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NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE




          Bethesda, Maryland
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THE
VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA
            «


PRACTICE OF MEDICINE,


    BY DOCTOR .1JBEZ TEJTJTJUrT,
CONTAINING INPETAIL HIS P It AC Tl C AX. KNO W L E D GE


              OF


  AMERICAN REMEDIES,


         IN CURING DISEASES.
    Stafford.
D. D. WAITE, PRINTER,
   Batavia, N. Y.
1837. 
NORTHERN  DISTRICT OF NEW-YORK, ss.
            Be it Remembered^ That on  the sixteenth
          day  of May,  Anno Domini, 1837, Abel Tenant, of
          the said District, hath deposited in this Office, the title
        -  of a Book, which is in the words following, to wit:—
♦'Vegetable Materia Medica, and practice of Medicine.  By
Doct. Abel Tenant, containing in detail, his  practical knowledge.
of American Remedies, in curing diseases."  The  right whereof
he claims as Author and Proprietor.
  In conformity with an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to
amend the several Acts respecting Copy Rights."

                                    ANSON LITTLE,
                        Clerk oj the District Court of the
                         Northern District of  Neio-York.
W 
4
PREFACE.
   Within a few years  past many books have been issued from ihc
 American press, appertaining to the different branches of the prac-
 tice of medicine; but as yet no work of the nature of the one pro-
 posed  has appeared.   But the author of the following work has
 long seen the want of a general treatise on simpt6*ms and diseases,
 to which the children of  Columbia's  soil are subject, and he has
 looked forward with great anxiety, for some one more competent
 for the task than  himself.  Many books, indeed, have been writ-
 ten on Botany, but they have been chiefly intended for the learn-
 ed, and those who practice medicine; they were not intended  as
 the sick man's friend,  but  the physician's;  they were calculated
 almost exclusively for  the physician's library, and not the family
 library.
   The Author proposes in this work  to follow a different plan.—
 His work is intended for the learned  and unlearned—for the phy-
 sician, mechanic and farmer—it  is  for the good of all—it  is to
 serve the cause of humanity—it is calculated to  put into the hands
 of every man  the means to heal  diseases; and I can confidently
 assure the public, and  the members of my profession, that in my
 hands, the treatment of diseases as recommended in the following
 work, has proved successful; and it  would be but a poor compli-
 ment to my hotanic brethren, and brother practitioners, to suppose
 that in their hands it would not be equally beneficial to the sick.
   I would ask if the plants which God has placed in the fields  of
nature, are so useless and unpopular  as to be forever con(temned?
 I answer, No,   My friends, that the God who created us, planted
in the garden of Nature botanic remedies for disease, no one pre-
tends to deny.   Who has not in the course of his life seen aston- 
IV
PREFACE,
ishing cures performed by the simple virtues of vegetables, even
when administered by the humble Root Doctor? (or by the humble
man of  roots.)   Dare any one assert or pretend that vegetable
medicines are less safe than minerals? when every day's experi-
ence proves, that when the whole  force of minerals  have  failed,
the simple vegetable medicine effects the cure.   Why, then, do we
complain of sickness  and pain, when the Almighty has put into
our possession ample  material for relieving the sufferings  of  the
sick and afflicted of our fellow beings?   And why are we permit-
ted to render this  service to our fellow beings, and to administer
the medicine which God has created for the good of all, only with
halters about our necks.
   We find recorded in sacred writ, many diseases, namely, fevers,
agues, inflammations, leprosy, palsy, dropsy, blindness, deafness,
lameness, consumption, etc. with many others  that mankind  are
subject to, and we ought to be thankful that God has not  left us in
a situation in which we are subject to so many diseases, without
providing a remedy.  He has furnished ample means to  heal  the
sick.   But superstition is so prevalent among our people, that ma-
ny of them not only suffer on a long bed of sickness, but have to
expend the last cent they possess, to satisfy their attending phy-
sician.  Not that I would censure a physician for taking a reason-
ably fee for his services, but, that he should put himself to so much
trouble and inconvenience as to send to foreign nations  for med-
icines which are no better, and probably not as good, as many
that we are daily trampling under our feet.  It has been a com-
mon custom among one class of physicians to denounce all others
as quacks, $-c,  indeed, I  have frequently been  called a quack,
merely for curing when my accuser has failed.   Such accusa-
 tions, under such circumstances, are quite harmless and ridiculous.
Walker's definition of a quack is a boastful pretender to acts which
he does not understand.   Such a person should be despised by the
learned and unlearned wherever he may be found, and "by their
 fruits ye shall know them." 
                           PREFACE.  <+                      V

   It is the practice of many individuals, to conceal from the world
 the healing art, and to make the superstitious believe that in their
 hands alone rests  the power of healing diseases.  But let wisdom
 speak, and she will say that medicine is like religion, free for ev-
 ery man.  Therefore means for every man to gain knowledge is
 free, and must be  given in plain and easy language, so that it be
 understood by the illiterate as well as the learned.   Many wise
 men have written  largely on the subject of diseases and the man-
 ner of treating them, but they are very lengthy and tedious,  and
 many times in  a language that is not understood but by few.   In
 order to obviate that difficulty, I have taken the subject into seri-
 ous consideration; and having had a long, and I may say, suc-
 cessful practice as a physician, I feel it my  duty, and the highest
 privilege, to communicate to the  reader a system of practice in
 which I have been very successful; and the high esteem I  have
 for botany, and the humanity that reigns within my breast excites
 me to action.   Although I  am indebted to  others for some part of
 what this treatise contains; yet, the principal part is from my own
 experience and successful practice for many years; and its prin-
 cipal advantages arise from its being short and comprehensive.
   While in  the enjoyment of health the reader may think a work
 of this kind is of little importance; but let him be confined to a bed
 of sickness, and he will esteem it as one of the greatest treasures
 that ever found a place in his desk.  The plan of this work is ar-
 ranged in the following manner:—
   First,  Anatomy of  the human frame;  second, the practice of
 the Author;  third,  the symptoms and cures of disease; fourth, the
 preservation of plants and  favorite prescriptions; Fifth,  valuable
 recipes;  Sixth, decription of plants, their medical  qualities,  and
 where they  maybe found; Seventh, diseases of females and their
 remedies; and lastly, the Author's valedictory or closing remarks.
   I may, it  is true,, meet with some opposition in publishing a work
 of this kind, but I cannot do justice to my own conscience and to
my fellow beings,  by keeping back part of my knowledge of dis- 
\1
i'REFACE.
eases and medicines, or by publishing a work merely to benefit
myself, by disclosing a few  uncertainties.  Although this work
falls much short of perfection, yet my readers will find many truths
and valuable recipes, and I wish all to give the book an impartial
perusal, and the medicine a fair trial, before they condemn me or
my practice.  I would recommend  all to search the botanic gar-
den, (the garden of Nature,) and strive to have this motto in their
minds, "prove all things and  hold fast that which is good."
  In submitting this work to the public the Author doubts not, that
if he has so far succeeded in the object of his efforts, as to render
any assistance  to the sick and afflicted, his efforts will not re-
main unrewarded.                             The Author. 
ANATOMY.
   Anatomy is a Science which explains the structure and use of
^very part  of the human body.  It is divided  into nine parts,
namely:
             BONES,             NERVES,
             LIGAMENTS,       GLANDS,
             MUSCLES,          VISCERA,
             MUCILAGE SACS,  FLUIDS,
             VESSELS,
              DOCTRINE OF THE BONES.

  Bones are hard substances composed of phosphate and carbo-
nate of  lime, cemented by gelatin, which  support and form the
stature of  the body, defend the bowels, and give adhesion to the
muscles.  Their substance, in the  long bones is compact, in the
extremities of these bones spongy; in the interior of the marrow
bones, net-like, or  latticed.   In shape they are various.  Long
and  irregular-shaped bones are divided into a body and extremi-
ties,  and flat bones into a body and margins.   Bones are variously  t
named;  some from their situation, as the forehead, nose bone, &cif§|fe.
others from their shape, as the wedge bone, in the bottom of the ;"1"
skull; some from their use, ^is the jaw bone.  The processes and
cavities of the bones are named from their figure, as  the tooth-like
process, the saucer cavities, &c.  An artificial skeleton is when
the bones are hung together with a wire, or a natural, when they
are kept together by their own ligaments.
                           1 
TABLE OF THE BONES.
EONES OF THE HEAD.
Bo.VES OF THE
   Skull.
^ Forehead bone,
 Side bones,
 Occ ,>ut, or hinder bone,
 Temple bones,  .
 Sicv-.-like bone,
£ Wedge-like bone,
Bones  of the
    Face.
Teeth.
r Upper Jaw bones,
 Cheek bones,
 Nose bones,   .
.Tear bones,
 'Palate bones,   .
 Lower Spongy Nose bones,
 Plough Share,
[ Lower Jaw,
f Front Teeth,
[ Eye Teeth,
>Dog Teeth,
J Grinders,
I Of Wisdom,

Bones of the Tongue,
Bones of the in- C" Hammer,
 ner ear, with-J Anvil,
 in the temple  j Stirrups,
 bone.         (_ Circular bones, 
ANATOMY.
3
BONES OF THE TRUNK.
TBB BACK-BONE.-
Cbjebt.
        ( Neck,
Joints.  < Back,
        £ Loin,
Sacred bone, or rump,
Point of the spine,
Breast bone,
Ribs,
Pelvis, or haunch bones.
 7
12
 5
 1
 1
 1
24
 2
BONES OF THE UPPER EXTREMITIES.
The hand   <;
Shoulder.

The fore-
    arm.
Wrist
C Collar bones,
£ Shoulder blade,
  Arm bones,
<j Fore-arm,
^ Outer-arm,
  Ship bones,
  Moon bones,
  Wedge-like bones,
  Circular bones,
  Square bones,
\ Four-sided  bones,
  Great bones,
  Hook-like bones,
  Hand bones,
  Finger bones,
 5
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
 2
10
28
BONES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES.
THK LEG.
Tue Foot
  The thigh bones,
( Knee pans,
< Shin bones,  .
( Outer-shin bones,

^ Heel bones,  .
J Ancle bones,
<( Square bones,
| Ship-like bones,
i Wedge bones, 
4          VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

                 Bones of the foot,    .     .     •     .16
                 Toe bones,    .    .    .     •    •     2S

                                                  Total, 240

  Tha skeleton is divided into head, trunk, and extremities,
                     OF THE HEAD.

  The head is divided into the skull and face.

                        THE SKULL.

  The shape is various according to the customs of different na-
tions the bones of the infant being so tender as to be moulded into
almost any form.  It consists of eight  bones:  one forming the
fore-head, two forming the top and sides of the head, two forming
the temples, one forming the back  part of the head, one wedge-
shaped in the middle of the base of the skull, and one sieve-shaped,
behind the root of the nose.
  Upon examining the upper part of a skull externally, several
zigzag lines are perceptible; that which extends across from one
temple over to the other is called the crowning suture, and unites
the forehead bones to the two which form the top and sides of the
head; that which proceeds from  behind one ear over across to the
other, is the back suture,  connecting the hinder bone  to the side
bones of the head; and the suture extending from the crowning
■uture to the back suture,  is called the arrow-shaped.   These are
sometimes called the true sutures, to distinguish them from the two 
ANATOMY.
5
 spurious sutures, which unite the temple bones to the sides of tha
 head.   There are several prominences on the upper part of th«
 skull; two in the forehead  bones, one over each eye, one in the
 middle of each bone forming the sides of the head, and one in tha
 centre of the hinder bone.   These eminences point out the centre
 of ossification in these bones.
   On  the internal  surface  of  the upper part of the skull are a
 number  of  grooves  formed by the spinous artery of  the outer
 membrane of the brain.  The sutures are here in  the form of a
 line, not dove-tailed,  and the whole surface is more polished  than
 the external.
   The bones forming the upper part of the skull consist of an ex-
 ternal and an internal table, of a compact structure, and a spongy
 intervening substance.
   The internal surface  of the base of the skull is divided naturally
 into eight considerable depressions to  suit the lobes of  the brain
 and hinder brain.   The two anterior are immediately over the or-
 bits, and are separated from each other by a ridge ascending from
 the, root of  the nose.  Immediately before this ridge is  a small
 hole, called the  blind hole, and on each side a number of perfora-
 tions which transmit the smelling nerves into the nose, called the
 sieve-like holes.  Passing  backwards, there are two round holes
 near each other, one  going to the bottom of each orbit:  these ara
 for the passage of the optic  nerve, and are called the optic holes.
 Beyond these holes is a small cavity which will admit the end of
 the little finger,  surrounded  by four processes, two  of which are
 anterior, and two posterior; these are  termed couch-shaped  pro-
 cesses, and the cavity in their centre contains the pituitary gland.
 Unde -each anterior couch-shaped process is a considerable fissure,
 the upper orbital hole, which transmits to the orbit the third, fourth,
 the first branch of the fifth,  and the sixth pair of nerves, and the
opthalmic artery.   Beyond this fissure, proceeding  backwards,
 there is a round hole  which  gives passage for the second  branch 
0
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
of the fifth pair of nerves;  and the oval hole through which the
third  branch of the  fifth parr of nerves passes.   Near the oval
hole is the  spinous  hole through which the spinous artery of tho
outer membrane of the brain passes.   Between the oval hole and
the posterior couch-like process, there is a large ragged aperture
or canal, which in the fresh subject is partly filled with cartilage,
and is the entrance of  the carotid or head artery, and the exit of
the great nerve for the ribs.   A  projecting part of the bone  next
presents itself, called  the rocky portion of the temple bone.  It
has on its posterior surface an oval opening, the internal hearing
canal through which the  nerve for the organ of hearing and tho
nerve of the face  enter.  Immediately below this  is an irregular
oval  opening, formed  by the junction of  the bone, forming tho
back part of the head with the temple bone; this is the hole in tho
base of the skull.   Through the anterior  part passes the eighth
pair of nerves; and the posterior part transmits the blood  from tho
side canal of the outer membrane of  the brain, whose course is
marked by a deep groove leading to the hole, into the jugular vein.
  The portion of the bone which proceeds  backwards from tho
posterior couch-like process, between the rocky portion of the tem-
ple bone, is the wedge-shaped process of the hinder bone of tho
head; it is somewhat  hollowed to receive  the oblong part of tho
brain uniting with the spinal marrow.   At the bottom of this pro-
cess of bone is  a considerable opening, called the great hole  of
the back of the head; it transmits the spinal marrow, the vertebral
arteries, and the accessory nerves, and  a process  of  the  second
vertebrae or bone of the neck, lies in  its anterior part.  Between
this opening and the hole  in the base of the skull, is the hole which
give3 passage to  the tongue pair of  nerves.  Beyond  the great
hole  in the back of tho head is a cross-shaped eminence to which
processes of the outer membrane of the brain are attached ;  tho
horizontal eminence separates the two superior cavities of tho back
»f the head, from the two inferior. 
        /
       /
  ANATOMY.
F03.EHEAD  BONE.
  The forehead bone is situated in the anterior part of the skull,
forming the forehead and upper part of the orbits.   Its shape is like
a cockle shell.   There are two forehead eminences which mark
the centres of ossification; two forehead excressences which are
situated over the two forehead canals; two eye-brow ridges, which
give origin to the forehead muscles, and whose  extremities  are
called the angular or orbital processes; an external forehead spine,
on which the bones of the nose rest; and an internal forehead spine,
to which the outer membrane of the brain adheres; and the  two
orbitar plates which separate the orbits from the cavity of the skull.
   The  cavities are: the brain cavity, which contains  the front
lobes of the brain;  a lage notch between the orbitar plates for the
situation of the perforated plates of the  sieve bone; two forehead
or pituitary canals within  the bone above the root of the nose;  two
orbital cavities, in which are two depressions for the  situation of
the tear gland; a notch in each eye-brow ridge  for the cartilag-
inous pulley of the upper oblique muscle; an eye-brow hole through
which passes the forehead artery and nerve; the blind hole, situ-
mony below the date beginning of the internal forehead spine.
   The  forehead bone is  joined to those two forming  the sides of
the head by the crown suture; with the  two bones of the nose, the
two upper jaw bones, and the two tear bones, by what is called
the transverse suture; with the wedge bone and sieve bone, by  har-
mony of their parts; and with the cheek bone, by suture.
   The use of the forehead bone  is to form the forehead pituitary
canals, part of the orbits, and to contain and defend  the lobes of
the brain.
8IDE BONES.
  These bones, forming the sides of the skull, are placed one on
each side of the upper part of the  skull.   They are arched  and 
 8          VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

 somewhat four-sided.   There is a semi-circular ridge from which-
 the temple muscle originates; and  a hole  near the arrow suture,
 which transmits an artery and a vein of the outer membrane of
 the brain.  Upon its internal surface are the grooves of the spinous
 artery; and where the  two bones are united there is a deep cavity
 extending along the arrow suture, for the longitudinal canal of the
 outer membrane.
   These bones are the most equal and smooth, and are among the
 thinnest bones of the skull.   Their use is to form the superior part
 of the head.

                      THE HINDER BONE.

   This bone forms the back part of the head, and is of a four-sided,
 oblong shape.   There is an external excrescence in the middle of
 the bone, to which the cord of the nape of the neck is attached.
 Also a transverse spine proceeding from each side of the excres-
 cence to which the four-sided muscle and muscles of the neck are
 attached; a lesser cross spine, for  the insertion of the straight
 muscles, below the other; a prominent ridge running downwards,
 from  the excrescences in the centre of this bone, and forming,
 with the above-mentioned ridges, across-shaped spine; the wedge-
 shaped process situated  before the great hole; two processes shaped
 like an ancient cup, which are united to the first  vertebra of the
 neck.  There is also an internal cross-shaped spine; the superior
 branch gives adhesion to the longitudinal canal of the outer mem-
 brane of the brain; the two side branches to the side canals;  and
 the lower, to the adhesion of the hinder brain.
  The  cavities are, the great cavity on the  back of the head,
 through which the spinal marrow proceeds  into the spine, and the
 spinal arteries, and nerves upwards into the brain; two front holes
 for the passage of the tongue pair of nerves; two back entrances,
 (which are sometimes wanting,) for the occipital vein to pass into
the side canal;  two notches, which, with-the corresponding notch-: 
ANATOMY.
*
 es in the temple bone, form the holes in the base of the skull, for
 the passage of the blood from the side canals into the jugular vein,
 and the  exit of the eighth pair of nerves; a large groove leading
 to the above notches, in which the side canals are placed.   The
 internal  surface has also four considerable depressions, formed by
 the cross-shaped spine; the two upper contain the posterior lobes
 of the brain, and the two lower, the two lobes of the hinder brain.
   This bone is joined to the wedge-shaped bone by the wedge pro-
 cess, in  the adult by a bony concretion growing between them;
 but in youth they are united by an intervening cartilage; with the
 side and temple-bones by the back suture; and with the first and
 second vertebrae of the neck by a cartilage.
   The hinder bone constitutes the posterior and lower part of tho
 skull; contains the posterior lobes of the brain, the back brain and
 tho oblong marrow;  and joins the head to the  back bone.

                     WEDGE-SHAPED BONE.

  This bone derives its name from being fixed  in the middle of the
 base of the skull like a wedge, and extends underneath from one
 temple to the other.   Its shape is irregular, being, compared  to a
 bat with  the wings expanded.
  Its external  processes are, two  large wings, the front part of
 which forms part of the orbit, the inner surface supports a portion
 of the middle lobe of the brain, and the whole external surface is
 covered by the muscle of the temple.  Two spinous  processes, a
 marrow point  projecting behind the spinous hole.   The wedge-
 shaped spine, upon which the plough-share, or bone separating the
 nostrils,  lies.   Two pen-shaped processes, each of which is dis-
 tinguished  into a root and two extended plates or wings; one ex-
 ternal, which on its outer surface gives rise to the external  pen-
shaped muscle, and on  its internal surface to the internal  pen-
 ahaped muscle; the other internal.   Two hook-like processes, ono
on the end of the  internal wing of each.pen-like process, over 
10         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
which the tendon of the muscle, called the stretcher of the palate,
turns.  The internal processes are, two smaller wings which form
the upper part of the superior orbital fissures; four couch-shaped
processes, two front and two back.
   The external cavities are, the wedga-shnped  pituitary canal,
which is the middle of  the bone, has a communication with  tho
nostrils, and is divided by an intermediate partition.   Two pen-
shaped  depressions, one between each greater and lesser  wing,
for the reception of a part of the palate bone.  Two holes, each
leading to a canal in the root of  the pen-shaped process, through
which the recurrent branch of the fifth pair of nerves passes into
the skull.   The internal cavities are, the cavity containing the  pit-
uitary or nose gland; the two optic holes; two  grooves, one on
each  side of  the  pituitary gland, formed by the  pulsation of  the
head arteries;  two upper orbital  holes, between each greater and
lesser wing, through which the third, fourth, first branch of the fifth,
and the sixth  pair of nerves, and the eye artery, pass out of  tho
ekull; two round  holes  for the  passage of the second  branch of
the fifth pair of nerves; two oval holes for the third branch of the
fifth pair of nerves.
   The wedgo-shaped bone is connected with all the bones of  tho
ekull by harmony; it is also united to the two cheek bones, the two
upper jaw bones,  and  the palate-bones, by agreement; and  to  tho
plough-share, by being, as it were, nailed to it.  It forms the baso
of the skull,  helps  to form the orbits, the pituitary canal of  tho
nose,  the temples, &c, and  it contains the middle lobes of  the
brain.

                       TEMPLE  BONES.

   These are placed at the sides and  lower part  of the skull; in
shv;0, they are irregular, and they are divided ito a spurious por-
tion, which forms the  spinous suture, and  a stony portion, which
Lb very irregular,  and is situated at the  base of the skulL 
ANATOMY.
11
  Its processes are, tho yoking process, which with a process of
tho cheek bona, forms the yoke or arch of tho temples, under which
tho temple-muscle moves, and which gives rise to several muscles
of the face, as the chewing and joining muscle; the breast-like
process,  which projects from under each ear, in the front part of
which the muscle to move the head forwards is inserted, and into
its back  part, the muscles which move the head obliquely back-
wards; the pencil-shaped process, which is long and narrow, gives
origin to a ligament of the bone of tho tongue, also to muscles of
the tongue and throat; the sheath-like process, which surrounds
the root of the pencil-process;  and the  hearing process, or outer
bony circle of the hearing passage, to which the  membranes of
the brain and the cartilage of the ear are affixed.
   The cavities are, the external hearing canal, which leads to tho
cavity of the ear;  the internal hearing canal, which begins on tho
back'pavt of the internal surface of the stony portions, and trans-
mits the  seventh  pair of nerves: it has immediately within it tho
internal  opening of the aqueduct of Fallopius.
   Each  tempel bone is joined to tho sido bones by the spurious su-
ture; with the wedge-shaped, and the cheek  bones by harmony;
and with the lower jaw by its excrescences  fitting  in the depres-
sions of  the jaw.  The use of  these bones is  to contain the mid-
dle lobes of the brain, and  the organ of hearing; and to concur iu
forming the temples and base of the skull.

                      SIEVE-SHAPED BONE.

   Is situated in the  foro part of the  base of the skull, above tho
 root of the nose, and  between tho orbits.  Its shape is that of a
cube, or square.
   Its processes are, a sieve-like plate which lies horizontally abov-i
 tho root of the nose, within the  cavity of the skull.   It is every
 where perforated by a number of small  hole3, through which tho
 smslling nerves pass  into the nose.   The cock's crest, a process 
12          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

which proceeds upwards from  the middle of the sieve-bono, and
has attached to it the scythe process of the outer membrane of the
brain.   Two flat circular bones, which are very smooth external-
ly, and  form the  inner sides of the orbits.   The sieve partition,
nose plate, and perpendicular plates, are also considerable process-
es, descending directly under the  cock's crest  into  the cavity of
the nose, and forming, with the plough-share, the nose partition.
Two hollow substances, which are curled like  a piece of parch-
ment, one on each side of the partition, called  the upper spongy
bones.   There are a number of smaller holes on each side of the
cock's crest, two circular  holes of the nose, one situated between
the forehead bone and the circular plate of the seive bone, for the
passage of the nasal  branch of  the orbital  nerve;  a  number of
cells which compose  the internal parts of the bone, and form the
pituitary canals of the sieve bone.
  This  bone is connected with the forehead bone, and the nose
bones, the two upper jaw bones, the two palate,  the wedge-shaped,
and the  plough-share bones, by harmony.   Its  use is to form an
extensive surface for the organ of smell, to constitute part  of tho.
aose, orbits, and skull.
                      OF THE FACE.

  The bones of the face are fourteen in number and are divided
into those of the upper and lower jaw.
  The upper jaw is formed of thirteen bones, viz. two upper jaw,
two nose, two palate, two cheek, two lower spongy,  and two tear
bones, and the plough-share, or separating bone of the nose, which
are all united to the skull and to one another, by harmony.  TI13
lower jaw is one bone.
  There is an obvious line beginning at the external angle of the
orbit, where the forehead bone is joined to the cheek  bone,  which
leads to the inferior opening of the orbit, proceeds upwards to the- 
ANATOMY.
IS
nose, whose root it crosses, and then traverses the other orbit  to
the external angle; this is the transverse suture.   The other har-
monies of the face are called after the bones they unite.

                      UPPER JAW BOXES.

   These bones are situated in the front and middle part of the face.
Their shape is irregular.
   The processes are, the nose prdbess, which forms the  sides of
the nose; the orbitar process, or plate, which  forms part of the
orbit; the process in which the teeth are  placed; the palate pro-
cess, which forms the palate;  and a spine, formed by the junc-
tion of the palate bones, on which the plough-share rests.
   Its cavities are, the jaw cave, and the jaw pituitary canal, in the
body of the bone, between the orbital and palate  processes;  it opens
into the nostrils.  The lower orbital canal, which opens under the
margin of the orbit, and transmits the orbital nerve.   The tear de-
pressions, situated in the upper internal part of the nose  process,
for the reception of the tea-r-bag; it leads to the nasal canal which
conveys  the tears into the nostrils.   The back palate-hole, near
the back tooth, on the inside, for the passage of the tooth nerve.
A notch  in the  front part of the palate process, which, with a cor-
responding notch in the other upper jaw bone,  forms the old pal-
ate-hole,  which transmits the front palate  nerve and artery.
   Each upper jaw bone is connected with  its fellow, with  the fore-
head bone, one nose bone, one tear bone, the sieve, the wedge, one
cheek bone, one palate bone, and one lower spongy bone, by har-
 mony, and with the  plough-share,  and the teeth by their being
 nailed as it were, to it.   The use of these bones is to form part
 of the face, palate, nose, nostrils, and  orbits, and also to afford a
 convenient situation for the organ of chewing.

                       THE CHEEK  BONES.

    These bones are situated at the sides of the face.  In shape they
 are almost square.  The processes are, the  upper orbitary pro- 
11         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
cess which forms part of the orbit and the sharp edge of the tem-
ple bone;  the lower orbitary process opposite the former, and in
part constituting the bottom of thd orbit and the edge of the cheek;
the internal orbitary process,  which also forms part of the orbit;
the jaw process by which it is joined to the upper jaw; the yoke
process, by which it is joined to the temporal bone, to form the arch.
   This bone is  united to the forehead, upper-jaw, sieve and tem-
ple bones.   Its  use is to assist in forming the face and orbits.

                        NOSE  TONES.

   These are situated  in the upper and middle part of  the nos».
In shape, they are a long square;  in substance, compact  Their
use is to form the external part  of the nose.   Each bone is con-
nected with itsfellow, and the  upper jaw, by agreement, with tho
forehead and sieve bone, by the  transverse  suture.

                        TEAR  BONES.

   These bones  are situated in the internal angle of the orbit of tho
eye.  They are like  the nail of the finger  in shape.   There is a
cavity which contains the tear-bag.  Each bone is connected with
the upper jaw, forehead, seive, and lower spongy bones, by agree-
ment.
                   LOWER SPONGY BONES.

   Are situated in the side and  lower part of the nostrils.  Figure,
cpiral and  convoluted.   Each bone is united  to the  upper jaw,
palate, tear, and sieve hones.

                       PALATE BONES.

   These bones are placed in the back part of the nose, from which
they ascend sidewise to the orbits.  In shape, they are irregular. 
ANATOMY.
15
 They are divided into palate, pen-shaped, nose, and orbital por-
 tions.  The palate plate, which forms the back part of the roof of
 the mouth; the pen-shaped process is situated behind the last grin-
 der;  the nose process arises perpendicularly from the palate, and
 covers part of the jaw cave; the orbitar process,  situated  in tha
 orbit.  The cavities are the palate cells which communicate with,
 and  form part of the wedge cells.   Its use is to form  the back
 part  of the  palate, and part of  the noso and orbit.  Each bone is
 connected  with its fellow, with the upper jaw, wedge,  sieve,  lower
 upongy, and plough-share bones, by harmony.

                     THE  PLOUGH-SHARE.

   Is  situated in the middle cavity of the nostrils, which it divides
 into two parts.  In shape it  resembles a plough-share.  Its use, to
 Bustain and divide the cavity of the nostrils.   Above, it is united
 with  the wedge-bone, by being nailed, as  it were, to  it, and with
 the sieve bone, by harmony; below, it is connected to the upper
 jaw and palate bones, by agreement and it is united to the cartil-
 uginous division of the nose.

                    THE LOWER JAW BONE.

   Is situated in the lower and front part of the face.  Its figure is
 like a horse shoe.  There are two jointed processes which are re-
 ceived  into the jointed cavities of the temple  bones;  two crow's
 bill processes, which are sharp pointed, and give adhesion to the
 temple muscles.  The process in which the teeth are fixed; tho'
 union of the under jaw bones in the centre of the chin; the lower
edge, whose ends form the angles of the jaw.
  The cavities are, the half moon  notch between each crow's bill
and jointed process;  the hinder jaw holes, one above each angle,
on the inner surface of the jaw, which transmit the lower jaw nerve
und artery into a canal called the mental canal, which  conducts 
18          VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

the same artery and nerve to the front jaw holes upon the exter-
nal surface of the bones, one on each side of the chin, from whence
the artery and nerve again emerge upon the chin.
  Its use is to form a socket for the teeth; to constitute the lower
segment of the cavity of the mouth, and to afford a point of adhe-
sion to the muscles of the throat, neck and tongue.  It is connec-
ted with the temple bones, by a hinge joint, with the teeth by en-
closure, and with the bone of the tongue and other parts, by muscles.

              PARTICULAR CAVITIES OF  THE FACE.

   The Orbits.—Situated  under the  forehead, at the root  of tho
nose.  Their shape is half of a hollow ball.   The  cavities are a
depression for the tear gland;  a notch of the orbital cartilaginous
pulley;  a depression for the tear-bag; the nasal canal for the pas-
sage of the tears into the nose; an upper and lower orbital fissure;
the eyebrow hole; the lower orbital canal; the nasal hole, and the
hole for the sight nerve.   It is composed of seven bones: the fore-
head, jaw, cheek, tear, sieve, palate,  and wedge bones.   It con-
tains and defends the eye and its adjacent .parts.
  Cavities oj  the Nostrils.—These cavities  are under the front
part of the skull, in themiddle of the face; they are of a pyramidal
figure.  The prominences are, the nose  partition, the cavernous
substance  of the sieve bone, and the lower spongy bones.  There
are three  pair of pituitary canals, viz. the forehead, wedge and
jaw; the caverns of  the sieve bone labyrinth; the front holes of
the nostrils; the nasal canal; the wedge palate holes, and the front
palate hole.  Use, to form the organ of smelling, and the pituitary
canals, and to serve  for speech and breathing.
  Cavity oj the  Mouth.—Its shape, situation  and  use, are well
known.
   The Teeth—Are situated in the sockets of the jaws.   They are
commonly thirty-two in number, sixteen in each jaw.   They are
divided into four kinds: the cutting, or  front teeth,  four in each 
                         ANATOMY.                      17

 jaw; one eye tooth on each side of the front teeth; and  next  to
 them two dog teeth on each side; and last, the grinders or double
 teeth.  Each tooth is divided  into a crown, neck and root.   The
 substance of the root and internal part of the crown is compact;
 the external surface is white and hard, and is called the enamel.
 Their use is for mastication and the pronunciation of the dental
 syllables.
   Cavity of the. top of the Throat.—This is situated under the base
 of the skull, within the upper bodies of the joints of the neck and
 back part of the nostrils.  Its shape is square at the top.  It  is
 composed of ten bones, viz. the hinder bone of the head, two pal-
 ate,  the plough-share, the three first joints of the neck,  the tongue
 bone, and the two temple  bones.  Its use is for the situation of the
 top of the throat, upper end of the windpipe, and gullet, and bone
 of the tongue.
   Bone of Che Tongue—Situated in the back part of the  throat, be-
 tween the  base of the tongue and  the  top of the windpipe.   In
 shape, it resembles a half moon.  There are two larger horns and
 two lesser horn.s.  It serves for the adhesion of the tongue, for
 swallowing, and  for a point of adhesion to many muscles.  It  is
 connected with the pencil process of the temple  bones, the lower
jaw, shoulder-blade,  and breast bone, by various muscles.
   Cavity of Hearing—Situated internally in the rocky portion of
each temple bone.  It is divided  into the external hearing canal.
cavity of the drum, labyrinth, and internal hearing canal.  In the
cavity of the drum, are:  the orifice of  the Eustachian  tube, the
breast-shaped canal, the oval window, the round  window, and the
little hearing bones.   The labyrinth consists  of the shell, court,
and  semi-circular canals.   The  shell has a  base,  top, nucleus,
court, ladder, and a spiral plate.  The court has an oval hole  and
the orifices of the semi-circular canals.  The cavity of hearing  ia
the organ in which hearing is  performed.
   The Litth Hearing Bones—Are placed in the cavity of the drum.
2 
18         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

In number, they are four; the hammer, the anvil, the stirrup, and
the round bone.  In substance, they are compact. Use, for hearing.
                     OF THE TRUNK.

   The trunk of the skeleton is divided into the spine, chest, loins,
and pelvis, or basin.
                            SPINE.

   A long column,  or pillar, which extends from the head to tho
sacred bone.   It is composed of twenty-four bones called verte-
bra', or joints, viz.  seven of the neck, twelve  of the back, and five
of the loins.  Each joint is divided into a body and seven process-
es, viz. the spinous, two  upper slanting, two lower slanting, and
four cross processes.  Cavities: the spinal canal, and  the side
holes of  the joints.  The first bone of the spine is connected with
the hinder bone of the skull by a hinge joint; the  second joint is
united  to the  first  with a motion like a wheel on  its axis.   Tho
bodies  of the vertebrae are connected with one another by a peculiar
intervening cartilaginous substance;  and on their  back parts by
a yellow  elastic ligament, and by their oblique processes.  It sup-
ports  the head and trunk, and contains and defends  the spinal
marrow.
   Neck Joints.—The first joint is called the atlas.   It has no body
or spinous processes, but  forms an arch, which on the  front part
surrounds the tooth-like process of the second joint.   Instead of
upper slanting processes, there are two canals.  The second joint
is  called  the toothed.   There is a tooth-shaped process  at the up-
per part of its body.  All the transverse processes  of the remain-
ing neck  joints have a peculiar hole for the passage of  the verte-
bral arteries.
   Back Joints.—The peculiarities of the vertebras of the back are*, 
ANATOMY.                      19
a depression at the sides of the bodies, and a supeficial one in the
points of the transverse processes, for the attachment of the great
and small heads  of the ribs.
   The. Loin Joints—Are much larger than those of the back, and
the transverse processes have no depressions.
                     OF THE  CHEST.

  The chest is composed of twelve back joints, twenty-four ribs,
and the breast bone.
                            ribs.

  The ribs are placed obliquely from the back joints to the breast
bone; twelve on each side.   They are divided  into  seven  true,
which are uppermost, and five spurious. . Eminences: the great
head which is connected to the bodies of the vertebrae; the neck;
the lesser head, which is joined to the cross processes of the ver-
tebrae; and the angle of the  rib.   The  cavities are,  a longitudinal
groove on the inside  for the  artery of the ribs.   The front part of
the ribs is cartilaginous, the rest  bony and compact.  They are
connected in front with the breast bone, and behind with the bodies
and transverse processes of the spine.  Its use is to form the chest,
to serve for breathing,  to defend the vital intestines, and to give
adhesion to the muscles.

                        BREAST  BONE..

  This  bone is situated  in the front-part of the chest, between the
true ribs.   Its cavities are the jugular  canal, at the upper and in-
ner part;  two  collar bone canals, for  the  adhesion of the collar
bones; and  seven rib depressions to which the ribs adhere.   It* 
•0          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

substance is somewhat spongy.  Its use is to form the chest,  Mid
give adhesion to the separating membrane of the chest.

                     OF THE  LOINS.

  The bones of the loins are the five loin vertebrae.
              OF THE PELVIS, OR BASIN.

  This is situated in the lower region of the trunk.  Its figure ia
somewhat like a basin.   It is composed of four bones, viz. two
haunch bones, one sacrum or sacred bone, and the point bone at
the lower end of the sacrum.   Its use is to contain the organs of
generation, the bladder, straight intestine, and support the spine.

                       HAUNCH BONES.

  These bones are situated at the sides of the basin.   Their shape
is irregular.  Each bone is divided into three portions, viz. tho
haunch  bone, the hip bone, and the share  bone, or pubis.   Tho
eminences are, the crest of  the uppermost part from which tho
transverse and slanting muscles of the abdomen arise; at its back
part are two spinous processes, which gives adhesion to ligaments;
at its forepart are also two spinous processes; the upper gives adhe-
sion to the muscle, enabling persons to cross their legs, the stretcher
of the sheath of the thigh, and the ligament of the thigh; the lower
front spinous process, about and inch from the former, has,  aris-
ing from it, the straightener of the thigh.   The outer surface of
the  haunch bone is covered with the buttock muscles; the internal
by the internal muscles.  Upon the internal surface there is a lino
even with the pubis; this is the rim of the basin; it divides the cav-
ity of the abdomen from the pelvis.  Upon the  lower  portion of 
ANATOMY.
21
this bone are, tho bump upon which we sit;  the spinous process of
the hip, which projects backwards, and gives adhesion to the up-
permost ligament, connecting the haunch bone to the sacrum; and
the branch of the hip, which joins the share bone.   Upon the share
bone are,  the body, near the socket, the angles and arches of the
pubis.   The cavities are, a notch between the front spines of the
haunch; a front and back notch in  the hip; the socket which re-
ceives the  head of the thighbone; and the oval hole.  Each haunch
bone is connected with its fellow in front by ossification;  with tho
sacred bone by strong ligament and cartilages; and with the head
•f the thigh bone  by ball and socket.

                     THE  SACRED BONJE.

   This bone is placed in  the back part of the basin.   Its shape ia
triangular, bent forward.  The eminences are, two upper oblique
process r s; appearances of the spinous processes; appearances of
the oblique and cross processes;  and the appearances of the joints
of the back bone.   The cavities are, four pair of outer, and four
pair of internal holes, and  five canals lengthwise.  Its use  is to
constitute  the basin, and  sustain the spine.

                      THE  POINT  BONE.

   This small bone forms the tip, or lower end of the  sacred bon«
Its use is to sustain the rectum, or straight gut, and prevent rup-
ture of the soft parts in delivery.
            OF THE UPPER EXTREMITIES.
  The bones of the upper extremities, are, on each side, the col-
lar bone, the shoulder-blade, the upper-arm, the two fore-arm bones,
lones of the wrist, hand,  and fingers. 
««          VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

                        COLLAR BONE.

  This bone is placed slanting on the upper and side parts of tho
ehest.  Its shape is similar to the letter/.   There is a groove on
its under side, for the reception of the under collar bone arteries.
Its use is to connect the shoulder-blade and upper-arm bone to tha
chest, and to delend the collar bone vessels.  In front it is jointed
to the breast bone, and  behind to the shoulder-blade, by its head
fitting in a cavity.

                      SHOULDER-BLADE.

  This is placed in the upper and side parts of the back; its shapa
triangular.  Its eminences are, the spine,  which is  in the middla
of the outer surface;  its front'termination is called  its extremity;
the crow's bill  process, which stands out opposite to the extremi-
ty;  the borders of the  bone arc called ribs,  and the corners, an-
gles;  the circle below the joint cavity is called the neck.  Its cavity
is, the joint cavity which receives the head  of the arm bone.   Tha
shoulder-blade is connected with the ribs, and bone of the tongue,
by muscles, and with the arm bone, by ball  and socket.  It defenda
the back,  sustains the arm, and forms the joint of the arm bono.

                      UPPER ARM-BONE,

  Is situated between the shoulder-blade and fore-arm.  Eminen-
ces: the head which is rounded on its upper part; the neck which
is immediately below the head; the great eminence near the neck,
which receives the upper spine muscles; and the lesser eminence,
which has affixed to it the under muscle of the shoulder-blade.
On the  lower end are three eminences, namely, an outer and an
inner, which give origin to the bending and extending muscles of
the arm, and the pulley of  the arm bone.   There is a furrow be-
tween the eminences, for a long tendon:  in the back part of tha 
ANATOMY.
23
lower end, a depression for the process of the outer arm bone; and
a front depression  for the crow process.  It constitutes the arm.

                    THE FORE-ARM BONE.

  This bone is situated in the inside of the fore-arm towards tha
little finger.  Its figure is long, and thicker above than below.—
There is the elbow process on which we lean;  and the crow pro-
cess opposite to it   In the  lower extremities are the  lower head
and neck, and the pencil  process, which  gives  strong adhesion
to the ligament which secures the wrist.   Its use, to constitute the
chief support of the fore-arm.   It is connected with the pulley of
the upper-arm,  by its round head  fitting  into  the corresponding
cavity; and with the outer-arm bone by its rotating round it

                      OUTER-ARM  BONE.

  Situated in the external side of the fore-arm, towards the thumb.
In shape, it is long.   The eminences are, the upper head which ia
excavated; the  little head and the  pencil shaped  process of the
lower end.  Its cavity, the joint cavity.  It assists in  forming the
fore-arm, and serves for bending, and turning the arm.  It is con-
nected to the upper-arm by a hinge joint; to the fore-arm bone by
an intervening ligament; and with the wrist by ball and socket

                            wrist.

  The wrist is composed of eight bones, which lie close to each
other in a double row, between the fore-arm and the hand.  It ia
divided into two rows, the  upper and  lower.  In the upper row
(from  the  thumb to the little finger,) are the ship bone,  the moon
bone, wedge, and round bone.   In the  lower row, the two square
bones, the great bone, and the hook bone. 
24         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

                    BONES OF THE HAND.

  Situated between the wrist and fingers.  Composed of five lon-
gitudinal bones: one of the thumb, and four of the fingers.  These
bones form the hand.

                          FINGERS.

  Are situated at the lower extremity of the hand.   They are com-
posed of a thumb  and four fingers.  The thumb has two bones,
and each finger three.  They form the fingers, which arc the in-
struments of touch, defence, and labor.
           OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES.

  The bones of  the  lower  extremities arc, the thigh, knee-pan,.
ahin bone, outer-shin bone, the bones of  the foot, heel and toes..

                        THE  THIGH.

  Is situated  between the basin, and  the knee.  The eminences
are, the head, which is received into the socket of the  hip, and
has a  small dimple in the middle for the attachment of the round
cord;  the neck on which the head stands is rough, and  gives at-
tachment to the cap ligament; the great projection below the neck,
for  the insertion of the buttock muscles; and the little projection,
which receives the loin muscle, and internal muscles; and a rough
line on the body of the bone.
  On the lower extremity arc,  the external and internal rounded
eminences, and between them, behind, a deep notch for  the pass-
age of the  great artery, vein, and nerve of  the leg.  Its use is
obvious.  Its substance is compact on the  outside, spongy in tin*
extrometies, and latticed internally. 
ANATOMY.
25
                         SHIN BONE.

   Situated in the inner side of the leg, between the knee and the
foot, and  is long, thick  and triangular.  The eminences are, its
upper head; the spine of the shin  bone, to which the great liga-
ment of the knee-pan is fixed; and the lower head, which forms
the inner ancle.  The cavities are, two joint canals, in the upper
head, for the reception of the  double head of the thigh bone; and
the joint cavity at  the side of the  head, for the  reception of the-
outer-shin  bone.  Its use is to support the leg, and serve for the
bending of the lower extremity.  This bone  is connected to the
thigh bone  and knee-pan by hinge, to the outer-shin bone by  inter-
vening muscles, and to the ancle bone by ball and socket

                    THE OUTER-SHIN BONE,

   Is situated in the outer part of  the leg, by the side of the shin
bone.  It is small, long and irregular in shape.  The eminences
are, the head of the upper end, and the outer ancle at the  lower
end.  It  is connected by a long ligament to  the shin, and  by its
heads and cavities fitting.  It forms a fulcrum for the shin  bone,
and helps to form the leg.

                         KNEE-PAN.

   This flat bone covers  the fore  part of the knee joint, and  is
placed  between  the eminences of the thigh, and above  the shin
bone.  Its shape resembles the common figure of a heart, with the
point downwards.  It is connected to the thigh bone by hinge, and
to the shin bone  by strong ligaments.   Its use is to strengthen the
knee joint, and  to serve  as a common pulley for the extending
muscles of the ie'r.
                °                                    «
                    EONES OF THE INSTEP.

   These bones are placed between the leg and long bones of tho
foot, are seven in number, and in a double row, forming the ancle-. 
25
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
In the first row are the ancle bone and the heel bone;  and in tha
second row are the ship bone, the square bone, and three wedge
bones, which are placed close to one another.   The eminences are
the head  of the ancle bone and the  protuberance of the  heel.—
Their use is to form  the base of the  foot, and serve for its  motion.

                    BONES OF THE FOOT.

   These are the long bones between the instep and toes, forming
the back of the sole of the foot.  They are five in number.

                            TOES.

   Thcgreattoe is  composed of two small bones; each toe  of throe
small bones.
        THE BONE MEMBRANE.  {Periosteum.')

  This is a membrane which invests the external and internal sur-
face of all the bones, the crowns of the teeth excepted.  Its sub-
stance is fibrous, furnished with arteries, veins, nerves, and absor-
bent lessels.  Its use  is to distribute the vessels on the outer and
inner surface of bones.
                      CARTILAGES.

  Cartilages are white, elastic, glistening substances, growing to
the bones.  They are divided into those which cover jointed sun
faces of bones;  those between the joints, which are not fastened to
the bones, but  adhere to the cap  ligaments, and lie between the
joints, as in the knee joint, &c; and those which unite bones firmly 
ANATOMY.
27
together, as the bodies of the vertebrae, &c.  Their use is to lub-
ricate the articulation of the cartilages; to connect some bones by
an  immovable connexion;  and to facilitate the  motion of  soma
jouts.
        FORMATION AND GROWTH OF BONES.

   Ossification, or the formation of the bone, is a specific action of
small arteries, by which the bony matter is  separated from tha
blood, and deposited where it is required.
   The first thing observable in the embryo (the child in the womb
before the fifth month, afterwards is called foetus,) when bone is
to be  formed, is a transparent jelly, which becomes gradually fir-
mer,  and is formed  into cartilage.   This  gradually increases  to
a certain size, and when ossification (bone making) commences,
vanishes as it advances.  Cartilages, before ossific action, are sol-
id, without any cavity, but when the ossific action of the arteries
is about to commence, the  absorbents  become very active, and
form  a small cavity  in which the bony matter is deposited;  bone
continues to be separated, and the absorbents model the mass into
its required shape.
   The process of ossification is extremely rapid in the womb; it
advances slowly after birth, and is not completed in the  human
body  till about the twentieth year.
   Ossification of  the flat bones, as those of the skull, always be-
gin from the central  points, and the radiated fibres meet the rays
of other ossifying points, or the edges of the adjoining bones.
   In  long  bones, as those of the arm and leg, a central ring is
formed in the body of the bone, the head and extremities -being
cartilage, in the centre of which the formation of bone afterwards
begins.   The central ring of the body shoots its long fibres towards
the head and extremities, which extend  towards the body of the 
23         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

bone.   The head and  extremities at length come so close to tho
body as to be merely separated by a cartilage,  which becomes
gradually thinner until the twentieth year.
  Thick and  round bones, as those of the ancle, wrists, breast and
knee-pan, are at first all  cartilage;  ossification begins in the cen-
tre of each.
  At birth, the bones of  the child  arc very imperfect.  The ex-
tremities and  processes of almost all the long bones are connected
with the body of the bone by cartilage.   The skull has. no sutures;
its bones are connected together by a firm and  almost cartilagin-
ous membrane.  On the  fore part of the skull, between the sido
bones and the forehead bone, is a considerable membranous space;
and a similar  but smaller one between the side bones and tha
hinder bone of  the head.   The forehead  consists of  two bone ;,
and the  hinder bone  of four.   The teeth are partly formed, espe-
cially the enamel, and are placed in a double row.  The outer ear-
hole is surrounded by a  bony circle, in which there is a groove
for the attachment of the membrane of the drum;  this circle grad-
ually elongates into the hearing canal.  The joint cavities in all
the ones are much shallower than  in the adult.
  The haunch consists of three bones, which are connected to-
gether by very firm cartilage, as also the bodies of the spiac and
its processes.
                CONNEXION OF BONES.

  Bones are connected with each other, so as to admit of motion;
or, so as to admit of no motion;  or, with an intervening substance
between them.  There are several  species of each of these.
  The different species of the moveable connexion, are;  the ball
and socket, where the  round head of one bone is received into tha
deep cavity of another, so as to admit of motion  in every dircc- 
ANATOMY.
29
tion, as the thigh bone with the hip.   The second species is when
the round head of one bone is received into a superficial cavity of
another, so as to admit of motion in every direction, as the head
of the  arm.   The third  is the hinge joint, which admits only of
opening and shutting, or extension and flexion, as the knee-joint.
The fourth, is where one bone rotates upon another, as the second
neck joint, and the outer-arm upon the fore-arm.  The fifth and
last is, where there  is motion, but that very obscure, as the long
bones of the hand and foot.
   The species of the immoveable connexion are three; first, when
the union is by means of tooth-like, or dove-tailed processes, as in
the bones of the  skull;  or, second, by agreement, where the con-
nexion  is by rough margins, not tooth-like; as the  bones of the
face.  Third, when one bone is fixed  to another like a nail in a
board,  as the teeth in the jaws.
   The species of the intermediate connexion are five: first, where
one bone is united  to another by a cartilage, as the joints of the
back bone.   Second, when a bone is  connected to  another by a
muscle; as the breast bone with the tongue bone. Third, when a
bone is united to another by a membrane, as the bones of the head
of the child in the womb.  Fourth, where a bone is connected to
another by a ligament, as thp two arm bones.   And fifth, where
two bones are united one to another by bony matter.
                  OF THE LIGAMENTS.

   Ligaments are  strong elastic  membranes, connecting the ex-
tremities of the moveable bones.   They are divided into cap liga-
ments, which surround joints like a bag; and connecting ligaments.
Use:  The cap ligaments connect the extremities of the moveable
bones, and prevent the escape of the lubricating mucus, or  joint
water.  The external and internal connecting ligaments strengthen
the extremities of the moveable bones. 
to         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Ligaments of the Lower Jaiv.—The eminencesof the lower jaw
are connected with the joint cavities of the temple bone, by tho
cap and side ligaments.
  Ligaments of the Buck oj the Head and Neck.—The joint em-
inences of the hinder bone are united with the corresponding joint
depressions of the  first  vertebrae, by the  cap, broad, front, and
back ligaments, the ligaments of the tooth-like  process of the sec-
ond vertebrae, and the ligament of the nape of the neck.
  Ligament of the Vertebra, or Joint oj the Spine.—These  joint*
are connected together by means of  the bodies and slanting pro-
cesses;  the bodies by a soft cartilaginous substance, and the pro-
cesses by ligaments, viz., the cross ligament of the first joint, tho
front and back common ligament; the ligaments between the spine,
between the cross, and between the joint; the cap ligaments of the
oblique, or slanting processes;  and the ligaments of the last ver-
tebrae of the loins with the sacred bone.
  Ligaments of the Ribs.—The hinder extremity of the ribs is uni-
ted to the joints of the back  bone; the front with the breast bone.
The ligaments of the back extremity are, the cap ligaments of the
greater and lesser heads; the outer and  inner ligaments of  the
neck of the ribs; and a ligament peculiar to the last rib>   The lig-
aments of the front extremity, are, the cap ligament of the  carti-
lages of the true ribs, and the ligaments of the ribs  among them-
selves.
  Ligaments of the Breast Bone.—The ligaments connecting the
three portions of the breast bone to the ribs, are, the proper mem-
branes of the bone, and the  ligaments of the  sword-like cartilage.
  Ligaments of the Basin.—The ligaments which connect  the
bones of the pelvis, or basin with the sacred bone, are, three up-
per sacred ligaments, two lower sacred ligaments, two cross liga-
ments of the pelvis, the guarding ligament of  the oval-hole, and
Paupart's ligament.
  Ligaments of the Point Bone.—The base of  the point is connect
ed to the apex of the sacred bone, by cap, and other ligaments, 
ANATOMY.
31;
   Ligaments of the Collar Bone.—The front extremity is connects
 ed'wifh the breast bone and first rib; and the end at the shoulder
 is connected with  the extremity of the shoulder-blade, by the in-
 tervening ligament, the cap ligament, and the raising ligament of
 the shoulder-blade.
   Ligaments of the Shoulder-blade.—The proper ligaments which
 eonnect  the shoulder-blade  to  the back extremity of the collar
 bone, are the conical and square ligaments.
   Ligaments of the Arm bone.—The head of the arm bone is con-
 nected with the joint cavity of the shoulder-blade by the cap liga-
 ment
   Ligaments of the Elbow Joint.—The elbow joint is formed by
 the lower extremity of the arm-bone, and  the upper end  of the
 fore-arm and outer-arm.   The  ligaments connecting these bones,
 are, the cap, and the connecting ligaments between the arm and
 fore-arm, and the  arm and outer-arm.
   Ligaments of the Outer-Arm.—The outer-arm is fixed  to the
 arm-bone, the fore-arm,  and wrist, by the upper, lower, oblique,
 and bony ligaments.
   Ligaments of the fVrist.—The ligaments which  connect the
 bones of the wrist together, and with the fore-arm and hand, are
 the cap ligament of the wrist; the first and second cross ligaments;
 the slanting ligament, and the cap ligament, proper to the bones
 of the wrist.
   Ligaments of the Hand.—The bones of  the hand are in part
 connected with the second row of bones in the wrist, and in part
 together by the joint and bony connecting ligament
   Ligaments of the Fingers.—The finger bones are  connected to-
 gether and with the hand, and the thumb with the wrist, by tha
 side ligaments of the fingers, and the ligament of the thumb with
 the square bone of the wrist
  Ligaments which keep the Tendons of the Muscles of the Hand
in their place.—These are situated partly in the palm, and partly on
the back of the hand.  In the back of the hand are, the external 
32         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

cross ligament of the wrist, the sheath, and the transverse ligaments
of the extending tendons.   In the palm of the hand, are, the in-
ternal cross  ligament of the wrist; the  sheath-like  ligaments  of
the bending tendons of the finger bones, and their  helping liga-
ments.
  Ligaments of the Hip Joint.—The head  of the thigh bone  is
strongly affixed to the socket of the hip  bone by two very strong
ligaments, the cap ligament, and the restraining ligament in the
head and socket.
  Ligaments of the Knee Joint.—This joint is formed by the em-
inences of the thigh bone, the head of the shin bone,  and the knee-
pan.   The ligaments arc, the cap, the outer and inner side liga-
ments; the cross and wing-shaped ligaments of the half moon car-
tilage, and of the knee-pan.
  Ligaments of the Outer-Shin Bone.—This bone  is connected
with  the shin bone by means of the cap ligament of the upper end,
the bony  ligament between, and the ligament of the lower extrem-
ity.
  Ligamtnls of the bones of the Instep.—The lower  extremities of
the bones of the leg form a cavity in which  the ancle bone  is re-
ceived.   This  joint is made by the front, middle, and back liga-
ment of the outer-shin bone, the three-cornered ligament, the cap,
and the ligaments proper to the bones of the instep.
  Ligaments of the Long  Bones of the Fuot.—These bones aro
connected partly together,  and partly with the former bones,  by
the cap ligament, the joint  ligaments, the cross ligaments in the
back and sole of the foot, and the bony ligaments between them.
  Ligaments oj the Toes.—The bones of the toes are united partly
together, and partly with the long bones by the cap  and side liga-
ments
  Ligaments which keep the Tendons of the Muscles of the Foot in
their proper place.—These  ligaments are found partly in the back,
and partly in the sole of the foot.   They are the sheath ligament
of the shin bone,  the cross ligaments of the ancle,  the ligaments 
ANATOMY.
as
of the muscle that moves the foot outwards, the jagged ligament,
the sheath ligament of the extending muscle and flexor of the great
toe, the sheath-like and helping ligaments of the flexor tendons,
and tho cross ligaments of the extending tendons.
                     OF  THE  MUSCLES.

  ■ "A muscle is a fibrous  body divided into head, belly, and tail.
 The head and tail are fimly attached to the bones; the place of
 attachment of the former is called its origin, and it is usually the
 part nearest the trunk of the body; the latter is termed the inser-
 tion, which is more remote from the trunk, and is implanted in the
 part which is to be moved.   The body adheres loosely to the other
 parts by means of the cellular  membrane, in order that it may
 swell when  the muscle acts.   Its substance is fleshy in the belly,
 and tendinous in the extremities; the-former is composed of fleshy
 fibres, which are irritable and sensible; the latter of white fibres,
 neither irritable nor sensible.   WThen the tendinous  extremity of a
 muscle is rounded, it is called a tendon; when broad and expanded,
 a flat tendon.
   Muscles are variously named, according to the arrangement of
 their fibres;  or from  their action;  or  from their origin, and inser-
 tion; or from their figure or situation;  thus, when the fibres go in
 the same  direction it is said to be a simple muscle;  when they are
 in rays, a radiated muscle; where they are like a feather, a feather
 muscle; and where two feather muscles are attached, a compound
 feather muscle.   Muscles someties surround certain cavities  of
 the body, forming a thin sheet, as the intestinal canal, bladder, &c.
 They are sometimes placed round openings so as to shut or open
them.  Many are named from their action, as the benders or flex-
ors,  extenders, raisers, &c.  Those which receive  names from
their origin and insertion, are very numerous as the pencil-shaped, 
34          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

&c.   The triangular, comb and pyramid muscles are named from
their shape; and the temple, breast, tongue, &c, muscles, from
their situation.  Those which act together  are  called relations ;
but those  that act contrarily, antagonists.   Arteries, viens, and
absorbents abound in the  fleshy parts, but there are very few  in
the tendons.  Nerves are also numerous  in the fleshy parts, but
wanting in the tendons..   Muscles are the  organs of motion.

         MUSCLES OF THE INTEGUMENTS OF THE SKULL.

  Occipital Forehead Muscle—Arises from the upper ridge  of
the hinder bone; its expansion covers the upper part of the head;
inserted into the skin of the eyebrow and root of the nose;  use, to
pull the head backwards,  and raise the eyebrows and skin  of  the
forehead.
  Brow fVrinkler—Arises above the root of the  nose; inserted
into the inner part of the occipital forehead; use, to wrinkle the
brows.
                 MUSCLES  OF THE  EYELIDS.

   Circular Eyelid—Arises around the edge  of the orbit; inserted
into the inner corner of the eyes; use, to  shut the eye.
  Raiser of the Upper Eyelid—Arises from the bottom of the or-
bit, near the optic hole; inserted into the cartilage of the palm of
the upper eyelid; use, to open the eye by raising the upper  lid.

                 MUSCLES  OF THE EYEBALL.

   The upper,  lower, inner,  and  outer Straight Muscles—Arise
from around the optic hole of the wedge bone at the bottom of the
orbit; inserted into  the front part of the  outer membrane  of the
eyeball, opposite each other; use, to move  the  eyeball upwards,
downwards, inwards, and outwards.
   Upper Slanting, or Pulley—Arises near the optic hole, and pas-
sea through a pulley, in the internal corner of the eye; inserted 
ANATOMY.
35
nto the back part of the bulb, between  the straight and the en-
trance of tie optic nerve; use, to roll the eye, and turn the pupil
outward and downward.
   Lower Slanting—Arises from the nose canal, and is inserted
opposite the former; use, to roll the eye.

              MUSCLES OF THE  NOSE AND  MOUTH.

   Raiser of the Upper Lip and  JVing of the Nose—Arises  from
the nose process, of the upper jaw bone; inserted into the  upper
lip and wing of the nose;  use, to raise the upper lip and dilate the
nostrils.
   Proper Raiser of the Upper Lip—Arises from the upper  jaw
under the orbit; inserted into the middle of the upper lip; use, to
pull the upper lip directly upwards.
   Raiser of the Jingle of the Mouth—Arises from the orbitar  hole
of the cheek bone; inserted into the circular hole at the corner of
the mouth;  use, to raise the corner of the mouth.
   Larger Cheek Muscle—Arises from the cheek bone, and  runs
downwards; inserted into the angle of the mouth, with the depressor
of the  lip;  use, to inflate the cheek  and raise the corner of the
mouth.
   Smaller Cheek Muscle—Arises above  the larger cheek muscle;
inserted  into  the angle of the mouth; use, to raise  the corner of
the mouth outwards.
   Compressor of the Cheek—Arises  from the socket of the last
grinders and the crow process of the jaw; inserted into the corner
of the mouth, and is perforated by the salival gland,  near the  ear;
use, to contract the cavity of the mouth and draw the angle out-
wards and backwards.
   Depressor of the corner of the Mouth—Arises from the lower
edge  of the under jaw, near  the chin;  inserted into the angle of
the mouth;  use, to draw the corner of the mouth downwards. 
 36         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

   Depressor of the Lower Lip.—Origin,  lower  part of the under
jaw, next the chin;  inserted into the middle of the under lip; use,
to draw the under lip downwards and outwards.
   Circular of the Mouth.—This surrounds the  lips,  and is in a
great measure  formed by the other muscles  that move the lips;
use, to shut the mouth by  contracting the lip-j.
   Depressor of the Upper Lip and Wing of the Nose—Arises from
die sockets of the upper front teeth; inserted into the root of tha
wing of the nose and upper lip;  use, to pull the wing of the nose
and upper lip down.
   Binder of the Nose—Arises from the root  of one wing  of the
nose, and goes across to the other; use, to compress the wings of
the nose.
   Raiser of the Chin or Lower Lip—Arises from the lower jaw at
the root of the front teeth; inserted in the skin in the centre of the
chin; use,  to raise the under lip and skin of the chin.

                 MUSCLES OF THE OUTER-EAR.

   Upper Ear—Arises from the  tendon of the occipital forehead
above the ear;  inserted into the root of  the cartilaginous tube of
the ear; use, to draw the  ear upwards.
   Front of the Ear—Arises near the back part  of the cheek; in-
serted into the  eminence behind the outward circle of the ear; use,
to raise this eminence forwards.
   Back oj  the  Ear—Arises from the  breast-like process, by two
and sometimes three, little bundles; inserted into the partition di-
viding the hollow  and shell bone  of the car; use, to draw the ear
back and stretch the shell.
   Greater outer circle of the Ear—Arises from the  upper, front
and sharp  part of the outer circle; inserted into  the cartilage of
the outer circle; use, to depress the upper part cf the circle.
   Lesser muscle of the outer circle oj  the Ear—Arises from tha 
ANATOMY.
37
lower and front part of the outer circle; inserted into the leg of tha
outer circle; use, to contract the  fissure.
  Sponge—Arises  from the  outer and middle part of  the shell,
near the sponge; inserted into the upper part of the sponge;  use,
to depress the shell and pull the sponge.
  Against the Sponge—Arises from the root of the inner  part of
tho outer circle;  inserted opposite the sponge; use, to dilate the
mouth of the  shell.
   Cross of the Ear—Arises from the upper part of  the shell; in-
serted into the lower part of the outer-circle;  use, to draw the
parts towards each other.

               MUSCLES OF THE INTERNAL  EAR.

   The Relaxer of the Drum—Arises from the spinous  process of
the wedge bone; inserted' into the  long process of  the hammer;
use, to draw the hammerobliquely forward towards  its origin.
  Stretcher of the Drum'—Arises from the cartilaginous extemity
of the Eustachian tube; inserted into the handle of the hammer;
use, to draw the hammer and membrane of the drum to the rocky
portion.
   Stirrup Muscle.—A little cavern in the hard portion, near the
cells of the breast-like process; inserted into the back part of the
head of the stirrup; use,  to draw the  stirrup obliquely upwards to
fche cavern.

                MUSCLES  OF THE LOWER JAW.

   Temple Muscle—Arises  from the  lower part of  the side  bone
and forehead bone, false suture of the temple bone, back  part of
the cheek bone, the temple-process of the wedge bone, and the
expanded tendon that covers it;  inserted into the crow-process of
the lower jaw, its  fibres  being bundled together and passed  info
a small compass, so as to pass under the cheek; use* to move the
tower jaw upwards. 
 38          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   Chewing Muscles—Arise in the upper jaw bono, near the cheek
 bone, and form the front part of the cheek;  inserted into the an-
 gle of the lower jaw upwards to the basis of the crow-process; use,
 to raise and move the jaw a little forwards and backwards.
   Inner Pen-shaped—Arises from  the internal pen-process of the
 wedge bone; inserted  into the inner side and near the corner of
 the lower jaw; use, to raise the lower jaw, and draw it a little on
 one side.
   Outer Pen-shaped—Arises from the outer pen-process; inserted
 into the joint-process of the lower  jaw and cap ligagmenls; use,
 to move the jaw  and prevent the ligaments of the jaw from being
 pinched.

  MUSCLES WHICH APPEAR UPON THE FRONT PART OF THE NECK.

   Broad Muscle—Arises  from the cell membrane covering the
 breast and  triangular muscles; inserted into the side of the chin
 and coverings of the cheek;  use, to draw the  cheeks and  skin of
 the face downwards.
   Breast and Temple Muscle—Arises from the upper part of the
 breast bone, and fore part of the collar bone; inserted  into the
 breast-process of the temple  bone, as far back as the back suture;
 use, to move the  head to one side, and bend it  forwards.

    MUSCLES BETWEEN THE LOWER JAW AND  TONGUE BONE.

   Two Bellied—Arises from a ditch at the root of the breast-pro-
cess;  inserted into the  lower and  front part of the chin;  use, to
draw the lower jaw downwards.
   Grinder-muscles  of the Tongue—Arise from the  inner surface
of the jaw bone;  inserted into the base of the bone of the tongue;
use, to move the tongue upwards.
   Chin and Tongue Bone Muscles—Arises from the inside of the
chin;  inserted into  the base of the bone of the tongue;  use, to
 move  the tongue  bone upwards. 
ANATOMY.
39
   Chin and Tongue—Arise from the inside of the chin; inserted
into the tongue and forming part of its substance; use, to  move
the tongue in various  directions.
   Bone of the Tongue—Arises from the horn, base, and cartilage
of the tongue  bone; inserted into the  tongue on the side; use, to
draw the tongue downwards and inwards.
   Tongue—Arises  from  the root of the tongue, on the side; in-
serted into the  tongue, on the side; use, to shorten and  draw the
tongue backwards.

       MUSCLES BETWEEN THE TONGUE  BONE AND TRUNK.

   Breast and Tongue Bone^-Arises from  the breast and  collar
1)one;  inserted into the base of the tongue bone;  use, to draw the
tongue bone downwards.
   Shoulder-blade and Tongue-—Arises near the crow's bill process
of the shoulder-blade; inserted into the base of  the tongue  bone;
use,  to draw the tongue downwards.
   Breast and Shield—Arises from the upper and inner part of the
breast bone; inserted into the shield-like cartilage; use, to pull the
shield-cartilage down.
   Shield and Tongue—Arises from part of the base and the horn
of the bone  of the tongue;  inserted into the side of the shield car-
tilage; use,  to raise the cartilage, and depress the bone.
   Round Shield-shaped—Arises from  the side  of the  round or
ring-cartilage;  inserted into the lower horn of the  shield-cartilage;
use,  to pull the shield to the ring-cartilage.

   SIDE MUSCLES BETWEEN  THE LOWER JAW AND TONGUE BONE.

   Pencil-tongue—Arises from  the top  of  the pencil-process; in-
serted into the side of the root of the tongue; use, to pull the tongue
backwards. 
40          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  Pencil-tongue Bone—Arises from the base, and about the mid-
dle of the pencil-process; inserted into the base of the tongue bone;
use,  to draw the tongue bone upwards.
  Pencil and Top oj the Throat—Arises from the root of the pen-
cil-process; inserted into the edge of the bag, at  the top of tha
throat, and back of the shield-cartilage;  use, to dilate the  bag at
the top of the throat, and raise the  cartilage.
  Palate-Stretcher—Arises near the Eustachian tube, and  passes
through the hook of the pen-process,  to be expanded  upon the
hanging veil  of the palate; use, to draw slantingly downwards
and stretch the  hanging veil.
  Soft-raiser of the Palate—Arises from the  point of the rocky
bone, the Eustachian tube, and wedge  bone; expanded  upon the
hanging veil, use, to pull the veil backwards and upwards.

       MUSCLES ABOUT THE BACK CAVITY OF THE MOUTH,

  Constrictor of the Back Cavity—Arises near the  root of the
tongue on each side, and goes  round, to be  inserted into the mid-
dle of the hanging veil, near.the little grape; use, to raise the tongue
and draw the veil towards it.
  Palate and Back Cavity—Arises from the  middle of the  soft
palate, goes round the hack cavity,  the tendon of the stretcher  of
the palate, and hanging  veil, to be inserted into the upper and back
of the shield-cartilage; use, to contract the arch of the back cavity.
  Palate and Little  Grape—Arises from the joining of the bones
of the palate; inserted into  the extremity of the little  grape; use,
to shorten and raise the little grape.

       MUSCLES OF THE BACK PART OF THE  BACK CAVITY.

  Lower Constrictor of the  Back Cavity—Arises from the ring and
ahield-cartilages;  inserted into the  middle of the cavity; use,  to
compress part of the cavity. 
ANATOMY.
41
  Middle Constrictor of the Back Cavity—Arises  from the  horn
and  appendix of the tongue bone;  inserted into the  compass of
the back cavity; use, to compress the cavity and draw the tongua
bone upwards.
   Upper Constrictor of the Cavity—Arises from the pen-proces"s,
the lower jaw, and the wedge-process of the hinder bone;  inserted
into the middle of the cavity; use, to move the cavity upwards and
forwards, and compress the upper part.

     BIUSCLES ABOUT THE  UPPER OPENING OF THE  WINDPIPE.

   Hinder round Funnel-like—Arises from  the round cartilage on
the back part; inserted into the back of the funnel-cartilage;  use,
to open the upper end of the windpipe;
   Side round Funnel like—Arises from the side of the round car-
tilage;  inserted into the side of the  funnel-cartilage; use, to open
the upper end of the windpipe.
   Shield Funnel-like—Arises from the backpf the shield-cartilage;
inserted into the front of the funnel-cartilage;  use, to draw tho
funnel forwards.
   Slanting Funnel-like—Arises from the root of  one funnel-car-
tilage;  inserted into the extremity of the other;  use, to draw them
towards each- other.
   Crossing Funnel-like—Arises from one of'the funnel-cartilages;
inserted into the other; use, to shut the upper end ol the windpipe.
  Shield and upper end of the Windpipe—Arises from the shield
cartilage; inserted  into the side of  the cartilage, upon the  upper
end of the windpipe; use, to pull the cartilage obliquely downwards.
  Funnel upon the upper  end of the fVitidjrpf—Arises from tho
side of the upper part of the funnel-cartilage;  inserted into the
side of the cartilage, upon the upper opening of the  windpipe;  use,
to move the end of  the windpipe outwards. 
42          VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

        MUSCLES ON THE FRONT PART OF THE ABDOMEN.
                                                        *
  External Slanting Descending—Arises from the lower edges of
the eight  lower ribs, near the cartilages; inserted into the white
line,* the front haunch bones, and the spine of the upper haunch
bones;! use, to compress the  abdomen.
  Internal Slanting Ascending—Arises from the spinous process
of the three last loin vertebrae, back of the sacred bone, and spine
of the upper-haunch bone; inserted into the cartilages of all the
false ribs, the white line, front-haunch bone,  and the breastbone,
by a flat tendon;  use, to compress the abdomen.
  Transverse Abdominal—Arises from the cartilages of the seven
lower ribs, the cross-process  of the four last loin yertebrao, and
the spine of the upper-haunch bones;  inserted into the white line
through its whole length, and  the  sword-like  cartilage; use, to
compress the  entrails of the abomen.
  Straight Abdominal—Arises from the outside of the breast hone
and sword-cartilages;  inserted  into the side of the front hauneh
bones; use, to compress the abdomen and bend the trunk.
  Pyramidal—Arises from the  front upper part of the pubis, or
front haunch bone; inserted  into the white line below the naval;
use, to assist  the  lower portion of the straight muscle.

      MUSCLES ABOUT THE MALE ORGANS OF GENERATION.

  Excorialor—By some said to be a muscle,  but is nothing more
than a condensation of the cell membrane, admitting of corruga-
tion and relaxation.
  Suspender—Arise from the inguinal ring  and Poupart's liga-
ment;  inserted into the sheath covering the testicle; use, to draw
up the testicles.

  *A long narrow tendinous expansion, reaching fiom the sword-like carti-
lage to the front haunch hone.
  f In this course it forms Poupart'e ligament. 
ANATOMY.                      43
  Erector Penis—Arises from the eminence of the bone on which
we  sit;  embraces one leg of the penis; inserted into a strong ten-
dinous membrane covering the hollow bodies of  the penis; use,
to compress the urinary passage.
  Accelerator of the Urine — Arises from  the constrictor anus, and
above the bulb of the urinary passage;  inserted into the line in
the middle of the bulb;  use, to compress the urinary passage.
   Transverse between the Thighs—Arises  from  the  fatty mem-
brane covering  the  protuberance  on which we sit; inserted into
accelerator of urine and constrictor  anus;  use, to dilate the bulb
of the urinary passage.

                    MUSCLES OF THE ANUS.

   Constrictor—Arises from the skin and fat surrounding the ori-
fice; inserted into  the  perineum, accelerator of  the  urine, and
transverse muscles; use to shut the  orifice of the anus.
  Raiser of the Anus—Arises from the inner surface of the haunch
bones of both sides, in a radiated form;  inserted into the constric-
tor anus, accelerator of urine, point bone, the straight  gut, neck
of  the bladder, &c, like a funnel;  use, to draw the straight gut
up  after the ejection of the fecal  matter, and to assist in shutting
it.
        MUSCLES OF THE FEMALE  ORGAS^ OF GENERATION.

   Erector Clitoris, or Female Penis—Arises from the internal leg
of  the hip bone;  inserted into the upper part and body of the cli-
toris; use, to draw the clitoris downwards and make it tense.
   Constrictor of the. Sheath, or  Vagina—Arises from the constric-
tor anus and side of the sheath, which it surrounds; inserted into
the union of the legs of the clitoris;  use, to contract the mouth of
the sheath.
             MUSCLES SITUATED WITHIN THE PELVIS.

   Internal Pulley—Arises from the  oval-hole hard ligament, and 
44         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

tho haunch bone; inserted into a large pit between the  great pro-
tuberances of the thigh bone; use, to roll the thigh obliquely out-
wards.
   Point Bone—Arises from the spinous process of the hip bone;
inserted into the  extremity of  the sacred bone, and point bone;
use, to move this bone forwards and backwards.

                MUSCLES WITHIN  THE ABDOMEN.

   Midriff—The student will  find it described under the class of
viscera.
   Flat Loin — Arises from the back part of the spine of the haunch
bone; inserted into the cross-processes of the loins, and last false-
rib;  use, to support the spine and draw it on one side.
   Small'Loin- -Arises from the cross-processes of the  last joints
of the back bone; inserted into the brim of  the  pelvis near tho
socket of the hip; use, to bend the loins forwards.
   Great Loin—Arises from the bodies and processes of the  last
back, and all the loin joints of  the back bone; inserted into tho
thigh bone a little below the lesser great protuberance; use, to bend
the thigh forwards. .
   Internal Twisted—Arises from the inner surface of the spine of
fhc haunch bone; inserted into the thigh in common with the great
loin; use, to assist the great loin.

         MUSCLES ON THE  FRONT PART OF THE CHEST.

   Larger Breast—Arises from the collar bone, breast bone,  and'
seven true ribs;  inserted into the  upper  and inner part of the arm
bone; use, to draw the arm slantingly forwards.
   Under Collar Bone—Arises from the cartilage of the first rib;,
inserted  into the under surface of the collar  bone; use, to move.
the collar bone, downwards.. 
ANATOMY.
45
   Lesser Breast—Arises from the third, fourth, and fifth ribs; in-
serted into the crow's bill-process of the shoulder-blade; use, fo
roll the shoulder-blade.
   Larger front Saw-like—Arises from the eight upper ribs; insert-
ed into the base of the shoulder-blade;  use, to  bring the shoulder-
blade forwards.

      MUSCLES BETWEEN THE RIBS AND WITHIN THE CHEST.

   External Ribs—Arise from the lower edge of each upper rib,
inserted into  the upper edge of each lower rib;  use, to elevate th*
ribs.
   Internal Rib.—Like the former, their fibres are directed  from
behind, forwards.
   Triangular—Arises from the middle and lower part of the breast
bone; inserted into the cartilages of the last five true ribs;  use, to
depress the cartilages of the ribs.

MUSCLES ON  THE FRONT OF THE NECK, CLOSE TO THE JOINTS OW
                       THE  BACK  BONE.

   Long Neck—Arises, from  the bodies of the three  upper  back
joints and cross processes of the four last neck joints of the  back
bone; inserted into the front eminence of the second  neck joint;
use, to pull the neck  on  one side.
   Larger internal straight of the Head.—Arises from the cross
processes of the five last neck joints; inserted  into the wedge pro-
cess of the hinder bone of the head; use, to bend the head forwards.
   Lesser internal straight of the Head—Arises from the fore part
of the first neck joint; inserted into the hinder bone, near the cup
process; use, to assist the former.
   Side straight Muscle  oj the Head—Arises from the cross pro-
cess of the first joint  of  the neck;  inserted into the hinder bone,
near the breast like process;  use, to  move the  head to one side. 
46
VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
          MUSCLES ON THE BACK PART OF THE TRUNK.

  Four-sided, or Hood Muscle—Arises from the hinder bone, and
all the spinous processes of the neck and back, inserted into the
collar hone, part of the head, and spine of the shoulder-blade; use,
to move the shoulder-blade, bend the neck, and  pull  the head
backwards.
  Broadest of the Back—Arises  from the spine of  the  haunch
bone,  spinous process of the sacred bone, joints of the loin, and
lover back; adheres  to the shoulder-blade and  lower false ribs;
inserted into the arm bone between  its eminences  in the edge of
the groove for the tendon of the two-headed muscle; use, to draw
tlfe arm bone backwards and roll it on its axis.
  Loiver back Saw-like—Arises from the spinous processes of the
tvo last back, and three loin vertebrae; inserted into the lower
edge of the three or  four  lowermost  ribs, near their cartilages;
use, to draw the ribs  outwards, downwards, and backwards.
  Rhomboidal—Arises from the spinous processes of the last neck
joints, and  fouv first  back  joints; inserted  into the base of the
ghoulder-bladc, at  the  upper  and  lower part; use, to  move the
shoulder-blade upwards and backwards.
  The Splint—Arises from the spines of the four  last neck and
four upper back joints; inserted into the two first neck joints and
the side of the hinder bone; use, to move the head backwards and
to one side.
  Upper back Saw-like—Arises  from the spinous  processes  of
the three last neck and two upper  back  joints; inserted into the
second, third, and fourth ribs, by three fleshy tongues.
  Of the back bone—Arises from two  spinous processes of the
loins and three lower back joints; inserted into all the spinous pro-
cesses of the back bone except the first;  use, to extend the joints
of the back bone.
  Raisers of the Ribs—Arise  from the cross processes of the last
neck and the back joints;  inserted into the angles of the ribs; use,
to lift the ribs upwards. 
ANATOMY.
47
  Sacred Loin—Arises from the sacred bone, spine of the haunch,
the  spinous and  cross processes of  the loin joints; inserted into
the  lower edge of each rib by a flat tendon; use, to draw the ribs
downwards, to move the body upon  its  axis, to  assist the  long
muscle of the back, and to turn  the neck back, or to the side.
  Longest of the back—Arises  from the same as the former by one
common broad tendon; inserted into the cross processes of all the
back and one neck joint;  use, to stretch the joints of the backand
keep the trunk erect.
  Embracer—Arises from  the cross processes of the four lower
neck and seven  upper back joints; inserted into the middle of the
hinder bone at its eminence; use, to draw the head backwards.
  Neck breast-like—Arises  from  the  cross  process of the three
upper back and  five last neck joints; inserted into the hinder bone
behind  the breast-like  process  of the temple bone; use, to draw
the head backwards.
  Raiser of the Shoulder-blade  Arises from  the  cross processes
of the four upper neck joints; inserted into the upper corner of the
shoulder-blade;  use,  to move the shoulder-blade forwards and up-
wards.
  Half back bone—Arises from the cross processes of the seventh,
eighth, ninth and tenth back joints; inserted into the  spinous pro-
cesses of the four upper back and last neck joints; use, to extend
the spine obliquely backwards.
  Many slitted Spine—Arise from the sacred bone, haunch bone,
slant and cross processes of the loin joints, the cross of the back
and four neck joints;  inserted  into the spinous processes of the
loin, back and neck joints, except the first of the neck joints; use,
to extend and draw backwards  or to one  side,  the back, and pre-
vent the back  bone from leaning  too much in front.
  Neck  Spine—Arises from the cross processes of the six upper
joints of the back; inserted  into the spinous processes of the five
middle neck joints; use,  to stretch the neck slantingly backwards..
  Transverse Neck—Arises from the crossing processes of the five 
 48          VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

 upper back joinls; inserted into the cross  processes of the neclt
joints; use, to turn the neck backwards and to one side.
   Larger  back straight Muscle of the Head—Arises from the cross
 process of the second neck joint; -inserted  into the lower ridge of
 the occipital bone; use, to extend the head and draw it backwards.
   Lesser back straight of the Head.—Arises from the first joints of
the neck;  inserted into the occipital  bone at  its eminences;  use,
to assist the former.
   Upper slanting  of the Head—Arises from the cross  process of
the first neck  joint; inserted  into the  end of the lower occipital
ridge; use, to draw the head backwards.
   Lo iver slanting of the Head-- Arises from the spinous process of
the second joint of the neck;  inserted into the cross process of the
first joint of the neck; use, to draw the face on one side.
   Unequal—Arises from the upper surface of the first and second
ribs;  inserted into the cross processes of the neck joints; use, to
move the neck forwards, or to one  side.
   Inter-spinal—Arises from between the spinous  processes of the
six lower neck joints; inserted into the spinous process of the joint
above; use, to  draw the spinous processes  towards each other.
   Inter-transverse—Arises between the  transverse processes of
the vertebrae  inserted  into transverse  processes of the vertebra*
above; use, to draw the transverse  processes towards each other.

             MUSCLES OF  THE UPPER EXTREMITIES.
   Upper-spinaied—Arises from the base, spine, and upper edge
of the shoulder-blade; inserted into the  large eminence at the head
of the arm  bone;  use, to raise the arm.
   Lower spinated—Arises from the cavity below the spine of tha
shoulder-blade; inserted into the upper part of the same  eminence;
use, to roll the arm outwards.
   Lesser smooth—Arises  from the lower  edge of the  shoulder-
blade; inserted into the greater eminence of the arm bone; use,
to assist the former. 
ANATOMY.
49
   Xxrtaltr smooth—Arises from the lower corner and edge of the
"shoulder-blade;  inserted into  the  side of the groove of the long
tendon of the two-headed muscle;  use, to assist in rolling the arm.
   Triangidar—Arises  from the collar bone  and the  head and
gpine of the  shoulder-blade; inserted into the front and middle of
the arm bone; use, to raise the arm.
   Croto's-bill Arm—Arises from the  crow's-bill  process of the
shoulder-blade; inserted into the middle and inner side of the arm
bone; use, to roll the arm forwards and upwards.
   Under Shoulder-blade—Arises from the base, upper and lower
edge of the shoulder-blade; inserted into the protuberance at the
head of the arm bone; use, to roll the arm inwards.

                  MUSCLES OF THE ARM BONE.

   Two-headed Bender of the Forc-arm-^-Two heads arise from the
crow's-bill process, and the other, called the long head, from the
edge of  the  joint cavity of the shoulder-blade; inserted into the
eminence at  the upper end of the outer-arm, at  its forepart, a little
below its neck; use, to bend the fore-arm with great strength, and
assist the upper muscles.
Internal arm—Arises from the arm bone  en each side of the ten-
don of the triangle; inserted  into the crow-process  of the fore-
arm; use, to  assist in bending  the fore-arm.
   The Three-headed extender of the Fore-arm—Arises  from the
neck of the shoulder-blade, and neck and middle of the arm bone;
inserted into  the upper and outer part of  the elbow joint;  use, to
extend the fore-arm.
   Elbow Muscle—Arises from the  outer eminence of the arm
bone; inserted into the back part, or ridge of the fore-arm; use, to
assist in extending the fore-arm.

             MUSCLES SITUATED ON THE  FORE-ARM.

   Long back Muscle of the Outer-arm—Arises from the outer
                               4 
50         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
joint-process of the arm bone; inserted into the outer-arm, near
the pencil-process; use, to assist in turning up the  palm of the
hand.
  Long Extender of the Wrist—Arises the same as before; insert-
ed into the hand bone of the fore finger; use, to extend the wrist.
  Shorter Extender of the  Wrist—Arises the same as before;  im
serted into the hand bone of the middle finger; use, to assist tho
former.
  Common Extender of the Wrist— Arises the same as before; in»
serted into the back of  the bones of the fingers; use, to extend the
fingers.
  Extender of the Little Fingers—Arise  the same as before;  in-
serted into the second  joint of the little finger; use, to assist in
extending the fingers.
  Fore-arm Extender of the  Wrist—Arises the same  us before;
inserted into tbe hand bone of the little finger; use, to assist in ex-
tending the wrist.
  Fore-arm bender of the Wrist—Arises from the inner eminence
of the arm bone, and head of the fore-arm; inserted into the fourth
bone of the first row of  the wrist; use, to assist in bending the
hand.
  Long Palm—Arises from, the inner eminence of the arm bone;
inserted into the ligament of  the wrist, and thence forma the ex-
pansion of the hand; use, to bend the hand.
  Bender of the Wrist—Arises the same  as before; Inserted into
the hand bone of the fore finger; use,  to bend the hand.
  Long Roller oj the Outer-arm—Arises from the inner eminence
of the arm bone, and crow-process  of the fore-arm; inserted into
the- outer ridge of  the outer-arm bone,  along the  middle of  its
length; use, to roll the hand inwards.
  Short back of the Outer-arm—Arises from the outer eminence of
the arm,  and edge  of the fore-arm;  inserted into the front, inner,.
and part  of the outer-arm; use, to roll  the outer-arm outward, and*
assist the elbow.. 
ANATOMY.
51
  Extender of the Iltnd bone oj the Thumb  ..rises from the mid-
dle  of the fore-arm, bony ligament, and outer-arm; inserted into
the four-sided bone and the first bone of the thumb; use, to stretch
the first bone of the thumb outward.
  Extender of the First Joint—Arises near the middle of the fore-
arm, bony ligament,  and outer-arm; inserted into the convex part
of the second bone of the thumb;  use, to extend the second bone
of the thumb outward....
  Extender oj the Second Joint—Arises from the back of the fore-
arm.and" bony ligament; inserted into the third and last bone of
the thumb; use, to stretch the thumb slantingly backward.
  Pointer^Arises from the middle of the fore-arm;  inserted into
the hand bone of the fore finger; use, to extend the fore finger.
   Upper Bender of the Fingers—Arises  from the inner eminence
of the arm bone, crow-process of  the fore-arm, and upper part of
the outer-arm;  inserted into the second bone of each finger, after
being perforated by the tendon of the deep finger-bender; use, to
bend the second joint of the fingers upon the first, and the first
upon the hand bones.
   Deep bender oj the Fingers—Arises from the upper part of tha
fore-arm and boney ligament;  inserted into the fore part of the
last bone of each finger;  use, to bend the last joint of the fingers.
  Long  Thumb-bender—Arises from the upper and front part of
the outer-arm; inserted into the last-joint of  the thumb; use, t®
bend that joint
  Square Outer-arm Roller—Arises from the inner and lower part
of the fore-arm; inserted into  the outer-arm, opposite its origin;
use, to roll the outer-arm inward.
               MUSCLES CHIEFLY ON THE HAND. .

  Finger-joint Benders—Arises from the tendons of the deep ben-
der; inserted into the tendons of the common extender of the fin-
gers; use, to bind the first, and extend the second joints of tha
fingers. 
52          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  Short Thumb-bender—Arises from the square bone,  ligament of
the wrist and  great bone; inserted into the second joint of  the
thumb; use, to bend that joint.
  Antagonist of the Thumb—Arises from the ship bone and liga-
ment of the wrist;  inserted into the first bone of the thumb;  use,
to bend the thumb.
.  Draweraway of the Thumb—Arises  from  the  ligament and
pquare bone;  inserted  into the root of the first bone of the thumb;
Use, to draw the thumb away from the fingers.
  Drawer-in of the Thumb—Arises  from the hand  bone of the
middle finger;  inserted into the root of the first bone of the thumb;
use, to draw the thumb to the fingers.
  Abductor of the  Fore Finger—Arises from the first  bone of the
thumb and the square bone;  inserted into the first bone of the foro
finger on the back part; use, to move the fore finger to the thumb.
  Short Palm—Arises from the ring  ligament and palm expan-
sion; inserted  into the  hand bone and skin of the little finger;  use,
to contract the palm of the hand.
  Abductor of the  Little Finger—Arises from the  ring  ligament
and pen-shaped bone;  inserted  into the first bone of the  little  fin-
ger; use, to draw  the little finger from the rest.
  Inner Abductor  of the Little Finger—Arises from  the wedge-
form bone and wrist ligament; inserted into the hand of the little
finger; use, to move that bone towards the rest.
  Small bender of the Little Finger—Arises from  the ring liga-
ment and wedge-form bone;  inserted into the first bone of the little
finger; use, to draw the little finger  from the rest.
  Inner and  Outer Bony—Situated  between the hand bones, to
the  sides of which  they are attached; use, to extend the fingers
and move them towards the thumb.

            MUSCLES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES.

