MEDICAL  COMPANION
TREATING
ACCORDING TO THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE.
             OF
     THE DISEASES
  TO WHICH MAN IS SUBJECT.
         with a description of

 VEGETABLE MEDICINES,
            AND THE
  MANNER OF PREPARING AND USING THEM.
            ALSO,
 ti Description of Roots and Herbs.

         TO WHICH IS ADDED
      AN ESSAY ON HYGIA ;
„,„„„_ T„t,

     BY DR. MI0HAEL L. PRIEST.
         C-o '-Li':' '
s-W>i%
   EXETER:

PRINTED BT J. C GERRISH.
    . . 183.8. . 
 Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1838,
            BY MICHAEL L. PRIEST,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of New-Hampshire.


                 VJ3C 
AUTHOR'S  PREFACE.
   Having been repeatedly solicited for several years
 past, by many of my friends,  to publish  a short de-
 scription of my medicines  and  my practice, I have at
 last ventured to comply with their request with a de-
 sign to promote the science of botany ;  and to en-
 courage every thing that may be useful to the human
 family, on the important subject of Botanic Medicines.
 Many books have been written, which  though excel-
 lent in many respects, yet they  are far from being per-
 fect,  although the authors  have considered them per-
 fect mechanical rules to follow in all diseases.  But as
 diseases vary in different constitutions, it is necessary
 to  vary in the  administration of medicines.  The
 book  now offered to the public, has therefore the great
 advantage of having been written by  one  of long and
 successful practice, and who for years past, has turn-
 ed much of his attention to  the composition of it.
  The professed object of  this book is to treat, in the
 most  clear and concise manner, almost every disease
 to which  the  human  body is  subject;  to give their
 common names, and surest symptoms, to point out the
 cause where they originate; and the most sure meth-
 od of treatment, and  also, to  prescribe the suitable
 regimen and means of prevention.  Therefore, a pub-
 lication like this cannot be otherwise than exceedingly
 useful to those who live in  the country ; and also, to
 those  who follow the sea, where timely assistance can-
 not always be obtained.
  Other evils resulting from the want of such a work,
 constituted the motive which first led the author to of-
 fer this publication to his friends.  It is  not, however,
 for him to determine whether  it be happily executed
or not; but whatever  may be the general opinion aa
to its  merit, he has the high  satisfaction to know, 
iv
PREFACE.
that  it not only flows from the purest motives ; but al-
so, contains, a faithful relation of facts, collected prin-
cipally from his own experience, although in part se-
lected  from authors  of the greatest celebrity.  As to
language, he has not, he confesses, been over studious
of ornament.   Having  made it his prime object to con-
vey instruction,  he has employed  the  style which to
him  appeared the most familiar ;  so that  in  all cases
of disease, the patient might be directed, in the plain-
est manner possible, to appropriate remedies.
  To  have  those articles always  in readiness would
save, not only much labour and time,  as well as ex-
pense, by sending on very trivial occasions, to a  dis-
tant place, but  would  afford  to a parent or friend,
great satisfaction  ; because of the advantage 'it gives
him  over a disease, which he can  meet  with a suit i-
ble  remedy, at the first moment of its attack ;  for there
can be no doubt that thousands have perished, not be-
cause there were no  remedies, but because  the rem-
edies were so distant that the patient was  lost before
they could be procured.   For  iustance, what  num-
bers have died miserably, of the lock-jaw,  hydropho-
bia,  and  cholera, merely for the want of an  ounce of
lobelia,, with proper directions to use it.  How many
fond mothers  have hung distracted over  their child-
ren, strangling under the croup, or .dying with the col-
ic,  when they might so easily have been cured by an
emetic.  But it would be an   endless task to enume-
rate all the heart-breaking tragedies  that have taken
place in families,  merely for the want  of appropriate
remedies, for these sudden   and  alarming diseases.
It would therefore be highly commendable in all  per-
sons, in  tolerable circumstances, to keep a medicine
chest, not only for the benefit of their  own  families,
but for their sick  and  indigent neighbors, who often
suffer, and sometimes  perish, for want of proper med-
icines, seasonably administered.
  To conclude; the author, animated with these  im-
provements,   flatters   himself  that   the  Medical
Companion will not fail to be acceptable to his friends
and  to the public generally;  and under this pleasing
impression, he is prompted so submit it to their  gen-
erous patronage. 
PREFACE.
V
  Contemplating therefore the numberless diseases to
which man is liable, and which may cause him to drag
out a  protracted life of distress, or suddenly cut him
ofFin the bloom of his existence and amidst his use-
fulness, we can not but adore that divine Excellence
which has provided  us  with means, which, if rightly
employed, will counteract these dreadful effects.
  The attention, as might have been expected, to a
system which  rises in importance over all others, has
kept pace with  the general  progiess of intellectual
improvement, commanding for it the  respect and en-
couragement of enlightened people.   Il is  strange,
surprisingly strange, that so  little popular curiosity
prevails, particularly with  regard to medicine, when
the public mind is  so actively engaged upon subjects,
certainly of less moment.   Talk to the  generality of
mankind about property, and you would suppose they
were all lawyers ; but speak to them about that  which
is of far more  worth than property, namely,  their
health, and they are as  silent as mutes.  Did not ex-
perience, therefore, evince  the  fact,  we should think
it impossible, that in things of such high concern, men
could be so  preposterously  deceived.
  What can  be more   deeply  interesting,  than  in-
vestigating  and acquring the knowledge of preserv-
ing this admirable  machine ? And what more  plea-
sant and useful  than to  investigate the medical  plants
of our extensive country,  whereby we  may remedy
those painful maladies which assail the human frame'?
Were half the attention and time  which are now de-
voted to the  minor politics arising out  of party dis
sensions,  assisted by  very  little of  that over-boiling
zeal  given to the acqusition of  property, appropriated
to medical studies, it would enable  any person, of tol-
erable capacity, to practice with safety and advantage
in tho>e cases of simple disease, which  are common
to our climate, and to determine between the ' arrant
quack' and the modest and judicious physician.
  For   the want therefore  of  this medical education,
we have encouraged the success  of  empirics *  To
what t\<e can  the amazing  increase of  these crea-

  * Empiric, a dealer in quicksilver, or one who gives quicksilver for
medicine.
                   A* 
VI
PREFACE.
fares be ascribed ? Would they dare to quit the shades
of their native insignificance, if they thought they were
to encounter the blaze of criticism ; or to be inspected
and scrutinized by the torch of truth ? No: the ter-
rors of such a process,  would exterminate the race, or
leave to them  only a  " beggarly account of  empty
boxes."
  We  repeat, that empirics are nurtured and sustain-
ed exclusively by the prejudices of mankind in their
favour, arising from  their inability to  judge rightly of
their merits.  For can  it be  presumed  that, any one
acquainted with the subject, would repose the lightest
confidence in the nostrumsof the popular practitioner?
  Who can believe, that these  nostrums, as is gene-
rally asserted  by their proprietors, are  applicable
equally to  a variety of diseases,  as opposite to each
other as the poles 1 And that, too, under every differ-
ence of age, constitution, temperament,  habit, season,
and  climate.  But candour, must  still  allow that the
empiric strengthens, in some degree, his credit with
the public, by sometimes performing great and impos-
ing cures.   Such  instances, however,  of  occasional
success,  bring  with them  no  solid  claims to confi-
dence.  They  are,  indeed, calculated to excite dis-
trust when properly viewed ; their cures, which are
few  are alone registered and promulgated ; nothing
is ever said of  the failures, or  the deaths  produced ;
no regular and impartial account is kept,  nor any
striking adjustment  of balances.   But,  what must be
the fatality  of a  practice  conducted  in  a way  so
rashly indiscriminate,   without  the  guide  of  either
ther principle or experience ? The nostrums employ-
ed are uniformly composed of ingredients of the min-
eral poisons, as arsenic, corrosive sublimate, calomel,
&c. which can  never be neutral in their operations ;
and  whenever administered, they  cannot be attended
but with bad effects.
  In  describing disease, I  have  attended chiefly to
Ewell, and Buchan,  who are correct in the descrip-
tion  of diseases  ; though very far from  being correct
in their manner of administering medicines  to the
sick and distressed.
  In many  places,  mention is made of a " regular
course of medicine ;" this  always  means,  the  bath, 
PREFACE.
vit
emetic, and injection, as this book describes.  It may
be proper to observe here, that in using the emetic in
almost all  cases, it  is a  safe  and sure  remedy,  as
it never causes  cramp, colic,  nor convulsions.  We
should begin with the smallest doses, increasing them
gradually, until the quantity, suited to the strength of
the constitution, be  discovered ; for there are instanc-
es of constitutions, on which one fourth of what would
not affect others, will act  powerfully,  as  the  system
speedily  accommodates itself to the  action of  med-
icines.
  The vapour bath, of about the temperature  of  the
blood, has very  great advantages without being liable
to so many objections.  Some, indeed, tell us that it
weakens the body,  but  so far  from  doing so,  it may
justly be considered as one of the most powerful and
universal restoratives  with which  we are acquainted.
Instead of heating, it  cools the body, diminishes  the
pulse and takes off its  unnatural quickness, according
to ihe length  of time the bath is continued.  Hence
vapor balhs, are of great  service, when  Ihe body  has
been overheated, from whatever cause,  whether by
severe bodily, or mental exercise.   In all these cases,
its  happy composing  recuperative virtues seem to be
owing to  its tendency to promote  perspiration  and to
relax spasms.
  Vapour bath can hardly be sufficiently commended
for its sovereign effects in promoting cleanliness ; and
consequently, for  curing all  diseases of obstructed
perspiration from  foul skin.  I  cannot  dismiss this
important subject, without earnestly  recommending
to gentlemen,  to provide for the use of their families,
convenient  vapor baths,  as not only one of the great-
est luxuries, but the best preservatives of health.
  It is essential to health, luxuriously, to refresh  the
person, bv washing off the impurities  of the skin;
and equal"care should be  taken to remove all filth  out
of the chambers of the sick, and frequently to change
their linen and bedclothes, which when saturated with
foetid,  perspirable  matter, must  prove extremely  un-
pleasant and hurtful to the patient. 
 
MEDICAL   COMPANION
                  OF FOOD.

   For this, the watchful appetite was given,
   Daily with fresh materials to repair
   This unavoidable expense of life,
   This necessary waste of flesh and blood.
   " Hence, the concoctive powers, with various art.
   Subdue the cruder aliments to chyle,
   The chyle to blood ;  the foamy purple tide
   To liquors, which through finer arteries
   To different parts their winding course pursue ;
   To try new changes, and  new forms put on,
   Or for the public, or some private ube."—[Armstrong,

  It is in infancy and early  age, that the foundation is
laid for the  many  diseases  arising from  indigestion,
found  in almost every family.    If children be fed im-
moderately,  the first passages become too much dis-
tended, and  the stomach by degrees acquires an un-
natural craving for  food, which  must be satisfied,
whatever be the consequence.   These excessive sup-
plies are not only unnecessary, but produce the  most
serious and fatal disorders.   There is a certain rela-
tion subsisting  between what is taken in,  and what is
lost by the body.   If we eat  and  drink  much, we
likewise lose  much, without  gaining any more by it
than we might do by moderate meals.
  Eating  too  little retards  the growth, and eventually
diminishes the digestive power of the stomach.   Na-
ture is easily satisfied ; and is  always best provided
for, if we do not obtrude upon her more than she  is ac-
customed to.   If  we have for some time taken little
nourishment, nature becomes so habituated to it, that
we feel indisposed as soon as  the  usual measure  is
transgressed ; and both the stomach and  its digestive 
ro
MEDICAL  COMPANION^
 powers  are thereby impaired.  It would be  impossi-
ble to lay down fixed rules whereby to determine the
 salubrity or insalubrity of aliments, with respect to the
 individual.   Experience is indeed our chief guide up-
 on this subject ; for such  is the peculiarity of consti-
 tutions that the same  article, which will nourish  and
 perfectly agree with one  person,  wonld prove highly
 pernicious to another.  There are, however, articles
 of diet obviously improper to every one, which, though
 they may not  manifest their ill effects immediately,
 yet neverthless, undermine and break down, by gradu-
 al operation, the vigour of our systems, and entail up-
 on us with  certainty a train of chronic  disorders, of
 all others the most  troublesome and difficult to  cure.
 The articles of this  description are all high seasoned
 dishes, and those which are composed of a great va-
 riety of ingredients.   People in health require no  ex-
 citement to the relish of  good and wholesome meat,
 and to those in  the opposite state, the luxuries of  the
 table  are poison.
 ^ It is an old saying, " that good laws have their ori-
 gin from the bad manners  and evil  way of living in
 that people for whom they are made," from which wc
 may  conclude,  that  the  Romans were a  people  ex-
 ceedingly addicted to  all kind  of luxury, inasmuch
 as they enacted so many  laws to repress their prone-
 ness  to the practice of this  vice.   Yet all these  were
ineffectual.   For according as their riches  increased,
 so also did their vices increase ; till at last, in a mon-
struous sensuality, they extinguished  even the last  re-
mains  of their  primitive virtue.   This example hath
since  been followed  to a pernicious  extent in every
civilized  country.

