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THE
INDIAN GUIDE TO HEALTH,
OB.
         A VALUABLE

VEGETABLE MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION,
FOB THE
•9V& VB ALL WSORDBBS INCIDENT TO THW CLIMATE.
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Designed as a guide to families and
     young practitioners.
by bib. s*  m. ssHmiAir,


         COLUMBUS, IND.
 Printed fey Jambs M'Call,  Herald QSfc: 
f\v)\)C\




    OcAo  Ylti
GoPT-a*GHT secured according to law. 
INTRODUCTION.
   IN all ages of the world the Science of Mtdicins has
 engaged  the particular attention of the most learned of
 every nation; and of late years, the time End talents of
 a few eminent individuals, have been employed in com-
 municating to their fellow-men, desertations upon Do-
 mestic Melicine; for which, they have been  ceneured
 by a majority of the medical faculty, who, with the most
 audacious  effrontry, assert that,  by so doing, "Every
 man is made his own  physician;" and the consequent
 result is, that a majority of those who pretend that they
 have made themselves acquainted with all diseases, and
 their proper remedies,  have to resort to some other oc-
 cupation to gain a livelihood, and the Science is thereby
 injuied.
   Works heretofore published on the subject of Domes-
 lie Medicine though good in many respects have  great-
 ly failed in a general usefwluess; and for the reason that
 they are  written in a style not familiar to the common
 ear.  Technicle names  have been given to almost all die-
 eases and also to their appropriate n-modies, Which has in
 a degree rendered them useless to seven-eighths of the
 citizens of  this country. To remedy which evil, the au-
 thor in thie work, has endeavored to treat, in the moat
clear and concise  manner all diseases to wrfich, in this
climate, the human body is subject—to give them cocu-
wion  names—tOj^)itit  out their surest symptoms—ori-
ginal causes, arm  appropriate  remedies,  prepared fey 
it               INTRODUCTION.
distillation, extracts, &c. &c. from the superabundant
Garden of Nature.
  The greater part of the author's information in the sci-
ence of medicine, he obtained from his father-in-law Dr.
Richard Carter of Shelby County, Kentucky,  who  is
oommonly called the  "Indian Doctor;"  on whom all
the powers of ratiocination in possession of the facul-
ty were expended without effect.   To which he has ad-
ded six years experience in an almost unlimited practies
ina'l the diseases of this climate, and during which time,
in almost a thousand  instances,  he has seen his medi-
cine have the most happy effects in the  cure of disor-
ders,  after the  skill of the heretofore popular faculty,
had been  baffled  in the administration of their calomel,
and the patients given over by them to die.
  In  a country  like this,  where people are so subjeet
to violern attacks of disease, and where the chances to
obtain medical aid in  sach, are so uncertain, a work of
this description must be of great utility; in fact, every
family .should be in possession of one; not because  it
would be found  useful in extreme cases, but because in
the most slight attacks,  it would be found a ready and sure
guide__a -uide by which, a person of but  ordinary abil-
ities, can administer medicine without fear of injuring
the patient.
  The reader will find in the  latter part of this work, a
Meteria Medica, which points out the "simples" where-
with the divine Creator has, in his wisdom, planted our
"gardens, fields and woods,"  for the healing of our in-
firmities.
  In  the conclusion there is a general index, by a refer*
ence to which the reader can in a moment, point to any
particular disease and  its remedy.
"H 
                   HERPES.
   Herpes consists in an eruption of broad itchy  spots*
dispersed here and there aver the skin* of a whitish or
red  colour, which at length run into each  other, dis-
charge  a thin serous fluid, and cither from extensive
excoriations  or  ulcers.   After a certain time scurfy
scales appear, which peal off, and leave the under sur-
face red; the same appearances are, however, renewed
in a successive series, till the disease is either cured,
or goes off spontaneously, which is indeed rarely  the
ease.  Being a complaint confined to ihe skin, it sel-
dom happens that the general health suffers any  great
change.  Its causes may be referred to a want of clean-
liness, a low diet, and a damp situation; but certain con-
stitutions seem nevertheless particularly predisposed to
herpetic eruptions.   The best remedies for these erup-
tions are ointments; such as the oil of cerncobs, penny-
r»yal, sparemint, &c.  While using the ointments, u»e
cooling  medicines inwardly, such as senna, salts, &c.
Bleeding is  also necessary while using the ointments,
ret the diet be light, there is no difficulty in this ease if
proper care is taken.
          TINEA, or SCALLED  HEAD.
  This disease consists in a chronic inflamation of the
skin of the head, productive of a secretion of matter pe-
culiar  in  its nature, and  capable of  propagating the
complaint, if applied to the healthy scalp of a subject.
At first, theeruption isconfined, probably only toasmaH
portion of the head;but by degrees its acrimony is ex-
tended to the neighboring parts, and at length the whole
of the scalp  is eroded, and beset with a scabby eruption.
Dr. Willan has substituted the term porigo for  that of
tinea, as being less objectionable, and considers tbisge* 
P              TUB INDIAN GUIDE

nus as consisting of several variations.  Children are*
principally affected with it  particularly  those of the
poor; hence it evidently arises from uacleanliness, from
the want of a due proportion of wholesome nutritive food
and possibly from bad nursing.  At any rate, these will
very much aggravate the disease.  In many instances,
it is prepagated by contagion, either by using a comb im-
bued with the matter from the head of a person labor-
ing under it, or by putting on his hat or cap.  When
proper means  ate adapted, the disease  seldom proves
of difficult cure.  The hair  should  be shaven off the
head, and then covered with an ointment made of dog-
wood berries, and the flowers of mulberry, stewed to-
tether in sweet oil or  hog's lard, this should be used
•very night afid morning, the head should  be frequent-
ly washed in castile i-oapand new milk, it  also may be
washed at times in copperas water, if the glands of the
neck should become swelled,  a small blister should be
drawn on the back of the neck, and be kept a  running
a. few days, by  pursuing this course there is no difficul-
ty of performing a c^re.
           INCUBUS, or NIGHT-MARE.
  This is evidently a nervous affection, and comes on
during sleep, with a sonse of considerable weight and
oppression  at the chest, the person making many efforts
to speak and move without effect, until, after many deep
groans and much mourning, he at length awakes great-
ly frightened, and feels a considerable palpitation at the
heart, with  tremors, anxiety, and lasitude.   The caus-
es which give rise to this complaint, are chiefly anxie-
ty,  grief, despondency, and intense thought;  but it is
sometimes occasioned by making use of food of a hard
indigestible nature for supper.  In most cases it may.
however, be considered as arising from the impression
of dreams,  or a distemperature of thought, and there-
fore is not attended with any great danger.  A spasmo-
dic  constriction of the diaphragm and muscles of the
ehetit, is by many assigned as the proximate cause of 
TO HEALTH.                7
incubus.  Those who lead an inactive sedintary life,
and are of a lax fibre, ate most predisposed to its at-
tacks.  The remedies.  The first thing necessary is to
cleanse the blood; that is to get a handful of the bark
of the root of yellow poplar, the same of dogwood back,
the north side:  the same of wild cherry tree bark, the
same of yellow sarsaparilla root, and the same of the
roots of running brier, put these in a cepper kettle and
put a quart of water to every handful, and boil it slow-
ly away to two quarts, then add a pint of whiskey, take
a table spoonful two or three times a day; let your diet
be chickens, squirrels, beef, mutton, and broths, not too
highly seasoned.  Or get a handful of wild cherrytree
bark, the same of running brier roots, the same of bur-
dock roots, the same of sassafras bark, the  same of
white ash tops, add a quart of water to every handful
boil it half  away: drink this for your constant drink,
and take fifteen  drops of the essence^f peppermint on
going to bed.
   ANASARCA,  or DROPSY in tub CELLULAR
                  MEMBRANE.
   This species of dropsy shows itself at first with a
■welling of the feet and ancles, towards evening, which
far a time disappears in the morning.   The tumefac-
tion  is soft and easy dented, and when pressed  upon
with the finger, retains its mark for some lime, the
skin becoming much paler than usual.  By degrees the
swelling ascends upwards and occupies the  thighs and
trunk of the body, an* at  last  even the face and eye
lid. appear full and bloated.  Wheu it has become pret
 y general, the  viscera are affected  in a similar way;
 he cellular oenhraM of the lungs partakes the afi&
lion, the breath.ng then becomes difficult, and is accom-
panied  by cough, and the expectoration of a watery flu-
Id; the  urine is small in quantity, and deposits a  reddish
sediment;  sometimes, however, it w 0f a pale whey co>
tour, and more copious; the belly j, costiye the  '  ^ 
I
THE INDIAN GUIDE
  mtion much obstructed, the countenance yellow and a
  considerable degree of thirst, with amaciation of the
  whole body prevails.   To these symptoms succeed tor-
  por, heaviness, and a slow fever.   In  some cases the
  water oozes out through  the pores of  the cuticle;  in
  others, being too gross to pass by these,  it  raises the
 cuticle in small blisters and sometimes the skin, not al-
 lowing the water  to escape through it, is  compressed
 aad hardened, and is at the same time so much discharg-
 ed, as to give the  tumor a considerable degree of firm-
 ness.   The disease is always to be regarded  as admit-
 ting more readily  of a cure, when.it arises from topical
 weakness or geneial debility,  than when  it  has  been
 occasioned by viscerial obstruction;  likewise  when re-
 cent, than  when  it  has been  of a very long continu-
 ance.   The skin becoming somewhat moist, wiih a di-
 minution of thirst, and an increase in the flow  of urine,
 are to be regarded as very favorable symptoms.   la
 come few cases, nature makes powerful efforts of he*
 own accord and the disease goes off by a spontaneous
 crisis, either by a vomiting, purging or an unusual dis
 charge of u rine; but this does not often happen.  Con-
 comitant organic disease,  great emaciation, erysipela-
 tous inflamation, much drowsiness, petechiae  and ecy-
 mosis, haemorrhage, febrile heat, great thirst, and a
 quick small pulse, are very unfavorable symptoms,  la
 dropsical cases we  should always carefully  investigate
 whether the disease is an original one, or prevails as a
 symptom of some  other; for by removing  the  cause,
 we shall often be able to perform a cure.  For instance,
 if it has arisen as the consequence of intemperance, a
 free use of spirituous liquois, exposure to a moist at-
 mosphere, or the having had recourse to large evacua^
lions, particularly by bleeding, these ought carefully to
 ke avoided in future; or  if it  has  proceeded from
Jong-continued intermittents, obstructions  in the abdo-
jninial  orthoracie viscera, and the Like, these should be
•bviated, by the mildest of means, in the first place it is
accessary, that a general flow of blood should  be pro-
duced through the extremities, as it is frequently  the
case that the blood is confined to the breast  and  head,
io order to produce  this circulation of blood, and to keep 
TO HEALTH.
I
down iuflamation, you will get, one peek of green plan-
tain, the same of liverwort, the same of winter green,
the same of burdock, the same of the blossoms of Phil-
adelphia flea-bane, the same of poke-berries, the same
of dogwood berries, you will put these ingredients  to-
gethe° in a large kettle or still, boil them in fifteen gal-
lons of water down to three gallons,  then strain the li-
quid from the vegatables, add to the liquid two pounds
of Epsom-salts, one pint of the tincture of gamguiacum,
one quart of hard culler, ^alf an ounce of the  rust of
iron,the same of salamoniac, you will now boil this do*n
to  one  gallon,  it is then fit for use;  the  patient may
take from a tea spoonful to half a table spoonful, three
times a day, refrtftnifg from all strong diet, this medi-
cine will have the tendency of aswuging the swelling in
a short time, and acts very powerfully upon the urine.
So  soon as the swelling begins to subside, get a hand-
ful of the inside bark of dog wood,  the same of the in-
side bark ofyellow poplar, the same of featherfew,  the
Rame of indian turnip, the same of horsemint, these ar-
ticles are to be boiled in two gallons of cider  or weak
vinegar or water, down to half a gallon, take it out and
strain it, to this you will add,  four ounces of loaf sugar,
twenty grains of refined nitre of this  preparation the pa-
tient should use one table spoonful every night and mor-
ning, if there should beany soreness in the bowels while
using of this medicine, a small portion of paragoric may
be  mixed with each dose, if the bowels are costive  the
patient should use  the croam of tarter, senna, manna.
caster oil,&c.  The body of the patient should be rub-
rj all over with a piece of warm  flannel every night
and morning, wine and water should be frequently used,
a few drops of elixir vitriol may be taken in a little weak
tody,  once or twice ad3y, beware of getting  cold, or
fatigue, 1 have laid down the general .symptons of  thi«
diaeuse in the first place, in the second ;.l*c.e my mode  of
treatment, so that the citizen* of the country, may know
the complaint and the remfuies noct'ssa-y to 1* used  in
• ach cunca,thcuj;h  the prescriptions arc simple yet pow-
a.Tul and effectual when pro;*.ly ndiniui.-.'ei'*d.
                         2* 
*0
THE INDIAN GUIDE
     ASCITES, or  DROPSY OF  THE  BELLY.

   This disease is marked by a tense swelling of the
abdomen, accompanied by an evident fluctuation.  The
water is usually collected inlhe sac of the  peritonaeum,
or general cavity of the abdomen; but sometimes it  is
found entirely without the peritonaeum, and  between
this and the abdominal muscles.  Collections of water
in some instances, begin by sacs formed upon and con-
nected with one or other of the viscera, as happens fre-
quently in the ovarea of women.   These form that dis-
ease which has been termed encysted dropsy.  Hydatids
have been supposed  to give rise to them.   In  additioa
to the causes which have been enumerated as productive
of anasarca, certain local affections, as diseases of the
viscera of the abdomen ;.scirrhosities of the liver,spleen,
or pancreas: enlargement of the mesenliiic glands, lo-
cal injury, &c. do sometimes occasion ascites.  Ascites
isoften preceded by  loss of appetite,sluggishness,  inac-
tivity,  dryness of the  skin, oppression of the chest,
caugh,  diminution of the natural dischages of urine,
and costiveness.   Shortly after the appearance of these
symptoins.a protuberance is perceived in the by pogastri-
um, which extends gradually and keeps iucreasiiig,until
the whole abdomen becomes at length uniformly swelled
and tense. The distention and sense of weight, although
considerable, vary somewhat according to the posture of
the body, the weight being felt the  most in that side on
which the patient lies, while at the same time the disten-
tion becomes somewhat less on the opposite one.  In gen-
eral the patient may be sensible of the fluctuation of the
water, by applying his left hand on one side of the abdo-
men, and then s^ iking on the other with his right.  In
some cases it w ill be obvious to the ear.  As the collec-
tion of water becomes more considerable, the difficulty of
breathing is much increased, the countenance exhibits
a pale or bloated appearance, and immoderate l hi rat ari-
ses, the skin is dry and parched, and the urine is  very
i»canty, thick, and high-colored, and deposits a laten-
tious sediment.  In the general dropsy, the urine coagu-
lates like the diluted  serum of the blood, whilst in that
which proceeds from unsound viscera, it is usually high 
TO HfeALTH.                11
 •olored, scanty and on cooling deposits a pink colored
 sediment.   With respect to the pulse, it is variable, be»
 ing sometimes considerably quickened, and at other
 times slower ihan natural.   Although ascites is some-
 times accompanied by fever, still it is  frequently ab-
 sent.  It has, however,  been observed, that during as-
 cites, the derangement in the general system is greater
 than in other respects of dropsy.  In the treatment wf
 ascites, we are to attend to the two following indications,
 first, to evacuate the accumulated, fluid, second  and to
 prevent any fesh collection to answer the first of these
 intentions,  it is necessary to have recourse, to  purga-
 tivcs,of the following kind, you will get half a  peck of
 the inside  bark of white  walnut, the same  of the
 inside bark of dogwood,  the same of the roots of elder,
 the same ofalccampane, to these you will add six gal-
 lons of water, and boil it down to hall a gallon,  straia
 it in the usual way, to this you will add one pint of mo-
 lasses, of this preparation, the patient  should take one
 table spoonful three times per day, if incase it  should
 opperate too  powerful upon the bowels, the quantity
 may be decreased, this medicine will have the tendency
 of carrying off the water by the bowels and urine after
 this course  has been pursued live or six davs, you will
 stop this course, and take the following: take four oun-
 ces of jalap, the same of cream  of tarter, half ounce
 of pulverised columbo root,  half an ounce of pulverised
 ■quill  root,  of this you  will take, half a table spoonful
 every night and morning, at the same time u>e a tea of
 horse-mint or paisley, lhis medicine will have the effect
 of carrying off the water in  the same way of the other
 preparation above mentioned, this course should be pur-
 sued until the wu'.cr should he measurably carried off, it
 is now necessary that the regular digestive powers  of
 the system,  should  be  restored by  mild  tonics  such
 as  the following:  the patient should lake  from tdi  to
 thirty drops of the  tincture  of quinine ortheessenee
of orange,  in a little water  four or five times a  day,
 the  patient should  be  frequently  bathed  in  strong
salted water, immediately afterwards should be rapped
up  in warm flannel cloths.   Should  there appear to be
any fever, the sweet spirits of nitre should be used from 
*            THE INDIAN GUIDE

• tea spoonful to half a table  spoonful, two or three
times a day until the fever subsides, should the bowels
bewome costive, rheubarband peruvian bark, should be
frequently used, by this course of treatment,  there it
no difficulty of performing a cure if taken in time.
                  SPIAINS.

  Accidents of this nature happen most frequently in
the wrists, knees and encles; and are usually  occasion-
ed by a slip, or some sudden effort or violent  exertion.
Sprains of the tendons and ligaments are usually  pro-
ductive of an immediate painful and inflamatory swell-
ing,   in severe sprains there is often not  only an in-
creased action of the arteries in the inflamed  part, but
there is likewise an instantaneous effusion from  the
rupture of some of the small vessels.  In  general, we
may  suppose the effusion to be of the serous kind, as
the skin is not altered in colour for some time after the
accident; but it sometimes happens that the tumid parti
are either of a deep red or leaden colour from the very
first,  owing to blood being extiavasated from the  rup-
tured vessels.  In the treatment of sprains, two circum-
stances are principally to be attended to:  the first, to
prevent, by all possible means, the swelling from arriv-
ing at any considerable magnitude; the second,to employ
those remedies which are known to be powerful in re-
moving inflamation.  To answer the first of  these in-
tentions, restringent applicatiens, such as vinegar, ar-
dent spirits, the lees of red wine, may be  made use of.
By immersing the injured part in any of these immedi-
ately on receivihg the injury  the effusion will be  ren-
dered much  less than it otherwise would be,  and  per-
haps be altogether prevented.   Plunging the sprained
limb into the coldt >t water that can be procured as soon
after the  accident as possible, is often attended with Urn
best effect, and may be advised as the first step, till one
or other of the articles just  mentioned can b»  procu;e>j.
Toanewer the second lutan'ionof /emoving inflamatiou, 
TO HEALTH.
13
we may have recourse to blood letting if the pain and in-
flamation does not subside readily, we should have  re^
course to cooling medicines such as, salts, &c. And such
as are generally used in cases of inflamation.   Where
a weakness remains in consequence of a sprain, a pre-
paration of turpentine, camphor, sweet oil, or hogs lard,
of equal quantities of each, an ointment  made of the
same.   The  part should be well rubbed  every  night
and morning warmed by the fire, at the same time war-
ing flannel round the affected  parts.  This treatment
seldom fails of performinga cure.
                   ASTHMA.
   This  disease is a spasmodic  affection of the lungs,
 which comes on by paroxysms most generally at night,
 and is attended by a frequent, difficult, and short respi-
 ration, together with a wheezing noise, tightness across
 the chest, and acaugh; all of which symptoms are much
 increased when the patient is in a horizontal  position.
 Asthma rarely appears before the age of puberty,  and
 seems to attack,men more frequently than women, par-
 ticularly those of a full habit, in whom it never fails, by
 frequent repetition, to occasion some degree of emaci-
 ation.   Dyspepsy. always  prevails, and  appears to be a
 very prominent feature in the predisposition.  Its at-
 tackc arc most frequent during the heats of summer, and
 in winter when heavy fogs or sharp  cold winds  pre-
 vail   When the disease is attended with an accumula-
 tion and dischargeofhumoursfromthelungs.it is called
 the humid asthma, but when it is unaccompanied by a-
 uv expectoration, it is  known by the name of the dry or
 spasmodic asthma.  On the evening preceding an at-
 tack of asthma the spirits arc often much affected, and
the person  experiences a  sense of fullness  about  tlie
stomach, with lassitude drowsiness,  and a pain in  the
head.  On the approach pf the succeeding evening he
j.erceives a sense of tightness and stricture across  the
breast,  and a sense ofstraightness in the lungs imped- 
14
THE INDIAN GUIDE
 ing respiration.  The difficulty of breathing continuing
 to increase for some length of time,  both in aspiration
 and expiration, are performed slowly, and with a wheez-
 ing noise; the speech becomes  difficult and uneasy, a
 propensity to coughing succeeds, and the patient can no
 longer  remain in an horizontal position, being as it
 were threatened with immediate suffocation.
  These symptoms usually continue till towards the ap-
 proach  of morning, and then a remission  commonly
 takes place; the breathing becomes less  laborious and
 more full, and the person speaks and coughs with great-
er ease.  If the cough is attended with an  expectoria-
tion of mucus,  he experiences much relief, and soon
falls asleep.   -In the management of this disease, it will
be well to bear in mind, that laxity of fibre, and morbid
sensibility and irritability are the predominent features
of the asthma.  We should avoid all violent medicines.
As the  asthma so  frequently arises from a disordered
state of the stomach and bowels, the  employment of
laxative  medicines affords great relief, the purgatives
may be the tincture of rhubarb, or caster-oil,  may  be
freely  used in all attacks, when there appears to be
great difficulty in breathing, it will be necessary to use
tartarized antimony or a tincture of lobelia.   In order
to produce a general expectoration  from  the lungs; and
to restore the digestive powers, the patient should take
the following preparation: get half a bushel of angeli-
co roots, the same of spignard roots, the same  of the
 inside bark  of yellow poplar,  add those  ingredients
 together boil them  in six gallons of water to half
a gallon,take out the vegetables and strain it, to this add
one pint of French brandy, two pounds of white sugar,
of this take half a table spoonful three times per day,
 with a tea spoonful of sweet oil—the oxygen of squills
should also be used at times, tonics, such as barks and
 quinine should also be used.  1 have had many cases of
 this kind though it is thought by the most of wliters to
 be incurable, yet I have relieved many, and made them
 well, as they were previous to the attack.
   Though my medicine is  much condemned, and said
 to be nothing u;o;e ;han roots, herbs, and  barks, yet 
TO HEALTH.
15
many can tell the good effects it has had on them. Tho1
Indian medicines as they are called they have relieved
the afflicted pain:  Of those patients who to me have
came.
   I feel  in hopes that mankind will soon begin to discov-
er, that in the garden ofnature there is medicines for all
diseases to which the human body is afflicted.
               T II E T II R US IF .
   This is a very common complaint among young chil-
dren.  Its approach may be known and stopped by  a
few doses of the powders to wit: take of magnesia twen-
ty grains, of rhubarb five grains,  these must be pow-
dered  and mixed together  and for a dose take from
three to five grains eveiy six hours.  When this  dis-
ease takes place, the tongue becomes in some  degree
swelled;its colour and that  of the  throat, is purple; ul-
cers appear first on the throat, edges of the tongue,  and
at length  over the whole mouth.   These ulcers, are of
a whitish colour; sometimes they are quite distant,  and
in some instances run together.   The time of its dura-
tion is uncertain.  For the cure, let the mouth be care-
fully and gently washed  several times in  t: e day,
with the following solution: To half a gill of water well
sweetened with honey or molasses, add fifteen  grains
of borax, when desolved, it  is ready for use, or if this is
not convenient, take sage tea, half a gill, sweetened as
before,  add to it from five to ten grains of the best al-
mond soap to be used as above; or take a runJful of
brier roots, the same of persimmon tree bark, the same
of privay, the same  of white oak bark, the same of com-
mon  cherry three twigs, and the same of sage;  boil
these articles all together well, and strain it,  then  add
a tea spoonful of alum, half a pint of honey, half a  tea
spoonful  of salt petre, and a little  vinegar, and wash
the mouth twice or thrice a  day this is a certain cure. 
 16           THE INDIAN GUIDE

            PESORA  or  ITCH,
   This complaint Is evidently confined to the skin and
 never effects the general system, however, great its ir-
 ritation.   This disease is evidently a very contagious
 one and may be  communicated by coming in contact
 with the body of a person already affected or by wear-
 ing the same clothes or lying in the same bed linen that
 he has done.  But it is sometimes produced by unwhole-
 some food, bad air, and neglect of cleanliness, &c.  A
 good deal more might be said concerning the pathology,
 but I persume it unnecessary as it is a disease with which
 the most of persons are well acquainted.  The surest
 method of treatment is as follows:—Take a handful of
 sowerdock roots, the same of the bark of dogwood roof,
 the same of the bark of elder root, the same of balsom,
 tbe same ot the  bark of sassafras roots, a piece of poke
 root  as large as a goose egg,all boiled well together,
 then strained and stewed slowly down to the consisten-
cy of sirup then take it off, and stir till half cold, add
two, spoonfulls of tar toone pint of the decoction, one
spoonful of salt petre, the same of soft soap, the same of
sulpher, the  same of black,peper beat fine, all this to be
stewed well together, it may be rubbed on the joints, or
all over the body if necessary.  This is good to cure a-
ny itching humours.
         T II E  T E T T E R  AV O R M .
  To cure this disease, get a good chance of white hick-
ory bark, also the inside bark of black oak,  boil these
well together and strain it, then put it back in the ves-
sel, and add a little blue stone and copperas,  and boil
it down thick as tar, and anoint the tetter worm  with
thisevery day for several days,then make an ointment of
sweet oil, the same to be made thus;  take a  quart  of
unslaoked lime,  the sameofmusselshells well burnt and
beat, mix these  together with  water, so as to get half a
pint of the lime  water, then mix half a pint of lime wa-
ter with the same quantity of sweet oil, stir it  well to- 
TO HEALTH.
17
gether, until it thickens like butter,and anoint with this
once or twice a day, this both eats and heals the affect-
ed part, or get some poke roots and slice them well, and
then get three or four quarts of sweet cream, put them
in a copper kettle, boil them a good while,  and anoint
the tetter worm often with this, or use corrosive subli-
mate in water,ten grains to one pint,use this for an oint-
ment on the tetter worm once  a day, and  take a  purge
every ten days.  Or you may  obtain an effectual reme-
dy at theapothecarys shop that will cure this distressing
disease, that is, get the oil of cedar wood or apple  and
anoint the  part affected once or twice a  day  and  you
will  most certainly receive a  permanent cure in a  few
weeks.
                FOR BURNS, &c.
   If fever be excited by a burn, the patient should be
bled and purged,  with gentle laxative medicines; but
the greatest dependence should be placed upon aplica-
tions to be made to the part affected: as lead water, rum
and  water, holding the part near the fire that is affect-
ed,or immerse the part in cold water immediately and
then apply wet cloths frequently weting  the same, and
at the same time drink warm tea made of ginger, cloves,
or pepcr—continue this preparation (ill the inflamation
subsides, then apply cold, and salted dough made of Indi-
an corn, this is good especially where the skin is  bro-
ken—a poultice made thus:  take some flaxseed,  put it
in u  quart of water, boil it down till it  begins to thick-
en, then add some new milk, and let it boil a little, then
thicken  it with a little flour, spread it on a cloth, pm
some reshbutteron the samc,to keep it from siicking,thi»
will draw out the fire-and at the same time heal the burn.
Or got a handful of heart leaves, the same of the insidt;
bark o." elder, also sheep suet and a little  fresh butte!',
and make an  ointment, and put this on muslin and ap-
ply it to the burn.   Or take unslacked lime, and slack
it in  common oil, or sweet  oil, and take it out again  as 
18            THE INDIAN GUIDE

dry as you can, and make it into an ointment w ilk  ©il
of roses; this oil often cures, without a scar, in a  tilth
time.
     THE DYSENTARY o* BLOODY  FLUX.
   This disease is defined.by Dr. Cullin,  a contagious
 fever  attended  with frequent slimy or bloody stools;
 while at the same time, the usual contents of  the intes-
 tines,  are for the most part retained; and with a violent
 griping, painful, frequent urging to goto stool. If there
 be a frequent disease of going to stool, especially after
 eating or drinking, it is considered a certain  mark  of
 this disease.   It  occurs in  the same season that inter-
 mittent fevers do; and like them follows long dry, long
 moist  and hot weather; sometimes it  comes on with
 cold shivering, and other marks of  fever,  and in some
 instances, the fever attending is very  violent and  in-
 fiamatory:  sometimes, though  not so frequently, a
 diarrhoea is the first symptom.  There is  commonly a
 loss of appetite, frequent sickness, nausea and vomiting;
 which are considerably proportioned to the violence of
 the disease.  In every case where  there  is violent fe-
 ver, the danger is considerable; when the patient stools,
 he seldom breaks wind.  Now'to prevent this disease
 from spreading, the patient should be kept very clean,
 his room should be well aired, and  properly cleansed,
 and  vinegar  should be frequently poured upon  a hot
 brick,  stone or piece of hot  iron.   In places where this
 complaint prevails, the daily use of cold baths; the
 dress of children should be carefully changed  to the
 state of the weather; salt  meat, should be daily, but
 moderately used through the sickly season, and drink
 tar water,  morning  and evening;  and when you go
among the sick, take a little of the tincture  of assafoeti
da, ginger or a  lew drops of the spirits of turpentine
on sugar, or get a handful oi'cucumber bark, a bandfal
of dogwood bark, a handful of yellow poplar bark, put
them in spirits, and drink as a bitter.  For the cure o/
this dispose, regard must be had to the degree  of feve# 
TO HEALTH.
19
present; for if there be great thirst, acute pains, and a
tight, though small pulse, the patient should  be bled,
and if pains and other violent symptoms,continue the
blood letting, repeat it  every twelve  a  twenty-four
hours, until they do yield.  Pukes are sometimes prop-
er, but they should be used only when  there  is great
sickness at the stomach; and  if the marks of fever, as
above, be present, a puke  should  not be admiuisteied,
until  after one or more  bleeding .   Purges should be
frequently repeated, but they must be of the most gentle
sort, as cream of tartar, purging  salts, manna, &c.—
Physic grass, which is called highland flags—take a
handful and beat  it, let  it stand in a  tumbler  of cold
water the over night, drink it in the morning, and work
it off with warm water, or water gruel, but let it be re-
membered, that jallap and  rhubarb are not  proper in
this complaint; glyster of flax seed tea, or mutton broth,
with a little tincture of opium, should be injected, two,
three or four times, for every  twenty-four hours.   If
there be great heat and pain in the bowels,  cold water
might be injected in  the  form of a glyster; indeed it
could do no injury, if there were no inflammatory symp-
toms.  Opium, a  dose of the tincture or a pill of  the
solid  opium, should be given every night; and after
sufficient evacuations, it might  be used every six or
eight hours if necessary: cooling drinks, such as whey,
flax seed tea, camomile tea, and  barley  water, are all
proper  for this purpose; and if there be much fever,
cold water is a very proper drink-—a decoction ofguni
arabic  or shavings of harts-horn with  spices, mutton
suet boiled in milk—a decoction of blackberry  brier
roots, or a gruel made of a little flour prepared accord-
ing to Doctor Buekhan, that is to say: take a few hand-
fulls of fine flower, tie it up in a linen cloth, and boil it
in a pot forsix hours,until it becomes as hard as starch ;
afterwards grate it, and make it in'.o gruel.  Either of
these will be very useful:  when the patient is much
spent, blisters may be applied to the wrists and ancles,
but not commonly, until after the fifth day.  In the close
of the disease, port wine, maderia or cherry wines, are
proper when the fever intermits, and especially where
it assumes the shape of the third day  fever and a;me; 
 tO            THE INDIAN GUIDE

 the bark is a very proper remedy  to be given, chiefly
 in the fore part of the day; so is a spoonful of the juice
 of elder berries, two or three times a day; or take a
 new laid egg, and pour out the white and fill up the
 egg with salt, and roast it hard; then beat it to a pow-
 der and take as much as will lay on the point of a case
 knife, every half hour; and  let your drink be a tea of
 the  root of black-gum, or sycamore bark tea, or take
 the spirits of turpentine and put on burning coles, and
 receive the smoke.   This  w'll stopitfand if it steps too
 fast, work it off with salts or caster-oil; or  take dried
 leaves of angelico and make a tea, and drink of it or
 make a tea of sweet fennel loaves, or take as  much
 grated rhubarb as will  lie on the point of  a case-knife,
 with half as much grated nutmeg; put these in a glass
 of white wine, take this laying down; or take fourteen
 drops of laudanum, and apply to the belly a poultice of
 wormwood and red roses,  boiled in milk, and feed on
 rice sirrup and  beef;  give a spoonful of sheep suet,
 melted on a slow fire, a spoonful of green plantain mixed
 together, and  taken several  times and sitting in a tub
 of warm water three inches deep;  or take the maw of
 a rabbit dried to a powder,  made up in doses, and taken
 in plantain juice; for a child, take the seeds of plaintain
 heat it to a powder,give a  tea spoonful in  red wine; or
 lake the jaw bene of a p;ke, beat to a powder, take half
 a drachm of the powder in rod wine, morning and eve-
 ning; this  has cured when nothing else would; or lake
ihe back bone of a beef or hog burn  until they become
 white, then beat them line,  boil them in new  milk, and
uive them to drink.
     THE CHOLERA MORBUS, or PURGING
                 and VOMITING.
  This disorder makes its appearance in warm climate*
up early in the season as April and May; but in colder
climates, not until the middle  of June, or lirat of Jul) ;
the danger attending it, is in proportion to the heut *'f 
TO HEALTH.
SI
 the  weather.   Children are subject to  it from one to
 two weeks, until two years old.  It sometimes begins
 with a diarrhoea, which will continue for several days
 without  any other disorder; but most  commonly  vio-
 lent vomiting and purging, and high fevers attend; the
 matter discharged from the stomach and bowels is  yel-
 low or green, the stools are sometimes slimy and mixed
 with blood, without any appearance of bile; sometimes
 the stools areas thin as water;  worms  are frequently
 voided.  Whether the evacuation be bilious or not, the
 patient seems to suffer  much pain, draws up the feet, is
 never in one posture;  the pulse  weak  and quick, the
 head very warm, the  hands and feet cold; the fever
 remits and returns with greater violence  every evening.
 The head is sometimes so much affected, that thep atient
 not only  becomes delerious,  but will rave and try to
 scratch or bite the parent or nurse. The belly,  and
 sometimes  the face and limbs swell—has great  thirst
 in every stage—the eyes appear languid and hollow,
 sleeps with them half closed, so great is  the insensibili-
 ty of his eyes, that flies light upon  them while  open,
 and do not excite  the least motion  in  the eye-lids.—-
 Sometimes the vomiting continues without the purging,
 but more commonly the purging  remains without  the
 vomiting.  Through the whole course of the disorder,
 the stools are  sometimes large, emitting a very disa-
 greeable smell;  at other times there are scanty stools,
 without smell, like  the f«»od or drink taken  in by  the
 child.  This disorder is sometimes  fatal in a few days,
 and  in some cases, even  in twenty-four hours—muc!i
 depends on the state of the weather, one cool day gen-
 erally abates; the time or violence of its duration, varies
 frequently from a few days to six weeks,  or two months;
 when it is of long standing, and tending  to death, there
 is commonly great wasting of the  patient's flesh;  the
 bones will sometimes come through the .skin.  Towards
 the close of the disease, there appears purple spots on
 the skin, with  hiccough, convulsions, ghastly  counte-
 nance and sore mouth; when those last appearances
come on the case generally becomes incurable.  The
 following remarks may help to guard against mistakes 
 22            THE INDIAN GUIDE

 in this disorder: It is sometimes thought to be the effect
 of teething; but as it comes on in a particular season of
 the year, this mistake may be  avoided.  It is truej
 however, that it is rendered more violent when it hap-
 pens to seize on  children in the time of teething.  It is
 sometimes attributed to worms; but  although  worms
 are frequently voided in this fever, they are  never the
 cause of it.   It  has been considered the effect of eating
 summer fruits; but where children can get ripe fruit at
 pleasure, it seldom occurs; and indeed i i(>e fruits taken
 moderately, have a considerable  tendency to prevent
 it.  On the whole, it may be considered a species of
 the bilious fever, and may be cured as follows: Give
 a puke to evacuate the bile from the stomach; mis may
 be done by a dose of ipecacuana or tartar emetic, and
 it should be repeated as often as there is vomiting of bile.
 In every stage of the disorder, the bowels should then
 be purged with manna, casteroil or magnesia; but rhu-
 barb is not a proper remedy until the fever is subdued
 in some considerable degree.  If, however, the  puking
 and purging have continued until there is good reason
to believe that the offending matter  has  been  thrown
 off by the natural efforts,  the pukes and purges must
 be  omitted, and instead  of them a few drops  of the
 tincture of opium may be  given in a chalk julip,  say
 prepared chalk or crabs claws, eight grains to  twenty
 tincture of opium, half a dose to three or four cinnamon
 water or pepermint tea at discretion;  sirrup, as much
 as may be sufficient to make it pleasant, to  be given
 every three  or four,  or six  hours; sometimes a  few
drops of spirits of harts-horn will be a useful addition
 to the above julep.  Small  blisters might be applied to
the region of the stomach,  or to the wrists and  ancles.
Mint and mallow teas, or a tea of blackberry brier roots,
infused in cold water; a decoction of shavings of harts-
 horn or a solution of gum arabic, or a  tea of the pith
of sassafras-wood, steeped in warm  water,  with  the
addition of a little mint or cinnamon, either  of these
articles may be prapared and used as drink.  To corer-
 pose the stomach or bowels, glysters made of flax seed
 tea or  mutton soup,  or  stanch dissolved in  water.-*- 
TO HEALTH.
23
Either of those, with the  addition of a few drops of
the timcture  of opium, may be frequently  injected.—-
Plasters  of Venice treacles, where it can be  had, or
flannels wet  with a strong infusion of bitter  herbs,ia
warm spirits or madeira wine  might be applied to the
stomach;  or what  might be still  more convenient,  a
cloth  folded so as to be two or three inches  square,
might be wet with  the tincture of opium, and  applied
as before.  As soon as the violent symptoms are sub"-
dued, give bark in the form of a decoction  o" in sub-
stance, to which may  be added a  little nutmeg; or if
bark be offensive to i.he patient,use port wine, or claret
in its stead.  At this stage, it will be proper to indulge
the child in any particular article of strong food.  The
patient  may happen to crave salted or dried  fish, salt
meat, butler or rich  gravies,  and even the strougest
cheese.   Another remedy when there is great pain, is
the warm bath;  and it would be si ill more effectual, if
wine were used instead of water.   It is also probable,
that a cold baih, a  few times repeated,.would be an ex-
cellent remedy in the recovering stage of the disease;
it will be found very beneficial, to carry the  child out
to breathe a  fresh  country air.  in places  where this
complaint prevails, the following particulars will prob-
ably prevent the daily use of the cold baih: The dress of
children  should be carefully accommodated  to the state
and  changes of the  weather; salted meat should be
daily, but moderately used through the sickly  season-;
good sound wine may be given them in poiiions  adap-
ted to their age; from a lea spoonfull to half a wine
glass full, at the discretion of the parents: particular
regard should be had  to cleanliness, both with respect
to their skin and clothing.  Lastly, Persons living iu
sickly towns ought to be specially attentive  to all these
dangerous complaints; and where it can be done, they
should remove their children to the country, before the
sickly season.  I have cured many with bowman root,
which is called by  some, Indian  physic.  Boil  a good
handful in two quarts of water to a pint, let  them drink
freely of that, and drink warm water to work it off; or
take a table spoonful of beat puccoon root, a spoonful of 
24
THE INDIAN GUIDE
fennel seed, a spoonful of mountain birch bark, beat it
fine; you may let this stand for time of need; this de-
coction is to be put in a quart of cider; a child of two
or three years old, is to take a tea spoonful once or
twice a day, and so on according to the age; to a grown
person, a table spoonful, not to eat hog meat nor milk.
       THE PLEURISY—the SYMPTOMS.
   This comes on like other fevers.  It  generally be-
 gins with chilliness and shivering, which are followed
 by heat, thirst and restlessness; to these succeeds a vio-
 lent pricking pain in one of the sides among the ribs,
 sometimes the pain extends towards the back  bone;
 sometimes towards the fore part of the breast, and at
 other times towards the blades; the pain is generally
 most violent when the  patient draws in his breath—if
 he holds his breath as  long as he can, he cannot fetch
 his breath without coughing.  The purse in this disease
 is commonly quick and hard; the urine is high colour-
 ed, and if blood is let, it is covered with a tough crust or
 buffy coat; the patient's spittle is at first  thin, but after-
 wards  it becomes grosser, and is often  streaked with
 blood;  there is generally a violent pain in the side, and
 high  fevers, changing from place to  place,  and some'
 times in the head, with a shortness of breath that  you
 will appear to be choaking, and generally weakens the
 patient fast, and often turns to the third day fever and
 ague.  Make a decoction of nettles and apply the boil-
 ed herb as hot as you can  bare  it to the pain, or beat
 brimstone fine, or the flower  of sulphur mix  up the
 white of two eggs and put to the pain;  let your diet be
.light,and cooling; let yourdrink be whey, water gruel,
 barley water,  hysop tea,  sharpened  with vinegar or
 lemon juice and water.   If the spitting stops suddenly,
 take a  little  vomit,  like camphorated  vinegar, sirrup,
 eldei berries, raspberries or straw berries, this is good
 tp cleanse the lungs;  bleeding is oftentimes  wonderful
 good, sometimes roasted apples or currants is good.— 
TO HBALTH.
£S
There is a bastard pleurisy and a true one, that is  to
say. an inflammation in the ribs, attended with little or
no fever;  the right Pleurisy is attended with a violent
fever and pains in the sides, the pulse remarkably hard •
he may take a strong decoction of sennaca snake root!
which is called by some rattle snake root, or a spoonful
of pleurisy root, also called  butterfly root, and then
coyer up warm  in  bed; any kind of warm dilutary
drinks, or take a handful of dried poke berries, a hand-
ful of saw dust of light  wood,  a handful of dried hore-
hound, a spoonful of brimstone, a half spoonful of salt
petre,  a spoonful of beat rattle snake root, to a quart of
whiskey, (rye whiskey is the best) take a table speon-
ful twice a day;  beware of taking cold, or going out in
the dew, or after sunset; blisters are good when  the
pain continues.   If the  body be bound take some of the
bark of white walnut and elder roots, boil them, take
out the roots and put in some salt petre, boil this to a
thick mass, and form it into pills, and take them  when
needed.  These  pills will neither leave you bound nor
gripe you; if the sweat does not break, it is good to put
a little dogwood bark in this  decoction  of pills,  that
is, the  white walnut pills.
            THE SCARLET FEVER.
  Tins fever, like the foregoing,  depends on a specific
contagion;  it comes on with chilliness and sickness at
the stomach, and vomiting.   These symptoms are spe-
cially characteristic of tha disease: there are in some
cases a swelling of the throat, and difficulty of  speak-
ing, swallowing and  Wreathing—sometimes there is a
squeaking voice, and ulcers in the throat, which are in
some instances deep and covered  with white, brown  or
black sloughs; a thick mucus is  discharged from tha
no9e, sometimes from the beginning, btt more common-
ly coming on about the fifth day; an eruption appears
ovi the skin, sometimes preceding, sometimes following
the  ulcers  and swelling  of the  throat; in ome the
                        4 
   26           THE INDIAN GUIDE