  Com&~Arises from the fore edge of  the front  haunch bone; 
ANATOMY.
53
inserted into the upper part of the rough line of the thigh; use, to
bend the thigh.
   Three-headed Abductor of the Thigh—Long abductor of  the
thigh—Arises from the upper part of the front haunch bone; in-
serted into the middle and back part of the rough line; use, to bend
the thigh.
   Short  Abductor of the  Thigh—Arises from the fore  part and
branch of the front haunch bone;  inserted into the inner and up-
per part  of the rough line; use, to bend the thigh and move it in-
ward.
   Middle Abductor of the Thigh—Arises from the lower and front
part of  the front haunch bone;, inserted into the  whole  length of
the rough line; use, to move the thigh inwards, and help to bend it
   External Pulley—Arises from the hard ligament and half the
shield hole;  inserted into the thigh, near the root of the great head;
use, to pull forward and roll  the thigh.
   Great Buttock—Arises from-the spine of the upper haunch bone,
the back sacred ligaments,  and the sacred bone; inserted into the
upper part of the rough line of the thigh; use,  to extend  the thigh
and assist the rolling  motion.
   The Middle Buttock—Arises from the spine and upper surface
of the upper haunch bones; inserted into the great head of  the
thigh bone; use, to assist the two former.
   Least  Bullock—Arises  from  the  outer surface of the  upper
haunch bone  and border of its great notch;  inserted into the root
of the great head of the thigh; use, to assist the two former.
   Pear-shaped—Arises from the front part of the sacred  bone;
inserted into a cavity at the root of the great head; use, to roll the
thigh outward.
   Tic in—Arises from the spine and protuberance  of the hip bone;
inserted into the same as the  former; use, the same.
   Square Muscle of the Thigh—Arises from the protuberance of
the bone on which we sit;  inserted into a ridgo between tho two
great heads of the thigh bone; use, to move tha thiffh outward. 
54         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

               MUSCLES SITUATED ON THE THIGH.
   Stretching Sheath—Arises from the uppe:- spinous processes of
the upper haunch bone; inserted into the inner side of the mem-
branous bundle which covers the thigh;  use, to stretch the bundle.
   Tailor Muscle—Arises the same as above; inserted  into the up-
per and inner part of the shin bone;  use, to bend the leg inward.
   Slender--Arises from the front haunch bones; inserted the same
as above; use, to bend the leg.
   Straight of the  Thigh—Arises from the lower spinous process
of the upper haunch  bones, and the edge of  the socket; inserted
into the upper and front part of the knee-pan;  use, as  before.
   Great Outer Muscle—Arises from the root of the great head of
the thigh bone; inserted into the upper and side part of the knee-
pan; use, to extend the leg.
   Great Inner Muscle—Arises from  the lesser great  head and
rough line of the thigh bone;  inserted into the upper and  inner
part of the knee-pan; use,  as before.
   Leg—Arises from the front part of the lesser great head; in-
serted into the upper part of the kee-pan;  use, as before.
   Half-tendinous—Arises from the eminence of the bone on which
we sit; inserted into the upper and inner part of the shin bone;
use, to bend and draw the leg inwards.
   Half-membranous—Arises from  the eminence of the bone on
which we sit; inserted into the back part of the head of the shin-
bone; use, to bend the leg.
   Two-headed Bender of the  Leg—Arises as the former; inserted
into the upper and back part of the shin bone, forming  the outer
hamstring; use, as before.
   Ham—Arises from the outer joint process of tho thigh bone;
inserted into the upper and  inner part of the  shin-bone; use, to
help to bend tho leg.
               MUSCLES SITUATED ON THE LEG.
   Ouler-calf—Arises from tha inner and outer joint eminence of 
ANATOMY.
55
thigh bone; inserted  into the heel bone with the Achilles tendon;
 use, to extend the foot
   Inner-calf— Arises from the heads of the shin and outer-shin
 bone;  inserted into the heel bone by the common Achilles tendon;
 use, as before.
   Sole of the Foot—Arises from  the outer joint eminence of  the
 thigh bone and cap ligament;  inserted into the -heel bone near the
 Achilles tendon; use, to assist in extending the foot.
   Front-shin—Arises, from the upper and front part of the shin;
 inserted into the internal wedge bone; use, to bend the foot.
   Back-shin—Arises from the back part of the shin bone, bony
 ligaments, and adjacent  parts of the outer-shin bone; inserted into
 the  middle-wedge form bone, and upper part of the ship  bone;
 wse, to move the foot inwards.
   Long between the Thigh—Arises from  the head of the  shin-
 bone, and upper and outer part  of the outer-shin bone; inserted
 into the foot bone of the little toe; use, to move the foot outwards.
   Short  between the  Thighs—Arises from the outer  and  front
 parts of the outer-shin bone;  inserted  into the foot bone of  the
 Kttle toe; use, to help the  former.
   Long Extender oj  Ihe Toe—Arises from the ■ upper part  of the
 shin bone, bony ligament, and inner edge of the outer-shin bone;
 inserted into the first joints of the small toes by four tendons; use,
 to extend and separate the toes.
   Proper Extender  of the Great Toes—Arises from the upper and
 front part of the shin bone; inserted into the raised surface  of the
 great bones;  use, to extend the great toe.
   Deep and long perf. rating Extender of the Toes—Arises from
 the upper and inner  part  of the shin bone; inserted into the last
 bone o( the small'toes by  four tendons; use, to bend the last joint
 of the  toes.
   Long bender of the Great Toe—Arises  a  little  below the head
 of the outer-shin bone; inserted into the last bone of the great
 joes;  use, to extend  the toes. 
56          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA..
               MUSCLES  SITUATED ON THE FOOT.

   Short toe Extender—Arises from the upper and front part of the-
heel bone;  inserted into the first  bone of all the toes  except the-
little toe;  use, to extend the toes.
   Upper perforated short toe Extender—Arises from the lower
part of the heel bone; inserted into the second bone of each small
toe by four tendons which are  perforated by those of the long ex-
tender of the toes; use, to bend the second joint of the toes.
   Inward Drawer of the Toes—Arises from  the tendons of the
toes; inserted into  the tendinous expansion of  the upper  part of
the toes; use, to draw the toes inwards.
   Short bender of the Great Toe—Arises from the front  part of
the heel bone, and!  external wedge-form bone; inserted into the
first joint of the great toe;  use, to bend the first joint of the  big toe.
   Abductor of the Great Toe—Arises from the  inner  and lower
part of the heel bone; inserted, into the  same as above;  use, to
move the great toe from the rest.
   Draiver-in of the Great Toe—Arises from the ligament  extend-
ed from the heel bone to the square bone; inserted into the  first
joint of the great toe; use, to  draw the great toe to  the rest and
bend it.
   Abductor of the Little Toe^—Arises from the  eminence of tho
heel bone, and foot bone of the little toe; inserted  into the  first
joint of the little toe externally; use, to draw the toe outwards.
   Short Bender of the Little Toe—Arises from  the root of  the foot
bone of the  little toe; inserted  into the root of the first bone of the
little toe; use, to bend the little toe.
   Cross of the Foot—Arises from  the  ligament connecting the
bones of the instep;  inserted into the tendon of the abductor-of tho
great toe; use, to contract the  foot.
   Inner and Outer Bony of the Foot—Situated  between the  foot
bones; use,  to draw the small toes towards the great toe, and  help
to extend the toes. 
ANATOMY.
57
PHYSIOLOGY AND  PHENOMENA OF MUSCULAR MO-
                           TION.

   Muscular motions are of three kinds,  namely, voluntary, invol-
untary and mixed.  The voluntary motions  are such as proceed
from an exercise of the active power of the will; thus, the mind
directs the arm to  be  raised, the tongue to be moved, &c.   The
involuntary are those  which are performed by organs; seemingly
of their own accord, without  any attention of the mind, or con-
sciousness of its active power; as the contraction and dilatation of
the heart, arteries, veins,  absorbents,  stomach, intestines, &c.
The mixed motions are, those  which are in part under the control
of the will, but which ordinarily act without our being conscious
of their acting; as is perceived in the muscles of respiration, the'
abdominal muscles, and the midriff.
   When a muscle acts, it becomes shorter and thicker; both its
origin and insertion are drawn towards its  middle.  The constric-
ting muscles are always in action; and so likewise are antagonist
muscles, even when they seem at  rest  When two antagonist
muscles move with equal force, the part which they are designed1
fo move remains at rest;  but if one of the antagonist muscles re-
mains at rest while the other acts, the part is moved towards the-
centre of motion.
   All the muscles  of living animals are constantly endeavoring to
shorten themselves.
  When a muscle  is divided it contracts.-  If a muscle be stretch-
ed to a certain extent,  it contracts and endeavors to acquire its
former dimensions, as soon as the stretching  cause is removed?
this takes place in  the dead body; in muscles cut out of the body,
and in parts not muscular, and is called the elastic  principle.   It
is greater in living than in dead bodies, and constitutes the tone of
the muscles,.
  When.a muscle  is wounded, touched, or otherwise irritated, it
contracts independent of the wiil;  this  power is called initabililv,. 
 58          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 It is  a property peculiar  to and inherent in, the muscles.   The
 parts of our body which possess this property, are called irritable,
 as the heart, arteries, muscles, &c., to distinguish them from thoso
 parts which have no muscular fibres.   With regard to the degree
 of this property, peculiar  to various parts, the  heart is the  most
 irritable, then the stomach and intestines; the midriff, the arteries,
 veins, absorbents, and at length the various  muscles follow; but
 the degree of irritability depends upon the age, sex, temperament,
 mode of living, climate, state of health, &a and likewise upon the
 nature of the stimulus.
   When a muscle is stimulated, either through the medium of tha
 will, or any foreign body, it contracts, and its contraction is great-
 er or less in proportion as the stimulus applied is greater or less.
 The contraction of  the muscles is  different according to the pur-
 pose to be served by contraction: thus, the heart contracts with a
jerk;  the urinary bladder, slowly and uniformly; puncture a mus-
 cle and its fibres vibrate; and the abdominal  muscles acts slowly
 in expelling the contents of  the rectum.   Relaxation generally
succeeds the contraction of muscles,  and alternates with it
   The use of this property is very considerable; for upon it de-
pends all muscular motion, and every function except that of tha
 nerves.
          OF  MUCILAGE SACS, AND  JOINTS.

   Those surfaces of bones which form the moveable joints, are in-
tested, besides the cap and other ligaments, by a thin  delicate
membrane.   The  mucilaginous membrane forms a complete sac
or bag, which covers the pariicular surface of one bone, and is
reflected from it to the corresponding surfaces of  the other; ad-
hering firmly to each of the joint  surfaces, and extending loosely
from the margin of one surface to that of the other.
   It is thin and very flexible, but strong.  It secretes  or effusei
£ram  its surface a liquor called mucilage;  which is  particularly 
ANATOMY.
59
ealculated to lubricate the parts that move uponeach other.   This
fluid is very nearly transparent:  it has the consistence of a thin
syrup, and is very tenacious or ropy.
   There are, in many of the joints, masses of fat, which appear
to project into the cavity, but are exterior to  the  mucilage mem-
brane.  They are generally situated so as to be pressed  gently,
but not bruised by the motions of the bones.
   The mucus membrane, like other parts of  the joints, is insen-
sible in a sound state;  but extremely painful when inflamed.
   There is another species of  mucus bags, which are found  be-
tween the tendons and bones, near the joints, and in other places
also.  They are formed of a thin dense membrane, and are at-
tached to the surrounding parts by cellular substance; they con-
tain a mucus fluid; and sometimes there*are masses of fat, which,
although exterior to them, appear to project into their cavities.
   They often communicate with the cavities of the joints;  and be-
ing always situated upon parts that move upon each other, their
use, undoubtedly is, to lessen friction.
   These mucus bags are very numerous, and some of them  are
very interesting, on account of their  connexion with important
joints; but as a particular description of them would be tedious,
and of little benefit, it is omitted.
             DOCTRINE OF THE VESSELS.

  Vessels are long membranous canals, which carry blood, lymph,
or chyle.  They are divided into arteries, veins, and absorbent;!.
Except the scarf  skin and the nails, every part of the body has
vessels, as injections demonstrate.

                   OF THE ARTERIES.

  Arteries  are elastic  membranous canals, which pulsate; they
.aiways bocomo narrow as they proceed from the heart toward* 
60
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
the extremities.   They originate  from the  two ventricles of  th*
heart, viz. the lung artery, from the right, and the fountain artery
(aorta) from the left ventricle;  so  that there are only two arteries)
of which all the rest are branches.   The arteries terminate in
veins, exhaling vessels, or they unite with one another.   TheV
are composed of  three membranes called coats: an external one,
a middle coat,  which is muscular, and an inner which is smooth.
Their use is to convey the blood from the heart to the different
parts of  the body, for nutrition;  preservation of life;  generation
of heat;,  and the secretion of different fluids..

                       THE  FOUNTAIN.

   Arises from the  left ventricle  of the heart, forms an arch to-
ward the back  joints, then descends through the opening of tho
midriff into the abdomen,  in which it proceeds by the  left side of
the spine, to the last loin  vertebrae, where it divides into the two
flank arteries.
   In this course it gives off, just above its origin, two crowning
arteries to the heart, and then  forms an arch.
   The arch of the  fountain gives off three branches,  which sup-
ply the head, neck,  and arms with blood; these  are,
   The first branch, which divides  into the right head, and tha
right chest arteries.
   II.  The LEFT HEAD.
   III. The LEFT CHEST.
   The head arteries, having emerged  from the chest, run up
along the neck, one on each side  of the windpipe, to the angle of
the lower jaw,  whore they divide' into the external  and internal.
   The external head yives  off eight branches  to the neck and
face:  1.  Shiefd-artery, which is very serpentine,  supplies tho
shield gland, and'gives off branches to several  adjacent muscles.
S. Tongue artery, lies flat on  each side of the tongue, and gives
off branches to the  tongue bone,  back of the tongue,  and under
tongue.   3.  Lip Artery, also called  the  outer-jaw,  angular and 
ANATOMY.                      61
Hce artery; it gives off the lower palate, under chin, and lip ar-
eries.   4.  Lower arteries of the back cavity of the mouth;  sends
. number of small twigs about the back of the mouth, and base of
he skull.  5. The occipital artery, from which the back temple
artery arises.   6. Back ear artery, which furnishes the parts about
the cartilages of the  ear with blood, and transmits the drum artery
and pencil-breast artery.  7. Inner jaw artery, is extremely ser-
pentine,  and gives off: the sinous artery, to the outer membrane
!>f the brain ;  the lower jaw artery, which is included in the lower
jaw, and supplies the teeth and face ;  the pen arteries, which nour-
ish the pen muscles; two deep temporal arteries which lie wider
than the temple  muscle.  The inner jaw artery then gives off a
branch, which divides almost immediately into the teeth socket
artery,  and lower orbital;  then an artery to the  palate ;  the up-
per back cavity  of the mouth artery, which plays about the wedge
^anal;  and lastly, the nose artery, which is transmitted  through
the wedge  palate hole, to the cavity of the nostrils.  8.  Temple
artery,  which perforates the salival glands, near the ear, and sends
off the crossing  artery of the face, which unites with the arteries
pf the face; and several branches which go to the ear, forehead,
and about the temples.
*- The internal head,  or artery of the brain, leaves the exter-
nal at the angle of  the jaw, and proceeds by the eighth pair of
nerves and rib nerve, to the carotid canal in the rocky portion of
 he temple bone, where it is shaped like the letter/, and enters the
►kull at the side of the pituitary cavity,  having given off two very
iimall twigs to the nose gland, and third, fourth, and  fifth pair of
nerves;  and when it has reached the front couch process, it sends
off—1.  Eye artery,  which is distributed on  the  eye.  2. Front
Brain  artery, which proceeds before the pituitary cavity, unites
with its fellow, and forms the circle of Willis, from which  a branch
proceeds to the  third ventricle, shining partition, and the artery
of the callous body.   3.  A middle brain artery, which runs  be-
tween  the  front and middle lobes of the brain, gives off the artery 
64         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
 of the net-work membrane, and is lost in the middle lobe of thi
 brain.  4. The communicating artery, which proceeds backwards
 and soon  unites with the vertebral.
   The  right chest artery arises from the first branch, and
 the left  from the arch of the fountain.   Each chest artery give*
 off five branches:
   1.  The Internal Breast, from which arise, the water artery, to
 the midriff, and the membrane of the heart  2". The Lower Shield,
 from which arise, the shield branch  arteries,  the windpipe arte-
 ries, the ascending shield, and  the transverse arm arteries.  S_
 The Vertebral artery, which proceeds into the vertebral holes, to
 ascend into the cavity of the skull, where it  unites with its  fellow
 upon the wedge process of the hinder bone, and forms the Basilla-
 ry artery, which immediately gives off the back artery of the hin-
 der brain; it then proceeds upon the ring eminence to give off four
 branches, two to the right, and two to the left, which constitute the
 front arteries of the hinder brain, which branch to the legs of the
 hinder brain, the hinder brain, worm, legs of the brain, four twin
 bodies, pine-apple gland, and fourth ventricle; and the back artery
 of the brain, which is  joined by the commun. icating artery, and
 supply the chambers of the  optic  nerves, the double centre, the
 funnel, and legs of the arch, and the back lobes of the brain, uni-
 ting with  several arteries.   4. The Deep Neck artery.   5.  Tha
Superficial Neck  artery, both of which are distributed  about the
muscles of the neck.  6.  Upper  rib  artery, which lies  between
 the two upper ribs.  7.  Upper Shoulder Blade artery, which somer
times arises from the shield artery, where it  is called the cross of
the arm.
   As soon as the chest artery has arrived in the arm-pit, it is calk
ed the arm-pit  artery, which runs  into the arm where it is called
the arm artery.
   The arm-pit artery gives off—1.  The four breast arteries, which
supply blood to the  muscles about the  breast.  2. The Under
Shoulder-blade, which supplies the lower surface of the shoulder- 
ANATOMY.
63
biad&.   3.  The Back Circular artery, and 4.  The Front Circular
artery,  which ramify about the joint.
  The arm artery gives off—1.  Many side vessels.   2.  The Up
per deep artery of the arm.  3. Lower deep artery of the arm,
4.  Great communicating branch, which communicates round the
elbow joint
  The arm artery then becomes the  Pore-arm artery, and gives
off the outer-arrn artery.
  1. The fore-arm artery sends off the  recurrent branches, which
unite with the great communicating branch.   2. Common inner
bony artery.   It then sends small  branches to the adjacent mus-
cles as it proceeds down to the wrist;  just before it arrives here,
it gives off the back fore-arm artery, which goes round to the back
of the little finger.  At the wrist it gives off the deep palm artery;
then forms a great arterial arch, called the superficial palm arch,
which supplies branches  to the fingers.
  The outer-arm  artery gives off the outer-arm recurrent, pro-
ceeds to the wrist, where the pulse  is felt, and gives off the super-
ficial of the palm of  the hand, then divides into the artery of the
back of the thumb, the outer-arm artery of the fore-finger, great
artery of the thumb,  and deep palm artery.
  The descending fountain gives off, in the breast—
  1; The arteries which nourish the lungs.
  2. The arteries of the gullet, or food canal.\
  3. The arteries between the ribs.-
  4. The lower  midriff.
  Within the abdomen, or belly, it gives off eight branches-
  The belly artery, which divjdes  into three branches.
  1. The liver artery, which gives off—a. the duodenum gastric,
artery,  which sends off the right gastric caul artery, and the pan-
creatic artery.  The latter transmits the lower hairy, and the trans-
verse pancreatic arteries.   6. The upper hairy liver artery.
  The liver artery then ramifies through the liver.
  S.. The gastric artery,  which gives off the upper crown and
upper hairy arteries. 
64         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
   3. The spleen artery, from which arise the greater and lesser
pancreatic arteries, the hinder gastric arteries, the left caul artery,
and the short artery.
   2. The upper mesenteric arteries, of  which the right middle
and small-gut colic arteries are  branches.
   3. The kidney arteries, are short, and divide into three or four
branches in the basin of the kidney.
   4  The spermatic arteries, which are very small and long, and
proceed with the spermatic cord to the testicles.
   5. The lower mesenteric artery, from which arises the left colic
artery, and  the internal pile artery.
   6. The loin arteries, which nourish the muscles and joints of
the loins.
   7. The middle sacred artery, which is distributed about the sa-
cred bone.
   The descending fountain  then  divides, and becomes the two
flank arteries;  and these soon divide into internal and external.
   Each external flank artery gives off five brandies:  1.  The
side sacred  arteries, three or four in number.  2. The buttock,
which  ramify about the haunch-bone, and supply the buttock mus-
cles.   3.  The  artery  of the hip-bone, which turns downwards
along the hip and gives off the point-bone artery.   4.  The front,
or share artery, which is sometimes a branch of the sciatic artery;
it proceeds out of the pelvis, through the sciatic notch, returns in-
to the pelvis, and runs towards  the union of the front bones.   In
its course it gives off branches to the little seed vessels, the  gland
at the neck  of the bladder, and  the lower pile artery to the anus,
then forms the artery between the thigh and  the penis arteries,
which  proceed one  on each side; and a branch which plunges
deep into the substance of the  penis.  5. The hardener, whieh
passes through the oval hole, and is distributed on the thick mus-
cles of the thigh.
   Each external flank gives off—1.  The lower belly artery,
which is reflected from Poupart's ligament upwards along the ab- 
ANATOMY.
C5
 domcn.   2.  The circular flank artery, runs along the crest haunch
 of the bone.
    The external  flank then passes under Poupart's ligament, be-
 comes the thigh artery,  and is continued along the thigh into the
 ham artery.  In this  course it gives off near the groin—1. The
 deep artery of the thigh,  which gives off the first, second, third
 and fourth perforating arteries, which  supply the muscles of the
 thigh.   The thigh artery then makes a spiral turn round the thigh
 bone, and sends off small  branches to  adjacent muscles.   About
 two hands breadth from the knee, it gives out—2. The great join-
 ing branch, which ramifies about the knee joint.
    The thigh artery  having reached the ham, it is called the Ham
 artery, which gives  off  several small branches about the  joint,
 and divides below the ham into the front shin and back shin arte-
 ries.
    The front shin  artery soon perforates the bony ligament, and
 passes along the shin over the bones of the base of the foot, and
 there joins  with  the back artery.   In this course it gives off—1.
 The recurrent, which unites with  the joint branches of the ham:
 it then sends off  small branches to the muscles as it passes down
 the leg.   2.  The inner ancle artery, about the inner  ancle.  3.
 The outer ancle artery.  4. The  instep artery.  5. The foot ar-
 tery, about the tendons of  the foot bones.   6. The back external
 great toe artery,  which runs along the foot bone of  the great toe.
   The back shin artery passes along  the back part of the  bone,
 goes round the inner ancle and divides at the heel into the sole of
 the foot arteries.   In this course it sends off—1. The nourishing
 artery of the shin, which gives branches to the ham, front  shin,
 and sole of the foot muscles, before it enters the bone.   2. Many
 small branches, as it passes downwards.  3. Inner sole of the foot
 artery, runs on  the  inner edge of the sole of the foot, and  sends
 four branches about  the foot  4.  External sole of the foot, which
 forms an arch and joins with the  frout shia artery, and gives oh'
the toe branch.
                               5 
66         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                       LUNG ARTERY.

  The lung artery arises from the right ventricle of the heart,
and conveys the blood into the lungs, that is returned to the heart
by the veins: not for their nutrition, but to receive from the air in
the lungs a certain principle, necessary for the continuance of life,
and which the arterial blood distributes to every part of the body.
It soon divides into aright andlefl, the right going to the right lung,
and the left to the  left lung, where they divide into  innumerable
ramifications, and form a beautiful net-work upon the air vessels,
and then terminate in the lung veins.
          THE ACTION OF THE ARTERIES.

  The arteries, by the impulse of the blood from the ventricles of
the heart, are dilated and irritated, and by means of their muscu-
lar coat, contract upon the blood, and thus propel it to the glands,
muscles,  bones, membranes, and eve/y part of the body, for their
nutrition  and the various secretions, and then into the veins.—
This dilatation and *%)ntraction is called  the  pulse,  which is per-
ceptible in the trunks and branches of the arteries,  but not in the
fine vessels of the surface, except when inflamation is going on.
                        OF VEINS.

  Veins are membranous canals, which do not pulsate: they grad-
ually become  larger as they advance towards the heart,  in which
they terminate, and bring back the blood from the arteries   They
originate from the extremities of  the  arteries, by arising out of
them.   The termination of all the veins is into the auricles.   They 
ANATOMY.                      67
run by the sides of  the arteries, but more superficially..  They
are composed, like arteries, of three  membranes, but which are
half transparent and more delicate.   Valves are thin semi-lunar
membranous folds, which prevents the return of the blood in the
vein.
  The blood is returned from every part of the body into the right
auricle:—The upper cave vein receives it  from the head, neck,
chest, and upper extremities: the lower cave vein from the abdo-
men and lower extremities; and the  crown vein receives it from
the crown arteries of the heart.
                   THF. UPPER CAVE VEIN.

   This vein terminates  in the superior part of the right auricle,
 into which  it evacuates the blood, from the right and left chest
 veins, and the single  vein.
   The right and left chest veins receive the blood from the head
 and upper extremities, in the following manner.
   The veins of the fingers receive their blood from the finger ar-
 teries, and empty it into—1. The vein which runs on the back of
 the hand  along the thumb, and evacuates itself  into the external
 outer-arm vein.   2. The saving vein, which runs along the little
 finger, unites with the former, and empties its blood into the inner
 and outer fore-arm veins.   At the bend of the fore-arm are three
 veins, the great head  vein, the king vein, and  the middle yein.
   The great head runs along the upper part of the fore-arm,  and.
 receives the blood from the  external  outer-arm vein.
   The king vein ascends on the under side, and receives the blood
 from the external and internal fore-arm veins, and some branches
 accompanying the arm artery, called the sattellite veins.
   The middle vein is in the middle  of the fore-arm, and  arises
\ om several branches.   These three veins all  unite above the
 bend of the arm, and  form, 
 C3          VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

   The arm vein, which receives all their blood, and is continued
 into tho  arm-pit, where it is called
   The arm-pit vein.   This receives also the blood from the shoul-
 der-blade, and upper and lower  parts of the chest; it then passes
 under the collar-bone, and unites  with the external and internal
 jugular veins, and the vertebral vein, which brings the blood from
 the vertebral canals; it receives also the blood from the partition
 of the chest, membrane of the heart, midriff, wart, internal breast,
 and end  of the wind-pipe veins,  and then unites with its fellow to
 form  the upper cave vein.
   The blood from the external and internal parts of the head and
 face is returned in the following manner into the external  and in-
 ternal jugulars, which empty into the chest veins under the collar
 bone.
   The forehead,  angular, temple,  ear, under the tongue, and oc-
cipital veins, receive  the blood  from the parts after which they
 are named; these all converge to each side of the neck, and form
a trunk,  called the external jugular vein.
  The blood from the brain, hinder brain, oblong marrow, and
membranes of these  parts, is received into the veins of the outer
membrane of the  brain, one of which empties through the  lacera-
ted hole  in the base of the  skull into the internal jugular vein,
which descends into the  neck by tho head arteries; receives the
blood  of the shield and inner jaw veins, and empties into the chest
rein,  under the collar-bone.
  The single vein receives the blood from the throat, upper part
of the gullet, vertebral, and  rib veins, and empties into the upper
cave vein.
                      LOWER CAVE VEIN.

  This vein is the trunk of all the abdominal veins, and those of
the lower extremities, from which the blood is returned in the fol-
lowing manner:
  Tho veins of the toes form on  the back of the foot three bran' 
ANATOMY.
69
.ehes, one on the great toe, a visible vein along the small toe, and
 one on the back of  the foot, and  they empty themselves into th«
 veins on the sole of the  foot.
   The three veins on the upper part of  the foot, coming together
 above the ancle, form the front shin vein; and the sole of the foot
 veins, with a branch from the calf of the leg, form the back shin
 vein.  A branch also ascends in  the direction of the outer shin-
 bone.   These three branches unite before the ham, in one branch,
 the  under-ham vein, which ascends through the ham, carrying all
 the  blood from the foot;  it then proceeds upon the fore part of the
 thigh, where it  is called the thigh vein, receives several muscular
 branches, and passes under Paupart's ligament into the carity of
 the  pelvis, where it is called the external flank vein.
   The  arteries which are distributed about the pelvis eva cuate
 their blood into  the external pile veins, the lower belly veins, the in-
 ner  secret veins, the great vein of the penis, and hardener veins, all
 of which unite in the pelvis, and  form the internal flank vein.
   The external flank vein  receives the  blood from the external
 pudendal veins, and then unites with the internal flank  at the last
 vertebrae of  the loins, and  form the lower cave vein, which as-
 cends on the right side of the spine, receiving the blood from the
 sacred  loin,  right spermatic veins, and the liver cave vein;  and
arriving at the midriff, it  passes through the right hole, and enters
 the  right auricle of the heart;  into which it evacuates all the blood
 from the abominal viscera, and lower extremities.

                       LIVER CAVE VEIN.

   This vein ramifies in the substance of the liver and brings the
blood into the lower cave vein  from the branches of the gate vein,
a great vein which carries the blood from the abdominal viscera
into  the substance of the  liver.  The  trunk of this vein, about the
fissure of the liver in which it is situated, is divided into liver and
abdominal portions.  The abdominal portion is composed of ajtUen,
• 
70          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

mesentery and internal pile veins.  These three branches carry all
the blood  from the stomach, spleen, pancreas, caul, mesentery,
gall-bladder, and the small and large intestines, into the canal of
the gate vein.  The liver portion of  the gate vein enters the sub-
stance of  the liver, divides into innumerable branches which se-
crete the bile, and the superfluous blood passes into the correspon-
ding branches of the liver cave vein.
             THE ACTION OF THE VEINS.

  Veins do not pulsate; the blood which they receive from the ar-
teries flows through them very slowly, and is conveyed to the right
auricle of the heart by the contractility of their coats, the press-
ure of the blood from the arteries, the contraction of  their mus-
cles, and respiration; it is prevented from going backwards in the
vein by the valves of which there are a great number.
                 OF THE ABSORBENTS.

  Absorbents are very thin and pellucid vessels, which carry the
lymph from every part of the body—substances applied to the sur-
face of the body, and the chyle from the intestines—into the chest
canals.   They are divided  into milky and lymphatic.  They are
called milky absorbents in the intestinal membrane, lymphatics in
©very other part  Their figure  is branching, becoming broader
as they proceed  towards their termination.  Their valves are nu-
merous, giving them a knotted appearance.   They are supposed
to exist in every part of the body, although they have not yet been
detected in some, as the brain, dsc.   They originate in the cellu-
lar membrane, the viscera, the external surface, and every part 
ANATOMY.
■»
of  the body; and terminate in the chest canal, or chest veins.—1
Lymphatic  glands are situated every where in the course of  the
lymphatics.
  The use of the absorbents is to carry back the lymph from dif-
ferents parts; to convey the chyle from the intestines to the chest
canal, where they become mixed and diluted;  and to absorb sub-
stances from the surfaces on which they originate.

             ABSORBENTS OF THE HEAD AND NECK.

  Absorbents are found on the scalp and about the viscera of the
neck, which unite into a considerable  branch  that  accompanies
the jugular  vein.   Absorbents have not been detected in the  hu-
man brain;  yet there can be no doubt of their being such  vessels:
it is probable that they pass out of the skull through the canals of
the head arteries  and lacerated hole in the base of  the skull, on
each side, and join above the jugular branch, which passes  through
some glands as it proceeds into the chest to the angle of the chest
and jugular  vein.

            ABSORBENTS ON THE UPPER EXTREMITIES.

  The absorbents of the upper extremities are  divided into super-
ficial  and deep seated.  The superficial absorbents ascend under
tho skin in every direction to the wrist,  from whence a branch
proceeds upon the back surface of the fore-arm to the head of the
outer-arm; over the  internal joint eminence of the arm-bone, up
to the arm-pit, receiving several branches as it  proceeds.  Anoth-
er branch proceeds from the wrist along the inner part of the fore-
arm,  and lorms a net-work with a branch coming  over the fore-
arm bone, from the back part, and ascends on the inside of  the
arm-hone to the glands of the arm-pit
  The deep-seated absorbents accompany  the larger blood vessels,
And pass through two glands about the middle of the upper-arm, 
 72          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 and ascend to the glands of the arm-pit  The superficial  and
 deep-seated absorbents having passed through the arm-pit glands,
 form two trunks, which unite into one, to be inserted with the ju-
 gular absorbents into the chest duct, at the angle formed  by the
 union of the chest  and jugular veins.

          ABSORBENTS OF THE INFERIOR EXTREMITIES.

  These are also superficial and deep-seated.  The superficial ones
 lie  between the skin and muscles.  Those of the toes and foot,
 form a branch which ascends upon the back of  the foot, over the
 tendons of the front leg muscle,  forms with the other branches a
 net-work above the ancles, then  proceeds along the shin-bone over
 the knee, sometimes passes through a gland, and proceeds up the
 inside of the thigh  to the groin glands.
  The deep-seated  absorbents  follow the course of  the arteries,
 and accompany the  thigh artery, in which course they pass through
 some glands in the leg and  above the knee, and then proceed to
 some deep-seated groin glands.
  The absorbents from about the external parts of generation, as
 the penis,  between  the thighs, and from the external parts of the
 pelvis, in general proceed from the groin glands.  The deep groin,
 and groin  glands send forth several branches, which pass through
 the  abdominal ring  into the cavity of the abdomen.

     ABSORBENTS  OF  THE ABDOMINAL AND CHEST VISCERA.

  The absorbents of the lower extremities accompany the external
 flank artery, where they  are joined  by many branches  from thr
 vromb, bladdler, spermatic cord, and some branches  accompany-
 ing the internal flank artery; they fhen ascend to the sacred bone,
 where they form a  net work, which proceeds over the  loin muscles
 and meeting with the milk absorbents of the mesentery, form  the
thoracic,  or chest  canal, tho trunk of the absorbents, which is of 
ANATOMY.
73
 a serpentine form, about the size of a crow's quill, and runs up
 the joints of the back through  the back opening of the midriff be-
 tween the fountain and single vein, to the angle formed  by the
 union of the chest and jugular veins.  In this course it receives
   The absorbents of the kidneys, which are superficial and deep-
 seated, and unite as they proceed towards the chest canal;
   The absorbents of the spleen, which are upon its enclosing coat,
 and unite with those of the pancreas;
   A branch of the net-work of vessels passing above and below
 the duodenum, or second stomach, and formed by the  absorbents
 of  the stomach, which come from the lesser and greater  curva-
 ture, and are united  about the lower orifice of the stomach with
 those of the pancreas and liver, which converge from the external
 surface and internal parts towards the gate of the liver, and also
 by several branches from the  gall-bladder.
                  physiology of absorption.
   Absorption  is the taking up of substances which are applied to
 the mouths of  absorbing vessels; thus, the chyle is absorbed from
 the intestinal tube by the milk vessels; the vapour of circumscribed
 cavities,  and of the cells of the cellular  membrane, by the lym-
 phatics of those parts; and thus mercury and other substances are
 taken into the  system when rubbed on the skin.
   The principle by which this absorption  takes place is a power
 inherent in the mouths of absorbing  vessels, depending on the
 high degree of irritability  of their internal membrane, by  which
 the vessels contract and propel the fluid forwards.  Hence, the
 use of this function appears to be of the utmost importance, viz.
 to supply the blood with chyle; to remove the superfluous vapors
of circumscribed cavities, otherwise dropsies would be continually
taking place;  to remove the superfluous vapor from the cellular
membrane dispersed  throughout every part of the body, that an
accumulation of lymph may not take place; to remove the hard
and  soft  parts of the body; and  to convey into the  system the
medicines which are applied to the surface of the body. 
J4          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                    FORMATION OF BLOOD,

  The making of blood appears to be nothing more than the mixing
by the action of the blood vessels, of the chyle with the blood;  for
as it passes from the chest vein, it changes its color,  and when it
■has reached the heart, cannot be distinguished from  the mass of
circulating blood.
             DOCTRINE  OF THE  NERVES.

  Nerves are long whitish cords,  composed of bundles of fibres,
which  serve for sensation.  Their origin is  in the brain, hinder
brain, oblong marrow and spinal marrow; and their terminationii
in the organs of sense, the viscera, vessels,  -muscles, bones, &c.
They are divided into trunks, branches, little  branches, nervoui
fibres,  and knots.   In  substance  they  are pulpy.  Division, into
brain and spinal.   Number, thirty-nine pair;  nine pair of brain
nerves, and thirty pair of spinal.
  The nine pair of  brain nerves,  are:  1. The  smelling.  2. Tha
optic.  3. The mover of the eye.   4.  The pathetic.  5.  The triple-
twin.  6. The abducent.  7.  The ear and  face.  8. The great
sympathetic nerves.  9. The  tongue  pair.   The  thirty pair of
spinal  nerves are divided into eight  pair of neck, twelve pair of
back, five pair of loin, and five pair of sacred nerves.   Their usa
is, for sensation in  the sensible parts, for the five external senses,
as touch, sight, hearing,  smelling and taste;  and for the motion of
the muscles.
                NERVES  OF THE  BRAIN.

  The first pair, or smelling nerves, arise from the hollowed bod-
ies, pass forwards over the wedge  and forehead bones, one to each
*ide of the pituitary cavity, where they send offa number of branch* 
ANATOMY.
76
es,  which go through the sieve-holes of the sieve-bone, to be dis-
tributed on the pituitary or mucus membrane of the nose.   Ubo,
for smelling.
  The second pair, or optic nerves, arise from the bed of the op-
tic  nerve, cross each other, then pass through the optic holes and
perforate the bulb of the eye, and in it form the retina,  which is
the organ of vision.
  The third pair,  or movers of the eye, arise from the legs of the
brain, pass forward  towards the rocky portion of the tempie-bone,
where they perforate the outer membrane of the brain, and  pr o-
ceed to the  orbital fissure,  to be inserted into the muscles of the
bulb of the eye, which they move.
   The  fourth  pair, or the pathetic nerves, arise from the legs of
the hinder brain on their side, pass forwards, pierce the outer mem-
brane of the brain below the  third pair, and proceed with them
 through the orbital fissure, to be inserted into the pulley of the eye.
   The fifth pair,  or triple-twin nerves, arise from the front part of
 tho legs of the hinder brain, and are divided within the cavity of
the skull into three branches, viz:  the orbital, and upper and lower
jaw nerve.
   The  orbital nerve gives off a branch near its origin, which unites
 with a  branch of the sixth pair, to form the great rib nerve:  it
 then divides into three branches, the forehead, which goes through
 the eye brow hole to the muscles and integuments of the forehead;
 the tear nerve, which goes to the tear gland; and the nasal nerve,
 which goes to the inner corner  of  the eye, where it  gives off a
 branch or two, then returns into  the skull, and passes through tho
 sieve plate  of the sieve-bone, and is distributed on the inner mem-
 brane of the nose.
   The  upper jaw nerve goes through the round hole, is divided into,
 1st  The wedge-palate nerve, which goes through the wedge-palate
 hole, sends twigs to the  internal pen-shaped muscle, then  entere
 %he cavity of  the nostrils, and is lost on the Eustachian tube, soft
 palate, and nose canal of the wedge-bone.  2d. The bach  tooth. 
 T6          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 socket branch descends through the hole by the last  grinder, and
 is distributed to the grinders.  3d. The lower orbital nerve, goes
 through the  lower orbital hole, and is distributed on the muscles of
 the cheek, nose, lips, and communicates with the face nerve.
   The lower jaw goes out of the skull through the oval hole, giving
 branches to the muscles and glands in its course, and to the fac»
 nerve, and divides as it passes over the pen-muscle into—1st. Tha
 inner tongue, which is connected with the cord of the drum of the
 ear, and supplies the under tongue glands and contiguous muscles,
 but more especially the tongue.   2.  The  more proper lowvr jaxt
 nerve,  which goes into  the mental  canal of the lower jaw and
 gives a branch to each  tooth, and comes out again to supply tho
 lower lip and chin.
   The  sixth  pair, or abducting nerves, arise from the back part of
 the front branch of the legs of the hinder brain, proceed forwards,
 perforate the outer membrane of the brain, and send off  soma
 branches near the pituitary cavity, which unite with  branches of
 the orbital nerve of the  fifth pair, to form  the great rib nerve;
 they then accompany the third and fourth pair through the orbital
 fissure, and arc distributed on the straight external muscles of the
 eye.
  The seventh pair, or  ear nerves, originate on each  side  by twa
 branches, the hard  portion and soft  portion.   The  hard portion
 arises from the fourth ventricle of the brain, passes  through tha
 rocky portion of the temple-bone, where it gives off the cord of
 the drum, proceeds through the pencil breast hole, perforates the
 ealival gland  near the ear, then divides  into seven or eight branch-
 es, which constitute the goose-foot, and supply the salival  gland,
 the ear, muscles of the face, and communicates with the branches
of the  fifth pair on the face.
  The soft portion arises from the oblong marrow, and the fourtk
ventricle, enters the inner ear passage, and is distributed by innu-
merable branches on the membrane of the shell and porch, form-
ing the immediate organ of hearing. 
ANATOivt*'.
77
    1 he eighth pair,  arise by several branches, partly from the ob-
 long marrow, and partly from the fourth ventricle.   It is connected
 at its origin with Willis' accessory nerves, which ascend through
 the great occipital hole from the fifth neck nerve; these nerves
 proceed  together through the lacerated  hole in the base of the
 skull.  The accessory nerves then separate from the eighth  pair,
 and vanish in the breast, and square muscles of the shoulder-blade.
 The eighth pair then gives off branches in the neck to  the tongue,
 top of the windpipe, and shield gland;  and then descends into the
 cavity of the  chest where it gives off—
   1st The right and left recurrent: or running back;  the former
 rises on the right side under the chest artery, which it surrounds
 and then returns upwards to the shield gland: the latter arises un-
 der the arch of the fountain, which it  surrounds, and then ascends
 to the food canal.   Both nerves are lost in the muscles of the top
 of the windpipe and gullet.
   2. Several branches, which proceed to the upper part of the en-
 closing membrane of the heart, to form, with other nerves, the
 heart net-ivork, which  sends branches to the  heart
   3d.  The  eighth pair then extends on the back surface of the
 lungs, on each side,  and  gives off some branches, which, with oth-
 ers, from the heart net-work, and  recurrent nerves, form a  right
 and left lung net-work, which supplies the  lungs and windpipe.
   4th. Both trunks of this nerve then descend with the food canal
 and give off many little branches, which form the food canal net-
 work, from which the food canal and adjoining parts are supplied.
   5th. Having passed  the diaphragm, or  midriff with  the gullet,
 they form, about  the upper opening of the  stomach, two stomachic
 net-work: the front is expanded upon  the front surface of  the
 stomach and its greater curvature; the back, over  its  back   sur-
 face and lesser curvature, and  it transmits also branches tP the
 liver, pancreas and diaphragm.
   6th. The eight pair also sends some branches to unite with the
great rib nerve, and thus concurs in forming the liver, spleen,  and
kidney net-works. 
7t         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  The ninth, or tongue pair of nerves, rise from the oblong map-
row, between the olive shape and pyramidal bodies, pass out of
the skull through the joint holes, and communicate with the eighth
pair and  first pair of neck nerves: they then proceed  forwards
between the jugular vein and head artery, to be distributed on the
tongue and bones of the tongue.
  Thus it appears, that the smelling, optic, and moving  nerves of
the eye, arise from the brain; the pathetic, abducting and triple-
twin, from the hinder brain, and the ear, sympathetic, and tongue
nerves, from the oblong marrow.
         NERVES OF  THE  SPINAL  MARROW.
  Those nerves are called spinal which pass out through the sida
holes, between the joints of the spine.   They are divided into neck,
back, loin, and sacred nerves.
                        NECK NERVES.
  The neck nerves are eight pairs.   The  first are called occipi-
tal ;  they arise from the beginning of the spinal marrow, pass out
between the margin of  the occipital hole and atlas, form a gang-
lion on its transverse process, and are distributed  about the occi-
put and neck.
  The second pair of neck nerves send a branch to the accessory
nerve of Willis', and proceed to the salival  gland and external ear.
  The third pair supply the coverings of  the shoulder-blade, tha
square and triangular muscle, and send a branch to the diaphrag-
matic nerves.
  The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth pair, all converge
to form the arm net-work, from which arise the six following:
             NERVES OF  THE UPPER EXTREMITIES.
  The arm-pitnerve.  It  runs backwards and outwards around the
neck of the arm bone, and ramifies in the muscles of the shoulder-
blade. 
ANATOMY.
78
  Tho outer-skin, which perforates  the  crow-arm muscle to the
bend of the arm, when it accompanies  the middle vein as far as.
the thumb, and it is lost in its integuments.
   The inner-skin,  which descends on the inside of the arm, where
it divides.  From the bend of the arm, the front branch accompanies
the king vein, to be inserted into the skin of the palm of the hand;
the back branch runs down the internal part of the fore-arm, to
disappear  in the skin of the little {mger.
   The middle-nerve, which accomanies the arm artery to the fore-
arm, then passes between the internal arm muscle, round the ro-
tating, and perforating muscles, under the ligament of the wrist,
to the palm of the  hand, where it sends  off branches in every di-
rection, to the muscles of the hand, and then supplies the nerves
which go to the extremities of the thumb and fore and middle fin-
 gers.
   The fore-arm nerve  descends tetween the  arm artery and  king
 vein, between the  internal joint eminence of  the arm-bone, and
 the elbow point, and divides in the  fore-arm  into an outer and in-
 ner branch;  the former passes over the ligament of the wrist and
 corn bone of the hand, where it divides into three branches, two
 of which  go  to the ring and little  finger, and  the third  forms an
 arch towards the thumb in the palm of the hand, and is lost in the
 contiguous parts.   The latter passes over the  tendon of the  fore-
 arm extender of the wrist and back of the hand, to supply also the
 two last fingers.
    The outer-arm nerve passes backwards about the arm-bone, de-
 scends on the outside of the arr.i, between the internal  and exter-
 nal arm-muscles, to the fore-&, 'nbone;  then proceeds between the
 long and short upper muscle, to the upper end of the outer-arm,
  giving off various branches to the  adjacent muscles.  At this place
  it divides into two branches: one  goes along  the outer-arm bone,
  between the long upper, and internal outer-arm muscles, to the
  back of the hand, and terminates in the bony  muscles, the thumb,
  and three first fingers:  the ether  tai-ses between the short upper 
 80          VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

 muscle and head of the outer-arm, and is lost in the muscles of the
 fore-arm.

                         BACK NERVES.

   There are twelve pair of back nerves.  The first pair gives off
 a branch to the arm net-work.   All the back nerves are distributed
 to the muscles of the back, ribs, jagged, chest,  and abdominal
 muscles, and the diaphragm.  The five lower pairs go to the car-
 tilages of the ribs, and are called rib  nerves.

                         LOIN NERVES.

   The five pair of loin muscles are  bestowed about the loins and
 muscles, and skin  of the abdomen  and louis, scrotum, ovaria, and
 diaphragm.  The second, third  and  fifth pair unite and form tha
 hadener or pulley nerve, which descends over the loin muscle into
 the pelvis, and passes through the shield hole to the pulley muscle,
 three-headed, comb, &c.
  The third and fourth, with some branches of the second pair,
 form the leg nerve, which passes under Poupart's  ligament, with
 the thigh artery, sends off branches to the adjacent parts, and de-
 scends in the direction of the tailor muscle, to  the  inner joint em-
 inence of the thigh-bone,  whence it accompanies the large visible
 vein of  the leg, to the inner ancle, to be lost  in the skin of the
 great toe.
  The fifth pair are joined to the first pair of sacred nerves.

                       SACRED  NERVES.

  There are five pair of sacred nerves, all of which arise from the
horse-tail, or termination  of the spinal marrow; so  called from
their resemblance to the tail of a horse.  The  four first pair give
off branches to the viscera within the pelvis, and are afterwards
united to the last loin nerve, to form a large net-work, which give* 
ANATOMY.
81
«ff the nerve of the hip-bone, the largest in the body.   The hip
*ierve, immediately at its origin sends off branches to the bladder,
straight gut, and parts of generation;  proceeds from the cavity of
the pelvis through the hip notch, between the lower protuberance
of the hip-bone and great head of the thigh-bone, to the ham, where
it is called the ham-nerve.  In the ham, it divides into two branches
one of which descends on the outer shin-bone and gives  many
branches to the muscles of the leg and back of the foot; the other
penetrates the calf muscles to the inner ancle, passes through a
notch in the heel-bone to the sole of the foot, where it divides into
an  internal and an external sole nerve, which supply the muscles
and tendinous expansion of the foot and toes.

               THE GREAT SYMPATHETIC NERVE.

   This nerve arises in the cavity of the skull, from  the union of a
branch of the sixth with a recurrent branch of the  fifth pair.  It
passes out of the skull through the head artery canal, and descends
on the sides of the neck, back, and loin vertebrae,  and sacred bone,
in which course it is joined by filaments from  all  the spinal nerves
forming small knots at their junctions.
  In the neck it  only forms three neck knots, from which arise
the heart nerves and lung net-works, which send nerves to the heart
and lungs.  In the chest there arise five branches from the third,
fifth, seventh, eighth, and ninth knots, which descend in the course
of the vertebrae and pass through the diaphragm, where they unite
on each side into one trunk, the bowel nerve, which  soon unite to-
gether, and form the great half moon knot, from which nerves are
given off to all the abdominal viscera, forming ten net-works which
communicate with one another, and are named after the adjacent
viscera, viz: the stomach net-work, near the belly artery, supply-
ing  the stomach;  the spleen, liver, the  upper, middle,  and lower
mesentej'ic net-works, two kidney, and two spermatic net-works.
6 
82         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS
                        SYSTEM.

  Nerves are organs of our senses.   Bodies  applied to certain
parts of our system produce changes in those parts, which changes
are conveyed in an unknown maner to the brain, by means of the
nerves only, and sensation is produced; so that sensation is a pro-
perty peculiar to the nervous fibre; and hence, all sensible parts
are supplied with nerves, although they cannot be detected by tho
eye.
  The senses are distinguished into internal and external.
  The internal senses are ideas which the brain, or mind, forms to
itself, and  may be  produced  from the external  senses, or  they
maybe excited spontaneously: such are, memory, imagination, con-
science, the passions of the mind, and reasoning, by the superior ex-
cellence of which, man differs so eminently from the brute.
  The external senses are smelling, seeing, hearing, tasting, and
touching,
                        OF SMELLING.

   Smelling''is a sensation by which we perceive the odour of sub-
 stances.  The organ of smell is the nervous papillse, or points of
 the smelling nerves, or first pair, which are distributed on every
 part of the pituitary or lining membrane of the nose.

                          OF SEEING.

   Seeing is a sensation by which we perceive bodies around us,
 and their visible qualities.   The organ of sight is the retina, an ex-
 pansion of the optic nerves.  The object of sight is, the  rays of
 light which penetrate the bulb of the eye and stimulate the retina.
 Light is a subtile and solid material, which eminates from the sun
 or  any luminous body with a very rapid motion, in right  lines, 
ANATOMY.
83
  which are called  rays of light, and penetrate to the retina in the
  following manner: the rays fall on the pellucid and convex comas
  of the eye, by whose density and convexity they are united into a
  focus, which passes  the watery humor and pupil of the eye to be
  more condensed by the  crystalline lens.   The rays of light thus
  concentrated, penetrate the glassy humor,  to stimulate the retina,
  upon which they impress the image of external objects to be rep-
  resented to the mind through the medium of the optic nerves.

                           HEARING.

   Hearing is a sensation by which we perceive the sound of any
 sonorous body.
   Sound is a tremulous motion of the air, excited by striking any
 sonorious body.   Sound is conveyed to an immense  distance in
 the  atmosphere, in straight lines, which are called sonorous rays.
 Soft bodies diminish or stifle sound; elastic ones increase it   The
 organ of hearing is the soft portion of the seventh  pair of nerves,
 whose pulp is beatifully distributed in the porch, semi-circular ca-
 nals, and shell of the ear.  Hearing is performed in the following
 manner:  the rays of sound emanating from a sonorous body, ar-
 rive  at the  ear, which, by its elasticity and  peculiar formation,
 concentrates  them, that they may pass along the external auditory
 or ear hole, to the membranes of  the drum, which they cause to
 vibrate.   The trembling  drum conveys its vibrations .to the ham-
 mer, which is in contact  with it: the hammer communicates them
 to the anvil, the anvil to the circular bone,  and  the circular bone
 to the stirrup.  The stirrup adhering to the oval window, causes
 it to  vibrate:  this then communicates  its vibrations to the water
 contained in the porch and semi-circular canals, and causes verv
 gentle motions of the nervous expansion contained  therein, which
 transmit them to the  sensorium  commune, or seat of the mind
 which is informed  of the  presence  of sound, and judges of its dif-
 ference.   Deepness and sharpness of sound depend  upon the nun>i
Jer of vibrations given at the same time, 
 Si         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                           TASTING.

   Tasting is a sensation by which we distinguish the qualities of
 bitter sweet, sour, &c, substances.  The nervous papillae, or fine
 points, of the tongue pair of nerves, which are distributed in the
 top and margins of the tongue, are the chief organs of taste.  The
 parts subservient to taste, are:  the tongue, which gives a conven-
 ient situation to the nervous papillae, and by  its extension motion,
 applies them to the substance to be tasted: the skin of the tongue,
 which moderates any excessive stimulus:  the saliva and mucus of
 the mouth, which assist the organ of taste when it is necessary,
 that the substance should be dissolved in order to be tasted, and
 which also keep the nervous papillae moist.

                          TOUCHING.

   Touching is a sensation by which we  distingush the qualities of
 hardness, softness, heat, cold, &c, of substances, and by which
 we perceive any substance  that comes  in contact with the skin,
 particularly at the  points of the fingers.  Too great  sensation is
 moderated by  the skin, which also defends the papillae from being
 dried by the skin.

              DOCTRINE OF THE  GLANDS.

   A gland is a small round body, which serves for  the secretion
 or alteration of  a fluid.   The varieties  are, the simple bag-like,
globular, glomerate, and congloinerate;  they are also divided from
 the liquid  they secrete,  or change, into oily, mucus, lymphatic,
 tear, salival, bilious, milk, &c.
   A bag-like gland consists of a hollow  vascular membrane, hay-
 ing an excretory duct;  as the oily and mucus glands.
   A globular gland consists of a number of lymphatic vessels con-
 nected together by cellular membrane, and has no cavity, or ex-
 cretory duct; as the lymphatic glands of the lymphatic vessels. 
ANATOMY.
85
   A  glomerate  gland is  formed of a number of blood vessels ;
 has no cavity, but is furnished with  an  excretory  duct; as the
 tear and breast glands.
   A conglomerate gland, is composed  of many glomerate glands
 whose excretory ducts unite and form one large canal,  or duet.
 The pancreas and saliva! glands, belong to this class.
   The excretory duct of glands, is a thin canal, which goes out of
 the  gland, and  strains  out, as it were, the secreted  fluid, by the
 contractility of  its coats.
   The nerves and vessels, of glands are numerous, and come from
 the adjacent parts.   Glands  are connected with other  parts by
 eelleular membrane.  They  are larger  in infants than in adults.
 Their use is, to  secrete or change a fluid.
   Glands of the Skin.   The glands under the skin  are oily and
 perforate the skin by their excretory ducts.
   Glands in the Cavity  of the skull.  1. Glands of the outer mem-
 brane of the brain:  situated near the upper longitudinal canal of
 this  membrane,  in peculiar cavities in the forehead and side bones.
 2. Glands of the net-work membrane, of the side ventricles of the
 brain.  3. The pituitary gland, placed in a folding of the  outer
 brain membrane, in the pituitary cavities of the wedge bone.   The
 funnel of the brain terminates in this gland.
   Gland of the Eyes.   1. Small, numerous, oily glands, situated
 under the skin of the eyelids,  near their margins.   Their excre-
 tory ducts open  on the edges of the lids.   2.  The tear gland, glo-
 merate, and situated above the outer angle of the orbit, in a pecu-
 liar depression of the forehead bone.  This gland has six or eight
 excretory canals, which convey the tears, and open upon the in-
 ner surface  of the upper eyelids.  3.  The tear kernel, a small red
 prominence  in the inner corner of the eye, between  the edges, of
the eyelids.   It consists of small oily glands, which secrete a filthy
humor.
   Glands of the  Nostrils.   The pituitary membrane, lining the
nostrils and its canals, is every where furnished with mucus glands,
which secrete the mucus of the nose. 
86
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
   Glands of the Ear.—The wax glands, situated under the skin
of the external hearing canal, secrete the wax of the ears.
   Glands of the Mouth.—The glands which secret the spittle or
saliva, are: 1. Two large conglomerate glands, situated under the
ear, between the breast-like process of the temple bone, and corn-
er of the lower jaw.   The excretory duct of this gland opens into
the mouth.   2.  The jaw glands, which  are conglomerate, and sit-
uated under the angles of the lower  jaw.  3.  The  glands under
the tongue.  4. The glands of the cheek, situated on the internal
surface of the cheeks.  5. The  lip glands, on  the inner surface
of the  lips, under the  common membrane of the mouth.   6. The
glands of the grinders, on each  side of the mouth, between the
chewing and constricting muscles, and whose excretory ducts open
near the  last grinder.
   External glands of the Neck.—1. The jugular glands are glob-
ular, and situated under the skin of the neck, about the external
jugular vein: they are in  general  about twenty in  number.  2.
The under jaw glands, also globular, and situated in  the fat under
the jaw.   3.  The  neck glands, found  under  the skin in the fat
about the neck.  4. The shield gland, a large gland, lying on the
ring cartilage, windpipe, and horns of the shield cartilage.
   Glands of the back cavity of the Mouth.—These are situated un-
der the membrane which lines this  cavity, and are mucus, and di-
vided into palate, grape, top of the windpipe, tongue, and throat.
   Glands of the Breast.—1.  The breast, or milk glands, are situ-
ated under the fat of the breasts.   Their excretory ducts are term-
ed tubes, and run to the nippel where they open.
   Glands of the Chest.—The  wart, a large gland, peculiar to the
foetus, and which disappears soon after birth; it i's situated in the
front folding or space of the partition membrane of the chest, un-
der the upper part of the breast bone, above the membrane of the
heart.   Lymphatics are seen going from this gland to the  chest
canal.   2. Two large blackish throat glands, near the end of thft
windpipe, which secrete a blackish mucus.   3. The gullet glands, 
ANATOMY.
87
found under the internal  membrane of the food canal.  4.  The
back glands, situated upon the fourth or fifth vertebrae of the back,
between them and the, food canal.
   Glands of the Abdomen.—The gastric glands, which are mucus
or slimy, are situated under the outer membrane of the stomach.
2. The intestinal  glands,  also mucus situated under  the inner
membrane of the intestines, especially the large.   3.  The  mesen-
teric glands, situated here and there in the cellular membrane of
the mesentery.  The chyle from the intestines passes through
these glands to the chest canal.  4. The liver glands which form
the substance of the liver, and separate the bile into the small ducts,
which at length terminate in the liver duct.  5. The gall bladder
glands,  which are slimy, and found under the internal membrane
of the gall bladder, especially about its neck.   6. The pancreatic
glands,  which constitute the pancreas;  a small duct  arises from
each  gland, which unite  to form  the  pancreatic ducf.  7.  The
omentum or caul glands which are globular,  and situated in the
caul.
   Glands of the Loins.—1. The  upper kidney glands, in  the fat
membrane, one above each kidney.  2. The kidneys.   (See Doe-
trine of the Viscera.)  3.  The loin glands, globular, and situated
about the beginning of the chest canal.   4. The flank glands, glob-
ular, founded about the  beginning of the flank vessels.  5.  The
sacral,  which are globate, and adhere to the sacred bone.
   Glands of the Male organs of generation.—1.  The odoriferous
glands,  which are oily and situated about the crown  of the head.
2. The  mucus glands of the urethra, situated under the internal
membrane  of the urethra.   Their mouths open in the  urethra.   3.
Cowper's glands, are three large mucus glands two of  which are
situated before the  prostrate gland, under the urinary accelerator,
and the third  more forward before the bulb of the urethra.   4.
The prostrate gland, a very large, heart-like, firm gland, situated
between the neck of the urinary bladder and bulb of the urethra.
It secretes  a milky fluid, which is  sent into the urethra by ten or
twelve ducts during coition. 
88         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   Glands of the Female organs of generation.—1.  The odoriferous
glands of the lips and nympha?, which are oily, and situated un-
der the skin of those  parts.   2. The odoriferous glands of tho
clitoris which are numerous,  are situated about the base of the cli-
toris, and of the same nature as the  former.  3. The mucus glands
of the urethra^ situated under the internal membrane of the urethra,
4, The mucus glands of the vagina or sheath, situated under its
internal membrane.
   Glands of the Extremites*—The glands in the groin, are globu-
lar, or lymphatic, and situated in great  numbers in  the cellular
membrane of the groin region, and receive the lymphatic vessels
from the glands penis and lower extremities.  The armpit glands,
are also  globular, and situated in  the  cellular membrane of the
armpit: they are also numerous, and receive the  lymphatic ves-
sels from the breasts and upper extremities.
   Glands of the Joints.—The small fat-like masses, situated with-
in the  moveable joints.   Their structure is not  glandular,  they
are composed of fat.  By these little masses the lubricating joint-
water is separated from the blood.
             PHYSIOLOGY OF SECRETION.

  Secretion is a particular function' in an animal body, by which?
a fluid is separated from the blood, different in its properties from
the blood.
  The organs which secrete the various humors are the gland3.
  The proximate or immediate cause of secretion is a specific ac-
tion of the arteries of the glands; for every secretion is formed
from the extremeties of the arteries, (the secretion of bile is no
exception  tojthis law, for the gate vein takes upon itself the func-
tions  of an artery;) thus the  mucus  glands secrete mucus;  the
salival glands, saliva or spittle; the liver glands, bile, the kidneys,
urine, &c. 
ANATOMY.
89
  The secreted fluids are the proper stimuli to the receptacles and
ducts through which the secretion is to pass to its place of desti-
nation;  so that the secretions move along the excretory ducts by
means of the contractility of their coats and the assistance of the
neighboring moving powers.
              DOCTRINE OF THE VISCERA.

   The body, divided externally into head, trunk, and extremities-.
Head, divided into face, and hairy part.  Hairy part, into crown,,
fore part, hinder part, and  sides.  Face, into forehead, temples*,
nose, eyes, mouth, cheeks, chin 'and  ears.   Trunk, divided into*
neck, chest and abdomen.  Neck, into front, and  back part.—
Chest, into  front,  back, and sides.  Abdomen, into front,  back,
and side regions.   Front region, subdivided into three regions; 1,
The upper belly, which lies over the stomach, and whose side*
are termed the hypochrondriac region; 2. The navel region, sur-
rounding the navel, and whose sides are called the flank; 3. The
lower belly, which lies over the urinary bladder, and whose sides
are called groins.   The pubes, is the  hairy part under the abdo-
men,  between the  groins.   Under the pubes are the  parts of gen-
eration—in men, the penis and scrotum—in women the lips and
fissure.   The space between the genitals and thighs, is called, be-
tween the thighs.   Extremities, divided into upper and  lower.—
Upper extremity, into shoulder, arm, fore-arm, and hand.   Hand,
into wrist, hand and fingers.   Fingers,t into  thumb, fore finger,
middle finger, ring finger, and little finger.  Lower  extremity, di-
vided into thigh, leg, and extremity of the foot.  Foot, into instep,
foot, and toes.
   Internal division of the body into three cavities, viz: Cavities oi"
the skull, chest, and abdomen. 
90         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
               COMMON INTEGUMENTS.

  These are so called, because they are the common coverings,
as it were, to the body;  they consist of the scarf skin, the coloring
mucus, true skin,  and cellular membrane.
  The scarf skin,  is a thin pellucid insensible membrane, covering
the external surface of the body.   It is connected with the true
skin, hairs, exhailing, and  inhailing vessels.   Its color is white.
Use, to cover the  sensible points of the nerves.
  The coloring mucus is disposed in a net-like form, between the
scarf skin and skin.   Its colour is white, in white people, black,
in negroes, copper coloured, in Indians, &c.   Use, to cover the
sensible points of  the nerves, to connect the scarf skin, with  the
skin, and give the colour to the body.
  The true-skin, a thick membrane between the colouring mucus
and cellular membrane, covering the whole  body.  Substance,
fibrous and full of vessels and  nerves.  Use,  for the situation of
the organ of touch, exhalation and absorption.
  Physiology of perspiration.—Perspiration is  a species of secre-
tion by  which the  blood is  freed from a quantity of oily fluid by
the exhalent arteries of the skin.  It is divided  into sensible and in-
sensible perspiration: tlie former is continually going on, by which
means the surface of the body is kept smooth and moist, and may
be detected by placing any part of skin near a looking-glass, which
will beeome soiled.  The latter is sweat, which is observed only
occasionally.
  The Nails are  horny plates, situated in  the extremities of the
fingers  and toes.   Use, to defend the  nervous  papillae  from con-
tusion.
   flairs are thin, elastic,  dry, filaments, growing  out from the
skin.   Color and situation, various.   Called  hair, on the  head;
eyebrows, above the eyes;  eyelashes, on the edges of the eyelids;
jaustaches on the upper lip; beard, on the chin, &c. 
ANATOMY.
91
  The cellular membrane is  formed of small membranous cells,
which are sometimes distended with fat.  Its situation is under tho
skin and in some soft parts.   Use, to cover and defend the mus-
cles; to unite the soft parts; and to render the muscular fibres
flexible.
                      OF THE HEAD.

   The parts which form the head, are divided  into external and
internal.  The external parts are, the  common integuments; hair;
a tendinous  expansion; three pair of muscles; the covering mem-
brane; and  the  skull itself.  The  internal  parts are, the  outer
membrane of the brain (dura mater;) the web membrane, between
the outer and inner; the inner  membrane (pia mater;) the brain;
hinder brain;  oblong marrow; nine pair of nerves; four  arteries,
and twenty-four vein canals.
   Outer membrane—A thick membrane, which strongly adheres to
the internal  surface of the skull, especially about the sutures.   Its
processes are, the scythe process, which divides  the two hemis-
pheres of the brain; the partition which  separates the brain from
the hinder brain; and the partition separating the two lobes of the
hinder brain.   It is composed of two  strong layers, adhering to-
gether by fibrous texture.   Its arteries are, the front, middle and
back.  The veins are  called venous canals;  in number they are
twenty-two,  the principal of which are, the upper longitudinal, side
and lower longitudinal; all of which evacuate their blood through
the lacerated hole in the base of the skull, into the internal jugu-
lar veins.  It has no nerves.  Its use is, to form the internal lin-
ing of the skull,  and to contain and defend the brain and  internal
parts  from compression.
  The web membrane, is very delicate and transparent;  situated
between the outer and  inner membranes.   It is very thin  and fila.
mentous,  and  apparently without vessels  or nerves.  Use, not
known. 
92          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
   Inner Membrane—Thin, and firmly grown  to the convolutions
 of the brain, hinder brain, oblong marrow, and spinal marrow.  It
 is composed almost wholly of vessels.  Use, to distribute the ves-
 sels to, and contain the substance of, the brain.
   Brain.—A great viscus in the cavity of the skull.  Its shape is
 oval.  It is larger in  man, in proportion to his size, than  in any
 other animal.   Its substance, marrow-like; divided into two hem-
 ispheres, right  and left.  Each hemisphere is sub-divided on its
 lower surface into three lobes, the front, middle,  a.nd back.   The
 principal cavities  are, two side ventricles, in each  of  which are
 several eminences, and a loose  vascular production of the inner
 membrane, called the choroid net-work; a  third and fourth ventri-
 cle.   The principal parts are, the hard body, seen when the hem-
 ispheres are separated from each other; the transparent portion,
 which divides the  side ventricles; the arch; the  finger-like  pro-
 cesses; the foot;  the channeled bodies, and chabers of the optic
 nerves which are formed in the side ventricles; great valve of the
 brain; front and back  joining; four  oval bodies, the  nates and
 testes; the pine-apple gland, (so called from its shape: supposed
 by some to be the  seat of the soul;) the pituitary,  or mucus gland;
 the white eminence; and the legs of  the brain: all of which can
 only be learnt upon the subject, either natural or artificial.   Its ar-
 teries are the internal head, and the vertebral.  Its veins return
 from the outer or back part of the brain, and evacuate themselves
 into the twenty-two venous canals of the outer  membrane.  Use,
 it is the organ of all the senses.
   Hinder Brain.—A small brain situated  in the  lower and back
 part of the head.  Divided into right and left  lobe.  Substance,
 similar to the brain.  Its eminences arc, two legs,  a 1 ront and back
 worm-lik© process, and the tree of life.   Its vessels and use, the
 same as the brain.
   Oblong Marrow.—A marrow-like  part  lying upon  the wedge-
process of the hinder  bone, formed by the connexion of the leg*
of the brain and hinder brain.  Its  eminences  are, the  bridge, 
ANATOMY.
93
pyramidal bodies, and olive-shaped bodies.  Use, the same as. the
brain.
   Spinal Marrow.—A continuation of the oblong  marrow, which
descends in the back bone cavity,  from the great occipital hole to
the third joint of the loins, in which course, it transmits between
joints, thirty pair of nerves.   Its termination is in various nerves,
which form the horse-tail.  Its membranes, the same as the brain.
Its artery, the front spinal.  Use,  to emit the thirty pair of spinal
nerves.
OF THE ACTION OF THE BRAIN, HINDER BRAIN, OBLONG  MARROW,
                    AND SPINAL  MARROW.

   The most  important functions of an animal body are those of
 the brain.   In  order to explain  these accurately, it is necessary
 to mention a few experiments which have been made upon animals.
   Upon dividing,  compressing, or trying a nerve, the muscles to
 which the nerve goes, become paralytic.   If the nerve, thus divid-
 ed compressed, or tied, had  any particular sensation, that sensa-
 tion no longer exists;  but upon untying or removing the compress-
 ion, its peculiar sense returns.
   If the brain, hinder brain, or oblong marrow, be irritated, dread-
 ful convulsions take place all over the body.
   If any  part of the brain-be-compressed, that part of the body is
 deprived of  motion which has nerves  from the compressed  part.
   From these phenomena, it is evident that the cause of every sen-
 sation and motion in the animal body, arises from the brain and
 spinal narrow,  and that from these parts it is conveyed to every
 sensible part, through the medium of the nerves.  Hence, it fol-
 lows, that the nerves are  the organs by which the various sensa-
 tions are  produced.  The manner, however, in which the nerves
 exercise  sense and motion;  how the will  is conveyed  from the
 brain to the  different parts, and how, from the different pats, sen-
 sations are conveyed to the brain, remains yet, perhaps, involved
 in obscurity. 
94         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
                           THE EYE.

   The parts which form the eye, are divided into external and in-
 ternal.  The external parts are the eyebrows, eyelids, eyelashes,
 the  tear gland, the little fleshy excrescence, between the eyelids in
 the  inner angle;  the tear points, two small openings on the nasal
 extremity of each eyelash; the tear canal, formed by the union of
 the  ducts leading from the  tear points, which meet and constitute
 it at the internal angle of the eye;  the tear sac, a dilatation of the
 tear canal, and which ends in the nasal duct, a  continuation of the
 same canal, which  conveys the tears into the nose; the muscles
 of the eyelids; the muscles of the bulb of the  eye, and the fat of
 the orbit
   The bidb, or ball of the eye, consists of eight membranes, two
 chambers, and three  humors.   The ball is covered on  the  fore
 part by an exquisite sensible and delicate membrane, which begins
 from the edge of the eyelash, and is reflected ©ver the eye to the
 edge of the other eyelash.  This membrane is the seat of inflamma-
 tions of  the eye,  and  is  called  the joining coat.   Membranes.  1.
 The hard coat, which is white, and the outermost.  2. The en-
 closing membrane, which is very strong, and whose vessels run to
 the  centre.   3. The retina, or fine net, which is  innermost  4.
 The spider's web"; which includes the glassy humor.  In the front
 part, are, 5. The transparent cornea, which is  a part of the head
 coat.  6. The iris, a part of the enclosing membrane: it is of va-
 rious colors; hence, white, black, and blue eyes,  &c.   7.   The
 grape, which is the back partof the iris; and,  8.  Thebagof the
crystalline lens.   The chambers of the eye, are  distinguished  into
the front and back.  The front is the space between the transpar-
ent cornea and the fore part of the iris;  the back, is the space be-
tween the grape and bag of the crystalline lens.   The humors are,
the watery, the crystalline lens, and the glassy.  The  eyeball is
connected, in front with the joining coat; behind, with the orbit,
by means of muscles and the optic  nerve.  Arteries, the internal 
ANATOMY.
95
orbital, the central, and the optic.  The veins empty themselves
into  the external jugulars.  Nerves, the optic, or first pair, and
branches  from the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth pair.  Use, it is
the organ of vision.
                          THE EAR.

   The soft parts which form the ear, are divided into external and
internal.  The  external soft parts are, the ear, in which are va-
rious prominences and canals;  the outer hearing canal, and mem-
branes of the  drum.  The internal  soft parts are, the common
bone membrane, which lines every part of  the internal ear, and
the Eustachian tube, which begins by a large opening in the back
cavity of the mouth, and gradually diminishes as it passes along
 its bony canal into the ear.  The arteries are, the internal and ex-
 ternal; the veins empty into the external jugular.  The nerves of
 the  external ear, are,  the branches of the seventh pair; those of
 the  internal part are also branches of the seventh  pair, but of the
 soft portion.  Use, the organ of hearing.

                          THE NOSE.

   A prominence of the face between the eyes and mouth.   It is di-
 vided into root, back, top, and wings.  The soft  parts  are, the
 skin, muscles, cartilages, bone membrane, and cartilage membrane.
 The soft parts of  the nostrils, are, a pituitary, or mucus mem-
 brane, which lies in the internal surface of the nose,  and  all its
 cavities,  contains the  mucus glands, and  has distributed on it the
 smelling nerves, and  the bone membrane.  Its arteries are bran-
 ches of the internal jaw artery; the veins empty into the internal
 jugulars.  Its nerves  are, branches of the smelling, eye, and up-
 rer jaw.   Use, for smelling, breathing, and speech.

                    CAVITY OF THE MOUTH.
   The parts forming this cavity are  external and internal.   The
 external are, the lips,  chin, and cheeks;  which are  composed  of 
 96         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

 common integuments, and the muscles of the upper and lower jaw.
 The arteries of the external part, are branches of the lower orbit-
 al, lower jaw, and face; the veins empty into the external jugular.
 Its nerves are from the fifth and seventh pair.
   The internal parts of the mouth are, the  palate, two tooth socket
 arches, the gum.;, tongue, cavity of the cheeks, and three pair of
 salival glands.   Use, for chewing, speech,  breathing, swallowing,
 sucking, and taste.

                  PHYSIOLOGY OF CHEWING.

  ■Chewing is the grinding of food between the teeth, which is ef-
 fected by the jaws, tongue,  cheeks, and lips.  The powers which
 move these, parts are their various  muscles, by which the lower
jaw is pulled from the upper, and again brought to it, whilst the
 tongue perpetually puts the  food between the teeth, and the cheeks
 and lips prevent it, when chewed, from falling out of the mouth.
 By this  process, the food is  divided, lacerated, and as it were,
 ground, and mixed with the saliva and mucus of the mouth, and
 the atmospherical air, and  thus rendered fit to be swallowed and
 digested; so that chewing,  or mastication, is in fact an incipient
digestion.
                          TONGUE.

  A mucus body, moveable in every direction, situated in the cav-
 ity  of the mouth.  Divided into base, body, sides, and top.  It is
 connected with the tongue bone, bottom of  the lower tongue cavi-
ty,  and lower jaw.  The nervous points, which are situated on top
of the tongue, are pyramidal, or cone-shaped.  Its substance is
 fleshy, covered with a scarf skin, coloring mucus, and true skin,
 and the eellular membrane.   The tongue arteries are branches of
the external head artery; and the veins empty themselves into the
external  jugulars.  The nerves are from the fifth, eighth, and
 ninth pair.   Its glands are mucus.   Use, for speech, mastication,
 swallowing,  suction, and taste. 
ANATOMY.
97
                      OF THE  NECK.

  The parts which form the  neck are divided into external and
internal.  The external parts are, the common integuments; the
muscles of the neck; eight pair of neck nerves; two head arteries;
two vertebral  arteries; two external jugular veins; the internal
jugular  veins;  the jugular  glands;  the shield gland;  the eighth
pair of nerves of the brain; and the great rib nerve.   The inter-
nal parts are, the back cavity of the mouth, the bag at the top of
the food canal;  the food canal; top of the windpipe, and windpipe.

         THE FAUCES,  OR BACK CAVrTY OF THE MOUTH.

   The cavity behind the tongue and palate veil.   The soft parts
are, the common integuments and mucus glands.   Arteries, bran
ches of the external head.  Nerves, from the fifth and eighth pair.
Use, for swallowing, respiration,  speech, and hearing.

            TOP, OR FUNNEL OF THE FOOD CANAL.

   A muscular bag, like a funnel, situated behind the  top of the
windpipe, adhering to the back cavity, and terminating in the food
canal, or gullet.  It is  connected  by means of muscles with the
skull, vertebrae, and tongue bone.  Use, to receive the masticated
food and convey it into the food canal.

                         FOOD CANAL.

   A membranous muscular tube, descending  from the funnel to
the stomach.   Composed of three coats, viz. a common, muscular,
and villous, or rough.
  Its arteries are branches of the fountain; and  its veins empty
into the single vein.  It nerves are from the eighth pair and great
rib.  It is full of mucus glands.   Use, for swallowing. 
9s          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                TlIYSIOLOGY OF SWALLOWING.

  Swallowing, or deglutition, is the  conveying of the masticated
tood from the mouth into the fauces, and from the fauces through
the  food canal into the stomach.  This is performed by tho jaws
shutting so as to prevent the food from falling out of the mouth;
the  tongue  is then applied  to the palate, by which the food lying
upon the tongue is pressed  into  the back cavity, where it is receiv-
ed by the dilated funnel.  The  funnel is then irritated to contract,
by which the food is expelled into the food canal, by the contrac-
tion of whose fibres it is conveyed into  the stomach.
  The funnel is dilated by its opening muscles, and by the root of
the  tongue, tongue bone, and  top of the windpipe, being  drawn
forward and backward by their proper muscles.
  The food is prevented, during the act of swallowing, from  pas-
sing into the back opening of  the nostrils, the Eustachian tube,
and windpipe, by the hanging palate veil and grape being pressed
aginst the former, and the opening of the windpipe is  shut up by
the  cartilage at the root of  the tongue.
  When a  fluid is to  be drank, the head inclines backward, the
same actions take place, and the fluid passes on each side of the
valve-like cartilage.   During swallowing, the food is covered  with
the  mucus of the fauces and food canal.

                    TOP OF THE WINDPIPE.

  A cartilaginous bag, situated behind  the tongue, in  the front
part of the fauces.  It is composed of five cartilages, various mus-
cles; and an inner nervous  membrane.  The cartilages are, the
valve cartilage at the root of  the  tongue; the shield cartilage,
which is the largest; two funnel-like; and the ring cartilage, which
is below the shield.  A very sensible membrane covers their in-
ternal surface.  Use, it is the organ of  the voice, and serves  also
for  breathing. 
ANATOMY.
99
               #  PHYSIOLOGY OF THE VOICE.

  The voice is caused by tho sound of tho air propelled through
the upper opening, or top  of the windpipe.  The shrillness or
roughness depends on the diameter of this opening, its elasticity,
mobility, lubricity, and the force with which the air is  expelled;
thus, when the diameter is increased, the voice is more base,  and
vice versa.

                           SPEECH.

  Is the modification of the voice in the cavity of the mouth  and
nostrils.

                       VENTRILOQUISM.

   Consists, (it is supposed,) in the motion of the grape, valve  car-
tilage, and fauces, by which the sounds are modulated without the
lips, teeth, or palate.   The mouth being nearly shut, and the voice
resounding between the funnel  of the windpipe and cavity of the
nose, the sound is returned, as if emitted by some one at a distance.
Large and expansive lungs, and a deep chest, are supposed to fa-
vor ventriloquism.

                          WINDPIPE.

  A tube composed of cartilaginous rings, continued from the fun*
nel, and situated before the gullet  It descends to the breastbone,
and there divides into two branches, one to each lobe.   These en,
ter the substance of the lungs, and divide into innumerable brandi-
es, which terminate  in air cells.   The cartilaginous rings of the
windpipe are not completely cartilaginous, but fleshy on the back
part.   The internal surface is  lined with a very sensible mem?
brane, continued from the funnel.   Use, for respiration and speech, 
100        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
                      OF THE CHEST.

   The cavity situated  between the neck and  abdomen, is called
 the chest, or breast.   The external parts are,  the common integ-
 uments;  the breasts; various muscles and  bones.   The  internal
 parts are, the pleura, or lining membrane of the chest, lungs, heart,
 wart gland, food canal, chest canal, (thoracic duct;) the  arch of
 the fountain, branches of the cave vein, the single vein;  the eighth
 pair of nerves, and part of the great rib nerve.

                        THE BREASTS.

   Two soft hemispheres adhering to the front  and side regions of
 the chest, most  conspicuous in females.   On  the  middle of the
 outer surface is  the nipple, round which is a colored circle.  Their
 substance is, skin, fatty or cellular substance, and the milk glands
 and vessels.  The arteries are, the external and internal  breast;
 the veins empty themselves into  the armpit and  chest veins; the
 nerves are branches of the  upper rib nerve.   The lymphatics
 empty  themselves  into  the armpit  glands.   Their use, to suckle
 new born infants.

                           PLEURA.

  A membrane lining the internal  surface of the chest, and  cov-
ering its viscera.   It forms a great process called the  middle di-
vision of the  chest, arising from its doubling, which  separates the
chest perpendicularly into two cavities.  It is connected with the
ribs, muscles, breast bone, bodies of the back  joints, covering of
the heart,  and diaphragm.  Substance, fibrous  and vascular.   Its
use,  is  to divide the chest into two cavities, and render the surface
moist by the vapor it  exhales, and to give a  membrane to the
lungs and heart. 
ANATOMY.
101
                   DIAPHRAGM, OR MIDRIFF.

  A fleshy and  tendinous  division, separating the cavity of the
chest from the cavity of the abdomen.  It  adheres, on the fore
part to the breast bone and ribs, and  behind to the vertebrae.   Its
substance is tendinous in the centre, and fleshy on the edges.   Its
upper surface is covered by the pleura, and its lower by the lin-
ing membrane of the abdomen.   Its apertures are, the right hole,
through which the ascending cave vein passes to the right auricle
of the heart;  a left hole, through which the gullet and eighth pair
of nerves pass into the cavity of the abdomen; and a back open-
ing, which transmits the fountain into the  abdomen, and the chest
canal and single vein into the chest.   Its arteries are from the de-
scending fountain; its  veins empty into the single vein.  The dia-
phragmatic nerves arise from the spinal nerves of the neck.   Use,
for respiration, situation of the heart, expulsion of the fceces,and
delivery.
                            LUNGS.

  Two viscera,  situated in the  cavities of the chest, by which we
breathe.   Division, into right and left lung; the right has  three
lobes, the left only two.  They are connected with the neck and
heart.  Substance, full of air cells, and vessels for air and blood,
connected together by a spongy and cellular substance.  It has an
external  membrane from  the  pleura.  Its  nerves are  from  the
eighth pair and  great  rib.   Lymphatics are to be  seen on its  ex-
ternal surface.  Its glands are, large blackish glands about the
windpipe.  Use, for respiration, voice, and making of blood.

                 PHYSIOLOGY  OF RESPIRATION.

  Respiration, or breathing, consists of inspiration, or the ingress
of air into the lungs, and expiration, or the egress of the air from
the lungs. 
 102        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   During sleep, respiration is performed without our knowledge,
and therefore  termed spontaneous; but when it can be augmented
or diminished according to our will, it is termed voluntary.   The
exciting cause of inspiration is the air rushing into the lungs and
irritating its nerves,  which irritation is,  by consent of parts, com-
municated to the diaphragm and rib muscles, and compels them
to contract.  This contraction and the pressure of the elastic air,
therefore, dilate the chest.   The air being deprived  of its  stimu-
lus, the rib muscles and diaphragm become relaxed, the cartilages
of the ribs and abdominal muscles before expanded return to their
former state;  and thus the air is expelled from the  lungs.   The
small branches of the lung artery form a beautiful  net-work of
vessels on the internal surface of the air cells.  During expiration,
the air vessels are collapsed;  consequently, the blood vessels bo-
come crooked, and the blood is prevented from passing.   In in-
spiration, then, the air cells being dilated, the crooked vessel are
elongated and  a free  passage afforded to the  blood: the very del-
ieate coats of  these vessels are also rendered so thin as to suffer
a chemical action to take place between the air in the cells and the
blood in the vessels.   This constitutes the principal use of  respi-
ration, viz:  the blood absorbing the oxygen from the atmospheric
air, by which  the nervous energy is increased and vital heat gen-
erated.
                  COVERING OF THE HEART.

   A membranous bag surrounding the heart; adhering to the dia-
phragm, pleura, breast bone, cartilages of the ribs, gullet, descend-
ing fountain, and the veins and great arteries  going  to and from
the heart.   Use, to contain the heart, and to separate a fluid, which
may lubricate  and prevent it  from growing to this membrane.

                         THE HEART.

   A muscular viscus situated in the cavity of the above membrane,
 which serves for the motion of the blood.  It is divided externally 
ANATOMY.
103
into base, surfaces, and margins; internally into auricles and ven-
tricles.   Its situation is oblique, its lower  point almost coming in
contact with ribs on the left side.  The cavities  of the heart are
called auricles and ventricles.  Th?auricles are situated upon the
base of the heart, and are so named  from their resemblance to
dog's ears.  They are composed of  numerous  muscular  fibres,
which  are  very delicate, and are lined by an  extremely sensible
and contraotile membrane.   They surround the origin of the foun-
tain  and lung arteries, when distended, and  are separated from
each other by a partition.
   The right auricle has opening into it, at its upper part, the up-
per cave vein, at its lower part, the lower cave vein, and at one
side, the large crowning vein;  so that its office is that of receiving
the blood from every part of the body.   Besides these openings,
it  has one much larger, communicating with  the right ventricle,
from the margin of which there hangs into the right ventricle,
connected  with the  tendinous cord, a  valve, called from its shape,
the three pointed valve.
   The left auricle is composed of the same materials  as the right;
it has opening into it the four lung veins;  so that the  blood of the
lung artery passes  through the lungs into the left auricle.  Be-
sides the openings of the four  lung veins, the left auricle has a
communication with the left ventricle, and  from the margin of this
opening there hangs into the left ventricle, a valve.   This is also
connected  to the tendinous cord of the ventricle.
   The ventricles are situated in the  substance of the heart, and
are divided from each other by a thick muscular division.   The
sides of the ventricles are very thick and composed of strong mus-
rular fibres.  In the ventricles are a number of fleshy cords,  run-
ning in various directions, called columns, and many of them are
connected  with the valves of the auricular openings  by tendinous
cords.   The ventricles are lined with a similar membrane to that
which  lines the auricles.
   The right ventricle has a communication with the right  auricle, 
104         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
as before, mentioned, in order to receive its blood;  it has also an
opening into the lung artery, which arises from it, and through
which organ the blood is expelled from the ventricle.   At the ori-
gin of the artery three large valves are placed, called, from their
shape, half-moon valves.
  The left ventricle is much stronger than the right; besides the
opening for the entrance of blood from the left auricle,  it has also
an opening through which it transmits its  blood, and this  is into
the fountain, which arises  from it, and has, like the lung artery,
three half moon valves placed at its origin.
  The vessels of the heart are, common and proper;  the common,
are, the fountain, lung artery, and veins, and  the cave veins; the
pe^g-r  are,  the crowning arteries and veins.  The nerves are
branches %$ the eighth pair and great rib.   Use, it is the primary-
organ of the1 motion of the blood.
            CIRCULATION OF THE  BLOOD.

  The blood is continualy in motion, passing from the auricles of
the  heart into the ventricles; from the ventricles into all the arte-
ries of the body,  and from the arteries into the veins, which return
it again to the auricles.   The blood is brought from every part of
the  body to the heart  by the two cave veins, which terminate in
the  right auricle.   The right auricle, when distended with blood,
contracts and empties  itself into the right ventricle:  the right ven-
tricle  then contracts, and propels the blood into the lung artery,
the  opening  between the ventricle and auricle  being  shut by the
three pointed valves.  The lung artery conveys the blood by its
numerous ramifications into the small branches of the air cells of
the  lungs, where it undergoes" a change, and passes into the veins,
which  bring it, by four trunks,  into the left auricle of the heart.
It is prevented returning from the lung artery into the right ven- 
                        ANATOMY.                     105

tricle, by the half moon valves, which are placed at its origin.—
The blood  having thus passed through the lungs, and become of
a florid, bright red color, distends the  left auricle, which is then
stimulated  to contract, and pours the blood into the left ventricle.
This ventricle  next contracts and propels the  blood  through  the
fountain, to be  conveyed by its branches to every part of the body.
The valves at  the auricular  opening  into the  left ventricle, pre-
vent the blood  from returning when the ventricle contracts, into
the auricle; and lest the blood should be prevented by any imped-
iments from passing immediately along the fountain, the three half
moon valves, placed at its  origin, prevent its  regurgitating into
the ventricle.   From the numerous  arteries of the  fountain  the
blood is conveyed into the  veins, where it loses its  florid color,
and becomes darker, to be returned in the way above mentioned,
to the right auricle.  Thus the blood of the right auricle and ven-
tricle, and of the lung arteries, is of a  dark color; and that of the
lung veins, left auricle, ventricle, and all the arteries, (except the
lung,) of a bright red hue.
  From what has been  said, it is evident that the action of  the
heart consists in the alternate contraction and dilatation of its auri-
cles and ventricles.  The excessive sensibility of the membrane
which lines the auricles  and ventricles disposes them to contrac-
tion, which is effected by the irritation and stimulus of the  blood,
and by that of the distension of its cavities.
                    OF THE ABDOMEN.

   A cavity situated between the chest and pelvis, and divided in-
to several regions as has been already mentioned.   The external
parts are, the skin, five pair of abdominal muscles, and the lining
membrane.   The internal parts, or viscera, are, the caul, stom-
ach, small,  and large intestines, liver,  gall-bladder, mesentery,^ 
106        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
                                                       \_
milk vessels, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, upper kidney glands, de-
scending fountain, and ascending cave vein.

                  THE LINING MEMBRANE.

  A  membrane lining  the internal surface of the  abdomen, and
covering all  its viscera.   It is connected,  by means of a cellulai
membrane, with the diaphragm, abdominal  muscles, vertebras of
the loins, bones of the pelvis, urinary bladder, womb, straight gut,
and all the viscera of the abdomen.  Use, to contain and streng-
then the  abdominal viscera, and  to  exhale a vapour to  lubricate
them.
                 THE CAUL.  (Omentum.)

  A fatty membrane, a production of  the  lining membrane, at-
tached to the stomach, and lying on the anterior surface of  the
intestines.  Divided, into large and small caul.   The former hangs
pendulous from the great curvature of the  stomach.   The  small
caul fills  up the space between the small curvature of the stomach,
liver,  &c.  Immediately behind the biliary  ducts there is an open-
fag which will admit the finger, called the Winslow-hole.   The
arteries are branches of the belly artery; the veins empty into the
gate vein.  Use, to lubricate the intestines, keep them warm, and
to preserve them from concretion.

                          STOMACH.

  A membranous receptacle, which receives the undigested food
from the gullet; situated in the upper belly region.   Divided, when
empty, into a front and back surface; a great and little curvature;
upper orifice, and lower orifice.  It is connected with the gullet,
duodenum, or second  stomach, caul, and pancreas;  composed of 
ANATOMY.
107
three membranes, or coats, viz: a common, muscular, and villous,
coat   Arteries, branches of  the belly artery; veins, empty into
the gate vein; nerves, branches of the eight pair.   The  absorb-
ents of the  small curvatures  terminate in the chest duct, where
the belly artery is  given off, and those passing along the great
curvature join with the absorbents of  the spleen.  Its  glands are
mucus, and  under the internal coat.   Use, to receive the food and
to retain, mix,  digest, and expel it into the second stomach,

                         DIGESTION.

   Digestion, or chymification, is  the  change which food under-
goes in the  stomach, by  which it is converted into a pulpy mass,
called chyme.
   The circumstances  necessary to effect a healthy digestion  of
food, are—
   First. A  certain  degree of h&at in the stomach.
   Second. A free mixture of saliva with the food in the mouth.
   Third. A certain quantity of healthy gastric juice.
   Fourth, The natural  peristaltic, or worm like motion of  the
stomach and intestines.
   Fifth. The  pressure of the contraction and relaxation of  the
abdominal muscles  and diaphragm.   From these circumstances,
the particles of food are softened, dissolved,  diluted, and intimate-
ly mixed into a soft pap, called chyme, which passes  through the
lower orifice of the stomach into the second stomach.

                         INTESTINES.