  " The sad effects of luxury are these ;
  We drink our  poison,  and-we eat disease.
  Not so, O Temperance bland! when ruled by'thee,
  The brute's obedient, and the man is free ;
  Soft are his slumbers, balmy is his rest,
  His veins, not  boiling from the midnight feast.
  JTis to thy rules, bright Temperance! we owe
  All pleasures which from strength and health  can flow." 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
11
  Temperance in meat, drink,  and  pleasures, is the
great support of nature, and will prevent weary days
and  wakeful nights, the common  effects  of  rioting
and drunkenness.   There needs no greater  commend-
ation of  a sober life, than, that all men covet to be so
reputed,  though  strangers to  the practice  of it.  For,
what is a  drunkard or a glutton fit, but to make a tub
to hold wash and grains for swine, or a reservatory for
poisonous offal? His belly is his god! and  he glories  in
his shame ; is despised by all sober men as incapable
of business, and unfit  to  be trusted.  So much care
and time is employed in making provision for the sto-
mach, that a minute can not be spared for  other mat-
ters, and when that is  crammed, he is unfit for every
thing but  sleep.   In  drink,  men  traduce or betray
their best friends ; and, if slander be not the topic, out
comes  a  secret to make room for  another bottle.—
Against which vices, sobriety and temperance are the
only  antidote, giving men reputation, preventing and
curing diseases, lengthening the thread of  life  to the
utmost period.
   There are three kinds of appetite ; first,  the natural
appetite, which  is equally stimulated and satisfied with
the most simple dish, as with the most palatable.  Se-
cond, the artificial appetite, or that excited  by  bitters,
spirits, pickles,  and other condiments,  which remains
only as long as the operation of these stimulants con-
tinue ;  third, the habitual appetite, or that by which
we accustom ourselves to take victuals at certain hours,
and  frequently without any appetite.   Longing for  a
particular food is  likewise a kind of false  appetite.
   By the true and healthy appetite alone,  can we as-
certain the quantity of aliment proper for the individ-
ual.   If, in that state,  we no longer relish a common
xlish, it is a certain criterion of its disagreeing with our
digestive .organs.   If after dinner,  we  feel  ourselves
as cheerful as before it,  we  may be assured that we
have taken a  proper meal ; for if the proper measure
be exceeded,  torpor will ensue, with indigestion, and
a variety of unpleasant  complaints. 
12
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
  The stomach being too much distended by frequent
indulgence,  will  not rest satisfied  with  the  former
quantity of food ; its advidity will increase with  ex-
cess, and  temperance alone can  reduce it to its natu-
ral state, and restore its elasticity.   Fulness of blood
and corpulency, are the  disagreeable effects of glut-
tony ;  which  progressively relaxes  the stomach,  and
punishes the offender with headach,  fever,  diarrhoea,
and sometimes sudden death.
  The diet ought not only to be such as is best adapt-
ed to the  constitution, but likewise to be taken at reg-
ular periods ;  for long fasting is hurtful at any stage of
life.   All great and sudden changes of diet are  univer-
sally dangerous, particularly from  a  rich and full  diet
to a low and sparing one.  When therefore a  change
becomes necessary, it ought always to be made by
degrees.
   When a person has suffered much from extreme
hunger,  much food  must not be given him at once.
By full feeding, thousands long starved at sea,  have
been destroyed  at  once.   Such  persons  should be
supplied with liquid food, and that sparingly.
   As  soon  as the food has  entered the stomach, the
important office of  digestion begins.  The vigour of
the organs exerted on this occasion, ought certainly
not to be abridged  by violent exercise ;  but muscular
and robust people feel no inconvenience from  gentle
motion about one hour after  the  heaviest meal.   But
as the whole process of  digestion  is of much longer
duration  than is generally  imagined,  the afternoon
hours cannot be  employed so  advantageously to health
 in any labour requiring strong  exertions.
   In violent  exercise, or an increased state of perspi-
 ration, the fluids are  propelled to  the external parts,
 and withdrawn from the stomach, where  they are in-
 dispensable to assist the proper concoction.
   Exclusive of the quantity and quality of food, great
 attention should  be paid to the kind of it,  in  particu-
 lar  constitutions.  Animal  food in  general, is more
 nourishing than vegetable, and when fresh,  is likewise 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
13
more easy of digestion.  On this  account it generally
agrees better with delicate constitutions.
  With regard to our food, however, in  quantity and
quality, it should be properly proportioned to our ex-
ercise.   The labourer, who is perpetually toiling from
morning till night, could not subsist on food  appropri-
ated to those who pursue not the severest exercises of
the body ;  his diet must be of the coarser kind, such
as salted meats, or fish, cheese, corn, bread, potatoes,
and these in pretty  large  quantities.  On the whole,
it will be found to be the safest,  both in; health, and
sickness, to regulate  our diet with  simplicity ; ever
bearing in mind, that  a preference is to  be given to
such articles as our personal knowledge has demon-
strated to be the  most congenial  to our  constitutions
and habits.
   Nature has appointed milk for the  food of children ;
because on  account of their growth, they require much
nourishment.   From  this circumstance we may also
conclude, that milk is easily digested by healthy stom-
achs, since at the early  age  of children, the digestive
powers are but feeble ; and hence it is of  service to
persons enfeebled by dissipation,  or disease. Yet milk
is not a proper food  for the debilitated  in all cases ;
nay, under  some circumstances,  it may even be hurt-
ful.  It does not, for instance, agree with hypochon-
driacs ; as it  occasions  cramp in the stomach,  heart-
burn, colic, or diarrhoea.  Frebrile patients,  whose
 weak organs of digestion do  not admit  of nutritious
food, and whose preternatural heat  wxmld  too  easily
change the milk into a rancid mass,  must abstain from
 it altogether.   With these exceptions, milk is  an ex-
 cellent species of diet, generally of easy  digestion, in-
 somuch, that persons much reduced in bodily vigour,
have been cured  by the use of milk only.
    Cheese, being  made  of the  tough part of milk, is
 difficult of digestion, and  should be used with caution,
 except  by the hearty and laborious.
    Eggs, when fresh and soft-boiled, are as wholesome
 as they are delicious  ; but, when hard-boiled,.are indi- 
14
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
 gestible, and when corrupt or tainted, have occasioned
 violent purging, vomiting, and putrid fevers.
   Fish, in general, are less nourishing than animal food,
 though they are not difficult  of digestion, while in  a
 fresh state.  Salt water fish  are perhaps the best of
 any, as their flesh is more solid, more agreeable  and
 healthy, less exposed to putrescency,  and less viscid.
 Fresh water fish should lie in strong salt and water an
 hour   before  they   are dressed,  otherwise the mud
 flavour is very apt to nauseate weak stomachs.
   Lobsters, when quite fresh, are excellent food ; but
 if tainted, are no better than poison.   The inhabitants
 of inland towns, cannot be too cautious in the use of
 them.
   Oysters, when raw, are easily digested,  and may
 be eaten with great  advantage, even by the weak and
 consumptive.   If eaten in any quantity, they produce
 laxative effects ; hence they afford an  excellent sup-
 per to those liable to costiveness-
  Poultry, such as  chickens and  turkeys, furnish  a
 most valuable aliment.
  Beef, pork, and  bacon, without saltpetre,  yield a
 copious and permanent nourishment ; and when taken
 in small quantities,  agree well with all  stomachs and
 constitutions.
   Sausages are a substantial kind of nourishment, but
 require strong  stomachs to  digest them.  The same
 may be said  of blood-sausages, usually called  black-
 puddings.
  Bread,  the staff of life, is very properly eaten with
 animal food, to correct the disposition to putrescency ;
 but is most  expedient with such  articles in  diet as
 contain much nourishment in a small bulk, because it
then serves to give the stomach a proper degree of ex-
 pansion.   To render bread easy of digestion, it ought
 to be well fermented.   To persons troubled with flat-
 ulency and indigestion,  all pastry whatever is unwhol-
some,  frequently producing  dangerous colics and ob-
 structions . 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
15
  Fruit in general possesses strong resolvent powers,
and is the more beneficial as it comes to maturity at a
time when the body is relaxed by the heat of summer,
and when the blood has a strong tendency to inflam-
mation.   It is  besides of great service  in  attenuating
the thick  bilious  impurities collected during the sum-
mer,  and evacuating them  by  its laxative virtues.
The acid contained in most kinds of fruit,  is as useful
to quench thirst as to resist  putrefaction.   In  weak
stomachs, however, or such as are filled with impuri-
ties and slime,  it  is apt to ferment and  occasion  some
inconvenience  ; but this may be avoided by a tempe-
rate  use.  It is  most wholesome when eaten  on an
empty stomach, which can exert  all its power to  ex-
pel the air disengaged from it, and to remove it before
it begins to ferment.   Boiling, as  well as drying, cor-
rects the flatulent tendency of fresh fruit, so that thus
prepared, it will agree with almost all stomachs.
                    BUTTER.

   Butter, though a good article of diet, may be used
too freely ;  and in this country, I  am convinced, that
is the case.   To weak stomachs it is hurtful, even  in
small quantities ; and when used freely, it proves pre-
judicial to the strongest.
   Butter, like other things of an oily nature, has a con-
stant tendency to turn rancid.  This process,  by the
heat of the stomach, is greatly accelerated, insomuch
that many people, soon after, complain of its rising in
the stomach, in a state highly disagreeable.  Oils of ev-
ery kind are with difficulty mixed with watery fluid.
This is the reason why butter floats in  the stomach,
and rises in such an unpleasant manner.  Persons af-
flicted with bile should use butter very sparingly.
   Some sceptical authors doubt  whether  aliment  of
any kind has an effect on the bile.   One thing, how-
ever, is certain, that many  patients, afflicted  with 
16
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
complaints which were supposed to be occasioned by
bile, have been completely cured by a total abstinence
from butter.  The most violent bilious complaints that
I ever met with, were evidently occasioned by food that
became rancid on the stomach, as the cholera-morbus
and the like, nor can such complaints be cured, till the
rancid matter  is totally evacuated by  vomiting and
purging.
   Children, without exception, are disposed to diseas-
es arising from relaxation.  Butter,  of course, ought
to be given them with a sparing hand.   But is this the
case ? By no means ;—bread and butter constitutes a
great part of the food  of children ; and I  am convinc-
ed that the gross humours with which  they are  fre-
quently troubled are  partly  owing to  this food, as
children  abound with moisture, bread alone, generally
speaking, is better for them than bread and butter.
              VEGETABLE DIET.

  The most obstinate scurvy has often been cured by
a vegetable diet.   Nay, milk alone, will frequently do
as much in that disease as any medicine,
  Tea.—Much has  been said on the ill effects of tea
in diet ; they are no doubt numerous, but they proceed
rather from the imprudent use of it, than from any bad
qualities  in the tea itself.   Tea  is now universally
drank in this  part of the world, but the morning  is
surely the  most improper time of the day for  drink-
ing  it.   Most  delicate  persons, who, by  the  bye,
are  the greatest tea-drinkers, cannot  eat any thing  in
the  morning; if such persons, after fasting ten or twelve
hours, drink four or five cups of green tea without eat-
ing  but little bread, it must hurt them.  Good tea, ta-
ken in a moderate quantity, not too strong,  nor too hot,
nor taken  upon an  empty  stomach, will seldom do
harm ;but if it be bad, which is often the case, or sub-
stituted  in  the room of solid food, it must have manv
ill effects.                                   '  "'  * 
MEDICAL COMPANION.             17
   Coffee promotes digestion, and exhilarates the  ani-
mal spirits  ;  but an excessive use of  it, like tea, af-
fects the nerves, occasions watchfulness, and trembling
of the hands.   As possessing excellent antispasmodic
virtues, it is a favourite beverage with  the hypochon-
driac and hysteric.

   Chocolate is nutricious and wholesome,  if taken in
small quantity ; but to the corpulent and weak, partic-
ularly those with  whom a vegetable diet disagrees, it
is  generally hurtful.
                ON EXERCISE.

   * To die,' says  Dr. Johnson, ' is the fate of Tman,'
but to die with lingering anguish, is  generally his own
folly.   Inactivity never fails to induce  an universal
relaxation of the contractive fibres.  When these fibres
are relaxed, neither the digestion, the circulation, nor
the general peristaltic motion  can be duly performed.
It is absolutely impossible to  enjoy  health, where the
perspiration is not duly  carried on ;  and that can nev-
er be the case, where exercise is  neglected.   Action
is essential to the well-being of the body  ; the univer-
sal experience of mankind  attest this truth.   Those
exempted from the necessity of labour by wealth, seek
exercise in  sports or games.
   " Love labour," cried  a Philosopher,  " if you do
not want it for food, you may for physic."  The idle
man is more perplexed  what to do, than the industri-
ous in  doing  what he ought.    Action keeps  the soul
in constant health  ; but  idleness corrupts and rusts the
mind.
   A gentleman under close confinement in the Bastilc
seven years, amused himself in scattering a few small
pins about his  chamber, gathering them up again, and
placing them in different figures en the arm of a great
chair.   He often  told  his friends, afterwards, that he 
18            MEDICAL COMPANION.

verily believed he should have lost his senses, but for
this exercise.
                   OF SLEEP.

    " Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy Sleep,"
Cannot be dispensed with.  It introduces a most wel-
come vacation for the soul and the  body.  The exer-
cises of the brain and the labours of the hands,  are at
once discontinued ; so that the weary limbs repair their
exhausted vigour, while the pensive thoughts drop their
load of sorrows, and the. busy ones rest  from the fa-
tigue of application.   Most reviving cordial!  Equally
beneficial to our animal and intellectual powers,  Since
sleep  is so absolutely  necessary, so inestimably valua-
ble, it plainly shows what a  fine apparatus Almighty
Goodness has made to accommodate us with the balmy
blessing.   With  how kind  a precaution he removes
whatever might obstruct  its access, or impede  its in-
fluence !  He draws around us the curtain of darkness,
which inclines to drowsiness,  and conceals every ob-
ject  that  might too  strongly agitate the senses.  He
conveys peace into our apartments and imposes silence
on the whole creation.  May we not discern in this
gracious disposition of things,  the tender cares  of an
affectionate  mother, who  hushes every noise,  and ex-
cludes every disturbance,  where she has laid the child
of her love to  rest ?  So,  by such soothing  circum-
stances and  gentle working opiates, he giveth to  his
beloved,  sleep.    Moderate sleeping is  certainly one
of the greatest benefits in  nature, without which, there
is an utter impossibility to preserve the body in health,
or the mind in  its due force and vigour.   It  is the
best medicine to  wearied limbs  ; an  antidote against
distracting cares, and the great comforter  under trou-
ble and discontent.   It stills  the seaman, though  the
storm be high, and frees the  captive from his weighti-
est chains..  It.stops the mouth of want, cures diseas- 
MEDICAL COMPANION.
19
es, gives ease in  pain, makes  us  cheerfully bear the
fatigues of a busy life, is a blessing denied to pompous
courts, and to be found in an humble cottage.
  Excess of sleep is not less prejudicial to health than
the want of it.   The whole body  sinking gradually in-
to a complete state of inactivity, the solid  parts be-
come relaxed, the blood circulates slowly, and remains
particularly long in the head ; perspiration  is  disor-
dered, the body increases in fat, and rendered incapa-
ble of mental exertion, the memory is enfeebled, and
the  unhappy sleeper falls into  a lethargic state,  by
which his sensibility is, in a great  measure, destroyed.
   Sleep immediately after supper, is apt to occasion
the night-mare or a stagnation of the blood, which, by
its  pressure, produces the  sensation or  idea of this
troublesome bed-fellow.   It is principally the nervous,
the debilitated, and  those  of  an  impaired  digestion,
who are visited by such terrific dreams.
   The proper duration of sleep, in  youth and adults,
is usually settled at seven or eight hours ;  in children,
and the aged, from eight to nine hours.   The more
bodily weakness we feel,  the  more we may  indulge
 in sleep, provided it be refreshing.  If people in a state
 of health be perfectly  cheerful  in  mind  and body,
 when they awake, this is a most  certain  criterion that
 they have slept sufficiently,
             AGUE AND  FEVER.

  I now come upon Intermittent or Ague and Fever ;
a fever which has, periodically, a clear intermission,
alternating with  a return of its paroxysms.   From
the length of time between the fits, the species of fe-
ver are distinguished and named.   Thus, if the  fit re-
turns every day, it is termed quotidian ; if every third,
a tertian ; if every fourth, a quarten.   The ague com-
mences with weakness, frequent stretching, and yawn-
ing, succeeded by sensations of cold in the back and 
20           MEDICAL COMPANION.

extremities,  which  increases, until the limbs as well
as the body become  agitated with frequent and violent
shivering.  This continues for  some time,during which
a violent pain of the head and back, and a sensation
resembling a stricture across  the stomach, frequently
distress the patient ; and the  sense of  coldness is so
great that his  endeavours to obtain warmth are  not of
the  least avail.  These symptoms, subsiding by de-
grees,  give  way finally  to warm flushings, which in-
crease until redness and heat,  much greater than natu-
ral, are extended over the whole body ; the patient at
length burning with extreme heat, so as to be now as so-
licitous for the refreshing sensation of cold,  as he was
before anxious  to  mitigate its violence.  After these
symptoms  have existed for some time,  they gradually
decline ; the thirst goes  off, the skin  is  relaxed,  and a
moisture breaks out on the head, which  soon becomes
general and profuse ; then it slowly  abates, till  it en-
tirely ceases.

   Causes.   The remote causes of ague or autumnal
fever are, first the effluvia which arises  from marshes
or moist grounds, acted on by heat.   Secondly,  cold,
especially when accompanied by moisture,  which will
necessarily act with more certainty, if a predisposition
may be induced by  living too sparingly, or on trashy
food, excessive  fatigue, impeded perspiration, preced-
ing disease, indulgence  in  spirituous  liquors ; and  in
fine, by whatever tends to weaken the system and im-
poverish the blood.   Hence the poor are  more  sub-
ject to the disease than the rich.

   Treatment  in the cure of the different symptoms of
this disease.  Much  the same  plan may be followed
for the cure of this disease as in the former symptoms.
The patient should be carried through  a regular course
of medicine,  repeating it  every other day, until  the
disease is removed.   The bath should  be administer-
ed daily ; the powders to be given three times a day.
In the mean time, strict attention must be paid to the 
Medical  companion.            2l
habit  of the body ; for in vain shall we expect to cure
mtermittants,if the bowels be not kept open and the skin
moist.  If the  patient be  troubled  with costiveness,
the family pill should be administered ; if the patient
is thirsty,  he  should drink freely  of peroly-tea.  I
never knew this method to fail of a cure.
       REMITTANT BILIOUS FEVER.

   Symptoms.—In this fever there is  a remission or
abatement of its violence,  but not a total cessation.
Like other fevers, it commences with  a sense of cold-
ness and shivering, accompanied  by violent  pains in
the head and back, great dejection of spirits, sickness
at the stomach, giddiness,  loss of strength,  and diffi-
culty of breathing.  The cold stage is succeded by a
considerable degree of heat ; the pulse, which  in the
cold fit is small and quick,  becomes  full,  but  abates
not of its quickness.   The pain of the head and back
increases,  and the nausea is  augmented, frequently
terminating in  copious  vomiting  of bile.    These
symptoms  continuing,  the  skin,  which had  hitherto
been hot and dry,  becomes moist.   Soon after this,
the symptoms abate, and sometimes cease entirely,—
the patient flatters  himself with  the  hopes of  health
speedily returning—but, alas  !  these pleasing illusions
are soon dissipated by another attack,  which conies on
with  increased  violence ;  and  if the fever  be not
checked by means early employed and sufficiently pow-
erful, a constant delirium and restlessness takes  place ;
the discharges  become very offensive, succeeded by
twitching of the tendons, profuse clammy  sweats and
convulsions, which soon terminate in  death.