   eruption  is confined to the outside of the throat  and
   breast; in others wholly to the limbs:  in some it ap-
   pears on the second and third day, and never afterwards;
   in some it appears  with the sore throat,  and perhaps
   in others without it—the bowels are generally regular
   but some have a diarrhoea.  This fever is moderately
   inflammatory, and differs from the malignant fever or
   putrid sore throat.   The eruption in this  fever is of a
  deeper red coler, and is more smooth, the skin  being
  more hot and dry; the skin peels off in the close  of the
  fever.  It  is not so dangerous as the putrid sore throat,
  it commonly goes off with the swelling of the hands and
  feet; and lastly, it. frequently appears in summer and
  dry weather.  Again, this  fever may be distinguished
  from a common inflamation ofjhe;Mmonds, &c, called
  quinsey, by the following remark's:  the appearance of
  ulcers, in common quinsey is confined to the almonds,
• &c.—a strong, full and tense pulse attend an inflamma-
  tory quinsey, always admitting the use of the lancet.—
  A common  quinsey is not attended with  external red-
  ness.   The remedies for the scarlet fever,  puking,
  ipecacuana and calomel  combined, as the  putrid  sore
  throat;  wash the mouth and throat with barley water,
  or very thin gruel, to which should be added a  little  .
  vinegar and honey, if convenient, a portion of the tinc-
  tureof myrrh; sixty or eighty drops  of the tincture of
 myrrh  might be added to half an ounce of the gruel, &e.
 or if the myrrh cannot be had, as much calomel might
 be added instead of it, as may be sufficient to turn  it of
 a whitish color.  I have  found great benefit from fre-
 quently washing the mouth and throat well with the
 following mixture: take salt petre, half an ounce, Borax,
one quarter of an ounce, the whole to be dissolved in
one pint of water, and sweetened with honey./ -I have
used it successfully in a number  of cases without  any
other topical operation—snuff may be used about the
fifth day to excite a running at the nose.  Towards the
close of the  disease, wine and water, or wine & whey,
may be used to such extent only as to keep up a gentle
perspiration.  W hen ever the swelling of the extrem-
eties takes place; a  few doses of calomel may  be repeat- 
TO HEALTH.
27
ed.  It is worthy of observation,  that this disease can
be communicated before it can be  known  to be present
in any  case; it  is therefore unnecessary to remove
children out of the family where it makes its appearance.
Some are of opinion that  the scarlet  fever  might be
prevented by using  occasional doses of rhubarb; this
remedy is worth) of trial.  Children  are mostly sub-
ject to it.
           THE MESENTERIC FEVER.
    There  is another  disease, which has its principal
 seat in the intestinal glands, and may therefore be pro-
 perly admissable in th^s place.  It is a fever excited by
 obstructions in  the  mesentery; from  which circum-
 stance it has its name.  Children are subject to it from
 infancy up to the age of three or jour, and even six or
 eight years.  This fever remits, and-some  times has
 irregular  intermissions,  attended with a loss of appe-
 tite, swelled belly, and pain in the bowels: and has of-
 ten been mistaken for worms.  If, therefore, the usual
 remedies should fail,"the child will sooner or later be
 affected with indigestion, costiveness, or purging; irreg-
 ular appetite, flushed cheeks, or total loss of color, im-
 paired strength,  and spirits,  remitting fever, a  hard
 swelled belly, and amaciated limbs.  These symptoms,
 will therefore, sufficiently specify the disease; it fre-
 quently  follows measles,  and  other eruptive  fevers.—
 Children that are confined to coarse  and unwholesome
 food; are badly clothed; not kept sufficiently clean, spe
 cify the disease.  It  frequently follows measles,  also
 those who are neglected so as not to receive  sufficient
 exercise, are most subject to its attack.   Hence, the ne-
 gro children of the  southern  states, frequently perish
 with this fever.   When any symptoms of this distruc-
 tive disease present themselves, enquiry should be made
 into the manner of feeding,  clothing and  cleaning the
ehild; and every error in the articles must be corrected:
and if the patient has not too long labored  under its in-
fluence,  frequent purging with  calomel will of itself 
28           THE INDINAN GUIDE
perform a cure.  In more advanced stages of this com-
plaint, it would be best to call in the aid of a Physician;
but where this is  impracticable, proceed  to give the
following bolus three times a week: Take calomel, two
grains;  ipecacuanha, from a half to one grain; nutmeg
or ginger powdered (six grains) to be mixed  up in
honey syrrup, for one dose for a child from two to four
years old; fifteen or twenty drops of antimonial wine
may be given the intervening nights where the calomel
is not used.   Having continued these remedies till the
fever is removed, hardness of the  belly subsided, &c.,
then the strength of the patient should  be restored, by
the use of the bark, steel, cold bath, bitters &c.  Gentle
exercise, friction, light nourishing food &c.  All greasy
or fat articles should be avoided, as also those prepar-
ations of pastry, which are often of a clammy nature.
  THE WHOOPING COUGH, or CHIN COUGH.
  This disease commonly falls upon a whole neighbor-
hood about the same time, and is therefore, said to be
epidemic.  It is manifestly contagious; it affects persons
but once in their lives.   Children  therefore, are most
commonly the subjects of it; sometimes, however, it oc-
curs in persons considerably advanced in life; but grown
persons, and  those who are elderly in proportion to
their age,  are less liable to be affected than children,
and youths growing up.   This  complaint at first,  puis
on the appearance  of a common cold; and Dr. Cullin,
makes mention of instances which  never assumed any
other shape, than that of a cold, although  they were
obviously  the eTects of this contagion. But this is not
commonly the case; generally in the second week oral
most the third, the convulsive motion, which gives the
name to this disease, manifestly shows  itself, and is
commonly called the  hoop; this hoop together  with the
circumstance of the  general spread of  the disorder,
sufficiently distinguishes the chin cough.   Dr. Darwin, 
TO HEALTH.
29
*ays it consists in an inflammation of the membrane,
whichlines the vessels of ithelungs; the whole of them
areprobably not infected at the same time: but the conta-
gious inflammation continues gradually tocreepon the
membrane—this opinion seems to account very well for
its long continuance-which is from one month to three,
and sometimes much longer. This complaintris not usu-
ally classed among febrile disorders, but a fever  may
generally be perceived to attend it during some part of
the day, especially in weak patients, & a general inflam-
mation of the lungs frequently supervenes, and destroys
great numbers of children.  Except the lancet, or four or
six leeches, be immediately and repeatedly used, when
the child has permanent difficulty of breathing, (which
continues between the coughing fits,)  unless blood be
taken, he dies in a few days; if  the inflammation of the
lungs, during this permanent difficulty of breathing,
the hooping cough abates or quite ceases.   Many have
been deceived by this circumstance, unfortunately sup-
posing the child to be better.  But after once or  twice
bleeding, the cough returns which is then a good symp-
tom^ tne child possessingthe power to<cougrt,is reliev-
ed, and once more breaths with ease.   The remedies
in this disease, are gentle vomits of tartar emetic; this
article should  be given in  small doses, frequently re-
peated, till it   produces the intended effect; mild purges
repeated, till they produce a loosness  in the  bowels;
and open blisters to be frequently repeated; they may
be applied to one or both sides  of the  breast  Warm
bath:  this is an excellent  remedy where the cough w
violent, and the child much exhausted.  In every in-
stance where  there is difficulty of breathing between
the  fits of coughing, the only safe  remedy, is copious
 bleeding; if this be neglected or omitted, the child may
die; young children should lie with  their heads and
shoulders raised, and should be constantly watched day
and night, to prevent them from strangling in the cough.
 A little bow of whale bone, or elastic wood, should  be
 used to extract the phlegm out of the mouths of infants.
 The application of a handkerchief to their mouths whan
 in the act of coughing, might suffocate them.  After tha 
 30           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 disease has continued rome weeks, and especially if the
 patient be much reduced, the following dose is calcula-
 ted for a child, three or four years old, may be useful:
 say  calomel, one  sixth part of a grain,  rhubarb two
grains, to be combined and repeated twice a day; but
opium will be very pernicious :\s long as blood letting is
proper.  Towards the closo of the complaint, all feeble
patients should  be  daily carried out on horse back.—
This is a most excellent remedy.
                 THE MEASLES.
   This disease is epidemic; it depends on a specific
 contagion, and oecurs most frequently in childien; no
 age, however,  is exempted from  it, if the person has
 not been subjected to  it before.   It commonly first ap-
 pears in the month of January, and ceases after the mid-
 dle of the summer; but by various accidents, it may be
 produced at other times of the year.  The symptoms
 are as  follows: the disease  alwa) s begins with a cold
 chill, which is soon followed by the usual symptoms of
 fever, as thirst, heat, loss of appetite, anxiety, sickness
 and vomiting, and these are more or less  considerable
 in different cases: in many instances, the fever for the
 first two days is inconsiderable; and in different cases,
 sometimes it is violent from the beginning, and always
 becomes violent before the eruption appears.   This fe-
 ver  is always attended with hoarseness; with a  fre-
 quent hoarse, dry cough, and often with some difficulty
 of breathing; the eyes inflamed and watery; there  is a
 discharge from the nose,  with frequent sneezing; in
 most instances the patient is drowsy in the beginning;
 the eruption commonly appears on the fourth day: first
 on the face, and successively on the lower parts of the
 body.  It shows itself first in small  red  points,  which
collect together in clusters on the face, and where they
are easily perceived to be a little elevated by the sense
of touch; but they can scarcely be felt on other parts of
 the body.  The redness of  the face continues, and 
TO HEALTH.                 31
  sometimes increases for two days.   On the third day,
  the vivid redness is changed to a brownish red, and in
  a day or two more, the eruption entirely disappears,
  and is followed by a branny  scale.   During the whole
  time of the eruption, the face appears full,  but not much
  swelled; sometimes the fever disappears as soon as the
  eruption takes place.  But this is seldom the case,more
  commonly it continues, or is increased  after the erup-
  tion; and  in  some  instances, even  after  the branny
  scales appear.  As long as the fever exists in a consid-
  erable degree, the cough continues, and that generally
  with an increase of the difficulty of breathing.  Some-
  times an inflamation of the lungs takes place; this is a
  very serious circumstance when it occurs,  and ought to
  be specially observed.  All the above symptoms admit
  of very great variation; and in some cases,  there will be
  in addition tothem, soreness of the throat; spitting blood
  mixed with phlegm coughed up; gripes, diarrhoea and
  bloody stools.  1 suppose that fourteen days intervene
  between the time of  receiving the infection,  and the
  appearance of the disease.   It may be well to observe,
  that the eruption does not invariably appear on the third
  or fourth day, but varies even to the eighth;  neither
  does the eruption disappear invariably on a  certain day,
  nor in an  unchanging manner; nor is it always follow-
 ed by the  branny scales.  The fever attending the
 measles, is in most instances, of the inflammatory kind;
 but  by improper management or neglect, as well as by
 the predisposing circumstances attending the patient, it
 may assume a different form.  The remedies to be em-
 ployed in this  disorder: bloodletting: this is always
 necessary when there is a full pulse, attended with great
 pain and violent cough; and that too in every stage of
 the disease, whether before or after the eruption  takes
 place; or  even after  the eruption has entirely  disap-
 peared.  Vomits: a dose of ipecacuanha will generally
 remove the sickness at the stomach; soothing drinks,
 such  as barley water, balm or flaxseed tea, cider or
 vinegar mixed with water, or apple water, dried cherry
water, ccc.  This moistens the throat, and affords much
relief.  Blisters after sufficient evacuation by bleeding—' 
32            THE  INDIAN  GUIDE

otherwise blisters may be applied to the neck and sides!
they prevent injury to the lungs.  Opiates; if the pulse
be not soft and the patient labours under the distressing
symptoms of the diarrhoea and cough, opium may be
used, not only at night, but at any time during the day.
In most instances, if the patient be kept cool, and take
opening and cooling drinks dzc.; if he be bleed when
the symptoms are violent, as also about the time the
measles disappear, or when the branny scale presents
itself, and if his bowels be opened on the third and fourth
day of the eruption with cream of tarter, flour of sulphur
manna or the like; little else will be wanting, especially
in children's cases.   Heredetit be particularly observ-
ed, that in every instance, where the  eruption  seems
to take place with difficulty, and where the pulse  is full,
and with other marks of great fever;  all spirituous li-
quors and other  heating medicines, are highly  perni-
cious ; in such cases frequent bleeding would be much
more proper.  It may be useful also,  to observe, that
there is a fever which sometimes takes place during the
prevalence of the measles, very much resembling that
disease, even assuming the appearance of an eruption.
But persons are still liable to take the  true measles, af-
ter having been subjected to this disease; it is sometimes
attended with  symptoms of the croup, that is to say, the
hives; and in that case, the treatment must be the same,
as ifcroup were the original  disorder, in all other re-
spects the remedies useful in measles might be employ-
ed in this kind of a fever.   Patients when recovering
 from the measles,are frequently subject to diarrhoea;
 this uncomfortable symptom, may be  removed by mod-
 erate doses of opium, frequently repeated.  The drinks
 recommended above will be of great use.  Sore eyes
 sometimes follow the measles; these are to be cured by
 blistering the temples, and back of the neck, and wash-
 ing the eyes with a weak solution of  white  vitriol.  A
 cough and fever frequently attend for sometime after
 the eruption  disappears; these are to be relieved by a
 vegetable diet;  warmth, and  gently  riding out in th*s
 fresh air.  When the measles are expected, it will b«
 iuniid^icneficial to prepare for them, by living chiefly 
TO HEALTH.                33
on milk and vegetable diet, and by avoiding every kind
ofspirits.
                 A  CANCER.
   A cancer is often thought light of, but it is a  grow-
 ing evil; it is like putting a little fire into dry stubble;
 you may stop it when you are a head of it,  but  when
 that  gets a head of you, it is a bad chance.  When  a
 cancer first comes it is like the body of a spider;  then
 as it increases, the roots run off like a spider's legs;
 then if you can conquer the body before the legs can
 support  themselves, the cancer is done, by eating  or
 cutting  them out.  Some think to eat  a cancer away
 when  it gets to a stand, and by that means put their
 fire  medicines, which causes the cancer to  eat as fast
 as the medicine, and inflame in a short time considera-
 bly.   When a cancer comes first, it scarcely, has any
 colour;  often times it is like a lump in theskin;  after
 sometime there rises a kind of a blister, and sometimes
 with yellow water and at other times clear water; then
 there is  little shooting pains at-times from  it,  but  no
 great misery, at times there will be a kind of  itching,
 and at other times the itching will in a great measure go
 away.  So it works for a long time, and sometimes,  it
 eats very fast.  I have given some of the most promi-
 nent symptoms of this painful disease.  I  shall now
 proceed  to give some of the best, remedies  that  have
 ever yet  been known, for the removal of the same.   In
 the first place, get a handful of the inside bark of white
 oak, and make a strong ooze, and wash the cancer well
 before you apply the salve, every time; then put your
 salve on  a  patch, and put it on the cancer twice a day,
 the salve is made thus:—Get  a handful of  the  inside
 bark of red oak, and a double handful  of persimmon
 bark, the same of the bark of the  roots of dogwood, tha
 same of sassafras bark of the roots, and also one hand
 ful of the roots of dew berry; put these articles  all to-
gether; and boil tl.em slowly about twelve hours, then
take out the barks and roots, strain it, then put it back
again, and  boil  it down as thick  as tar.  This is  thy
                        4* 
34
THE INDIAN GUIDE
  finest salve that I ever knew when the cancer has come
  to a stand, or matters, for there has been many  cured
  with this preparation that was proclaimed incurable.—
  It takes out the inflamation and turns \he cancer to a
  matter, &c.  It would be  good  to  put  now arid then a
  poultice made of the following  articles to  wit:—Get a
  double handful of sassafras bark of the root, the same
  <?f the root of dogwood, the same of sumac roots, boil
  these well about half a day, take out  the barks, and
  manage it the same way as the other medicines above.
  You may burn alum and take an equal quantity of cop-
  peras and blue stone  well beat together, and  sprinkle
  in the cancer, and then put on the salve.  But  if the
 cancer be not broke, make a sheet of lead, beat veary
 thin, and pricked full of fine holes and applied to the
 place;  purges should be taken every third  or fourth
 day, and rub the cancer every now and then whith spir-
 its of harts horn mixed with oil; or apply red onions
 bruised; or make a plaster of rock alum, vinegar  and
 honey, equal quantities, with wheat flower; change it
 every twelve hours; this often cures—you may drink
 plentifully of tar water.  Here is a kind of pot-ash that
 I have found to be of great advantage, that is to  slice
 up a good chance of poke roots and put them in a pot
 over a hot fire till they become ashes, then clean your
 hearth  and  put an equal  quantity of black ash  bark
 white hickery bark and also yellow sassaparilla, barn
 these to ashes, and let them soak to a strong lye,  then
 boil the lye down to a powder; this powder is  wonder-
 ful to eat cancers,  cankers, and old running soars.—
 There is an herb commonly called  beach drop,  when
 dried and beaten to a powder, and mixed with  tar—is a
 fine  salve to eat away cancers:  Or take half a pint of
 small beer, when it boils, dissolve in it an ounce and a
 half of bee's wax,  then put in an ounce of hog's lard,
and boil them together; when it is cold, pour  the beer
from it, and apply it by spreading it upon white leath-
er, renew it every other day, it brings out great blotch-
es; wash it with an ooze made of dogwood bark,  black
oak bark and sassafras bark: Or get an equal  quanti-
ty of bine vitriol and white vitriol, as much red precip- 
TO  HEALTH.
35
itate,as of either of the quantity of  v'triol, beat well
together and sprinkle in the sore, and boil slippery elm,
and thicken it well with sweet milk and flour, and put on
as a poultice or salve, and wash it now and then with the
elixir vitriol, and to heal it,  devolve the sugarof lead
in spring water and thicken it with flour and honey,
und use this as a salve; Or beat twenty grains of cop-
peras, five of calomel, well mixed together, and  sprin-
kle in the sore.
         DYSPEPSIA or  INDIGESTION.
  This is a complaint very prevalent in our country:
it is  not only confined to the aged;  but to the  middle
aged both women and men are subject to this disorder.
The  causes  are very numerous which  produce this
complaint, it frequently comes from colds, hard study,
and a sedentary life, exposu re, hard lifts, &c, the symp-
toms generally connected to thisdisease are the follow-
ing:—The stomach becomes deranged, the regular func-
tions are much impaired,a tingling in the flesh, a weak-
ness  in the eyes, swiming in  the head, beating in the
pit of the stomach,  frequently belching up sour wind,
rumbling noise  in the bowels, pain in the side, some-
times in  the arms,  then  in  the shoulder and in  the
shoulder blade,  roaring in the ears,  restlessness, bur-
ning in the stomach, frequently the patient belches  up
what he eats generally a bad taste in the  mouth, partic-
ularly in the morning, sometimes the appetite is very
<jood then rather limited, the bowels generally costive,
Though at times rather loose, with a general depression
of spirits.
  In the treatment of this unpleasant disease, the firat
thing necessary is to purge the blood, and give regular
tone  to the stomach and bowels, owing to the  irregular-
ity of the blood, and  the debility of the  same, there is
a quantity of slime and mucus  collects in the stomach,
which is  necessary to be worked off by mild  purges
rather  of a  stimulous- nature.  In order  to purge the 
 3tf            THE INDIAN  GUIDE

 blood, and give tone to ths system, get a peck of horse
 radish root, the same of sassafras, the same of the root
 of wild cherry, the same of burdock, put them in a pot
 add ten gallons of water,  boil it down to  two gallons,
 take it out and strain it, then put it back again in the
 pot, then add a half a table spoonful of salt petre or re-
 fined nitre, add two pounds of sugar, one quart of french
 brandy, boil it down toone gallon, it is then fit for use;
 Ihe patient should take from a half to a table spoonful
 three times a day, abstain from  the use of strong diet
 while using the above medicines.  Take five ounces of
 magnesia, the same of charcoal, the same of mandrake
 or may apple root, pulverize them all fine together; the
 patient should take half a table spoonful every  third
 night with the white of an egg.  This  medicine will
 have a tendency of regulating the  bowels, and it will
 produce that  regularity on the  liver that is necessary
 in dyspeptic cases, and it will also work off the mucus
 and slime that is collected there.  In order to strength-
 en the stomach, the patient should take a small portion
 of the oil  of  Juniper, also the tincture of quinine; the
 patient should frequently drink  pennyroyal  tea, a lit-
 tle weak  lye at times is also necessary, when there  is
 any swelling in the stomach or  much burning, take a
 small pill of beefs gall every night until it subsides,  if
 there is much wind on  the stomach, take ten drops of
 the oil of peppermint, two or three times a day,  while
 using any ofthese medicines the patient should live on
 the most limited kind of diet, use  nothing that is the lea-t
 strong, and at the same time avoid taking cold or get-
 ting wet, if the weather is pleasant the patient should
 travel through the country, and  avoid reading or any
 thing that is calculated to agitate the mind.
  It is too frequently the case, that persons who are af-
 flicted with this melancholy disease, or are apt to be  in
 the habit, of studying a  greatdeal, and frequently think
 there is no cure for them, I well recollect a case of a
gentleman who came to me for medicine, after taking it
 about two or three weeks, he  returned again and said
 my medicine was too weak for his case, 1 told him  to
 try some  other Physician a while, accordingly he did 
TO HEALTH.
37
so, tke Doctor salivated him severely.   So soon as he
got able to ride  he returned again.   He said that the
Doctor had eat up his liver with calomel, that he  had
spit up great mouthfulls'of his  liver frequently,  that
he believed that  it was all gone, and  there  was none
left, that there was a great vacancy in his breast  that
he had never felt before.  Being in my shop, shutting
one door and at the same time telling him to sit down,
and beginning to open his waistcoat before  and  having
a knife in my hand—said he Doctor what are you going
to do, I informed him that 1 intended to open a place on
his side, to see if his liver was all  gone; stop  said he
Doctor one minute if you please until 1 see  if my horse
is at the rack; no sooner had he got to  his horse  and
on him, he started  and it would have take a  score of
men of sound livers to have caught him.                  •
   PHTHISIS on  PULMONARY CONSUMPTION.
   This disease is generally accompained with a cibility
of the whole systom—pain in the side orchest, particu-
larly after walking or speaking with a tickling cough
which proves most troublesome in the inornin", in an
advanced stage pendent expectoration iiiiues with hectic
t'evev ai d diarrha>a, pulmonary consumption does not
often occur until after the age of pi'rbity, but  in some
cases it is evidently  formed before that period.  Wo-
men are more subject to it than men, as well as from
their going more slightly clothed as from their greater
delicacy of their organization.  The causes which pre-'
dispose to this disease  are very numerous,  the  fol-
lowing however are most general, hereditarv dispo-
sition, particular  formation of the boJv, bvious by  a
long neck, permanent shoulders, aid'narrow  chest,
hcrofulous diathesis indicated by a fine clear skin fair
hair delicate rosy  completion, large  thick  upper  lip,
weak voice and great sensibility.  This disorder comes
by many causes wet feet, night air, wet clothes, over
heats, sadden changes of weather and particularly wo
                         5 
38
THE INDIAN GUIDE
 men not taking care when  their terms  are  on them
 which causes them to abate, corrupts their blood and
 settles on their lungs and turns to a deep consumption
 if not brought on by regular means, it is bad for shoe-
 makers seamsters and such as lean on  the breast, this
 disease generally  begins with  a dry tickling  cough
 which continues frequently a long time before it takes
 life, at other times it is of a short duration. Those that
 have this complaint some days, have a craving appetite
 and then at other times have  scarcely any.   They
 cough mostly in the morning, and oftentimes a soreness
 and oppression in  the breast, a  shortness of breath,
 weakness in the knees, the spittle is first of a sweetish
 fainty taste.  T^ien as the disease progresses the spit-
 tle is often of a whitish frothy colour, the patient is of-
 ten sad, the thirst is often great, the pulse quick and
 small, at other times full  and hard, at this time therein
 generally a dull heavy feeling, stretching or gaping at
 times which if not checked enters into the second stage,
 the spittle that was before of a whitish frothv colour is
 become a greenish colour and at times streaked with
 blood, often  a swiming in the head, mostly after a spc!!
 of couching or eating.  There is a kind of hectic fever
 takes place in this stage;  and night sweats, now it en-
 ters into the third stage.  There is a burning  heat in
 the palms of the hand;:, a looseness  in the bowels, at
 this time the end of the nails turn upwards, the swelling
 of the feet and l^jand sinking of the eyes,  difficulty
 of swallowing'and coldness of  the feet, when those last
 symptoms come on  the patient may find a physician for
 the soul but none for the body; the remedy or treatment,
 take one peckof horehound,the same of elecampane, the
 same of comfrey, the same of the bark of the  root of
 yellow poplar, the fame  of ground-ivy,  the same of
 nenneroyal,  pi-' '.:  ingredients all together, boil them
 all in fifteen  gai'n-ns of water  down to three  gallons,
 take out the liquid and strain it—to this add half a gal-
 lon of honey or molasses add one tea spoonful  of the
oil of annis one quart of old rye whiskey, boil it  again
down  to one  gallon,  then  calk it up in a jug or  bottle
Jet it stand for  three days, it  is then  fit  for use, the 
TO HEALTH.
39
 patient may take  from a tea spoonful to half a  table
 spoonful three times  a day mixed in  a few drops of
 sweet oil, or new fre-sh butter, whi'e using  of this me-
 dicine eat no hog meat nor sweet milk,  this medicine
 will purify the blood and produce an expectoration from
 the lungs.   If the bowels are costive, pulverise the in-
 side bark of wild cherrytree, of this the  patient may
 take a half a table spoonful every third or fourth nio-ht
 in a little honey, if the cough should be dry and hard
 drink  freely of a tea made of the inside bark  of prickly-
 ash, when the cough abates put one quart of rum to a
 half a pound of rosin, stir it well until the rosin is dis-
 solved, add three ounces of lo:if sugarj one ounce of pe-
 ril vian barks, lot it stand for two or three days, the pa-
 • atient should the:) take a tea spoonful thiee or four
 times  a day in a little  water.  If the  patient should
 continue to be weak, take one quart of vinegar, two tea
 spoonfuMs of elixir-vitri *.  one ounce  of rhubarb, one
 ounce of orange pcaiing.s, half an ounce of pulverise.!
 columbo root, .shako this well together for two or three
 days, take a tea spoonful of this three or four times a
 day.   If there should be night sweats take a  tea spoon-
 ful of sweet spirits of nitre every two or three hours
 until it abates, if the patient should have a diarrhoea or
dysentery, take two ounces of augelico seed, the  same
of coriander seed,half an ounce ol'jium kino,  put this in
one quart of spirits, boil it down slow to one pint, strain
it, take from one tea spoonful to  a  smc.ll  table spoon-
ful three times a day.
  HYDROTHORAX, ou DROPSY of the CHEST.
  Oppression of breathing, particularly on motion and
when in an horizontal posture, difficulty of lying on the
side where effusion does not exist, .siuidcn startingsfrom
sleep, with anxiety,and palpitations at the heart, irregu-
larity of the pulse, cough,occasional syncope, paleness of
visage, anasarcous  swellings of the lower extremities,
thirst, and a diminution of urine, which is high coloured, 
40            THE INDIAN  GUIDE

and on cooling deposits a pink or red sediment, are the
characteristic symptoms  of hyd-othorax; but the one
which is more decisive than all the rest, is a sensation
of water being perceived in  the chest, by the  patient,
oncertian motions of the belly, or as if the heart were
moving in a fluid. By percussion with the hand upon the
chest, when the  patient is in an erect position, and also
by pressure upon the abdomen,whichconsiderably aggt>u
vates the sense of suffocation for the moment, as well as
the other symptoms which attend on hydrothorax, we
may be able in many cases clearly  to ascertain the ac-
cumulation of water in the chest.  The former is strong-
ly recommended as a test by Covissart,and the latter by
Bichat, both of them being men of eminence.   By com-
bining both  means we may  be able to determine mow
decisively, than by adopting either singly. The disease
with which hydrothorax is most likely to be ccnfoundcd
are, empyema, angina  pecLmis,  asthma,  and organic
affections of the  heart, or aneurismal dilations of the
large vessels connected with it; but by a close attention
to the ^vmptoms which have been pointed  out under
these heads, we shall  be  able  to distinguish between
them with tolerable accuracy.
  T'ie causes which give rise to the disease arc pretty
much the snrm with those which are productive of the
other soecics of dropsy.  In some cases it exists without
any other kind of dropsical affection being present, but
it prevail* very often as a part of more universal drop-
sy.  Hydro horax is frequently  a disease of advanced
life, and like other dropsical affections, it often succeeds
dibility,  however  induced.   It chiefly attacks males
who have addicted themselves to Ci-ee living, especially
to potations of any intoxicatii g liqu)]-.  Such as have
long suffered from gout and asthma, are particularly
liable to it.  It frequently takes place to a considerable
deg.ee before i, becomes very perceptible; and its pres-
ence is not rcidily known; the symptoms, like those  of
Hydrocephalus,  not being always  very  distinct.  In
same instance ••, the water is collected in both cases  of
•he pieura, but at other times it is only in  one.   Some-
times it is lodged in  the pericardium alone; but for the 
TO HEALTH.                41
 most part it only appears there when at the same time
 a collection is present in one or both cavities of the tho-
 rax.   Sometimes the water  is effused in the  cellula-r
 texture of the lungs, without any being deposited in the
 cavity of the thorax.  In a few cases the water that is
 collected is enveloped in small cysts  of a membranous
 nature, known by the name of hydatids, which seem to
 float in the cavity;  but more frequently they are con-
 nectcd with and attached to  a particular part  oftfie
 internal surface of the  pleura,   llydrothorax often
 comes on with a sense of uneasiness at the lower end of
 the sternum, accompanied by  a difficulty of breathing,
 which is much increased by any exertion or motion,and
 which is ulways mo3t considerable during night, when
 the body is in a  horizontal posture.  Along with these
 symptoms there is a cough, that is at first dry, but which
 after a time, is attended with an expectoration  of thin
 mucus.  There  is likewise a  paleness of the complex-
 ion, and an anasarcous swelling of the feet and legs,
 together with a considerable degree of thirst, and a di-
 minished flow of urine; occasionally the face swells an.1
 pitts upon  pressure; especially  in the morning, and
 these signs of disease are accompanied by dibiliiy and
 lo.^s of flesh.  Under these appearances, wo have jmt
 g.o.i ids to suspect that there is a collection of wa'eriu
 tho die t.   The symptoms which have been described,
 gr ilually increases, but their progress is slov. aa I a.
 considerable time elapses before  the disorder  is  fully
 formed.   The difficulty of breathing at length becomes
 excessive.   The patient can seldom remain in a.recum-
•bent posture for any time, and the head and upper part
 of the trunk  must  be supported  almost  erect.  Tho
 sleep is f/equeiitly interrupted on a sudden ^v alarann^
 dreams, out of which the  patient  quickly starts up hi
 bed, with a senscof impendingsuffocation.   Convulsive
 efforts of the muscles subservient to respiration, resem-
 bling an attack of spasmodic asthma, wkh violent  pal-
 pitations of the heart generally accompany the  paro\-
 ysin which are also frequently exerted by the nio*i tri-
 fling voluntary motion, or by a fit of coughing.   When
 afflicted  with these  distressing symptoms, the  patient 
42
THE INDIAN GUIDE
  is under the necessity of continuing erect, with his
  mouth open, and he betrays the utmost anxiety for fresh
  air.  His face and extremeties are cold;  the pulse with
  little exception is feble, irregular, intermits in a degree
  seldom experienced in other disorders, and a pain,  or
\sensation of  numbness frequently extends itself from
  the heart, towards the insertion  of tho deltoid  muscle
  of one or both arms.  Excepting a livid hue of the lips
  and cheeks, the countenance is pale, and indicates a pe-
  culiar anxiety and ghastliness of appearanee, and to-
  gether with the upper parts  of the body is usually cov-
  ered with a profuse clammy sweat.  Drowsiness, coma
  or delirium, occasioned by the difficult transmission  of
  the blood through the lungs, and want of sleep frequent-
  ly attend the latter periods of Hydiothorax,  and from
 the same cause the expectoration is sometimes bloodjr.
 Now, and then a sensation of water floating- about can
  be distinctly  perceived by the patient, on any sudden
 change of posture.   In the trenti:^;:  of Hydrothorax,
 it should  be attended with a great deal  of care and
 caution.
   Emetics and diuretics, with respect to the emeties,the
 tincture of ipecacuahana, from a tea spoonful to  half a
 table spoonful should be used in a little warm water for
 a few times in succession, then take the following  pre-
 paration,  taCe three ounces of the cream of tartar, the
 same of pulverized egg shells, the egg shells should be
 parched, ground and made as fine as flower, take the
 same quantity of pulverized  angelica, (the angelica is
 to be ground in the same way as  the egg shells) the
 same quantity of spignard  roots prepared in the same
 way as the above—these should all be well  mixed to-
 gether, and the patient should take from a  tea spoonful
 to a half a table spoonful three times a day; this course
 of treatment should be pursued for six or eight days,
 it will have a tendency  of carrying off the  water by
 the bowels and urine.  It will probably be  necessary
 for the patient to rest three or four days, and during
 the intervals, strengthening and mild  tonics  should be
 used freely—then the same course should be pursued
 again,until the water appears  to be entirely discharged 
TO HEALTH.
■13
from the stomach and  thorax;  a strong tea made of
smart weed, sarsaparilla and horsemint, equally com-
bined, should be freely used  every night at bed time
just as the patient is lying down.  If the bowels should
become costive, the patient should take, one pound of
May apple root, the same  of butternut (white walnut)
the same of wild elder root, this should be boiled in a
half gallon of water down to half a pint, of this pre-
paration the patient should take a tea spoonful as neces-
sity may require.   Should there be  any swelling of
the extremities, the following solution should be used
externally all over the body every  night warmed by
fire.  Two ounces of the  sugar of  lead, the same of
sulphuric either, the same of the oil of pennyroyal, the
same of the spirits  of turpentine; this should be well
mixed in one quart of alcohol, this forms one of the best
external applications that  I have ever used in those
cases—to carry down the swelling and genoral inflam-
mation of the system externally.  Should the pulse  be
quick and hard, a little blood may be taken every two
or three days.   Blisters may at times be drawn on the
ancles, where there is any great excitement existing.—
So soon as the thorax appear to be relieved from the wa-
ter, the following preparation may be  used which will
give tene to the bowels and will produce  that regular
action which nature requires: Get one  pound of the  in-
side bark of sycamore,  the  same of black berry brier
root, the same of red oak, the same of yellow poplar,
the same of spice wood root, the same of green plantain,
the same of black haw root, the same of black gum root,
the same of poach tree leaves, or rhubarb, or may apple
root—those ingredients are all put together  and boiled
in four gallons of cider, weak vinegar,  or water,  down
to one quart, after this is strained, there should be add-
ed one quart of melasses, the same of peach  brandy or
rum, twenty grains pulverized refined nitre, ten grains
of quinine, this preparation well mixed  together, the
patient should take from one tea spoonful to one table
spoonful  three times a day. this  may be increased  or
decreased according to the nature of  the case.  Wine
and bark*; may also be used at times, with any pallia- 
44           THE INDIAN  GUIDE

tives that is calculated to strengthen the system.  I hav«
laiddowininthe first place the general symptoms of this
complaint, and  the treatment  which should be very
strictly attended to, and if the course of treatment should
be strictly attended to, the patient may  be relieved
nine times out often by the efficacy  of the preceeding
remedies.
         IIUMORRHAGE  or FLOODING.
  Get a handful of ommon  cherry tree tops, the ,samc
of black berry brier roots, the same of white oak tops,
put these in two quarts of water, and boil it down to a
pint, and let the patient drink of this  according to the
emergency of the case.
  1 never have known this medicine  to fail.  Or jou
may take a small quantity of green plantain bruise it,
obtain the juice and give the patient  a table spoonful
every half hour until an abatement of this  distressing
complaint takes  place.  Or get  a handful of  service
lark and make a strong tea  of it, and drink according
us the patient may need.  1  have never known  this to
fail—oftentimes when  a violent  flooding takes place.
linen cloths wet in vinegar and water, and wrung out,
and applied to the region of the belly, loins and thighs,
and the same applications changed as they grow dry—
and discontinued as the flooding ceases—but when ali
ether means fail and hav§ no effect, cold water dashed
upon the patient's belly will stop the flooding immudi-
ately.  Comfrey boiled in new milk, a little will stop
limn, and boiled in water will fetch them on. 
TO HEALTH.
4*
             N E G ft O  POISON.
   The symptoms are often a devouring  misery  about
 the navel, and sometimes  swells there,  with a kind of
 griping pain, and sometimes a lax, and from that the
 pains will work upwards to  the sides and  across  the
 ribs like the pleurisy ,and under the shoulder blades; the
 bones will appear stiff and sore, the flesh will  appear
 dead and  sleepy; often break out in sores which is a fa-
 vorable sign; the pulse is often high and hard, and  of-
 ten the breath short, and at  other times the breath ap-
 pears right; the lungsappearto be swelled.   Whiskey
 or milk is pernicious to the complaint; there is  often-
 times a swimming giddiness, the patient often crave*;
 what the  poison is given in—the water is always of a
 high colour, some have a good appetite, and some have
 none.  But let their appetite be as it will,  the patients
 •lose their flesh fast, and often the pains  work from the
 top of the head to the end of the toes.   When it is a-
 bout to terminate in death, there is a deep sleeping en-
 sues; there is a cough that often follows the complaint,
 and  sometime a ratling in the lungs.  These are most
 noted  symptoms.   And when the cough is bad, and
 the lungs  are stopped, get a handful of horohound,  the
 same of catnip, three  or four roots of ellecampane, boil
 (hese  in  half a gallon of water to a pint, take out  the
 herbs, and strain,  then add half a pint of  honey,  the
 same of good apple vinegar,  a spoonful of fresh butter
 the same of  refind nitre, stew it down to halfa  pint,
 and give the  patient a table  spoonful every three  or
 four hours, or as needful.  This medicine is to loosen
 the cough.  The  medicine necessary to remove tho
 icmplaint, is—to get a handful of running briet  roots.
 tho same of sassafras  bark, the sumo of tho  bark of trio
 root of yellow poplar, the same of ginseng root, a gill
 of green plantain jtiicc  and  a  handful of tho twigs of
 white ash tops, boii these to  a decoction, nnd give  ih<i
jtfiticnt to  drink often; let their diet be light and cooling,
 not to eat  hog meat,  sweet milk and pickle  pork, nor
 heat your blood—beware of getting wet.  Or you may
 take about three ounces of silk weed n>o;^\vcll clensod,
 nut them  into a qu^rt of spirits,  duck of this two  <<i
                        ft* 
4G            THE INDIAN GUIDE
three times a day—to take the dry roots and  pulver-
ize them in a morter and sieve them—you may take a
tea spoonful of these powders in a little honey, and drink
warm water—this is as good a puke as nature can  al-
ford.  Or get a handful of garlic, a gill of green  plan-
tain juice, a table spoonful of brimstone,  put these  ar-
ticles in a quart of rye whiskey—take of this morning
and evening: this has cured many.  Or fill a ten gallon
pot with sour wood leaves, boil them well,take them out
fill the pot again with water and the same kind of leaves,
and boil the strength out of them thoroughly- »and then
take out the leaves; now you may fill the pot with wild
cherry  tree leaves, boil them in the same  water  by
filling the pot with fresh water, boil out all the stength
vou can get, then take out the leaves,  and add a hand-
ful of black snake roots to the same liquor and boil  it
well—and take  out al I the drugs—and add to this pre-
paration a table spoonful of fine copperas—when  it  be-
gins to thicken, add a spoonful of fine beat  brimstone,
and  stew it down to a mass, and form it into pills,  the
size of a pea take one of these pills in the morning and
two in the evening—while the patient is taking  these
pills he  should keep from exposure c-"every kind and
to refrain from eating hog meat and sweet milk.   Bui
may bs allowed to eat chickens, squirrels beel, mutton,
and to drink broths made from the same.  I his  medt-
eme is also good for the Cachexy, Dropsy and to renew
:he  blood.
   THE WHITE SWETLING of the JOINTS.
  This complaint is often thought light of,  but it is  a
^rowing evil; the complaint is so well  known that  1
need  not  describe but a few symtoms:  It  generally
comes  about the joints; and seldom  ever changes  the
colour of the  flesh, but rises to a head, and  breaks,  it
not prevented, which effects the  bone more  and more,
,..,'il i^ ri»cs like a honey comb.   But if this complaint 
TO HEALTH.
47
is  taken in time it is easily removed; but if it gets the
mastery,itisnot easily subdued; something like a small
twig, which is easily bent when young, but afterwards
becomes very stubborn  In the first, take adouble hand-
ful of dogwood bark,  the same of black haw bark, the
same of ash bark,thesame of white oak bark, and when
it is boiled  well take out the barks, and put  in a double
handful of mullin roots, and boil itdfcwn to a quart, and
thicken it with meal, then let it gefllool, and stir in it the
white of three or four eggs, then spread the plaster on a
cloth, and  spread some honey on the plaster, and put
it on the swelling,  let this  poultice stay there  a  day;
and take off that poultice, then boil cherry tiee leaves,
black haw  bark and dogwood bark, and white ass-smart
boil this well;  then take out the bark, then cut up some
tobacco fine,  and stew it well, then put  in some
apple vinegar, and thicken it the same way,  but  no
honey on; after that poultice comes off, give the patient
a dose of salts; let the poultice stay on twelve  hours if
possible; their application will make the patient  sick,
but  there will be no danger attending  it,  then when
that comes off, give the patient a dose of salts or calo-
mel and jallop during  the time.   If the swelling  does
not seem to abate, get the inside bark of  white walnut,
and the inside bark of the root,  beat them fine, add a
little strong vinegar, apply this to the white  swelling.
This  will  draw a blister like flies on any part of the
body except the stomach.   Then when  you draw  blis-
ters, wash  it with new milk, then put on bees-wax and
tallow,  or  take some marsh willow roots, mullin,  the
tops and roots,boil them  strong, take out the herbs, and
then put in some burnt dirt out of the back  wall, or  a
dirt oven,and beat it fine; put a little strong vinegar with
it,stir it welltogether,then put this to the white swelling;
ihis is wonderful to draw it to a head or carry it away.
Blistering on the  swelling, and purging is the finest
thing in nature; or take  the bark of the roots  of marsh
willow,  and mullin roots and tops,  theu when they
are well boiled, take them out and put in some burnt
dirt out of the  back wall or  dirt oven, beat it fine, and
put in a  little strong apple vinogar, and stir them  well 
48            THE  INDIAN  Ul lur-
 together; then put this to tho white swelling.   This ii
 a wonderful medicine  to bring it to a head or carry it
 away; and if it breaks,make some wet-fire and put in it.
 The  wet fire is made thus; get a peck of ivy leaves, and
 boil them strong, then get a good quantity of ash bark,
 the inside, and put it in a pot,  and put the pot over a
 hot fire until it burns to ashes, then soak the lye out of
 the ashes, and pullhc strength of the leaves  and the
 lye together,  and 'boftit down to  a pint; and put this
 preparation in the jnace once or twice a day,  and let
 it stay  on one hour  and a half; then you are  to  put
 in another salve; the salve is to dense the sore, and
 heal  the  inside,  the salve is to be made thus:  -Take
 mussel shells, burn them well, and beat them to a pow-
 er, and let them soak in a little water,  then take a half
 pint of the water, and add to it half a pint of sweet oil,
 »tew  them well,  and put in the sore as above directed.
 Or make a nother kind of salve,  (if it  corrupts and
 runs much,)  that is made th us: get a double handful
 the root of dog wood bark, the same of yellow sarsapa-
 rilla roots,the same of black oak bark, the same of run-
 ning brier roots,  the same of wild cherry-troe  bark,
 the same of sassafras root, the bark, the same of per-
 simmon tree bark, get it off the north side of the trees,
 then  put  them all together boil them half a day add
 water occasionally.then take out tho barks and strain if,
 then put the liquor back in the pot, boil it down as thick
 as tar; spread it on a cloth, and apply it to the sore.—
 This is a wonderful medicino to eat humous, sores and
 white swellings.  If the white swelling becomes very
 painful, in any stage, take tho white of three or four
 eggs, mix them well with beat brimstone, and  spread
 the poultice on soft leather,  and put it on where tha
 pain is;  and if it is like to  mortify, take some  wood
 dittany and beat it well, put in a little  water to make it
 soft, and bind it to the swelling; or beat ground ivy,
 and bind to it;or take a handful of feathers, and a roll
of brimstone, and  a little tar, put them in a pot, on ho?
coals of fire,  and  hold the  mortified place  over thi>.
 (but keep the steam from your face;) or got horehoundj
 lieat it well, and mix honey with it, and apply  to th<*
piare; wood lot;'', dogwood  bar':,  and white  walnut 
TO HEALTH.
49
 bark, boiled and thickened with rye meal, make a poul-
 tice and bind to the place, &c.  The following makes
 a wonderful salve to carry away  white  swellings.-—
 Take twelve eggs, and one pound of fresh butter, un-
 washed, put these together and stew them moderate-
 ly,  add to this some  rye  meal stir it down to  an  oint-
 ment, keep  this to anoint with^ttan get some oats,
 heat them, and put the same in a small bag, anoint with
 the  oil, and put on the bag as hot "as you can bear  it,
 night and  morning; and  when it  begins to suage,  or
 come to a head, apply a poultice made of swamp willows.
 This has cured many; or put on eightor ten leeches once
 a day, and gentle vomits two or three times a  week.-—
 An electric may be used in every case when it can  be
 done; this remedy will frequently succeed.   When ap-
 pearances are unfavorable, bathe in salt  and water of-
 ten, or pump cold water  on the knee, or part  affected,
 half an hour.  This seldom  fails of curing pains in the
joints.  You  may daily teem warm or cold water on
 the affected part, the warm water one day and the cold
 water next, &c.   I have given every necessarj infor-
 mation relative to the treatment of this fatal disease &c,
              THE HYSTERICS, &c.
   Misses are sometimes subject to hysteric affections,
 about the time of their first menstruation.  This is an
 unfortunate  circumstance, when ever it  occurs, inas-
 much as such will  be liable to them  for many years
 afterwards.   A complete cure of this disease is seldom
 obtained ;but there is someground to hope for a recove-
 ry, if the proper remedies be employed on the first at-
 tack; or before it  is deeply rooted in the system.   This
 truly distressing complaint, puts  on a  great variety of
 shapes; it is  called  protens  of diseases, imitating al-
 most every disorder to which the human body  is sub-
 ject.  But I shall  confine myself to the description of
 those pvinptoms which are most remarkable, the prin-
ci|>al and discriminating marks are the following:—A
peculiar kind  of suffocation : this generally begins wit|n 
50            THE INDIAN GUIDE

