; weak pulse  at the wrist, While in  the
 head, the arteries beat with increased  force.
   Treatment.—The first and main object should be
 to diminish  the quantity of blood in the head, and to
 produce an equal balance of blood throughout the sys-
 tem.   The head  should be elevated,  and the feet and
 hands placed in warm water.  If it can be readily done,
 scarifying round  the head and neck,  and between the
 shoulders, would tend to diminish the unnatural pres-
 sure.   The body ma\ also be washed with   the alkali
 and scoke wash,  followed  by a moderate steam.  The 
76     ASTHMA—ITS CAUSES, AND TREATMENT.

headach snuff may prove beneficial, by promoting  the
secretions of the nostrils, and producing sneezing.   A
laxative lavement, may also be proper.

                    ASTHMA.

  This disease is one of the most distressing, and when
it has long prevailed, one ofthe most difficult to cure.
Authors have reckoned  several species of this disease;
but I choose to consider it as one, viz. a debilitated and
diseased state ofthe lungs.  Like all other diseases, it
has  several stages, some  of which are more curable
than others.
  When there is a discharge of phlegm from thehmgs,
it is called humoural: asthma;  when  there  is no dis-
charge, it is called dry Usthma.   It appears to be under
the influence of the atmosphere, certain  temperatures
of which excite and irritate the  complaint. The re-
spiratory organs are thrown into a state of contraction,
which  prevents the expansion of the lungs.   Thus the
circulation of the blood through the lungs, being im-
peded  by the obstructions, it consequently  passes im-
properly oxygenated.  The patient is often attacked
on a sudden with difficult-breathing, or wheezing; the
vessels of the neck  and  temples become distended, the
countenance livid, the pulse high, which is succeeded
by a drowsy stupor and languor ofthe whole body.
  Causes.—The remote or inducing cause sometimes
may be violent  exercise or running, which  excites the
lungs to so high an  action as to debilitate  their powers.
The disease sometimes recurs in consequence of cool-
ing the lungs too suddenly, by obstructions of the  re-
spiratory organs occasioned by chills or colds which
congeal the fluids; also, by humours seating  on the
lungs.
  Treatment.—The first and principal thing to be
attempted is to  abate the excitement of the  lungs, and
diminish the pressure of blood.   When the paroxism 
              ASTHMA.  BARRENNESS.            77

occurs, give a tea spoonful*  of the  emetick solution,
and repeat the dose every ten minutes till the excite-
ment be lowered.   The expectorant powders  have
nearly the same effect.   After the paroxism abates, the
patient may take occasionally a tea spoonful of the
powders of the butterfly root, or the  powders of skunk
cabbage, or the composition  in a tea cupful of hot wa-
ter.  Also, the general course  of  medicine may be
pursued in any stage of the complaint, and is highly
necessary under the evaporation of heat.  During this
process, the scoke root wash performs a very impor-
tant part, by exciting the action ofthe muscles and the
moving fibres.  This made of treatment has given re-
lief in a case where the patient was not expected to live
an  hour.   The diet should be light  and easy of diges-
tion: vegetables  should  constitute the principal part.
Pure water is the best beverage.

                 BARRENNESS.

  The  inability of propagation is sometimes incident
to both sexes, but more commonly to  the  female.  It
proceeds from a variety of causes, the more frequejit of
which are immoderate evacuations; suppression ofthe
menses;  disease ofthe ova and womb; debility ofthe
system, occasioned by a secret vice;  or injuries occa-
sioned by frequent miscarriages.  All that is to be done
by  art, is  to  improve the health, promote  moderate
secretions,  remove  local obstructions, and strengthen
the  nervous system.  To aid  iu this,  the general course
of medicine will be useful, with  cold bathing and ex-
ercise in the open air.   I have known several weakly,
barren women, become, at length, healthy mothers, by
this mode of treatment.
  * T!.b dose miy be increased to a table spoonful without danger.  If
often gives a strange, deathlike feeling, which, however, need not give
ilarm.
                        8* 
ii             BLEEDING AT THE NOM

         BLEEDING AT  THE  NOSE.

  A spontaneous discharge of blood from  the nose,
may arise from a variety of causes: sometimes from an
unequal balance ofthe blood, from its being in a very
thin state, or from obstructions of the system.   It  is
usually preceded by headach and coldness ofthe extre-
mities.  It usually  afflicts young people of delicate
constitutions, chiefly in warm weather.
  Remedy.—A snuff of the red  birth  root may be
occasionally used.  Cold water, sprinkled on the back
ofthe patient, so as to occasion shivering, often aflbrds
relief.  Catnip, bruised, and moistened with spirits or
vinegar, and  applied across the centre  of the nose,
gives relief.  Should these fall, a general operation of
medicine may be tried.

       BLOOD DISCHARGED FROM THE BLADDER.
  This commonly proceeds  from  external  injuries,
such as blows or strains;  in  which case the mucilages
should be taken.   The  buckhorn  and  high wickup,
made into a tea, are the most proper.  The balsam o
fir  has also proved  particularly serviceable.  Half a
tea  spoonful of this, mixed with a suitable quantity of
refined sugar, made into a powder, may be taken three
tunes a day.  If the disorder  proceed  from the stone in
the bladder, or gravel in the kidneys or  ureters,  then
the diuretick powder will  be proper.  If ulceration be
the cause, (which may be known by a mixture of matter
with the bloody discharge,) a decoction  of the small
life everlasting and swamp.snake root, either combined
or used separately, has usually a good effect.  If the
system be  extensively diseased or  debilitated, health
must be improved by the general course  of medicine.

                      BILES.
  Biles  are a  sure  indication  of a  diseased  body,
arising from a virulent state ofthe blood.  Their  sup- 
BILES.  BURNS AND SCALDS.
79
  puration should be promoted by drawing and sweating
  applications.   The leaves of  moosewood, or oxbalm,
  applied fresh, produce a very good effect—also, cab-
  bage leaves weticd.  A plaster made of rosin and pitch
  should be applied after the swelling is reduced.
     Preventives.—A  tea of burdock root or sarsapa-
  rilla,  taken occasionally, proves beneficial.  Cupping
  directly on the part affected, in an early stage, prevents
  suppuration.  When  they  appear  deep beneath  the
  skin,  producing  high  inflammation in the  cellular
  substance, cold poultice* may  be applied to allay the
  inflammation.   After this, an issue may be made on
  the most prominent part, by  the vegetable caustick, in
  the following manner:  Make a paste of rye or wheat
  middlings;  with this form a ring round the place, about
% an inch and a half thick, leaving a hole in the centre of
  a size proper for the issue, into which apply the caustick
  in quantity sufficient to  kill  the, flesh down to the af-
  fected part.  This will give vent, and prevent the in-
  crease ofthe tumour.  After which apply the sweating
  leaves or emollient poultices.  After it has come to  a
  suppuration,  the  wound should be  kept  clear by sy-
  ringing it with castile wash,  and the powders  of blood
  root  sprinkled in occasionally.  It may afterwards be
  dressed with the common salve, or the leaves or poultice.

                BURNS  and SCALDS.

     The immersion ofthe part in cold water immediately
   after the accident, affords relief.   It should  "be kept
   several  hours in that situation.  The  application  of
   the plaster recommended in  the preceding case,  or the
   antiscrofulous plaster,  or  the emollient  poultice—in
   many instances I have known to afford relief.'  Though
   the injury,  at first, appear very trifling,  it should not
   be neglected—trifling accidents are often productive of
   most serious consequences.  A liniment of linseed oil
   and  lime water, answers a very good purpose.   This 
80        BRUISES AND SPRAINS.   CANCER.

is made by mixing equal quantities of the linseed  oil
and the lime water,  and is to be applied by means of
lint or soft linen.   Should there be much pain or  in- "X
flammation, the patient may require the general course
of medicine.
  N. B.   The above treatment is proper for chilblains
or freezing.

            BRUISES and  SPRAINS.

  When the part has sustained much injury, a general
perspiration should be  produced  and  continued  for a
considerable  time.   During the  perspiration,  cloths
may be applied to the injured part, kept constantly wet
with  cold water.   A tea of arse-smart may be  used
freely, both internally and  externally.  Afterwards a
strengthening planter  may be applied.   Superficial •
bruises and sprains may be relieved  by the bathing
drops, No. 2, and the nerve ointment.

                     CANCER.
   This is one ofthe most formidable diseases that ever
attack the human body.   When it has once extended
its deadly influence to the vital parts, it is more  to be
dreaded than death itself.  Like other diseases, it is no
respecter of persons, regarding neither age, sex,  nor
condition.  It has ever baffled the boasted skill of the
Faculty, their general remedy being the knife; the use
of which usually proves as fatal as the disease.
   It often commences in the form of a mole of different
colours, surrounded with  branches or prongs, resem-
bling a  crab's claw,  from which  it derives its  name.
It sometimes begins in the form of a node, either  super-
ficial or at some depth under the surface, which gradu-
ally increases till it becomes so much  distended  as to
break into an open tumour, discharging fetid matter,
 which excoriates and devours the parts where it spreads.
 They are often  attended with twinging and darting 
         CANCER—ITS CAUSES AND REMEDY.      8i

 pains, the tumour becomes  spongy,  by its acrimony
 corroding some parts, while others projecting, form a
 very uneven surface, exhibiting the appearance, of a
 rose.  When  arrived at this  stage, the case is truly
 alarming, and scarcely admits of a cure.
   Causes.—The remote or inducing causes are vari-
 ous.   The  proximate, is obstructed  secretion  which
 often arises from corroding humours, external injuries,
 the loss of action between the depositing and absorbent
 vessels.   Those  which are  seated  in  the stomach,
 or  other  internal parts, are  occasioned  by poisonous
 drugs taken internally, which, by their corrosive  quali-
 ties, produce a burning humour.
   Remrdy.—Many pretended remedies have been de-
 vised  for this disease, some  of which tend rather to
 aggravate and increase the  morbid  irritation;  others
 have been found  inefficacious and  useless.  The  fol-
 lowing is probably the most effectual remedy at pre-
 sent known—one  which  I have long been in the  habit
 of using—which in above forty cases has  failed only
 in one; this was forced on my care without any  hope.
 The  affected part measured about nine inches  across
 the surface.  It was on  the  breast, strongly attached
 to the ribs, and  immoveable.
   First, enclose the tumour  with a paste of wheat or
 rye middlings;  after which apply the vegetable caustick
 half* an inch thick or more, on the surface of the tu-
 mour.  Let this be kept on till the strength of  the
 caustick is gone, or till it ceases to act;  which is com-
 monly about two or three hours.   Repeat this opera-
 tion every da\, or  every other day, till the caustick has
penetrated and subdued the affected part.   Alter which
apply a moist poultice of Indian meal, renewed several
times a day, till the core is loose, which,  must be taken
off.  Then wash the wound with the  suds  made with
castile soap, two or three times a day, and apply the
common salve.   The fine powders of blood root should
 !>e used occasionally to prevent a scurf from coating 
  82        CANCER—ITS REMEDY.  CANKER.

  over the surface of the wound.   It often happens that,
  while under the operation ofthe caustick, certain blood
  vessels  are cut off by the caustick, which  require im-
  mediate attention to prevent the loss of blood.  These
  vessels  may  be easily contracted by pledgets of lint
  filled with flour, or the inside of a puff ball, or of sole
  leather laid over the aperture and gently pressed by the
  finger, until  the vessel is contracted.  Arterial blood
  may be distinguished from venal, by its  being more
  bright and florid, and being sent out with greater force,
  and as  it were,  by jerks.  The patient should not be
  left alone any length  of time, on account ofthe danger
  already suggested.  During the process  of extracting
  and healing the tumour, the cancer tea should be freely
  taken;  and even a considerable time after the wound
  is healed.  The  patient should  be  kept  steady and
  tranquil, and without much exercise;  the body regular
  by the  use of the wandering milkweed, buckhorn, or
  white ash tea.
     Diet  claims a  very important  attention.   If the
  constitution  be  not  much reduced, vegetables should
  form the principal part of the diet.  When meat is
  taken,  it  should be  fresh and  as  rarely done as will
  agree with the stomach.  But if the patient be much
  debilitated, a more generous diet will  be indispensable.
  All fermented liquors  should be avoided.

                       CANKER.

     This is an acrid humour excoriating the most tender
  parts where  it  is concentrated, which  is commonly
* about the mouth.  It proceeds from a diseased state of
* the body, and is conducted to the surface by the lym-
  phatick vessels.

