Dr,, Dorsey. - Taken 1816-'17.
Enlarged. 1817-'18.
No 6.

H Hodge.



Notes on the Materia Medica
Being the Substance of a course of lectures
delivered in the
University of Pennsylvania
by
John Syng Dorsey. M.D.
Taken during the winter of 1816 '17 and enlarged
during that of 1817 '18 by Hugh L Hodge.
Vol: 6th,,







1.
The Cinchona has been much employed in Rickets- This disease
has hither to been very rare in this country, but appears to be
increasing in frequency. The bark - the salt bath - the [shower] bath
& after invigorating [remedies] measures form the remedies to
be employed - These are to be assisted by some surgical contrivances,
adabted to support those parts which are most yielding & deformed -
To these [directions] means, exercise, especially riding on horseback
should be remembered as an addition. In cancer bark
is altogether inefficient. In cases of dropsy accompanied by debility
it may be advantageous. Bark has even been thought useful
in Hydrocephalus - but there is no case of this disease in which I
should employ it.
Lecture 60th,, Feby,, 21st.
Among the most important applications of our remedy is its use
in gangrene. Gangrene is of 2 kinds, one the result of inflamn,
the other occurring without any previous inflamn. In the first
kind, the bark would be the most improper article we could
employ - carbuncle is of this kind - this always terminates in
the death of the cellular membrane & nothing is to be expected
from the bark as it cannot alter the specific action of the part.
The case is the same where gangrene results from the interruption

2

3.
interruption of the circulation, it is therefore of no use in the gangrene
of the toes as described by Mr Pott, which arises from
an [assification] of the small vessels. [To the particular species
of gangrene to which it is adabted I can speak with considerable
confidence]. On the whole I do not place much confidence
in the bark - in cases accompanied with extreme debility - we use
it - but at the same time we employ the powerful stimulant
articles - as brandy vol - alkali - &c - more reliance is to be placed
on blister, opium, & a generous diet. Where debility exist &
is likely to be followed by gangrene the bark is very useful
In cases of poisoned wounds I believe it to be of no service -
Upon reviewing what has been said you will find that I
would confine the bark to a smaller number of diseases, than
has hither to been done - If you should notice & always remember -
that a single dose of bark should never be given in
an acute inflamy fever. - The dose of the bark
is ʒss to ʒi. in any convenient vehicle - as mucilage milk
or what is better [porter] in a little porter. I prefer small doses
often exhibited - as they excite no nausea - In intermits ℥i is [they] [crossed out] he given
every hour for the last 8 hrs. if the intermission - When it cannot
be given in substance there are several processes to which
it may be submitted - Hot water extracts more of its virtues
than cold - & of course on cooling some of [its] the bark will

4.
x in in a pint of water for fifteen min.

5.
be deposited - Alcohol extracts more than water. The watery
preparations possess its active parts & as we generally do not
want the stimulus of the spirituous menstrumnam [crossed out] those are to be prefered.
The decoction is best made by [adding] boiling [℥]s [to] x[crossed out] [the] [crossed out] [crossed out] of
which when cool - ⅛th part is to be given - The infusion is less
powerful than the decoction & the cold infusion less so than the
warm - There are true Tinctures - the simple - & the compound
or Huscham's - which are in general use. The dose of the latter is
at first Ʒi - to be gradually increased to ℥i. I very often add a portion
of this to the decoction, Ʒi to ℥ss - it renders it more pleasant &
a little more stimulating. This Tr is much used in Dyspeptic
cases, but I think that all spirituous preparations should be
avoided in this, as in all atterchronic complaints, as habit so
soon renders them necessary to the comfort of the patient, & Renders
it impossible to lay them aside on the return of death. The
bark is sometimes internally used - the bark jacket has certainly
some effort - as it excites the pulse, but this must be small -
cataplasms of bark are also used, but every method of this
kind must necessarily prove very feeble - In the form
of Glyster I have never seen it employed, if it can
be retained it might be useful - but we have no proofs
of its efficacy - & such large quantities would be required
& it must be administered so frequently, that it would
be very inconvenient & few patients would submit to it.

6

7.
The bark occasionally purges - in which case it must be omitted
for a short time, or be joined with opium in small easy
aromatics are to be given with it, to obviate its nauseating affects. -
The next Tonic - is the Stentiana Lutia -
this is a native of the old World & has never been found in America -
The root comes to us in [crossed out] soft flexible [crossed out] pieces - with a greyish
coloured bark & a yellow wood - the taste is, that of a pure &
strong bitter, its virtues are extracted [crossed out] bath by water &
alcohol - its proper menstruum is proof spirit as it has in
common with most roots a large portion of gum - & resin
in its composition - Dr Cullen considers it as one of the purer
& simplest of all the [resins] bitters - It is used in dyspepsia
in Hysteria, also in some other nervous affections - it was
supposed to form an ingredient in the celebrated Portland
Powder - In febrile states of the system it has been given in
doeses of Ʒssto℥i. of the powder - there are seven at proporations
of it - coumpound in fusia, - compd Tr - &c - the dose of the last
Ʒss to Ʒi. - The Frazela Officinalis - This is known
by the name of the American Columbo - It grows in the Western
parts of the U.S - it is a plant of only 4ft in height,
& has a large root - the leaves are used in dying - The dose
is similar to the Gentian -
The Colomba - this [plant] root was introduced by Percival
in the year 1772, the plant is unknown but it [is]
grows in Mozambique on the coast of Africa - It is

8
x Called the Amara - Polygama - & Simarouba.