a perception of a globe or ball, rolling round, seeming-
ly among the bowels, and rising up to the stomach and
throat, and there inducing strangling.  This generally
excites great alarm,  with  most excruciating fear of
immediate death; consequently it will be attended with
great paleness,  and  a profuse discharge of  limpid
urine; and unusual gurgling of the bowels, as if somo
little animal were^Be in actual motion; with wander-
ing pains, constituting colic of a peculiar kind;  frequent
efforts to vomit without any evacuation.  This is some-
times mistaken for a symptom of inflammatory  affection
of the stomach, and their intestines; in this case there
is always a great weakness of the stomach; a consider-
able degree of indigestion and anxiety, and sometimes
a difficulty of breathing, with alternate flashings of heat
and chilly  sensation over different parts of the bod}';
to those particular distinctions may be added alternate
laughing and weeping, withoul any  known or adequate
cause; faintings, convulsions  and palpitation,  or  flult-
tering of the heart; hysterical convulsions  may be dis-
tinguished by the great fear of dy ing,which is peculiar to
hysterics. For the cure observe the following prescrip-
tions: If the  fi rst attack of  it, be  he consequence of
difficifft or  obstructed  menstruation,  let blood  freely
from the foot, and this the more certainly, if she was
strong and healthy before the attack.  If the  sense of
suffocation be violent, apply strong  vinegar or  spirits of
harts-horn  to her nose;  bathe her feet in warm water;
apply pretty severe friction to the region of her stom-
ach, with a flesh  brush, or flannel; and  in some  in-
stances, a glyster of very cold water affords instant  re-
lief.  When her health and spirits begin to decline, by
no  means  be p?iv;;.aded to  confine her to her room,
nor expect ton- ' ;io her by heat or medicine only;
instead of confinement, carry her a broad  into agreea-
ble company, turn her attention  to  some  interesting
employment, and let her diet be light and cooling.—
There are  many causes for this complaint; according
to the state of the general system,  1  shall  make three
venations: The first  is generally brought on  by some
exposure or accident.   In this case,  there will  fee a 
TO  HEALTH.
51
 ^'■risible fullness or increased motion of the blood, pro-
 ducing a swimming giddiness, a dull heavy pain of the
 head, which are increased by stooping down,a redness,
 tulness,  with a  sense of weight across the eyes; an
 aversion to motion; an unusual sense of weakness and
 heaviness of all the limbs; and sometimes a bleeding at
 the nooc; adcad heavy misery across the small of the
 back.  Where the;e symptoms occur,  let blood from
 the foot, ten or twelve ounces, repeated as occasion may
 require.   Second, bathe her feet half an hour on going
 to bed.  Third, then give a portion ofcolomel and aloes,
 three grains o f each; sirup of some kind may be added
 so as to form it into  a pill, or two,  or so much as to
 make of the  consistence of honey; continue  the bath,
 calomel and aloes,  for three successive nights.  If the
 disorder come on suddenly, and she was healthy before
 you may use the lancet the more; but if she was deli-
 cate and  feeble  before the attack, use the vinegar or
 the  spirits of harts-horn, and warm bath to the fee:, &c.
 But if the obstruction of the menses be not the cause as
 above, according to  circumstances,  be cautious about
 letting blood.  For the radical cure in  this last  case,
 apply a blister to the stomach; use friction nearly all
 over the skin; give strong camomile tea to drink, wine,
 bark and steel dust may be used;  riding on horse back,
 being in cheerful company and interesting engagements
 is beneficial to the afflicted patient.   And in many in-
 stances there may be great benefit derived from the
 use  of the following pills: that is to say—Take of asa-
 fceatida half an ounce, of rusian castor  one quarter of
 an ounce, and of opium one quarter of an ounce, these
 ingredients are to be  carefully beaten  and mixed well
 together,  and from this mass you must make two hun-
 dred pills of equal size; take three of these pills at night
 and  two in the morning.   If the patient be costive they
 may  derive great advantage from the following com-
 position:  take aloes, one ounce,asaf:  i u half an ounce,
 the same of rusian castor and one quarter of an ounce of
 opium—mix these as the above and form the same
quantity of pills of equal  size, and taken in the same
way, increasing or lessening the number according to 
52
THE INDIAN GUIDE
the state of the bowels.  The vitrolic either given frem
thirty to fifty  drops, in  a cup of some kind of drink,
sometimes affords instant relief; when the suffocation
is considerable and  distressing, this arcticle must be
given speedily to prevent its loss by evaporation; and
must not be opened too  near a  candle, because of its
great readiness to take fire, &c.  I  have known the fil-
ings of gold taken night  and morning in honey to cure
one that had been past work for three 5 ears;  the dose
may be about two or three grains.  Or take beefs gall
and put in rum, and drink as a bitter, it is a wonderful
remedy in this case.   And  when thechoaking  is bad,
a tea spoonful of wheat flour, mixed in water and drank,
will stop  it; or chew orange peels and  swallow the
same.
  THE BITE ok a SNAKE akd other POISONOUS
            ANIMALS; HOW CURED.
  If a person be bit by a snake, beat black ash leaves
and bind to the wound as soon as possible, and make a
tea of the bark; this will cure any snake bite; or give
the  patient a sweat of seneca snake root, the over night
and give hima tea spoonful of the juice of puccoon root
in the morning.  I have never known this medicine te
fail,  and there  have been  hundreds  cured  by  it; or
bind the liver and guts of the snake to the bite; or ap-
ply  bruised garlic; or take  a quantity of horehound,
bruise it well in a morter, and  squeeze out the juice,
likewise plantain in like manner, a table spoonful of
each mixed together, and a table spoonful to be taken
every hour for three hours, then every three hours till
the infusion is done; and put the beaten herb to tha
bite—or the juice-of green plantain and new milk mix-
ed together and drink, or if the patient  be far spent,
put  a  poultice of garlic to  the bottom of the feet, or 
TO HEALTH.
»3
bind salt and tobacco to the bite, or take cucold  bur
leaves and bruise them, put in sweet milk strain  and
drink the same.
          SCROFULA,  or KINGS EVIL.
   Scrofula  consists in hard indolent tumours of the
 conglobate glands in various parts of the body;but par-
 ticularly behind the ears, and under the chin,  which
 aftera time  separates and degenerates into ulcers; from
 which, instead of pus,a white curdled matter, somewhat
 resembling the coagulum of milk, is discharged.  The
 first appearance of the disease is most usually between
 the third and seventh year of the childs age.  But it
 may arise at any period  between  these and the age of
 puberty; after which it seldom makes its first attack.—
 It most commonly affects children of a  lax habit, with,
 a- smooth. u,jft,anu'iine skin, lair hair, rosy cheeks and
 a delicate complexion; but it is occasionally met with
 in those of a dark one It likewise is apt to attack such
 children.as show a disposition to rachitis, and marked
 by a protuberant forehead, enlarged joints, and a tHmid
 abdomen.   Scrofulous persons  are  often comely and
 rather distinguished for acuteness  of understanding and
 precocity of genius.  They are however seldom robust,
 or able  to  endure much fatigue without having  their
 strength greatly exhausted, and their flesh much wast-
ed; but  when they once begin to regain these1, their
convalescence is usually  rapid.  Scrofula prevails most
 in those climates where  the atmosphere, is cold and
 humid, where seasons are  variable and the  weather
 unsteady.   From alitude  forty to sixty is the principal
 climate of the disease.  A long  continuance of inclem-
ent weather may increase any predisposition to Scrofu-
la; and in persons already much predisposed to it, any
 uncommon,  though temporary  exposure to wet>and
eold, is sometimes an exciting cause of an  immediate
attack.  Besides climate, and exposure to moist air and 
54            THE INDIAN GUIDE

atmospherical vicissitudes, every other  circumstance
which weakens the constitution,and impairs the gener-
al strength of the system predisposes to Scrofula; thus
breathing impure air unlit for respiration, and living
upon food of an unwholesome  and indigestible nature,
which does not afford  due nourishment to the body,
favours an attack of'Scroiula, by reducing the strength
of the system, and making the person weakly.  The
neglect of due personal cleanliness and of salutary ex-
ercise, indolence, inactivity, the want of warm cloth-
ing, confinement in cold  damp  habitations, &c, may
all be regarded as so many exciting causes, and satis-
factorily account for the prevalence of disease among
children  employed  n large manufactories, as  at Man-
chester,  &c.  Scrofula  is by  no means a  co.itagious
disease, but beyond all doubt ;s of an herediditary na-
ture, and is often entailed by parents onjtheir children.
The patient it is true is  not born with the disease, bet
only with a greater aptitu'de to receive certain morbid
tt-'pittKsiaus,  which may bring the latent disposition in-
to action.  There are indeed some  practitioners  who
wholly deny  that this or any other disease can be ac
quired by an hereditary right; but that  a  peculiar
temperament of the body, bias, or predisposition in the
constitution to  some  diseases, may sxtend from  both
Father and Mother to their offspring, is, I think, very
clearly proved;  for example, we very frequently  meet
with gout in young persons  of both sexes, who could
never have brought it on  by intemperance, sensuality
or improper diet, but must have acquired the predispo-
sition to  it in this way.   A remarkable  circumstance
attending the transmission of scrofula, is, that although
it is an hereditary disease, it does  occasionally  pass
over one generation and appear  again in the  next, so
that the Grandfather and Grandson, (the first and  third
generations,) shall both be scrofulous, while the inter-
mediate one which  holds the more intimate relation of
Father and son, and connects the two others together,
shall be exempted from any attack of the disease.  Tho
attack* of scrofula seem  much affected or influenced by
the periods of ihe seasons.  They begin usually some 
TO HEALTH.
55
time in the winter and spring, and often disappear; or
are greatly amended, in summer and autumn.  The
first appearance of the disorder is commonly in that of
small oval or spherical tumours under the skin,  unat-
tended by any pain or discolouration, these appear  in
general, upon  the sides of the neck,  or  below the ear,
or under the chin; but in some cases, the joints of the
elbows, ancles, or those of the fingers and toes, are the
parts first affected.   In these instances we do not, how-
over, find moveable swellings, but on the  contrary, a
tumour almost uniformly surrounding the joint, and
interrupting its motion.  After some length of time, the
tumours Income larger and more fixed, the skin which
covers them acquires a purple or livid colour, and being
much  inflamed, they at least supurate and break into
little hole-i,  from which  at  first  a  matter somewhat
puriform oozes out;  but this changes  by degrees into
a kind of viscid serous discharge much intermixed with
«mall pieces of a white substance, resembling the curd
of milk.   In the treatment of this  disorder, there is
several things very necessary to be noticed, as the
general symptoms  have been  accurately laid down,
there will  be no difficulty  of  forming a correct idea
of the disease.  If in case this disorder should  beta-
ken in time there will be but little difficulty of perform-
ing a cure, but where it has been of long standing it is
generally more obstinate.   Where  the glands of the
neck appear to be affected, and somewhat swelled; it is
necessary it should  be set  to running on each side of
the neck, this may be done by applying a small portion
of nitricacid or aquafortis. Those places should be kept
running by the use of salves,  poultices &c, until the
swelling entirely  leaves the  neck, at the same time
while persuing this course, the putient should take the
tollowing preparation—Get a peck of the inside bark
k>f the root dogwood, the same of black oak, the same of
the roots of sumac,  the same of wild cherrytree bark,
this you will  boil in ten gallons of water down to two,
the liquid should then be strained; to this preparation
there should be added, one quart of inadeira-wine, twen-
ty  grains of tartar erratic, two pounds of sugar, twenty 
   56           THE INDIAN GUIDE

   grains of refined nitre, this should all be completely
   dissolved together, it is then fit for use,  the  patient
   should take a table  spoonful three  times per day, the
  diet should be very limited while using this medicine,
  the patient  should  take  half a table  spoonful of the
  cream of tartar every fourth day  dissolved in a little
  cold water;  bleeding is also necessary at times; if in
  case the eyes are affected, there should be a  blister
  drawn on the back of the neck, and be kept running for
  some length of time, the eyes should be  frequently
  bathed in a weak  solution of the sugar  of lead.   If in
 ease the glands under the arm should become affected,
 that isswetted, they should be well bathed every night
 and morning with the following ointment:  take  four
 ounces of the oil of sassafras or pennyroyal, the same
 of the spirits of turpentine, two ounces of sulphuric
 ether, one ounce of laudanum, mix  this  well together,
 it is then fit for use.   This course of treatment should
 be well pursued, until every symptom disappear—it is
 then necessary that the system should be strengthened
 by mild tonics,such as barks, quinine,and all strength-
ening medicines—If in case the lungs should become
debilitated, the preparations under the head Pulmonary
Consumption  should be strictly attended to.
     Afflicted  patients with this disease,
     Have often come to me  for ease;
     [Tho' much distressed have been their case,
     1 have never failed in curing them.]
     I have never fail'd in curing all,
     Who to me have made a call.
   THE DISEASE or CHILDREN, or VOMITING.
   When what  has been  taken is  returned crude and
unaltered, it may be suspected to arise from over-feed-
ing, and to require nothing more  than temperance for
its cure.  Vomiting, however, is often an attendant on
other complaints, mid sometimes of itself constitutes an
original disease.  Where there is a vomiting of digest- 
TO HEALTH.
57
ed food, it will be right to change the  mode of diet, ot-
to open the body by  some gentle aperient.  If these
means  do  not answer, and the  vomiting continues, it
will be proper to clear the stomach by a gentle emetic,
afterwards giving the saline medicine in  an efferves-
ing state, with a drop or two of the tincture  of opium.
We may at the same time apply a blister  over  the re-
gion of the stomach, or rub it well with an anodyne
linament.
SUSPENDED ANIMATION anoRESUSCITATION.
  In consequence of drowning, and also of suffocation
and strangulation, a considerable check is often  given
to the principle of  life, without wholly extinguishing
it.  When it happens  from the first of these causes,
the circulation  becomes gradually more feeble and
slow, and much anxiety is felt about the precordia; to
relieve  which,  the  person  attempts  to  rise to  the
surface of the water;  he  then discharges a quantity of
air from the lungs, and receives into them a very small
portion of water, when he again sinks.  After  strug-
gling in this manner for  some short time, convulsive
spasms arises, the organs of respiration cease  to  act,
and heat last expires;  soon after which the  skin be-
comes of a purple or blue cast,  particularly  about the
face and neck, and the body sinks.  It has beeu sup-
posed,  and the opining is indeed still  very general a-
mong the common people, that in the act of drowning,
the water enters  the lungs and completely fills them.—
Experience, however, has shown, that unless the body
lies so long in the water, as to have its living principle
entirely destroyed, the quantity of fluid present in the
lungs is inconsiderable; for upon  drowning  kittens,
puppies, &e. in  ink, or other coloured liquors, and af-
torwardscxamining these viscera, it has been observed
that very little of the coloured liquor has gained admit-
tance to them.  The circumstance may be readily  ac-
counted for by recollecting that the muscles whLh form 
  58           THE INDIAN  GUIDE

  the opening into the trachea are exquisitely sensible,
  and contract violently upon the  least  irritation,  as we
  frequently experience when any part of the  food or
  drink happens to come in contact with them.  "When a
  person dies from suffocation, the symptoms are nearly
  the same  as in apoplexy.   The  phenomomena  which
  attend on strangulation are, convulsive paroxysms su-
 peradded to the apoplectic symptoms.   Livid and  dark
 brown spots on the face, with great rigidity and cold-
 ness of the body, a glassy appearance of the eyes, and
 a flaccid state of the skin, denote a perfect extinction of
 life; but the only certain sign is actual putrefaction; and
 therefore, in every case where  this symptom is not
 present, and  where we are unacquinted with  the length
 of time the body  may have  been under water, every
 possible means should be employed immediately  upon
 its being found for restoring it to  life, as me noble ma-
 chine may be stopped and the spring nevertheless still
 retain, in some degree, its elastic vigour.  Dissections
 of those who have died by drowning, show that an ac-
 cumulation of blood in the venous system,  forms  the
 great morbid change which  takes place in accidents of
 this natuie.  The lungs is in a state of collapse, and the
 accumulation of blood is confined to tha venacave,  the
 heart, and the parts of the venous system.  In  some
 cases the stomach is found to contain a  small quantity
 of water; in others,  none is to be perceived.   From the
 muscles of the trachea having lost the principle of life,
 noon which, the power of muscular contraction depends
 they b' come  relaxed, the water enters  the wind  pipe.
 la all inslai:?e5, tiie external surface of the brain  ap-
 pcarsof a hr:h!.. florid colour,without any greatdistcn-
 tion of vesolcs, or  :.  arks of effusion. It has been   sup
 posed  however, bj' many,  that  persons who  die by
 drowning, suffer fiom the intervention of apop'.v.vy.—
 After a recover from apoplexy, the person is  generally
 paralytic, wheieas, no such event follows the recoveiy
 from a suspension cf life by drowning.   In both hang-
 ing and drowing,  the proximate  caute  appears to be
 she stoppage of air to ihe lungs.  The following  are
the means to be employed for the recovery of persons
 recently drowned.   As soon  as the body i; taken  out 
TO HEALTH.
59
of the water it is to be speedily conveyed in men's arms
or placed upon a door, or in a cart upon straw.   If the
distance is considerable, to the nearest house, where it
is quickly to be stripped of the wet clothes; to be wiped
perfectly dry; and then to be laid between warm  blan-
kets, spread upon a mattress or low table,  and on tho
right side in preference to the left.  In order that the
passage of the blood from the  heart may be favoured
by the position.  The head is at the same time to be
covered with a woolen cap, being  properly elevated
with pillows, and bags filled with  warm sand, or bricks
heated and wrapped in flannel, are to be applied to-the
feet.  The doors and  windows of the apartment are to
be thrown open, in order that the cool  air may be free-
ly admitted, and no persons but such as  are  necessary
to give due assistance, should be allowed to enter it.—
Having taken these steps, Me should next endeavour to
expand the lungs, and make them, if possible, reassume
their office.   When not  furnished with a flexible tube
made of clasticgum, and of a sufficient length or with
the bellow? invented for this express purpose (which is
of such a const ruction, that, by one action, fresh air is
thrown into the lungj, and by another it is thrown out
again, so as to imitate or  produce artificial breathing,)
we must be content with  blowing in air  by means of a
common  pair:  or by inserting a pipe  into one nostril,
compressing the other, shutting the person's  mouth at
the same time, and then blowing through the pipe with
a considerable degree of force.  By any  of these means
we may be able to inflate the lungs.  At the same time
that the lungs arc inflated, we should rub every part of
tho body with warm flannel cloths.  On all  occasions
it will be the best way to divide the assistants  into  two
■,«ts;theone being employed in endeavouring  to restore
i he hcatofthe body; the othcr,in instituting an artificial
breathing in the manner just pointed out.  Should the
frictions not be attended  with any effect, we ought to
apply flannel cloths, wrung out in very hot water, over
the heart  and thorax, or we may put the person in  a
warm bath.   A high degree of heat will not be nee .-ssa-
ry; a moderate degree will be  sufficient.  If the  wea-
ther be under the freezing point,  and the body, when 
60
THE INDIAN GUIDE
stripped,  feel cool, and nearly  in the same conditioa
with one that is frozen, it will be necessary at first, to
rub  it  well  with snow, or wash it with cold water,
the sudden application of heat in such  cases  having
been found very pernicious.   In a short time, however,
warmth must be gradually applied.  To  assist in rous-
ing the vital  principle, it has been customary to apply
various stimula'.ing matters, such as common salt,  and
rectified and  also volatile spirits, to different parts of
the body;  but, as the skin loses its sensibity in propor-
tion as it is deprived of heat, and does not  recover it
again until the natural degree  of warmth be restored,
it is obvious,  that previous to the restoration of heat,
all  such  applications  are useless.  Rectified  spirits
evaporate  fast, and thereby,  instead of increasing
warmth, a«« they are expected to do, carry off a part of
the heart  from the body.   Volatile spirits are liable  to
the same  objections, and are, besides, distressing to the
eyes of the assistants.   Common salt  quickly frets the
skin,  and  has, in some  cases,  produced  sores  which
were  difficult to heal after recovery.   When there is
reason to  think the skin has, in some degree, recover-
ed its sensibility, the wrists, ancles, temples, and parts
over the stomack and  heart, may be rubbed with a lit-
tle of the linimentum ammoniac carbonatis, or  (the
 tinctureof worm-wood.)   Incase of suspended  anima
tion, it may be necessary to stimulate the stomach and
the intestines, the stomach may be stimulated  with a
small portion of the tincture of gum myrrh,  the latter
may bed one by an injection of strong senna tea combined
with a little paragoric.  When the patient is so far re-
covered as to be able to swallow, he should be put into a
warm bed with his head and shoulders properly eleva-
ted with pillows, warm wipes, weak todies,  should be
given in moderate quantities, the feet and  legs should
be completely bound over with warm  flannels  wrung
out in hot vinegar this course should be  pursued  until
rcl'-f is obtaineded. 
TO HEALTH.                 61
           THE VENEREAL DISEASE.
   This is a complaint that goes to and fro through the
 land.  There are  many  unfortunate, poor unhappy
 persons that for fear of disgrace, endure pain  both in
 body and mind,  rather than  go to a doctor at  first.—
 Some friend or secret keeper replies he has got a cure.
 Well, the  method is  tried; but this remedy only re-
 moves the symptoms  for a space, which  corrupts the
 blood, and flings the patient in a worse situation, whieh
 is often incurable.  The innocent can take the effects of
 this complaint as well  as the guilty—infants,  nurses,
 midwives, and women by guilty husbands.  If you are
 innocently  taken in, you are excusable.   Though he
 that has taken the blaze on the other hand, is condemn-
 ed by Pauls1 ministereal word, for he says, it is  better
 to marry  than to burn; and generally when the flame
 takes place, there is  a  discharge  of matter,  which
 makes its appearance within eight or ten days after the
 infection has been received,  and some within  two or
 three days, according to  what state  the  blood  is in
 when you take it, and with some not under four or five
 weeks;  but the  patient often feels an  itching  with a
 small degree of pain in the  testicles, and sometimes
 there runs a yellow thin water which stains, and with
 some it is white  with a violent burning when they make
 water; and it comes sometimes with a degree of heat,
 and there is often a redness. If the disorder  is not
 checked, the symptoms  will increase; the disorder rises
 higher and higher in the penis, and the longer it runs
 the worse the patient dreads  to make water, but wants
 to be always at it until  it will come by  drops in  this
 complaint: tho'there is a disorder in women  that one
 might be mistaken in, that is, when the  womb is affect-
 ed, and there conns a whitish matter and sometimes a
 kind of greenish  colour, and with some their termsare
discharged in this way.   Now regard should be had te
eating and drinking, no  strong drink, no salted nor
smoaked meats, nor heat your blood, and do not season
what you eat too  high;  drink  cooling teas balm, ground
ivy,  sink-field, mallad &c.  In  the first place take a
j,o'od dose of salts, or calomel  and jalap, syringe with
                         7 
02            THE INDIAN GUIDE
blue stone and apple brandy, two or three times a day;
and you may take of may apple root; make it thus:
take one handful of may apple roots, and put the same
in a pot and add a quart of water, boil them very strong,
take a table spoonful inwardly, and if this does not op-
erate, you should take another, and so on until it does
work; then take a handful of sarsaparilla, and  wild
cherry tree bark, the high black berry brier roots, the
bark of the roots of white sumac, a handful of dogwood
bark,  half a handful of red oak bark,  a handful of the
bark  of  yellow  poplar roots,  a double  handful of
pine tops, boil these all together until iheyare strong;
take of this three or four times a day, and if ulcers or
sores arises, or blubbers, apply red precipitate dissolv-
ed in old whiskey to wash with; until and after taking
this purge with salts, and bleed, &c.—or take a handful
of dogwood bark, the same of running brier roots,  the
same of yellow poplar bark, the same  of rattle root,
the same of sumac, add a quart of water for each hand-
ful, boil it strong, drink of this often and let your  diet
be light; keep from hog meat, salted  fish, or smoaked
meats; take care of taking cold, wet or heating your
blood.  You may drink cooling tea; or  take a handful
of yellow poplar bark, the same  of  sumac root,  the
same of dogwood bark, the same of yellow sarsaparilla
roots, the same of sassafras bark, boil these  well  and
drink  it for your constant drink; make use of flaxseed
and comfrey teas when going to bed.
  INFLAMMATION of the EYES or SORE EYES.
  Sore eyes are of two kinds  that  which affects the
coats of the balls of the eyes &c—that which affects
the eye lids only.   The causes inducing inflammation
are external violence, wounds, particles of dust, sand,
&c, or the hairs of the eye  lids inverted, too much
light, or strong light too long continued; sitting up at
ni'cht before a fire, riding in snow, particularly when  it 
                 TO HEALTH.                 63
        *■■
falls early or late in the season, writing or reading too
much at  night, too long accurately inspecting very
minute objects, frequent intoxication, sharp matter,such
as tobacco, &e., received into the eyes: sympathy sore
' yes frequently taken by looking at others in the same
condition, and is the effect of an active imagination.—
General fever sometimes produces this disease.   Tho
remedies are as follows—Bleeding, when there is gen-
eral fever, copious bleeding from the arm will be neces-
sary; if no general fever present, cupping the  temples
and scarifying the inside  of the eye lids.  Purges may
pe  more  or  less  violent,  according to the   vio-
lence of the disease.  Blisters should be applied to the
neck and behind the ears, and to the temples.   Certain
washes: these  must be  mild sharp, according to  the
stage of the  disease.  In most instances when inflamma-
tion of the eyes first appears, cold water, milk and water,
or mild  lead water will be proper; the lead water should
be made into a poultice and applied to the eye affected,
first covering it with a bit of cambric  or  muslin.  In
the last  stages of this disease, the eyes may be washed
with the following solution: take two drams  of white
vitriol, and forty grains of  the  sugar of lead,  and add
these to a gill of spring water—If These articles be not
convenient, you may take weak spirits and water, Ma-
deira wine and water, salt and water, or a decoction of
oak bark and leaves not too strong.   In curing this dis-
ease, the patient should not be exposed to the light,and
all spirituous liquors must be carefully avoided.   When
there are  particles of dust, or the like in the eye, it may
sometimes be washed out witb clean water; if an inver-
ted hair be the cause it must be plucked  out.   If the
disease should be of longstanding and obstinate setons,
and issues will be proper.   The eyes should by washed
with salt petre water, then  with breast  milk or honey
and  copperas mixed well  together;  or take  a table
spoonful of white copperas, the same of salt, put these
to a quart of water, and boil it down to a pint, then let
it settle, pour it off and let it settle, and boil down  to a
half pint,  keep this to wash any humour in the  eyes;
take angelica, and  boil it  in water, then mix it in new 
64            THE  INDIAN GUIDE

milk, and wash the eyes, and at night bind rotten apples
to them when going to bed; or take half an ounce ef
lapis calaminaris powdered into a half pint of French
white wine, and as much white rose water, put a drop
or two in the corner of the eye, this  has  cured  some
that have been nearly blind; or take six  ounces of rec-
tified  spirits of wine, dissolve it in one dram of cam-
phor, then add two handfulls of dried elder flowers and
when you wash your eyes, wash your  forehead also.
   A  GENERAL DESCRIPTION or WORMS IN
                   CHILDREN.

   The symptoms pointing out the presence of worms
 are various, and are the following to wit: grinding of
 the teeth, starting in sleep, a dry cough bringing up a
 frothy spittle, sighing, & suffocating manner of breath-
 ing, pain in the side, hickup, heart burn, vomiting, lax,
 sudden urgings to go to stool, costiveness, slimy stools,
 night sweats,   sour  breath,  flushing of  one  cheek,
 itching of tii ;  nose,  an excessive appetite, lying  much
 on the belly, a swelling of the partition of the nose and
 ef the upper lip,the actual voiding ofmoreor less worms
 a wasting away of the limbs and the whole body, jaun-
 dice,  head-ache, deadly snoring in sleep, convulsions,
 &e. &c.  Our first care should be to  prevent the dan-
 gerous effects of worms; and there are various articles
 •f food, which  will answer this intention,"nature,"says
 Dr. Bush, in his medical enquiries, "has  wisely guard-
 ed children against the morbid effects of  worm?, by
 implanting in them an early appetite for common salt,
 ripe1 fruits,  and saccharine substances," all of which
 appear to be among the most speedy and  effectual poi-
 sons for worms."  Ever since I observed the effects of
 sugar, and other sweat substances upon worms, I have
 recommended the liberal use of all them in the diet of
ehildren, with the happiest effects.   The remedies pro-
eer for the removal of worms, are common salts; this 
TO HEALTH.
65
may be given in doses of thirty grains, upon an empty
stomach in the morning, and is an excellent remedy.—
Sugar or molasses in large quantities, so that they may
pass out of the stomach, without undergoing any mate-
rial change from  cigestion; in small quantities they
will destroy worms in the stomach only.  The  pressed
juice of onions and garlic are said to be considerably
efficacious against the excess of worms.  Gen-powder,
a tea spoonful to be given in the morning, upon an empty
stomach;—Carolina pink root:  If this article be prop-
erly used  it  is a certain  remedy;  about  half an
ounce ^iay be get tly stewed in half a pint of wat&r, till
its strength be  properly extracted; and then let the
decoction be strained and well sweatened with sugar or
molasses, and give one fourth of it every two or three
hours, to a child of four or five years old.  I have gen-
erally thought  it best to add to each dose, about  one
eighth of an ounce of manna.  The importance of this
addition will appear when it is remarked, that the pink
root is poisonous, and if given  in too large quantities,
kills the child to whom it is given.   Aloes, four to six
grains; Rhubarb, eight to fifteen grains; Jesuits-bark,
bears-foot, worm-seed; these are all said to be medicines
for worms; Calomel is a safe medicine, whether given
by itself or conbined with Jalap.  It is most effectual
however, when given in large doses: from four  lo eight
grains,  might be given to a child of four or six years
old.   But of all the medicines that I have administered
says, [)r. Bush, I know of none more safe and certain
lhanthe simple preparation of iron, whether it be given
in the form of steel filings or of the rust of iron; if ever
they fail of success, it is because they are given in toe
small doses, I generally prescribe from five to thirty
grains every morning, children between one  and ten
years old.  I have been taught by an experienced prac-
titioner, that this remedy cured him of a tape-worm.—
The common pre.scribed dose is from two drams to  half
an ounce, every morning, for three or four days—Ha
took this not only with safety but with success.  I gen-
erally give it in honey, or  take of alum the size  of a
bean, ant1 beat it fine, and mix with honey tor three er 
CS            THE INDIAN  GUIDE

four days, this is also good and may be given without
endangering the life of the child.
       THE PUTRID SORE THROAT, <x<-.
   This disease generally appears in autumn: and chil-
 li ren are more subject to it than grown persons.  It gen-
 erally follows moist, wet and hazy weather.  Tho prin-
 cipal symptoms attending it a«e great weakness, slight
 eruption, weak, a quick pulse, and  ulcers in the throat.
 Delirium, especially at night; diarrhoea, inflamed and
 watery eyes, a  flat  and rattling voice, the ulcers and
 sloughs in the throat are of a whitish ash colour,and tho
 breath of the patient is very offensive  to the smell.—
 The remedies are pukes, say  ipecacuanha, ten grains
 and calomel four grains; to be taken together, as a dose
 fo* a child of eight  or ten years old; bark,  wine and
 cordial aliment; the bark should be given in substance,
 but if that be impracticable, a eecoction may be substi-
 tuted ; Port wine should be preferred;  if wine cannot be
 had, a decoction of Virginia snake root, is a tolerable
 substitute, chicken broth is the best diet, and should be
 used as early as possible,in the disease; blisters should
 be applied to the neck and throat; but blisters drawn in
 this disease, should never be dressed with  colewort
 leaves; some kind  of mild  ointment spread on a piece
 of fine linen, should be preferred for  this purpose:
 knead together oil five parts, and  bees-wax one part;
 the mouth and throat should be washed with barley wa-
 ter, or very thin gruel, to which should be added a little
 vinegar and honey, and if convenient, a portion of the
 tincture of myrrh, might be added  to half un ounce of
 the gruel, &c, or  if the myrrh cannot be had, as much
 calomel might be added instead of it, as may be sufficient
 to turn it of a whitish colour.   I have found great bene-
 fit from frequently washing  the mouth  and  throat
 well with the following mixture: Take salt petre half
an ounce, and borax one quarter of an ounce; the whole
to  be dissolved in  one pint  of water, and sweatened 
                  TO HEALTH.               67

with honey.  I have used  it successfully in a number
of cases, without any  other topical application.  The
steams of vinegar and myrrh received into  the  throat
by the help of a funnel,  are sometimes beneficial.  I
have done  wonders by this machine; that is to get, a
handful of comfrey, the same of ellecampane, boil this
well in fresh spring water, then take out the roots, and
put in a quart of hard apple cider and a pint of honey
and receive the steam in the mouth with a funnel or
coffee-pot, and bind a slice of wheat bread wet in bran-
dy on the top of the head; and make a plaster of tallow
and bind to the throat; this remedy is wonderful; this
plaster put co the  throat  will take  up the palate of the
mouth when it is down;  and tie the  middle curl of the
top of the  head, will do the same;  or black pepper laid
on the top of the point of a case knife,and put to the pal-
ate, will fetch it back.
     PUERPERAL or CHILD  BED FEVER.
  The puerperal fever comes on gradually, commenc-
ing in about twenty hours after delivery and sometimes
it is three or four weeks.   Weak and delicate  women,
especially those accustomed to living a genteel life are
most subject to it. It begins with a chill, and the symp-
toms attending  it are nausea pain in the head, loss  of
strength restlessness, the skin is sometime dry, at oth-
er times  partially or  unusually  most, the tongue is
dry, covered with a black crust, the pulse  raises being
sometimes weak and small, then full and hard, wander-
ing pains are felt in the abdomen, at times they attack
the sides resembling the pleurisy, in some cases they
extend to the shouldeis, then descend, to  the  bladder
and lower intestines, the pain becomes so acute in some
instances, that the patient cannot bear the least water
on them, the face has a sorrowful appearance, and ev-
ery word and action, will more or less express the suf-
ferings of the patient, at times the abdomen swells con-
siderablv, pain is felt in the small of the back: the legs 
68
THE INDIAN GUIDE
 and feet swell, at leangth the breathing becomes diffi-
 cult, vomiting and  diarrhoea  sometimes takes place,
 the lochia are sometimes  suppressed  at other times
 they continue throughout the desease, when the inflam-
 mation is confined to the uterus, this is a very favoura-
 ble circumstance,the urine is generally scanty and un-
 frequent, turbid spots appear on the joints, and some-
 times on the face,  although the appearances vary in
 difficult] patients yet by the catalogue of symptoms this
 fever may be known.  On the first attack the  patient
 should be bled according to her strenth,  and the  vio-
 lence of the attack, then a mild vomit of fifteen grain*
 ofepecacuanha with one grain of tartarised  antimony
 should be given, worked off with warm water, should
 theie be any cramping or paiuin the stomach while vom-
 iting,take ten drops of laudanum,& drink freely of strong
 senna tea, and opiate at night,  glysters fermentations
 and opening drops of senna and menna, cream of tartar
 combined may daily be used until relieved.  If there
 be frequent or voluntary stools,  we must be  cautiouea
 not to administer any  thing which may do  injury in
 such cases glysters of chicken water or flower and water
 boiled to a proper consistency or flaxseed tea, ought to
 be often repeated it  requires some skill to  determine
 the propriety ofcorrecitng this diarrhoea if however it
 becomes necessary,  through the debility of the  patient
 to check it, an infusion of  camomile flowers may  be
 used with addition of a few drops of laudanum,  should
 a hiccuping come on, take the sweet spirits of nitre half
 an ounce, water half a pint, half an ounce of loaf sugar,
 •f this mixture, give two table spoonfuls every three
 or four hours,  the  patient should breathe pure  air,
 strict regard  should be had to cleanliness,  and silence
 should be carefully observed,  mild tonics of various
 kinds may be given in small doses, in this  important
case   it is necessary to call in a physician if one should
 be convenient, and not depend too much on old women,
 with  their strong teas and hot rocks, &c. 
TO HEALTH.                60
                ASIATIC  CHOLERA.
   The leading features of cholera and its  pathological
 relation to diarrhoea have been in many instances poin-
 ted out from the earliest times,it has been acknowleged
 as one of the most dangerous diseases to which the hu-
 man body is subject, but the extreme malignity of which
 it is  susceptible was never  thoroughly known until
 these few years when it has been seen to spread with
 uncontrolable violence.  Cholera makes its attacks in
 almost all cases suddenly and unexpectedly, it commen-
 ces with nausea unremitted and bile and vomiting, se-
 vere griping pains of the bowels, and generally  purg-
 ing, the matter rejected consisting partly if not princi-
 pally of bile it is attended with great thirst,  a coated
 tongue a small frequent  and feeble pulse  a cold skia
 and a hurried irregular respiration, tho prostration  of
 stiength which accompanies it  and the  rapiditv with
 which it advances, give  to this disease a peculiar char-
 acter and renders it one  of very urgent danger, in ma-
 ny cases when unchecked it proceeds so rapidly that in
 a few  hours the patient is brought into a state of con-
 siderable  risk,  cramps of  the legs, extending to  the
 thighs,abdominial muscles and diaphragm combine with
 the incessant vomiting and purging, to exhaust the pa-
 tient s strength and if  relief be not  speedily  obtained
 arc followed by coldness of the extremities and of  the
 whole skin extreme restlessness, clammy sweat hiccup
 and death,  in general there is no pain of the abdomen
 un pressure and  little or no delirium the patient dying
 (rom exhaustion of nervous  powei.  Cholera is  not
 usually attended by  febrile symptoms unless indeed  we
 acknowledge that to be a febrile state which  the  an-
 eients call  Lyperia, where the inward parts burn and
 tho skin feel cold.   In this country cholera-has proved
 fatal in six hours, it seldom lasts longer than three  or
 lour days it occur* principally in the months  of Juh
and August and appoars to be altogether dependent v~-
on some peculiar influence of a healed atmosphere us
the symptom a violence of the disease is almost  al* aye
ereportioned to die  heat of the preceding tumu* r.
  I have laid dovsdi a few of tWe goneial *} e.j ton*  nf 
   70            THE INDIAN GU1DB

   this unpleasant disease, I shall now endeavour to  give
   my mode of treatment, having had a very  extensive
   practice in cases of cholera in Kentucky, when it raged
   with such uncontrolable violence  in  that state;  first
   when there appears to be a derangement of the stomach
   and bowels, the patient complaining of severe  misery
   either in the bowels or stomach, give twenty grains of
   pulverised  mandrake (or mayapple  root,)  combined
   with one grain of opium, three of camphor,  and four
   of cayenn peper, three drops of the oil of croton,  thi«
   should be mixed in a little water and sugar, this medi-
   cine will operate severely on the bowels, in about  one
   hour after it is taken, when it begins to operate, the pa-
   tient should drink warm teas, soup, &c. if in ca»e this
  does not appear to give immediate relief, heavy portionj
  of blood should be taken from the arm and the patient
  well bathed in warm water, and another  dose of the
  above prescription given as before, laudanum may  be
  given in swall quantities, frequently stimulating liquor*
  may be  freely used, but it is sometimes the case and in-
  deed frequently, that persons are attacked appearently
  at once with cholera,  when this is the case it is very
  probable that in a half hour the patient is completely
  cramped through  the whole extremity ;  in this  stage
  you will discover large drops of cold clammy  sweat in
  the face, the feef cold,  the eyes sunk the  countenance
  greatly changed, where this is the case give a tea spoon-
  ful of the oil of black mustard seed,  in a  little honey
  combined with a hundred drops of the tincture of opium
 this medicine will have the tecdeucy of throwing tho
  blood through  the whole  extremities, whenever the
 regular circulations take place give a Yomit of  tartar
 emetic or some other emetic, immediately, in two hours
 after you give the vomit, give  ten drops of the oil  of
 croton, this should be repeated every four hours if ne-
 cessary;  the patient should be we 1  rubbed in  warm
 liquors, keep warm in his bed, mild tonics may also bo
 given freely, many other things could bo  recommend-
ed but as it is frequently the case that it would bo in-
convenient for the people of the country to get them
the beet plan in when > ou appreboaddanger».'-.jdfor the' 
TO HEALTH.
71
•est physician you can get, for unless immediate rekef
ean be had death is the consequence.
 HEPATITIS, oa  CHRONIC INFLAMMATION ul:
                   THE LIVER.
   Pyrexia, tension, and pain of the right hypoeondri-
 um, often pungent as in  pleuritis, but some times dull,
 pain in the clavicle and top of the right shoulder, uneasy
 lying on the left side, difficult  respiration, dry cough
 and vomiting, are the characteristics  of the hepatitis:
 very frequently there is some degree of jaundice.  He-
 patitis has generally been considered of  two kinda; the
 one acute,the other chronic; the former shewing thees-
 sential  character of genuine inflammation: the  latter
 exhibiting symptoms of a less  violence  as to their in-
 flammatory tendency, but an enlargement and hardness
 of the liver with an obtuse pain.   Besides the cause*
 producing other inflammations, such as the applicatiou
 of cold, external injuries from  contusions, blows, Ate.
 this disease may be occasioned by violent exercise,by in-
 tense summer heats by long continued intermittent and
 remittent  fover,  by high living, and an interperate use
 of  viaous and spirituous liquors, but more particularly
 tho latter, and by various solid concritioiu in the •j'j-
 utancc of the liver.   Deraugement of the digestive
 organs, suppressed secretions, inflammations, compres-
 sion,  fevers and mental solicitude,  are  veiy general
 i»uses of  obstructions and diseases of the liver.   The
 •cute species  of Hepatitis comes on  with a sense of
 dullness,  preceding pain  in the hypocondrium, some-
 times dull, sometimes sharp,  extending  up  to the cla-
 vicle and shoulder of that side  most usually, which in
much increased  by pressing upon tho part, and is ac-
companied with a cough,  oppression of breathing, and
difficulty of  lying except on the side affected; together
with nausea and sickness and oftof wiili  a vomiting of
bilious matter;  the intestines are generally inactive, 
12            THE INDIAN GUIDE

arid the stool* show a deficiency of biliary accretion, er
at least of any intermifture of it with them: the arirts
is of a deep saffron colour, and small in quantity; there
it loss of appetite,  great thirst, and costiveness, with
a strong, hard, and frequent pulse, of from ninety to
one hundred in a minute and sometimes intermitting;
the 6kin is dry and hot at the same time, and the tongue
covered with a white and  sometimes a yellowish  fur;
and when the disease has continued for some days, the
skin and  eyes become tinged of a deep yellow, partic-
ularly when the inflammation is produced by calculi in
the parenchyma of the liver.  In hepatitas, as well as
in other diseases we do not always find the symptoms
of the same degree of violence as they  are described
in the definition: thus in some cases the fever is severe,
in others it is scarcely perceptible: in some  instances
tho pain is very acute and violent; in others collections
of pus have been  found after death, when no pain  was
fait. When  the pain is seated  deep in  the substance
of the liver, as that possesses little sensibility, the pain
is usually obtuse,  but when the surface  is affected,  it
is acute, and apt to spread to the diaphragm and lung*,
producing cough.   What constitutes great difficulty in
managing hepatitis is, that in many  cases the symp-
toms which are primary and indicative ofinflammatory
affection, are but very slightly marked,  even when  it
is in such a degree  as to run  with  rediness  into  sup-
puration and particularly in the east  and west Indies.
The pain in the sides is not constant  or a cute, the pa-
tient himself takes little notice of it, and when question-
ed concerning it, he only tells you perhaps, that he has
felt at times slight pains about the pit of the stomach,
or in the right side. It is only by observing the second-
ary symptoms, such ac, a diarrhoea,, or short dry cough
and pain felt at the top of the shoulder, or that there is
a degree of fullness or tenderness on pressing on the
organ a  little hard, with some yellowness of the eyos
and countenance, that the true state  and nature of the
disorder is to be ascertained in such cases.   During the
inflammatory stage oftheacute hepatits, it will be prop-
er  to adapt bleeding particularly where the pain ap- 
TO HEALTH.
73
 pear to be acute, the regular functions  of the stomach
 should  be  brought  into  complete  action  and   the
 inflammation should be allayed as much as possible, as
 the  blood is much disordered in this case with a gene-
 ral  debility of the whole  system, it  will be very  ne-
 cessary that the blood should be purified and brought
 into a proper state, this may  be done  by using the li-
 quid, described  in the cas;; of dyspepsia; it should  be
 taken also in the same way as there directed; blistering
 on the  back of the neck and pit of the  stomach is also
 necessary.  Ten grains of rhubarb, three of mandrake,
 live of calomel, well mixed  together in a little honey,
 should be taken every other night, this should be pursu-
 ed for several  times  in succession,  until it produces
 Koine action on the saliva glands, also the  bowels,  the
 diet should be gruel, broths, &c.  As a tonic the com-
 pound of spikenard, as directed in the materia medica,
 should be strictly taken.   Two ounces of charcoal, the
 same of magnecia,  should be well pulverized together,
 and half a table spoonful taken every morning in a lit-
 tle sweet milk.  A tincture of aloes, assafcetida, hors-
 mint, Indian turnip, should be used freely as a tunic.—
 The tincture of quinine, angelica, may  also be  used at
 times.  There is but little danger attending this disease
 if taken in time; when \vi discover ash;fiiu^  ; :iin in
 the btemach, in  the shoulders, back of the neck, do  not
 think this a mere nothing, but endeavor  to attend to the
 means immediately  which are  prescribed.  Thereby,
 the patient may save trouble, pain and probably death.
 In the treatment of thechronic  miiammation of the liv-
 er, tho  first thing necessary, is, the liver should  be
 cleared  of that iorpid mucus and  bile that is there col-
 lided: thits may be done by  using the  following pow-
 der: lake of yj,i\ guiacum  three ounces, of m.mdrike
 U« jounces, of aloes half an ounce, pulverize these well
 together to a complete powder, and take  half a !a:;e
*;:oojiful every thi.d nighl in  the white of an r^j. This
 powdci-  will act very  powerfully upon  ibe !•-. jr, will
work off that slimy  muciio tint  ~u liio.-^ iv'.ioeted  in
tho dera.igcd state of ike bljod. Tke '.incl-.iro of worm-
w..ol as described m tho •• -atdria  rr.'-dlca, i/.muld bo  ■ ■;■■
ken.  i'i, in twenty-fire to :i.';y drops !l.:ror .'ve limes a
                         a" 
7f
THE INDIAN GUIDE
day in a little water.   Wine, barks,  and ginger, mix-
ed well  together should aiso be taken, half a table
spoonful two or three times a day':  Ten drops of the
tincture of lobelia should be taken every morning at
.u.ririse, and should the bowels become rather loose, a
few drops of laudanum or a small pill of kino may be ta-
ken ; the diet should be nothing but coarse corn bread
and butterless-milk, rye mush, Irish  potatoes, but not
a particle of grease at any time should be used.  I have
endeavored  to recommend  such means as the people
can get, and  which are efficatious in this disorder, and
it' strictly attended to will have the desired effect.
         PALPITATIO, or PALPITATION.
  This disease consists  in a vehement and  irregular
motion of tho heart, and is  induced by organic affec-
tions; a morbid enlargement of the heart itself,  or of
the large vessels, a diminution of the cavities of  the
ventricles, from  inflammation or o'.her causes, polypi
osification of the aorta or other vessels,  plethora, de-
bility or  mobility of the system,  mal-con formation of
the thorax, and many of the causes inducing syncope.
  During the attack, the motion of the  heart is per-
formed with  more rapidity, and generally with,  more
force than usual, which is not only  to be felt with  the
hand, but may often be perceived  by the eye, and in
some instances even heard;  there is frequently,_dysp-
noea, a purplish hue of the lips and cheeks, and a great
variety  of anxious and painful sensations.  In  some
instances the complaint has terminated in death,  but
in many  others it is merely symptomatic of hysteria,
and other nervous disorders.  As  the disease, however,
arises from an organic affection of  the heart itself in
many instances, or of the aorta, or other large vessels
connected with it, all ;hat may be  in our power in such
cases will be to 'caution the patient against exposing
herself or himself, to  such circumstances as may in-
crease the action of the sanquiferious system, particu-
*. 
                  TO HEALTH.                75