   Cause of the remittant, Bilious  Fevers.—Fevers
Rre produced from the  same causes, which induce in-
termittants, but acting here in a more powerful man*
rjer,   Like them, they are  more  prevalent  in the 
22
MEDICAL COMPANION.
months of August,  September,  and  October, when
heat and moisture combine  to  hasten  the corruption
of animal and vegetable  substances, and  impregnate
the air with noxious exhalations.

   Treatment.—In  the cure  of this fever, all our ef-
forts should be made to bring the remission to a com-
plete intermission ; and this  is  to be effected by pow-
erful emetics, injection and steam, and  with such med-
icines as have a tendency to solicit the  circulation of
the fluids to the  surface.  Hence, on the commence-
ment of the  disease,  when there exists  much  pain
in the head, with a hard and quick pulse, to  evacuate
the first passages of their impure  contents  is always
necessary ; and  this is best done  with senna and mus-
tard.   Half an  ounce  of mustard seed, and  half an
ounce  of senna, steeped in a  pint of water,  to be given
in small quantities, until it operates.
  Great   attention  should  be  paid  to the state of
the bowels, which is always necessary, because of the
constant disposition to accumulate bile.   If a looseness
attends the patient, injections should be administered,
and physic dispensed  with.   The vapor bath also ad-
mirably promotes perspiration,  by relaxing the skin,
and taking off the stricture of  the vessels  ; it  conse-
quently should  always be used.   If a box can not be
procured,  the patient might stand over  a  tub  of hot
water,  with an addition to it of  hot stones ^the bigness
of a two quart pitcher, for fifteen minutes or more,
with a blanket over him.  If the patient is  too languid to
stand over a tub, the extremities should  be immersed
in warm water, at least once a day.  The temperature
of the bath, should be regulated by the feelings  of the
patient, and that which effects  these  most agreeably,
should be preferred.

  The cold effusion, by throwing  cold water over the
patient, or sponging the body with vinegar  and  water,
has  been attended with  the  best  effects  in warm  cli-
mates, particularly if the  application be  made  during 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
23
the height of the paroxysm, when the head is generally
affected.

   During this general treatment, particular symptoms
will  require  attention.    The headach,  for  example,
which so frequently accompanies this fever, is to be
treated by applying to the head, cloths  wrung out of
cold vinegar and water, often repeated, until the mala-
dy is removed.

   On the decline of this fever,  patients are sometimes
troubled with night sweats; to relieve which, gentle ex-
ercise in fresh air, and the valerian powder is  proper.

   Regimen.—With respect  to regimen, the food and
drink should be varied,  and adapted to the taste of the
patient.  Nature, perhaps, generally takes care that no
error shall be committed in  that way ; during the con-
tinuance of this disease.  The patient is seldom  per-
suaded to swallow any thing but  liquids, during  the
prevalence of the  fever,  and if he  should have an in-
clination for  something  more solid, arrow-root, sago,
corn, or rice-gruel, custards, roasted apples, oranges,
grapes, or other mild ripe fruits,  are all that should be
allowed.  To allay the thirst, rice water, apple water,
or cold spring water, molasses  and water, raspberry,
or currant-jelly, dissolved in  water, may be given with
great benefit, in frequent but small quantities ; these
cooling drinks not only quench thirst, but also tend to
excite perspiration.  Washing  the face  and hands of
the patient from  time to time with vinegar and water,
is always refreshing.  The room should be somewhat
darkened, and  kept  moderately  cool, by a constant
succession of fresh air ; taking care, however, that the
current of wind  is not immediately directed to the pa-
tient, the  covering  of the bed ought to  be such as  is
found most comfortable, and the body kept, as nearly as
possible, at rest.  When the fever subsides, and the pa-
tient regains a desire for food,  it will be best, in addi-
tion to the mild articles of diet already mentioned,  to
begin  with new laid eggs boiled soft, soup with vege- 
24            MEDICAL COMPANION.
tables, raw oysters, and broiled salt pork; resuming his
usual diet gradually as he finds his health return.
   To  keep up the  tone  of the  system,  a moderate
use of the stomach drops, or peach cordial, or bitters
will be proper.  At the same time paying due attention
to cleanliness and exercise.   Thus  have I detailed, in
the clearest manner, according to my  experience, the
best curative means of this the most prevalent and dan-
gerous of all maladies.   It  is however much easier to
prevent than cure diseases.   And in order  to the first,
I  will point out  the general means which  have been
found 'conducive to this great end, and which constant
experience has sanctioned.

   Prevention.—To obviate the attack of summer and
autumnal fevers, we should intercept  their causes, or
guard the habit as much as  possible  against their in-
fluence.
   Therefore, on visiting a warm climate where any ep-
idemic prevails, the first step is to prepare the system
as much as possible, for  the unavoidable change it is
about to undergo  ;  and this  preparation consists  in liv-
ing temperately, and by cleansing the system with a
regular course  of medicine, and taking every  other
night, or oftener, two  or three pills, to increase the
discharge by the bowels.   In the mean time, an im-
prudent exposure to the heat of the sun, or night air,
should be strictly avoided.
   Hard  drinking is  another cause  of disease, which
should be carefully  guarded against in warm climates,
although there has been much of a reform within  a few
years, yet this  admonition  may be of importance to
seamen, who of all others' are, perhaps, the most inat-
tentive to health.   The same admonition   applies to
their sleeping on deck during the night, or in a state of
intoxication, which, by suddenly checking copious per-
spiration, seldom fails to bring on disease.
   Flannel worn next to the skin is one of the best pre-
servatives of health.   Many people, indeed, clamour
against  it, as  tending  to debilitate, because it creates 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
25
perspiration ; but this is altogether a silly prejudice, as
mild perspiration, or a soft skin, so far from being hurt-
ful, is the very habit of health.   It preserves a proper
medium  of temperature, by absorbing the excessive
moisture from the body during the  day, and  by pre-
venting the effects of the cold and damp air at night.
   Cleanliness, both in our persons  and apartments, is so
essential to health, as to form a leading consideration
in all our views of  that first of blessings.   The  ne-
glect of this, not only renders a man loathsome and of-
fensive to himself, but gives rise  to many of our most
inveterate and fatal diseases.,
   In like manner, we must have  regard  to a proper
regulation of  diet ; which  consists in preserving  the
happy mean between long  fasting on the one hand,
and immoderate eating on the other.    Such are the
general  means for  preserving health and preventing
disease ; the chief point is  to avoid the exciting cause.
              NERVOUS FEVER.

  The  fevers already described, and indeed  all  dis-
eases, attended with a considerable degree  of morbid
heat, affect in  some measure the nervous system ; but
in this particular species, the  nervous system is more
violently affected,  than in any other.   When a fever  is
once produced,  from whatever  cause, it seldom fails,
by long continuance,  to occasion  all the  symptoms
which appear  in the nervous or malignant fever.
  This  fever has been described, by different  authors,
under various names.   The  typhus, or nervous  fever,
the slow fever, the gaol fever,  the hospital fever, the
ship fever, the  petichial fever, the  putrid fever,  and
the malignant fever. 
26
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
   The first appellation, it receives from  its attacking
 the  brain, and  from  the effects it produces  on the
 nervous system.  The  second, from  the slow and
 gradual manner in which it sometimes attacks.   Third,
 fourth, and fifth, from their being apt to arise in gaols,
 hospitals, and ships,  where numbers of men are crow-
 ded together; and where sufficient care  is not taken
 to have such places  well ventilated and cleaned.  The
 sixth,  from certain spots,  which sometimes appear on
 the skin of the patient, labouring  under this disease.
 The seventh, from  a  putrid state, or tendency,  sup-
 posed  to take place,  in the  fluids.   And  the last, from
 the dangerous nature and malignity  of the  fever ; but
 they are all one and the same disease, variously modifi-
 ed, according to the violence of the symptoms, and the
 different constitutions of the patients.


   Symptoms.—The  symptoms  commonly  vary more
 in this  than any other fever.  It  sometimes  creeps on
 in such a slow insidious  manner, that the patient  will
 have suffered the disease  to make  considerable pro-
 gress,  before he thinks it necessary to use  any reme-
 dies.  On other occasions, it comes on  with  a great
 degree of rapidity,  and with many of the  symptoms
 common to all fevers.   Thus, it commences with alter-
 nate sensations of heat and  cold;  a want of appetite,
 nausea, and occasional vomiting.   These are follow-
 ed by some confusion of  the head,  a  sense of weak-
 ness, dejection of spirits, tremor of the hands,  and
 frequent  sighing,  without  knowing the cause.   At
 this  stage the  pulse  is  irregular, sometimes  a little
 quicker, and at other times at about the natural stand-
 ard.   A dull and heavy  pain,  with a sense of cold-
 ness, possesses the back part of the head in  some;  and
 in others, a pain in the orbit of one eye.

  These symptoms gradually increasing, the pulse be-
comes  smaller and at the same time quicker, while  the 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.            27
arteries of the temples and neck beat with additional
force.   The patient is generally more restless towards
night ; the breathing is somewhat difficult, and very
little refreshment is obtained, from his short and dis-
turbed slumbers.   During  these  symptoms, the pa-
tient often utters vague and  unconnected sentences,
and not unfrequently deafness supervenes,  and the pu-
pils of the eyes enlarge.  As the disease advances, the
hands tremble, so as to prevent his  guiding them  to
his  mouth ;  the  fingers are in constant motion ; the
tongue becomes dry, of a  dark colour, and trembles
when attempted to  be  put out ;  and  sometimes the
gums  and  lips are covered with a  dark viscid sub-
stance.  To these succeed stupor, cold clammy sweats,
with a  fcetid smell, hickup, and twitching of the ten-
dons,  together with an involuntary discharge of the
excrements.


   Causes.—This fever is  occasioned by impure air,
and  putrid  animal  and  vegetable effluvia.  We are
therefore not surprised to find it often originate in ships,
and dirty dwellings, where  numbers  are crowded to-
gether, and where it is not possible to have sufficient
ventilation.

  Though human contagion, and the effluvia  arising
from putrid animals and vegetable substances, are the
most  frequent and  active  causes of this disease, yet
they cannot be  considered as  the only ones ;  for we
sometimes meet with instances in a country neighbor-
hood,  of persons being  seized with the disease in all
its malignity, where  it  is not epidemic, nor can it be
traced to any place where the animal effluvia  could be
supposed to he confined in any  uncommon degree.
Hence filth, a moist atmosphere,  much fatigue, cold,
depressing passion,  low scanty diet, excessive  study,
or whatever weakens the nervous system, may be enu-
merated among the causes of this disease. 
28
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
   Treatment.—With regard  to the cure.  On  the
first appearance of the symptoms, the  patient  should
be put to bed, and the vegetable  powders  and the gin
elixir administered.   Pennyroyal tea  should also be
given freely.   Hot stones  should  be  applied to the
feet and back of the patient, until they produce perspi-
ration.  If the patient is troubled with costiveness, the
pills should be given in large potions until they operate
freely.  If the  symptoms  do  not  abate,  a regular
course of medicine should be  given, and  repeated as
often as every other day, for the first week.   If the in-
flammatory symptoms appear  to run  very  high, the
emetics should be dispensed with, except  in small po-
tions.   The patient should drink two or three glasses
of vervine tea, made strong, every day.   If it nause-
ate, more maybe given, until  it excites vomiting.  If
the patient is thirsty,  as often  is the case, he  should
be allowed as much cold spring water as he craves.
  As the danger  of this fever,  is in proportion to the
debility, the great point is  to  keep  up the strength cf
the patient, by a  liberal use of vegetable powders and
valerian,   Wine, should be given on remission, in such
forms as might best agree with  the patient.  In the
advanced stage  of fever,  when the heat is reduced, a
nourishing diet should be  used, suited  to the taste of
the patient ; taking care to produce an evacuation dai-
ly by glisters, and when these  are not effectual, a dose
of pills or senna and mustard seed may  occasionally
be given.                 ,

   When a diarrhoea or looseness occurs, two or three
tea spoonfuls of the  tincture  of  myrrh or the  pow-
dered myrrh in small potions  should be given, in hon-
ey or molasses, and repeated as often as may be found
necessary.  In every malignant case this  fever termi-
nates fatally on or before  the  seventh day ;  but more
frequently, those who die,  are carried off about the
middle, or  towards  the  end of the second  week. 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.            29

When the patient survives the twentieth day, he usual-
ly recovers.   When the fever terminates  favourably
before, or at the end of the second week, the crisis is
generally obvious ; but when that happens at a later pe-
riod, particularly, if after the second week, a favourable
turn is less evident ; aad sometimes several days pass,
during which the  disease goes off so  gradually,  that
the  most   experienced  are  in  doubt whether it
abates or  not;  at length, however,  it becomes evi-
dent by a warm  moisture  on the  skin ; by the gums
growing less tenacious,  and being more easily remov-
ed ; by  the stools regaining a natural colour ; by the
urine made in a  greater  quantity,  and depositing a
sediment ; by a return  of appetite, and by the pulse
becoming  slower'than  it was before  the  commence-
ment of the disease.


   Regimen.—In addition to the mild  articles of  diet,
enumerated in the bilious fever, bread and milk,  with
a little water, sugar, and the pulp of a roasted apple,
form  a most grateful food ;  and, for the sake of varie-
ty, crust  water,  cider, porter, or  any other drink,
which the patient covets, should always be allowed.
It has been observed,  that this fever often originates
from  corrupted air, and must be aggravated by it; great
care should therefore be taken, to prevent the air  from
stagnating in the patient's chamber.   Every means in
our power  to ventilate the room should be employed.
Colongue,  or vinegar, frequently should  be sprink-
led about the  room  and bedclothes ;  and some evap-
orated, by pouring it on a  hot  iron.   The bedclothes
ought to  be in no greater quantity than is agreeable to
his feeliugs ; and when he can sit up,  with his clothes
loosely put on,  it is often a refreshing change of pos-
ture  and  situation.   The  patient should have his lin-
en  and  bedding changed often ; for nothing refreshes
the sick, more than  cool air and cleanliness.
                   c* 
30
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
   In  the early stages of this disease,  when there is
much preternatural  heat,  washing the  face and hands
in cold vinegar and water, will be highly refreshing.
In all  cases  where the fever  is unusually protracted,
it leaves the patient in excessive weakness, the recove-
ry  is  slow and precarious ; and the greatest care  is
required  to prevent any error  in diet during the con-
valescence, as a very small degree of excess,  at this
time, will produce troublesome consequences.   Food
of easy digestion, taken in small quantities, and often
repeated—gentle   exercise,  when the  weather   is
favourable—attention  to prevent costiveness, by the
use  of pills,  and bitter root, or golden-seal, to assist
digestion, are the most certain  means of  reinstating
health.
 PHRENSY,  OR  INFLAMMATION  OF THE
                      BRAIN.

   Symptoms.—A deep seated headach, redness of the
 eyes and face, violent throbbing or pulsation in the ar-
 teries of the neck and temples ; incapability of bear-
 ing light, or  noise ; a constant watching, or delirium,
 with picking the  bed  clothes.   The pulse,  although
 sometimes languid, is generally hard, tense and strong ;
 the mind chiefly runs upon  such subjects as have be-
 fore made a deep impression upon  it  ; and sometimes,
 from a sullen silence, the patient becomes of a sudden
 delirious and quite outrageous.

   Causes.—Violent colds, exposure of the head to the
 scorching rays of the sun ; too deep and long-continued
thinking ;  excessive  drinking ;  suppression  of usunl 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
31
evacuations ; concussion of the brain ; and, whatever
may increase the afflux of blood to the head.

   Treatment.—Emetics, and the bath form the "an-
chor  of hope" in  this disease,  which should be em-
ployed  on its first  attack, and repeated as the symp-
toms and  strength  of the patient will permit ; injec-
tions should.be given as often as twice a day ; pleurisy-
root  and senna steeped, should  be given ; a cloth,
wet with vinegar, or cold water, should constantly be
applied to the head.

   Bathing the feet and legs in warm water, or apply-
ing a stone wrapt in wet flannel, to the feet, is also of
great  service, by producing a revulsion of  blood from
the head.
   To assist  also in  diminishing the  determination of
the blood to the head, the  patient should be  kept  as
near the erect posture as can easily be borne.
   The  diet should be of the lightest kind  ;  as  oatmeal
gruel, slippery elm, crust water, cold water ; tamarinds
and  water may be freely used.   The patient  to be
kept as quiet as possible, avoiding  all irritating causes,
and breathing a current of fresh air.
                     COLDS.