     Remi:rv.—A frequent application of the decoction
   of wild lettuce, white lily, goldthread, or crane's  bill,
   iflbrds  immediate  relief. 
           < ATARRH.  CHOLERA MORBUS.        83

                   CATARRH.

  This disease is a  morbid affection of the membrane
lining the nostrils, fauces, and sometimes the windpipe.
It is usually occasioned by a series of colds, or by be-
ing long exposed to the cold air^   It commences with
a stoppage of the nose, a dull and heavy pain in the
forehead, and a thin fluid discharged at the nose.  It
commonly produces a hacking cough.  When the dis-
ease has  gained strength, attended with high inflamma-
tion, it is called influenza.
  Treatment.—At the commencement ofthe disease,
the general course  of medicine gives speedy  relief.
But when  the disease has been suffered  to continue a
considerable time, it often  becomes the  forerunner of
other diseases of a more serious  character,  such as
consumptions and  cancers.   A frequent use of the
catarrh snuff generally relieves the head.  The cough
powders should be taken  several times a day;  also,
laxatives to keep the bowels  free.  The diet should
be  light, and easy  of digestion.   Pure  water  is the
best beverage. feRiding on horseback is the best  exer-
cise for  this  disease.  It excites a free discharge of
mucus from the head and lungs.

             CHOLERA MORBUS.
  This disease is occasioned by an excessive secretion
of bile, producing a violent  vomiting, *purging, and
excruciating pains in the bowels.  It is usually attended
with acute gripings and  pains in  the stomach, cramp
in the legs, delirium, cold clammy  sweats, fainting,
irregular pulse, coldness ofthe extremities, troublesome
hickups and thirst.   It most commonly occurs in warm
weather,  and  frequently proves fatal  in  forty-eight
hours.
  Causes.—The  remote or inducing causes  are the
eating of early fruit, cucumbers, melons, and such, ge-
nerally as become  rancid or  sour; also, poisons, ex- 
84          CHOLERA MORBUS.  CHOLICK.
cessive drinking, bathing too frequently and too long,
exposure to cold, he.
   Treatment.—Take the antibilious powder, No. 2.
as directed, page 44.  If the birthroot powders are not
readily obtained, use the pearlash and vinegar.  After
the cause is removed, the patient may take half a glass
ofthe restoring bitters or composition powder, several
times a day, for two or three days.   The  diet should
be light, yet nutritious.  I was once called in where four
in one family were attacked  with  the  cholera morbus
within the  space of thirty hours, two of whom  I saw
shortly after they were taken, and gave them immedi-
ate relief.  The other two I did not see till about tweh t
hours»after they were taken, at which time their case
was deemed hopeless.  They were cramped, delirious
and helpless, extremities cold,  and a weak  pulse.  By
my mode  of  treatment,  they were relieved in a few
hours.

                    CHOLICK.

   So termed from  colon, one ofthe intestines which is
usually the seat of this disease.  It  is usually  occa-
sioned by a constriction or convolution of  some inter-
nal parts, and ofien proves fatal in three or four days.
It is attended with acute pains of the abdomen, a burn-
ing  round  the navel, distention of the bowels, loss  of
appetite, nausea,  or vomiting  of bilious  and viscid
matter, costiveness, thirst,  obstructed  urine, hickups,
fainting, delirium, convulsions,  a rupture of the intes-
tines, oy mortification.
   Causes.—The exciting causes are acrid  or indiges-
tible food  taken into  the stomach, obstructions of the
beliary secretions, acrid bile, hardened  faces, the  in-
volving or running of one intestine into another, ob*»
structions of the upper or lower  orifice of the stomach.
   Treatment.—If the seat ofthe disease appear to be
nigh, and round the region of the stomach. \he cholick 
             CHOLICK.  CONSUMPTION.           83

powders, composition, or an emetick, commonly gives
immediate relief.  Bathing should also be applied ex-
ternally, near the seat of the complaint.  If this, after
several repetitions,  should not  afford relief, and  the
pain  be in the  bowels, it either  proceeds from a con-
striction of part of the intestines, hardened faeces, or
Trom  an involving ofthe intestines.  If from constric-
tion,  he.  the laxatives should be  administered, either
the wandering  milkweed, castor  oil,  or buck thorn.
The laxative lavement should also be applied till there
be a passage of the bowels.  If it arise from an involv-
ing ofthe intestines, an injection of tobacco smoke will
afford immediate relief.   Take a large strong bladder,
moisten it in w arm water, then fill a pipe with tobacco,
introduce the stein into the  neck of the bladder; after
adding fire to  the tobacco, place  a  flannel or woollen
cloth  over,  and  blow the smoke  into the  bladder.
When filled, put a clyster pipe in the  room of  the for-
mer.   When used, care must be taken that the smoke
do not pass back  and escape.   The pressure of the
smoke forces apart the involved or twisted intestines,
which gives relief.
   I presume I have prescribed  for  every kind of cho-
lick—I do not  recollect any instance in which my  pre-
scription  has not afforded  relief within five  minutes,
except  one case  of hardened faces, which was occa-
sioned by taking large quantities of salts, by which the
bowels were rendered torpid.   Those persons who are
.subject to  cholick pains, should occasionally take an
emetick, and use the restoring  bitters, or composition
powder.  The antibilious powder,  No. 2, is a useful
specifick to prevent  a recurrence of the . isoast*.  The
diet  should be  carefully  regulated  according to  the
predisposition of those who are subject to this complp int.

                CONSUMPTION.

  This disease bus engaged much  of my attention fro:.;
jn earlv period of my life;  having  experienced, a*
                         9 
86
CONSUMPTION.
different times, most if not all the variety of symptoms
that usually occur in this complaint.  This has afforded
me every advantage requisite for a fair investigation of
the exciting causes of those symptoms, so necessary to
be understood in order to effect a cure.
   Description.—It  is  a wasting away of the whole
body, generally attended with a cough, a hectick fever,
and a raising or spitting up of fetid matter from  the
lungs.                              t            *
   Symptoms.—It  often commences with chills perva-
ding the external  surface, succeeded by heat; loss of
nppetite;  shrill voice; pain in the side, and back ofthe
shoulders; the patient lying with most ease on the side
affected; a pain and pressure ofthe breast, particularly
after motion;  a long  continued  dry cough; salt taste
in the mouth; a great thirst, and often vomiting after
eating.   These are the general  symptoms of  the first
stage of consumption.  Afterwards the  patient begins
to raise  a greenish, white, and  yellow  matter, mixed
with a  bloody matter.   Excessive looseness,  and an
unusual discharge of urine takes place.   The patient
is frequently attacked with  hot  flashes,  called hectick
fever, succeeded  by colliquative sweats.  A burning
heat is felt in the palms ofthe hands and  bottoms ofthe
feet.  The fingers become  very small,  the nails bent
inward;  the hair  becomes dry and falls  ofl'; the pit of
the stomach appears drawn in.  Towards the  conclu-
sion, the feet and legs swell, the eyes sink deep  into
their sockets, and appear glassy;  the voice  is feeble
and hollow;  the strength exhausted; a scarlet flush on
the coimtenauce;  difficulty  of swallowing; the rising
of the  lungs in  respiration;  and  cold  extremities.
These are the immediate signs of approaching death,
which,  notwithstanding so  many alarming premoni-
tions, usually comes unexpectedly.
   Causes.—The inducing causes are heavy chills  and
colds, caught in  damp  houses or beds,  or by wetting
Cw fret; being long expose*?  to heats »nd colds;  the 
CONSUMPTION.
8T
indulgence of violent passions, such  as  grief, anger,
fee; sedentary or studious habits; excess in libidinous
indulgences; intemperate use of ardent spirits; the in-
troduction of poisonous drugs into the system, such as
arsenick,  mercury,  nitre, opium, antimony,  copper,
and lead; excessive labour; chlorosis or green sickness;
also, other diseases, such  as asthma, dropsy, catarrh,
erysipelas, measles, lues venerea, scrofula, &c.  What-
ever debilitates, or produces a morbid affection of the
organs, may be an exciting cause.
  Treatment.—In every case and every stage ofthe
consumption, there  is a great debility of the  nervous
system, a loss of action in the moving muscles and fi-
bres, and  in the vessels of the skin, and the blood be-
comes more or less  vitiated.  The first object, there-
fore, should be to  remove  every obstruction, to  pro-
mote the secretians, strengthen the nervous system  and
produce and maintain a general action.  For this ob-
ject, the general  course of medicine  is well adapted;
and it must frequently be followed up fbr a long time,
especially in cases of long standing.  In the mean time,
it must be varied according to circumstances.   The
cough powders, arse-smart  tea, and cayenne, may be
used  freely; also,  the washes, especially the scoke,
where there is much debility, or abundance of humours.
In this disease, diet requires the utmost attention.  It
should be nutritious and strengthening:  such  as  beef
steaks, rarely done;  chickens; veal or beef soup,  with
die addition of vegetables, barley, or oatmeal; jellies
prepared  from animal substances; new milk  may be
taken  for supper.  Avoid acid, dry food, and all  un-
ripe  fruits.  *When  the disease  appears to have  been
eradicated, the  patient may use moderate exercise in the
open  air,  such as walking, or riding on  horseback.
Wine and the restoring bitteMfmay be nsed moderately.
Avoid fatigue—avoid wet and damp places, and rooms
where  many people are assembled.   To inhale the air
in such places,  (vitiated by the loss of its usual propor- 
S8     CONSUMPTION.  corns.  COSTIVENESS.

tion of oxygen,) is very injurious.  The patient should
retire to  rest early,  and, by all means,  rise early.
The body should be  kept warm  by suitable clothing,
but this should not  be worn so tight as to compress or
give uneasiness to any part, or impede the circulation
ofthe blood.

 • Recapitulation.—From the foregoing, it appears
that this disease proceeds from various causes, and has
different stages.  The first, frequently takes place, and
if attended  to seasonably,  admits of  a remedy.—
Neglect often proves fatal.  The progress of the disease,
though slow as that of the seasons, is equally certain;
and the patient often remains insensible of danger till
his case is  past  remedy.  The enervated system re-
quires to be stimulated;  the absorbent and secretory
vessels must be roused to action, and their action  sup-
ported and  continued by stimulating medicine and ge-
nerous diet, till the system, restored to its natural vi-
gour, no longer  requires the aid of medicine.   The
patient requires a salubrious air,  moderate exercise in
dry, clear weather,  and clothing comfortable and easy.

                     CORNS.

  A corn is a hardened portion ofthe skin, occasioned
by  much pressure and irritation.
  Treatment.-1—The callous part should   be   fre-
quently immersed in  white  lie, and  pared off.  After
which apply a plaster of the extract of princes'  pine,
fresh blood  root pounded, or Seneca oil.

                 COSTIVENESS.

   Causes.—This is  often occasioned by taking poi-
sonous drugs, causing excessive evacuations ofthe bile,^
and constrictions  of the intestines; a deiicient secretion"
of the bile;  acidity  ofthe stomach or bowels; a seden-
tary life; humours, or a  cold and debilitated  stomach. 
costiveness.   cough.            89
  Treatment.—The antibilious powder, No. 2, may
be taken every morning for a week.  The laxatives,
wandering milkweed, buck thorn, or blood root, may
be taken once or twice a day; also the restoring bitters.
The laxative lavement may be used once or  twice a
day, as occasion may require.  If the  disease be  ac-
companied with much headach, an  emetick  will be
serviceable.  Should the intestines be overloaded with
slime, a purge of the cathartick pills will prove an ef-
fectual remedy.   When  costiveness is  accompanied
with piles, a tea of crane's bill should be taken freely,
and a strong decoction ofthe same used as a lavement.

                    COUGH.

  Cough is a convulsive action ofthe lungs and trachea
or windpipe, excited by an  accumulation of serum on
the cellular substance of the lungs.   It is also often ex-
cited by various means without any affection or serum
of the lungs.
   Causes.—The serum,  which is usually the exciting
cause, is occasioned by colds and chills,  congealing, as
it were, the fluids, and obstructing the  insensible per-,
spiration.   It  is  taken up by the  lymphaticks,  and
conveyed  by the circulation to the lungs; thence to be
discharged through  the windpipe.   If  suffered to re-
main long in the system,  it becomes acrid and excori-
ating,  and produces  ulcers about the lungs, which are
very injurious.  This is  termed pulmonary affection.,
and terminates in consumption.
  Treatment.—For a recent cough, if attended with
difficulty of breathing, or much pain, an emetick af-
fords much relief. After which, cough powders may
be given two or three times  in a day.  If attended with
fever, the emetick solution, or expectorant  powders
may be taken and repeated  every six or eight minutes,
till it causes nausea or vomiting.  When persons have
for a long  time  been troubled with a cough, («as oftea 
90         cough,  cramps or spasms.
happens  in  winter,) with wheezing, or shortness  of
breath, raising a viscid phlegm, they should make fre- *
quent use ofthe expectorant and cough powders, about
twice a day.  Should there be much fever, the general
course of medicine will  afford relief, and  should  be
followed till the cause is removed.