9.
one of our strongest bitters but is not as pure as some of our
other [aromatics] articles - The root is brought to us in small transverse
section, the bask is thick corrugated & of a dark brown
colour - the wood is yellow; in one of the sections we have 3
lamind - the cartical - ligneous & the medullary. The last is
very musilaginous, which should be remembered, as on this
account the decoction - cannot be kept a long time in warm
weather. It imparts more of its virture to spirits than to
water - It is a tolerable pure bitter & possesses some stimulating
power - indeed all the bitters excite a little & therefore
in doubtful cases the watery preparations should be
used - Cullen employs it in dyspepsia, it should be given
in large doses & long continued. For Dysentery it is no longer
employed. In Cholera Marbus Percival recommends
it - in this country it must not be given during
the continuance of the disease, but may be employed
early in the convalescence. Percival also directs it in
the diarrhea accompanying dentition. - The dose of
the powder is from Ʒss to Ʒi. The decoction is made in
the proportion of Ʒi to the pt. the dose being ℥ss to ℥i.
this is very musilaginous. - [illegible] at this there are 3
species - x- the whole plant is intensely bitter, very much resembling
the gentian & colomba; it is well suited to some cases of dyspepsia
but upon the whole I have not much confidence in it -

10
x or Cusparia Febrifuga ~
tt The Dose is ϶i to Ʒi.

11.
It is usually given in the form of infusion - ℥i being added to a
[pint] quart of warm water - & somes a little spirits to prevent fermentation
pills of the extract - containing grs iӱ. or iv. have been given every 2
or 3 hrs. Angusturaˣ. This was first procured from South
America in the year 1778 - it comes in small masses of a brown
colour - it is an aromatic bitter & when first employed, it was
celebrated in intermittents - Brandle speaks highly of it, in nervous
fevers - I have not much experience of its virtues - W
Pearson uses it in some chronic cases - It is given in substance
in infusion & in tincture#. - Serpentaria. This is a perennial
plant & a native of the U.S. the root is the part employed
in which consists of short, bushy fibres - & has a pungent
bitter, aromatic taste - In addition to its tonic power, it is
astringent & diaphoretic - & is a stimulant that some caution
[crossed out] is required in its administration - It is useful in all cases
of intermittents where the pulse is low - In typhus it is highly
beneficial - In [crossed out] the Plague & in the debilitated state of yellow
Fever it is very valuable - In typhoid Penumonia it
has been much used - I have exhibited it freely in these cases
but always in conjunction with vol. alkali: &c It is given
in powder in doses of ϶i to Ʒss - in infusion in proportion
of Ʒi to a pint of water - Decoction destroys its power -

12.
+ - which may often be boiled down to a pint.

13.
The Runus Virginiana. a wild cherry tree - It grows in
this country not unfrequently to the height of 40. ft. The bark &
root of the tree are the parts employed - generally in decoction in the
proportion of ℥ӱ to a quart.ˣ It is also given in infusion - It
possesses some astringency & is evidently stimulating, increasing
the force & frequency of the pulse - I have used it with some advantage -
In Pulmonary Consumption when there is no inflamy
disposition it may prove useful - Dr Chapman has employed
it extensively for its astringent powers in diarrhœa.
Antemis Nobilis. This plant does not grow in this country
but is a native of Europe - It is a mild bitter & is usually
given in form of an infusion - A weak & warm infusion proves
diaphoretic, & even vomits; a cold & strong infusn is a good tonic.
It is employed as an auxillary to the bark in intermittents, but will
seldom be effectual by itself. The Chamomile flowers, I consider
as the best article to begin a course of tonics - & frequently I exhibit
the infusin in combination with the elixir of vitriol -
[[Crossed out] is another mild tonic very similar to the last.]
Chiromia Angularis [a American centaury] is another plant possessing some bitterness
but not so active as the former - it is an annual plant
& a native of the U. States.

14
x know by the names of Thoroughwort & Boniset.