   The membranous tube, six times longer than the body, in  the
cavitv of the abdomen, variously contorted from the lower orifice
of the stomach to the anus, is so called.   They are divided into
small arid large.   The small are, the second stomach, which be-
 gins at the lower orifice of the stomach, and is reflected over the 
108         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

spine, under  the  lining membrane.  It is about twelve finger'y
breadth in length, and has near its middle an oblique perforation,
which is the common opening to the pancreatic duct, and the bil-
iary  ducts.   The empty, composes the second  portion, and the
twisted, the remainder, of the small intestines.  They always hang
from the mesentary into the cavity of the pelvis.   There is no al-
teration of  structure in any part of the small intestines;  the ter-
mination of the one and the beginning of the other is imaginary.
  The empty part constitutes the first half from  the second stom-
ach,  the other half is the hoisted part.   The small intestines have
internally a number of annular folds, which augment the surface
for the situation of the milk and other vessel.  They are peculiar
to the small intestines.
  The large  intestines  are divided into the blind gut, colon, and
straight gut, or  rectum.   The blind gut lies upon the right hip
over the internal flank muscle, to  which it is attached  by cellular
membrane: it is a large blind sac, open at one end only; the small
intestine opens obliquely into it, in such a manner  as  to form a
valve, to impede the return ot  the fceces;  and nearly  opposite to
this valve there arises from the blind gut a small worm-like canal,
imperforate at its extremity, called the appendix of the blind gut.
The  intestine is now called colon:  it ascends towards the liver, and
is called the ascending portion  of the colon, and  having reached
the liver, forms a transverse arch across to the other side.  Tho
colon then descends into the pelvis, where  the gut is termed the
rectum, or straight gut, which terminates in the anus.
  The large  intestines are lobulated, have sometimes little fat por-
tions adhering to them, and also three  bands upon their external
surface, lengthwise.  The intestines are composed of three mem-
branes,  or coats; one common, a muscular, and the  third villous,
or shaggy.   They  are  connected with the mesentery, kidneys,
point bone, and urinary bladder; and in women with the vagina.
Their arteries are branches of the upper and lower mesenteric,
duodenal, and internal pile arteries; veins run into the mesenteric. 
ANATOMY.
109
 Their nerves are productions of the eighth pair, and  rib nerves.
 Milk vessels.   These arise from the small intestines, and run into
 the mesenteric glands.  Glands, mucus, and under the villous coat.
 Use, to receive the chyme, and retain it for a time; to mix it with
 the intestinal juice  and bile;  to separate and propel the chyle into
 the milk vessels; and to eliminate the fceces.

                        CHYLIFCATION.

   This is  the  change of the chyme in the small intestines into
 chyle.  The chyme in the seoond stomach is mixed with the pan-
 creatic juice, the bile, and intestinal  juice; from which mixture,
 effected by the continual peristaltic motion of the intestines, a milk-
 like fluid is separated, which is termed chyle, and is absorbed by
 the hanging mouths of the milk vessels, and conveyed through the
 mesentery into the  chest duct, to be sent into and mixed with the
 blood, to form new blood.
   Chylification is performed quicker than chymification, and both
 are effected within  three hours.
   The excrementitious particles of the food, called the fceces, are
 propelled into the blind gut, through the colon, where they acquire
 a peculiar smell,  and thence  into the rectum, to be expelled.

                  EXPULSION OF THE  FOSCES.

   The irritation of  the foeees in the rectum induces it  to contract
 the constricter muscle relaxes, and the fceces are protruded through
 the aperture of the anus, by the pressure of the abdominal muscles,
and the anus closed again  by the contraction of the  constricter
and levator muscles.
                         MESENTERY.

   A membranous duplicature, formed of a production of the lining
membrane, to which the intestines adhere.   It is connected with 
 110         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 the loin vertebrae.  Its arteries, the  upper and lower mesenteric,
 and branches of the descending fountain; its veins empty into the
 gate vein.  Nerves, branches of the eighth  pair, and rib.  The
 glands, which are situated in the mesentery, are called mesenteric
 glands.   The milk vessels proceed to the plands, and from them
 to the  chest duct.   Use, to strengthen the intestines and afford a
 situation  to the milk vessels, glands, and nerves, blood-vessels,
 &c of the intestines.
                            LIVER.

   The largest of the abdominal viscera, placed in the right hypo-
 chondriac region, and somewhat in  the  upper belly.   Division,
 into three lobes: the great, small, and a less one.  It is connected
 with the diaphragm by means of the suspensory and other liga-
 ments.   Its substance, vascular, full of vessels.   The glands which
 compose the substance of the liver, are called bilious glands.  The
 excretory ducts of the glands, are termed bilious pores: they arise
 from the bilious glands of the  liver, form larger  trunks, which
 converge together, and constitute a common canal, the liver canal
 which  unites with the gall duct, and form the biliary  duct.   Use,
 to secrete bile.
                       GALL BLADDER.

   An  oblong, membranous bag, situated under the liver, in the
 right hypochondrium.   Divided, into bottom,  body, and  neck,
 which  terminates in the gall duct. The gall ducts arises  from the
 gall  bladder, proceeds to  the duodenum and unites with  the liver
 duct, to form the biliary duct, which perforates the duodenum, and
 conveys  the bile into the intestines.   The gall bladder is compos-
ed of three membranes, a common, fibrous, and villous.   Its ar-
 teries,  branches of the liver.  Its veins empty themselves into the
 gate vein.  Absorbents, very numerous.   Use, to retain  the gall,
which  regurgitates from the liver duct, there to become thicker,
 more bitter and acrid. 
ANATOMY.
Ill
                           SPLEEN.

   A spongy viscus, situated in the left  hypochondrium, near the
 body of the  stomach, under the ribs.   Its figure is oval.  It is con^
 nected with the caul, diaphragm, pancreas, and colon.  The spleni'o
 artery is a  branch of the belly artery; the veins empty into the
 gate vein.   Its absorbents are very numerous.  Its use is not cer-
 tainly  known.
                          PANCREAS.

   A glandular body of a long figure, compared to a dog's tongue,
 situated under the stomach.  It is composed of innumerable small
 glands, the  excretory ducts of which unite, and form the pancre-
 atic duct.   This  duct perforates the  duodenum with  the biliary
 duct, and  conveys its secretion into the intestines.   Use, to secrete
 a humour similary to saliva, and carry it into the duodenum.

                     THE MILK VESSELS.

   The absorbing vessels of the mesentery, are so termed, because
 they convey the chyle, or milk-like fluid, from the  intestines into
 the chest duct.   They originate from the surface of the duodenum,
 or second stomach, the empty, and  the twisted portion of the in,
 testines; and terminate in the chest duct, or trunk of the absorb-
 ents, which  runs near the fountain on the spine, and  empties its
 contents into the jugular vein.
   As they run through the mesentery they pass through a num-
 ber of  glands, in which the chyle is altered, and proceed to their
 trunk.   Use, to carry the chyle from the intestines into the blood.

                          KIDNEYS.

  Two viscera, which secrete the urine, situated behind thesaoof
the lining membrane, near the bodies of the upper  loin vertebrae. 
 112         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 Their substance is  of three kinds: bark-like, tubular, and point-
 like.   Its coverings are a fat membrane, and a proper membrane.
 The kidney arteries, or emulgents, are branches of the descending
 fountain;  the veins empty themselves  into the lower cave vein.
 The nerves of the kidneys are branches of the eighth pair and rib.
 The excretory ducts of the kidneys are called  ureters,  canals
 which convey the urine from the kidneys into the bladder.  Use,
 to secrete urine.
                  EXCRETION OF THE URINE.

   The urine is separated from the blood by the extremities of the
 kidney arteries, which open to the  substance of the kidney into
 the urinary tubes, from whence it is received into the  pelvis of
 the kidney, and passes along the ureter into the urinary bladder,
 drop by drop,  where it usually remains a few hours, in  conse-
 quence of the constricter of the neck of the  bladder being con-
 tracted.  It is prevented returning into the ureters by their en-
 trance being oblique and valve-like.  The  urine having remained
 a few hours, excites a desire to void it, by which stimulus the con-
 stricter becomes  relaxed, the muscular, structure of the bladder
 contracts, and by the assistance of the abdominal  muscles, and
the accelerators, the urine is propelled along the urethra. The
 upper kidney glands, are two triangular flat bodies, situated above
each kidney.
                    OF THE  PELVIS.

  The pelvis, or basin, is a cavity below the abdomen, and under
the pubes, containing the urinary bladder, straight-gut, and organs
of generation.
                     URINARY BLADDER.

  A membranous sac under the lining membrane, in the cavity of
the pelvis.   It is situated, in men, between the pubes and rectum;
in women, between the pubes and womb.   It is divided into bottom, 
ANATOMY.
113
i>ody, and neck; and composed of three coats, like the intestines.
Its arteries are branches of the flank and pile arteries; veins empty
into the flank veins.   Nerves, branches of the rib and  sacred
nerves.  Use, to receive,  retain, and expel the urine.
              DOCTRINE  OF THE FLUIDS.

   The fluids of the body are divided into crude, as the chyle;  san-
guineous,  as the  blood; lymphatic, as the lymph of the lymphatic
vessels, secreted, or those separated from the blood; and excrt-
mentilious, as urine, fceces, &c.
   The secreted fluids are subdivided into milky, as the juice of the
prostate gland; ivalery, as the humor of the eye; mucus, as the
mucus of  the nostrils; albuminous, as the serum of the blood; oily,
as the oil  of the fat membrane; and bilious, as the bile.
   Fluids  are also divided, from  their motion, into circulatory,
which continually circulate in the vessels; the tardy, which circu-
late with slow motion, as the semen, oil of the fat membrane, &c;
stagnant,  which  remain for a certain  time in any receptacle, as
bile in the gall bladder, &c.
       FLUIDS COMMON TO THE WHOLE  BODY.

                         THE BLOOD.

   A red fluid, which  circulates in the cavities of  the heart, arte-
ries, and veins.   Color:  in the arteries, of a florid hue; in the
veins, darker, except in the lung veins, in which it is of a lighter
cast  Blood, exposed to  the atmosphere, spontaneously separates
by degrees into two parts, viz. the serum, a yellow and somewhat
                              8 
114         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
greenish fluid; and a cake, called crassamentim, which resembles
a red mass swimming like an island in the serum.   Use, to stim-
ulate the cavities of the heart and vessels  to contraction; to gen-
erate the hefitof the pody, and propagate it to every part;  to nour-
ish every part; and to supply all the secretions, they being all sep-
arated from the blood.

            THE LYMPH OF THE LYM i'HATIC VESSELS.

   A tasteless, crystalline  liquid, contained in the lymphatic ves-
sels.  It is absorbed from the  surface;  cellular  membrane;  vis-
cera; and cavities  of the viscera of the whole body;  and it is con-
veyed  into the chest duct.  Use, to retain the superfluous nutri-
tious fluid, the vapors of cavities, and substances applied to the
skin, and to the chest duct.

         THE VAPOR OF THE SHEATHS OF  THE NERVES.

   The watery vapor contained in the sheath, and between the fibre*
of the nerves.  Use, to moisten the nervous fibres.
           FLUIDS  PROPER TO EACH PART

                IN THE CAVITY OF  THE SKULL.

  The vapor in the ventricles of the Brain.—A thin vapor contain-
ed in the cavity of the ventricles of the brain, and secreted by the
exhaling arteries of the net-work of the side ventricles.   Use, to
prevent the concretion of the ventricles, and keep the brain moist.

               IN THE CAVITY OF THE NOSTRILS.

  The mucus of the Nostrils—Secreted by the mucus glands of the
pituitary membrane, lining the  partition and shell of the nostrils. 
ANATOMY.
115
  Use, to preserve the nervous points of the smelling nerves moist,
  and to moderate excessive sensibility.

                  IN THE CAVITY QF THE MOUTH.

    The Saliva.—A fluid secreted by the salivary glands  into the
  mouth.   The secretory organ is composed of salival, under jaw,
  and under tongue glands.   Use, to augment the taste of the food;
  to mix with, dissolve, and resolve the food into its principles;  and
  to moderate thirst.

                 IN THE CAVITY OF THE FAUCES.

    The mucus of the Fauces.—Secreted by the mueus glands of the
  throat, &c.   Use, to lubricate the top of the throat.

                         IN" THE EYES.

   The watery humor of the eye—The  very  limpid water which
 fills the front  and back chambers of the eye.  Secreted by the
 floating vessels of the eyelid, and exhaling vessels of the iris.—
 Use, to distend the transparent cornea;  retain the crystalline lens
 and vitreous humor in their places; and to transmit the focus of
 the  rays of light to the  crystalline lens.
   The cryslaline lens.—A clear, cellular body, distended by a very
 limpid,  watery fluid, enclosed in a membranous bag, and  situated
 in a depression in the front surface of the vitreous humor.  Use,
 to transmit and refract  the focus of the  rays of light to the vitrei
 ous  humor.
   The vitreous humor.—The glassy substance which fills the whole
 bulb of the eye  behind the crystalline  lens;  composed of small
 cells, distended with a limpid  water.   Use, to expand  the  bulb
 and  transmit and moderately augment  the focus of the  rays of
light from the crystalline lens to the retina. 
U6         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  The water in the bag of the crystalline  lens.—Secreted by the
transparent branches of the artery of the  crystalline lens.   Use,
to prevent the concretion of the crystalline lens  with its bag.
  The color of the Iris.—The colored mucus which covers the frohf
and back surface of the iris.   Use, to reflect the rays of light.
  The color  of the enclosing membrane.—The black  or brownish
mucus which covers the front surface of the enclosing membrane,
and the  interior of the eyelash.
  The Tears.—A limpid fluid secreted by the tear gland, and flow-
ing on the surface of the eye.  Use, to moisten  the surface of the
eye and the  eyelids.
  The unctuous humor.—Secreted by the  oily glands, and lubri-
cating the fine cartilaginous rim of the eyelids.

                 IN THE CAVITY OF THE EARS.

  The wax of the  Ears.—The soft, bitter wax, secreted  by the
wax glands of the external auditory passage.  Use, to lubricate
the sensible membrane of that canal, and  to prevent insects from
entering.
  The water of the. labyrinth.—An insipid water contained in the
cavity of the drum.  Use, to preserve the nervous fibrils of the car
nerve soft and moist, and to moderate the  tremors of sounds.

                         IN THE NECK.

  The juice  of the  shield gland.—Of a yellowish, white color, es-
pecially in infants.  Use, not known.
  The mucus of the gullet.—Secreted by the mucus glands, situa-
ted in the cellular emembrane.  Use, to  lubricate the cavity of the
gullet, and prevent the concretion of its sides.

                 IN THE CAVITY OF THE CHEST.

   The mucus lining the internal surface of the  windpipe, its bran-
ches, and the lung vessels.  Secreted by the mucus glands situated 
                         ANATOMY.                     117

under the internal membrane of those parts.   Use, to prevent the
surface of the windpipe, branches, and lung vessels  from becom-
ing dry by the continual passing of the air.
   The vapor in  the cavity of  the chest.—A vapor which exhales
from the exhaling vessels of the pleura, of the lungs and the ribs,
into the chest  Use, to preserve the pleura soft, moist} and flex-
ible;  and to defend and prevent it from friction of, and concretion
with, the  lungs.
   Vapor  of the heart membrane.—Secreted by the arterious ex-
haling vessels which open upon the external surface of the heart,
and internal of the  membrann.   Use, to prevent the concretion of
the heart  with the pleura; to diminish friction, and to preserve the
parts  soft.
   The juice of the wart gland.—A milky juice secreted by the ar-
teries opening into  the cells of this gland.   Use, not known.

                        IN THE BREASTS.

   The milk of the breasts.—A  white, sweetish fluid, secreted by
the glandular fabric of the breasts of women.  Use, to be aliment
to new born children.
                       IN THE ABDOMEN.
   Hie gastric juice.—A limpid colorless fluid, secreted by the ex-
haling vessels of the very numerous arteries which bedew every
part of the stomach.  Use,  to digest the food.
   The pancreatic juice.—The limpid juices secreted by this gland,
and conveyed through its excretory duct into the duodenum.   Use,
to assist in the formation of chyle.
   Bile.—A yellowish green bitter juice, secreted by the glandular
substance of the liver,  and conveyed by the biliary ducts, in part,
into the duodenum, and in part into the gall bladder.   Use, to ex-
tricate the chyle from the digested mass of food;  to stimulate the
intestines; and to prevent the abundance of mucus and acidity in
the first passages. 
118         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  Chyle.—A white fluid, separated from the food in  the first pas-
sages, and observed  some hours after eating in the milk vessels
of the mesentery, and in the chest duct.   Use, to form the blood.
  The intestinal juice.—A limpid liquor, secreted by the exhaling
arteries, in the whole course of the small and  large intestines.—
Use, to assist in digestion; and to cleanse and moisten the intestines.
  The mucus of the first passages.—Secreted by the mucus glands
situated under the rough coat of the first passages.   Use, to lubri-
cate that canal.
  The vapor in the cavity  of the Abdomen.—A watery vapor, se-
creted by the exhaling arteries of the lining membrane.  Use, to
preserve moist and prevent  concretion of the abdominal viscera.
  Urine,—A saline liquid, of  a straw color, secreted  in the kid-
neys, and dropping down from them by drops through  the ureters,
into the bladder.   Use, to liberate the body from superfluous water.
  The mucus of the bladder.—Secreted by the mucus  glands sit-
uated under  the innermost membrane.  Use, to lubricate and de-
fend the very sensible surface  of the urethra against the acridness
of the urine.
                       IN THE JOINTS.

  The lubricating liquid.—A unctuous  fluid, secreted by the in-
ternal membrane of the cap ligaments surrounding the joints.   Use,
to lubricate the cartilaginous surfaces of the articulating bones,
and facilitate their motions.
  Juice of the mucus bags.—An unctuous juice, secreted by the
vessels of the  internal membrane of the mucus bags.  Use, to lu-
bricate the tendons for motion.

                        IN THE BONES.

   The marrow of the bones.—The oily substance  secreted by the
arteries of the internal bone membrane, and contained in. the mar-
 row cavities of the long bones,  and spongy substance of others. 
ANATOMY.
119
             FLUIDS OF THE COMMON INTEGUMENTS.

   The coloring mucus.—The mucus situated between the skin and
scarf skin of the whole body, and secreted  by the arterious ves-
sels of the skin.  Use, to glue the scarf skin to the skin;  to mod-
erate the sense of touch; to moisten the nervous points;  and give
the external color to the body;  hence,  it is white in Europeans,
black in Ethiopians, &c.
   The oil of the fat membrane.—Secreted by the arteries of  the
cellular membrane.  Use, to facilitate muscular motion.
   Sweat.—The watery perspirable  matter excreted  through  the
exhaling arteries of the skin.  Use, to keep the skin moist. 
DISEASES.
                        INTRODUCTION.

   The knowledge of disease does not depend so much on scientific
 principles, as many imagine.   It is chiefly the result of experiencc-
 and observation.  By attending  the sick, and carefully observing
 the various occurrences in diseases, a great degree of accuracy
 may be acquired, both in distinguishing their symptoms and in the
 application of medicines.  Hence, sensible  nurses, and other per-
 sons who wait upon the sick, often discover a disease sooner than
 those who have been bred to physic.   We do not, however, mean
 to insinuate that a medical education is of no use; it is doubtless
 of the greatest importance; but it can never supply the place of
 observation and experience.
   Every disease may be considered an assemblage of symptoms,
 and must be distinguished by those which  are  most obvious and
 permanent.  But by a due attention to these, the investigation of
 diseases will be found to be less difficult than is  generally imagin-
ed.  A proper attention to the  patient's age, sex, temper of mind,
constitution, manner of life, and other circumstances, will greatly
assist, both in the investigation and cure  of diseases.
  In childhood the fibers are soft and lax, the  nerves extremely
irritable; in old age  the fibers are rigid, the nerves insensible, and
many of the extreme vessels obliterated.  These, and other pe-
culiarities render the diseases of the young and aged, very  differ* 
DISEASES.
121
ent, and of course, they require very different treatment   Females
are liable to many diseases which do not afflict  the other sex.—
Their nervous system is more irritable; they are less able to bear
large evacuations, and much more caution is required  in admin-
estering to them stimulating medicines.
   Particular constitutions not only dispose persons to peculiar  dis-
eases, but likewise render it necessary to treat those diseases  in a
peculiar manner.  A delicate person, with weak nerves, who lives
mostly within doors, must not be treated precisely in the same
manner as one that is hardy and robust, and who is much exposed
to the open air.
   The temper of mind ought to be equally attended to in diseases.
Fear, anxiety, and fretfulness, all occasion and aggravate diseases.
In vain do we apply medicines to the body  to remove maladies
which proceed from the mind.  When that  is affected,  the  best
medicine is  to soothe the passions, divert the attention, and keep-
the person as easy as possible and as cheerfu4  as  circumstances
will admit.
   Notice should be taken of the climate.  Does the patient live in
the city or country?  in a high, or marshy situation? is he temper-
ate, or not?  what is his occupation?   It would be madness to treat,
even under the same disease, the enervated, shop-keeping citizen,
the same as you would the hardy happy rustic.
   We should inquire, further, whether  the  disease  be constitu-
tional or accidental? whether it has  been of long or short dura-
tion?  whether it proceeds  from error in diet or manner of life?—
The state of the patient's body should be inquired into; of the evac-
uations, &c, and likewise  whether  he can  perform with ease alii
the vital and aimal functions, as breathing,  digestion, &c.
   In the euro of diseases much may be done  by diet alone.  Many
patients think  the more drugs they swallow,  the better they  wiU
be.  This makes the people trust to drugs and neglect their own
endeavors; besides it discourages all attempts to relieve, the sick
when medicines cannot be obtained..  Every disease- weakens th* 
122         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

digestive powers.  The diet should be light and easy of digestion.
Exercise in many cases may be considered as medicine.  Sailing,
or riding on  horseback, will be of great service in consumption,
scrofula, and nervous affections.   It sometimes affects a cure with-
out the help of medicines, and  should be recommended by every
physician, especially to consumptive patients.
  Few things are of more importance than cleanliness;  many dis-
eases may be cured by cleanliness alone, most may be  mitigated,
and in all of them it is highly necessary, both for the patient and
attendants.
  Medicines are useful in their places, as mere handmaids of na-
ture, and when administered with prudence may do much good;
but when they are put in place of every thing else, or administer-
ed at random, they must do mischief.
  In infiamatory  cases, as fevers, pleurisies, &c. the food should
be light, and drink  diluent and mucilaginous, the quantity to be
regulated by the patient's inclination, after an inflammatory fever
has passed its crisis and a craving appetite commences, it maybe
indulged in more freely, by nourishing food and  in larger quan-
titles, always keeping in mind,  to take a little and oftener.
  In fevers of a slow  nervous kind, or agues, or in cases of ex-
treme debility and wasting away of the flesh, where there are no
symptoms of inflamation, nourishing diet, and cordials, and stim-
ulating drinks arc indispensible to a cure.   Nor is a proper atten-
tion to diet of less importance in cronic, than in accute diseases.
Persons afflicted with low spirits, wind, weak nerves, thin  watery
fluid, hypochondrical  affections, generally find more benefit  from
solid food, chalybeate waters, and generous liquors, than from all
the carmineative or other medicines that can be given to them.
  In consumptions, when the humors are vitiated and the stomach
so much weakened as to be unable to digest the solid fibers of an-
imals, or even to  assimulate the juices of vcgitablcs, a diet  consis-
ting of milk, will  not only support the patient, but will often cure
the disease when every other remedy fails.  Nor is the attention 
DISEASES.                     123
to other things of less importance.   The strange infatuation which
induces some people to shut up the sick  from all communication
with the external air, has done great mischief; not only in fevers,
but in many other diseases, the  patient will receive more benefit
from having the fresh air  prudently admited into the chamber,
than from all the medicines  which can be given to the patient.
   Many other observations  might be made, were it  necessary,
but I will conclude with the  single remark, that a competent phy-
sician, who assumes the responsibility of  the lives of men, should
be possessed of  a sound mind, discriminating judgment, firmness
of nerve and purpose, independence, and above all  patience, to
which should be added an intimate acquaintance with the action of
the human system,' the situation of the parts, their functions, their
morbid and healthy appearances—regulated  and governed as the
whole is, by  that principle in nature, which is constantly exerted
to the preservation of the human frame, and without which it could
not exist an instant.   The whole duty, therefore, of a physician,
is to follow the indications of nature, and aid her efforts to throw
off disease, whether by perspiration, eruptions, expectorantation,
diarrhoea or increased urinary discharge, or otherwise.
   I cannot forbear one more remark: I have never yet been able
to discover the necessity of connecting the study of the dead lan-
guages with that of physic.   Is  not the English language suffi-
ciently comprehensive to explain every term connected with the
science?   Why  then  should a student throw away years of his life
in the acquisition of a language quite  useless, and charge his
memory with a host of uncouth medical  terms, to  the exclusion,
perhaps, of what is  really valuable.   It can only confuse and con-
found that, which rightly understood, is simple: or what is more
dangerous, serve as a cloak  for ignorance, when the common lan-
guage and common sense of people would detect and expose them
to the disgust of an injured commuity. 
124
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
        INTERMITTENT FEVERS  AND  AGUES.

                          REMARKS.

  Never bleed in a fever of any description unless inflamation and
congestion of the blood upon the brain are threatened.   It is against
the  plainest dictates of common sense.   The Yankee house-wife,
when she finds the brine of her  pork-barrel becoming rusty, does
not  draw off one gallon and pronounce what remains  pure and
sweet; no, she would  think such a proposition came from a fool.
Her common  sense, however, teaches her to place that brine over
a fire, and  by the action of a gentle  heat cause the impurities to
arise and separate:  It causes it  to arise to the surface,  when she
readily skims them off, leaving the brine pure and again fit for
use.  Just so with the animal blood.  I presume  drawing off the
tenth, eighth, or even the fourth part of a man's blood, does not
change the  quality of what remains;  it is only a foolish waste of
the  capital of  life.
  With the blood as with the brine, a gentle heat  is required to
separate the noxious impurities, and in  the form  that heat is had
in fever.  I do not  want to be understood, as recommending the
Steam Bath or cyanne pepper;  but simple medicines to assist in
promoting perspiration is what I  recommend to  all.  If the pa-
tient can be got into a perspiration it will help greatly in subduing
disease, and sometimes will prevent  a further  ravage  of  fever;
and in all cases I would recommend the black snake root tea,  as
an antidote in intermittent fevers or ague.   Take  it as constant
drink in time of chills.  This  root will be  recommended in  its
proper place again.
  An intermitting fever, is one that returns  after the patient haj
been wholly free from it for one, two, or more days, and then  re-
turns with freh severity.
  Causes.—Coldness (from want of oxygen,)  and  feebleness of
the  arterial blood, occasioning a quicker and  stronger contraction 
DISEASES.
125
of the heart, an  obstruction or unequal distribution of the vital
heat,  a predominant acrid and cold phlegm in the first passages—
universal debility.  These may be produced by whatever relaxes
the solids, diminishes the perspiration, or obstructs the circulation
in the small vessels;  such as exposure to the vapors arising from
stagnant waters after fatigue, or any thing which debilitates, such
as poor food, want of rest, &c.
   The Paroxysm of  an Intermittent consists of three successive
stages, viz:
               HOT, COLD, AND SWEATING STAGE.

   Symptoms.—It begins with  the cold stage:  commencing with
cold,  slugishness, shivering sensation of lassitude, quaking, pale-
ness  of  the  extremeties, difficult respiration, anxiety about  the
heart, nausea,  sometimes  vomiting, pain  in the back, loins and
limbs, the pulse quick and small, the urine thin and crude.
   Hot stage.—After shaking  follows intense  heat, flushes, sore-
ness  of  the flesh, acute  sensibility, pain  in the head and  back,
constant flying pains over the whole body, pulse  quick,  strong
and hard, white  tongue, great thirst, scanty high colored  urine,
costiveness, delirium, &c.
   Sweating stage.—At length the  patient  is relieved from pain,
and a moisture appears on the face, and from  thence it proceeds
downwards to  the  lower extremities,  the  fever abates, the pulse
becomes  slow, full and free, the bowels   move, the  breathing is
free,  and all the functions are restored to  their natural standard.
   But after an interval of twenty-four or  forty-eight  hours  the
unwelcome visiter returns again, to torment the body with its in-
quisitorial racks, fires and sweats.  Hence you see, that what
distinguishes intermittent from all otherffevers is, there is a time
that the  patient  is free from  cold,  fever or sweat, his body feels
perfectly free.
   Favorable symptoms.—When the paroxysms  are short, regular
and go off clear. 
 120         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

   Unfavorable symptoms.—When the paroxysms are long and vi-
 olent, attended with delirium, or other diseases appear with it, or
 when  convulsions,  stupor, hicup, double vision,  prostration of
 strength, vertigo or black tongue appears, then is a  time  to bo
 alarmed for  the safety of the patient—then  is a time to use all
 means that you are master of, and stop  further progress, if possi-
 ble.   But never try to break  ague fits by giving medicines that
 will increase fevers, or  run the patient into other  complaints.—
 Those who do so are not worthy  the name of physician.

                         TREAT .ME NT.

   During the cold stage apply artificial heat;  put the feet in warm
 water or warm bath, warm drinks, cordials, hartshorn in pene-
 royal or hyssop, and black snake-root  teas,  and take  as constant
 drink before the chill; and during its rage the patient  must drink
 a tea, made of colts foot, snake-root, angelica and life root.

                        PREPARATION.

   Take 3 parts of life root; 1 of coltsfoot, snake-root; 1 of an-
 gelica; mix  all and make into a tea, and use for constant drink
 during the chill.
   But when the fever come on, the patient must drink a tea made.
 of black snake-root,  life root, and wild turnip.

                          COMPOUND.

   Take 2 parts liferoot;  2 part3 of snake-root, and one of wiki-
turnip; make into a tea, use for constant drink during  the fever.
Should stupor come on during the fever, apply mustard drafts to
the feet; and some times  before the fit  comes on, an emetic will
destroy the ague.   But if the patient is  very  low, you  must omit
the emetic for a time, until the patient can bear it. 
DISEASES.
12 T
   After the patient's fever abates, then comes the sweating stage;
if the patieut sweats profusely you must make a tea of oxeye, da-
sy, and give as constant drink during the sweating stage..

            REMARKS ON THE CURE  OF AGUES,  &C.

   At the intermission, or when the  patient is free from fever, cold
or sweating, you must prepare bitters for  the patient in the fol-
lowing manner:
   Take 1 oz. of boxwood bark; 1 oz. of black alder bark; 1 oz.
of golden seal;  h oz. of blood root;  make fine and compound, and
add to this one quart  of  water and one quart of proof brandy—
take this when you are free from the  paroxysms; say take a wine
glass half full, three  times  a day.   But if  you preceive that it
raises a fever, you must omit this,  and  make pills in the following
manner for the patient:

                            PILLS.

   Take 4 lbs. of thoroughwort green; 4 oz. of golden seal; 4 oz,,
of ipicac, American; put all into one gallon of water and boil down
to one quart, then strain and boil down to 2 gills, then take 1 oz.
of mandrake made fine, and mix with  the extract to pill;  roll them
in skunk cabbage, and let the patient take for a  dose from 2 to 3,
night and morning,  or till they physic thoroughly.
   The author has given the thoroughwort pills in many cases, and
effected a cure, without the aid of  other medicines.   It is one of
the best  antidotes in agues and fever, that I ever discovered.  It
is worthy the attention of every person that is afflicted with this
loathsome complaint.  I recommend  it to the attention of all who
profess the healing art.
   There is an anomalous state of diseases which attends northern
men who have been to the far west, and there worn out an ague
and  fever, as they tell  us, without the use of medicine.   They 
126         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.
say, that some six or eight months ago, they had an ague and fe-
ver, and that the ague became less and less, until at last they miss-
ed it altogether;  yet, that an inward fever has troubled them ever
since.
  They have  now a dead white or yellow countenance, swelled
feet, tumid bowels, a crude or bloody lax, tumors commonly called
ague cakes in the sides, with increasing emasitation,  and in most
cases an avaricious  appetite.   This form of  disease generally
comes from the low countrys of the West and South.   The treat-
ment that has succeeded the best in the hands of the author, is
the  thoroughwort pills as a regulator;  and the blood-root tincture
to operate on the liver; made thus—
  Take of blood root,  1  part,  unicorn  root J; ferrana §;  com-
pound and  put into a little water and let it stand till the strength
is mostly out, then strain and squeeze or press it through a cloth,
then add sugar,  and it is fit for use.  It is  good in  all cases of
liver complaints, or where the liver is affeceted in any shape.   It
is a powerful actor on morbid affections of the liver.   It will  de-
stroy all inward  fevers; cause an appetite, give tone to the diges-
tive organs, and  regulate the system.
  A dose for a patient 1 teaspoon full 3 times  a day;  say before
eating.  Do not slight this little  tincture because it is simple—you
must recollect that simple means affect great cures; when means
performed to  make a great  show, destroy health and  sometimes
life. But after the above named fever, or worn out ague and  fe-
ver, so  called, has had a short  course, it will run a  patient into
other complaints, unless means are used to cleanse the system and
give tone to the organs of life.
  After you commence the use of the  blood-root tincture, if  the
fever abates, you can add to it  one third good Holland gin, and
use as above recommended.  You will perhaps have as a harbin-
ger of returning  health, a hard fit of the  ague before  you are  en-
tirely clear of it. 
DISEASES.
!»•
                   NERVOUS  FEVERS.

      Called also, Slow Fever,  Long Fever, Mild Typhus,
                   Slow Typhus, $c.  fyc.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  General langor and lassitude, alternate chills and flushes, dejec-
tion  of  mind, loss of  appetite, confusion  of thought,  giddiness,
pain in the head, dull pain in the  back and limbs, and flying over
the  whole body, nausea, and vomiting;  short anxious breathing,
pulse weak and quick, often intermittent.  Tongue at  first white
and moist, covered with slime;  border indented with the teeth; af-
terwards dry, brown, and  tremulous, little thirst, urine pale, low
muttering delirium.
  As the disease advances, the heat becomes intense; tongue dry,
brown, and  morbidly red; delirium, with  suffuse redness of  the
eyes, flushed countenance, throbbing of the arteries of the neck
and temples, urine scanty, high colored and fetid, sometimes dren-
ching sweats, profuse diarrhoea, starting of the tendons, lethargic
sleep, involuntary evacuations, cold extremities, convulsion, and
then the king of terror, death.
  Such is  generally the progress of this disease.  Sometimes,
however, the patient  gradually,  and almost imperceptibly sinks;
no threatening symptoms, no anxiety, no  pain or distress;  yet in
such cases  the  arteries are seen to tremble or throb  under  the
chin, and a dark rose or poeny colored spot appears on one cheek,
while the limbs are apt to be cold.
  Favorable symptoms.—About the seventh,  fourteenth, or twenty-
first day, the tongue peels and becomes moist, showing a conical
point and vigor of motion when put out and quickly retracted;
moist skin, gentle diarrhoea, pulse becoming slow and full, sores
about the mouth and nose.
9 
fm        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
   Unfavorable symptoms.—When no crisis appears on one of the
above days, with all the above symptoms enumerated in the second.
or advanced stage.
                           causes.

   Exposure to a damp  cold  atmosphere, depression, exhaustion
from fatigue, more especially in persons of delicate habit, accom-
panied with  irritability and  sensibility,  or sedentary life, or poor
living and indolence.  It is distinguished  from malignant typhus,.
by its attack being more general, the succession of symptoms be-
ing less rapid and less urgent  From Inflammatory fever, by tho
pulse being quick,  weak and  feeble.  (See malignant typhus.)

                        treatment.

   An  emetic or  a cathartic should begin  the  treatment, after
which sweating must be brought on if possible, and an emetic of
thoroughwort ipicac, must be given and after it acts as an emetic,
give it in tea constantly until it operates as a cathartic and brings
on sweating.
   After the  stomach and bowels are cleansed and a moisture ap-
pears, give tonics.  Such as Virginia snake-root, columbo, dogwood
bark, willow, &c.  But if delirium follows, blistering on the back
of the  neck, and drafts  of mustard on the bottom- of the feet aro
good.   These allay irritation, promote  perspiration and procure
sleep for the patient.
   After the  emetic and  cathartic has operated, the patient  must
take the thoroughwort pills,  and make constant use of the blood-
root solution; and the opium fever powder is good at the rise of
the fever and on going to bed.  Made thus—
   Take 10 grains of opium;  10 grains of ipicac,  and 20 grains of
camphor;  mix and make fine, and  divide it  into  10 doses or pa-
pers, and half, or the whole of one may be taken at the rise of the
fever, and on going to bed. 
DISEASES.
181
  Much  has been said on either side the question, whether fever
can be broken  up during the  first stages.  Here I  shall not at-
tempt to  argue or decide, but simply give the outline of the prac-
tice which some adopt, who say it can be done.
  Dr. Jackson, (author on fevers,) during the cold stages, put his
patient into warm soap suds, and rubbed him well with a brush;
and afterwards, in the hot stages, before perspiration came on
dashed on cold water till the fever heat was gone.
  Dr. Currie, of  Liverpool^ used water in cold effusions during
the hot stage when the heat was steadily above nature, and before
natural moisture appeared on the surface.
  Many  physicians of our own country use powerful emetic and
cathartic remedies at the commencement of fevers.  Others ex-
cite salivation with a view of breaking up a fever.   [Salivation
is a wrong thing.]
  The above plans have all been published, and supported by those
who believed them practicable.
  It remains for me to give the means that I have adopted.   It
consists in giving at the commencement of the disease a powerful
emetic, of thorough wo i't ipicac and mandrake roots, and when the
fever is on, use the electricity.   Give the patient several shocks,
and it will raise a perspiration with the assistance of black snake-
root tea, and other teas which  help nature in throwing off fever.
Then give the Dover's powders, the blood-root solution, &c; this
will have a tendency to throw off the fever, and if it does  so, then,
give the tonics to strengthen the patient.
                    TYPHUS FEVERS,
       Called also, Malignant, Putrid, and Spotted Fever.
                         SYMPTOMS.
  The attack is much more sudden than that of nervous fevers^
tho strength gone, the  horror and anxiety  is beyond expression., 
132        VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.
The skin cold, or of burning acrid, almost stinging heat; the pulse
quick and small, sometimes halting, at others wiry, attended with
nausea and bilious, vomiting; intense pain in the head, ringing in
the ears, throbbing in the temples,  beating of the arteries, visible
in the neck, fiery redness  of the eyes, furious  delirium, tongue
dry, black and encrusted, breath hot and offensive.   Black crust
collects on the teeth, urine at first pale, thin, high colored, offen-
sive, or depositing a black sediment
   As  the disease advances, bleedings take  place from different
parts of the body; red, blue, or black spots appear under, without
raising  the  skin; involuntary  evacuations extremely  offensive,
pulse  sinks, and intermits, extremities grow cold, hickups, convul-
sion and death.
   This fever is distinguished from all other  fevers, by  symptoms
which cannot be mistaken.   Always dangerous,  more especially if
it is preceeded by the coming on of the symptoms mentioned in the
advanced stage.
   Favorable srjmptoms.—Rising of the pulse, return  of sleep and
reason, the spots being of a  florid color, and fever abating in a great
degree,  and  a moisture appearing on the skin, tongue peals, &c.

                        treatment.

   As  in the case of the nervous fever, first give an emetic and
cathartic, and proceed as in nervous.  And you will find frequent
change of bed, and linen, to  be of service to the patient, sprinkling
the floor with vinegar and water,  pure air; and every attention
should be paid to cleanliness.  Decoctions of oak bark, black snake
root, cinnamon, &c, will be found beneficial to the  patient.   If
bleeding should appear, you must give opium, and a tea made of
the root vulgarly called dear's tail.   Light nourishing diet should
always  be given, such as  broth, jelly,  &c, as in nervous fever.
>fter the fever has abated  and the patient is in a fair way of re-
covery, he must be cautioned not to make any sudden exertions of 
DISEASES.
138
his  strength, or be suddenly raised  to  a perpendicular posture,
which  has some times proved fatal.   Make constant use of the
fever powders, Dover's powders, spirits of nitre, elx vitriol, and
fever solutions.
  The above  fever is one that prevails or is apt to attack  a pa-
tients after they have had a run of the bilious fever, or if the bil-
ious is  not conquered by the  13th or 14th day, or if a crisis does
not appear the typhus sometimes sets in.
  PUTRID, MALIGNANT, YELLOW, AND  SPOTTED
                          FEVERS.

  These may be classed together, because they are each produced
by similar causes, and  require very little, if any, difference  of
treatment.   To this class belongs the hospital fever and pestilence.
These fevers are of a malignant character, and putrefaction takes
place towards their close.

                           CAUSES.

  This fever is occasioned by foul air: putrid animal and vegeta-
ble  effluvia,  or  infectious  particles; confined  air, crowded  with
people, and not  properly ventilated, is a  frequent cause.   A foul
air with long rainy and foggy weather, impedes perspiration, and
therefore  occasions putrid fevers.  Damaged grain,  dry hides,
dead carcasses tainting the air, especially in hot seasons, are  very
apt to occasion  putrid diseases.  They may also be produced by
the contiguity of slaughter houses, &c.  The obstruction of insen-
sible perspiration, is no uncommon cause of this class of fevers;
for the retention of those particles within  the body which ought to
have been thrown out of it, may, and often does, occasion a spee-
dy putrefaction,  especially  when there is the least predisposition t«
•uch a dissolution, 
 134         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

   We shall only add, that putrid and malignat fevers are highljf
 infectious, and are therefore to be communicated by contagion;
 for which reason all persons ought to keep at a distance from those
 affected with such diseases unless their attendance is absolutely
 necessary.
                         SYMPTOMS.

   The malignant fever is generally produced by langor, a remark-
 able weakness or loss of strength without any apparent cause.—
 This is sometimes so great that the patient  can scarcely walk, or
 even sit  upright without being  in danger of fainting away.   His
 mind, too, is greatly affected;  he sighs and is  full of dreadful ap-
 prehensions.   There is  a nausea and sometimes  vomiting of bile,
 pain in the temples and  orbit of the eye, the eye becomes yellow-
 ish, or inflamed, the face bloated and of a cadaverous aspect, faint-
 ness, difficult respiration, frequent sighing, wandering pains, the
 pulse  small, sometimes  quick and  sometimes the same as that of
 a person in health; black tongue, bitter  taste in the mouth, crude
 vapid urine, livid eruptions, black and blue spots, furred lips and
 teeth, little thirst, sores in the mouth, tingling in  the ears, pain in
 the loins and small of the back, violent diarrhoea.   If blood be let,
 (which heaven forbid,)  it appears dissolved and soon becomes pu-
 trid, the  stools small, extremely fetid, and arc  sometimes of a
greenish black, or redish cast, sometimes there are violent dischar-
 ges of blood from the mouth, nose, eyes,  &c.
   Simple putrid fevers may be distinguished from the inflammato*
ry, by the smallness of the pulse, dejection of mind, purple spots,
 dissolved state of the blood,  and putrid smell of  the excrements.
 They may likewise be  distinguished from nervous, by all the symp-
toms being more violent
   It sometimes happens  that ;the inflammatory,  nervous and putrid
 symptoms ar-eblended together.  The inflammatory are more prev-
alent in the yelloto fever.  In  judging, therefore, to which  class
the fever  belongs, some caution is requisite, as iuflamatory and 
DISEASES.
133
nervous fevers may be converted into putrid and malignant by too
hot a regimen, or improper medicines.   The duration of these fe-
vers depends mostly on the manner of treating them.
   Favorable symptoms.—The most favorable symptoms are, a gen-
tle looseness after the third, fourth or fifth day, with a mild warm
sweat, a smarting red rash, scabs in the nose or lips, watery vas-
iclcs, the  pulse rising  upon the use of wine, deafness coming on
towards the decline of the fever, and abscesses in the groin and un-
der the ears.  These are  all good symptoms.
   Unfavorable symptoms.—Black urine or stools, excessive loos-
ness: a hard swelled abdomen, small dusky dun, or greenish spots,
a ghastly countenance, large livid blotches, black spots, sweats
profuse, cold or clammy;  griping or bloody stools, drowsiness and
coldness of the extremities, starting of the tendons, involuntary
stools, &c, are generally forerunners of dissolution.

                             DIET.

   In the  treatment of this disease we  ought to endeavor,  if possi-
ble, to counteract  the putrid tendency of the  humors, to support
the patients strength and spirits, and to assist  nature in expelling
the cause of this disease by gently promoting perspiration and the
other evacuations.
   Care should be taken to prevent the air from stagnating in the
patient's room, by keeping it cool and  pure, and renew it frequent-
ly by opening the doors or windows of some adjacent apartment
The  breath and perspiration  of  a person in perfect health soon
renders the air of a small apartment  noxious; how much sooner
then will this happen from the breath and persiration of  a person
whose whole mass of humors  arc in a putrid state.
   Besides the  frequent admission of  fresh air, vinegar, lime or
lemon juice, or any kind  of vegetable acid that can be most easily
obtained, should be frequently sprinkled  upon the floor,  bed, and
every part of the room.  Fresh lemon or orange peel, sliced on- 
 136         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

 ions, strong scented fresh herbs, as rue, tanzy, sage, mints, drc,
 should be frequently and freely distributed about the room; thej
 are very refreshing to the patient  The fumes or scent of tobacco
 in  the room is very disinfectious, when it can he born by the  pa-
 tient or attendants.
   Few things are of more importance  in this disease than  acids,
 which aught to be mixed  in  all the  patient's food and  drink.—
 Therefore Smith says that boiled buttermilk is extremely applica-
 ble and often little more is required to cure.   Orange, lemon, or
 vinegar whay, may be drank by the patients, according to their in-
 clination.  They may be rendered cordial by the addition of wine,
 in such quantity as the patient's strength seems to require.  When
 he  is very low, he may drink  wine and  water sharpened with  the
 juices of lemons or oranges, or a glass of wine with a little  water
 alone,  if he can  bear it.  When the body is bound, a clyster may
 be given, or he may drink a decoction of tammarinds, both of which
 will quench the thirst, and promote a discharge by stool.   If cam-
 omile tea will sit upon the stomach, it is also proper to drink in
 this disease.
  The food must be light, as  panado  gruel, to which a little wino
 may be added if the patient is weak and  low, and  they ought to
 be sharpened with the juice of  the orange, current jelly or the like;
 the patient ought likewise to eat freely of ripe fruit,  as roasted  ap-
 ples, &c.   Taking a little food or drink often, not only supports
 the spirits but counteracts the putrid tendency of the humors.
  If the patient be delirious his feet and  hands ought frequently to
bo fomented with  a strong infusion of camomile flowers.   Fomen-
tation of this  kind not only relieves the  head, by  relaxing the ves-
sels in the extremities, but as  their contents are  absorbed and  ta-
ken into the  sytern, they must assist in  preventing the putrescen-
cy of the humors.
  The author lays no claim to originality in giving a description
of the above fever, but has taken it  principn'iy fi in Smith's Bo-
tanic Physician.   The reason of his so doing is, that tho yellow 
DISEASES.
in
fever is not a disease that northern people are subject to; and fur-
thermore, it is a disease that I have never had experience in han-
dling, therefore I shall give the prescriptions principally  from
ether's  knowledge of the disease, and not my own.  It is impossi-
ble for me to give a correct treatment of the yellow fever, before
I have had a case of it to handle.   And it is likewise impossible
to give  a description of the  symptoms and cures of this disease, as
it prevails and is handled at the south; but I  will try to give some
aid, if possible, to those who are  afflicted with such putrid and
loathsome  complaints  as the yellow fever.   The author has not
had experience in the treatment of this disease, neither has he had
a case of it to handle; nor is there  but a very few medical  men
that have, or ever saw a ca$e of it  There are to be sure, some
who have been to the  Southern state.?, and  perhaps have seen a
few cases; but it has been  the author's  luck not to have a roving
mind, consequently his practice has been confined to the State of
New-York, and not extended to the Southern states; therefore my
readers must not look  for a correct treatise upon this disease from
my own experience, but from the experience of others who have
written upon the subject.
   The medicine that I  shall recommend  to my readers for the yel-
low fever, is according to book knowledge of the disease-.

                         TREATMENT.

   If an emetic be given at the beginning of th'13 fever, it will not
fail of having a good effect  If the disease is far advanced vom-
its are not quite so safe; the body, however, is always to be kept
open by clysters  or mild laxative  medicines, as  small  doses of
rhubarb, senna, &c.
   If  the spots should suddenly  disappear, the patient's pulse sink
remarkably, and  a delirium with other bad symptoms comes on,
we would  recommend warm poultices of mustard and vinegar to
be applied to the feet and hands; saffron cordials may also be gi^«
«n internally. 
 183         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   In the most dangerous species of this disease, when it is attended
 with purple, livid spots, and they ar,e sometimes black, acids, par-
 ticularly the  boiled buttermilk,  or whay, prove very successful
 even in cases where  the spots had the most threatening aspect.
 But to answer this purpose they must be  taken in large doses and
 well persisted in.  In any stage of this disease the fever powders
 must not be omitted; if necessary, let them be given in such quan-
 tity as will keep the pores gently open and throw off putrefaction.
 But if the malignity of the disease  becomes formidable, and na-
 ture inclines to  a dissolution, or before these threatening symptoms
 appear, we may resort with confidence to the use  of fresh killed
 flesh, applied warm with .natural heat to the pit of  the stomach,
 particularly if the stomach be distressed  or obstructed,  and then
 upon the glands in the groins, armpit, neck and soles of the feet,
 or over half the surface of the body, according to the urgency of
 the case.  These extract  the  putridity and poison, and give al-
 most immediate  relief, stinking with corruption in a very few min-
 utes after it is applied, and then they should be removed  and fresh
 pieces be applied; continually changing in this manner  till the
 wished for relief is obtained.  For this purpose, fowls are gener-
ally the most  readily obtained, and they should be cut in two length-
 wise and instantly applied.  It matters not; however, of what an-
 imal the flesh is, using that which can  best be spared.   Fresh
 meat  quickly absorbs putrefaction.   The following anecdote ex-
 emplifies it:
   The garrison of Gibralter when they fear the plague,  (which
 that place is very subject to,) elevate a piece of fresh meat in the
 air at night, and if they find jit sweet and untainted  in the morn-
 ing, they conclude there is no danger, but if it has become putrid
 they expect the plague.
   Onions, garlics, bruised potatoes freshly dug out of  the earth
 and roasted with or without washing, and applied  as poultices to
 the soles of the feet or any part of the body, are also very effica-
 «ious in extracting the morbid matter  and relieving  the system. 
DISEASES.
139
Even fresh earth, alone, warmed and applied over the body, is
considered almost a certain cure for the Yellow fever.
   In  the Spanish West Indies when a person is  attacked with it,
they dig a hole in the earth large enough to receive the whole body,
and after warming it a little, place the patient into it completely,
burying all except the face,  and there let him remain till the fever
and taint is extracted and relief obtained.
   If there  be a violent looseness, nothing can  be more beneficial
than plenty of acids, and such things as  promote a gentle  perspi-
ration,  thereby turning the humors outwardly.
   If  the patient is troubled with vomiting or nausea, after the
■proper  evacuations have been made from the stomach, a drachm
of pearlash dissolved in an ounce and a half of fresh lemon juice,
■and made into a draught, with one ounce of simple cinnamon wa-
ter, and a bit of sugar may be given and repeated as often as ne-
cessary.
   If  swelling of the glands appear, their separation is to  be pro-
moted by the application of ripening poultices, and as soon as there
is any appearance of matter in them they ought  to be  opened and
the poultice continued..
   Laro-e ulcer sores sometimes break out in various parts of the
body, on the decline of the fever, which are of  livid  gangrenous
appearance and a most putrid smell.  These gradually heal upon
the application of a cleansing poultice, such as  charcoal and yeast,
and the use of acids, tonics, and  cordials internally.   In Typhus
fever, yeast may be given internally, which cools and  relieves the
stomach greatly.
   Cleanliness in the strict sense of  the word, is to be most care-
fully attended to, therefore the bed and body linen should be fre-
quently changed, and  the excrements  instantaneously removed.
The patient should be covered lightly with bed clothes, his apart-
ment kept  cool and properly ventilated,  and acids and aromatico
frequently sprinkled about the room.
   When a putrid fever seizes any person in a family  the greater-' 
140         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

attention is necesssary to pevent the disease from spreading.   Th«
sick  ought to be placed in a large room as remote from the rest of
the family as possible, and those in  health ought to avoid all un-
necessary communications with the afflicted.   And one who is ap-
prehensive that he has caught the infection, ought immediately to
take an emetic and work it out  of the system.  Camomile tea is
good to drink plentifully.
  Those who wait upon the sick in putrid fevers, as well as phy-
sicians, ought always to have a piece of sponge or a handkerchief
wet with vinegar or lemon juice, to smell of while near the patient
Tho  preparation known  by the name of "Thieve's Vinegar," has
the reputation in some parts of Europe, of being a complete guard
against infections, let the exposure be ever so  great
  This composition was used by four thieves, who during a great
plague at  Marseilles, entered  the infected and deserted houses,
and plundered unharmed.  They were afterwards taken and con-
victed, when they were  promised pardon, on condition  that they
would reveal the secret of  their protection.  The composition is,
to infuse in a gallon of vinegar—of the  best wine vinegar—rue,
rosemerry, lavender and sage, of each one handful, and stew heada
of Spanish garlics peeled and cut into slices; after 24 hours in-
fusion, if  any one has occasion  to expose himself, he may do it
without danger, by drinking a table spoon full of this liquid and
rubbing it  on his hands  and on his breast.
  This vinegar, thus prepared, will keep any length of time, if
well bottled,  and ought to be kept in every family as it is in many
parts of Europe.   Many lives might be  saved by using it in tha
first stages of the infection.
  In this as  well as in other fevers, applications of cold water to
the head is beneficial, especially where there  is inflammation  or
drowsiness in the head, attended with delirium  and  anxiety, or
where  there is great pain in the head.  For this purpose, nothing
•an be better than cold  or cooling anodyne  washes, when the fo-
vex rages  high and there is great heat and constriction upon th* 
DISEASES.
141
surface, the whole skin may be bathed and rubbed with a solution
made of potash lie, not omitting the fever powders.
                    SPOTTED FEVER.

   Perhaps there is no disease which so soon makes the tongue to
faulter, the knees to totter, locks up the senses, alienates the mind,
and with unconquerable weakness saps the very basis of our life,
as that of the Spotted fever.   It is not confined to any season, and
it has not been  observed to choose any particular aspect or atmos-
phere, but visiting in turn the bleak ridge and  the banks of  the
clear stream.   Though the leading features of this enemy to man
and friend to death, is always the same, yet his dress is astonish-
ingly varied.
                          SYMPTOMS.

   Some patients are seized with violent pains in the stomach, head,
joints, limbs, and frequently the pain is confined to a single point,
often to a single toe or finger.  Some have a violent ague or shak-
ing,  and yet are not sensible of cold, and some have no heat suc-
ceeding  this symptom.   Some are taken suddenly totally blind,
or deaf;  others are not affected at all in those organs.   The palsy
of a member is not unfequent, and a strange numbness is felt in
the nose and face of some that have this disease, which leads them
to rubbing their face for  hours.*   Some have  raving or  furious

  •This is not a symptom which many consider as indicative of an over do**
of laudanum, and was one among many which appeared in the Spotted Fe«
Ter, (such as staggering and inarticulation, fyc) and induced bye standere to
suppose the patient intoxicated by medicine, when the fact was, no medicina
had been given; and those dreadfully equivocal symptoms never give way but
upon liberal use of powerful stimulents, such as laudanum, spirits of ether,
and eantharides. 
142
VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.
delirium, others a playful or hysteric alienation of mind, while oth-
ers are more shrewd than before.   Some fall  into a snoring le-
thargic sleep from which nothing can arouse them.  Some are so
painfully sensible as to complain of the slightest touch or motion,
while others feel not the prick of needles, nor yet the contact of
live coals.   The voice becomes low and  melancholy; the counte-
nance sunken,  the eyes sparkling, the breath failing, and the air
aeems to withhold from the gasping victim or sufferer, its invigor-
ating energy.  The pulse is commonly frequent and irregular, and
often interrupted.   In some cases it seems inflated, yet would dis-
appear upon the slightest pressure.   Sometimes when the pulse is
gone  in the  wrist, the arteries of the neck can be seen beating
with seemingly impatient and  fretful motion.
   In may cases bleeding is frequent  in different parts of the body
and often proves fatal.   Purple spots* appear in some from oozing
of the blood from the relaxed vessels of the  true skin, yet without
sufficient force to penetrate or alleviate the scarf skin, and spread-
ing to various sizes, from a point to that of a shilling, and assum-
ing different hues from scarlet to black.
   From the onset a clay-like  coldness comes over the whole body
or system, and all efforts to restore genial warmth are frequently
unavailing.  The tongue is in some cases clear and moist, in oth-
ers dry, and in others bloodless; in the progress of the disease it
commonly turns brown or black.   The swelling is often different

  ♦Nothing can  be more absurd than to style this  disease "Sp6tted fever,''
mearly because purple spots often  appear or attend, among other symptoms.
It might as well have been called Blind fever, Bleeding fever, or Freezing fe-
ver, as Spotted fever.  Indeed in this disease there  are often no spots nor fe-
ver at all, and the patient is in many cases dead before fever could form.—
We know fever,  strictly speaking, does sometimes follow an attack of this
disease;  and to it does some labors, and riding in any way in a foggy morning
or night, or sleeping on damp ground; yet whoever thought of styling the last
mentioned state of uncomfortableness, feve r,any more than they would a tooth
ache or head ache, or any thing else that mankind aie  subject to.  It is very
absurd to call all  or any of the above named, Spotted fever.. 
DISEASES.
E4&
from canker in the throat, or from palsy of the parts.  Nausea-
and  vomiting  commonly  harrass  the  patient  from first to last*
yet the contents of the stomach are not  at all vitiated.-  The bow-
els seldom suffer at ail in this disease.
   A horrid sensation of cold is felt  in the stomach, as of ice melfr-
ing there.  This symptom as well  as that of vomiting, is greatly
aggravated by drinking cold water, or any cold weak  beverage.
Patients who inquire for water cannot distinguish it from brandy..
   It must not be supposed that the  whole of the above symptoms
appear* in #ny one case.   What is  put  down in this article is ap-
plicable to the more severe cases.   Like every other disease, how-
ever, it sometimes occurs in so mild a form as to require very little-
medication.   Yet it should not be out of our minds that many with-
out feeling themselves or exciting in their friends the least  alarm,
have suddenly and silently sank into the arms of death, and that
even, while their physicians were  beginning to investigate their
case.
                         TREATMENT.

   Now friends to the sick, or you who profess to be the sick man's
friend, let us pause for a  moment  and  strive to  bring our minds
steadily upon the work; let us calmly  look  over the  above enu-
merated  appalling symptoms, and  two  prominent considerations
will force themselves upon our minds, viz:
   The immense prostration of the vital powers calling imperiously
for support of  the most prominent kind, and that nothing  can be
expected  from evacuations, as the  contents of all the cavities are
ad initio  uncontaminated.
   Under this view of the subject we see what must decide "when
Doctors disagree," the  case giving  laws to the prescriber, and the
symptoms pointing with iron index to  the only means which can
save the patient from sinking, viz:  Cordials, stimulating medicine,
and nourishing diet.
   The pressure  of  the disease and the remaining strength must 
 144        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

determine the kind  and quality of means, and the choice is be-
tween going into a warm bed and drinking penneroyal or pepper-
mint tea; or a hot bath with brandy, laudanum, ether and canthar-
ides.
  Begin the treatment by putting the patient into a warm  bed,
apply flannels wrung out of hot water, or bladders of hot water to
the sides and feet of the patient. But if the disease assumes more
than a slight attack  of the patient, give to drink hot wine whay,
milk punch, or warm wine and water.
  If obstinate nausea, or  vomiting appear, give hot brandy, (a
spoonfull at a time,) with only water enough to  keep  it from
strangling.   Put a blister on the stomach, and if lethargic sleep or
symptoms come  on, apply blisters round the  head, and increaso
all the stimulents.  If warmth and moisture appear and the pulsa
raises, there is hope; yet the  patient must be  kept still, and sus-
tained by tonics,  and the disease kept at bay, by laudanum in full
portions, every two or three hours,  with tindture of cantharides and
blood-root solution.
  It has before been observed, that patients sooner crave and bear
strong food, than in or after fever; yet it is possible for the pa-
tient to have a regular run of fever after he has passed this crisis
or stateof the disease; in such a case the patient should be treated
as in the Typhus fever.
  [Look at treatment of Typhus as before stated.]
                   SCARLET FEVER.

  This fever is most commonly inflammatory, but sometimes, either
at its commencement or in its progress, symptoms of Typhus ap-
pear.   About the fourth day the face swells and spots of a florid
red color appear scattered through  the skin, which at length run
together, and after three days disappear, the scarf skin pealing off 
DISEASES.
145
with the skin.   It is not  unfrequently succeeded by a dropsical
swelling of the whole body.   When the disease has symptoms of
typhus fever, it appears like malignant quinsy, often that disease
itself; when it is to be treated like malignant quinsy, or typhus
fever.  [See that disease.]
   Scarlet fever is distinguished from measles, by absence of cough,
sneezing, and flow of  tears.   The eruption is more diffused like
a blaze,  and not sensible to the touch.

                         TREATMENT,

   Keep the bowels  loose by gentle cathartics, such as  rhubarb,
caster oil, &c.   Cool vegetable acid drink, such as lemonade, cur-
rants, raspberries, sorrel teas, with black snake-root tea, saffron and
sliperry elm teas, for constant drink.
   Sponging the body with vinegar and water, if agreeable to the
patient.  Sprinkle the  room with vinegar and water as  often as
it gets dry.  If  delirium or stupor comes on, blister between  the
shoulders.  If soreness of the mouth and throat with difficulty of
breathing, or swallowing, give gurgles  of oak bark, allum  and
sage.   At the decline of the disease give tonics, strengthening bit-
ters in wine, and nourishing diet, such as broth* shell fish, &c.
           INFLAMMATION OF THE  BRAIN.

                          SYMPTOMS.

  Horror, the face becomes flushed and turged,rfhe eyes stare as
if starting from their sockets, furious  delirium, tears sometimes
burst from the eyes, sometimes sweat at every pore, skin dry and
hot, parched tongue, at first fiery red, then white, yellow or black,
hard rapid pulse.   If the disease is not soon removed, stupor, in-
sensibility, and a great failure of the strength.
                               10 
146         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

                          CAUSES.

  Exposure to heat, vertical sun, intemperance, &c.   Distinguish-
ed from madness by its being attended with  fever; from simple fe-
ver, by a delirium appearing as a first symptom; from typhus, by
pulse being hard and rapid.

                        TREATME?sT.

  By a copious  and sudden evacuation of blood from tne arm or
temple artery, application of leeches to the temple, putting the
feet into warm water, and poring vinegar and water on the head,
the head having been previously shaved.   Blisters  to the head,
neck and legs, room secluded from light and noise;  give no food
during the inflammatory stages, except barley water,  gruel, arrow
root, &c.  Purging must  not be omitted in  this case, and some-
times clysters are  necessary.  Make constant use  of the fever
powders and fever solutions, and promote perspiration with cream
of tarter, life-root and thoroughwort.
        INFLAMMATION  OF THE LUNGS, OR
                    PERIPNEUMONY.

  As this disease affects an organ so absolutely necessary to life,
it must always  be  attended with  danger.   Persons who  abound
with thick blood, whose fibers are tense and rigid,  who feed upon
gross food and drink strong liquors, are most liable to this disease.
It is most fatal to those who have flat breats, narrow chests, and
such as are afflicted with asthma, &c.   Sometimes  the  inflam-
mation reaches  to one lobe of the lungs only, at other times the
whole of that organ is affected, in which case the disease can hardly
fail to prove fatal. 
DISEASES.
147
   It proceeds  from the same cause as the pleurisy, viz: An ob-
 structed perspiration, cold, wet clothes, &c, or from an increased
 circulation of the blood, by violent exercise or the use of spirtuous
 liquors, &c.
   Many of the symptoms of pleurisy likewise attend an inflamma-
 tion of the lungs, only in the latter disease the pulse are more soft,
 and the pain less acute;  but the difficulty of breathing and oppress-
 ion of  the breast is  generally greater.  At the beginning the pa-
 tient is cold and hot  by turns, has small quick pulse, feels  a sense
 of weight upon his breast,  breathes with difficulty, and sometimes
 complains of  giddiness in  the head, the urine is usually pale, and
 his  countenance pale and deathly; that is, in the last stages of the
 disease; but in the first, his color is not changed at all.
   The  regimen and medicine are much the same as in pleurisy,
 though the learned  Doctor Arbuthnot asserts, that the common
 whay is sufficient to support the patient, and  that decoctions of
 barley and infusions of fennel root in warm water, with milk, are
 the  most proper both for nurishment and diet.  He likewise re-
 commend-? the steam of warm water taken in by the breath through
 a funnel, which serves as a kind of internal fomentation, and helps
 to attenuate the infected humors.
   If the patient's bowels are lax and  are much weakened by fre-
 quent stools, they must not be stoped, but  rather promoted by the
 use of mild clysters; yet as the treatment of this disease and pleu-
 risy have such a resemblance, the reader is refered to the treat-
 ment of the latter for remedies for the  above complaint,  as a prin-
 cipal guide, but yet some  remedies are here laid down  that are
 good.
  When this disease is stubborn  and unyielding there  is danger
of suppuration, which is more or less dangerous, according to the
part where it is situated.  When this happens in the pleura  it some-
times breaks outwardly, and the matter is  discharged through the
wound;  but when  the suppuration or  wound happens within the
lungs, the matter floats in the cavity of the breast between the pleura 
148        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
and the lungs; it can be discharged by an incision made between tho
ribs by a surgeon.
  If the patient's strength does not return after an inflammation
of the lungs, or after the disease is to all appearance removed, if
his  pulse continue  quick, though soft, his breathing difficult and
oppressed;  if he complains of cold shivering at times, his cheeks
flushed, his lips dry; and if he  complains of thirst and want of ap-
petite, there is fear of a suppuration, and that a phthisic or con-
sumption of the lungs  will ensue.
  When  this disease proves immediately fatal, it is generally by
an effusion of blood or lymph into the cellular texture of the lungs,
so as to occasion suffocation, which  usually happens between  the
third and seventh day; but it may likewise prove fatal by termin-
ating either in suppuration or gangrene.  The last, however, very
seldom happens.
  You will find  that  blisters on the sides, black snake-root tea,
and fever powders with the use of the lancet, will be a great help
in stopping the ravages of this disease.   And you must not omit the
hoarhound tea, slippery elm, gum arable, and flax seed teas; and
you will find, if fever attends, that the fever solution will be of vast
importance.  Onion drafts to the feet and sides will be of impor-
tance also.
  I have often stopped the progress of this disease by simply ap-
plying roasted onions to the feet and sides; mustard drafts are al-
so good, flax seed  poultices to the sides are good,  and will help
cure the inflammation.  The application of carrots to the stomach
is good to remove inflammation, and there are many other things
which might be named, and which are simple in themselves, and
easily obtained, that are good in this complaint.

                        PLEURISY.
                         SYMPTOMS.
  Of inflammatory fever accompanied with  a sense of weight in
the chest, which in a  short time becomes acute pain shooting  into 
DISEASES.
149
the sides, from thence to the breast bone, or through the shoulder
blade, breathing difficult and increase the pain, the patient cannot
lie down on the affected side, cough frequent and hard,  and pulse
contracted, vibrating under  the  touch like the tense string of a
musical instrument, tongue white, high colored urine, and  indeed
all the symptoms of inflammatory fever.
                           CAUSES.
  Frequent exposure to vicissitudes of temperature, violent exer-
cise of  body, or exertions of the voice,  violent colds  caused by
night air, riding and chilling the blood, &c.
                         TREATMENT.
  Copious bleeding at the arm according to symptoms, fomenta-
tions to  the sides.  Brisk purges  at the comencement, but  you
must lay aside purging medicines after the patient raises freely.
  Sweating with tartar emetic 2  grains; sage tea, i gill; mix and
take a spoon full  or teaspoon full at a time until it causes perspi-
ration.
  Apply a large  blister over  the  affected  part; drink freely of
hoarhound and catnip tea; use also the blood-root solution to  help
about raising from the lungs; or make free use of teas of flax-seed;
rye bran, cattail, flag-root, bassvvood bark, elm bark, and take ip-
icac 5 grains,  hyssop tea, mix, and give the patient one teaspoon
full once in 15 or 20 minutes.
  The diet in all cases of inflammatory diseases should be  grutds,
whays, mucillaginous roots, plants, &c.  &c.
         INFLAMMATION OF THE  STOMACH.
                          SYMPTOMS.
  Anxiety, heat and pain in the region of the stomach, increased
when any thing is swallowed, aggravated by pressure on the stom-
ach, vomiting, hickup, pulse  hard and small, great prostration of
strength—send for medical aid. 
150        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

                        TREATMENT.

  Bleeding, warm bath, long continued fomentations to the abdo-
men constantly applied, and  apply blisters to the part affected.
  Surge Clysters:—small quantites  of  flax seed tea, barley tea,
and gum arabic in water.
  If there is but little fever give the  following:  Take gum ammo-
niac the size of a nutmeg, and of loaf sugar twice as much, mix
and grind to fine powder, add one tea cup full of hot water, stir it
well together and let it settle, then  give a spoon full every half
hour till the patient raises freely.  Give also, to assist the above,
warm teas, blood-root solutions, a composition of wild turnip, licor-
ice stick and faruna.

           INFLAMMATION  OF THE LIVER.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  Pain  near the short ribs of the right side more or less acute,
shooting to the top of the shoulders  and through to the shoulder
blades, increased by lying on tho left side,  fever, dry cough, sal-
low countenance, high colored urine, sometimes hickup and vomi-
ting.
  Causes.—Violent emetics, colds, and all causes the same  as in
inflammations generally.

                        TREATMENT.

  Bleeding, cupping,  blistering, large and repeated purges, and
if the disease becomes chrdnic, give thoroughoiit pills and blood-
root solution.   A continued course of bitters and laxatives, as dan-
dalion, columbo, soda,  &c.   A beverage should be used of black
snake-root, rhubarb and soda.
  As  all inflammations originate  in a similarity of causes, their
treatment, consequently, varies but  little. 
DISEASES.
151
         INFLAMMATION OF  THE  BOWELS.

  Acute pain in the abdomen increased by pressure, shooting and
twisting pain around the centre of the abdomen, obstinate costive-
ness, abdomen tense, frequent inclination for evacuation from the
bowels, vomiting occasionally billious matter dark and fetid, fever,
pulse quick, hard, contracted, great prostration of  strength, high
colored urine.
  A frightful and. alarming disease, distinguished from cold or
billious colic pains, by the pains  in colic being removed or reliev-
ed by pressure, no fever attending, and the pulse being but slightly
affected.
                         TREATMENT.

   Blistering, bleeding, warm bath, fomentations continually ap-
 plied to the bowels, poultice of onions, fresh killed fowls applied,
 boiled oats, &c.  Give purges;  be careful to keep the bowels open
 in some way; if physic will not do it, give clysters; there is no
 time to be lost—send quick for a physician.
   You must always send for a physician before you apply the
 means laid down, or as  soon as you ascertain that the patient  is
 threatend with an inflammation  in the bowels.
   There  is a slight  inflammation  sometimes takes  place around
 the abdomen, with mild fever in the morning, bowels little costive,
 strength  little diminished;  caused  by exposure of the lower ex-
 tremities  to water in windy weather.
   Cured  by blistering where the pain is most severe, and purges
 of rhubarb, and Culver's physic, should always  be given in this
 case;  and these should also be used in a severe case of the above
 disease.
    I have known this disease prove fatal to many, but if the above
 meanes are faithfully adhered to, there is mo doubut but that a cure
 will be  effected in nine case out of ten.  You that are afflicted 
152        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
with this distressing complaint, give the above prescription a trial
and  it is to be  hoped you will  find, by experience, its  salutary
effect.
          INFLAMMATION  OF THE  KIDNEY.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  Fever, pain in the loins shooting to the  bladder, numbness of
the  thighs, high colored urine, vomiting, costiveness, and cholic
pains.
                        TREATMENT.

  Bleeding, applying  leeches to the loins, cupping, salts, caster-
oil,  senna, cream of tartar, clysters and blisters are all indespen-
aable.  Drink plentifully of Sassafras twigs, dandelion, mallows,
flax seed and slippery elm teas.  Niter is also good in all cases of
the  above complaint.  Warm baths, fomentations with camphor
spirits and opitate;  clysters are good and ought to be used in all
case of inflammation of the kidneys.   Also make use of the queen ,
of the medow, white-root, harlem oil, &c.
         INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  Acute  pain in the region of the lower abdomen, soreness and
pain increased by pressure, painful  discharge of urine, frequent
inclination to stool, sometimes attended with vomiting.

                        TREATMENT

  Nearly the same as in inflammation of the kidneys.  In both
diseases you must use wintergreen,  sassafras, violets,  peach tree 
DISEASES.                     153
gum, gum arabec, and slippery elm teas.  Juniper berries are an
excellent article in all  kidney or bladder complaints, and ought
not to be omitted in either of the above diseases.
                           QUINSY.

   An inflammation of the almonds of the  ears and the throat.

                           SYMPTOMS.

   Chills and flushes succeeding each other,  and terminating in the
 hot stage of an inflammatory fever.  Swelling of the palate and
 almonds  of the  ears, swallowing becomes painful and difficult,
 voice hoarse, shooting pains through the throat  and almonds of
 the ears, frequent slimy spitting.  Sometimes this disease proves
 dangerous and indeed fatal.

                           CAUSES.

   Cold applied to the neck, damp, wet linen, wet feet, damp rooms,
 hallooing, blowing on wind instruments, &c.

                         TREATMENT.

   The timely resort to an emetic will frequently check the forma-
 tion of the  disease.   Give fever powders;  bleed  if the pulse is
 high,  cupping, leeches are good, blisters on the throat and neck
 are also good.  A piece of flannel previously dipped in volatile lin-
 iment wrapped round the neck.  Purging with salts, a  few grains
 of nitre with loaf sugar and slowly dissolved on the tongue and
 swallowed, sweating with black  snake-root, life-root,  balm, and
 hyssop teas.
  Inhaling steam of water, vinegar and camphor, mixed together
and made hot;  gurgles of sage and rose teas sweetened with honey. 
154         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  If it will goon to suppuration, poultice, with hops and flaxseed,
onions, rattle-snake,  violet, or king's evil weed, cordess,  &c.
  If there is danger  of suppuration, the swelling  may be opened
at any time with safety by a surgeon.  The poultice may be ap-
plied at  the commencement of the disease, as it  often effects a
cure without the aid  of other medicine.
  The quinsy is a bad complaint at the best, and if you do not re-
move the cause you will be under the necessity of having the lan-
cet applied oftener than you would wish.  You will  find, there
fore, the application  of the poultice, the liniment, the teas, &c., to
be indispensable in removing the cause, and effecting the cure of
the quinsy.
                  MALIGNANT  QUINSY.

  This disease is a kind of uberous sore throat attended with ty-
phus symptoms, and sometimes with  typhus fever, and require
the treatment of typhus with  the addition of gurgles frequently
used.
  Take half pint of gin, the juice of one lemon, one third sweet-
oil, one third  molasses, mix and take one teaspoon full as often as
the patient is  in need, or once  hi half an hour.
  Apply also a  poultice  made oJ^ onions, skovist or rattle-snake
violet, and cordas, and make  constant use of the fever solution,
and the blood-root solution, in small doses.   All the above remedies
you will find  good in this complaint.
                       INFLUENZA.

  An epidemic cold; whole countries are sometimes affected with
it.  It has been thought contagious, but  its progress is too quick
and its effects to general; contagion  is slow.  It seems to depend
on a peculiar state of the air, and sweeps away thousands at a blast. 
DISEASES.
155
                         SYMPTOMS.

  Fever, weight and pain in the head, oppression of the  chest,
and difficulty of breathing, sense .of fullness and stopping of the
nose, watery inflamed eyes, chills and flushes,  soreness of the
jaws and windpipe, cough, pain in the chest, shooting pains in the
head and back, running of a scalding fluid from the nose, &c.

                            DIET.

  If the'fever is inflammatory a pure diet of vegetables is  best
for the patient, and should be used in preference to animal food.
And perspirative teas should always be used, such as bran, flax-
seed, and thoroughwort in small doses.  But after the fever sub-
sides give oxymel, squills and laudanum.
  If the fever has symptoms of typhus, with prostration of strength,
give wine whay with hart-horn, warm wine, snake-root, and opi-
um, especially to old people.

                         TREATMENT.

  In the course of the treatment give snake-root, or snake-bite so
called, thoroughwort,  motherwort, and  sorrel teas, &c.   If the
symptoms run high,  in either cr-•■■?,, blistering may be used to ad-
vantage, also mustard draft.-; to the feet will be found good.
  Warm drinks should always be used, and in advanced  stages
you must give the fever solution, snake-root tea,  &c.
             V      COMMON COLDS.

  A common  cold is produced by  suppressed  perspiration, and
will be easily cured by causing the perspiration again to return to
the  surface, or the patient will be free as soon as equable perspi- 
156         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

ration is agian restored.   Abstaining from  animal  food, drinking
freely of cold water on going to bed, will some times remove the
cause of a cold;  or tepid  bath-herb drinks, as  hoarhound, moth-
erwort, flax-seed and tansy teas.   Laying  in bed late in the mor-
ning will commonly loosen a cold.
  If symptoms are the same as in influenza, or if the symptoms
run high, treat as laid down in influenza.
                 THRUSH, OR  CANKER.

  The mouth becomes redder than usual, tongue swelled and rough,
white specks or spots invade the palate, almonds of the ear, and
inside of the cheeks, gums and jaws.  The disease sometimes
spreads  to the stomach and bowels, and  they also frequently dis-
appear in a day or two, and then return again.  But this is mora
favorable than to have the first crop continue.
  While the spots remain white or yellow, and the space between
them are of a florid red,  and moist, there is no danger.  But if
there is  hickup, oppression, pain in the stomach, and sense of sup-
puration, and the spots turn brown or black, great prostration of
Strength, &c,  it is nearly allied to malignant quinsy, and should
be treated as ruch.
                        TREATMENT.

  Emetics of ipicac, gentle laxatives of manna,  rhubarb, oil, and
emollient clysters, and touch the spots with  borax and cream.—
Apply also  the frog ointment to the affected part; also use crane's-
bill, slippery elm, and rose leaf teas; golden seal, and gold thread ,
made  into a wash and sweetened with honey.    (**
  If the stomach and  bowels seem much affected, a powder of
borax, nut galls, chalk and charcoal; equal parts and ground fine.
Five or six  grains of this  may be taken every four hours, and oft-
ener if it does not produce costiveness.   If the strength fails, give
% 
DISEASES.
15T
wine whay, nourishing food, canker-root, oak  bark and  allum,
bass-wood; and upland violets, are all useful in a course of this
disease.
  There is a chronic kind of Ganker which yields to emetics, ca-
thartics, and such simple remedies without the use of other means
to remove the cause.
                      CONSUMPTION.

                         SYMPTOMS.

   Regular consumption begins with a short  dry cough, so slight
 as to become habitual before it excites the attention of the patient.
 The breathing is more easily hurried by bodily motion, the patient
 becomes languid, and indolent, and gradually loses his strength,
 the  pulse becomes small, soft  and quicker than usual.  At length
 from some fresh exciting cause, the cough becomes more consid-
 erable, and is particularly troublesome during the night, the breath-
 ing  more anxious,  sense of straightness and  oppression of the
 chest is experienced, and a raising from the lungs of a frothy mu-
 cus, and is most considerable in the morning,  afterwards becoming
 more copious and opake.   The breathing becomes  more  difficult,
 the emaciation and weakness go on increasing, pain  arises in soma
 part of the chest, at first, generally under the breast bone, but as
 the disease advances, it is felt in one or both sides, is increased by
 coughing and is sometimes so  acute as to prevent the patient from
 lying down on the affected side.  The face now begins to flush
 and  the pulse  becomes quick and hard, the urine is high colored
 and deposits a briny sediment,  the palm of the  hands and soles of
 the feet  are affected with burning heat,  the tongue, from being
 white, is preturnaturally clean and red, the matter  raised is now
 like  that from a boil,  dull white, or turned of yellow and green;
all the symptoms are increased towards evening, and the fever as-
sumes the hectic form. 
158        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

   Hectic fever has two exacerbations in a day, the first about noon
and is inconsiderable, and is  soon followed by a remission, the
other in the evening, which gradually increases till after midnight.
Each exacerbation is commonly preceded by chills and is termin-
ated by a profuse perspiration, and the  urine deposites a sediment.
The appetite often now amends, the white of the eyes  assume a
clear pearl color, during the rise of the fever a red  spot appears
on each cheek, at other times the face is  pale and dejected, food
is vomited up, a diarrhoea comes on and gradually and  generally
alternates with drenching sweats, the  emaciation is extreme, the
countenance sunk, the  cheeks  prominent, the  eyes hollow and
languid, the nails are hooked, the feet and legs swell, thrush in
the throat; still the appetite remains entire, and the patient flat-
ters himself with  hopes of recovery, and  is sanguine in calcula-
tions of future usefulnessand happine.-s, when death with his sly
and  invisible step, comes in and forces the spirit to yield up  its
tenement of clay.

                           CAUSES.

   Hereditary  predisposition, marked  by  long  neck,  prominent
shoulders, narrow chest,  slender finges, scrofulous  constitution,
known by fine clear skin, fair hair, delicate rosy complexion, large
veins, thick upper lip, weak voice and  great sensibility.   Caused
also by other diseases, such as  bleeding at  the lungs, pleurisy,
catarrh, asthma, kings-evil, venerial diseases, measles and small
pox, the dust of certain  trades, as that of stone-cutting, milling,
&c, fumes  of  burning poisonous metals, intemperance, profuse
evacuations,  natural  or artificial, depressing passions,  damps,
colds, &c.
                         TREATMENT.

   In the first stages give an emetic and cathartic, and if it assumes
a hectic form, give the fever solution and fever powders, and make
general use of  expectorant medicines, such as the  blood-root 
DISEASES.                      150
 tincture, wild turnip, &c.  If the disease proves obstinate, apply
 blisters or setons to the affected parts;  likewise give fox-glove in
 tincture, beginning with 6 drops, and increase the dose to 25 drops.
 Give the fox-glove in an infusion of gentian, to  be given from 3
 to 4 times a day.   If the patient is  costive make use of the thor-
 oughwort  pills in small  doses, sufficient to regulate the bowels;
 keep the bowels loose, but not run the patient into a diarrhoea.
   If the cough is dry and obstinate, make a constant use of mu-
 cillaginous drinks, such as slippery  elm and sassafras twigs, gum
 arabic, &c, and in all stages of the  consumption make use of bal-
 sam toiu in paregoric.  Mix equal parts of balsam and elixer par-
 egoric, take for a dose twice a day, one teaspoon full morning and
 evening; likewise for a change, make use of a solution of danda-
 lion root, blue flag-root, and essence of annis; and make a tea for
 the patient, of fever-root, or commonly called crawly, and black
 snake-root;  likewise put into the tea,  hyssop and fever bush: make
 constant use of this tea, and. also give barley coffee to support and
 nourish the patient.
   All of the medicines above mentioned for the consumption  you
 will find compounded, or  the manner to prepare and mix for use,
 in the following index:—
   1st. Take 1 ounce wild turnip, 1 ounce licorice stick, \  ounce
 farunna, h lobelia, compound and make fine; then take a teaspoon
 full of the  above composition and add to it a teacup full of boiling
 water and let it stand and settle, .then turn it off and add 2 grains
 of soda and  it is fit for use.   Take  as laid down, or as directed
 above for the disease.  Dose, 1 teaspoon full in three hours; if
 fever runs high give oftencr.

                    BLOOD-ROOT TINCTURE.

  Take of blood-root 1 ounce, cattail flag-root 2 ounces, and 2 oz.
of selendine, pound and steep it in cold water, say 1 pt. of water;
then add 1  gill of gin, after straining the roots from the water; 
VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.
then add 4 ounces of honey, and it is fit for use.  Use as recom.
mended heretofore.   Dose, 1 teaspoon full; three times a day if
the cough is dry.

                       FEVER  POWDER.

   Take 1 ounce ipicac, 1 oz.  wild turnip, 1-6 oz. farana, J ox.
lobelia, \  oz. camphor gum, make fine and compound, and add
k oz. of soda.   Dose, 1 grain; once in 6 hours when the fever is
on.  Use  all the above as is laid down  in lung complaints.

                    DANDALION SOLUTION.

   Take 8 oz. dandalion-root, 2 oz. blue flag-root, pound and steep
in 1 quart of water, then strain  and add to it 1 pt. of gin, and j
ounce of essence of annis.  Dose, 1 table-spoon full; take three
times a day.
                SYRUP FOR THE CONSUMPTION.

   Take 2 oz. of spikenard, 2 oz. black snake-root, 2 oz. hyssop,
2 oz. garden colts-foot, 2 oz.  skunk cabbage, 2  oz. gill-growover-
the-ground, 2 oz. bark of Jerusalum, 2 oz. life-root, 1 oz. of bitter
sweet; take one fourth part of the above and add to it 3 qts. water,
and boil down to 1 pt., and strain and sweeten with honey.  Dose,
half wine glass; take three times a day before eating.

                         TAR  SYRUP.

   Take 4 table-spoons full of tar. h lb. honey, the yelk of four
eggs, beat all together, and add  to it 1 pt. of good port wine, shake
well together and put into it 2 oz. of spikenard cut in slices, green
roots if they can be procured.   Dose, 2 table-spoons full; take
three times a day.  This is an  excellent medicine, but should not
be given in fever. 
Diseases.
161
                         BEEF TEA,

  Take 1 lb. fresh beef sliced fine, 4 oz. garlic dried and pulver-
ized, add water and boil until the strength of the beef aad garlics
is all out, then strain and add a trifle of salt.  Let the patient take
a table-spoon full once in three hours during the day.
  The medicines heretofore  laid down for consumption seldom
fail of affecting a cure;  but should it fail, you can say that the
patient is incurable, or that it requires a power superior to that of
man, to save him from the arms of death.
  Should the patient die after you have faithfully tried the means
as above laid down, you can feel the consciousness of having dis-
charged your duty to the patient, both as a physician and christian,
and, that it was the will of God that death should put a stop to his
earthly career.
             BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS,

  Coughing up florid frothy blood, heat and pain in the chest, ir-
ritation  in  the windpipe, saltish taste in  the  mouth.  Carefully
avoid heat, and every kind of exertion and agitation, cool drinks
should be used constantly, and take a table-spoon full of salt, and
repeat it if necessary.  Sugar of lead, one grain, and one grain of
opium, is a guard against bleeding at the lungs.   Foxglove with
laudanum 24 drops,  three times a day.  And light bleeding in th«
arm is good, if the pulse is sharp and quick,
  Also give a tea made of harvest flowers; and also take one tea-
spoon full of gum amoniac, put it into equal paris of vinegar, wa-
ter and  honey, so as to make a teaspoon full  of the composition.
Dose, 1 teaspoon full four times a day.
11 
 102        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                   DROPSY.   (Abdomen.)

   Dropsy in the abdomen is readily known by an abatement of
 appetito,.scanty urine, thirst, shortness of breath, fever, general
 lassitude, with swelling and fluctuation of the abdomen.
   This is  sometimes  mistaken for pregnancy; but if doubt re-
 mains on the subject, a few weeks will decide the matter and do-
 velope the  true state of the case.
                            CAUSES,

   All forms of dropsy may arise from the following causes, viz:
 Excessive drinking, poor diet, protracted intcrmittents, tumors of
 the abdominal viscera, violent  inflammations, and whatever may
 occasion too free a secretion  by the absorbing vessels.

                         TREATMENT.

   The treatment must of course vary according to circumstances
 in this as in other diseases.    But if taken in time, it is easily cured.
 Even in the worst stages, a cure is not to be despaired of.  When
 the disease comes on suddenly, and the patient is young and strong,
 there is great reason to hope for a cure, especially if  the follow-
 ing prescriptions are a attended to:—But  if the patient be old;
 has led an irregular life, or if there be reason to suspect the liver,
 lungs, ovary, or any of the viscera, are unsound or diseased, thero
 is great reason to fear that the consequence will prove fatal.  Ab-
 scesses, livid spots  on the  thighs, the body emaciated, the  coun-
 tenance  pale and a cadaverous aspect, are harbingers of death.
 And when there is not strength enough in the system to assist tha
operation of medicine, there is indeed less hope.
                          THE CURE

   Wholly consists in evacuating the waters which  are gathered,
and in preventing their collecting for the  future.  To promote 
DISEASES.
163
this end, cathartics, detergents, emetics, &c, and as a last resort,
tapping, but avoid this if possible.
  The patient must abstain as much as possible  from all drinks,
especially weak and watery liquors,  and must quench thirst with
mustard whey or acids, as juice of lemons, oranges, sorrel, elixer
vitriol and the like.   His aliment ought to be of a dry, stimulating
quality, as toasted bread, the flesh of birds or wild animals roast-
ed, pungent and arromatic vegetables, as garlics, mustard, onions,
horse radish, smellage, &c.   He may also eat  hard biscuit dipped
in wine and  brandy.   This is  not only nourishing but tends to
quench thirst.   Some have been actually cured of this disease by
total abstinence from all liquids; this, however, is not always ad-
visable.
   Exercise is of the greatest importance in the dropsy;  if the pa-
tient is able to walk, ride,  or the like, he ought to continue these
exercises as long as he can.   His bed ought to be hard, and his
appartment dry and warm.   In a word, every method should  be
taken to promote perspiration, and  brace the solids.  For this pur-
pose it will likewise be proper to rub the patient's body two or
three times  a day with a cloth or a flesh brush.
  In the treatment of the dropsy, we should first ascertain whether
the disease  is an original or a sympathetic one, or some other, as
by removing the cause, we shall be  enabled to remove the effect
also, and thus perform the cure.  For example—
  If the  dropsy shall have arisen in consequence of intemperance,
exposure to moist or damp  air, profuse bleeding; or, if it has pro-
ceeded  from long  continued obstruction of the abdomen, chest,
viscera, &c. the removal of these will be the best indication of a
cure.  Our next duty will be, to evacuate the serous fluid already
collected; to strengthen the blood and restore the tone of the con-
stitution generally.

             MEDICINE TO BE USED FOR TEH DROPSY.

  If the patient is  young,  his constitution good, and  the disease 
164         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

has come on  suddenly, it may generally be removed by strong
emetics and brisk purges, such as gamboge and rheubarb; also
blueflag made into a tea and given  in small doses, will bring away
large  quantities of water.  The diuretics should be of the warmest
and most stimulating kind, as foxglove, artichoke leaves, garlics,
horse-radish, occ. any thing of a cooling or relaxing nature is hurt-
ful.
  After the first evacuation, if there is any prospect of overcom-
ing the disease without tapping, we should endeavor by all means
to do  so, by a  free use of the most bracing tonics, joined with di-
uretics; for this purpose I have used tonic tincture, and I have ap-
plied  with success a poultice made of mustard, horse-radish and
spikenard, to the feet, legs and bowels.   Much may be expected
from these, and they should  not be omitted in any case.
  Take of dry dwarf elder roots 8 ounces, of the bark of sassafras
roots  8 ounces, of prickly ash bark 8 ounces, spice bush 8 ounces,
3 ounces of garlics, 4  ounces of parsley  roots, 4  ounces horse-
radish root, and  4 ounces of black birch  bark.   Boil all in three
gallons of small beer;  then  strain  and drink a gill  three times a
day.
  Another—Make a strong  decoction of dwarf-elder and whito
oak bark; to this decoction,  add a  quantity of gin to suit the dis-
ease,  and take half a pint  three times a day, and it is  necesary to
take it sometimes as often as every hour, until it has the effect to
bring  away a free discharge  of urine.   After this, make a strong
decoction of white oak bark, juniper berries, the leaves of arti-
choke, and burdock seeds; to this, add an equal quantity of gin,
and take a glass three or six  times a day.  And if the patient is
weak, omit the use of salt and dry  food as much as  possible.
  Another—Take of the bark of the bush called  Indian arrow-
bush,  or in Indian, Waa-hoo  8 ounces, green;  add to this two qts.
of water and boil till the strength  is out, then strain and add one
pint of gin and four ounces  of  loaf sugar.  Let the patient take
half a wine glass six times a day, and it will soon  effect a cure. 
DISEASES.
165
 This being of the nature of a cathartic, it shoud be taken until it
 operates powerfully as such, and then take it in smaller quantites
 in order to operate in the blood.
   This noted medicine that is in so high estimation for consump-
 tion, and is called Waa-hoo, is one of the  best of medicines  for
 dropsy,  when prepared as above directed.  It  is a medicine that
 I have used for years—it can be found on the flats of the Genesee
 river, and also in Ohio, Michigan, and in all the Southern states.
 It grows much like the barbary bush, the berry is red when ripe,
 and are three in a cluster, generally.
   Another—Drink tar water twice a day; that alone has cured
 many; so have juniper berries, roasted and made into a coffee,
 sinrlar  to other coffee; or take senna, cream of tartar and jalap,
 half an ounce of each; mix them and take a drachm  every mor-
 ning and evening.  It generally cures in 20 days.  Doct. Ward
 says, it seldom fails in a watery or windy dropsy.
   Or, drink freely of a decoction made of  the tops of oak bows.
 This cured an inveterate dropsy in fifteen days after  the patient
 commenced the use of it.
   A word to  the afflicted.   If you make a  fair trial of the reme-
 dies as above  laid down for dropsy, and they  all fail; you may
 make up your mind to suffer with the disease until death relieves
you:  For most assuredly if these medicies prove  inefficacious,
your physician's skill will avail you nothing.
                DROPSY OF  THE  CHEST.