   Colds are  causes of diseases, of  the  inflammatory
kind, which occur more frequently on sudden  chang-
es of the weather, and attack persons of  all  consti-
tutions, but especially those  of consumptive  habits.
It is also at times epidemic,  when it is known  by  the
name of influenza, and has been erroneously consider- 
32
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
 ed as depending upon a specific contagion for its cause.
 The influenza generally  pays us a  visit every six or
 seven years.   The season of its visitation is the mid-
 dle or latter end of autumn, after a  long spell of dry
 weather, as was verified  in  1832.   It appears to be
 no respecter of persons, knocking equally at the doors
 of the rich and the poor ;  and attacking the young, no
 less than the aged.

    Symptoms.—Its first  symptoms are  a stoppage of
 the nose, dull pain, with a sense of weight in the fore-
 head,  stiffness in  the motion of the eyes, and soon af-
 ter coughs, hoarseness, an increased secretion  of mu-
 cus from the nose, and tears from  the eyes, attended
 with  more or less fever, and sometimes  sore throat.

    Cause.—This disease is generally the effect of cold,
 which by obstructing the perspiration, throws  the re-
 dundant humours upon the nose, fauces and lungs ; or
 to those great physical changes which give rise  to ep-
 idemics.

    Treatment.- -In the treatment of this disease, as of
 all  others of an inflammatory nature, where it is slight,
 little else will be necessary than to live  abstemiously;
 avoid cold, and  whatever may  increase  the feverish
 habit.   Bathe the  feet and legs before going to  bed, in
 lukewarm water,  and  take  the vegetable powders,
 elixir,  and pills, and drink  freely of  pennyroyal tea,
 with an addition of half a teaspoonful of cayenne, there-
 by exciting perspiration ; and taking care afterwards to
 avoid sudden exposure to cold or damp air.    Atten-
 tion must at the  same  time be paid to keeping the
 bowels open.
  When the disease is more violent, an emetic  should
 be  given ; the  patient  should  be  steamed twice a
day ; and in case of pain, apply  a piece of flannel, wet
with the  elixir, to the part affected.   If the  cough, 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
33
which is often troublesome, be not removed, by emet-
ics, softened onions, (boiled or roasted) should be ap-
plied to the  stomach, and the cough syrup to be taken
now and then.
   The  frequency  of this  disease, frcm  the  sudden
change of weather to which our climate is subject, and
the slight degree of alarm generally excited by what is
called, " only catching a  cold,"  too often occasions
that neglect, which gives  rise to the most distressing
maladies, such as  quinsey,  pleurisy,  inflammation of
the lungs, rheumatism, &c.
   Fully satisfied that numbers fall victims to the sup-
posed insignificance of  this insidious  enemy, I have
thought it my duty thus to warn the inattentive.

   Prevention.—To guard  against this disease,  or this
cause of disease, the utmost  attention should be paid
to a due regulation of the  clothing, which ought to be
neither too  thin, nor  so irregularly disposed of, as to
leave one part of the body  naked, whilst the rest is
burthened,  and too warmly clad ;  an  error frequently
 committed  upon children and young persons.   Warm
 rooms and  impure  air may  weaken the body ; but
 warm clothing can never be injurious in cold weather.
 The use of flannel cannot be too  highly recommend-
 ed as a preventive of this disease ; and if an objection
 should be made to wearing it next to the  skin,  on  ac-
 count of the irritation  it occasions, it  may be worn
 over the linen.   Putting  on wet  clothes, or lying in
 damp sheets, or  sitting in wetted rooms, are so well
 known to be injurious, that it is hardly necessary to  ad-
 monish people against  such improprieties.  The com-
 mon prudence of shunning, when heated, a torrent of
 cold air from the crevice of a  door or window ; or
 throwing off the clothing, immediately after taking ex-
 ercise,  are so obvious, as not  to require to  be en-
 larged on.   Equal danger arising  from too suddenly 
34
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
passing out of an atmosphere of a very cold tempera-
ture, to one of a  much warmer.   Thus, when any
part of the  body has been exposed to cold, it is liable
to be  much more affected  by heat lhan before the ex-
posure ; of this, the method of treating frozen  limbs,
in cold countries, affords a  decisive proof.  Were a
frozen limb to be brought to the fire, or immersed in
warm water,  a violent inflammation would soon come
on, and speedily terminate in mollification ; they there-
fore rub the parts benumbed with snow, and then very
gradually expose them to a warm  temperament.  By
attention to these precautions, those inflammatory dis-
eases, for which cold only prepares  the system, may
be avoided.
  QUINSEY, OR  INFLAMMATORY SORE
                   THROAT.

  This is a disease, to which children are more sub-
ject than the aged.  It is distinguished by a sense of
heat, pain  and tightness in the  fauces and throat, ac-
companied by a difficulty of swallowing,  particularly
fluids.   In general, the inflammation begins in one ton-
sil,  (a gland on each side of the palate); then spreads
across the palate,  and  seizes the other tonsil.   When
the  inflammation  possesses both  sides, the pain be-
comes  very severe, and swallowing is performed  with
extreme difficulty ; but if it attacks the upper part of
the  wind-pipe, it creates great danger of suffocation.

  Causes.—Cold wet feet, throwing off the neckcloth
or drinking cold water when overheated.  As the quin-
sey  is caused  by cold, it must be removed by heat, the
opposite of cold. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
35
  In  common cases of the quinsey, the first  ting to
be done is to raise the heat by  giving  the ve etable
powder, pennyroyal tea, cayenne and  vinegar  sweet-
ened with honey.    External  applications  are  like-
wise  of  great  use ;  bathing the  neck with  pepper-
sauce ; or applying a flannel, wet with it,  around the
neck ; onions,  softened  with goose oil and applied,
are also excellent in this disease.
  Where the inflammatory symptoms run high, and
before the febrile symptoms  are  in any way violent,
the timely use of the tincture emetic, often proves ex-
tremely 'iseful, and sometimes checks it completes for-
mation.   Should  these prove  ineffectual, a  regular
course of  medicine should be given, which  seldom
fails to effect a cure.
   If persons, as soon as they discover  any uneasiness
in the throat, were to use the elixir, and vegetable pow-
ders,  already recommended, bathe  their feet in warm
water ;  apply flannels moistened with elixir and oint-
ment, and keep comfortably warm,  this disease would
seldom proceed to a great height.
        FALLING OF  THE  PALATE.

  The falling down, or elongation of the palate, is at-
tended with a sense of tickling in the fauces, and sore-
ness at the root of the tongue.
  If fever accompany this affection,  give  gin elixir,
and powders, using "nothing but a vegetable  diet ;
avoid  speaking,  and gargle the throat with astringent
gargle, or apply salt and pepper by means_of the han-
dle of a spoon. 
36
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                    MUMPS.

  A contagious disease, affecting the glands and mus-
cles of the neck externally.

  Symptoms.—Light fever,  which subsides upon  the
appearance of a tumour  under the  jaw, near  its  ex-
tremities ; sometimes only on one side,  but more  fre-
quently  on both.   It increases  till  the fourth day,
and then declines gradually.   This disorder is often
so slight as to require very little more than to keep
the neck warm ;  with spare diet, and  a laxative state
of the bowels.  If however, there be much fever  and
pain in the head, it will be necessary to give warming
teas, cayenne, &c.

  There is  a singular peculiarity now and then  at-
tending  this  complaint; for sometimes the swelling of
the neck subsides, the testicles of the male, and breasts
of the female, are  affected with hard and painful tu-
Kiours ; and frequently when one or other of these tu-
 nours has been suddenly repressed, a delirium of  the
 iiilder sort occurs.   For this, I have found the emetic
 ill sufficient to remove the alarming symptoms.
                  PLEURISY.

   Symptoms.—An  acute pain of  the side,  which
reaches to the throat; in some, to the back ; and oth-
ers to the shoulders ; but in general,  is seated near the
fleshy part of the breast; with a high fever ;  hard and
quick pulse ;  difficulty of breathing ;  and a teazing
cough,  sometimes moist, but frequently dry.  The
seat  of the inflammation,  and consequently of  the
pain, may vary in different cases, but  this is not  of
much importance, as  the same mode of treatment 13 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
37
required in inflammations of the viscera contained  in
the cavity of the chest, as of the membranes which in-
vest them.
   In the cure of pleurisy our success depends on sub-
duing the violent action of  the vessels, by employing
emetics, and such remedies as  are calculated to keep
the bowels open ; outward applications are  also nec-
essary,  such as bathing the  affected  parts with elixir,
and applying a flannef wet with the same ;  a bag  of
onions, applied to the lungs.   In case  the  cough is
troublesome, worm-stone applied to the affected side,
and repeated as often as  it becomes cold, will  some-
times afford relief.   During this treatment, the patient
should take freely of warm, diluted drinks, such as flax-
seed, balm, elm, or rice  water.   A decoction of pleu-
risy root, or snake  root,  given to  the patient, in  doses
of one or two  table  spoonfulls,  every two  or three
hours, abates  the  febrile  heat  and produces expec-
toration.
   In no disease, is a strict abstinence more necessary
than in this ;  since in proportion  to  the  nourishment
taken,  will be the increase of the blood, and  conse-
quently of fever.  Nothing but dilutent drinks ; such
as toast water, oatmeal gruel, or elm tea, ought to be
allowed, until the  violence of  the disease is subdued ;
and these liquids should be taken often, but in small
quantities  at a time.  When  nourishment is required,
the lighter kinds only should be used.   After recove-
ry, great care must be  taken  to prevent  a relapse ;
the inclemencies  of the  weather should be guarded
against; moderate exercise employed ;  and the chest
protected  from the action of cold, by wearing  flannel
next to the skin-
   After all  I have  said  on the subject of fevers, I
assert, that fever,—which is only a  disturbed state of
the heat, or  life—may  show itself  in  what is called
different types, though  the causes are  in general the
                    D 
38            MEDICAL COMPANION.

same.   Fevers act on the system  very similar  to in-
toxication, which causes one man to  be cross and ma-
licious ; another, to be  good  natured [and kind ;  an-
other, to be stupid and weak ; another, strong and ac-
tive ; making one foolish, and another witty; yet all
these different effects may be produced by rum from
the same cask ;  and  when  the cause is removed,
they are right  again.   It is the  same  with  fever  : it
makes  one stupid, and another crazy ; one is very lan-
guid, and another much excited ;  one is affected most
on the  lungs ;  and  another, on the head ;  one, is very
nervous ;  and another,  much debilitated.   I  wish
here to be explicitly understood, that I consider it  ne-
cessary to make different applications to  these differ-
ent appearances,  according to their nature.    But, I
always make this my secondary care : the first object
being, to remove the cause ;  and while this is doing,
or after it is accomplished, to  attend to the effects :—
if too much languor, give restoratives ; if too nervous,
give  such medicine as will quiet the nerves, &c.
     INFLAMMATION OF  THE  LUNGS.

   Symptoms—Febrile affections, succeeded by diffi-
culty of breathing ;  cough ; and  an obtuse pain, under
the breast bone, or betwixt the shoulders, increased on
inspiration.  A sense  of fulness  and  tightness  across
the chest;  great anxiety about the heart ; restlesnesss;
loss of appetite,  and sleep ;  the  pulse quick,  and sel-
dom strong, or regularly full ; the breath hot;  tongue
covered with a yellowish mucus, and the urine turbid.
By the obstruction  of a free passage of the blood
through the  lungs, the veins of the neck are distend-
ed, the face swollen, with  dark  red colour, about the 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.             39
eyes and cheeks.  The pain in the chest, is generally
aggravated by the patient's lying  on the side most af-
fected ;  and very often,  he can lie only on his back.

   Causes.—Colds, obstructing perspiration, and thus
producing a morbid determination to the lungs ; or, vi-
olent  efforts, by over distension.

   Treatment.—Such is the delicate structure  of the
lungs, that they will  not  sustain inflammatory attacks
many hours, before  the important  functions  are de-
stroyed,  or so much mischief produced, as  to lay the
foundation for consumption.

   The plan, therefore,  as advised in the pleurisy,
for clearing the difficulties of the disease, should be
used ; and salutary treatment  be  put  into immediate
operation,  and not neglected  until it is too late,  as is
often  the case,  by which so many lives are lost.
     INFLAMMATION OF  THE  LIVER,

   The liver complaint  is marked by a pungent pain
of the  right side,  rising to  the top of the shoulders,
something like  that of  the  pleurisy ;  attended  with
considerable fever ; difficulty of breathing  ; dry cough,
and  often bilious vomiting ;  great thirst ; with a pale
or yellowish colour of the skin and eyes.

   Causes.—Besides  the common causes of  inflam-
mation, we may here reckon the  following, viz :  ex-
cessive fatness ; a scirrhous of the liver itself ;  violent
shocks, from  strong vomits,  such as tartar  emetics,
when  the liver  was before unsound ; any thing that 
40
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
suddenly cools the liver, after it has been greatly heat-
ed ; stones, obstructing the course of the bile ;  drink-
ing strong wine, and spirituous liquors.   And, in five
cases  out of six, the partial application of cold, or wet,
when  the body  is heated, or over  fatigued with exer-
cise, &c.

   Treatment.—In  the  treatment of the  cases, which
have  come under   my  care,  I generally  commence
with a regular course of medicine ; and, if this has not
sufficient [effect  on   the bowels, it is ^followed by a
dose of balm, or pills.   In  some cases, I have  found
it necessary to administer the courses, as  often as once
in four days, until the cause is  removed ;  giving, be-
tween the times, the powders at night and  morning ;
and the stomach bitters, two or three times in a day.

   The food should  be easy of digestion ; such as veal,
lamb, fowls, or fresh beef,'or oysters.  Moderate^exer-
cise,  in the open air, is  both agreeable and  salutary to
the patient.
  INFLAMMATION OF  THE  STOMACH.

  Symptoms.—Acute pain in the stomach, always in-
creased upon  swallowing  the  mildest  drinks ; inex-
pressible anxiety ; great internal heat, (something like
what  is  called  the heart-burn) ; constant reaching ;
and,  as  the  disease  advances,  the  pulse becomes
quick and intermitting ; frequent hickups, and coldness
of the extremities—and the patient is soon cut  off.

  Cause.—Acrid, or hard and indigestible substances ;
corrosive poisons taken into the stomach ;  or, drink-
ing  extreme cold  liquors, while the body is in  a heat-
ed state.   It may also be occasioned by external in-
jury. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
41
   Treatment.—Unless the inflammation can be resolv-
ed in  the very beginning, there is danger of terminat-
ing in a mortification ;  therefore, a violent pain, in the
region of the stomach, with sickness and  fever, should
always be, at its first attack, quickly attended to.
   In no inflammation,  is the immediate use of the va-
pour bath so necessary as this, which attacks at once,
the " throne" of  life,—If a box  cannot be  had, the
patient should be steamed  over a  tub,—the steam,
about  blood heat, will do—keep him in, as long as he
can bear it ; and when he  is taken out, he  should be
wiped dry.   The emetic should  be immediately giv-
en, without  the cayenne.   A tea-spoon full  of  elixir,
may'also be added  to each cup of the emetic ; cold
water, or pennyroyal tea, should  be given freely.
   If the  sickness continues, after the emetic is done
operating, strong camomile  tea should be given.    A
bag of cammomile, or hops, softened in warm vinegar,
applied to the stomach, is also of great service, in this
complaint.   When the stomach will admit of nourish-
ment, only that of the lightest kind should be allowed—
rice water, crust coffee, oat meal gruel, and slippery
elm, are the most suitable.   Every thing, of an irritat-
ing nature, must he carefully avoided,  for some time
after the attacks.
 INFLAMMATION  OF THE INTESTINES.

   Symptoms.- -Tension of the belly—obstinate cos-
tiveness—great internal pain—external soreness, espe-
cially about the navel, and so severe as scarcely to bear
the slightest touch—great debility—hard, small, and
quick pulse.              D> 
42            MEDICAL COMPANION.

   Causes.—The same generally, that induce the pre-
ceding disease :  It  may also be the sequel  of  other
diseases, as rupture, colic, dysentery,  worms,  &c.


   Treatment.—Whatever may be the cause, we must
endeavor to bring about quickly a revolution, lest mor-
tification be the consequence.   The same treatment as
in inflammation of the stomach, will  also be  proper
here ;  as  emetics, and  injections frequently  repeated.
The bath ;  outward application is of  great service,
as bitter bath,  softened onions,  a  flannel  wet with
the elixir, &c.