larly fits of  passion, sudden surprises, violent exercise
or groat exertions of  the  body.  In the treatment of
this disease  it should be our ;study if possible to find
r ut the exciting causes, if it arisen from plethora, bleed-
ing with purgatives, and  the rest of the antiphlogistic
course should be  adopted, if from debility take  two
ounces of green  plantain, the same of the inside bark
of cherry tree, the same of birch tree bark, boil these
well together in half  a gallon of  vinegar down to one
pint, .after it is  s'.rained  add one gill of honey,  two
grains of the flour of srlphur, three grains of refined
nitre, of this the-patient  should take a table spoonful
three times a day.   If it should arise.from .any gener-
al debility of the nerves, a compound tincture of  rue.
horsmint, tanzy, should  be used as described, that is,
take thirty drops of either of the tinctures in a little
water, at the same iime keep the bowels moderately
open,  &c.
                   THE PILES.
   Many persons are  subject to this distressing com-
plaint,  both  male and female are subject to it.  This
disorder by whatever means, the disposition to the Piles
is formed, it generally is most troublesome in  females
in the last months of pregnancy, than at other times.—
If the attack be of a moderate kind, a gentle dose of the
cream of tartar, and flour of sulphur combined, will af-
ford considerable relief.  Cold applications of any kind,
as  of cloth wet in cold  water,  or  spirits and water
would answer the purpose.   Also the following oint-
ment:—Take the yelk of an egg, tinjure of opium, or
laudanum,  three tea spoonfuls,  ncats  foot oil or any
other, one table spoonful to be mixed  and applied; let
the tincture and the  yelk of the egg be first mixed to-
gether, and afterwards the oil may  be added.  This
ointment gives relief when disposed to itch; if they pro-
duce outwards,  press  them  between the thumb and 
 76           THE INDIAN wuiud

 finger, and  at the same time  anoint and put them up
 carefully.   Those subject to this complaint ought to lie
 down upon their backs for a few  minutes after every
 stool.  I have known this precaution to do much towards
 preventing  their  return  when once  removed.  lam
 told  an  ointment  made  of  the oak ball  powdered
 and stewed in hogs lard, is a valuable remedy, and there
 is no reason to doubt its value.  Steep butterfly  root
 and drink as a tea, is a wonderful remedy;  stew red
 onions in fresh butter for an  ointment;  or  beat the
juice out of Stramonium or Jamestown leaves and wash
 the part; or burn English  rosin in a pot,  and get over
 it, and take a small pill of  opium on going to bed; or
 drink tar water, or talcs a cat and cut  her throat aij0
 save the  blood, find skin her, then roast her,  and sav»
the flit, then stew the blood  and  grease  and a little  fine
 brimstone, and apply this to the Piles, it is  of great
 value.
             THE BILIOUS FEVER.
   I wiW <.>ive a few general symptoms of  this disease,
it generally  begins with a old chill, pains in the limhs,
mid back, and back, of the neck and head, loss of appe-
tite, then a iiijih fever.   In the beginning of any fever
tho stomach is uneasy-, vomit if the bowels purge; if
thcpul.se  be high  or hard, full or strong, bleed and
drink thin water gruel sweetened with honey, with one
or two drams of nitre to each quart.  The best  drink
in  general, i; to toast a large Uiin  slice  of bread with-
out burning, put it hot in cold water then set it on coals
and heat it \*dl;  if the skin is  dry, get  a handful  of
white plantain, the same of cerqufoil,  the same of mai-
dens hair, the same of polIypody,the same of mountain
tea, mix these all together and boil them, use the tea
for a constanldrink, this will raise a moisture upon the
srfcin.  Take pulverized brimstone twenty grains, ten
grains of refined nitre,  mix this  together; take five
grains every four or five hours, until the fever subsides. 
iu rinALTH.
77
If the pain in the head be violent, a blister should be
drawn on the back of the neck.  Should there be any
pain in  the breast, it  will be  necessary that a blister
should be drawn on the pit of the stomach, and also on
the inside of the legs above the ancles; these blisters
should be kept running by applying cabbage leaves.—
Oct a handful of dogwood bark, ihe same  of wild com-
frey root, the same of catnip, boil these in a  gallon of
water to a pint, add to this, half a pint of madeira wine,
ten grains of quinine or peruvian barks,  the  patient
should take half a table spoonful three times per day.
A solution of the cream of tartar and water should be
the constant drink of the patient.  Ifthe patient should
be  in a  costive  habit, Rhubarb, aloes, and calomel,
should be freely given.  I have given you a short ac-
count, of the nature and treatment of this disease; yet
by attending to the same will be found of great advan-
tage.
                   THE CROUP.
   This disease makes two  important distinctions:  the
first is attended with spasm, and a thy  cough; the se-
cond is without spasm,  and the patient under its influ-
ence, is able  to  cough up a considerable  quantity  of
phlegm.  The  spaMnodic  croup comes on suddenly,
and  that generally in the night—has frequent and per-
fect  intermissions of the symptoms for hours, and some-
times even for days, is  attended with a dry cough  as
above, and is at last particularly relieved by the warm
bath, asafoetida,  opium, &c.  To be more particular,
the child will probably go to bed in perfect health, and
in an hour or two wake in a fright, with his face much
flu&hed or even of purple colour, he  will be unable to
describe what he feels;  will breath with much labour,
and  a  peculiar  convulsive motion of  the  belly;  his
breathing will also be  very quick,  attended with a
sound as if he were threatened  with a  speedy suffoca-
tion.   The terror of the child  increases his disorder, 
78
THE INDIAN GUIDE
 and he will cling to the nurse, and if not speedily re-
 lieved by coughing, sneezing, vomiting or purging,the
 suffocation will increase, the child will  die.  It is re-
 markable that  the cough in this disease very much re-
 sembles in sound the barking of a young dog.  There
 are also during the continuance of  the disorder, frequent
 eruptions of little red bloches on the skin, which for the
 time, seem to afford relief; and this eruption will some-
 times appear and disappear two or three  times, in the
 course of the complaint.   For the cure in this first dis-
 tinction of the croup, the remedy  is bleeding, when the
 difieulty is great, the  face much  flushed, or when the
 patient expresses much pain in  coughing, this remedy
 is absolutely necessary, and should be repeated as often
 as may be requisite.   For subduing these  symptoms,
 vomits, from five to ten grains of ipecacuanha, with two
 or three grains  of calomel may be given to a child from
 two to four year's old; or half a grain of tartar emetic,
 with three or fourgruinsof ipecacuanha;or live  grains
 of ipecacuanha with two'or three'grains of rhubarb,or
 a tea spoonful of antimonial wine,  or a spoonful  of a
 strong decoction of seneca, called also rattlesnake root;
 every dose used, it should be repeated till the intended
 effect is produced.  But bleeding  ought fir.t to bo per-
 formed.  Jalap and calomel, from five to  ten grains of
 the former,  with two or four of the latter,  may be given
 to a child of three to five, or six grains, or jalap eight
 to twelve grains, or caster oil; but this is scarcely ac-
 tive enough for so violent a disease;  the warm bath
 may be used either before or after the bleeding; but it
 will be  most effectual after the evacuations, and ought
 to be repeated  daily for some time.  Gly-ters: milk
 and  water, or chicken broth, or thin gruel may be used
 for this purpose; and  in some instances,  where the
 spasms remain  after bleeding &c. fifteen drops of the
 the tincture of opium may be  occasionally added to the
 injection; ten or fifteen grains of tartar emetic dissolv-
ed in half a pin! of thin gruel or chicken broth—water
is an excellent injection.   Blisters will be found very
serviceable after the evacuations of bleeding and purg-
ing; these may be applied to the back part of the neck, 
TO HEALTH.
79
 or to the side of the patient; ^hen blisters are properly
 admissible,  opium, asafcetida &c, may be used  with
 safety.   The second distinction of th<'s disorder  is at-
 tended with symptoms very similar to those of the first;
 but may be  known by its coming on gradually, and
 that commonly in the day time; by its continuing and
 frequently increasing for several days without any re-
 markable remission, or even abatement of the symp-
 toms, by the discharge of phlegm.   From the windpipe
 by coughing; as also by the  appearance of slime in
 the  stools,  and lastly  by its refusing to yield to the
 warm bath,  opium &c.
   The  remedies proper in this kind of  croup  are as
 before  but  with some variations,  bleeding when the
 breathing is difficult, the face flushed  the pulse  light,
 &a, vomits, as under the first distinction, purges; but
 in these cases  only calomel should be  used.  The
 principal dependence should be placed upon this medi-
 cine, a large dose should be given as soon as the disor-
 der discovers itself.   Six or eight grains to a child four
 years old,  afterwards smaller doses should  be given
 every day, so long as any of the symptoms  continue.
 from two to four grains might answer this 'mention.—
 It is important that relief should be afforded, the first
 attack of this violent disease if neglected, it will be fa-
 tal m almost every instance  &c.  I often have found
 benefit from this medicine: that is get an egg  or take
 the white and a piece of alum as big as a Partndge egg,
 and beat it fine take the  same quantity of beat brim-
 stone, mix them together and take the clear water that
come* from  that, and give them a little now and then;
tli;, will dry them out immediately, or scarify them be-
tween the shoulders and catch the blood and mix  vith
 breast milk, and give them to  drink; this has relieve i
 many of tee Gives Sec.
            PROLAPSUS UTERI.
This eoniplaiut consists (as the name implies  m * 
 80           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 change of the situation of the womb, by which this or-
 gan falls much lower than it ought to do. In some f«n-- i,
 it absolutely produces entirely without the vagina.—
 The slighter cases are therefore named a bearing down
 and the more violent ones a discent or falling down of
 the Uterus.   The complaint is met with in women of
 every age: but more frequently in those who have hud
 several children,  than in  such as have not had*ruy.—
 Eveiy disease which induces general debility, or local
 weakness in the passage leading to the womb in particu-
 lar may lay the foundation of this complaint; hence  fre-
 quent miscarriages, improper treatment during labour,
 too early or violent exerciseafter delivery, immoderate
 venery, &c. are. i.) married women, the most frequent
 circumstances by which a bearing or falling down of
 the womb is produced.  In the unmarried,  it is apt to
 take place in consequence of violent exertions, such as
jumping, dancing, riding, lifting heavy  weights, oW-.
 while out of order.  The disease come  on generally
 with an uneasy sensation  in the loins whilst  standing
 ot walking, accompanied now and then with a kind of
 pressure and  bearing down.   By disregarding  these
 feelings, the woman becomes at length incapable of ma-
 king water without first lying down or poshing up the
 swelling which .seems  to impede the discharge of urine.
 and if the complaint continues to increase, tho womb is
 actually forced out of the parts, and takes on the form
 of a bulky substance hanging down between the thighs.
 This severe degree of the disorder seldom occurs, how-
 over among won.en in northern  climates, except in
 those who have had many children, and are at the same
 time of a relaxed and  feeL'e fiume; but in warm  cli-
 matas it is frequently to be met with, and particularly
 in negroes and mulatoes, among  whom I often observ-
 ed the  protruded parts considerably ulceiated, and oc-
 casioned no doubt by neglect of clean line. s. and  exter-
 nal irritation.  Although prolapsus uteri is a local  dis-
 oa-*>. it is frequently productive of several distressing
 symptoms which  undermine the  constitution.  These
 principally arise  from disturbed  functions of the storm
 ach and bowels, mid nu impaired condition of thy nerv- 
TO HEALTH.
II
•us sjstem.  When of long standing, it will be difficult
to effect a cure.  In  the treatment of  this complaint,
the means must be adapted to the degree of its violence.
When the case Is of a recent nature, andthe descent in-
considerable, an invigorating diet with horse exercise,
the daily use of a cold bath, both general and local, and1
the injection of  some mild astringent such as, a solu-
tion of borax, gum  kino, red oak bark, &c.  If there
is great difficult} of making water a strong tea of pars-
ley or horsmint should be daily  used, the  back  and
hips should be bathed frequently in buzzards oil, if the
bowela are costive, the cream of tartar, jalap, rhubarb,
should be frequently used.  Should there be  any fever
a strong decoction of slippery elm bark should be daily
used,  the tincture of cubebbs should be used from ten to
thirty drops a day  in a little water.  Should the abdo-
men or belly become  swelled, a weak solution of the
sugar of lead may be cautiously used.   By pursuing
this course of treatment there is no difficulty of the pa-
tient  being relieved, &c.
EPISTAXIS, oh HEMORRHAGE from  the NOSE.
   In the nose there is a considerable net-work of blood
vessels expanded on the internal surface of the nostrils,
and covered only with a thin tegument; hence upon -a-
ny determination of a greater quantity of  blood  than
ordinary to the vessels of the head, those  of  the  nose
are easily ruptured.   In general, the blood flows only
from one nostril; but in some cases it is  discharged
from both, then showing a more considerable disease.
Persons of a sanguine and plethoric habit,  and not yet
advanced I© manhood,  are very liable to be attacked
with the complaint; females being  much less subject to
it than males, particularly after menstruation has  com-
menced.   Peculiar weakness in the vessels of the part
end the decline of life, may also be considered as  pre-
disposing causes.  Great heat, violent  exertion,.exter- 
  82             THE  INDIAN GUIDE

  nal violence, particular postures of the body, and eveiy
  thing that determines the blood to the head, are to be
  looked upon  as its exciting causes.
    Epistaxis, comes on at times, without any previous
  warning;  but at others,  it is preceded by a pain  and
  heaviness in the head, vertigo, tinnitus aurium, flush-
  ing in the face, heat and itching in the nostrils, a throb-
  bing of the temporal arteries, and a quickness of the
  pulse.  In some instances, a coldness of the feet,  and
  shivering over the whole body, together with a costive
  belly, are observed to preceded an attack of  the  he-
  morrhage.   The complaint is to be considered as of
 little consequence  when  occuring in  young  persons,
 being seldom attended with danger; but when it arises
 in those who are more advanced in life,  flows pro-
  fusely, and returns frequently, it indicates too great a
 fullness of the vessels in the  head and not  unfrequently
  precedes apoplexy,  palsy,  &c. and therefore in such
 cases is to be regarded as a dangerous disease.   When
 this hemorrhage arises in any putried disorder, it is to
 be considered as a fatal symptom.  As a bleeding from
 the nose proves salutary in some disorders such as ver-
 tigo, and head-ach,  and is critical in  others such  aj
 phrenxy, apoplexy and inflammatory,  where there is
 a determination of two great  a quantity of blood to the
 head, we  ought  properly to consider at  the time,  it
 happens whether it is realy a disease,  or  intended  by
 nature to remove some other,when it arises in the course
 of some inflammatory disorder or in any other where  we
 have  reasons to suspect  too great  determination  of
 blood to the head we should suffer it to goon so long as
 the  patient is not weakened  by'it neither should  it  be
 suddenly stopped  when  it  happens to persons in  good
 health who are of a full  and plethoric habit.   When it
 arises in elderly  people or  returns too frequently or
 continues  till the patient becomes faint.  It ought to be
stoppeddmmediately. To effect this, the person is to be
 exposed freely to  cool air, the head should be  bathed
 in cold water, a snuff should be immediately prepared
 that is, take one ounce of bucks horn burned and finely
 pulverized, half an ounce of Indian turnip prepared  in 
TO HEALTH.
83
the same way, five grains of refined nitre pulverized
fine, this  should be well mixed together and used as
snuff frequently.   A little ether should also be frequent-
ly poured  on the head, a little common table salt,  and
tobacco snuff this may also at times be  used, when the
case is very  violent a blister may  be  drawn  on the
back of the neck, the temples may also be cupped. The
patient should also drink freely of cooling liquors.—
Where it  arises in young people,  the  head should be
held over  the smoke of  chicken feathers and the same
course pursued as above mentioned.  A snuff  prepar-
ed of cranes-bill or alum root, and used as the other
preparation, is good in hemorrhage of the nose, and no
doubt will give relief.   As I have mentioned  different
kinds of hemorrhage it will not be necessary to make
any  further remarks at this time-.
HEMORRHAGE, or INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE
                   OF BLOOD.
  Under this title are comprehended active hemorrhage!
only, that is, those attended with some degree of symp-
tomatic fever, and which depend upon an increased im-
petus of the blood in the vessels from which it flows,
chiefly  arising from an internal cause.  On venesec-
tion the blood appears as in the cases of  phlegmasiae;
that is, the glutten separated, or a crust formed.   The
general remote causes of hemorrhages of this nature
are,  external  heat, a  sanguine and plethoric habit,
whatever increases the force of the circulation, as vio-
lent exercise, strong exertions, anger, and other active
passions, particular postures of the body, ligatures
producing local congestion,  a determination to certain
vessels, rendered habitual from the frequent repetition
of hemorrhage, the suppression of of accustomed evac-
uations, external violence, and exposure to cold.   The
general treatment of such hemorrhages must consist in
putting a stop to the discharge of the blood in prevent-
x 
84
THE INDIAN GUIDE
ingits recurrence, by removing the causes by which
they were excited, and by destroying the inflammatory
diathesis when any exists.  These means remain to he
pointed out under each distinct hemorrhage, as in tha
subsequent pages.
    SYNOCHA, or INFLAMMATORY FEVER.
  Synocha ie a fever with much increased heat; a fre-
quent, strong and hard pulse; the urine red; the anim-
al functions but little disturbed, although at an advanc-
ed stage the sensorium is apt to become much affected.
it makes  its attack at all seasons  of the year, but  ie
most prevalent  in the spring; and it seizes persons of
all ages and habits, but more particularly those in the
vigor of life, with strong elastic fibres, and a plethoric
constitution.  It is a species of fever almost peculiar
to cold and temperate climates,, being rarely met with
in very warm ones, except among Europeans lately ar-
rived ; and even then, the inflammatory stage is of short
daration, as it soon assumes the typhoid type.
  The exciting causes are, sudden transitions from heat
to cold, the application of cold to the body when warm,
swallowing cold liquors when much heated by exercise,
too free a use-of vinous and spirituous liquors, great
intemperance, violent passions of the mind, exposure
to the rays of the sun, topical inflammation, the suppres-
sion of habitual evacuations, the drying up of old  ul-
cers, and the sudden repulsion of eruptions.  It may be
doubted if this fever ever originates from personal  in-
fection; but it is possible for it to appear pretty gener-
ally among such as are of a robust habit, from a pecu-
liar state of the atmosphere. It comes on with a sense
of lassitude and inactivity, succeeded by virtigo, rigori
and pains over the whole body, but more particularly
in the head and back; which symptoms are shortly fol-
lowed by redness of the face, throbbing of the temples,
gjcat restlessness,  intense  heat,   and  unquenchable
thirst, oppression of breathing, and nausea.  The skin 
TO HEALTH.                 8S
ia dry and parched; the eyes appear inflamed, and are
incapable of bearing the light, the tongue is of a scar-
let colour at the sides, and  furred with white in the
centre; the urine is red and scanty, the body is costive,
and tbere is a quickness, with a fullness and hardness
in the pulse, not much affected by any pressure  made
on the artery.   Its pulsations are from ninety to one
hundred  and thirty in a minute, and when blood is ta-
ken, it exhibits a yellowish or buffy crust on its surface,
which is the coagulable lymph or febrine.  If the feb-
rile  symptoms run very high, and proper means are
not used at an early period, stupor and delirium come
on at a more advanced stage, the imagination becomes
much disturbed and hurried, and the patient raves vio-
lently.   The disease  usually goes through its course
in about  fourteen days, and terminates critically, either
by a diaphoresis, diarrhoea, hemorrhage from the nose,
or the deposits of a copious sediment in the urine; which
erisis is generally preceded  by  some variation  in the
pulse.  In  some instances, it, however, terminates fa-
tally.  Our judgment as to the termination of the disease
must be  formed from the violence of the attack, and the
nature of the symptoms.  If the fever runs high,  or
continues many days with great action of the heart and
arteries, flushed turgid face,  red eyes, intolerance  of
Light,  with vertigo or early stupor and delirium, the
event may be doubtful; but if to  these are added,  pick-
ing at the bed clothes, starting of the tendons, involun-
tary discharges by stool and urine and hiccups,  it will
then certainly be fatal.  On the  contrary, if the febrile
heat abates, and the other symptoms moderate.and there
is a tendency to a  crisis, which is marked  by  an uni-
versal and  natural perspiration on the body; by the
urine depositing a  lateritious sediment, and by the pulse
 becoming more slow or soft; or by a hemorrhage from
the nose; diarrhoea supervening; orthe formation  of
abscesses; we may then expect  a recovery.  In  a few
wises, this fever has been succeeded by mania,-in mw-
»y instances,  as there appear to be a genaral debility
of the system, and a considerable inflammation.   It will
be verv  necessary that the inflammation be allayed  as
e 
  6G           THE INDIAN  GUIDE

  soon as possible it is very frequently the case,  that the
  inflammation appears to be confin'd to a particular part of
  the system,  at times in the head,  sometimes  in  the
  breast, when it is confined to the head,tho feet and hands
  are generally cold, the general circulations of the blood
  when this is the case is generally confined  to the  part
 tnat is most affected, instead of  flowing to the extremi-
 ties, the first  thing necessary in this case is to endea-
 vor to pioduce a regular flow of blood through the sys-
 tem and endeavor as much as possible to keep down tho
 inflammation.  Ten grains of epicacuanha combined
 with one drop of the oil of croton, this should be given
 in a little warm water.  If it does not produce vomiting
 in the course of thirty minutes, five grains more of tho
 ipecacuanha should be given,  it should  be  worked off
 with warm water and gruel, so soon  as it is done  ope-
 perating, purgatives such as rhubarb, aloes, mandrake,
 senna should be freely used, if the fever should  be high
 bleeding is necessary, if pain should be great, blistering
 will also be necessary on the  back of the neck, on the
 ancles and  the inside of the legs—If the case should be
 very violent and  no relief found  from the above reme-
 dies.  Five grains of calomel, combined with three
 grains of jalap, one of gambogue, this Should be given
every night, or oftener  if necessary, until it produces
an expectoration from the Saliva glands, mild  tonics
should also be  used, such as barks quinine, &c.
 CHILDREN, of a LOOSENESS of the BOWELS.
   Various causes may and do  occasion a diarrhoea in
infants, and perhaps in the greater number of instances,
it is brought on, either by too much or unsuitable food,
in which cases a diligent attention must be paid both to
the choice and regulation of the diet.  In some instances
however, it may be symptomatic of other diseases, or
may arise from a:i exposure to cold, or an increased
secretion of bile,  *.i the latter case, it may be adviaa- 
                   TO HEALTH.                87

ble first of all to dense the stomach by a gentle emetic,
but ia all,  it will be proper, to  clear the intestines by
u few grains of rhubarb and  magnesia, the operation of
which being over, we may give a little of the prepared
chalk joined with some aromatic twice or thrice a  day.
When the stools continue to b?3 more frequent than  they
ought to be, and are either slimy or tinged with blood,
it will be necessary to repeat the rhubarb at proper in-
tervals, and in the mean time the infant may take some-
thing to control  the  complaint, as  well  as proper  nu-
triment  to  recruit  its  strength.  Flour, sago, or rice
boiled in  milk, together with the jelly of a calf's foot or
isinglass, with a small addition of wine, will be good arti-
cles of diet under such  circumstances.  In addition to
these means it will be advisable to envelope the infant's
body in flannel, so as to keep  it of a proper temperature.
That form  of diarrhoea which is  attended by green
stools and griping, may in general  be removed readily
by  a brisk laxative, consisting of the  submuriate of
mercury, and rhubarb, followed by  small doses of mag-
nesia and chalk.  When obstinate, we may give half a
grain  of calomel, or three grains of  rhubarb or jalap,
or mandrake, the application of a  blister to the pit of
the stomach  may be necessary.   A  few drops of the
tincture of opium may be given, also the oil of pepper-
mint in small quantities nay be given.  The external
application of opium and the sugar of lead is also good.
  GUTTA SERENA  AMAUROSIS, oh DIMNESS
                    OF  SIGHT.
  Gutta serena  (a  species of blindness, wherein the
eyes remain fair and seemingly unaffected) consists in
n dimness of sight, whether the object be near or  at a
distance, together with the representation of flies, dust,
&c., floating before the eyes; and the pulpit is general-
ly deprived o; its power of contraction.  It is supposed
to depend on  some of the optic nerves;  but its causes
are nevertheless said to be various; some of which are 
88
THE INDIAN GUIDE
from their nature, incapable of being removed.  Thus,
in one case, the blindness has been found to be occa-
sioned by an encysted tumour, which was  situated in
the substance of the cerebrum, and pressed on theoptie
nerves near their origin: in a second, by a cyst,  con-
taining a considerable quantity of water, and  lodging
itself on  theoptie nerves, at the part where  they unite:
in a third, by a caries of theos-frontis,occasioning an al-
teration in the optic for a  midd;and in a fourth, by mal-
formation of the optic nerves themselves.  In some cases.
the defect of vision has been attempted to be accounted
for by supposinga defect  in the optic nerves, disqualify-
ing them for conveying the impression of objects thro1
the eyes  to the  brain,as,  upon the  minutest inspection
by dissection, nothing has been discovered either in the
structure of the eyes, or in the state of any of the com-
ponent parts contributing to the faculty of vision, which
eould at all  obstruct the performance of their proper
office.  Mr.  Ware, in   his  treaties on  this  disease,
mentions that a dilation of the arterial circle, surround-
ing the cclla turcica (which is formed by the caroted
arteries on each side,by branches passing from them to
meet each other before, and  by other branches passing
backward to meet  branches  from  the  basilary artery
behind) may likewise be a cause of gutta serena.   The
anterior  portion of this  circle passes over the  optic
nerves, which undoubtedly may therefore become com-
pressed, when any enlargement of these vessels takes
place.
   Having made  a few general remarks on the nature
aud symptoms of this disease, we will now pursue a
general course of treatment which I consider to be ben-
eficial  in  the cureofthe same.   Its treatment is usual-
ly regulated on  the plan of stimulating,either the parts
themselves or  the system in general.  The first  that
should be done is to apply blisters or issues to the back
of the neck, at the same time a solution of pulverized
ginger and senna,  should be used  frequently  so as to
keep the  bowels entirely  free and open.   It is very ne-
cessary that blood should  be taken from the arm every
third or fourth  day in small quantities, cpsom  salts 
TO HEALTH.
89
should be frequently used.  The head should  also be
bathed in a solution of sulphuratic either, sugar of lead
and water, the head should be bathed in it alfover once
every day; the diet should be of the'most limited kind
and a dark room should confine  the patient.   No ex-
posure whatever to the damp or wet air;  by pursuing
this general course of treatment the  patient  may U
relieved of this sad and unfortunate disease.
            CHRONIC RHEUMATISM.
   This disease may arise at any time of the year. The
 characteristics of rheumatism as assigned byDr.Cullen,
 are pains in the  muscles, joints,  knees, ancles  &a—
 When there are  frequent vicissitudes  of the  weather
 Irom hot to cold, it generally gives rise to this disease.
 But the spring and autumn are the  seasons  in  which
 it is most prevalent: and it attacks persons of all ages;
 but very young people are more exempt from it than a-
 dultr.  Those whose employments subject  them to al-
 terations of heat  and cold, are particularly  liable to
 rheumatism.  Although acute rheumatism somewhat re-
 sembles  the gout, still in some respects it differs from
 it.  It does not usually come  on so suddenly as a fit of
 the gout, but for the most part gives the patient warning
 by a slow and gradual increase of pain. Neither is it
 fixed  to one spot like the  gout, but is  distinguished by
 its frequent wanderings from place to place, accompani-
 ed by  a  sense of numbness,  it  seldom attacks  the
 small joints, but is confined chiefly to the larger, as the
 hip, knees  and shoulders.  Acute rheumatism is gener-
 ally attended with a continued fever; whereas the gout
 has periodical remissions.  Like most  of pyrexiae, it
 is preceded by rigors and sense of cold.  A febrile, quick
and hard pulse supervenes: the veins near the part
affected swell, and a throbbing pain is felt in the  arte-
ries.  By degrees the pain inmeases, and  tho patient
suffers cruel torture, which is increased on the least 
  BO            THE INDIAN  GUIDE

  motion.   The sense of pain lesembles that of a slov
  dilaceration of the part», and commonly goes off'by  a
  swelling of the joint or joints.   The rheumatism more.
  over is not preceded by dyspeptic symptoms,  as is usu-
  ally the ca^c with the gout; neither do chalky concre-
  tions form about the small joi;;ts and fingers  as  in the
  latter.
   Obstructed perspiiation, occasioned either  by  wear-
 ing wet clothes, lying  in damp line;:, sleeping on  the
 ground,or in damp looms, or by  being expo-.od to cool
 air  when the body has been  much heated by  exercise
 or by coming from a crowded public place into the cool
 air, is ihc cause which usually produces rheumatism.—
 Those who are modi aillicled wi.h  this com; iainf, a re
 very apt to be sensible of the approach of wet weather,
 b) finding wondering pains about them at that period:
 .More particularly the chronic,  is attended with pains
 in the head, shoulders,  knees,  and other large joints,
 which at times are confined to one particular part, and
 at others shift from one joint to another  \sithout occa-
 sioning any inflammation or fever, and in this  manner
 the complaint continues often for a considerable time,
 and  at length goes off, leaving the parts which  have
 been affected in a siate of debility, and  very liable to
 fresh impressions  on the  approach of moist  damp
 weather.   Little  danger is attended on  chronic rheu-
 matism; but a person having been attacked with it, is
 ever afterwards more  or less liable to  returns of it,
 there being some of the general symptoms laid before
 the reader he can discover the difference between chronic
 and acute rheumatism, as the acute is generally confined
 to one joint in particular, as there is such a difference
 between acute and chronic, there is no dificulty in deci-
 ding thecase.   As the  system is generally debilitated
 from chronic inflammation, it  is necessary  that tho
digestive powers of the stomach, with a general perspi-
 ration of the system  should be attended to,  this should
be done by the following preparation—ten grains  of
calomel, two of tartarized antimony, thiee grains  of
cayenne pepper, one grain of gum camphor, this should
bo dissolved in a little ginger tea, this should be taken 
TO HEALTH.
91
atniphtand  worked off with  a little chicken soup or
,,rUcl—when the pain is great blisters should be drawn
on the back of the neck, ancles and wrists, when there
is any fever  bleeding  is necessary; a strong tea, ot
Lignumvitao should be frequently.  The joints should
be rubbed with the spirits of turpentine and  camphor
combined together.   If the bowels are costive the daily
use of the tincture of rhubarb or peruvian barks should
be resorted to as a promoter of the same.  1 he patient
should take from a halfto a teaspoonful of the tincture
of gum-gui-accum, three times aday in a little water if
the pain in the breast  be considerable  a small pill  of
opium may  at times be  taken, avoiding cold or night
air, the diet should be limited.   By pursuing this course
you  may be relieved of this distressing complaint.   In
case of the acute,the joints should be well steamed with
a still cap, and alcohol and the above treatment should
be strictly attended to in the mean while.
  N  B  The alcohol should be set under the cap of tho
still  and set on fire—and the arm of the cap placed  so
as to conduct the steam to the affected part, the patient
should be covered with a blanket,  aLddrmk strong teas
while going through this opperation.
                    ABORTIONS
  By abortion is to be understood tbe expulsion  of tha
contents of the gravid uterus at a period of gestation
so early as to render it impossible for the foetus  to live.
It is an uccidentordisease of frequent occurence, which
is always attended with disagreeable  circumstances,
and which, although it seldom proves immediately fa-
tal  may still be productive of much mischief at a future
period.  Abortions may happen at any period of prog-
nancy, but they lake place most frequently^ about the
third or  fourth month.   From the  end ot the third
month  to the period of quickening,  there is a greater
susceptibility in the uterus to have its action interrupt-
ed than either  before or afterwards,  which is the rea- 
92
THE INDIAN GUIDE
fcon of more miscarriages happening at that time than
at any other, and points out the necessity of redoubling
our yigilence in watching and guarding against the op-
eration of  any of  the causes from the tenth to the six-
teenth week,tha,t may be likely toexciteabortion.  When
a woman happens to part with her burden before the se-
venth month, she is said to have miscarried or aborted;
but when delivered of it after this time, the term labour*
is usually applied.   Children born at the end of the se-
venth month are seldom reared, and  when they are,
they usually prove small and  weakly; but  those of
eight months are  frequently perserved by  bestowing
proper care on them.  In consequence of an imperfect
conception,  it sometimes happens that moles or sub-
stances of a fbshy nature (which upon being cut open
contain not the smallest  vestige of a  child) are formed
in the uterus; and these at length becoming detached,
give rise to a considerable degree of  hemorrhage.  A»
some women menstruate during the  first months of
pregnancy, it will be necessary  to distinguish between
an  approaching miscarriage and a visitation of tlie
menses, which may readily be done by inquiring wheth-
er or not the hemorrhage has proceeded from any evi-
dent case,  and  whether it flows gently or is  accompa-
nied with unusual pains.
  The former generally arises from some fright,  sur-
prise, or accident,  and does not flow gently and  regu-
larly, but bursts out of a sudden,_and again stops all  at
once, and is also attended with severe pains in the back
and  bottom of  the belly; whereas the latter is marked
with  no such occurrences.   Voluptuous  women  who
are of a weak and writable  frame, are most apt to mi»-
wury;  but accidents of this nature sometimes occur
fhpm a general defective constitution,  or from a  rim!-
ervformation of the sexuel organs.  The causes which
gi\V rise to floodings during a state  of pregnancy  are.
violent exertions of strength, lifting some heavy weight,
severa exercise, as dancing or much walking, tho fa-
jiging dissipations of fashionable life,  sudden surprises
i rights, tiolent  fits of passion, great  uneasiness of mind,
uncommon longing, over-fullne** of  blood, partial span- 
TO HEALTH.              93
"modic action about the os-uteri, Aloetic purges, profuse
 evacuations, excessive venery, former  miscarriages,
 weakness in the parts immediately concerned, a dis-
 eased state of the uterus,  general debility of the sys-
 tem, external injuries, as blows and bruises, strong and
 acrid medicinesj such as savin and hellebore, which are
 often taken for the express purpose of exciting  abor-
 tion, and the death  of the child.  A  pregnant woman
 may be attacked with a flow of blood from the womb
 in consequence of any cause which is capable of -sepa-
 rating a part of the ovum from the corresponding part
 of the uterus.   The vessels which before passed sraight
 from its internal surface into the membranes or placen-
 ta, and connected   them  together, now  open,  so as
 to allow the blood to escape  between them, and to flow
 externally.  This separation  and consequent rupture
 may arise from any of the causes just recited, but in a
 few" instances, it is occasioned by an  implantation of a
 part of the  placenta immediately  over  the osuteri,
 which cause  is by fa? the most important, because it
 is most dangerous,  and the least likely to find a sponta-
 neous remedy.  Abortions are  sometimes induced  by
  what is termed a retroversion of the uterus, in  which
 »the fundus uteri is retroverted and passed down between
  the rectum and vagina, this rarely occurs, however,  be-
  yond the first or second month of gestation, and is gen-
  erally preceded by a difficulty in making water, and a
  consequent tumor of the  bladder; a violent pain about
  i be periuacum is thus caused, and a miscarriage i* like-
  ly to follow.  Abortions are often  preceded by a gene-
  ral sense of coldness, flaccidity of  the breasts, slight
  pains in the loins, and lower  region of the beily ; and
  sometimes with a slight febrile state of ■ he system.^  In
  plethoric  habits and where  abortion  proceeds from
  ovei-ae;ion or hemorrhagic action of iheuterine vessels,
  the fever is idiopathic, and precede^ the hemorrhage.
   \ tier a short continuance of these symptoms,  a slight
  discharge of blood ensues, coming  away sometimes in
  clots, and at others, gushing out in a florid stream, thci
   slopping  perhaps for a short time, ami again returning
   violently.  On the first  appcu.a:,co  f a Ho>dm-; the
9" 
  94            THE INDIAN GUIDE

  woman  should be confined to her bed,  and be placed
  with her hips somewhat more elevated  than her head,
  keeping her at the sametime cool, debaring her of all
  food of a heating or stimulent nature, and giving  hei-
  cold liquors  to drink sharpened with some agreeable
  acid.  With a view of moderating the symptoms at
  tending the progress of a thieatened abortion, and pre-
  venting  it if possible, from actually  taking  place, it
  may be proper in robust and plethoric habis, and where
  the -pulse is in any degree full  and frequent,  to take
  away  a little blood from the arm, after which, if the
  bowels are confined, we may administer a laxative clys-
  ter.   If the discharges are copious the bowels should
  be kept bathed in strong vinegar, at the same time, five
  grains of the following powders should be taken every
  twenty minutes: take of kino one ounce, alum the same
  and the same of cinnamon bark, also one ounce  of th>s
  in-'ide bark of black gum, the same of angelica seed,
  the same  of the inside bark of dogwood, let these  be
  well pulverized together to a fine  powder, and taken  as
 directed in a little water, this course should be pursued
 until the violence of the case is somewhat abated.   It
 should then be taken in less quantities and not so often:
 a few drops of laudanum may at times  be given; this
 bowels in  the meantime kept moderately  oi on, by mild
 purgatives such  as the  following—take of salts one
 ounce,  manna half an ouncv, tincture of rhubarb one
 ounce,  let these  be mixed well together,  the patient
 should  take  half a table spoonful as often as the case
 may require in cold spring wale'.  If the  bowels ap-
 pear to be  swelled from any inflammation,one grain of
 the sugar of lead may be admnistered once or twice a
 day.  The bowels should also be  well  bathed once  or
 twice a day in a solution of sulphuric ether  and water.
 If the courses should be stopped too suddenly, a little
 stimulous should bo usad, but should be done very cau-
tiously, a little wine or weak t«dy  may in  all probabili-
 ty have the desired e'lbe', if given several times  as
Heedful. 
TO HEALTH.
i>r,
      HEMOPTYSIS, or SPITTING of  BLOOD.
   In hemoptysis there is a discharge of blood of a flor-
 id colour, and often frothy, from the mouth, brought up
 with more or less of coughing or hawking, and preced-
 ed usually by a saltish taste in  the saliva, a  sense ot
 weight about the  p recordia, difficult  respiration  and
 a pain in some part of the thorax.   It  is  readily to be
 distinguished from hematetnesis,  as in this last, the
 blood is usually thrown up in considerable quantities,
 is moreover of a dark colour, more gumous, and mixed
 with the other contents of the stomach,and isunatteruU
 ed by any cough; whereas blood proceeding  from the
 lungs is usually in small quantity,  is of a fluid  colour,
 fluid mixed with a little frothy mucus, and brought up
 by coughing.  A  spitting of blood arises most  usually
 between the age of sixteen and twenty-five, and may
 be occasioned by any violent exertion, either in running-
 jumping, wrestling, singing,  speaking loud, or blowing
 wind-instruments; as  likewise  by  wounds,  plethora,
 pneumonia, weak vessels, hectic fever, coughs, irregu-
 lar  living, excessive  drinking, or the  suppression  of
 some accustomed discharge,  such as the menstrual or
 hemorrhoidal.  It may be occasioned by breathing air
 which is too much rarificd to be able properly to expand
 the  lungs.  Persons in  whom there is a faulty propor-
 tion  either of the vessels of the lungs, or in the capa-
 city of the chest, being distinguished by a.narrow tho-
 rax  and prominent shoulders, or who are of a delicate
 make and sanguine temperament, or who have had pre-
 vious affections of the same disease, seem much  predis-
 posed to this hemonhage; but in these the complaint
 is often brought on by the concurrence of various occa
 s'onal and exciting causes before mentioned.  A spitting
 of blood is not, however, always to be considered as a
 primary disease.   It is often only a  symptom,  and in
*ome disorders,such as pleurisies,peripneumonies,and
 many fevers, often arises, and is the presage of a fa-
 vourable termination, if only  veiy slight.  Sometime*
 it is preceded (as has already been observed) by a sense
of weight & oppression at the chest adry tickling cough,
some slight difficulty of breathing, and a hard  jerkincr 
56             THE INDIAN  GUIDE

pulse.  At other times it is ushered in with shiveringa'
coldness of theextremeties,pains in the back and loins,
fletulency,costiveness, and lassitude.   The blood which
is spit up is sometimes thin, andofaflorid red colour;
and at other times it is thick,  and of a dark or blackish
cast;  nothing, however, can be inferred from this cir-
cumstance, but that the blood has Iain a longer or shorter
time in the chest before it  was discharged.
  It seldom takes place to  such a degree as to prove fa-
tal at once; but when it does,  the effusion is from some
large vessel.   The  danger,  therefore, will be in pro-
portion as the discharge of blood comes from  a large
vessel or a small one, and as the quantity is profuse or
trifling.  When the disease proves fatal in consequence
of the rupture of some large vessel,  there is found oe
dissection a  considerable quantity of clotted blood be-
tween the lungs and pleura, and there is usually more
or less of an inflammatory appearance at the ruptured
part.  Where the disease terminates  in pulmonary
consumption, the same morbid appearances  are  to  be
met with as described under that particular head &c
As the general symptoms  of this complaint is laid be-
fore the reader, we shall in the next place proceed to
the treatment of the same; The first thing necessary i*
to produce that regular action of the lungs that nature
requires, this may  be done by  astringent  iro i.eines
such as the following:—Take half an ounce of pulver-
ized cinnamon bark the same of gum kino, the same
of cubebbs, add these articles together in one pint of
alcohol, let  it stand for three days, the patient should
take of this a half a tea spoonful three times a day com-
bined with honey, this  course of treatment should  be
pursued  for  several  days. The patient should also
take, a tea spoonful of sweet oil every morningcombiu-
ed with two grains of loaf sugar and five drops of laud
anum, the constant drink should be a weak solution of
the cream of tartar combined with a small portion of
the sugar of lead, if the bowels  are costive  the patient
should use the tincture of aloes, or a strong tea of pc*c!i
tree leaves, should there be any fever bleeding will b«
also necessary.   If the stomach appear weak mid much 
TO HEALTH.                 97
 debilitated, a few drops of elixir vitriol should be used
cin, a little weak tod) two or three times a day.   A small
 pill of opium may at times be taken.   The head should
 be frequently bathed in cold water   The diet should
 be very limited, &c.  I have laid down a few prescrip-
 tions  and if the patient  attends to them strictly he
 may be relieved.
        ODONTALGIA, or TOOTH  ACHE.
 The tooth-ache consists in an acute pain in one or more
of the teeth;  but most  generally  it originates in one,
and from that is diffused to the adjacent part-;. A caries
of the tooth itself, ac'ed upon  by different irritating
causes,  such as the application of cold, or some  acrid
matter,is the most usual causes of this complaint; but
in some cases it would  seem to proceed from a rheuma-
tic affection of the muscles and mcmbranesof thejaw;
and here the whole side of the  face will be affected.—
When it takes place in pregnancy, it is to be consider-
ed as arising  either from an increased irritability or
from sympathy.  It may be presumed, that the acrid
matter which occasions the tooth-ache, is produced by
some vice that originates in the tooth itself.  In  some
instances the caries appears first upon the external sur-
face or enamel of the tooth, in one or more spots which
:ire superficial; but in  others it commences in the in-
ttn-nal'suiiacejorlong part: The former is,ho\vever, by
far the most frequent.   The caries, by  spreading and
cor rod in"  deeper, at  length penetrates the substance
the tooth;  and the external  air, and  other  matters,
"dtir.',*  into the cavity; stimulate the nerve, and there-
by excite the  tooth-ache. The  most e'.lochiaI cure for
tbis disersc is  extraction of the carious :  oth; but as
ibis in some cases may not be advisable, and in others
;'.-:wht be strongly objected to by the patient, it will of-
VrTbe necessary  to substitute paliative means.  The
wL of ncpuor.  c\> nbined with the tincture  of  opium
                         10 
93             THE INDIAN  GUIDE