  The popular cough medicine, advertised and sold by
druggists, I  consider  an imposition on the  publick.
Having had  an extensive opportunity to learn the ef-
fects of such medicine, I am  convinced that, out  of
twenty who use  it,  scarcely one receives any benefit.
Such articles gain popularity, not by their utility, hut
hy puffing advertisements; and ignorant people are the
chief sufferers by this kind of imposition.  As-coughs
proceed  from various causes, such as obstructed per-
spiration, catarrh, erysipelas, pleurisy, dropsy, scro-
fula, he, to check the expectoration by those drying
cough drops, often  proves injurious.  A recent cough
may be  considered a  trifling disease,  and by timely
care may be removed with little trouble and  expense.
Ulceration,  the  spitting  of  blood, and consumption,
are consequences of neglect.   Persons who are subject
to cough, should wear flannel next to the  skin, avoid
damp places, keep the feet dry, and the body warm.

             CRAMPS, or SPASMS.

  Cramps or spasms proceed from various causes-
such as, poisons taken into  the stomach;  indigestion,
flatulence, suppression of the menses;  constriction  of
the muscles and nerves;  wounded tendons,  he.
  Treatment.—When a spasm  is occasioned  by ta-
king poison, it must be removed by an emetick.   If it
proceed from indigestion or flatulence, a decoction of
the roots or  seeds of Angelica will be useful; or a tea
spoonful of the powders ofthe root of lady slipper, in a
gill of hot water; or one sixth part of a tea spoonful of
the powders of golden seal, and the same  quantity of 
croup,   cuts.                91
  Cayenne, in a gill of hot water; or a tea made of  the
• flowers of mullein.   When it attacks the muscles ofthe
  legs, relief may often be obtained by exciting the oppo-
  site muscles to action.

                       CROUP.

    This disease consists of an inflammation of the mu-
  cous membrane of the windpipe, occasioning the secre*
  tion of a very tenacious coagulable lymph, which lines
  the windpipe, and obstructs respiration.   This disease
  is most incident to children, and usually prevails in the
  winter  and spring, occasioned  by  a cold, moist atmos*
  phere.
    Symptoms.— It commences with a dull  pain about
  the upper  part of the windpipe.  The respiration be-
  comes  difficult, attended with  wheezing and  a shrill
  cough.  The  face  is  sometimes  livid, and  by turns
  flushed; the swallowing but little affected; great thirst
  and restlessness.   The  wheezing increases,  and  the
  respiration grows  more difficult as  the  coagulated
  lymph  increases, which sometimes clogs the passage so
  as to occasion immediate death.
    Remedy.—Take one handful  of fresh  chamomile,
  one handful of saffron blows, either fresh or dry, and
  three ounces of fresh butter, simmer them together over
  a moderate fire, till the chamomile and'saffron flowers
  become crisped.   Give a tea spoon|ul of this oil every
  twenty minutes, till it  affords relief.   [This dose is for
  a child one or two years old.]

                       CUTS.

    The part which  is. cut should, if practicable, be im-
  mediately immersed in.cold water, and should remain
  under water for half an hour.  The edges of the wound
  should  be brought and  kept close together by a few
  stitches, or by a sticking plaster,  made of turpentine
  and rosin, and keep on  lint or soft linen cloths, kept 
L>2            DIABETES.   DIARRHffiA.          '''

constantly wet with cold  water,  or  dressed with the
salve twice  a day,  and kept clean  by washing with
castile suds every time it is dressed.  For the mode of
stopping the flow of blood, see cancer, page  80.  If
there be much pain excited by the pressure of blood to
the wound, the part should be elevated above the other
parts of the body, to prevent too great a pressure to-
wards the wound.

                    DIABETES.

   This disease  consists of an exce&sive  secretion of
urine, producing frequent  and immoderate discharges
of that fluid,  sometimes  exceeding in quantity and
weight the whole of the food and drink taken into the
stomach.
   Causes.—Judging from its effects, I am induced to
believe that this disease arises from  obstructed perspi-
ration, and  debility  in the perspiratory vessels.
   I have given relief to persons troubled with this dis-
ease by a few operations of the general course of me-
 dicine.

     DIARRHCEA, or LOOSENESS.  (Flux.)
   This disease consists  in  copious evacuations, by
 stool, of liquid matter.  Sometimes the aliment is eva-
 cuated without being much changed by the digestive
 powers.  The complaint arises from a morbid  irrita-
 tion of the stomach and intestines, occasioned by pu-
 trescence or acidity of the aliment.   It  often takes
 place from  the mere effort of nature to free herself from
 the morbid  matter;  and  it often happens that her ef-
 forts are effectual, without the aid of medicine.   When
 such aid becomes  necessary, emeticks may be proper
 to cleanse the stomach: after which  the restoring bit-
 ters may be taken thee or four times a day.   Should
 the intestines continue relaxed, the astringent lavements
 should be  frequently  used,  till the  bowe^have recg- 
        DROPSY—ITS causes and treatment.     93

 vered their natural tone.  The food should be light
 and easy to digest.  Unripe fruit should be avoided?

                     DROPSY.

    This disease consists in an effusion of water in differ-
 ent parts of the body, produced by general or local de-
 bility.   Authors have given different names to this dis-
 ease, according  to  the  situation of the  parts which it
 occupies.,  When the disease is general, it is termed
 anasarca; when in the cavity ofthe belly, ascites; when
 in the chest, hydrothrorax, he.
    The symptoms of the anasarea, are, a paleness of
 the skin,  which usually  becomes glassy and shining—
 it usually begins in the legs, and gradually extends up-
 wards i  the face becomes bloated, the skin distended,
 so that it retains for sometime  an impression or dent
 made by the finger.  The swelling diminishes when
 the patient lies in a horizontal position.  The face ap-
 pears bloated, the eye-lids swell,  the. urine often high
 coloured  and scanty.  As the disease increases the re-
 spiration  becomes more  difficult, and the cellular sub-
 stance more distended and indurated.
   When the effusion takes  place  in the  cavity of the
 client, there will be a trembling, palpitation, and anxi-
 ety about the heart, attended with a dry cough, and an
 increased difficulty of breathing, when lying down.
   C.vrsES.—Debility ofthe absorbents, a distention of
 the lymphaticks,  which occasions a leakage;  the loss
 or diminution of animal heat, which is often occasioned
 by oxres/ive evacuations of blood.
   Treatment.—Although  this complaint  is distin-
guished by various names, in consequence of its affect-
ing different parts ofthe  system, still the disease is but
one, and requires  one general mode of treatment.  The
main  object will  be  to reduce the  effusion of water,
and by strengthening the debilitated parts, to prevent
its future accumulation. 
94             DROPSY.' DYSENTERY.
   First---scarify  the feet and legs  with a lancet, ma-
king fifty or a hundred, or more marks, no deeper than
the scratch of a  brier when it draws blood.  In the
mean time the feet should  be immersed  in  the  scoke
root waslL, except at the time of making the incisions.
With a piece of flannel,  wet with the same wash, rub
the scarified parts during half an hour or more.  Re-
peat this operation  as often as the case may require;
after which wrap  the parts in wilted cabbage leaves, or
other drawing and sweating leaves, such as moosewood
or oxweed leaves.  Then  endeavour to raise the ani-
mal heat, to excite the action of the absorbents, to pro-
mote  perspiration and the secretion of urine.  For this
purpose, give  one sixth part of a tea spoonful of cay-
enne in a gill and a half of hot water;  also, a third part
of a tea spoonful  of pearl ash in half a pint of hot wa-
ter; and half a pint ofthe  tea made  of the diuretick
powders.  Repeat these doses alternately, often enough
to produce a moderate perspiration, and maintain it till
sometime after /the complaint is removed.   Draughts
of scoke root should be kept constantly at the feet; also
a hot stone.  The alkaline or scoke wash  should be
used once or twice a day.    The  food should be dry
and solid.  The  patient  should  take no other drink
besides the abovementioned teas, which should be pre-
pared with soft water.  After  the disease is removed
the patient should use a strengthening diet.   Thic pro-
cess has afforded relief in several  cases apparently des<.
perate;  and I have never known it to fail of effecting
a cure.

                 DYSENTERY.

  This usually commences with a lassitude, chillness,
cold extremities,, loss  of appetite, restlesness, a flushed
countenance, nausea,  vomiting,  thirst,  and a  quick
pulse; which are  succeeded by frequent griping pains
ofthe bowels, and evacuations of slime or mucus from 
      DYdENTERY--ITS CAUSES AND TREATMENT.    95

 the intestines, often mixed with blood.   The  disease
 prevails most in summer and autumn.   It may be dis-
 tinguished from a diarrhoea by the frequent propensity
 to go to  stool, with very small  evacuations, attended
 with severe  griping nains in the bowels.  In this dis-
 ease, the stomach having lost its action, is  unable to
 convey the aliment into the intestines.   In  the mean
 time, the peristaltic motion ofthe intestines is kept up
 by the bile flowing into them; and having little or no-
 thing to act upon, the motion causes a friction on the
 internal membrane lining the intestines, rubbing off the
 slimy coating;  by which means they become irritated
 and raw.  This occasions the evacuation of blood and
 mucus; and  the  bile coming in contact with the raw
 parts,  produces  that  severe  pain and  excessive heat
 which is felt about the colon and anus.  When the faeces
 become extremely offensive, and pass away  spontane-
 ously, the strength being very low, the pulse  weak, the
 thirst and pain ceasing, succeeded by hickups and cold
 sweats, it is an indication of approaching death.   *'-■
   Causes.—Putrid air, poor Water, exposure to  cold,
 damp evening air, after a hot day, crude aliment, im-
 moderate quantities of raw fruit taken into the stomach.
 When the disease has  become very prevalent it is con-
 sidered contagious.
   Treatment.—The first step towards a cure  is to
 cleanse the stomach by an emetick, succeeded by a de-
 coction of crane's bill, winter brake, and one of the
 compositions or restoring bitters. Bathe the bowels
 if they are paiued, with  the bathing drops, No. 1.
 The  mucilage  and astringent  lavements  should be
 administered in this case without the addition of cay-
 enne, or the emetick.   Should the disease resist these
 means,  the general course of medicine should be fol-
 lowed  till it gives relief.   When this disease ha* be-
come strongly seated, it often baffles  every  effort of
 medical skill.   Therefore it demands attention in its
earliest stage, when a cure may be reacUly effected. 
96             FAINTING.   FELON s.
 The course of medicine above prescribed  should  be
 continued in a moderate degree for some time after die
 disease has abated, in order to  prevent a relapse, which
 often takes place by some neglect or imprudence, and
 proves fatal.   By the treatment here recommended,
 many have been relieved after their condition seemed
 hopeless.  One only, under my care, has died of this
 complaint;  and that one,  besides the dysentery, was
 afflicted with  a cough, a fever and jaundice, and wa?
 reduced by the privileged order to a helpless situation.
 before I visited him.

                    FAINTING.

   Symptoms.—A fainting fit begins with trembling or
 an uneasy sensation about the heart; the  eye sight
 /ails, the.respiration grows short and weak, sometimes
 to  appearance wholly suspended, the extremities are
 cold, and a deathlike paleness appears on the face.
   Causes.—Excessive  evacuations of blood;  sudden
 frights, or passions, external injuries, or violent pain.
   Treatment—The patient  should be  placed in a
 horizontal position,  with the  head  a little elevated,
 where there  is a free circulation of air.  The extre-
 mities should be rubbed with flannel, and cold water
 sprinkled on the face and  stomach.  After recovering
 from the fit, the  patient may take a  few peppermint
 drops, restoring bitters, or a cup ofthe composition tea.

                    FELONS.

  Felons usually seat near some joint ofthe thumb or
 finger, on the membrane which  invests the bone, and is
 attended with great  pain, swelling, and inflammation,
which often extends up the arm.
  Treatment.—Take a small tube, and fill one e-id
with the vegetable caustick, and place it directly on the,
affected  part,  where  it  is  most likely to break out
Keep it on, till the pain occasioned by the felon abater. 
          GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON FEVER.       ©7

 Then  apply a moist poultice  till the core comes  out.
 After which dress it with the salve in the usual way.

                      FEVER.