  This is difficult of detection.  It has, besides those common to
dropsy, local symptoms, such as difficulty of breathing, aggravated
by exertion or lying down; a sense of weight or oppression at the
pit of the stomach; starting from sleep, cough, livid color of  the
lips, palpitation and irregularity of the pulse; and in the latter sta-
ges, the expectoration is frequently tinged with blood. 
166        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  This is incurable, and all that friends can do is to keep tho pa-
tient comfortable.  Give physic and  keep the bowels open, and
relieve the pain by opitates.  The doctor will tell you he can euro
the  patient, and will  stick by till  the disease  gives off—and tht
patient goes off with it.
                  UNIVERSAL  DROPSY.

  The universal  dropsy generally begins with a swelling of tha
feet and ancles towards night, which for some time, disappears in
the morning.   In the evening, the parts if pressed with the finger,
will leave a pit.
  The swelling gradually ascends and  occupies the trunk of tha
body, the arms and head.  Afterwards the breathing becomes dif-
ficult, the urine is small in quantity, and the thirst great; the body
is bound and  the  perspiration is greatly obstructed; to these suc-
ceed torpor, heaviness, a slow wasting fever and a  tickling cough
which is very troublesome.   This last symptom is  indicative of a
fatal result, for it plainly shows the lungs to be affected.

                         REMEDIES.

  Take artichoke leaves three hands full; bruised juniper berries
one pint;  scraped horse-radish, one  handful; green fir tops two
hands full; and bruised mustard seed, two table-spoons full.  Mix
and steep, in two  gallons of water—down  to one.  Dos t for an
adult, half a pint morning and evening.
  No. 2.  Make a tea  of dwarf elder-roots, for daily drink, and
continue it thirty days.
  No. 3. Make a strong decoction of milk-weed roots and  drink
a wine glass full three times a day.
   No. 4.  Make a decoction of white clover flowers.  Drink freely
   No. 5.  Take masterwort root, half an ounce; and the  bark or 
DISEASES.
i6i
 fiower of dogwood, 1 oz.; infuse in a bottle of cider and drink freely*
   No. 6.  Take a handful of the ashes of wormwood, infuse in a
 pint of gin.   Drink freely.  Dose, half wine glass fulh
   No. 7.  Take four ounces each, of fennel seed, juniper berries,
 and orange peel;  simmer in water; strain and add gin to keep it*
 Dose, a wine glass three times a day.
   No. 9.  Take half a pound each, of  horseradish and parsley;
 two ounces of Virginia snake root; half a pound of white oak bark;
 half an ounce of the rust of iron. Put the whole with two gallons
 of cider into a stone jug,  and stop tight.  Let it digest over a fire
 for twenty-four hours;  then strain and bottle up tight.  Dose, half
 a wine glass three times a day.
   No. 8,  Take a handful of rose willow bark; a peck of dry ches-
 nut leaves; boil in five quarts of water—down to two.   Add a tea-
 spoon full of sulphur.  Dose, a teacup  full three  times a day.
   No. 9.  Boil one ounce of Seneca snake root, to three gills, and
 strain.  Give a table  spoonful every hour till  the whole is used
 up, which will wholly or partly carry off the water.  After which,
 give  the following: Rust of  iron, one ounce, motherwort  root,
 fine, half an ounce; and ginger, half an ounce; all made fine and
 mixed for powder.   Dose, a  teaspoon  full three times a day, in
 molasses.
  No. 11. Take one pint of bruised mustard seed; two hands full
of bruised horseradish; 8 ounces of lingumvitse; and four ounce*
 Indian hemp root.   Infuse in seven quarts of hard cider, and let
it simmer on hot ashes till reduced to four  quarts.  Dose, a  wine
glass  three times a day.  Rust of iron may be added.
  Apply hot stimulating drafts to the feet and legs, as horse-rad-
ish, mustard seed, cayenna pepper, &c.
                DROPSY OF THE BRAIN.
  This  disease is not only difficult to manage, but very painful
and distressing on the unhappy sufferer on whom it makes its at- 
163         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

tack.   The majority of these  cases are incurable.   The diseasf
takes a bold stand on the scnsorium—the seat of knowledge—and
in a short time deprives its vietim of the use of reason.

                          CAUSES.

  In adults it is produced by  long continued study, severe  colds,
inflammation of the  brain, by heavy  blows on the  head, violent
passions, &c; but with regard to young children,  it is not unfre-
quently caused by teething.  Irritation, affecting the nervous sys-
tem and brain, is liable to produce this complaints

                         SYMPTOMS.

  A dull pain in the head, with some  fever, beginning with light
paroxysms of distress; perhaps two within twenty-four hours, and
every day increasing—veins in the eyes  begin to look red, with
dull drowsiness and delirium—countenance pale—cheeks begin to
be prominent—face and head somewhat bloated—paroxysms great-
ly increased—eyes begin to look heavy, languid and dull—the pu-
pil or sight of the eye, begins to dilate and expand—the balls turn
inward, towards the corner, as though squinting, and soon regu-
late  again—the  tongue becomes  fumbling and articulation din-
cult.—These symptoms denote the  last stage of tho complain*,
as well as the last stage of life.

                         TREATMENT.

  In treating these cases, apply blisters  to the head and  neck,
leaches to the temples, cupping, and mustard poultices to the feet.
Some physicians have gone so far as  to tap the head in these ca-
ses; but as I do not profess surgery, I would wish to be excused
from operating. 
DISEASES.                     169
                      RHEUMATISM.

  Chills, followed by heat and fever, with hard, full, and quick
pulse;  obstinate  costiveness; after  one,  two, or  three days, tu-
mour and pain, with inflammation,  attack »ne or more joints, and
they become extremely tender to the touch; tongue white;  urine
high colored; and sometimes profuse sweating without relief.  In
rheumatism the pain shoots.
  Rheumatism  often runs into a chronic state;  the fever abates,
and the pain or soreness continue.  Sometimes chronic rheumatism,
is not preceded by acute pain.

                           CAUSES,

  Obstructed perspiration; damp rooms; damp linen; exposure*
to cold after exercise,  &c.   When the patient is first attacked with
this complaint, make use  of  a lie brine, and bathe the parts affec-
ted until the pain is removed.  It should be applied as hot as can
be borne, and by this method a general action is produced.
  If the fever runs high the  bath may be cool, but  if numbness and
cold  affects the parts, the  bath must be hot.  Then give a portion
of Indian physic.  If this does not remove the complaint, take as
much lobelia, pulverized, as will lie on the point of a penknife,
three times a day, for nine days.  This will produce a general sal-
livation throughout the system—open obstructions—-produce a gen-!
oral action, and  cure the  patient.
  To prevent a  relapse.   Make a syrup of burdock roots,  nettle
roots, queen of  the meadow roots, and life root; of each two oz.
Boil  them in one gallon of water, down to one quart.   Then strain,
and when cold, add one pint of good rum  and two gills of molass-
es.   Drink a glass morning  and evening about two hours  before
eating.
  Another.—Mix gum guaiacum in powder, with honey.   Take
two or three teaspoons full, or as much as you can  bear without 
 176-        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

.purging, twice or three times a day.  "This," said John Wesley*
 "is the best medicine I ever met with for chronic rheumatism."
   Another.—Dissolve one ounce of gum guaiacum in three oun-
ecs of spirits of wine.  Take six drops on  loaf sugar two or three
times a day.
   Or, mix flour of sulphur with honey, in equal quantities.  Taka
three table-spoons full at  night and one in the morning,  for one
night only, and afterwards  take half that quantity.   It seldom fails
of curing in a  few days.
   Or, says.Burlinggame, take black wasps nest,putin cold water,
and let the strength soak out.   Then  let the patient drink a gill
every hour, for four hours.  Then give  a portion of Culver'i
physic.
   Another.—Burn the bark of white oak to ashes, put one gill into
one quart of whiskey, and take half a wine glass 6 times a day.
   Or, steep queen of the meadow root in new milk, until strong,
and drink three glasses a day.  This is good for flying rheuma-
tism,  and is thought by may to be a sure remedy.
   But the great and sovereign remedy for all rheumatic complaints,
says Burton, is to go into  cold baths three times  a day, for three
days; then skip three.   Repeat this for nine mornings in success-
ion.   This, he says,  will generally effect a cure.
   Let the patient at  the first appearance of day light,  put ofF his
shirt and wrap himself in  a blanket and plunge  into cold water.
Then come out, wrap in a dry blanket, go  to bed  and lay an hour
or so, and he will find himself much relieved after repeating this
a few times.  r
  It will  be recollected that this is not the author's prescription,
but that of Doct. Barton; nevertheless it is good, and  should bs
thought worthy of attention.
                           SYRUP.

  Take one ounce of angelica;  one ounce of masterwort; one ok.
of life root; two ounces of dwarf elder; two ounces of spikenard; 
DISEASES.
171
one ounce queen of the meadow; one ounce burdock seeds; ona
ounce of one-berry or  squaw  berry.   Add  to  this, one  gallon
of water and  boil down to one quart.   Then strain and add half
a pint of brandy, and half a pound of loaf sugar, and it is fit for
use.   Dose, a wine glass three limes a day, fasting.
            INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATISM,

                           CAUSED.

   Obstructed perspiration;  exposure to sudden cold from ex'trema
heat, such as leaving a warm stove room and going into the cold
air,  which obstructs perspiration and causes the cold to affect tha
system, and eventually settles in various parts.  Sometimes it be-
gins in the shoulders; sometimes in the wrists, knees, and other
parts of the body and limbs.
   It is attended with great inflammation, and often causes a con-
traction of the tendons.   The joints enlarge.  Sometimes the skin
of the inflamed joints swell to that degree, that the patient feels as
if it would burst.  These symptoms are attended with acute pain.
   The author can show the effects of  this disease in his  hands,
feet and other parts of his body.

           REMARKS AND REMEDIES BY THS AUTHOR,

   I have been troubled  with this disease,  and have had it as hard,
perhaps,  as ever  a man did  and live.  For four years I suffered
to that degree, which rendered life almost a burthen to me.   I em-
ployed the most eminent physicians,  and  they, probably,  tested
their skill to the utmost; but it wa3 to no effect.   Even the cele*
brated Doctor White failed in his efforts to give me relief.   I had
given up  all expectation of being cured; when fortunately I heard 
17?        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

of a man who professed to cure many diseases with  electricity;
and, as a last resort, I applied to him,   1 did so I assure you, with
but little faith in  his ability to relieve me;  but strange as it may
appear, the electricity effected a cure in eight weeks from the first
application of it.  The electricity subdued the inflammation, caus-
ed free perspiration, and removed the pain and soreness in the
affected limbs.
                          REMEDIES.

   I  shall first recommend to you the use of electricity.   This I
consider almost infallible.   It is used by passing shocks through
the affected parts; also use insolation.   This frequently effects a
oure without  the  aid  of medicine;  although medicine is always
good—such as caster oil, and any mild cathartic.   After you have
commenced the use of electricity, give teas, made of life root and
angelica; and if fever runs high, give  fever solution.   Also give
tea made of winter's bark, burdock seeds and black cohash, Some-
times bleeding and blistering is good; also  cooling  ointment u
good.  But you must keep  the patient where the cold air  does not
stike him, and make constant use of teas of a cooling kind.
  .Above all things use the  electricity, for I know from experience,
it  is the  best thing known and in  use,  for  this complaint.  It h
worthy of a high  place among the remedies for this afflicting dis-
ease, and should be used by every physician in our land.  But it
is  neglected;  and the reason that I assign for it is, that it  requires
more work than they  like to perform.
                           GOUT.
                         SYMPTOMS.

  Pain in the joints; sometimes it begins in tho great toe, ancles,
legs, hands and feet; in short, it is subject to all the small joints,
returning at intervals.  Previous to the attack the  functions of 
DISEASES.                      ITS
the stomach are muoh disturbed, with dejection of spirits, coldness
and numbness of the extremities,  cramp, &c.  The attack comes
on about midnight; subsides in the morning; patient falls asleep
and when he awakes, finds his limbs  badly swollen, but apparent-
ly comfortable  till in the night again, when his  distress returns,
but goes off in the morning.
  The pain during the paroxysms imitates almostevery species of
torture.  This  is  regular gout, for which much  may be done to
very little purpose.  Lambskin slippers and gloves with the wool
turned inwards, and worn constantly, may be of use; and a regu-
lar life must always be observed.  Use Welch linement; bathe the
joints in strong laudanum  made hot.   Wrap the affected limb or
joint in flannel, and keep it constantly wet with the hot laudanum.
Make constant use of cooling, cleansingteas; such as will cleanse
the blood and give tone to the organs of life.   Likewise use the
frog ointment.   But the preventative is better than the cure, there-
fore I would recommend to all, the sure preventative of regular
and temperate  habits.

                        A TONIC GOUT.

  Is when in a gouty patient  there  is  all tho symptoms, except
the pain and inflammation  in the joints, viz: Nausea, vomiting,
palpitation  of the heart, giddiness, low spirits, and other nervous
affections.
                         TREATMENT.

  Avoid all the  causes of debility;  moderate exercise, animal food,
good wine bitters, wearing flannel, blisters on the  extremities, &c.
is good.
  Misplaced Gout—Is when the inflammation first? instead of ths
great toe, takes hold  of some vital part; as tho lungs, heart, stom-
ach, &c.; for which in strong constitutions  treat as in pleurisy;
in weak ones, as for a tonie gout. 
174
VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
                        DIABETES.

  The diabetes  is a frequent and excessive discharge of urine.
It is seldom to be met with among young people, but often attacki
persons in the decline of life, especially those who follow the moro
violent employments, or have been  hard drinkers in their youth.
  A diabetes may proceed from too great a laxity of the organs
which secrete the urine;  from something that stimulates the  kid-
neys too much, or from a thin, dissolved state  of the blood, which
makes too great  a quantity of it run off by the urinary  passages.
It may be the effect of  acute diseases, or of strong diuretic medi-
cines.
  In a diabetes,  the urine generally exceeds in quantity  all the li-
quid food which  the patient takes.   It is thin and pale, of a sweet-
ish  taste, and an agreeable  smell.  The patient has  a continual
thirst, with some degree of  fever; his  mouth is  dry, and he spits
frequently a  frothy spittle; the strength fails,  the appetite decays
and the flesh wastes away;  till the  patient is reduced to skin and
bones.  There is a heat of  the bowels; and frequently  the loins,
testicles and  feet are swelled.
  This disease may generally be cured at the beginning; but after
it has continued  long, the cure becomes very difficult.   In drunk-
ards and very old people, a perfect cure is not to be expected.
  Every thing that stimulates urinary  passages, or tends to relax
the habit must be avoided.   For this reason the patient should live
chiefly on solid  food, his  thirst  may be quenched with acids, as
lemon juice,  sorrel, or  vinegar.  If any drink be used,  it may ba
lime water, in which a due portion of oak  bark has been macera-
ted; the while decoction,  with  isinglass dissolved in  it, is also a
very proper drink.
  The  patient should  take moderate exercise, but avoid  fatigue,
A warm dry air, the use of the  flesh-brush, and every  thing that
promotes perspiration,  is of service.  For this reason the patient
ought to wear flannel next to his skin; a large strengthening plaster 
DISEASES.
ITS
may bo applied to the back, or what will  answer better, a great
part of the body may be wrapped in plasters.
  Gentle purges, if the patient be not too much weakened by tho-
disease, have a good effect.  They may consist ot rhubarb,  car-
damom seed, or any other spices, infused in wine, and may be ta-
ken in such quantity as to keep the body gently open.
  The patient next must have recourse to astringents  and  cor-
roborants, half a drachm of powder made of equal parts of alum
and the inspisated  juice, commonly called terraj'aponica, may be
taken four times a  day, or oftener if the stomach will bear it.
  The alum must  first be melted in a crucible,  afterwards  they
may both be pounded together.  Along with every dose  of this
powder, the patient may take a tea cupful of the tincture of roses.
  If the patient's stomach cannot bear the alum in substance, yott
may make  whey of it, and take it in doses of a teacup full three
or four times a day.   The alum whey is prepared by  boiling two
quarts of milk over a slow fire, with three drachms of alum, un-
til the curd separates.
  Opiates are of service in this disease, even if the patient  rests
well; they take off spasm and irritation,  and  at the- same  time
lessen the force of  the circulation.  Ten or twelve drops of liquid
laudanum may be taken  in a cup of the patient's drink, three or
four times a day.
  The best corroborants which we know, are the peruvian  bark
and wine.  A drachm of the bark may be taken in a glass of port
or current wine three times a day.  The medicine will be  both
more efficacious and less disagreeable, if fifteen or twenty drops of
the  acid elixer of vitriol be added to each dose.   Such as cannot
take the bark in substance may use the decoction, mixed with au
equal quantity of wine and taken as above.
  I have made frequent use of the harvest flowers and theuviursa
and have found them very beneficial in  this complaint.  Or drink
wine  boiled with ginger, as much, and as often as your strength
will bear. 
176        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA,

               SUPPRESSION OF URINE.

                  CAUSES AND TREATMENT.

  A stoppage of urine  may proceed from various causes, as an
inflammation of the kidneys or bladder, small stones  or  gravel
lodging in the urinary passages, hard foeces lying in the rectum,
pregnancy, a spasm or contraction of the neck of the bladder, &c.
  If the obstructions proceed from inflammation of the kidneys or
bladder, the treatment will be found before described,  Very small
gravel, by getting  down  into the neck of the  bladder, irritate it
so as to produce spasms:  or the gravel maybe so large as totally
to obstruct  the passages: when either of  theso  is the case,  the
cleavers  tea,  with  ten  drops of oil  of pumpkin seed  every two
hours till relief is obtained,  and the passage  opened.   In addi-
tion  to these, a large poultice of bruised onions must be laid over
the lower part of the abdomen.   These will open the passage, re-
lax  the spasms, and give seedy relief.  If hard fceces, in the rec-
tum  produces the suppression, they must be removed by clysters.
If there is a stricture of the  urethra from disease, general reme-
dies must be taken to remove the cause.
  Sometimes  an obstruction of urine comes on  in old age or in old
people, who have labored hard, or from strains, which seems to
proceed from  a thickening or enlargement of the prostrate gland
at the neck  of the bladder, or a thickening of the urethra,  from a
humor settling upon that part.  This must be relieved, if at all, by
cleansing syrups, and the above mentioned relaxing diuretics.
  In all inflammatory or spasmodic obstructions, fomentations are
beneficial.  These may consist of decoctions of mild vegetables,
as marsh-mallows, camomile, oats, hops,  &c.   Cloths dipped in
these may be applied  to the part;  or a bladder filled with the warm
decoction may be laid  on; or ihe warm herbs may be put in a
flannel bag and laid on.   If  .13 inflammation is great, use "ano-
dyne wash." 
DISEASES.
177
  In all obstructions of urine, the body ought always to be  kept
open by warm clysters.   The food must be  light and mucilagin-
ous, as weak broths, decoctions of marsh-mallows, cumfrey, &c.
                 GRAVEL AND STONE.

  These diseases are the consequences of a peculiar disposition
of the fluids, and more particularly the secretion of the kidneys,
to form  a calculous matter,  and have been supposed to be owing
to the presence of an acid principle in them, called the uric acid.
This is acompanied with a coldness and laxity of the parts, gen-
erally.
  When small stones are  lodged in the kidneys, or discharged
along with the urine, the  patient is  said to be afflicted with the
gravel.  If one of these stones happens to make a lodgment in the
bladder for some  time, it accumulates fresh matter, and at length
becomes too large to  pass off with the urine.  In this case the pa-
tient is said to have the stone.
                           CAUSES.

  The stone  or gravel may be occasioned by high living, or the
use of astringent wines; drinking hard water; a sedentary life;
lying too hot, soft, or too much on the back; the constant use of
water impregnated with earthy or stony particles.   It may like-
wise proceed from an hereditary disposition.  Persons in the de-
cline of life, and those who have been much afflicted with gout or
rheumatism, are most liable to it.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  Small stones or gravel in the kidneys occasion fixed pains in
the  loins, sickness, vomiting, and sometimes  bloody  urine, and
not unfrequently, a slight  suppession of urine.   When the stone
descends into the ureter, and is too large  to pass along with ease,
                               12 
178        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA,
 all the above symptoms are increased;  the  pain extends towards
 the  bladder;  the thigh and leg of the affected side are benumbed;
 the testicles are drawn upwards, and the urine is obstructed.
   A stone in the bladder is known from the pain at the time, as
 well as before and after  making water; the frequent inclination
 to void urine: the urine coming away by drops,.or stopping sud-
 denly when it is running in a full stream; by a violent pain in the
 bladder upon motion, especially on horseback, or in a carriage on
 a rough road; or from a white, thick, copious, fetid, mucous sed-
 iment in the urine;  from an itching at the top of the penis; from
 bloody urine; from an inclination to  go to  stool during the dis-
 charge of urine; the  patient passing his urine more easily when
 lying than in an erect posture; from sharp pain in passing the
 last drops of urine, from  the gravel being drawn into the mouth
 of the passage.
                            CURE.

   Persons affected with the gravel or stone should avoid all ali-
 ments of a heating or windy nature, as salt meats, sour fruits, &c.
 They may use for diet, such things as tend  to promote  the urine
and  keep  the body open, as asparagus, lettice,  parsely, turnips,
 carrots  and  radishes; also onions,  leeks and celery, which are
 reckoned medicinal; together with mucilaginous vegetables, as par-
 sley, marsh-mallows,  liquorice, flaxseed and slippery elm.
  To prevent a return, equal quantities of lime-water and butter-
milk should be drank at meals, and constantly to the quantity of a
 quart a day.  Use also  queen of the meadow, clivas, life root,
 die. in teas.   This will dissolve the stone, and   leave the patient
free.
                       BLOODY URINE.

  This is  a discharge of blood  from the vessels of tho kidneys or
bladder, occasioned from  their being  either enlarged, broken  or
eroded.  It is more or less dangerous  according  to the cause. 
DISEASES.
179
  When pure blood is voided suddenly, without interruption and
without pain, it proceeds from the kidneys; but if the blood be
in small quantity, of a dark color, and emitted with heat and pain
about the bottom of the belly, it proceeds from the bladder.  When
bloody urine is occasioned by a  rough stone descending from the
kidneys to the bladder, which wound the ureter,  it is attended with
a sharp pain in the  back, and difficulty of making water.  If the
coats of the bladder are  hurt by a stone, and the bloody urine fol-
lows, it is attended with  most acute pain and the  previous stoppage
of urine.
  Bloody urine may also be occasioned by falls, blows, hard rid-
ing, or any violent  motion.   It may  also proceed  from ulcers of
the  bladder, from chordee, and sharp diuretic medicines, particu-
larly cantharides.
  If mixed with purulent matter, it shews pti ulcer somewhere in
the urinary passages.    Sometimes this discharge  proceeds  from
excess of blood, in which case it is salutary.  If the disease, how-
ever, be great, it may waste the  patient's strength, and occasion
dropsy, or a consumption.
  The treatment of this disorder must be directed to the cause.
When owing to the stone, we must endeavor to remove that.  If
attended with symptoms  of inflammation, mild purgatives and cool-
ing diuretics, as cleavers, are proper.  If it proceeds from a dis-
solved state of the blood, it is commonly the  symptom of some ma-
lignant disease, as  putrid fever, small pox, &c;  in which case
warming  and bracing tonics are required, together with wine,
acids, &c  If from an ulcer in  the kidneys, cleansing and heal-
ing  medicines, as the  anti mercurial teas; or tincture of  lobelia;
queen of the meadow;  "balsam of'life,'7 balsam of fir; marsh-mal-
lows,  liquorice, &c
  If the case be urgent, gentle  astringents may be ventured on,
as lime-water,  rose-water, sweet-bugle; or if necessary, giving
tonics at the same time.
  Also make teas of the leaves of peach trees and use as constant 
180         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
drink, and harvest flower is also one of the best of articles; red
cobush berries infused in water, is also  good to drink, in this com-
plaint.
                         ASTHMA.

   Asthma is a spasmodic disease of the lungs, coming on by par-
oxysms.   Persons in the decline of life are most liable to it.   It is
distinguished into the moist and dry: the former is attended with
expectoration, or spitting; but in the latter  the  patient seldom
spits, unless sometimes a  little tough phlegm, by mere force of
coughing.  Asthma is either periodical or continual.
   The cause of a continued asthma is a compression of the  lungs
by a serum or dropsy in the breast, empyema, corpulence,  adhe-
sion of the lungs to the  pleura:  in a word, by whatever compress-
es the lungs, impedes the circulation of the blood through  them,
or prevents their being  duly expanded by the air.
   The cause of a periodical asthma is a compression of the ves-
sels  and  air cells of the lungs, owing to slow fumes, or an acid
gas, arising from fermentation in a foul stomach, and  which im-
pedes the course of the nervous influence into the lungs, leaving
an insufficiency of vital heat to distend the vessels to their  usual
extent.   This  may come from a bad conformation of the chest,
straitening the  lungs too much; also exposure to cold easterly
winds, sudden change of air, foggy weather, &c.   The immediate
cause of  the asthma is a spasmodic constriction, or irritation of
the organs of respiration.

                         SYMPTOMS.

   An asthma is known  by a quick, laborious breathing, which is
generally performed with a kind of wheezing noise.  Sometimes
the difficulty of breathing is so great that the patient is obliged to 
DISEASES.
181
keep in an erect posture, night as well as day, otherwise he is in
dager of being suffocated.  A fit of the asthma generally comes
on after  exposure to cold, easterly winds, damps, fogs, wet feet,
eating indigestible food, &c.
  The paroxysm is commonly ushered in with listlessness, want
of sleep; hoarseness, a cough, belching of wind,  heaviness about
the  breast, and difficulty of breathing.  To these succeed fever,
heat,  pain in the head, sickness, nausea, great oppression of the
breast, palpitation of the heart, a weak, and sometimes intermitting
pulse, an involuntary flow of tears, bilious vomiting, &c.  All
these  symptoms grow  worse  towards night; the patient is easier
when up than in bed, and is very desirous of cool air.

                          REGIMEN.

  The food ought to be easy of digestion, solid, and nourishing-
all windy things are to be avoided.  The body sould be kept warm,
and particularly the feet, which should be kept dry, and perspira-
tion promoted.   Nothing is of so great importance in the asthma
as pure and moderately wann air.   Asthmatic people can seldom
bear either the close, heavy air of a large town, or the sharp keen
atmosphere of a bleak hilly country: a medium, therefore, between
these is to be chosen.
  Exercise  is likewise of very great  importance in the asthma, as
it promotes  the digestion, greatly assists in  the preparation of the
blood, and helps to  prevent the accumulation of the serum in the
chest.  The blood of asthmatic persons is seldom duly prepared,
lacking oxygen, owing to the  proper action  of the lungs being im-
peded.
                          REMEDIES.

  During the paroxysm the  body is generally bound;  a purging
clyster, with a solution of  assafoetida, ought therefore to be ad-
ministered, and if there be occasion, repeat it.  The patient's feet 
 182         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 and legs  ought to be immersed in warm water, and  afterwards
 rubbed with  a warm  hand or dry cloth.  If there be  a violent
 spasm about  the breast  or stomach, warm fomentations, or blad-
 ders filled with warm milk and water, may be applied to the part
 affected, and warm cataplasms to the soles of the feet.  The patient
 must drink freely of diluting liquors, and may take a teaspoon full
 of the tincture of castor and saffron mixed  together  in a cup of
 valerian  tea, twice or thrice a day.  Other anti-spasmodics,  as
 foxglove,  stramonium tincture, lady-slipper, skunk-cabbage, &c.
 may be given.  Vomits  must not be neglected as they often snatch
 the patient, as it were, from the jaws of  death; among  these lo-
 belia is peculiarly  serviceable, cutting up the phlegm, and giving
 instant relief.   Blood root is also good.
  In the moist asthma, such things as promote expectoration ought
 to be used.  Mucilaginous, anti-spasmodic, warming and stimula-
 ting medicines, are proper.   Several  excellent preparations for
 this purpose will be found among the recipes.
  A combination  of foxglove and opium has proved highly advan-
 tageous  in spasmodic asthma, when given in  the dose of half a
 grain of each every four or five hours.   In the moist asthma, wild
 turnip with foxglove might be more advisable.
  For the convulsive or nervous asthma,  anti-spasmodics and ton-
 ics are the most proper medicines.  The green drops, in lime wa-
 ter, in proportion of a wine glass to a bottle, and a tablespoon full
 taken three times a day, will rarely fail to relieve.  Every thing
that is bracing to  the nerves or takes off the  spasms, may be  of
 use in a nervous asthma.  The skunk-cabbage is very appropri-
ate to this disease.  Sometimes it is necessary to apply a blister
to the chest, and hen-bane dried and smoked often affords a  great
relief.  A very strong infusion of  roasted coffee is said to  give
case in an asthmatic paroxysm.
  The following  tincture I  can recommend as excellent for the
 asthma:—Take half a pound of quick lime, slack it by turning on
 two quarts of hot water, and while it is slacking and boiling stir in
I 
DISEASES.
183
 two spoons full of tar, and stir them well together, and let it stand
 and settle.  Take half  a pound of wild turnip, half a pound of
 milk weed  roots, fresh,  and a small handfull of lobelia;  bruise
 them and infuse in two quarts of wine; place the whole in a sand
 heat twertty-four  hours, then press and strain, and add to it the
 lime water, and bottle it for use.   Dose, a wine glass three times
 a day.   This is  also  good in  coughs,  consumptions, hysterics,
 cramps, &c.
   Take one third gin, one third molasses, one third sweet oil, or
 oil of almonds, shake  them well together, and take one teaspoon
 full once in three hours, this is an excellent remedy  in this com-
 plaint.
   Another.—Take one gill of sunflower seeds, pound them fine,
 and put them in a pint of gin; this is  also good for the asthma.
 Dose, for an adult half a wine glass; for a child ten years old, one
,teaspoon full, and so on in proportion.
   Another.—Take one tablespoon f«II of skunk-cabbage, pulver-
 ized, and one spoon  full of the leaves of hyssop; half a  gill of
 white nettle seeds.   These are to be steeped in one pint of water
 until the strength is out, strain, and add one large spoon  full of
 the juice of garlics, and put the above articles into one gill of gin
 and add four ounces of honey to preserve it.   Take for a dose half
 a wine  glass morning  and evening.
                   BURNS AND SCALDS.

  Take two thirds of sweet oil, one third spirits of turpentine, ap-
ply this to the burns or scalds  until the fire is out.   If the burn is
bad  and produces  inflammation or fever, apply a  slippery elm
poultice made fine and soft; or a poultice made of roasted onions
and cattail flag roots pounded fine,  are also good, and put sweet oil
over it to prevent sticking.  This  is cooling and good to take out 
184        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

inflammation.  After the  inflammation is subdued, make a saiw
of puff-ball and hog's lard, take equal parts well worked together,
and apply it for a plaster; it never  fails to cure.
                         POISON.

  Every person ought in some measure, to be acquainted with the
nature and cure of poisons.  They are  generally taken into the
stomach unawares, and their effects are often so sudden and vio-
lent, as not to admit of delay.  Happily indeed no great degree of
medical knowledge, is herein necessary.
  The patient should as soon as possible,  after taking poison into
the  stomach, drink large quantities of new milk and sallad oil till
he vomits; or warm water mixed with oil.   Where no oil  is to be
had, butter may be melted and  mixed with milk  or  water; fat
broths are also  proper, provided they can be got ready in time.
These things are to be drank as long as  the inclination to vomit
continues.
  Some have drank eight or ten quarts before the vomiting ceased,
and it is never safe to leave off drinking, while one particle of the
poison remains in the  stomach.                       ,
  These oily or fat substances not only promote vomiting, but al-
so blunt  the acrimony of the poison, and prevents  its wounding
the  bowels.  But if they should not make the patient vomit, a vom-
it must be given.  If tormenting pains are felt in the lower part of
the  abdomen, there is  reason to fear that the poison has got down
to the intestines.  Clyster of milk and oil, &c,  must be very fre-
quently thrown  up, and the patient  must drink emollient decoc-
tions, of marsh-mallows, barleys oat meal, and the like.  He must
also take an infusion of senna and manna, or some other purgative.
  Or, let  one who is  poisoned by arsenic, dissolve  an ounce of
salt of tartar in a pint of water and drink every quarter of an hour
as much as he can, till he is well. 
                        DISEASES.                     185

  Let  one who is poisoned by opium or laudanum, take thirty
drops of elixer vitriol, every quarter of an hour, till the drowsi-
ness or wildness ceases.
  Or, let him take a vomit of ipicac.
  Or,  let him drink vinegar.
  Or,  take a spoon full of lemon juice every half hour.
  Let  one who is poisoned with mercury sublimate, dissolve an
ounce of salt of tartar in a gallon of water and drink largely of it.
This will destroy the force of the poison if it is used soon.
  After the poison is evacuated, the patient ought, for some  time
to live on such things as are of a healing, cooling quality; to ab-
stain from flesh, and all  strong  liquors;  his diet should be milk,
broth,  grel, puddings, &c; his drink should be barley coffee, lin-
seed tea, or any other mucilaginous vegetables.  After the sick-
ness at the stomach has ceased, take a solution  made of lobelia
one  grain, to one teaspoon full of wild turnip; pour on one teacup
full  of boiling water, sweetened with  loaf sugar.   Take one tea-
spoon  full once in four or five hours.
  To work the poison out of the blood, take green ozier made in-
to a  tea, for a constant drink.  Moose misse and sweet fern are al-
so excellent articles.

                   BITE  OF A RATTLE-SNAKE.

  Apply bruised garlics to the part bitten, and rub the wound im-
mediately .with common oil, and salt and water, or take the stalks
and  leaves of  rattle-snake root, sometimes called rattle-snake's
master, and  buise them and apply  to the  part bitten;  and drink a
toa made of the roots.  Above the  part bitten,  bind on the pound-
ed leaves of black ash, or bruise the inner bark which is still bet-
ter, and apply.
  Take gun powder and stir  it into  new milk until it  is thick,
spread it on a cloth and apply it.   The patient should drink no cold
water for twelve hours. 
186         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.
                                                             <
  Or, take plantain and  hoarhound roots and  branches together,
bruse them and squeeze out  the juice, of which give as soon as
possible one large spoon full.   If in an  hour the patient finds no
relief, repeat the dose.   To the part bitten, apply at the same time
a leaf of good tobacco moistened with rum.  Or the bruised herbs.
This is said never to fail.
  Or, take the  leaves of common plantain, put them in  boiling
water for a short time, and then apply them to the part  bitten, at
the same time use a tea made of the same plant, together with a
little Virginia snake-root.

                     A VENOMOUS STING.

  Apply the juice of honeysuckle leaves.
  Or, a poultice of bruised plantain and honey.
  Or, take inwardly one drachm of black currant leaves, powder-
ed, it is an excellent counter-poison.
  For the sting of a  bee, apply honey or Scotch snuff.
  For the sting of a wasp, rub the part with the bruised leaves of
rue;  or apply bruised onions or garlics, molasses, or sweet oil.
  For a sting in the gullet, beat well  together  some honey and
oil, with a  little vinegar, swallow a spoon  full every minute till
ease is obtained.
  For the  sting of any bee, hold  the part that  is stung over the
steam  of hot water  for  a few minutes,  then  apply, some clean
mud, first warmed a little; this will stop the smart and prevent
the swelling.
  Another.—Wash the part that is stung in salt and water, made
very strong.  Garden  celandine, bruised and  applied, is also an
excellent remedy.
                        HYDROPHOBIA.

  When a person is bitten by a mad dog, he should immediately
scrape the  wound well, and dress it with  a solution of salt in wa- 
DISEASES.
18*J
ter;  put a pound of salt into a quart of warter, squeeze, bathe and
wash the wound for an hour; then bind some salt on the wound
for twelve hours.
   Or, use a pickle made with vinegar and salt, and take vinegar
freely either in food or drink.
   Or, take some clean mud spread on  a cloth and bind it on to the
part bitten; change it as often as it becomes warm.
   The medicines recommended  in this alarming disease, to pre-
vent  its bad effects, are chiefly such as  promote the different se-
cretions, and anti-spasmodics.   Take of ash colored ground liver-
wort, cleansed, dried, and powdered, half an ounce; black pepper
powdered, a quarter of an ounce, and divide the powder into four
doses; one of which  must be taken every morning, fasting, for
four mornings, in a pint of new milk, warm, and after two or three
days  repeat the same.
   After taking the four above named doses, the patient must every
morning fasting for a month, go into the cold bath a half a min-
ute, all under water except  his head.   If  the patient should feel
cold and chilly for a long time after coming out of the cold bath,
the water maybe a little warmed.   [See Dr. Mead.]   This is
said never to  fail.
   Take Virginia  snake root in powder, half a drachm; gum assa-
foetida twelve grains; gum  camphor  seven  grains; make these
into pills with a little syrup of saffron.
   Or,  take of purified nitre, half an ounce; snake root powdered,
two drachms; camphor, one drachm; rub them together in amor-
tar, and divide the whole into ten doses.
   Or,  take of rhubarb, blood root, castile soap, of each one ounce;
and half an ounce of  opium; of these make a strong decoction,
and wash the affected part frequently, and at the same time take
a little into the stomach.
   Or, take of the  leaves of rue picked from  the stalk and bruis-
ed, venice treacle or mithridate, and scrapings of pewter,  of  each
four ounces; boil these together in two quarts of ale, till one pint 
133         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

is consumed; keep it in a bottle close stopped.   Nine days  after
the bite, take of it nine spoons full, seven mornings in.succession
and apply some of the ingredients to the part bitten.   It is said to
be infallible.
                        MEASLES.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  Cough, hoarseness, difficulty of breathing, sneezing, sense of
weight in the head, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, dullness of
the eyes, and flow of hot tears running from the nose,  itching of
the face.
  On the fourth day, small red pimples appear, first on the face
and from thence spreading over the whole body;  the pimples hard-
ly elevated above  the skin, but by the touch is found to be a little
prominent.  On the fifth or sixth day they turn brown, and disap-
pear Math the peeling off of the scarf skin.  A diarrhoea cornea
on frequently with the turning of  the measles.

                        TREATMENT.

  Abstain from animal food, light vegetable  diet, a moderately
cool room, temperature to be regulated by the patient's feelings,
carefully guarding against  sudden changes.   Saline purgatives:
solution of cream of tartar, sorrel tea, sweating with warm herb
teas.
  If the  symptoms run high, with pleuritic symptoms, bleed and
blister the chest.   If the eruption suddenly recedes, put the feet
in warm  water; and while  lying  in  bed, apply mustard  paste to
the breast and feet.  Blister between the shoulders.   Warm wine
whey, with hartshorn, and a tea made of Viriginia snake root, &c.
  Hoarseness and cough may be palliated  by bran tea, and flax 
DISEASES.
189
seed teas, after the fever abates.  These symptoms may be reliev-
ed by oxymel of squills, and opium, and also blood root tincture.
And if paleness or purple spots appear, with prostration of strength
and other symptoms of typhus, treat as  in typhus, with cordials,
wines, bark and snake root.
  The best  treatment if fever appears  is, fever solution, and  if
nausea, give saffron, and in all cases give black snake root and
Virginia snake root teas, and when sick at the  stomach give cam-
phor  gum dissolved in warm water; or  hartshorn, say five  drops
of the hartshorn, at any time when faintness appears.
                          MUMPS.

   In  this disease there is a swelling of the paroted gland, which
lies before the ear.  It  is an infectious disease, and  begins with
dullness succeeded by heat, frequent pulse, thirst and head ache.
Very soon a small tumor can be discovered near the angle of the
jaw, which presently increases so that not only the back part of
the cheek, but the side of the neck becomes swelled, and the jaw
stiff.  The swelling gradually abates about the fourth or fifth day,
and the patient soon gets well.
   This is a very  slight disease in general, and nothing more  is
required  than great care that the patient does not take cold.
   The part should be kept moderately warm, by means of a piece
of flannel, the bowels kept regular, and the  patient live on a ve-
getable diet.
                        CHOKING.

  As soon as any person is observed to be choked, and more par-
ticularly children, the obstructing body sould  be felt for with the
finger, at the top of the throat.   'Tis  possible many times to re- 
190        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
move it directly, and sould we fail in this, the puking excited by
the finger frequently removes the offending body.   Food and for-
eign  substances are sometimes lodged in the top of the windpipe,
and produces immediate suffocation;  help in this case must be af-
forded  at the moment by introducing the finger.
   Unless the offending body can be seen, any instrument' is un-
safe, except in the hands of a good surgeon.  Presence of mind
will  enable  any person to do much in all cases of casualty,  and
particularly in this, and the directions above are sufficient.
   The finger, and vomiting which the  finger is sure to produce,
will do much more at the  instant than is commonly thought.
                          FALLS.

  The concussion or shock of a sudden fall from an eminance, is
such as to leave the suffer breathless, and there is often apparent
death,  though no destrution of parts has taken place.   In this case
the  person should be turned to an easy posture of body, and the
air freely admitted, or waved into his face.  Should the breath not
return  the lungs should be filled as in cases of drowning.  A cor-
dial should be given, and the patient should not be bled; simply
because he lias fallen.  Yet symptoms may require it, such as
ojstructed breathing.   Bleeding is of esential service when the
pulse rises, or pain and inflammation comes on.
  In falls from fainting, the head should not be raised or persons
crowd around; a little water sprinkled in the face is commonly suf-
fficient, hartshorn, ether, lavender, &c. may be used.
                        THE EAR.
  Inflammation of the ear is, for the most part, a local  disease,
without fever, but in some instances; the sufferings of the patient
are very great, and the disease assumes a formidable appearance, 
DISEASES.
19%
as stupor, delirium, fever convulsion, and soon a vital termination
has been the consequence.   Pain and inflammation of the ear may
be produced by the causes of-other inflammations, but much more
readily by partial exposure to cold.

                        TREATMENT.

   If there is no fever, apply a blister behind* the ear, and warmth?
to the  part; leeches, mullen leaves in warm  milk  and water.—
When the pain is over the whole head, without fever, give cathar-
tics, salts, with sweating medicines such as balm tea, boneset, &c.
but when fever,  delirium, stupor, and other urgent symptoms, use
the remedies laid down for inflammation of the brain, excepting;
the cold  local applications.  Use also onions  and mustard  drafts
to the feet.
                       RING-WORMS;.

   Ring-worms may be considered as very simple.  You can ap-
 ply a wash made as follows:—Take of white vitriol half a drachm;
 sugar of lead, eleven grains; soft water, three gills; mix well and
 wash  the  ring-worm three times a day.   Gun powder wet with
 vinegar and rubbed on with the finger, is also good.
   The juice of skoke root is also good, and will most generally ef-
 fect  a cure.   Use also my salt rheum wash, and you will find
 that that alone, will, cure in all cases of this kind.   Some recom-
 mend red precipitate  as infallible; but I think  it is not as good as
 is recommended.   You may try it if you please, but not from my
■-''Htecommendatio n.
                          PALSY.
  Is a loss of the power of voluntary motion.   It is distinguished
from apoplexy, by its affecting certain parts of the body only;  as
one side, or the lower half of the body. 
192         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  Previous to the attack there is universal torpor, giddiness, a sense
of weight or uneasiness in the head; loss of memory, dulness of
comprehension; a sensation as of something creeping on the body;
pain, trembling, and a sense of coldness in the part about to be af-
fected.  Palsy, if not cured, is finally succeeded by one, two, or
three shocks, and death.

                        TREATMENT.

  In plethoric and robust habits bleeding will  be proper, and the
bowels should be kept loose by gentle physic for some time after
the symptoms disappear.  In weak and debilitated  habits every
thing that can have a tendency  to stimulate the body, and rouse
the nervous  system into action  should  be  employed.   For this
purpose, a table spoon full of horse radish  scraped, or the same
quantity of ground mustard seed, may be swallowed three or four
times a day, or oftener.
  The tincture of guaiacum, at the same time external stimulants
must not be  neglected; such as clysters; dry frictions over the
palsied  part with a flesh brush, or with flannel wet with oil of
sassafras, volatile liniment, or  tincture  of  cantharides.   In ple-
thoric habits, the diet should be of the lightest kind possible; but
in weak and debilitated constitutions, the food should be warm and
strengthening; and  the drink may  be of the same nature,  as port
wine, mustard whey, ginger tea, or brandy and water.  Give al-
so, winter bark, angelica, burdock seeds, &c.  These should be
given in teas when the patient has fever, but when free from fever,
give in spirits or port wine.
                         FELON.

  Cure.—Take blue flag root and march turnip roots, a hand full
of each, stewed in half a  pint of hog's lard.   Strain it off, add 
DISEASES.                     193
four spoons full of tar, simmer  them together and apply this to
the felon until it breaks.  Add bees wax and rosin to the ointment
so as to form a salve to dress it  with after it  is broken.  This is
an infallible cure without losing the joint.
                   WHITE SWELLING.
     A remarkable cure for a White Swelling about the joint.
  Take one  quart of sharp vinegar, and  set it in a vessel upon
embers until it is boiling hot; add  to this  one ounce of sugar of
lead, and stir it until the lead is dissolved:  then bathe the part af-
fected for half an hour, as hot as the patient can bear it.   Then
with a long bandage dipped or wet with the vinegar, commence
binding the part affected as hard as the patient can bear, until you
get six inches below the joint.   Then pin the bandage tight, and
continue to wet it as fast as it dries.  A hot steam will soon be-
gin to arise from the joint.   Continue wetting and tightening the
bandage until it  is all reduced and the patient is cured.
  A gentleman living in  the county of Madison, having a white
swelling  on his knee joint, that swelled to an enormous size, ap-
plied to many different physicians, who all informed him that he
must either lose his limb or his life. Not being content to part with
either of them, he finally concluded  that they should both go to-
gether, rather than suffer  amputation.  He was in this condition,
when a gentleman not professing any skill in physic or surgery, and
unsolicited, undertook the cure, and by continued  perseverance
with the vinegar, lead and bandage, the infirm man was able to
walk in three days, and shortly was entirely well.
  The author had the satisfaction of hearing this account from the
patient himself, who was then sound and well.   "Burlinggame.,r
  My plain is, to apply a wash made of crocas martus  and white
vitriol and  the anti-plogistic plaster.   And give teas made of dwarf
maple and mountain ash, or marsh-missa.
                               13 
194        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
                    EPILEPTIC FITS.
  This is  the most alarming disease  that ever fell  upon the hu-
man sufferer.  It most generally attacks the patient in the early
part of life, while the nerves, muscles, tendons and  fibres, are lax
and weak.   If the physician does not manage and control this dis-
ease in its early stages, it is obstinate and difficult to be overcome,
and this difficulty is increased by the duration of the disease.   The
nerves become more rigid as the vital strength increases, and as
they advance in years, the  paroxysms will be harder.
  In this stage of the disease,  if the  patient passes over two or
three weeks without having a fit, the nervous system begins to re-
cover its tone; the vital energies perform  their natural functions,
and he begins to feel somewhat as he  used to do in health, antici-
pating a release from long  bondage and confinement, that he may
once more be restored to the pleasing  circle  of friends who have
long watched over him; and to the sweet amusements of life of
which he had long been deprived.   But if your author could stop
here, and have the picture  complete, he would be gratified beyond
expression.  But alas!  not always so.   Perhaps when the patient
feels the most perfect health, and retires to bed  calm and  quiet,
amidst the sweet slumbers of the night, a paroxysm will attack
him instantaneously—seize on every nerve of the body with cramp
and convulsions.  The mother starts  from her watchful pillow—
the household are all alarmed,  to see  a poor brother or sister de-
prived of reason—struggling in convulsions—gasping for breath,
without being able to breathe, until nature is exhausted—when the
spasms unloose their iron grasp.
   The patient now sinks into a sound sleep for about half an hour,
and then  begins to moan  and  wakes up with languid limbs and
trembling nerves.
   Where is the man, or where is the woman that has not pity for
such a sufferer, who has lived in a christian land; or where is the
hardened  bosom that would not swell with pity, to see humanity
suffer thus. 
DISEASES.
195
                           CAUSES.

   Young children are very subject to fits whilst the nervous sys-
 tem is lax and weak, and somewhat irritable.   They sometimes
 have a shock of this complaint when teething, and also when they
 are troubled with worms and have considerable fever, or when se-
 vere colds affect the lungs with inflammation.  Large portions of
 laudanum or distilled oils very often  induce a paroxysm of  this
 complaint,
   I was once passing by a house in the vicinity of my acquaint-
 ance, when I was suddenly called to by a woman, much frighten-
 ed, saying her child was dying.   I entered and found the child in
 a severe fit by having taken a lage portion of laudanum.   I called
 fpr some vinegar of which I gave him, as  soon as he was able to
 swallow, a teaspoon full every five minutes, until I had  adminis-
 tered four.  In half an hour he was out of doors diverting himself
 with his own amusements.
   At another place, where I stayed over night, a young lady was
 attacked in the evening with a severe cholic,.  In hopes of getting
 rid of it without making it known to the family, she took a tea-
 spoon full of tansey oil;  a small girl saw her take it.   Within five
 minutes she was taken vrith a hard fit: as soon as the. spasms gave
 way, I  gave her an emetic which brought  up the oil, and she re-
 covered without taking any more medicine.
  I have known cases of fits from spinal irritation, or an affection
 of the back bone.  Frequently they proceed from an affection of
 the brain, in consequence of inflammation; blows, violent passions;
 too hearty food, in the convalescent stage of fevers, taken imme-
 diately before going to bed, also produce this disease.
  This  affection in its chronic form,  is commonly called falling
sickness—the paroxysms are longer  and oftener repeated—fre-
 quently  from ten to fifteen in a day; the patient falls down where-
 ever the fits overtake  him.  This stage of the  complaint always 
196         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

proves fatal.   That the Lord may save the people from this ter-
rible disease, is the  hearty  wish of your unworthy writer.

                         SYMPTOMS.

  Epileptic fits are attended with a dull head ache—eyes weak—
often a buzzing in the ears—palpitation of the heart—soreness of
the eyeballs—dizziness of the head—pale countenance—great loss
of memory—intellect much impaired, and a want of appetite.  Af-
ter  the shock of a fit, the eyes  become more dim, with  frequent
deep inspirations and a coated, white tongue.
  In epilepsy, the  paroxysms, are a^t to change from severe to
mid fits, so that the patients  retain their senses.   In these cases,
both arms, perhaps,  will be  suddenly thrown up, with a squeak
like  a convulsive inspiration; or the patient will arise and walk
about the  house, as' if he was perfectly amazed, with a kind of
moan, indicative of extreme  distress—but soon recover to him-
self again.
  These are the changes and forms of  the epileptic fits as near
as I can pen them down.   The many changes and long continuation
of this disease are very discouraging to the patient, and  also to
the family to which he  belongs.   The parents look  forward with
great anxiety to that  day when their child shall be freed  from this
terrible malady, and  no one can know the watchful care and ten-
dernes they have for him, but themselves.  They have earnestly
looked for aid from the best physicians; but alas!  some cases have
baffled all their skill, in  this  difficult and serious complaint.
   Brother practitioners, let me appeal to you once more: Because
the disease is obstinate and hard to  control, shall we slide over  it
or excuse ourselves from treating it with the greatest care  and at-
tention?   No brother, not so.  Let us rather consult the records
of wisdom and skill, and devise some means, if possible, to extri-
cate a fellow being  from such suffering as this. Let us call up
the causes and symptoms from first to last—inquire into the con- 
                        DISEASES.                     197

stitution  and age of the patient—rehearse over ourselves  once
more—examine the dissertations of our brethren, who have left
the stage, and see if there be not some remedy.   I have a receipt,
taken from a French author on epilepsy, which you will find in
this work, and which is much celebrated.       (

                          REMEDIES.

   If epilepsy has been of long standing, and the patients advanced
to eighteen or twenty years of age, they will bear more powerful
medicine than those who are young.  It is generally necessary to
premise a mild emetic and cathartic.
   A syrup of mustard  has  an excellent effect  in many cases—it
is prepared as follows:—Take  one  large spoon full of good pul-
verized mustard, put it into a bottle and add two thirds of a pint
of water and  one third of a pt. of spirits; sweeten well with sugar;
in a few days it will be fit for use.   Dose, two or.three table spoons
full a day.
   Take  one gill of pulverized rue, and add a quart of spirits.
Take three table  spoons full a day.   Castor and valerian, made
into a tea is a very good remedy.
   The French medicine, before spoken of, fs prepared as follows:
Take once ounce of gum myrrh, one ounce of sulphur, one gill
of oil of almonds, put these three articles into  ah  iron kettle, set
it on some coals, boil it slowly until it begins to be red, and  when
it is about the color of  brandy,  take it from the fire and add  half
a pint of spirits of turpentine, and it is fit for use.  Dose, six drops
twice a day,  for an  adult.
   The following  may be alternated with  some of the above:—
Take one ounce of skunk cabbage; one ounce of garlic, dried, and
both finely pulverized; put the powder in a quart bottle  and fill two
thirds with water and one third with  spirits, and add four ounces
of loaf sugar.  Take half a wine glass three times a day.
€ 
198         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
   For the squally fits, those that arc light, with partial spasms;
motherwort roots and pennyroyal steeped together and taken free-
ly, will generally quiet them.
   Steep a table spoon full of fit-root in half a pint of boiling water,
to be taken in  the course of the day.  Oil of amber, ether, oil of
turpentine, &c, are good remedies in epilepsy.
                     BILIOUS  COLIC.

   The bilious colic is attended with acute pain in the region of the
abdomen; great thirst and costiveness.   The patient vomits a hot,
bitter and yellow colored bile, which being discharged  seems to
afford relief, but  is quickly followed by the same violent pain as
before.   The vomiting sometimes increases until it becomes al-
most  continual, and the proper motion of the  intestines so far in-
verted as to produce all the symptoms of an impending Iliac pas-*
soin.
                        TREATMENT.

  First, sometimes  it is proper to  give a  gentle emetic so as to
free the stomach from bilious matter.   The pain  commences in
the bowels and inclines to rise upwards; when it gets above  the
region of the  stomach its bilious contents are thrown up.  As soon
as the patient  falls back on the bed, let him  take two teaspoons
full of rhubarb and soda, or other alkali, which will have a tenden-
cy to  prevent sickness of the stomach, restore  tone to the bowels,
and assist the operation of  physic.
  The interval between pains is the best and only time for the
physician to work to advantage.  If possible,  get an operation of
physic, for that will tell the story in this complaint.  Such pur-
gative medicines as will restore tone to the bowels and digestive or- 
DISEASES.
199
gans, and if possible, relieve pain, should be selected.  Culver's
physic is a great medicine in this complaint.  Sweet and castor
oils may be used when they can be retained.  Rhubarb, calcined
magnesia, and  alkalies, with carminatives, as fennel, anise, an-
gelica, masterwort and sweet flag, are  highly useful.  Let these
articles be pulverized fine, and to one ounce of the powder add
a quart of water.  With these mixtures you will be very likely to
kill two birds with one stone, by restoring tone to the bowels, and
procuring a free cathartic operation.
  If the patient's bowels become  tumid and  hard, apply blisters.
Boiled oats, roasted onions and carrot poultice are all good exter-
nal applications in this complaint.
                   CHOLERA MORBUS.

  Cholera  morbus, is a violent purging  and vomiting of bilious
matter, attended with gripes, sickness, and a constant desire to go
to stool.  It attacks suddenly, and is most common in autumn.—
This disease proves quickly fatal if proper means are not used in
due time  for removing it.   In warm climates it is met with in all
seasons of  the year, but in temperate climates it is apt to prevail
most during the autumnal months.

                           CAUSES.

  It frequently happens in consequence of a bilious habit; a loss
of tone of the digestive organs.  Also by eating unripe fruits, as
green apples, cherries, blackberries; large draughts of  cold wa-
ter when in a perspiration, and retiring  to bed soon after eating
hearty suppers, are very common  causes.
  Before the attack there is a general weakness of the whole body,
a total loss  of  appetite; sour belchings; severe pain  in the lower
 \ 
200         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

bowels, with gripings; nausea at the stomach, attended with purg-
ing and vomiting:  also great thirst; quick  and unequal pulse,
which is apt to sink as the disease advances, until it becomes im-
perceptible with cold extremities,   Llard times for the poor patient

                         REMEDIES.

  Mild laxatives, suitable medicine  to restore tone to the stomach
and bowels;  chicken broth, wild animal broth and alkalies.   Take
three  teaspoons full of rhubarb and steep it in half a pint of boil-
ing water, stir it a few minutes, let it settle, turn it off and add
one grain of soda and four teaspoons full of loaf sugar.  Let the
patient take a teaspoon full of this every fifteen minutes.  This is
a worthy remedy in this disease.  After the complaint abates, take
some  corn coffee,  barley coffee, milk porridge, water porridge,
rice, indian pudding, arrow root, brandy sling made thick with loaf
sugar, &c.
                       DIARRHCEA.

  Sometimes this disease is attended with bilious symptoms; tongue
coated white, and tinged with yellow.  It is most apt to prevail in
the latter part of summer, from which it takes its name of summer
complaint.  There are  different stages in this disease, which re-
quire different modes of treatment.

                           causes.

  Various are the causes of this complaint.   Drinking water in
the smmer, when  the wells  are low, is very apt to introduce it,
especially in dry seasons.   The evaporation of water  from the
small ponds, swamps, and mill-dams,  leaves large quantities of
floodwood covered with slime,  from which a noxious vapor  soon
arises and mingles with the  atmosphere.   This with  the effluvia 
DlSEASESv
201
from decaying vegetables, poisons the oxygen of the air, and we,
like fish shut up in dead lakes, deprived of the natural current of
the stream, are under the necessity of inhailing it, and are thereby
predisposed to putrid and malignant fevers, bilious diarrhoea, &c.

                         SYMPTOMS.

   Pains  in the bowels; coat on-the tongue; some  fever, with
chills;  nausea at the stomach; an urgency to stool and an increase
of pain.  Now you have an opportunity to try the American Rem-
edies.
                        TREATMENT.

   Cleanse  the stomach and bowels with castor oil  and  rhubarb;
put a teaspoon full of white root into  a two ounce vial, fill it with
paregoric and give a portion now and then,  to relieve  pain and
procure sleep.  Make a tea of spikenard, comfrey and cranesbill,
a valuable medicine.   Sweet fern and hog-brake is good.   These
teas are to  be sweetened with  loaf sugar  and used.
                       DYSENTERY.

   This disease is the most malignant of those that affect the ali-
mentary canal.  In the old revolutionary war, it was called the
camp distemper, and carried off thousands of those who guarded
our frontiers.  Dysentery frequently comes on with chills and fe-
ver, which is of the remittent bilious form and is accompanied by
a congested state of the liver, a suspended secretion of bile and ob-
stinate costiveness.   At other times it is attended with flatulence
or wind of the bowels;  severe spring pains; frequent inclination
to go to  stool, with small fetid evacuations of slime and blood,
or a  fluid resembling beef brino, are characteristic symptoms of
dysentery.  It is attended with  loss of appetite, nausea and vom- 
 202         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

 iting.   The pulse is small and frequent, with an intolerable bear-
 ing down of the parts; a sense of burning heat,  extreme thirst,
 and dry skin.  In bad cases, hiccup, livid spots on the breast and
 extreme giddiness occur with great exhaustion, and not unfrequent-
 ly a fatal termination.
   Causes.—Excessive  fatigue; poor  provisions;  lying on damp
 ground; exposure to nightdews; want of sleep; uncleanliness,  &c.

                         TREATMENT.

  Cleanse the stomach and bowels with mild emetics and cathar-
 tics, such  as  ipicac, castor  oil, manna, &c.   Solution of black
 snake root given in such quantities as not to vomit, is very bene-
 ficial.   Clysters of mutton broth, arrow-root, or starch with fifty
 drops of laudanum, frequently repeated, have a good effect in  this
 disease.   Fresh  butter  melted  is also a worthyr remedy.   In  ad-
 dition to these  let the patient take, mucillaginous  drinks, as slip-
 pery elm, sassafras twigs, gum Arabic,  violets and flax seed tea,
 cumfrey, &c.   The irritation is to be  quieted by giving paregoric
 or laudanum.
  When the violence  of the symptoms, is subdued,  balsam of
 copavia, white pine bark, cranes-bill,  sweet fern, <k,c. have a good
 effect in restoring tone to the bowels.   The diet should consist of
 chicken  or mutton  broth, rice, calve's foot jelly,  milk porridge,
 pudding and molasses, toast, &c.  As the strength  increases, take
a chicken's leg or a slice of  boiled pork, with a glass  of brandy
well sweetened with loaf sugar; and if a soldier, you will see him
turn his ear once more to hear the beat of the drum.
                           PILES.

  There are two kinds of this complaint, the common and blind
piles, so called.  The former is a general weakness of the rectum, 
DISEASES.
203
 a loss of tone of that organ, which settles down, out of its natural
 place, producing pain and disagreeable feelings.  The blind piles
 are more difficult to manage,  as well as more dangerous, and are
 frequently attended with profuse bleeding from the pile artery, and
 abscesses that are painful and troublesome.   This disease is also
 attended with inflammation, severe itching, and often an eruption.

                            CAUSES.

   This disease, like many others, proceeds from weakness, over-
 doing, heavy lifting, laborious exercise, inflamation of the bowels,
 diarrhoea, drastic purges, violent coughs, constipation, by suffoca-
 ting in hot weather, sitting too near the fire, thereby producing
 an unnatural heat, &c.   Be temperate in all  things and you will
 be pretty likely to escape this complaint.

                          TREATMENT.

   If costive, take mild purgative medicine, as  castor oil, rheubarb
 and soda, say three teaspoons  full of rheubarb  put in a teacup, fill
 it with boiling water, stir, settle and  turn off  from the sediment;
 add as much soda as will lie on a shilling piece and eight teaspoons
 full of loaf sugar.   Take four teaspoons full a day: a worthy med-
 icine  in this complaint.  Sulphur, cream of tartar and molasses,
 magnesia, &c, are also beneficial.   Bittersweet ointment,  low
 archangel ointment, or wash, are good, externally used.   Scabish,
 Liveforever, celandine, and sweet clover, make an elegant oint-
 ment for this complaint.
   The above prescriptions alone, will, for the  most part, cure this
 disease.  The object is to restore tone to the diseased organ, abate
pain, inflammation and irritation.   Balsam of  life, balsam of qa-
pavia, balsam  of  fir, &c, may be used as restoratives after the
more urgent symptoms have been  subdued. 
204         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Spikenard, eomfrey, angelica, bittersweet, sassaparilla, liferoof,
solomon  seal, and brown snake root, formed into  a syrup, are
good in this disease.
                         RICKETS.

  This disease generally attacks children between the afes of six
months, and two years.   It  affects  the  bones of the  head, back
and shoulders.  Sometimes the breast bone is prominent and most
generally falls in, on the opposite side; the bones become soft and
spongy, and somewhat protruded.

                           CAUSES.

  Many are the causes whereby this disease falls upon childhood
and infancy, and deprives them of their natural growth, and some-
times of their reason.  One cause of rickets is diseased parents:
mothers of a weak, relaxed habit, who neglect exercise, and live
upon weak, watery diet; can neither be expected- to  bring forth
strong, healthy children, nor nurse them.afterwards; accordingly,
we find the children of such women, generally die with the rick-
ets.
  This disease is often owing  to the indiscretion of  nurses, in al-
lowing an infant to lie, or sit too much, or in not keeping it clean.
Children being allowed to sit too long on the hard floor, when wet,
are liable to this disease.  Those children who. are much dandled,
and kept clean and sweet—carried  in carriages, and permitted to
lie on both sides during the night, seldom have this complaint.

                          SYMPTOMS.

  General health of the child in a gradual decline;  restless and
fretful during the night;  when asleep, sweats  very freely, so that
the drops  stand on the forehead; veins  blue in the temples and 
DISEASES.
205
hands; pale countenance; slight fever; eyes hollow and languid;
poor appetite; troubled with costiveness, or a moderate diarrhoea;
often  an enlargement of the abdomen.  The part on which the
complaint locates, will be most prominent, with a gradual failure
of the limbs. These symptoms are characteristic of this complaint.
                        TREATMENT.
  To  effect a cure in this disease,  regulate the system and give
warming, carminative, strengthening medicine.  Make tea of life-
root, oxbalm, yarrow  and black snake root, to be taken  for con-
stant drink. For an external application, take one ounce of ox-
balm,  one  ounce of black cohush, one ounce of camphor gum;
all finely pulverised;  put them into  a pint of fourth proof brandy,
with which wash the affected part twice a day until well.   A cold
water bath in the morning, has been held in high estimation for
many years, in this complaint, and no doubt is a good remedy'; but
I have never been under the necessity of using it myself, having
had ample success, in a more agreeable course.
  I have made use of the following syrup, to good advantage in
this affection.  Take equal quantities of life-root, yarrow, spike-
nard,  solomon seal, buck horn, brake  root, angelica, masterwort
seeds and brown snake root, say  ajiandful of each, to be  put into
an iron vessel, with four quarts of water;  boil to one quart, strain,
add half a pint of brandy and a pound of loaf sugar.   A child of
two years old may take a table spoon  full three times a day, and
those younger in proportion.
  This is a very easy complaint to manage in its early stages, but
when far advanced, it is difficult to conquer.  This disease is very
liable  to be overlooked  by physicians.   Many children are fret-
ful and puny when they are young,  and the physician thinks
they are of the cross class, and so,  passes them over without any
further investigation.   But when you see any of the above named
symptoms; veins blue, in the temples, &c, let the case  be thor-
oughly investigated, and see whether  this formidable disease is
not beseging the constitution of your little patient. 
206        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

                         WORMS.

  This  disease is  more or less troublesome in every family—
There are three kinds of worms affecting the human system; the
tape, the pin,  and the common worm.   Many children have fallen
victims  to these depredators.  The tape worm is considered the
most dangerous and  the most difficult to  be expelled; often pro-
ducing extreme emaciation.  The  other two kinds are very unfair
in their attacks, generally laying closest siege in  time of sickness,
They are  also troublesome in the new and at full moon.  It is a
happy thing for the sufferer, that human wisdom can contrive so
many things against them.
  Bitter medicine is not agreeable to their tastes, but as there is a
good deal of the real yankee  about them, in their relish  for mo-
lasses,  we can generally coax them to take medicine enough in
that article to destroy them.
                         SYMPTOMS.
  The  tape worm appears  to be a very voracious animal; it rises
up and devours the food almost as soon as it is taken into the stom-
ach,  thus preventing the formation of chyle, and  inducing ema-
ciation.   The pin worm is about the size of a cambric needle, and
most generally occupies the lower intestines, though they often
find their way to the  stomach.   I have seen hundreds expelled at
once by vomiting.   They  are a numerous tribe, and live on the
mucus of the intestines, and gastric fluids of the stomach.
  Nausea and vomiting; pale countenance; loss of strength, and
a constant weakness at the pit of the  stomach, are the most com-
mon symptoms.
  The common worm is more voracious than the pin worm—they
all lay hold at once, and devour, until  they are prevented by some
brisk purge, or bitter medicine, which obliges them to retreat from
their place of  rendezvous  and havoc and retire to their place of
abode.   Sometimes warm applications to the abdomen, or the bel-
ly, if you wish to have it so, are beneficial. 
DISEASES.
207
                         REMEDIES.

  Many are the prescribers and many the prescriptions for worms.
The heads of families, most generally, know of some good reme-
dies for their children in this complaint, such as sage, rue, worm-
wood, garlic spirits, turpentine, pink and senna, cowage and cal-
omel,  &c, and these medicines are, no doubt, beneficial.
  I have made use of the following powder amongst my employ-
ers for many years, much to their satisfaction:—
  Take one  ounce of bog-bean, one ounce of poplar bark, one
ounce of Indian hemp, one ounce of bitterroot, or American  ipi-
cac, one ounce of rue, four ounces of black alder berries or two
ounces of the bark, of the root, and two ounces of sulphur.  Let
these articles be dried, finely pulverized, mixed and bottled for use.
Dose, the eighth part of a teaspoon full for a child ten years old,
half the quantity for a child five, and so in proportion to their age.
   This valuable worm powder is an effectual remedy against all
the above named worms, and safe as well as sure.   Give this pow-
der in molasses, three mornings  in succession, at  the new and
full of the moon; but  give your children this powder when well,
as a preventive, and you will  save them days  of sickness and
many hours of pain.
                  WHOOPING COUGH.

  This cough seldom affects adults, but often proves fatal to chil-
dren.   This cough is convulsive, and is named from its peculiar
whoop-like sound.  It is infectious.
  Whatever hurts the digestion, obstructs the perspiration, or re-
laxes  the  solids, disposes to this  disease, consequently its cure
must depend upon cleansing and strengthening the stomach, bra-
cing the solids, and at the same time, promoting perspiration and
the  different secretions. 
 308        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   The diet must be light, as chicken broth, and light spoon meat*,
 panada, &c.  The drink may be hyssop or pennyroyal tea, sweet-
 ened with honey, or wine whay, or, if  the patient  be weak, he
 may sometimes be allowed a little wine and loaf sugar.
   One of the most effectual  remedies in the whooping cough is,
 change of air.  When the disease proves violent and  the patient i*
 in danger of suffocation by the cough, he ought to take warm loos-
 ening emetics, as blood root and ipicac.   These may be repated,
 if necessary.  If the breathing is much choaked, five or six drops
 of rattle snake's oil on sugar, may be taken to loosen the phlegm.
 Emetics not only cleanse the stomach, which in  this disease is gen-
 erally loaded with tough phlegm, but  they likewise promote perspi-
 ration and other secretions, and ought therefore to  be repeated ac-
 cording to the obstinacy of the disease.   They should not, how-
 ever, be strong; but gentle vomits, frequently repeated, prove less
 dangerous and more beneficial than strong ones.  After vomiting,
 alkalies may be given.  The body ought to  be ket  gently open.
 For this purpose rhubarb in some of its preparations, or senna, &c.,
 may be given.
  Stimulating or anodyne  applications will afford relief, and they
 may be rubbed along  the  spine,  breast bone, or lower region of
the stomach.  Young children should be  laid with their heads and
shoulders  raised, and be  raised  up  when they cough, to guard
against suffocation.  The feet should be frequently  bathed in luke-
warm water.  Also give the fever solutions, and a solution made
of sumac'berries or balls and loaf sugar.
                         HICKUP.

  The hickup is a convulsive motion of the stomach and midriff.
  The Cause.—Acrid irritating matter in the stomach, a morbid
sensibility from  disease, drunkenness,  too great fullness, or the
contrary.  The diaphragm is affected by sympathy. 
Diseases.
209
                      THE PROGNOSTICS.

  Sneezing generally  removes it; or a sudden  fright, or fixing
the eyes intensely on some object; or any thing that attracts the
mind from it.   Proceeding from wounds, profuse evacuations,  in
asthmas, or at  the close of a malignant fever, it is alwas a dan-
gerous, and often a deadly symptom.
  Essence of peppermint on sugar will often relieve; alkalies,  as
■sal  seratus, with rhubarb; the  cleavers infusion, cools and allays
it.  Anti-spasmodics, as valerian, lady slipper, castor, musk, &c.
are proper.  Emetics  and cathartics are  sometimes good if the
stomaoa is foul, and hickuns are often indicative of a foul stomach.
                  CROUP, OR RATTLES,

  This  disease, generally of  children, comes on  imperceptibly
with a hoarse, dry cough, and wheezing.  At first the breathing
sounds like blowing through muslin—then a rattling in the throat;
soon it is like the croaking of a fowl when caught in the hand.

                         TREATMENT*

  Emetics of ipicac, and oxymel of squills between; the former
as often as every two hours, at least; warm bath often repeated;
a blister between the shoulders; fever solution and blood root tinc-
ture, is  the best medicine  in this disease.   Also soak the feet in
warm water, and apply onion  drafts to the feet; also roasted on-
ions across the  lungs, and give five or six drops of rattle-snakes
oil,  and  if the oil cannot be obtained, use as a substitute ten drops
of the juice of roasted onions, once in three or four hours;  and
give mucillaginous drink,  such as elm  and flax seed teas.
14 
2P0        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                        DYSPEPSIA.

                         SYMPTOMS.

   The symptoms are a want of appetite, attended with nausea,
sometimes vomiting, heartburn, costiveness, distension of the stom-
ach, disordered slate of the fluids of the stomach,  uneasiness and
pain upon taking food, 'sharp acid liquor  frequently rising in the
throat, frequent belching of wind, and passages of undigested  food
from the bowels*
                           CAUSES.

   Occasional and habitual overloading of the stomach; drinking
to excess; sedentary life, want of exercise and fresh air; excess-
ive or long continued evacuations; a constant use of medicines
which  tend to weaken the digestive organs, such  as glass of an-
timony, &c.  Also cold, anxiety, and affections of the liver; the
use of opium, and long loud speaking, are most common causes of
dispepsia.  And those who  live on rich food, and lead a lazy or
idle life;  who live in cities" where the air.  is confined and impure,
are most subject to this complaint.

                        TREATMENT.

   If there is oppression at the stomach,  with nausea, give an emet-
ic of five  grains of ipicac and five of emetic tartar dissolved in half
a pint of warm water, add one grain of soda to the emetic.   Fol-
low this with a strong decoction of columbo, camomile, and orange
peel, two table spoons full three times  a day.   The bowels must
be kept open with gentle laxatives, such as the tincture of rhubarb
and senna; mustard seed when there is flatulency and sourness of
the stomach;  also lime water in doses of a wine glass full three
times a day.
  When  there is pain in the stomach,  give chalk, magnesia and
liquorice stick, and black snake root tea.   And use frictions witk 
DISEASES.                     211
 a flesh brush over the stomach.   If these do not give relief, ad-
 minister a dose of ether and laudanum; put a blister over the ston>
 ach, and relieve costiveness by-injections or gentle laxitives, and
 when relief is obtained, endeavor to restore the tone of  the stom-
 ach.
   To  relieve the costiveness which invariably attends  this com-
 plaint,  give medicines that gently stimulate the intestines to a
 more regular action.  This is best effected by flour of sulphur,
 magnesia, or the chewing of the  root of rhubarb  every day.—
 Strong purgatives always weaken the digestive organs, and bowels,
 and in this complaint do more hurt than. good.
   If this disease arises from deficiency of bile, give strong tinc-
 ture of aloes, or thrice a day give  twenty grains of columbo, or
 the same quantity of ox  gall, or any of the bitter medicines  in
 common doses.   Costiveness is most  effectually obviated  by ob-
 serving the practice  of going regularly to the temple of Clod Cina
 every morning, whether you want to or not.

                            diet.   ,

  A diet of milk alone has cured  some cases of dispepsia.   It
 must always be new, and  should be taken in the morning  and at
 evening  on an  empty stomach,  will be  useful  while  employing
 other means.  AH known causes must be  avoided, and the patient
 must rise early,  and exercise in the  morning air, cannot be too
 much recommended.
  Exercise on horseback  is of great service in this complaint, and
 persons who are afflicted  with it, should  obtain  business that re-
 quires much riding.
  A diet of bran bread made of wheat ground without bolting, is
 doubtless of the greatest importance in this disease.
  Those who reside  in the city and live on rich food will do well
 to go into the country and spend as much of their time as they
 are able in diggingin the fresh earth.  Gardening is good business
in this complaint, but use  the caorse bread constantly. 
212
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
                       FEVER SORE.

                           CAUSES,

   Going into water after  fatigue and exercise, or when you aro
 in a perspiration, which causes cold, and the patient will be seized
 with cold chills followed by fever.  The chill and fever contin-
 ue for some days and finally locate or settle on the thigh, leg, or
 arm.
   First stage.—A peculiar obtuse, deep seated,  aching pain, ex-
 tremely distressing to the patient, and soon affecting the health to
 a remarkable degree.   At length the part swells, and a tumor
 forms, possessing  great hardness; the skin becomes red and  ex-
 tremely tender;  there is an increase of heat and other symptoms
 of inflammation.
   Treatment in first stage:—Use poultice to bring it to a close,
 blister, friction and fomentations; and allay pain with opium.
   Second stage.—The symptoms of inflammation  above enumer-
 ated, the preceding pain in  particular,  has usually been exceeding-
 ly sever and constant, and attended with great constitutional irri-
 tation; quick hard pulse; white tongue; the parts become swelled
 and inflamed, and ulceration takes place, and a  thin acid  matter
 is discharged; when by an  examination with a probe, a cavity can
 be traced leading to, if not  into the bone.  The progress of the
 formation of  matter is sometimes extremely slow; at others, the
 tumour soon has signs of the fluctuation of matter.
   Treatment of the second stage:—If the treatment of the firs!
stage does not succeed, the  whole must be laid open by a free in-
cision, performed by a surgeon.  Use the crocas martos wash,
and dress with the green salve.  Carrot poultice is good to allay
inflammation, and so is slippery elm.
  Give teas made of dwarf  maple, and red and green osier; make
thick like syrup and add princes pine,  sarsaparilla, dog mackamis
and spikenard; boil in water, strain and add liquor, and sweeten
with loaf sugar or honey.  Infallible. 
DISEASES.                      218
                         CANCER.

  There is no disease that ever afflicted the human family so dis-
tressing and painful as that of the cancer.  Although there are not
as many of the inhabitants swept off from the stage of action with
this disease as with many others, namely, fevers, consumption,
inflammations, &c;  yet the last stages of this complaint are intol-
erable.
                          SYMPTOMS.

  A cancer commences  in a very mild form, with a small blue,
r6d, or  purple spot, most frequently on or about the face, and
most commonly appears in an early day of life; and it may be a
term of years before the patient feels any pain from the  tumour,
after he discovers the small spot.  But at  last  they feel quick,
darting pains from the tumour, and as  it grows  in size, the  pain
will increase.  Frequently it would not trouble the patient if he had
not  hurt it, and when it  is wounded it will continue to run or dis-
charge a light colored fetid matter—the margin is protruded, and
it continues to enlarge and spread daily, and the result will  be a
scrofula ulcer, or more commonly called, a "rose cancer."   When
the tumour arrives to this point, you must Jose no  time in applying
the cancer plaster, as is laid down in the recipe for rose cancers.
Apply your plaster and change it twice a day, and wash out the
cancer with a decoction  made of  green ozier and yellow dock.
[See recipe for rose cancer piaster.}
  An attempt to cure  this comptaint without first cleansing the
blood and system effectually, would be a vain attempt; and he who
attempt  to cure a cancer without adopting  this course, had better
be in his office informing his mind on the subject of cancers—yes,
better by far, both for the welfare of his patient, and the safety
of his own reputation.  Use to cleanse the system, the cancer  syr-
up,  as laid down in cancer recipe. 
214         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

                           CAUSES.

   Most of scrofula tumours, doubtless, are hereditary, and those
who have  light complexion, light blue eyes, and light hair, aro
most liable to this disease.
   The scrofula is an unwelcome visiter in whatever shape it pre-
sents  itself.  It appears in different forms: The rose, the spider
or tumid cancer; also cancer lumps in the breast frequently appear.
All the above named are  of one species,  but appear in different
forms, and therefore require different  treatment.  I shall there-
fore treat plainly on the tumours under three different names.
   The rose cancer is distinguished  from  the others  by being an
open, eating, ulcerated cancer; very painful and much inflamed,
attended with a constant flow of fetid matter.  I have made use of
the skoke berries made into a salve, to good advantage in this case;
but should this fail, you must  apply the rose cancer plaster, as
laid down in recipes.  This plaster if used in season, will never
fail of effecting a cure, with the addition of ozier and other teas,
to cleanse  the system thoroughly from bad tumours.
   The spider cancer, so called, is a little blue or purple spot un-
der the skin, and is visible to the eye; and when it begins to grow
it  continues until  it adheres  to the lower muscles,  and produces
considerable pain.   From this time  the tumour  grows rapidly and
no time is to be lost, but forthwith apply the cancer wash, &c, as
before recommended.
   Frequently within three or four days after you commence the
operation with  the wash,  &c, you will perceive that the cancer
begins to shrink, and the flesh to separate from the  tumour.  But
when you discover that the flesh and tumour begins.to separate,
continue the wash two or three days longer, or until you can re-
move it.   When you think the roots of the cancer are dead, try  it
with your fossips, and if it is dead, it will be easily extracted, and
when it is extracted apply the anti-phlogestic plaster, to heal the 
DISEASES.
215
orifice where the tumour was taken from.  Keep it on until it is
well.  But before you. apply the anti-phlogestic plaster, examine,
and see  if any of the roots of the cancer remain.
                 FUNGUS  HEMATODES.

   This is a tumid kind of cancer and is considered by physiciarfs
 to be almost unmanageable or incurable.  They very soon affect
 the system, and produce a cough and consumption; or if it locates
 on the extreme parts, such as the hands, arms, &c, and the pa-
 tient gets off without the amputation of the limb, he has better luck
 than nine tenths that are afflicted with this complaint.
   The tumour is some like the bone tumour, or the white swelling.
 I have had  considerable experience in this complaint,  and I find
 it hard to conquer.   I was called, in the circle of my ride, to see
 a man about sixty years of age, who had one of those tumours on
 his under lip, of about four years standing.  It was very painful,
 but I applied my cancer wash which destroyed it in a measure;
 but a more favorite  friend to death had possession of him, (it was
 the consumption,) and in a short time it swept him off from the
 stage of action.
   I was called to see another patient, a young woman, who had
 had  her arm amputated in consequence of a tumid cancer.   In
 about two years after she had her arm amputated, a tumour of the
 the same kind broke out on her head, and made,  rapid progress.
 I told her that her  case was doubtful.  She asked me if I could
 destroy the tumour with my wash, and I gave  her an affirmative
 answer.  She requested me to proceed and destroy it if I could.
 She said  she would reward me for ray labor whether she lived or
died.  I applied  the wash ten days and  the tumour came out root
and branch.  It  weighed eight ounces—measured one and a hajf
inches through the base—and projected four inches on the surface. 
216         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

The orifice soon began to heal and had the appearance of doing
well;  but it terminated as I expected, and as 1 informed her it
would.  Her lungs  being very much affected, the consumption,
put a  period to her existence.
  The cancer lumps in the  breast begin with  one, two  or three,
small  lumps  in the centre of  the breast, but do not make much
proficiency for some time; but when they begin to grow in size,,
they will be''attended with darting pains, heat, and inflammation,
with the enlargement  of  the  breast, and  considerable soreness.
  If the above should  be  the symptoms, apply the anti-phlogistic
plaster,  and if after the continuation of it for some time, the lumps
do not disappear;  add  one part of skoke berry salve to the anti-
phlogistic, and it seldom fails  of effecting a cute.-  But should the
patient be so unfortunate as  to have the  tunfcur break and dis-
charge,  make free use of the green osier wash; also make use of
the vegetable cancer plaster, the same as for the rose cancer, and
it will effect a cure in a short time.
  I have taken great  pains to get hold of the best medicines to
cure all kinds of cancers, and could cite you to many more good
remedies, but from close observation through a lengthy practice, I
have found that the remedies that I have mentioned are the best;
to which might be addded the  following:—
  Take one teaspoon full of antimony, put into a half pint of wa-
ter and  let  the patient  take a table spoon  full  three times a day;
but if it causes sickness, lessen the dose.  This is to be taken only
in the tumid cancer.   During the use of the wash a light diet must
be taken, and omit the use of  salt as much as possible.
   I can with confidence say to my brother practitioners, that the
cancer medicines  as laid  down above, can be relied upon.  They
cost the author more than five times the price of this book, besides
many days hard labor.
   I will cite you one case more that came under my practice, and
then close my remarks on cancer tumours and cures.   I was call-
ed  to see a daughter  of  Daniel Wever, of  Geneaeo, Livingston 
DISEASES.
217
county.   She had a spider cancer on her lip; I applied the can-
cer wash, and in five days it came out, and she recovered.  The
tumour was two inches tong.  About one year after this,  she ap-
plied  to me once more with  a tumour of the same kind on her
breast.  I destroyed it in twenty-four hours.   But a short time af-
ter she applied again to me, making the third time; she had three
cancers on her head, about the size of a walnut.   I made use of
the wash and in  four days they came out root and branch, and
then by taking a  thorough course of medicine, she recovered, and
now she is perfectly well.
   I could refer you to many more cases, but I  conclude that my
readers will be tired, therefore let this suffice until you give it a
trial, when you will be satisfied of the utility of the remedies that,
I have laid down.
           GENERAL REMARKS ON  FEVER.

  This  important and universal disease, has prevailed from the
earliest ages of man to the present time, and has swept off millions
in the midst of their business, and  in the midst of their days, and
that too, without regard  to rank or age.  It has broken asunder
the warmest ties of humanity, and destroyed many fond hopes of
happiness and youthful enjoyment.   Within a few weeks, perhaps,
after the commencement of slow typhus or putrid fever, the scene
of life closes forever, and the body goes to swell the list of the
pale nations of the earth.
  Fevers differ very  much in type throughout the United States,
according to situation, the season of the year, and the climate in
which they prevail.   I have not room in the limits of this work,
to give  a history of the  cause and type of  the  malignant  fever
which prevailed in  New  England and elsewhere  forty years ago,
but it would be well for physicians to keep in view, the change of
fever and the variation of type, from that time to the present day. 
$18         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   All autumnal  fevers originate from one general predisposing
cause; I shall, therefore, describe them all, in every climate, un-
der one head.  Respecting other levers of the country, I  have
given my views of them in full,  in the proceeding pages of thia
work.
                          CAUSES,

   In all low, marshy districts, bilious  remittent and intermittent
fevers prevail, about the  time  the stumps are decaying in newly
settled places.  The inhabitants are exposed, to noxious exhala-
tions  from swamps, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes—from the
decay of floodwood and vegetable  m;: ;er.   The effluvia from these
putrefying bodies rising and floating in the atmosphere, produces
the most  serious bilious intermittent and remittent, typhus, ner-
vous, malignant and putrid cases of fever.

                    BILIOUS  FEVER

                         SYMPTOMS,

   Languor, drowsiness, dull pain in the  head and back,  soreness
of the eyeballs, with a sense of fullness  and tension when moved
to the right or left; pain in the bene -  and loins; nausea, yellow
skin, tongue coated white or yellow, with a dark red line through
the centre; slight fever, obstructed perspiration; and often a vom-
iting of bilious matter.   These symptoms increase towards eve-
ning.
                        TREATMENT .

   In the first place cleanse  the  stomach and bowels effectually
with emetics and cathartics, raise perspiiation if possible,  and
thereby prevent a course of the fever,   if these means prove in-
effectual, the symptoms and appearances of the particular case,
should guide the administration of remedies.   The following prac-
tical maxims are applicable to the various grades and  forms of
fever: 
                         DISEASES.                     219

  If the foregoing  symptoms do not abate  on the third day, you
may calculate on a course of fever to combat.   Unlock the secret-
ing vessels with nauseating and alterative medicine, that the bilious
contents may be thoroughly  evacuated.  Give febrifuges,  fever
-powders, Dover's powder, black sanicle snake root, cool wort, and
balm teas, slippery elm, &c.   These drinks will have a tendency
to raise  perspiration, allay fever, and quench thirst.  It  is the
physician's  business to eye  this fever closely in the advancing
stage.   If on the seventh, ninth or eleventh  day, the symptoms
are more favorable, longer intervals  between the  paroxysms of
fever,  perspiration easily obtained, coat on  the tongue disappear-
ing, leaving it moist and soft, there is great encouragement both
for the patient and physician.   But if on the above days, no crisis
appears, and they pass the thirteenth day with increased  symp-
toms, dark brown dry tongue, delirium, involuntary motion of the
tendons, with typhoid symptoms, in all their  horrible and  malig-
nant  forms, the case will probably proceed to a fatal termination.
             BILIOUS REMITTENT FEVER.

  This fever has prevailed  more extensively than any other, in
the Genesee country', as well as many other places.  After the
usual symptoms of this  disease, the fever commences about the
middle 'of the day, with a full, round, heavy pulse, and runs until
about five in the evening, when a cessation of  about two  hours,
occurs.   After this interval, you will perceive a small, quick, wiry
pulse, which continues two or three hours longer, when the fever
subsides for the day.   Now let the patient get all the sleep he can,
for at seven o'clock the following morning, this little remittent vis-
itor will call on him again for two or three hours, thus forming tha
circle of its daily course. 
520        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
                         SYMPTOMS.

  The symptoms of this disease are somewhat like those of bilious
fever, cold chills, restlessness, pain in the head,  giddiness, skin
and eyes yellow,  nausea at the stomach, copious  evacuations of
bile, flushes of  the face, tongue white or dark yellow, and great
prostration of strength.

                        TREATMENT.

  After free evacuations, Dover's powder, fever powder, cooling
drinks, as balm, coolwort, black sanicle snake root, barley coffee,
<Scc   Febrifuges; the following I can recommend:—Take of pul-
verized wild turnip, a table spoon full;  feuania pulverized, a tea-
spoon full; licorice  root pulverized, two* table spoons full; intim-
ately mixed;  of this compound put ono teaspoon full in a tea cup,
fill with boiling water, stir, settle, turn off from the sediment and
add one grain of  soda.   Dose, a teaspoon full  every two hours*
This is an excellent febrifuge in fevers, give it a trial.

                    FAVORABLE SYMPTOMS.

  Calmness and quietude both of body and  mind; skin soft and
moist; tongue cleansing; pulse easy and not sunk; fever  less ar-
dent;  longer  intervals between the paroxysms,  and less thirst.—
Now let the patient eat a small piece of broiled pork.

                  UNFAVORABLE SYMPTOMS.

  Destitute of perspiration; dark brown or black dry tongue; fe-
ver high with shorter  intervals; great thirst,  anxiety, delirium,
twitching of the nerves;  trembling of the hands; voice unnatural;
frequent sighing;  eyes sunk and glaring; low muttering,  hickup,
convulsion and  death. 
DISEASES.
221
  Bid.—The diet should be of a cooling nature, and easily di-
gested, watergruel, rice, Indian pudding, chicken broth, beef tea,
calves feet jelly, arrow root, and milk-porridge.
  Brinks.—Spice bash, barley coffee, black snake root, coolwort,
fever root, garden  balm, lemonade, tamarind water sweetened.
Three well roasted apples put into a quart of cold water, make a
very palatable and cooling drink.
  Cleanliness is of great importance in all cases of sickness.-—
Change the bed clothes often; wash your patient every day with
soap suds, especially in cases of fever.  Admit the fresh air freely
into the room; it will do the patient more good  than two visits from
his physician.
              ON DISEASES  OF INFANTS,

                       INTRODUCTION

  It is frequently said that little can be done for infants laboring
under disease, because they can  give no history or statement of
their feelings and symptoms.
  Their diseases are simple and uniform, and to an experienced
examiner, sufficiently apparent.  Their signs  of suffering cannot
be mistaken, or pass unheeded by a man of sagacity and feeling.
Their  language is that of nature, unsophisticated.  They never
cheat us.   They have no imagination of their dwn, and fortunate
would  it be for them if their nurses had none.
  The God of nature has provided for them medicine and food,
in the aliment which they draw from their mother's breasts,  and
common sense forbids the substitution of any filthy product of the
gossip's brain.  Not but what good nurses are of vast importance;
doubtless they have been the means of saving the lives of num-
bers of our fellow beings.   But the worst casualty that can hap- 
222         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

pen to an infant, is to have a nurse who "knows a thousand things-
that are good for wind; and how to draw the mother's breasts, and
make pap, and caudle," and is skilL-d in "elixers and laudanum."
   Formerly a surgeon could  not  live  in peace, within hail of a
prime nurse, "unless he cut the string of the tongue of all the in-
fants born  in his vicinity."  But fortunately for the children of
men, they are not now presumed  to.be sent into  the world "half
made up."   And it is to be  wished that all  gossips who believe in
tongue-ties,  chamber lie, hot caudle, wind, and apparitions, could
see  the error of their ways, and  refomi,  as well for their own
good name, as for the  well being of  those whom they  shall be
called to attend.
   Soon as convenient after the child is born, it should be put to
the mother's breast; if circumstances forbid this, let it  be fed with
a little clean molasses and water, the lest substitute for the first of
the mother's milk, which is laxitive.   Its dress should in no way
make it uncomfortable.  It should.be suffered to sleep  much of
the first month, and when awake, carefully dandled for exercise.
   When the bowels of a new born babe do not move in time, and
the molasses have been given; a teaspoon full of caster oil should
be given, and repeat it in four hours should it.be ineffectual or
vomited up..
   Take two drachms of rhubarb and boil in one gill of water, then
add half a drachm of manna and sweeten with loaf sugar, and one
half drachm of soda.   Administer freely until the bowels move.
Physic  may be assisted by emollient  injections.  When convul-
sions take place, put them in warm topid baths, or, sometimes soak-
ing the  feet in warm water  answers all purposes; it will remove
spasms, and helps cathartics; and do not forget the injections in
this case.
                          DIARRHCEA.