should frequently be used, that is put it on  a piece of
cotton and put  the  same frequently in the  hollow of
the tooth.  The oil of  pennyrojal combined with the
oil of cloves may be used in the  same  way.  If the
above  preparations  should  fail  giving  relief,  a
few  drops  of  nitric-acid may  be  applied  in the
same manner as the above.  If  there be no hollow in
the tooth, there may be a  few drops of laudanum, or
alcohol, French  brandy or sweet oil—either of these
dropped in the ear, on the side affected will relieve the
pain immediately.
           I am sure this will cure,
           If  properly  applied;
           It's not hard, for to indure,
           It's been frequently tried.
            FOR A MORTIFICATION.
  Apply a poultice of flour, honey and  water, with  a
little  yeast.  When a mortification takes place, the
flesh is not already dead, but is dying, or in a state of
dying.  It is often necessary to abate it by  bleeding, if
the fever admits, and by cooling, opening medicines;
The parts around touched with vinegar, lime water,or
camphorated spirits, and scarrified; apply a  poultice
of biscuit of fine wheat flour,  boiled with milk to the
mortified place, and take the bark freely; or apply
puccoon juice and honey—this is wonderful; or  make
a poultice  of dogwood bark, black oak bark, sassafras
bark, black haw bark, sumac roots, and wheat flour or
rye meal, and bathe  the place before band with  bitter
herbs; or take some tar, feathers, brimstone and hick-
ery coals and put in a vessel and hold the  mortified
place over the steam—this is wonderful. 
TO HEALTH.
99
              THE CRAMP COLIC-
  This is a colic that cramps the stomach, and draws
the patient sometimes nearly double with violent pains
all through the breast, and will roll through the bowels
like goose eggs, and sometimes goes off with a lax, or
discharge of wind up or down  before the patient  can
get any  ease.  Parched peas eaten freely have had a
iiuppy .effect, when othe^ means have  failed, a gill of
dogwood berries boiled in a quart of water down to half
a pint and drank, is wonderful;  or boil a large burdoc
leaf in a quart of water to a gill  and drink; ou,take  and
scrape the inside of a pipe, soot water, or weak lye is
very good ; or take a tea spoonful of pulverized charcoal
in u little water and deink this;  or take a young shoat
and cut it open in haste and obtain the gall and drink it
and may probably relieve the patient; or make ginger
tea and drink; or take calamus chew and swallow  the
spittle; or cat ginger  root freely;'or combine a small
quantity of aloes, asafceetida, and rhubarb, put these in
spirits and drink as needful.  But  of all medicines I
have ever used is garlic  boiled in new milk, this pre-
scription often relieves the quickest of any remedy that
has ever been tried.  Beware  of eating such  food as
creates wind or is hard of digestion.
           This disease is very bad,
           And  cramps the patient up;
           And  if a cure cannot be had,
           You'll soon be drawn enough.
               THE MENSES.,  &c.
  There is a certain periodical evacuation which takes
place with all healthy females, beginning when they
arrive at twelve or fifteen years of age, and continuing
on till forty five or fifty.  This 1 cannot call a disease,
as it is universal  to the sex.  And as there cannot be
health without it,  you should begin in due time to  in- 
 100           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 struct your daughters in the conduct and management
 of themselves.  At this critical time of life, a few les-
 sons seasonably given, may prevent much mischief.—
 But little attention is necessary to know when this disj
 charge is about to  commence. There are  particular
 symptoms whi h go before it, and foretell its approach,
 as a sense of heat and weight, witha dull pain in  tho
 loins,a swelling and hardness of the  breast, head-ache,
 loss of appetite, uncommon weakrfess of the limbs, pale-
 ness of the countenance; and sometimes a slight degree
 of fever;1  Whenever  these  symptoms appear about
 the age at which the terms begin  to flow, every thing
 fchat obstructs  it, must  be carefully avoided, and such
 means used as tend to bring it forward.   She should sit
 over the steam of warm water, bathing her feet at  the
 same time in a vessel filled with the same, and  so deep
 as to reach up to  her knees.  She should drink freely
 of warm diluting liquors, such  as weak flax-seed  tea,
 mallow or balm teas; or sweat over bitter herbs.  The
 most proper time for  these things, is the evening; vo
 that she may cover herself up warmly in bed after the
 bathing, and after continuing the drink until bed time,
 &c.   Some precautions however, are necessary before
 the symptoms, which  usher in this discharge, present
 themselves.  For if she be closely confined  about  this
 time, and I e  not engaged in some  active employment,
 which may give proper exercise to her whole body, she
 will  become weak, relaxed and sickly, her countenance
 will  be pale, her spirits will  sink, her vigor decline,
 and sl-ie perhaps will  become weakly and  sickly  the
 remainder of her life.  It  is often  the  case, that  the
 daughters of the fashionable and wealthy,  who, accor-
ding to custom, have been much indulged, entirely give
themselves ;q« to indolence at this critical time:  and
brin"" upon  themselves  such  irregularities as render
them miserable for life.  We  seldom meet with com-
plaints from cold; as it is commonly called, among ac-
tive and  industrious girls.   While  on the contrary,
the indolent and slothful are seldom free from  them.—
A  sprightly disposition, and a habitual cheerfulness,
ought to be cultivated  with  all possible  attention,  not 
TO HEALTH.                101
only as conductive to prevent obstructions, but as  the
best defence against vapours  and hysterics.  The
cheerfulness however which I here recommend, is  not
mere mirth  and laughter; it is a calm and uniform
f-erenity which prepares a rational being  thankfully
and heartily to  enjoy the real comforts  of  life; it  is a
peculiar spring which gives to the mind as much activ-
ity when in  retirement, as  in a ball  room.   Towards
this time every thing which has a tendency to  impair
digestion and derange the regular motions of the sys-
tem, ought to  be avoided; such as eating  largely, or
brash light clothes,loss of sleep and excessive exercise.
To this last we may generally affix dancing, change of
clothes  without proper regard   being had to their  de-
f/rce of warmth, is frequently productive  of mischief;
occasional exposure of the skin  to cool air, if continued
but a short time only, seldom does injury.  But a great
change  in the clothes from  warm to cool is frequently
very pernicious;  changes  of  this kind ought to bo
brought about in a  gradual manner.   I have known
serious  effects from  too long exposure of the feet to wet
and cold.
   Country girls frequently wade  through the water,
walk barefoot in the morning, and sit without door for
hours,in the evening, &c.   Either of these acts may do
Irreparable  damage; whether  about the time of the
fi rst flowing of the menses, or at any  time of its return.
Indeed such exposure as at another time  might  pro-
duce no ill effects, may at this juncture be followed by
irreparable damage to her  health.  But after all your
care, it  will  sometimes  happen, that the courses will
not begin to flow at  that period of life when they  usu-
ally niake their appearance.   Should this be the case,
unci in consequence  of  their retention, her health and
spi i its begin to decline,by no means be persuaded to con-
fine her to her  room, nor expect to restore her by  heat
and medicine only.   Instead of confinement carry her
abroad  into agreeable company, turn her attention to
some iuterestingemployment;  let her eat plentifully of
wholesome food, and promote its  digestion by taking
regularly a sufficient portion of exerciee; and  in most 
102           THE INDIAN  GUIDE
instances nature will do  her own work without any
other assistance than that above.   And after pursuing
this plan a sufficient length of time without success, you
will be at liberty to have recourse to medicine; and the
medicine well directed according to the complaint; as
the symptoms stated in  the directions of the difficulty
uf menstruation with pain 6;c.   Sometimes the reten-
tion  is the consequence of an  imperforated hymen;
when this is the case, it may  be felt  with the linger,
and must be pierced with a proper instrument; for this
purpose a surgeon should  be employed.
        A SUPPRESSION of tii^ MENSES.
   Any interruption occuring  after the menstrual llnx
has once been established in its regular course, except
when occasioned by conception,  is always to be con-
sidered as a case of suppression.  A constriction of the
extremeties of the  vessels of the uterus, arising from
accidental circumstances, such as cold, anxiety of mind,
fear, inactivity of body, the frequent use  of acids and
other sedatives &c, is the cause which evidently  pro-
duces a suppression of the menses.   In some few cases
it appears as a symptom of other diseases, and  partic-
ularly of general debility in the system.   Herein there
is a want of the necessary  propelling force or due ac-
tion of the vessels.   When the menstrual flux has been
suppressed for any considerable length of time, it not
unfrequntly happens that the blood which should have
passed off* by the uterius, being determined more copi-
ously and perfectly to other parts, gives rise to hemor-
rhages; hence it is frequently  poured out from  the
nose, stomach, lungs, and other parts in such  cases.—
At first, however,  febrile or  inflammatory symptoms
appear,the pulse is hard and  frequent, the skin hot,
and there is a severe pain in the head, back, and loins;
besides being subject to these occurrences, the patient
is likewise much troubled with co-siiveness, colic pains,
and with dyspeptic and hysteric symptoms   Our prog 
                TO HEALTH.                 103

nostic in this disease is to be directed by the cause whieh
has given rise to it, the length of time it has continued
and the state of the person's health in other respects.-—
When suddenly suppressed inconsequence ofcoldit may
easily be removed  by pursuing proper  means; but
where the suppression has been  of long standing, and
lucorrhtva attends, we ought always to consider  such
circumstances as unfavorable.  In  those cases which
have terminated fatally, in consequence of the  long
continuance of the disease, the same morbid changes in
the ovaria and uterus are to be observed on dissection, as
in  those of a retention of  the menses.   What  we  are
principally to have in view in the treatment of this com-
plaint, is to  remove (if possible) the constriction which
effect the extremities of the vessels of the uterus; and
this is to be done with the use of relaxants, where these
or  most of these symptoms occur, take blood from the
foot ten or twelve  ounces, to be  repeated as occasion
may require, the feet should be bathed in warm water,
a portion of calomel and aloes may also be given—ab.
siain  from heavy draughts of cold water, the  calomel
and aloes may  be given,every third night, and live on
light  diet, and keep from cold.   Bleeding is very neces-
sary  in this case, and if there should  be any swelling
of the feet and  ancles or a bloating of the whole  body:
when this  is the case,take bitters of camomile and orange
peods,steeped in boiling water; they may be  used a few,
gradually increasing  their strength; then take the
rustiest iron you can get and put a good chance to a
gallon of strong apple cider, and boil it down to a quart;
when it begins to boil put in a handful of pine buds, lot
it cool and put in the white of three eggs, and nine star
roots, and take a table spoonful three  times a day; and
fifteen drops of laudanum on going to bed, and  live on
!!;pit diet; and if there is- notihing more than what you
cuii a common cold, she will be, restored to her  u^aal
h*J:!i. 
  104           THE INDIAN  GUIDE

   THE OBSTRUCTION of the MENSES CON-
                     TINUED.

   In this distinction, there is a mixed state of the dis-
 ease; it is the consequence of  debility induced  by a
 complaint of some kind, which goes  before it; the dis-
 charge gradually lessens  in quantity; becomes irregu-
 lar, and at length disappears; and if however the pa-
 tient declines in a  gradual  manner, and is subject  to
'dejection of spirits; want of appetite, flashes of heat
 over the skin, a slight cough, a weakness in the  back,
 coldness of the feet; at  times a  pressing  and  bearing
 down with  a kind of itching and burning in the lower
 extremities; and often when the patient makes water
 it will appear to burn them.   The pains appear to work
 in the side of some like pleurisy; sometimes a tinging
 in the flesh, like little  pins sticking in the patient:  a
 deadnessand a sleepiness  in the  flesh &c.  The reme-
 dies must be given to the patient  with care, and beware
 of making cold.  Except the patient is restored to her
 common'heallh with care, it will turn to a deep consump-
 tion, or some fatal complaint.   I have known the sevt;-
 e-t convulsive fits occasioned by  it.
   Beat-some puccoon roots fine,  put a good large table
 spoonful of .sweet fennel seed,  the same of dried  birch
 hark—add these ingredients to a quart of  apple  cider
 and let it stand three or four days, for a dose take a ta-
 ble spoonful night and morning,  and beware of eating
 hog-meat or milk,  but  such as  beef mutton,  chicken,
 squirrels and butter.  If the  above medicine should
 make the patient weak  and. feeble, when  first taker.-.
 with siclvness at the stomach:  when this subsides, tho
 patient will probably have u citing  appetite, bm  cU.
 not eat too much, but eat little ard often, and take enm
 of taking cold.  If the medicin i  snakes the patient sick
 it i* ofgood effect,and no doubt will restore th<- pat:o;.t\<
 health.'" I  have cured many by this medicine.  Again
 you may get. a handful of sweet  modly. the same of
 butterfly roots, and two  or three table spoonful!* of
 camomile flowers, a handful of von iue roots, the sa:.;e
 of red centaury, put these i-iti-le- in a quart of rye
 whiskey, and tub. i-i :his  thiee or four times a day, iet 
TO HEALTH.                1Q5
your diet be light, beware of getting cold, let your
drink be cooling, such as balm tea, cinquefoil, ground-
ivy, are also good—If a sweat be necessary, use  the
tincture of cayenne pepper and  gum-myrrh.  Take a
handful of dried hore hound, some ginseng root, cam-
omile flowers and orange peels, and the rust of iron, pu'.
these in a quart of liquor, shake it well once or twice a
day, it is then  fit for use.  The patient may take  half
a table spoonful two or three times a day.  This  in a
medicine  which the  Indians use in all cases  of  thw
kind.
            IMMODERATE MENSES.
  When the menses continue too long, or come on too
often for the strength of the patient, they are said to
be  immoderete; this most frequently happens to wo-
men of a soft delicate habit, to such as use tea and cof-
fee too freely, and who do not take sufficient exerise.—
It is sometimes brought on by  excessive fatigue; and
this may happen to temperate and industrious women.
In either case its approach may be known by a pain in
the loinsand hips; observe this symptom carefully, and
on its  first appearance let a little blood from the  arm;
and it  will  generally prevent  the attack for  that  time.
But for the entire removal of it, abserve the following
directions:—So soon as it is known that this complaint
is formed,it will be proper to bleed a little from the arm;
there are but few instances in which  this might no-, be
proper, in greater or lesser quantities.  Fexcessive la-
bour brought on the disease, rest comes in as an essen-
tial remedy; cool air is highly proper;  this may be ap-
plied by placing the patient in such a situation that a
current from a^door or  window may blow upon  her;
cloths  wet  in cold vinegar and water may be applied all
over the groins, i!»c. to be  changed as they becoi.no
warm;cold flour in a large quantity applied to the  .parts,
bus sometimes succeeded i:i  dangerous  cases; cut.J
drinks, as  the decoction of net: e  soot , 01 of the  jrrear- 
  106           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 er comfrey, &c.   If all these fail, repeat the  bleeding:
 where too strong a motion of the arteries can  be  ascer-
 tained as thecause,it may be generally removed by gen-
 tle bleeding, andpurging occasionally repeated. If much
 weakness, paleness and a disposition to bloat, give half
 a grain of opium every six hours,  and at  intervals of
 three or four hours, give twelve or fifteen grains of an
 equal mixtureofalum &gum kino; nuaseate the stomach
 with small doses from one to five grains of epicacuanha;
 apply  blisters to the wrists and ancles alternately, in
 all delicate cases; after the removal of the disease  for
 the time being, having recourse to cold bath, exercise,
 friction  with  a flesh brush or flannel, till her  health it
confirmed-
            FLOUR ALBUS, or  WHITES,
    When a discharge of whitish matter flows instead of
  the menses it is called the flour albusor whites; if it he
  of a long standing it sometimes assumes a granish or yel-
  low completion; becomes acid, sharp and  corroding;
  and is highly offensive to the smell.   When it happens
  to young  women,  it is in most cases a local  disease—I
 mean  by this,-that  it is never  brought on by any gen-
 eral affection of the system, but is wholly confined to
 the parts which are its seat; indeed it is sometimes the
 case that the menses are discharged entirely  in1 thirf
 way.   For the cure,  take  the rust of iron  prepared,
 one ounce of gum myrrh,one ounce of nutmeg no. 2,
 or cinnamon half an ounce, the whole to be finely pow-
 dered, carefully mixed and  kept in a close  vessel: if
 rust of iron cannot be had, the salt of steel will answer,
 (using half the quantity) of this  preparation,  maybe
 taken,  from four to six times a day; if prepared with
 the salt of steel, four to six grains will be the dose;  the
 portion of either ought to  be varied according to cir-
eMrnstances, if it excites a little sickness of the stomach,
but, if a puking or too violent sickness take place the dose 
TO HEALTH,               107
may be lessened; on the other hand if no considerable
effects are observed, it may be enlarged &c.  or take
the bark of service trees and make a tea for yourdrink;
this is wonderful; or steep rosin and brimstone in spir-
its and drink as a bitter; or boil pine buds  for tea, or
the roots of pine, or what is better turpentine in its soft
state mixed with equal quantity of honey, of this mix-
ture a tea spoonful may be taken three times a day; or
for those who can procure it, balsom copavia,  twenty
drops in a little new milk three times a day, frequently
dense the parts with milk and water.   Sometimes  an
injection made of sixty grains of white vitriol, dissolv-
ed in a pint of spring or rain water;  and  thrown  into
the passage by the help of a syringe, three or four times
a day, is a most effectial remedy, or bluestone dissolved
in old brandy, and used the same way: and lastly, if ul-
cers attend, give two or three grains of calomel  every
third night, and touch the ulcers  with a little murcurial
ointment, or with an ointment of white or red  precipi-
tate of mercury.
  Here it might be well to observe that a  disease in
some degree similar to the floar albus, or  more com-
monly of a mixed kind, between this  and immoderate
menses is sometimes the effect of a polypus or excres-
cence from the inner surface of  the womb.  If,  there-
fore, the discharge should continue after using the pro-
per remedies,  a polypus ought to be  suspected,  and a
physician or surgeon should be called into your aid.
       OF A CESSATION of the MENSES.
  The perod of life at which menstruation ceases is al-
ways a very critical one to women, as the constitution
then undergoes a very considerable change,  and it not
unfrequently happeiiF,thai chroniccompliants then arise,
which create much disturbance, and, after a time ter-
minate fatally,  if not counteracted.  The menses sel-
dom cease all at once, but for some time  before  their
stoppage becomes somewhat irregular, both as to the 
108            THE INDIAN  GUIDE             "1*.

periods and the quantity.  When they happen  to  dis-  ^
appear suddenly in women of a full plethoric habit, such  •*j?^
persons should be careful to confine  themselves  to a   '"*&
more pure diet than usual.  They should likewise take
regular exercise, and keep their body open by a use of
some mild laxative, such as senna and manna,  if it not
be found  sufficiently powerful,  the patient  may add a
little quinine and jalap, to the same preparation, when
the petient is sensible a seeming fullness of the vessels,
with giddiness and occasional pains in the head, small
bleedings is necessary,  if ulcers break out in the legs,
or any other part of the body,  on a  total cessation  of
the menses, they ought  to be regarded as critical  dis-
charges, and should by no means be healed up, without
substituting some other drain by an issue, should  any
scirrhous affection of the uterus, take place on a stop-
page of the menstrual  flux as sometimes happen,  all
that can be done in such a  case is to have recourse to
palliatives, such as opium hyoscyan.us,  andconium, in
the manner pointed out in the succeeding disease.
        THE  DISEASES of PREGNANCY..
  Three diffierent stages evidently exist during a state
of pregnancy, each of which have a distinct set of symp-
toms; and when we reflect on the alteration which the
constitution suffers in consequence of impregnation, and
the vastd'stention and dislodgn.entof the uterus which
prevail at a more advanced period, we cannot be sur-
prised at the complaints and irregularities which then
ar'se.  The first stage of pregnancy is usually accom-
panied with a suppression  of the menses,together with
frequent nausea, and vomiting, heart-burn, indigestion,
peculiar longings, head-ache, giddiness, tooth-ache, and
sometimes a slight cough;  the breasts become enlarged
shooting  pains  extend through them, and the oircU
round the nipple alters to a dark brown colour.  Ther*;
often occurs likewise a feverish disposition, with de-
tility, emiaeiation, irritability and  pevishness  often,- 
TO HEALTH.                109
 per, and  a total alteration  of the countenance,  every
 feature of which becomes much sharpened.  Some wo-
 men breed so easily as to experience hardly  any kind
 of inconvenience whatever;  whilst others again are
 frequently incapable of retaining the least  thing  on
 their stomach, and are thereby reduced to a state of ex-
 treme weakness.
   With some women, the vomiting will continue during
 the whole or greater part of the second stage of preg-
 nancy, as well as the first;  but this does not usually
 happen.   Partial  suppression of urine, with a frequent
 inclination to void it; itching about the  external parts
 of generation, costiveness, tenesmus, and the piles, are
 what they are chiefly incommoded by  during this peri-
 od.  Most women quickeg about  the sixteenth week
 after conception, at  whioh time  the  mother becomes
 sensible of the slight efforts of the child; and besides
 the complaints just enumerated, she will then be liable
 to sudden faintings, and slight hysteric affections.
   According to the common received opinion, quicken-
 ing  so termed, has been generally understood to com-
 mence at the time when particular sensations are per-
 ceived by the mother, supposed to be occasioned by the
 first motion of the child.   The most usual time of feel-
 ing  any such symptoms is abort  the latter end of the
 fourth, or beginning of the fifth month of pregnancy:
 at this period the uterus filling up the pelvis slips out,
 and  rises above  the  rim, and from that sudden transi-
 tion, women  of a delicate constitution and  irritable
 fibre, are apt to faint, more particularly so if in an erect
 position.  During tho last three months, or third stage
 of pregnancy, general uneasiness, restlessness, costive-
 ness, ocdematous swellings of the  feet,  ancles and pri-
 vate parts, cramps in the legs and thighs,  difficulty of
 retaining the urine for any  length of time,  varicose
 swellings of the veins of the belly and  lower extremi-
 ties, and  the  piles, are  the affections which  usually
 prove most troublesome.   In weak delicate women  of
 an irritable habit, convulsive fits sometimes a ri e which
are ever to bo regarded in  a dangerous  light.   Nau-
>■ a and  vomiting.—It has  been observed, tha' /requeut
                        II 
 110           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 nausea and vomiting are apt to prove somewhat troub-
 lesome to pregnant women, and in many cases to reduce
 them to a state of very great debility.  As these mo?t
 frequently arise immediately  upon first getting out of
 bed in the morning the patient should be recommended
 under such circumstances, never to rise  until she has
 taken either a dish of tea, coffee; or whatever else she
 has usually accustomed herself to for breakfast.  If the
 vomiting should become at any time so severe as to
 threaten to bring on a miscarriage, for the violence of
straining, it may then be advisable to direct two or three
 table spoonfuls of the saline medicine to be taken every
 now and then, in such a manner as that the effervescence
 shall ensue atter it is swallowed; besides which the pa-
 tient's body should be kept open with some gentle lax-
 ative.  If these means do not succeed,  we may order
 about six ounces of blood to be  drawn  from the arm,
 and which, if necessary may be repeated in  a week's
 time.  The .-.ickness, m such cases, depends on irrita-
 tion, and is only to be removed with certainty by blee-
 ding.  Local applications have been recommended to
 abate excessive vomiting.  As such, a piece of folded
 linen cloth, moistened with the tincture c.f opmin, may
 be kept constantly applied to the region of the stomach.
 Probably a small addition of ether  might increase its
 good effects.   It sometimes happens that vomiting is
 incessant  for many days  together, accompenied with
great prostration of strength and constant thirst,  and
at the same time an utter impossibility of retaining any
thing on the stomach.   In this  state the application of
a small blister-pla&ter to  the pit of it,  and a  constant
attention to suffer nothing to be swallowed that can ir-
 ritate, allowing the patient only new sweet  milk,  and
that by single spoonfulls, have  been found to afford re-
lief.
  If a considerable degree of nausea prevails,  without
the ability of throwing up, fourteen or fifteen grains of
pulverized ipecacuanha, may then be given, experience
having proved that gentle emetic's  may be administer-
ed with perfect safety to pregnant women.  Head ache
 with plethora.—When either head-ache, drowsiness, 
                  TO HEALTH.               Ill

or a sense cf fullness in the vessels, proves troublesome,
drawing off a few ounces of blood from the arm in ro-
bust women, will most  likely be  attended  with advan-
tage.   In those of a weak, irritable habit, the  applica-
tion of a blister-plaster,oneto each temple will  be more
advisable than bleeding "from the system  where  the
head ache, proves obstinate and resists the other means
wo have employed.  The bowels are at the same time
to be kept in a proper state by some gentle aperient.—
Tooth  ache—For tho alleviation of the tooth ache, the
external as  well as internal application  of a few drops
of the oil of cloves, caj-iput, juniper, or any other essen-
tial oil, will often prove effectual.  Heart burn—If the
patient is incommoded by heart  burn, half a  dram of
magnesia ma) be taken  morning and evening, and if
that fails, you may have recourse to charcoa.or glob-
ular salts, this is efficacious for the removal of this dis-
t.essing symptom in pregnant women.
  Longings—'Alien peculiar longings aiise-in a  slate
of pregnancy, they should always be gratified  if possi-
ble, as  women are apt to miscarry  from the anxiety these
occasion, when not indulged in them: but that the child
in the uteruscan be marked by any depraved appetite of
the mother,be mutilated by any disagreeable object being
presented to her,  cannot be admitted.   All aberrations
from the usual form ought to be ascribed to the irregu-
lar operation of the powers  concerned  in generation,
and are not  produced by the imagination of the  mother.
  Hysteria—Should any hysterical effection or sudden
fainting arise, lijtle more will be  necessary  than to ex-
pose the patient to a free open air, to place her in a hor-
izontal position; and give a glass of cold water, with a
few drops of the liquor volat,  Cornu cervini,  or a lit-
tle wine sufficiently dilutated-  Costiveness, piles &c.
Costiveness, partial suppression of urine, and the piles
which attend on the second stage of pioguancy, are oc-
casioned by the great pressure of iho uterus on the rec-
tum and bladder.  The first and last of these symptoms
are to  be obviated by a daily use of some laxitive, such
as a solution of manna, senna, &e. &c.  if necessary a
little of the tincture of opium may be added.  Itchings— 
 ilf           THE INDIAN  GUIDE

 Where a severe itching about the  parts of generation
 attends on  p;egnancy, it will be  proper to  keep the
 woman's-body-perfectly  open with some cooling laxitive
 and to wash the parts three or four times a day, with
 adiluted solution of lead : such as the vinegar of squills:
 if much inflammation accompanies the  itching, topical
 bleeding  may be requisite.  Swellings—The swellings
 of the feet, ancles and private parts, which arise in the
 last stage of pregnancy, are occasioned by the prossuro
made by the womb, which now prevents the  free  re-
turn of the blood from the lower extremities.  Gravid
 women are usually free from these complaints in tho
morning, but towards night they frequently suffer much
from them.  Slight scarifications  with  the edge of a
lancet, to discharge the stagnated fluid,  with the after
application of flannels wrung out in warm  infusion  of
emollient herbs; have been employed in cases of great
distention.   In general, however, it will only be neces-
sary that the patient does not keep her feet in a pendent
position for any length  of time.  Cramp—Cramps  of
the legs and thighs are  to be relieved by rubbing the
parts with wol vinegar, with camphor dissolved in oil,
or the liniments here advised, the person wearing stock-
ings in bed.   At an advanced period of pregnancy, they
are only to be relieved by labour removing the cause.
 Where the  stomach  is affected with spasms,  proper
doses of ether and linctuie of  opium, with the  other
means  advised under the head of Hysteria, in cramps
of that origin, will afford the greatest benefit.  In such
cases, the patient must carefully avoid  every kind of
food that is apt  to prove flatulent hard'of digestion, and
she must keep her body  peifeclly  open.
  False paiiv;—Pains somewhat resembling those of
labour, an<- ::r.own by the name of false pains, are apt
to come on r. an advanced stage of pregnancy, and of-
ten to occasion an  unnecessary alarm.   In such  cases,
confinement, In a horizontal position, bleeding, if pleth-
oric, laxative medicines,  if costive, and  administering
small and frequent  doses of some opiate  until the  pati-
ent finds ease, will be necessary.
  Of Convulsions—Cases of puerperal convulsion bear 
TO HEALTH.
113
some likeness to epileptic fits, and it is only by  being
aware  of the different  degree of violence attending
each, that at first sight we can distinguish them.   A fit
of puerperal convulsion,  is much  more  severe than one
of epilepsy, and a paroxysm of the former is usually so
violent that a woman, who when  in health,  was  by no
means strong, has been so convulsed as  to shake the
whole  room, and to  resist the coercive  powers of many
attendants.  No force indeed ca*  restrain a woman
when in these convulsions.  The distortion of her coun-
tenance is beyond conception;  in regard to deformity
of countenance, nothing bears any resemblance to the
progress of this disease; the  rapidity  with which tho
eyes open and  shut, and  the  sudden  twirlings of the
mouth, an inconceivable and frightful.
  After the  first bleeding, the head should be immedi-
ately shaved and a blister of considerable size be appli-
ed to it.  The next  point to be attended to is to get the
bowels to act as quickly as possible,  and  this will be
effected by throwing up  a solution of soft soap as a clys-
ter, and then giving a strong solution  of some neutral
salts, as  magnesia sulpha-', polassae,  tartras, or soda
with an infusion of senna.
  The warm bath  is strongly  recommended, among
the means for preventing convulsions  in women previ-
ous to, or during their confinement.
  The patient m?y also be relieved from that state of
irritation  immediately preceding the convulsion, by
dipping feathers in cold water, and dashing it with force
over the woman's face,  as this rouses her, and inter-
rupt the  progress  of the fit.  Where the further ap-
plication of cold may bedeemed'necessary andappear ad-
visable, we may throw water over the patient's head,
bringing this over the side of the bed,  and holding an
empty  pail underneath to receive it.  It should be done
on the approach of the  fit, which may be ascertained
by attending to the vibrations of the intercostal muscles.
In all cases of puerperal convulsions, after having pa'uf
due attention to the  lessening of'the cause,  which has
given rise to it, we should uniformly exert our best en-
deavors toddivcrthe wv.nanas expeditiously aspossi- 
114           THE INDIAN  GUIDE

We where it is practicable, without violence.  When
we find that the os-uteri begins to relax and open,  and
which may take  place although there  be  no labour
pains, we must introduce the hand slowly, dilate it, and
deliver thechild,  when convulsions continue alter the
uterus is emptied of its contents, all that can be done,
is to  keep  the  brain  unloaded,  the  bowels  open
and the irritability of the system counteracted by opi-
um, jeined with other  unti-spasmodics;  such as musk
aird ether, where  the disorder continues many hours
the patient should have a large blister  applied to the
head aud if a benefit is not obtained  in twenty  four
hours, one may also be applied to he insideof each leg.
These by exciting an irritation upon a part distent  from
the disease, may tend to diminish the  diseased action,
and thereby afford  some relief.  To prevent puerperal
convulsions from supervening as they are in  every in-
stance to be considered  as highly dangeroi.s: particu-
larly  at  an advanced  stage of pregnancy.   It will be
prudent in robust and plethoric habits, to pay  un early
attention to a use of the lancet, during the progress of
pregnancy, by drawing off a sufficient quantity of blood
at different periods, taking care at the  same time,  and
particularly near  the  termination of  pregnancy, to
keap the bowels open by cooling purgatives.  In  wo-
men of irritable constitution, all exciting causes should
to carefu'Iy avoided and the habit  be strengthened as
much as possible, and thereby be rendered less suscep-
tible of disagreeable or ready  impressions.
      ON THE PRACTICE of MIDWIFERY.
   1 consider this a practice  of great importance, and
shall therefore >c-: down a few instructions respecting
the proper c-our c that should be pursued in time of la-
bour.   1  shall u.-t:  ihe  plainest language possible  in
treating on this subject so that the midwife may have a
thorough knowledge  of the performance and treatment
of midwifery.
  Tho abdomen is the name given to the belly;  it is 
TO HEALTH.             115
the soft coveting of the bowels, extending from the
breast down to the following bone, which is called the
pubis:  This bone stands forwards, forming an arch be-
tween the hips, and is called by some the bearing bone.
It has a peculiar kind of joints in  the  middle, which
sometimes opens in cases of difficut labour, and  when
this happens, it is commonly followed by a collection of
matter, which is distressing to the last  degree, very
difficult to cure, and sometimes  fatal to  the patieat.—
The sacrum is the part of the bones which  is fixed be-
tween the hips backwards, and is opposite to the  pubis.
The sacrum extends itselfdownwardsand forwards,(or-
ining a curve, and  makes it necessary to regulate the
passage of the child in a corresponding direction.   The
large passage or cavity, aiade by these  two bones,  to-
gether with the other bones of the  hips, is called the
pelvis.   If this cavity is much less than common,  or out
of shape, so as to prevent the passage of the child, tha
pelvis is said to be  distorted; this distortion may be ef-
fected  several way;-;.   The common distance between
the sacrum and pelvis, is rather more than four inches,
but it is sometimes found to be no more than one.  The
lower part of the sacrum, which bends  forwards  and
 inwards, forming a curve as above, in young women,
admits of a little motion backwards, so as to make the
jiassage of the child more easy.   But in some instances
especially in those wome:i who do  not marry till thev
become old maids, it is so strong as not to admit of asV
motion at all.  In addition to  this, it sometimes bend's
so far inwards, as very much  to obstruct the passage.
Themons-venerisis the fatty  substance which covers
the pubis, and extends  downwards and  sidewards to-
wards the two groins.   The Labia, the two thick  *<!!
pieces of skin which passes on either side, still  dawn-
wards from the mom;-veneris, the pudendum,  external
parts of generation;  of these the labia are the principal
parts.   The perinacum, the parts which begins at  tho
lower angle of the labia, and extends backwards to tho
anus or fundament.  This part is  subject to  be torn  in
child bearing.  The vagina, or  passage from the puden-
dum to  the womb,  (the uteriuv,  the name of the  womb) 
116
THE INDIAN GUIDE
 at the upper end of the vagina is an opening into  the
 womb, called the os-uteri, or  the mouth of the  womb,
 (the placenta) the after birth, called also the cake; and
 with the membranes, including the child waters, &c.,is
 sometimes called the  secundines,  the  umbilical cord,
 the navel string, the foetus, the child while in the womb.
 To these names, I will add in this place the five follow-
 ing terms, expressive of certain changes  which  takes
 place m the act of child bearing:  Partu ration—The act
 of bringing forth a child;  it is another name  for la-
 bour.
  Dilatation—The act of sf retching and opcningat the
 same time.  This is applied to os-uteri, and 1o  the pu-
 dendum.   Distention—The act of stretching or making
 more open.  Expel—The act of  turning out.  This is
 performed by  the  uterus, when it contracts which it
 endeavors  to do by certain periodical exertions, called,
 pains.
  Presentation—The act of presenting.  This term is
 applied to the position of the child,  and particularly to
 the part of the child which is first sensible to the touch
at the mouth of the womb when  labour is coming on.
 There is  the names of the different parts of generation;
 and again, the common time for complete gestation, is
 forty weeks; at the expiration of which the process of
 labour commences, every labour should be called na-
 tural, if the head of the child is present.  If the labour
 be completed within twenty-four  hours, if no artificial
 aid be  required, if the labour be  prolonged beyond
 twei ty-four hours, it may be called dificult, &c.
       SYMPTOMS of PRESENT  LABOUR.
  The first symptoms of present labour, is an  anxiety
arising from a dread of danger or doubt of safety. This
anxiety will be increased if the patient should have beard
uf accidents or deaths, in any late or similar case.  It
is the duty of the midwife  to  soothe and con fort r.er
when in this situation, by suitable language,  and u dili- 
TO HEALTH.
117
 gent attention to every  complaint.  But in the mean
 time, she should by no means be persuaded to offer as-
 sistance before it is necessary.  At the commencement
 of labour, women have commonly one or more chills,
 or fits of shivering, with or without sense of cold.  But
 should there be one strong and distinct chill or shiver-
 ing fit, it may be a dangerous symptom.   The re will be
 some difficulty in voiding the urine; it should theqor
 fore be evacuated frequently otherwise, it  may ultim-'
 ately become necessary to introduce a cather.  There
 will sometimes be a frequent painful disposition to go to
 Btool; this ought to be considered a favourable symp-
 tom.  A glyster or two prepared of milk and water, or
 thin gruel, may serve to correct the pain; or if no such
 disposition be present.   The glysters may serve  to
 evacuate the bowels artificially,  The mucous discharge
 which before was without colour,wilI after the commence
ment of labour, be tinged with blood; this appearance
is commonly-called-theshew   If together  with the a
bove  symptoms, the  usual  pains  be present, the pre-
sumption is very strongly in  favour of approaching
parturition.
   COMMON  APPEARANCE :of TRUE PAINS.
  First.—The true pains usually begin in the loins or
lower part of the back,  pass  round into the abdomen
and end at the pubis, or upper  pait  of the thighs.—
Sometimes, howevei, they take the opposite direction,
that is,bcginning at the thighs or pubis, and ending ia
the loins; sometimes too, they are confined to one par-
ticular spot  as the back, abdomen, thighs, and even *>
the knees,  heels or feet,  and in some instances  other
parts are affected, the stomach, head, &c.  Second.—
the true labor  pains are  periixlic.il, with intervals of
twenty,fifteen, ten or five minute\ and moderate pains
frequently  repealed,are safer than more severe oats at
greater  interval:;.  An  experienced midwife may £*!>*- 
 118            THE INDIAN GUIDE

'^erally  judge of the nature of present  pains  from the
 tone of the patient's   voice.  The first change af-
 fected by the pains, consists in a dilatation of the parts
 Forcible and quick distention, gives a  censation  liki
 that produced by the infliction of a wound; and the tone
 of voice will be in a similar manner interrupted and
 shrill,  these are vulgarly called cutting, grinding or
 rending pains.   When the internal parts are sufficient-
 ly opened, the child begins to descend,  and  then the
 patient is by her feelings obliged to make an effort to
 expel, and the expression will be made with a continu-
 ed and grave tone of voice; or she will hold her breath
 and be silent;  these are called bearing pains.   It is  a
 common thing to say that women have fruitless pains;
 this is an unfair and  discouraging statement.   No per-
 son in labor ever had a pain depending on her  labour
 which was in vain. In the beginning, pains are usually
 slight in their degree,  and havedong intervals.  But
 as the labour advances, they become more violent, and
 the intervals are shorter.  Sometimes the pains are al-
 ternately stronger; the next weaker or one stronger and
two weaker; but every variety, has its own peculiar  ad-
vantage, being wisely adapted to the sta'e of the patient.
 Nothing therefore, can be more preposterous, than a-
ny kind of artificial  attempt to add to the  strength  of
the pains, or to hasten their return.   It  is wrong even
to direct the patient to  help herself.  The supposed
skill of midwives, in  these points, has done more  mis-
chief to society, than the most skilful practice ever did
good, &c.   Though  false pains may be detected and
removed, a case may occur when it may be necessary
to determine  whether  present pains bfe  true or  false;
because if  false  pains be encouraged or  permitted to
continue, they  may  at length oceasion premature la-
bour.  Then some known cause commonly goes before
and brings  on false pains, as fatigue of  any kind, es-
pecially too long standing on the feet, sudden and vio-
lent motion of the body, great costiveness, a diarrhoea,
a general  feverish disposition, some violent agitation
of the mind, or the like.   But the most certain way for
detecting false pains,  is by an actual  examination; thi';.
operation is commonly called taking a pain.  The  por 
TO HEALTH.                119
sition in which women are placed when it is necessary
to examine them, varies in different countries, and in-
deed almost  every midwife has her own opinion; but
most regular men direct  the women to repose on a
couch or bed upon her left side, with her knees  bent
and drawn up towards the abdomen; and this is certain-
ly the most convenient and decent method.   The exam-
ination should be performed with the utmost care, de-
cency and tenderness.   If there be perceptible pressure
on the os-uteri, or if it be perceived to dilate during the
continuance of a pain, the woman may  be considered
as really in labour; but neither pressure nor dilatation
can be felt, the conclusion may be drawn, that the pains
are false.   If it be determined that the pains are false,
it will be proper to attempt to remove them; when oc-
casioned by  fatigue of any kind, the patient should rest
in bed; if she be of a feverish disposition, she should
lose some blood.  Generally it will be proper  to give a
dose or  two of manna witn sweet oil,  or castor oil, or
the like; mild and opening glysters should be injected
every three or four hours till the bowels are  emptied.
After these evacuations, which should  be repeated ac-
cording to the exigency of the case, she should have a
grain of opium with one grain of ipecacuanha every
three hours, till she be composed,   Let it  be  observed,
however,  thatan examination should never be made in
too great haste; and if it be probable that the  patient is
really in labour, an examination ought not to be made
until the membranes are broken, or till the os-uteri is
fully dilated; but more of this will be given in another
place.
        PROGRESS of NATURAL LABOR.
  There may be said to be three stages, in the progre*
of natural labor.  The first includes all the circumstan-
stances of the pains of the complete dilatation  of  the
os-uteri, the breaking of the membranes, and the  dis-
charge of the waters.  The second includes those which
occur at the time of the opening of the os-uteri to  'ha 
 1*0           THE INDIAN  GUIDE

 expulsion of the child;  and the third,  includes all the
 circumstances which relate to the separation  and ex-
 clusion of the placenta.  But to treat of each of these
 felages more particularly, and in order: The os-uteri
 is not always found in the  same  central position; nor
 does it always dilate in  the same length of time.  The
 first part of the dilatation is generally made very slow-
 ly; but when the membranes containing the  waters b»-
 gin to insinuate themselves, they act like a wedge, and
 the operation proceeds  much more rapidly.   It cannot
 well be told with certainty, how  long time will  be re-
 quired in any case for  the complete dilatation of the
 os-uteri, yet some conjecture may be made.   If, for ex-
 ample, after the  pains have continued three  hours, the
 os-uteri should be dilated to the size of one inch; and
 three hours more will be required for a complete dila-
 tion ; making in all eight hours.   This calculation sup-
 poses the labor to go on regularly, and with equal
 strength.  But rhe os-uteri sometimes remains for hours
 in the same state, and yet when it begins to dilate, the
complete dilatation is soon perfected.  Again,  in soma
cases the dilatation proceeds on  regularly for a while,
and then is suspended for many  hotfrs, and afterwards
 return*; with great vigor.  With first  children, thie
 stage is commonly tedious  and very  painful;  some
 considerable judgment is  therefore necessary on the
 pait of the mid-wife,  for supporting the patient and
confidence of the suffering woman, as the labor proceeds,
 rhe pains becomes more  frequent and forcible.   If the
 dilatation should take place, with difficulty,  there will
 sometimes be  sickness of the stomach and  vomiting,
 this is a favorable circumstance, as it commonly has a
 tendency to relax the system; atlength, after a greater
 or lesser number of hours as the case may be, the dila-
 tation  is effected.  But let it  be carefully  observed,
 that no artificial aid is to be offered during this part of
 the process.  It may indeed be well enough  to preteud
 to assist, with the intention to compose the mind of the
 patient, and inspire her  with confidence.  But  be as-
 •ured, that all manuel interposition will retard the pro-
 gress ef the dilatation,let the patient and by etandora k« 
TO HEALTH.               m
importunate; pain on the one hand and ignorance on the
other may excuse  them.  But the mid-wife  must be
firm in discharge of her duty; care must be taken  not
to break the  membranes, should  an examination be
deemed  necessary  when the os-uteri is fully dilated;
they are usually broken  by the  force of pains.  If
this should not be the case, they will protrude outward,
in the form of a  bag, and then are of no further use. If
the labour has not been disturbed, the child is  common-
ly born speedily after the natural rupture of the mem-
branes:  and therefore, if the birth be delayed  after thia
event takes place, it will be a very  proper time to make
a careful examination of the state of  things.  Here I
must be permitted  to  rcmatk, that touching  the parts
too frequently, is highly pernicious; the juices furnish-
ed by nature  for moistening, softening, and  by  these
means preparing the  parts for  distemion must be im-
properly exhausted by  repeated  applications of the
harid; If tho {.a-^sage be  thus left di y,  it will be much
disposed to irritaiion, and the whole process may be
deranged.
   In every difficult case which has come under my ob-
servation,  1 have been able to trace all 'lie  existing
evils back  to the common error, of too early  takio" in
hand, as the opei aiion is commonly called.   Your po-
matums, oils,  lead,  and ointments,  are poor substitutes
for natural fluids, which are wiped a\i-ay.  Indeed they
may do injury by clogging the mouths of little vessels
through which those fluids are secreted; by  escaping
any such injury it happens pretty commonly  that wo-
men taken at surprise have  better times, than  when
aided by good midwive■» of the neighborhood if there
be no irregularity,  nature is  always competent to the
task appointed her of God; and the only circumstance
which can  make it  necessary to ea'.l in a midwife at all,
arv a possibility of such irregularity, and the  conven-
ience of having her dexterity in the management of
the placenta, dressing the child, &c.
                        12 
  J*2           THE INDIAN GUIDE