15.
Lecture 61st,, Feby 24th,,
Cornus Florida. This grows in all our states - the bark
is the part employed - in taste & properties it very much resembles
the Cinchona The bark gathered the preceding year is considered
as the best - that which is gathered the same year proves purgative -
The dose is the same & [in a] as the bark. The Cornus [Cyracea] Sericea
grows in marshy situations - It was considered by Dr Barton
as superior to the former - but it is in reality [as] valuable -
Eupatorium Perfoliatum.ˣ This I have already noticed as
a diaphoretic - the cold infusion proves also tonic, & has therefore
been employed in Intermittents, but I believe we have much
better tonics for this disease. This article by no means deserves
the credit which has been so liberally bestowed on it.
We have many older vegetable tonics - but they are in general
of very little power - & do not deserve our time at present -
You will seen them noticed in Cullen & others.
The Mineral Tonics - First of Ferroin an Iron.
The natural & Chemical History of this metal, I suppose you
will receive from another source - In its pure state It has
but little power - the iron filings however are some times employed
I may [sometimes] act by mating with acid in the stomach, whether
they will otherwise have any effect is doubtful - The preparation
of iron most used in the prepared rust or carb. of iron -

16

This is procured by moistening iron filings & exposing them to the
atmosphere - there is another carb. or iron which is prepared by
precipitating - [from the iron] sulphate of iron by means of the carbe.
of soda - As there are two carbonates I shall therefore for the former
retain the old name of the rubigo Ferri. This possesses a
tonic power in a high degree, & is not as irritating as the saline preparation -
The average dose is from grs. v. to x. it is given however
in much larger doses but those are not proportionally active - It
is often given in combination with the saline preparations - & also
in form of the vinnes Gr. - A combination which I employ very
much [?] the following. Rx. Rub. Ferri Ʒӱ. Sal martis. ϶i. m
et div. in Dos. xӱ - this is very useful & in many cases of dyspepsia
is very valuable. The Sulph. Ferri - is not much used
except in combination with the rust. Large doses of it induce colic
& other disagreeable affections of the alimentary canal - It is given
in form of pills - each containing from grs. ӱ to v.
The Muriate of Iron is a powerful tonic, but is too nauseating
to be much employed: in large doses it operates as an emetic.
The Ir mur. ferri - has been greatly celebrated in suppression of
urine - The Ferrum tartarizatum has also been employed.
Iron from its tonic power has been used in many diseases - In
Intermittents it has been given by itself or more generally in combination
with the bark. In all chronic diseases it is very useful.
In the marasmus of children which I have already
noticed as a species of remittent fever it is very advantageous
In Canter all my friends agree with me that it is of no

18

service. There are few cases in which the bark is employed, but
are also benefited by this article - Dr Barton supposed that
the iron was absorbed, is of no practical importance - Dr Cullen
exhibited it in large doses, in which he was followed by Dr Barton -
but I believe that nothing is gained by this practice.
Cuprum. This is active in its metallic state - which we would
suppose from its taste & smell - When taken into the stomach, as
is often done by children in playing with copper coins - it produces
very distressing symptoms, if not soon evacuated. In such cases
beware of acids & direct a diet which should be neither acid or
of an acescent nature. I prefer a meat diet - broth made of lean
meat - it is better that no medicine should be exhibited, as is too
much the custom - the coin will be discharged in the course of 24
or 36 hrs - & it is less likely to prove injurious when enveloped in the
faces than when brought away by copious purging, especially
if the piece should have many angular points - I have heard
of one case in which during the action of purgative - a fishbone
was forced through the sphincterani muscle. The [ef]
[y] effects of copper are nausea- vomiting - colic, spasm & death -
in some instances it produces a salivation - Ammoniacrot of copper
is prepared by triturating Ʒӱ of the sulph. of copper with Ʒiӱ of
the carb. of ammonia - the dose is gr. ss to grs ӱ ar iӱ. Dr Cullen
employed it in Epilepsy - as also did Dr Barton, [that] but he was
apprehensive that when employed for a long time it proved injurious.
Dr Russel gradually increased it to grs. ix. three times

20

a day & cured his patient - Dr Dick takes Ʒi of the flores Ʒinci, - [crossed out]
϶i if the ammonia. of copper Ʒi of wintery bark - & divides [it] the mass into 60 pills: one of
which is to be taken, for the first 2 week, every night - By this article
I have heard of many cures, & it would therefore be right always
to make trial of it - in one case in which I tried it was of
no service. As it is a stimulating articles we should therefore be
careful in administering it. In Chorea it has been recommended,
I have tried in one case, but to no purpose. Boerhaave employed
it in dropsy-. The Sulph. Cupri properly a Sup: Sulphate - has been much used in obstinate
intermittents - in one of this kind occuring in the fall of the year, - I
succeeded with the following prescription. Rx. sulph. cupri. grs iv.
capsium grs xxxӱ - m - it fit pilul. xxxӱ. The sulphate has
been much used as a gargle in venerial sore throat, the prescription is to take
of the sulph - ϶i. Peruvi. bark Ʒi. water ℥ӱ m although this
is by no means a chemical mixture, yet I have no doubt you
will find it very useful. A weak solution is employed as a collyrium.
grs vi. the ℥iv. of water, when all inflamy symptoms
have subsided - Dr Spalding exhibited it in interim
hemorrhages to excite nausea - Stannum as tin has been already
noticed as an [anthelmintic]; as a tonic it is not much
used - any experience related only to its virtues in the former case -
[Silver] -. The Nitras Argenti is the only preparation of
this metal which is used in Medicine - It is much used as an
escharotic - & for a long time used internally. Lately Dr [?limes]\