   A diarrhoea often follows infants and children  in consequence
of bad diet, damp rooms and negligence.   In attempting the cure, 
                       DISEASES.                      225

we Bhould be careful to avoid all causes which are obvious, and'
pay particular attention to the diet.  It is frequently the case, that
the diet is  offensive to the stomach, or badly digested, when we
least suspect it, consequently we should watch carefully what food
is agreeable, and not fail to inspect  the stools.
  If there is fever, we should begin the treatment with the fever
solution: give according to the age of the child.
   After the stomach and'bowels are cleansed, use the following:—
   Spikenard, comfrey and blue violet, made into tea, and  sweet-
ed with loaf sugar.  Paregoric  is also good in some cases.. The
tupid bath is useful in rousing the skin, and soap added to it. occa-
sionally, will be beneficial both  as a medicine and detergent.  In-
jections should not be forgotten, and castile soap should be dissolv-
ed in them  also.
   There will  be cases where the head suffers, and symptoms of
dropsy in the head may attend, for which, apply  blisters on the
back of  the neck.  If vomiting supervene, put mustard paste or
blisters,  on the somach and limbs.  Those on  the limbs may be
changed to another place soon  as they begin to inflame the skin,
as we wish only to produce counter irritation  and not blistering.

                          VOMITING..

   Vomiting is very common to healthy children, who eat or drink
 more than is necessary, and needs no medication,  of course.  If
 you give emetics,  treat as in croup and hooping cough.
   When vomiting in children becomes troublesome, and attended
 with fever or emacitation, apply irritations to the skin, as mus-
 tard paste, ginger, warm baths, &c.   Give internally the follow-
 ing:__Magnesia, two drachms;  cardamon  seeds, one drachm; an-
 nis seed, one drachm; water, one pint: Feed freely.
   [Note.—Many diseases incident to childhood  have been no-
 ticed before.  See Croup, rattles, hooping cough, &c] 
$24        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA,

                OF DISEASED  PARENTS.

  One great source of the diseases of children, is the unhealthy
ness of parents.  It would be as reasonable to suppose or expect a
rich crop from a barren soil, as that strong and healthy children
should be born of parents whose constitutions have been worn out
by intemperance or disease.
  An ingenious writer observes that,  "on the constitution of tho
mother depends, originally, that of her offspring."   No one who
believes this will be surprised, on a view of the  female world, to
find disease and death so frequent among children.   A delicate fe-
male, brought up within doors—an utter stranger to exercise and
open air—who lives on tea and other slops, may bring a child into
the world, but it  will hardly be fit to live.  The first blast of dis-
ease will nip the tender plant in  the bud.  Or should it  live and
struggle through a few years existence—its  feeble frame shaken
with convulions  from every trivial cause, will be unable to per-
form the common functions of life, and prove a burthen to society.
  If to the  delicacy of mothers we add the irregular lives of  the
fathers, we shall see further cause to believe that children are of-
ten hurt by the constitution of their parents.   A sickly frame may
be originally generated by hardships, or intemperance, but chiefly
by the latter.  It is impossible that a course of vice shall  not spoil
the best constitution; and  did the evil terminate here, it would be
a just punishment for the  folly of the sufferer.  But when once a
disease is contracted  and rivited  in the habit, it is often entailed
on posterity.  What a dreadful inheritance  is the gout, the scur-
vey, the  king's evil, or venerial complaints, to transmit to our off-
spring.
  A person laboring  under any malady, particularly bad  blood,
ought not to marry till that is properly cleansed, and the disease
eradicated.   Want of attention to these things in forming a con-
nection for life, has rooted out more families  than the sword. 
Diseases.
225
  Such Children as have  the misfortune to be  bor'n Of diseased
parents, will  require to be nursed with greater  care than others.
They should  also go through a course of mild, cleansing, vegeta-
ble remedies,  and by a proper  perseverance* we may in this way
make amends for the defects of constitution.

                   CLOTHING  OF CHILDREN.

   The clothing of children is so simple a matter that it is surpris-
ing that so many should err in it;  yet  many children lose their
lives, and others are deformed, by inattention to this article.
   Nature knows of no use of  clothes to the infant but to keep it
warm.  All that is necessary  for this purpose, is to wrap it in  a
soft loose covering.  Were a  mother left to  the dictates of Na-
ture alone, she would certainly pursue this course.   But the busi-
ness of dressing an infant Is in a  great  measure out of the hands
of mothers,  and has  principally become a secret which none but
nurses pretend to understand.
   From the most early ages it  has been thought necessary that  a
woman in labor should have some one to attend her.   This in time
became a business; and, as in all others, those who were employ*
ed in it strove to out-do one another in  the different branches of
their profession,   The dressing of a child became of course to be
considered as the midwife's province; who no doubt imagined, that
the more  dexterity she Could  show in  this article the more  her
skill would be admired.  Her  attempts were seconded by the van-
ity of parents, who, too often  desirous  of making a show of the
infant as soon as it was born, were ambitious to have as much fine-
ry heaped upon it as possible.   Thus it came to be thought as ne-
cessary for a midwife to excel in bracing and dressing an infant,
as for a surgeon to be expert in  applying  bandages to a  broken
limb- and the poor child as soon as it came into the  world, had as
many  rollers and wrappers  applied to its body as if every bone
had been fractured in the birth; while these  were often so tight,
                               15 
22fJ        VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

as not only to gall  and wound its tender frame, but even to ob-
struct the motion of the heart, lungs, and other organs necessaiy
to life.
   Among the brute animals, no art is necessary to procure a fine
shape.  Though many of them are very delicate when they come
into the world, yet we never find them grow crooked for want of
swaddling, bands.   Is Nature  less generous to the human kind!
I answer,  no: but  we take the  business out of Nature's hands.
   Not only the analogy of other animals, but the very feelings of
infants tell us, they  ought to be kept  easy and free  from  press-
ure.  They cannot,  indeed, tell their complaints,  but they can
show signs of pain; and this they never fail to .do by crying when
hurt by their clothes.  No sooner are they freed from their  bra-
cings  than they  feel pleased and happy; yet, strange infatuation!
the moment they  hold their peace, they are again committed to
their chains. 
PRESERVATION, OF PLANTS.          227
COLLECTION AND  PRESERVATION OF PLANTS.
   Each of the kingdoms of Nature  furnishes articles which are
 employed in medicine, either in their natural state or after they
 have been prepared by the art of pharmacy.
   In collecting these, attention must  be paid to select such as are
 most sound and perfect, to separate from them whatever is injured
 or decayed, and to free, them from all foreign matters adhering to
 them.
   Those precautions must be taken which are best fitted for pre-
 serving them.  They must in- general be defended from the effects
 of moisture,  too great heat, or cold, and confined air.
   When their activity depends on their voltaic principles, they
 must be preserved  from the contact of the air as much as possible.
   As the vegetable kingdom  presents us with the  greatest num-
 ber of simples, and the substances belonging to it are the least
 constant in their properties, and most subject to decay, it becomes
 necessary to  give a few general rules for their collection and pres-
 ervation.
   Vegetable medicines should be collected in the countries where
 they are indigenous; and those which grow wild in dry soils, and
 high situations, fully exposed  to the air and sun, are in general to
 be preferred to those which grow in moist, low, shady, or confin-
 ed places.
   Roots which are annual, should be collected before they shoot
 out their stalks or flowers; biennial  roots, in  the harvest of the
 first, or spring of the second yeau; perrennial, either in 'he spring
before the sap has  begun to mount, or in harvest, after it has re-
turned. 
229        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Those which are worm eaten or decayed are to be rejected.—
The others are immediately to be cleansed with a brush and cold
water, letting them lie  in it  as short a time as possible;  and the
fibres and little roots, when not essential are to be cut away.
  Roots which consist principally of fibres and have but a small
top, may be immediately dried.  If they be juicy,  and not aromat-
ic, this may be done by a heat not exceeding 100 degrees of Fah-
renheit; but if aromatic, by simply exposing  them, and frequent-
ly turning them in a current of cold, dry air: if  very thick and
strong, they are to be split and cut into slices, and  strung upon
threads;  if covered with a tough bark, they may  be  pealed fresh
and then dried.  Such as lose their virtues by drying, or are direct-
ed to be preserved in a fresh state, are to be kept buried in dry
sand.
  No very general rule can  be given for the collection of  herbs
and leaves, some of them acquiring activity Lorn age, and others,
as the mucilaginous leaves, from the same cause losing the prop-
erty  for which they are officinal.  Aromatics  are to be collected
after the flower buds are formed; annuals, not aromatic,  when
they are about to  flower,  or when  in flower; biennials, before
they shoot, and perrennials before they flower especially if their
fibres become woody.
  They are to  be gathered  in dry weather,  after the dew is off
them, or in the evening before it falls, and are to be freed from
decayed, withered, or foreign leaves.  They are usually tied in
bundles, and hung up in a shady, warm and airy place; or spread
upon the floor and frequently turned.  If very juicy, they are laid
upon a seive, and dried by a gentle  degree of artificial warmth.
  Sprouts are collected before the buds are open;  and stalks are
gathered in Autumn.
  Barks and  woods are collected when the most active part of the
v egetbles are concentrated in them, which happens  in the spring
and Autumn.   Spring is preferred for resinous bark;  and Autumn
for  others, which are  not resinous  but  rather gummy.  Barks 
             PRESERVATION  OF PLANTS.          229

should be taken from  young trees, and freed from decayed parts
and all impurities.
  The same rule directs the collection of woods; but they must be
taken from very young trees.  Among the resinous  woods, the
heaviest, which sink, in water, are selected.  The rough bark is
to be rejected.
  Flowers are collected in clear, dry weather, before noon, but af-
ter  the dew is off; either when they are about to. open or imme-
diately after  they have opened.  Of some, the petals, or colored
flower leaves only,  are preserved,  and the colorless claws reject-
ed; of others whose  calyx,  or outer covering,  is odorous, the
whole flower is kept.   Flowers which are too small to be plucked
singly, are dried with part of the stalk.  These are called heads,
or tops.
  Flowers are to be dried nearly as leaves, but more quickly, and
with more attention.  As they must not be  exposed to the sun, it
is best done by a slight degree of artificial'warmth.
  Seeds and ripe fruits, unless when otherwise directed, are to be
gathered when ripe, but before they  fall spontaneously.   Some
bulky fruits are freed from  their   core and seeds, strung upon
threads, and dried artificially.   They are in general best preserv-
ed in their natural coverings, although some, as the colocynth, are
peeled; and others, as the tamarind, preserved fresh.   Many of
these  are apt to spoil, or become rancid; and as they are then not
fit for medical use,  no very large quantity of them should be col-
lected at a time.
  The proper drying of vegetable substances is of the greatest im-
portance.  It is often directed to be done in the shade, and slowly,
that the volatile and active particles may not be dissipated by too
great a heat; but this is an error, for they always lose more by a
slow, than by a quick drying.  When, on  account of the color,
they cannot be exposed to the sun,  and the warmth of the  atmos-
phere is insufficient, they should be dried by an artificial  heat, not
exceeding-1.00 degrees of Fahrenheit, and well exposed to a cur- 
 230        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

 rent of air.   When perfectly dry and friable, they have but little
 smell; but after keeping for some time, they attract moisture from
 the air, and regain their proper odor.
   The boxes  and drawers in which vegetable matters are kept,
 should not impart to them any smell or taste; and more certainly
 to avoid this, they should be lined with paper.  Such as are vol-
 atile, or of delicate texture, or are subject  to suffer from insects,
 must be kept in well covered glasses.   Fruits and oily seeds, which
 are apt to become rancid, must be kept in cool and dry, but  by no
 means a warm or moist air.
  Oily seeds, odorous plants, and those containing volatile  prin-
ciples, must be collected fresh eyery year.   Others, whose  prop-
erties are more permanent, and not subject to decay, will  keep
for several years.
  Vegetables collected in a moist and rainy season, are in general
more watery, and apt to spoil.   In a dry season on the contrary,
they contain more oily and  resinous  particles,  and  keep  much
better.

              J 
FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.
$31
-BARTON AND BIGALOW'S FAVORITE
            PRESCRIPTIONS.
   The list of medicinal preparations which follow, comprises, with
but few exceptions, all ray favorite compound remedies;  together
with many gathered in the course of a long life, or selected from
the successful practice of other physicians.  None of these are
infallible in  all cases, although many of them, properly employed,
will, I venture to say, fulfil all reasonable expectations that can be
entertained  from medicine.  But good medicine will  frequently
disappoint expectation; when this happens, however, before we
discard or blame the means, let us satisfy ourselves that they have
not been misapplied; for more depends upon a correct application,
than upon the  specific virtues of any remedy; and  sagacity and
skill to direct, constitute the great secret of success in practice.
   Many of the recipes here given may be considered of little con-
sequence,  or even frivolous.   Some of them, perhaps,  are so, in-
dividually.   But to the discerning practitioner, all of them will af-
ford valuable hints, which he may improve with advantage.—
With this view, alone, they are fiere published.
                 Favorite  Prescriptions.

  The Tonic Tincture—32 gallons.—In thirty-two galloKs of good
sound cider, infuse five pounds of the inner bark of white oak,
pulverised; eight pounds of horseradish root, bruised; and three 
232        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

pounds of Seneca snake root, bruised.  Cover it, and let it stand
in a warm place, or over a gentle heat (not exceeding blood heat)
for six days.  Then strain the liquor off into a clean cask, and
add three pounds of the carbonate, or rust of iron; and two oun-
ces of oil of cloves, decomposed in alcohol.
   Let this now stand for two or three weeks, shaking it up occa-
sionally,, and not wholly excluding the air; when it will be sufficient-
ly prepared to draw off into bottles, or it may remain in the cask.
   To every bottle of this tincture, add half an ounce of "Turling-.
ton's balsam of life."   Shake them together till they are incorpo-
rated, when the composition  is ready for use.
   Dose, from one-third to two-thirds of a common wine glass full*
three times a day, before meals.
   In all cases of  debility, and weakness of blood, in  consump-
tions, dropsy,  long continued agues, obstructed menses, &c, this
tonic tincture will be found an invaluable medicine.

   The Mother's Cordial—1  gallon.-^Take one pound of the par-
tridge berry vine, or squaw vine, dried; and one fourth of a pound
of high cranberry, or camp bark;  boil in two gallons of water to
three quarts; strain, and add one quart of brandy, and one pound
sugar.
   Dose, in the latter stages of pregnancy, half a wine glass full
every night  on going to bed, in a little warm water.   The dose
may be increased to a gill, if necessary to relieve cramps and pain.
   This is an inestimable cordial for pregnant woman, and should
be used in all cases, for at least one or two weeks previous to con-
finement* as a preparatory.

   The Female Strengthening Syrup—Take one fourth of a pound
of comfrey root, dried; two ounces of elecampane  root; and one
ounce of hoarhound.   Boil from three quarts to three pints; strain
and add, while warm, half an  ounce of beth root, pulverized; a
pint of brandy, and a pound of loaf sugar.. 
FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           23$
  Dose, from half to two-thirds of a wine glas full, three or four
times a day.
  This is used in female weaknesses, bearing down of the womb,
flour albus, debility, relaxationjof the genital organs and barrenness.

  The Anti-mercurial Syrup—This medicinal preparation, taken.
in proper doses, operates as an alterative and detergent; a diapho-
retic, diuretic and laxative; an anti-spasmodic and anodyne; and,
in proper cases, as a stomachic  and  emmenagogUe.   Generally
expressed,  it increases all the secretions and excretions, and ex-
cites action in  the  glands in a particular manner.  From these
principles its effects may be deduced.
  The diseases to which  it is applicable are  pointed out in the
course of this work.
  The doses must vary greatly in different  persons, some being
able to bear less than a sixth part of the quantity that others can.
Those persons especially whose blood is weak and watery, require
a very small proportionate dose.   The  average dose for a healthy
adult, is half a common wine glass full, (about two thirds of an
ounce,) increasing it to two-thirds of a wine glass full, according
to its effects.  It should  be taken  three times a day, fasting, or
about half an hour before meals.  An over dose will produce con-
siderable dryness in the  fauces,  and  a  temporary dimness of the
sight, which will be perceived  on attempting  to read.  A slight
dimness is of no consequence, and only serves to shew the proper
effect of the medicine; but more  than this would not be advisable.
The proper dose produces no inconvenient  effects, or unpleasant
feelings.  Under its operation, no restriction in diet is required,
or abstinence from the common business avocations; ardent spir-
its, however, must  be abstained  from.   The pores being opened
rather more freely, the liability to taking cold is somewhat increas-
ed; but it  produces no deleterious eflects, and is only injurious
"rom its retarding the cure.  This invaluable preparation has, in
my practice, saved many lives, that were deemed past all hope. 
^84         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  The Anodyne Wash—4-gallons.— Take fifteen pounds of blobd
beets, sliced: boil to two gallons, and strain.   Then add, while
warm, one pound and a half of sal ammoniac, and half a pound of
opium.  Stir it occasionally till they are dissolved; when the whole
may be strained; and add to it two gallons of proof spirits.
  A little spirits of lavender may "be added to give it a flavor.
  This will  be found a valuable cooling and anodyne application in
all cases of  inflammation, bruises, pain, &c.

  The Children's Cordial.—Take two ounces each of pink blows,
smellage root, and  pleurisy root; boil to one  quart; strain, and
add one  quart of fourth proof brandy, and one pound of sugar.
  Dose, for  an infant, a teaspoon full, repeating if necessary.
  For the colics, fits, green stools, &c.  of children,' this is an ex-
cellent remedy.

  Chalk Julep.>— Take of prepared chalk,  four ounces; rhubarb,
one ounce;  pour upon  them one quart of  hot water.  Then add
half an ounce each of essence of peppermint and paregoric.  Let
it steep a short time, a=nd after it has settled, decant it off, and bot-
tle it up.
  Dose for an adult, from one'to two table'spoons full.
  In dysentery and diarrhoea, proceeding frOm acidity in the first
passages, this will be found of superior  efficacy.

  Clove Jelly.—Take two pounds of best English glue, or (which
is preferable) an equal quantity  of calves' feet jelly:  dissolve it in
two quarts of water; and add three pounds of refined sugar, half
an ounce of oil of cloves, and an ounce of "balsam of life."  In-
corporate them well together, and let it cool, when  it  becomes a
JeRy.
  Dose, a piece the size of a hickory nut, four or five times a day.
  This may be taken with advantage in cases of a weak stomach,
general debility, gleets, seminal weakness,  &c 
              Favorite prescriptions.          2S5

   Sal  Aeratus and  Rhubarb Mixture.—Take three parts of sal
wratus, and one of rhubarb, finely pulverized.   Mix.
   A teaspoon full taken daily, dissolved in a turnbler of cold water
and sipped up in  the course of the day, is inferior to no other pre-
paration in relieving acidity in the stomach.

   Stramonium Tincture, or Green Drops.—Take one quart of stra-
monium seeds, pulverized; boil  in four quarts of water to 2 quarts;
strain,  and add two quarts of spirits.
   Dose, from ten to twenty-five drops,  two or three times a day.

   For  Costiveness.—Take two  ounces of rhubarb, and one ounce
of rust  of iron; infuse in one quart of wine.
   Dose, half a wine glass every morning.

   Conserve for a  cough.—Take three parts of fresh comfrey root,
ind one part of green  Indian turnip; bruise together  into a fins
paste, and add two parts of refined sugar.  Mix.
  A table  spoon full of this may be eaten three or four times a day,
or coughs, &c.

1   Worm Syrup.—Take one ounce of aloes; half an ounce of assa-
oetida; and four  ounces of snakehead, dried:  boil the snakehead
o  one  quart, and add the aloes and  assafoetida,  and  a quart of
nolasses.
  Dbse, for a child, a teaspoon full every half hour, till it oper-
tes as  physic, which will  bring away the worms in a slimy mass.

  Healing Wash.—Boil half a pound of witch  hazle bark to a de-
oction  of a quart; and add three  or four ounces of "Turlington's
alsam of life," and (at pleasure) a drachm of white vitriol.   Shake
lem well together.
  For cleansing and healing excoriated  surfaces,  and  correcting
;rimony and putridity, this is second to none.   It is particularly
irviceable as an injection in gonorrhoea, and as a wash for several
cers. 
53(5         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  The Green Salve.—To three pounds of lard, add a quarter of
a pound  of  beeswax; two ounces of verdigris, finely pulverized;
and one pound of Scotch snuff.   Melt, and stir till cold.
  This is a most excellent salve for cleansing and  bringing life
and action into foul and ugly ulcers.  I find  great use for it

  The Bittersweet Ointment.—Take equal parts of plantain leaves
and root, bittersweet bark, and spikenard root, boil out the strength,
strain and make  it into an ointment with hogs lard.
  This is a valuable ointment* and is frequently recommended in
this work.   It softens and  relieves a caked and inflamed breast in
a remarkable manner, and may be applied with advantage.

  Iron and  Myrrh Pills.—Take  rust of iron, three parts, and
myrrh, pulverized, one part.  Make into a mass with Castile soap
and molasses.
  Dose, two or three twice  a day.  They are used for the same
purposes as  the tonic tincture.

  Fir Pills.—Take balsam of fir, and mix in enough of foxglove,
pulverized to make it of a proper consistency for pills.
  Dose, three or four,.twice a day.  These  pills will often cures
gleet, and are generally useful in completing the cure of gonorrhoea,

  For Epileptic Fits of the Nervous kind.—Take one ounce each,
of gum myrrh and flour of sulphur; half a gill of spirits of turpen-
tine;  and one gill of oil of almonds, or of sweet oil.   Simmer all
together two or  three hours, u.til it becomes red.  Then drain
the  liquid off from the sediment, and bottle it up.
  Dose,  from fifteen to thirty drops twice  in twenty-four hours,
for  an adult, and in proportion to children.

                Miscellaneous Preparations.

  Asthmatic Tincture.—Take half a pound  of quick lime, slack
it by turning on  two quarts of hot water, and while it is slackinj 
FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.          237
andboiling, stir in two spoons full of tar;  mix them well together,
and then let it settle.  Take half a pound of wild turnip, half a
pound of milk weed roots, fresh, a small hand full of lobelia; mash
and infuse  them in two quarts of wine, in a sand heat, for twenty
four hours; then press and strain, and add to it the lime water,
and bottle it for use.
  Dose,  a wine glass three times a day.
  This  is  useful  in  coughs, asthmas,  consumptions,  hysterics,
spasms, &c.

  Dr.  JIulVs Genuine Bilious Physic.—Take eight ounces of al-
oes; one ounce each, of mace, myrrh, cinnamon, Cloves, saffron,
and  ginger; four ounces of the  dried leaves of the garden sun-
flower, or of the wild sunflower.   Pulverize the articles separately,
and mix them thoroughly.  Dose, a teaspoon full.
  The efficacy of this celebrated  physic in the cure of bilious colic,
is well known.  This is the first genuine recipe of it ever publish-
ed.   Several spurious ones have been circulated, but in them the
two active articles, saffron and sunflower, were omitted.

  Dr.  Young's Deohstruent Pill.—Take aloes, in fine  powder,
two ounces; Castile soap and the best of flake manna, of each one
ounce; oil  of aniseed a sufficient quantity to reduce it into a mass
for pills.  Make twelve pills out of each drachm; one of which
may be taken at any time of the day, occasionally as a laxative,
to resolve and carry  off foul viscid matter from the bowels, there-
by,  obviating costiveness, and preventing the numerous evils in-
cident to it. They produce the  most salutary  effects in cases in
which the bile is inert.   Their operation is remarkably gentle.

  Detergent Syrup.—Take equal parts of bittersweet bark; bur-
dock roots; dandelion tops and roots;  sumach, bark of the root;
tag alder, the bark and tags; sassafras, the bark.   Boil all togeth-
er to a syrup, strain  and sweeten, and add spirits enough to pre-
serve it from fermentation. 
23*         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
  Dose, according to its effects, two or three times a day.  It
eleanses and purifies the blood from humors,  and causes a free
circulation.

  Strengthening Syrup.—Take balm of gilead buds, black cherry
bark, black alder bark, or berries, Colombo root, dogwood bark,
unicorn root, and whitewood bark; prepare in  the same manner
as the above,  and take as the stomach will bear.
  This is an excellent stomachic, and strengthens the system gen-
erally.

  Expectorant Pills—Take of blood root, mandrake and Indian
hemp, each one ounce; lobelia, the seeds and leaves, aquarterof
an ounce; Indian turnip, one ounce; all pulverized  fine;  opium,
half an ounce; and licorice extract, half an ounce; all to be form-
ed into a mass for pills, with the  mucilage of flaxseed, or slippery
elm and honey, or molasses, ana made  into common sized pills,
  Dose, one pill once in six hours, for coughs, colds, consump-
tions, &c.

  Vegetable Bilious Pills.—Take mandrake, eight ounces; blood
root, four ounces; lobelia, leaves and seeds, four ounces; gam-
boge, eight ounces;  all finely pulverized; one fourth of an ounce
of the oil of peppermint,  or aniseed, and as much molasses as will
form into a mass for pills.  Dose, from two to  six pills.

  Anodyne Sudorific Pills.—Take opium, one ounce;  ipecac, one
ounce; pleurisy root, one ounce;  Indian turnip, one ounce; cam-
phor gum, half  an ounce; all  to be pulverized fine, and  formed
into a mass with the mucilage of gum arable, and made into com-
mon sized pills.   One pill may be taken every  four or five hours.
  They ease pain, and create a  moderate  perspiration; and are
good in all cases where anodynes and sudorifics are proper.

  Emetic Powders.—•Lobelia, the leaves and seed; Indian hemp,
the roots, each two ounces; blood root, half an  ounce; and anise, 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           230-

caraway, or fennel seeds, or angelica or calamus root added: all
pulverized, and mixed.  One teaspoon full to be put into a cup of
warm water,  or gruel, and  sweetened, to be taken at a, ■ dose.  It
may be repeated until it operates*

   For a quick Bilious Purge.—Take sixteen parts each of gam-
boge  and mandrake; eight parts each of blood root and lobelia
seeds, pulverized; and one part of oil of  lobelia.  Mix well with
mucilage of gum  arabic* for pills.  Dose, for a purge, from three
to four;  foEa purge-and emetic, from.five to six*

   Cathartic Powders.—Take mandrake root, and blue violet, each {
two parts; blood root, one part;  all to be mixed.  Dose half a tea-
spoon full two or  three times a day.
   They remove costiveness, indigestion, and correct the stomach ,
and bowels..

   Stimulating Cathartic Powders.—Add to the above mentioned
composition, one  part of golden seal, or Colombo; and one fourth
part of Cayenne  pepper.   Exhibited in the dame manner as the
above, only in rather larger doses.

   Tonic PowcUrs.—Take equal parts of golden seal, Colombo root,
and rust of iron, all finely pulverized.   Mix.  Dose, from five to
twelve grains three times a  day.
   This is a powerful tonic in cases of debility.

   Sudorific powders.—Take pleurisy root, and Indian turnip, each
two ounces;  blood root, one ounce; pulverize and mix.
   Dose,  half a teaspoon full once an hour; to be given in fevers,
after the stomach and bowels are cleansed.

   Bone's Bitters—1 quart.—Take unicorn root, one ounce;  blood
root, one fourth of an ounce;  ginseng, half an ounce; devil's bit,
half an ounce;  rue, one fourth of  an ounce; seneca snake root,
sassafras>:bark, and golden  seal,  each one fourth of  an ounce.— 
640        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

Digest in one quart of best Jamaica  spirits, in a sand heat, for
twenty-four hours; then strain.   Dose, a teaspoon full three times
a. day, in water.
  This bitter is celebrated for its fine restorative and strengthen.
ingqualities, in indigestion, rheumatism, dropsy, &c.

  For Epilepsy and Nervous Fits.—Take one ounce of gum myrrh
pulverized; one ounce of flour of sulphur;  half a gill of spirits of
turpentine; and a gill of oil of almonds, or of sweet oil.  Simmer
together two or three hours, until it becomes red.  Then drain it
off from the sediment, and bottle it up.  Dose, from fifteen to thirty
drops, twice in twenty-four hours, for an adult.

  To relieve Cough.—Take an ounce  and  a half of licorice root;
one ounce of elecampane; half an ounce of hoarhound; two oun-
ces of sulphur. Pulverize them, and add honey to make a conserve.

  Snuff for Catarrh in the  Head.—Take colt's foot, snake root or
asarabacca, and  bayberry bark, each two  parts;  and blood root,
one half part; pulverize fine, and  mix.   If the wandering milk-
weed be added to this, it cures headache.

  Colic powders.—Take  two table spoons full  of pleurisy root,
and a teaspoon full of  Cayenne  pepper: pulverize and mix.  In
colics, steep the whole in half a pint of water, sweeten, and take it
at a dose.  It may be repeated according to circumstances.
  Or, which is better, equal  parts of pleurisy root  and crawley
root, pulverized,  mixed and given in powder.

  Aperient Mixture.—Take ginger root and saffron flowers, each
one ounce; the bark of white ash roots, one hand full; sweet plan-
tain, tops and roots, a double hand full; blue cohush roots, a small
hand full; vervain tops and roots, a double hand full:  all to be
bruised;  when they may be either made into a  syrup, or infused
in half a gallon of cider; or in the same quantity of spirits.  This
should be taken freely, as the stomach will bear. 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.          241

  This mixture opens the system generally; is good in obstructions
of the menses, in rheumatism, and is powerful to drive diseases to
the surface of the skin, such as erysipelas, or any diseases of the
blood.

  For Dysentery—(Dr. Perkins'last remedy, so called.)  Take
good vinegar, and as much salt as It will  dissolve:  add one  table
spoon full of it to four of hot water, and let it be taken by spoons
full, as fast and  as  hot as it can be swallowed.  This dose is to
be continued Once in two  hours  till it  operates as  physic.  It i«
said to be a sovereign remedy ih dysentery.

  Jaundice Bitters.—Take the bark of the roots  of whitewood,
boxwood, or  dogwood, black cherry, and prickly  ash, each one
had full; horseradish roots and mustard  seed, each two ounces;
and a hand full of hops; all to be infused in one gallon of cider,
or of equal parts of wine and water.  Dose, half a  wine glass full
three times a day.

  Ague Bitters.—dn one quart of wine, infuse one table spoon full
of blood root;  two of wild turnip; and two teaspoons full of man-
drake, all pulverized fine.   Dose, a table spoon full as  often as
the  stomach will bear it.

  Sloughlon's Bitters.—Take  orange  peel, one pound; gentian
root, three pounds;  camwood, two pounds; pulverize  and infuse
them in six gallons of spirits; and after shaking it well for five or
six  days, decant, and bottle it up for use.

  Female Bitters.—Take of crane's bill, four  ounces; comfrey,
four ounces;  beth root  four ounces;  motherwort roots, four oun-
ces; whitewood bark, four ounces; orange peel, one ounce; cin-
namon, half an ounce;  all bruised and  infused in three quarts of
good wine, and sweetened.
  This is very useful in all cases of female debility; flour albus,
and immoderate flow of the menses, &c.
                              16 
242        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
       Anodyne Carminative Drops.—Take  angelica, or  mother wort
    roots, four ounces; valerian, two ounces; calamus, half an ounce,
    anise, dill, and fennel seed, one ounce each, or two ounces of either;
    catnip, blows or leaves, and motherwort, each  a  large handful;
    pleurisy root, four ounces.   Infuse the  whole  in two  quarts  of
    brandy; or good common spirits; and digest in a moderate heat
    for twenty-four hours.,  Then press out and strain the liquid, and
    add to ifc half a pound of loaf sugar.   When settled, bottle it for use.
       Dose, for children,  from ten  to sixty drops, according to the
    age: for adults, from one to four teaspoons full, in a cup of warm
    tea.  It may be repeated  once  in  four, or six hours.   It  eases
    pain, creates a moderate perspiration,  and produces refreshing
#   sleep; is good  for restless children, removes flatulency,.and wind-
    colic:  and is useful in hysteric and nervous affections, female de--
    bility,  &c.

      Bathing Drops.—To one quart of alcohol, add one ounce of hem-
    lock oil; one ounce of gum guaiacum, pulverized; one ounce of
    gum myrrh;  two teaspoons full of Cayenne or red pepper.   Shake
    them well together, and bottle for use.
      For rheumatic  pains, or  pain in the head, stomach, or else-
    where, bathe the parts every night and morning.  They  may be
    taken internally at the same time, in water or on sugar, in doses
    from ten to sixty drops.

      Cough Drops.—Take  saffron  flowers, one ounce;  blood root,
    half an ounce;  licorice root, one  ounce;  elecampane and wild tur-
    nip, each one ounce; the bark of sumach root, two ounces.  Di-
    gest the whole  in three pints of spirits, kept warm, for forty-eight
    hours; then press, strain and let it settle.,
      Then add to  it a teacup full of the juice of roasted  onions, one
    quart of lime water, one pint of tar water, and a pint of  molasses,
    and bottle it for use.
      Dose, from one  fourth to a wine glass full three times a day.
    This is excellent iti coughs, consumptions, &c. 
               FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           243

   Another.—Take sweet oil, one pint; raw flaxseed oil, half a pint;
 molasses, or honey, half a pint; spirits of turpentine and balsam
 of fir, each  an ounce; licorice extract, half an ounce:  simmer the
 whole until  mixed.   Dose, from ten to sixty drops, twice or thrice
 a day, for colds, coughs, and consumptions.

   Rheumatic Drops.—Take one table  spoon full of pulverized
 mandrake root; one table spoon full  of black cohush; and a large
 handful of pipsissawa, or prince's pine.   Infuse them in one quart
 of wine.  Dose, from one to four teaspoons full three or four times
 a day.  Useful in chronic rheumatism, gout, &c.

   Anti-spasmodic Tincture.—Take the leaves of stramonium and
 lobelia, of each two ounces; pleurisy root, two ounces; valerian,
 masterwort, angelica, castor, and opium, each one ounce; all bro-
 ken and put into an earthen vessel, with two quarts of alcohol and
 half a pint of the juice of roasted onicns; to which add one fourth
 of an ounce of Cayene pepper.  Keep in sand heat for thirty six
 hours; then press, strain, and bottle up for use.  Dose, from thir-
 ty to sixty drops; it may be taken in hot water, and sweetened, or
 on sugar.
   In case of cramps or spasms, the dose must be repeated every
 fifteen minutes until  it gives relief; or, in whooping cough, from
 ten to thirty drops once in half an hour until it nauseates or vom-
 its.  In croup it is to be taken in the same way.  In asthma, give
 from forty to sixty drops, and repeat until it gives relief; also in
 lockjaw.   Persons who are  subject to cramp and convulsive fits,
 may take thirty drops, three times  a  day, and increase the dose
 one drop every day.   It is quite a certain remedy in all spasmo-
 dic diseases.

   Fbr Dropsy.—Take gentian roots, four  ounces; elecampane,
eight ounces; sassafras, bark of the root, one pound; sarsaparilla,
two pounds.  Boil the whole  in two  gallons  of water,  till one
half is evaporated.  Dose, a wine glass full four or five times a day. 
214        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  Tar Syrup.—Take one gill of tar, one pint of wheat bran, half
a pound of loaf sugar, and two quarts  of water; stir them well
together, and then let it stand thirty-six  hours; strain off, and add
one quart of lime water.  Dose, a wine glass  kill three times a
day.  This is an excellent remedy for coughs, consumptions, &c.

  Common Gargle.—Take the flowers  of life everlasting, or In-
dian posey; sage, and golden seal, or  gold thread;  make a tea,
and  sweeten with honey.  Very useful for a  sore mouth,  sore
throat, &c.
  Or, chew the blossoms of Indian posey, and swallow the juice,
which will be found of great benefit in quinsy, sore throat, &c.

  Gargle for canker in the Stomach.—Make a strong tea of blood
root, and take equal parts  of the tea and honey, and simmer them
together.  Give the  patient little and often,  as the stomach will
bear.

  A Wash to remove Freckles and Tan from the Face.—Take an
ounce of gum benzoin, pulverized,  and boil it two minutes in a gill
of alcohol; then  pour it into a quart of cold water,  when it be-
comes of a milky color.
  Wash the face in  rain water, without soap, and  then rub the
face with this wash two or three timas a day,  with a towel.

  To remove Films.—Take the equal parts of saltpetre, loaf sugar,
and rock salt; and one fourth as much alum: all pulverized as fine
as posible, and mixed with honey.   Reduce in  rain water.
REMEDIES  APPLICABLE TO PARTICULAR DISEASES.

  The remedies which follow, let it be understood, are not men-
tioned here with the view of superceding, or in any wise interfer-
ing; with the  general plan of treatment already recommended in 
              FAVORITE  PRESCRIPTIONS.           24*

the various diseases  described in this work.   They are inserted
merely as accidental  cures; but from which perchance, the saga-
cious physician may derive profitable information.

               INTERMITTING FEVER, OR AGUE.

   Take a pint of strong coffee, the juice of a lemon, and a gill of
brandy.  Mix, and drink, as  the fit is coming on.   This has often
succeeded in breaking and curing the ague, in the worst cases.

   Infuse dogwood blows, blood root, (a little,) coltsfoot, and spike-
nard, in spirits.  Take a wine glass full of this three or four times
a day.
   Make a continued  drink of sage, sitiYon, and camphor, in  tea,
with sweet milk and  vinegar enough to turn it.
   For a draught for  the feet, pond lilly, or poke roots.

   Take the juice of four lemons, and pour on a  pint of boiling
water.  Give a spoon  full every ten minutes.  It will break the
the fit.

   Peach pits and the inner  bark of black alder:  infuse in good
spirits.  Take it fasting, and often in the day.

   Take one  nutmeg, and the same weight  of  alum, finely pul-
verized.   Mix, and divide  into three portions, one to be taken each
morning for three  days.   This is  a German remedy, and is said
to be infallible in breaking the fits.

   Take a drachm of sulphur mixed with molasses  for three morn-
ings in succession.   If not cured, after three days try it again.
   Barberry root and  camomile, in brandy.

   Boil one pound of  oats,  and a large hand full of  succory, in six
quarts to three; and  add half an ounce of nitre, and half a pound
of sugar.   Dose, two gills a day.
   This liquor,  (which should be kept close, is used in all fever** 
246         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.
 pleurisies, colics, and obstructions.   It is highly extolled as a pre-
 servative in an unhealthy season, and is said to prolong life, when
 taken for a time in the spring, dog days, and autumn.

   Five finger leaf tea is excellent in night sweats and debility aris-
 ing from agues.

   Dandelion and sorrel, decoction, is said to break the worst fevers,

   A hand  full of fish ivcrms in a pint of spirits.  Dose, a small
 glass full as the fit comes on.   This is powerful  in quelling the
 parexysm; but tonics are necessary to complete the cure.

   To prevent the ague, take ten or twelve grains of black pepper
 daily.   Persons in exposed situations would profit by attention to
 this.

        FOR INFLAMMATORY, PUTRID AND OTHER FEVERS.

   For Yellow Fever.—Take plantain juice, a wine  glass full every
ten minutes till the fever intermits, which usually takes place in
two or three  hours.   Keep the patient in a free air, and let him
 drink camomile tea, or water without limit.   On the intermission
 of the fever,  give a smart purge.

   To create  a sweat in spotted and similar fevers, take potatoes,
 fresh out of the  earth, without washing; roast or boil them, till
 they can be  mashed,  and apply them in bags  hot to the  feet and
 sides.   Vinegar may  be added.

   In  all putrid and epidemic disorders, buttermilk, either  fresh
 or boiled, taken freely, will'be found inferior to no other means of
 cure.

   For an asthmetic in putrid fevers, when the  circulation is rapid,
 and the heat of the body greatly increased, draw a  strong infusion 
              FAVORITE  PRESCRIPTIONS.           247

of good ground malt in boiling water, strain it off, and add to a pint
of it while milkwarm, two table spoons full of the best yeast, and
a table spoon full of muscovado sugar; keep it warm and when it
is in brisk fermentation, give the patient a wine glass  full every
hour, or if the symptoms are urgent, every half hour.   This has
-frequently saved, in the last extremity.
   The same infusion may be used for injection.

   For the plague, and malignant and infectious fevers, the free in-
ternal and external use of sweet,  or olive oil, is productive of the
happiest effects.  As a  substitute, the following mixture may be
employed: dissolve two drachms of camphor in  an ounce of sul-
phuric ether, and beat it into a bottle of olive oil.   Two table spoons
full of this mixture may be  taken  every half hour, accompanied by
softening and mucilaginous drinks in abundance,  and also by clys-
ters of the same nature.

                         FOR QUINSV.

  To prevent its coming on, take a teaspoon  full of salt in the
mouth, and as it dissolves, gargle the throat with it.   Repeat this
till the quinsy is dispersed.

   Take an ounce of wild indigo root, boil, strain,-and stir in meal,
for a poultice to the neck, to take out inflammation.   Also gargle
with the indigo root decoction.  Or, marsh mallows, in a decoction.

   To discuss the  quinsy in its first stages, apply a plaster of four
ounces of hard soap, half a pound of sugar, half  a pint of linseed
oil, and two ounces of resin.

  Take a white bellied hop toad, cut it open alive, and apply it to
die throat.  This is a most powerful drawing application, though
 ather unseemly.   When other means fail, however,  it may be
 rofitable to employ this. 
843         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

              THRUSH, OR CANKER SOttn MOUTH.

  For a gargle:  in a pint of strong sage tea, dissolve borax anti
alum, each the size of a kernel of corn, adding a little  molasses.
  Or, gold thread, in decoction; or blackberry root;  or yarrow tea.

  Take juice of celandine, honey, and a little saffron—simmer a
while and take off the scum.   Apply the liquor to the sores with a
feather.

  For a sore mouth—take the yolk of a roasted egg, burnt leather
pulverized, sage  and  burnt alum: mix with honey for a gargle.

  Make a strong decoction of white oak bark; to which add burnt
oyster shells, and burnt alum, pulverized.  Used in a sore mouth.

  Take sage, hyssop,  gold thread, borax and alum; boil  all to-
gether in a half pint of water, and add molasses, for a gargle.

  A decoction of the bark of the astringent elm, (not.the slippery,)
used freely for a  gargle, is good.

  For the Black Canker.—Take night shade, half an ounce of the
green herb  to a  quart of water, steeped.  Wash the  mouth and
throat with  this, and give a teaspoon full-every two hours, to an
adult: children proportionably.

  Take agrimony, devil's bit, and lungwort, and boil them for  a
wash.

  Take half a pound of squaw, or cohush root, six ounces of beech
drops,  and four ounces of red elmbark: boil in four quarts  of rain
water, to two, strain, and dissolve in the decoction two ounces of
alum and half an ounce of saltpetre;   to which add half a  pint of
honey.   This will cure the most inveterate sore throat. 
             FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.          24»

               FOR PULMONARY CONSUMPTIONS.

  A syrup: Take an ounce each of spikenard, cinnamon, Virgin-
ia snake root, and parsley; two ounces of "pleurisy root; and half
an ounce each of cloves and gum myrrh,.  Steep the whole three
hours in two quarts of water.   Then strain, simmer down to a
pint, and add  while warm,  one pound of sugar, and a pint of port
wine.   Bottle it up.  Dose, from half to two wine glasses, three
times a day, according to the strength ofthe patient

  Rad vitae, or life root, half an ounce, steeped in a quart of water,
and used for  common  drink, is a most valuable remedy in begin-
ning consumptions.

  For night, sweai-., in consumption, or if the urine is frothy, giv«
the eHxer of  vitriol, ten drops four or five times a day.

  Small doses of  wild turnip, in honey, four  or five times a day,
is useful.
  Slippery elm  bark, soaked in cold  water, and sharpened with
vinegar,  is a  good'expectorant in consumptive coughs.
  Or, a conserve of comfrey and wild turnip, in honey.

  The fumes of burning resin and beeswax  may be inhaled,  re-
peating it three or four times a day.
  Or, drink tar water.
  Or, take the yolk of two eggs, a gill of wine, a teaspoon full of
tar, and a table  spoon full  of honey, beat  thorn together.  Dose,
a teaspoon full four times a day.

  For a bleeding at the lungs, give moderately, a tea of sweet bu-
gle, or of crancsbill.

  A hand full each of comfrey, elecampane, hyssop and lungwort:
boil to two quarts, add a.pound of honey,  saA simmer to two qts.
Dose, a table  spoonful three or four times a daj\ 
350         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   Adder's tongue, eaten as salad, with sugar, is of great benefit
in scrofulous consumption.
   Boil four ounces of hyssop, and one ounce each of wild cherry
bark  and skunk  cabbage root, in  four  quart9 of water to two;
strain, and add a pint of honey, half a pound of sugar candy, two
ounces of liquorice root  pulverized, two ounces  of shavings of
hartshorn, one hand full of rue, three ounces of aniseed, figs and
raisins, each four ounces.   Boil alf the ingredients in one gallon
of water to  three quarts.   Strain the decoction, and add a quart
of honey and a pound of sugar.  Simmer till it incorporates; then
put in a cool cellar for use.  Dose  a  gill every morning, and at
bed time, fasting.
   Dogs' grease, clarified, and a spoon full taken daily, has cured
a far  gone consumption.

                   FOR COUGHS, COLDS, &C

   A large draught of boneset tea, on going to bed.   A little pepper-
mint may be added, to prevent nausea.
   Or Indian turnip, a  teaspoon full at a dose, and  repeated two or
three  times, before going to bed.
   Or, buttermilk whey, hot, and sweetened with molasses.
   Or, brook lime, in decoction.  This  may be depended on for
certain relief.
   If the cough is severe,  and continues, slippery elm, or flaxseed
tea may be given, sharpened with vinegar.  If it should not yield
to this, let the bowels  be kept open, and give horseradish, scraped
in vinegar, and sweetened with honey.
   Or, a syrup of common turnips, sliced and  baked in molasses,
or honey, a table spoon full four or five times a day.

   Two  parts of  garlic, and one of rue, steeped  in vinegar, and
sweetened with honey.  A teaspoon full maybe taken, after every
coughing. 
PRESERVATION OF  PLANTS.          251
  A table spoon full each of wheat bran, and flaseed; four ounces
of raisins, and a lemon, sliced, all infused  in a quart of boiling
water, to which add sugar.   Dose, a wine glass full four times aday.

  Licorice, slippery elm,  Indian turnip and elecampane—make a
syrup.   Take  three times a day.

  For the whooping cough.—Take equal parts of licorice, sulphur,
fresh butter, and spermaceti.
  Or, pine boughs, winter green, and sweet oil.

  For cough and asthma.—Take balm of gilead bods, tinctured in
spirits.
  Or, coltsfoot, spikenard, and balm of gilead.

  For a cough.—Honey,  hoarhound, licorice and slippery elm.
  Or,tar water.

  For cough and pain in the stomach.—Take a teacup full of hard
soot: boil and strain.   Add one fourth of a pound of honey.   Take
a little before eating.
  Gr, take balm of gilead buds, balsam of fir, and  half a pint of
sunflower seeds.   Bdil the seeds to half a pint, then add the best
of gin, one pint, with the rest.   Take a little in the morning.

  For a cough.—Take six ounces of extract of licorice, one pint
of white wine vinegar, one ounce of oil of almonds, and one ounce
of laudanum.   Dissolve the licorice in  the wine, and add the oth-
er articles.  Dose,  one teaspoon full after every coughing.

  Wild licorice, thistle roots, and arch-angel, of each a large hand
full; water, three quarts.   Steep to three pints, drain off, and add
four ounces of loaf sugar.

  For hoarseness.—Take three drops of black snake's  oil, or of
rattlesnakes' oil, at bed  time.   Also, a syrup  made as follows—
seneca snake  root, one fourth of an ounce; licorice root, two oun- 
*52        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

ees; and one large onion, sliced; simmer in two quarts of water
to a pint;  strain and  add an ounce of loaf sugar.   Dose, a tabls
spoon full four or five times a day.
   Or, skunk  cabbage root, or ball,  pulverized, and mixed with
molasses or honey.   Dose, a teaspoon full four or five times a day.
   Or, rub the soles of the foct with garlic and lard, beaten togeth-
er, at night, repeating.till cured.
   Or, take sweet oil,  half an ounce at a dose.  Rub the  chest with
the same.
   Or, a conserve of  three parts of gr<• :n comfrey, and one part
wild turnip, bruised fine, and mixed  with sugar.

                      FOR THE ASTHMA.

   Vomit, when  necessary, with lobelia, or blood root.

   For  the  spasmodic asthma.—P.rcwn paper, dipped in a strong
solution of salt petre—dry it, burn, and inhale the  fumes when tha
fit is on.
   Or, which is superior to any thing else  I am acquainted with—
stramonium leaves soaked in a  solution of salt petre,  dried and
smoked, as the above.   This ne-er  fails, to relieve in a spasm of
the asthma.

   Limewater, a table spoon full three times a day with from fifteen
to twenty drops  of the tincture of stramonium in each dose.

   The oil or decoction of sunHower  seeds is excellent.

   Take one pint of brandy, a small handfull each of blue flag root
and skunk cabbage, and one ounce of spirits of turpentine.   Mix
all  together, and, wh^'i digested, take tliree or four table spoon*
full a dayv

   Skunk cabbage root, or balls, pulverized, and taken in molasses.

   Skunk cabbage root, tar,  masterwort, smellage  and ginseng.— 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           S53

  Make a syrup, and sweeten with molasses.  Dose, a wine glass
full three times a day.

  Take spermaceti, honey, hyssop, rue, sugar and ginger—mak«
a syrup, or conserve.

  For the dry asthma—raw garlics.

  Take one drop of skunks' strong oil, on sugar, once a day, for
a few weeks,  and then increase to a drop twice a day, till well.

  Drink, daily, a tea of arsesmart, sweetened with honey; and if
necessary, foment the chest with oats  fried in vinegar.

  Take five hands full of coltsfoot, three do.- ground ivy,  two of
hoarhound, two hyssop, one of wormwood, and  one of maiden-
hair: boil in six quarts  of water, to four; and add  sugar enough
to preserve it.  Dose, a teaspoon three times  a day.

               FOR PALPITATION OF THE HEART.

  Take motherwort; castor, one  fourth of announce; and skunk
cabbage root.  Infuse in  one pint of spirits. Dose, a teaspoon
full or more, three or fourttimes a day.
  Or tincture of stramonium—ten to fifteen drops three times a day.

                FOR PAIN IN THE CHEST, &C.

  For pain in the breast.—Take elecamane root, snake root, com-
frey, spikenard, burdock,  bittersweet,  wild cherry bark, Solomon
seal; infuse in rum, and sweeten.   Dose according to its strength.

  Pain in the  stomach.—Take wild indigo root, in decoction, for
almost every affection of  the stomach—a table  spoon full thre«
times a day.
  Or, boil tansy in mountain wine, and take  a draught at night.
  Or, balm of giliad buds  infused in cider for  a bitter. 
254         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  For a weak stomach.—Take a hand full each of wild cherry
and peach  tree bark, and half an ounce of cinnamon.  Boil to a
pint, and add a  pint of brandy.   Dose, a table spoon full  three
times a day.

                        FOR HEADACHE.

  If from acidity in the  stomach—soak the feet in warm water;
and take pearl ash, the size of a  kernel of corn, dissolve in cider
and drink.
  Or, put a teaspoon full of ginger and  a table spoon full of mag-
nesia in half a pint of cold water, and drink.

  For a snuff.—Coltsfoot, pulverized;  mix half and half with
Scotch snuff

  Cephalic snuff.—Take roots of daisies, yarrow, and white hel-
lebone;  coltsfoot leaves, and bayberry bark, each one ounce, fine-
ly pulverized and sifted.   Mix well, and drop one drachm of es-
sence of bergamot in it; then bottle up.   Take a small pinch at
bed time.
                    FOR THE TOOTHACHE. .

  Chew the xanthoxylum, or toothache  bark; apiece  the size of
the finger nail is sufficient at a time.  Repeat till the pain ceases.
This is as effectual as any thing of the stimulating kind.
  In  obstinate tic douloureux, pain,  or  rheumatism in the upper
jaw and face, roasted fresh  potatoes, applied hot, very fequently
gives relief.
  Opium,  camphor, oil of cloves, or oil of peppermint, a pill or
drop placed in the tooth, will sometimes  relieve.
  Or, smoke stramonium seeds, or leaves, in a pipe.

               FOR DIARRHCEA AND DYSENTERY.

  Take rhubarb one scruple; toasted nutmeg fifteen grains; pearl 
                FAVORITE  PRESCRIPTIONS.           255

  asli, ten grains; syrup of orange peel, enough for a bolus.   Take
  occasionally.   Or, which is excellent,  a decoction of witch hazle
  bark drank freely, with  boiled milk and sugar.
    Or, gizzard skins dried and pulverized, a half teaspoon full four
  or five times a day   This is not outdone  by any  other remedy.

    For dysentery.—Parched or roasted corn, pulverized, and boiled
  in milk, fifteen or twenty minutes.   A gill  may be eaten  every
  hour.
    Place a quantity of peach or cherry bark, and sugar, on a net
  or grating in the top of a proper vessel, with a quantity of brandy
  in the bottom of it.  Set the  brandy on fire,  and let the blaze act
  on the sugar and bark till the sugar is  melted down and the bark
  consumed, forming a syrup in the bottom- of  the vessel.  A table
  spoon full or  more of this may be taken several  times a day, in
  obstinate dysenteries, and is considered almost a specific cure.

    Culver's root will often cure the dysentery.,

    In severe cases of bilious diarrhoea, twenty grains of salt petre,
  or about the size of a common bean, may be dissolved in a gill of
  water, and a  teaspoon full  taken every hour, till the disease is
  checked.   I have seen this give relief in the last extremity.

    For dysentery.—All mucilaginous substances  are proper,  as
  conserves of comfrey, slippery elm, gum arabic, &c.
    Also, alkalies, as the chalk julep.
    Pleurisy root, in powder, may be  administered  with great  ad-
  vantage in all cases of dysentery.
    Night shade is said to be a specific  in this disorder; but it re-
  quires great caution in its use.  A grain of the pulverized leaves,
  or two drops of a saturated tincture, is sufficient for a dose, for an
  adult.
    When the bowels are very much eroded and irritated, laudanum
  may be added to the other remedies..   Laudanum and gum arabic
?  is a useful formula in dysentery. 
350         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Clysters of starch, with cranesbill and laudanum, are service-
able to allay the irritation of the intestines.
  Or, to ease pain, give a few drops of laudanum in hot saffron te»i

  Take a teacup full of wheat flour—boil  it in a bag two hours,
till it becomes hard.   Grate it, and take a teaspoon full in milk,
two or three times a day.
  Or,  hard hack, or ox balm, in decoction.
  Or, use white ash physic, and drink a tea of arscsmart and mullen.
  Or,  take a spoon full  of  plantain seed, bruised, morning and
evening, until it  stops.
  Or,  the leaves of plantain, boiled in milk, and taken freely.
  Or,  a nutmeg, pulverized, in the yolk of an egg.
  Or,  rice boiled in milk.
  Or,  equal parts of sweet oil, West India  molasses, and West In-
dia rum.  Mix,  and simmer them to a consistence of honey.
  Or,  green blackberries, dried and pulverized—a teaspoon full in
cinnamon water, night and morning.
  Or,  slippery elm, scraped, with  water, bandy and sugar.
  Or,  white oak bark, and mullen  leaves,  each a hand full—boil
in rain water.  Then burn a pint of brandy with a pound of sugar,
and add.

  After purging sufficiently, give the following decoction:—Taks
the roots of comfrey and Solomon seal, each two ounces,* tormen-
tfl root, three drachms;  white oak bark, one ounce; reduce these
to a powder, and boil them very gently  in three  pints of water to
 a quart, and towards the last of the decoction, add one drachm of
good cinnamon, and a large nutmeg bruised;  and when cool, a
gill o£ Madeira wine,  and as much refined sugar as will render it
agreeable to the palate.  This has cured hundreds.
                        FOR THE PILES.

   Mullein decoction injected, and  mullein leaves applied.
   Stramonium leaves applied, or an ointment of stramonium. 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.          257

  Plantain, wild indigo, and bittersweet, in decoction, form an ex-
cellent wash for the piles.
  One ounce of Goulard's extract, in one quart of spirits, for a
wash.   This has been sold in the shops as a specific.
  Pumpkin seed oil, applied, is a valuable remedy.  Or, the "bit-
tersweet ointment."
  Brown sugar and pulverized oyster shells, mixed with a catap-
lasm.   Or tobacco ashes and palm oil: an ointment.
  Sitting over the  steam of a strong decoction of oak bark, is of
great benefit.

  For fistual and Piles.—Take the expressed juice of skunk cab-
bage, one pound; fresh butter, one pound;  and mutton tallow, half
a pound: simmer for two  hours, and then press out the ointment
for use.  Anoint the part twice a day for ten minutes.

  Along with these applications, internal remedies must not be ne-
glected.

  Internal  remedy for fistula and  piles.—Take sulphur and ele-
campane,  each one ounce;  fennel seeds, half an  ounce;  black
pepper, or tincture  of xanthoxylum, two drachms; and balsam eo-
paiva, with honey, enough for an electuary.   Dose, the size of d
walnut, twice or thrice a day.

                       FOR DIABETES.

  Take half an ounce of pulverized kino, and two ounces of opi-
um.   Infuse in a quart of spirits, and shake  them togeiher for a
week.   Dose, from fi-fteen to thirty drops, twice or thrice a day.
                    i
  Tincture of canthaxides—let it be  taken daily till a  slight de-
gree of irritation is p erceived  in the kidneys and urinary passa-
ges: then desist for a, time, and again repeat,  till cured.
  Prince's pine, gravel weed and wintergreen, in decoction. Drink 
2.3*
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
   Take a goat's horn, and put it so near the fire as to raiso blis-
 ters: scrape them off, and raise moro, till the horn is urscd up.—
 Pulverize this substance fine, and give in doses of a teaspoon full
 twice a day in cold water.

               FOR FLATULENCY, WIND COLIC, &C.

   Remove the cause, whether it be acidity, debility or coldness in
 the  stomach.
   For present relief, give first of all, the pleurisy root, in powder,
 a teaspoon full at a dose;  repeating every fifteen minutes.
   Or, take two parts each of angelica and pleurisy root, and onr:
 part of sweet flag, and infuse in brandy for a bitter.
   Or, bayberry bark, two ounces; grains of paradise, one ounce;
 ginger half an ounce;  and rust of iron, one drachm; digest in a
 pint of spirits, and take a table  spoon full three  times a day,  till
 well.
   Or, essence of peppermint, a large dose, will give immediate re-
 lief.  Or, caraway seeds, three drachms at a dose.
   Elixir vitriol is of great service in flatulent complaints.
   The common pains and disorders of the stomach may almost in-
 variably be removed, by turning down half a pint of boiling water,
 as hot and as fast as it can be taken.

   Obstinate fixed pains in the sides and loins of many years stand-
 ing have soon yielded to the following  carihnnative:—Bay berries,
 six drachms, grains of  paradise, two draqhms; socotorine aloes,
 and rust of iron, each two scruples; spiritof/turpentine, 2 drachms;
 and  simple syrup enough to make an  electuary.   Dose, tho size
 of a  walnut night and morning.            j
  This is a powerful medicine.
  In wind and  bilious colics, and in iliac passion, purgative and
stimulating clysters are  of great service.   Also clysters of yeast;
or of tobacco  smoke.
  In bilious colics, quick purges are necessary.
.*-" 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           259

  The crawley, or fever root, cannot be given amiss in any spe-
eies of colic.   Alone, or taken in a tea of pleurisy root, it is supe-
rior to any thing else in common use.

  If necessary, foment the pit of the stomach with hops or oats
fried in vinegar.  Use friction freely on the bowels.

                    FOR CHOLERA MORBUS.

  Take an ounce of cinnamon water, a grain of ipecac, thirty-
five drops of laudanum, a drachm of  spirits of lavender, and two
drachms of tincture  of rhubarb, to be taken  at one draught, which
will give immediate relief.

  Put a  table spoon full of hot  ashes in a  tumbler of cider,  and
give the patient three table spoons full of it.   This commonly cures
in half an hour.   If the dose is thrown up, repeat.
  In all cases promote the vomiting till the offending matter is ejec-
ted.
  Pearlash, in solution, may be given to allay the irritation of the
stomach.
  Or, sal ceratus and rhubarb.

        FOR EPILEPTIC FITS, CRAMPS, CONVULSIONS, &C.

  Take two ounces  of  stramonium seeds, pulverized;  one ounce
of castor, and half an ounce of opium.  Digest in a pint of spirits
eight days, and strain.  Dose, from fifteen to twenty-five drops
three times a  day, fasting.
  Stramonium, and all antispasmodics are proper.

  To  break epileptic fits, put a spoon full of salt in the patient's
mouth.   This will give quick relief in most cases.
  Procure a black snake's skin and tie it around the patient's waist,
the flesh side  next the skin, to be worn continually.  At the same
time drink constantly a tea of dogwood chips, tinctured with brandy. 
2G0         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Take equal parts of gum myrrh, sweet oil, spirits of turpcntm\
and sulphur.  Dose,  from fifteen to forty drops.

  Take roots of comfrey, sassafras, burdock, elecampane  and
horse radish, and tops of hoarhound  and raspberry, each a hand
full.  Simmer in water for eight hours, and drink a gill four times
a day, for a week before the full and change of the mcon.
  Or, purslain tea for a constant drink.

  Take a hand full each of  white garden lilly root, black snake
root, and plantain, boil to a pint, strain and add a pint of rum and
a pound of sugar.  Dose, a gill three or four times a day.
  Crawley, valerian, and stramonium probably comprise as much
virtue in curing these disorders, as any other articles.  They how-
ever, like all others, require to be persisted in for some time to
conquer this disease  entirely.

   For nervous fits and weakness, calves' feet jelly, tinctured with
cloves, &c. is very strengthening and restorative.
   Foi cramps.—The cramp, or high cranberry bark, given in tea
will relax them in almost all cases.

                         FOR PALSY.

   Give hot stimulants internally, and apply externally, with friction.

   The phosphoric ether, prudently managed, is probably as effec-
 tual as any other means that can be  used.
   Or, electricity may be tried.

   Xanthoxylum bark, prickly ash, galangal root,  grains of para-
 dise, &c. may be employed with advantage in palsies.   Also horse
 radish, mustard seed, and burdock seed.

                         FOR JAUNDICE.

    If from an obstruction from biliary  calculi, give emetics. 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           261

  Barberry bark, in  decoction; soot  tea; and bayberry bark, in
tincture; are all excellent.
  Or, the juice or decoction of dandelions.
  Or, hog's or beef's gall, in pills or bitters.

  Raw eggs,  three or four times a day, in wine, helps greatly in
the cure of jaundice.

  Barberry, wild cherry bark, and yellow walnut  bark, in decoc-
tion.  Or, walnut bark, saffron and celandine, in decoction.
  Or, take every night, on going to bed, two  or three  pills of
Castile soap,  and drink plentifully of soot tea.
  Or, infuse  half a pound of  blood root in five pints of old rum,
and take half a wine glass full three times a day on an empty stom-
ach, increasing the dose.
   Or, extract of boneset, in pills.

   Take one gallon of cider, one dozen of eggs, half a pint of hard
soot, one double hand full of wild cherry bark,  and a hand  full of
prickly ask.   Boil.  Add  half a pint of treacle, four pounds of
sugar, and four spoons full of ginger.   Dose, half a gill three times
a day.

   Take tamarisk or tamarack bark,  one hand full, and sow bugs,
a table  spoon full: infuse in a pint of Teneriffe  wine.  Dose, half
a wine  glass full three times a day.
   Excellent  for heat or pain in the stomach, or any internal pain.

                          FOR DROPSY.

   Take artichoke leaves, three hands full; bruised juniper berries,
one quart; scraped horseradish, one handfull;  green fir tops, two
hands full; and bruised mustard seed, two table  spoons full.   Mix,
 and steep in two gallons of water to  one.  Dose, for an adult, half
a pint morning and evening. 
2G2        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.
   Make a tea of dwarf elder roots, for daily drink.   Continue if
for thirty days.
   Or, make a strong decoction of  milkweed roots, and drink a
wine glass full three times a day.
   Or, a decoction of white clover flowers.  Drink freely.
  "Or, take masterwort root, half an ounce;  and the bark or flow-
ers of dogwood, one ounce; infuse in a bottle of cider, and  drink.
   Or, take a hand full of ashes of  wormwood—infuse in a quart
of gin, and shake it well together.   Dose, half  a wine  glass full
or more.
   Or, take four ounces each of fennel seeds, juniper  berries, and
orange peel.  Simmer  in water, strain, and add as much  gin as
will keep it.   Dose, a wine glass full three times a day.

   Take half a pound each of horseradish and parsley; one ounce
of oxymel of squills; two ounces of Virginia snake root;  half a
pound of white oak bark; half an ounce of rust of iron.  Put the
whole in two gallons of sound cider, in a stone  jug, and cover it
tight.   Let it digest, near a fire, for four or five days; then strain
and bottle up tight.   Dose, half a wine glass full three times  a day,
fasting.

   Take a hand full of rose willow  bark, and half a peck of dry
chesnut leaves; boil in five quarts of rain water to two; and add a
teaspoon full of sulphur.   Dose, a  teacup full three times  a day.

   Boil one ounce of seneca snake root to three gills, and  strain.
Give half a table spoon full every hour till the whole  is used, and
it will, wholly or partially carry off the water.   After which give
the following:—Rust of iron, one ounce; masterwort root, pulver-
ized, half an ounce; bark or flowers of dogwood, one  ounce; and
ginger, half an ounce; all pulverized fine, and mixed for powders.
Dose, a teaspoon full three times a day in molasses.

  Take one  pint of bruised mustard seed; two hands full of brui.s- 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           263

ed horseradish;  eight ounces of lingum vitae, and four ounces of
Indian hemp root.   Infuse in seven quarts of sound cider, and let
it simmer on hot ashes till reduced to four quarts.  Dose, a wine
glass four times a day.  Rust of iron may be added.

  Apply hot stimulating cataplasms to the feet and legs; as horse-
radish, mustard seed, Cayenne pepper, &c

  To evacuate the water by urine, infuse thirty or forty cuckle
burs, cut  fine, in a quart of Holland gin, and  give the patient a
wine glass full three times a day, if he can bear it.   Give blue flag
or mandrake physic occasionally; the mandrake maybe given in
gin,  with  fennel  seed, to prevent griping and wind.  For strength-
ening the system, and evacuating the wate r moderately, take lin-
gum vitae chips, burdock root, bittersweet, coltsfoot, aniseed, fen-
nel,  and Solomon seal—a decoction, for daily drink.

                        FOR  WORMS.

  Take skunk cabbage ball, one ounce; whitewood bark, and In-
dian hemp root,  each one ounce; all  pulverized fine  and mixed.
Give from a half to a whole teaspoon full three mornings in suc-
cession, before eating.
  Or, essence of wormwood, and turpentine dropped on sugar.
  Or, the red berries of black alder, made into a syrup.
  Or, walnut shucks, in decoction.
  Or, old tobacco pipes, pulverized fine, and given in molasses.

  Worm syrup.—Take one pound of roots and leaves of the great
plantain; four ounces each of unicorn root, black alder bark, and
Indian hemp roots; and three ounces of roots and leaves of skunk x
cabbage.   Boil all in two gallons of water to three quarts: strain,
and  add  two quarts of molasses* or  four pounds of  sugar, and
boil to the consistence of molasses.
  Children  from two to four years of age may take half a wine
glass full  every night and morning for three days before the full 
264        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

and change of the moon, tvhic^'will bring away the worms entire.

                FOR THE STONE AND GRAVEL.

  The juice of horsemint, and the juice of red onion?, arc said to
be almost a specific cure for the stone.
  Or, cleavers, and oil of pumpkin seeds.

  Take arsesmart, a large hand full, make a decoction and add a
gill of gin.   Take the whole in twelve hours.   This has discharg-
ed a table spoon full of gravel stones at a  time.

                FOR SORE OR INFLAMED  EVES.

  Laudanum, brandy, and spring water—a wash.
  Or, wormwood tops, with the yolk of an egg.
  Or, a fomentation  and poultice of hops.

  Take sthikweed, or stramonium  leaves, bruise them, and wet
with milk, and  mix with rye flour.   Put it in a cloth and lay on.

   Take the expressed juice of house leeks, and put it in a new egg
shell, with two teaspoons full of honey.   Set it on hot ashes and
skim off the scum when it rises.   Apply to the eye.
   Or, take the  pith of sassafras and lobelia leaves, each a small
hand full, and infuse  inone quart of water.  Add a gill of the juice
of roasted onions, and a table spoon full of honey.   Mix.   Put a
few drops in the eyes, if inflamed, three or four times a day.
   Or, take twenty grains of white vitriol,  twenty of sugar of lead,
six of salt, six of opium, and six of blood root.  Dissolvo all in
one pint of soft water, and  use as the above.

   To remove the discoloration of a blood shot eye—apply fresh
killed flesh to the eye,  repeating it every  hour till the coagulated
blood is dispersed.   Or, apply the breast of a live chicken, with the
feathers picked off, to the eye. 
FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           265
                  FOR GENERAL DEBILITY.

  The Tonic Tincture.

  To invigorate the system.—Take juice of sage, one gill; cinna-
mon and ginger, each one ounce; fresh angelica root, bruised,
one ounce; fresh spikenard root, two ounces; saffron and galan-
gal root, each two ounces; and cloves one ounce.  Put all into a
brass kettle, and steep in six quarts of Malaga wine for two  hours..
Bottle it up.  Dose, half a wine glass full every morning.

  Take comfrey, Solomon seal  and raisins, each six ounces: put
them in six quarts of water and  simmer a while.  Then add two
ounces of pearled barley; and  steep to two quarts.  Then turn
off the liquor, and add a pint of brandy to two ounces of loaf su-
gar.  Dose, two-thirds of a wine glass full, three times a day.

   Debility in old age.—Tar water, morning and evening.

   For dyspepsia.—Take one  pint of hickory ashes, and a  teacup
full of hard soot: infuse  in one quart of boiling water.  Take a
little, three or four times a day.

   Dyspeptic pills.—Take four ounces each of white oxide  of bis-
muth, extract of gentian, and socotorine aloes; two ounces each of
colocynth, Castile soap, and gamboge; oil of cloves, one drachm.
Pulverize and  mix,  for pills.   Commence with one ever^y three
hours, till the  bowels are loosened, and then take one morning
and evening.   This  preparation has  been highly celebrated.

                       FOR RHEUMATISM.

   Chronic—Take half a pound each of sarsaparilla, and lignum
 vine, three ounces of prince's pine, and two ounces of wintergreen:
 boil ''q  five gallons  of water to  one gallon.  Strain and add three
 pounds of sugar.   Dose, a wine glass full  three times a day. 
2€6         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  Take one ounce of seneca snake root; two ounces of white pine
Ixark; two ounces of burdock seed; an ounce and a half of prickly
ash bark:  boil all in four quarts of water to  three, and take half a
pint, morning and evening, fasting.
  This preparation will be found to possess great efficiency.

  Take cider brandy, sulphur and hops, for  a drink; and cider
brandy, sulphur, and Cayenne pepper, for a wash.  This has giv*
em immediate relief in the most  inveterate cases of chronic rheu-
matism, lumbago, and hip gout
  Or, take sulphur and honey.
  Or, essence of hemlock, twenty or thirty drops at a dose, in five-
finger leaf tea.
  Or, boil nettles soft—foment with the liquor and apply the herbs
as a poultice.

  For a plaster.—Take laudanum, white turpentine, shoemaker's
wax, a beef's gall, and camphor.   Digest in spirits  enough to
cover them, in an earthen pot, covered, till it is thick and sticky—
apply as a plaster to the affected part.

  Take linseed oil, and fish worms,  a good quantity.   Stew them
till they crisp.  Apply the liquor.   It is powerful.

  Put four ounces each of unicorn root, prickly  ash bark, and blood
root, bruised, into four quarts of old  Jamaica rum, and  let  it di-
gest by the fire in a jug, for a week, shaking it  frequently.  Dose,
a table spoon full three times a day, Increasing  to a wine glass
full, as the patient can bear it.
  Also, drink four times  a day, a decoction  of  half a pound of
prickly ash bark, two ounces of toothache bark, one ounce of bit-
tersweet, and four ounces of squaw root; boiled in eight quarts of
water to the consumption of four.
  Rub the pained parts twice a day, for ten  minutes each timo,
with the following ointment: boil two hands full  of the leaves of 
FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           267
skunk cabbago and arsesmart, each, in two pounds of hogs lard,
until the leaves crisp;  then strain the ointment, while hot, and add
cfnc ounce of fine powdered roll brimstone.   Apply this, and cover
the parts with flanneL

                FOR SCROFULA, OR KING'S EVIL.

   Frostweed, or scabious, drank daily, in decoction, and applied as
a poultice, has cured numbers in this country.

   Take pond lily root and prickly pear, bruise to a pumice;  and
resin and bees-wax, for a salve.
   Also drink, for six weeks, half a pint per day of  decoction of
devil's bit.  Or, the same quantity of ground ivy.

   Take the  bark of the bayfierry root, pulverized, and apply td
the lumps three  times a day.   If it breaks, wash the sore constant-
ly with the decoction, and apply the  green leaves.  Drink  bay-
berry tea constantly, a cup full four times a day.
   Or, drink a tea of the  scrofula plant, and apply a poultice of the
^ame.

   Take  Peruvian bark in coarse powder, and  seneca snake root
Of eaeh two drachms;  unslacked lime, four ounces; boiling water,
one pint.   Grind the lime with the bark and root in a mortar, ad-
ding the water by degrees: let it stand six hours, strain off, and give
two table spoons full every third hour, with as much sweet milk.

   When scrofulous tumors are recent, apply tincture of canthar-
idcs with soft linen, so as not to raise blisters.  If this does not
soften or discuss the tumour, pound garlic to a soft pulp, add a few
drops of cream,"and apply it as a poultice every night  on going
to bed.   If the tumour breaks, dress it with a strong decoction of
wild cherry bark  in  lime water, applied with lint, and covered
with a plaster to exclude the air. 
26S         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                        FOR CANCERS.

  For a salve.—Press the juice out of poke berries, and sot it in
the sun till it is evaporated to a slave.  Apply.
  Or, take the juice of sheep sorrel, and evaporate  in  the same
manner to a salve.   Apply to the cancer.
  Or, take sheep sorrel, poke leaves, and  yellow dock: express
the juice and dry in the sun, for a salve.
  Or, make a poultice of poke berries, pigweed and green of elder.
  Or, apply red onion juice.
  Or, make  a plaster of alum, vinegar, and honey, equal parts in
wheat flour.
  Or, take Indian  turnip, pulverized, to make a poultice.
  Dr. Henry's Cancer Ointment.—Take a pint of juice ol  the
leaves and roots of poke weed—simmer on  hot ashes  in an earth-
en pot for a short time; then mix with a  pound of fresh  butter.—
Burn it in a frying  pan, and stir in half a pint of finely pulverized
gunpowder and keep  it over the fire till  it  flashes once  or twice;
then set it on  hot  ashes in a pipkin till it is well incorporated,
when it may be put in pots, and  covered with alcohol to prevent
its moulding.
  This ointment, applied twice a day will  kill the roots of u cancer.

  For a stone cancer.—Take the powder of dry yellow dock root,
wet with port wine, and  apply it to  the cancer, renewing it three
times a day.
  Make a daily drink of a decoction of yellow dock, and bark of
black alder, each a hand full, boiled in four quarts of water to two.

  For Drawing Cancer Plasters.—The lead plaster.—Take half a
pint of olive oil; two ounces of Castile soap, shaved fine: put them
in an earthen vessel over a slow fire till they incorporate.   Then
add, two ounces of red  lead, and two ounces of white  lead, pul-
verized fine.  Stir the whole till it becomes tho consistence of salve. 
^■■;a£.v       PRESERVATION OF  PLANTS.          269

    AddifiaBs as occasion requires—from one to eight drachms of
  corrosivi#|ublimate to an ounce of the salve; making four drachms
  the medium.
    Or, add the same quantity of white vitriol.
    Or, the same quantity of verdigris.

    Another.—Take one gallon of urine, and two gallons of oak
  bark; boil the bark in the urine, till it  is reduced to two quarts;
  then strain, and add—wheat flour, first made into a paste, half a
  pound; honey, one pound; white4urpentine, a pound and a half.
  Simmer to  a salve.  Add to this, wfeite vitriol, pulverized, more or
  less, according to the strength that is required.  Change it twice
  a day.
    This plaster is  said to draw out eancers as effectually, as any
  of the cancer plasters in use, and  with far less pain.

    For a plaster.—Mix soap, blood root, pulverized, and linseed oil,
  to the proper consistence.

    Cancer root  and balm of gilead  buds, bruised  together for a
  cataplasm.   Or, use the cancer root for a wash.

    Take a table  spoon full of sweet oil twice a day, and a teaspoon
  full of balm of gilead buds twice a day.

                        FOR SALT RHEUM,

    Take wild cherry bark, tag alder, and green of elder—boil and
  add salt petre, the size of a walnut to a quart.  Take one spoon
  full morning and evening.
    Also—Use a  teaspoon full of  salt petre in a pint of water as a
  wash.

    Boil one  pound of plantain in  two quarts of beef brine, and one
 i of urine, for an  hour.   Wash.
    Or, spirits of turpentine.  Anoint. 
270         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

  Or, take half a pound each  of tar and lard.   Simmer in spring
water, for an ointment
  Or, marrow of beef bones, black pepper, turpentine, and brim-
stone.   Make an ointment
  Take half a pound each of elder bark, yellow dock root, burdock
root, tag alder bark, and lignum vitae; and one fourth of a pound
of sassafras bark.  Make a syrup.
  Or, make a decoction of  mullein,  elder, gill-go-by-thc-ground,
milk weed, pond lilly, and rose willow, for drink.
  Or, Castile soap and Ma ^ria wine—make a suds, and drink.
Also wash.
  Or, a  table spoon full of salt petre, dissolved in a quart of water.
Dose, a table spoon full twice or thrice  a day.   Wash with the
same.
  For cleansing the blood.—Tako a hand full each of pleurisy
root, rose  willow bark,  spicewood  bark, dock  root,  plantain  root,
dandelion root, spikenard, comfrey, and burdock;  and a little cal-
amus.   Boil to two quarts and add half molasses.   Dose, a small
glass full three times a day.
           FOR ERYSIPELAS, OR ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE.

  Elder flowers, in decoction, form  a very good  laxative  in this
disorder.
  Take Virginia snake root, masterwort root,.burdock root, white
wood bark, and ginseng root—infuse in brandy.   Dose,  three
times a  day.
  Or, Castile soap and old Maderia wine—make a suds, and drink.
  For a poultice—a rye pudding, boiled, and mixed with soft  soap.
Lay on  three or four times.
                      FOR SCALD HEAD.
  Take a pint of tar;  and a quarter of a pound each of spermaceti
and mutton tallow.  Boil in a quart of water an hour—skim and
cool.  Anoint. 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.          271

  Or, take dock root, low mallows, plantain, green parsely, sul-
phur, beeswax, tar, and fresh butter—make an ointment
  Or, take night shade, stramonium, cicuta and' yellow dock—
make an ointment with tar and lard.

                 FOR A FELON, OR WHITLOW.

  Take the scrapings of a powder horn, wet with brandy, and ap-
ply every hour.
  Or, take indigo weed and blue flag roots—a poultice.
  Or, two ounces each of white hellebone and blue flag, boiled In
a quart of milk.   Hold the finger in it when hot, and afterwards
poultice.
  Take a lump of rock salt, the size of a walnut,  and roast it in a
cabbage leaf in  hot embers for twenty minutes—then powder it,
and  mix it with hard soap for a salve.   A little turpentine may he-
added.  Pat the finger in weak lie frequently through the day..

  Take an ounce of wild indigo root, and a quarter of an ounce of
blue flag root  Boil them  in urine, or in lie, and hold tho finger
in the hot liquor, and afterwards poultice with it thickened, with
rye meal.  This is a certain, cure.

  Take one pint of the strongest drained lie, warm,  and dissolve
hard soap in it until it is as thick as common soft soap.  Then stir
in one  fourth of a pound of red lead, which will make it a conven-
ient  plaster, which must be applied till tho wound is thoroughly
cleansed.
                 FOR THE VENEREAL DISEASE.

  For  Gonorrhoea.—Take one ounce each of spirits of lavender
and balsam copavia;  half an ounce each of spirits of turpentine,
and spirits of nitre; and one fourth of an ounce of Harlsem oil.—
Shake well together.   Dose, from fifteen to twenty-five drops three
times a day. 
272        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Another.—Take one ounce of juniper oil, and half aa i unco u'
Turlington's balsam—mix.   Dose, from thirty to sixty drops three
times a day, an hour before  eating, in a tumbler full of water.
  Also for an injection—To  six ounces of rose water, add half a
teaspoon  full each of white vitriol and sugar of lead, and half an
ounce of Turlington's  balsam.  Inject thoroughly three times a
day, allowing the injection to remain a few minutes if possible.

  For the Syphilis—A Sailor's remedy.—Take a table spoon full
of gun powder, dissolved in half a gill of urine, every morning.
ft may also be taken ih water.

  For a wash for malignant and eating syphilis and other sores.—
Black cherry bark, boiled in urine.   Wash.

               FOR FLUOR ALBUS, OR WHITES.

  Take one ounce each of cherry bark and butternut bar!;, and
four ounces of bark of rose willow.  Boil to three quarts; and add
a quart of Maderia wine, and six ounces of sugar.   Dose, two tea-
cups full  a day.  Omit in particular situations.
  Or, boil one pound of rose willow root in six quarts of water to
three;  and add three pints of port wine and  four ounces of sugar.
  Or, take four ounces of burdock root, two ounces of rose willow
bark, one of parsley and two of yarrow tops.   Boil in four quarts
of water and one of new milk to two quarts.   Add sugar, and take
a gill three times a day.

  For injection—White oak and alum.
  Or, Cranesbill, white oak, and highbrier, in decoction.
  Take one hand full  each  of tanzy, r%e, coltsfoot, motherwort,
fennel and wormwood; and half a pound of raisins.  Boil down to
two quarts, and add a pint of brandy, and half a pound of sugar.
  Or, take one ounce each of white beth root, and pleurisy root;
and half an ounce of sraellage seeds.  Infuse in one pint of bran- 
              Favorite prescriptions.          273

i5y.  Afterwards, boil the roots to one pint of water, and add to
to the brandy.   Add a little sugar.
  Or, take yarrow and plantain roots, and White oak bark«"-a de-
coction—inject and drink.
  Or, a. decoction of white hollyhock, root and flowers.
  Or, take egg shells, and scorch  till brown;  then mix with white
turpentine into pills.   Dose, one every morning till well.

                  FOR OBSTRUCTED MENSES.

  Horseradish and rust of iron infused in old cider.
  Or, Spruce, hemlock, tansy,  ergot (a very little,) pennyroyal
und oak of Jerusalem—a decoction,
  Or, one ounce of calamus and half an ounce of masterwort, in a
quart of brandy.   Dose, a table spoon full on an empty stomach.
  Or, Tanzy beer.
  Or, cinnamon, cloves, spikenard and comfrey, cut fine and bak-
ed with sugar in an oven.
  Or, brook lime, in decoction*

                 BEARING DOWN OF  THE WOMB.

  Heartsease and arsesmart, for a decotion-.   Bathe.
  Or, boil flaxseed, and add mullein and heartsease, and lay across
the abdomen.

  Take white oak  bark,  beth  root, crow  foot, and rose leaves,
each one ounce.   Boil in four quarts of water to two: strain, and
add a pint of port wine, and two ounces of pulverized alum.

  For injections—Camomile tea.

             SALVES,  OINTMENTS, PLASTKR9, &C.

  Strengthening plaster.—Take the whites of two eggs, two hands
full of white oak bark, one ounce of resin, one ounce of ahim,
                              18 
 274        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

 and half an ounce of camphor.  Boil tho bark to half a pint; and
 add the rest, and simmer to a salve.
   Another.—Opium, hemlock gum and camphor.   This will also
 ease pain.
   Or, pitch pine and camphor for the backache.
   Another.—Take white oak bark and squaw root.   Boil, and add
 turpentine  and resin, and simmer to the consistence of a plaster.
   Another.—Take comfrey, bruise it soft, and add turpentine and
 beeswax.

   For a burn.—Take  stramonium, plantain, mullein, and  night
 shade.'  Make an ointment
   Another.—Tag alder bark, chesnut leaves, and sumach  roots.
 Boil, and add fresh butter and sweet.
   Another.—Boil carrots, strain and simmer in neatsfoot oil.

   For a sticking salve.—Take three fourths of a pound of resin,
 and  one ounce each of beeswax and mutton tallow—Melt togeth-
 er, and pour in cold water.

   The following is useful to apply to any part of the body, to oase
pain, asthma, constriction, &c.
   Take a pound of tobacco, and a hand full each, of spikenard
 and comfrey—boil and strain them.  Add two ounces each of resin,
 turpentine and beeswax, an  ounce  of camphor, and a small cake
 of soap.  Simmer on a slow fire till all the liquor is gone, and it
 begins to foam:  then stir till cool.

   For healing and cleansing.—Take bittdfrsweet, plantain,  and life
 everlasting.  Make an ointment.
   For cleansing.—Mandrake root, pulverized, and mixed with tur-
pentine, resin, and mutton tallow.   This destroys fungous  flesh.
   For healing.—Take plantain, prickly pear, green of elder, slip-
pery elm, beech drops, bittersweet, yellow dock, comfrey, gravel 
FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           275
weed, spikenard and pond lilly roots.   Boil, and make into salve
with eight parts of mutton tallow, one part each of resin and bees-
wax, and a little white turpentine.

  Porter's ointment, for limbering stiff joints.—Take one hand
full each of rue, sage, wormwood, night shade, life everlasting,
green tobacco,  and spikenard; and two  hands full of Porter's
weed.  Put them in hogs lard and  simmer in brass on hot ashes
for seven  days.  Excellet for limbering stiff joints.

  For gout, rheumatism, cramps, contractions of the sinews, &c.
Take a young fat dog, kill him, scald and strip off his hahv  Then
from a small incision, take out the contents of his belly, and put
in the cavity two hands full of nettles,  two ounces of brimstone, a
dozen of eggs and fonr'ounces of turpentine, well mixed together.
Then sew up his belly, and roast him before a fire, and save the
oil.  This is to be applied to the parts affected, warm,  and rubbed
in by the fire.
  Or, the dog being  prepared in the same manner, fill his belly
with a pint of red pepper, a pint of fish worms, the bark of sassa-
fras roots, and  three or four green frogs; roast him in the same
manner, and save the drippings.   This is a valuable ointment for
rhemuatisms, contractions of the  tendons, nervous affections, and
burns.
  That these preparations, although singular, are valuable, no one
need doubt

  Take two pounds of tobacco, one pound of resin, one pound of
turpentine, one  pound of lard, and two ounces of beth  root.  Boil
the tobacco and beth  root, and add the  other ingredients, simmer-
ing them till the water is  evaporated.
  This salve has been highly recommended for relieving pains in
any part of the body; and for curing old sores, fistulas, cutaneous
eruptions, &c. 
278         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

  For fetid ulcers on the legs.—Dissolve ten grains of corrosive
sublimate in a pint of fresh lime water.   Wash the ulcers twice
a day with this.
  Also, apply a poultice of blood root and beth root, pulverized, and
mixed with honey.  If the leg be swelled, poultice with  slippery
elm bark.

  For swellings and sores-—'Take one pound of the juice of the
green leaves of skunk cabbage; one pound of fresh butter, and
half a pound of mutton tallow.   Put these in an earthen pot and
simmer two hours.  Anoint twice a day.

  For contracted  tendons.—Anoint with neatsfoot oil, and bind on
flannels dipt in it while hot.

  For the  itch.—Sulphur, turpentine and hogs lard.   Mix, and
anoint the soles of the feet, and  palms of the hand, and hold to the
fire.  Take sulphur inwardly.

   For tetters.—Take half a pint of brandy, half a gill of tar, and
a table  spoon  full of  potash.  Melt together, and  apply with a
feather.

   To disperse pain.-—Take ground mustard  seed, mix with vine-
 gar and flour, and apply as a poultice.
   Or, take stramonium, boil  and strain: add turpentine,  and sim-
 mer to a salve.   In fits this may be applied to the stomach.

   Take stramonium seeds, and bitter sweet bark.  Boil and strain:
 add fresh butter, lard, mutton tallow, beeswax and resin.  Simmer
 to a salve.   This will be found an excellent salve  for common pur-
 poses, on sores.

   To scatter a swelling.—Take a double hand full each of worm-
 wood, rue, camomile, and fever few—pound together, and simmer
 in hogs lard over a  slow fire. 
              FAVORITE PRESCRIPTIONS.           2T7

  For any foul sore.—Take Castile soap, chalk, and Harlaem oil.
Triturate them together.  Apply.

   To cleanse an ulcer.—Fill the sore with wild turnip, pulverized.
   Or, take blood root and mandrake.   Mix, and apply.

   For a drawing poultice.—Take bark of the root of sumach.
   Or, soft  soap, sugar and flour.   Mix.   This may be used to
bring deep matter to the surface

   For ague in the breast—Take six or seven leaves of strong to-
bacco, and  boil it in two quarts of urine.  Strain, and add a quar-
ter of a pound each of beeswax, turpentine and resin.  Simmer
till it is as thick as wax, and apply to the breast.

   For wounds from nails, &c.—Take bittersweet, dock, plantain,
yarrow leaves, rose  leaves, stramonium and elder flowers.  Boil,
and add, beef's gall, resin, mutton tallow, and beeswax.  Simmer
on a slow fire.
   A cooling salve,  for piles, chappened hands, &c.—Take green
fro^s, green of elder, plantain, parsley and scabious.   Simmer in
fresh butter, and strain.

   For a sore throat—Take one pint of linseed  oil; one fourth of
 a pound of resin, half a pound of sugar, and half a pound of soap.
 Melt together; apply externall to. the throat.
   For a wen.—Milk weed juice rubbed on.
   To destroy inclination  for Onanism.—Apply camphor to the
 testicles, by means of a suspensory bag, for two or three weeks.
 It must not be allowed to  remain long at a time, as it might pro-
 duce decay in the parts.

   An excellent plaster for a weak back.—One ounce of Burgun-
 dy pitch, camphor, and  black pitch, and half an ounce of white
 turpentine.  Melt together for a plaster. 
278         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  To destroy pimples on the face.—Rub magnesia on  a woollen
cloth, and rub on the face.
  Or, to a pint of lime water, add a tea spoon full each of white
vitriol and sugar of lead.   Wash.

