&:* fc*i lii&ia NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Washington Founded 1836 U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Public Health Service SICK MAN'S COMPANION, .- OR A . • C* SHORT NOTE ON FEVER, AJID A NEW'METHOD OF CURE; v TOGETHER WITH AN ENUMERATION • . . * ' OF THE • '■'■-•-.,.. SYMPTOMS WHICH USUALLY ATTEND A NUM-BER OF DISEASES * ■ • " AND A \ ' MODE OF TREATMENT . . Prescribed with Medicine, the Production of ••" OUR OWN COUNT 11Y. ifl' > ■ m hi i» '' "■''!»-:^:iyr3gg!g ... •BYR C*.RPENTRR. v [Copu Right Secured.] - "—»-— Sty v.* JCfcSSTOWK—• PEIVTE0 FOR THE AUTIOK. . v'« •/ ♦>K 4^-•»*<-< ^J^':< ./:.:%.-, I8i2= •■■' ';. •.: ;■•.' fc>!5 ■••r.^ t •: *.. • PREFACE." '\ "' ? MAN ever since his first itransgressidn in the*gar- den of Eden, has been subject to. diseases pain arti ; t, death. Indefatigable have been the enJeavors; and as- ' . s^luous the labors of many ingenious men, to sea«reh into the nature of medicine, that they might pour into the bosoms of the afflicted, the balm of consolation in the hour of distress. So far as it respects 'the causes and nature of diseases, the labors of modern authors have been crowned, with great success ; but it is a fact much to be lamented, that they so frequently fail of success, "in their attempts to relieve the distresses of the afflicted:? and particularly the faculty of our eoua try, in their attempts to cure a disease called Fever^ which I as of late years ravaged oar country and prov- ed a tvourge to its inhabitant*, and destroyed annii;iUy lives almost beyond calculation, even in the United States, That means more adequate to toe cause than what ha» hitherto been made use of should assiduously be sought far by the faculty, is a truth which no one? it is presumed, will attempt to'palliate or deny. Being impressed with this idea, and likewise fully persuaded, that the practice recommended in this work is superior in its present uncultivated state to.jthe com- mon practice, the author is induced in this way to com- municate it to the worid. He is "fully aware, that tht-re are those men whose fellings and interest it would affect, should rhedi!. toms are a frequent discharge by stool, of a sli- my or bloody matter, while the usual contents of the bowels are retained ; a violent griping and frequent urging to go to stool, heat, thirst, &lc. Cure.—Firstly, give a drastic purge, that the contents of the stomach and bowels tmight be dis- charged—For this purpose, mandrake root or ' oil-nut bark, or thebark of the root of yellow or ; key,-ash might be given. *J After the operation of the physic, give shad- blows in decoction, or boil cod-fish, skins and drink freely. A decoction of blue violet roots, or an infusion in cold water of blackberry-bria root, or a strong decoction of mullen in new milk -\ might occasionally be given. COMMON QUINSY, I Is a fever with a local determination to those parts called the almonds of the ears. The symp- toms are swelling pain, and redness of the parts, j claminess of the mouth and throi.t; a frequent I discharge ofphlem, and pain in s1 /allowing. 4 Cure.—All that is usually necessary in this . j ^ disease, is lobelia—it should firstly be given so i * as to puke—afterwards in lai+\[ quantities, ire- , quently repeated. ii CROUP OR RATTLES, Is a fever with a local determination to the Wind-pipe or membrane, that lines it. It usually comes on in the nfght; the patient wakes out of sleep, with its face flushed, breathes < with diffi- culty, and with a peculiar convulsive motion of the belly. Tm cough resembles the barking of a, young dog—the p»lse are tense and hard, but usually "small. ' - Cure. —Vomit with lobelia; afterwards purge with mandrake, or boil for eight or ten minutes q sufficient quantity of lobelia, and give for a purge, warm bathing injections of tobapco, in de- coction—blisters applied tf the throft, cup- pins;, &c. WHOOPING COUGH. This is*a fever with a local determination to the lungs and parts contiguous. Cure.—A decoction of lobelia, shumake- berries, and hysop, boiled and sweetened with honey, and firstly taken so as to operate gently as a puke ; afterwards in small or nauseating dos- es, frequently repeated, is an excellent remedy, Commdfh leeks cut and poundfed fine, aud put with an equal quantity of sweet oil, is a very good remedy. Blisters, warm bathing and gen- tle purges. RHEUMATISM. This is a fever with a local determination to theVwrt affected—Itusually commences, with the common precursors of fever, with pain m some part or parts which is sometimes fixed at others moveable. , * Cure.—Bleeding, if the fever runs lag* 12 should be frequently repeated, untH the pain and fever abates. Purges should be given to cleanse the stomach and bowels, and repeated according to the attending circumstances. Local applica- tions to the pained part of cedar-boughs, beach- °J-gKi bark, and comphrey roots, boiled down to the * ~^m consistence of a plaster, is very useful. At the same time should be taken a strong decoction of burdock roots and seeds. Helfclock boughs, wrapped in double paper, and firstly covered with ashes-^afterwards with hot embers and suf- fered to remain for a_ while, and applied to-the pained part, is a good rc'medv. Mullen boiled down to the consistence of a salve ; as also the skins of animals taken off quick, or brandy, salt and soap applied to the part is useful-. CHOLERA MORBUS. The symptoms are a violent vomiting ant! *^ purging of matter of a yellow or green colour; high fever, intense pain, pulse weak and quick ; great thirst, eyes languid, stools slimy or mixed - with blood. The patient draws Up its feet and is in an uneasy posture. Cure.