    Fever, or heat, when it becomes a disease, consists
 in an eftusion  or preternatural portion of heat, either
 general or local.
    From the multiplicity of names applied to certain
 diseases, we should suspect that some physicians have
 supposed that to increase the number of technical terms
 was the highest  service they could render, for perfect-
 ing the science of medicine.   In examining their wri-
 tings  on fever,  we find  above forty species  of fever
 enumerated, or rather forty different names or phrases
 used to denote  the different varieties of time, manner,
 and circumstance, in which fever makes its appearance.
 Thus,  we have the acute fever, the nervous fever, the
 bilious  fever, the spotted fever, the scarlet fever, the
 yellow fever, the remittent, the intermittent, the typhus,
 the hectkk, the putrid, and a host of other fevers, too
 numerous to find a place here.   Ever since man  has
 become subject to disease, fever has doubtless more or
 less prevailed,  as  it occurs in almost every disease.
 But as there is  probably but one kind  of heat in  the
 human body, we have reason to suppose there is in re-
 ality but oue kind  of fever, however diversified as to
 the time, place, order and manner of its  appearance.
 Heat- in the human body cannot be prnperly termed a
 disease,  except when it exceeds  the usual  temperature
 of animal heat.   When it is local, it may  be properly
 termed  inflammation, when general, it may be termed
fever.   The intended limits of this work will not admit
 a further explanation ofthe terms applied to this disease.

   Causes.—There are two ways in which fever may
 be produced: First, by external colds, which chill the
 fluids, in consequence of which the  pores which con-
 iv.vt the superfluous heat and  perspiratory matter to
                         10 
v8(     FEVER--ITS CAUSES AND TREATMENT.

the surface ofthe skin, become obstructed.  In conse-
quence of this obstruction, the heat which is constantly
Accumulating by  the  action  of the  nervous system,
and in a healthy state, passing off through the pores,
becomes superabundant and intense.  This  excites a
high arterial action, and a heavy pressure throughout
the system,  particularly of the blood vessels in the
head, it being the  immediate  cause of the heavy ex-
citements in  that part.   The pulse is often raised to a
hundred and twenty or thirty,  which, in a  state of
health, is usually from sixty to eighty.   The  gastrick
juice  and  slime become parched; first assuming  a
whitish, then a darkish colour,  whence it has sometimes
been mistaken for canker.
   The other means by w hich fever is occasioned, is by
inhaling a miasma or contagious vapour, which occa-
sions the reduction ofthe vital powers; the nerves be-
come  relaxed; the organs weak; the secretions mor-
bid; the extremities become cold; a sickness or nausea
ensues; and the countenance exhibits a  pale and dis-
tressed appearance.   The  irritation  of the morbid
matter excites an  increased action of the system, to
regain its lost energies; the liver, which is the refiner
of the  blood, does  not perform its office;  consequently,
the bile is carried  in the mass of blood, to the extre-
mities, aud gives the skin a yellow tinge.   From this
appearance,  the yellow fever  has derived its name.
When there is a loss of action, or a debility ofthe ab-
sorbents or extremities ofthe veins, so that they do not
take up the blood which is  sent off by the extremities
of the arteries,  it  remains  in  spots which turn  dark
hy the loss of oxygen.  From  this appearance, the
disease is called the spotted  fever.
   Treatment.—To relieve  the  excessive heat, the
first objects are to  dissolve the congealed fluids, to open
the pores  at  the surface, and promote perspiration.
With  this  view, first wash the surface with the alkali
,vash   If there  be much fever,  give the alkali draught. 
             FEVER.   FLATULENCE.             99

cold.   In about ten minutes, give one sixth  part of a
tea spoonful of cayenne, in a gill and a half of hot wa-
ter.  After repeating two or three times the doses and
wash,  if the fever should  not begin to abate, give
half a table spoonful of the emetick solution, or  one
third of a tea spoonful ofthe expectorant powders, in
one fourth of a gill of warm or cold water.   Or, com-
mence the general course of medicine, either of which
will produce the desired effect.   As soon as the pores
ofthe skin  are open, the superabundant heat will pass
off and leave the system in a calm state.   The diapho-
retick  or sweating tea may be taken.  The perspira-
tion should be continued until  the putrescence has all
passed ofl', and  the matter perspired becomes limpid
and clear.   Emeticks may be given every day, till the
stomach is well cleansed.   The bowels should be kept
open by mild laxatives or lavements.  The strength of
the patient, in the mean time, requires to be  supported
by a nourishing diet.
   I deem it worthy of notice, that though my practice
has been extensive, I have never lost a patient, whose
only disease was a fever;  and, for this disease, I have
seldom had occasion to visit a  patient more than once.
The excessive heat usually abates within fifteen minutes
from the commencement of giving medicine.  It may
be proper here to observe, that the above stated treat-
ment is suited to fevers generally, of whatever name or
description.  One thing, however, is ofthe utmost con-
sequence, viz: that the prescribed course be commen-
ced  seasonably, in the first stage of the  disease; not
after the strength of the patient has  been exhausted by
the progress ofthe disease, or  by improper treatment.

                 FLATULENCE.

  This complaint consists in the accumulation of wind
in the stomach, occasioning a distention and uneasiness
in that, organ. 
 100              FLATULENCE.  FITS.

   Causes.—An immoderate use of fermented liquors;
 overloading the stomach with food; taking  unripe
 fruit, which debilitates the digestive powers, and pro-
 duces a cold acid humour in the stomach.
   Treatment.—Take the  draught recommended for
 the cholera morbus, in the morning, soon  after rising,
 for several mornings;  at meals, drink a tea of ginger
 or sweet  fern.  Half a glass of the  restoring bitters
 may be taken two or three times a day.

                       FITS.

   Fits consist in a violent spasmodiek contraction oi
 the nervous system, affecting the mind  and visual sense.
 From the circumstance of persons  falling suddenly un-
 der its influence, this disease is sometimes called falling
 sickness.   It has,  as might be expected,  acquired a
 host of names, in consequence ofthe various symptoms
 with which it appears.   The symptoms seldom appear
 in two patients alike.

   Causes.—Wounded tendons; tumours in the brain,
 or membranes; concretions of the skull;  enurism of
 arteries of the brain, from being too much distended;
periodical obstructions;  irritation of worms; or violent
passions.   The patient is sometimes attacked sud-
denly; and sometimes the fit is preceded by headach,
lassitude, or dimness ofthe eyes.
   Treatment.—If taken in its first stage, one or two
courses of medicine will, in general prevent its return.
Where the disease is of long  standing,  give the follow-
ing preparation: Take  a large handful of southern
wood; iwo ounces of Seneca snake root;  four ounces
ofthe scales of iron or steel, called blacksmith's cinders.
Pound the ingredients separately—the cinders should
be pounded to a fine dust—mix the articles, add two
quarts of spring water, cold,  and boil  it over a quick
fire, eight or ten minutes—strain off the clear  liquid,
add one third part of spirits, and put it into tight bot- 
          GRAVEL AND STONE.  HEADACH*        lOt

ties for use.  Take five table spoonfuls a day; one be-
fore  breakfast, one in the forenoon, one in the after-
noon, and two at night.

             GRAVEL and STONE.

   By the gravel we understand  small sandlike concre-
tions or stones, generated  in the kidneys and voided
with  the  urine,  often occasioning considerable pain.
The particles of gravel, after passing into the bladder,
there unite and  form larger bodies  or concretions,
called stone.  They sometimes  become a stone  in the
kidneys.  When they have a smooth surface, they sel-
dom cause much pain, unless they get info the neck of
the bladder,  and obstruct the passage of urine, or be-
come very large.  Those of a rough  surface often do
much injury by producing  an  irritation of the blad-
der, occasioning a  slimy discharge, sometimes  tinged
with blood.
   Causes.—Impure and hard  water, and  obstructed
secretions—persons who live a sedentary life are most
subject to this disease.
   Symptoms.—A fixed pain about the kidneys and
ureters;  suppression  of  the urine;  sometimes  dis-
charging a slimy and bloody water, attended with pain;
often an inflammation in the urethra.
   Treatment.—The diuretick tea may be used freely;
it will prevent the disease, or relieve  it in its earliest
stages.   A tea of leatherbush  bark is  highly recom-
mended for this  complaint; also, a tea or the juice of
rushes and pellitory of the wall.  While using the pre-
scriptions, the patient should avoid taking other drinks
or diluent food.

                    HEADACH.

   This is a  very common  complaint,  and proceeds
from a, variety of causes,  such as> suppression  of cus-
tomary evacuations; foul stomach; obstructed perspi-
                        10* 
102     HEADACH.  HEART  BURN.  HICKUF.

ration;  too much or too little sleep;  intense study; in-
temperate eating or drinking; indigestion; distention
of blood vessels in the head; or lack of moisture in the
membrane lining the skull.
  Treatment.—This should vary according to the
cause.  If it proceed from a cold in the head, or from
obstructed perspiration, the  headach  snuff,  or the
bathing drops will usually afford relief;  if from a foul
stomach, an emetick will be necessary; if from intes-
tinal  obstructions, a dose of castor oil,  or the  cathar-
tick pills  should  be taken.  When there is excessive
heat or inflammation in the head, relief may often  be
obtained by the application of cold water.  Sometimes
cupping round the temples may be useful.  The feet
should be bathed in warm water, and draughts applied.
Should these  means fail, the patient should resort to
the general  course  of medicine, until the  cause be
removed.

      A BURNING SENSATION OF THE  STOMACH,
                   VULGARLY CALLED
              THE HEART BURN.

   This is a sharp, burning pain, about the  pit of the
stomach;  proceeding  from acidity of the stomach,
with some mixture of bile.   It  frequently rises up into
the throat by eructations,  giving a bad taste to the
mouth.   It frequently occurs in pregnancy.
  Causes.—It is usually  caused by  indigestion, or
weakness  in  the stomach.  It is often  occasioned by
taking too hearty food, or fermented liquors.
  Cure.—The alkali draught, taken frequently; the
antibilious powder, No.  2; the restoring bitters, taken
several times a day;  or  an emetick.

              HICKUP.   (Hiccough.)
  This is  a convulsive motion of the  midriff, usually
occasioned by taking hot,  stimulating liquids into  a, 
        HOOPING COUGH.  HYPOCHONDRIASIS.    103

cold, phlegmatick stomach;  sometimes by the reverse
of this;  sometimes by poison.
  Cure.—When occasioned by taking hot, stimulating
liquids, a draught of cold water or milk will generally
relieve the complaint very soon.  If occasioned by
eating or drinking any thing cold, a warm, stimulating
application will be most  proper.  Take two or three.
drops ofthe oil of peppermint, on a small lump of su-
gar; or a tea of ginger composition, or cayenne.  Ei-
ther of these will  usually give immediate relief.   If it
be occasioned by taking  poison, the stomach must be
emptied by an emetick as soon as possible.  First, take
half a table spoonful  ofthe emetick solution; in a few
minutes after, take the alkali draught, and repeat it
every five minutes, till it produces vomiting.

               HOOPING COUGH.

  This disease arises from a contagious effluvia affect-
ing the membrane which lines the windpipe.  It never
attacks the same person  more than once.
  Symptoms.—It commences like a  common cough.
but increases till it becomes convulsive, attended by a
shrill hooping noise,  which is the characteristick mark
of the disease.  The  coughing is often attended by vo-
miting,  bleeding  at the  nose and lungs.   It is seldom
accompanied by much fever, nor considered dangerous.
  Treatment.—Although  this disease  usually  con-
tinues a considerable length of time, and consequently
often  left to take  its  course, till nature effects a cure;
still a considerable benefit may be derived,  by taking
an emetick, cough powders, expectorant powders, and
the alkali draught:  all  of which  may  be  used mo-
derately.

HYPOCHONDRIASIS. (Hypochondriack Affection.)