  Foot's salve for fever sores.—Take resin and beeswax, each a
pound and a half; hogs lard, throe  pounds.   Simmer  the whole
together, for three or four hours, and when partly cool, add two
ounces of oil of spike.

  Common salve.—White turpentine, beeswax and mutton tallow,
equal parts; a little honey, and the yolk of an egg.  Melt togeth-
er.   Used in fresh wounds, &c.

  Anti-phlogistic Plaster—Take the bark of sumach roots, spike-
nard, hops, arsesmart, wormwood, and wild indigo roots, or blue
flag, of each a double hand full; put them all  in an earthen ves-
sel, with two quarts of vinegar, and keep it warm for twertty-four
hours, or until the vinegar is half evaporated; then press the roots
and herbs, and let the liquid settle;  after which add one pound of
red lead, and one quart of sweet oil, and simmer them all together
over a moderate  fire, continually stirring it for five or  six hours,
or until it will work  like wax.   Add to k a little previous to its be-
ing taken off, two ounces of laudanum,  and when taken off, two
ounces of camphor,  and one  ounce of  salts of nitre.   Continue
stirring it till cool; then work it like wax, and put it in boxes for
use.
  This plaster proves a safe ana efficient  remedy in all cases of
external inflammations, such as biles,  bruises, wounds, or any
hard or swelled tumours; in old ulcers, fever sores, scrofula, rup-
tures, ague ih^he breast, pain in the stomach,  for sore throat, or
quinsy; is a good strengthening plaster, and is preferable to a blis-
ter in moderate cases.  It should be spread on thin leather, and
changed when necessary. 
                 VALUABLE RECIPES.              279

   A strengthening Plaster.—Take one beef's gall;  Castile soap,
two ounces; burgundy pitch, or hemlock gum, six ounces; bran-
dy, half a pint; camphor and opium, each one fourth of an ounce;
spirits of turpentine, one spoon full: all to be simmered down to a
plaster, and spread on leather.
        VALUABLE RECIPES BY THE AUTHOR.

                FOR ANTI-PHLOGISTIC PLASTER.

   Take red lead, four ounces;  good vinegar, half a pint; sweet
•oil, half a pint; gum of camphor, one ounce, made fine.   Put the
lead, vinegar and oil, together in an earthen pot, set the  pot into
a kettle of coals and boil it until the vinegar is evaporated; then
add the camphor and boil it down to the consistence of wax, then
take it out and work it like wax.
   The above must be stirred constantly while it is over the fire.
It is good for inflammations, sores, cancer lumps and ague in the
breasts.
   For Green Salve.—Take one pound of tallow, one pound bees-
wax, one pound and a half of resin, one pint linseed oil; add one
ounce verdigris to the oil.   Melt and  compound together andlt*
will be fit for use.   It is good in fever sores, and often proves an
effectual cure for many sores.

   Leaden plaster.—Take of linseed oil, half a pint;  neatsfoot oil,
half a pint;  gum myrrh and resin, each two ounces;  beeswax and
red lead, each  half a pound; simmer over a slow fire for four
hours, until  it  changes color, and when taken off, add one ounce
of gum of camphor and it is ready for use.   It is a cure for fever
sores and all kinds of ulcers, &c.

   Strengthening plaster.—Take one beef's gall;  Castile soap, two
ounces; Burgundy pitch, six ounces; brandy, half a pint; camphor 
280         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

and opium, each ore fourm of an ounce; spirits of turpentine, on^
spoon full all to be simmered down to the consistence of a plaster,
and spread on thia leather.

  Sticking plaster.—Take  Burgundy pitch and hemlock gum,
each four ounces; beeswax, four ounces; and melt them together:
then add one quart of linseed oil ami  :wo pounds of gold litherng<\
to be  kept over a slow fire until it is hard, and when cool, work
it like wax and make it into rolls.

  Indian salve.—Take equal  parts of hard soap,  resin, brown su-
gar and linseed oil; to be well mixed over a slow fire, and if  too
soft, add resin.  This is good for all kind of open ulcers.   If ap-
plied to the stomach or breast in case of tightness,  it gives much
relief; if a stoppage in the head by reason of a cold, apply a small
plaster across  the n< >-:c;  or in caso of a soxe throat, or quinsy, ap-
ply a plaster to the throat.

  Common salve.—White pine turpentine, beeswax and mutton
 tallow, equal  parts;  two spoons full of honey and the yolk of one
egg, all to.be  well melted together.   Good for fresh wounds.

  Salve for fever sores.—Take of  resin  and  beeswax, each one
pound and a half;  of hogs  lard, three pounds; simmer the whole
together for four hours, and when partly cool,  add  two ounces of
the oil of spike.  Go x! for fever sores, tumours, stiff joints,  6jc

  Green specific cleansing salve.—To  three  pounds lard  add a
quarter of a pound of beeswax, two,  ounces verdigris finely pulver-
ized, and one pound of Scotch snuff; melt and stir till cold..   This
is a most excellent salve for  cleansing and bringing life and ac-
tion into foul and ugly ulcers..  I find much use for this salve.

   Bittersweet ointment.—Take equal parts of plantain roots and
 leaves, bittersweet bark, and  spikenard root; boil out the strength,
 strain, and  make  it  into an ointment with hogs  lard.  This is. a 
VALUAB[    RECIPES;.
2§-l
valuble ointment, and is used  >>. uii cases of caked and- inflamed
breasts.

  Saltrheume  ointment.—Take blug flag root, river willow, the
bark of the root, and skunk cabbage root, of each a hand full; boil
in pure water until very strong; then strain out the roots and add
half a pound of hogs lard; boil until the water is evaporated.—*-
When cold it is fit for use.  It should be applied with the hand by
a fire heat.

  Rheumatic ointment—Bittersweet roots, princes pine, sumach
bark, yellow archangel, or oxbalm or toad root, and elder roots;
boil the whole until the strength is out;  strain the  liquor, put in
hogs lard and fry it down until  the water is all out, when it is fit.
for use.

  Precious Ointment.—Take of salt butter, beeswax, hogs, lard*,
sweet oil,  honey, mutton tallow and resin, of each one pound;, mo^
lasses, one gill; brown sugar, two ounces; balsam of fir, one ounce.
Put all into a kettle and set it on coals separate from the blaze.-^-
Stir it until it incorporates; then increase your fire and stir it till
it separates.  When the dross  stops rising and begins to settle,
try  the dross on a clean board;  if brittle, like resin,  take  it  off,
and when it  is cool drain off your ointment, and it is fit for use.

  Vegetable ointment.—Take one pound of the cups and blows of
robbins plantain;  pound them in a morter, then put them into a
frying pan and cause them to swim in fresh-butter:  simmer them
half a day.  This ointment must be strained through a thin cloth
and secured from the air in a glass dish.

  Groen Frog ointment—July and August are the months to make
this ointment   Catch green frogs, put them into a stew pan,  add
their own weight of fresh butter, stew  them on coals half a day,
with coals on the lid of the pan, and be careful not to burn it   Put
this ointment into a glass vessel and it is fit for use. 
•5*2         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

   Becket's Fever sore salve.—Take two pound of hogs lard, res-
in, twelve ounces; six ounces of beeswax, one ounce of oil of spike:
simmer the first three together,  then put in the oil of spike and
it will be fit for use.

   Blistering plaster.—Take an equal weight of mutton tallow, yel-
low wax, Burgundy pitch and Spanish flies:  mix the  flics  reduced
to fine powder, with the other ingredients, previously melted and
removed from the fire.

   Another method is, to take six ounces Yenice turpentine, two
ounces of yellow wax, one ounce of pulverized mustard, and three
ounces of pulverized flies: melt the wax, and while  it is warm add
the turpentine, taking care not to evaporate it by too much heat.
After the turpentine and wax  are sufficiently mixed, sprinkle in
the powders, continually stirring until it becomes cold.

   Common plaster.—Take of litharago, one part; olive  oil, two
parts; add water; boil them constantly until the oxide  and  oil unite
into a plaster.
   This plaster is generally applied to slight wounds  of the skin;
it keeps the part soft  and warm and defends it from the air which
is all  that is necessary.   Its principal  use is to serve as a basis
.for other plasters.

   Adhesive plaster.—Take of common plaster, four ounces;  Bur-
gundy pitch, two ounces; melt them together and  stir them well
till cold.  This plaster is principally used for keeping  on other
dressings, and for retaining the lips of a wound.

   Anodyne plaster.—Melt one ounce of adhesive plaster and while
it is cooling, mix with it one drachm of powdered opium, and the
same quantity of camphor previously rubbed up with a little oiL
   This plaster will  generally  give ease in pain, especially of the
nervous  kind. 
                   VALUABLE  RECIPES.               t^S

   Gum plaster.—Take of the common plaster, four pounds;  gum
 ammoniac and galbanum, strained, each half a pound: melt to-
 gether and add of Venice turpentine, six ounces.   This«plaster is
 used as a digestive, and likewise for discussing indolent tumours.

   Compound Burgundy pitch plaster.—Take of pitch, two pounds;
 gum galbanum, one pound; yellow resin and yellow wax,  each
 four ounces; and oil of mace one ounce; to the pitch, resjn, and
 wax melted together, add the gum and oil.

   Stomach plaster.—Take  of gum  plaster, half a pound; cam-
 phorated oil, one ounce and a half; of Cyenne pepper, one ounce:
 melt the plaster and mix it with the oil; then sprinkle in the pep-
 per  previously reduced to fine powder. An ounce of this spread up-
 on soft leather and applied  to the  stomach, will  be of service  in
 flatulencies arising from hysterics and hypocondriach affections.

   Warm  plaster.—Take of gum plaster, one ounce; blistering plas-
 ter,  two drachms;  melt them together over a gentle  fire.  This
 plaster is useful in the sciatica and other fixed pains of the rheumatic
 kind.   It ought to  be worn some time, and renewed twice a w;eek.

   Iron strengthening plaster.—Take of the common plaster, twen-
 ty-four parts; fine resin, six parts; yellow wax, and olive oil, each
 three parts;  red oxyde of iron,  eight parts; rub  the  oxyde  with
 the oil, then add the other ingredients, previously melted together.
 This plaster spread on leather is used as a common strengthening
 plaster in  weakness of the large muscles, as of the loins.

   Smith's blistering plaster.—Take of yellow wax, pine resin and
olive oil, each two ounces; cantharides,  or  Spanish flies in pow-
der, three ounces: to the wax, resin and oil, previously melted to-
gether, add the cantharides, carefully stiring the whole until cool.
   Blistering proves highly disagreeable to some  people by occa-
sioning strangury.   As a substitute, take a small quantity of the
blistering salve and mix it with the Burgundy pitch plaster and lay 
2*4        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

it on the part affectd and  let it remain as  long as it will stick.—
This will act for many days.gjd  hover fails to case pain and  re-
move causes.  \,

  Simple  salve.—Take six ounces of olive oil, three  ounces of
white wax, one ounce of spermaceti:  melt them together.  Tbia is
used for dressing sores and ulcers.

  Corn salve.—Take two ounces of the powder of savin leaves,
half of verdigris, half an ounce red percipitate: mix them well to-
gether in a mortar, then add  two  ounces of hogs  lard, mix well
together, spread it on a thin cloth and bind it on the part affected
and it will effect a cure.

  I/ip salve.—Melt together two ounces of white wax, three oun-
ces spermaceti, seven ounces  of the oil of almonds, one drachm
of balsam Peru, and one ounce alkunet root, put it in a linen rag,
pour your salve into boxes or gallipots, and cover tight with blad-
der or white leather.   This you will find a fine salve for sore lips.

                OINTMENTS  AND LINEMENTS.

  Rod Precipitate.—Take eight ounces of fresh butter, and four
ounces of resin, melt together and when partly cool, add one ounce
of red precipitate and half an ounce of pirits of turpentine.  This
is a cure for the itch.

  Sulphur ointment.—Mix  six ounces of sulphur with twelve oun-
ces of hogs lard, and  to this  mixture add one ounce of the oil of
lavender.   This is good for infants that have sore  heads, and is a
sure cure for the itch.

  Yellow  Basilicum ointment.—Take of beeswax, white resin and
frankincence, each a quarter of a pound:  melt them together over
a slow fire, then add of hogs lard, one pound.  Good  for cleans-
ing and healing wounds. 
                 VALO .:•:; RECIPES.               285

  Good ointment—Take -   ; aim oil, two pounds; olive oil, one
pint and a half; yellow wax, half a pound;  Venice turpentine, a
quarter of  a  pound:  melt tlw. --vux in the oils, and then add the
turpentine.   It may be used for anointing inflamed parts.

  Issue ointment—Mix half an ounce of Spanish flies, finely pul-
verized, in six ounces of yellow oasilicum ointment.   This is in-
tended chiefly for dressing blist rs, in order to  keep them  open
during pleasure.

  Tar ointment.—Take of tar, fifteen  ounces;  yellow wax, five
ounces: melt together.  This is a cure  for scald head.

  Vegetable  nerve ointment.—Take of bittersweet, the bark of
the root, one  pound; camomile and  mullein, each one pound of
the flowers; and of wormwood, one pound:  buise them and add a
gallon of soft oil or lard.  Simmer over a slow fire until the herbs
and roots become crisped, then add one  pint of spirits of turpen-
tine, strain and bottle for use.   This is good for bruises, sprains,
and all hard swellings, tumours, contracted tendons, burns, cuts,
pains in the joints, sides, &c.

  Sovereign ointment—For salt rheume,&c.—Take one ounce of
quick  silver, one of  aquafortis mixed in an open vessel until the
quick silver disappears;  then mix it well with half a pound of hogs
lard previously melted.   Anoint wi h the same until it proves a
cure for the salt rheum and sea It head.
  Three parts of hogs  lard and one of this ointment, will cure
chronic opthalmia, by rubbing it on the eye lashes three times a
day.

  Due worm ointment—Two teaspoons full of the scrapings of th«
outside of a brass ketttle; one of gun powder, one of sulphur; add
mutton tallow the bigness of a hens egg, and the  yolk of one egg,
two spoons full of tar, and half a pint of rum; to be simmered un-
til the rum is cvnnoroted,   '. n<ri'-t thn p--  '"  ■•'- '■■""  ' "  ''-- 
3S6         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  Rupture ointment—Take of thyme, sweet plantain, low malice.
poplar bark, white oak bark, and hemlock bark, equal parts, to be-
simmered in hog's lard.   Anoint around the rupture frequently
until cured.

  Rheumatic ointment.—Take of white hellebore, 1 ounce; hogs
lard, four ounces; extract of life root, one ounce:  mix  and make
into an ointment for cutaneous diseases, and it will prevent mor-
tification, and remove inflammations.

  Ointment to relax shrunk cords.—Take half a pound of hogs
lard, add a  small hand full of metalet green; stew it well togeth-
er, strain it  off, add to it one ounce of rattle snakes grease, one
ounce of olive oil, and ten drops of the oil of lavender:  mix well
together, and anoint three times a day and rub it in well with the
hand.  A precious ointment this, and all who use it will  find it so.

  Itch ointment.—Take  one gallon of alcohol, one pound of gurr.
myrrh pounded fine, one ounce of Cayenne pepper, put the alco-
hol into a jug that will hold about two gallons; add the inyrrh and
pepper to it and shake together; put the jug into a kettle of warm
water, boil them, take the jug out and let it cool; then strain it off
from the pepper and myrrh and add to the alcohol as much spir-
its of turpentine  as there is alcohol left;  mix, and it is ready for
use.   Anoint three times a day.  This cures when nothing else
will.

  Compound vegetable black nerve salve.—Take spikenard root,
the bark of the sweet apple tree root, the bark of the root of moos-
wood, one fourth pound of each; add water and boil  down to a
small quantity; then  add yellow pine turpentine enough to make
it into a salve when boiled down.
  This is a noted salve for  fresh wounds, especially where cords
and  nerves  are  cut off;  in  such cases, greasy ointments should
not be used. 
VALUABLE  RECIPES.              267'
   Liniment for burns.—Take equal parts of sweet oil, fresh lin-
seed oil and lime water, shake them well together so as to forma
liniment.  This is found to be an excellent  and proper application
for scalds and burns.

   Volatile liniment—Take of sweet oil, one ounce; of spirits of
hartshorn, half an ounce: shake them together.   This is good in
cases of quinsy and sore throat; it seldom fails of  removing the
complaint.

   Liniment for the Piles.—Take of palm oil, one  ounce;  sweet
oil, one ounce; yellow wax, one ounce; laudanum, half an ounce:
mix them with the yolk of an egg, and work them well together.
This you will find a good liniment.

   The king of liniments.—Take  four ounces of olive  oil, four
ounces of oil of almonds, half an ounce of hemlock, half an ounce
of fire weed  oils, twenty ounces of alcohol: mix and shake well
together and  it will be fit for use.   Good in all inflammations,.
swellings, stiff joints, shrunk cords, *&c.

   Tennant's Universal liniment—Take of olive oil, four ounces;
camphor gum, one ounce; alcohol, eight  ounces;  oil of spike,
half an ounce; british  oil. half an ounce:  mix,  and it will be fit
for use.  This is good  in all inflammations, sprains, &c.

   Welch liniment, or wash.—Take one pint of fourth proof bran-
dy, one ounce of linseed oil,  one ounce of camphor gum, one
ounce of laudanum, half an ounce of oil of spike, half an ounce
of British oil:  mix together.   It is good in all rheumatic complaints.

   Cooling liniment.—Take of olive oil, one ounce;  of lime water
one ounce: mix by  shaking  together.  This is  an  excellent ap-
plication for burns.

   Fire liniment—Take eight ounces of courier's oil, one ounce of 
S39        VEGETABLE  M.Ai HW> A  MEDICA.

hnseed oil, two ounces of pigs foot  '■'•   vo ounces of spirits of
turpentine: mix with twelve ounces i f   .its of camphor; shake
together.  This is good for burns an-' .: iiiblanea.

                         EVE SAI.Vi

  Take bittersweet, one ounce of the t;;irk; one ounce of livefor-
ever, one otmce of coolwort, one ounce of brook liverwort; add
one quart soft water: boil down until the strength is out of the ve-
getables, then boil the liquor down to one gill, then add eight oun-
ces of fresh butter, mix, and it will be lit for use.  It  is  good for
inflamed  eyes:  to be applied on the outside of the eyelid on going
to bed.

  Cure all plaster.—Take linseed oil and  neetsfoot oil, each one
gill; put  the oils into an earthen po!.  oil on coals until the water
is out; add two ounces of camphor and 511m inyrrh, made fine,  (be
careful that it does not boil over,) the!<  add  one pound of resin,
made fine, when melted, add two ounces of red lead and two of
white, sifted and made as fine as possible.   If you find this  too
hard to spread,  add a little olive oil, or if too soft add resin.

                  EYE WATERS  AND WASHES.

  For dull sight.—Drop in three drops of the juice of a rottonap"
pie, six times a  day.

  Films  on the eye.—Mix  the  juice of gill-go-over-the-ground
with a little honey and three grains of rock salt: drop it in mor-
ning and evening.  It will remove the film from the eye.

  Humours in the eye.—Apply a few drops of refined sugar melt-
ed in brandy, to the eye:  or boil a hand full of the leaves of bram-
ble brier, with a little alum, in one quart of spring water.  Drop
this frequently in  the eye.   This is also  good  for canker, &c.

  Trv inflamed eyes.—Apply as a poultice, roasted rotton apples, 
                 VALUABLE RECIPES,               289

warm, or roasted carrots, with the pith taken.   This hardly ever
fails.   Or, wormwood tops with the yolk of an egg is good.

  Another.—Take an equal quantity of the juice of ground  ivy,
celendine and daisies; add to it a little rose water and loaf sugar.
Drop a drop or  two of this into the eye and it will take away all
manner pf inflammation, smarting, spots, webs or any other dis-
ease of the eye.
  Eye water.—Take six ounces of rectified spirits of wine, dis-
solve one drachm of camphor gum in it; then add two small hands
full of dried elder  flowers and let  it steep twenty-four hours.—
This is superior to all other eye washes now in use.

                          BALSAMS.

   Turlington's balsam  of life.—Take  of balsam Peru, half an
ounce; blasam tolue, one ounce; gum storac, one ounce;  gum guai-
acum, one ounce; gum benezom, one ounce and a half; hepatic
aloes and frankincense, each two drachms; and dragon's blood,  1
ounce.  Let the gums be bruised, and put the ingredients into one
quart of proof  brandy, and put it in  a warm  place, and let  it be
shaken frequently for seven or eight  days; it is then  fit for use.
   This balsam is used  as an  external application to  heal fresh
wounds, or bruises.   It is likewise employed to remove coughs
and asthmas.   iMs also said to ease the colic, cleanse the kidneys
and internal ulcers.  A dose, from .twenty to thirty drops.
   This preparation has long been celebrated under different names,
such as Frier's balsam,  Jesuit drops,  &c.

   Balsam of honey.—Take gum  benzoin, one drachm;  balsam to-
lue, two drachms; saffron, half an ounce;  honey,'four ounces; al-
cohol, a pint:  digest   Dose, one drachm three times a day.  This
is good for coughs, colds, &c.

   Vegetably balsam.—One pound sugar candy dissolved by  heat 
290        VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

in white wine vinegar, and then evaporated to one pint; during
which operation you must dissolve as many garlics- as you ca:i
with it.

  Balsam of hoarhound:—Take of hoarhound  and licorice, each
three pounds; water, two quarts:  steep, and add to the liquor six
quarts of brandy;  camphor, one ounce; and half an ounce of opi-
um;  flowers of benzoin, one ounce; and of honey, three and a
half pounds.  Good in lung complaints, cough, &c.

  Compound balsam.—Take of balsam of fir, two ounces; balsam
tolue, one ounce;  British  oil, one ounce; white pine turpentine*
one ounce;  honey, two ounces: compound and take twelve drops
for pains in the chest, or pains caused  by strains..  It is a never
fjailing cure for the above pains and sprains.

  Compound pitch-pine balsam.—Take of spruce gum* one ounce*
tamerac gum, one- ounce; angelica root, one ounce; golden seal,
one ounce;  and add to these, two ounces of the  raspings of a pitch
pine knot, and one ounce of  spikenard root, fine, then put all in-
to one gallon of good rum.  This is the best of all compounds to
create an appetite, increase strength, and for general debility, in-
digestion and dispepsia.  It must be taken before eating; say take
one wine glass full three times  a day.

                           PILLS.

  Compound pills.—Take of  asafoedita, galbanim and  myrrh,
each eight ounces; oil of amber, one  ounce: beat them into a
mass with molasses.  These  pills are anti-hysterics.

  Opium pills.—Take of  opium, one ounce, and seven ounces of
extract of licorice, Jamaica pepper, two ounces; soften the opium,
separate with alcohol, then beat them into a pulp and add the pep-
per reduced to powder; then form the whole into a mass.   This. 
VALUABLE  RECIPES.
291
affords a mass under which the patient cannot perceive that he is
taking opium, but each pill contains half a grain of opium.

   Another of pills.—Take of Castile soap, eight ounces; camphor
six ounces;- opium,  four ounces: powder the several articles sep-
arate, then mix and.beaVtheminto a mass, and form the pill.

   Stomach  pill.—Take extract of gentian, two drachm; oil of
mint, 30 drops; powdered  rehi and  vitriolated tartar, each  one
drachm, and honey sufficient;  compound for pills.

   Compound^pills of Rhubarb..—-Take of Rhubarb in,powder,  one
ounce; aloes, six drachms, myrrh, half an ounce; oil of pepper-
mint, half  a drachm; mix them into a mass with the syrup of or-
ange peel.   This is a laxative used in dyspeptic  affections to ob-
viate costiveness.   Two of these  pills are  taken at bed time,—•
These are  good pills.,

   Lee's pils.—Take of gum gamboge, one ounce; aloes, half a«t
ounce; seammory,  half a drachm; Venetian soap, two drachms;
nitrate of  potash, one drachm; alcohol' sufficient, or tincture of
aloes with  myrrh, a sufficient quantity t»make it into a mass for
pills.

   Hooper's Pills.—Aloes, one ounce; gum gamboge, one drachm;
myrrh, half an  aunce; carbonate of iron and calcined sulphate of
iron, eachthree drachms; cloves.pulverized, half  a drachm; alco-
hol sufficient to  make into pills of common size.. Dose, fromthree
to five..

   Sulphuric liniment—Sulphuric acid, three drachms; oil of tur-
pentine, four ounces; sweet oil, ten ounces: mix, and you will find,
it good; in all cases  of the itch, infallible.

            MISCELLANEOUS AND PATENT COMPOUNDS.

   Godfrey's cordial.—Take opium, eight grains;  molasses, eight 
292         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

ounces; alcohol, four ounces; oil of sassafras, three drops;  dis-
tilled water, one pint: digest three days.  Dose, two drachms three
times a day.  This is used as an anodyne for  infant children.

  British oil.—Take sulphurated oil, one ounce;  rock oil, half an
ounce; purified oil of amber, two drachms; oil  of turpentine,  four
ounces: mix.  Dose, from fifteen to twenty drops morning and
evening.

  Harlsem oil.—Take sublimed sulphur, two ounces;  linseed oil,
one pound;  oil of amber, two ounces; oil of turpentine, a sufficient
quantity.  Boil the sulphur in the linseed oil until it is dissolved,
then add the oil of amber, and as much of the spirits of turpentine
as shall make it of proper consistence.

  Dover's powders.—Take of the root of ipecac, pulverized, and
opium, each one  ounce;  sulphate  of potash,  eight ounces:  mix
them together into a fine powder.   The medium dose is fifteen
grains.  It is celebrated as a sudorific, and is much used.

  Steer's opodeldoc—the hard kind.—Take the best Windsor soap,
two and a half pounds;  oil of rosemery, 5 drachms;  oil of thyme,
five  drachms; camphor, seven and a half ounces; water of am-
onia,  one and  a half  pounds;  water,  one  pound; and alcohol,
eleven pints.  Dissolve the soap and camphor in the alcohol,  with
a gentle fire, and when dissolved, add  the water of amonia and
water when cooling the oils.   The bottles must  be filled while luke-
warm, and not  sealed until the opodeldoc is perfectly congealed.

  Bard's opodeldoc, liquid.—Take  venecian  soap, two  ounces;
camphor gum, one ounce; brandy, one pint.  The soap must be
dissolved in the brandy by a gentle fire, and after its solution, the
camphor is to be added.

  Cajeput Opodeldoc.—Take of almond soap, two  ounces;  alco-
hol, one pint;  camphor gum, one ounce cajeput oil, two ounces. 
VALUABLE  RECIPES.
293
First dissolve the soap and camphor in the alcohol, and when the
solution is about to congeal, add the oil cajeput.  Shake them well
together and put into bottles to congeal.  This compound is a great
improvement on the opodeldocs in  general use, and  in cases of
rheumatism, paralytic members, chilblanes, enlargements  of the
joints, and indolent tumours, where the object is to rouse the ac-
tion of the absorbent vessels, and  to stimulate  the nerves  to ac-
tion.  It  is a very valuable external remedy for most affections of
the chord.

   Sneezing powders.—Take of dried leaves of asarabacca, one
ounce; lavender flowers  and marzorem leaves dried, each two
drachms: rub them together to a powder and put in a well stopped
vial.  A  few grains  of this powder snuffed up the nose excites
sneezing and a copious discharge of mucus.

   Huchan's tincture of bark.—Take of peruvian bark, two oun-
ces; orange peel, one ounce and a half; Virginia snake root, three
drachms; saffron, one drachm; cochineal, two scruples; proof spir-
its, twenty ounces: digest fourteen days and strain.  As a corrob-
arent and stomachic it is to be given in doses of two or three
drachms, but when employed in fevers,  it must be given in larger
quantities.

   The black drops.—Take of opium, half a pound;  vinegar three
pints;  nutmeg, one ounce and a half; saffron, half an  ounce: boil
and add four ounces of sugar and one ounce of yeast; digest seven
weeks; then place it in the open air until it becomes a syrup;  de-
cant, filter and bottle it up, adding a little sugar.  Dose, from five
to ten drops.

   Godfrey's cordial.—Dissolve half an ounce of opium, one tea-
spoon full of oil of  sassafras in  two ounces of high wines, then
mix four pounds molasses with one gallon of  boiling water, and
when cold, mix both together.  This is used to soothe the pains 
294        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
ot children, and for three shillings, you may make what would
cost at the shops, ten or twelve dollars.

  Bateman's pectoral drops.—Castor,'two ounces; opium and oil
of annis, each one ounce; camphor,'8 ounces; proof spirits, ten
pints, and pulverized valerian and cochiniel, one ounce:  digest for
ten days and strain, and it will  be fit for use.  This is far pref-
erable to paregoric, for children.   From ten to thirty drops is a
dose.

  Black lozengers.—Take extract  of licorice and  gum  arabic,
each four  ounces; lump sugar, eight ounces:  beat to a powder and
make into  a  mass with water, so as to form lozengers.   They are
to soften humours, and may be taken at  pleasure.

  Swinton's daffy.—Take of jalap root, eightounces; senna leaves
twelve ounces; annis seeds, two pounds;  carraway seeds, six oun-
ces; brandy, four quarts;  alcohol, five gallons: mix all together,
let it stand in a well stopped vessel, three weeks;  then strain, add
thereto eight pounds of molasses.  Dose, from one  to  four table
spoons  full, varied according to the age and  strength of  the pa-
tient.   This is good in all cases of the colic.   You can add coch-
iniel to collar, if you choose:  mix it with water when you take it,
warm water would be much the best.

  Squire's elixir.—Take opium, four ounces; camphor, one ounce;
cochiniel,  one ounce ;  oil of sassafras,  one  ounce  ; tincture of
snake root, one pint; annis seed, four pounds; musk, four ounces:
mix the oil with one quart of arcochol, and boil  the other ingre-
dient, or steep it in two gallons of water; then add the oil and al-
cohol after straining.   This is good in  all  laxitive  states of the
bowels and indigestion.  Dose,  from  six to  twenty drops three
times a day.

  Smith's British oil.—Take of oil of turpentine, eightounces;
Barbadoes tar, four ounces;  oil of rosemerry, four ounces. 
                  VALUABLE  RECIPES.              295

  ^Styptic tincture.—Take copperas, fine, one drachm; proof spir-
 es  and a decoction of oak bark, each one pound.  This is good
 to stop blood.

   Fomentation of poppies.—Bruise 4 ounces of dried poppy buds,
 and then boil them  in  six pits of water, until one quart only re-
 mains.   This is to  be applied  to inflamed parts where  there is
 much pain.

  Ulcer poultice.—Boil fresh carrots, until they can be beaten up
 into a pulp.  This is efficacious  in  cancers, as well as all other
 ulcers.

  For diarrhoea or looseness.—Take of powdered rehi or rhubarb,
 ten grains;  powdered chalk, with opium, one scruple: make into
 four doses, to be taken one at a time, night and morning, in milk.
  But if the above does not have  the desired effect, or if the com-
 plaint proves obstinate,  take of the peruvian bark in pOwder, two
 ounces; powder of  chalk with opium, fifteen grains.  Take this
 quantity three times a day.  First a cathartic must  be given of
 fifteen grains of rehi.

  Tooth powder.—Take two ounces of  charcoal and two ounces
 of  peruvian bark, mix  both together and make fine.  This is a
 most excellent compound to preserve the teeth; it gives a natural
 lusture to the teeth, cleanses the'breath and helps preserve health.
 Good teeth is one of the richest gifts  of nature,

  Thompson's No. 6.—Take one gallon of fourth proof  brandy,
 one pound of gum myrrh,  two  ounces cinnamon, two ounces of
 Cayenne pepper, put it into a stone jug, boil five  minutes, and let
 it stand till cold.  It  is good in rheumatic and nervous affections;
 and colic.

  Tennant's salt  rheum and  feversore wash.—Take two ounces
of crocus marius, three ounces of white vitriol, mix  together:  to 
296        VEGETABLE MATERIA .MEDICA.

prepare for use:  take one table spoon full of the composition andi
mix with one quart of rain water.  This is good for salt rheum,
fever sores, and all eruptions of the skin:  ft is also good for scalt
head, &c.

  Doct. Lovel's  pills for diarrhoea.—One ounce of opium, two-
ounces of rehi, two ounces of Castile  soap, two ounces of blood
root;  compound with molasses and make into pills.  From one to
three for a dose.  Good in all relaxative states of the bowels.

  For Elixer pro composilus.—Take aloes, pulverize  one and a
half ounce;  gum myrrh, half an ounce;  sulphur, half  an ounce;
saffron, half an  ounce;  whiskey, one pint: digest the  myrrh for
two days, then add the  rest, and shake well together and it is fit
for  use.  Dose, from half to two teaspoons full two or three times
a day, to be taken half an hour before eating.   Good in all cases*
of dyspepsy.

  For Rickets.—Take two ounces of egromony, two ounces water
lime, two  of pollypod,  two of Solomon  seal,  two of Shcpperd's
sprouts, two of maiden hair, two of sarsaparilla, two of buck's horn,
grated, and  two of knot grass.  .Take four ounces  of  these arti-
cles put into twelve quarts of soft water, boil two hours, then strain
and boil the liquor down to one quart; then add one pound of brown
sugar, filter and bottle, and it is  fit for use.   It is good in all cases
of rickets.   Dose, one table spoon full morning and evening, or
more  if the patient can bear it.   Add one pint of gin to the syrup
if it is warm weather, that it may keep.

  A cure for the gravel.—Take one ounce of gum  arabec and
two drachms of salts of  nitre, put it into two quarts of best gin;
take from four spoons full to half a wine glass full  three times a
day, say one hour before eating.  This will effect a cure in most
cases of gravel.

  A cure for Epileptic Fits.—Take gum myrrh, one ounce;  sul- 
VAL,-7;-\7' ,E RECIPES.
297
phur, one ounce: oil of ohver* >ne gill;  and half a pint of spirits
of turpentine.   Th - su'p-.jr, "ivrrh, and oil, must be mixed and
melted together, and beat onti1 ed, then add the turpentine, after
taking it from  the fire.   Dose,  orn two to six drops once or twice
a day, as the patient can bear* or according to the age.   It must
be given in half a table spoo'i full  of proof brandy, or mfc-e, as the
habits  of the patient will a1 low.  This  you will find one of the
best medicines offered  to the world for the epileptic fits, and is an
infallible cure.
   The above recipe is w   i tei  ones the price of the book-

   Cure for the dropsy.—T;-..ke o   ounce of dwarf elder bark, one
ounce of sassafras bark, one oun  ; of  queen of the meadow, one
ounce of knoll liverwort, on-., of bine vervine leaves:  boil them in
one gallon of  water down to one  .{dirt, then strain,  and  put into
it  one pint of  good  Hollan '   in and half a pint of molasses;  then
add two ounces of  cream of tartar.   Dose, for an adult, six tea-
spoons full three times a day.  This is a good syrup in all drop-
sys of the chest and bowels.

   Hull's physic.—Take gum of  aloes,  two ounces; gum myrrh,
half an ounce; seamony, one fourth of an ounce; nutmeg, cloves,
cinnamon,  ginger,  mace, saffron, and  soot, each one ounce: all
to be  finely pulverized; then mix the composition with one gall-
on of good  gin, and add one pound of molasses.  This is to be ta-
ken in the morning before eating, say one  table spoon full for an
adult.   This is good for a family medicine, and every family ought
to keep it on hand and give it to their children.

   Vegetable anti-plogisticplaster.—Take sumach roots, spikenard,
hops, wormwood, wild indigo roots, or blue  flag roots, of each two
ounces, put them into an earthen  pot, add to it two quarts of vine-
gar: keep  it warm for two devs, or until it is half evaporated,
then press the  roots and herbs and  let the liquor stand and settle,
after which add two pounds of red lead, one quart of sweet oil, and 
  '298        "VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

   boil them all together over a slow fire,'continually stirring for'five
   or six hours,  or until it will work dike wax, then add to it a little
   previous to take it off two ounces of laudanum, and after you take
   it off, add two ounces of gum of camphor, and one ounce of spirits
   of nitre, keep stiring it  until cool,  then work like wax, and put it
r  into boxe% for use.  It is good in  all cases of inflammations, tu-
   mours,  burns, wounds, &c.

     Cure for cancers—a cancer wash.—Take of corosive  subli-
   mate, one  ounce; indian turnip, two ounces;  take one ounce of
   the composition, put it into a vial add to it two ounces of soft wa-
   ter,  shake  it and mix it well, and apply it around the  edges of the
   cancer with a feather twice a day, morning and evening.  After
   applying the wash, put on a plaster of brown  diaclum, and keep
   it on constantly, only removing it to  apply the wash.

     A tea for the blood during the application of the above wash.—
   Take green ozier and red ozier, moos and witch hazel barks, of
   each equal quantities, and make into a tea  for constant drink be-
   fore and after you commence the use of the wash.

     For pills'to take in the time of the application.—Take butternut
   bark of the roots, one ounce; beefs-gall, two ounces.  Take the
   bark and boil out the strength, and boil it  down to an extract; then
   add the gall and make into pills the size of common  pills.  Take
   one-in the evening before going to bed, and for morning, take the
   gall and mix with chalk and pill; one of  these pills to be  taken in
   the morning before eating.

     For the solution to be taken during the use of the cancer wash,
   tea, pills, &c.—Take one teaspoon full of antimony, two of blood
   root, two of  wild turnip; steep in one quart of water.  Take one
   table spoon full, or less, if it tends to sicken take it once a day.—
   And for acute pain during the use of the  medicines, use laudanum
   internally. 
VALUABLE RECIPES.
59-9
  The foregoing will cure nine cases out of ten of cancers, where
it has not broke and commenced running or eating.  This recipe
is worth  fifty dollars to every doctor in the country.  0, what a
blessing it is, and how thankful we ought to be to think that  God
has provided means to cure all diseases'that the human family are
subject to.

  Take half a pound of blue fla'g root, half a pound of elecampane
root, boiled in two gallons of water, to one quart, add to it  after
straining, one pint of molasses.   Let the patient take half a gill
three times a day.

  For canker rash.—Take white  beth root,  pulverize very  fine;
give in a smalldose three  times a day.   Make a tea of  the same
for a constant drink, and for the fever give rattle snakes gall, say
three grains at  a time, once a day.
  This you will also find an Infallible cure for the canker.

  To make the best Turlington's balsam of life.—This balsam of
life is a most excellent medicine in consumptive complaints, weak-
ly females in all stages of life.  For a fevery stomach let the pa-
tient take sixteen drops in a small glass of wine, in  the morning,
fasting.  It strengthens the stomach, and removes the fever.   If is
good for pain in the stomach or side, artd nourishes weak lungs
and helps hooping cough.  It is made thus.
   Gum benzion, four ounces; gum storax callintee, three ounoes;
balsam tolue, ofte ounce; gum aloes sucutrine,  one  ounce and a
half; gum albanum, one ounce and a half;  gum  myrrh, one and a
half ounce;  roots of angelica, two ounces; tops of johnswort, two
ounces.  Pulverize all these together, put them into three pints of
rectified  spirits of wine in a glass bottle;  let them stand in the spir-
its  four weeks  in a moderate heat, shake it once a  day, strain it
.off and it is fit for use.  If the gums are not all dissolved, add a 
300         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

little more spirits, and shake it, and let it stand as before, or until
it is dissolved.  Then bottle it up and cork it tight so that the air
will not get to it.

  Rose cancer plaster.—Take canker lettice, (called parola,) one
pound; scoke root, one pound; wild parsnip, or commonly called
muskquash,  half a pound; the root of the yellow dock, one pound;
eye bright, one pound; put  all into two gallons of soft water, boil
down to two, strain, then boil down to an extract, then add half a
pound of fresh butter and six ounces of resin;  work all together
like wax.

  Doct. Thompson's composition powder.—Take bayberry, bark
of the roots, two pounds; inner bark of young hemlock, one pound;
ginger, one  pound; Cayenne pepper, two ounces: all reduced to
a fine powder, well mixed and sifted through a fine sieve.   For a
dose,  turn a teaspoon full of the powder into a  teacup full of hot
water, add a little sugar and take as hot as you  can bear.
  The above is said to be better without the hemlock than with it.
This  is good in all colds, and must be taken on going  to bed to
promote perspiration, and when taken the patient should be warm
in bed.  This may be used by young or old, male or female, with
perfect safety, in all  stages of life.  Thompson says in nervous
affections you must add a little nerve powder.
  You must give Thompson the credit for the  above recipe, yet
it is good.

  A remedy for weakness in the urinary vessels of children that
cannot hold their wate r.—For those that are so troubled, take good
red willow bark, two ounces; red beach bark, the inner bark, two
ounces:  pound them  fine and add to them one quart of good port
wine, let it steep twenty-four hours, and then give the patient one
table spoon full twice a day.  But if the patient is three or four
years old, add a little more, as he can bear.
  The above is an infallible cure. 
                  VALUABLE RECIPES.               301

   Doctor Tennant's  universal  and  infallible Worm  powder.—
Take one ounce of bog bean, one ounce;  of the inner bark of
white popple, two ounces; of black alder berries, or the bark of
the roots, if the berries are not to be had, half an ounce; of ipecac
or commonly called Bowman's root, or by Thompson, bitter root,
half an ounce; of mandrake  root, two ounces;  of  sulphur, one
ounce; of the r,oots of the Indian turnip, one ounce: make fine,
and it will be fit for use.  A dose for a child six years old, one
grain; for an adult, two grains, to be taken three  mornings in
succession every full and change of  the moon, until it  effects a
cure.  This will destroy all  worms even to the tape  worm.
   In one case the author administered this specific worm powder
to a patient, and  brought from him a  tape worm that measured
fifteen feet.   Readers, please try this medicine; it is simple, but
surely it  is worth a trial.   Let physicians take notice of this, and
use it, and they will find it an invaluable medicine.

   Barton's Worm powders.—Take sage powdered fine, mix with
honey: give a teaspoon full  for  a dose three times a day.  Then
take one  pint of milk, sweeten with honey, add a piece of allum
the size of a walnut.  Give four spoons full three  times a day.
   Then take a piece of  steel, heat it in a smith's fire, when hot
put on to it a roll of brimstone,  melt the steel, hold  it over water
and it will drop off in round balls, pound the balls fine, mix the dust
with molasses and give the child half a teaspoon full night and
morning, fasting.

   Williams' Worm powders.Take wild mandrake roots dried and
powdered, mix with hooey, and give a child of one  year old, as
much of the powder as you can hold on a sixpence.  Take it four
mornings in succession, fasting.
   Second, If a child is taken with worm fits, give as much pare-
goric as  the child can bear;  it will turn the worms  and  ease the
child. 
502        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Third, To prevent children from having worms they, should'be
allowed to eat freely of raw onions.
  Fourth, Salt and water  is good to turn worms, and after you
turn the worms,  give a little of the  flour of  sulphur  mixed with
molasses  or honey.   This  will often bring away the worms with-
out resorting to other means.
  Fifth.  Take the bark of witch hazel, or spotted alder, bark of
the roots is preferable;  steep it in a moderate heat until  the strength
is out of  the bark, or until it  is strong.   A dose for  a child one
year old, is a table spoon full three times a day; a child older can
take more.   It is a safe and sure remedy for worms, or worm fits:
at least, so says  Doct. Williams.                      ,,

  To make laudanum.—Take  opium,  two ounces; spirits, twa
pounds:, digest seven days.   Dose  for an adult, from fifteen to
thirty drops-

  Paregoric elixer.—Take opium, 1 drachm; benzoin, 1 drachm;
oil of anniseed, one drachm; camphor, two scruples;  spirits,  two
pounds: digest for ten days and strain.   Dose for  an  adult, from
twenty to one hundred drops;  for children, from  five to  twenty
drops.

  Cough powder.—Take  spikenard, life root, black  snake root,
white root, the roots of white snake root, elecampane roots, In-
dian turnip, skunk cabbage roots;  an equal quantity of each, pul-
verize and mix.   A teaspoon full to be taken several  times a day
in a gill of hot water, with a little sugar added to it
  To make  the  same into a syrup.—Take half a  pound of  this
mixture and three quarts of cold water, put both into a vessel  and
make tight; put  it into an  oven previously made warm, and let it
bake until half of the water is gone; then strain and add four oun-
ces of sugar and a pint of brandy;  bottle tight for use.   A small
glass may be taken  five or six times a day.   This is good in all
cases of lung complaints; it will in the first stages of this disease, 
VALUABLE RECIPES.               3033
stops its progress  and saves life or a long bed of sickness, and a<
heavy doctor bill.

   Doct. Williams' cure for a wen..—Take clean, linen rags, burni
them on a pewter dish and gather the oil on the pewter with lint,
cover the wen with it twice a day.  Continue it  for several days.
and  the wen will drop out without further trouble.

   For disentery, or bloody flux.—Take one peck of mullen leaves,
pound them and add  a little water, then press out the juice and'
scald and cleanse it, then add'one- quart of good brandy and four
ounces of loaf sugar.  Let the patient drink one table spoon full
once an hour.
   Or, take blood weed; or horse-tail, camomile and'eomfrey roots,
boiled together and sweeten with  molasses.   Drink often of this..
   Or, take sweet flag root boiled in milk and water, and sweeten-
ed with loaf sugar.   Drink often of this, say,.a gill at a time, and
spread a plaster, made of opium, camphor, hemloc,  pitch, &c.—
Lay it on the spine near  the lower end.   Drink tea made of white'
pine bark,  spikenard and  everlasting.

   Tcnnant's vegetable cancer costick.—Take  one bushel of yel-
low  ash bark, one half bushel bayberry bark, one pound rue: put
all.into an iron kettle, dry and  burn it to ashes, and leach the ash-
es with one gallon of water, then add to the lie  one pound of stone
lime; add four ounces of the small turnip that you will find in the
fall of the year, below the wild turnip,  they are attached to them,
and  get their strength from them.   They must be pulverized and
added to the lie; then bo-'  it down to one gill, but if too strong,  re-
duce it, bottle it, and it is  fit for use.
   Apply it to the cancer with a feather.   This  is good for all can-
cer tumours.   It is  far superior, to the luner costick, and certainly
one of the best cancer medicines ever discovered.  Please try it,,
you  that are afflicted with cancers, and you will find that the fields
of nature afford a means to save you many an: hour of pain. 
304         VEGETABLE MATERIA  WED1CA.

  Morrison's universal Hygcan pills warranted to cure all, and to
perform all operations,  except surgical, that the human family arc
subject to.   I would not myself, however,  recommend those pills
as possessing qualities superior to  all other medicines in use, but
the author, from whom we take the recipe, has dared do it  The
following is the recipe:
  No. 1. Take beef's gall, dried, one ounce; aloes, myrrh, rhu-
barb, gamboge, jalap, golden seal, mandrake and blood root, of
each one ounce; make fine, and add one ounce each of puverized
nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon,  allspice, iind ginger.   Mix, and sift
through a fine sive, then  take elder blows and make a Ira, wet
the composition and make into common sized pills, roll  them in
powder of mandrake, rhubarb and golden seal.
  D&se, from six to twenty-five.

  No. 2. Take dried gall, aloes, myrrh, rhubarb, gamboge, jalap,
and golden seal, of each one ounce; and of nutmog, allspice, gin-
ger,  cloves  and cinnamon, of each one table spoon full; and of
blue  flag, ipecac and mandrake, each one ounce.  Mix all togeth-
er and pill as the above.  Lose, from five to fifteen.

   Recipe for Medicamentum.—Take one  pound of lignum vitse,
one pound of dried sassaparilla, four ounces of licorice stick, four
ounces juniper berries, one ounce of senna,  four ounces of com-
frey root, four ounces of spikenard, root, four ounces of burdock
root, three ounces of gum myrrh and three ounces of aloes.   The
gum myrrh and aloes must be mode fine, the rest must be boiled
in eight quarts of water until the  strength is  oui, then strain and
add six ounces of sugar and the myrrh and aloes, while hot  Dose,
two table spoons full twice a day for an adult, and less for a child,
or as he can bear.
   This is one of the best cathartics that can be given in common
billious cases.  It will operate thoroughly and leave the stomach
free from bilious corruption.—[Doct. Mcintosh.] 
•
                  VALUABLE  RECIPES.              303

   Welch Medicamentum.—Take two ounces juniper berries, two
 of licolice stick, two of aloes, two of gum myrrh, two of rheubarb,
 two of  cinnamon, and add to  these two  quarts of water; steep
 till the strength is out, then add three pounds of sugar and two
 quarts of gin.
   Dose* two spoons full three times a day, or until it operates as
 a cathartic.  This is said to be the celebrated Welch Medicamen-
 tum, made by Doct Roberts, and which  has effected great cures
 in bilious complaints, general  debility, rheumatic  affections, &c.
 Let those, therefore, who  are aflicted with these diseases give it
 a trial,  and perhaps they will find it beneficial.
   Cough drops.—Take saffron, one ounce; blood root, half  an
 ounce;  licorice  root,  one   ounce;  elecampane,  one ounce; wild
 turnip,  one  ounce;  the bark of sumach roots, two ounces;  and  lo-
 belia, to ounces:  put into three quarts of liquor, (gin is the best,)
 keep it warm for forty-eight hours, then  press and strain and set-
 tle, add to it one teacup full of the juice of roasted onions and one
 quart of lime water,  with  one pint of tar water, and one pint of
 honey.   Mix all and it is fit for use.  Dose, from a quarter to half
 a wine  glass full three times a day.   Good in colds, coughs and
 consumptions.

   Cough drops No. 2.—Take sweet oil, one pint; raw flaxseed oil,
 half a pint; honey, half a pint; of spirits of turpentine, one ounce;
 of balsam of life, one ounce;  licorice ball, half an ounce: all to
 be simmered until well mixed.  Dose, from ten to sixty drops three
 times a day.   Good for colds,  coughs, consumptions, &c.

   Female bitters.—Take of crane's bill,  four ounces; comfrey,
 four ounces; beth root, four ounces; motherwort  roots,  orange
 peel and the bark of the roots of white wood, of each four oun-
ces, and one ounce of liferoot, one ounce of cinnamon, to be bro-
ken to a course powder; then add to it three quarts of good wins
sweetened with loaf sugar.   Dose, half a wine glass twice a day.
                              20 
                                                              «
 S08         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

 Good in all cases of female debility, flower albus and an immod-
 erate flow of menses, &c.
         f
   Ague bitters.—To one quart of wine add  two table spoons full
 of blood root, two of wild turnip, two of mandrake: all made fine.
 Dose, one table spoon full as often as the stomach will bear it.—-.
 This is good in agues at all stages except when the fever is on,
 then it should be omitted for a time, but as soon as the fever is off
 it should  be resumed.

   Anodyne carminative drops.—Take angelica root, four ounces,
 or two ounces of the seeds;  white snake  root, or the imported va-
 lerian, two ounces; callamus, half an ounce; annis, dill and fen-
 nel seeds, one ounce each; catnip and motherwort leaves, each a
 large hand full; pleurisy root, four ounces:  all to be  put into  an
 earthen vessel with two quarts of whiskey; keep it in  a moderate
 heat for twenty-four hours, then press and strain, and add to it one
 ounce of  laudanum and half a pound of  loaf sugar.  It  may be
 colored with red sanders, and when settled bottled for use.   Dose,
 for children, from ten to sixty drops: for  adults, from one to four
 teaspoons full in a teacup of warm water, and may be repeated
 once  in  four  or eight hour&  It cures pain, creates a moderate
 appetite and  perspiration, and produces refreshing sleep.  It is
 good for children, removes  flatulency and wind colic, and is alsa
 good in hysterics and nervous affections of females.

   Bathing drops.—Take  one quart of alcohol,  add one ounce of
 hemlock oil, one ounce of gum guaicum, pulverized, one ounce of
 gum myrrh, and two teaspoons full of Cayenne  pepper:  shake
 well  and bottle' for use.
   For rheumatic pains, or pains in the head,  stomach, or else-
where, bathe the parts affected every night and morning;  it may
be taken internally at the same time, in water or on sugar.   Dose.
from ten to sixty drops. 
VALUABLE RECIPES.
307
  Rheumatic drops.—Take one tafcle spoon full of fine mandrake
root, one table spoon  full of black cohush, and a  large hand full
of princes pine, and add to it one quart of. good wine, and bottle,
shake well and it will be fit for use.   Dose, from one to four tea-
spoons full three or four times a day.  Good in chronic rheuma-
tism, gout, and numbness in the limbs, &c.

  Stimulating  clyster.—Take common salt and brown sugar, of
each two ounces; olive oil, or caster oil,  four ounces; warm wa-
ter, one quart: mix and use.

  Emollient clyster.—Take flax seed tea and milk, of each, one
pint: mix them.

  Another.—Take warm water, half a pint;  molasses the same:
mix them.
  Another.—Take sweet oil and brown sugar, of each two ounces:
mix them.   If a teaspoon full of laudanum be added  it is better.
It forms an anodyne  clyster.

  For bilious colic.—Take of warm water, one pint;  put it into a
bottle, then take  a pipe, fill it with toiaficp and blow the smoke in-
to the water, and give as  a- clyster.%L-

  Pomatum.—Take one pound and  a half  beefs marrow, cinna-
mon essence, one ounce; white wax, half a pound; burgamot, one
ounce:  mix, and roll  for use.

  Styptic tincture.—Take coperas made  fine, one drachm; proof
spirits and a decoction of oak bark, each one pound.   This is used
for  stopping blood.

  Hiera Piera.—Take of aloes,  one pound;  half a pound of gin-
ger, winter bark, one fourth pound;  pulverize each separate and
then mix all together. One ounce of this  may be put  into one
pint of spirits.   Good physic. 
308         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

   Strengthening female pills.—Take carbonate of iron (iron rust,)
one ounce; Castile soap and pulverized gum myrrh, of each two
drachms; beat them into a mass with molasses, make common sized
pills, and take two or three twice a day.

   Salt rheume Ointment.—First, cleanse the blood by making a de-
coction of dogmachy bark, sweet fern, and ground hemlock, (not
ciuta,) add one pint of gin to a quart of the decoction, and take a
glass three times a day.   After taking this one week, make an oint-
ment by simmering six  green frogs in one pound of  fresh butter,
two hours.   With this frequently anoint the part affected.

   Green vegetable strengthening plaster.—Take of  life root, bit-
tersweet, scabish, sweet clover, liveforever, green ozier, sweet el-
der, and poppy, of each,  equal parts:  boil in a sufficient quantity
of soft water for two hours, strain, evaporate slowly to an extract,
in a water  bath,  or in  shallow vessels in the  sun, and preserve
for use.  Then take of yellow resin, three pounds;  mutton tallow,
and beeswax, of each, half a pound; gum galbanam, four ounces:
melt over a slow  fire; add of verdigris, one ounce, pulverize, and
previously dissolved in oM|^nce of mutton tallow, and two oun-
ces of the above extract, TtrwRd fine; stir  freely until well mixed,
and pour the whole into a vessel of  water, work it like wax and
make into  rolls.
   This is  a very efficacious  plaster for lame backs, pain in the
side, burns, scalds, ulcers and rheumatism, and  is useful as  an ad-
hesive dressing to fresh wounds.

   For making Indian physic.—First method.—Take a quantity
of mandrake roots, boil them in pure water until the strength  ih
out; then  strain, settle, and  boil it  down  gently until it is hard
enough to pill.  This kind operates very powerfully in about seven
hours after taken.

   Second method.—Get your quantity of mandrake roots, as above 
VALUABLE RECIPES.
309
to half a bushel of roots, add witch hazle. twigs, burdock leaves,
sweet elder roots, dwarf elder  roots, and cloves, a hand  full of
each; boil, settled and strained as above, and brought to the con-
sistence of pills.

  Third method.—Physic  for  dropsical complaint.—Take two
thirds mandrake root, one third dwarf elder roots, boil and pill as
above.
  The  first produces a  disagreeable sensation  in the  stomach,
sickness, diziness in the head, and sometimes griping in the bow-
els, but very effectually cleanses the  bile from the stomach—as
much so as an emetic.   It produces action in the system, remove's
obstructions in the liver, and eases  pains in  the head, sides, and
joints.
  The second is equally efficacious in  all the above complaints,
and is more mild in its operation, but very often will operate thirty-
six hours;  and will very often throw off a fever.

  The third is  the best  for the dropsy that is yet found out  It
operates more rapidly than the  second kind, in any other disease
except the dropsy, which requires more physic on account of the
torpid state of the vessels.
  After removing any complaint by  physical operation, and the
fever is wholly  subsided, the patient wants bracing  up with cor-
dials, stimulating astringents, such as coltsfoot, white snake root,
senicle, spikenard, comfrey, wintergreen, princes pine, life root,
queen of the meadow, St Anthony's cross, red clover, Indian clo-
ver root, or even root, nerve  root, draggon's claw, pollypodium,
white oak buds and witch hazel twigs.
  Many of these  things  put into wine and  sweetened with  loaf
sugar, make an excellent cordial, but many times it will be neces-
sary to check the astringent qualities by adding something of  a
physical nature, such as yellow dock roots, blue violets, plantain,
beach leaves, elder roots or berries, mandrake or blood root 
310        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                HERBS GOOD IN CONSUMPTIONS.

   Burdock  roots, in syrup, in decoction, or in wine.   The juice
of  hoarhound in milk, or with honey.   Juniper berries, ten or
twelve eaten in the morning, fasting.   Life root steeped in cold
water, spirits or wine:  an excellent remedy.   Gensing in syrup,
or  in wine, or the  powdered roots in  molasses.   St. Anthony's
cross, steeped  in cold water.  Sanicle, in syrup, wine or decoction.
Nerve root, in wine, in spirits, or in powder with honey.   Hound's
tongue, steeped in cold water.   Lobelia, in  powder, in very small
portions; take three times a day, for thirty days.  Blood root, in
powder or decoction: excellent in pulmonary complaints.   Mead-
ow plantain, in syrup.  Three  spoons  full  of  the  juice of  sage,
taken fasting, with a little honey, will stop spitting of blood by those
that have the consumption.   Solomon seal root, in syrup.  Sassa-
parilla root, spikenard, noble liverwort, brook liverwort and lung-
wort, are all good in sprup, with pine moss, pitch pine bows,  su-
mach roots, the bark of the root of many berry  bush, in decoc-
tion, or syrup.  The root and  flowers  of the wandering golden
rod steeped in cold water; a notable remedy this and  has  been
known to cure the consumption. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.                fcll
VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  Under this head is comprised simple and prepared medicines*
such as are used in the cure of diseases;  to which is subjoined a
short view of their natural, medical and pharmaceutical  history,
with the virtues of each.  It would be an unnecessary task to en-
umerate and describe all the articles that have acquired the name
of medicine, but I trust that a sufficient collection will be found in
this work, not only to subserve all the useful purposes of the phy-
sician, but also  to enable him to understand the  nature and  pro-
portion of most of the  remedial articles now in use,  even though
he may dissent from the employment of them.
  In explaining the operations of medicines, and classing them ac-
cording to these operations, it is to be regarded as a first principle
that they act only on the living body.  The presence of life is ac-
companied with peculiar properties, and with modes  of action in-
explicable on mere mechanical or chemical principles.   Substan-
ces acting on the  living system no doubt produces effects refera-
ble to  these; but the  changes they produce are also always so far
modified as to be peculiar in  themselves, and regulated  by laws
exclusively belonging to organized matter.
  Medicines, in general,  operate by stimulating the  living  fibre.
This  proposition cannot, however, be received  in an unlimited
sense.   From the exhibition of different medicines, very different
effects are produced,  which cannot be satisfactorily explained from
the cause assigned—the difference in the degree of stimulant  op-
eration.  They differ in kind so far, that even in the greater num-
ber of cases, one remedy cannot by any management of dose or 
312         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
administration be  made to produce the  effects which result from
action of another.
   It is therefore necessary to admit some modifications of the gen-
eral principles above stated, and the following are perhaps suffi-
cient to afford grounds for explaining the operations or remedies,
and for establishing a classification of them sufficiently just and
comprehensive.
   1. Stimulants are not to be regarded as differing merely in the
degree of stimulant operation which they exert.  An important dis-
tinction exists between them, as  they are more  or less  diffusible
and permanent in their action.   A stimulus is termed diffusible,
which, whenever it is applied, or at least in  a very short time af-
ter, extends its action over the whole system,  and quickly produces
its full exciting effect.  A diffusible stimulus  is generally also tran-
sient in its action;  in other words, the effect,  though soon produced
quickly ceases.   There are others, on the contrary^, which, though
equally powerful stimulants, are slow and permanent   These va-
rieties, which are sufficiently established, serve to explain the dif-
ferences in the powers of a number of  the  most important medi-
cines;  and they lay the foundation for the distinction of two great
classes, narcotics and tonics, with their  subordinate  divisions of
antispasmodics  and astringents, both consisting of powerful stimu-
lants; the one diffusible and transient, the other slow and permanent
in their operation.
   II. There is a difference between stimulants, in their actions be-
ing directed to  particular parts.   Some, when received into the
stomach, quickly act upon the general  system; others have their
action confined to the stomach itself, or, at least, any further stim-
ulating effect they may occasion is slow and inconsiderable; while
a third class  consists of  those which operate on  one part, often
without producing any sensible effect on  the stomach or general
system.  Some thus acton the intestinal canal; others on the kid-
neys, bladder, vessels of the skin, and  other parts; the  affection
they excite in these, being the consequence, not of any stimulant 
MATERIA MEDICA.
313
 operation equally extended over every part, but of one more par-
 ticularly determined.   This difference in the action of stimuli is the
 principal  foundation of the distinctions of medicines into particu-
 lar classes.  Cathartics, for instance, are those medicines, which,
 as stimuli, act peculiarly, on the intestinal canal: diuretics, those
 which act on the secreting vessels of the kidenys: emmenagogues,
 those which act on the uterine system; diaphoretics, those which
 exert a stimulant action on  the vessels of the skin.  With these
 operations, medicines, at the same time, act more or less as gen-
 eral stimulants, by which each  individual  belonging to any class
 is thus rendered capable of  producing peculiar effects; and many
 of them, by a peculiarity of constitution in the patient, or from the
 mode in which  they are administered, frequently act on more  than
 one part of the system, by which their effects are still  farther di-
 versified.   Medicines, when thus determined  to particular parts,
 are sometimes conveyed to these parts, in the course of the circu-
 lation; more generally their action is extended from the stomach,
 or part to which they are applied, by  the medium of the nervous
 system.
   III.  Medicines, besides acting as stimuil, sometimes occasion
 mechanical or chemical changes in the state of the fluids or solids,
 by which  their action is more or less diversified.   These opera-
 tions of medicines were formerly supposed to be more extensive
 than they  really are; and  many absurd explanations were deduced
 from the supposed changes which the solids and fluids underwent
 in disease.  Though these notions are now exploded, it must still
be admitted that changes of this kind take place in the living sys-
 tem.  Chemical changes in  particular, there is reason to believe,
very frequently modify the actions of remedies;  and some very
obvious operations of  this kind, as well as others of a mechanical
nature,  serve  as  distinctions  for establishing several  particular
classes.
  These observations point out the principles on which the arrange- 
 314        VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

 ment of the articles of the Materia Medica, from their  medical
 operations, may be established.
   Those stimulants which exert a  general action on the system,
 may first be considered.  Of these there are two well marked sub-
 divisions, the diffusible and the permanent; the former correspon-
 ding to the usual classes of narcotics and antispasmodics;  the lat-
 ter, including  likewise  two classes, tonics  and  astringents.   In
 these there is a gradual transition passing into the one from the
 other, from the most diffusible and least durable stimulus, to the
 one most slow and permanent in its action.
   The next general division is that comprising local stimulants;
 such are the classes of emetics, cathartics, emmenagogues, diure-
 tics, diaphoretics, expectorants,  sialagogues,  errhines, and epis-
 pastics.  These all occasion  evacuation of one  kind or another,
 and their effects are in  general  to  be ascribed, not to any opera-
 tion exerted on the whole system, but to changes of action induced
 in particular parts.
   After these, those few medicines may be considered whose ac-
 tion is merely mechanical or chemical.  To the former belong di-
 luents, demulcents,  and emollients.  AUhelmintics  may perhaps
be referred with propriety to the same division.   To the latter, or
 those which act chemically, belong antacids or absorbents lithon-
 triptics, escharotics, and perhaps refrigerants.
   Under these classes may be comprehended all  those substances
 capable of producing salutary changes in the human system. Sev-
eral classes are indeed excluded which have sometimes been  ad-
mitted; but these have been rejected, either as not being sufficient-
ly precise or comprehensive, or as being  established only on er-
roneous theory.
  The subdivisions of these classes may sometimes be established
on the natural affinities existing among the  substances arranged
under each; on their chemical composition;  their resemblance in
sensible qualities; or, lastly, on distinctions in their medicinal vir- 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
315
tues more minute than those which form the characters of the class.
In different classes one of these methods will frequently be found
perferable to any of the others.
TABLE OF CLASSIFICATION.
A. General stimulants.
a.  Diffusible.

b.  Permanent.
B. Local stimulants.
C. Chemical remedies.
D. Mechanical remedies.
Narcotics.
Antispasmodics.
Tonics.
Astringents.
Emetics.
Cathartics.
Emmenagogues.
Diuretics.
Diaphoretics.
Expectorants.
Sialagogues.
Errhines.
Epispastics.
Refrigerants.
Antacides.
Lithontriptics.
Escharotics.
Anthelmintincs.
Demulcents.
Diluents.
Emollients.
                 CLASS  I.—NARCOTICS.

  This first division of the preceding classification, is that com-
prehending those  stimulants, the action of which is general over
the system.  The first class of this divison comprises those which
are highly diffusible, and at the same time transient in their oper- 
316        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
ation.  This corresponds with  the  common class of narcotics 01
sedatives, usually defined.   Such substances as diminish the action
and powers of the system, without occasioning any sensible evac-
uation.  The definition is imperfect, as  it does  not include  that
stimulant operation which it is acknowledged they equally produce.
  When given in a moderate dose, narcotics excite the functions
both of body and mind: the force and frequency of the pulse are
increased, muscular action is more vigorous, and hilarity or intox-
ication are induced.  These symptoms, after continuing for some
time, are succeeded by those of  diminished action: the pulse be-
comes slower, is full and  soft, the body is less sensible to impress-
ions, and less capable of voluntary exertion, and the mind is in-
active.  This state terminates  in sleep.   When it ceases, there
remains a degree of general debility, marked by sickness, tremor,
and oppression.  By a large dose, debility, without  previous ex-
citement, is occasioned, and the  consequences of  an immoderate
quantity  are  delirium, paralysis, coma, and convulsions,  some-
times terminating in death.  These are  the  general effects  con-
siderably diversified, however, as arising from different narcotics,
and varied by other circumstances.  Habitual use  considerably
diminishes that power.
  These medicines act primarily on the stomach, whence their ac-
tion is conveyed by nervous communication to the general  sys-
tem.  Externally applied, they exert their usual  action,  though
with less force.  Directly applied to the  muscles of animals,  they
first stimulate them to contraction, but ultimately exhaust their ir-
ritability.
  As the medicines belonging to this class diminish the actions of
the system, when given even in  small doses, their primary oper-
ation was generally considered as of the  depressing kind:  and the
stimulant effects which occasionally appeared to be produced by
their exhibition, were  ascribed to what was termed  the re-action of
the system, or the exertion of that salutary power supposed to be-
long to the living body, by which every  noxious application is re- 
MATERIA MEDICA.
317
 sisted and thrown off.  They were therefore considered as direct-
 ly sedative, and indirectly stimulant.
   Precisely the reverse of this doctrine was  likewise  advanced.
 As their exciting effects were those which appeared first, and were
 succeeded by those of debility and as the first were produced from
 a small dose, wfcrile the others were occasioned when the dose was
 comparatively  large, these substances were  regarded as  direct
 stimulants, capable of exciting the actions of the system;  and the
 symptoms  of debility which  they so frequently  produced, were
 considered as arising from that exhaustion of power, which, ac-
 cording to a general law of the system, always follows increased
 action suddenly raised  and not kept up.  They were  regarded,
 therefore, as directly stimulant, and indirectly sedative,  and the
 peculiarities of their action were ascribed to their rapid and tran-
 sient stimulant operation.
   If, in investigating this subject, we merely contrast  these two
 theories, little doubt can remain of the superiority of the latter.—
 The suppositions of their being a power in the living system, fit-
 ted to resist any noxious agent, and of such a power acting before
 the deleterious effects have taken place, and thus retarding or pre-
 venting their production, are improbable, and unsupported by any
satisfactory proof.   Since the stimulant operation of narcotics al-
 ways preceeds  the syTmptoms of languor and debility which they
 produce; it is the direct conclusion, that these latter are the con-
 sequences  of the  former.  The analogy between narcotics and
 other substances, admitted to  be stimulants, but  which are less
 rapid in their operation, is also in many respects  so direct, as to
 prove similarity of action.  And their utility in several diseases,
 in which they are employed as stimulants, is  scarcely consistent
 with the opinion, that they possess a real depressing power.  Some
 doubt, however, is still attached to the theory that they are direct
stimulants, from the  fact, undoubtedly true, that  the sedative ef-
 fects of narcotics are frequently disproportioned to their previous
stimulant operation, allowing even in such cases, for its rapidity 
 31?       VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

and little permanence; and the  proposition, though  apparently
somewhat paradoxical, is perhaps just, that these substances are
at once capable of stimulating the living fibre, and, independent
of that stimulant operation, exhaust to a greater or less extent, by
direct operation, the living power.  The effects of certain chemi-
cal agents on the living system, as  lately ascertained, appear to
support some conclusion of this kind.
   Narcotics being capable of producing either stimulant or seda-
tive effects, may be practically employed with very different in-
tentions.  Either operation is obtained chiefly by certain  modes
of administration.   If given in small doses, frequently repeated,
the actions of the system are excited, and kept up.  But if  given
in larger doses, at distant intervals, the state of diminished action
and lessened  sensibility is obtained.   As stimulants, they are em-
ployed in various diseases of debility: in intermittent fever, and
continued fevers of the typhoid  type; in gout, hysteria, &c.  As
sedatives, they are used to allay pain and irritation,  to procure
sleep, and diminish  secretions;  hence their applications in spas-
modic and painful diseases,  in hcemorrhagies and  increased dis-
charges.  In an inflammatory state of the system, the use of some
of them is not altogether without danger from their stimulating ef-
fects.
             CLASS  II.—ANTISPASMODICS.

  This class might perhaps be considered as a subordinate divis-
ion of narcotics.  They have similar virtues, being used  princi-
pally to  allay pain and  inordinate  action, and they differ only in
not producing that state of general insensibility and diminished ac-
tion, which arises from the action of narcotics.  This might  be
supposed owing merely to a difference in power; yet there seems
also to be something more than this, since they produce no such
effect in any dose, and since, although they are  so much inferior 
MATERIA MEDICA.
319
to narcotics in this respect, they are equally powerful in repress-
ing inordinate  and irregular  muscular action.  This difference
may be explained, on the supposition  that they are equally pow-
erful stimulants, but are less diffusible, and more durable in their
action, or that they are powerful  diffusible stimulants, possessing
little direct power of diminishing the excitable principle.   Consid-
ered in this point of view, they will form an intermediate class be-
tween  narcotics and tonics;  and experience shows,that they par-
take of the properties of  both;  several narcotics and tonics being
frequently used as antispasmodics.
  From the name  given to this class, their effects may be easily
understood.   Spasm is an irregular contraction of a muscle; some-
times the contraction is permanent, at other times it alternates with
relaxation, but is still irregular.  Such medicines as obviate and
remove such affections, are termed antispasmodics.
  Spasm may arise from various causes.  One of the most  fre-
quent, is a strong irritation continually applied; such as dentition
or worms.  In these cases, narcotics prove useful, by diminish-
ing irritability and sensibility.   Sometimes spasm arises from mere
debility; and the obvious means of removing this  is by the use of
tonics." Both narcotics and tonics, therefore, are occasionally use-
ful  as  antispasmodics, such as opium, camphor, and ether* in the
one class, and  iron, calomel, and Peruvian  bark, in the  other—
But there are  farther, several substances which  cannot be  with
propriety  referred to  either of these classes, and to these the title
of antispasmodics  may be more exclusively appropriated.
CLASS  III.—TONICS.
  By tonics, are understood those substances whose primary oper-
ation is to give strength to the system.   Their operation is not me-
chanical, as was once conceived;  they act not on the simple solids 
320         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

increasing their tension or tone, but on the living fibre, and merely
powerful stimulants, permanent in their operation.   By producing
a gradual excitement, they give vigor to the actions of the system,
and as that excitement is gradually produced, it is  in like manner
gradually diminished, and  the habitual stimuli continuing to oper-
ate, diminished action does not succeed.  Where tonics, however,
are given in excess, are used unnecessarily, or for too long a time,
they weaken the powers of life.
  Tonics act primarily on the stomach, the action they excite in
that organ being communicated  generally by the  medium of the
nerves to the  rest of  the  system.   Some of them, however, are
received into the mass of blood.
  The immediate effects of a  tonic, given in a full dose, are to in-
crease the force of the circulation,  to augment the animal heat,
promote the various secretions, or moderate them when morbidly
increased, quicken digestion, and render  muscular action more
easy and vigorous.  By some of them, however, these effects are
very slowly induced.
  The affections of the system in which the tonics are employed,
must be obviously those of debility;  hence their use in the greater
part of diseases to which mankind are subject.
  This class may be subdivided into those individuals derived from
the mineral, and those from the vegetable kingdoms.

             TONICS FROM THE MINERAL KINGDOM.

   These are in general  more local in their nature than the vege-
table tonics, they do not operate so speedily, and seldom occasion
considerable excitement.

            TONICS FROM THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM.

   The tonic power in vegetables is intimately connected with cer-
tain sensible qualities, with their bitterness, astringency, and aro-
matic quality, all of them perhaps possessing these qualities, though 
MATERIA MEDICA.
321
in each, one may be more predominant than the other.  The purest
bitters, astringents, and aromatics, possess also more or less of a
tonic power.   Of these divisions, the pure astringents form a dis-
tinct class; the remaining tonics may be arranged according as
the bitterness or aromatic quality is predominant  in them.
   The stimulant operation of the purer bitters is little diffusible,
and very slow in its operation;  their effects are principally on the
stomach and digestive organs, to which they communicate vigor,
though they also act in some degree on the general  system,  and
obviate debility, as is evident in particular from their efficacy in
intermittent fevers, in dropsy, and gout, and from their debilita-
ting effects when used for too long a time.
  Aromatics are more rapid and diffusible in their action; they
quicken the circulation, and augment the heart of the body.  Their
action has little permanence; hence,  in medicine, they are em-
ployed either as mere temporary stimulants, or to promote the ac-
tion of bitters or astringents.
  From these different modes of action of bitters and aromatics, it
is evident, that a more powerful  tonic will be obtained from the
combination of these qualities than where they exist separately.
The most powerful tonics are accordingly natural combinations of
•his kind.
                         AROMATICS.

j  The  substances  belonging  to this subdivision of the vegetable
 Jnics, stimulate the stomach and general system, augment  the
 )rce of the circulation, and increase the heat of the body.  They
 re scarcely sufficiently permanent in  their  action to be used by
 iemselves, as tonics; but they always promote  the action of bit-
Cl rs and astringents, and are used with advantage to obviate symp-
'" ms arising from debility of the stomach  or intestinal canal.—
'"neir aromatic quality in general  resides in an essential oil, which
  each of them  varies  in flavor, pungency,  and  other  sensible
  littles, but which is nearly alike in its chemical properties.  It
                             21 
322         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
is soluble entirely in alcohol, is sparingly soluble in water, and is-
extracted from them by distillation.
               CLASS IV.—ASTRINGENTS.

   Astringents have been usually considered as substances capable
of obviating or removing increased evacuations, by their power of
constringingor condensing the simple solids, of which the vessels
are formed, and this by an action entirely chemical or mechanical,
the same as that which they exert on dead animal matter.
   Allowing, however, these substances to possess some power of
this  kind, their effects as remedies cannot be  explained merely
from its exertion.  Increased  evacuations cannot be ascribed to
mere mechanical laxity of the  solids;  and their removal cannot be
referred to simple condensation of these solids.   Neither can it be
admitted that active substances may be applied to the system with-
out occasioning changes in the state of the living powers.   Many
substances, arranged as  astringents, occasion  very considerable
alterations  in several of the functions; they produce effects  too
which cannot be solely referred to a condensing power, and there-
fore in all the changes they produce, part at least of their opera-
tion must be referred to their acting on the powers peculiar to life.
  For  reasons of this kind, some have denied the  existence of
such remedies, and have considered those which usually receive
the appellation of astringents, merely as stimulants, moderate and
permanent in their action; in other words, as tonics of inferior
power.  But though there be a great analogy between these two
classes in their effects, and probably in  their mode of operation,
there is also a very obvious difference;  the  most pwerful astrin-
gents, that is, substances which immediately restrain excessive
evacuations, being much inferior in real tonic power to other sub-
Stances having little astringency; while there are powerful tonics 
MATERIA MEDICA.
323
 or medicines capable of removing debility, which do not with any
 uniformity produce the immediate effects of astringents.
   Perhaps astringents may be regarded as moderate, permanent
 stimulants having their stimulant operation modified by their pow-
 er of condensing  the animal fibre  by a mechanical, or rather a
 chemical action.  That they exert a stimulant operation, is proved
 by their power of curing intermittent fever, and other diseases of
 debility;  and that  they possess a constringing quality is evident,
 not only from the sensation they excite on the tongue, but is proved
 by the change they produce in animal matter.  If these combined
 actions be exerted on the  fibres of the stomach, the change pro-
 duced, it is possible, may be propagated by nervous communica-
 tion to other parts of the system.
   Some  narcotics,  as opium, have in certain cases, effects appar-
 ently astringent  These are, where increased  discharges  arise
 from irritation,  in which, by diminishing irritability, they lessen,
 the discharge; but such an operation is altogether different from
 that of real astringents.
   As remedies against disease, astringents may sometimes, from
 their moderate  stimulant operation, be substituted for  tonics.r—
 They have thus proved" successful  in the the treatment of inter-
 mittent fever; and in all cases of debility, they seem to be service-
 able, independent of their power  of  checking debilitating  evacu-
 ations.
   It is, however, for restraining morbid evacuations, that astrin-
 gents are usually employed;   In the various kinds of haemorrhage,
 &c. they are  frequently employed with  advantage, though their
 power is also often inadequate to stop the discharge.  In diarrhoea
 they diminish the effusion of fluids, and at the same time give  tone
to the intestinal canal, and  thus remove the disease.   In  the lat-
ter stage of dysentery they prove useful by a similar operation.
In profuse sweating, and in diabetes, they are frequently sufficient-
ly powerful to lessen the increased discharge;  and in those kinds 
824         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

of inflammation termed passive, and even  in certain cases of ac-
tive inflammation they are applied with advantage as topical rem-
edies.
   It is an obvious caution, that astringents are not to  be used to
check critical evacuations, unless these proceed to excess.
   Astringents may be subdivided into  those belonging to the ve-
getable, and those belonging to the mineral kingdom, which differ
very considerably from each other in their operation.

                  VEGETABLE ASTRINGENTS.

   Astringency in vegetables seems to be connected with a certain
chemical principle,  or at least with some peculiarity of composi-
tion, since vegetable astringents uniformly possess certain chem-
ical properties.   The astringency is extracted both by water and
alcohol, and these infusions strike a black  color with  any of the
salts of iron, and are capable of corrugating  more or  less pow-
erfully, dead animal matter.
   Chemical investigations have accordingly discovered two dis-
tinct principles in the vegetable astringents, one or both of which
may probably give rise to the astringent property.  One of these,
the Galic acid, is distinguished by its property of striking a deep
black color with the salts of iron: the other, the tanning principle,
or tannin, is characterized by its strong attraction to animal gela-
tin, with which it combines, and forms a soft ductile mass, insoluble
in water.   These may be separated by a solution of animal jelly,
which unites with the tannin, and leaves the gallic acid pure.
   As both these principles exist in all the stronger vegetable as-
tringents, it  is probable  that  the corrugating property by which
the action of these substances, as medicines, is modified, depends
on their combination, especially as, in their action on dead matter,
the change produced on the animal fibre by the  gallic acid, pro-
motes the combination of that fibre with the tanning principle. 
MATERIA MEDICA.                325
                   MINERAL ASTRINGENTS.

  Of these, the principal are the mineral acids, especially the sul-
phuric, and the combinations it forms with some of the metals and
earths.


               LOCAL  STIMULANTS.

                  CLASS V.—EMETICS.

  Emetics are  substances capable of exciting vomiting, indepen-
dent of any effect arising from the mere quantity of matter intro-
duced into the stomach, or of any nauseous taste or flavor.
  The effects of an emetic are,  an uneasy sensation in the stom-
ach, with nausea and vomiting.   While the nausea only is pres-
ent, the pulse is feeble, quick and irregular, and the countenance
pale: during vomiting the face is flushed, the pulse is quicker, and
it remains so during the intervals of vomiting.   When the opera-
tion of vomiting has ceased, the nausea goes off gradually; the
patient remains languid, and often inclined to sleep; the pulse is
weak, but becomes gradually slow and  full, and the skin is com-
monly moist
  The general nature of vomiting is sufficiently evident.  The pe-
ristalic motion of the stomach is inverted, the diaphragm and ab-
dominal muscles are called into action by association, and the py-
lorus being contracted,  the contents of the stomach are forcibly
discharged.   The peristalic motion of the upper part of the intes-
tinal canal is likewise  frequently inverted.
  How this peristalic motion is  thus inverted, it is difficult to ex-
plain.   The substances which have this effect no doubt possess a
stimulant power, but the effect  is by no means produced in pro-
portion to the degree of stimulant operation exerted on the stom-
ach, and it has not been explained how such an operation can in-
vert the  usual motion. 
VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  Dr. Darwin considers vomiting as  the effect, not of increased
action from the operation of a stimulus, but of diminished action,
arising from the disagreeable sensation of nausea.  This being in-
duced, the usual motion is gradually lessened, stopped, and is at
length inverted, which gives rise to  the phenomena of vomiting.
  The susceptibility of vomiting  is very different  in different in-
dividuals, and is often considerably varied \>y disease.
  Though nausea generally accompanies vomiting, this is scarcely
a necessary connexion: some emetics acting without occasioning
much nausea, while others induce it in a much greater degree than
is proportioned to their emetic power.
  The feeble and low pulse which accompanies vomiting, has
been ascribed to direct  association  between the  motions of the
stomach and those of the  heart, or it may be owing to the nausea
excited, which  being a disagreeable sensation, is equivalent to an
abstraction of stimulus.
  It is supposed also, that a sympathy exists between the stomach
and the surface of the body, so that the state of the vessels of the
one part  is communicated to the vessels of the other.  Hence vom-
iting is frequently followed by diaphoresis.
  Emetics powerfully promote absorption.
  They often occasion increased evacuation by the intestinal ca-
nal, more especially when they  have been  given in too small a
dose to excite vomiting,  an effect arising  from their stimulating
power.
  Lastly, several of the effects of vomiting have been ascribed to
the agitation of the body, and to the compression of the viscera, by
the action of the diaphragm and  abdominal muscles.
  Emetics are  employed in many diseases.
  When any morbid affection depends upon, or is connected with
over-distention of the stomach, or the presence of acrid indigesti-
ble matters,  vomiting  gives  speedy relief.  Hence its utility in
impaired appetite; eeiditv in the stomach;  in  intoxication,  and
where poisons  have 
MATERIA MEDICA.                327
   From the pressure of the abdominal viscera in vomiting, emet-
ics have been considered as serviceable in jaundice arising from
biliary calculi obstructing the hepatic ducts.
   The expectorant power of emetics, and their utility in catarrh
and phthisis, have been ascribed to a similar pressure extended
to the thoracic viscera.
   In the different varieties of febrile affections, much advantage is
derived from exciting vomiting, especially in the very commence-
ment of the disease.  In high inflammatory fever, it is consider-
ed as dangerous; and in the advanced stage of typhus it is preju-
dicial.
   Emetics given in such doses as only to excite nausea, have been
found useful in restraining haemorrhage.
   Different species of dropsy have been cured by vomiting, from
its having excited absorption.   To the same effect, perhaps, is ow-
ing the  dispersion of swelled testicle, bubo, and other swellings,
which has occasionally resulted from this operation.
   The operation of vomiting is dangerous or hurtful in the follow-
ing cases:  where there is determination of blood to the head, es-
pecially in plethoric habits; in visceral inflammation; in the ad-
vanced  stage of pregnancy;  in  hernia, and prolapsus uteri, and
wherever there exists extreme  general debility.
   The frequent use of emetics weakens the tone of the stomach.
   An emetic should always be administered in the fluid form.  Its
operation may be promoted by drinking any tepid diluent or bitter
infusion.
   The individual emetics may be arranged under  those derived
from the vegetable,  and those from the mineral kingdom.
                CLASS VI.—CATHARTIC.

  Cathartics are medicines which quicken or increase the evac-
lintinn  from fhf>  intpcti'noc rw ivhiWi  nrVton nrivon in •> cnffinioyjf 
VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.
 dose, excite purging.   They evidently act by augmenting the nat-
 ural peristaltic motion, from their stimulant operation on the mov-
 ing fibres of the intestines, whence the contents of  the canal arc
 more quickly propelled.  The greater number, or perhaps  all of
 them, seem likewise to stimulate the  extremeties of the exhalent
 vessels terminating on the external surface of  the intestines, and
 hence the evacuations they occasion are not  only more frequent,
 but thinner, and more copious.
   Besides  these immediate actions the stimulant Operation of ca-
 thartics appears to be more or less extended to neighboring organs,
 and hence they promote the secretion and discharge of the bile,
 and other fluids usually poured into the intestinal canal.   It is al-
 so exerted on the stomach, so as to occasion a more quick evacua-
 tion of the contents of that organ  by the pylorus.
   Besides the differences between  individual cathartics in quick-
 ness, slowness, or other circumstances attending their operation,
 there is  a general difference in the mode in which they act, from
 which they may be, and usually have been ranked under two divis-
 ions.  Some operate mildly, without  exciting  any general affec-
 tion of the system,  without even  perceptibly stimulating the ves-
 sels of the intestines, and hence they merely  evacuate the con-
 tents of the canal.  Others are much more powerful stimulants:
they always occasion an influx of fluids from  the exhalent vessels,
 and neighboring secreting organs; they extend their stimulus to the
 system in general, and if taken in too large a dose, excite inflam-
 mation on the surface of the intestines.  The former are distin-
 guished by the title of laxatives;  the latter are termed purgatives;
 and the stronger of them drastic purgatives.
  Cathartics, as medicines, are capable of fulfilling various indi-
cations.
   Where there exists a morbid  retention of the contents of the
stomach, where these contents are acrid, or  where extraneous
bodies are present, they are calculated by their evacuating power
 +a rolieve the svniDtems nn'ei*n»  c--- -'          ;        ^ ■
                               ilvm uiese affections, and henco 
MATERIA MEDICA.
329
their utility, in constipation, cholic, dysentery, and a variety of
febrile affections.   Partly by exciting the intestines to action, and
partly by extending their stimulus to the other abdominal viscera,
cathartics are of service in dyspepsia, hypochondriasis, amenorr-
hcea, jaundice, and visceral obstructions.
  By their power of stimulating  the exhalent vessels, on the in-
ternal surface of the intestinal canal, and causing a larger portion
of fluid to be poured out, cathartics are capable of producing a dim-
inution of the fluids with  respect to the general  system, and of
course cause an abstraction of stimulus.   Hence purging is a prin-
cipal part of what is termed the antiphlogistic regimen, and is em-
ployed as a remedy of much power in highly inflammatory dis-
eases.
  From the same power of causing effusion of fluid, is  to be ex-
plained the utility of cathartics in the various species of dropsy.
A balance is  preserved in the system between exhalation and ab-
sorption, so that when one is increased,  the other is so also.  Tho
increased secretion and discharge of serous fluid, which cathartics
occasion, causes an increased absorption;  whence the affused fluid
in dropsy is frequently taken up and removed.
  Partly by the serious evacuation which cathartics occasion, and
partly by the derivation of  blood they make from the head, they
are highly useful in the prevention and cure of apoplexy, all com-
atose affections, mania,  phrenitis, and headach.
  The administration of cathartics is rendered improper by in-
flammation of the stomach or intestines, or tendency to it, and by
much debility.  Several cautions are likewise requisite in their ex-
hibition.   The nausea or griping they frequently produce, may
be obviated by the addition  of an aromatic, or by giving them in
divided doses.  The more powerful cathartics should always be
given in  the  latter mode; and in general they irritate less when
given diffused in a fluid than when given in a solid form.
  The different cathartics may be considered under the two divis- 
"3.30         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

 ions of laxatives and purgatives: the former being mild in their
 operation, and merely evacuating the contents of the intestines;
 the latter being more powerful, and extend their stimulant opera-
 tion to the neighboring parts.
   A division of cathartics remains,  intermediate in their operation
 between the laxatives and purgatives, more powerful than the one,
 less violentand stimulating than the  other.  These are the neutral
 salts.  They seem  to act principally by stimulating the exhaleat
 vessels on  the inner surface of the  intestines;  and by the watery
 evacuation they occasion, are particularly adapted to those cases
 where inflammatory action or tendency to it exists.
             CLASS VII.—EMMENAGOGUES.

   The medicines arranged under this  class are  those capable of
..promoting the menstrual discharge.
   As the suppression of this discharge  is usually owing to debility
 of the uterine vessels, or want of action  in them, the medicines
 capable of exciting it must be those which can stimulate these ves-
 sels.
   General stimulants or tonics must have this effect to  a certain
 extent, and there are several stimulants both diffusible and perma-
 nent, employed as Emmenagogues.
   It is doubtful, whether there are  any other medicines, which
 have their stimulant operation particularly determined to the ute-
 rine vessels.  There are several, however, which, acting on  the
 neighboring parts, have their action  extended to the uterus, and
 hence exert an emmenagogue power greater than can be ascribed
 to any general stimulant operation they exert on the system.  Sev-
 eral cathartics act in this manner.
   Under one or other of these divisions, may be arranged the prin-
 cipal medicines employed as emmenagogues. 
MATERIA MEDICA.
331
                CLASS VIIL—DURETICS.

  Diuretics are those medicines which  increase the urinary dis-
charge.
  It is obvious that such an effect will be produced by any sub-
stance capable of stimulating the secreting vessels of the kidneys.
All the saline diuretics seem to act in this  manner.  They are
received into the circulation, and, passing off with the urine, stim-
ulate the vessels, and increase the quantity secreted.
  There are  other diuretics, the effect of which appears  not to
arise  from direct  application, but from an action excited  in the
stomach, and propagated by nervous communication to the  secre-
ting urinary vessels.  The diuretic operation of squill, and of sev-
eral other vegetables, appears to be of this kind.
  There is still, perhaps, another mode in which certain substan-
ces produce  a diuretic1 effect, that is, by promoting absorption.—
When a large quantity of watery fluid is introduced into the cir-
culating mass, it  stimulates the secreting vessels of the kidneys,
and is carried off by the urine.   If, therefore absorption be promo-
ted, and if a portion of serous  fluid, perhaps previously effused,
be taken up,  the quantitity of fluid secreted by the kidneys will be
increased.   In this way digitalis seems to act:  its diuretic  effect,
it has been said, is greater when exhibited in dropsy than it is in
health.
  The action of these remedies  is promoted by drinking freely of
mild diluents.  It  is also influenced by the state of the surface of
the body.  If external heat be applied, diuresis is frequently pre-
vented, and diaphoresis produced.  Hence the doses of them should
be  given in the course of the day, and the patient if possible be
kept out of bed.
  The direct effects of diuretics are sufficiently evident   They
discharge the watery part of the  blood; and by that discharge they
indirectly promote absorption over the whole system. 
332         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  Dropsy is the disease in which they are principally employed1,
and when they can be brought to act, the disease is removed, with
less injury to the patient than it can be by exciting any other evac-
uation.   Their success is very precarious,  the most  powerful of-
ten failing; and as the  disease is so frequently connected with or-
ganic affection, even the removal of the effused fluid, when it takes
place, only palliates without effecting a cure.
  Diuretics have been  likewise occasionally used in calculous af-
fections, in  gonorrhoea, rind with  the view of diminishing pleth-
ora, or checking profuse perspiration.
              CLASS IX.—DIAPHORETICS.