—Chicken broth, in small quantities daould frequently be given; a small blister should J be applied to the pit of the stomach, and a strong ] decoction of bitter herbs should frequently be ap- plied to the bowels ; glysters of flax-seed tea, or of starch dissolvecLshould be injected, and an in- ' fusion of blackberry briar root, in cold water •? might be used for a drink ; weak lye might like- j wise be given, and when the pain is very intense, ■ cold bathing might be applied. ; CATARRH. The symptoms are a. difficulty of breathing < c ■ through the nose, a dull pain and sense of weight felt 4 a stiffness and soreness in the motion of the eyes, a thin watery flu<$ri from the eyes and nose ; a peculiar kind of indolence felt over the whole body ; pulse frequent, and a cough and hoarseness finally succeed. Cure.—A snuff made of jack in the hedge should be taken constantly for six weeks; - take likewise four ounces of bitter-sweet roots, one pound of celandine, one pound of dog-mack-e- i- mose bark, and one pound of gill-go-by-the- ground, and boil in one pail full and a half of wa- ter to one quart; to this decoction add the same quantity of gin, and take four glasses a day. In ^ bad cases at the same time, take lobelia frequent- ly injsmall doses, and smoke the nostrils with ■ ' dog-mack-emose bark dried and set on fire, while .'■ the head is held over it.—Sweating in the first & stage of the disease is a useful remedy. JAUNDICE. \ Yellowness of the skin and white of the eye, p-. pains in different parts of the body, faintness at the stomach ; a slow circulation of the blood, and '. an inclination to sleep whenever the body is still, are the symptoms which usually attend this dis- *■ case. Cure.—Purges of mandrake root,.or of boil- ted Lobelia, or of the bark of the root of the key "ash in decoction, might firstly be given, and in ", bad cases repeated. Blood root might also be ptaken in small doses, and frequently repeated; or take a pound of the wood and leaves of Bit- J-tersweet, bruise them and simmer the m in wine oae quart, for twelve hours over a gentle fire; strain off the liquor, and take a glass thvee times a day ; or take a handful of the inner bark of Witch Hazel, with Wormwood, Hops and SmaU 4 lage, bruise them in a mortar, and boil thorn in a galldb o£beer when it is new, half an hour ; to this add three gallons more of beer, and let them work together, when half a pint might be taken every morning—Or make a strong decoction of Horse Radish', Sarsaparilla roots, Burdock roots and seeds, red Cherry bark, and Prickly Ash bark ; to this decoction put an equal quantity of rum, and take upon an empty stomach a glass three times a day. PILES, or HEMORHOIDS. Cure.—Firstly—drink a strong decoction of Brook Alder tops frequently, and if there is great pain, make a strong decoction of Mane- wort, Celandine, and Cedar boughs, and sit over the steam of them ; while in some convenient vessel, make an ointment of Celandine and Mane- wort, and annoint the affected parts. Clysters of Shumake berries, or Damask Roses, in decoc- tion, should frequently be injected ; a decoction of Cedar boughs, Celandine and Cole wort, should be used for a drink. WORMS. The symptoms are, starting in sleep, puking, rubbing the nose in consequence of its itching, ' a sighing or suffocating manner of breathing, pain in the side, hickups, sour breath, flushing of the cheeks, lying much on the belly, swelling of the partition of the nose and upper lip, jaundice; convulsions, &c. Cure.—Common salt given in doses of half or three fourths of a teaspoonful, upon an empty > stomach, molasses in large quantities, a decoc-v tion of the bark off the roots of Brown Ash—^ 15 Rust of Iron is an excellent remedy, or take the buds of white Hemlock one quart, Sweet Fern the top and root two pounds, Alder tags or buds two pounds ; boil in one pail full of water down to one quart, sweeten with molasses, and take three glasses a day ; or take sweet fern roots and white walnut bark off the roots equal quantities, dry them and pound to powder, and take one t^a-spoonful in molasses three times a day upon an empty stomach. DIABETES. As this disease consists of an unusual dis? charge of urine, it is unnecessary to make any further remarks upon its symptoms. Cure.—For the cure of this disease, into two quarts of brandy you may put four ounces of spruce gum, and to an adult a glass might be given three times a day. Blue violets, the roots dried &. powdered might be given in doses of half a tea-spoonful three or four times a day, and in this disorder, all such food or drinks as act as diuretics should be carefully avoided. DROPSY. ' This disease consists of a collection of watery fluid in the thorax, or abdomen, or some oth- er cavity in the system.