22.
X. The pure metal is somes given in the dose of grs: iӱ to iv.
that of the oxide is gr: ss to ij. -

23.
has employed it in Epilepsy from my own experience I
would say that it is of no use -, but it comes very highly recommended
& should therefore be tried by [any] you in any of these
distressing cases. The dose is gr ⅛ to 1/4 in the form of a pill
In making these pulls - & all other containing active articles
it is necessary, that you should be very accurate, the article
in this case should be previously dissolved in a little water & then
added to the substance selected for the purpose - in this way
it will be uniformly distributed. Dr Chapman exhibits it
in much larger doses - having given as much as grs. xviӱ in
24 hrs - but without effecting a cure - As an application to ulcers
it is much used by the surgeon - not only as an escharotic
but also as a stimulant application disposing the part touched
to cicatrize very speedily. - Platina - This is not at present
employed in Medicine. Aurum - of this I have but
little to say - The muriate is the most powerful preparation of
this article - it is exhibited in doses of gr 1/15 to 1/10th,,x Dr Clipur
praises it in the Venereal, recording numerous [crossed out] effected by
it - but on this subject I must profess my scepticism - & indeed
mercury cures this disease so certainly so satisfactorily, & so successfully
that I am by no means anxious for a new remedy.
[Zinc?] This is a semi metal - & some of its preparations are said
to be useful. The flores Zinci have been used in some of the nervous
affections, but not with much satisfaction - The White
Vitriol - has veen used in Epilepsy & Chorea Dr Barton

24

thought it was useful in Pertussis, Vit may be in some of the 25.
[latter] varied cases of that disease - the doses should be very small
It is also used in Dyspepsia - in palpitation of the heart.
The Sulph. of Zinc is also often used as an emetic where the
pulse is active - - As an injection in Gonorrhæa it is very much
employed, especially in combination with the sugar of lead -
as in the following - Rx Sacch. Sat. grs. iv Suplh. Zinci
grs. v. Laud - Ʒӱ - Aq. ℥iv. m - - by itself - grs x or xӱ
are dissolved in ℥ivӱ of water - but in the early stages of gonorrhæa
I do not like any of these preparations, mild
& antiphlogistic measures should then be followed.
Bismuth. The oxide as rather the sub. nit of Bismuth is
the preparation of this article which is employed, - In 1786
it was first employed in Germany by Dr. [illegible] & has been celebrated in gastrodynia
& in several painful affections of the stomach.
The late journals of Europe have been [crossed out] crowded with
reports of its efficacy in the cases - in this city it has not
been much employed - nor has it proved so useful & I apprehend
that when it comes to be more investigated by impartial
persons - it will be found merely - a mild mineral
tonic - The Dose is grs v. or vi. -

26
x In some cases before death the body is coursed with Petechia
& there is a sloughing [off] of the scrotum.

27
Lecture 62nd Feby 25th..
Arsenic - The regulus of arsenic is inert; when heated a high
degree it is volatilised in the form of the oxide of arsenic - By
combustion it is converted into a substance - called the arsenarius
acid - which possesses several acid properties - It is soluble
in water - crystallizes, changes vegetable blue colours.
to a green but does not neutralize the alkelics - By an additional
quantity of oxygen it is converted into a true acid called
the arsenic acid. The white oxide of arsenic is the same
with acid & is procured during the preparation of several metallic
ores. - It is sparingly soluble in water - arsenic is one
of the most active poisons we possess - in doses of grs ӱ it
produces death. Upon dissection the Stomach bears mark of
inflamn numerous black spots are seen through out at the
stomach but especially at the cardiac orifice - Jane have mentioned
instances of actual gangrene having occurred - The symptoms
produced by it are nausea, pain at the epigastric, great
thirst, difficult respiration, a sinking pulse - immense tormina
of the bowels - convulsions & death.x To prevent the action
of this article we have no article of any certain powers - In
France - many antidotes have been proposed, but they are all
too feeble. After a recovery, there remain[s] tumors, palsy, &
bloody evacuations - It is said that even the external use