   After the disease is subdued, the diet should be,  for
some time, of the lightest  kind,  and  not  flatulent.
The patient must be kept quiet—avoiding  cold,  se-
vere exercise, and all irritating causes.
   INFLAMMATION OF  THE KIDNEYS.

   Symptoms.—Acute pain, and heat in the  small  of
the back ; great numbness along the thighs ;  and not
unfrequently  a retraction  of one  of  the  testicles ;
reaching ; voiding the urine in small quantities—some-
times very pale, and at  other times, of a high red col-
our, attended with febrile  affections.   The patient
generally feels greet uneasiness when he endeavours to
walk, or sit upright ; and lies down with most ease on
the affected side.

   Causes.—Excessive  exertions ;  external  injuries ;
violent strains; exposure to cold when heated ; and
calculous concretion in the kidneys. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
43
   Treatment.—Keep the bowels open with the pills,
or balm, and injections.   Use the bath ; or foment the
part with a hot decoction of cammomile, hops, or bit-
ter herbs—or hot water alone.  Give mucilaginous
and diluting liquors ;  as slippery elm, flax seed tea,
and thin gruel.   A decoction of peach leaves, is also
beneficial  in  this complaint.  Flannel,  wet with the
elixir, may be applied to the' small of the back.   If the
disease  has  been improperly treated, or  neglected,
and a suppuration takes  place,—known by a discharge
of matter with the urine—a regular course of medicine
should be given, which  never  fails of effecting a cure.

   The diet should consist  of the  most mucilaginous
substances, as   arrow root ;  sago ; milk ;  custards,
and rice water.   In the convalescent state, moderate
exercise in the open air is  of great service.
   INFLAMMATION OF THE  BLADDER.

   Symptoms.—Acut pain  at the bottom of the [belly,
which is much increased by pressure.   A frequent de-
sire, and difficulty, in making water ;  and frequent ef-
forts to  go to stool, attended with febrile affections.
   The inflammation of the bladder proceeds, in a great
measure, from the  same causes as that of the kidneys.
This disease must  be treated on the same principle as
the one  immediately preceding.   The diet must be
light and thin.   The lower part of the belly should be
fomented vtith  a decoction of bitter herbs, and injec-
tions ought frequently to be administered. 
44
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                HEAD-ACHE.

   Causes.—Whatever obstructs the free circulation of
the blood through the vessels of the head, may occa-
sion head-ache.   In persons of a full habit, who abound
with blood, the head-ache often proceeds from the sup-
pression  of customary evacuations.  A bleeding at the
nose and sweating of  the  feet.  It  may likewise pro-
ceed from a morbid state of the system, as  a foul sto-
mach. It may proceed from a weak state of the nerves;
and not unfrequently, that the partial, or nervous head-
ache, as it is termed, is produced from a decayed tooth,
which, on discovery, should be instantly extracted.—
Those who are subject to this complaint, should bathe
their head with elixir ;  avoid  full meals, and  always
keep  the feet warm and bowels in  a  regular state.—
Whatever may be  the cause,   the  surest method  of
treatment, is a regular course of medicine.
                    EAR-ACHE.

  Ear-ache is frequently  produced from living insects
getting'into the ear.   The most effectual way to destroy
them, is to blow in the smoke of tobacco ; or pour in
warm water,  or sweet oil and elixir.

  If occasioned by  cold, inject warm milk and water
in the ear ; or bathe  the side of the ear with elixir ;
if this produces  not the  desired  effect,  foment the
ear   with the steam of vinegar,  or warm  water ; and
apply a bag of camomile flowers, infused  in boiling
water and laid on often,  as warm as can be borne.—
When the inflammation cannot be dispersed, the veg- 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
45
etable powders and  pills  should be given.   The pa-
tient should be placed in bed, and  warm pennyroyal
tea given, to make him perspire.   A poultice of elm,
and bread  and milk, or roasted  onions, may be ap-
plied to the ear—and  frequently renewed—till the ab-
bess breaks ;  after  which, it must be syringed twice
or thrice a-day, with  white oak, or hemlock bark tea,
or with castile soap suds.
                   DEAFNESS,

  This disease is caused by any thing injurious to the
ear  ; as loud noises from the firing of  cannon—violent
colds—inflammation, or ulceration of the membrane—
hard wax—or by a debility, or paralysis, of the audito-
ry nerves.   It also frequently ensues  in consequence
of long protracted fever.  It  is  difficult to remove
deafness ;  but when it is owing to a  debility of  some
parts of the organ, or arises  in  consequence  of any
nervous affection,  stimulants dropped  into the ear, of-
ten prove salutary.   Deafness,  caused by cold,  may
be cured  by raising the  heat in  the  body and  head,
with an emetic, so as to remove  the cold, which has
caused the obstruction in the ears.
                TOOTH-ACHE.

  Tooth-ache is best removed by extracting the tooth;
but if this cannot be effected, fill the cavity with a lit-
tle cotton or lint, saturated with the tincture  of  cam-
phor, or elixir. 
46             MEDICAL COMPANION.
   This  unptied,  though often  excruciating  pain,  is
 in most cases, no more  than  the  just  punishment  of
 our neglect of the teeth ; surely then, we ought to take
 some care of them, though it were only for the plea-
 sure of having them sound.  This care  wrould  be  re-
 doubled, were we but daily to consider  the advantage's
 of good clean teeth and sweet breath.   Some women
 are,  indeed, blessed  with  such lovely faces,  that de-
 fective teeth and breath, cannot entirely defeat their
 charms.   But, how different would be the effect,  if
 they possessed teeth of ivory, white  as snow, and pure
 as their  fair  owners, accompanied with breath  as
 sweet as that of infancy.

   Prevention.—To prevent the tooth-ache, and to pre-
 serve the teeth and breath perfectly sound and  sweet,
 the tooth-brush, dipped in warm  water, and then in the
 tooth-powder,* should be used constantly every morn-
 ing for whitening the teeth ;  it  is also   admirable for
 correcting foul breath.  The tooth-pick, and tumbler
 of warm water, should never be forgotten, after every
 meal.

   If the  calcareous crust,  or tarter upon the teeth,
 adheres  firmly, it  should be removed  by a dentist ;
 when the gums are  spongy,  they should  be frequently
 pricked with  a lancet,  and gently rubbed with a pow-
 der,  composed  of  equal parts of gum myrrh and bay-
 berry bark.
   Young persons who wish to carry fine teeth with them
 through life, must take care never  to  sip  their tea
 scalding hot, nor to  drink water freezing cold : such
 extremes  not only injure the tender coats of the stom-
ach,  but often ruin  the  teeth ; and have  caused many
imprudent persons,  to pass  sleepless nights, distracted
with pains of the teeth and jaws.
* See Tooth Powder. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
47
                RHEUMATISM.

  This disease has often a resemblance  to the gout.
It generally attacks the joints with exquisite pain ;  and
is often attended with  inflammation and swelling.   It
is most common in  the  spring,  and towards the  end
of autumn.   It is generally distinguished  by acute and
chronic, or the rheumatism with, and without a  fever.

  Causes.—The causes of rheumatism are frequently
the  same as those of inflammatory fever,  viz.—an ob-
structed perspiration—the immoderate use of strong li-
quors, and the like.   Sudden changes of the weather,
and all  quick  transitions from  heat to cold, are  also
very apt to occasion the rheumatism.

  Symptoms.—The rheumatism commonly begins with
weariness, shivering, a quick pulse, restlessnesss, great
thirst, and other symptoms of  fever; afterwards, the
patient complains of flying pains, which are increased
by the least motion.   These at length fix in the joints,
which are often affected  with  swelling and inflamma-
tion, and frequently the joints are  distended.  Very
obstinate rheumatism has been brought on, by persons
who are not accustomed to it, by permitting their  feet
to continue long wet ; the same effects are often pro-
duced by wet  clothes, damp beds, sitting or lying on
damp ground,&c. As rheumatism is the effect of directly
—or indirectly taking cold, I have found  it the  surest
method to remove it, 'by the opposite,—heat.    This
method I have pursued,  in numerous  cases,  in  which
I have seldom failed of effecting a  cure.  In  cases,
where it chiefly affects the back, or some  of the limbs,
I give the  vegetable  powders  and  pills—bathing the
parts affected  with  the  elixir,  and  ointment, and us-
ing  the steam, which generally cures the  complaint in
a few days. 
48
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
  When the stomach is  foul—and the joints stiff, or
swollen—the  cords  tightened—and muscles have lost
their action, I always give  a regular course of medi-
cine, repeating it every  other day, until the disease is
removed.  Between the courses, bathing  the parts
affected with  elixir  and ointment; keeping  the parts
warm with flannel.  This course seldom fails of af-
fecting a cure in a short time.

  Prevention.—The use of flannel next the skin is the
most effectual  means of preventing the  recurrence of
the rheumatism.
  In the rheumatism, no change whatever will be ne-
cessary  in the patient's ordinary  mode of living.
Mustard, cayenne, and horse-radish, used, freely in its
natural  state, or united  with  food, will be found very
beneficial.—Exercise, either of the whole  body, or
of particular limbs, will be highly important: the want
nt of exercise, is apt to produce stiffness in  the limbs.
    VACCINE DISEASE, OR COW-POX,

  The vaccine discovery, may justly be considered as
one of the most extraordinary blessings bestowed on
man, since it is incontestibly, a certain security against
the small-pox—a disease  distressing  in its  symptoms,
formidable in  its appearance, doubtful in its event, and
a disease to which mankind are generally exposed.
  The comparative  advantages, which the kine-pox
has  over the small-pox, are very great.   First,  It  is
neither contagious, nor communicable by effluvia.  Se-
condly, it excites  no disposition to other complaints.
Thirdly, it can be  communicated with safety to chiid- 
MEDICAL COMPANION.
4S
ren, at the earliest age, and in almost every situation ;
and fourthly, it is never  fatal.
  What more can be  required  to produce a general
conviction of its superior utility ; the method of per-
forming the vaccination, is to hold the lancet nearly at
right angles with the  skin, in order that the infectious
fluid may  gravitate to  the  point of the  instrument,
which should be  made  to scratch the skin repeatedly,
until  it becomes tinged with  blood.   The operator
must be cautious, not to make  the wound deeper than
necessary, as the vaccinated part will be more liable to
inflammation, which may destroy the specific action of
the virus.
   The most certain method of securing the infection,
is to vaccinate with fresh  fluid  from the pustule ;  but
as this is  often   impracticable, it is advisable  to hold
the infected  lancet over the steam of boiling water, to
soften  the hardened matter.   Where the  virus  hi*
been  procured  upon thread, make a  small _ longitu-
dinal incision  in  the arm, and insert in  it the inflected
thread, and detain there by court-plaster, until  the  dis-
ease be communicated.  Matter may also be procured
from the scab.   The mode of vaccinating  from it, is
the same as from the fluid  ; taking care, however, pre-
viously to moisten it with warm water, and to use the
matter of the  inner side  of  the  scab.   The  scab
will frequently retain its strength for months, provided
it be  kept in a phial, from the air.  The first indica-
tion of the success of the operation, is a small, inflamed
spot  where the puncture is made, which is very Dis-
 tinguishable about  the  fourth,  and fifth day.   At the
 eighth day, when the pustule is fully formed, the el-
 fects on the constitution begin to appear.   1 he gene-
 ral indisposition is commonly preceded by pairi at he
 pustule, and in  the arm-pit,  followed by head-ache,
 some  shivering, loss  of  appetite, pain in  the  limbs
 and a feverish increase of pulse.  These continue, with
                    E 
50
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
more or less violence for one or two days, and always
subside spontaneously, without leaving any unpleasant
consequences.
                  SMALL POX.

  It would seem unnecessary to take any notice of the
small pox,  after  having  treated so largely  of its  mild
and  merciful substitute, the  cow pox ;  but as that
dreadful disease does sometimes find its  way on board
of ships,  and into country  neighbourhoods—sweeping
whole families in its progress—it may be very proper
to subjoin the following  history of its symptoms and
treatment.

  The small pox  appears under two  very different
forms,  the distinct, and confluent.  In the  first, which
is by far the mildest,  the  pustules fill and  assume a
conical  shape.  In the last, and most dangerous, the
pustules run together, and  remain flat.

  Symptoms.—A few days prior  to  the  attack, the
patient complains of languor and weariness, succeeded
by cold and shiverings and transient glows of heat, im-
mediately before the fever, which is  accompanied by
violent pains of the head and loins, and frequently with
a severe, oppressive pain  at the pit of  the  stomach.
The patient is very drowsy, and sometimes delirious.
About  the third day, the eruption appears like flea-
bites, first on  the face and limbs, and afterwards on
the  body.  From this, the pustules gradually increase,
and on the  fifth or sixth day, will begin  to turn  white
on  the tops.   The  throat, at this period, often  be-
comes painful  and inflamed ;  and sometimes, on the 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
51
seventh day the face is considerably swelled.  In the
confluent, the spots assume a  crimson colour, and in-
stead of rising, like the distinct kind, they remain flat
and run into clusters, and during the first  days of the
eruption, much resembling the measles, but of a pur-
ple colour.   The flow of saliva is constant in this dis-
ease ;  and becomes so viscid as to be discharged with
the greatest difficulty.

   Treatment.—The cure of small   pox depends on
very gentle  treatment,—very  far from  the popular
treatment, such as bleeding and giving mercury.  The
first method to be pursued, is to give a regular course
of medicine in order to raise the heat  and drive the
cold and  canker from the system.   The heat is to be
kept  up  by the vegetable  powders and injections,
warming teas should be given freely,  such as pennyroy-
al, or snake-root and saffron, &c.  A regular tempera-
ture of  heat  should be kept up in the room, as great
transitions are dangerous.  If this method  is pursued,
the disease will certainly be removed,
                   MEASLES.

   This disease is the effect  of a specific contagion,
and attacks persons only once in life.

   Symptoms.—Alternate heats and  chills, shivering,
pain in  the head, drowsiness,  fever,  sickness, and
sometimes vomitings ; cough, heaviness of the eyes,
with swelling, inflammation, and  discharge of watery
humour  from   them—and  also  from the nostrils on
the fourth day of the attack ;  eruptions, like flea-bites,
arise on the face and body ; and  in  about  four  days 
53            MEDICAL  COMPANION.
more, those eruptions  disappear  with  the fever—the
skin peeling off;  but the other symptoms  remain,  and
even increase, especially the cough ; which is also at-
tended, in general, with  difficulty  of  breathing,  and
oppression  at the breast.

   Treatment.—When the disease is very slight, little
more  is necessary than to  keep  the  patient's body
warm, and  give  freely of warming teas, such  as  saf-
fron, snakeroot, hyssop, ginger, pennyroyal, &c.  In
the worst  cases, where the cough  is  troublesome, it
will be proper to give the vegetable powders, and tinc-
ture of emetic in pennyroyal tea.  Injections  should
be given at the same time, prepared as directed.*

  Regimen.—The diet should  be light and propor-
tioned to the degree  of fever.    Oatmeal  gruel,  rice
water, arrow-root, &c. will, in general, be all that is
necessary, until the feverish symptoms  are on  the  de-
cline.  Much caution is necessary that the patient be not
suddenly exposed to cold air, which might repel  the
eruptions, and produce fatal effects.
        CHICKEN,  OR  SWINE POX.

   In this disease, an eruption much resembling that of
small pox, in light  cases, appears  after a very  slight
fever.   This eruption  soon proceeds to suppuration,
in which state it remains but a little time, before the
disease terminates,  by the drying up  of the pustules,
which seldom leave scars  behind.   In the treatment
of this, medicine is very seldom necessary ;  it  being
* See Injectional Regimen. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
53
generally sufficient that the patient be kept moderately
warm, and supplied with  warming teas and light food.
Should there be any fever, the best thing to be done,
is  to  raise  the inward  heat by giving  the  vegetable
powders; when this  fails,  give  a regular course  of
medicine, which never fails to relieve, if  applied  in
season.
ERYSIPELAS,  OR ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE.