—For the Qropsy of the thorax or abdomen, or for the dropsy which spreads itself over the body and lower limbs, make a strong decoction of dwarf elder, or of white oak bark ; to this decoction add an equal quantitv of gin, and take half a pint of the de- coction every hour, until it has the effeet of cau- sing a free discharge of urine ; after this make a decoction of white'oak bark, juniper berries, the leaves of artichokes u.id burdo^c seed, and to this V£ * """'ie> decoction*add an equal quantity of gin, and take a glass six times a day. If the system has be- come debilitated by the disease as is usually the case, stimulants, such as iron rust, steel filings^ Sec. might be qiven. ' ASTHMA. The symptoms are, difficulty of breathing, cough, and an irregular excitement- It is a fe- ver with a local determination to the lungs, i%. consequence of pre existing debility in that or- • " Cure. Take lobenr.. blood root, the roots of blue violet and ova. of each three tea-spoonsful when dried and powdered,-and boil fifteen min- utes in one pint and a' half of water, take out the herbs and roots, and-to-this decoction acid an e- qual quantity of good rum and take bix times a 'day a sufficient calamity to nauseate or make sic*k at the stomach. After taking the above a"* few days, make a syrip of Celandine, dogmack- emose, hog brake roots and white solomon seal. Of this syrip should .frequently be taken a suffi- cient quantity to moderately increase the excite- - ment. GRAVEL, or STONE. Cure. Take lobelia, violets, chamomile and ribwort of each a handful, to this compound add one pint of white lye, and boil the composition ten or twelve minutes, strain off the decoction, and to it add one pint of Holland gin, and take as much as the stomach will bear, six times a day ; at the same time take a glass of onion juice [of the tops] every night. Or, take fennel, lake weed and persly, steep in one pint of water and add to the decoction one pint of gin, and take a glass three times U day. 17 CONSUMPTION. The symptoms which usually attend the con* •umption, the gravel, and some other diseases, blistor, &c. BURNS. If considerable fever be excited, it is necessa- ry to bleed or purge, or both; but topical ap- plication to. the part should chiefly be relied on. For this purpose take blue flag roots, cut them fine and pound them in a mortar to a poultice— or, bass-wood sprouts boiled in milk and water, and thickened with Indian meal—or, the roots of shumake prepared as the basswood sprout^- should be applied to the part for twenty-four hours.—After this, an ointment made of the-buds of white hemlock and the thinner rind, of the white beach, simmered in hog's lard and water, and,the water renewed eight or ten times, might be applied.—Or, an oiniment made by. simmer- ing recent horse dung in hog's lard, might be used. FEVER a no AGUE. In this disease the excitement might be regu- lated by giving a combination of mandrake and lobelia, or lobelia alone—equal quantities of the mandrake and lobelia should be frequently given in as large doses as the stomach will bear. Take likewise two pounds of perificary, and two of white ash bark, and one pound of horse radish, and two' handfuls of oak of Jerusalem, put them into a paiiful of water and boil down to one quart; to this decoction adel an equal quantity of gin, and take three glasses a day,, and it is a very effectual remedy. SCALD HEAD, or TETTERS. Cure, firstly apply a poultice of wheat bread and milk, for forty-eight hours; then take two handfuls of strawberry vines, celandine and wood-bctony juice, of each half a pint, hog's lard two pounds, and tar, one half pint; simmer the whole together one hour, and apply to the part :". affected. Such things as would cleanse the blood might also with propriety be jgiven. WENS, or L\CYSTED TUMORS. This disease consists of a bag or sack, which forms in the flesh ; which contains some kind of matter, and the tumor has received, different name?, from the Afferent appearance of the mat, . V- 22. ter which it contained—But the cure of all this kind of tumors may be performed much aire. A mode of cure which has been practiced with success in many instances by myself and others, is as follows:—Make a soap of liver oil and white lye ; into this soap put the roots of cow lil- lies, as long as the soap will eat them up : with this soap frequently annoint the wen until it is cured. This ointment is an excellent remedy al- so for to remove a calice. WHITLOW, or FELON. This disorder is a fever locally determined to the membrane or skin which covers the bones of the fingers. It usually commences by a pain re- sembling'the pricking of a thistle or briar, but soon comes to be very painful, especially to- wards evening. Cure. Make a thin mortar of lime and soap __take a thimble that has a top to it, fill the thimble with the mortar and place it directly o- ver the part afflicted, bind it on with a cloth so as perfectly to exclude the air, and renew it eve- ry two hours for the space of ten hours; after this take the green bark of bittersweet and elder, boil them in milk and water and thicken the de- coction with Indian meal, and apply to the part every 4 hours for the space of 24 hours; after this it may be healed with any mild ointment. ITCH. Cure. Make an ointment by simmering e- •ual quantities of dock root and