28
x The dose of Fowler's Solutn is gtts: v. x. to xv. [illegible]. -

29
has produced alarming effects - [Sec] [Sauvage] - also Dr
Miller - The preparations are several - The White oxide minutely
divided has been given in the form of pills in doses of gr.
1/16th - also in the form of Fowler's min. solutn - 1 pint of
which contains 64 grs - the dose of this to an adult is gtts: x or xv.
3 times a day - child of 3 years - gtts iӱ - if one gr - qtt. i. Dr
Darwin has made a saturated solution of which the dose is
qtts. v. - The use of [this] Fowler's solution in Intermittents
has become very general - & has been the foundation of
various nostrums - I have employed it with much advantage -
but it is not always successful - In common cases
I believe that with it & the Peruvn bark - will answer,
but in typhus & debilitated cases it should not be used.
In all cases it may be used where there are no [obvious] peculiar
circumstances [it may be use] to prohibit it. To children
it may be given as the [dose of the] bark is too large & bulky [a dose] - In
another case also where the pulse is active & irregular during the
intermission, & where the bark produces headache & fever, the
arsenic comes in advantageously. It may be given during the
hot stage, and in this respect is preferable to the bark which from in
attention in the nurse is often exhibited at this period & produces much
injury - The mode of administring it is similar to the bark, except
that it must be given during the whole of the intermission.x Its
modus operandi is doubtful - Some attribute its virtues to the nausea

30.

31.
nausea which it excites, but this is by no means probable, many deny
that it has any tonic power, but as [it] effects cures, which are produced usually
by tonics, I am disposed to class it under this head. Many
prejudices have been entertained against this medicine, not only
by the vulgar - but also by physicians, these are in a great measure
subsiving - no injury results from its proper administration -
As it has proved useful in intermittents - arsenic has also been employed
in other diseases - in periodical headaches, in Rheumatism,
in this it is particularly recommended by Dr Parke of this [city].
In Hemorrhages it has been employed - In Asthma, in angina
Pectoris - also as an alternative in many chronic affections
in which mercury has failed - in many glandular swellings it
proves useful - I have employed it successfully in one case of
eruption - It enters into the composition of numerous powders
for cancer - it is recommended by Mr Home as one of the most valuable
caustics we possess: you had better read the work of Mr
Home on Cancer as it will [crossed out] enable you to distinguish between
this & after diseases. - Internally administered I believe an
effect is produced by it in cancerous affections - In the
ulcer from [illegible] - it has been recommended - this practice I
do not like, the caustic - & afterwards the [?at.] of Caticher, I prefer -
The Suplhuric acide is a mild tonic - it is chiefly
given under the form of the elixir of vitriol - The chief caution
is that it should not be too strong, it should be dropped

32.
x. There is some danger of the acid acting on the Teeth - to
prevent which it is customary to take it thro a quill - the
mouth in either case should be well rinsed after every dose,
# It has proved also very important in dyspepsia -

33.
into water & sweetened so as to be agreeable to the patient - I
usually give it in cold chamomile tea, this is very useful in all
cases of debility, so check profuse perspiration - it has been employed
in several diseases, but I think that its powers have been much overrated.
The Nitric Acid is employed in analogous cases - it
is usually given in the form of a julip. Rx. Nit. Acid. Ʒi.
Gum. Arab. Ʒӱ. Aq. ℥vi. m - secundum artum - that is let
the acid be dropped on [the] portion of the mucilage, & not on
the G. Arabic undissolved - as otherwise it would be very unequally
distributed in the mixture x - In Hepatitis this has been much employed
& at one time was thought to be equal even to mercury. At
present it is in a great measure laid aside ‡ - It has been much
used in the Venereal sore throat - I believe in these cases, all its
virtues arise from its local application it will not cure syphilis.
In old ulcers during warm weather - [a] the acide very much
diluted may be used to destroy vermin which often will collect
not withstanding all our care - The Muriatic Acid is
very analagous to these articles, & may perhaps be used in similar
cases - it has not however been much employed.
I now proceed to the consideration of another class of remedies -
the Astringents. In the language of Dr Cullen - "they are such
substances as applied to the human body, produce a contraction & condensation
in the soft solids & thereby increase their density & force of cohesion."
He compares their action to the process of tanning - but the action
of astringents on the living fibre must certainly be very different

34.

35.
from this - they do not [act] merely chemically, as we find, that they produce
effects sympathetically on remot parts: we must therefore regard them
as possessing a peculiar stimulant power. By an impression
on the stomach, they check hemorrhages. I do not agree with Heberdon,
that it is only in hemorrhages of the primæ viæ, that they are useful;
we have abundant proofs, that they prove effectual in bleedings from
other parts of the body - as we often see in those from the uterus.
In such cases it is maintained, that they are absorbed into the circulation -
but we may observe, that no such absorption was ever
shown - & even if it did take place - too small a quantity is carried
to any particular part to produce any decided effect - Astringents
possess in general either a stimulant or tonic power - from which
circumstance some have denied their existence entirely, [crossed out] classing
the individuals [of the class] under one of the above titles, but those gentlemen
do not give a sufficient latitude to their definition of tonics; to include
also the astringents - as those have several properties wholly
distinct from those of the tonics. An Astringent principle has
been much sought after, the gallic acid was for a long time, believed
to be it - but now tannin is generally considered in this light
This has not. been sufficiently investigated - it may be procured by
precipitation from any vegetable astringent by means of lime
water - The use of Astringents in the cure of disease
will be noticed under the individual articles, to which I now
proceed.