  This disease attacks persons at  any period of  life.
The erysipelas attacks with a shivering thirst, loss ot
strength, pain in the head and back, heat, restlessness,
and a quick pulse ; to which may be  added vomiting,
and  sometimes  delirium.   On the second, third, or
fourth day, the part swells and becomes red, and small
pustules  appear ;  at  which time  the fever generally
abates.   When the erysipelas seizes the foot, the parts
contiguous swell,  the skin shines ; and,  if  the  pain
be violent, it will ascend to the leg, and will not  bear
to be touched.  When it attacks  the face, it swells,
appears red, and the skin is covered  with small  pus-
tules and filled with clear water.  One, or both  eyes
are generally closed with  a swelling ; there is also an
inflammation of the throat, and difficulty of breathing,
and  swallowing.   The manner I pursue  in the treat-
ment of this disease, is to clease the system  from filth
and  cold with a regular course of medicine.  I  give
the  vegetable powders  and bitters—repeating it two
or three times a week, between the courses.  In  case
the patient is costive, I give injections every day, un-
til the swelling abates,  when  the injections  may be
dispensed with, and the balm  and  pills given,  which
never fails of effecting a cure.   Outward applications*
I find of great service ; as rose water, milk and water v
                    E* 
54
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
or weak salaratus water.   All greasy substances are
injurious.   The keeping of the parts affected, covered
with flannel, or wool, is of great service, as it defends
from the external air, and serves to promote perspira-
tion, which parries off the disease.
         BLEEDING AT  THE NOSE.

   Bleeding at the nose, in febrile diseases accompa-
nied with pain in the head, flushed countenance, and
redness of the eyes ; this bleeding, in general, is saluta-
ry, and ought not to be checked, unless  the patient  is
likely to be too much exhausted by it.  However, when
this discharge is  too profuse, the patient should  have
his head raised, and his feet immersed in warm water.
Cold water should be applied to the temples ;  if this
should not prove sufficient, lint, dipped in strong alum
water, or a powder  composed of cranes-bill and alum,
of equal quantities, should  be  introduced into the nos-
tril, on lint, with  sufficient force to compress the orifice
of the ruptured vessels.  In light cases, snuff composed
cf cranes-bill and marsh-rosemary, is sufficient.
 SPITTING,  OR VOMITING OF  BLOOD.'
  When there is a discharge from the mouth of blood,
of a florid colour, brought up with more or less cough,
  * The worst case that has come under my care, was of
a young lady, by the name of C. L. Merrill, of Salisbury, 
MEDICAL COMPANION.            55
preceded by a sense of tightness,  weight and anxiety
in  the chest, and  attended with  a saltish taste  of the
spittle, it is in consequence of ruptured vessels, caus-
ed by cold  and canker, which eats off the blood ves-
sels.   Spitting, or vomiting  blood, is not  generally
dangerous,  unless  in  persons   consumptive.   The
manner of treatment, in numerous cases, which  have
come  under my immediate care,  was to give from four
to ten drops of the oil of fir-balsam twice a day, or of-
tener, as the case required.   If the patient  complain-
ed of pressure, or fixed pain of the chest, I have found
it  necessary to give a regular course of medicine, which
seldom fails of effecting a cure.
                CONSUMPTION.

  This is  a disorder much  dreaded, but little  under-
stood.  I suspect, a  very  large  majority of  people,
think it is a disease  confined to the lungs,—and so
seated, lhat it is incurable—but this  is  a  great mis-
who had  been  in the habit of vomiting blood  in  larg«
quantities, caused by the stoppage of the menses.  In addi-
tion to this, she had what the faculty called a cancer, on the
breast, five inches in diameter.  The sore, it appeared, ex-
tended through the stomach, as she vomited ttie same kind
of matter as  that discharged by the sore. She had been
under  the care  of ten physicians, (of the faculty,) in the
course of two  vears, and still  grew worse and  was pro-
nounced  incurable.    She  was brought to  my house in
April  1836 ; and I commenced with the  vegetable powders
and pills.  The third day, I gave her  a regular  course ol
medicine ; and this was pursued, twice a week, until eigh-
teen courses were given.  In less  than  three  months, she
was cured, and continues to enjoy  a good degree of health. 
56            MEDICAL  COMPANION.
take.  You will hear many say, that a person was nev-
er cured of a  consumption ;  yet if they have a friend
sick with it, they  will employ  a  doctor for months,
to come  and look  at him daily, and give a prescrip-
tion for  the  apothecary.   Consumption, is a wasting
away of  the system,—be  it in the flesh, the blood, or
the lungs—and is  seated the moment it takes effect.
It is sometimes caused by taking cold, which never
seems to arrive at  an acute disorder, but continues to
hang on the patient, till he is run  entirely down,  and
he wastes away and dies, without scarcely being con-
fined.  But the greater part of the  cases in our- coun-
try,  are  caused by tight-lacing ; or  the remnants of
some acute disorder,  such  as fever,  measles, &c.
which have never been  properly treated, but misman-
aged, by the use of  deadly medicines, in a course of
legal practice ; and, in short, any thing that causes ob-
struction in the system,  will eventually produce con-
sumption.  It is sometimes attended with cough, from
beginning,  and sometimes only a  short time before
death.  When caused by sudden colds, bad  treatment
in fever, measles, &c. the cough generally commences
with the disease ; but in females, when, caused by tight-
lacing and  other obstructions, it seldom attacks them
till the disease is far advanced.

  A cough is not  a disease, nor is it injurious to the
sick, but  is a  correct principle.   Its  purpose is  to
throw off the morbict matter from the lungs and glands
of the throat, which  is apparent from reason and  from
fact.  When the morbid  matter gathers on  the lungs
and glands, if there were no effort to throw it off, mor-
tification, if not suffocation,  would very  soon  take
place : Yet, we often hear people in a  consumption
say, if they could  only get rid of their cough, they
should soon  be better ; when, at the  same time, if
they should stop the cough, without first removing the
cause of disease, they would-not live a week.  Hence 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
57
it is that thousands have lost their lives in tampering
with the cough and trying to  destroy it, while it is the
only true friend they have in  the case ; and the dis-
ease is left to prey upon the vitals, and  is  greatly as-
sisted in its'  ravages by poisonous and  deadly  medi-
cines.   Their cough has  been stopped,  and they have
grown  worse from  that hour ; and except  when their
cough  has been restored to them, they have, in a short
time, passed to the  grave.   Witness the great quantity
people throw off from their lungs, or the glands of the
throat.   What must be  the consequence,  if it could
not be  removed ?

   It gives me pleasure to declare,  that  there is medi-
cine found in the- vegetable kingdom, not only  to sof-
ten and mitigate  a  cough ; but  to remove the  cause
and  cure consumptions.   What is  called consump-
tion, is easily cured, if attended  to in  season.   When
the stomach has lost  its action, and tubercles have
formed in the lungs, the flesh consumed and the blood
gone, the person must die.   The method to be pursu-
ed  in  cure  of this  disease, is  to give the vegetable
powders,  gin elixir,  and bitters a few days.   After
this, give a regular course of medicine, once or twice
a week, as the case may require.   Between the cours-
es,  the peach  cordial, vegetable powders,  and  elixir,
should be given.   While going  through the  courses,
the patient should be  allowed to eat such food as he
craves.  If the patient complains  of a sharp pain  in
the  side,  shooting up between the shoulders in the
operation of the emetic, with violent spells of  cough-
ing, great thirst, short breath, extremities  purple and
cold; these symptoms are unfavorable. The best course
in this  case, is to dispense with  the  emetics, and give
such medicines as will soften the cough, and  make the
patient comfortable. 
58
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                      PILES.

   Piles,  are  painful tumours about the fundament.
 Bleeding piles, are  so called, from the blood flowing
 from the tumours.   When the vessels only swell,  and
 discharge no blood, but  are  exceedingly painful, the
 disease is called the blind piles.  Persons  who  live
 high and lead  a sedentery, inactive life,  are  most sub-
ject to this disease :—men are  more liable  to  it than
 women.   The piles may be occasioned, by strong
 purges  of aloes, high  seasoned  food, drinking great
 quantities of fermented liquor, much  riding, great cos-
 tiveness—or,  any  thing that occasions hard or difficult
 stools.   The  piles are often brought on by sitting on
 the damp ground ; and sometimes, even in those who
 never had it before.

   The cause of the bleeding, or blind piles, is owing
to the impurities of the blood, and cold in the system.
The surest and most speedy remedy in this  complaint,
is to cleanse the whole system from filth  and cold, by
a regular course of medicine, and this repeated  every
two or three days.   Between the courses, the patient
should take the vegetable  powders, and drink freely of
raspberry-leaf tea.   When the piles are very painful, so
as to deprive the patient of  sleep, he should sit over
a warm  decoction  of bitter  herbs,  and take  large
potions of velerian.  The best external  application is
the canker wash, and poultices composed of slippery
elm and pond lilly  root, wet with strong  tea  made of
solomon-seal,  raspberry leaves, cranes-bill,  or  hem-
lock barks.

  When the tumours become maturated,  as is fre-
quently the case, an  incision,  made  with the point of
a lancet, is perfectly safe, and affords great relief. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
59
                COSTIVENESS.

  We do not mean to treat here of that costiveness,
or restriction of the bowels, which  is symptomatic
of other diseases ; but that of the infrequency of stools,
which sometimes happens, unconnected with any other
disease,
  Costiveness  may proceed from drinking astringent
liquors ;  too  much, or too little, exercise ;  a long use
of cold insipid food, which does not sufficiently stim-
ulate  the intestines.   Sometimes it is  owing to the
bile not descending to  the  intestines, as  in the jaun-
dice ; and at other times it  proceeds  from diseases of
the  bowels, as palsy,  spasm, tumours, or  a cold dry
state of the intestines, &c.
  Another cause  I am compelled to  add, and one
which I  believe produces more costiveness and inac-
tivity of the bowels, than all the others put together ;
and that is the use of mercury and other mineral med-
icines.
  Excessive costiveness is  apt to occasion pains of
the  head and  vomiting ; and  is  particularly  hurtful
to hypochondriac persons.   Some people bear cos-
tiveness to a  great degree.
  Persons generally costive, should live upon  a moist
and laxative  diet,  as roasted or boiled apples,  pears,
raisins, figs, gruels, with butter, honey, molasses, and
suchlike.  Broths are likewise proper.  Mucilaginous
herbs, or  slippery  elm,  flaxseed and the like, are pro-
per.   Rye bread is preferable to wheat ; and  no per-
son, troubled with costiveness, should eat wheat bread
alone, especially that of fine flour.
  Costiveness  is increased by keeping the body too
warm, and every thing that promotes perspiration,  as 
60
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
sleeping in warmed rooms, lying too long in bed,&c. In-
tense thought, and sedentery life, are likewise  hurtful
All the  secretions  are promoted by moderate exercise
without doors, and by a gay,  cheerful and sprightly
temper  of mind.  The   drinks  should be of an open-
ing quality.   All ardent  spirits  and astringent wines,
ought to be avoided.   When the body cannot be kept
open by laxative diet, glysters should be resorted to.
The patient should  procure  a large syringe, and  use it
with slippery elm and  water, or molasses and water,
every morning after breakfast, and  make an attempt at
stool, whether he has any inclination or not.   By ob-
serving  this  regularly, a  habit is soon established, and
after a time, a  daily evacuation  of the bowels may be
procured without the use the syringe.
   Golden seal root, and bitter root,  infused in wine,
and drank for bitters, is a most excellent medicine.   11
is not only  very strengthening to the stomach, but is
also laxative, without weakening the system.

  The following mixture will be found serviceable i n
the cure of costiveness.
  Infuse one ounce of  American rhubarb, and  half an
ounce valerian, and one  fourth   an ounce of cayenne,
in a quart  of good  wine, and drink a  wine glass  full
two  or  three  times a  day.    Jellies,  and  warm-
ing and  strengthening medicines, made  slightly laxa-
tive, are appropriate.

  Active medicine  should never be  used in this com-
plaint, unless the bowels have been so long closed, as
to render it absolutely necessary, and then  should not
be administered until  the patient has  gone through a
regular course of medicine.   A constant use of physic
for costiveness is extremely foolish, as it  continually
increases  the  debility of the bowels, which  is  the
cause of  the  disease.    When physic must be taken,
let it be rhubarb, which is not so weakening. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
61
            WANT  OF APPETITE.

  This may proceed from a foul stomach, indigestion,
the want of free air, the want of exercise, grief, fear,
anxiety,  or any of the depressing passions ;  excessive
heat, the use of any  thing that palls the appetite, or is
hard of digestion ; strongs  liquors,  tobacco,  opium,
mineral  medicines.
   The patient ought, if possible, to make  choice  of
an open  dry air ;  to take daily exercise ;  to rise early,
and avoid excessive heat, and great fatigue,   If want
of appetite, proceed from any other disease, that must
be  attended to ; if from errors of diet, it ought to be
changed.   If  nausea,  and Teachings  show that  the
stomach is loaded with crudities,  an emetic will be
necessary.   After this,  a gentle purge or  two of balm
or pills will be  proper.  The patient ought next to use
some of the stomach bitters, or the stomach  drops.
In some cases of weak stomachs,  the peach cordial
will very soon create an appetite.   If the stomach is
inclined to  sourness, or fermentation, the emetic should
be  repeated until  the cause is removed.
   A want of appetite, and loathing of food, is not usu-
ally an original affection, but prevails as a symptom of
some other disease, such as  canker in the  stomach,
and indigestion,  and is therefore to be  obviated by
cleansing and healing medicines, such as powders, pills
and bitters.  In  a general loss of  appetite, when the
stomach is  loaded with bile, a regular course or two,
will generally effect a cure.
            NERVOUS DISEASES.

  Of all the diseases to which mankind  are  subject,
those of the nervous  kind are the most  complicated
                      F 
62
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
and difficult to cure.   It  would be  difficult  to  poin1
out their various appearances.   They imitate almost
every disease, and  are  seldom alike in two  different
persons, or even the same person, at  different times.
They are continually changing shape, and upon every
fresh  attack, the  patient thinks he feels symptoms he
never experienced before ; nor do they affect  the body
only,  the  mind  likewise suffers, and is often thereby
rendered extremely weak and peevish.  The low spi-
rits,  tiinerousness, melancholy, and fickleness of tem-
per,  which  generally attend nervous diseases, incline
many to believe  that they are entirely diseases of the
mind.   But this change of  temper is  rather  a conse-
quence  than the cause of nervous diseases-

   Cause.—Every thing that tends to relax  or weaken
the body,  disposes it to nervous diseases, as indolence,
drinking too  much tea, or  other  weak and watery li-
quors warm, frequent bleeding, purging, and the use
of metalic medicines.  Whatever hurts the digestion ;
as long, fasting, excess in  eating or drinking, the use
of flatulent, or  unwholesome aliments, an unfavoura-
ble posture of the body, &c.

   Nervous disorders often proceed from intense ap-
plication to study,—nor is this to be  wondered at—as
intense thinking not  only preys  upon  the spirits, but
prevents the person  from taking  proper exercise, by
which means  the digestion is  impaired, the  nourish-
ment  prevented, and the solids relaxed.   Grief and
disappointment, likewise  produce the same  effects.
Many nervous people  date their  disorders  from'the
loss of a husband, or of a favourite child, loss of pro-
perty, or some disappointments in life.   In  a word,
whatever weakens the body, or depresses the spirits,
may occasion nervous  disorders  ;  as unwholesome
air, want  of  sleep, great fatigue,  disagreeable appre-
hensions,  anxiety, vexation, &c.   Many young men, 
Medical  companion.
63
by dissipation, and  living too fast, bring on premature
old age, attended with a long train  of  nervous com-
plaints.

   Symptoms.—It would be an  endless task,  to enu-
merate the  whole.   They generally begin, however,
with windy inflations, or distentions  of the stomach or
intestines ; the appetite  and  digestion are unusually
bad ;  yet  sometimes, there is  an uncommon craving
for food, and a quick digestion.   The food often turns
sour on the stomach, and  the  patient is troubled with
vomiting  clear  water,  tough  phlegm,  or  a blackish
looking liquor, resembling the  grounds of coffee.  Ex-
cruciating pains are often felt  about  the navel, attend-
ed with a rumbling  or murmuring noise in the bow-
els.    The body is  sometimes loose  ; but more com-
monly bound,^which occasions a retention of wind, and
great uneasiness.
   The urine is very irregular, sometimes being small
in quantity, and at  other times very  copious, and quite
clear.  There is a great tightness of the  breast, with
difficulty  of breathing ;  violent palpitations of  the
heart; sudden flushings of heat in various parts of the
body  ; and  at other times a sense of cold, as  if water
 were poured on them ; flying  pains in the back and
 limbs ; pains in the  back and belly, resembling those
 of gravel ; the pulse  very variable ; yawning, hickup,
 frequent sighing, and a sense of suffocation, as if from
 a ball or lump  in the throat ; alternate fits of crying
and convulsive laughing ;  the sleep unsound, and sel-
dom refreshing ; and nightmare.  As the  disease in-
 creases, the patient is molested with dizziness, faint-
 ing, head-ache, cramps, and fixed pains in various parts
 of the body ; the eyes  are closed,  and often  affected
 with dryness ; there is a  noise  in the ears ; and often
 a dulness of hearing.   In short, the whole animal func-
 tions  are  impaired, the mind is disturbed on the most
 trivial occasions, and is  hurried  into the  most  per 
64
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
verse commotions, inquietudes, terror, sadness, anger,
diffidence, &c.   The patient is apt to entertain wild
imaginations  and  extravagant fancies ;  the  memory
becomes weak, and the judgment fails.
   Nothing is more characteristic of this disease than a
constant dread of death.   They  are likewise apt to
imagine that they  labour under diseases  from which
they are quite free ; and are very angry if any one at-
tempts to set them right, or  laugh them out of their ri-
diculous notions.