      SECOND STAGE of  NATURAL  LABOR.
    The second stage  of labor includes all circumstan-
 ces attending the descent of the child through the pel-
 vis, the dilatation of the external parts,  and the  final
 expulsion of the child.  In general it will follow that
 the further  the labor is advanced be'fore the  discharge
 of the waters the more safely will this second stage ba
 accomplished; as the head passes through the pelvis, it
 undergoes various changes of position, by which it is
 adapted to the form of each  part of the passage,  and
 that more or less, readily, according to the size of the
 head, strength of the pains, &c.  Whether those chang-
 es are produced quickly or in a tedious manner; wheth-
 er in one or  more hours, it can by no means be proper
 to interfere, for the powers of the constitution will pro-
 duce  tbeir proper effect with  less injury and more pro-
 priety than the most dexterous  midwife.   When  the
 head  begins  to press upon the external parts at first,
 every pain may be suffeied to have its  full and natural
 effect.  But when part of the  head is fully exposed and
 the fore  part of the  perinaeum  is on the stretch, it is
 necessary to use some  precaution to  prevent it from
 being torn, and the more expeditious the labor,  the more
 is this caution necessary.  Some have thought that if
 the external  parts be very rigid, they should be  fre-
 quently anointed with some kind of ointment;  nothing
 can equal the natural juices.   But if from any cause,
 the parts become heated and dry, flannels wrung out of
 warm water, should be applied for some time, and af-
 terwards some very mild ointments might not be amiss.
 Women with first children are most subject to  inconve-
 nience and difficulty in these respects;  to prevent any
 injury of the external parts,  the only  safe and effect-
 tual plan  is to r-    i  : >r a certain time the passage of
the head through .i > :.;therefore instead of encouraging
the patient at this time to use her utmost exertions to
hasten the birth, she should be convinced of its impro-
 priety, and be dissuaded from using any voluntary  ex-
ertion.  If she cannot be  regulated according  to your
wishes, her efforts must be counteracted by some equiv-
alent external resistance: this may be peformed by plae- 
TO HEALTH.                123
  ing the  finger and thumb of the right  hand upon the
  head of the child, during the time of a pain; or by plac-
  ing the balls of one or both thumbs on the thin edge of
  the parinaeum, with first children.  If  there be great
  danger of laceration,  the right hand may be used as
  before, and the palm of the left hand wound round with
  a cloth may be applied over the whole perinacum where
  it must be firmiy continued during the violence of the
  pain.   It <s proper to proceed  in this v\ay, till the parts
  are sufficiently dilated; then the head may be permit-
  ted to slide through them in  the slowest and gentlest
  manner, paying tho strictest attention, till it is perfectly
  cleared  of  the  perinacum.  If there should be  any
  difficulty  when the pe.inaeum slides over the face, tho
  fore finger of the  right hand  may be placed under its
  edge, by which it may be cleared of its mouth and chin
  before the  support  given  by the left hand  be with-
  drawn; the assistance should be applied in a proper di-
  rection, and with uniformity; otherwise the danger of
  injury to the external parts will be increased by irreg-
  ular or partial pressure,  the head being  expelled,  it is
  commmonly deemed necessary to extract the  body of
  the child without delay; but experience has now taught
„ that there is no danger, and that it is far safer for the
  mother and  child,  to wait for  the return of the pains,
  and when the shoulders of the child begin to  advance
  and the external parts are again brought to the stretch,
  the same support should be given to the perinacum as
  before,   the child should then be conducted in a  proper
 direction, so as to keep its weight from resting too  hea-
 vily upon the perinaeum; two or three pains are some-
 times necessary for the expulsion of the shoulders; af-
 ter the head is born, the child shnr.'d be  placed in such
 a situation that the external air i.  ./ have  free  access
 to its  mouth; but let its head be cj.ered.   Having ta-
 ken the proper care of the mother, it will be necessary
 to proceed to the third and last part of the operation. 
124
THE INDIAN  GUIDE
THE THIRD STAGE of NATURAL LABOR—the
       MANAGEMENT of  PLACENTA, &c.
   There is a proper time for dividing the  funis or um-
bilical-cord  before ihe child breathes and  cries, a mo-
tion of the arteries of the cord nay be felt beating like
the pulse; but after it breathes and cries, this pulsation
Or motion ceases, and the string becomes quite  relaxed
and soft.  These circumstances ought to take place be-
fore the umbilical cord is divided; icn, fifteen and some-
times twenty  minutes are required  for the complete re-
laxation of  the  navel siring; then let it be tied in two
places  and divided between them,  soon  after the birth
of the  child, and whether the womb contracts in a fa-
vorable manner  to the  separation of the cake.  Most
women are extremely uneasy till the placenta is remov-
es:', and suppose the sooner it is remove! the better; but
this uneasinessis unnecessary, and all hurry is improp-
er. After the birth of  the child, let tho  first ;.:te..iLn
Le paid to the modier; tranquility should le restored to
her mind, and the.hurried circulation ofthe blood should
becalmed; ?he should  be  recovered from her  fatigue
and her nr.Hral state regained  as  soon as possible.—
With this design, let  her be kept quiet, affording her at
the same time some suitable refreshment; in the course
often, fifteen or  twenty minutes, the pains  will return
for the pu.-jioso  of expelling the placenta, and it will
--  expelled  without  any kind of artificial aid, which
should  never  be  employed when  it  can be avoided; but
if  it descends two slc-wly, the midwife  may take hold
of  the cor i,  and by pulling in a gentle manner, and in
a proper direction, may afford some assistance, and thia
should  be done only  in  timo of pain.   After the cake
is brought down  into the vagina, whether by the natur-
al  pains or with  the  artificial aid as  above, it must ou
suffered to remain there till excluded by the pains; this
may prevent a d ingerous flooding if an hour be requis-
ite for thr ■•:  ' i-don.  After it enters  the  vagina, no
assistance <-'..t  to  be  offered, but after that time,  it
may again be gently pulled in the time  of pains.   No
objection should  be  raised to this plan, from any sup-
posed advantage  to be derived to the child, from laying 
                 TO HEALTH.                125

the cake upon its belly, on the hot embers, in hot wine
and the like; all this is of little account.  Let it then be
a settled point that hurry is improper either in dividing
the string or removing the cake.   Haste in the  first
ma}" destroy i ho child, in the last must injure the mother,
in a greater or  less deg.ee, if the ill effects be not im-
mediately perceived, she will at length be  sensible of
the injury, when her health gradually declines.   Th»
conclusion to be drawn,  from the foregoing  iathat par-
turition is a natural process of the  constitution  which
generally needs no assistance; and when it i*-natural,
it should always be suffered  to have  its own course
without interruption &c.
   INTRODUCTION to  DIFFICULT LABOR.
   In  ccn-cquenco  of their  natum1  cv^st ruction,  th~
w y.u:\:i must {;■■ subject to g.cat pain .md  difficulty^ in
!■ \: turi'ion.   i ot, by tho peculiar f.>:-m of the  mithor,
r;-;.l thcoi iginal const ruction of the head of tbechild.am-
pie provi  ;on is made for overcoming all the diiliculties
<o which they ate subject,   but by   the customs of so-
ciety, and yariou.- other causes, wo.uen are  rendered
subject to djseases and  accidents which  increase their
natural inconveniences,  and  produce  new causes of
o'augo,-.  Therefore there will be occasions which will
require assistance.  The first distinction of labor re-
quiring assistance of art may be called difficult, and
every labor in which ihe head of the child presents,
but which is delayed longer  than twenty-four  hours
oug'.,t to be classed under this head, ditficult or tedious
labours may be of four kinds, those which aie  render-
ed difficult, from a too weak or an irregular action of
the womb.   Those which are occasioned by a certain
rigidity  or firmness of  the  parts, in consequence  of
which dilatation is tedious and difficult;  those in  wh'ch
a quick  and easy  passage of the ctnld is prevented by
some distortion of the pelvis, or too large a size  of the 
126          THE INDIAN GUIDE

head; those of the soft parts which are reduced difficult
from diseases.
       FIRST KIND op DIFFICULT LABOR.
   The action of the womb  is sometimes  too  weak, in
 consequence ofgreat distcr^cn.   In a case of this sort,
 the safest and frequently the only remedy, is  to allow
 the patieni sufficient time to walk or stand, pursue any
 emu semen t,or choose that position which she may pre-
 fer.   Sometimes, however,  frequent glysters of warm
 m!k and water, or thin gruel might be injected; or if
 the pains should be feeble and come on in  a very  slow
 maimer, and if the labor be far advanced, it  will  be
 pro-  cr to give a glyster of gruel made more viv hating,
 by ihe addition of an ounce of common table  salt,  or n
 like quantity of purging salt, which ever may  be most
 convenient.   The action of the  womb may be fccbla
 ai;d tedious, in consequence of being partial or  incom-
 plete;  inaca^e of this kind the patient will complain
 that the child lies high in the stomach; or she will have
 cramp like pains in various partJ of the abdomen, which
 beem quite ineffectual; if these pains be great  and dif-
 ferent  from common labour pains, they are commonly
 the effect of a feverish disposition; and if so,  the  pa-
 tient may lose some small quantities of blood; she may
 Jake thirty or forty drops of spirits of nitre in a cup of
 some kind of cooling tea every two or  three hours-
   Her bowels must be kept open with glysters or gentle
 dotes of manna, casteroil or purging salts; and some-
 times it will  be found useful to  anoint the whole abdo-
 men with warm oil; if little fever be present, she might
 walk about the room in the intervals between the pains.
 If she should have suffered long, after the  blood letting
and a glyster or two, she should take forty five or fifty
drops of opium mixed  with one  and a  half grains  of
 ipecacuanha, to be repeated  if necessary at the end  of
 six hours; the powder is preferable to  the tincture  of 
TO HEALTH.
127
•pium.  In this case, sometimes the pains are not suf-
ficiently strong to break the membranes containing the
waters.  If the presumption be that the membranes are
too rigid, or if suficient time  may have  been allowed,
it may become necessary to break them  artificially.—
But as was observed under the head of natural labors,
this must be done with the greatest caution.   It should
be first known, that the os-uteri is fully dilated, and
care must be taken not to be deceived in  this point, be-
cause the os-uteri is sometimes so thinly and uniformly
spread over the head of the child before it is in any de-
gree dilated, as very much to resemble the membranes.
If it be determined to break the membrauesmo instrument
is necessary but the  finger,  or at most the  finger nail
prepared for the  purpose, by  being cut and  turned up;
the shortness of the funis or umbilical cord, may be the
cause of difficult  labor, resembling that which is the ef-
fect of a feeble action of the womb.  It may therefore
be explained in this place.  The umbilical  cord may
be short originally, or  may  be  rendered so by being
wound round the  neck, body, or limbs of the child.  If
the child should be drawn back upon the declension of
a pain, the shortness of  the umbilical cord ma) be al-
ways suspected:  by allowing sufficient timeUiis incon-
venience will  commonly be overcome.   If however,
the child should not be born, after waiting long enough
it may be necessary to  change the position of the pa-
lieut,and instead of reposing on a  bed or couch, as ad-
vised  in the  instructions for taking a pain, she  may be
placed upon  the lap of one of the assistants; it will be
frequently found  advantageous to prefer this position
m lingering  cases, especially when the parts seem fully
prepared for dilitaiion, when the head of the child is
expelled, the funis may be brought forwords over the
head, or backwards over the shoulders;  but if  neither
can be done, it may be necessary to wait for the effect
of time, it is not so dangerous as some  suppose  for the
uhild  to remain sometime in this position; but the air
should have free access to its mouth.  But when it cao
no loiter l>c considered safe, the funis must be  divided
with \h\i u*ual precaution of tying, &e.   If the  child be 
128
THE INDIAN  GUIDE
dead and swelled, the labor will commonly be difficult,
and put on appearances similar to those of the forego-
ing cases: it may be found necessary in an instance of
this sort to place a towel or handkerchief round the neck
of the child, and then by taking hold of both ends, con-
siderable aid may be  afforded.  But  if this  method
should not succeed, one or both arms should be brought
down,  and  included in the handkerchief, by  which
means still greater force may be applied.  In all casei
however,  where it can  be  done  with safety, it  will be
more safe and humane, to wait the effect of natural ef-
forts than to use much  force.   Coiibumption and other
disease?, with general debility, commonly causes great
apprehensions,about the issue of parturition.  But if
there be no untoward circumstances in the way, it will.
be found that there is a peculiar balance obtaining be-
tween  the strength  of  the patient, and  the disposition
of the  parts concerned for dilatation; give them time
and they will  be delivered.   When labor is  common,
there is generally a sense  of heat,  quickness of the
pulse,  thirst, flushed cheeks,  in one word a general
fever,  sick disposition; these  appearance may  be  con-
sidered natural effoits for  carrying on  the depending
operation of the system; but the fever runs sometimes
too high, and exhausts those  powers  of  the  system
which ought to have been otherwise applied.   When
this  is the case, nothing can be more erroneous than
the common and almost universal plan  of giving wine
spirits, or other  cordials.   This kind of trea'.ment,  ii
calculated to inciease the fever and destroy the  pains.
instead of spirits, wine, or opicm,  have recourse to
cooling drinks, and moderate blood letting, to be repeat-
ed according to the circumstances; to  these may ba
added  frequent mild glysters, and a gentle purge or
two  &c.  The room should be kept cool and  will aired
and the patient should  be kept cool and will  aired  also,
rnd  to be composed  as  much as possible.  Fat und in-
active women, very frequently have slow  and  linger-
ing labor, they seem subject to debilitj  of the indirect
bind;  in every case of this sort,  it must be  very  im-
proper to make u*e  of spirite  &c , to hasten  the pains. 
TO HEALTH.
12i
Patients under the impression of fear, will almost m
every instance be subject to a tedious labor; and as the
time is prolonged, their fears will naturally increase
 o that ultimately'they may be brought into danger by
their own cowardly imagination.   The midwife should
therefore use discreet measu.es to inspire more favor-
able sentiments, &c.  Concerning letting blood in time
of labor it cannot be admisible in every case, even with
the most robust women.  But if there be lever  or  if
the pains be very strong, and the  exertions of the wo-
man seem vehement, in either of  these  cases it is «e-
cessary to lose blood.
              ^DIFFICULT LABOR.
  Mor.t women with their first children suffer more or
less from the difficult distension of the parts concerned
in parturition; but the rigidity, which is the cause com-
monly lessens with every child  in  proportion  to  the
number she has; and has sufficient resources  within
herself for delivery—sometimes blood letting is neces-
sary.  In this case, if the woman be  advanced in  ap
at the time of having her first child, this rigidity of the
parts will be the greater, and of course the labor may
be more difficult.   Women of this distinction ordesenp-
tion might generally avoid much inconvenience by oc-
casional blood letting towards the close  of pregnancy,
by making frequent use of gentle laxatives, as manna,
>weet oil, castor oil and the like, sitting over  the steam
of warm water every  night at bed  time  It may be
observed, however, that it frequently happens that wo-
men at'fortv five fare as well as they co. IJ have done  with
their first child at  twenty five; none  therefore ought
to be  discouraged.   The natural efforts of the constitu-
tion in these cases are asto.iishmg.

      After reading these instructions through,
      Midwives  will see they have much to do; 
129           THE INDIAN GUIDE

    To natures call attend with care,
    And-then you'll have nothing to fear.

    You should at least possess the skill,
    So that you may your call fulfill;
    In exercises of this kind,
    The above instructions strictly  mind.

    A specific antidote I'll name,
    Which will promote or relieve the pain;
    When nature's effort is thus at hand,
    To the following recipe attend.

    Steep red raspberry leaves a while—
    A little cayenne may be added too,
    And  let the patient drink the same,
    It will relieve, or promote the pain.
    LITHIASIS, or the GRAVEL and STONE.
  These diseases depend upon a pe > lia  disposition
•f the fluids, and more particularly the secretion of the
kidneys, to form a calculous matter, and have been sup-
posed to be owing to the presence of an acid principle ia
them, termed the urine acid,  which seems confirmed
by the benefit derived from a couse ofalkaline medicine.
Along use of fermented liquors, and of wine abounding
with tartar,  mtiy possibly in some constitutions prove
occasional causes of the gravel and stone.  It has also
been long supposed that water  impregnated  with sul-
phate and carbonate of lime,  constituting what is call-
ed hard water, predisposes persons to be afflicted with
the gravel and  stone;  instances  have  been adduced
where a stone has arisen from the accidental introduc-
tion of some substance in the  bladder, thereby forming
a muclus.  That a  morbidly increased secretion  of
gravelly matter frequently occurs independent of ex-
ternal causes, we have the most satisfatory proof in tha
hereditary disposition or many families to  this com- 
TO HEALTH.               1S1
plaint.  The real causes of the formation of calculi re-
main, however, still unknown.  An excess of uric aefcl
is generally supposed to#be the proximate one.  Thos»
who are in the decline of life, and who have been much
engaged in sedentary employments, as likewise thosl
who are much afflicted  wi:h the gout, are in general
very subject to nephritic complaints; but if is a matter
of notoriety that the period of life from infancy  to a-
bout fifteen years, is most subject to the formation of   '
calculi in the bladder, and that the children of the poor
are afflicted in a greater proportion than those of the
opulent.  From  the difference in the structure of the
urinar)' passages in the  sexes, men  are  much  more
liable to them than women.  In warm climates we sel-
dom meet with instances of calculours concutions for-
ming  of any size  eithei in  the kidneys  or  bladder,
as the particles of sand deposited fiom the urine  usu-
ally pass off before they can a there together, owing to
the relaxed state of the parts, but in cold ones they are
found frequently of considerable magnitude.  A fit of
the gravel is attended with a  fixed pain in the loins,
numbness of the thigh on the side affected,  nausea and
vomiting, and not unfrequently  with a slight suppres-
sion of urine.  As the irritating  matter  removes from
the kidneys down into the ureter, it sometimes produ-
ces such a cute pain as to occasion faintings and  con-
vulsive fits.   The symptoms which  attend on a stone
in the bladder are a frequent inclination to make water,
which flows in a small quantity,  is often suddenly  in-
terrupted, and is voided towards the end with pain ii
the glans penis.   The patient, moreover, cannot  bear
any kind of rough motion; neither can he  make use of
any severe exercise without enduring great torture,and
perhaps bringingoneitheradischarge of bloody urine
or some degree of temporary suppression.  With these
symptoms he experiences pain in the nedi of the  blad-
der, tenesmus, itching and uneasiness in the anus,  fre-
quent nausea,and  sometimes a numbness of one or both
thighs, with a retraction of one  of the  testicles,  the
treatment when you discover the above symptoms you
jiay readily conclude what is the disease, you will gat 
 132           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 a peck of smart weed the same of the tops of wild indi-
 go  boil this well in two or three gallons of water down
 to one quart  then strain  it add one jill of whiskey, a
 half pound *of white f-ugar, of this you^ill take a table
 spoonful three times a clay, you will also take  twenty
 drops of the compound horsemint,  three or four times
 a day in a little water, look for horsmint in tiie meteria
 medica, if in case there should be too free a portion of
 urine from the affects of the dose, a less portion should
 betaken, if there appears to be much pain about  the
 kidneys take a half a tea spoonful  of  the tincture of
 cubebbs with  ten drops of laudanum three or four timee
 a day, keep the bowels  open with mild purgatives and
 nothing more is necessary;  I have releaved  hundreds
of this disease with the  above prescription, let the diet
be light and cooling.
              ST.  VITUS' DANCE.
  This disease is marked  by convulsive actions, most
generally confined to one  side, and affecting principal-
ly the arm and leg.   When any motion is attempted
to be made, various fibres of the muscles act which
ought not, and thus a contrary effect is produced from
what the patient intended.   It is chifly incited to young
persons of both sexes, but particularly those of a weak
constitution, or whose health and vigor have been im-
paired by confinement, or by the use of scanty and im-
proper nourishment, and makes its attacks between the
age of ten to fifteen, occu ring but seldom after that  of
puberty.  By some physicians it has been considered
rather as a paralytic affection,than as a convulsive dis-
order, and has thought to  arise from a relaxation of the
muscles, which being unable to perform their functions
in moving the limbs; shaite them irregular by jerks.—
St. vitus' is occasioned by  various irritations,  as teeth-
ing, worms,acrid matter in the bowels, offensive smells,
poisons  &c.  It arises likewise  in consequence ofvio-
* 
TO HEALTH.                138
lent affections of the mind, as horrour, fright and anger.
In many cases it  is produced by general  weakness and
irritability of the nervous system, and in a few it takes
place from sympathy at seeing the disease in others.—
The fits arc sometimes preceded  by a coldness of tha
feet and limbs, or a kind of tingling sensation, that  aa
•-•ends like cold air up the spine, and there is a flatulent
pain  in the left side, with  obstinate costiveness.  At
other limes the accession begins with yawning, stretch-
ing, anxiety about the heart, palpitations, nausea, diffi
culty of swallowing, noise in the ears,  giddiness,  and
paimi in the head and teeth, and then comes on thecon-
vulsivc  motions.  These discover themselves at  first
by a kind of lameness or instability of one of the legs,
which the person draws after him in an  odd at d ridic-
ulous manner as  if it  was practice, nor can he hold the
arm of the same sidestill for a moment;  for if he lay*
it on his brca.-t, or  any other part of his body, it is
forced quickly from thence by an  involuntary  convul-
sive motion.  If he is desirousof drinking, he uses many
simgular gesticulations before he can carry the cup to
his head, and  it is forced in various directions, till at
length he gets it to his mouth, when he pours the liquor
down.his throat with great haste, as if he meant to af-
ford amusement to the bystanders.  Sometimes various
attempts at running and leaping take place, and at oth-
ers the head and  trunk of the  body, are affected with
convulsive motions.   The eye loses its lustre and  in-
telligence and the countenance is  pale and expressive
of vacancy : deglutition is occasionally performed with
difficulty, and  articulation is often impeded, and some-
times completely  suspended.   In  the advanced period*)
of tho disease, flaccedity and wasting of the muscular
flesh takes place,  the consequence of constant irritation
el'ubated appetite, and  impaired  digestion.  In many
■istauces the mind is afflicted  wi.h some degree of Wi-
ldly, and often shows  the  same cau~e!e>s emo' ..>:,-.
».uch as weep'mgand laughing, which occur i.i hystct i...
When this disease arises in children, it us'  '! . ;• -n-.^'n
a^ain before the age of puberty, md in  1 ' :.;■»  a o:Va
car;j«*l  »'f by  i cha i^c  from the (xi.ir ..>^' j or :ic -— 
 184           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 Unless it passes into some other disease, such as epilep*
 sy, or its attacks are  violent, it  is not attended with
 danger.   Where chorea arises in those of a weak irri-
 table habit, and is wholly unconnected with any species
 of irritation, either of teething, worms, or acrid matter
 in the first passages, we should not employ evacuants,
 but have recourse to strengthening remedies with the
 view of increasing the tone of the muscular system.
  In the treatment ©f this disease bleed  freely, give
purgative medicines, produce a regular action  on the
nerves, give strengthening tonics, &c. &c.
   SUPPRESSION and DIFFICULTY op URINE.
   When there is a frequent desire of making water at-
 tended with much difficulty in voiding it,thecomply int is
 called dysuriaor strangury; and when there is a total
 suppression of urine, it is known by the name of ischu-
 ria.   Both ischuria anddysuria  are distinguished into
 teute, when  arising in consequence of inflammation,
 and chronic, when  proceeding  from any other Cause*.
 tuch as calculous, &c.  The causes which give rise to
 these diseases are, an inflammation of the urethra,  oc-
 casioned either by veneral soies, or by a use of acrid"
 injections, inflammation of the veru-montanum,  bladder
 er kidneys, considerable enlargements of the  hemor-
 rhoidal  veins,a lodgement of indurated faecos in  the
 rectum, spasm at the nect of the bladder, the absorption
 of cantharides applied externally or taken internally,
 excess in drinking either spiritous or vinous liquors,
 er paxticles of gravel sticking in the neck of-the blad-
 der, or lodging in the urethra, and thereby producing
 fcrtation.  Gout, by being translated to the neck of the
 bladder, will sometimes occasion these complaints.  In
 many instances the obstruction to the flow of urino i.j
 to a great ineasuio ;..■ ing  to a diseased action of  the
 muscles; in some ot  aiem it is entirely to be attributed
tt> thi« cause.   A vary frequent cause however of both 
TO HEALTH.
I3fi
 dysuria and ischuria is an enlargement, or other dis-
 eased state of the prostate gland, a complaint with which
 men  in advanced Lie are  veiyapt to  be  afflicted.   It
 is usually excited by full living o'" every kind, inebrie-
 ty, indulging to excess with women, or producing fre-
 quent excitement in the .-eminal vessels by masturba-
 tion, seveie attacks ofgonorrhiea a confined state of the
 bowels uud exposed to cold.  Indeed, whatever increases
 the circulation of the  blood in these parts beyond the
 healthy standard, may become a cause of inflammation
 in this gland, the blood vessels of which, lose their tono
 in an advanced period of life.  From various dissections
 made by oir Edward Home, it appears that  when the
 prostraie gland  becomes diseased, it  i3  not its body or
 lateral  portion which  in  gene.al  aie  principally en-
 larged, but its middle loble, which gradually  becoming
 of an increased size, pressor inward towards the cavity
 of the bladder in the form of a nipple,  pushes the  in-
 ternal membrane of the bladder before it obstructs the
 flow of urine, and gives to dysuria and  tenesmus, with
 many constitutional symptoms.   In dysuria there is a
 frequent inclination to make water, attended with smar-
 ting pain, heat,  and di'liculty in  voiding  it, together
 with  a sense of fullness in the region of the tiladder.
   The  symptoms often vary,  however, according to
 the cause which has  given rise to It.   If  it proceeds
 from a  calculous in the kidney or ureter,  besides the
 affections mentioned, it will be t .-..•.•mpanied with nau-
 sea, vomiting, and acute pains m :ho ioins and region
 of the ureter and kidney  of tho side affected.   When
 the stone in the bladder or giavel in the urethra is the
 cause, and acute pain will be felt at the end of the penis
 particularly on voiding the last drops of urine, and the
 stream of water will either be divided into two,  or  be
discharged in a twisted manner, not unlike a cork-screw.
In an  enlargement or scirrhus of the prostate gland has
 occasioned the suppicssion or difficulty of urine, a hard
 indolent tumour unamended  with any acute pain may
 readily  be felt in the periuaeum, or by  introducing the
 finger in one.  Dysuria is seldom  attended with much
 danger, unless by neglect  it should terminate  in a total 
 13S           THE INDIAN GUIDE

 obstruction.   Ischuria may always be regarded as a
 dangerous complaint, when it continues for any length
 of time, from the great  distension of the bladder, and
 other consequent inflammations which ensues.  In these
 cases where neither a bougie nor a catheter can be in-
 troduced, the event in all probability will  be fatal,  as
 few patients will  submit "lo the only means of drawing
 off the urine before a considerable degree of inflamma-
 tion and tendency to gangrene have taken place. VV'hea
 supprise has arisen in consequence of the application
 ofa blister, as sometimes  happens, noth'ng more will
 be necessary than to direct the patient to  drink plenti-
 fully of warm diluent liquors, such as, a thin solution
of gum-linseed tea, or barley water.  When it proceeds
 from any other cause, and the symptoms are violent, a
strong solution of smart weed and  of horse mint, and
parsley, fleebane—(this last  see  materia medica.)—
Thase articles should all be put in a vessel with  a sufli
ciency of water and boil the same down to a strong de-
coction and strain it, and let it settle and  pour it o8"
from the sediment  add  to this  preparation a small
quantity of spirits, and use it modeialely for your eon-
s'ant d:i:dc. 
A LIST OF MY STUDENTS  AND THEIR
           ACQUIREMENTS. •
  Tuo/.ias Si^man, my brother, he was my first Student;
he stayed with me three years and made great improve-
ment in my practice.
  Joux E. Goodwin, stayed  with mo one year and tnade
good improvement for the time.
  f-.it.A3 D. RHADiS'.r,  bn  only stayed with  r.v*  (W5 or
liiroc la-v-t1:;', h-o barned nothing.
  ".u'iUis' !\ You:vS. another only sra.iind  w.th  rw» e
low weeks*, he gained noi::-:ght.
  Samuul P. LAXasDON, h the last student t'lat Lis »iu-
i4i»d under m?, b<*s<n in for two years, he has now been
With me near eighteen mouth-',, his proviecrs-a^rptnr ""-
ry flif,'*ria^.
                                 S. II. SELSTiN.
* 
'* 
MATERIA MEDICA.
    8WEET FENNEL, thb R00T8 axd SEEDS
   This i> a biennial plant, of which there aro two va-
'i.i'oties.   The sweet fennel grows wild in Italy; but is
•ultivated in gardens in  England.   It is  smaller in all
its parts  than the common, except the seeds, which are
.considerable larger.  The seeds of the two sorts differ
Likewise  in shape and colour: Those of the common are
i/ounJish, oblong, flattish on one side, and protuberant
«n the other, of a dark almost  blackish  colour,- !ho«o
•f the sweet are longer, narrower,  rot so flat, general-
ly crooked, and of a  whitish or pale yellowish colour.
Tho seeds of boih the fennels have an aromatic smell,
a-d a moderately warm, pungent taste: and also ha-.-Q
a considerable degree of sweenies.-.  Tho roots mado
;ihto ate:.; isevceilent in  cases of colds, coughs, diar-
j.bu;a, <«;c.   The  oil of the seeds  is a very excellent
s.timuIou3, and should be used in intermittent fevers,
idisumalisms, gout, and any disease of the lungs  wi; cl-
ever, it should bo taken in  a little weak toddy.   Tho
uii appik-d externally is good in cases of white swelling
soroiula, and cancers.
    ANGELICA, vb9 ROOTS akd SEEDS.
A^elica Is a huge biennial umbelliferous pla«<.  It 
HO           MATERIA MEDICA.
       grows spontaneously on the banks of rivers in  Alpine
       counfies; but for the use of the shops, it is cultivated
       in different parts of Europe.  All  the parts of angelica,
       especially the roots, have a fragrant aromatic smell,
       a pleasant bitterish  warm taste, glowing upon  the lips
       and palate for a long time afler they have been chewed.
       The flavour of the seeds and leaves is very perishable;
       particularly that of the latter, which, on being  barely
i      dned, lose the greater part of their tas e  and  smell:
       the  roots are more  tenecious of their  flavour,  though
       they lose part of it with keeping.  The fresh roots,
       wounded early in the spring, yields an odorous ye'low
       juice;  which slowly exsiccated, proves an elegant gum-
       my  resin, very rich in the virtuous bf the angelica.—
       Qq drying the root, this juice concerts  intodisiinct mo-
       Icculae, which, on cutting it  longitudinally appear dis-
       tributed in little veins; in this stale, they are extracted
       by alcohol, but not by watery liqrors.  Angelica roots
       are apt to grow mouldy, and to be preyed on by insects,
       unless thoroughly dried, kept  in a dry place and fre-
       quently aired.  Take a peck of the roots of angelica,
       U>il  in two gallons of weak vinegar or strong cider, ts
       erne quart; to  this should be added one pint of  honey:
       tbi.?  is a first raie preparation for Pulmonary Consump-
       tion  a strong tea made of the seeds is excellent in ease*
       ol flooding, and will  lelieve pains in  the stomach  or
       bi>Mcls.  The oil made i:roa tincture is one of the mo^t
       Xfo cmost things in the  Materia Medica in case- of  tin
       gave! or any eruptions in  the  uterine  vessels,  .'.a
       aJult may take from  a half to a  tea  spoonful ih.M
       ti.u i.-t aday in a little water.  It may also be  u-.e!  in
       etJ^w- vf fits or any spasmodic aflV-etions whatever.  Tli-)
       leaves diieJ and pulverized and made into pilis with a
       lit tie sugar and water is a great tonic for the ston adi
       two or Uuee  should  be taken everyday it will uUu
       ^'■rtng'hwo the ne; vcs.
   ('UMKON  CAMOMILE, inu l"L"OV»"Site'.
Ifat.' oir.ile In a biennial plan*,indigenous to ir.w south 
MATERIA MEDICA.
141
•jf England,but is cultivated in many of our gardens.
The flowers have a s:roig, n-jt uo^ateful, aronitic
^rnell, and a very bitter nausea  taste.  1 hese are so
very  generally emploved in  medicine, as to render
their extensive cultivation in the  United  States  well
worthy of mankind.  The single variety is'best.  Their
active constituents are  bitter extractive, and essential
oil.   To the latter is to be ascribed their anti-spasmodic
carminative, cordial, and diaphoretic effects; to the
former their influence in  promoting digestion.   Medi-
cal use—Camomile flowers are a very common and ex-
cellent remedy, which is often used with advantage in
spasmodic diseases, in hysteria, in spasmodic and  flatu-
lent colics, in suppression of the menstrual discharge,
 in the vomiting of puerperal women, and in the  after
 pains; in  gout, in podagra, in  intermittents, and in
typhus.   As camomile excites the peristatic motion, it
 is useful in dysentery, but is not admissible in all cases
of diarrhoea.
   From its stimulating and somewhat  unpleasant es-
 sential oil,camomile is also capable  of exciting vomit-
 ing, especially when given in warm infusions: and in
 Ibis way it is often  used to  assist the action of  othec
 emetics.
    A cold infusion made by suffering cold water to stand
 over the flowers for eight or ten hours before use,  forms
 a most delightful drink, being divested of that oil, which
 is very ungrcaiful to many in the warm infusion.
    Externally camomile flowers may be prepared in an
 ointment wit-'* hog's laid or sweet oil, is good to remove
 pains from the joints, should lie  rubb.-d  on the parts
 affected warm by the fire every-night and morning.—
 An infusion of the flowers in the form of a tea drank
 warm isexcclle.it to promote the wen-k-s wherein there
 i ■; obstructions taken from cold.  Th>;<.-.;sentialoil may
  Iks obtained by distillalion this po.ses-ies  the anti-spas-
 modic powers in a high degree by  making the oil in a
  tincture it i> an excellent medicine in cases of Weakness
  in the bick particularly with f.-males: from ten to thir-
  ty drops may be taken three t'm.os a  day it will ulse
  itrengthen the whole dig<:,i!l>,x powcrj  of the. sy^eni.
                          13* 
 ]H           MATERIA MEDICA.

               SOUTHERN WOOD.
   This is a perenial shrub which giows readily in our
 gardens though a  native of the south of Europe.—
 Southern wood has a. strong smell  which to most of
 people is not disagreeable it has a pungent bitter  and
 •omewhat nauseous taste.  These qualities are very
 completely extracted by alcohol from the leaves  and
 roots, and the tincture is of a beautiful and green colour
 this is an excellent medicine and should be freely used
 in all cases of gonorrhea,  flour albus, humorrhage or
 flooding, from ten to a hundred drops a day in a little
 water may be used the quantity should be decreased or
 increased as the nature of the case may require.  The
 leaves and  roots makes an excellent salve when com- -
 bined  with dog'sor buzzard's oil, it is good to heal all
kind of ulcers, fresh cuts, burns, &c.
            COMMON WORM WOOD.
   This biennial herb grows by the  roadsides  and o«
rubbish in many parts of Britain and about London, in
cultivated for medical use, it is also a eonnnon shrub in
many of our gardens, its smell is strong and disagree-
able, its taste is intensely bitter, its active  constituent*
are bitter excrative and essentil oil, it is excellent in all
complaints of the stomach,  intermittent fevers, in ca-
chexy, ilydrophic, Jaundice, Worms, &c.   As the med-
ical properties are most confined to the oil, ii should be
distilled.  The oil is of a dark  green colour and con-
tains the whole flavour of the plant.   In some cases it
should be made intoa tincture with alcohol,this should be
given in cases of the Jaundice, fevers, &c.,the tincture
should be used in this form, the patient may take from
ten to thirty drops  three or four times a day in a Hula
water.  It is also excellent in cases of dyspepsia, cramp
colics, in those cases it  should be used as above men-
tioned, the oil is also good to destroy  worms in children
i'.K, y. :'.)•■?? to fiv* lT>p9sV>u!J be given ona!i:t!w su^a-i- 
MATERIA MEDICA.
MS
evary night for three or four nights in succession  I
never have knew it to fail of having a.good  effect.  I
have relieved children with this simple od when give*
©ut to die.
 INDIAN TURNIP, also called DRAGGON ROOT.
   Asthi-;herb is so well known through the western
 country by the citizens, it is not necessary to give ade-
 scritilionof the plant, but only of  its medical properi-
 lios.  The acrimony of the  root of this plant 's well
 known.  By the root being  dried and pulverized, four
 ounces to one pint of honey or molasses is good in casei
of Asthma, Croup,  Iioopingcough, Measles, &c. an a-
dult in those cases may lake  half a  table spoonful three
limes a day, children under ten years old one tea  spoon-
ful.
  The roots boiled  in sweet  milk is excellent for pains
 in. the bowels, and particularly when  there is difficulty
 of making water.   The roots and  top stewed in ho^s-
 lard makes a good ointment and may be advantageous-
 ly used in cases of scald head, Bing or Teter worms.—
 May also be used  on  the  glands of the neck whea
caused by cold,  mumps or any general  inflammation
 whatever.
           WILD GINGER, the ROOT.
  From the agreeable aromatic taste of  the  root, the
name of wild ginger have been given it.  it is also .call-
ed in some parts of the country coalts-foot, the root bv
distillation will yield a very bitter pungent volatile oil
of a  reddish colour.  This oil is a very great stimulous
and is good in weak debilitated cases of the stomach.__
The  oil by being used will  increase  the appetite  and
produce digestion dispel  wind from the stomach  aa« 
 144            MATERIA MEDICA.

 bowels, it should be taken from five to twenty drops  a
 day on a little loaf sugar.   The roots made into a strong
 tea will break the intermittent fever, it should bedrank
 freely every night at bed lime until  it  relieves the
complaint.
    BUTTERFLY WEED, PLEURISY ROOT.
  This is one of the most beautiful perenial plants flour-
ishing best in a light sandy soil by the way side, uadev
fences, and near old slumps  in  rye fields, there are
sometimes fifteen or twenty or moie stalks  the size of
a pipe stem producing from one root, rising from one
to two feet in height and spreading to a considerable
extent, generally in a decumbent position the stalks are
round and wooly, of a 1 eddish brown colour on the sua
side, the leaves stand irregularly and  are spear  or
tongue shaped, with a short  footstalk,  and  covered
with a fine down on thj!  under surface, the umbels are
compact at the extremities of the branches,  and formed
like the common silk weed, but differing from  it in the
colour of the flowers, being of a beautiful bright orange
colour, while those of the silk weed  are of a pale pur-
plish hue, the flowers appear in July and  August and
are distinguished by their size and brilliancy from  all
the flowers of the field, these are succeeded by  long and
slender pods containing the seeds, which have a delicate
kind of silk  attached to them, this is probably  :he only
variety of asclepias that is destitute of a  milky juice,
the root is spindle or carrot shape, of a light brownish
colour on the outer surface white coarse and  streaked
Within.
  This herb makes one of tho  best medicines  that 1
have ever used  in cases  of  the  pleurisy. The root
should be boiled in water  to a strong liquid or tea, and
may be taken from a table spoonful to a wine glass  full
three times a day.  1  have relieved ca.se-> of  pleurisy
with, this medicine, whan every thing else failed and  ihw 
MATERIA MEDICA.
145
patieut given out to die.  The root pulverized is a very
mild excellent purgative given in doses from ten to fif-
teen grains to an adult.  The loots beat fine and appli-
ed to the back of the neck will  ease  pain in the head,
shoulders, or arms.  And when it is rubbed  all over
the system it will produce a general  warmth  which is
very necessary in many cases.  When taken as a tea
is excellent in cases of cholera-morbus.  An extract of
it in a tincture by French brandy or  Alcohol is excel-
lent in cases of chronic rheumatism, and should be ta-
ken from a tea to a half a table spoonful two or three
limes a day.
        COMMON SILK WEED, thk ROOT.
   From the abundence of its milky juice this has also
been called milk weed, the leaves are spear or tongue
shaped  and the blossoms are of a reddish purple colour
and they are exhibited at the extremities of the branch-
es, the seed are contained in oblong pods, and are crowd-
ed with down extremely  fine and soft resembling silk
which have  occasioned the name of silk weed, the stalk
of this species is from three to six feet high, the leaves
are large standing on large footstalks, a  milky juice
exudes  from the stems or leaves when brolfen the root
as soon as it penetrates the earth, shoots off horrixon-
tally and often sends out other stalks  it abounds  round
fences and road sides in many parts of our county.
  It has a bitter aromatic taste.   This is a very excel-
lent and powerful tonic.  And may  be advantageously
used in Typhus, nervous and   dropsical cases.  The
root should be pulverized  when used in the above cases
and may be  taken in doses from two to four grains four
or five times a day.  It will break the fevers, and cleanse
the stomach, purge the blood,  strengthen  the nerves
operates mildly on the bowels, produces afion on the
gall, and keeps a regular circulation on the liver.__
When this root ia reduced to powder and taken in doses
from  half to a tea spoonful is verv good in cases of a
                        14 
146
MATERIA MEDICA.
snake or spider bite—each dose may be mixed with a
little honey.  It may also be  advantagiously used in
cases of dropsy and piles—and a small handful of this
root put to a quart of good spirits may prove quite ben-
eficial in the breast  complaint.  I  know a Doctor who
was cured of a pain in his breast by using this root one
week—He says that the way he prepared  it  was by
boiling a handful of it in water down to three gills and
added half a pint of honey to the liquor and simmered it
a minute or two over a slow fire and then bottled it, and
used a  table spoonful three times a day, living  at the
same time on light diet.
  N. B.  Previous to the adding of the honey, the li-
quor must be strained through a flannel cloth.
            AMERICAN CENTAURY.
  It is a beautiful annual plant abundant in many parts
of the United States, every part of it is  a pure  and
strong bitter which properly is communicated alike to
alcohol and to water.   It is a very  powerful astringent
it is a useful tonic and a promoter of digestion and may
be employed successively in cases  of yellow, intermit-
tent and remittent fevers.  It is a  remedy the Indians
apply greatly to in cases of diarrhoea.  The extract of
the root with alcohol should be freely used in all cases
of fever.
        WORM SEED, JERUSALEM OAK.
  this plant grows plentiful in the United States and is
much used for worm.-..   The whole plant has a power-
ful smell of which it is very retentive its taste  bitter,
with much aromatic acrimcny.   The whole plant may
be employed the express juice is used in doses of a tablo
•pooaful for a child two or three year* old.   A decent 
               MATERIA MEDICA.            147

tion of the plant made by boiling a hanaful of the green
leaves in a quart of milk  for about  one quarter of an
hour to which orange peels may be added and given to
a child four or five years old in doses about a wine glass
full two or three times a day.  The seeds may also be
employed, reduced to a fine powder and made into an
electuary with sirup, of this a child of two  or three
years old may take a table spoonful early in the  mor-
ning, abstaining  from nourishment  for some houns,  a
light dose may be given at night, it  is often necessary
to continue this course  for several  days.   The essen-
tial oil made of the  seeds are equally efficacious, and
should be taken from three to five drops on a little su-
gar once or twice a day.  This is a great medicine to
destroy the worms, and should be kept by all persons
who have families and freely used  when necessary.
          HORSE RADDISH, the ROOT.
   This perennial plant is sometimes found wild about
river sides and other moist places, is also cultivated iu
our gardens.  It flowers in June.   Horse raddish root
has a quick pungent smell and a penetrating acrid ta6te.
It nevertheless contains in certain vessels a sweet juic«
which sometimes exudes upon the surface.  By drying
it loses all  its acrimony, becoming at first sweetish and
afterwards almost insipid.  If kept in a cool place cov-
ered with sand it retains its qualities for a considerable
time.  This root is an extreme penetrating  stimulous,
it excites the solids and  promotes the  fluid secretions.
It may be advantageously used in cases of scurvy, like-
wise in dropsies, in  particular those which follow in-
termittent  fevers.   The medical properties of the root
should be extracted by alcohol,  this may be  done by
beating the root and adding the spirit to it, keeping the
same closely stopped in a bottle for two or three days,
it is then fit for use. and may be freely used as the na-
ture of the case may require.   The root pulverized and 
 148           MATERIA  MEDICA.