36

37.
Lecture 63rd Feby.. 27th
I place the Extt of Catecher at the head of my list of Astringents
as being on the the best examples of this class - It is often
known by the name of [the] terra Japonica. It is obtained from the
E. Indies from a plant of the species of Mimosa, - it is an extract
prepared from the wood. It is often adulterated & had
[often] therefore been condemned, as useless by many pracitioners.
It is of yellowish red colour, has a sweet bitter & astringent
taste - is very priable - It affords a black precipitate
with the salts of iron & contains 54 parts of tannin. As an
external application to some old ulcers I am very partial to it, especially
in ulcers from hubr. known often by the name of the
horse shoe ulcer - after the free use of caustics the terra japonica
produces very surprising effects. Of its internal use I have
but little experience; Dr Barton, [crossed out] has used it with columbo
in obstinate cases of intermittents - It sometimes purges -
In old gluts - in leucorrhæa in Diarrhea [crossed out] it has been considered useful
The doze is grs. xv. to ϶i. - The Tincture is sometimes used
in doses of [℥ss]. Ʒi to ℥iss. As a local application in diseases of the throat
it has been used. Kino. It is now 70 or 80 yrs, since
this was introduced by Dr Fathergill as a new remedy from
Africa. It is supposed to come from the banks of the Gambia -
& is described as a red liquor issuing from the tree

38.
x It is soluble in alcohol - also in hot & even in cold water.
# The dose of the Powder is grs: x. to ϶i. till Ʒi to Ʒiӱ. are
given daily -
[?]. It is employed internally in hemorrs & also externally
as an injection - & also on sponges - as

39.
which soon hardens. There can be no doubt, that it is often adulterated -
See what is said of this gum by Murry of Edinburgh.
Another species is produced from Holland - which
is [so], also often adulterated. The extract of the plant is the part
used & is a gum resin -x it is given in powder in infusion & [tincture]
tincture.# Dr Fathergill directed Ʒӱ to a pint of Spirits. In intermittents
Dr Barton directed it with gentian. In [Leucorrhea]
it has been employed as an injection; I have no confidence in
it in gonorrhœa - the usual formula for which is undoubtedly
too strong - it is Ʒӱ of kino - Ʒӱ alum - & ℥x of water ᴓ- 
I have employed it in diarrhæa as an ingredient in the cretaceaus
inup. as in the following Rx erct. ℥ss. The Kino
℥ss - G. Arab. Ʒӱ. Aq. ℥vi. Land. gtts Xx. m -
Dose ℥ss g. s.h. This [is] very valuable when there is much
fever or inflamn attending the diarrhæa - Pemberton
has recommended it in Cyrosis & other affections of the stomach
In diabetes it is very valuable - [Dr] grs v of Kino - with
gr. j of opium - & a diet altogether animal - will prove
very efficacious - I have known a vegetable diet -
bring on this disease - animal diet is indispensable -
Sometimes it purges - when given by itself & always when
combined with columbo. Oak bark - This is a good
Astringent - but it is perhaps not as powerful as the Kino. All
the Oaks have more or less astringency - the Spanish has
the most - & the black the least so. The dose is Ʒss to Ʒi in

40
x It has also been recommended in hemorrhages - & as an injection
in Gleet.

41
in fine powder - A decoction is also used which is preferred
by Dr Cullen - In intermittents the powder is useful - Dr
Barton has even considered it as equal to the Peruvian bark.
It is often employed as a gargle in Cynanche - the tanners
soze water is very useful in diarrhæa & as a lotion to old
ulcersˣ - In tatter it may be tried, it now & then succeeds.
I may here mention the Galls, as being found on the branches
of the oak, - although not a vegetable production - The best
Galls are heavy - knotty, & of a [bluish] reddish colour - the infusion redding
vegetable colours. They contain a large quantity of tannin - The
Aeppo galls are considered as the best. They are adabted
to all cases, in which the oak bark is useful - & I employ
them to the exclusion of the tatter - I have never employed
them in intermittents - but they have been usefully given
in doses from grs x to ℥ss with Columbo. - I have
found them most useful in the latter stages of yellow
fever & dysentery - where they have proved very valuable
they are given as in the following formula - of Aleppo
galls ℥i of cinnamon & orange pells q.s. brandy one
pt boil it to half a pint that all the alcohol may be evaporated
& give [x] ℥ss - every 2 hours. In chronic diarrhæa
this same formula will be useful - In the
form of an ointment - the galls have been used in the hemorrhoids
with advantage - also in prolapsus ani - here

42.
x. The Decoction has a sweetish taste - & will therefore be [more]
readily taken by children - which is no trifling advantage
of this article. the dose to a child three yrs: old - is ℥ss. of the
decoction - to an adult - the extract may be given in the dose
of ϶i to ϶ij. -