  The seat of this disease is in the stomach and bow*
els;  these parts becoming disordered first,  the others 
104      HYPOCHONDRIASIS.  HYSTERICUS.

suffer from their connexion.   The brain and nervous
system appear particularly  affected.   The disease is
characterized by dyspepsia;  languor and want of en-
ergy; sadness and fear from uncertain causes; the im-
agination replete with unhappy forebodings respecting
future events;  and from the slightest change of feelings
apprehending great danger, perhaps death itself.
   Symptoms.—These are too numerous for descrip-
tion: scarcely two  persons  being affected alike.  It
usually attends a sedentary life, and  arises from vari-
ous causes.  The most usual are  sorrow,  fear, or ex-
cess of any ofthe passions;  too long  continued watch-
ing; irregular diet; luxurious and debilitating indulgen-
ces; immoderate use of coffee, tea, and ardent spirits.
   Treatment.—In order to effect a  cure, we should
admit as realities, all the imaginary evils of which the
patient complains: endeavouring  to raise his courage,
and lead him  to engage in  some  useful and pleasing
pursuit.   "Hence we learn the superiour advantages
of those situations in life which more immediately call
for intellectual exertions and bodily exercises.  Indus-
try  seldom fails to place us above want,  and activity
serves us instead of physick."  After  two or three ope-
rations in  the general course of medicine, and the cold
bath for several mornings, the patient should take fre-
 quent exercise on horseback, or in a carriage.   Also,
 take daily two or three doses of the  restoring bitters.
 Let the  diet be fresh and strengthening;  and the pa-
 tient must abstain  from those habits which tend to
 bring on the complaint.
       HYSTERICKS. (Hysterick Passions.)

   This disease is most common to females of delicate
 minds, and irritable nerves.   It affects the plethorick
 and robust as well as the debilitated; and most com-
 monly at  the time of menstruation.
    Symptoms.—It often begins with a heaviness or de-
 jection of mind, with pain in the  left side of the abdo- 
HYSTERICUS,  indigestion.
105
men, with a sense of distention advancing upwards into
the stomach, and finally  into the throat, producing a
Sensation as if a ball were rising up and threatening
suffocation.  The patient often experiences a drowsi-
ness or insensibility; sometimes agitated with various
emotions, beating the breast with the hand, striking the
hands together, sighing, laughing, or  weeping,  &c.—
The  patient experiences a temporary delirium or in-
sanity.
   Cuases.—Obstruction or suppression of customary
evacuations;  a disordered state  of the stomach,  or
strong excitement ofthe mind.
   Treatment.—A  tea of boneset, green wheat,  or
motherwort, usually affords relief.  When the  nerves
are much agitated, a dose or two of lady slipper has a
good effect.   Costiveness should  be  obviated  by ca-
tharticks.

          INDIGESTION.  (Dyspepsia.)
   This may be  considered rather as a symptomatick
than  a primitive disease.   It proceeds from debility
and relaxation ofthe stomach and intestines.   People
who are addicted to dram drinking, who make frequent
use of catharticks,  or live an indolent life, are most
liable to this disease.

   Description.—Want of appetite,  distention ofthe
stomach and bowels, attended with pain and flatulency,
nausea and vomiting, heart burn, concretions of acid
or rancid taste, sick headach, costiveness.  At length,
the body becomes emaciated and debilitated, for the
want of  its proper nourishment.
   Causes.—Too  frequent use  of spiritotrs  liquors;
taking poisonous drugs, such  as opium, mercury, an-
timony,  lead,  nitre, arsenick, vitriol, copperas, &c.;
poor  diet;  oppressing the stomach with too* great  a
quantity of food; anxiety of mind, intense application
to study, &c; a sedentary inactive life;  unripe and 
 106        DYSPEPSIA, OR INDIGESTION.

crude aliment; too great variety of food, to which the
stomach is not accustomed.  This disease is often at-
tributed to a redundancy or a deficiency of bile in the
stomach; and persons thus  diseased resort to drastick
purges  or  poisonous  emeticks, which  have as great a
tendency to increase the disease, as any other  means.
The bile is never concerned in  the digestion of food.
It is conveyed from the liver by a duct into the intes-
tines, stimulating them  to  a proper discharge of the
faeces.   It  is therefore  that a certain quantity of bile
should be regularly secreted to aid the intestinal evacu-
ations,  which should  take  place  as often as once in
twenty-four hours.  When drastick  purges are given,
they excite a too violent and profuse secretion of bile,
occasioning an exhaustion which it requires a consider-
able time  to replenish.  Consequently, the body be-
comes  more debilitate^ and the bowels more costive.
The same  consequence follows from taking poisonous
vomits, such as  emetick tartar, vitriol, or  antimony.
These  act on the stomach hwsuch a way as usually to
produce a spasmodick action ofthe abdominal muscles,
causing a redundancy of bile to flow into the stomach,
thence  to* be thrown  out  in   the operation  of the
emetick.
  A frequent repetition of this practice can scarcely fail
to  ruin the most healthy constitution, and to bring on
the train of evils usually accompanying indigestion.
In order to health, the human body requires its proper
quantity of salutary,  well digested food, as much as
vegetables  require a fruitful  soil.  The vegetable de-
riving  nutriment  through  the  absorbent parts  called
roots, flourishes according  to the  richness of the  soil
where  it grows.  In animals,  intestines perform the
same office as roots do in vegetables.   The food, after
being masticated,  is received into the  stomach, to  un-
dergo the process of digestion;  thence  to be conveyed
through the intestines.   The chyle being taken up by
the absorbents, termed  lacteals, is conveyed into  the 
             INDIGESTION.  JAUNDICE.          107

n.ass of blood, thereby to be distributed to every part
of the body, for its nourishment and support.
  Treatment.—This should vary  according to the
cause of the disease.   If it proceed from the use of too
weak food, a more substantial diet should be substitu-
ted, with a frequent use of the restoring bitters.  The
diet should  be gradually reduced to a plain, common
regimen, consisting of a due proportion of animal and
vegetable food;  and for beverage, using pure water.
If the disorder proceed from debility, it may be proper
to stimulate the appetite a little by the restoring bitters,
wine, and food seasoned with cayenne pepper sauce.
Ginger tea,  or pure water, should be taken at meals.
The bowels should be kept free by aperients; the sto-
mach should be kept clean and  warm by occasional
emetick^, and hot medicines.   The flesh of young ani-
mals, being easiest to digest, is most suitable for food;
and proper exercise w ill be found very serviceable as a
preservative of health, as well as the means of obtaigi-
ing  sustenance.  Such people as are obliged to earn
their bread by their daily labour, usually enjoy better
health than the indolent and self indulgent, though sur-
rounded by all the luxuries which wealth can purchase.

       \JAUND1CE.   (Bilious Complaint.)

   This disease arises from an obstruction of the biliary
duct, owing to a sluggish or toipid  state of the  liver.
The bile not passing, as it ought, through the duct into
the  intestines, it is taken  up by the absorbents, and
carried with the mass of blood  to the surface.  This
gives the skin a yellow appearance.   It is usually  at-
tended with  loss of appetite, drowsiness,  and costive-
ness.  It first makes  its appearance in the white of  the
eyes, in the nails of the fingers, and in the urine.
  Treatment.—The first thing to be attempted is to
produce a general action through the system, by means
of the general course of medicine.  This  process may 
108        ring's evil, or scrofula.

be followed till the disease is removed.  The jaundice
bitters,  and anti-bilious  powders, well  followed, will
also  relieve the disease.   The anti-bilious powder, No.
2. taken in the morning, has a good effect in dissolving
concretions in the biliary duct.

           KING'S EVIL.   (Scrofula.)

  "The Latins term this disease scrofula, from scrofa,
a hgg, because it has been observed in the swine.   It
ft named the king's evil, in consequence  of Edward the
confessor, and other succeeding kings, both of England
and  France, pretending to cure it by touch.  The last
that practised this delusion was  Queen Anne.   In  the
London Gazette, of the  year  1707, is inserted a pro-
clamation inviting her scrofulous subjects .to the regal
touch."
  This disease is nearly allied to the cancer, but not
quite so obstinate.  The tumour  usually seats on the
glands  of the  neck, directly under the right  ear.   It
sometimes seats in the ligaments, of a joint, and then it
is termed -tvhite swelling.   W7hen the lungs become tiie
seat of the disease, it is called pulmonary consumption.
Sometimes it  effects every part  of the  system.  It is
generally occasioned by a debility of the  absorbent
and  secretory  or depositing vessels.
  Treatment.—If the tumour be near breaking, apply
a poultice of roasted onions, leeks, or  rye  meal and
molasses; if not, burn a piece or two of touchwood,
sometimes called punk.   Apply  a  moist poultice of In-
dian meal till  it discharges; then dress  it two  or three
times a  day, with the anti-scrofulous plaster, until it be
healed.  Proceed in the same manner with every suc-
ceeding tumour.  A tea ofthe anti-scrofulous powder
should  be taken freely every day during the  above ap-
plications, and continued sometime afier the complaint
has  subsided.   A strengthening  and pure diet  and be
verage  should  be taken,  and  the cold bath frequentlj
used.                                   f 
MEASLES.   CHLOROSIS.
109
  N.  B. The foregoing method of treatment will re-
lieve cancers and wens.

                   MEASLES.

  This disease is highly infectious; and the constitu-
tion that has once been under its influence, is not liable
to a second attack.
   Symptoms.—It usually begins with dullness or low-
ness of spirits, and shiverings, succeeded by heat and
headach; a sense of heat about the eyes, being unable,
sometimes,  to bear the light; a nausea at the stomach;
a dry skin and quick  pulse.  About the fourth  or fifth
day, red  pimples begin to break out on the face, and
then on the different parts ofthe body.   These increase
and run together, forming large blotches.  In the mean
time a  fever and cough begin and prevail, and the re-
 spiration sometimes becomes very difficult.   Two or
 three  days afterwards the eruptions begin to  change
 and disappear, and in a short time they entirely go off
 in a kind of branny scales from  the sca.fskin.
    Treatment.—The stomach  should first be cleansed
 by an  emetick; after  which  a moisture should be pro-
 duced  on the surface, and kept up by  stimulants; for
 which  use the diaphoretick tea, cayenne, cough pow-
 ders, or composition.   Use the whole or a part.  The
 patient must carefully avoid taking cold.  This treat-
 ment will seldom or never fail of producing happy ef-
 fects : its utility has been evinced by the success uni-
f„\'v:)y attending it.

          CHLOROSIS.  (Green Sickness.)
   This is a disease which affects young females who
labour  under a retention or suppression of the menses.
It is attended with general debility and lassitude.  The
face changes its vivid freshness to  a pale green sallow
colour.  A difficulty  of breathing occurs, and nausea
•?nd vomiting, with various symptoms of indigestion: 
110       GREENSICKNESS.   hemorrhage.

some-time's an unnatural appetite for eating chalk, lime,
coals, and other things of an injurious nature.

  Treatment.—This complaint requires  immediate
relief—otherwise, fatal consequences will follow; such
as, dropsy, delirium, or consumption.  After an ope-
ration ofthe general course of medicine, let the patient
take a tea spoonful of the powders of the root of red
cohush, in a gill of hot water, once in thirty minutes;
or half a tea spoonful of white birth root powders, in a
gill of warm water, every hour.   Also, a tea of Ange-
lica seeds or roots, green wheat, cedar boughs, hemlock
boughs, pennyroyal, mugwort or winter clover.  Be-"
fore retiring to bed at night, the  patient should stand
or sit over a steam bath of hemlock boughs, or some
bitter herbs;  and  have draughts applied to  the feet.
The general health should be improved by a strength-
ening diet and exercise in the open air.

          FLOODING.   (Hcemorrhage.)

  When  immoderate  and  unusual evacuations take
place from  the  womb  or  other parts,  it  is termed
flooding.

  Causes.—It often arises from  injuries, violent exer-
cise, debilitation of the system, the indulgence of vio-
lent passions, or from abortion.

  Treatment.—Since in this complaint there is a ge-
neral debility, cqM  surface,  and unequal circulation,
let the patient first take a tea ofthe flowers of yarrow,
or any other part of that herb, or of the roots of blue
flag.  After being washed in the alkali wash, let a mo-
derate steam be applied round the body, to open the
surface and produce an equal circulation ofthe blood.
After taking a few draughts of the above tea, take the
composition, and restoring  bitters, which will  be effi-
cacious 
        MUMPS.   PALPiiAlION g« the heart.   Hi

                     MUMPS.