 formed into snuff will stop bleeding at the nose and ease
 pains in the head, it is also good to cut ofTphiloms off
 the eye, the loot roasted in the fire and then beat fine
while warm, and drank in French brandy will produce
deliverance of a child when many other remedies may
 fail.  The  leaves bound to risings, sprains, burns, cuts,
dsc, wet in a little  vinegar  may be advantageeusly
used.
   COMMON  SCURVEY GRASS, tcngce GRASS.
   This annual plant which grows at the sides ofclifis
 round fences in meadows, is also cultiaated in gardens,
 when it is fresh it has a peculiar smell especially when
 bruised and a  kind of.'aline acrid lasto which it loses
 completely by drying, but which it imparts by distilla-
 tion it yields an essential oil, the smell of which is ex-
 tremely  pungent the fiesh plant is a gentle stimulent
 andYiureiic.  It may beemployedexternally as agarg-
 lin sore throat and scorbutic affections of the gums.—
 When formed into a solution it is excellent to be used in
 cases of salivation where the tongue and mouth is veiy
 sore.   The oil is excellent incases of the gravel, and
 any debility of the  kidneys whatever,  it will  greatly
 increase the urine.  It  should be  taken fiom  five to
 twenty d:r-s two or  three times a day  in any of  those
cases, k .iu.uld bo taken in a strong tea made of pars-
 nips or U"gue grass.
  COMMON HEMLOCK or GARDEN HEMLOCK.
  This is a  large  bienial umbelliferous plant which
grows commonly about the sides of fields, under hedges
and moist shady places, the stalk isofien three, four and
even six  feet high, hollow, smooth not beset with hairs 
MATERIA MEDICA.
149
and marked with red or brown  spots, the leaves arc
large and have long and thick foot stalks which at tin
lower end assume the form of a groove, surround the
stem from each side of the foot stalk, other foot stalks
arit,e and from these astill smaller order on which there
are dark green  shining lancet shaped notched leaves.
The flowers consists of five white heart shaped leaves.
The scedd are flat on the one side and hemispherical oh
the  other.  Hemlock's should not be gathered unless
its  peculiar smell be strong, the leaves should be col-
lected in the month of June when the  plant is  in its
flower.   The leaves are then to be  dried quick  in  a
hot sun or rather on tin  plates before the fire, and pre-
served in bags or strong brown paper.   Fiesh  hemlock
contains not only the narcotic, but also the acrid prin-
cipals of the latter,the whole plant is somewhat poison-
ous when taken in over  doses, it produces vertigo, dim-
ness of sight, difficulty of speech,  nauseous  vomiting,
anxiety, spasms,  &c.   Though it  may be  used with
propriety  and  safety and with great  success.   The
leaves when dried and pulverized and formed into pilU
is an active purgative and may be used with safety—
The root  when distilled yields an  esseutial  oil, tha
slalk, leaves &a, may be distilled  with  the  roots, this
oil applied externally will cure the Tetter or ring worm
an 1  also the scald head, butitshould be  weakened with
spirits,  it is also excellent in cases of rheumatism,  it
should be rubbed on the joints every night and morning.
This oil incises of rheumatisms when  applied  as di-
rected,  have almost performed miracles.  I relieved a
man who came  to me from Lexington, the distance ot
fifty miles, he was nine days coming sometimes on hia
knees and then  hiscrutche, and through great difficulty
he arrived at my house, he had been alilicted  with tha
chronic rheumatism for about two years,  which had
disabled him from doing any kind of business whatever.
The joints were all completely swelled and  his person
much drawn and disfigured.  He stayed in my neigh-
borhood three  weeks during which  time I attended on
him.   I used this oil all over him externally from the
sole of the foot to  the crown of the head every  night 
 150           MATERIA MEDICA.

 and morning at the same time giving him a tincture of
 gum-guiaccum and mild purgatives.thiscourbeof treat-
 ment entirely relieved him to the astonishment ef all
 the neighborhood and those who seen him, he walked
 back to Lexington in a day and a half.  Tho' this poor
 man had not a dollar in the world and was looked upon
 as a vagabond owing to his affliction.  Since he got well
 is  accumulating more property than any citizen in the
 city of Lexington.   I have relieved many of this awful
 disease  byr pursuing the same course.  The oil when
 formed into a tincture is one  of the best medicines in
 all the materia medica for the obstruction of the menses
 produced by cold.  It should be taken from ten to thir-
 ty drops three times a day.   The abdomen should be
 Lathed in an ointment made of camomile flowers every
 Light.   By pursuing this course it will  produce that
 regular  discharge that nature  requires.  It is also ex-
cellent in cases of hysterics.
             DOG WOOD the BARK.
  1 i'is beautiful shrub is found in every  part  of the
United States.  In ihe New England States it is known
by the name of box-wood.  The bark is a  very consid-
erable astringent, and should be  used in all cases o("
diarrhceaand intermittent fevers.  The  Indians em-
ploy it in all kind of fevers with a great deal of success.
The berries distilled yield  a dark  brownish colouied
oil, which is excellent in cases of chronic diseases of
the liver, dyspepsia and  indigestion  of  the stomach:
from ten to twenty drops of the oil should be used three
times a day in a little water. A decoction of the leaves
ar blossoms made strong is good in cases of flooding.
  SWAMP, or SKUNK CABBAGE the ROOT.
Not many persons who are acquainted with the skunk 
MATERIA MEDICA.           151
cabbage.  The multiutde of large rank growing leaves
from one single root.  It grows in swamps, meadows,
and near fences and lanes &c, and may be bought at
the botanical shops.  The sensible properties of this
herb gives it a place in this materia medica, every part
of the plant is a powerful anti-spasmodic.  The  root
pulverized made into a powder is excellent in eases of
Asthma, pulmonist, scrofula and diabetes, from five to
ten grains may be taken three  times a day in a little
honey.   The bruised leaves is  excellent applied to ul-
cers wounds and all cutaneous disorders such as ulcer-
ations.   The juice  applied to herpes is an immediate
cure.  The leaves are also good to dress blisters &c.—
The leaves made into a tea is good in cases of hysterica.
Hypochrondiac, pains in the stomach and intestines.
   PHILADELPHIA FLEA BANE the PLANT.
  This is one of the most common plants in our country
it grows in fields and  meadows.   The plant is two or
three feet in height, much  branched at the top.  Tl.e
root is branched somewhat fibrous and of a yellowish
cast the upper leaves and flowers are numerous of a
whiti-h and rather a blue colour.  It begins to flower in
July and  continues till  August.   The  leaves  flowers
and roofs, act as a powerful sudorific and diuretic.   It
maybe advantageously used in cases of dropsy, a
strong tea made of the  roots leaves  and  flowers, will
carry off waters in case of  dropsies, when used in a
strong tea.   The flowers  alone is excellent to be used
in a decoction of French brandy for the gout or kings
evil.  The roots pulverized  into  a powder is good in
cases of burning in the stomach, colics and jaundice, an 1
should be taken from a tea  to a table  spoonful threo
times a day.  It will  also act mildly on the boweli a*
a purgative. 
158            MATERIA MEDICA.
 TIIOROUGHWORT—BONE-SET, INDIAN SAGE.
   This plant is known by the name of Thorough-stem
 bross-wort, Indian sage and is used a great deal among
 the Indians, in cases of fever as an emetic.  This a na-
 tive anual plant, flourishing abundantly in wet mead-
 ows and other moist places.  The stalk is hairy and
 rises from two to four feet in  height, the flowers are
 white and appear in July and August, forming a corym-
 bus at the termination of the branc'ies, the  leaves  at
 each joint arc horizontal  from  three  to  four  inches
 long, and about an inch broad, at  the base gradually-
 lessening to a very acute point of a dark green and
 covered with short hairs.   Thoroughwort  certainly
 possesses active properties as an emetic sudorific, some-
 times as a purgative.   The root pulverized and taken
 in a little molasses or honey is good in case of phthisic
croup &c, should  be used according as the case may
 require.  A water infusion of the leaves made warm is
a very excellent emetic, and should be  freely used in
every case of thctomach where there appear to be too
great a collection  of improper bile.  The flowers also
forms an excellent ointment combined with bog's lard
er buzzard's oil, this is excellent  to heal all kinds  «f
ulcers, sores,  sore throats &c. o^c.
       COMMON or WILD HORE HOUND.
  This plant grows in abundance- in many part- of our
country.   As it is so Well known to the ci'.izens of the
country it is not necessary to  give  any discription  ot
the herb, only  its medical  qualities, it is  one of tha
great tonics of our western country, and should be free-
ly used in all cases where fevers are broke to nourish and
sir; ■; gt'nen the system.   The leaves should be beat fine
and mixed  with wine and should  be freely used  in all
weak and debilitated cases.  The root pulverized and
mixed with honey is good to break a cold and to produce
an expectoration from the lungs and at the same time
will stresgthen the stomach «!Lc. 
               MATERIA MEDICA.            153

   MOUNTAIN TEA or PARTRIDGE  BERRY.
   It is also called berry tea, and by some deer berries.
It is  extenseively spread over the more baron moun-
taneous  parts of the United  Stales.  As  it is so well
known by the people generally, it is not necessary  to
say  but  little respecting its description.   The root,
leaves, and berries  distilled yields an essential oil.
which may be advantageously used in cases of coughs*
colds, consumptions,  obstructions of the system in gen-
eral.   From fiive to  fifteen drops of the oil should be
taken on a little  loaf sugar two or three times a day.
The leaves boiled to  a strong tea is excelent to be used
;n cases of flour albus or whites.  The berries when
completely boiled and thickened with honey and flour,,
equal quantities  forms an excellent salve for  cancers,
sore legs, stone bruises, ulcers from scrofula,  and any
risings whatever.
                 INDIAN PHYSIC.
   This shrub grows plentifully in 1 Ik: United States and
 is one of the few active plants of the class Scosandria,
 the root which is generally employed is equal or supe-
 rior to the ipecacuanha, thoacji\e powers seen to reside
 excessively in the root it is a safe efficacious emetic, in
 doses of about thirty  grains, it also possesses a tonic
 power and may  be used very beneficial in intermittent
 fevers, it is *ome times very injudiciously employed by
 tho country people in so much they are obliged te ap-
 ply for medical aid, to remove thedibility produced by
 nver portions of tho root..  It should be taken in small
 portions until it vomits  i're<iy, when used in this  way
 there is no danger to be apprehended.   It not only re-
 moves the overporlion  of bile from the stomach,  but
 strengthens the digestive powers of the system.  When
 it is used in small broken  dosus it is good for pains in
 the stomach, side, back and head, and will also produeo
 a free  c.xpi'-'oriitlon fnm \\-.<- \   ■ ;:> when  it  <s prrj'c-
u I from   ; 
P54
MATERIA MEDICA.
                YELLOW ROOT.
  This is a common plant in various parts  of  the  U-
States, the root is a very powerful bitter and when dri-
ed it has a strong virose smell, a spirituous infusion of
the root is a very excellent tonic and should be freely
used in all cases of scrofula.   It clenses the stomach
and purifies the blood acts upon the  uterine vessels.—
The root pulverized into a powder is greatly  used a-
mong the Indians in all cases of cancers and indeed very
successively too.   I have tried the effects of this  pow-
der myself in cases of cancers and  at all  times  with
great success.  The leaves boiled in strong vinegar say
two pounds of the leaves in half a gallon of vinegar
boiled to  halfa pint is excellent in cases of snake bites,
particularly where there  is any  inflammation  arisen,
from half to a table spoonful should  be  taken thrice a
day.  It may be increased or decreased as the  natuie
of the case may require.  The  juice of the leaves when
beat is good for fits, a wine glass full should be drank
two or three times a day, this has relieved many when
given up to die.
      PUCCOON  ROOT or BLOOD ROOT
  The puccoon root may be very easily  known as it
has a peculiar reddish or rather  an orange coloured
juice which pervades every part of it,  it is one  of ±\\q
most beatrit'ul and delicate vegetables'of our country,
it is particularly interesting from its  flowering at a
season when  there is little or no general verdure, and
scarcely any  thing in bloom except trees, which render
this plant very attractive.   It is also one of the most a-
bundent plants in our State and generally grows in rich
bottom land and on the si'lcs of hills ereeksand branches.
This plant is an emetic and a purgative, though itshoud
be cautiously used, yet  it may be used with impunity
either as an emetic or purgative,   The root should be
boiled to a strong decoction in the  form of tea, it is  ex- 
MATERIA MEDICA.
!•£
cellent to be taken in this way, particularly in cases of
crampcolic,biliouscolic,cholera morbus or an inflamma-
tion in the bowels, from a table spoonful to a wine glase
full  should be drank warm in any of those Cases.  The
juice extracted is good to put in weak eyes to strengthen
them, is also good for the .tooth ache, for  sore mouth.—
The juice when  mixed with a little laudanum or sweet
oil is a sure remedy for a pain in the ear.
             COMMON HEN-BANE.
  Hen-bane is an annual  plant which grows in great
abundance in many parts of our  western country it
generally grows by the road sides and among rubbish,
it flowers in July, its smell is strong and peculiar, and
when bruised something  like tobacco especially when
the leaves are burnt, and  on burning they sparkle as if
they contained  a nitrat, when  chewed however they
have  no :aline  taste, but are insipid mild and pleasant.
Hen-bane is a narcotic and sudorific, and may be freeiy
used in any cases where it is necessary.
   The root when pulverized and formed into a decoc1
tion with wine is one of the most powerful  medicines to
act upon the nervous system that 1 have ever tried, it
will cure the nervous  fever,  and any  debility of  the
nerves whatever.  It  is great in cases of nervous colic
or wind in  the blood, it will produce a sweet perspira-
tion through the whole  system at the same time act
gently upon the bowels.   It will also produce a flow of
urine, and  strengthen the stomach.  It is also good for
the jaundice or an obstruction of the gall.   It may also
be used in  cases of the consumption, (of the liquid  as
described)  it should be taken from a ta'de spoonful to a
wine glassful two or three simes a day.   If m- case it
should act too powerfully on the system a less quanti-
ty may be  taken.  The Indians use this preparation in
all nervous affections whatever, and  generally with  a
«-reat deal of success.   The leaves bruised  and  applied 
156            MATERIA MEDICA..

foany  inflammation or swellings, externaLly, is also*
useful
                COMMON HYSOP.
   Hysop is a perenial  herb which gro-vs wild in Ger-
many, though it iscultivatediu our garde-ns in America.
Its leaves have an aromatic smell and a warm pungent
taste. The virtues depend entirely on the essential oil
which rises by distillation.  T!:io oil is excellent in ca-
ses of bleeding of the lungs, it should be mixed in a lit-
tle sugar, and should be taken  from ten to tv.enty drops
three or four times a day    It is good in cases of hoarse-
ness and colds.   Tins-oil  when combined with pulver-
ized  cinnamon is excellent in cases of flooding.  It
should be  made  in a tincture, take  one fourth of an
ounce of the oil, one ounce  of cinnamon, three ounces
of alcohol, this should  be shook well together, i{ is thei>
fit for use, thedose shoulu be from a tea to half a table
spoonful, it may be increased or decreased as the nature
of the case may be.
              ELECAMPANE. ROOT.
  This  is a very large downy perenial  plant, some-'
times found wild in moist rich soils,  it flowers in July
and  August, this plant is known  to  most of persons,
therefore a description is unnecessary.  The root has
an agreeable aromatic smell, its taste on first, chewing
is gluttonous and as it were somewhat  ranked.   In a
little time it discovers an aromatic bitterness  consider-
ably acrid.   This rcot iscxcellen-t in case of consump-
tion  icteriotis  disoiders also in cases of  scrofula.   It
should bo boiled till the strength is entirely extracted
from the root the liquid should then  be strained and to 
              MATERIA  MEDICA.            157

every quart should be added a gill of honey, one grain
of refined nitre or salt petre, one ounce of Holland  gin,
this is good in all weak and debilitated cases of the sys-
tem whatever, one table spoonful! should be taken three
times per day, living at the same on light diet.   The
roots when made into a strong tea equally combined
with sarsaparilla and sassafras, drank at night  is a
great remedy for venerial diseases.
              AMERICAN  JUNIPER.
   This an ever green shrub growing on  healthy, and
 hilly grounds in many parts of our  country; the ber-
 ries have a strong not disagreeable smell, and  a warm
 nun^ent sweet taste, which if they are long chewed or
 previously bruised is followed by a bitterish taste.  It
 is seldom more than two or three  feet high, the root,
 leaves and berries yield oil by distillation, which is very
 stimulating carminatives.  An infusion of the leaves is
 a great remedy in cases of dropsy of the abdomen, it
 operates merely on the bowels and upon the uterine ves-
 sels, 1 have relieved many eases of dropsy by only giv-
 ing this simple remedy.  The oil should be made into a
 tincture when used, and should  be freely used in all
 cases of dropsy, from thirty to fifty drops of this  tinc-
 ture should be taken three times a day,  living at the
 same time on light diet.  The oil is good  in cases of
 white swelling it should be rubbed all over the affected
 parts, every night and morning; this oil alone has cured
 many cases of white  swelling,  being applied  in  this
 way, and at the same time living on light diet, and tak-
 ing mild purgatives it will do well to try this medicine
before the  patient has his leg or thigh taken off.
  LOBELIA IN FL ATI A,  INDIAN TOBACCO,
                  THE HERB.
The Lobelia inflatia is indigenous and  annual, rising
                        15 
158           MATERIA  .Ml DIG A.

from one to two feet in height,with branched stems. The
leaves are oblong,alternate; slightly serrated and sessile.
The blossoms are solitary, inakindofspike,of apale blue
colour.   It is found common in dry fields, among bailey
and rye stubble, and flowers in  July and  August;  its
pods are small and filled with numerous small seeds.—
The leaves chewed are at first insipid, but soon becomes
pungent, occasioning a copious discharge of saliva.  If
they are held in the mouth for some time they produce
a slight giddiness and pain in the head,  with a  trem-
bling agitation of the whole body; at length (if a small
portion of the chewed leaves be swallowed), they bring
on extreme nausea and vomiting.   This plant is pos-
sessed of very active qualities, notwithstanding the vio-
lent effects from chewing the leaves, and may be used
to great advantage in many cases; and may be ranked
as one among the formest plants in the materia  medi-
ca and forms a valuable medicine in the  cure  of Asth-
ma  and other complaints of the human system.  This
plant was employed by the aborigines as an emetic and
its properties have very  frequently been subjected  to
the  test of practical experiment.  It is found to operate
as a speedy and  active emetic, and it often induces a
most profuse perspiration immediately after  being  re-
ceived into the stomach.  It has proved servicable in
cases of cholic, where emetics were  indicated.  It is
probably one of the most powerful vegetable substances
with which we are acquainted, and no rational practi-
tioner  will-  have recourse to it, but with the greatest
precaution, although when properly and cautiously ad-
ministered proves both beneficial and efficacious in the
removal of diseases.  The dose usually prescribed for
an  adult is  from five to ten grains, of the powdered
leaves and pods, and the quantity necessary for a child
must.be regulated according to their age.  from three
to five grains may be given to a child of six  years of
age. The most proper form of administering the emetic
powder is to take a sufficiency for a dose and  put it in
a bowl and add about half a  pint of water  blood warm
and make three drinks of this at intervals often minutes,
And the same re; <.^;: I till the desired operation is pro-
duced. 
               MATERIA  MEDICA.            159

 SASSAFRAS BARK, the ROOT, ESSENTIAL OIL.
   This tree is a native of America, it is of a soft light
 and a spungy texture, of a  rusty  white colour, of a
 strong pleasant smell and a sweetish aromatic taste.—
 The trees in places grow to  a considerable height but
 we frequently find small shrubs of the same kind on the
 side of hills in thickets poor  ground it is from three to
 live feet high, the leaves of a pleasant taste, the outside
 hark of tho root a dark ruff appearance.  Sassafras from
 the quantity of volatile oil it contains a  gentle stimula-
 ting, heating,  sudorific and  dioretic properties.  The
 essential oil may be obtained by distillation,  it is of a
 whitish  yellow colour and sinks in water.   It is highly
 stimulating and heating, and must be given only in very
 small doses.  If is very useful in cases  of intermittent
 fevers, take half an ounce of the oil, forty grains of
 quinine, halfan ounce of alcohol, shake it together, and
 take from half a teaspoonful  to a teaspoonful two or
 three times a day in a little weak tody it will break any
 kind of chills or  agues in the course of two  or three
 days, though it should be  pursued until the complaint is
entirely removed.  The essential oil is a great remedy
 in case of wens, it should  be rubbed  on  warm  by the
fire every night and morning, it has c«red  many  of
that unpleasant disease,
      COW PARSNIP, or  MASTER WORT.
   This is a perennial plant of our country, it grows i
hedges near fences, the stalk is large tubular, investe
withadown which also covers  the leaves,that aielarg
and jagged five on each stalk,and very much the colour of
worm wood, it flowers in June the roofs is divided into
several long and fiberous branches, resembling a large
parsley root, and the height of the plant in its maturi-
ty may be from two to four feet high.  The root has a
rank strong smell, and pungent taste.  The particular
complaint in w hich this herb is good, is in epileptic/its, 
I GO           MATERIA MEDICA.,

it is one of the most formost things in the garden of na-
ture, for that melancholy and sad complaint.   The root
should be pulverized, and from three to five grains may
be taken two or three times a day in a little strong pen-
nyroyal tea, while taking of this medicine, there should
be half a pint of blood taken out of the arm every day,
this course should be pursued eight or  ten days.   I
never have knew it fail in performing a cure, the pa-
tient should be cautious  in taking cold, lo diet should
be used only gruel  and  soup.  The leaves boiled to  a
strong decoction and made into a salve with tallow, and
turpentine equal quantities, is a great salve in cases of
burns, it will extract  the fire from the system in a few
minutes, and ease the pain at the same  time,  it should
be kept by all families for that purpose.
            TULIP TREE or POPLAR.
  It is a native and well known  tree in the U. States
called also American poplar, it attains to a very large
size rLsii;g as high as any tree of the forest, and makes
a noble and beautiful appearance when in  flower about
the middle of May, this tree is remarkable for the shape
of its leaves, having the middle lobe of the three trun-
cate, or cut  transversely  at the  end;  the flowers  are
large and bell shaped, of three leaves, six  petals to the
erolla,  marked with green yellow and red spots,  and
many lance  : haped seed lying  one over another  and
forming a ;.oit of" cone.  The bark of the root is a great
tonic, and should be used in all  weak  and debilitated
cases of the system. The inside bark of the root should
be finaly pulverized—and should be taken from thiee t<
ten graias once or twice a day, when used freely it op-
erates mildly on the  bowels.   The  root boiled  to a
strongh liquid strained, and a quart of honey added to
the gallon is an excellent remedy in cases of dropsy of
the breast, and should be taken from a table spoonful to
a wine glass  full three times a day,   The bark yields
an essential oil by distillation of a whitish dark colour 
MATERIA MEDICA.
1G1
it has a beautiful perfume and pleasant to the taste, and
is good in cases of dyspepsia, and disorders of the liver,
weakness of the back, it should be taken  from five  to
twenty drops'two or three times a day in a little sirup,
tho oil applied  externally is  good  to strengthen the
joints.  A tea made  of the  blossoms is excellent for
Hysterical affections.
                 PEPPER  MINT.
  This species of mint is perennial and also a native ot
our country, it is cultivated in great quantities in Brit-
tain for the essential oil, the  leaves have a strong,  ra-
ther agreeable smell find intensely  pungent  aromatic
taste resembling that"of pepper and accompai ied with
a  peculiar sensation of coldness.  The oil is a very
considerable stimulous  and should  be freely used in
cases of cramp colic, and dysenlary.  A  strong  tea
made of the leaves is good to stop  vomiting or water
brash.
 VIRGINIA  BROOM  RAPE, or BEECH  DROPS.
  This plant is common in many parts of the  United
States, it generally grows among beech timber and in
shady ground, it is from three to nine inches high, two
or three little stems puts off from the herb two or three
inches from the  ground, has several small leaves on
each branch, though these leaves in a short  time  drop
air, and the shrub is left naked, it is extremely bitter to
the taste it is a great  astringent, and should be freely
used in cases of dysentary, or flooding, it  should  be
boiled in new sweet milk to a strong tea, and should be
taken from a wine glassful to  a gill two or three times
a day.  The  root boiled in beer or wine is excellent in 
162            MATERIA MEDICA.

diseases of the kidneys, particularly wheie ihcrc is a
pain on each side where the kidneys lay, a table spoo; -
f'ul should be  taken every night and morning.  Tl e
root  pulverized into a powder is good to put in a cancer
to eat out the root and  to heal up the ulcer,  and may
Le advantugeously used in eating out the pioud flesh of
any  sores.
         WOOD SORREL,  the LEAVES.
   This is a small perennial plant which grows wild in
 the woods and shady hedges,  the leaves contain a con-
 siderable quantity of acid and have an extremely plea-
 sant taste, they possess the powers of vegetable acids
 in general.  This little herb boiled in weak vinegar to
 a strong liquid, to which there should be added a smalt
 portion of the rust of iron, this should be given to all
 young females, about the time of menstruation; this
 will prevent any difficulty from taking place, and in all
 probability will secure the young lady's health through
 life.   It should be token  for throe Of  four monilis  iii
 succession,  untill they become  entirely regular; by pur-
 suing this course the lives of many young  ladies may
 be preserved, one table spoonful may be taken three
 times a day just before meal time.   The diet should be
 light, and the feet frequently bathed in warm water.—
 The juice of the leaves is  good in cases of weakness of
 the stomach, and also should be applied externally in
cases of the bites of Dogs, or any other venimous  ani-
mal.
    POKE the LEAVES, BERRIES, and ROOT.
  This is one of the most  common plants in  all our
country and well known by  the citizens  in general, it
has a thick fleshy perennial root, as large as parsnips, 
               MATERIA  MEDICA.           163

from this rise many purplish stalks about an inch thick
and six or  seven feet long, which  breaks into many
branches, irregular set with large oval  sharp pointed
leaves supported on short foot s'alks,  these are at  first
of a fresh green colour, butas they grow old they turn
reddish, these are succeeded  by  round  depressed ber-
ries, having ten cells each of which contain a single
smooth seed.  A tincture of the ripe berries in. brandy
or wine is a great remedy incases of sciatic, or chronic
rheumatisms,  and  should be freely  used in all  such
cases.  The leaves boiled to a strong tea with the ad-
dition of a small portion of the tincture of gum-guiacum
is good in cases of the small pox, a gill should be drank
three times a day,  this preparation have cured many of
that complaint.  The juice of the berries is a mild pur-
gative and is good in ail cases of costiveness  of the
bowels; The juice should be  simmered down  by the
fire until it becomes nearly  as thick as  honey, from a
halt to a table spoonful should be taken as the nature
of the case many require.
   The green root beat fine is excellent to be applied to
the feet, ancles, or any  other part of the system, it is
almost equal to Spanish flies.  Though  it does not pro-
duce the same effect on the skin.  An extraction of the
root with French brandy is a good emetic and may be
used  with entire safety, while it  is operating the patient
should drink freely of gruel or  warm water.  The
root  boiled to a strong decoction and thickened  with
flour, honey, eggs and sweet oil, forms a great salve for
the whre swelling or any running ulcer or sore.
       GREEN PLANTAIN the LEAVES.
  This herb is  very common throrgh all  our country
it grows in yards, by the side offences, in hedges sun-
shiny places cc  It flowers  from June to August tho
leaves is good to be applied  to bruises, slight wounds,
inflamed sore eyes.  The juice is good for poisons:  I 
 164           MATERIA  MEDICA.

 knew a man who was bit by  a rattle snake, in ten min-
 cites afterwards was completely blind and almost speech-
 less, a gill of the juice of the  leaves were poured down
 his throat and  in twenty minutes he was able to speak
 distinctly, in twenty minutes more the same quantity
 was administered  which give great  relief indeed.—
 There was some of the  leaves applied  to the place ex-
 ternally-—in three hours from that time, at the same
 fime he took a  gill of the juice in the same quantity of
 new warm sweet milk and  in the course of a  few days
 was entirely well, and another case of a gentleman,
 was bitten about the knee by a venimous spider, in a
 few minutes he observed a pain shooting upwards from
 the spot, which immediately appeared to reach his heart
 a quantity of plantain leaf was immediately procured
 and the juice being bruised  out was  swallowed largely
 by which the progress of the  poison soon was arested
and a final cure effected.  A strong tea made of the
leaves  is  good in cases of the croup  hoopingcough,
measles, &a
          MAY-APPLE or  MANDRAKE.
  This plant is very common throughout all  America
tlic fruit is excellent, and by many thought delicious.—
The leaves are rather of a poisonous nature.  The root
is an excellent purgative in doses of twenty grains pul-
verized,the root boiled intoa strong liquid equally com-
bined  with  Philadelphia flea-bane or  white blossom,
this is a great medicine in cases of the dropsy, particu-
larly of the abdomen.   The solution should be strain-
ed§and a wine glass full to be taken  two or three times
a day, should it opperate too severely on the bowels a
loss quantity should be taken it may be increased or
decreased  as the case may  require.   The leaves dried
and pulverized fine with the same quantity  of rhubarb
formed into pills makes a quick and  mild purgative on
the  bowels, at the same time  strengthen the stomach 
               MATERIA MEDICA.           165

and produce an expectoration from the lungs, in severe
cases of cold.
SENEKA SNAKE-ROOT or RATTE SNAKE-ROOT.
  Seneka is a perennial plant growing spontaneously
indifferent parts of the western country, this root  is
usually about the size of the little finger, variously bent
and  contorted, and appears as if  composed of joints,
whence it is supposed  to resemble the  tail of thejjani-
mal  whose name it bears.  A kind  of membranous
margin runs on each side the whole length of the root.
It is an active stimufous and increases  the force of the
circulation especially  of the pulmonary vessels.   A
strong tea made of the root is good to be taken  incases
of cold to produce perspiration and sweat.  It  is good
to be taken in cases of female obstructions, particular-
ly when caused by cold.  The root pulverized to a fine
powder and mixed with honey is good in cases of Asth-
ma or pulmonary consumption.  Twenty grains of the
root will  act mildly on the bowels  two or three times
and will leave the bowels in a good situation.
     GREAT BRISTORT or SNAKE WEED.
  This plant is perennial and grows in moist meadows
the root is about as thick as the little finger of a black-
ish  brown colour on the outside and reddish within the
root is  one  or two inches thick tnd some of them' six
inches  long, it tapers off very small at the  little  end
something like calnmus.   This root is a great astrin-
gent and should be u ed in all case* (»f flooding or spit-
ting of blood,  <»nd  Dyscntary, veneris diseases, the
root should be boded to a strong tea and may be takea
from a  wine glassful to a gill two or three times a day
in any  of those  cases above mentioned. The juice of
                       15* 
1SG            MATERIA MEDICA,

fhe leaves is good in cases of child bed  fever, to  allay
the inflammation, a table spoonful of the juice should
be taken every three hours until the fever and every
inflammation subsides.  I was called to see a woman
not long since who had this fever  that was given out to
die by  six other Doctors, when I went she  was con-
pletely swelled from her feet to her head large purple
spots on her face, head and arms, she was expected to
die every minute.  I  immediately give  her one table
spoonful of this juice combined with two grains of the
sugar of lead, which give her considerable ease in thir-
ty minutes, I then repeated the same dose and at  the
same  time weting the leaves  in vinegar, and binding
them all over the abdomen, by pursuing this course of
treatment  for two days and nights the woman was  en-
tirely relieved.,
                WINTER BERRY,
  This is a very common shrub in many parts  of the
United  States it grows in the greatest perfection in
swamps, masshy, low grounds, side of branches parti-
cularly among grapevines, its leaf is something  like
a bramble brier leaf its  berries keep green through the
winter, therefore it is called winter  berry.  The bark
is manifestly an astringent, is  likewise a  considerable
bitter, and pungent fast.  The berry greatly partake
of the bitter quality and if infused in wine  or brandy
may beadvantagiously employed  incases where bitter
tinctures are necessary the bark may be used as a sub-
stitute for peruvian in  intermittent fevers  and in all
other cases where barks should be given.   A  strong
decoction of the root boiled, should be freely used in ca-
ses of gangrene or mortification, a wine glassful should
be taken two or three times a day.  At the  same  time
keeping the bowels open  with salts.  This  medicine
will stop a mortification of the bowels  (or  intestines)
quicker any medicine I have ever used when taker in- 
MATERIA MEDICA.
167
wardly.  The same decoction should be applied exter-
nally on the parts affected.  It should be combined with
a small portion of sulphuric ether.  The root when dis-
tiled yields a darkish coloured oil—resembling the oil
of worm wood.  This oil applied externally will kill all
kinds of humors of the skin, and when it is made  in a
tincture is excellent in negro poison.  Should be taken
from ten to fifty drops two or three times a  day,  this
has cured that disorder when all other means  have
failed.
       P1PS1SIWAY  or WINTER GREEN.
  This herb grows on mountaneous land and on pine
plains when the box  berry or cheek  berry is  found
plenty it is an ever green shrub and grows from three
to six inches high, has a number of dark green leaves
about half an inch wide  and  from one to two inches
long with a scolloped edge tears several brown seeds
resembling allspice, the tops and roots possess medical
properties, the roots  when chewed are  very  pungent
which will be felt for  some time on  the tongue after-
wards, a  strong tea made of this plant is good  for can-
cers and all scrofulous humors, the root by distillation
yields an oil which is very useful in cases of consump-
tion or suppression of the menses, when used for the
consumption it should  he taken in a little syrup from
ten to forty  drops two or three times a day.  When
used for suppression the same quantity should be taken
in strong ginger tea.
       BUTTER NUT, WHITE WALNUT.
  This tree grows common in tins country and is well
known from the nut which it bears of an oblong  shape 
 168            MATERIA MEDICA.

 and nearly as large as an egg, in whieh there is a meat
 containing much oil, and is very good to-the  taste.—
 The bark taken from the body of the tree or roots and
 boiled down till thick may be made into pills, they op-
 erate mildly on  the bowels, a syrup made by boiling
 the bark and adding one third molasses and a little spirit
 is good to give children in cases of worms.  The buds
 and twigs may also be used  in the same case that is to
desfroy worms.  The nuts dryed and the outside baik
taken off, then broke to pieces yield a quantity of oil by
distillation, whieh is superiour to  the castor  oil  and
may be taken in less quantities, it does not cramp the
bowels in the least, but works  mild  and pleasant  and
may be used with entire  safety.
    BLACK-BERRY, the BARK of the ROOT.
  As this shrub is so extensively known it is not neces-
sary to describe it.   It is a  very powerful  astringent
and is good- in cases of the pock where it has been run-
ning on the system for some time, it should be used in
the form of a strong tea and the whole body should be
bathed in the same every night and  morning, at the
same  time  keeping the bowels open with mild purga-
tives, it is also good in cases of dropsy if it should check
the bowels too soon,  a small dose of salts should be ta-
ken and the same course pursued again, until a cure is
perfermed.   The bark of the root pulverized and made
into pills is  excellent in cases of the yellow Jaundice,
two of the pills should be taken every night.
                RUE the HERB.
  This is a small shrubby plant, a native of the south
of Europe and is cultivated in our gardens.   Rue has
a strong and grateful smell, and a bitterish penetrating 
MATERIA MEDICA.
169
taste, the leaves when in full vigor are extremely acrid
in so much as to inflame and blister the skin if much
handled.  Rue by distillation yields a volatile oil which
congeals readily, and may  be obtained in  great abun-
dence.  The oil possessing a stimulating and heating
nature and is serviceable  in all spasmodic  affections,
and obstructed secretions; the  oil when formed  and
made into a tincture is good in cases of hysterics  and
fits.   It should be used from ten to fifty drops, every
night and morning in a little tar water.  It is also good
in cases where a woman is in travail and the pains are
too slow.   P>y giving a tea  spoonful of this tincture
every ten minutes  will increase the pain immediately
and bring on deliverance.
   I was called to see a case of this kind not  long since
where every  thing had failed in producing deliverance
and the woman given up to die, so soon as I  got to  the
place I give a tea spoonful of this tincture  in  a little
weak toddy and in  twenty minutes the little stranger
was heard  to hallow.  This preparation may be used
with safety, it will be well  for mothers in that  line to
always have this preparation by them insomuch as its
utility in female cases  is w ondorful and beyond descrip-
tion.
     COMMON ELDER the FLuWERS &c.
  This shrub yrovvs In hedges, along old fences in pas-
tures, meadows &c, it flowers in May and ripens  its
fruit in  September, the berries have a sweet taste and
are very pleasant.   The juice of the berries is a quick
and mild purgative.   The juice when  simmered down
,>low to the consistency of molasses ai: i a small portion
of sugar added to it, is good m cases ef consumption, a
tea spoonful should be takeu three tii.-'s a day mixed
w i • L v half a tea spoonful of fresh  butler  or sweet oil,
this will strengthen the lungs and heal flic ulcers and
produce an expectoration of maaer, also ca:je"tliecough 
110
MATERIA MEDICA.
and will keep the bowels in a proper state.  The flow-
ers made into a strong tea and  drank freely promotes
the menses and lemovc obstructions.  The bark of the
root boiled very strong will remove swelling of the legs
by being bathed in it warm, it also makes a good salve
when  mixed with lin seed oil, tallow and opodeldoc for
any kind  of a rising, or cutaneous affections of any
kind.
    PRICKLY-ASH or TOOTH ACHE TREE.
  The bark is a very powerful stimulent and ex its its
effects, on the saliva glands when applied to the mouth
or even taken into the stomach, a tincture of the bark
is good in cases of rheumatism, the substance of  the
bark should be extracted by Holland gin,a table spoonful
should be taken once a day;  a tincture of the berries is
excellent in cases of cramp colic.  The fresh juice ex-
pressed from the roots afford great relief in that pain-
ful  disease termed the dry belly ache.   The bark of
the root dried and pulverized is a great snuff to be used
in cases  of pain in  the head it is also  good for that
painful disease called the tooth ache, it should be put in
the hollow of the tooth two or three times a day.
        WILD INDIGO the WEED, ROOT.
  This vegetable is indigenous and is  exclusively an
American plant it grows in great abundance  in almost
every barren pasture  and  in woods, the stalk rises to
two feet or more  high, sending off numerous branches
the leaves are small and  heart shaped, it has golden
coloured  blossoms, which  renders the plant very con-
spicuous, the seed vessels are inflated  containing nu-
merous seeds, the root is irregular in  shape of a dark
brown colour exeiuj.lly and sending  off many long 
               MATERIA MEDICA.           171

slender branches, its taste is unpleasant somewhat acrid
similar to that of ipecacuanha, the root by distillation
will yield a dark blueish oil which is very  heavy  and
thick and which is easily obtained by distilling.  This
oil is  a sure remedy in cases of gravel, it acts very
powerfully on the uterine vessels, it has  carried  otf
gravel in pieces by the urine in quantities.  It should
betaken from  three tofWdiops a day in a little spice-
wood  tea.  While using  of this medicine  the patient
should take great care so as not to take cold, the diet
should be sweetened water and bread, this course should
be pursued until the  pauent is  entirely,  relieved.  I
have  never   fiileJ  with this  medicine  in perform-
ing a cure, 1 have sent quantities of phials of this med-
icii.e to patients who was afflicted with thiscommplaint
in various parts of the United States and I never have
heard of it failing of  performing a cure.   The  leaves
diied, pulverized and made into pills is a quick and ac-
tive purgative leaving  the bowels in good  order.
     COLTS FOOT, the HERB and FLOWERS.
  This grows wild in moist situations producing yellow
flowers  in February and March, -it  is some  time  the
case they do not flower till the last of April or the first
of May, these soon fall offand are M-.r-ceeded  by large
roundish leaves, hairy undernea  '   '.  ir taste is some-
what acrid, thin herb is great in  cu.vs of Phthisic, and
other disorders of the breast,  this  root boiled  in new
sweet milk will give immediate relief in cases phthisic.
The leaves pulverized into a powder is guod in cases of
Hysterical affections, particularly where it arises from
a disorder of the bowels.  It is  also good  for burning
in the stomach.
  The root by distillation yields  an oil  which is good
in cases of consumption and should be used  freely in
such cases, it should be  taken from twenty-five to fifty
drops two or three, times a day, where the cough is bad. 
172            MATERIA MEDICA.

When the oil is made into a tincture it is good in cases
of the mumps, half a teaspoonful should be taken two
or three times a day in case it should fall in the testicles.
The oil should be used only externally, it will  suagc
the inflammation in the course of a few hours when the
parts are kept warm by the fire  and the application of
flannel &c, this course of treatment should be contin-
ued until a cure is obtained.
     WATER PARSNIP the HERB and ROOT.
   This is a perennial plant and grows  wild by the side
 of rivers and near ditches in the edge  of swamps and
 in dry creeks, and are found frequently in low grounds
 particularly in  marshy places, it  resembles the tame
 parsnip and grows from one to two feet high the leaves
 are rather more yellow than the tame parsnip.  The
 roots are of a  whitish colour, resembling  calamus,
 having joints and being about the size of the  finger
 or  somewhat  larger, the  tops of  this   herb  boiled
 in new sweet  milk is a  sure remedy in cases of poison
 producing from rats-bane, laudnaum, coriosive subli-
 rnaet, red precipitate or Jamestown weed.   Haifa pint
 of this liquid should be  drank  every twenty minutes
 until rel'ui'!; obtained.  I never have knew it fail in
 any oft!,  e cases.  The  root pulverized and taken in
 wine is good in cases of cutaneous affections and ulcers
of all kind from  a table spoonful to a wine glass full
should be taken twice or three times  a day, at the same
time living on light diet.
         THE  COMMON  BIRCH  TREE.
  This is a native of our country and grows  in abun-
dance on the top of clifts, near creeks, mountains  and
rivers, it is a tree very well  known among the citizens
in general, that  a further  description ii unnecessary. 
MATERIA MEDICA.
173
The inside bark of the tree pulverized and taken in
French brandy is a great medicine in cases of epilepsy,
it strengthens the system,  purges the blood, acts on the
liver and strengthens the stomach, a tabic spoonful may
be taken two or three times a day iu canes of epilepsy.
The bark of the root and the body of the tree yield aa
essential oil, of the most stimulating nature, and i\ good
in cases of fits, consumption and  scrofula.   It b also
good in cases of the flour albus or diseases of the womb,
particularly where  there  is  a bearing down and burn-
ing and  difficulty of making  water, from twenty  to
thirty drops of trie oil should be taken in those cases
two or three  times  a day on a little sugar.   The oil
should also be rubbed on externally on the abdomen in
all of those cases of female complaints of this kind.
             PENNYROYAL the TOP.
   Pennyroyal needs but little description being so uni-
 versally known, the root is annual, small, branched fi-
 brous, and of a yellow colour, the t,tern is from nine to
 iiftee!) inches high, the  leaves are small,  the flowers
 appear in July, and the plant continues to bloom till the
 last of autumn, it is distributed extensively over every
 part of the United  States, growing always in hard dry
 land, it is very abundent by  road sides, and the side of
 fences.   Pennyroyal is a very powerful stimulous, the
 leaves boiled in strong vinegar in the form  of tea is
 good in cases of herpes, scald head, and any inflamma-
 tion of the skin whatever.   This herb by distillation
 yields a quantity of essential oil which is good in cases
 of debility of the stomach such as cramp  colic, bilious
colic and intermittent fevers, it. should be used from ten
 to thirty drops in any of those cases two or three times
a day, it is also an  excellent  ointment in cases of rheu-
matism and callous diseases of the joints, this should be
used every night and morning to  the affected parts. 
 174            MATERIA  MEDICA.

        SPICE WOOD or FEVER WOOD.
  This is a perennial plant ot our country, and grows
m swamps and near branches, it is a shrub that is  uni-
versally known through the U. States.  The bark of
the root is excellent in capes of diarrhoea, it  should be
taken from ten to thirty grains in little syrup as often
as the case may require.   The berries yield an essen-
tia! oil by distillation which is good in cases of dropsy
of the hydro-thorax, it should be used from ten to  thir-
ty drops two or three times a day in a little strong
horsemint tea.  It is also good in cases of abortion  and
should be freely used in  such casts from ten to  one
hundred.drops in a little alum water.  This oil applied
externally is good to heal ulceis, and is good to mix >n
any kind of diuretic  pills.
                 GOLDEN-ROD.
  Thi* herb nib   « found common on pine plains on
the side of clifts.  nd in hedges it grows about two or
three feet high 'fit  a long narrow leaf very smooth and
glossy and a large cluster of yellow blossoms,  it has  a
sweet spicy taste and smell resembling fennel or annis,
there is also an essential oil in this herb the blossom.,
leaves and root may be distilled.   This oil is good in
cases of sickness at the stomach, pain in the breast or
in the side and difficulty  of breathing, colics, pains in
the bowels or pleurisy, it should betaken in any  of those
cases from ten to forty drops  three times a day  in  a
little wine, the flowers pulverized  and  taken from ten
to thirty grains in a little honey two or three  times  a
day is excellent in any kind of acute inflammation, the
root prepared in the same way and taken  from twenty
to fifty grains two or three times a day  is good to coun-
teract any kind of poison whatever, the leaves  boiled in
new sweet milk is good for children who  is subject to
worms and should be used every third or fourth night
freely, the next morning after takeing this tea the child 
               MATERIA  MEDICA.            175

should take castor oil sufficient to operate on the bow-
els, this course should  be pursued with all  children
who are afflicted in that way.
                     TINCTURES.
     Ttie tincture of Sjrignard, take of the oil of Spignard
  one ounce, the flour of benzion  half an  ounce, three
  quarts of alcohol, let it stand for three  days, it is  then
  fit for use and should be taken from ten to thirty drops
  three times a day in a little syrup or on loaf sugar, this
  should be taken in cases of consumption,  or any debili-
  ty of the lungs whatever.