43.
however they have been little used of late years in this city; the
diet of rye mush as proposed by Dr Physick proving altogether
effectual - [crossed out] They have been employed in Gluts
Gonorrhæa - [Leucorrhœa] &c &c -
Hæmatoxylon Campechense - or logwood - A decoction of
this has become very fashionable in this city as an astringent -
℥i - to pt of water - ℥ӱ being given to adults every 2 hrs.
In latter stages of Cholera Morbus it is very successful
proving an agreeable tonic.ˣ The Geranium Maculatum
is a bitter & Astringent - it grows plentifully in the U.S.
It is much used in many bowel complaints by many of
our physicians - I however place but little confidence
in it - it has been too much extolled; the dose is not precise.
Black Alder or Prinos. Verticillatus. - this also possesses some bitterness & astringency -
the [illegible] is a popular remedy in many cases -
Dr Mease has recommended it, in mortification hot blisters
are far preferable - It may be tried in intermittents
where it is said to succeed - - The black berry - &
the Dew berry - the rubus villosa, & the rubus procumbens
of the Botanists. Every part of these plants is
astringent, but the root is chiefly used - a decoction of this
is made of ℥i to a pint - the dose is ℥ss - It is useful
in Dysentary & in cholera [infantum] morbus after the inflamy
symptoms have subsided - Ser Chapman recommends it
very highly & although I think it useful - yet I cannot [ge]

44.
x. It has been employed as a Tonic in Gleet - & Leucorrhea -
which are not unfrequently termed weaknesses. This however is
incorrect, as the part so far from being weak is actually performing
double duty - when there is an increased action, the powers
of the part must also be increased - certainly not diminished.

45.
agree with him as to its superiority to many others. 
The Uva Ursi - is not a mere astringent, we have already
noticed it under the head of entilithics. As an astringent it is
employed in gonorrhæa & in fluor albus, & in consumption & in
dyspepsia it has proved useful as a tonic. Dos Ʒss. to Ʒi. -
Mineral Astringents.
Iron - This in its metallic state does not appear to possess
much astringency - but it may meet with [astri] acid in the
stomach which will render it active - the proof of its astringency
has been stated, as having power to check discharges
from the bowels - but this might depend on some other
power x - The Medical virtues of this metal have been noticed
as a former occasion - Cuprum - the preparations
of this are also valuable - Solutions of the blue vitriol
are often used as callyria. -
Silver. This does not posses much power as an astringent.
Zinc - The Sulphate & Acetite of zinc are much used -
The sulphate is often employed as a collyrium & also in injections
for Gleets. The most valuable preparation of Lead is
the sugar of lead - which is a super acetite of this metal - the
true acetite is Goulard's extract. In cases of phlegmon
a solution of this mixed with a poultice is very useful. It
has been [must] employed internally - but its poisonous effects
which have been long known, have prevented its being
very generally employed. In persons employed in manufactories
of this article it produces deleterious effects -

46
x Death is not unfrequently the consequence. - at first
it is not easy to distinguish it from the other forms of [illegible]
but soon it is markedly a weakness & numbness in the hands
& feet. - It is very common in the West Indies.

47.
The countenance becomes sallow & pale - - & that dreadful complaint
is induced known by the [crossed out] names of Calica Pictonum
Jurinam Calic - dry-belly ache &c &c - persons dwelling in the
neighbourhood of lead mines are also subject to it. It begins
with a sense of weight in the abdomen - accompanied by costiveness
& slight pain - this soon becomes more severe & is finally
very violent. - The more permanent effects are palsy
of the extremities - & debility even where it terminates most
favourably x - Chaptat thinks that it is often produced by
drinking wines, which have been cleared by throwing pieces
of lead into them - & I have known it produced by [observing
bottles with shot] - the use of liquors kept in bottles which
had been cleaned by means of shot. But there are other remote
causes to this disease - Baker maintains, that it is
also produced by copper & antimony-
Lead when taken largely produces the serious effects above
mentioned - The best practice, I believe, in such cases, is to
evacuate the stomach & bowels by emetics & cathartics - caster
oil is much used in these cases. As to guarding the system I
have no confidence in any article. Dr. [?ims] states that
gr. j - accelerates the pulse, but afterwards the pulse is
depressed - It has however been taken to ϶.j. every day
for 3 days without any injurious effects.