   Regimen.—Persons affected with nervous disease?
ought never to fast long.   Their food should be solid
and nourishing, but of easy digestion—such as  milks,
meat, broths, pork,  fish, oysters ; every species of
wild fowls, and animal food.   He  should abstain from
vegetables, fruit, and  alcoholic liquors.

   All excesses should be carefully avoided.  They
ought never to eat any more at a time than they can
easily digest; and heavy  suppers are to  be avoided.
If they feel themselves faint and weak between meals,
they ought to eat  a bit of bread, and  drink a cup of
slippery elm, or milk.  Every thing that  is flatulent,
and  hard of  digestion, must  be avoided.   Gentle ex-
ercise, in nervous  disorders, is as useful as medicines.
Riding  on  horseback, jumping rope,  and  swinging,
these should never be neglected, if the patient is  able
to bear it.   Walking,  however,  agrees  better  with
some persons, and others may be benefitted by riding
in a carriage.  Every one ought to use that, which he
finds most beneficial.

1   A cool dry air, is  proper, as it braces and invigo-
rates the whole body <  Few things  tend more to refax
and enervate than  hot air, especially that which is ren-
dered so by great fires, or stoves.   But when the sto-
mach or bowels are weak,  the body ought to be well 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
65
guarded against cold, especially in winter, by wearing
flannel next the  skin.   This  will keep up an  equal
perspiration, and  defend the alimentary  canal from
many impressions to which it would otherwise be sub-
ject, upon every sudden change from warm to cold
weather.

   Persons who have weak nerves ought to 'rise early
and take 'exercise l before breakfast, such as digging
garden, than  which, nothing can be better ;  lying too
long  in bed cannot fail to relax the nerves.   They
ought likewise to  be diverted, and  kept  as easy  and
cheerful as  possible.   There is not any thing which
injures the nervous  system, or weakens the  digestive
powers, more than fear, grief, or anxiety.
   That any disease should  require such precautions,
both of mind and body, may appear rather frivolous to
the hardy formed,  or to other  men  who labour out of
doors.  And although  they are unaccustomed to such
complaints, they do exist in cities, and villages, par-
ticularly among  those who have exhausted their con-
stitutions  in dissipation.

   Treatment.—When  the patient is costive, he  ought
to make use of injections, as directed in costiveness.
This, although it may at first  appear irksome,  is at-
tended  with little trouble and great  benefit.   If physic
becomes  necessary, however,  they  should be of the
mildest kind,  as  rhubarb,  or some laxative  and
strengthening preparation.  The golden seal, and bit-
ter root, are both  of a stomachic and laxative quality,
and are extremely appropriate  in this case.

   Warming, stimulating,  strengthening  and bracing
medicines are necessary in hypochondriac complaints.
When the digestion is  bad, and the stomach is  relax-
ed or weak, the following bitters  may be used with
advantage,—first,  give  a regular course,  if it appears
                    F* 
66            MEDICAL COMPANION.
 necessary :—take of pleurisy root two ounces, cranes -
bill root, orange peel, and  carroway seeds,  each half
an ounce, and velerian, an ounce-^let all  these ingrc-
dients'abe bruised in a'mortar, and infused in  a quart of
brandy, for the space  of five or six days  ;  a table
spoon  full may  be drank in a glass of warm  water
sweetened, before meals.
  Or,  the following, which will not disappoint expec-
tations :—Balm of Gilead buds, black cherry bark, gol-
den seal root, dogwood or boxwood bark, bitter-sweet
bark, and valerian of equal  parts, all to be boiled in wa-
ter, down to  a syrup, strained and sweetened ;  with
sufficient spirits added, to preserve it.  Dose—as much
as the  stomach will bear, two or three times a day.
  Or,  an  infusion of  horse-radish, valerian tea, and
ginger  ; or, the  vegetable  powders,  stomach bitters
and myrrh pills, &c.  The valerian is highly  necessary
in this  disorder, and should form a part  of all  medici-
nal compounds prescribed for it.
  The following articles are suitable for this disease,
and may be compounded according to  the  choice of
the  practitioner.   Valerian,  angelica,  golden  seal,
cloves, horse-radish, ginger, gentian,  pleurisy  root,
whitewood bark,  carroway,  balm of Gilead, myrrh,
cayenne, skunk cabbage,  lobelia, motherwort, camo^
mile, bugle, cohush, bitter sweet, and cranes-bill root,
&c.   Some  excellent  strengthening, and stimulating
preparations  will  be found  among the recipes, appli =
cable to hypochondriac  complaints,
             ST. VITUS'  DANCE.

  This disease is  an involuntary, yet irresistible mo-
tion of the  several muscles   The patient uses many 
MEDICAL COMPANION.             67
ridiculous and antic gestures ; and what is very singu-
lar, those muscles only are affected which are distend-
ed for spontaneous motion, for the heart,  lungs, and
stomach are never injured by  this whimsical disorder.
It generally attacks young people, from the eighth year
of their age to the time of puberty.


   Symptoms.—The first symptom is  generally a slight
lameness of one  leg,  which the  patient drags' a little,
and seems to have lost the power of regulating its mo-
tion.    The  arms   next  become  affected,  and  are
thrown into various contortions, which  deprive  per-
sons affected  with this disease of the  power of feeding
themselves, and  their  awkward gesticulations in  at-
tempting to bring articles of food towards their mouths,
appear ridiculous.   One  side of the  body is generally
more affected than  the other.   The tongue is so much
affected as to render articulation  nearly unintelligible,
 If the  disease continue  long,  it materially injures the
 constitution,  sleep  becomes disturbed, or  in a great
 measure  prevented, the mental faculties are impaired,
 and revert to  childishness ;  pain is often felt in the
 stomach, the  appetite for food  is regular, being occa-
 sionally ravenous, the countenance appears  pale  and
 languid, and  the body and the  limbs are much ema-
 ciated.

   Treatment—Begin with  a regular course,  which
 should be  repeated twice or thrice a week,  till the pa-
 tient is recovered.  A few of the family pills may al-
 so be  administered occasionally, and the powders, or
 stomach drops given, according to circumstances.

   Nervines  must  not  be neglected  ; such as tincture
 of valerian, assafoetida, skunk-cabbage,  &c  some one
 of which  should  be often taken.   The vapor bath is
 very servicable in this disease. 
68
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
    DYSENTERY,  OR BLOODY  FLUX.

   Symptoms.—A discharge of mucus  by stool, often
bloody—violent gripings—pain in the  loins- -a con-
stant  inclination  to go to stool, without being able to
void any thing  ; and sometimes fever.

   Causes.—Putrid  air—and improper aliment,  as
green fruit—obstructed perspiration ; and whatever in-
creases the natural irritability of the intestines.

   Treatment.—To conduct  the patient safely through
this disease, the bowels should  be evacuated by pills,
or balm—the  vegetable  powders and  brandy  elixir
should be given ;  often, in light cases, these are suffi-
cient.   In severe cases, it is proper to give the emet-
ic and injections.   The vegitable powders should be
given  morning and evening ;  and the peach cordial, or
stomach drops, two or three  times a day—this course
to be  pursued until the disease is removed.
   In this disease, the  greatest  attention  must  be paid
to the patient's  diet ; fresh fish, and  every  thing that
has a  tendency  to turn putrid or rancid on the stomach,
must be dispensed with.
   EPILEPSY, OR  FALLING SICKNESS.

  The epilepsy is a sudden deprivation of all the sens-
es, wherein the patient falls suddenly down, and is  af-
fected with a convulsive motion.   Children, especial-
ly those who are delicately brought up, are most sub-
ject  to  it.   It  more  frequently  attacks men than
women 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.            69"

   Cause.—The epilepsy is hereditary.  It may like-
wise proceed from blows, bruises, or wounds on the
head ;  a collection of  water, blood, or viscous hu-
mours in the brain ;  a polypus ;  tumours,  or  concre-
tions, within the skull ;  excessive drinking ;  worms :
teething ; suppression of customary  evacuations ; too
great emptiness, or repletion, &c,

   Symptoms.—An epileptic  fit  is generally preceded
by unusual weariness—pain  of the  head—dullness—
giddiness—noise in the  ears—dimness of  the sight—
palpitation of the heart—disturbed sleep—difficulty  in
breathing ;  the  bowels  are  inflated with  wind  ; the
urine is in great  quantity, but thin ;  the  complexion
is pale ; the extremities are cold ; and the patient of-
ten feels, as it were,  a stream of cold  water, ascend-
ing  towards  his head.   In  the  fit,  the  patient gen-
erally makes an unusual noise ;  his  thumbs are drawn
in towards the  palms of his hands, his eyes are dis-
torted, he starts, and  foams  at the mouth, his extrem-
ities  are bent or twisted various ways  ; he often dis-
charges his  urine,  and faeces,  involuntarily,  and is
quite  destitute of all sense and  reason.  After the  fit
is over, his senses gradually return ; and he complains
of a kind of stupor, weariness, and pain of his head—
but  has no remembrance of  what happened to him du-
ring the fit.

    Treatment.—In the  treatment of this disease, the
 same method should be pursued as  in all  cases of ob-
 structions.   Beginning  with the powders,  the  person
 should  go  through  a regular  course ;  this   should
be followed once in  two days,  until the  cause is re-
moved, which will be in  the course of two or three
weeks.*
  * I have attended several with this complaint, and never
knew this mode of treatment to fail.  In 1835,  a child  of 
70
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
               HYSTERIC FITS.

   This disease more frequently  occurs  in  the  unmar-
 ried or barren women, and  those who lead a sedente-
 ry life.  It  frequently appears  before the  age  of pu-
 berty, and  seldom after the  age of thirty-five years.
 The time at which it most readily  occurs, is that of
 the menstrual period.  It  generally commences with
 universal languor  and coldness of the  extremities.
 The colour of the  face is variable ; being sometimes
 flushed,  and  at other times pale.   The  pulse becomes
 unequal  and obscure.   The stomach is sometimes af-
 fected with  vomitings, the lungs  with  difficulty of
 breathing, and the heart  with palpitations.   A  painful
 sensation is often felt like that of a globe or a  ball in
 the left side of the belly, advancing upwards, and pro-
 ducing the  same uneasiness in the stomach,  from which
 it  rises  in  the throat, occasioning by  its pressure,  a
 sense of suffocation ; when a degree of fainting comes
 on, and certain  convulsive  motions take place, agitat-
 ing the trunk of the body and limbs in various ways  ;
 after which, alternate fits of  laughter and  crying  oc-
 cur, and a remission then ensues.   In  some patients,
 a violent beating pain takes place in some  part of the
bead,  as if a  nail was driving into it.   Sharp pains
likewise  attack the loins, back  and bladder, and the
patient makes an unusual quantity  of urine as limpid
as water, which is one  of the most characteristic
signs of the  disease.  The  appearances which  take
place in this affection, are considerably  varied  in  dif-
mine, eight years old, was violently seized with  the epilep-
sy.   As soon as the fit commenced, I gave her the vegeta-
ble powders ; an injection was  prepared  and administered
immediately, which greatly relieved her.  I then gave her
an emetic, which entirely cured her in a few days ; and she
has not had an  attack of it since that time.       M. P. 
               MEDICAL COMPANION.            71

ferent persons, and even in the same persons at dif-
ferent times.   It differs by having more or less of those
circumstances  above mentioned ;  by these  circum-
stances being more or less violent, and by the different
duration of the whole fit.   This disease  is caused by
weakness—relaxed state, or contraction  and inflam-
mation of the womb.   If the patient be young, and the
spells of short  duration, the vegetable powders,  with
large potions of the valerian every night, with injec-
tions  made of the  same, will  speedily effect a cure.
Great care should be taken to convince the patient that
their complaint is the hysteric, as their resolution has a
tendency, frequently, to cure the disease.  But when
there is much  inflammation in  the  affected parts, and
the complaint  so violent as  to cause fits,  a regular
course should be given—a tea-spoon full  of skunk cab-
bage, or valerian root, should be given after the emet-
ic has operated, and be repeated twice a day, until  a
cure is effected.
                    PALSY.

   This is a disease consisting in a loss of the power of
voluntary motion, but  affecting certain parts of the
body only, and by this it is distinguished from  apo-
plexy.    In the most violent degrees of palsy, the pa-
tient loses, both the power of motion and the sense of
feeling, either on  one  side, or  the lower part of the
body.   When  it  affects any particular part only,  as
the tongue, the lip, or  eyelid, &c. it is termed a local
palsy.

   Symptoms.—If this disease be not the effect of apo-
plexy,  it is often preceded  by universal torpor, giddi- 
72
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
ness, a sense  of weight,  or uneasiness  in  the head,
dulness of  comprehension, loss  of memory, and a
sense of coldness in  the  part about to be affected  ;
there is also tremor, creeping, and pain in the part.

   Causes.—Compression of the brain, from any of the
causes inducing  apoplexy—certain poisons  received
into the body, as lead, arsenic, &c.   It  is  also  pro-
duced in consequence of extreme  debility,  and  old
age.

   When it arises from diminished energy of the nerv-
ous  system, both  internal and external stimulants are
required in order to restore the nervous system,  and
bring the muscles to their natural action.   In this state,
the vegetable powders, and elixir,  should be  given a
few days ; then a regular course should be given—
and repeated, as often as  once in two or three days.
At the same time, externa] stimulants must be daily at-
tended to, such as dry frictions over the part affected,
with a flesh brush, or rough cloth, or  flannel impreg-
nated with elixir, ointment, oil of rosemary, or sassa-
fras.   Stimulating the part with nettles, has  produced
good effects, as well as  electricity.   There are cases
of palsy which are incurable, particularly when it at-
tacks old people, and such as  have taken mineral poi-
sons for medicines.
                  SORE  EYES.

   This disease is so well known, as to render all de-
scription of it unnecessary.

   Causes.—External violence done to the eyelids, or
-to the eye itself—extraneous bodies under the eyelids., 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
73
       as particles of dust and sand—acrid fluids or vapours
       —exposure  of  the eyes to  a strong light—sewing, *
       reading, or writing, especially by candle light.   In-
       flammation of the eyes may also be  caused by foul
       stomach, or bad humours in the system—or,  may ac-
       company other diseases of the eyes and of the neigh- •
       bouring parts, such as turning inward of the  eye^ITds,
       or by styes growing on them.   When  the disease is
       moderate, and the  exciting cause no longer exists, the
       cure is perfectly easy, requiring  little more  than  ex-
       ternal applications, such as washing the eyes  frequent-
       ly with warm milk and water, mixed with a little bran-
       dy,  or  canker wash.   An egg boiled hard  and^cut in
       two, and the  white taken from the shell and bound
       on the  eyes, is a  certain cure for  inflammation caused
       by colds ;  but  in severe cases, where it  proceeds
    *  from foul stomach,—which is known by a constant pain
       in the  eye—the emetic should be  given, and  repeated
       once a week ; between the emetics, the pills and pow-
       ders should be  given, which never fails of effecting a
       cure.

         Prevention.—To persons liable to  this complaint
       the following instructions may be useful :—When  the
       eyes are  weak,  all painful and fatiguing exertions of
*      them should be  carefully avoided, looking  aMhe sun,
       sewing or reading by candle light, or sitting in a smo-
       ky room.   If there be welh grounded  suspicion that
       the inflammation of the eyes originates from  the sup- •
       pression of the customary evacuations, they should, as
       soon as possible, be restored.
                     CRAMP.

  A painful spasm of the calf of the leg or muscles of
■ he  toes, and sometimes of the stomach.
                     & 
74
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
  . Causes.—Cold—stretching of the limbs—advanced
  pregnancy—acidity^—indigestion, &c.