     Tlie  compound tincture of Horsemint—Take  one
  ounce of the oil hoisemint, half an ounce of I'alsomco-
  pevia, half a gallon of alcohol, shake  it  well together
  once a day for three or four days it is  then fit  for use,
   and is good in cases of debility of the womb, particular-
   ly where there is burning and bearing down and diffi-
   culty of making water.  It shouid be taken from a half
   to a  tea spoonful, three times a day in a little tea of any
   kind, it may also be used in the same  way in cases of
   vencrial diseases.

      Tfie tincture of Dogwood berries—Take one ounce of
   the oil of dogwood berries (which may be  obtained by
  distillation,) one quart of alcohol, add  the together, let
   it stand for two days it  is then fit for use  and is  a great
   tonic in cases of dibility of the stomach, particularly in
   dyspeptic cases, it should be taken from twelve  to twen-
   ty-five drops, two or three times a day in a little water,
   it is also good in cases of colic taken in the same wa)

      The tincture of sweet fennel—Take  one ounce of the
   oil of sweet fennel, one quart of rectified epints. shake
-   this  well together, this  is a great t'incture in cases of
   cold  or pjeurisy, particularly where it is attended with 
176
MATERIA MEDICA.
a great deal of pain, hoarseness, or difficulty of breath-
ing; a tea spoonful should be taken every half hour in
a little warm coffee, until it produces a complete per-
spiration all over the system, the patient should  avoid
getting cold, the diet should also be limited.

   The tincture of Calamus or sweet flag—Take of the
oil of calamus one ounce, spirits of wine two quarts, let
this digest for four days, this is good in cases of cramp
colic, diarrhoea and indigestion of the stomach, it may
be taken from a half to a tea  spoonful three  times a
day, according as the nature of the  case may require.

   The compound tincture of Musk Rat stones—Take of
pulverized Musk Rat stone's, three ounces, one quart of
the spirits of wine, let it digest together for ten days,
this is an  excellent  tincture in cases  of fits, and in  all
hysterical disorders.   It  should be taken from ten to
thirty drops three or fonr times a day in a little water,
in severe cases of fits it may be taken from a half to a
tea spootiful three times a day.

  The compound tincture of Cinnamon—;Take of cinna-
mon bark two ounces powdered, the same of gum-kino,
one quart of rectifiied spirts, let it digest for  five  days,
th;s is good in cases of humorrhage, or flooding (either
from  the uterus or lungs,) it should be  taken from a
haii'to a tea spoonful every  two hours until the com-
plaint subsides, it may be taken in a little syrup.

   The tincture of Spear Mad—Take of the oil of" spear
mint half an ounce, one pint of rectified spirits, let this
digest together three hours, it is good in cases of water
brash, sickness at the stomach, pains in the bowels, or
in pit of the stomach, it  should be taken from ten to fifty
drops, three or four times a day in a little water.

   The tincture of Pennyroyal—Take the  oil or penny-
royal one ounce, one quart of alcohol, let  it digest two
day.-, ibis is  good  in  cases of chills, intermittent.-.-,
cramps, or coldness of any kind in the cxtremeiics.  It 
               MATERIA MEDICA.             177

 should be taken from a  balf to a tea spoonful two or
 three times a day, or as the nature of the case may re-
 quire, it may be taken in  a little wine or toddy.

   T/ie tincture of  Black  Walnut  nuts—Take  four
 ounces of the kernels of black walnut  nuts, one quart
 of French brandy, (the kernels should be beat fine,) let
 them digest together for ten days, then filter.  This is
 good in debilitated or deranged state of the  kidneys,
 where it proceeds from colds, hard lifts, strains, hurts,
 &c.   It should betaken from a half to a tea  spoonful
 three times a day in a little tea or wine, if it should pro-
 duce an itching humor  externally on the skin, a  less
 portion may bo taken.

   The tincture of Papaw  seeds—Take two ounces of
 the seeds finely pulverized, one pint of alcohol, let them
 digest  together for three  days.  This is the  quickest
 vomit that I  have ever tried, ten  drops  will produce
 vomiting  in three minutes after takeing it into  the stom-
 ach.   It is good in cases of poisons, or where any thing
 is taken in the stomach where it is necessary for it to
 be discharged  from  the stomach  immediately,  from
 threo to four drops is a plenty  for children  from  three
 to five years of age—It is  a  very safe emetic, though
 quick and powerful.

   The tincture of Beech Tree  nuts—Take of  the oil of
 Beech tree nuts (the oil is  obtained by distillation  when
 the nuts are ripe) half an  ounce, one quart of rectified
 spirits, alcohol, or holland gin, let it digest together for
 three days, this is a great medicine in cases of inflam-
 mation of the womb or flour albus,  or where there is an
 iiahing humor pioceeding  from either; from a half to
 a teaspoonful may be taken three times aday  in a little
 water.

   The tincture of Parsley—Take of the oil  of parsley
one ounce, and alcohol one  quart, let it digest four day«,
this is good in cases of gravel and  where there is diffi-
                       lti* 
178            MATERIA MEDICA.
culty in making water.  It should be taken from  ten
to thirty drops three or four times a day in a little tea.

  Tincture of Sassafras—Take of the oil  of sassafras
one ounce, of alcohol one quart, let it digest two hours,
this is good in weak debilitated cases of the stomach, it
is also an excellent tonic where the  fevers are broken
and the stomach is weak, it should be taken from ten to
thirty drops three or four times a day in a little water.

   The tincture of Spice wood—Take of the oil  of spice
wood one  ounce, of French brandy half  a gollon,  let
them digest together ten days, it is fit for use and is
good to stop vomiting, purging, and is a good tonic to
strengthen tho stomach; it should be taken from half
to a tea spoonful three or four times a day or as often
as the case may require, the diet in those  cases .should
be of a limited kind.

   The tincture  of Cayenne Pepper—Take caynrvc one
ounce, gum-myrrh four ounces, and alcohol one gallon,
let them digest together five days, shaking it once or
twice a day in the mean time, this may be taken incases
of pain in the stomach or bowels and is good to relieve
indigestion, looseness of the bowels, head ache, when
rubbed on tho face and  temples and snuffed up the nose
—and it  is excellent to rub on externally in  cases of
rheumatisms, incisions  or cuts &c.   The common form
of taking this medicine  is in  water or tea and my be
taken in doses from one to two tea spoonfuls twice  «
clay—and to use it externally the patient  must rub it on
the parts  affected and repeat it as long  as it may be
deemed necessary or till relief is obtained, to take a gill
of,this medicine and add one table spoonful of the spirits
of turpentine and  thirty grains of gum-camphor,  this
preparation  well digested  and used externally  will
prove more efficacious in rheumatisms, than the above.
though while applying  this last externally, the above
named preparation may be taken internally, be careful
while v.sin^ this medicine that you do no cret wet.

   T'u tincture  if  Cuccbb-J—T.ika half.a  poimd vi'  j u! 
MATERIA MEDICA.
179
verized cubebbs, the same of alum, the same of refined
nitre, half a gollan of rectified spirits, let them be add-
ed together, and shook two or three times a day for ten
days, this is a medicine in cases of abortion  where it
has taken place, from a half to a tea spoonful may be
taken every tv/oor three hours as longas necessity re-
quires it.

   The tincture  of Angelica seed—Take one pound of
Angelica seed  well  pulverized, one pound of refined
sugar, three quarts of old rye  whiskey,  this should be
well shook together for five or six days, it is  then  fit
for use after being strained, and is good  in all weak de-
bilitated state of the system, and is a mild and pleasant
tonic, it strengthens the nerves and promates digestion,
it may be taken from a half to a table spoonful in a lit-
tle water two or three times a day.

   The tincture of Beefs gall—Take of beefs gall three
ounces, the oil of angelica half an ounce, refined  sugar
four ounces, the oil of tanzy  the fourth  of an ounce,
alcohol two quarts, let it digest together five days, this
is a great preparation in cases of diseases of the gall
where the  gall ducts are stopt, it will produce that reg-
ularity that nature requires, it will also  strengthen the
digestive powers of the stomach and restore the  func-
tions of the same.  It  should be taken from ten to forty
drops two or three times a day in a little water and re-
peated until the necessary relief is obtained.

   The tincture of Coriander seed—Take of Coriander
-eed finely pulverized four eunces, one ounce of garden
roses, one ounce of rhubarb, four ounces  of sarsaparilla
root, finely pulverized, half a  gallon of  rectified spirit,
let them digest well together ten days, it is  then  fit for
use, and a  sure remedy in  cases  of  gonorrhoea or
clap, if taken in  a short time after the  infection takes
place, the  patient should be bled once or  twice every
two or three days, at the same time the  bowels should
be  kept  freely  open  with mild purgatives,  the diet
should also be very limited indeed, half a table spoonful 
180            MATERIA MEDICA.
of the tincture should be taken three times a day in  a
little spice tea, it  is truly regretful that such disorder
should be carried  too and fro through the country, yet
we now and then find that such cases do occur therefore
we lay these causes down knowing that those who have
taken the contagion, would be glad of relief as soon as
possible—and as  somo of the  human family are more
subject to indulge themselves in the Goddess of love
than some others  we deem it  highly necessary to pre-
scribe a remedy for those who through   weakness.and
vi ant of forethought and fortitude indulge theiein.

   The tincture of  Annis—Take of the oil of annis one
ounce, the fourth  of an ounce  of camphor, ten grains of
opium, two quarts of alcohol,  let them digest together
for three days, this preparation is good in cases of the
consumption, scrofula, or  kingsevil.  It should be ta-
ken from ten to thirty drops three or four times a day
on a little sugar, it may  also be used in  all weak and
feeble situations of the system, &c.

   The compound tincture of Mulberry—Take of the oil
of mulberry one ounce, (the oil may be obtained  from
the bark of the root by distillation,) one quart of recti-
fied spirit, let this be well dissolved together for two
days, it is then fit for use, and  is a great preparation in
cases of inflammatory or nervous fever, particularly
where  the fever appear to be confined to any one pai-
ticular part of the  system.   It acts  very powerfully
upon the liver and produces that regular flow of blood
that is  necessary, it also strengthens and acts on the
nerves very powerfully, and  should be  freely used in
such cases, it should betaken from a half to a tea spoon-
ful, three or four  times a day in  a little tar water  or
tea.

   The tincture of  Garlic—Take of bruised garlic roots
and tops one  pound, French  brandy two quarts, the
tincture of sassafras half an ounce, half an ounce of
the tincture of horse-raddish,  let them digest for four
daysto be shook well two or three times a day, this  is
good in cases of ernmp,  bOd hives, measles &c.    t 
MATERIA MEDICA.
18J
should be taken two or three times a day in doses from
a half to a tea spoonful, for ah adult—for a child from
five to ten drops, and may be taken in a little syrup or
weak toddy.

  The tincture of  Tansy—Take of tansy one  ounce, 6f
alcohol two quarts, let them be well shook together, this
is good in .all spasmodic affections, such  as hysterics,
cramps,colics, pleurisies from cold, it should be taken
from ten to fifty drops, two or three times a day in a
little water and oftener if the case is urgent, it  may be
used with entire safety in all of those cases.

  The tincture of Cloves—Take  of the oil of clovee
half an ounce, alcohol one quart, let it be dissolved well
together, this is good in cases of bowel complaints, also
flooding it may be taken from a half to a  tea spoonful,
two or th ree times a day or as the  case may be.   In the
preceding pages I have laid down a number of tinctures
which 1 have used advantagiously in my mode of prac-
tice though they are simple yet they are powerful in
removing disorders.   Tho1 they a»e selected out of na-
ture's gurden,they are efficacious  being planted by the
wise  creator for our benefit  and  use.    I have  given
each herb their common english name which  is mostly
used by the citizens of the country.  Those preparations
are mostly used among the Indians and that with great
success.  When they are afflicted they  apply to the
field of nature for medicine, which generally  proves
efficacious to them, and were we all to pursue the same
course, when afflicted instead of using mineral medicines
which not only destroys the constitution but brings on
frequently a miserable life, and  lastly a painful  death.
I am not to be understood  here as speaking entirely
against the proper use  of mineral  medicines, though I
am  much opposed to the quantities made use of iu gen-
eral, they being too much depended upon alone—when
there is much better and safer  remedies to be resorted
to for the relief of all diseases yet what few  I  have
pained may be used with tolerably safety if the direc-
tions given is strictly adhered to.
                         17 
 tm            MATERIA MEDINA.

   Emetics-*-Are medicines which e.veito vomiting, and
 arc usually employed in fevers of almost every species,
 especially when accompanied in the commencement
 wiih nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms indicating
 a disordered state of the stomach,  They cleanse, the
 stomach of its noxious contents,  and pro pa ro  the  way
 for the reception of the remedies,
   As a general  rule, emetics should always be given
 on  an  empty stonmcl'i, and in th© morning.  They act
 with grente*' certainly, and with  loss distress to the pa-
 tient,  They will, however, answer very well in tl;<>
 evening,  In  ordinary eases, administer the medicine
 in divided quauiUh:si so as to guard against too violent
 an effect,,and promote its operation by drinking freely
 of warm water,   To check inordinary  vomiting from
 too lar£e a dose of emotic- medicine,  give  laudanum,
 isumBlned with some cordial) apply fermentations to tho
 pit  of the stomach, and sinai bms to the QUremeUes,
  Chjokeo water, copiously drunk, is sometimes useful
 by  turning the ae'lon downwards,  When  these fail,
 anodyne injections may be resorted to  and a large blis-
 ter should bo put'.M! over the region of the Ptomneh,  or
 the emetio^ the mildest are ipecacuanha, the antimoni*
 al solutiovi, andantimoqial wine, in i<ro!<ou doses,  The
 most iicfive  and expeditious, are the  while nnd blnr.
 vitrol,   Where  poisons  have  been fiwallowod, one or
 other of these should be given in  very  large dosf^,  nncj
 repeated ©■very, fifteen minutes until the desired etlect
 be obtained,

   Antimonial Solution—Tako of tartar emetic,  vis,
 grains, water half a pint; spirits  of  lavender thirty
 drops; sugar, small lump.—Mix, dose for adults a wincv
 glassful every fifteen minutes, which should be encour-
 aged by drinking warm water, and afterwards turned
 downward* by drinkinggru*! well salted.

  Catlt-arties—-Arc medicines which by quickening tho
 peristaltic motion, iucieuvo tfee evacuations of the nites-
 tines, or as may happen, induce  purging.   Cathartics
differ very materially in their degroo'of aotivuy; Koine
ur peat ing mildly, while others aruu.^e violent in thfnv 
                MATERIA  MKDKJA.           133

 liiTecls.   The former  is  usually distinguished by the
 t'tlo of laxatives, and the  latter by  lhat of purj^riivesj
 the harshest of which, are called drastick pargativcs.—'
 The primary and most oWi'o s effects of cathartics, is
 the evacuation of the bowels.  These are liable to vari-
 ous accumulations ofa  morbid nature, which,  remain-
 ing disturb health, and frequently excite or confirmdis-
 '. rsij.  Cathartics in relieving the bowels,, under such
 '-■ircutiisiunccft,  extend  also their  operation upwards,
 and  I'cir.g t!o>vii in many insUi,:ce?i>  the con tenia of the
 stomach.  To this  may L:§ added,  that, the utrung im-
 ;vcwiou which  they  iuij^rt toihn liver  a.nl panertai,
 L'\el':es ihc--so [Jimd* lo  invip.tii&tc-d offgrt*. unu tho  re>
 suit is a vast ii:t\oase t.f iheu1 je-ape-elive secret ion?.   It
 is in this way,  that  coi^estiuus. a.o romoved,  biliary
 calculi  dislodged, and jaundice and other a fleet ions,
 I'rom organic oustruciion,cured.  They also subdue the
 pulse, equalize excitement, and render important  ser-
 vice in the management in the febrile and  inflammato-
 ry cases.
   Exhibited in  the commencement  of almost any feb-
 rile affection, they will often arrest its progress,-ajfcl
 during the subsequent or more advanced periods, they*
 are sometimes daily repeated, and so far from weaken-
 ing, add  to the strength, of the patient.
   As in the case of emetics, give the  medicine  on  an
 empty stomach,  and either in the morning or at bed-
time. By doing this, we prevent its being rejected, and
 secure a much more easy and effectual operation.  And
 it should be recollected,  as  cathartic* are of very differ-
ent properties and modes of ope. ;;'.i•.•n, they should be
carefully selected according to tin.- circumstances of the
case.

   Laxatives—Of this  description are castor oil,  sweet
oil, magnesia, calomel, neutral salts,  sulphur, cream of
tartar; as also the cathartic mixture, and the aperient
and diaphoretic  pills,  in broken doses.

   Cathartic Mixture—Take of glauber salts one ounce
and a half; Lemon juice or sharp vinegar, one ounce; 
  184           MATERIA MEDICA.

 water half a pint; sugar, a sufficiency to sweeten it.—
 Mix or  take  of cream of tartar finely powdered,  and
 manna, each  one ounce;  water half a pint;  sugar a
 sufficient quantity to sweeten  it.   Mix, dose for adults,
 a wine glassful every hour till it operates.

   Antibilious, or aperient and Diaphoretic pills—Take
 of calomel, jalap, each twenty  grains;  tartar emetic
 two grains; sirup or mucilage of gum arabic, sufficient
 to form a mass; make eight pills.   Dose for adults,  two
 at bed time, and the dose repeated every hour in  the
 morning until it operates suflicien ly,  Or take four in
 the  morning, and o:ie every hour until the desi-ed effect
 be obtained.

   Purgcti'f,—The  drastics are the Croton-oil, gam-
 boage, aioc.--. calomel, jalap, rhubarb and senna,  the
 purgative infusion, purgative powder, stimulent purga-
 tive pills, and purgative electuary.   The distinction,
 however. r-et\»wen laxatives and  purgatives, is by  no
 means  e,;>y, since by diminishing, or increasing  the
 dose of the former they may with some propriety,  be
 oonsidered as belonging to the  first or second class.

   Purgative infusion—Take of senna and manna, each
 hi.lf an funce; salts an ounce; ginger one dram; boil-
 ing wateT, one pint.   Dose for adults, one gill every
 hour or two until it operates,

   Purgative powder—Take of calomel and jalap,  each
 twenty grains, to be taken  in the  morning in  syrup  or
 molasses by adults.   Or t\ke of rhubarb and vitriolat-
 ed tartar in fine powder, each one dram;  mix well  to-
gether, and divide into four powders.   One taken going
 to bed, and another in tho morning,  will  be  found  an
efficacious remedy, whenever it is required  to  cleanse
the stomach and bowels of bilious and other offensive
 matter.

  Stimulent purgative pills—Take of calomel, gamboge,
each one dram; sirup sufficient to form a  mass.  Beat 
               MATERIA MEDICA.            18*

them together, and then make twenty four pills.   Dose
for adults, from three to six.  Or take of rhubarb one
ounce, aloes  half an ounce, calomel two drams,  sirup
sufficient to for a mass, beat them well together and
form pills, of common size.  Dose for adults from three
to six.  These are a most excellent pill to evacuase the
superfluous matter of the stomach and bowels.

   Aloetic pills—Take of aloes, in the first powder, one
dram and a half, castile Soap one dram;  ginger half a
dram—beat  them well together, and then  add  sirup
sufficient to forma mass—which is to be formed into
forty-oight pills.  Dose for adults,  two at bed time, or
a si'fTtcient number  to keep the b.-.wcls  in  a regular
state.

   Dfaph'rcticf.- -In the common language of schools,
tho term diaphoretic, is restricted  to those articles on-
ly which promote the insensible perspiration; and such
as occasion sweating, are distinguished by .he appella-
tion of audorifics.  But  as in the medicines arranged
uncer these titles wc can discern no difference, except
in the degree of force, or what arises from th» manner
of administration, we shall comprehend the whole un-
der the head of diaphoretics.
   To promote prespiration it  is essentially  necessary
that the patient should be confined to his  bed.  Let his
pulse, and the Winperature of the  body,  be carefully
watched.  It is a principle settled,  and full* recognis-
ed, never to resort to diaphoretic*  in fevers of an  in-
flammatory species, till arterial action and general ex-
citement are considerably  reduced  by  previous  bleed-
ing and evacuations by puking or purging.  After this
direct depletion, diaphoretics then comes in  with  great
advantuge, and a-ili commonly either mitigate or com-
pletely arrest the progress of the disease.
   In the exhibition of diaphoretics  give diluent drinks,
unless the stomach be irritable.
 This remak particularly applies to the antimonial pre-
parations, and some of the combinations 01 Ipecacnanha.
The temperature of  the drinks must be  regulated  r* 
 180            MATERIA  MEDICA

 that of the skin.   The latter not being higli, they (should
 be warm, or even hot; but  if the contrary prevail, they
 must be given cold.  In tho low stage of disease, while
 pursuing the diaphoretic plan, studiously asoid  pury
 ing,unless circumstances impeiiousiy  require this rem-
 edy.   Itisvciyapi,  in this*  suue  of the  system, to
 check sweating and to  bring on an aggravation of the
 complaint  It doe? this by dives.ing  adjon f.om the
 furface of the inteotinr--, ton) by t vpo^ii)^ ths patient
 l u cold.

   binphoirik  JM7.'.:,—Take ufiAv^-l npirh > ofniw-o ami
 autimoulnl  winf. each. om>  ounce',=~Aii'x.  iWe fit
 rttiuU»., n lea .^pfjniiful ever.  iv.o Ihuuh.   It the tuaumdi
 is in  «n  irriioble ett!j.iMKld oni;, half ilia quantity id'
 Hiitimonial v.iue.

   Anliinouiul ui..c—Do: e for adults, twenty drops ev-
 ery hour or  two, till Jie proper effects  bo produced.

   Febrifuge Powder*,—Tuke  of Ipecacuanha, two sru-
 jr.ie-j; nitre two drams,-*—mix, and divide into twelve do-
 te*.  Onedo!-.e to be taken eveiy  two  or  three hours
by adults.

   Febrifuge mixture—Take of nitre, two drams; lemon
 juice  or vinegar, one ounce; water, half a pint; sugar a
sufficient quantity  to sweeten it—mix.  A wine glass-
ful to be  taken  by adults e\er two  hours.  It will be
 rendered more acive by the addition of iwo drams of
antimonial wine.  >

) Dovers Powders—Ipecacuanha, powdered, and opium,
each,  one diam; v i'.riola'ed tartar.in  powder one ounce.
The  greatest possible pains should be  taken to grind
the mass to a completely fine pov,uer.   Nitre  may be
substituted for the vitriolaled tartar, v. hen that is not
at  hand.   This powder is the  most efficacious sudorific
we possess.
  It is an admirable remedy for quieting the  bowels,
when affected by the exhibition of mercury, or any oth- 
               MATERIA  MEDICA,            187

or causes.   Hose for adults, from ten to iwtnty grains
every three or four hours.

   Camphorated t'owdcrs^-Take of camphor,  two ecru*
p!os; nitre, powdered,  twodiams,  Motion  the  cam.
phut- wi'h s»j>iritM, and  after reducing it to a fine  pow-
der,  add the nitre,  Divde it  into twelve  doses,  One
to be taken every three or •b'U' hours by adults,

   flrnvi'lcmt Drinks --Art: those which sheath tho  ac-
rimony of the humors, and louder ihem mild, such ay
Flax seed !<>... marsh-mallow tea;  mucilage of qui nee
-jeods, pith of sassafras, slipperyslm, and  gum  arabio,
„-v Koluiion of gumarabic is m;ui';  by boiling  an ouncq
of picked gum arabic,  in a quart of water, until  U bq
dissolved,"  All these are ti^of'ull to ehoath  and dof-nd
very sensible pans tVoni the irilfationof tiertci humo.-,
as j's (he eaoQ in  iici,.ling<cough,  and common  la\, or
bloody flux, heat of urin.;s  he,, in all which, tluMintea.l
n>ucus ot' the parts Is deleeiivo.

   Absorbent,  Mrttclr^ ■• - \re Mtch wcorrect  rui^iy ■•■■<
the -utninach,

   f'nlcihfd  M.ii'tir.si'.i*r-Ou(i or two tea &; ooirdVi  i>.- !><>
rn!;rii occasionally  mixed in milk or niuclbge  of jv-;in
Arabic, by adults.

   I'rcparc'i tn-'Jk—A tea spoonful to be  ghenin  tho
prtmo manner as ru.ignosin.

   Absorbent ;i/<>.'■■• 7'-'-  -T;-ke of chalk  piep»:ed, halt ;>:i
out;-- ;{;m»i  arubii', po.vdoro.!. an.; white .-.;};;u.  we:?,
two drams;  viator, ft.e.r ounce,-..  Dose for adults, a in-
bio spoonful! every two ur thrc<: !.;.:;.•>.

   Uiurtlics—Are vomidi^n to p;ornate tho urinary das-
^';r..gcj.°.. whieh in;; v mi!;o place, either by  siimuinling
the kidney*, or by un  in\ igorutiuu of the pov.<. rs  of ah-
^oiiioii, and especially in  cases of  drot^ien! etft-ie-ns,-
It hence appears, thai  diuretics are of two specie-', the.'
in v. hicli ever mode they opi-ia'c, it h by an aet'on pri- 
  188           MATERIA MEDICA.

  marily on the stomach.  Extending to the  absorbents
  or kidneys,according to the affinity of the article to the
  one or other of these parts.

   Mild Diuretics—Of this class of medicines, nitre, by
  reducing the force of circulation, will be found eminent-
  ly useful in febrile cases.  Dose, ten or fifteen  grains*
  for adults, every  two or three hours.

   Diuretic Infusion—Pound a handful of the kernels of
 pumpkin seeds or  melon seeds, with a  small quantity
 of white hard sugar, to  asmoth paste, then add a quart
 of boiling water, and a quarter of an ounce of salt  pe-
 tre or half an ounce of  sweet spirits of nitre, and  rub
 them well together.   This is a pleasant and mild di-
 uretic, particularly useful where the discharge of urine
 is attended with heat and pain.  A tea cup ful may be
 taken  every  hour  or two by adults.

   Diuretic Pills—Take of dried squills in  fine pow-
 der and calomel, of each half a dram; mucilage of gum
 arabic, sufficient to forma mass,  and then make  twen-
 ty pills, two of which are to be taken at bed time  by a-
 dults.
   These pills powerfully promotes urine, and are very
 efficacious in carrying off cold, &c. in dropsical  swell-
 ings.

   Alum—Is  used in floodings, and in long  continued
 fluxes.  It is given to grown persons in doses from five
 ro twenty grains every four,  eight,  or twelve  hours,
 according to the emergency of the case.  In female ca-
 i»e-. it may commonly be used with gum-kino.

  Aloes, Socotrine—Is a purgative medicine, very stim-
 ulating to the rectum or  lower intestines, and if too fre-
 quently used, induces piles; it is however a very good
 article in cases of suppressed menses, worms, &c The
dose for a grown person may be from six to sixty grains;
 for a child two years old, the dose may be from  two t*
 aix grains. 
                 MATERIA MEDICA.            189

   Asafcetida—Is used in hysteric cases.  In  hysteric
 suffucation, a pfaster made of asafcetida, one quarter of
 an "ounce, and camphor, ten  to fifteen grains, may  be
 applied to the stomach, and prove a useful remedy.

   Bark—Of this article there are two  kinds; that  is,
 the red and the pale.  It is a useful  remedy in  feeble
 habits, and strengthens  the stomach and bowels.   It is
 employed in the cure of tho  fever and ague;  but if is
 sometimes unsuccessful  unless the patient be first bled
 once or twice.   The dose  for an adult may  be  from
 Ihiny to sixty grains, lo be repeated every  one,  two,
 or three hours.   A dose for a child of two  years old,
 may be from five to ten grains.

   Borax— Is used to relieve children of the thrush.—
 It also prober for malting gargaiisms in cases of sore
 throats,   in cases of thrush, it  may  be  prepared as
 follows:  Take  borax sixty grains, honey one eunce,
 add  as much water as serve to dilute it sufficiently.
   It is said lo be  useful  as  a  medicine to be taken  in-
 waidiy in cases of flour  albus.   The dose  from #ve
 grains to :-:.-;!y ; if taken in  this disease a few grains of
 nut.neg orehmamon should be added to each dose; otfcr
 envi-e  it :n.iy produce vomiting.

   Ca;i!]h.,i—\< a very powerful stimulent, and is some-
 u'n.cs tistdii! in fever; after  sufficient depletion it  pro-
ritiee-; s\vea:i::g, and may bo given in doses from two to
twenty grains; it is sometimes useful combined  with
saltpetre, when  dissolved  in spirits; it is sometimes
a.-; an i  xiernul  application for the relief  of pa'n, 1:1-
!'.ar:j:a.'...i'-:;, ..am jficss. palsey. 4c.

   Cureiiiiii Pln'e r:io!—perhaps the usual doses given
.if .his medicine ma} be too si rung; as ad vised for worms;
if.*, id !<e sait^t to make a 11 iahib iol!v>\v>; takcoi.e qaar-
!••:• cf a:i ounce of ih'c pink root, slew it  e;enily in  ur.e
pint  of  wi.tor, d'.wn to thiee gills give  half a gill  of
ii-..j decoction t.j a cl;'!.!  six yra/s  wld, morning ca.4
>'\ riiinu, and ols.'iK1 it .  eai-el--; :l :; p_;Y.cu.»-S unu-iatl
d>#L 
190            MATERIA MEDICA.

drowsiness, the dose may be  considered  two strong.
and ought therefore, to be lessened  or entirely discon-
tinued.

   Caster Oil—Is a mild and pleasant  purge, a dose for
an adult, is from one to two table spoonfuls; for a child
of  two years old and upwards, from  one  to two table
spoonfuls;  for a child of two years  old and  upwards,
from one to two tea spoonfuls, may be given.

  Columbo-ls said to be almost a specific in cholera mor-
bus, nausea, vomiting, purging, diarrhoea.   Dysentary,
bilious feters, indigestion and  spasmodic stricture  ex-
isting in the system,  it is highly pernicious.  Let it
therefore be observed, that if the use of this article ex-
cites pain* in the head, with other feverish symptoms,
it should not be continued.  It may  be given  in  the
form of single  filiugs rust of iron,  or  the salt of steel;
if the rust or filing be used, the dose may  be from  five
to ten grains; if salt of steel be  chosen, from one to three
grains  may be the dose; it is generally  the best to nd-
minister it in small doses, frequently  repealed.  Case"
may occur in which this article is really necessary, a:.-'
in which,  notwithstanding its propriety, it ma)  cau.t
considcrule sLa*ness  and perturbations.  In such  in-
stances a moderate dose of opium  may  be gived  after
each dose, or the patient may  be directed  to take it on
going  to bed, at night, and again half an hour  before
rising up in the morning, and at other  times of the day;
let him or her walk moderately immediately after tak-
 ing the dosCj o:c.

   Kino—Is an astringent opium, and is useful in  dis-
 eases of laxity, such as diarrhoea, flux, albus, ecc. "It
 maybe given  in the following form: Take kino two
 parts, and  alum three parts, grind  them to powder and
 mix them; of this mixture, the dose may  be from fi\e
to fifteen grains every three  or four  hours;  in cases
 where  the alum is improper or disagreeable, from fhe
 to fifteen grains of the kino alone.  It mav he dissolv- 
MATERIA MEDICA            I9I
ed in water, or a solution of gum-arbic; to which also
may be added a few drops of laudanum.

   Magnesia—If a very mild article, it corrocts acidity
in the stomach in its first passages; hence its effects  in
relieving heart bum i. e. (burning in the stomack.) also
giddiness, voming, and pain in the stomach when they
arc the consequences of an acrid matter collected in the
stomach; it also relieves gripes in children, when bro't
on by the same  cause;  its dose for an infant, may  be
from two to five  grains,  to be given  in tea of  fennel
seed, and repeated; the addition of  a small portion  of
rheubarb or  manna gives it a little more activity as a
purge.

   Manna—Is one of the mildest purgatives, and may
be given with great safety to children  and pregnant
women; it is proper in  pleurisy,  all inflammatory  fe-
 vers and such other cases as may require mild purges.
 Its dose is from half an ounce  to two ounces, and it is
 best  perhaps to dissolve it in a decoction of cassia,which
 is an inferior kind of cinnamon; if a little tartar emet-
 ic or some other article be added, the manna will operate
 much more effectual—say manna half an ounce, tartar
 emetic half a grain, to be repeated every two or three
 hours.  This  would be  an excellent p.teparation as a
 purge in child bed fever.
   Gum-Myrrh—Is a stimulating medicine, and is  ad-
 misible  in those cases only where iron is proper, as in
 chlorosis; and  its dose  may be from  five to thirty
 grains;  a tincture may be made of ibis gum as follows:
 J'ake gum-myrrh, three ounces,  proof spirits, or good
 wine one pint and a  half, digest thtm ten  days with a
 gentle heat; the tincture  so prepared  is a  useful addi-
 tion  to  cleaning gargarisms, such as are proper impu-
 trid  sore throats.

   Nutmeg—Is warm and agreeable to the taste, isgocd
 for the  stomach, corrects a laxative habit, relieves in-
 digestion; its dose is from six to thirty grains; if roast-
 ed in substance  it is said to  be more astringent, and is 
  192            MATERIA MEDICA.

  an excellent remedy in chronic diarrhoeas and dysente
  lies.

    Grange-peel—Is employed as a stomachic medicine,
  it  promotes .appetite, gives strength and vigor lo the
  bowels: and is therefore, proper in cases of indigestion,
  flatulency, dibility,  &c. it is rendered more effectual
  by joining it  with Colombo; the yellow outside  rhine
  thou Id be pieferred;  infusions with  water are better
  than  any preparation with ardent spirits; in all cases
  where bitters  are  required, the use  of spirits must be
  iiijtnious; wine if  good might be  useful.

    Olive Gil—Called also Sweet Oil, is employed as an
 external application;  it is improper, howe\er, incases
 of hums,  especially if the skin  peel  off;  but I intend
 in  a particular manner, to iccoii.n.cnd a f icquenl u.-e of
 !t internally, to such women as are want to have hard
 iabours; they  should begin its Use fce\cral days Lefere
 the lime of delivery; one or two ounces should be k u-
 Vn up with one or  more  yelks of an egg, till it will
 icadily mix wi.h witter,  add half a  pint or a r/uu of
 v.u.er  sweeteiiLd with munna, or syrup,; with this sh«
 !.!...;uld keep her bowels constantly laxed; v. here ihere
 i* .sufficient  strength, blood letting should also te c-..-
 pKvcd,

   C'];ii::r.—Is a poweiful  cordial,  it cases pain, but at
 the same time  very much  increases ihe'circulatiof;,
 m.d  is,  therefore,   verv   injurious in  iufaoaatoi v
 fevers, especially it' the braii:, lungs, liver, stomach or
 bowels, Le tho seat of the disease, at lc.>.a o.isideiaLle
 evacuation she add Le  procured befoie it is e\er cmpl •v-
 od; in  such cases il is never  proper if the: e bo ter.shy
 ia the pulse; in cases of external tumor v.nd  cou>equci  t
 pait , it is  frequently  ndmissabic;  and when  debility
 prevails with u soft ami iur.guid ; uise. it  is an e.vc.I-
 ient remedy.  Its doses v.-lien  taken in sulsta-.c , ma/
 Ue fioia one to three grains in  a liquid  f;nn; us lauda-
num or tincture of i-j i im,  which  a.c  two  diilere-.it
 uair.es. for tho same thi.ig, t!,e d uo m..-.- ;>a i'.o.a t.vea- 
                MATERIA  MEDICA.           1M

 ty-five to sixty drops; but it should be remembered, that
 this article generally produces costiveness.

   Rheubarb—Is a mild purge, and may be given in do"
 ses of from twenty to sixty grains, but as it is consider-
 ably astringent, it should not bo employed where a cos-
 tive habit is to be avoided in chronic djarrhceas it may
 be given in small doses of five or six grains combined
 with opinm, two or three times a day; it cannot  be a
 proper remedy in inflammatory  cases, and is there-
 fore, forbidden in dysentary;but in case of debility,  it
 is frequently useful; combined with manna it will evac-
 uate the intestines without exhausting the strength of
 the  patieut in any considerable degree.

   Russian Caster—Is useful in hysteric cases; this may
 also be  used in form of a tincture: Take  caster  one
 ounce,  proof spirits one quart, digest ten days, and it is
 ready for use; the dose may be from twenty to sixty
 drops; it is sometimes taken  to advantage in conjunc-
 tion with  laudanum—say laudanum twenty  to sixty
 drops, tincture of caster, twenty-five drops,  the whole
 for one dose in hysteric suffocation,  as also  in  painful
 menstruation, where  blood letting is not needed.

   Sal-Ammoniac—Of this, one ounce may be dissolved
 in one quart af water, or of spirits and water  combin-
 ed:   This solution  is useful as an external  application
 in cases of inflamed breasts.

   Spirits of nitre, or ether—Is used in fever, and is an
 excellent medicine for quenching thirst, expelling  flat-
 ulenpies, preventing nausea and vomiting, and moder
 ately strengthening the stomach; it is diaphoretic  and
 cooling.  The  dose  may  very from  thirty to forty
 drops.

   Spirits of Sal-ammoniac and spirits of hart .<?-horn- arc
 similar in their nature and effects, but  the first is  per-
 haps the best; the dose may be from  fiftcn to sixty
4rops.  It  is useful in fainting, and other  hysteric af-
                         18 
 *94            MATERIA  MEDICA.

 fectiohs; if given in wine-whey, it generally procures
 a very pleasant sweat.

   Salt petre, called also nitre—Is a useful remedy in
 inflammatory fever; the dose very from three to forty
 grains, every three hours; it is most effectual if  given
 immediately aftea its solution.  Some caution howev-
 er, is necessary in using articles, as it sometimes occa-
 sions a nausea, or pain in the stomach; in such cases it
 requires plentiful dilution, and sometimes the addition
 of a little camphor.  Nitre is an  excellent  ingredient
 in gargarisms, and mouth waters.

   Salt of tartar,  caflcd also fixed alkalt—Is used for
 making the saline mixture.   Takasalt of tartar twenty
 grains, lime juice or vinegar, as much as  will saturate
 it,or till it'ceaseseffervescence,pure water one and a half
 ounces, and sirup two ounce; the whole may be   taken
 in the course of four hours, to bo repeated as often as
 may bethought necessary; it may be given also in a
 simple solution with pure water, in this shape the dose
 may be from ten to thirty or more grains; but it should
 also be sufficiently diluted; every  three or four  grains
 require an ounce of water.  The saline mixture  given
 a state of effervescence frequently  correct vomiting.—
 The simple solution of tartar relieves heart-burns, &c.

   Senna—It is a purge of considerable activity, is com-
 monly taken in form of an infusion; pour one pint of boil-
 ing water, on one quarter of an ounce of senna, let it
 stand several hours in a moderate degree of heat; one
 gill may be taken every two hours as a dose for a grown
 person; and one or two spoonfuls for a child two years
 old.   It is rendered more pleasant and mild in its ope-
 ration, if one ounce of manna be added; the  addition of
 a small portion of ginger will (help to) prevent its grip-
 ing.

   Flour of Sulphur—Is a gentle and  pleasant  purge;
 it  is also effectual  in curing affections of the skin, as
 the itch, &e. combined with the cream of  tartar, is use-
 ful in the piles; it is also a very good purge to be  em-
ployed on the third and fourth day of the  measles. 
INDEX TO THE DISEASES
	page
Herpes	5
Sea Id head	5
Nightmare	6
Auasorca	7
Ascites	10
Sprains	12
Asthma	13
Thrush	15
Itch	16
Tcttcrworni	16
Hum*	17
Ji'loodflux	18
Choleramorbus	20
F'leurisy	24
Scarlet fever	25
Mesenteric fever	27
Hooping cough or chin cough	28
Measles	30
Cancer	33
Dyspepsia	35
Consumption	37
Hydrothorax	39
Humorrhage or flooding	44
Negro poison	45
White swelling	46
Hysterics	49
Snake bites	52
King's evil	53
Children, diseases of	56
Suspended animation &c.	67
Veneral diseases	61
Sore eyes	62
Worms,description of	64
Sore throat	66
Puerperal fever	67 69
Asiatic cholera	
InflammaXion of the liver	71
Palpitatio, or palpitation	74
 
19(1              INDEX
	page
Piles	75
Bilious fever	76
Croup	77
Prolapsus uteri ♦	79
Homorrhage from the nose	81
Involuntary discharge of blood	83
Inflammatory fever	84
Looseness of the bowels	86
Dimness of sight	87
Chronic rheumatism	89
Abortions	91
Spitting of blood	95
Tooth ache	97
Mortification	98
Cramp cholic	99
Menses, &c.	99
Suppression of the menses	102
Menses continued	104
Immoderate menses	105
Whites	106
Cessation of the menses	106
Diseases of pregnancy	108
Practice of midwifery	114
Presentlaber	116
Appearance of true pains.	117
Natural labor	119
Second stage of natural labor	122
Third stage of natural labor	124
Introduction to difficult labor	125
First kind of difficult labor	126
Difficult labor	129
Gravel and stone	130
St. Vitus' dance	132
Difficulty v,f eirine	134
List of students	137
Sweet fennel	139
Angelica	139
Common camomile	140
Southern wood	142
Worm wood	142
Indian turnip	143
 
INDEX.	197
	page.
Wild ginger	143
Butterfly weed	144
Silk weed	145
American centaury	146
Worm seed	140
Horse raddish	147
Scurvey grass	148
Hemlock	148
Dog wood	150
Skunk cabbage	150
Philadelphia flee-bane	151
Wild hore hound	\5l
Mountain tea	153
Indian Physic	153
Yellow root	154
Puccoon root	154
Hen-bane	155
Hysop	156
Elecampane root	156
American juniper	157
Lobelia	157
Sassafras bark	159
Cow parsnip	159
Tulip tree	160
Pepper mint	.161
Virginia brom rape	1G1
Wood sorrel	162
Poke the leaves	162
Green plantain	263
May-apple	164
Seneka snake root	165
Great bristorl	165
Winter berry	160
Pipsisiwuy	167
Butter nut	167
Black-berry	168
Rue the herb	168
Elder	169
Prickley-ash	470
Wild indigo	170
Colts foot	17»
 
198                INDEX.
                                            page-
Water parsnip                                *7^
Birch tree                                    *72
Pennyroyal                                   *73
Spice wood                                   *'*
Golden-rod                                   174
Tincture ofSpignarO                           JJ5
           Horsemint                         *7^
           Dog wood berries                   175
           Sweet fennel                       176
           Calamus                           *J°
           Musk rat stones                     17^
           Cinnamon                          17^
           Fpcar mint                         *7t)
           Penny roval                        ^7o
           Black walnut                       l"7
           Papaw seeds                       I77
           Beech tree nuts                     l77
           Parsley                            177
           Sassafras                           178
           Spice wood                         178
           Cayenne pepper                    178
           Cubebbs                           178
           Angelica seed                       *79
           Beefs gall                          *™
           Coriander seed                     179
Annis
180
           Mulberry                           18°
           Garlic                             180
           Tansy                             181
           Cloves                             181
Emetics                                       *8*
Antimonial solution                             *82
Cathartics                                     182
Laxatives                                     ^8^
Cathartic mixture                              l8^
Antibilious                                  , *84
Purgatives                                    184
Purgative infusion                             184
Purgative powder                              184
Stimulent purgative pills                        184
Aloetic pills                                    186 
                     INDEX.                 199
                                           page-
Diaphoretics                                  **£
Diaphoretic drops                             j8^
Antimoninl wine                               ^
1 ebrifuge powders                             j8°
Febrifuge mixture                             18°
Dover's powders                               186
Camphorated powders                          *87
Demulcent drinks                             **7
Absorbent Medicines                           187
Calcined magnesia                             *8J
Prepared chalk                                187
Absorbent mixture                             387
Diuretics                                     187
Mild diuretics                                 188
Diuretic infusion                               188
Diuretic pills                                  188
Alum                                        188
Aloes                                        J88
Asafcetida                                    189
Bark                                        189
Borax                                       l89
Camphor                                     189
Carolina pink root                             '89
Caster oil                                    l9°
Columbo                                     19°
Kino                                        I90
Magnesia                                     l9
Manna                                      ^93
Gum-myrrh                       .          l91
Nutmeg                                      l91
Orange'peel                                  192
Olive oil                                     192
Opium                                      192
 Rheubarb                                    193
 Russian caster                                 ,93
 Sal-ammoniac                                 *93
Spirits of nitre                                193
Spirits of sal-ammoniac                        * ^3
Salt petre                                     I94
Salt of tartar                                  1-4
Senna                                        1S* 
200               INDEX.
Flour of iulphur
page.
 194
FINIS. 
 
\


N 
The Indian Guide to Health
Selman, Dr. S.H.
Columbus, Ind.: 1836
National Library of Medicine
Bethesda, MD

CONDITION ON RECEIPT:
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Northeast Document Conservation Center
May 2001
DW/TrT~ 


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