48

49.
Lecture 64th Feby,, 28th,,
The Sacch. Saturnm. is used in many diseases. Dr Barton
employed it in abstinate intermittents - the reports on this point are
not very favourable - In Epilepsy it has been used with advantage -
in many cases suspending the attacks for a long period. Dr
Rush effected a cure with it - but it brought on the colica Pictonum -
& it should not there be employed [for a long time] - In Pertussis it
has been recommended by the English practitioners, but this will
not answer in this country. Mr Hunter advises it in Tetanus
but I think that it can be of no good - unless by exciting a disease
more powerful than the original one - It has been tried in many
cases, but with no great success. In Mania it has proved ineffectual
in every instance in which it has been tried. Whatever
views may be entertained of its stimulant power, all acknowledge,
that its effects are sooner or later, sedative - it has therefore
been recommended during an inflamed state of the bowels
Of the propriety of this I have great doubts founded both on
reason & experience - We know that the sugar of lead is irritating
to the bowels in an healthy state & no reason can be assigned why
it should [not] be so, - in a diseased state - more over we know that
it is injurious in Dysentery. Dr Barton recommends it in
Cholera Morbus & in chronic diarrhæa grs: iv: every 24 hrs: - I however think that
it should not be used in these cases, & have mentioned already

50
x. There can be no doubt that it is useful in these cases
but it is also valuable in every other form of [hemmy]
I have treated a vomiting of blood, which - I believe came
from the Liver, with success by exhibiting grs: iӱ of the
sugar of lead with gr: ss of opium -
#. This combination is very useful - especially when opium
is added - - The Ipecac: is probably useful in doing away
the stimulatg effects of the opium -
ᴓ. but I have been more successful with the Spo of
Turpentine & balsam of Copaivia -

51.
the proper remedies - In leucorrhæa [& in gonorrhea] it is either alone or
in combination - [as an injection], the proportion varying from grs ӱ to x. to the
Ʒvӱ. In Hemorrhagy it is much employed, in that from the primæ
viæ Hebroden believes it to be infallible & observes that if there
be any specific [in any disease] it is this article [in the hemors from the bowels. X. - [This is inaccurate language in the
Dr] - ˣ As an astringent it is employed in various Hemorrhagies -
& is adabted to cases where other articles are too stimulating: as in
the hemorrhagies in yellow fever - there Dr Barton gives it in very
small doses combined with gr. ss. of opium. Dr Shaw has given as much
as grs. x. in Hemoptysis - the largest dose given by Dr Barton was
grs. viӱ. I have never given more than grs. v. Dr Barton often
combined with each dose gr. i of ipecac.# In mictus cruentus it
has a good effect:Ꚛ as also in Epistaxis. - Several of the preparations
of lead are employed as local remedies. litharge mixed with
oil from the common litharge plaster - & with resins it enters
into the composition of most of our plasters - Cerusæe or
white lead is used as a powder to dent slight excariations,
its long continued use in this way is likely to prove injurious
it is also employed as a [crossed out] cosmetic - I often add Ʒi of
cerusac to ℥i of simple cerate as an ointment for burns,
in those cases where the turpentine proves too stimulating
[her] it is an admirable remedy & one which I think you
would all be pleased with. For hemorrhoids I

52.

53.
mix the cerusse into a paste with lard & add a little laudanum -
this although it does not form a very handsome mixture,
yet proves very useful -
There are few earth salts which are employed as astringents -
Alum - this is found very plentifully in every part
of our own country & also in Europe - It is a powerful
styptic & has been employed in several diseases. In intermittents
it has been celebrated even as equal to the bark -
but this far from being correct - Chalmers has recommended
it in bilious Fever - & in some of the complaints of the stomach
& bowels - as in cholera Marbus - but it can only
answer for the latter stages of these diseases. It has
been used in hemorrhagies - in hemoptysis - in hemorrhas
from the uterus In profuse Menarrhagia Dr Thomson
thinks, that there is nothing equal to it. in leucorrhæa, it
is employed externally & internally: also in Gonarrhæa
- Dr Westar was successful with it in a case of diabetes,
as a styptic it is used as a collyrium in some cases of chronic
Olphthalmia - the alum curd which has been much used in
These cases is not possessed of any peculiar properties - - With
[sage] the alum is often used as a gargle in quinsy -
Burnt alum is employed as an excharotic in fungous
ulcers. - Creta præparata is procured from the mineral
kingdom in the greatest quantity although the animal

54.

55.
kingdom furnishes it in [as] a small degree - In the form
of the cretaceous julep, Chalk is much used in bowel complaints -
as an absorbent & also as a slight astringent. In dyspepsia
it is often useful, where we do not wish to relax the bowels. In
the latter stage of dysentery it is often useful - I frequently exhibit
it in substance in combination with opium & ipecaca in
this disease after free evacuations - Rx. Cret. præpar. ℥ss. ap. grs. iv.
ipecac. grs. iv. m. it div. in pulver. viӱ. The mixture is made
by taking Cret. præpar. ℥ss. G. Arab. Ʒӱ. Laud. qtts Lx.
Pl. Menth - gtts. vj. Aq. ℥iv. m, - Of late, I have been much
in the habit of employing the oyster shells - they should be well
cleaned - & cwet finely levigated. - The Muriate of lime &
the Muriate of Barytes have been [mu] used - but I think there
are no well grounded proofs at their virtue.
Finis