  Diaphoretics are those medicines which increase the natural ex-
halation by the skin.  When this is carried so  far as to be con-
densed on the surface, it forms sweat; and the  medicines produ-
cingitare named sudorifics.   Between diaphoretics and sudorifics,
there is no distinction;  the operation  is  in both  cases the same,
and differs only in degree from augmentation of dose, or employ-
ment of assistant means.
  Since diaphoresis or sweat is merely the increase of the natural
exhalation, it mu:t arise from increased action of the cutaneous
exhalent vessels, and  the medicines belonging to this class must
be those which are capable of exciting that action.
  Of stimulants capable of producing this effect,  the application of
heat to the surface affords an example.  It is one of the most ef-
fectual, and is always employed to promote the action of sudorifics.
  The same effect may be produced indirectly,  by increasing the
general force of the circulation, which acts as  a stimulus on the
exhalent vessels, and increases their discharge.
  By one or other of these modes of operation, the medicines class-
ed as diaphoretics  seem to act. 
MATERIA MEDICA.
333
 The saline  diaphoretics, as  they do not  sensibly augment the
jrce of the circulation, probably act  in the former manner, ex-
rting a particular action on the stomach, which is communicated
) the vessels of the skin, or perhaps being received into the blood,
nd directly applied to these vessels.
 Those diaphoretics, on the contrary, which are termed  heating,
3 the aromatic oils  and resins, act by directly stimulating  the
jartand arteries, and increasing the force of the circulation.
 Diaphoresis is not,  however,  the necessary consequence of the
rculation being  increased; for the surface often remains dry,
here the pulse is frequent and strong.   In this case, a morbid
mstriction of the cutaneous vessels exists, which opposes a resis-
nce to the impetus of the blood.   Whatever,  therefore, relaxes
ese vessels, will  favor  the  production of sweating; and to  this
ode of operation probably is to be  ascribed the diaphoresis pro-
iced by antimonial preparations, or by ipecacucan, and in part
e advantage derived from the use of warm diluents in promoting
'ml  When  these  circumstances, the increase of the  force of
}« circulation  and the  relaxation of the  cutaneous vessels,  are
joined, the sweating will be still  more copious; and from this
 obably arises  the superiority of the combination of opium with
 timony or ipecacuan, to any other sudorific.
'The primary effects of diaphoretics, are to evacuate the watery
■rt of the blood, and thus lessen  the quantity of fluid in  the dr-
ying system; to determine the blood to the surface; to increase
! action of the absorbents, and to remove spasmodic constriction
 the cutaneous vessels,  and render the skin moist
The first of these effects probably takes place to no great degree,
 foe free use of diluents makes part of the sweating regimen.
The last effect, the changing the state of the vessels on the skin,
 he most important,  considered in a practical point of view, that
 'heretics  produce, as  on this their efficacy in fever, in which
 tcipally they are employed, depend. 
 334         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

              CLASS  X.—EXPECTORANTS.   ,   --, •:

   Expectorants have been defined, those  medicines which facili-
 tate or  promote the rejection of mucus  or other fluids from the
 lungs and windpipe.  The  theory of their operation is very im-
 perfectly understood.  It has been supposed that where a  greater
 quantity of fluid is thrown out into the lungs than the exhalent can
 take up, there are remedies which may facilitate its rejection.—
 But as expectoration is an operation partly voluntary, and depen-
 dant on the action of a number of muscles, it is difficult to discov-
 er  how such an effect can be produced.   If by expectorants, bo
 meant substances capable of producing it by  some specific action
 on  the parts  concerned, there seems no reason to believe in the
 existence of such remedies.
  Dr. Cullen supposed that expectorants might act by promoting
 the exhalation of a thin fluid, which diluting the viscid mucus pres-
 ent in the mucus follicles in the lungs and windpipe,  might facili-
 tate its rejection.  But the action of the different individuals be-
 longing to the class, and especially their effects in various  diseas-
 es,  cannot be explained on this principle.
  There are probably various modes of operation by which cer-
 tain remedies will appear to promote expectoration, and which will
 give them a claim to the title of expectorants.
  Thus, in certain  diseases the exhalent vessels in the  lungs,
 seem to be in that state,  by  which the exhalation of  fluid  is less-
 ened, or nearly stopped,  and in such cases expectoration must be
diminished.   Any medicine capable of removing that constricted
 state, will appear  to promote expectoration, and will at least re-
 lieve some of the symptoms of the disease.   It is apparently by
such a mode of operation, that antimony,  ipecacuana, squill, and
some  others,  promote expectoration in pneumonia, catarrh, and
asthma, the principal diseases in which expectorants are employed.
  There is a case of an opposite kind, that in which there  is a re-
dundancy of  mucus in the lungs* as occurs in humoral asthma.
* 
MATERIA MEDICA.
335
In these affections, certain expectorants are supposed to prove use-
ful.  If they do so, it is probably by being determined more par-
ticularly in their  action to the pulmonary, vessels, and by their
moderate stimulus diminishing the secretion, or increasing the ab-
sorption,  thus lessening the quantity of fluid, and thereby render-
ing the expectoration of the remainder more easy.   The determin-
ation of these substances to the lungs is often perceptible by their
odour in the air expired.  A similar diminution of fluid in the lungs
may be effected by determining  to the surface of the body, and
those expectorants which belong to the class of "diaphoretics pro-
bably  act in this manner.
  Expectorants, then, are  to. be regarded, not as medicines, which
directly assist the rejection of a fluid already secreted, but rather
as either  increasing the natural exhalation where it is deficient or
diminishing the quantity of fluid where it is too copious, either by
stimulating the pulmonary vessels, or by determining to the sur-
face.  In both cases expectoration will appear to be promoted or
facilitated.
  Inflammation of the lungs, catarrh and  asthma, are the princi-
pal diseases in which expectorants are employed; and the mode
in which  they prove useful will be apparent  from what has been
said of their operation.
               CLASS XL—SIALAGOGUES.

  Sialagogues are substances which  increase the quantity of the
salivary discharge.   This may be effected  by the  mastication of
certain acrid substances, or by the internal exhibition of certain
medicines.
  Of those which act in the latter mode, mercury and blueflag are
the only ones that uniformly produce this effect.  No satisfactory
explanation has been given of this peculiar power which they ex- 
336        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

ert; and the  inquiry why this should be particularly directed to
the salivary glands, appears as fruitless as that into the specific
'virtue of any  medicine.  They do not from their sialagogue pow-
er appear to be of advantage in the treatment of any disease; sal-
ivation being  only a test of their action on the  system, but not in
itself of any utility.
   The remaining sialagogues are those which  act merely by top-
ical application, by mastication, and  from their acrid stimulating
quality.  By  increasing the salivary discharge, they have been
found of service in toothache, and, as has been supposed, in some
kinds of headache.
                CLASS  XII.—ERRHINES.

  Errhines arc medicines which occasion a discharge from tho
nostrils, either of a mucus or serous fluid.  They all  operate by
direct application, and generally in consequence of a greater or
less degree of acrimony which they possess.  Their practical uses,
it is  evident, must be very limited.  By the evacuation  they oc-
casion,, it is supposed that they may diminish the quantity of fluid
in the neighboring vessels;  and that they hence may prove useful
in rheumatic affections of these parts, in headache, pain of the
ear, and  ophthalmia.  They are sometimes used with advantage
in some of. these affections.   It has  likewise  been imagined that
they may he of use  in preventing apoplexy.
  CLASS XIII.--EPISPASTICS  AND  RUBEFACIENTS.

  These, as they operate on the same principles, and produce the
same effects only in  different degrees, may be considered merely
as subdivisions of 01 ae class. 
MATERIA MEDICA.
337
                         EriSPASTICS.

  Epispastics are those substances which are capable, when ap-
plied to the surface of the body, of producing a serous orpuriform
discharge, by exciting a previous state of iflarnmation.   The term,
though  comprehending likewise issues and setons, is  more com-
monly restricted to blisters,—those applications which, exciting
inflammation on the skin, occasion a thin serous fluid to be poured
from the exhalents, raise  the cuticle,  and form the appearance of
a vesicle.  This effect arises from their strong stimulating power,
and to this stimulant operation, and the pain they excite, are to be
ascribed the advantages derived from them in the treatment of
disease.  The  evacuation  they accasion is too inconsiderable to
have any effect
  It is a principle sufficiently established with regard to the living
system, that where a morbid action exists, it may often be removed
by  inducing  an action of a different kind in the same or in a neigh-
boring part   On this  principle is explained the utility of blisters
in local inflammation and spasmodic action, and it regulates their
application  in inflammations of the lungs, stomach, liver, brain,
and throat,  rheumatism,  colic, and  spasmodic affections of the
stomach; diseases in which they are employed with the most mark-
ed advantage.
   A similar  principle exists with respect to pain; exciting one pain
often relieves another.  Hence blisters often give relief in thooth-
ache, and some other painful affections.
   Lastly, blisters, by their operation, communicate a stimulus to
the whole system,  and raise the vigor of the circulation.   Hence,
in part, their utility in fevers of the typhoid kind, though in such
cases they are used with still more advantage to obviate or remove
local inflammation.
                        RUBEFACIENTS.

   Rubefacients excite pain and inflammation, but in a less degree
 than blisters, so that no fluid  is discharged.   They stimulate the
                                22 
33-:        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA. .
system in general, and obviate local- inflammation, and  are used
for nearly the same purposes as blisters.
  Any stimulating application may be used for. this pupose.
  Cantharides added in a small proportion to a piaster, or the tinc-
ture of cantharides applied by friction to a part, is often employed
as a rubefacient.
  Ammonia mixed with one, two, or three parts of expressed oil,
forms a liniment frequently used for  this purpose in rheumatism,,
angina, and other cases of local'inflammation.
     REMEDIES  ACTING CHEMICALLY.

             CLASS XIV.—REFRIGERANTS.

   The remedies comprised under this class have been usualy de-
fined, substances which directly diminish the force of the circula-
tion, and reduce the heat of the body, without occasioning any
diminution of sensibility or nervous energy.
   All acids are supposed to be refrigerants; but the vegetable acids
are allowed to possess this power in a more eminent degree.
   The native vegetable acids are found chiefly in the fruits of ve-
getables.  The  sour juice of these fruits consists either of the cit-
ric or malic acids, or more frequently of a mixture  of both.   The
citric  acid is that which  is most  largely employed, as  it forms
chiefly the acid juice of the orange and lemon, the two acid fruits
in common medicinal use.
                CLASS  XV.—ANTACIDS.

  Antacids are remedies which obviate acidity in the stomach.—
Their action is purely chemical, as they merely combine with the 
                   MATERIA MEDICA.                339

acid present, and neutralize it.  They are  only palliatives, the
generation of acidity being to be prevented by restoring the tone
of the stomach, and its vessels.  Dyspepsia and diarrhoea are the
diseases in which they are employed.
             CLASS XVI.—LITHONTRIPTICS.

   Lithontriptics are medicines supposed to be capable of dissolv-
 ing urinary calculi.  Their operation is entirely chemical.
   The researches of modern chemists have proved, that these cal-
 euli, in general, consist principally of a peculiar animal acid, named
 the lithic or uric acid.  With this substance the alkalies are capa-
 ble of uniting, and of forming a  soluble compound.
   From the exhibition  of alkaline remedies, the symptoms arising
 from a stone in the bladder are very generally alleviated; and they
 can be given to such an extent,  that the urine becomes sensibly
 alkaline, and is even capable of exerting a solvent power on these
 concretions.  Their  administration cannot, however, be continued
 to this extent for any considerable length of time, from the strong
 irritation they produce  on  the stomach and urinary organs.   The
 use, therefore, of the alkalies as  solvents, or lithontriptics, is now
 scarcely ever attempted; they are employed merely to prevent the
 increase of the concretions, and to palliate the painful symptoms,
 which they do, apparently by preventing the generation of lithic
 acid, or the separation of it by the kidneys; the urine is thus ren-
 dered less irritating,  and the surface of the calculus is allowed to
become smooth.
              CLASS XVIL—ESCHAROTICS.

  Escharotics are substances capable of dissolving animal matter;
applied to the skin, they erode it, and to an.ulcer, they remove ks 
340        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
surface.  They are employed to consume exeresenccs, to open an
ulcer, and to change the diseased surface of a sore already exist-
ing.   Their action is entirely chemical.
   REMEDIES  ACTING  MECHANICALLY.

           CLASS  XVIII.--ANTHELMINTICS.

  Anthelmintics are those medicines used to expel worms from
the intestinal canal.   The greater  number of them act mechani-
cally, dislodging the worms, by the sharpness or roughness  of
their particles, or by  their cathartic operation.  Some seem to have
no other qualities  than  those of powerful bitters, by which they
either prove noxious to  these animals, or remove that debility  of
the digestive organs  by which the food is not properly assimilated,
or the secreted fluids poured into the intestines are not  properly
prepared;  circumstances from  which  it has been supposed the
generation of worms may arise.
             CLASS  XIX.—DEMULCENTS.

  Demulcents are defined, "Medicines suited to obviate and pre-
vent the action of acrid and stimulant  matters, and that, not by
correcting or changing their acrimony, but by involving it in a
mild and viscid matter, which prevents it from acting upon the
sensible parts of our bodies," or by covering the surface exposed
to their action.
  Where these substances are directly applied to the parts affec-
ted, it  is  easy to perceive how benefit may be derived from their
application.  But where they are received by the medium of the 
MATERIA MEDICA.
341
stomach into the circulating system, it has been supposed that they
can be of no utility, as they must lose that viscidity on which their
lubricating quality depends.  Hence it has been concluded, that
they can be of no service in gonorrhoea, and some similar affec-
tions.  It is certain, however, that many substances which under-
go the process of digestion are afterwards separated in their en-
tire state from the blood, by particular secreting organs, especially
by the kidneys; and it is possible that  mucilaginous  substances,
which are the principal demulcents, may be  separated in this man-
ner.   There can be no doubt, however, but that a great share of
the relief demulcents  afford in  irritation or inflammation of the
urinary passages, is owing to the large  quantity of water in which
they are  diffused, by which the  urine is rendered less stimulating
from dilution.   In general, demulcents  may be considered merely
as substances less stimulating than  the fluids usually applied.
  Catarrh, diarrhoea,  dysentery, calculus, and gonorrhoea, are
the diseases  in which demulcents are  employed.   As  they are
medicines of no great power,  they may be taken in as large quan-
tities as the stomach can  bear.
  The particular demulcents may be reduced to the two subdivis-
ions of mucilages and expressed oils.
                 CLASS XX.—DILUENTS.

  Diluents are defined, those substances which increase the pro-
portion of fluid in the blood.  It is evident that this must be done
by watery liquors.  Water is indeed, properly speaking, the only
diluent.   Various additions are made to it, to render it pleasant,
and frequently to  give it a slight demulcent quality.   But these
are not sufficiently important  to require to  be noticed, or to  be
classed as medicines.
  Diluents are merely secondary remedies.   They are  given in 
342         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
                 «•
acute inflammatory diseases, to lessen the stimulant quality of the
blood.  They are used to promote the action of diuretics in drop-
sy, and to favor the operation of sweating.
              CLASS  XXI.—EMOLLIENTS.

  Emollients are those medicines which diminish the force of co-
hesion in the particles of solid matter of the human  body, and
thereby render them more lax and inflexible.  Their operation is
mechanical; they are insinuated into the matter  of the  solid fibre,
and lessen  the  friction  between its particles.   They  are  useful
when the fibres are rigid, or when they are much extended, and
therefore afford relief when topically applied to inflamed parts,  to
tumors distending the skin, or where the skin is dry and rigid.
  Heat conjoined with moisture is the principal emollient; and
water applied warm by the medium of some vegetable substances,
constituting the various fomentations and  cataplasms, is the form
under which it is applied, the vegetable matter serving to retain
the heat, and to allow the proper application of the moisture.
  Oils and unctuous substances are the only other emollients; they
are  merely introduced by friction.  Any of the expressed oils al-
ready noticed, or lard,  may be used for this purpose.

  The preceding observations are inserted to give a general  idea
of the virtues of such medicinal substances as are possessed  of
the  qualities which make the objects of the respective articles.  I
shall now proceed to an account of each of the remedies separate-
ly;  commencing with botanical, or vegetable medicines, which will
receive more particular attention; they being more in acordance
with the objects of this work.  Together with native plants, such
foreign medicines will be described as are serviceable and in com-
mon use. 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
3-43
A  DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANTS USED BY THE
            AUTHOR  IN HIS PRACTICE.
             Agrimony.   Agrimona Eupaloria.

  This plant rises two or three feet high, branching towards the
top, and bears yellow flowers, succeeded by a small bur; its leaves
alternate, growing  on a stem having five or six pair and an odd
one at the end.  It  is found in cultivated fields, by the road sides,
and in open woods; flowers in July and August, and is sometimes
known by the name of cuccold bur.
  Properties.—It is a mild astringent, corroborant, and tonic,
and therefore beneficial in a relaxed state of the system.  Its good
effects are manifest in what are termed  bearing down pains, and
in prolapsus uteri.  The proper form of administering it, is in in-
fusion: the whole plant to be used.  The warm decoction is use-
ful in common colds, to excite perspiration; its principal use how-
ever, is in female weakness, not only in restoring tone, but in pro-
curing cheerfulness of mind.

             Angelica.   Angelica Atropurpurea.

  This plant rises from three to six feet  high, stalks large and
hollow, reddish  at the base, with many joints, leaves large, bios- 
  344         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

  soms white, flowers in July, and is to be found in wet, rich, inter-
/ vale land throughout the United States.
    Properties.—This plant is tonic and  carminative; useful in
  flatulenc\r,  wind colic and  pain in the stomach.  In nervous de-
  bility attended with cold hands and feet, it is singularly useful, by
  restoring the equilibrium of the circulation and warming and re-
  cruiting the system.

       Alexander.  Wild Parsley.   Smyrnium Olusatrum.

    This is a biennial plant, root long and very thick, small throng,
  taste  acrid, leaves doubly compound, numerous, and  proceed di-
  rectly from the root.  The main leaf stalk is divided  into three
  principal branches, and each of these subdivided into three others,
  which support a number of short oval serrated leaves;  its stem is
  firm, upright and scarred on the surface;  it grows from four to six
  feet high, having crescent shaped seeds.   Found in low meadows,
  flowers in July and ripens its seed in September.
    The seeds only are used in medicine, and are a warm diuretic.
  Taken in infusion.

              Black Alder.  Prinos Verlicillalus.

    This is a very common shrub and is found in most parts of the
  United States, in swamps and  low grounds.   The bark and ber-
  ries are all that we use for medicinal purposes.   The bark is black
  or dark brown, and  the inner bark yellow, resembling saffron.
  The berries are of a deep red  color.  The bark is an astringent
  and bitter,  sometimes used in place of peruvian bark  in intermit-
  tents,  and in a diseased state of the liver.

                 Tag Alder.  Alnus Serrulata.

    This shrub grows in wet land and rises from ten to twelve feet
  high, and bears tags  from which it derives its  name. 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
345
   The medicinal qualities of this shrub are tonic and  alterative.
It works effectually in the blood and is good in  liver complaints*
jaundice, &c.

            Archangel.  Angelica Archangelica.

   There are three species of this article—two only are used, viz:
the high and the low;  the former grows from four to five feet high,
leaves of a deep green, long and pointed, blows white,  appearing in
July, root aromatic: used in female weakness and pain.
   The low grows from ten to  sixteen  inches high, leaves deeply
notched,' flowers white, expanding in August.  Medical properties
tonic and astringent: useful in piles, dysentery, &c.

           Arrow Root.  Maranta  Arundinacceea.

   This  article is imported from the West Indies and is used as a
diet for the sick; is mucilaginous and nourishing: useful in bowel
complaints,  but  is  more an article  of  luxury than necessity, and
its place may be supplied nearer home.

             Arsesmart.  Polygonum Persicaria.

   This  herb is so common that it needs no description, but it ought
to be esteemed as one  of the best of herbs.   Medicinal properties.
It is a powerful  antisceptic, and allays inflammations  and swell-
ings, especially such as affect the knee joint  It  should be applied
in decoction.  The infusion may be drank freely, without any bad
effects.  It has been used in gravel and other obstructions of the
urine, with singular effect, indeed it has cured many cases of gravel
without  the aid of any other remedies; and for coughs and com-
mon coulds it is  remarkably efficacious.

              Assarabacca.  Asarum canadense.

  Called also wild ginger, coltsfoot, Canada snake-root, &c  This
is a humble  plant, stemless  the leaves  rise immediately from  the 
346         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

root, and are usually two in number, resembling a colt's foot*^
The  flowers proceed from between  these leaves, and  are large,
purple, and bell-shaped;  the root is fibrous, of a grey brown color
externally and white within.   It grows throughout the U. States,
in shady woods and rich soil;  both  the roots and leaves have a
bitter, hot, nauseous taste.
   American Assarabacca is aromatic, errhine, and emmenagogue,
and in large doses operates as an emetic and oathartic.   It is use-
ful in debility, melancholy, palpitations, low fevers, and  obstruc-
tions.  The dose must be small and  often repeated: used in infu-
sion  or tincture.  The principal use of this plant among modern
practitioners, is, as  a sternutatory, being one of the strongest of
the vegetable errhines and very useful in disorders of the  head
and eyes.  Snuffed  up the nose in quantities of  one grain,  it will
produce a free discharge of mucus.
   For the description and use of this plant we  are indebted' to
W» Smith.
                   Avens.   Geum Rivale.

   This plant grows from one to two feet high, leaves large and
resemble those of the turnip.  Flowers pale red, appearing in Ju-
ly.  The root of this plant is a powerful astringent and tonic.  In
substance or strong decoction it is  useful in hemorrhages, the sec-
condary stages of bowel complaints, sore mouths, &c.  It is also
an antidote against the bad effects of mercury in cases of saliva-
tion.  A weak  infusion  is beneficial in  chronic affections of the
lungs, indigestion, and general debility.  It should be drank with
food at meal  time, being a good substitute for  tea or  coffee, and
much more wholesome than  either.

             Apple Peru.   Datura  Stramonium.

   This is also called Jamestown weed, thorn apple, &c.  It grows
from two to fou feet high.   Flowers appear in  July and August; 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.             34'/
are bell-shaped and of a dingy yellow with purple stripes; this be-
ing a characteristic mark of all  poisonous plants.  The apple or
seed vessel is large, egg-shaped, and covered with sharp thorns,
and contains many black seeds.   The whole plant is nauseous and
powerfully narcotic.  It is used internally for apoplexy, epilepsy,
mania, chronic rheumatism, and difficult menstruation in the form
of an extract.   This is prepared by exposing the juice of the plant
to a very moderate heat until of sufficient consistence for making
into pills.   Dose, one or two grains  once a day, increasing grad-
ually.  It is  a very active medicine and when taken  internally
must  be used with  extreme caution.  Externally it is useful in
fresh wounds, scalds, burns, piles, ulcers, &c,  made into an oint-
ment  with fresh butter  or lard.

                     Buck-horn Brake.

   This valuable plant rises about one foot high, the leaves branch
out like a Buck's horn, from  whence  its  name.  It is  a valuable
astringent, and is beneficial in female weakness, flower  albus, etc.
   Hog Brake.—The medicinal  effects of this  are similar to the
above, except it is more mucilaginous, and  may be more freely
used either alone or in  combination.
   Common Brake.  Pteris Aquilina.—This brake, someties call-
ed female  fern, is used to prevent abortions, and to ease pains in
females at times, and to check hemorrhages.
   Upland Brake.—This grows in  uplands, the leaves are deep-
ly indented at the edges.   The root  is made up of small tushes or
horns, and is astringent.  It is a safe remedy in diarrhoea, dysen-
tery, and weakness of the bowels.

              Blood Root.  Hieracium Venosum.

  This plant rises six or seven inches high.  The leaves lie flat
on the ground,  two or three in number, hairy, full of red winding 
348        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

veins, oval shaped, and remain throughout the winter.  The flow-
er stem is bare of leaves, the top, a spike of purple blossoms.  The
roots are small, tough, and fibrous.  It grows on uplands through-
out the Uuited States.
  The medical properties of this plant are antisceptic, astringent,
and styptic.  A decoction  of it drank will speedily arrest hemorr-
hage.  The powdered root mixed with an equal quantity of blood
root and a little alum, and used as snuff destroys a polypus in the
nose very speedily.  A  syrup of this plant has been beneficially
used in consumptions attended with spitting of blood.

             Boneset.    Eupatorium Perfolialum.

  This useful  plant is indigenous to the United States.  It  rises to
the  height of from two to five feet.  Stem round, branching, hairy;
the  leaves are serrated rough, perforated in the middle by the stem,
and tapering to the extremeties.   The flowers are  white and col-
lected into a large cluster at the ends  of the branches, appearing
in July and August.  It grows  in meadows and near brooks of
water.
  This plant is a valuable sudorific, tonic, emetic and febrifuge.
It was used by the natives, and by them considered a very effica-
cious remedy in fevers,  colds, &c.   It is intensely bitter and pos-
sesses important medicinal properties.  When taken freely it pro-
duces vomiting and purging, but in less quantity induces a gentle
perspiration and displays some  tonic effects.   It has  been used
successfully in the cure  of intermittents; and in cases of catarrhal
fevers I have found it very beneficial.  A weak infusion drank on
going to bed, seldom fails  of producing relief in mild cases: and
persons laboring under indigestion, and the loathing of food, occa-
sioned by drunkenness,  will find it very useful, drank cold and in
small quantities.   In all cases, except highly inflammatory, where
a diaphoretic is indicated, this may be used, unless rejected by the
stomach.   In obstinate cutaneous diseases its effects are often very 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
349
salutary by restoring tone to the capillary system.  When taken
in substance the dose is about half a teaspoon full of the powdered
leaves.
                  Burdock.  Arctium Lappa.

   This  well known plant needs no description.  It promotes per-
spiration,  increases  the discharge of urine, and possesses deter-
gent, purging properties, and in my opinion, superior to sarsapa-
rilla.   It may be safely used in fevers and other acute diseases as
a sudorific, for  it acts without producing irritation.   A decoction
of the seeds is  useful in inflammatory rheumatism, scrofula, and
chronic diseases of the skin.   The leaves may be applied to acute
swellings, and are frequently used in place of sinapisms to the feet.

            Beech Drops.   Epiphegus Virginianus.

   They are generally found growing on the roots of beech trees,
six or eight inches high, of a brown color; the stem is erect, bran-
ching, scaly, and without leaves.   The root is tuberous, and the
whole plant astringent.   It is a useful remedy in dysentery; but
more particularly beneficial in the cure of  canker in  the mouth,
and by some made use of  in  cancer.  In  disease of the skin, it
often proves salutary, used in decoction externally.

               Bearberry.  Arbutus Uva Ursi.

   This  is  an evergreen shrub or vine, the leaves oval, smooth, of
a pale green color, flowers whitish,  in clusters at the end of the
stem.  It  grows on  mountains and upland  in various portions of
the Union.  The leaves have a bitterish taste and are astringent
and tonic.    It is useful in all debilitating discharges, and particu-
larly in ulceration of the urinary passages, in flower albus, dia-
betes, excess of catemenia, diarrhoea, &c.   Prof. Barton recom-
mends it highly in affections of the kidneys,  proceeding from gout. 
360         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

It may be given in decoction or powder;  of the latter, a teaspoon
full may be taken three times a day.

               Barberry.   Berberis Vulgaris.

  This useful shrub is very scarce west of the Genesee river.  It
grows in the form of the sweet briar,  from four to six feet high,
bearing clusters of oval, red berries, of an acid taste.  The berries
stay on during the winter, and make a cooling beverage in fevers.
The bark is an intense bitter,  useful in jaundice, fever and ague,
hepatic  obstructions, and makes a very healthy spring beer or
bitters.
                 Bayberry.   Myrica Cerifera.

  This shrub grows from two to four feet high, with many bran-
ches, leaves long and narrow, shaped like  the fern, and bearing
berries from which a tallow is obtained of much use in medicine.
This article is generally found on poor soil.   The leaves and bark
are used, being astringent andcarminative: are beneficial in bow-
el  complaints, colic pains in the stomach, and  in arresting gan-
grene.  It is used as a beer in the sping by the New England peo-
ple in dropsical cases and partial paralysis.   The bark of the root
made fine, is an excellent snuff in catarrh.   An eastern empiric
says it shouldbe combined with Cayenne, cinnamon and ginger, but
I have never been in the habit of boiling  the blood in  the veins
of the living, whether in sickness or health.

                Blackberry.  Rubus Viliosus.

   The  bark of the blackberry root boiled in milk  is a valuable
remedy in dysentery and should  be taken freely.   Take of  the
unripe berries, two pounds; bruised and simmered with one pound
of loaf sugar, add half a pint  of brandy, strain and bottle for use.
This, in dysentery is one of the most valuable remedies  I am ac-
quainted with. 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
351
            Bitter-sweet.   Solanum Dulcamara.

  This vine is common in almost every part of the United States,
found climbing trees and ledges of rocks; leaves similar to those
of the pear, flower  purple with  yellow  ant-hus,  always twining
from the sun, the bark is yelftjw and thick: used in fever and in-
flammation.   We use  it in decoction in palpitation of the heart.
It strengthens the system of secreting and excreting vessels, and
acts on  the liver, producing  a free circulation and  perspiration.
An ointment  prepared by simmering the fresh bark  in lard or
sweet oil is useful in cases of contracted tendons, and stiff joints.
It is  likewise applicable to all cases of inflammatory swellings,
bruises, ulcers, &c.

              Bitter-weed.  Artemisia poidica.

  This plant grows very similar  to the garden wormwood, having
larger leaves.  Flowers appearing in June or July.  The whole
plant has a bitter disagreeable taste.  Taken in decoction, it  is
useful in nervous and  hysterical  affections, and for quieting after
pains.   It promotes perspiration and is composing and strength-
ening when used freely.

                Beth-root.   Trillium erectum*

  There are  three kinds of beth root, distinguished by their bloss-
oms;  the white,  the red, and the white and  red.  Early in the
spring they send up a stem eight or  ten inches high, with three
large, smooth green leaves near the  top, and a flower with three
petals an inch or two  above the  other leaves; from the centre of
the flower, proceeds a bud with six sides, containing seeds.  The
root  is from one to three inches long, tuberous soft, sending out
many radicles or fibres, and has a pleasant bitter taste.   Used4n
female debility, flower albus, and aphthous sore mouths. 
352         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

            Blood-root.  Sanguinaria Canadensis.

   This plant attains to the hight of six to ten inches.  It is one of
our earliest spring plants; leaves large and deeply scolloped; flow-
ers white, appearing in May.   The  root is about  the size of the
little finger, is red and tuberous, is found in various parts of the
United States in woods and  meadows.   It is stemless, the leaf-
stalk rising immediately from the root, and supporting but one leaf.
Bloodroot is a powerful emetic and cathartic, and may be used in
fevers.   It is a good alterative in  liver difficulties, promoting a
healthy secretion  of bile.  As an emetic in croup, it certainly
ranks high, and may be used  in rheumatism, and affections of the
chest.
              Brook-lime.   Veronica beccabunga.

   This little  valuable evergreen plant lines the brooks  through-
out our country, especially those that are favored with water from
living springs.  It is a small running vine, with small green leaves
much like the one berry.  The flowers are blue, appearing in Ju-
ly.  It  has a bitter taste.  It is used  as a diuretic, tonic, and de-
tergent, beneficial in all casses of debility of the system, faintness
and languor.  It creates appetite, purifies the blood and is highly
recommended in the incipient stages of consumption.  It is also
useful in sore mouth, thrush, canker and scarlet fever.  The green
plant, bruised, and  applied to inflamed   surfaces  and swellings,
acts very beneficially.
                 Blue Flag,   Iris versicolor.

   This plant rises  four or five  feet  high, leaves sword  shaped,
flowers purple with yellow lines, appearing in May and June.  It
is found in  marshy situations.   The medical properties  of  this
plant are not often equaled in the vegetatble kingdom.   It is emet-
ic, cathartic, diuretic and carminative.  The root should be taken
up in the fall or spring, carefully washed, dried,  pulverized, and
bottled up for use. 
                  AMERICAN REMEDIES.              35S

   A teaspoon full of the powder will prove an emetic, and a third
part taken once in two hours produces a cathartic effect.   Equal
parts of  the blue  flag and mandrake  taken in three grain doses,
once in four hours, will act on the glands and produce salivation,
but free from  the injurious effects which follow the like use of cal-
omel.  This is a very efficacious alterative, and I hope  the pro-
fession will investigate more fully its  medicinal properties.
   Put four teaspoons full of the root into half a pint of cold water,
stir a few minutes, settle, strain and add thirty drops of oil of an-
ise and one third  gin: a teaspoon full taken  two or three times a
day, is salutary in all affections of the liver, bilious  colic, flatulen-
cy, histeria and spasmodic affections.  This powder made  into an
ointment with fresh butter, is useful  in felons, runrounds on the
fingers, and similar painful swellings.
   The powdered root or tincture may be freely used bythosejsub-
ject to bilious  colic, as a preventative.  It rarely fails  preventirig
an attack of  this formidable disease.  And in mercurial disease
its antidotal powers are effectually displayed by its speedy arrest.
   Again I say to the physician, try it instead of calomel.

               Bog Bean.   Menyanthes trifoliata.

   This plant  grows about a foot high, and resembles the garden
bean, the flowers are white, appearing in June; the  root is of a
bright yellow, and runs horizontally  to the distance often of five
or six feet.   It is found in wet rich lands, as swamps, and river
bottoms.  It  is rather  scarce in this part of the country.  The
root is intensely bitter and exerts a powerful  effect on the liver,
and is useful in all bilious complaints.  It is is one of the best ver-
mifuges, and  will even destroy the tape worm.   I use this article
in my worm powders, to the recipe of which I refer.
            Bladderwort.   Utricularia Vulgaris.
   This plant rises about  one foot high; leaves small and  bushy;
flowers in July;  root bulbous, and an active diuretic, useful in in-
                                23 
 354        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 flammations of the kidneys and bladder, and a good adjunct in all
 weak and debilitated states of the urinary passages.  It is found
 in all parts of this state.

             Balm of Gilead.   Populus angulata.

   This  needs no description.   It is a  very common shade tree.
 A tincture of the buds is useful in weak stomachs, caused by falls,
 and in spitting of blood.   The buds pounded to an ointment, arc
 applied  to cancers, tumours, &c.   The bark of the root makes a
 fine bitter in cases of general debility.

                      Balm.  Melissa.

   Of this there are three kinds, the garden, the rose and the bee.
 The garden balm rises  about two feet high, leaves oval, and flow-
 ers white.   This plant is cultivated in gardens, and taken in infu-
 sion, is  a cooling  drink in fevers.
   The Rose Balm, differs but little from the garden.  It has beau-
 tiful red flowers appearing in September, and is to be found in rich
 intervale land.
   The Btc Balm  is similar to the others; flowers are  more of a
 pink or  peach.  These grow spontaneously over the country and
 may be  used indiscriminately.

         Brook-liverwort.   Marchantia polymorpha.

  Is found in moist, wet land, in swamps, and about springs and
 rivulets, lying flat, on stones, old logs,  &c.   It is very green in
the spring, the roots small and'fibrous.  It is a cooling mucilagin-
ous article, used in liver cases and affections of the lungs, and ir-
ritable coughs.  It is beneficially-applied to inflamed parts, pain-
ful swellings, d'c. 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
355
                Box-wood.  Leornus florida.

  This valuable tree is to be found in most parts of the Ur States,
and attains to the height of  from twelve to twenty feet; flowers
white tinged with red, appearing in June or July.   It is a valua-
ble tonic, especially for female weakness.   It is useful in bearing
down pains, and  painful menstruation.  The bark of the root in
infusion, and  the vinous tincture, are  held in  high estimation in
cases of intermittent and remittent fevers, and in my opinion pref-
erable to  the Peruvian bark.   The flowers are valuable, when
dried and carefully  preserved in  bottles, either in tincture or infu-
sion.  The bark  should be taken off in the fall  or spring,  and
kept from the air.  The sensible qualities of this bark  are bitter
lukI astringent.   In many places it is called dogwood.

              [Blue Violet.   Viola Cucidlaia.

  This plant rises four or five inches high; leaves somewhat heart
shaped, flowers blue, appearing in May.  It is  found in wet land,
roots white, short and mucilaginous.   Combined with comfrey and
spikenard, it is useful in diarrhoea and bowel complaints.

             Craneseill.   Geranium Maculatum.

   This plant attains from six to tweive inches high; leaves deeply
serrated; flowers blue or purple, expanding in  May.  The root is
a pure and strong astringent, much  preferable to the kino of the
shops.  It maybe  used to advantage in passive hemorrhages, the
secondary stage  of dysentery, in gleets, flower albus, in canker,
thrush and gravelly cases.   To be taken in substance, infusion or
tincture.   This is  an efficacious remedy in all  cases where astrin-
gents arc indicated, being one of the most valuable we possess.

                          Crawley.

   This plant, sometimes  called  fever root, seldom makes its ap- 
 V5G         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

pearance until about the first of June.   It grows from ten to twelve
 nches high, but is destitute  of leaves;  flowers white appearing in
July.   The seeds hang on the top of the stalk, enclosed in a pod;
the roots are dark colored and resemble cloves—they arc the only
part used  in medicine.  It is a very effectual remedy in exciting
perspiration, without increasing the  heat of the body;  it is indeed
a powerful febrifuge and  diaphoretic.   The root is a very efiicient
remedy in  remittent,  typhus, nervous  and inflammatory fevers;
and will remove cramps, constrictions and all pains caused by
cold.   It produces a general relaxation of  the system,  equalizes
the circulation, and brings moisture to the  surface.   The root is
to be made  fine, and carefully preserved from the air.   After prop-
er evacuations of the  stomach and bowels,  a teasoop full may be
given once  in twenty minutes, in black snake-root tea,  until a gen-
tle perspiration is induced, or until from four to six are given.

              Celandine.   Chelidonium Majus.

  This plant grows in meadows and by running brooks, rises two
;o four feet high; has many tender, watery, transparent  stalks,
 vith large joints, leaves large, serrated, and very tender; flowers
/ellow and four petalled.  Seed vessel pod-like, and when com-
oressed bursts with force scattering the seed.
  The juice of this plant is used in the cure of ringworms, and as
a discutient to old ulcers.  Internally it is administered in  dropsy
and green sickness; infused in vinegar, it  promotes  perspiration
and increases urinary discharges.   In  the form of poultice boiled
in milk, it  has cured  tetters.  The juice of this and  the ground
ivy are useful in removing opacities from the cornea.

                  Catnep. Nepeta calaria.

  This plant  is  so common that it needs  no description.  The
flowers of  this  plant  dried  and  mixed with honey, often  relieve
• 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
357
the asthma.  It is very beneficial in  colds, coughs, shortness of
the breath, dizziness, and such affections as are produced by sup-
pressed perspiration.  It is very efficient in relieving the flatulen-
cy of young children, and seems in such cases to be an excellent
carminative.  The  expressed juice made into  an ointment with
lard relieves the piles.

                  Caraway.  Carum carui.

  This common garden plant is a very useful carminative in flat-
ulent colic.   The  seeds  only are used and combined with senna
obviate its griping effects.   It is principally used however for cul-
inary purposes.

           Sweet Sicely.   Uraspermum claytoni.

  This well known garden  plant rises two or three feet high, from
thick roots, black externally, and of a pale yellow within;  flowers
of a yellowish white; and is found in moist meadows.   The roots
are demulcent and mucilaginous, and combined with spikenard is
very useful in bowel complaints.   The  powdered root moistend
with the white of eggs, forms a very useful strengthening plaster
for weak backs, especially for females.

          Meadow Crowfoot.   Ranunculus acris.

 This species of crowfoot has many dark green,  fuzzy leaver,
resembling a crow's or frog's  foot.  It bears many flowers of a
iright yellow color succeeded by bead-like seed vessels, round and
■agged like a pine apple.   The taste is sharp and acrid, excoria-
ing the mouth.   An ointment of the leaves and flowers, has been
ised for producing vessication, and are said to have the advantage
tf cantharides, in producing a quicker effect, and in not causing
feangury,  It is a useful  application to  fixed pains, and in such
• 
358          VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

complaints as require a long continued discharge by way of issue.
It may be made to produce a rubefacient or cpispastic effect, ac-
cording to the manner of using it.

                Camomile.  Anthcmis nobilis.

  This garden  plant has a grateful aromatic smell  and  makes a
very excellent bitter for weak stomachs.  In approaching con-
sumptions a cold infusion of the bruised i~oot, taken  in the morn-
ing with milk, has proved very beneficial.  The same may be to-
ken for histeria attended with weakness of the digestive organs.
A warm infusion is useful  in promoting the operation of emetics,
and  in  common colds and catarrhs seldom  fails of producing a
gentle  diaphoretic effect  The whole  plant  may be used.  Thn
flowers are beneficial in relieving flatidont colic, and were formerly
in high  repute and  extensively prescribed for the cure of inter-
mittents.
                   Crosswort.  Valauiin.

  This plant  rises about three feet high; leaves lancc-shapedand
grow opposite each other  around the  stem in fours.  Flowers a
bright yellow  appearing in July and August.    This plant is a use-
ful expectorant and diaphoretic, and may be employed in colds,
coughs, hoarseness, and to relieve obstructed perspiration.

           Culver's Physic  Leplandra Virginica.

  This plant  grows  from two to three feet high;  has large leaves,
about five in  number, growing round the stalk at about every foui
inches.   The flowers are a pale yellow growing on  the top of the
stalk, and are produced in July.   The roots are about the size<j
a man's finger,  and are black with  may small fibre?:.   The mel
ical properties of this root are cathartic.   It is one of the best ar-
ticles that I have ever used in bilious colic.  It also  operates velj 
                  AMERICAN REMEDIES.              359

powerfully on the blood, and cleanses it from bad humors.   It is
justly entitled to a superior place in the list of vegetable cathartics,
and when combined with  mandrake, is perhpas  as  powerful and
efficient, as calomel in any of its combinations.

                 Cleavers.  Galium Aparine.

   This is a procumbent vine, found on low grounds, in meadows.
It extends from four to  six feet, climbing round and over whatever
is near it.   The leaves  arc eight, in a whorl, lance-like, and up-
per side whitish with sharp prickles, bent backwards.   The flow-
ers small but conspicuous, and divided into four parts,—first rath-
er large, composed of two berries, slightly adhering and bristled.
   Cleavers  is one of the best diuretics that our country affords.
I have found it an excellent and speedy remedy in suppression of
urine,  and in gravel.  It has been found beneficial  in spitting of
blood and in scurvy.  It is used in infusion, which should always
be  made with cold water;  heat destroys its virtue.   Four ounces
of the dried  plant to one quart of water is sufficient.   This should
be used daily for  common drink.  Combined with  queen of the
meadow and onion juice, it seems to  possess solvent powers over
the stone and gravel, causing it to crumble into a sandy substance
so that it is discharged without difficulty.
   When urinary obstructions proceed  from a collection of slimy
or muddy substances  in the kidneys or bladder,  this is a very ef-
fectual remedy.   In inflammatory affections of the urinary organs,
the infusion of cleavers is very valuable, possessing, as it does,
detergent as well as diuretic properties. The cold nature of this
plant renders it improper in dropsy and other diseases proceeding
from debility.
  The juice#of this plant  formed  into a poultice with meal, is a
valuable application to indolent tumours, to be renewed three times
a day,  keeping the  bowels open in the mean time,  with boneset
pills, and administering  a spoon full of the juice every morning.
It seldom fails of dispersing tumours in a few days. 
360        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.
       Low Century, American.   Sabbatia Angularis.

  This useful plant makes its appearance about the first of Jun<■:
stem, erect about one foot high, and four-sided; leaves small, oval
and opposite, the blossoms are small and numerous, pale red and
white, appearing in September.  This plant is found in abundance
in New England, but is  very scarce in western New-York.  It
grows on the farm of Win. Bonnet, in Gainesville, and near \V.
Blodget's  mills.  This is  a very useful and agreeable bitter in all
cases of debility and weakness of the stomach.  In palpitations of
the heart it is superior to  all other remedies now in use.   It pro-
motes the secretions  and restores tone to weak  nerves, and is
strengthening to the system in geneial.

          Garden Colt's Foot.   Tussilago farjara.

  This plant makes its appearance early in the spring;  grows four
or five inches high, with yellow flowers on  the top, expanding in
April.  It resembles the dandelion and is in some places cultivated.
The  roots are white,  long and  slender, useful in asthma,  cough,
and lung complaints.   It is much used in consumption.  The leaves
made fine and used as snuff relieves catarrh.

            American CowsLir.   Caltha Palustris.

  This common plant needs no description.   It is a very healthy
plant and should be used for spring greens by all.  It purifies the
blood and cleanses it from all bad humors and impurities, and caus-
es regular alvine discharges in costive habits.   It is a good diure-
tic and applicable in obstructions and inflammations of the bladder
and kidneys, allaying heat and irritation in the urinary passages.
It should be  gathered in the  spring, dried, pulverized and bottled
for use.   Dose, one table spoon full to a quart of  boiling water,
and used freely. 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.             361
             Wild Cherry.   Prunus Virginiana.

  This tree is very common throughout the United States, and is
well known.  The bark is a powerful tonic and has been substitu-
ted  for the Peruvian with great success.   It is slightly narcotic,
and commonly produces dizzines when taken freely, owing prob-
ably to the prusic acid which it contains.   The bark of the root is
the  most powerful and is useful in dispepsia and diseases of the
lungs.   A strong infusion of the bark proves anthelmintic, and is
useful  as a wash to ulcers of all  kinds.  Jaundice,  agues, inter-
mittent  fevers and female obstructions, are benefited or relieved
by this article taken either in infusion or tincture.

              Cat-tail Flag.   Tijpha  latifolia.

  This plant is common  in all swampy  lands.   The  root is the
only part made use of for medical purposes.   The bruised root in
combination with  slipery elm, is useful  in coughs and  consump-
tive complaints, prepared by infusion in cold water, in the propor-
tion of four ounces of the former and a spoon full of the latter to
a quart of water.  Externally it is beneficial in inflammations and
swellings, and should be  pounded and applied  as a poultice.  It
may also be  used for burns and inflamed irritable ulcers.
  The down of the cat-tail mixed with lard, makes  a very useful
ointment for  burns, scalds, and blistered surfaces; especially such
as are left in an irritable and inflamed  state of the cantharides.
This is a very soothing ointment  in allaying pain, and should be
allowed  to remain on until it comes off easily, or until  the part is
healed.

       Cow Parsnip, Common.   Hcracleun* Sphondylium.

   Stalk large,  tubular,  invested with a down that covers  also the
leaves, which are jagged and in fives, of the color of wormwood. 
362        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

It is a umbelliferous plant, flowering in June, and attains the height
of  from two  to five feet.  The root is  divided into several long
branches resembling parsnips or parsley; has a rank strong smell,
and a pungent and almost caustic taste.   Prof, barton recommends
the cow parsnip in cases  of epilepsy, especially wh'-n it proceeds
from, or is accompanied by flatulency.   He commonly prescribed
two or three  drachms of the pulverized root; to be taken every
day for a length of time, and a strong infusion of the leaves  to be
taken at bedtime.   I have found  it very useful  in  this disease,
when administered as above  directed.  Prof. Bigelow also speaks
highly of the efficacious powers of this article.

           Black Cohosh.  Macrol'js  Serpcnlaria.

  This  plant rises from  four to six feet high; leaves large and
deeply serrated;  flowers  on  a raceme ei^ht  or ten  inches long,
they are white and appear in July and August  Tho root is lage
and black with many coarse  fibres, and  is the only part  used.  It
is diaphoretic, sudorific and emmenagogue.   A saturated tincture
is useful in rheumatic affections connected with functional derange-
ment of the skin.   It possesses considerable power in promoting
monthly evacuations, when tho suppression is caused  by colds,
and is useful in allaying nervous irritation.

                White Cohosh.   Ac lea A'la.

  This article possesses similar properties to the black;  is a  good
rmmenagogue, and  tends to  mitigate the pains to which females
are subject; is considered beneficial in flower albus and other fe-
male affectum-'.   But as it possescs considerable  power it should
be used cautiously.

                 Red Cohosh.  Acloza rubra.

  This article is more of a styptic nature and is useful in internal 
                 AMERICAN  REMEDIES.             363

hemorrhages.  The berries have been used to good advantage in
moderating the monthly evacuations.   It has a soothing, but pow-
erful effect on the urinary organs in cases of chronic irritation.

          Blud  Cohosh.   Caulophyllur.i lhalictroide3.

  Called by the  Indians poppoose root.  This plant differs from
the other cohoshes though ranked with them.   Its operations arc
the reverse of the  red, though it somewhat resembles the black
and white in its effects.   It does not assist in a mild way in per-
forming the required periodical evacuations, as life root, angelica,
pennyroyal, &c, but is more of a uterine stimulant and  requires
to be cautiously u.ied,  as  it is apt to induce  profuse hemorrhage.
In cases of doubtful gestation it  has  produced unpleasant effects,
and should not be administered without professional advice.  This
root combined with  savin, is one of the most  powerful emmena-
gogues, with which I  am acquainted.  It should be used in infu-
sion or tincture,  in small  doses and gradually increased.

               Columbo.  Frasera  caroliniensis.

   This  root was formerly imported altogether,  but of late years
it has been found in great quantities,  west, north and south of the
Allegany mountains, but very little east of them.
   The  native columbo is in every  respect equal to the imported,
though not quite  as strong.   It is found in great abundance in the
rich glades of the  western States, and grows iuxuricntly, some-
times attaining the height often feet
   The American columbo is a very beautiful plant, having a large
pyramid of crowded flowers, often three or four feet  long.  It is
a true  triennial, not producing its flowers  until the  third year.
The root  is large,  hard, yellow, horizontal and spindle shaped;
sometimes two feet long, with  few fibres, the whole  plant being 
364         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

smooth.  Stem  from five  to ten  feet high,  round,  erect, solid,
with few branches except those forming the pyramid of flowers.
Flowers yellow; seeds similar to the parsnip, in pods.  Columbo
root is emetic and cathartic when green, but when dry, tonic, anti-
sceptic, and febrifuge.   It yields its  strength to cold water, but
the tincture is preferable.  The dose is two drachms of the pow-
dered root, or one ounce of the  infusion.   The root should be dug
in the spring of the third.year  of its growth.  It is useful in col-
ics, fevers, indigestion, and for restoring tone to the  stomach and
bowels.  As a purgative it is substituted for  rhubarb, and is very
serviceable in the first  stages  of gestation,  by  relieving  nausea
and correcting  the secretions.   It is  much used  in  biliary affec-
tions, and produces very salutary  effects, especially when  com-
bined with bloodroot

              Cancer  Maple.  Acer barbatum.

   This shrub grows in cold, wet land, near gulfs and ponds, from
four to six feet  high.  The leaves  resemble the common maple,
the top, limbs and twigs, are redish, and it  produces the  maple
key.   The bark of  this shrub is highly recommended as a wash
for ulcers, fever sore;-, and sdald head.  It  is also  useful, inter-
nally,  as a detergent, in affections of the skin and  impurities of
the blood.
             Dandelion.   Leonlodon taraxacum.

   This very common plant is found to be very beneficial  in liver
and lung complaints.  It has also proved very serviceable to those
afflicted with gravel and other affections of  the urinary passages.
In hypochondriacal affections,  it exerts superior curative powers,
especially such  as are  connected with  biliary derangement.  Its
effects are usually prompt  in hepatic affections connected with a
morbid secretion of bile.  It may be used in substance or in  ex-
tract. 
                  AMERICAN  REMEDIES.             365

                Day Lily.   Hemerocallis fulva.

   This plant rises two feet -high, the leaves grow round the stem
four or five inches apart, the flowers are lare, striped and mottled
with yellow and red.   This plant is  found in most parts of the
country, in low wet meadows, and presents a very beautiful ap-
pearance.   This is the best article that I ever used for a prolapsus
utera;  it restores tone  and energy to the parts of generation, and
is useful in cases of sterility, as it seems to exert a healthy influ-
ence on the ovaries and uterine  appendages.   All parts of this
plant are used in medicine.   It may be used in substance or vinous
tincture, in the proportion of one ounce of the dry root to a pint
Dose, half a wine glass three times a day.  In decoction it is use-
ful, as an injection, in vaginal discharges.

                Yellow Dock.   Rumexcrispa.

   This plant rises about two feet; leaves long, narrow and curly;
blossoms small and white, seeds  numerous; root bright yellow,
long, and is the only part used.  It possesses some narcotic prop-
erties but is principally used in scrophulus and cancerous affec-
tions, in infusion, internally,   As as axl^Phal application it is used
at the  same time with the  infusion, ^prepared as follows:—Four
ounces  of the root boiled in a quart of water to half a pint, add one
pound  of lard  and one ounce of  resin, simer until  the water is
evaporated.  This is a very useful cancer plaster.

                White Daisy.   Bellis perennio.

   This plant rises about a foot and a half high;  leaves long and
deeply serrated; flowers white, the centre tinged with yellow.  It
is found on poor soil.  This is a very useful article in night sweats;
ague and fever, and in hectic fever, taken in decoction. 
366        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

              Dwarf Elder.  Sambucus cbulus.

  This plant rises about two feet high; leaves of a bright green,
in pairs, with an odd one at the end; flowers white   This plant
is to be found in most parts of the country, in windfalls and par-
tial improvements.   Dwarf elder is diuretic and cathartic, and use-
ful in dropsical affection taken in infusion.  It is also beneficial in
urinary obstructions, and combined with slippery elm,  allays heat
and inflammation of the urethra.

            Doclmackie.   Viburnum nccrifolium.

  This shrub grows from ten to fifteen feet  high; leaves  large,
and  shaped like the mandrake leaves; bark striped  green aud
white.  This shrub  has been held  in high estimation amongst the
Indians for cleansing the  blood, and strengthening the system.
The wilted leaves are beneficially applied to  inflamed  swellings.
The doekmackie and moosmissa, or mountain ash, combined, will
cure the scald head, and most eruptions of the skin.   An infusion
of these with green ozier, makes a  valuable medicine for scrofula;
to be used freely both internally.

                Elecampane.  Inula helenium.

  This well known plant is a valuable astringent, and highly re-
commended in coughs and consumptions,  but it should be used in
small doses, for if  taken freely  it  is apt to produce fever, and di-
minish expectoration.   It is best to combine it withcomfery, slip-
pery elm or other expectorants.

               Eye-bright.  Lobela cordinalis.

  This plant makes its apearance about the first of May and ris-
es about two feet high;  leaves pale green, coarsely serrated;  flow- 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
367
ers of a deep scarlet appearing in September.   It is found in wet
soil all over the country.  It is beneficially used in scrofulous af-
fections, and cancers.   The extract is a useful ingredient in can-
cer  plasters.  It has, by some, been mistaken for queen of  the
meadow, and  described as such, though a very different article,
both in appearance and medical properties, being strongly narcot-
ic, while queen of the meadow is diuretic.
   Eye-bright  may be taken in substanee or in infusion, in small
quantities, regularly repeated.

   The following preparation I have found very beneficial in coughs
and incipient consumptions.  Take four ounces of the fresh root
bruised; one pound of honey or one pint of molasses; mix, and
bake in an oven till soft.  Dose, a teaspoon full three times a day.

              Fire Weed.  Senecio hieracifolius.

   This plant rises about five feet high, branching out considera-
bly towards the top; leaves the  size of the apple tree leaf;  flowers
succeeded by a soft, light down.  The oil obtained from this plant
by distillation, is used as an external application to stiff joints, con-
tracted tendons, and inflamed swellings.

                Fever-bush.   Laurus  benzoin.

   This bush grows from three to five feet high in moist land and
is to be found in most parts of the union.   Taken in infusion in
fevers, it is a grateful, cooling drink, and assists in promoting ex-
pectoration.

               Foxglove.   Digitalis purpurea.

   This plant rises from two to three feet high; leaves of a deep
green,  shaped like the tobacco leaf  and rough.   It grows spon- 
SiH        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

taneously in the Southern States and is cultivated in botanic gar-
dens in this part of the country.   It is extensively cultivated for
medicinal uses by the Shakers at New-Lebanon.  It is nervine, ex-
pectorant, and diuretic; valuable  in  pulmonary complaints, and
kidney affections.  Taken in large doses, it moderates arterial ac-
tion, and makes the pulse  slow and soft  It is a valuable medi-
cine, but should be given only by skilful physicians.  It is useful
in dropsical complaints and difficult respiration, asthma and the
like.
              Frost Plant.  Cistus Canadensis.

   This plant is to be found plentifully on Long Island.  It grows
from one to two feet high; leaves of a frost bitten color;  flowers
of a pale yellow,  appearing in June.  It  is one of the most effi-
cient remedies in scrofula, that I have ever used.   I  have cured
the king's evil with this article, after all other means  had failed.
The bruised leaves are to be kept constantly applied to the diseas-
ed part, and an infusion of the plant used for  common drink.   It
It seldom fails to produce an amendment in a  few days.

                Fexnel.   Anelhum foeniculum.

   The seeds of this  plant only are used.   It is a warming car-
minative, useful in flatulency and griping  bowel  complaints  of
children, especially when combined with the seeds of masterwort.

           Floating  Heart.   Villarsia Lacunosa*

   This plant frequently grows six feet under  water.  The root is
found  in the bottom of lakes and marshes, and sends a stem to the
top of the water, where a heart shaped leaf is expanded and lies
on the water.   This root is used  in palpitation of the heart, and
for restoring tone to the stomach and bowels.   A few drops of the
expressed juice dropped into the car, is useful in deafness. 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
369
            Forget-me-not.  Cardamine pralensis.

  This plant makes its appearance about the first of May; leaves
numerous;  flowers white, appearing in June;  grows freely when
cultivated.   It is emmenagogue and sudorific, and is to be relied
on in all cases of female obstructions.   All who have used this
article will  feel satisfied with the name I have adopted for it.

                          Ferania.

  This valuable plant rises  about one foot high; leaves of a deep
green, with many coarse veins  on the upper side, running length-
wise of the leaf, which is one and a half inches long.   The leaves
grow very thick around the stalk, but not opposite; flowers blue,
appearing in May and June.   This plant is to be found in moist
land, but is very scarce in this part of the country.  It is emetic,
expectorant and febrifuge.
  Ferania is one of the principal articles in my fever solution, to
which you  have been often referred.  The knowledge and use of
this plant I obtained from a man who was taken prisoner by the
Indians when small, and to whom the Indian doctor gave a full ac-
count of the plants  used by them in curing diseases.  Ferania is
one of the best articles with which I am acquainted, in fevers, in-
flammations of the  lungs, pleurisy, and hectic.  Equal  parts of
ferania and wild turnip, taken in the quantity of two to four grains
is most certain to relieve the nervous head ache.  This quantity
is to be taken in the morning.  It acts on the liver very powerful-
ly, Cleanses the stomach, prevents burning, and frees the tongue
from coat   It is also useful in  asthma and chronic coughs.

 Feverfew.  Matricaria  Vulgaris.   The leaves and flowers.

  This plant grows chiefly in  gardens, and is so well known as
to need  no  description.  It is sometimes misnamed featherfew.
24 
370        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  Beth the  wild and garden feverfew have the same virtues.—
They are warm, aperient, carminative bitter, and strengthen the
stomach, expels wind, promotes the menses, destroys worms, and
is beneficial in hysterical complaints and lowncss of spirits.  For
a decoction pour two quarts of boiling water on two hands full of
the leaves, of which a teacup full may be taken three or four times
a dav. in order to promote the menses;  the  same may  he taken
in colds  and fevers.  In hysterical complaints a teaspoon full of
the compound spirit of lavender may be added to the above decoc-
tion.
      Male Fern.   Polypodium Felix Mas.   The root.

  This  plant grows on the mountains and among the  rocks, in
New-Jersey, and other parts of the United states.  The leaves arc
fan-like, shoot from the root, curl round  in their young state, and
afterwards  extend themselves  three  or  four  feet.   The leaves
spread wider than the female  fern.   The root, when chewed, is
somewhat mucilaginous and sweet, and afterwards astringent and
bitter.
  The  root of this plant has been found a powerful remedy for
worms,  especially the tape worm.  This is the famous remedy of
Madame Nouffler, of Switzerland, for the tapeworm.  She acquir-
ed the knowledge of it from her husband, who was a surgeon, and
obtained a great price for the secret from Louis XV. of  France,
by whose order it was published.  The powdered plant  was gen-
erally preferred by Madame N. and  may be given in doses of
from sixty grains to two drachms.  It may also be taken  in de-
coction,  and drank  freely,  day after day, giving a purge of blue
flag,  or  mandrake, to finish the operation.
  Another method of administering it is, the day previous to taking
the powder, to give a smart purge, as of blue flag, and after its
operation to take a light supper.  The next  morning give three
drachms of the powdered fern  root, and two hours afterwards an- 
                 AMERICAN  REMEDIES.              371

other dose of the blue flag, and drink a teacup full of the skunk
cabbage root decoction  every hour till the tapeworm  is expelled:
taking  care to sit on a  close stool, and not break the worm, but
pull it gently.   In case the worm is not expelled the first day, the
medicine is to be repeated the next.  The worm has been destroy-
ed by a drachm of the powder, without any purge.

Five Finger, or Cinquefoil.   Potlentilla Reptans.  The leaves
                          and root;

   The stalks of this grass, trail along the ground with long slen-
der strings like strawberries; each stem has. five leaves, placed
together, of equal size, obtuse, serrated and veined;  flowers yel-
low, and the root small.  It grows  by  road  sides,  on meadow
banks, and waste grounds.
   The root is a gentle astringent, and has been found by expe-
rience  to be very beneficial in fevers, and particularly when there
is great debility, lassitude and night sweats, which last it seldom
fails to check;  it also helps the appetite.  It is taken in decoction,
or it may be boiled with milk.  It is serviceable in allaying fluxes,
immoderate flow of the menses, &c.

         Fumitory.   Fumaria  Officinalis.  The leaves.

   This plant rises to a foot high;  leaves pale green, compound,
doubly pinnated;  flowers of a reddish purple, and grow in spikes,
which  arise from the axilla of  the leaves.  It grows common  in
cornfields, and by the side of fences.
   Fumitory is a tonic bitter, and antiscorbutic, and has been found
efficacious in the  cure  of  leprosy and other cutaneous eruptions.
For these purposes it should be drank freely in decoction.   Two
ounces of the flowers and tops infused in three pints of Maderia
wine, and a wine glass  taken  twice a day, will strengthen tho
stomach and create a good appetite. 
 372         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                 Garlic  Allium canadense.

   This article is  antispasmodic and expectorant.  It is useful in
 coughs, spasmodic  affections, asthma and  worms, which  it dis-
 perses, by making applications to the stomach, of the bruised root.

              Gentian.   Triosteum perfolialum.

   This plant rises up early in the spring and grows about three
 feet high,  leaves targe, flowers yellow, appearing  in  June.  It
 grows by the road sides and in old fields.  The root is very bitter,
 and cathartic—may be taken in  powder or  pills and  is a good
 family physic.   It is a good article to put into beer or bitters for
 spring use.

             Guelder Rose.   Viburnum  opulus.

   This shrub is cultivated in gardens on account of its beautiful
flowers, which are white  and globular.  It  is usefully employed
in canker and leucorrhea, being also a very good nervine.

        Gill-over-the-ground.   Glechoma  hederacea.

   This plant or vine rises four inches high; leaves round; flowers
blue, appearing in June and July.   This plant is useful in hoarse-
ness,  difficult breathing,  and in coughs.  The expressed juice
dropped into the ear, frequently relieves  ringing in the head.  In
irritability of the nervous system, and histcria, this article may be
usefully given.

              Ginseng.   Panax quinquefolium.

  This plant need no description, being well known and found in
all parts of the country.  Its  curative powers have  been higher 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
373
 extolled by medical men than they should  have been.  I wish to
 give every plant its due, and this mild tonic may be of some ser-
 vice in weak stomachs, want of appetite, &c.

                Golden Rod.   Solidago Aspera.

   This plant rises  from two to three  feet;  leaves oval and small;
 flowers yellow.   The infusion  is used as a cooling drink in com-
 mon fevers.

                Gold Thread.  Coplis trifolia.

   This plant has been held in high estimation for canker and sore
 mouth, but at the present day, better means are  in use.  It is ben-
 eficially employed in general debilty,  to restore tone to the diges-
 tive organs.  It may be used in infusion or tincture.

                 Galbanum.  The gum resin.

   This is a foreign drug, a native of  Africa, and comes  in pale
 colored  pieces,  about  the size  of a hazle nut...  Proof spirit dis-
 solves  it entirely, the impurities excepted.
   Galbanum possesses the virtues of the foetid gums, and is used
 for the same purposes;  dose from ten  grains to a drachm.   It is
 chiefly employed in the form of a plaster to white swellings, and
 is supposed to  resolve and discuss tumors, and promote suppura-
 tion.   In hysteric spasms and inflamed piles, an application of a
 tincture from this gum affords very effectual relief;  but in the lat-
 ter case, the painful  parts ought to be covered with  linen rags
 moistened in lime-water, before  the tincture is dropped upon them.

                 Gall Nut.   Quercus Cerris.

  This is an excrescence growing on the Oriental  oak, found in
the warm countries of Europe.
  Galls have an austere styptic taste, without any smell; and are 
374         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

one of the most  powerful astringents known.   It is said  that, by
their internal use, in doses of half a drachm of the powder, inter-
mittent fevers have been cured, when Peruvian bark failed.   An
infusion or decoction of the galls may be used  with advantage as
an astringent gargle; and an ointment of the finely powdered galls
is used with  success in the piles.

            Gamboge.  Gambogia.  ACumllcsin.

  A vegetable juice of a resinous nature, imported from the Fast
Indies.  The best sort is of a  deep  yellow color, divested of all
smell, and has very little taste.
  It is a violent cathartic, operating both upwards and downwards.
It has been used in dropsies, in small nauseating doses, as a wa-
ter purge, and will often bring away large quantities of water.
Gamboge is  also recommended to be taken for  the tape worm, in
doses of fifteen grains, early in the morning; and if the worm be
not expelled in two or three hours,  this .powerful dose  is said to
have been repeated with safety and success, even to the third time.
From two to four grains is a common cathartic dose.  Great pre-
caution, however, is requisite in the  use of this  precarious and ac-
tive medicine.  If too large a dose  should be  accidentally  swal-
lowed, the most  effectual antidote v/ill  be copious  draughts of a
solution of pearlashes in water.

       Garden Peony.   Pozonia Officinalis.   The root

  This plant has been introduced into many  American gardens,
from Europe.  Rises two feet  high; leaves cut into lobes, which
are oblong and pinnated;  flowers large, and red.
  It is noted for its virtues in the cure of epilepsy, and fits in chil-
dren.   The  roots must be dug in  March, dried, pulverized and
kept in bottles.   Adults subject to the epilepsy, may take a desert
spoon full of the powder four times a day, in a teacup full of bit- 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
375
tersweet tea, also apply the bruised root3 to the soles of the feet
when going to bed.

            Ginger.   Amonum Zigiber.   The root.

   Ginger root is  imported from the East and Weot Indies.   It is
in small wrinkled pieces, of a grayish color, having an aromatic
odor, and a very  pungent taste.
   The  root is frequently employed as a grateful and moderately
powerful aromatic, cither in combination with other remedies, or
by itself, as a stimulant, particularly in dyspepsia, flatulency, tym-
panites, and gout.  The  spicy root is more immediately service-
able iu cold flatulent colics; in laxity and debility of the stomach
and  intestines, and especially in torpid  phlegmatic constitutions,
in order to induce a more brisk action of the vessels.

        Golden Seal.   Hydrastis anadensis.   The root.

   Grows  on rich, moist land;  has a  stem ten or twelve  inches
high, and  often but one  leaf, of an olive  green color; there are
sometimes two leaves, and  on one of them is a kind of seed, or
seal, which is red.  The root is crooked, knobby,  wrinkled, with
many long fibres, and of a bright yellow.   It is  found from Can-
ada to to Tennesse.   Taste exceedingly bitter.
   It is  sometimes known  by the  names of yellow root, ground
raspberry, yellow paint, yellow eye root, Indian paint, orange root.
   [t is an  estimable  tonic, and at  the same time laxative, which
makes it very appropriate in dyspeptic disorders: also opthalmic,
detergent, and stimulant.   Theplant is much used in the western
states for diseases of  the eye, the  juice or  infusion are used as a
wash, in sore or inflamed eyes.  It is considered a specific by the
Indians  for that disorder; they also employ it for  sore legs, and
many external complaints, as  a topical tonic.  Internally, it is
used as  a  bitter tonic, in infusion or tincture, in disorders  of the 
37G         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

stomach, bile, and liver.  A half ounce of the dried pulverize roots,
is sufficient to infuse in a quart of spirits.
  This root appears also to be slighty narcotic, and is said to en-
ter into many of tho compounded remedies for cancer.   Some In-
dians employ it as a  diuretic,  stimulant and escharotic, using the
powder for blistering, and  the infusion for the dropsy.
  Golden seal bitters forms one of the best correctives of bile,
and bilious  habits, that can be given.

        Stinking Goosefoot.   Chenopodium Foztidum.

  This plant rises near a foot  in height; leaves numerous, mealy
and alternate;  flowers small and inconspicuous,  of a light green,
and placed in clusters, but  has no seed vessel.  It grows near old
walls, old ruins, dunghills,  &c, flowers in August, and in its fresh.
state has the smell of putrid salt fish.
  The green  leaves are excellent medicine in hysteric and spas-
modic complaints.  In all hysteric fits, give the patient a teaspoon
of the juice, or two  teaspoons full of the dried  leaves, in a little
peppermint or peneroyal water, every two hours, which generally
gives immediate relief, quicker and more effectual than assafoetida.

              Guaiacum.  The wood and resin.

  Guaiacum, or lignum vitae, is a native of the West Indies.  The
wood and gum are the parts used in medicine.  The wood is hard
and heavy, of a yellow color, has little smell and a moderately
bitter taste.   Gum guaiacum is of a friable nature, of a deep green-
ish color, and sometimes of a  reddish hue, and h»s a pungent acrid
taste.
  The general virtues of  guaiacum  are those of warm aromatic
medicine; it strengthens the stomach  and other viscera, and great-
ly promotes the discharge  of urine and perspiration.   Hence it is
of especial service in cutaneous eruptions, and  disorders arising 
                 AMERICAN  REMEDIES.              377

from obstructions of the excretory glands; in rheumatic, and mer-
curial pains, it has  often afforded considerable relief.   It was at
one  time supposed to be a radical cure for the syphilis, but alone,
it is  not to be  depended on, though it forms a valuable adjunct to
other remedies for that disease, and enters into most of the syrups
and  preparations used in it.  The gum is likewise a good laxative:
when dissolved in rum, or combined with water by means of mu-
cilage, or the yelk of an egg, or in the form of tincture  orelixer,
it has been  found useful in chronic rheumatism, or even in such
wandering pains of the stomach and other parts of the body as
could be attributed to the retrocedent gout.
  The form in which guaiacum wood is administered. is. always
that  of a decoction.   A quart of it is drunk in  the course of a day.
If taken warm it produces sweat.

                        Gum Arabic

  This, the purest of the gums,  is obtained by spontaneous exu-
dation from the mimosa tree.  It is in small irregular pieces, white
or yellowish, semi-pellucid, without taste or smell.  It has all the
properties of gum;  is insoluble  in alcohol  or oils, and soluble in
water, forming a viscid solution, termed mucilage.
  Gum arabic is used as a demulcent.  It is useful in dysentery,
diarrhoea, strangury and heat of urine, when it should be given in
solution.   It forms an excellent  basis for all cough mixtures.  In
pharmacy, mucilage of gum arabic  is employed  for a variety of
purposes.   It  serves to suspend heavy powders  in water, gives
tenacity to substances made into pills, and it effects a partial union
of oils, balsams, and resins, with water.

                     Gum Tragacanth.

  Is  the product of  a  very thorny shrub, which grows on the isl-
and of Candia  and some other places in the Levant   It comes in 
r>7«         VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

small wrinkled pieces, semi-transparent, and brittle; has neither
taste nor smell, and is entirely a pure gum.   It is greatly superior
to all the gums in giving viscidity to water, its power in this re-
spect being to that of gum arabic as twenty-four to one.  Its sol-
ution is not perfectly uniform unless boiled  for some  time.
  Tragacanth has virtues similar to gum arabic, and is principally
employed as a demulcent, to blunt acrimonies, and as a pharma-
ceutic agent.

               Hellebore.   Veratrum Album.

  This plant grows from two to three feet high, with large leaves
and white flowers appearing in June, and  is found  in wet land.
There are  two species of this  herb, the black and white.   The
former is a virulent poison, and ought not to be much used inter-
nally;  but the root made fine,  is used  as snuff in catarrh, and a
poultice of the bruised root is useful in the gangrene.  The white
hellebore is not so much  of a narcotic and may be taken internally,
if administered by a skilful physician.   It is said to be beneficial
in rheumatic affections.

                Hyssop.   Hyssopm Officinalis.

  This well known garden vegetable is a valuable article in coughs
and consumptive complaints.   An infusion sweetened with  honey
is also used for hoarseness, and common colds.

                     Harvest  Flgv.xr.

  This plant rises four or five feet high and branches thick towards
the top, leaves long, flowers peach blow or purple,  appearing in
July.  It grows in dry soil where improvements have been made.
It is  to be found on the hills about Warsaw, though rather scarce.
This is an invaluable plant and lias been one of my particular  fa- 
                 AMERICAN  REMEDIES.              370

vorites in female hemorrhage, whether they occur at confinement,
at the turn of life, or in abortions.  Ttis the female's friend and no
doubt has saved  many a valuable life.  This herb is to be relied
on in all forms  of uterine flux—no danger need  be apprehen-
ded from its use.  I usually give it as follows.  Take one table
spoon full of the leaves, half a pint of boiling water; steep; when
cold give a table spoon full once in three hours, in urgent cases.
once in twenty or thirty minutes.

              FIorehound.  Marrubium Vulgare.

  This well known plant  is held in high  estimation for coughs,
colds and  asthmatic  affections.  When made  into a  syrup with
loaf sugar or honey, it is useful  in incipient consumption.  I be-
lieve it has prevented many from having the disease confirmed.

                    Hor.   Humxdus lupidus.

  This artice, usually employed  in domestic uses, is a valuable
medicine.   It  is useful in jaundice and biliary obstructions, con-
nected with debility of  the  digestive  organs.   Flops  applied  to
swellings, bruises and nervous pains of the head and face, byway
of fomentation, exert an anodyne effect, thereby affording consid-
erable relief.  It is used in infusion, drank  freely in colic pains;
and boiled in vinegar, may be applied externally in severe cases.
The hop is an excellent tonic and  particularly useful in dyspepsia,
hysteria, and  spasmodic colics, attended with  habitual weakness
of digestive organs.

                   Hemp.  Cannabis saliva.

  This plant  is  cultivated and well known.  The seed only are
used,  being recommended as a remedy in diabetes and weakness 
3S0         VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

of the kidneys.  In cases of diminished nervous energy they arc
frequently employed.  The bruised seed may be-infused in warm
water and drank freely.

               Hog-weed.  Lycopodium, selago.

  This plant rises about  four inches high and grows in beds mat-
ted together, and is  found  in old fields and gardens.   This is a
useful emmenagogue, and  is beneficially employed  in obstructed
menses, especially when caused by taking cold.

               Healall.  Prunella  Vulgaris.

  This plant grows about six inches high; leaves deep green and
oval;  flowers blue.  This  plant contains considerable mucillage,
and in the form of a poultice may be applied to inflamed swellings,
bruises, burns, &c; or made into an ointment by simmering the
fresh leaves in lard or fresh butter, may be used as a dressing to
common sores.

            Horse  Bal.m.  Collinsonia Canadensis,

  This plant grows from two to three feet high; leaves are large,
smooth and opposite;  flowers yellow, appearing  in August; is
found in rich land.   This plant is very useful in rickets, given as
follows:—
  Take two ounces of the dried roots, two ounces of squaw root,
one ounce of camphor;  digest  in one pint of  brandy six days.
Wash the part affected three times a day, rubbing it thoroughly
before a warm fire.

   Hart's Tongue.  Aspenium Scolopendium.  The leaves.

  The leaves of this plant are long, tongue-shaped, entire, point-
ed, on radical foot-stalks, of a shining black  color, and waved at
the margin.  It grows among the rocks in shady places. 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.             3S1
  It has an astringent quality, and when made into an ointment,
is beneficial in curing burns and the piles; and when taken inter-
nally infused  in wine, prevents the spitting of blood, and is effec-
tual in the cure of the diarrhoea and dysentery.   It may be admin-
istered in decoction,  in wine; or made  into an ointment with lin-
seed oil and mutton suet

                       Hemlock Tree.

  The boughs of this well known tree may be employed with ad-
vantage for fomentations and sweatings in colds, rheumatism, fe-
vers, &c.   I  have known many lives saved during an epidemic
fever, by giving  the decoction internally, and fomenting external-
ly.  The oil  is also used in colds and coughs.

      FIorse Radish.   Cochlearia Armoracia.   The root

  Is well known, chiefly cultivated in gardens, and grows wild in
wet grounds,  and about  old ruins.
  The medicinal effects of this root are  to stimulate the solids, and
promote the fluid secretions; it seems to extend its action through-
out the whole habit, and affects the minutest glands.   It is greatly
recommended in dropsies, particularly  those that succeed fevers;
when it  should  not only be  taken  internally, but  applied to the
feet, and elsewhere, to quicken the action of the vessels.   In par-
alytic complaints, horse radish has often been applied with advan-
tage to the affected parts, as a stimulating remedy.  Horse radish
has been found beneficial in chronic  rheumatism, asthma, and all
diseases of debility and torpidity of the blood; and should be eat-
en freely with the food.   When steeped in vinegar during a fort-
night, it  is said  effectually to remove  freckles on the  face.  A
syrup made by boiling  scraped  horse  radish in brown sugar, is
an excellent remedy in the decline of colds and pleurisies, to pro-
mote expectoration and  remove hoarseness. 
382         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

        High Cranberry, or Crampbark.  The bark.

   Grows in swamps, from six lo ten feet high, shrub like, leaves
resemble a  goose's foot; flowers white, in clusters, berries in clus-
ters, turn red after frost comes, and remain through the winter.
The berries strongly acid, and the bark bitter.
   Crampbark, is a powerful antispasmodic, and is very effectual
in relaxing cramps and spasms of all kinds.  A tincture of it may
be made in wine by infusing an ounce of the dried pulverized bark
in a quart of wine: dose, a wine glass twice a day.   A decoction
answers the same  purpose, and  may be most convenient in cases
of emergency.

              Indian Physic   Gillenia trifoliala.
                                                           4
   This plant rises from two to three feet high, the leaves arc about
the size of an apple  tree leaf, and of a similar  shape;  flowers
white, appearing in July.   Thi3 plant is emetic, cathartic and ton-
ic, and is found in rich low lands.   The root is black externally,
and woody.  The bark of the root is the part used  in  medicine;
it should be separated while green.  In small doses  it gives tone'
to the stomach and bowels, especially in cases of general debility.
As.an expectorant it is usefully employed in chronic coughs, in
substance or in syrup, when it  should be taken in slightly nause-
ating doses; and combined with opium, maybe used in dysenteric
affections as a sudorific.  As an emetic, it may be given in  the
dose of about a teaspoon full of the powdered root.  Taken daily
in doses of two to four grains, it is a preventive of fevers of a  bil-
ious character, cleanses the stomach of morbid bile, and increases
digestion.
              Indigo Weed.  Baptisla tinctoria.

   This plant rises about two feet high, leaves lance shaped, bran-
ches numerous, the flowers yellow, opening in June.  The leaves 
                  AMERICAN REMEDIES.              383

 are applied to all inflamed swellings, quinsy and gangrene.   The
 leaves simmered in lard or fresh butter, make  a very good  oint-
 ment for white swellings.

                  Indian Hemp.  Asclepias.

   This plant  grows from two to five feet high; leaves large;  blos-
 soms in clusters, and are succeeded  by large  pods filled with a
 silky down.   The root is beneficially employed  in cases of dropsy.
 I use it also,  in my worm powder.   This and  the bog-bean are
 two of the best vermifuges now in use, so far as my knowledge;
 extends.
              Iceland Moss.  Lichen Icelandicus.

   This is very common  in Iceland, and also grows in abundance
 in the northern and mountainous parts of the United States.  This
 lichen is foliaceous,  tough, variously divided into blunt lobes, tur-
 ning  in at the edges, and fringed with short strong bristles.   The
 shields are lage, and of a reddish brown color on the lobes of the
 leaves.   It grows on trees and rocks.
   Iceland moss has of late become  quite popular'as a remedy for
 consumption,  and although its virtues have been considerably over-
 rated, it  is undoubtedly a valuable medicine in  pulmonary affec-
 tions.  It is extremely mucilaginous, and to the  taste is bitter and
 somewhat astringent; its bitterness, as well as the purgative qual-
 ity it  possesses, when fresh, are in  a great measure dissipated by
 drying, so  that the inhabitants convert it into a tolerably pleasant
 food.   An ounce of this moss boiled a quarter of an hour in a pint
 of water, yields seven ounces of a mucilage as  thick as  that  pro-
 duced by the solution of one pint of gum arabic  in three of water.
   Prepared in a syrup, it is  an efficacious remedy in consump-
 tions, coughs,  dysenteries, and diarrhoeas.  In dysentery, partic-
 ularly, it is very successful, after cathartics and emetics, and it
may be conjoined with  opium.   For a decoction, an ounce and a 
384         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

half may be boiled for a quarter of an hour in a quart of milk, of
which a teacup full may be drank frequently in the course of the
day.  If the milk disagree with the stomach, a simple decoction,
or syrup may be used.   It is sometimes combined with hyssop,
hoarhound, wild cherry, and butternut bark, and made in- a syrup.

            Ice Plant.   Erystallinum.  The root.

  This plant rises about six inches in height,  is white, pellucid,
and so tender, that when handled it dissolves and melts like ice in
the hand; the stalks and leaves are like frozen jelly.  It grows in
the woods in New Jersey, and may other parts of the U. States,
and is found in September, as white as snow.
  The root has been found to be almost an infallible remedy for
fits in children, and is called fit root by the people in the country.
In some parts they dilute the juice in cold water, as a remedy for
sore eyes.   The root should be dried, pulverized, and bottled up.
Children troubled with fits may take from half  a teaspoon full to
a whole one, three mornings, both before the full  and change of
the moon, in a teacup full of peony root; or in valerian tea for
epilepsy in adults.   The expressed juice  mixed with rose water,
will cure the most inveterate inflammations of the eyes; observing
such other evacuations  as are necessary.

       Indian Physic.   Gillenia Stipulaeea.   The root.

  This belongs to the same class as the preceding, and is princi-
pally found in the states west of the Allegany, where it is known
by the name' of western drop wort.  This species is smaller than
the former.
  The root is dark brown, with large and long fleshy fibres; sev-
eral stems, from two to three feet high, slender, smooth, brittle,
reddish, branched; leaves  large, alternate, sessile, with three leaf-
lets, and  two large appendages; flowers in terminal  scattered
shafts, and white.  Roots scentless;  taste bitter. 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
385
   This like the other species, is emetic, cathartic, and tonic; but
the slip ulacea is by  far the best and  strongest.   This is highly
esteemed and generally used in the western states.  The bark of
the root, which is collected in the fall, is the part principally used.
The dose is from fifteen to thirty grains of the powder.  It oper-
ates often as a cathartic:  In small doses it becomes a tonic, and is
used in intermittents.

           Jacob's  Ladder.   Smilax peduncularis.

   This vine grows from five to twenty feet, climbing up bushes
and large  trees, the  leaves are  oval, flowers white,  expanding in
July, and are succeded by black berries which remain on during
winter.  The  root and berries are used in urinary obstructions,
whether of the kidneys or bladder, in tincture, with gin.  In infu-
sion with slippery elm, it may be taken in cases of inflamed urethra.

                Juniper.   Juniperus  communis.

   This evergreen shrub attains the height of from two to six feet;
leaves thick and bushy.   A decoction of the root  is a valuable
wash for the shingles.  The berries are diuretic and may be em-
ployed in all cases of giavel, or obstructions of the kidney, and in
dropsical affections.   To  be taken in infusion.

                  Laurel.  Kalmia  glauca.

   This shrub is an inhabitant of the Tonawanda swamp.  It grows
three or four feet high; leaves  long and dark green.   The pulver-
ized leaves are used as a snuff in cases of catarrh, frequently with
good effect.

           Life Root.   (Rad. Vila.)   Jacobea aurea.

   This celebrated and grateful plant rises from six  to eight inch-
es- high;  leaves of a  deep green, about  the size of a silver  dollar,
                               25 
 3-o        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.

 of an oval form and notched"around'the edge; stem rises  about
 two feet high; flowers yellow, opening in  June.   The  main root
 is about as large as a small goose  quill, with many white fibres.
   This plant is found in wet, mucky places, near rivulets supplied
 by living springs, throughout the United States.  It possesses val-
 uable medicinal properties, being diaphoretic, diuretic and carmin-
 ative, and one of the most efficient emmenagogues  ever used by
 physicians.   Life root is beneficial  in colds,  coughs,  asthmatic
 and pulmonary complaints,  and in inflammations.  Take  three
 table spoons full of life root, two teaspoons full of skunk cabbage,
 one teaspoon  full of angelica, all  pulverized; boiling water, one
 pint  Dose, a wine glass full three times a day.
   This composition is the  green  tea I have dealt  out so much
 amongst my patients in western  New-York.  It  is not only very
 enlivening to the blood,  causing a quick circulation, but greatly
 promotes the  periodical  evacuations, and relieves obstructions
 from taking  of colds.   The feet should be bathed, and the tea
 drank warm at bed  time.   This is a very useful diaphoretic in
 childbed fever, if taken in season and freely for a  few days.   This
 tea has  been found beneficial in cases of gravel,  affections of the
 kidneys, and diabetes.  As an external application, it is useful in
 bilious colic and inflammation of the bowels, as a fomentation, to
 assist the operation of physic by relaxing  spasm,  giving action to
 the bowels, and by inducing  perspiration.

                 Lobelia.  Lobelia infiala.

  The plant grows spontaneously by road sides,  in pastures and
 and open woods.  It reachs from six to eighteen inches high;  stem
 branching, leaves ovate,  flowers blue, appearing in August and
September, and are succededby pods containing may small seeds.
The leaves when held in the  mouth are biting and acrid, and have
a taste resembling tobacco.
  Half a teaspoon full of  the dried leaves or pods, operates as an 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.             387
emetic, and when rightly  administered, it opens obstructions of
the liver, causes free perspiration,  reduces excitement,  allays
thirst, and operates peculiarly on the  glands.  Flalf a grain taken
in cold water greatly relieves the asthma, and may be useful in
croup.
   Lobelia is one of the articles used in my fever solution, and is
good in all cases of fever, inflammation of the lungs and flatulency.

           Ladies' Slipper.   Cypripedium pubescens.

   This plant grows about  two  feet high;  leaves large;  flowes in-
flated and oval, with stripes on the sides, appearing in June.  This
is a good tonic and nervine, and  supplies the place of valerian.
It is useful in spasmodic and nervous cases.   In the weaknesses
of females, and prolapsus uteri, it restores tone to the parts, eases
pain and procures sleep.   It may also be used in epilepsy.

              Liveforever.   Sedum  Telephium.

   This is a well  known garden  plant.   The leaves bruised and
applied  to  inflamed swellings, have  produced very good  effects.
Dr. Barton recommends the juice of this  plant,  mixed with an
equal quantity of gin, to be applied to inflamed eyes, of the chronic
kind.
               Lungwort.  Lichen pulmonarius.

   This article grows on the white oak tree and is useful in coughs.
An infusion sweetened with honey and  freely used, is very benefi-
cial in consumptions and chronic, or sympathetic  coughs.  Ano-
ther species may be found on the white maple, possessing similar
properties.

  Wild Lettuce.  Lacluca Virosa.  The leaves, and extract

   This plant rises four feet high; it has three different kinds of
leaves: those proceeding from the root are slightly toothed; those 
388         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

from the stem are cut into pinnated lobes; and others attached to
the flower stalks are arrow-shaped, pointed, entire: the flowers arc
vellow and small.  It grows wild about the hedges, rough banks,
and along  the sides of high meadows.  The leaves are milky and
smell  like opium, and  resemble it in some of its effects, and its
narcotic power, like that of poppy, resides in a milky juice.
  An extract prepared from the expressed juice of the leaves of
this plant, gathered when in flowor, is recommended  in small  do-
Bes.   In dropsies of long standing, proceeding from  visceral ob-
structions, it has been given to the extent of half an ounce a day.
It is said to agree with the stomach, to quench thirst,  to be gently
laxative, powerfully diuretic, and somewhat diaphoretic  Plenti-
ful dilution is allowed during its operation.  It helps its operation
to take it in cohush tea.

       Life Everlasting.  Gnaphaleum Polycephalum.

  Also called white balsam, Indian posey.
  Grows in old fields and on dry and barren lands,  from one to
two feet high, with  small  narrow leaves; branches  towards  the
 op; flowers in a cluster, white and  furzy, and continue on  du-
 ing the winter;  it has a pleasant aromatic smell.
  The blossoms chewed,  and the juice  swallowed, prove a sov-
ereign remedy for most kinds of sore throat.  Drank in a warm
decoction  produces diaphoresis in fevers;  it is excellent in quin-
sy, weak lungs,  fluor albus,  consumption,  &c.  It forms an ex-
cellent fomentation in cases of quinseyr, sore throat, pleurisy, &c.

    Lavender.   Lavendula Spica.   The  flowering spikes.

  Lavender is a small perrennial shrub, a native of  the south of
Europe, but frequently cultivated  in  our  gardens for perfume.
The flowers of both have a fragrant agreeable smell,  and a warm
pungent, bitterish taste.   There are two varieties; the broad leaf- 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
389
ed sort is the strongest in all respeets, and this only is used in the
distillation of the oil' called oil of spike.
   Lavender is considered as a warm stimulating aromatic.   It is
principally used as  a perfume,

                 Marygold.   Tagetes erecta.

   This well known garden plant  is given to children in cases  of
the red gum, and to allay puking.   It may be employed as a drink
in fevers, to promote perspiration.

              Mandrake.  Podophijllum peltalum.

   This plant is generally known.   The powdered root taken  in
the dose of a teaspoon full operates as an emetic.  One fourth  of
this, taken once in four hours proves  cathartic.  It may be em-
ployed in fevers and where full  evacuations are required.   It is
very useful in costiveness, as it leaves  the bowels longer in a lax
condition than most other cathartics.   It is less apt to sicken the
stomach than common purgatives, and may be administered when
they are rejected.   It is safe and active in its operation, and par-
ticularly recommended in bilious fevers and dropsical affections.

               Mares-tail.   Hippuris vulgaris.

  This plant grows about four feet high; leaves lance shaped, the
stem erect, round,  and bushy at the top; flowers numerous, small
and white, appearing in June.   This plant is highly styptic:  use-
ful in profuse menstruation  and diarrhoea.  The  bruised  leaves
applied to fresh wound's generally stop the flow of blood.

            Masterwort.   Imperatoria astruthium.

  This plant vegetates early in the spring, and grows from three
to four feet high; leaves broad and deeply serrated; stalks hollow 
390         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

with many joints; flowers white, appearing in June.  It is com-
mon throughout the Union, found also in gardens.   The root and
seeds of masterwort are used principally for flatulency, wind col-
ics, and wherever carminatives are indicated.  It is useful in hy-
pochondrical affections and for languid and feeble pulse,  being an
agreeable stimulant.   It may be beneficially used to increase ab-
sorption in dropsical subjects.  It ought to be kept in every nursery
on account of its carminative powers.

            Marsh Rosemary.   Slatice Limonium.

  Grows about feet high; leaves numerous, lance-ovate; flowers
pale red, appearing in August.  This plant is much used in dysen-
tery.  A decoction of the root makes an excellent gargle in can-
ker, and ulcerated sore throats, and  is particularly recommended
for these affections by Dr. Barton.   It  is abundant in the Tona-
wanda swamp.

               Melilot.  Melilotus' Vulgaris.