   This disease it seems is communicated by the atmos-
phere, and often becomes epidemick.  It is not consi-
dered dangerous, except by taking cold, and a conse-
quent change of locality.
   Symptoms.—It usually begins with  cold chills and
shivering,  succeeded  by  fever and  headach,  nausea,
vomiting, he.; afterwards, an external swelling takes
place in  the jaws, sometimes only one at a time.  This
increases till about the fourth day; from that period it
gradually decreases, till it entirely disappears.
   Treatment.—An emetick may be employed in the
commencement;  afterwards,  stimulants and  diapho-
reticks.  The alkali draught and composition, answer
a very good purpose.  The bowels  should be kept re-
gular by laxatives.  When the disease changes its local-
ity, the general course of medicine must be resorted  to
                                                 t
       PALPITATION OF THE HEART.
   This arises  from an unequal  balance of blood, and
debility ofthe nerves.  The beating is often so violent
as to be  seen on the outside of the clothes.
   Causes.—It may arise from various causes; such as
excessive evacuations of blood;  distention  or enlarge-
ment ofthe blood vessels, termed enurism; wrenches or
strains of the breast; overdoing, by excessive exercise;
taking poison, ike.
   Treatment.—The strictest attention must be  paid
to the exercise, which should be very moderate.  Vio-
lent exercise tends to increase the morbid irritation, and
debilitate the  injured parts.  A tea of slippery  elm,
buck  horn, sweet fern, and  alkanoke, either separately
or combined, may be taken daily.  The composition
powder and restoring bitters may be taken occasionally.
A large strengthening plaster should be applied over
the region ofthe heart.  The patient should use-a ve-
getable diet, and avoid all fermented liquors. 
112         PALSY.  PILES.  PLEURISY.
                     PALSY.
  This disease consists in a diminution or cessation of
muscular action.   Sometimes  the  whole body  is af-
fected; but more  frequently one side only, and some-
times only a limb.  Corpulent people are most  liable
to this complaint.
  Causes.—Debility of the nervous or  vascular sys-
tem;  compression of the brain;  overloading  the sto-
mach; immoderate use  of spirits;  laborious exercise;
loss of vitality; taking poison, &c.
  Treatment.—This disease  is, such as  to admit of no
delay, if a cure is expected.  If the general course  oL
medicine were in all cases immediately applied  and fol-
lowed up for a few days, few would sustain much per-
manent injury from the paralytick shock.

              PILES.   (Haemorrhoids.)

  Of these  there are two kinds, called  the open and
blind piles.   The disease consists  in small  tumours
situated about the anus.   When these  tumours dis-
charge blood,  they are termed  open; when there is no
discharge, they are called blind piles.
  Causes.—It may proceed from  costiveness; from
humours;  active  purges, such  as aloes;  or debility of
the rectum.
  Treatment.—The bowels  should be kept regular
by the powders of wandering milkweed,  or buck thorn"
berries.   The  erysipelas tea should be taken freely for
a considerable time.  An  ointment made of fireweed
and  fresh butter,  simmered, may be applied to the tu-
mours; washes or lavements made of green ozier, wild
lettuce, crane's bill, and white lily, applied, give relief.

                  PLEURISY.

  This consists in an inflammation  of  the pleura,  a
membrane which lines the chest or thorax.  It  usually 
              PLEURISY.  PREGNANCY.           113

commences with the symptoms of a fever, such as cold
shiverings, sickness, pain in the head, and thence to the
side;  drowsiness,  difficult respiration,  restlessness,  a
dry cough, &ic. which are succeeded by a fever.
  Causes.—Sudden heats and colds; external injuries;
long exposure to cold air; immoderate drinking; ob-
structed perspiration, fee.
   Treatment.—The general course of medicine gives
immediate relief in  almost any stage  of the disease^
By this course, several  have  been relieved, even after
they were supposed to be dying—after having had their
bodies almost drained of blood, besides  being otherwise
unmercifully handled.

         PREGNANCY. (Child-bearing.)
   I do not introduce this as a disease, though attended
with  much indisposition, and  a variety of complaints
which require great attention and medical aid.   "It is,
in general, the source of many disagreeable sensations,
and often the cause of diseases which might be attended
with  the worst consequences, if not properly treated."

   The prevailing symptoms are pains  in the head and
stomach,  nausea and vomiting, fainting, loathing  and
longing, he. which are  owing to heterogeneous parti-
cles of viscid  humours, or a  phlegmatick habit.  To
obviate those symptoms, the party should go through
the general course of medicine, and, if necessary, repeat
the course at any stage.  The composition powders and
restoring  bitters may be  taken  daily, to correct and
strengthen the stomach and appetite.  In the latter
stage of pregnancy, about six weeks before labour, the
party should take a tea of bloodvein, w inter clover, and
one fourth of a tea spoonful of white birth rOot, once
or twice  a day, in  a gill of warm water sweetened.
The whole should  be discontinued a few days  before
labour.   During pregnancy,  the party should use a
nutritious diet, and moderate exercise, avoiding fatigue
                        11* 
114    REMARKS ON BLEEDING IN PREGNANCY.

and  contaminated  air, and thus acquire  as  much
strength as possible in reserve for the approaching hour
of trial.
  A  celebrated writerobserves,  "Pregnant women are
often afflicted with the heart burn, sickness and vomit-
ing, especially in the morning; likewise both the head-
ach and toothach, are very troublesome symptoms of
pregnancy.  Every other disorder to which a woman,
during the state of pregnancy, is liable, is  chiefly, if
not entirely, owing to a deficiency of heat and blood;
which may easily be gathered from the consideration of
the expense she is at for the nutrition of the foetus, and
the formation of its appurtenances.  If two ounces of
blood  were drawn every day from  a person  ever  so
healthy, for forty weeks together, let it  be left to com-
mon sense to determine whether such a one can stand
in need  of supernumerary  venesections  during that
time.  It is on this account that their faces appear so
thin, and various disorders attack them, which origin-
ate from a want of blood.  If a woman with child is
bled, says Hippocrates, miscarriage is endangered; the
larger the foetus, the more certain and expeditious will
be the abortion. Experience confirms the truth of this
observation.  I  knew many ladies who used phlebo-
tomy during their pregnancy, and  miscarried; but on
the omission of it, went out their full  time, and were
delivered  of- healthy children.  That all do not mis-
carry who are bled, is true; and indeed nothing is more
to be wondered at than the inexhaustible  resources of
nature, by which she can recover herself from such ill-
timed evacuations.   To use phlebotomy  because  the
periodical visits disappear, is absurd and  puerile;  for
it cannot be a manly argument,  that we ought to lavish
away that fluid which nature demonstrates her want of,
by her care to preserve it.  Bleeding is always hazard-
ous  and improper during pregnancy, and frequently
brings on convulsions and death.  To this.rash  and
inexcusable imprudence it is  owing, that such numbers- 
child birth.               115
  of women, who even go their full time, die in childbed."
     To confirm the above sentiments,  (if it were neces-
  sary to confirm the obvious dictates of common sense,)
  I could  adduce several facts which have fallen within
  my observation—facts which prove, to  my entire satis-
  faction, the impropriety of bleeding in such cases as are
  alluded to in the above quotation.

                   CHILD  BIRTH.

     From a consideration of the many, and sometimes
   fatal sufferings of that perilous occasion, and  a belief
   that those sufferings may, by some precautions, be in
   some degree mitigated, I am induced to suggest a few
   things which may prove beneficial, and perhaps rescue
   some from undergoing the ccesarian operation.*
     The ordinary time of particrition is well known to
   be about nine,  solar months after  conception.  The
   symptoms of approaching labour  are a descent of the
   womb and abdomen;  pains in the  loins or small ofthe
   back  and groins;  frequent inclination to  discharge
   urine, or a tenesmus, succeeded by a trembling of the
   limbs, shivering, and sometimes a flushed countenance.
     A tea of winter clover and cayenne  should be taken
   alternately,  during labour, so as  to produce  a moist
   surface.  The patient  should walk  about, or keep in
   an erect position, as long  as may  be convenient, and
   lend her efforts to  increase the power of he. pains.
   Too frequent  examination or interference should  be
   avoided; nor should there be more attendance than is
  necessary.   Fresh air should be enjoyed, and afcsuit-
  able means used for cherishing and preserving the wo-
  man's strength.  The head of  the child naturally de-
  scends  to the orifice of the womb, and is.generally
v  pressed forward by every throe.  When'the crown of

    * " A birth where the child is cut out of the  womb."  From motives of
  delicacy, I cannot be so particular on this subject'as some wuuld perhaps
  consider desirable. 
116 "        child birth,   rheumatism.

the head can be felt, the labour is one third advanced.
Assistance, may now be given, though nature alone is
able to  perform the  exclusion, which is  often  af-
fected  by one  throe,  Where nature is weak, she is
consequently slow in her operations.  In such cases aid
is necessary, and should be rendered with deliberation;
haste and violence are often productive of serious, if
not fatal consequences.  When the child is  born it
should be laid on the  side,  so as to give a free pulsa-
tion  to the circulation  through-the string.  After  the
pulsation has ceased,  the navel string  should be tied
with two ligatures to prevent haemorrhage;  one about
three  inches from the child, the other an inch or two
further.  Then cut  the navel  string between the li-
gatures.

   The secundines or afterbirth, if not  already taken,
should be extracted by the most gentle means.   If
it  is attached to the womb, or strongly enclosed by
the contraction of the  womb, place the  patient over a
steam  of hemlock boughs, or bitter herbs; and give a
strong tea of cayenne alone, or mixed  with  hemlock,
winter clover, Or some other medicines; which will soon
be effectual.   After which, a free use of cayenne, com-
position, and bitters, should be administered, to keep a
natural perspiration, till the general health be esta-
blished.

                  ivhcumnttsnt.

   This disease occurs  most frequently in autumn  and
spring.  It often occurs in the other  seasons also, when
there are frequent and  sudden changes in the tempera-
ture ofthe atmosphere.  When this disease attacks the
joints, attended with swelling and much pain and fever,  *
it is called acute rheumatism.  When there is not much
pain, swelling, or  inflammation, it is termed chronick
rheumatism. 
              RHEUMATISM.   RICKETS.          117

            ACUTE RHEUMATISM.

   Symptoms.—This species  commences with swelling
 of the joints, attended with severe pain and* inflamma-
 tion.  It often attacks some joint in every*limb, so that
 the patient is unable to move in arfy direction.
   Causes.—It is generally occasioned by exposure to
• sudden changes of heat and cold, or continuing long in
 wet clothes, which obstructs the insensible perspiration
 in those parts.
   Treatment.—Cupping  round  the  joints affords
 much relief; after which, moderate perspiration  may
 be produced and  continued  by  the  alkali wash and
 draught, with other  diaphoreticks, such as  cayenne,
 diaphoretick tea, powders of skunk cabbage,  princes4
 pine, black cohush, &ic.

          CHRONICK  RHEUMATISM.

   This species generally afflicts the aged, and usually
 seizes on the tendons in the back, shoulders, and hips.
 It is attended with much stiffness,  and a dull heavy pain
 which shifts from one part to  another.
   Causes.—This disease usually arises  from strains
 occasioned bv lifting, carrying heavy  burdens, he.; or
 from long exposure to cold and wet.
   Treatment.-—The rheumatick  bitters and bathing
 drops generally afford relief.   They may be used three
 or four times a da}-.  Should they prove ineffectual, the
 generalconrse of medicine must be tried and repeated
 till relief be obtained.

                    RICKETS.

   This disease is peculiar to such  young children  as
have, unfortunately,  not had  good nursings   An en-
largement ofthe head and abdomen are the first symp-
toms of this disease;  succeeded by a wasting or de-
caying of the other parts, except the large joints. 
118           RUPTURE.  ERYSIPELAS.

  Treatment.—The first step towards effecting  a
eure is to repair the digestive powers, so that the food
may nourish the body, and excite muscular  action.
For  this purpose it will be necessary to cleanse the
stomach with an emetick, and to wash the surface with
the alkali and scoke wash.  Two or three tea spoon-
fuls of lime water may be given twice a day; also, the
composition and restoring  bitters.  The cold  bath
should be used every second or third morning, till the
cure is effected.

                   RUPTURE.

  This disease consists in  a protrusion or bursting out
of some part ofthe belly, forming a soft tumour.
  Causes.—It most  commonly proceeds from some
heavy compression or severe  strains of the abdomen;
tight swathing ofthe body; carrying heavy burthens;
sneezing, he.
  Treatment.—The patient should be kept as still as
possible, in a horizontal  position.  After returning the
prolapsed parts into the cavity, apply the rupture plas-
ter over the injured part.  It should  be compressed by
a truss or by bandages to prevent its returning.  The
plaster should be removed once in three or four days,
and the part washed with brandy or high wines, till the
breach is healed.  A tea made of rupture wort, crane's
bill, high wickup, and buckhorn should be taken for a
considerable time, either the whole of them combined,
or a part used separately.  The patient should avoid
taking any thing into the stomach which will occasion
flatulence or wind.   The diet should be nourishing and
strengthening, such as jellies, he.  Costiveness should,
if possible, be prevented,

      ERYSIPELAS.   (St. Anthony's Fire.)
  This disease is an inflammatory affection, principally
ofthe skin when it makes its appearance externally, and 
ERYSIPELAS.  SALT RHEUM.
119
 ot  the mucus membrane when it is seated internally,
 A person who has once been affected with this disease
 will be more subject to its future  attacks.   It some-
 times returns periodically.
   Symptoms.—It usually begins with shivering,  suc-
 ceeded by heat and a drowsy sensation, sometimes de-
 lirium ; the eyelids swell, and the skin appears red and
 rough.   About the second  day, small blisters rise on
 the skin, filled with  water.   The disorder  usually
 comes to its height about the fifth day.  Two or three
 days afterwards, it begins to  go  off in large branny
 scales.    It sometimes attacks only one side ofthe body
 at a time.
    Causes.—It is brought on by all the causes that are
 apt to excite inflammation, such as injuries of all kinds,
 the external application of stimulants, exposure to cold,
 and obstructed perspiration.
    Treatment.—After going  through two or three
 thorough operations of the general course of medicine,
 the patient should take freely a tea  made of the erysi-
 pelas  powder, for a considerable  length of time,  to
 prevent a recurrence ofthe disease.