elacampaiiL in hog'b lard or fresh butter, until the roots become crisped, or hard—or, put the roots, alter pound- ing therruto poultice, into lard or fresh butter, and put mem in the sun every day, for a month, 23 which makes an ointment much superior to the first. Or, take "heart's ease, pound and get out a pint of the juice, add this to a pound of mut- ton tallow previously melted, just before it gets cold, stir them thoroughly together, that the tal- low and juice may be completely mixed. Or? make a decoction of gill-go-by-the-ground, in water, and wash with this decoction. Or, make a decoction of the inner bark of witch -hazel, m vinegar, and with this decoction wash. CHAPPED, or CRACKED HANDS. This disease is not apt to prove mortal, altho' it is a very troublesome one. Cure. Firstly, v/ash the hands in warm wa- ter ; then rub on common soap, thoroughly—af- ter this scour the hands in good house ashes, two minutes—after this, wash off the soap and ashes with warm water. This repeated a few times, seldom fails of completing a cure. SALT RHEUM. Firstly, to cleanse the blood, make a decoc- tion of dogmackemose bark, sweet tern, and ground hemlock ; to a quart of this decoc- tion add one pint of gin, and take a glass three times a day. After taking this one week, make an ointment by simmering six common frogs in one pound of hog's fat or fresh butter two hours ; with this ointment frequently annoint the part af- fected. ULCERS, or SORES. • Perhaps there is no disease to which the hu- man frame is subjected, that the cure of is less understood than that of bad sores or ulcers. In the cure of a sore, it is very necessary that there should be a regular excitement, as it is almost 24 impossible to heal-'ji bad ulcer while there is an irregular action in the system in general, or in the part affected ; therefore the first s'tep should be tq regulate the excitement. If the system is in a state of debility, and the action of the heart and arteries too weak, stimulants should be used to raise it to the common level of excitement, and vice versa. If the excitement is too high, il shoulu by proper remedies be reduced. Lobelia is an.excellent remedy to reduce an increased excitement, and to put the system into that state, in which a foul ulcer will readily put on a healthy appearance, and likewise heal; and when there is an inflamation or increased action * in the part affected, it should also be regulated. For this purpose a strong decoction of dogmack- cmose bark might be used as a wash for the sore, and a handful of the herb gill-go by-the-ground might be steeped and laid upon the sore, and frequently renewed ; after proceeding in this way until a regular action takes place, the following salve to expedite the cure, might be applied :— Ta'.e tobacco two pounds and cider two quarts, simmer the tobacco and cider together over a gentle fire two hours, -strain off the liquid, to this liquor add two pounds of hog's lard, and simmer them together ; to this add beeswax and , rosin of each a pound, previously melted ; then strain it off again, and just before it gets cold stir in two ounces of dragon root powdered very fine —after the .beeswax and rosin is added the salve should be stirred until it gets perfectly cold. Or take the juiee of green tobacco half a pint, dogmackemose bark, fir balsam bark, tamarack' bark, millilet the top, bittersweet the wood, Sol- omon seal the root, of each a handful; rosin and 25 beeswax of each a pound and a half; honey half a pound, rum half a pint, hog's lard or fresh but- ter, two pounds and a half; simmer the whole together one hour, strain it, and it is fit for use : Blood root powdered, when dried, very fine, might be sprinkled into the sore before putting on the salve. Gill-go-by-the-ground, bruised and applied to a green wound, is a very useful application ; being boiled with honey and verdi- grise, and applied to a fistulas or foul ulcer, it ; doth very effectually cleanse them, &c. When the blood has become vitiated or im- pure in consequence of an old sore, the following syrip might be used: Take dogmackemose bark, sweet fern the herb and root, and hog brake * root, of each two pounds, boil in two pailfuls of water to three pints, to this add an equal qUan- ^ thy of gin, and take a glass three times a day. ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE. This disease is a fever with a local determi- f' nation to the external surface of the part affect- ed. The symptoms imbad cases of this disease are, the common precursors of fever ; in a short time a redness or inflamation appears upon one r> side of the head, or upon one foot, or leg, or arm ; after a few days it is usually the case that the redness appears upon the opposite side ; at £ the conclusion of the disease the outer skin scales r off in branny kind of scales. Cure. Bleeding, in this disease, is a very % proper remedy; also purges—and they should ; be repeated until the inflamation abates. Local ,; applications ol Indian meal applied dry to the \ part, or dry beach leaves,--6r a decoction of the leaves of the goosebcrrry bush, are proper rem- C :__________, 26 edies. Potiltices, fomentations and putting the feet into warm water, should be carefully'a- voided, as they rather increase the disease than the contrary. HYSTERICS. In the paroxism or fit, give lobelia until it nauseates or makes sick at the stomach ; in which case it usually relieves the cramp, &c.