  This plant is cultivated in gardens; grows about four feet high;
leaves obavate serrate; flowers white, appearing in June.  The
fresh leaves  of sweet clover simmered  in lard or oil, is a useful
application in inflamed swellings by way of liniment, and may be
used as a dressing to  brused sores.

           Mother of Thyme.   Thymus Serpyllum.

  This herb is cultivated in gardens and grows a foot and a half
high; leaves  small; flowers purple, appearing in July.  The leaves
of this plant in infusion are useful in internal hemorrhage, as pro-
fuse menstruation,—it alleviates pain, and as a preventive to abor-
tion, it is very srviceable. 
                  AMERICAN REMEDIES              391

               Motherwort.  Leonurus cardiaca.

   This plant is well known and well named.   It is useful in hys-
 reric affections, as a nervine and antispasmodic.  Drank in infu-
 sion, it relieves the stomach of wind and restores quietness to the
 nervous system.   It is possessed, too,  of some tonic powers, and
 taken cold, may be used in debility of the digestive organs.

                 May Weed.  Anthemis cotula.

   This  article is used in colds, coughs and  hoarseness, being a
 powerful sudorific when drank warm.  It is beneficial as an ex-
 ternal application in inflammatory-attacks.  Fomentations of May
 weed may be used in pleuritic and rheumatic cases in the onset,
 and will sometimes afford prompt relief.

             Mountain Ash.   Sorbus Americana.

   This shrub,  sometimes called moos missa,  grows from ten to
 twenty  feet  high; flowers white, succeeded by  clusters of bright
 red berries.   It is not very plenty in this part of the country.  It
 may be found in  the Tonawanda swamp and in China,  Genesee
 county, near the  lake.  The bark is a very efficacious remedy in
 scrofulous affections as a detergent to  the blood.  It  is useful in
 fever sores,  white swellings and scald head; used both internally
 and  externally, it rarely fails to effect a cure in the last complaint.

              Milkweed.   Asclepias  Obtusifolia.

   This  plant grows from two to three feet high, with large leaves,
flowers  in clusters, purple, appearing  in  July, and roots white.
This article is useful in dropsical affections.  Being of a sudorific
and  laxative nature, may be beneficially employed in  colds, and
costiveness when  hepatic obstruction obtains. 
392        VEGETABLE MATERIA  MEDICA.
                Mooswood.  Dirca palustris.

   Grows about two feet high; branches and leaves are thick; the
bark only is used.  Taken in  infusion, as a common drink, it is
very useful in coughs and consumptions.   In debility of the diges-
tive organs, it may be beneficially employed.

      '       Mountain Flax.  Polygala  Seneca.

   This valuable  plant grows about a foot  high, the  flowers are
white and appear in June.  It may be found in Avon and Mount
Morris, Livingston  county, New York.  It  is a useful tonic feb-
rifuge and expectorant, and maybe used in pulmonary complaints,
coughs, colds, and  the like.  In inflammatory fevers  it  may be
given as  follows: one teaspoon full of the pulverized  root in half
a pint of  boiling  water, steep, sweeten with honey or loaf sugar.
Dose, one table spoon full every three hours.

              Mousear.  Gnaphalum Dioicum.

   This grows about four inches high;  leaves small;  flowers blue,
apearing  in September.   This is said by Dr. Barton, to be useful
in summer complaints of children, in relaxation of the bowels and
in piles.
              Mugwort.  Artemisia Vulgaris.

   This plant rises three feet high; leaves pale green, resembling
wormwood;  flowers white, opening  in July.  It is  cultivated in
gardens,  and is used in cases of obstructed  menstruation, caused
by taking cold.   It is efficacious in  quieting bearing down pains,
after confinement;  and in painful female affections of the back or
loins, it exerts a soothing composing effect.

               Mullein.  Verbascum  thapsus.

   This plant is very abundant, and useful in bowel complaints and
hypochondria.  The  leaves moistened in warm vinegar, may be 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
393
 applied to inflammations, and swellings.   An infusion of mullein
 and sweet elder makes a useful injection in summer complaints of
 children.
                   Mustard.  Sinapis alba.

   This cultivated plant  is much used  for culinary purposes, and
 possesses some  important medicinal properties.  The pulverized
 seed mixed with rye  flour, or Indian  meal, forms  a very useful
 poultice in local inflammations whether acute or chronic, frequent-
 ly blistering the part,  and producing a free  discharge.  It is also
 a good application to the feet or ankles in fevers.  The seed taken
 whole, is beneficial in dispeptic complaints attended with costive-
 ness.  Dose, a table spoon full in milk.
  ■ Mustard is sometimes usefully administered in paralytic cases,
 as numbpalsy, and should also be externally applied.   It appears
 useful in debility of the digestive organs, especially when attended
 with cold hands and feet.

         Maidenhair.   Adiantum Pedatum.  The herb.

   This plant is found in deep woods and rich soil, throughout the
 United States.   The root is large, fibrous and brown.   Stalk about
 a foot high before  it branches, of a chesnut color, shining  and
 smooth;  branching into  two, each branch bearing  several  long
 leaves resembling brake  or fern.
   Maidenhair is expectorant, mucilaginous, and sub-astringent.
 It is used in decoction, or syrup.   It is much esteemed throughout
 Europe, although little known in America.  It  is found useful in
 all  coughs and  hoarseness, also  in  asthma, and tickling of the
 throat, and even  in pleurisy and  all  disorders of the breast.  It
promotes the secretions, strengthens the fibres, and helps the cure
of jaundice.   It  is a very good vehicle and auxiliary for pectoral
remedies, and even cathartics.  Licorice may be added to the de- 
394        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
 coction, to render it more efficient.  Influenza is often cured by
 using this syrup; and  it has the advantage, that it may be taken
 in an unlimited dose.

  Manroot, or Bindweed.  Convolulus Panduralus.   The root.

   Also called man-in-the-ground, wild potatoes, wild rhubarb, me-
 chameck, potatoe vine, &c.
   Is common#ill over the United States, in poor, loose, sandy soils,
 upon glades and  thickets.  Its  top is weak and trailing, running
 along the ground  much like a grape vine, and set with large trian-
 gular leaves; flowers, which grow on long stems from the axilla
 of the leaves,  are large, bell-shaped, and whitish, with a purple
 tinge.  The root  is very large,  hard, yellowish, from two to four
 feet long, as thick as the arm, milky inside, running deep into the
 earth, and often branched below.
   Its properties are cathartic, diuretic, and pectoral.   It acts like
jalap, rhubarb, or scammony, at a larger dose, when given in sub-
 stance; but the extract from the fresh root is more efficient, and
 is a mild cathartic in a dose of ten or  twelve grains.   It is often
 used by the Indians.  As a diuretic it is useful in gravel, strangu-
 ary,  dropsy, &c; it enables to evacuate small  calculous substan-
 ces, and may be taken  in substance or decoction.  As a pectoral,
 it has been used  for consumptive  coughs, and asthma: a syrup
 made of it with skunk  cabbage  is used for'that purpose.
  It  is asserted that the Indians can handle rattlesnakes with im-
 punity, after wetting their hands with the milky juice of this root
 It should be collected at the end of summer, and if" to be dried,
 ought to be cut in slices.

          Meadow Saffron.   Colchicum.  The root

  This root, and preparations from it, have been employed by the
 faculty in  many diseases.  It possesses great power, but it is un- 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
395
certain and unsafe, from the variableness of its strength;  the root
in autumn is almost inert; but in the beginning of summer, an ac-
rid poison.  In large doses, it is  a deleterious acrid narcotic; in
smaller ones, a cathartic and diuretic.   The  German physicians
have celebrated  its virtues as  a diuretic  in dropsies, asthma,  and
some other chronic diseases.   Afterwards, infused in wine, it be-
came quite popular as giving relief in the gout.  Its use was soon
extended to chronic rheumatism, and other painful  affections,
though with equivocal success.
   Colchicum has lately been given most frequently in  powder.
Five or six grains may be taken  three times a day, by an adult
It is always proper to begin a new root with small doses, till  you
have ascertained its strength, as an over dose might be fatal.

       Mezereon.   Daphne Mezereum.   Bark of the root.

   Also spurge laurel.  An indigenous low shrub, growing in woods
and shady places,  and flowering in February or March.  It grows
plentifully  in the vicinity of the Ohio river.   When cultivated in
gardens, in a rich soil, it attains to the  height of sixteen feet.
   This whole  plant  is so corrosive that six of its berries  are said
to kill  a wolf.   The bark of the root, when chewed for sometime,
is extremely acrid to the taste, exciting an insupportable sensation
of burning in the mouth and throat.
   Mezereon is a stimulating diaphoretic, and has been found  ser-
viceable in chronic rheumatism, and cutaneous diseases.  Its prin-
cipal use is in syphilis, as being particularly efficacious in remov-
ing venerial nodes, and disposing  ulcerations to heal.  It  is given
in the  form of decoction: two  drachms of the bark, with half an
ounce of licorice  root, being  boiled in three  pounds of water to
two pounds, and four or six ounces of this given  four times a day.
It is generally combined with sarsaparilla, when it forms the "com-
pound  decoction of sarsaparilla," kept  in the shops. 
396         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

    Misletoe of the Oak.  Viscum Album.   The leaves.

  This is a parasitical plant, something like a large bush; it grows
on various trees, but that which is found on the oak is chiefly used.
The branches are regularly forked, leaves ending obtuse, in pairs;
berries white, smooth, globular arid clustered, remaining through
the winter, and contain one fleshy seed.
  It should be separated from the oak about the last of November,
gradually dried, ground into a fine powder, and confined in a bot-
tle well stopped.
  Misletoe has been recorded as an efficacious remedy in epilep-
sy, by many eminent physicians, both  ancient and modern: the
reason why it has failed  in later trials of some practitioners, is
probably because they did  not prescribe a sufficient quantity, or
because it had been long exposed to the air, when it lost its virtues.
  To  begin, the dose may be a teaspoon  full four times a day, in
valerian tea, increasing the dose to two or three teaspoons full,
according to its effects.

Monkshood, or Wolfsbane.   Anconilum  Napellus.  The  herb
                          and root

  This is a perrennial plant, found on high mountains; it is com-
mon in Germany.   It grows  from two to five  feet high;  leaves
lobed, deeply lancinated, standing alternate, upon long footstalks,
the surface of the leaf of a deep green,  the under side whitish;
flowers numerous, terminal, of a-deep purple, and hood-shaped.
  The fresh plant and root are very violent poisons, producing
remarkable debility, paralysis, and other consequent  symptoms.
By drying, their acrimony is almost entirely destroyed.  For med-
ical use the root must be gathered before  the stem shoots.
  When properly administered, it acts as a penetrating stimulus,
and generally excites sweat, and sometimes an increased discharge 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
397
of urine.  On many occasion it has  been found a very effectual
remedy in glandular swellings, venerial  nodes,  stiffened joints,
amaurosis, grouty and rhematic pains, intermittent fevers, and con-
vulsive disorders.
  It is commonly used in the form of an  inspissated juice, or ex-
tract.  It is an unfortunate circumstance, that the powes of  this
medicine vary much, according to its age, and the heat employed
in its preparation.   When  fresh, its action  is often too violent,
and when kept  for  more  than a year, it becomes totally inert.
Therefore it may be laid down as an universal rule in the employ-
ment of this and many other similar medicines, to begin with very
small doses, and to increase them gradually to the necessary de-
gree.  We may begin by giving half a'grain of  the extract of
monkshood, made  up into a pill with any convenient substance,
twice or thrice a day, gradually increasing the dose.

  Mapleleaf Alumroot.   Heucheria Acerifolia.  The root.

  Also alumroot, ground maple, splitrock, sanicle, &c.
  The root is  perrennial, yellowish, horizontal, crooked, with few
fibres; leaves  radical, on long hairy stems, shaped like  those of
the maple tree; flowers very small, forming a long panicle, occu-
pying half the length of the stem,  flesh colored; seeds small and
black.   There are several species of this  plant.
  The root of these is a powerful astringent, antiseptic, vulnerary
and detergent, and is equal to cranesbill.   It was used by the In-
dians, in powder, as  an external remedy in sores, wounds, ulcers,
and even cancers.   It is employed as a styptic in internal and ex-
ternal hemorrhage, bleeding at the nose,  foul or indolent  ulcers,
wounds and cuts.  It is seldom taken internally, the taste being
so intensely astringent; but it promises to be useful even in very
small doses, where astringents are indicated.
      Mountain Dittany.   Cunila Mariana.   The herb.
  Also, stonemint, wild basil, sweet horsemint, &c. 
398        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
  Rises  about  a foot high, stem  smooth, yellowish or purplish,
slender, brittle with many long branches; leaves large at the base,
arrow-shaped, smooth, pale green; flowers small  but  handsome,
of a pink, or white color, forming terminal clusters; root perren-
nial, fibrous and yellow.  It is found on mountains and dry hills,
in all parts of the United States.  The whole plant has a warm,
fragrant, aromatic, pungent taste and smell.
  Dittany is  a  stimulant, nervine, sudorific, subtonic,  vulnerary,
cephalic, &c.   The whole plant is used, and usually taken in in-
fusion warm.  Dittany tea is a popular remedy throughout  the
country,  for colds,  headachs,  and  whenever it  is requisite to  ex-
cite a gentle perspiration.   It partakes of the propertis of the grate-
ful aromatic plants, and also  of the camomile; while it affords a
more palatable drink.  Its  fragrant  tea is preferable to that of
sage; it has neither the pungency of mint, nor the nauseous smell
of pennyroyal.   It relieves nervous headache, and hysterical dis-
orders.   It is used  in the southern states, in fevers, to  excite per-
spiration, and suppressed menstruations.  It is a useful  drink in
nervous colics, and indigestion.   Externally, it is  employed  for
bruises and  sprains;  and was one of the plants resorted to  for
curing the bites of  serpents.   The essential oil  possesses all  the
properties of the plant, and a few drops are sufficient  to impart
them to mixtures.
                        Nervewort.

  This small nervine makes  its appearance early in the spring,
grows from six to twelve inches high, with one stem, branching
towards  the top, and  bears some  resemblance to the  brake;  the
root is dark colored with many coarse fibres.   Very useful in all
nervous affections, trembling  of the hands, palpitation and head-
ache.  It gives tone to the whole  nervous system.
              Nightshade.  Alropa Belladonna.

  This poisonous plant rises about a feet and a half high; leaves 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
399
 a very dark green;  flowers yellow, apearing in July;  berries dark
 blue.   This plant has a nauseous, sickly smell.   It is not to be
 used  internally, but as an external application to scrofulous tu-
 mours, indolent swellings, ulcerated and gangrenous surfaces.

            Noble Liverwort.   Hepatica triloba.

   This plant rises up with several leaf stalks, from the root, four
 or five inches  high; leaf three lobed, upper side  spotted,  lower
 side downy; root fibrous and black.  It is found on the north side
 of hills in beach and maple timber.   It is useful in liver complaints,
 either in  infusion or syrup.   Liverwort is also a good expectorant
 and mayr be freely used in pulmonary affections.

          Oak of Jerusalem.   Chenopodium botrys.

   This plant grows from one to two feet high;  leaves thick, fine
 and deeply toothed; flowers small,  of  a pale blue, appearing in
 August.  It has a sweet aromatic flavor, and an adhesive, gummy
 feeling.  This  plant is expectorant and gently tonic: useful in
 colds, coughs, asthma and consumption; in infusion combined with
 spikenard,  liferoot,  garden colt's  foot,  hyssop  and  black snake-
 root, and made  into a syrup with sugar or honey, it is very effica-
 cious  in the aforementioned complaints.

            Partridge Berry.  Mitchella Repens.

  This is a creeping plant, from six to ten inches long,  leaves
 roundish, small, opposite and deep green;  flowers white, opening
 in July;  berries red.  It rather inclines to grow in cold soil, on
 the north side  of hills, though it is found in most parts of the
 Union.  This is a good diuretic in all kidney complaints, and drop-
sical affections; it is also serviceable in biliary obstructions.  It
is taken in infusion  and drank freely. 
400        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

             Pennyroyal.  Hedeoma Pulegioides.

  This plant grows from six to twelve inches high; leaves small;
flowers blue, appearing in July.   This is a very warming carmin-
ative: useful in colds, warms the system, promotes perspiration,
and female obstructions.  It is useful to those  affected with cold
hands and feet, or colic pains, and  it may be drank during the
operation of emetics.

               Peppermint.  Mentha Piperita.

  This well known plant prefers moist situations along the sides of
streams.   It is often  cultivated on account of its oil.   It is a use-
ful carminative, and  diffusable stimulant,  applicable in spasmodic
affections, flatulent colics, and faintings; combined with mother-
wort, it may be given in histeria and falling sickness.

                Pitch Pine.   Pinus Rigida.

  This tree, though  common, grows most  plentifully on  barren
sandy plains.  The knot of the pitch pine, rasped and tinctured,
with spirits, or wine, is useful in all old complaints of the breast,
stomach or side, caused by sprain or too much exertion: used also
in bleeding from  the  lungs.  The white pine possesses  similar
properties, and maybe used  when the other is  not to be obtained.
The white pine bark  is used  in bowel complaints of children, with
very good effect, where there is not much arterial excitement.

                Plantain.  Plantago Major.

  This well know plant is  to be found in door-yards, gardens, and
about the fields.  It  is a useful application to all  inflamed swell-
ings, abating heat  and pain.  It is recommended by  Dr. Barton,
in erysipelas  and for the bites of poisonous animals. 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
401
              Pokeweed.   Phytolacca decandra.

  This plant rises four or five feet high; leaves large; flowers
white, opening in July; berries red, in clusters.
  The plant is one of  the narcotic kind; the root is poisonous.
The bruised root is applied to the feet, in fevers and inflamma-
tions.  Made into an ointment it is very efficacious in eruptions of
the  skin and scrofulous affections, prepared by evaporating the
expressed juice of the leaves and mixing it with  lard or fresh but-
ter.  By some, the root is used in chronic rheumatism, internally;
but I think the berries  are more safe  and equally useful, taken in
tincture.  The juice of the berries, evaporated to a proper consis-
tence are applied to cancers, with good effect.

              Pond Lily.   Nymphaea Odorata.

  This plant grows in standing water;  is found in lakes and marshy-
places,  and is admired  for its beautiful white flowers.  Pond lily
is astringent and diuretic, and is said to be useful in  kidney com-
plaints, and  heat in the urethra.   It  is highly recommended in
uterine fluxes, as fluor albus, gleets, and profuse menstruation.
It may  also be employed in canker and sore mouths.

                Poppy.  Papaver Somniferum.

  It is  from this well known plant that opium is obtained; it is a
good remediate  article and decidedly narcotic in its operation.  It
is obtained by scarrifying the capsules and evaporating the juice
to a proper consistence.  The leaves of the  poppy are beneficial-
ly applied to painful parts, as "fhey possess much of the qualities
of opium.

            Prickly Ash.   Xanthoxylum Fraxincum.

   This  shrub grows from five to ten feet high; limbs beset with
short prickly thorns, and oval leaves.  The berries and  bark arc
                               26 
402        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
used in medicine.   They arc warming and pungent: found use-
ful in  rheumatic affections, and paralytic complaints, and  may
be taken in spring bitters to remove obstructions and recruit ener-
vated systems.

               Prickly Pear.   Cactus Opunlia.

   This article is cultivated  in  gardens, and is mucilaginous and
expectorant:  useful in hectic fevers, dry cough, hoarseness and
asthma.
           Prince's Pine.   Chimaphylla Umbellata.

   This plant grows five or six inches high; leaves are dark green
and grow very thick on the stem; flowers white opening in July;
roots long, yellow and horizontal.   The whole plant is used, and
is found in cold soil, in pine  timber, and hemlock lands.  Prince's
pine is a valuable diuretic, and much used in some places in rheu-
matic aflections.  It deserves  particular  notice  as a remedy in
dropscial effusions  and urinary obstructions.   It may be taken in
infusion to the extent of a pint daily.

              Puff Ball.   Lycoperdon  Bovisla.

   This  is a valuable styptic, useful to arrest  the bleeding from
fresh wounds.  The inside made into an ointment with the same
bulk of lard,  forms  a highly valuable ointment for burns, scalds,
and for blistered surfaces, that have become inflamed and irritable.

           Putty  Root.   Corallorhiza Hyemalis.

   This plant  makes its appearance early  in the spring, sends up
a stem about ten inches high, with  scales, but no leaves, and has
pods near the top.   The root is about the size of a garlic, white
and glutinous.   This is a stengthening  root: useful in weakness
and bowel complaints, and agues of long standing. 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
403
         Pleurisy Root.  Asclepias Tuberosa.  The root.

    Also called orange; swallowwort, butterfly weed, flux root, wind
  root, silk weed, &c.
    The root is perrennial, large fleshy, white, crooked, or branch-
  ed;  several  stalks,  either erect,  or procumbent,  round,  hairy,
  green or red.   Leaves scattered, on short stems, hairy, lance-like,
  and obtuse; flowers of a bright or orange color, appearing in July
  and August.  It rises about four feet high, and is one of the most
  beautiful American plants.  It grows chiefly on poor and gravel-
  ly soils, and along streams, and is found all over the United States,
  but more abundantly in  the south.
    The root when dry is easily pulverized; it  is somewhat  bitter,
  but not unpleasant.
    Pleurisy root is subtonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, lax-
  ative, carminative, antispasmodic,  &c.   It  is  a valuable popular
  remedy and a mild sudorific, acting safely, without stimulating the
  body.   It is supposed to act specially on the lungs, to promote sup-
  pressed expectoration, and to relieve the breathing of  pleuretic
 patients.  It  appears to equalize the circulation, and exert a mild
 tonic  effect, as well  as  a stimulant power, over the excretories.
 It relieves difficult breathing, and pains in the chest.   It often acts
 as  a mild cathartic, suitable  for  the complaints of children; and
 is also useful in hysterics, profuse menstruation, dysentery, &c.
   But in flatulency, colics, and griping pains in  tho stomach, its
 benefits are most conspicuous, in giving quick and effectual relief.
 It has quickly removed many misnamed "Liver Complaints," un-
 der my direction.   For these it  is  best given in powder, a tea-
 spoon full every half hour till relief is obtained.
  In  a low state of  typhus  fever  it has  produced perspiration,
 when other sudorifics had failed.   In inflammation  of the lungs,
 and catarrh, it is always beneficial.   It restores the tone of the
stomach and digestive powers.   It has been given in asthma, rheu-
matism, syphilis, and  even for worms. 
404        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

  An attested publication has lately appeared, in which it is stated
that the pleurisy root, taken freely in a strong decoction  till it
vomits, has cured the bite of a rattlesnake  in repeated instances .
Taken in that quantity, it creates a profuse sweat, which carries
off the poison.
  Taken in repeated doses till it creates perspiration, after proper
evacuations, it is supposed to be a specific  in pleurisy, generally
removing it in three or four days.
  The common doses are from twenty to thirty grains of the pow-
dered root three times a day;  or a gill of the decoction and infu-
sion every few hours.

         Queen of the Meadow.  Spirea Ulmaria.

  This valuable  plant grows from three  to five feet  high;  stems
redish at the base;  leaves grow round the stalk in fives, about four
inches apart; flowers redish purple, appearing in August  This
is a valuable diuretic, and is highly esteemed in cases  of gravel,
and obstructions  in the kidneys.  It affords very prompt relief in
strangury,  and abates  inflammation.   Drs. Barton and Bigelow,
recommend the  root of this plant as very efficient in dissolving
the stone in the bladder;  taken in the following manner: Queen of
the meadow, two parts;  ox balm, one  part; one table  spoon  full
of red  onion  juice; to be taken in gin, using  at the same time
smartweed tea for common drink.

        Rattlesnake  Plantain.  Neotlia Pubescens.

   This plant grows amongst beech and maple timber,  rises about
four inches high and is very beautiful; the upper side of the leaf
is curious variegated.
   This plant was formerly supposed to cure the bite of the rattle-
snake.  Its principal use is in scrofula and cancer, being a very
efficacious remedy in these complaints.  An  infusion of the plant 
AMERICAN REMEDIES.
405
should be taken for constant drink, to cleanse the system; and if
the case be scrofula, the bruised leaves and roots may be applied
to the swelled part, and renewed twice a day.  As a dressing to
a scrofulous or cancerous ulcer, the fresh plant simmered in  fresh
butter, for an  ointment, is an extremely useful remedy, easing
pain and improving the condition of the sore.

                 Rheubarb.   Rheum palatum.

   This plant may be cultivated in gardens, but it. is generally im-
 ported, and procured at the shops.   It is a valuable medicine be-
 ing cathartic and tonic.  You will, in another part of this work,
 find a preparation of rhubarb which I value very much, and have
 used extensively in my practice.   It is as follows:—Take three
 teaspoons full of pulverized rhubarb, put  into a  teacup, fill with
 boiling water,  stir it five or six minutes, let it settle clear, turn off
 from the sediment, add as much soda as will lie on  a shilling piece
 and eight teaspoons full of loaf sugar.
    One teaspoon full three or four times a day, is a very appropriate
 remedy in weakness and relaxation of the bowels, in  the summer
 complaint of children, dispepsia, and habitual costiveness; restor-
 ing tone and regularity to the digestive organs.

                     Rue.  Rula  Graveolens.

    This  is a garden plant, grows about a  foot high; leaves small;
 flowers  yellow, opening in July.   The leaves moistened and ap-
 plied to the skin, will raise a blister.  It is used internally in scur-
 vey and affection of the lungs, especially when tubercles are sus-
 pected.
                     Rose.   Rosa Cenlifolia.
This much admired and well known shrub, is a valuable 
 406        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

 gent; the leaves put in wine or taken in  tea, are useful in many
 of the female weaknesses, soro mouth, canker, and weak bowels.

                 Rush.   Equisetum Hyemale.

  This article grows from one to two feet high, with a naked, join-
ted stem, and is found in wet  land.   This is a valuable diuretic:
useful in affections of the kidney, gravel and strangury.  It may
be steeped and taken as a tea, or  put into good gin.   It generally
affords relief in suppression of urine.
              »
 Rose Willow.   Salix Rubra Rosalis.   The bark of the root.

  This tree is about the size of a small  apple tree, and covered
with a greenish colored bark, and very  red within;  the  flowers
resemble a  bunch  of roses, from whence  it derives its name.   It
grows  near brooks, along the banks of,  rivers, and  on upland
meadows: it is known throughout the United States by the name
of red rose willow, which distinguishes it from the black willow,
or the  puss willow, which grows in swamps and  along the sides
of moist meadows.
  The bark of rose willow is  an excellent  tonic  and astringent
It is very beneficial in strengthening and bracing up weakly women,
laboring under the  whites, relaxation, bearing down, &c.; and like-
wise in restraining immoderate flowing of the menses, and is used
with considerable  benefit in intermittent fevers, for which purpose
it answers all the purposes of Peruvian bark.
  For use,  one pound of the bark may be boiled to three quarts;
to which add three pints of port wine, and four ounces of loaf su-
gar.  Dose, a teacup full three times a day as a tonic, &c. to be
continued till well.  It is  equally useful in gleets when the pure
decoction may be used for injection.

    Rosemary.  Rosmarinus Officinalis.   The flowering tops.

  Rosemay is a shrubby perrennial, which grows wild in the south 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES,
407
of Europe, and is cultivated in gardens.   It has a fragrant smell
and a warm, pungent, bitterish taste, approaching to those of lav-
 ender: the leaves and tender tops are the strongest;  the flowers
themselves are considerably the weakest, but most pleasant  From
the leaves, tops and flowers of this  plant an essential oil is pre-
pared; or, when distilled with spirits of wine,  they afford the cel-
ebrated Hungary water.
   These liquid medicines are esteemed excellent cephalics, in ner-
vous and hysterical affections, and have been found eminently ser-
viceable in apoplexies, palsies, and vertigoes,  in which cases they
are sparingly  applied  to the temples and forehead.

              Saffron.  , CarihanMS Tinctorius.

   This well known plant is cultivated in gardens and is a useful
diaphoretic in eruptions of the skin especially where they recede
from  the surface, and cause sickness and general distress.   It is
employed to allay nausea and vomiting, and is commonly taken in
tea.
               Sanicle.  Sanicula Marylandica.

   This plant grows about three feet high; leaves of a dark green,
growing mostly on  one side of the stem;  flowers white appearing
in July.  It has a bur on the top which remains until fall, and may
be found  among oak timber, where the soil is rich.  This article
is diaphoretic  and febrifuge; valuable in  hectic and inflammatory
fevers.   It produces perspiration, allays irritability, and mitigates
fever.  It may be used in recent colds and asthmatic complaints.
It is taken in tea, and freely used.

             Sarsaparilla.  Smilax Sarsaparilla.

   This plant makes its appearance  early in the spring; leaves not
large; flowers white,  opening  in May, the root is white and hori- 
 4US        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

 zontal, sometimes three or four yards long.   Sarsaparilla root w
 very cleansing to the blood, and used after mercurial courses, for
 long standing  fever sores, cancers, venerial disease, and scrofu-
 lous complaints.  It is useful taken in syrup in the spring, to cor-
 rect the blood  and strengthen the system.

               Sassafras.  Laurus Sassafras.

   This is a well known shrub  and  much esteemed on account of
 its fragrance.   The essential oil which it contains is useful in ner-
 vous affections, and  catarrh.  The twigs, steeped, are beneficial
 in coughs and consumptions.   The bark of the root is thinning
 and cleansing  to the blood, and helps to put it in  a lively, active
 state, and may be used as a soothing and healing diuretic in irrita-
 tion of the urinary passages.

                  Savin.  Juniperus Sabina.

   This shrub  is scarce in the western districts,  but it  may be
 found on the sandy hills, east of Albany, in abundance..  It grows
 from two to four feet high and  resembles cedar.
   Savin is a very active and powerful emmenagogue, and should
 be dealt out  in small doses,  by  a skilful hand;  it hastens the cus-
 tomary evacuations of females, ond should not be  taken in every
 situation in which they are placed.  It is obtained  at the shops.

                Savory.  Satureja  Hertensis.

   This is a well known garden plant,  much used for culinary pur-
 poses—it also possesses good medical properties.   Taken in  infu-
sion, greatly promotes the fluid secretions, and assists the excre-
 ting vessels  in performing their offices.  In cases  of gangrene it
 may be used both internally and externally. 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
409
             Scabish.  Erigeron Heterophyllum.

  This plant grows three or four feet high; leaves large; flowers
yellow, appearing  in July—is  found in rich interval land, near
rivers that overflow their banks.
  This plant is mucilaginous and diuretic; the bruised leaves are
usefully applied to inflamed, painful swellings.  The leaves of
scabish and  bark of bittersweet simmered in fresh butter, forms a
very bland,  cooling ointment, for  painful sores, piles, and many
oruptions  of the skin.  In difficulty of discharging the  urine, at-
tended with pain and a sensation of heat, it maybe usefully employ-
ed.  It is much esteemed in gravelly and dropsical complaints.

              Scullcap.   Scutellaria Lateriflora.

   This plant rises about one foot high; leaves small; flowers blue,
appearing in August.  It is celebrated in cases of hydrophobia,
bites of snakes, and scrofulous complaints.

              Sheep  Berry.  Viburnum Lentago.

   This is a shrub, grows  in  low swarmps, about ten feet high;
bloosoms  white; berries black.  The inner bark is yellow, and
the only  part  used.   It is tonic and stregthening to the  system,
and acts  favorably on the liver, regulating its secretions.  It is
useful in  eruptions of the skin, cleansing the the blood, and alter-
ing secretion.    It is  also a beneficial worm medicine,  especially
for the small pin worm.  It may be taken in substance, in wine,
or in infusion.

               Shin Leaf.  Pyrola Rolundijolia.

   This plant has  two large leaves, three or four inches long, lying
flat on the ground, of a dark  green color, with a naked stem ris- 
410        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

ing from between them, supporting  a spike of reversed flowers.
The leaves are applied to scrofulous  swellings and inflamed sores,
they are of a sweating, healing nature.   These leaves  and live-
forever simmered in fresh butter are  a very useful remedy in weak
and inflamed eyes.

              Skunk Cabbage.  Ictodes Foztida.

   This well known plant has1 a'nauseous, disagreeable smell, re-
rembling the skunk.  It grows in wet, marshy places, the  leaves
bear some resemblance to cabbage.  It possesses very considera-
ble antispasmodic powers, indeed it is one of the best in  the vege-
table kingdom.   It is a very useful palliative in spasmodic asthma,
and has afforded prompt relief in nervous and hysteric cases.   In
chronic cough,  difficulty of breathing and consumptions, it is very
generally given with evident advantage.   It is  also useful in epi-
lepsy,  given before or during the fit.

                       Snake Roots.

   There are six species of plants belonging to  the class of snake
roots, all very valuable medicines.   The colt's foot is one  of the
best aromatics  now in use, and has  raised many that have been
much  reduced  by severe fevers;  it  is extremely useful in'inter-
mittents.
   Black Sanicle snake root, is a very useful diaphoretic in  fevers
and inflammations.  Seneca snake root is very useful in syrups in
cases of general debility.  White snake root possesses  similar
properties,  and may be combined with  it or  used in  its  place.
Lion's foot snake root is used to prevent gangrene  in the latter
stages of fever, and to restore tone to the system.   Virginia snake
root is a useful'tonic hi debility of the stomach, and very benefi-
cial in measles.  This combined with the black sanicle, will bring
out the eruption when all other remedies fail. 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.             411
              Snakes Head.   Chetone Glabra.

  This plant  grows about one foot high; leaves small, opposite;
flowers red, opening in June;  may be found in wet  land.  This
plant is said to cure the bite of the rattlesnake and other poison-
ous animals.  It is useful in scrofulous complaints.

               Solomon's Seal.   Convallaria.

  This  plant grows about two feet high; leaves grow mostly on
one side of the stem; flowers white opening in July.   The root is
large and white, with many joints or seals,  whence its name.   It
is found in  most parts of  the United States, and is very abundant
on the Genesee flats.  This is a good tonic in relaxed states of the
bowels,  cleansing to the blood, and strengthening to the system.

                 Sorrel.  Oxalis Acetosella.

  There are two  species of this plant, the sheep sorrel and the
wood sorrel.  The juice of the wood sorrel mixed with water, is a
very cooling  beverage in  fevers.   The expressed juice of the
sheep sorrel, dried in the  sun, is said to make a good cancer plas-
ter, especially when combined with  an equal quantity of skoke-
bcrry ointment.

           Southern Wood.  Artemisia Abrotanum.

  This plant  rises  about a fort and a half high, the leaves are fine
and compact; it is cultivated  in  gardens and possesses nervine
properties, and may be given in hysteric and spasmodic affections.

               Spice Bush.   Laurus Benzoin.

  This shrub grows about four feet high, the bark is dark colored, 
112        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

spotted with white.  Spice bush is found in low lands, and makes
a cooling, grateful drink in fevers, taken in infusion, cold.

             Spider-wort.  Convallaria Bifolia.

  This  plant rises six or eight inches high; leaves oval; flowers
white, opening in June;  is found in wood land.   This is a useful
little plant in fevers and  inflammations, and may be  taken in  infu-
sion, in cold water and freely used.

              Sunflower.  Helianlhus Aunnus.

  This  plant is cultivated in gardens and so well  known that it
needs no description.  The seeds are the only part used for medi-
cinal purposes.   Half a pint of the sunflower seeds, in a quart of
gin,  makes a very useful  remedy  in  asthmatic  complaints, and
chronic coughs.

                Spikenard.   Aralia  Racemosa.

  This  plant  rises about three feet  high; leaves large;  flowers
white, appearing in June.   It is to be found in all the states.  The
root  and leaves are used.   There is a valuable balsam obtained
from this root by distillation: used  for pain in the  breast, weak-
ness of  the lungs, and cough.   The root bruised and  applied, is
beneficial in gangrene, and made into  an ointment with fresh but-
ter, is very useful in swellings,  bruises, wounds or  other injuries.

                Tansy.   Tanacetum Vulgare.

  This  plant  is  diaphoretic and emmenagogue.  Taken in infu-
sion, it is useful for weak stomachs, prevents puking, quiets wan-
dering pains,  and is very useful in obstructed  periodical evacua-
tions, and promotes perspiration. 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES.
413
               Touchwood.   Boletus  Laricis.

  The pine touchwood is a valuable medicine in weak debilitated
states of the stomach, brought on by too much exertion, and for
spitting of blood, taken in tincture.   It is used in pulmonary com-
plaints as a healing, restorative medicine, and in cases of debility
of the digestive organs.

                Teasel.  Dipsacus Sylvestris.

  This plant grows about four feet high; flowers pale red, appear-
ing in July, and succeeded by large burs—to be found in all the
States.   The root of this plant, in infusion, is useful in gonorrheas,
gleets, and seminal weakness, and may be used, also, by way of
injection in these affections.

                  Turnip.  Brassica Rapa.

  This well known vegetable possesses useful medical properties.
Eight ounces of turnip and four of garlic, or two of hyssop, boiled
to one quart, is very beneficial in coughs  and consumptive com-
plaints, as an expectorant

               Tobacco.   Nicoliana Tobacum.

  There are so may good judges of this article, that  I shall not
undertake to describe it.   Although it is a poison, it may be used
externally in  scrofula and ulcers of long standing, either in de-
coction or ointment.

              Twin Leaf.  Jeffersonia Diphylla.

  This plant rises six or eight inches high, with two leaves about
as large as the palm of the hand, and has single white flowers ap- 
414        VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

pearing in June.  It is  not common  in  the western part of thir
State.   Its medical  properties very much resemble, the Virginia
snake root, and it may be used whenever that is indicated.

              Unicorn Root.  Alteris Farinosa.

  This  plant grows  about eight inches high;   leaves narrow and
long; flowers white, appearing in July.  It is found in oak timber-
ed land, all over the country.
  This  plant is tonic, strengthening to weak stomachs, increases
the appetite and cleanses the blood.   It makes a very useful spring
bitter, and is valuable in rickets.   It may be taken in infusion or
wine.
              Valerian.  Valeriana Officinalis.

  There are two species of this article the imported and the Amer-
ican.  They both possess active nervine properties, and are ben-
eficial in nervous, spasmodic, and histerical affections.   In severe
cases, castor may be added.   This is a good remedy in epileptic
convulsions.
                Vervain.   Verbena Haslata.

  This plant grows  about two feet and a half high; leaves lance-
shaped and deeply serrated; flowers pale bule, appearing in Aug-
ust—and is found in low wet land.   This plant is tonic and ner-
vine: useful in weak debilitated states of the stomach, palpitation
and trembling.  To be taken in wine or in infusion.

                  Violet.   Viola Arvensis.

  This plant rises about four inches  high; leaves heart-shaped;
flowers white,  appearing in  May.  This plant is mucilaginous;
beneficial in bowel complaints, dysenteries and fevers. 
AMERICAN  REMEDIES
415
             Virgin Boaver.   Clematis Virginica.

  This beautiful plant  rises about two feet high; leaves oval, in
fours, and opposite; flowers large, of a beautiful peach-blow color.
This is a very scarce plant in this part of the country, but is found
in abundance on the White hills east of Albany.   This is a very
useful  lady's medicine, being the most efficacious article ever used
in prolapsus, or irritation of the neighboring parts, to be taken in
infusion, and washing with a  syringe, the affected  parts.  The
bruised leaves,  moistened with water and applied to painful, irrita-
ble  and inflamed parts, diminish pain and very promptly afford
relief.
               Wake-robin.   Arum Triphyllum.

  This well know and much used plant needs no description.  It
is very useful in coughs and colic.   It enters into the composition
of my  fever powders, to which you have been often  referred, be-
ing one of the most efficient febrifuges with which I am acquainted.

           Wtintergreen. Gaultheria Procumbens.

  This plant rises four or five inches high; leaves oval;  flowers
white,  appearing in June—most common amongst evergreens.
  The medical virtues of this plant reside in the oil, which is ob-
tained  only  by  distillation,  is fragrant, and useful in all  uterine
and urinary complaints, when  not  attended with inflammation or
irritation.

             Wormwood.   Artemisia Absynthium.

  This is a bitter and well known garden plant.   The oil obtained
from this vegetable, is useful  in bruises, wounds and lameness.
The bruised leaves may be applied when the oil is not to be had. 
416        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
               Yarrow.  Achillea Millefolium.

  This  plant grows  from one to two feet high;  leaves flat and
deeply toothed;  flowers white, appearing in July and August.  It
is very common, and  useful in all hemorrhages, especially in pro-
fuse and immoderate menstruation.   This article, harvest flower,
and valerian taken by females at the turn of life, assist nature in
her change, especially w-hen  the evacuations  are weakening, re-
stores strength and vigor to the constitution, and prevents the on-
set of more serious diseases.   Yarrow is very useful to nursing
women who are troubled with weak stomachs.  It is always to be
taken in tea, cold.  The cold infusion may be drank freely until
it produces the desired effect, unless rejected.
  The following valuable recipes were inadvertantly omitted when
the others were printed.  As they are important, the author con-
cluded rather than omit them entirely, to insert them immediately
after American Remedies.

  The following is the Canadian recipe  for the hydrophobia re-'
ferred to in Dr. Earl's letter:
                     HYDROPHOBIA.
                        St. Andrews, L. C. Feb. 26, 1836.
  Messrs Editors—In your paper of the 20th inst. I find a notice
copied from the Journal of Commerce, that one of your most re-
spectable merchants had been bitten by a mad  dog; and being in
possession of a certain remedy for that dreadful disease, hydro-
phobia, I beg leave to communicate  it to you, in the hope that it
may be received and applied in the case referred to, before it may
be too late.  The remedy can in  no case do any harm—and I
have known it tried in many cases, always with success.  I have
resided here more than 25 years, and although canine madness is 
VALUABLE RECIPES.
417
more common here than in any other country, I have never known
a fatal case of hydrophobia when this has been applied.  It is uni-
versally known and used among Canadians.  I am acquainted
with six persons who were bitten from eight to fifteen years ago,
by dogs that were abundantly proved to be mad, from the fact that
animals bitten immediately thereafter, died with every symptom
of hydrophobia; but by the use of this  remedy, are in  perfect
health.   I am aware that a  remedy coming from such a distance,
and from a stranger will not be very likely to meet with  a very
cordial reception;  but I am induced to give it in the hope  that its
evident harmlessness Will ensure atrial.  It is as follows:

  Take three spoons full of oyster shell  lime, powder it and sift
it through a piece of book muslin.   To this add a sufficiency of
egg to give it a consistency something like soft dough—fry it in
a little fresh butter or olive oil.  Let the patient eat this cake in
the morning, and abstain from food or drink, at least six hours.
This  dose  repeated for three  mornings  in succession, is, in  all
cases sufficient

  As it may be satisfactory to know something of the  character
of the writer, I beg leave to refer to you Charles H. Castle, Esq.,
Cashier of the City Bank, Montreal.
                            Yours, with respect,
                                       GUY  RICHARDS.

  Doct. Morrison's noted Preparation  for producing per-
               spiration, and Family  Physic

  Skunk cabbage root and scouring rushes, powdered, makes a
sweat not to be surpassed.  One table spoon full with one pint of
hot water, and drank as hot as can be borne, will produce sweating;
after done sweating take physic, as follows:
  One ounce of cloves, one ounce of mace, one ounce of cinna-
                              27 
41-        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

mon, one ounce of gum myrrh,  one ounce of English saffron,
one ounce of  ginger, six ounces of aloes; pulverize all together
and wet it with spirits and make them  into pills.   Six pills is a
dose of physic.
                FEMALE  DISEASES.

                       INTRODUCTION.

  There is another class of diseases for which I cannot with pro-
priety, omit to give some directions, cautions and prescriptions, as
it is one with which I have had much to do for the last thirty years
of my practice.
  The female constitution is very much debilitated and reduced at
the present day, yet notwithstanding their irritable and enervated
systems, they have  many difficult scenes to pass through  in tho
course of life, being mostly mothers of children, and having many
cares and anxieties,  as well as much fatigue to endure.   Few, in-
deed, arrive at the good old age of three score and ten.   The fa-
ther, with all  his  paternal care, can never supply the place of a
mother in a family.   His business is on the farm, or in the me-
chanic shop—hers in the nursery and  among those entrusted to
her care.   No matter whether her constitution be weak or strong,
her concern  and anxieties increase, and she is called to pass
through many critical scenes, in regard to health and life.   Many
serious hours of contemplation does  she have alone, perhaps in
the midst of prosperity.   Every heart knows its own sorrows, and
the mother's reflections are often locked up in her own breast, and
never revealed even to her best friends.
  It  is well these  gloomy seasons do  not always  last; time, with
its many changes, brings new joys and warmer affections  to the
disconsolate.   There are many consolations for them in  these try-
ing  seasons.   Their friendly female  associates who  sympathize 
FEMALE  DISEASES.
419
with  them in their afflictions, can  give  them many comfortable
things to assist them in their troubles, and the counsel and advice
of their confidant physician, will direct them in all difficult cases,
and prescribe  such  remedies as will assist them  in their trying
seasons.
   It would be very gratifying to  the author of this treatise, to give
the names of the organs, in medical language, but as latin phrases
would not be so well understood, and as I have, in  my preface,
hinted that  I would  be plain, you will excuse me, and allow me
the use of our common language.  I will endeavor,  however, to
treat  the subject with becoming modesty, and as this work is not
intended for the speculator, or ridiculer, but  for the sick and dis-
tressed—for the physician and heads of families—their offspring
and those who may  survive me,—I ask their indulgence while I
describe such female diseases as have fallen under my observation,
and their appropriate remedies.

                        MENSTRUATION.

   From childhood to twelve or fourteen years of  age is the most
uniform part of female life, in respect to the changes of the  sys-
tem, but about this time the great Author of their existence calls
upon  them to fill the  important stations he has allotted to them in
life.  Much depends on this critical  period, in respect to the en-
joyment of good health for the remainder of their days.  It is re-
marked by wise observers, that  this period of life is one of the
most critical through which the female has to pass.
  In this latitude the periodical evacuations take place at  the age
of  fourteen or fifteen years, and continue  for a  term of thirty
years.  It is  remarked by some eminent writers, as Dewee, and
others, that  in southern latitudes  it commences much earlier, gen-
erally at twelve years, and continues the usual time.
  Considering the reduced state of the female constitution at the
present day, much more pains must be taken to  strengthen the 
420         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

system with warming carminatives, strengthening syrups, and re-
cruiting teas, than in former years, when they were of a plethoric
habit, and wore the rosy cheek.   I know there arc some few good
constitutions, at the present day, who pass over these critical pe-
riods without much indisposition of body, while others of a slender
make and delicate frame, are liable to linger for months and years,
until the system is much reduced and enervated, when other dis-
eases, as dropsy, or consumption  terminate their existence.
  In all lingering cases, if the general  health suffers, make free
use of the above mentioned articles, for the preparation and use of
which, you will find directions at  the close of this subject
  Previous to  the commencement of the periodical evacuations
there is a progressive pressure of the circulation from the  heart
and arteries, to the head, which is the first effort  nature makes to
their introduction.   This pressure continues until the  veins are
filled  to their extremeties, and this distentation commonly produ-
ces headache, palpitations, or fluttering of the heart, with every
little exercise, which continue until the catamenial discharges take
place, and are established, when these very unpleasant symptoms
cease.
  I mentioned  in my introduction, that cautions were useful as
well as prescriptions; permit me to leave one here for the benefit
of the young female, of the age I  have  mentioned.  It is my best
advice to you,  to be very temperate  in  all your labors, exercises,
and  merriment;  be  cautious about lifting heavy kettles, pails of
water, or carrying them a distance—heavy luggage was never in-
tended for the delicate, slender  female, and these ambitious ex-
hibitions, have often laid the foundation for years of sickness, sor-
row  and pain—they prevent nature, in all her efforts, in establish-
ing good health.  It is very important  for the female, to be well
shod, both summer and winter, and not to suffer their feet to be
wet or damp, and by no means to wash  them in cold water or wade
in the water, but always to wash  them  in warm  water before go-
ing to bed. 
FEMALE  DISEASES-.
421
   Again I would observe, that evening air does not conduce to
good health, but the contrary; to be out any length of time when
heavy dews are falling, so as to dampen the clothes, is very inju-
rious to health, so also the cold of winter when shivering or dull-
ness is produced.  The female should, as much as possible, avoid
the extremes of heat and cold, as they tend to irregularity and de-
rangement of the system; be warmly and suitably clothed and be
temperate in all things.  But in the commencement of these evac-
uations remember the above cautions, especially for the first year,
until they are well established in the system, when there will be
less liability to derangement.

                       Female Syrup.

   Take of spikenard, sarsaparilla, comfrey,  solomon seal, mead-
ow cabbage, angelica, masterwort, wild cherry bark, gill-over-the
ground, snakeroot, and liferoot, of each a handful; boil in an iron
kettle in four quarts of water to two: strain, add  a pint of rumor
three pints of wine, a pound of loaf sugar, and a table spoon full
of pulverized cinnamon bark.  Dose, half a wine glass three times
a day, before eating.

                     Female night Tea,

   Take two table spoons full of liferoot, one teaspoon full of angel-
ica and  two teaspoons of meadow cabbage, all pulverized and in-
timately mixed.   Steep one  teaspoon of this compound  in half a
pint of boiling water, to be taken at bed time.

                       Dysmenorrhea.

   Painful Menstruation.—This is a very common disease at the
present day, being also a very painful one to the unhappy sufferer,
and frequently very obstinate and difficult to control.  It would. 
 422         VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.

 perhaps be difficult to assign all the remote causes of this complaint,
 although it is usually induced by taking cold in a critical period of
 life.   The married and unmarried are alike subject to this disease;
 the suffering at the menstrual periods is  severe almost beyond de-
 scription, and resembles  in kind and intensity the pains of labor.
 It usually commences by a slight menstrual show, which is some-
 times  suddenlyr arrested, when pains  almost  immediately ensue,
 which are described by women to be of a forcing bearing down
 kind, returning at longer or shorter intervals, until, as Dewees
 has mentioned in his work on female diseases, a membranous sub-
 stance is discharged.   It will be found of variable size, sometimes
 small, at other times large and resembling the cavity of the uterus
 in shape.   After the expulsion of this substance, the patient en-
joys ease  from pain until the next period arrives.  The quantity
discharged is sometimes very small, even with much  suffering, at
other times very abundant.   I  have seen a portion not larger than
a finger nail, and  again have witnessed as much as would fill a
common wine glass.
   The period employed for the expulsion of this substance is  also
variable, sometimes requiring but a few hours, at other times  sev-
eral days, and the  degree of  suffering is  not always in proportion
to the quantity of substance expelled; indeed,  the  pain would ap-
pear to be less when much is discharged, which perhaps is not of
difficult explanation.
  There appears to  be two  distinct states of this affection;  one
whe  the  breasts sympathize  with the uterus, by becoming tumid
and extremely painful;  the other where there is no such affection.
These two conditions are not equally manageable—perhaps there
might be some previous seat of inflammation on the kidney or ab-
domen, or, by taking cold at  the time of the periodical evacuation
so as to produce inflammation of the uterus, and cause a contrac-
tion of its inner surface, so as to delay or prevent the  progress of
the customary evacuation.
  Besides the alternate, or labor-like pains just mentioned, there 
FEMALE  DISEASES.
423
is almost always a permanent one in the back, hips, and loins,
which continues until the alternate ones have ceased; indeed, the
aching pain sometimes precedes the other, and announces the dis-
charge to be at hand.
   Another observation of Dewees, worthy of notice is, that the
menstrual fluid is the product of a secretory process, for which he
gives his reasons;  thus accounting for the formation of the mem-
branous  production so often  yielded  in dysmenorrhea.  But be-
fore he attempts an explanation of the formation of this substance,
he directs the attention to a very remarkable circumstance in the
character of the menstrual fluid, viz: its not possessing the prop-
erty of coagulation.  From this it appears that the fluid, or a part
of it, has suffered some change by the action of the uterine vessels,
and  this change has been imposed upon the coagulating lymph by
the process of secretion, consequently the  menstrual fluid is very
different  from the common fluid circutating in the veins, and goes
through a process of change,  at or  before the menstrual period.
   I believe his ideas on this subject are very correct.  The secre-
tory process not being properly performed, the coagulating lymph
will  spread itself over the internal surface of the uterus, and there
quickly assume, as is  usual, when in contact with living parts, the
appearance of a membrane, which being an extraneous substance,
will  sooner or later cause it to contract, which will be painful,  and
continue  until expelled.
   The reason why I have annexed this complaint to the commence-
ment of the periodical evacuations, is, that caution may be used in
due time  to prevent so troublesome an affection taking place.   I
have seen much of this painful disease, and should any be so unfor-
tunate as to be  its victim,  let  them make free use of the fejnale
night tea, and  syrup.   Take  the tea warm and  freely whenever
exercised with those pains.   It may also be used during the inter-
val between times of  being unwell.  Camphor gum dissolved in
cinnamon tea, or from thirty to forty drops of peppermint in strong
tea or rose water, are very useful remedies.   One  ounce of gum 
424        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
 guaiacum dissolved in pennyroyal tea and taken in table spoon
 full doses is also useful in this complaint

                   Deranged Menstruation.

   This complaint is brought on  in many different ways, and in-
 duced by a variety of causes.  It  is also a very prevalent and dan-
 gerous affection, impairing the constitution, and very often termi-
 nating fatally.   Persons  of slender  constitutions, feeble  health,
 and a relaxed state of the solids,  are  most liable to this affection;
 but no female however healthy,  is completely exempt, as it  fre-
 quently takes place in the most robust and healthy subjects.  This
 affection is apt to produce other diseases, as fevers, inflammations,
 dropsy, consumption, and other organic diseases.  These,  acting
 as second  causes, prevent the operations of nature in establishing
 and performing her accustomed functional duties, and in this way
 protract the irregularity and derangement of the system.  Taking
 cold in a critical and ufavorabte lime, has a very sudden effect on
 the system, often producing severe ague fits followed by high fe-
 ver.   In milder cases the patients linger for  a few months, and
 slowly recover health again.  During  my practice I have witness-
 ed many desperate and fatal cases, in consequence of taking cold,
 one  of which  I will here  relate, as a  caution to others  in similar
 circumstances.
   A young lady, about eighteen years of age,  a Miss Curtiss, re-
 siding in Perry, was very desirous of attending a Camp Meeting,
 in the vicinity, but being  unwell, and wishing to dress in white,
 she on the  evening previous, the weather being warm,  drew from
 the well a tub of water, stepped  into  it and remained  about ten
 minutes; but being a healthy, robust girl, it made little or no im-
pression.   She arose very early and before  the family were up,
filled  the tub,  sat down in  it, and  remained about fifteen minutes.
The  sudden transition from a warm bed to a cold bath, produced
the desired effect: the discharge  stopped, a  severe chill ensued, 
FEMALE  DISEASES.
425
followed, by high fever, inflammation of the lungs, hard cough,
and copious purulent and bloody expectoration.  Medical aid was
immediately had, but it was of little  avail,—in eight weeks the
grave closed overall that remained of her.  I attended her in her
sickness, and she often  spoke with regret of her presumptuous act;
but possessing a good constitution and perfect health, she  appre-
hended no danger.
  I could cite many cases similar, but I hope one will be sufficient
to place young ladies on their guard, and warn them of the dan-
ger of interfering with nature in her operations.   In these cases
of sudden suppression I advise the patient to procure medical aid
immediately, lest it should be confirmed, or terminate in some ner-
vous or organic affection.   The sooner relief is obtained, the bet-
ter.  If two or three periods pass over without any manifestation
of the catamenial evacuations,  much danger is to be apprehended.
If palpitation comes on, with hurried breathing, on slight exercise,
it shows that nature is endeavoring to  perform her natural revolu-
tions, and  requires  the assisting hand.  If the disease advances
the natural perspiration becomes obstructed, the  circulation de-
ranged, the uterine organs sympathise, producing a train of mor-
bid, nervous, spasmodic and hysteric affections,  and very  fre-
quently terminating in consumption.
  For the treatment of  these cases, I refer the reader to what is
mentioned  under suppressed menstruation.
  I will here make  a few remarks in regard to those cases where
menstruation is delayed beyond the usual period.   Much anxiety
is usually evinced on the part of the  friends of the female  so cir-
cumstanced, and every complaint with which she may be attacked
is sure to be attributed to this cause.   They suppose from the age
of the patient,  that "delay is dangerous," and are apt to introduce
driving  emmenagogues, which in such cases are always hurtful.
It is often difficult to overcome their ambitious views, of the neces-
sity of this evacuation at a certain period of female life.  But it is
important that we look well to the circumstances of  the patient; 
426        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

whether her  constitution is  slender or robust—whether, there is
and disease  about the system, producing the delay; or perhaps
the patient has not yet come to the years of puberty, the uterine
organs not being  completely qualified to perform  this important
function.
   Common sense would teach, that  until the female organs are
completely developed, the  evacuation  cannot take place.   And
where the young lady arrives at the  age of sixteen or even  twen-
ty years, without these accomplishments, the use of driving em-
menagogues ought to be strictly prohibited.   Wait  the appointed
time,  and nature  may perform  her  duty, or give intimation that
she requires assistance.
   To show the bad consequences of exhibiting  these active em-
menagogue remedies at a certain  age, I  would here state,  that I
have  frequently seen alarming hemorrhage produced, from the
lungs and other parts.  I do not here condemn this cla'ss of medi-
cines, but I wish to have them used in their own place.  In these
deranged and  debilitated subjects, the use of driving, forcing med-
icine, urging  nature  out of her course,  ought to  be prohibited.
Carminatives, warming and recruiting articles, such as will  invig-
orate the circulation, open  the pores, and assist the absorbing, se-
creting, and excreting vessels to the  respective offices, are all that
is  required.   The female syrup and night tea, are very applica-
ble, assisting nature in her  embarrassments, and when the equilib-
rium of the circulation is restored,  the current will flow in its prop-
er course.
   I wish to make here a few remarks on the impropriety of using
those  active remedies in sudden obstructions, and especially where
disease prevails.   I know a young lady about seventeen years of
age, who was suddenly overtaken with a  heavy shower of rain,
while unwell, which suddenly arrested the evacuation, and at eve-
ning she was  taken with chills, followed by fever, and was very
sick.   She was of a delicate  constitution—medical aid was soon
had—the case proved obstinate, and she passed over two or three 
FEMALE  DISEASES.
427
periods without obtaining relief.  Physicians were often changed,
and much anxiety was manifested by the friends.  At length there
came along  one of those boasting, pretending  doctors, who cure
every thing  "in two  weeks"—said he would soon cure her;  ob-
tained consent, and commenced with driving emmenagogues,
which in a few days produced, a severe hemorrhage from the lungs,
attended with cough.   They then  dismissed their cure-all quack.
In a few weeks the bleeding subsided, and by the help of restora-
tive medicine she gained her health in about six months.
   Another case of obstruction from sudden exposure, was similar-
ly treated by this class of medicines, with like results, bleeding at
the lungs, cough and fever, which terminated in consumption and
death.
   Alarming and violent  hemorrhages are  often thus  produced,
which would indicate that much caution ought to be taken in their
use.  There are  many heads of  families who think there is no
other way to overcome these complaints, but  by the use  of  this
class of medicines; disease and debility do not enter into their
estimate of difficulties.  My own opinion is, that they are entirely
insufficient to produce the desired end.  I shall explain, so far as
I can, the functions  of menstruation, and of the pre-requisites of
this evacuation, and  attempt to produce on their minds the impor-
tant conviction, that  time, under proper circumstances, is all  that
is required, to effect the wished for change.   Sometimes I have
succeeded in  bringing the friends to my views; at others I have
not been  so fortunate; yet, though not convinced, they dare not
openly rebel, because of the responsibility.  Others again, act on
their own judgment, to the immediate risk, if not destruction of
the poor patient.  Some  who were even determined  in their  own
judgment, I have persuaded to take  some warming,  recruiting
medicine, as female  syrup, night tea, &c.
   By dwelling so long on this subject, I fear  I shall tire  the pa-
tience of  my  readers, but as I  have been called to visit so many 
428        VEGETABLE  MATERIA  MEDICA.

of these deplorable cases, caused by mismanagement, and havt"
known so many females, who, from blooming  health were soou
consigned to the tomb, I wish to record my protest against such
culpable destruction of human life, and warn the public to avoid
those officious quacks, who traverse the country with a hand full
of roots in their pockets, deceiving the people,  and possessing no
knowledge of the human system or its diseases.

                Immoderate. Menstruation.

  This  complaint is much more rare than we should be led fo be-
lieve, did we regard popular  opinion, or even some of the writers
practical systems of either medicine or midwifery.   I have seen
comparatively very few cases of superabundant mensis, for in my
consideration of this suject, I shall confine myself to what  should
strictly  be called an immoderate menstrual secretion.
  This  complaint  has been  very often confounded with uterine
hemorrhage, because the latter almost always commences with a
genuine menstrual evacuation, which continue for two or three
days, and is then followed by the common circulating fluid of the
veins and arteries; all of which, by careless observers, have been
classed  under an immoderate  menstruation.   But as it has been
above stated  on the  subject  of deranged menstruation, that  the
genuine menstrual fluid is not  of the common circulation, that it
goes through a  process of change before it is evacuated.  It is
curiously calculated by the wise hand of Nature, as a forerunner
and Complete accomplishment to propagation.   And this hemorr-
hage, as we  term it, that was mentioned above, is not of the gen-
uine kind; it often interferes with and winds up the period for that
time, and it is for the physician, the close observer, to judge wheth-
er genuine or spurious.  The latter designates itself sometimes
by making its  appearance without regularity,  perhaps  twice  or
three times  within the periodical term.   Doubtless  it would  be
good reasoning  to attribute this to debility, overdoing,  6Vc. 
FEMALE  DISEASES.
429
   This evacuating fluid, we shall  argue, is  the  same as that at
turn of life, or  cessation,  which sometimes  follow them up  for
months and years.  Again, as respects this discharge, excess must
be regarded  as a relative term, and  it should only be considered
excessive when it has an injurious effect upon the general health;
for should it not produce debility or other disagreeable symptoms,
we have no right to call this discharge  immoderate  or excessive,
for it is only so  compared with those who may evacuate  less,  but
yet be in no better health.   I must therefore repeat, that this dis-
charge, in excess, is of very rare occurrence, and that so long as
it  does not  impair the constitution, if should never be meddled with.
   Should this complaint prove excessive in our acceptation of the
term, namely, where health suffers from this cause, it should be
treated, pehaps,  as a hemorrhage,  properly so called.  I say per-
haps, because I  have seen but one case  where the evacuation was
so profuse  as  to  debilitate the system  or have any bad effect.   But
wherever the evacuation proves too severe, treatit as  hemorrhage,
and make free use of the harvest flower, yarrow, &c, which are
good moderators in this complaint.  If the system is much reduced
by the evacuation, you must have recourse to syrups applicable for
this  complaint,  such  as spikenard,  sarsaparilla, cumfrey,  high
cranberry and ozier  bark,  yarrow v.nd harvest flower, of each
one hand full, and half that quantity of  snake root  and  solomon
seal; put these into an iron kettle with  six quarts of water; boil
to  two quarts, strain, sweeten it with loaf suagr, add spirits or
wine sufficient to preserve it.  Dose,  half a wine glass three times
a day,  before eating.
   The above  seldom  fails  of curing  the most obstinate  cases of
this complaint;  should  it, however,  I would  recommend  female
fern, buckhorn brake and yarrow, equal parts of each; boil it'to
one quart, strain and sweeten it with loaf sugar, add two spoons
full of the raspings of dear's horn.   Dose, half a wine glass three
times a day.   This rarely fails of  effecting a cure. 
430         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

                Suppression of the Menses.

   However well established the menstrual evacuations may be, it
is liable to be interrupted from a variety of causes; perhaps  by
taking a "sudden cold at the commencement of a period would  be
the most common cause of this complaint, doubtless the most dan-
gerous, and not unfrequently the most difficult to overcome.  It is
often the case, that it has a very sudden effect on the system;  but
if these cases  are attended to immediately by putting the feet in
warm water, and taking a dish of pennyroyal or night tea, so as
to produce a  profuse  perspiration.   In many instances  I have
known it to restore the evacuation in due time, and leave no very
bad effect on the system.
   Another of  the remote causes is over heating the blood in  an
unfavorable time, which is  liable to arrest  the progress of  tho
course and produce a serious breaking out of sores, biles, erysip-
elas, &c.
   Another of  the remote causes, is lucorrhoea.  This complaint
if not managed seasonably, will cause a suppression of the evac-
uation.  Should this  be the case, make use of balsam copava, box-
wood blows and the  tincture that is prescribed for that  complaint.
In making free use of these articles, I have no doubt the functions
will be restored as before.
   Sometimes this suppression will  take place in  consequence of
the affection of the  mind, but most frequently from  the  abovo
causes; but if  disease  locates on any part  of the system  it is  apt
to introduce this complaint.   Sometimes I have known tumours of
various kinds situated  on the uterine organs, or about  the neigh-
boring parts, to cause the complaint   Again, I have known kidney
affections, inflammation on the bowels, cases of the prolapses, and
many other causes too tedious to mention.

              The  Decline of Menstruation.

   This stage of female life is always looked forward to with much 
FEMALE DISEASES.                431
 dread, on the one hand, and  on the other, with  anticipations of
 joy.  No doubt many hours of contemplation occupy the mind as
 they draw near the age of forty-five, which is one of the critical
 periods of their life.  Whilst they have a view of the high hand
 of  Wisdom in  giving them a full discharge for ever from the cus-
 tomary evacuations and child bearing  pains—whilst they have a
 view before  them of this critical season of final cessation, much
 is depending on former life, as it respects an easy and comforta-
 ble cessation.  Previous obstructed menstruation, hard labor, &c.r
 never contribute to easing off the courses.
  Sometimes this change is effected so suddenly that the individ-
 ual scarcely notices any particular alteration with  regard  to the
 system, or any very bad feeligs.  At other times it is not inclined
 to wind up so soon, but will  gradually diminish both  in quantity
 and period, and in this way give.warning that it  is about to take
 its leave forever.  Another time, perhaps, they will be overtaken
 with  a sudden  hemorrhage  produced by laboring to excess, and
 confined to their bed.
  This  profuse evacuation greatly tends to debilitate, and perhaps
 before they  recover their strength they will have another attack,
 and this followed up month after month, will soon reduce them
 very low, and by that means introduce a train of nervous, hysteria
 and spasmodic  affections.  This critical situation  many fall into,
 and I have seen cases where the individual was so reduced, as not
 to bear strengthing medicine, neither tonics, wine, bitters, or ex-
 ercise.
  This  is what I call a pretty nice case to manage; life is at stake.
 What is to be done now brother physician?   Shall we try the lan-
 cet?  I  hardly  think it advisable in this reduced state.   My plan
 has been to  take the medium course;  to make use  of the stiptio
 stimulents—those plants that possess properties, namely, harvest
 flower, yarrow, red cohush, red beth root, strawberry leaves, &c.
 I have found also, that they would bear the  nervine, namely, va-
lerian and castor in tincture, which are  first rate articles; also, up- 
432        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

land nerve root lady's slipper, low century, &c.   With this course
of treatment I have been very successful, and managed nearly all
the obstinate cases I have been called to visit
  Once more on this subject.   It is not only the hemorrhage that
reduces the system, and makes it improper for the patient to take
the tonic medicines which  produce  those nervous and spasmodic
affections, but it is the symptoms of a non-appearance of the pe-
riodical evacuations; that  the great Author of nature is about to
dismiss the menstrual  organs  from their respective offices, and
lock up the conveying ducts, whereby the menstrual fluid is con-
veyed  to the inner surface of  the uterus, and  manifests  itself
every  twenty-eight  days; strictly speaking,  in  token of good
health, unless interrupted by colds, diseases, impaired constitution,
&c.  Cold chills immediately followed by hot flashes, almost in-
dicating suffocation, very often repeated,  with sudden and profuse
sweat,  denotes the approach of this period.
  Thus we can discover by the symptoms of cessation and dismis-
sion of those organs,  the confusion of the system, the velocity of
the circulation, the impeded travis of the  fluids; also the secreting
and excreting vessels, costiveness, &c.
  This change is atonishing to the wise physician, with all  his
knowledge of anatomy and chemistry.  The minute  particulars
respecting this change in the female,  is  only known to the great
Author of mankind.
                       PROLAPSES.

  This complaint has been more prevalent of late years than for-
merly.  Prolapses, is a complaint of the uterus or womb.  When
that organ settles lower down in the pelvis, or  basin, than its nat-
ural  place, it produces an uneasy feeling, a bearing down pain,
frequently producing stranguary, or  difficulty of making water. 
VALUABLE  RECIPES.
433
Some of  these case are slight, the patient being able to be about
for the most part of the time.  Others are very serious, and it is
not unfrequently the case, that the patient is confined to the bed
for a length of time.
   Many are the remote causes of this complaint  By long con-
tinuation  of lucorreoea, or whites, it is not only debilitating to the
system generally, but very much so  to this  organ.  Again, this
complaint is introduced by colds, severe coughs, hard labor, &c.
The two  worst cases  that I ever witnessed was caused by misman-
agement  at the commencement
   These complaints should be managed with a great degree of
caution, as fatigue and exhaustion sometimes makes them sensibly
the worse.   Sometimes lingering pains a week or so before con-
finement, is  liable to lay the foundation for this complaint   I have
been very successful in treating this  disease, with the following
remedies, viz: sweet agrimony, yarrow, white pond  lily, day, or
meadow  lily, liferoot, &c.   These articles may  be formed  into  a
syrup, or taken as a tea, by steeping  them.   If these  plants are
not all to be  found, obtain as may of them as you can,  for I have
know two or three of them to effect a cure.   In obstinate cases,
many physicians make use of the pessery to some advantage; oth-
ers, perhaps, would think it best to use the female  syringe,  which
in some cases is very beneficial.
   If this means  is resorted to, I will mention some good  plants
applicable for that purpose, namely,  cranesbill,  rose willow, box-
wood blows, green ozier, &c.; sometimes with the addition of alum.
   Many of  these cases with the best course of treatment is apt to
linger.   I have made use of a plaster for the back  in this com-
plaint, which has been worn with good success.  Take  equal
parts of comfrey and buckhorn brake, pulverize both and mix up
with the white of an egg to the consistence of a plaster.  Spread
it on thick cloth, apply it to the back and it will pay well for the
trouble.
28 
434        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA,
                      LEUCORRHCEA.

    Leucorrhoea or whites, so called, is a troublesome, disagreeable
  complaint to females.  If it contributed any benefit to future health,
  it might be endured with more patience; but this is not the case;
  on the contrary, it tends to relax, weaken and debilitate the system.
    This discharge is from the uterus, and no doubt in consequence
  of the reduced state of that organ, together with the system gen-
  erally.  The slender female is more liable to this complaint than
  the robust; and the married and unmarried are alike subject to it.
    There appears to be three stages to this complaint, and the mild-
  est of the three is  that which I mentioned  in the commencement
  of the subject;  it seldom does much harm to the patient, generally
  making its appearance a  few days before  or after the customary
  evacuation, continues a few days and subsides.
    If this disease is  not attended to in due time it will increase rap-
  idly, and in a short time will occupy one half the time between the
  periods; in a few months it would greatly diminish the quantity of
 the averaged period, and in this way in process of  time,  it would
 completely run them out   This is what I  call the second,  or ad-
  vanced stage of leucorrhoea.
   Sometimes by the assistance of medical  aid, I have known this
 complaint quite manageable for a number of months, and then to
 suddenly return with all its renewed symptoms.
   The third stage of this disease is the most troublesome and dan-
 gerous.   It assumes different appearances; sometimes yellowish,
 dark brown,  greenish, &c.  These  symptoms  are  attended with
 much irritation and heat  about the womb and its neighboring or-
 gans, and sometimes extends up  to the stomach and lungs, caus-
 ing great soreness of the uterine organs, vagina,  breasts, &c.
'*This is an uncomfortable and critical stage of the disease,  and it
 is liable to terminate in serious consequences, consumption, &c.
   The complaint is much easier managed in the first stages than
 m the latter, and it should  therefore be attended to in season. 
FEMALE  DISEASES.
435
  Perhaps this complaint has baffled the skill of the eminent phy-
sician, as much as any other that id as frequent, that ever came
under their inspection, and I must say, that for the  first fifteen
years of my practice I attended this disease with very little success.
As  it was difficult to manage, and as I was frequently called to
administer  for  it, I  found  it necessary to devote much time to
studying its nature, and the most safe and sure remedyr, which I
am fain to believe I have obtained, and by a lengthy trial of which,
I have been enabled  to give general satisfaction.
  The medicine which I make use of in this complaint is a com-
pound of my own selection, and has proved almost infallible when
used in season.   It has never been made known to the public until
now.
  I would  recommend to all the propriety of abstaining as much
as possible from hard labor, lifting, &c; or from taking powerful
medicines to operate on the salival glands so  as to produce a flow
of mucus, for when this subsides,  it is liable to induce a discharge
from  the vagina,  which is called leucorrhoea or whites.

            Compound Tincture for Lucorrhoza.

   To one pint of fourth proof brandy add  three ounces of  balsam
copava, and a table spoon full of blue flag root finely pulverized;
a table spoon full of angelica root, two teaspoons full of cinnamon,
and two teaspoons full of gum guaiacum, all to be pulverized and
added with a pint of cold water, to the brandy.   Shake well, and
it is fit for use.    Give the patient a teaspoon full three times a day,
or as occasion may require.
   The following articles are generally sufficient to arrest the com-
plaint in its first stage: a hand full of boxwood blows steeped with
a table spoon full of the raspings of deer'sdiorn added to it and
 and taken freely.
   Or, take of spikenard,  comfrey, angelic?, sar. ^irilla, white
 bethroot, boxwood blows, buck horn brake and solor.   n's seal, a 
436         VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.

small hand full each; put into an iron kettle with four  quarts of
water, boil to two, strain off, sweeten with loaf sugar, add a suffi-
cient quantity of spirits or wine  to preserve it.  ■ This makes an
excellent syrup for the above complaint   Dose, two thirds of a
wine glass three times a day, before eating.
                     BARRENNESS.

  This  is rather a dreary subject for me to write upon, however
I shall, in as few words as possible, give my viows on it.
  I have visited a goodly number of females during my practice,
who was said by physicians to  be  barren, but by the  benefit of
strengthening syrups, recuiting teas, &c, have proved themselves
otherwise.  I have known instances, where after a lapse of eight,
twelve, fifteen, and one seventeen years, after marriage, they be-
came  mothers.   I  have  known a very few married ladies who
never bore children, and I will assign some reasons for its being so.
  It is possible that there may be a deformity of the uterine organs
which produces  this effect,  but it is most likely the deficiency is
caused by disease,—it may be that severe and lengthy  attacks of
inflammation locating on the uterus or its  neighboring parts, ab-
domen, kidneys, &c. have contracted  those organs and disabled
them  from performing their  respective offices; and this, also,
would be liable to affect the  ovarious and falopean tubes, which it
is reasonable to suppose would produce the above effect.
  Again, by taking a sudden cold at the time the periodical turn
is on, and which always affects those organs more or  less ^"pro-
ducing painful menstruation, which  is a characteristic of barren-
ness.
  This portion of the system is not  only liable to the inflammato-
ry complaints above  mentioned, but also that  of large tumours 
FEMALE DISEASES.
437
forming on the ovarias, which are generally of long duration and
injurious effect.  The cancer also,  frequently settles here, and
produces fatal consequences to the patient.
            GENERAL NERVOUS DEBILITY.

   Much of my time for thirty years has been occupied in treating
these complicated  nervous complaints.  Many of them appear to
be hereditary, while othWrs take place in consequence of disease.
If I should attempt to enter into a full description of the rise and
progress of these affections in different constitutions, it would oc-
cupy more space than I have to spare in this work.  I shall, there-
fore, only notice the most serious affection and uniform symptoms
of this complaint.
   This  disease most commonly has a place of location somewhere
about the head, face, &c.   Very often this affection terminates in
a serious nervous headache, which  Is sometimes difficult to man-
age.  It is not uncommon for it to settle on the ear and produce a
severe nervous earache; at other times it will affect the nerve of
the teeth in like manner, at others  it produces a periodical head-
ache for a number of months.  These paroxysms  are often at-
tended with spasmodic and hysteria affections, great  prostration of
strength, trembling of the nerves, &c., which denotes an over ac-
tion of the nervous system and a general lack of tone.
   There are a numerous train of symptoms which accompany this
complaint.   Any thing that produces a sudden  shock to the ner-
vous system, such as fear,  grief, anxiety, joy, sudden noise, &c.
Another symptom which attends this complaint is, cold extreme-
ties, even in summer time, and palpitation of the heart
   All the above affections are plain indicating symptoms of a weak,
relaxed, nervous system, which when thus reduced,  is liable to be 
438       VEGETABLE  MATERIA MEDICA.
attacked by a number of female weaknesses, that render  it diffi-
cult to treat the  nervous debility, and discourages and disheartens
the patient
   My method of treating this affection is, to endeavor to regulate
the system by reducing these cases of weakness, and giving it
tone.  I have made free use of the  nervous and antispasmodic
medicines, such as  castor, valerian, lady's slipper, upland nerve
root, partridge berry, skunk  cabbage, garlic, lobelia, &c.   These
medicines to be administered as circumstances may require. 
          THE AUTHOR'S CLOSING  REMARKS.

   Before closing this work it is the author's wish to make a few
 observations to physicians.  In the first place then, to the physi-
 cians of the Medical Faculty:—Brother physicians, I return you
 my sincere and hearty thanks for your friendly consultations with
 me at the bed-side of the sick, and your  free communication of
 knowledge respecting  difficult cases.  From the commencement
 of my practice, which was in Otsego county, N. Y., I  have had
 the  friendship and confidence of this class of  physicians.   My
 study commenced in the  first place, on this scientific principle,
 and I have ever thought much of that Society as being an excellent
 place for the student to obtain a systematic knowledge of anatomy,
 &c, and which has redounded much to the honor of that institu-
 tion.
   Well, Brother Apothecary Doctor, I have recommended your
 system of  practice, and that in good faith; what more would  you
 have of me?
   I am myself a professed Botanic practitioner,  and received my
degree and diploma at Albany, and became a member of that  Bo-
tanic Society.  I was always of the opinion that the student should
not be allowed to practice until he has a thorough knowledge of the
system, and the diseases which it is liable  to.  Inattention to  this
has been a great embarrassment to botany.  But since  it is so,
allow me to apologise for this defect, by considering the way in
which it was first handed down, even by way of the uncivilized and
uncultivated Indian, who, out of "necessity, the mother of inven-
tion," found virtues  in the vegetable  creation, congenial to  the
human system, and applied them to their diseased bodies. 
440        VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA.
    I have no doubt there was a superhuman agency in this thing,
  operating on the minds of these ignorant beings, as an instinct in
  nature, how to use these plants to heal their disease; why not as
  reasonable, as that the young brutal creation, void of every thing
  but strength, should immediately go in search of their food.  Again,
  we can discover this inherrent principle in the beasts of the field
  and forest selecting'the plants that are good  for food, while they
  pass  by the poisonous and narcotic kind with a  rejecting  snuff.
  From this it would appear, that plants and  herbs were not only
  intended forfood for man and beast, but for medical purposes also.
    Considering the way in which botany took its rise, the  slow
  progress which it has made is not to be wondered at   But thanks
  to the enterprising spirit of the present generation, much has been
  done  to organize and  regulate this system of science.   Man}' of
  the leading scientific men of the United States have used much of
  their  influence to promote the botanic system.   Many Societies
  have  been established in  different parts of  the Union, together
  with beautiful flourishing  botanic gardens in various  parts, con-
  taining generic and specific descriptions of the  indigenous plants
  of the linneus system, explained in "Eaton's  Manual of Botany,"
  and divided into twenty-two classes, and these classes are also di-
  vided into species, genus, and  orders;  and from this variety I have
  selected the best plants for medical purposes.
    Brother practitioners, having had  in my practice, frequent re-
  course  to "shop medicines," I considered myself as possessing a
  double  advantage  in  the  management of diseases;  permit me,
  therefore, to  invite your  attention to  botany, as we cannot have
  too much knowledge of remedies in  the healing art    You will
  find the vegetable course of treatment  to far excel your most san-
  guine expectations.  Indeed, it is truly astonishing to witness the
  salutary and happy effects which this  course of treatment has on
  the human system.
"--^Brother Botanic Physician, to you who have acquired a knowl-
  pd?fe"*<>flie system of man, and also of the  indigenous  plants of 
                  AUTHOR'S REMARKS.              441

the Linneas System, I  need not go into any explanation on this
subject  more than I have already  done.  With you, however, I
may be permitted to rejoice at the spreading influence of our sys-
tem; in the establisment of Lecturing Schools, on this branch of
science, and in its having already crossed  the great waters, and
manifesting itself as far as human nature and diseases are known.
   A few observations more, both to the physician of the Medical
Faculty and the Botanic  System, and I will close.   How impor-
tant it is, when we are called to visit the sick, to have a correct
investigation of the disease.  It is to be feared that much medicine
is dealt out, many times,  to  no good purpose.  We are called to
examine many difficult cases, particularly among the debilitated
female diseases, and it is necessary that we look well to the state
of the constitution, endeavor to ascertain whether the complaint is
hereditary  or not, call up the symptoms  from first to last, and in
short, enter into all the minutiae of the science, that may not be ac-
cused of indifference to the trust reposed in us.
   My friends and patrons, I cannot close these remarks without
expressing my sense of the obligations which I feel myself under,
for the  many proofs of friendship  and  esteem which you have
shown me  through a succession of  years.   In the  course of my
practice I  have formed a very extensive acquaintacne, many of
which, from frequent intercourse,  have ripened into the warmesf
friendship; to these, surely, as well as to all my personal friends,
I  maybe allowed the indulgence of expressing my heart felt thanks
for the patronage with which they  have favored me. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS.1
Index-to Anatomy.
Abdomen,	105	Mesentery,	109
Absorbents,	70	Milk vessels,	. Ill
Anatomy,	1	Mucilage sacs,	. 58
Arteries,	59	Muscles,	33—56
" action of	66	" Physiology of	57
Bladder,	112	Nerves,	74—81
Blood, circulation of,	104	" Physiology of	82
Bones, doctrine of	1		
" Table of	2	Pancreas,	. Ill
" of the Head,	4		
" of the Face,	12	Secretion, physiology	of 88
" of the Trunk,	18	Spleen,	111
" of the Chest,	19		
" of the Loins,	20	Veins,	66
" of the Pelvis,	ib	" action of .	70
" of the upper extrem'ts. 21		Vessels, doctrine of	59
" of the lower do.	24	Viscera, doctrine of	89
v. " formation of	27	" of the Head,	91
**^ Connexion of .	28	" " Brain, .	92
Bone nieiu^ane,	26	" " Eye,	94
"N.		" " Ear,	95
Cartilages, v\	ib	" " Nose,	ib
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS.            443
Chylification, Digestion,	. 109 107	a Viscera	a a u it	Mouth, . Tongue, Neck, 97-Chest,	ib . 96 -112 100
Fluids, doctrine of	113—119	14		Breasts, Pleura, .	ib ib
Glands, doctrine of Gall bladder,	84 110	a u u	u u	Diaphragm, Lungs, Heart, .	101 ib 102
Integuments,	90			Abdomen, . Caul,	105 106
Kidneys,	. Ill	u	it	Stomach, Intestines,	ib . 107
Ligaments, Liver,	29 . 110	a	a	Pelvis,	112
Index to Art of Healing.
Diseases,     .    .       120
Intermittent fevers,    .    124
Remarks on Agues,  .     127
Nervous Fevers,  .     .  129
Typhus fevers,      .     131
Putrid, yellow fevers, &c. 133
Spotted fever,    .     .   141
Scarlet fever,      .      144
Inflammation of the brain, 145
Inflammation of the lungs, 146
Inflammation of stomach,  149
Inflammation of the liver,  150
Inflammation of the bowels, 151
Inflammation of the kidney, 152
Inflammation of bladder,     ib
Pleurisy,    .      .     148
Common colds,  .
Thrush, or canker,  .
Consumption,
Bleeding from the lungs,
Dropsy,
Dropsy of the chest,
Universal dropsy,
Dropsy of the brain.
Rheumatism,
Inflammatory rheumatism,
Gout,
Diabetes,
Suppression of urine,
Gravel and stone,
Asthma,
Burns and scalds,
155
156
157
161
162
165
166
167
169
171
172
174
176
177
180
183 
444
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Quinsy-,	153	Dysentery,	201
Malignant quinsy,	154	Piles,	202
Influenza,	. ib	Rickets,	204
Poison,	. 184	Worms,	206
Measles,	. 188	Whooping cough,	207
Mumps, .	189	Hickup.	208
Choking,	ib	Croup, or rattles,	209
Falls,.	190	Dyspepsia,	210
The Ear,	ib	Fever sore,	212
Ring-worms,	191	Cancer,	213
Palsy, ...	ib	Fungus Hematodes,	215
Felon, . ,	192	Remarks on fevers,	217
White swelling,	. 193	Bilious Fever,	218
Epileptic fits.	194	Bilious remittent fever,	219
Bilious colic,	198	On Diseases of infants,	221
Cholera morbus.	199	Of diseased parents,	224
Diarrhoea, .	. 200		
Index to	Favorite Prescriptions.		
Anodyne wash,	. 234	Hull's physic,	237
Anti-mercurial syrup .	233		
		Mother's cordial	ib
Bittersweet ointment,	. 236		
Bone's bitters,	239	Remedies in particular	
		diseases, . 244-	-278
Chalk julep,	234		
Children's cordial, .	ib	Syrups,	250
Clove jelly,	ib		
		Tonic Tincture,	231
Female syrup,	232		
Index	to Valuable Recipes.		
Anti-phlogistic plaster,	279	Indian salve,	280
Green salve,	ib	Bittersweet ointment,	ib
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS.          445
Anodyne plaster,	182	Dover's powders,	292
Stomach plaster,	283	Black drops,	293
Vegetable nerve ointment,	285	Ulcer poultice,	295
Sovereign ointment,	ib	Rickets,	296
Rheumatic ointment,	286	Hull's physic,	297
Liniment for the piles,	287	Cure for cancer,	298
Eye salve,	288	Barton's worm powders,	301
Eye waters & washes, .	ib	Cough powder,	302
Balsams, . .	289	For disentery,	303
Vegetable balsam,	ib	For medicamentum.	304
Balsam of hoarhound, .	290	Female bitters,	. 305
Compound balsam,	ib	Ague bitters	306
Compound pills,	ib	Rheumatic drops,	307
Stomach pills,	291	Strengthening female pills.	, 308
Sulphuric liniment,,	ib	Indian physic,	ib
Godfrey's cordial,	ib	Herbs for consumption,	310
British oil,	292		
Index to Vegetabl Materia Medica.
Classification,	315—342	Beech drops,	. 349
Agrimony,	343	Bearberry,	ib
Angelica, .	ib	Barberry, .	350
Alexander,	344	Bay berry,	ib
Black alder,	ib	Blackberry,	ib
Tag alder,	ib	Bitter-sweet,	351
Archangel,	345	Bitter-weed,	ib
Arrow root,	ib	Beth-root,	ib
Arsemart,	ib	Blood-root,	352
Assarabacca,	ib	Brook-lime,	ib
Avens,	346	Blue flag,	ib
Apple peru,	ib	Bog bean,	353
		Bladderwort,	ib
Buck-horn Brake,	347	Balm of Gilead,	354
 
146
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Blood root,	ib	Elder, dwarf	10
Boneset,	. 348	Elecampane,	ib
Burdock,	349	Eye-bright,	ib
Balm,	. 354		
Brook-liverwort,	ib	Fire weed,	367
Box-wood,	355	Fever-bush,	ib
Blue violet,	ib	Foxglove,	ib
		Frost plant,	368
Cranesbill,	ib	Fennel,	ib
Crawley,	ib	Floating heart,	ib
Celandine,	. 356	Forget-me-not,	369
Catnip,	ib	Ferania,	ib
Caraway,	. 357	Feverfew,	ib
Sweet sicely,	ib	Fern, male	370
Meadow crowfoot,	ib	Five finger,	871
Camomile,	358	Fumitory,	ib
Cross wort,	ib		
Culver's physic,	ib	Garlic,	372
Cleavers,	359	Gentian,	ib
Low century,	36 -)	Guelder rose,	ib
Garden Colt's foot,	<ib	Gill-over-the-ground,	ib
American cowslip,	ib	Ginseng,	ib
Wildcherryr,	361	Golden rod,	373
Cat-tail flag,	ib	Gold thread,	ib
Cow parsnip,	. ib	Galbanum,	ib
Black cohosh,	362	Gall nut,	ib
White cohosh,	ib	Gamboge,	374
Red cohosh,	ib	Garden peony,	ib
Blue cohpsh,	365	Ginger,	375
Columbo,	ib	Golden seal,	ib
Cancer maple,	364	Goosefoot, stinking	: 376
		Guaiacum,	ib
Dandelion, , i	ib	Gum arabic,	377 ^
Day lily,	, 365	Gum tragacanth,	ib
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Dock, yellow,	ib	Lettice, wild
Daisy, white	ib	Life everlasting,
Dockmackie,	366	Lavender,
Hellebore,	378	Marygold,
Hyssop,	ib	Mandrake,
Harvest flower, — .	ib	Mares-tail,
Horehound,	379	Masterwort,
Hop,	ib	Marsh rosemary,
Hemp,	ib	Melilot,
Hog-weed, Healall,	380	Mother of Thyme,
	ib	Motherwort,
Horse balm,	ib	May weed,
Hart's tongue,	ib	Mountain ash,
Hemlock tree,	381	Milkweed,
Horse radish,	ib	Mooswood,
High cranberry,	382	Mountain flax, Mousear,
Indian physic,	ib	Mugwort,
Indigo weed,	ib	Mullein,
Indian hemp,	383	Mustard,
Iceland moss,	ib	Maidenhair,
Ice plant, Indian physic,	384	Man root,
	ib	Meadow saffron,
		Mezereon,
Jacob's ladder,	385	Misletoe of the oak,
Juniper,	ib	Monkshood,
		Mapleleaf alumroot,
Laurel,	ib	Mountain dittany,
Life root,	ib	
Lobelia,	386	Nervewort,
Ladies' slipper,	387	Nightshade,
^iveforever, . .. . ■ ibNqhle liverwort,		
 
<US
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Oak of Jerusalem,
Patridge berry,
Pennyroyal,
Peppermint,
Pitch  pine,
Plantain,
Pokeweed,
Pond lily,
Poppy,
Prickly ash,
Prickly pear,
Prince's pine,
Puff ball,
Putty root,
Pleurisy root,
Queen of  the Meadow,
Rattlesnake plantain,
Rheubarb,
Rue,
Rose,
Rush,    . '
Rose willow,
Rosemary,
Saffron,     ,
Sanicle,
Sarsaparilla,
Sassafras,    .
Savin,
Savory,
 Scabish,
ib	Scullcap,
ib	Sheep berry,
400	Shin leaf, :
ib	Skunk cabbage,
ib	Snake roots,
ib	Snakes head,
401	Solomon's seal,
ib	Sorrel,
ib	Southern wood,
ib	Spice bush,
402	Spiderwort,
ib	Sunflower,
ib	Spikenard,
ib	Tansy,
403	Touchwood,
404	Teasel,
ib	Turnip,
405	Tobacco,
ib	Twin leaf,
ib	Unicorn root,
406	Valerian,
ib	Vervain,
ib	Violet,
407	Virgin bower,
ib	Wake-robin,
ib	Wintergreen,
408	Wormwood,
ib	Yarrow,
ib	Cure for hydrophobia,
409	Morrison's preparation
  lb
  ib
  ib
410
  ib
411
  ib
  ib
  ib
  ib
412
  ib
  ib
  ib
413
  ib
  ib
  ib
  ib
414
  ib
  ib
  ib
415
  ib
  ib
  ib
 416
  ib
 417
Index to Female Diseases.
Female diseases,
Menstruation,
Female syrup,
Deranged menstruation,
Immoderate menstruation,
418  Prolapses,     .     .       432
419  Leucorrhoea,     .     .    434
421  Barrenness,        •       436
424  General nervous debility,   437
428  Author's remarks.     .    439 
 
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