                 SALT  RHEUM.

   This disease is a species of erysipelas.  It prevails
 in  the cold season, and disappears, in a great measure,
 in  the warm.

   Symptoms.—It appears in  large blotches, dischar-
 ging a fluid, which spreads and excoriates the adjacent
 parts.   Sometimes it  breaks out all over the body  in
 spots, but most commonly about the hands.   It is at-
 tended with an itching and a burning sensation.
   Treatment.—Spread  a plaster  large enough  to
 cover the affected part, made of rosin and white pine
 turpentine, ofthe consistence of shoemaker's wax.  On
 the plaster sprinkle some powders made of equal quan-
tities of burnt alum  and rosin, made  fine and  mixed 
120
scaldhead.  strangury.
 well together.  After the plaster has been on two days,
 spread the same plaster over with a new coat of pitch
 and powders, and keep it on one day.   After renewing
 it once a day, for two or three days, let the plaster stay
 on as long as it will; which will prove an effectual
 cure.  This  application  will remove most  cutaneous
 eruptions,

                  SCALDHEAD.

   This disease is also a species of erysipelas, and  is
 easily communicated from one person  to another, by
 means of a hat or comb, previously worn  by one so
 diseased.   Its virulency causes  the hair  to become drv
 and thin—the appearance ofthe skin is blue and scaly.
   Treatment.—At an early stage of  the disease, it
 may  be cured by  such  ointments as  the  following:
 Take  four ounces  of sassafras, the  bark of the roots;
four ounces of blackberry brier, the bark ofthe roots;
 four ounces  of elecampane, the roots; all  collected
 fresh and washed;  add one pound  of fresh butter or
 hog's lard.  Simmer them over a slow fire, four hours;
 strain it off into an earthen vessel for use.  Previous to
 applying the ointment, the hair on  the diseased  part
 should be wholly cut off.   The ointment may be rub-
bed over every morning and evening.   If the disease
be of long standing, the head must first be shaved, and
rubbed over with a  little soft oil /w  fresh  butter, to
 soften the scales; which, by washing with castile soap
suds, will come off.   After  this, apply the plaster and
powders recommended for the salt rheum, during  seve-
ral days before using the other ointment.   In the mean
time, the patient should make free use of the erysioe-g
las tea.

                 STRANGURY.
  This  disease consists  in  a  difficulty or inability 0H»;
discharging urine.  It attends the gravel  or stone, and
ofteu happens in consequence of blistering. 
           SWEATING.   venereal disease.      12i

   Treatment.—Let  the patient drink freely of ti,
 diuretick tea;  and let a hot stone, wrapped in a cloth
 wet with vinegar and  water, and a dry cloth wrapped
 round the whole, be laid near the bowels.  The alkali
 wash and draught may be used in addition to the above
 prescriptions.

             PROFLSE  SWEATING.

   Excessive perspiration is often the effort of nature U.
 relieve herself of morbid affections.  It also happens in
 consequence of debility and relaxations ofthe system,
 and often excessive in pulmonary consumption, hectick
 fever, and ague and fever.  The nerve's being relaxed,
 and  the pores open,  profuse perspiration ensues, and
 with it a great share of^animal heat escapes.   This oo*
 casions the diminution of strength which follows pro-
 fuse sweating.  This  difficulty may be obviated by re-
 porting to the cold bath, or by washing the body with
 cold water or spirits.  This may be done with perfect
 safety, even when  the perspiration is most profuse.   A
 potion  of hot bitters, or other hot medicine, may be
 given a little before or after the cold application.  Mo-
 derate astringents  may be used, both internally and ex-
 ternally; of which, the alkanoke, sweet fern, crane's
 bill, and swamp snake root are the most proper.

 VENEREAL DISEASE.  (Lues venerea. Syphilis.}

   This disease is distinguished by different names,  ac-
 cording to the appearance it exhibits  in  its  different
 stages.   When the disease is local, the morbid matter
 acting in its simplest mode, it is called gonorrhea,  or
rtlap.   In its more diffused and  confirmed state, it is
 called lues venena, syphilis, cj-c.
   The venereal disease is always occasioned by a poi-
 : on,  the nature of  which is not understood, except by
 its effects.  The smallest particle of this poison is suf-
 ficient to bring on  the most violent disorder  over the
                         12 
li2             VENEREAL D1SEASL

whole body.   It is communicated, by actual contact,
and may infect any part of the surface ofthe body, es-
pecially such parts as are most tender,  or have been
wounded or ulcerated.
   A clap is merely a running or discharge of mucus
matter, occasioned by coition with an infected person.
It usually begins from four to six days after receiving
the infection, with  a discharge, at first of a white or yel-
lowish colour, usually attended with a painful scalding
sensation in discharging urine.  The inflammation fre-
quently increases  for some days after its first appear-
 ince, with  pain in the groins, he.   After the pain and
inflammation  have abated, the discharge, assuming a
whiter appearance, will  gradually  diminish, and when
Cue parts have had time to recover their strength, it will
finally disappear.
   When the venereal poison  becomes mixed with  the
general  mass of fluids, appearing  in different parts 01
the body,  it is considered the real venereal disease.
Nature then seems to make no effort to  effect a cure.
The disease progresses  till checked  by the power  of
medicine.  If left to take its course, the poison will dif-
fuse  corruption through  the whole system.  The dis-
order makes a more rapid progress  in some constitu-
tions than in others.  In  persons affected with scorbu-
tick, scrofulous, or other  chronick diseases, pulmonary
consumption, he. it often proves  destructive.   The
symptoms  of the  confirmed  disease are pains  in  the
bones, those  especially of the head, arms, and shius;
which  pains are  always most violent  when  in bed.
Swellings and  ulcers frequently attack the genitals—
also, the inside ofthe lower part ofthe throat;  whence
they advance by the palate to the cartilage ofthe nose.
Dry, scabby eruptions sometimes appear on the skin,
or hard pktules covered with  a  yellowish scab of a
branny appearance,  attended with  itching.  Similar
sores may, indeed, arise  from scrofulous  humours, but
.^icb arc fov !hHe to inflame  and to contain matter, 
                1LNERF.AL DISEASE.            I3S*

 ';iian the venereal kind.   When venereal sores are
 seated on the bone, such as the large bones of the legs,
 the fore arm?, or-skull, they produce a caries or rotten-
 ness, atteudetl with severe pains, especially in the night
 time.
   Treatment.—This disease may be cured in the first
 stage by a  few simple means; but if"neglected, it be-
 comes a serious malady, and often proves fatal.
   The discharge, cajled gonorrhea, should be promoted
 by the expectorant powders, which should be taken
 three times a day,  so as to produce a salivation, but not
 to vomit.   The diuretick tea  should be taken freely,
 or a lea of swamp snake root, ginseji, sarsaparilla, and
 dwarf elder, to allay the inflammation; and injections
 : hould be thrown up the urethra, made of swamp snake
 root and crane's bill, not very strong.  After the gleet
 Las  subsided, a linseed tea may be taken, or ten or fif-
 teen  drops of fir balsam,  dropped  on  sugar,, taken
 twice or three times ,a day,  for several days.
   When the system generally  has become affected with
 the virus, the patient  should go through several opera-
 tions in the general course of medicine—in the mean
 time, using the scoke root wash  freely, and, in  the in-
 termediate spaces, use the teas and expectorant pow-
 ders. ' In case of venereal  sores where there is much
 fungous  flesh, (if where it is practicable,) a plaster or
 coat  of  the vegetable caustick  should be applied, to
 produce  a  fresh wound, which will be much easier to
 heal.  After which, apply poultices of boiled or roasted
 scoke  root, or the common salve, keeping them wel]
 cleansed  with  castile soap  and  water, aud  the blood
 root powders.
  I deem it not improper to mention, in this place, that
 I have, by  this mode of treatment, effected cures in se-
 veral inveterate cases, on which many of the  profes-
 sional doctors had  exhausted their skill.  I will  state a
case or two: A young man came to me with a venereal
 disease of several  years' standing.  He  had a large 
{21        VENEREAL DISEASE.  WHITES.

sore which broke out on his neck, directly over the j*i-
gular vein, about three  inches in diameter.   Ho said
he had just come  from the medical  president of the
county, who  had informed him that he durst not do
any thing more, for fear of bursting the jugular vein;
the consequence of which would  be immediate death.
He had  been under his care  about four months, and
grew worse.   I undertook for him, and in about fifteen
days  his cure was effected.       m
   Another man came, having four large sores which
broke out at once, on one of his  legs, a few days pre-
vious,*which immediately turned black,  and discharged
a strong fetid matter.  From their putrid appearance,
one would suppose they had been of a year's standing,
or more.   He informed me the infection had been in
his system for several years.  He had applied to seve-
ral doctors, whose method was to stop the^ progress of
the disease, by reducing his system.  1  applied the ye
getable~cauStick To each sore, and proceeded according
to the above directions.   This was five years ago, since
which time he has had no recurrence ofthe disease,

             WHITES. (Fluor Albus.)

   This disease consists in the efflux or secretion  of a
white humour or mucus from the vagina of women,
arising from debility.
   Causes.—It  may  be occasioned by a sedentary or
inactive life, weak or watery diet, excessive use of tea or
coffee,  or  by fr^pieut  miscarriage;-.  It is  attended
with  considerable  pain and weakness about  the loins.
It brings on a train of other disease-, such  as dropsy,
consumption, &c. unless  seasonably removed.   The
eftlux ceases during  the time of menstruation.  There
are but few of the sex who do not experience more or
less of this disease.
   Treatment.—Take a tea spoonful of the powders ot
red birth root, mix them with  a gill of new milk, steep
:t on warm embers a few minutes; but it must not boil. 
          WHITE SWELLINGS.   WORMc.          125

Let the patient take three or four  tea spoonfuls every
half hour, till it is all used.   Let the same dose be pre-
pared and taken every day, till theVure is effected.—
The general course of medicine and cold bathing may
be useful.   Moderate exercise and a nutritious diet
will be highly necessary.

             WHITE SWELLINGS.

  This disease is usually seated in the knee, ancle, el-
bow, or about the neck.
  Causes.—It may arise from rheumatick affections, a
scrofulous habit, hard water, external injuries, bathing
in water  when the  body is oyer heated, &c.   It begins
with acute pain, and is followed by swelling.
  Treatment.—The first requisite is to prevent the
formation of matter,  ease the pain, and reduce the
swelling.  A plaster  made of turpentine and rosin,
sprinkled over with Cayenne will be a suitable applica-
tion.  A few issues also will prove beneficial.   All hot
applications must be avoided.

                   . WORMS.