—■- After this take two handfuls of thorough wort, boil in one pailful of waier to 'one quart ; to this decoction add an equal quantity of gin and take a glass three times a day, uhlcss it should prove too physical—in which case the dose should be lessened. Small doses of lobelia might also be taken every four hours and continued until all the symptoms abate. To strengthen the sys- tem and prevent a return of the disorder, take a handful of blue vervine the tops, a handful of the roots of blue cohosh^ and a small quantity of the roots of white Solomon seal, cover them in a k^ tie with water, boil them until the strength is exhausted from the roots, &c. After-this take out the herbs and simmer the decoction down to a quart; to the decoction add the same quantity of rum, and take a glass every four hotirs. PLEURISY. The symptoms of this disease are the common precursors of fever, together with a local deter- mination to the pleury or membrane lining the chest, in consequence of pre-existing debility in that part, bleeding is peculiarly useful in this disease, and should be continued until the pain and fever abates. Purges of mandrake root, or a purge of lobelia one-tea-spoonful, and blue vi- olet roots three tea-spoonful, boiled in a tea-cup 27 of water fifteen minutes, might be given in small doses until it operated as physic. The decoc- tion of lobelia and violets in small doses might , be continued through the course of the disease. \\ Blisters should also be applied to the side. ft CHOLIC. | Common cases of cholic mav be cured by giv- > ing a dose of lobelia so as to operate as a puke ; l* but in bad cases of the disease it is necessary to purge also. For this purpose make a strong de- coction of oil-nut bark, and take a sufficient quantity to operate as a cathartic; a decoction of gill go-by-the-ground might also be taken if the disorder proceed from wind in the bowels.— In the last stages of the billious cholic the root of blue violet is an excellent remedy ; the dried root should be given in doses of a tea-spoonful every half hour, until it has the effeGt of opening the bowels. g DISEASES ARISING FRO?vITHE DISUSE OF MERCURY. The diseases arising from a bad use cf mercu- ry put on different appearances, and the svmp- i toms are various. In the first place there is vi- sually a distressing soreness of the mouth and j throat, and an increased discharge of saliva; af- ter this, weakness of the joints, back and stom- ach—pains in different parts of the body, and chronic complaints of almost every kind. To cure the soreness of the mouth and to stop the discharge of saliva, and likewise to cleanse the system of this morbific material, lobelia is su- perior perhaps to any other medicine. It should be given in small doses, frequently rq)eated, and " continued for some considerable length of time 28 —In which case it restores an equilibrium of ac- tion in the system, and a regular excitement. If it has caused a weakness" in any particular part to which a plaister could be applied, after having administered the lobelia for eight or ten days, a plaister of the balsam which is extracted from the tamarack, might be spread upon a thin piece of leather and applied to the weakened part.— Sheet lead applied to a joint weakened by mer- cury, is said to have had very valuable effects.— While administering the above remedies, a syrip made ©f two pounds of dogmackemose bark, three of gill-go-by-the-ground and one of rfcd cherry-tree bark, might be put into two pailfuls of water, and boiled down to two quarts; and one quart of gin added to the decoction, might be given three times a day, in doses of half a gill at a time. *v ^ TOOTH-ACHE. The inner yellow bark of witch-hazel dried and powdered and boiled in vinegar, and tents wet in the decoction and put into hollow teeth easetl\ the pains thereof—In the tooth-ache, where the teeth are sound, the mouth should be . washed with the decoction. Or, wet a tent in the juice of the stalks of Angelica and put into a hollow tooth, and it easeth the pain. A de- coction of lobelia frequently taken into the mouth and guggled about, particularly in the side of the mouth to which the pain is attached, and a small quantity taken into the stomach so as gen- tly to nauseate, is a verv sovereign remedy. EAR-ACHE. If the cause of the pain be a sore in the ear, the;heart of a roasted onion might be put into the ear as a poultice. The juice of the stalk of 20 Angelica, or the juice of gill-go-by-the-ground might frequently be dropped into the ear. If from other causes, three or four drops of the juice of the leaves of henbane, or a strong decoc- tion of the herb might be dropped into the ear, and repeated every hour, until the pain abates-— and if the leaves can be procured green, they might be warmed and laid upon the ear : other- wise, a poultice might be made by boiling the • herb in water and thickening it with indian meal j and applied to the side of the head upon the ear. , The juice Of the herb gill-go-by-the-grbund drop. i ped into the ear, helpeth the noise and singing with which some ears are troubled. NOSE BLEED. Allum sucked in the mouth is usually suffi- cient to stop a bleeding. The red blowed bath \ root,dried and powdered and snuffed up the nose k is a safe and sure remedy for Vae complaint.— - The herb cinkfill powdered and snuffed up the * ' nose is a very good remedy. INWARD BLEEDING. If there be a general weakness m the system, :' or a weakness of the part from which the blood issues, the following remedies, might with pro- : priety be used : Into one quart of brandy put r;.. one half pound of the onion part of buck thorn bruised, and take half a gill three times a day. Or, take half a glass of the juice of jupter herb> three times a day. Or, one tea-spoonful of pow- dered bath root might be taken three times a day. - KING'S EVIL. In this disease the system should be cleansed ; of all humors, and the excitement regulated, or* \ the disease cannot be cured—For this purpose 30 make a decoction of lobelia, by putting a tea- spoonful of the powdered herb into a tea-spoon- ful of water, and boil it six or eight minutes, and take as much as the stomach will bear every hour, for six or eight days ; then apply a poul- tice to the part affected, made by thickening in Indian meal into a decoction of cicuta. At the same time a syrip made of noble liverwort and sweet fern, might>e frequently taken. If there is an open soi*; after applying the above poul- tice a few days, a salve made by putting a hand* ful of cicuta and henbane into a half pound of hog's lard and simmering it over a gentle fire half an hour, might be applied to the part three times a day. Or the juice of wood sorrel might be dried away in the sun to the consistence of a, salve, and applied as a,bove. > PUKING.. In fevers, excessive vomiting might be check- ed by putting a spoonful of deershorn burned and powdered, into a pint of water, and boiling it for a few minutes, when a spoonful might be taken every five minutes or oftener. Excessive puking, the effects of emetic tartar, may be checked by drinking frequently large draughts of milk, warm from the cow. The juice of wormwood is many times used with success.— Parched corn powdered and small quantities of it taken, is sometimes also used with success.— Essence of peppermint, essence of tansy, &c. are remedies in this disease. If worms be the cause of puking, anthelmintics would be proper. If bile in the stomach, a puke to unload it of this .offending matter, should be administered. Altheu^h it is denied by many that common 31 fevers are communicated from one to another, yet it is a fact that cannnot in reason be dispu- ted, that those persons who attend upon those that are sick with fevers, are more subject to the disorder than others. The reason of it is obvi- ous. It is always the case that there proceeds from a person laboring under a fever, a noxious effluvia, or vapor, which, if received with the air into the lungs, or being mixed with the saliva or juices of the mouth is carried into the stom- ach, impregnates the system with the seeds of the disease. This seed however very frequent- ly lies dormant, or at least docs not materially effect the system, (if there is not a preexisting debility in the system) until it is roused into action by some co-operating cause, such as hard labor, heats and colds, 8cc. In which case the u- nited causes both operating upon the same sys- tem at the same time, can scarcely fail of genera- ting a disease. Therefore it is very necessary that th«se that attend upon the sick in fever, should have the means of preventing so fatal a disease, in their power. For this purpose a nau- seating dose of lobelia might be taken morning and evening, which if continued while exposed to the noxious or morbid effluvia that arises from the* sick, seldom fails of preventing the disease. A syrip made of thurerwort one handful, gill-go- by-the-ground and burdock roots of each a hand- ful, boiled in four quarts of water to two quarts, and a pint of gin added to the syrip, and half a gill taken every morning and evening, is a very good preventative. A decoction of dogmacke- mose bark, or half a tea-spoonful of the root of mandrake, dried and powdered and taken every- day, might be used* Observations upon the medicine recommended in the foregoing treatise, &c. Amara Rulcis, or Bittersweet. This is a com- mon shrub in our country, growing from an eighth of an inch to an inch in diameter, and to a considerable length, winding itself about other shrubs and trees. Bittersweet being bruised and tied about the neck, cures the vertigo or dizzi- ness of the head. The berries bruised and ap- plied to a felon, sometimes very soon removes the disorder. A pound of the wood and leaves bruised and infused in three pints of wine over a gentle fire for twelve hours and then strained, is an excellent remedy for obstructions of the liver and spleen, jaundice, dropsy, difficulty of breath- ing, bruises, congealed blood, &c. The infusion is gently purgative ; one half pint might be taken by an adult, in the morning, or a gill might be taken morning and evening. Bittersweet is also an useful remedy in the consumption, and like- wise those fits to which young children are sub- ject. Alder. Common alder grows upon the banks of streams, ponds, &c. and is so common