  The species of worms most  prevalent in the human
body are four, namely—(1)  The teres,  or round anct
long worms, which occupy the stomach and intestines:,
(2) The ascarides,  or small, round and short worms,
which commonly occupy the lower intestines:  (3) The
whitecambrick worms, which chiefly occupy the stomach*
and  (4) The tape worm which takes possession of the
whole intestinal canal.
  Symptoms.—The more usual symptoms are, indi-
gestion, a hard, full, distended belly; pains about the.
navel—swelling of the partition of the nose; the eyes
dull and heavy; grinding of the teeth; starting during
sleep—itching about the nose; an insatiable  appetite j
itching about the rectum;  with some degree of fever.
  Causes.—"As worms are generally found  only  in
persons of weak digestive  organs, indigestion may be
                         1.2* 
126              WORMS--TREATMENT.

noticed, if not the principal cause, at least as favouring
their generation.   There is nothing, however, in the
ecnnomy of animals more involved in mystery, than the
generation  of these  parasitical animals.  Were they
found to live in situations out of the bodies of living
animals, one might readily suppose that their eggs were
taken into the body with the food or drink, and  there
gradually evolved into animals.   This however is not
the case; they are evidently incapable of existing any
length of time in any situation except  within a living
animal body,  which appears to be the proper place for
their  growth  and residence.  We'might therefore be
led to another supposition, viz: That they are really
formed from  the  matter contained  in the intestines,
which previously had no regular organization; but this
idea is evidently  different from all analogy in the for-
mation of animals.  The origin therefore, of such ani-
mals, is a subject of much obscurity.  That they are
not produced by ovula of animals, taken in with the
food, is not only obvious from their being found in the
liver and brain, but from the frequency of another kind
of animal, so commonly  generated in  the  kidneys,
brain and liver, named hydatids."
   Treatment.—The indications of cure are, firstclear
the stomach and intestines of redundant slime; and af-
terwards to strengthen the stomach and bowels,  so  a$
to destroy the disposition  to their generation.
   The stomach may  be  cleansed first by an emetick;
then give the wormseed  oil or  powder, morning and
evening, for three or four days:  then  r  cathartick  of
mandrake or butternut.  After which give a decoction
of Indian  hemp roots, black alder bark  or berries,  or
wandering milkweed.   While  taking the above medi-
cine, lime water also, half a gillatatime,  may be  taken
several times a day. 
POISONS.
  There are three classes of Poisons, viz:—Vegetable,
Mineral, and Animal.

            VEGETABLE POISONS.
  There are, in this country, several indigenous vege-
tables, which, if taken to much extent, prove fatal.  To
this class belong the cicuta, or poison  hemlock, musk-
rat  root, poppy,  and  stramonium or henbaue, which
are the most deleterious with which I am acquainted.
The less dangerous are ivy, laurel, white eliver,  and
poison sumach or dogwood.  The  symptoms which
they produce  are great thirst, delirium, vomiting and
spasms.  Their properties being immediately extract-
ed by the digestive powers, their effect is immediate,
and  often proves fatal in a few minutes or hours; speedy
evacuation  is therefore highly necessary.  The emetick
iolution has proved, in many instances, a very active
and  sovereign  specifick in  removing the poison,  after
all hopes were lost^  Should  the sensibility of the sto-
mach be so much diminished  as to  render  an emetick
inert, and vomiting become impracticable, the patient
should be made to take, frequently,  small quantities of
vinegar, and the  alkali draught, and kept in motion to
prevent sleep.

              MINERAL POISONS.

        EXTRACT FROM THE  MEDICAL GUIDE.

  " Arsenick is the most powerful [poison,] and there-
fore, for the purpose of destroying life, is  generally em-
ployed.   The  solution of mercury,  copper,  lead, and
antimony, in different acids, are  likewise, in no great
quantity, actual poisons." 
l~8.                AMMAL POISONS.
,    As these poisonous articles possess the most virulent
  properties, and have a great effect to injure the solids,
  they should be counteracted, or speedily evacuated.—
  The symptoms are similar  to  the preceding,  but the
  effects are much  worse,  as  these poisons possess an
  excoriating quality, which debilitates the  nerves, and
  renders the bones carious, brittle, and painful; causes
  the teeth to become loose and fall  out; produces that
  burning sensation and affection, termed " Cancer in the
  stomach;" causes the limbs to  wither; diminishes  the
  vital heat and energy of the  whole system;  creates
  some ofthe most deplorable and fatal diseases, such as
  consumption and lockjaw; and often produces imme-
  diate death.

    Treatment.—The first step taken should be to un-
  load the stomach by an emetick; after which the general
  course of medicine may be employed and continued, to
  assist nature to throw off her  potent  enemy.   Avoid
  giving or taking acids.

                ANIMAL POISONS.

    There  are several species of insects and serpents in
  this country, which possess a fixed poison.  The most
  fatal effects arise from the bite of the rattle-snake and
  copperhead—the manner  in which the former commu-
  nicates the virus  is by throwing himself straight for-
  ward from a coil, the distance of his length, with his
  fangs projecting from his  mouth, which convey a virus
  that takes immediate effect on the slightest incision.

    Symptoms.—The parts begin to swell, turn spotted,
  and tend upwards, accompanied with much pain.
    Treatment.—The leaves and roots-of the vermilion,
  bruised and laid to the affected part, and a strong de-
  coction of the same  taken  inwardly, has  proved a»
  sovereign  remedy.  The consumption brake, used in
  the same manner, has a similar effect—also, cupping,
  or a draught of scoke root, if applied immediately tc 
                v:;LiiAL POiiONS.                "29

the part affected, have a powerful effect in extracting
the poison.

       HYDROPHOBIA. (Canine Madness.)
         EXTRACTS FROM BUCHAN, PAGE 477.
   "The creatures naturally liable to contract this dis-
ease are, as far as we vet  know, all ofthe ^og kind,viz.
s'oxes, dogs, and.wolves.   Hence it is called the rabie3
<:anina, or dog madness." -
   "The symptoms of madness in a  dog are as follow
 At first he looks dull,  shows an. aversion to food and
company: he does not bark as usual, but seems to mur-
mur, is peevish, and apt to bite strangers: his ears and
tail droop  more than usual,  and he appears drowsy:
afterwards he  begins to loll out his tongue, and froth at
the mouth, his eye< seeming heavy and watery : he now,
if not confined, takes off, runs  panting along with a
kind of dejected ;sSr, and endeavours to  bite every one
he tneeti.  Othe^dogs are said to fly from him.  Some
think this a certain sign  of  madness, supposing that
they know  him by the  smell; "but .[t is not to be de-
pended on.   If he escapes being killed, he seldom runs
above  two ar three days, till  he dies exhausted with.
heat, hunger, and fatigue.                        •• .<
  . " This disease is most  frequent after  long, dry, hot
seasons; and  such  dogs  as  live upon putrid  stinking
carrion, without having enough of fresh water, are*most
liable to it.
   " When  any person has been bit by a dog, the strict-
est inquiry ought to be made whether the animal was
really  mad.   Many disagreeable consequences  arise
from neglecting to ascertain this point.  Some people
have lived in continual anxiety  for   many  years, be-
cause they had been bit by a dog which they  believed
to be mad; but,  as he  had been killed on the spot, it
was impossible to ascertain the  fact.   This should in-
duce us, instead of  killing a  dog the moment he has
hif any person, to  do ail  in our power  to  keep  him 
180
.\SJMAL POISON J.
alive, arieast till we can be certain whether he be mati
or not."
  " Many circumstances may contribute to make peo-
ple imagine a ~dog mad.   He  loses his master, run
about in.quest of him, is set upon by other dogs, and
perhaps by men.   The creature, thus frightened, beat,
and abused, looks  wild, and lolls out his tongue as he
runs along.   Immediately a crowd is after him; while
he, finding himself closely pursued, and taking every
One he meets for an enemy, naturally attempts to bite
him  in  self-defence.  He soon gets knocked  on tin
head, and it passes currently that he was mad, as it i-
then impossible to  prove the contrary."
   " This  poison  is generally  communicated   by v
wound, which nevertheless heals as soon as a common
wound; but afterwards it begins to feel painful, and as
the pain spreads towards  the neighbouring parts, the
person becomes heavy and listless.  His sleep is unquiet
with frighful dreams;  he  sighs, looks dull, and lovea
aolitude.   These are the forerunners, or rather the first
symptoms of  thats^dreadful disease occasioned by the
bite of a mad dog."
  Treatment.—The blue scull cap has, in many  in-
stances, proved a sovereign specifick for this deplorable
disease.   It should be taken every day, for seven or
eight weeks, with  the addition  of small doses of sul-
phur.r One ounce of the dried herb, steeped in a quart
of pure water, is the proper quantity to be used daily.
The general course of medicine may be resorted to in
any  stage—likewise, the  cataplasms recommended in
:tlje preceding.. 
*&aww3L
    The following  certificates are inserted as speci-
 mens of the utility ancfefficacy of the foregoing system
 of practice.   A few only have been selected  from the
 many hundreds which might be produced, as it is pre-
 iiuned that the specificks recommended in this work,
  f judiciously applied, will  give the  most  satisfactory
..{proof.
ftertt'fteates.
   On the 27th of June, 1923,1 had a leg broke, in consequence of a load-
 ed waggon running over it.  I employed two doctors of the regular order,
 under whose care I grew worse   It became more and more out of shape,
 and very much swelled and inflamed—large blisters arose over most parts
 ofthe surface, which turned of a dark colour—the skin was purple,  and to
 appearance, the leg was  fast  approaching  to mortification.  My whole
 system became deranged and  indisposed by the pains which I constantly
 endured.  After continuing in this deplorable situation about  five days,
 Dr. David Rogers accidentally called on me, to whom I submitted  my
 case   His prescriptions immediately arrested the progress of the  disoi*
 dcr, and gave a healthy appearance ; he reduced the swelling and inflam-
 mation, brought the skin to its natural appearance, and set the leg.   In
 four days after he commenced I was in a comfortable situation,  and have
 reason to believe that the preservation of my leg, and probably my life,
 « owing to bis superior  skill.  One of the  doctors reported  that I
 should los« my life if I should not hare ray leg taken off.
                                     WILLIAM CHATHAM.
   Fayette, Jone I, 1824.

   1 was afflicted with the scrofula or king's  evil, so as to be  unable to
 uoo.a for about a year and a half.   I employed four regular doctors,
from whose prescriptions I received no benefit;  after which I applied to
Dr. David Rogers, who remoTed the disease in about two weeks,  The
disease had spread through the whole system, and broke out in different
parts of the body.  It is about three  years since the  cure was effected,
during which time there has been oo recurrence of the disease.
                                           CURTIS HURDi
  GORiiAM, Jgit $, 1824. 
'*                           -UPLNDIM.
  I wry^ttftcked with the acute, or inflammatory rheumatism, so os in I c
Unable to move any part of my system, except my head ; the joints of my
wrists, knees, and ancles were very much swelled  and inflamed   Tin
pain was so excessive that I could not sleep except a few  minutes  aftei
being worn out by  the agonies that I underwent.  After suffering a wee!;
in this deplorable situation, Dr. Rogers visited me once, after  the third
call, who gave me  immediate reliefTiobi my pains.   Within three days I
was able to walk about,  and  in two  weeks commenced  labour.   11 is
more than two years since, during which I h>oe had no recurnnce of the
discas*                               ,  JOHN VAN WORMER.
  Middlesex, July 3, 1S24.

  I do hereby cutify, that about eight years since, I was seized with a can-
cer in my breast, which increased with considerable rapidity, and was at-
tended with considi rable pain—it broke out n,:d discharged in..tier by the
use of a medicine  which  was known,to cure  cancers ; it healed ;  within G
months afterwards it  broke out  again,  ard  the  same application was
made, but to no effect,  after witch I applied to Doctor David  Rogers.
who, 1 believe, completed a perfect cure  in eight weeks after he began.
The cancer measured  four inches by three  across,  and  extended  to the
libs.   It is nearly  five years since, in which time 1 have nit felt the least
returning symptom  1 now enjoy good health  through the benificence of
Divine Providence.                             SARAH HOARD.
  Middlesex, July 3, 1S24.

   I, John Taylor, of the  town  of Phelps, county of  Ontario, and state of
New-Verk, do hereby certify, that on the  twenty-thiid of November, one
thousand eight hundred and twenty-one, 1 was attacked with a cholick.—
The disorder increased, and after ei.during eiulit hours pain, I  called on
one of the most eminent physicians in Geneva, in the regular  order.  I
continued bis prescriptions twenty hours without relief.   J then called on
Doctor David Rogers, who removed the cause within three minutes after
he began to prescribe.  During the complaint, I suffered as  much pain,
seemingly, as a man could, and live   The pain was so intolerable, that 1
had not my senses half the time.   Within an hour and a  half after he
began, 1 was restored to an appetite, and without the least pain.
                                                JOHN TAYLOR.
   Phelps, Feb. 7, 1824.

   In the year 1816, 5th Month, my daughter Bathsheba was seized wifh
a violent cold, which produced a cough, a high fever, and a j>ain  in the
side.  I called on  several physicians—their medicine had  no  effect to
raise, hut to reduce.   She became universally debilitated, emaciated,
and so weak, that she could not walk, and was confined to her bed, with-
out hope of recovery.   In this  situation I  called on Doctor Rogers ; and
soon after he began to prescribe, she  began to raise and recover   With-
in two months after he began 1o  prescribe,  the was restored  to perfect
bealth.                                         SAM'L. LTJNDV.
   Junius, Sd  Month;  1822. 
 
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