in our country and so well known, that it needs no de- scription. If a decoction of the bark and twigs of this shrub be drank, it strengthens the body, helps the piles, jaundice, Sec—its virtue being those of a stimulant, deobstruent and anthelmin- tic. If a decoction of the tags of the alder, with white hemlock buds and the tops and roots of sweet fern, be drank, it is an excellent remedy for worms. Black Alder, called also Witch hazel. This shrub seldom grows to any great height, but re- mains like a hedge bush. The outer bark is of 33 a darkish color, checked with many white spots -—the inner bark is yellowish, and when chewed in the mouth turns the spittle of a saffron color ; the wood is of a white and of a dark red coal or heart color ; the flowers are white, and turn into small round berries. The inner yellow bark of this shrub dried is gently purgative. The out- ward bark dried is gently astringent. A decoc- tion of the inner bark in vinegar, cures the itch, kills lice, cures the tooth-aehe, takes away scabs, fastens lo^t-e teeth, and keeps them sound. The inner bark opens obstructions of the liver, &c.-— The outward bark dried and taken in small quan- tities in powder is a useful remedy in all fluxes ©f the body. Angelica. This herb, in syrip, is used in colds and coughs, shortness of breadi, asthma, &c. It also helps cholic pains, stoppage of urine, ob- structions of the liver and spleen. It also easeth and discusseth all inward swellings, and helps digestion. The juice dropped into the ears helps deafness, and into the eyes helps dimness of sight; and into hollow teeth easeth the pains thereof. Tents wet in the juice of this herb and applied to a filthy or foul ulcer, cleanses and cau- ses it to heal. Ash Tree.. The bark of the root of the yel- low ash, in decoction, is art excellent purge, par- ticularly in old or chronic complaints ; it opens obstructions of the system in general, carries oft all crudities and gross humors trom the stomach and intestines. A decoction of the bark of the roots of the brown ash, is used in cases of worms. Apple Tree. The bark of the sweet apple tree in decoction is gently stimulant, and deobstru- ent, and is very useful in the jaundice, and those 34 eases where strengthening is requisite.-—- Cherry Tree. The bark of common wild red cherry is a powerful tonic, and with this inten- s tion may be used in cases of debility. It may be used in substance, that is, by drying the bark, and taking it in the powder; or it might be ta- ken in decoction. This bark, and the bark of black cherry, is frequently used in the jaundice,- and is a very good remedy in slight cases of the complaint. Cud Weed. This herb somewhat'resembles the herb called mouse ear—It grows in old fields and roads, to the height of about five or six inch- es, on dry land. This herb is gently astringent, and may be used with propriety in disentery and diarhoea, and other fluxes to which the body is subject. Comphrey. The root of this herb, is of a cor- roborant and strengthening nature, and when ap- plied in the form of a poultice to weakened or sprained limbs, doth help them. A poultice ap- plied to a limb affected with the rheumatism, is a very useful application. With the intention of strengthening, it may be applied to any part whatever, where it is necessary to strengthen. Crox\} Foot—called also Cuckoo Point,----* This herb grows in abundance in our country, in mowing and pasture gronnds ; it grows from one to two feet high, has a roughish leaf, and blows in the fore part of summer—the blow is of a bright yellow color. This herb, if bruised and applied to the skin, draws as perfect a blis- ter as the Spanish Fly. The best method of u- sing the herb for the purpose of blistering is, to mix the juice-of the herb with a proper salve, while the salve is cooling, after having been ; 35 |- warmed. There is another species of this herb, > the root of which is called pepper root. This root is of a very hot biting taste, and is as pow- erful as the crow foot, when applied for the pur- I pose of blistering. The juice of this herb, or of the pepper root, is a good application to palsied limbs, and cold swellings; it stimulates the Ian* [ guid or torpid vessels, and produces a due de gree of excitement. Cplewort. This is a small herb, growing in uncultivated grounds ; in June and July bears a white blow, or flower ; the leaves are indented at I the edges, and somewhat roughish. This herb <-. is of a very cooling nature, and makes a very good,drink in fevers, and inflamations in general. Celandine, or SaUendine. This herb grows up- on moist wet grounds, and from one to three feet high; the stalk and leaves are of a blue or \: purplish color.. Celandine is used in the piles, • disentary, diarhoea, consumption, jaundice, &c. It is of an obtunding, stimulating nature* and a '• very good herb in marty cases. Cohosh. Blue Cohosh grows in uncultivated ; grounds, and from one to two feet high *; a num- ■ ber of stalks usually arise from one root* and to- ^ wards the latter part of .the season it bears a blue berry about the bigness of a currant. Blue cohosh is gently physical, and if taken to any considerable extent, opens obstructions in gener- I al, and operates considerably upon the glands of the mouth, causing a free discharge of saliva or [ spittle. Where the object is to open obstruc- tLns, and at the same time to strengthen the sys- tem, the root of this herb is a very good reme* \ dy. Chamomile, The blows of this herb are mod- 36 «rately stimulating, and may^be used in weak- j ness of the stomach, hysteric, jaundice, hypo- condriac and billious complaints. The herb, if a small handful be boiled in new milk until it curdles, over a gentle fire, and the whey strained from the curd and an equal quantity of rum mix- ] ed with the whey, is an excellent remedy for sore or weaV eves. Cedar. The bark and boughs of cedar in de- coction, are corroborant and strengthening, and with this intention may be used in a variety of cases, where strengthening is requisite. A de- coction of cedar boughs is particularly useful in the piles. Blood Boot. This root may with propriety be ransed among the best of medicine ; it is of sin- gular service in all pulmonary complaints, jaun- dice, dysentary, cankerash, whooping cough, &c. To have its f nil effect as an alterative, it should be given in small doses, and frequently repeat- ed ; a tea-spoonful might be divided into six or eight portions, and be taken in the course of a day. To have its effect as a puke, one fourth of a tea-spoonful might be taken every fifteen min- utes, until it operated. Blood root in powder is a very useful application to an old or foul sore ; it cleanses and causes them to heal. It should be finely powdered and dropped into the sore. Burdock. The root of the burdock when ta- ken to any considerable extent, strengthens, and opens obstructions of the system in general. 7'he seed is a very useful thing for a drink in fevers, inflamations, &c ; it opens the passages of urine, and causey a free perspiration. Burdock seed, if large quantities of it be taken in decoction, is particularly useful in the rheumatism. 37 Bay Tree, called also Moose Mis&e. This tree grows from ten to fifteen feet high-; the bark " somewhat resembles both in looks and taste, the cherry-tree bark ; it bears a small round berry, ; which when ripe turns a reddish cast; they are of a bitterish aromatic taste, and contain a small whitish seed. The bark, as also the berry of this tree, is considered very useful in consump- tive and debilitated cases, jaundice, &c;—it strengthens and opens the pores of the bodv, of ,' course with these intentions it may frequently be used.— A decoction of the bark or of the ber- ry, is as good a preperation as can be expected, perhaps, from this tree. Buckthorn. The berries of buckthorn are mode- rately physical, & when given to any considerable extent, open very obstinate obstructions. Half a tea-cupful of these combined with an equal quantity of Balm of Gilead buds, put into a , quart of gin, makes a very useful medicine in ca- ses of debility or weakness. A glass should >e taken three times a day, until it opens the bow- t els or operates gently as physic, when it should •" be taken but once a day. Balm of Gilead. The buds of this tree are of a I strengthening nature, and may with propriety be used in cases of debility or weakness. Brook Liverwort. This herb grows upon the ; » banksofponds, streams, and upon old rotten logs, &c. It spreads itself upon the ground, & rises but a little above its surface. Brook liverwort is us- f ed in canker, old sores, &c; a decoction Jor either ^ purpose is as good a preparation of the herb* l perhaps, as can be made. Brakes. The hog brake grows from 1 to 3 feet, and usually larger than the common brake- The 38 oots of this brake are frequently rooted and dug ip by the hogs, they being a favorite food of hat animal. This root is frequently used in , mlmonary or consumptive complaints, as also in he gravel or stone. This root, when taken in ,. lecoction to any considerable extent, opens the ^ores and strengthens the body, and has fre- quently much relieved the pain, &c. which those ire afflicted with that are troubled with the grav- el. Bath root. This root is, when taken internally, powerfully stimulant and astringent; and is a very >raper remedy in fluxes, or bleeding that arises rom debility, and also bleeding of green wounds, he nose bleed, &.c. The white blowed bath root s more powerful than that of the red; a teaspoon- .ul of the dried root in powder is the common lose for an adult. This root is frequently used with success in the bilious cholic, common chol- ic, &c. Brook Lime. This herb being simmered in butter and vinegar, and when warm, applied to a tumor, blotch, boil or any inflamation. doth very !' much help them. It is also used in old or chro- , pic and consumptive complaints. Briar. The root of the blackberry briar when infused in water is of an obtunding % healing na- ture, and is useful in the dysentary, cholera mor- bus and diarhoea ; it sheaths or heals the abra- sion of the intestinal canal, and of course relieves the pain, &c. which usually attends these com- plaints. Dandelion. The roots and blows of the dan- delion are of an opening nature, ana* capable, if taken to a considerable extent, of opening very bstinate obstructions. They are used in ob- / 39 structions&f uAne, obstructions of the liver, con- sumption, &c. To have their full effect, they should