    Treatment.—A cramp of the leg is best relieved, by
  standing up, and throwing the weight of the  body on
 *the toes, which forcibly extends the muscles, and thus
  takes away  the spasm   If the  cramp arises from acid-
  ity  or indigestion,  give  every  night, the  vegetable
  powder and valerian—the pills every morning, and the
  stomach drops twice  a  day.

    A cramp of the stomach, is  best  treated  by a tea-
  spoon full of bitter root ;  and valerian, with elixir, will
* generally relieve the patient: If these fail, an emet-
  ic should  be  given, and  a hot stone should be ap-
  plied  to the stomach, which always affords immediate
  relief.                                                 •
                  LOCK JAW.

   Symptoms.—A rigid and painful  contraction of all,
or .several of the muscles.   Its first symptom is a stiff-
ness in the back of the  neck, increasing to pain, and
extending next to the root of the tongue—then shoot-
ing into the breast ; and lastly, seizing the back.

   Causes.—Wounds  of the head, or extremities—or
purrctures of the slightest kind, as running a  splinter
under the nail, or into the toe, or  finger.

  . Treatment.—On the first appearance of this alarm-
ing disease, five or six tea-spoons full of tincture emet-
ic should  be given, with large potions of skunk cab-
bage, or valerian : the steam should be used, and the*
patient should continue  in the box as long as it can be 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.            75
borne ;  this in light cases is all that is necessary.   But
in more severe cases, when the jaws are  locked, the
injections should be given,  made of valerian tea, a ta-
ble-spoon full of green emetic, half the quantity of cay-
enne—it should be  repeated  every half hour, until  it
relax the system and excite vomiting.  Efforts should
be made to force a  tea-spoon full of the said emetic in
a tea-cup  full of pennyroyal tea,  into  the  stomach.
Force it down, if it can be put through the teeth ;—if
not, put it between the cheek and gum,  and as soon as
it reaches the roots of the tongue, the mouth will open,
then give the emetic, as in  other cases of  the disease.
This  will relax the whole system, and the person will
appear very languid ;—give such  drinks as the patient
craves.    Should the spasm  return, the same course is
to be pursued, until the cure is made.
      PALPITATION  OF THE HEART.

   In  this disease, the motion of the heart is performed
with more  rapidity,  and generally with greater force
than usual, which may not  only  be felt by the hand,
but often be perceived by the  eye, and even heard.
There is frequently a  difficulty of breathing—a purplish
hue of the cheeks and lips,  and a variety of anxious
and  painful sensations.   It  sometimes  terminates in
sudden death.

   Cause.—A morbid enlargement  of the heart itself,
and of the large vessels, a morbid  condition of the
system, and many of the causes inducing fainting.—^
When the disease arises  from a  morbid state of the
system, and the action of the heart powerful,emetics are
necessary, which should be repeated once a week .— 
76
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
the vegetable powders and bitters should be  given be-
tween the times of giving the emetic-

   When there is reason to believe this affection is in
consequence of debility, the peach cordiah, or stomach
drops, taken for some time, in the usual doses direct-
ed, is a certain remedy.   When the nervous system is
affected, large doses of valerian will be found very ser-
viceable.   Those who are subject to  a palpitation of
the heart, should carefully avoid violent  exercise.
                   HEART-BURN.

     What is commonly called the heart-burn, is not a dis-
   ease of that organ, but an uneasy sensation  of heat,
   or acrimony, about the  pit of the stomach,  which is
   sometimes attended with  anxiety, nausea and vomit-
   ing.   It may proceed from debility of  the  stomach,
   bile, or the abounding of'an acid in the stomach.
     The first step towards a remedy, is to remove the
   unpleasant sensation existing, which may be  done by
   taking either a small potion of saleratus, or table spoon
   full   of magnesia  in  a  glass of  water or  tea, or a
   tumbler of mucilage  of gum-arabic, or  flaxseed tea
*^taken cold, with a small piece  of liquorice ball dis-
   solved  in it.

     But to cure the disease effectually, give the emetic,
   and  afterwards the pills,  powders,  and bitters,  which
   will  bring the stomach to its natural action, and  effect
   a cure.

     The diet of those who are subject to this complaint,
   should consist  chiefly of animal food ; and all ferment-
   ed or acid liquors, and greasy aliment, must be strictly-
   avoided. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
T7
 INDIGESTION, OR WEAKNESS OF  THE
                  STOMACH.

   Symptoms.—Want of appetite—nausea, sometimes
vomiting—stomach-burn—costiveness—distensions of
the stomach, particularly upon taking a  small quantity
of food—frequently rising into the throat, of a sharp
acid liquor, and  eructations  of imperfectly  digested
matter.

   Causes.—Repeated colds, humours, or canker, er-
rors and irregularities  in the  mode of  living, intense
study, an immoderate use of tobacco, or ardent spirits.

   Treatment.—If the patient complains of oppressed
stomach,  with  nausea, give the powders and stomach
bitters for two or three days,  then  a  regular course
should be given, repeating it once  in  four days ; be-
tween the courses, give the powders and pills.  When
the patient complains of a pain in the stomach, resort
to the remedies for heart-burn.   Should this fail, give
valerian ; and in case of costiveness, administer injec-
tions.   This treatment will  generally cure  the pains;
after which, endeavor to restore the tone of the stom-
ach by strengthening medicines,  such  as  cordial  or
stomach drops, &c.   The costiveness peculiar to per-
sons in  this complaint, must be  femoved by medicines,
 which  gently force  the intestines to  a  more regular
discharge of their contents ;  and this effect is  best ob-
 tained by bitter root, golden  seal,  mustard,  or Ameri-
 can rhubarb chewed every day, and the saliva,  only,
 swallowed.                                    «
   Injections should  also be given every day.   Strong
 purgatives are  unfit  to correct the  habits of  costive-
 ness, as they weaken the action of the  intestines, and
 thereby increase  the complaint, when the evacuations
 ere over.
                       G* 
78
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                     COLIC.

   Symptoms.  A violent pain in the bowels, originat-
 ing from constrictions, attended with costiveness, and
 sometimes vomiting.  The pain  is commonly seated
 about  the navel, and resembling various sensations,
 such as  of  burning,  twisting,  boring, or  a  ligature
 drawn very tight across  the intestines.  It  comes on
•without fever, but which soon follows, especially if in-
 flammation takes place in the intestines.

   Causes—Flatulence ; indigestible aliment taken in-
 to the stomach ;  acid bile ; hardened faeces  ; costive-
 ness ;  worms ; drinking too freely  of acids ; sudrTen
 checks of perspiration ; and the taking of  poisons—
 such as  arsenic, antimony, quicksilver, lead, &c.

   Treatment.—When the  disease,  evidently  arises
 from wind,  (as  may be known  by a rumbling in the
 bowels, by pressure on  the belly, or by the ease ex-
 perienced from a discharge of  it, or by the patient's
 lying on the belly,) half a glass of gin elixir,  or  a
 tea-spoon full of powders will  generally give  relief.
 But in severe cases,  where the pain is fixed and acute,
 a regular course  is  advisable, in order to,,«leanse the
 system from colds  and  canker, to remove obstruc-
 tions,  and to prevent  inflammation.   Next the ac-
 tion of the intestines must be excited by purgatives,
 such as pills,  balm,  senna,  and  mustard seed, aided
 by injections ; a hot stone, or bitter bath,  applied to
 the  bowels,  is of great  service.   If the pain contin-
 ues  obstinate, this method should be repeated.   Two
 or»three coures never fail of affecting a cure.   Child-
 ren  are frequently subject to the wind colic ; bathing
 the bowels with elixir, and giving a  tea-spoon full in*
 warm water sweetened, affords irJTmediate relief. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
79
          HICKUP, OR  HICCOUGH.

  This disease is a  spasmodic affection  of  the  dia-
phragm and sometimes of the  stomach, from the  irri-
tation of acidity, poisons,  &c.
  When acidity is pointed out to  be the cause, half a
tea-spoon full  of  salaratus dissolved in half  a  cup of
warm water, or a tea-spoon full of calcined magnesia,
will frequently  stop it.  When occasioned by poison,
or improper food, an emetic will be necessary.   If the
spasms continue violent, a regular course shduld  be
given.  In  weak stomachs, oppressed with  indigesti-
ble food, two  or  three  tea-spoons full of elixir,  or
stomach drops, will often give relief.    Elixir  applied
externally  to  the  stomach  is also  a  good remedy.
 Sometimes swallowing  a few times without  breathing
 will stop  it.
                    ASTHMA.

  This disease is often hereditary.   When attended
with an Expectoration of phlegm, it is termed moist or
humoral ; and when with little or none, dry or nervous
asthma.
  It generally attacks at night with a sense of  tight- •
ness across  the  breast,  and  impeded  respiration.
The person thus  taken, if in a horizontal position,.is
obliged immediately to  get into  an erect posture,  and
solicit  a free and cold air.   In  violent paroxysms,
speaking is  difficult and uneasy.   To these succeed
heat, fever, pain  of the  head, sickness and nausea,  pal-
pitation of the heart, a weak and sometimes intermit-
ting pulse, an involuntary  flow of tears, bilious  vomit-
ing, &c. 
80
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
   Treatment.—On the first attack of asthma,  the
powders are serviceable. If the pain in the chest and
difficulty be considerable,  the tincture  emetic,  from
four to six tea-spoons  full in pennyroyal, has afforded
immediate relief.   When the paroxysm comes in con-
sequence of a loaded stomach, an emetic will be found
serviceable  When the asthma  is hereditary, there is
very small ground to expect a cure, although the com-
plaint may be much mitigated by emetics, cough pow-
der, &c.  When it proceeds from a  bilious state of
the stomach, or indigestion, which may be known by
fever,' pain of the head,  sickness, bilious vomiting, the
surest remedy  is the  regular courses.   This method
to be repeated  once or  twice a week, until the cure is
made, which seldom  takes  more  than two or three
weeks.  In every stage of this disease, the grestesf
attention must be paid to  keep the bowels open,  by
mild laxatives,  or, injections.
                    JAUNDICE.

    This disease is known by yellowness of the skin, and
  eyes,  but chiefly of the eyes ; the urine is also yellow ;
  inactivity, anxiety, and  uneasiness  at the pit  of the
, stomach, and itching of the  skin.   There  is  like-
  wise a species of this disease called the  black jaun-
  dice, which  ends in mortification and death.

    Causes.—-The cause of the jaundice  is an obstruc-
  tion of the bile, or what is contained in the gall-blad-
  der, through its natural channel,  of its ducts ; spasmo-
  dic  constrictions  of  the  ducts  themselves, pressing
  from adjacent tumours ; or stone in the gall. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.             81
   Treatment—The indications of cure are the remov-
al of obstructions, which as they originate from differ-
ent causes will require different modes  of treatment.
As viscid bile is the most common cause of  this com-
plaint.   In  full  habits, and where there are feverish
symptoms, begin with  the vegetable powders ; after-
wards give a  regular course—the day after, a dose of
pills  or balm.  If one course does not remove the cause,
itshould be repeated once  or  twice a week,  until it
is removed.    The  powders  should  be  given   every
morning and evening—the stomach  bitters  should be
given two or three time  a day, which seldom fails of ef-
fecting  a cure.

   In light cases,  all that is needful to effect  a cure, is
the powders twice a day, the bitters two or three times
—the pills  or balm, every  other  night.   The diet
ought to be  regulated according to the constitution of
the patient.    In  feverish habits,  the diet  should be
low  ; and in case of excessive debility, it should be
of the most nourishing kind.   Vegetables, as theycre-
°te flatulency  and acidity, are to be avoided.
             WHITE  SWELLING.

   This disease is distinguished  by  an  acute p;< r,
 vithout any external inflammation of a joint,  alter,ed
with a gradual increase of its  size.   Though  ail  :,3
joints are occasionally subject to it, yet us woo usual
seat is in  the knee.   White swellings are generally cf
a scrofulous nature, but sometimes ihey are produced
by a rheumatic affection, and sometimes ;ollo\v stains
that have been neglected, or badly treated. 
S2            MEDICAL  COMPANION.
   Treatment.—As soon as an affection of this kind is*
discovered, the patient should  remain in the house,
and the affected limb be kept, perfectly at rest, without
which, remedies cannot produce any gcod effect.

   The great  object in view  in  order to effect a cure
should be to prevent the  formation of matter, by the
application of bitter baths to the parts affected; the pa-  .
tient  should  be  carried  through a  regular course  ;  (
and  while under the  operation  of the emetic, the
joint should be kept  wet  by means of a sheet dipped
in cold water and placed around the part affected two
or three hours.  After the local affection is somewhat
abated, friction with  elixir and ointment,  will have a
good effect ; the  joint is to be  rubbed well, two or
three times a-day, and covered with a piece of flannel
soaked in the elixir and ointment.  If the disease con-
tinues to advance in  spite of these remedies, the cour-
ses  should  be repeated  twice  a week.   Vegetable
poultices* should be  applied often, until  various ab-
cesses appear, which should be opened, and afterwards
treated as ulcers.
                    POISONS.

  The cure of poisons swallowed, whether vegetable,
or mineral, require either an immediate evacuation, or
a contraction of their effects.   Therefore, as soon as
possible, give an emetic in  large  potions, assisted by
copious draughts  of  pennyroyal tea, or  warm water.
To remove the stupefaction,  which generally ensues
after a large dose of opium,  acids of the  vegetable
* See Poultice. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
83
class, ought to be given freely, but if the patient lay in
a deadly stupid state, with  cold  extremities, warm in-
jections prepared with large potions of emetic, ought
to be instantly given, and repeated in order to excite"
vomiting.

   When mineral poisons are taken, if a vomiting  does
not follow, attempt the expulsion by an emetic as above
described ; and let it be followed with large potions of
*weet oil,  which  should be  administered for  four  or
 five days,  until  the  cure is  completed.   The use of
 milk arid mucilaginous drinks, in large quantities,  do
 good, by doing away the acrimony of the poison, and
 must not  be omitted.   The same method should be
 pursued, if arsenic, corrosive sublimate, sugar of lead,
 tartar emetic, or any metalic salt has been taken ; and
 unless  the remedies are quickly resorted to, death  in-
 evitably will  take place.
HYDROPHOBIA, OR BITE OF A MAD DOG.
                         ■«*
  This distemper, occasioned by the  bite of  a mad
dog, is so dreadfully alarming at all  times, that we
ought as the best means of security, to endeavour by
all means to prevent it.   A true description of this dis-
ease has been given by a  number of  writers, and is
worthy of a place here.  It is of more importance here
to notice the symptoms in the dog than in the  patient
bitten, that we  may be on  our guard to prevent the
disease, and its sad  effects.
  The dog may be known  to be rabid by his dull hea-
vy look—his endeavour to hide  himself—seMom or
never barking—being  angry and snarling at strangers,
but fawning on  his  owner—refusing all  food—droop- 
34
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
 ing—hanging down his ears and tail, and often lying
 down as if going to  sleep.  This is the first stage.
 The  next, begins to breathe quick and heavy, shoots
 out his  tongue  and  froths at  the mouth—looks half
 asleep—flies  suddenly at standers by—and runs for-
 ward in a curved line.   At length, he knows  not his
 owner—his eyes are thick and  dim,  and water runs
 from them—his tongue is of a red colour—he grows
 weak and faint—often  falls  down, and grows furious
 and mad : the nearer  to this  state, the more danger-
 ous the bite.   The poison of hydrophobia is generally
 communicated by a wound, which nevertheless heals as
 soon as a common wound.

   Symptoms.—In a certain interval after the bite, gen-
 erally, however, between the twentieth day and three
 or four months, pain  or uneasiness  occurs  in  the bit-
 ten part, though the wound may have been  long heal-
 ed.   Anxiety, languor, spasm, terror, disturbed sleep,
 difficult respiration  succeed, and  are very  much in-
 creased.  Violent convulsions affect the whole body,
 hideously distorting the muscles of the face ; the eyes
 are red  and protruded ;  the tongue swells, and often
 hangs out, and viscid  saliva flows from the  mouth.
 There is also pain in  the stomach, with bilious voi
 kings, and a horror of fluids, which is a sufficient char-
 acteristic of the disease.

   Treatment.—Where the disease is once begun, the
 vegetable emetic and injection  should be given, as the
 infection from the wound is diffused through the system
 —and in fact, the whole body is deranged.   The sur-
 est method,  therefore, to  be pursued, is a frequent re-
 pi at ing of the emetics, and injections, which if applied
 ir -eason, will cleanse the system from all  infection.
 A  rong'de'coction of chick  weed, and plantain, for
 c'-'istant  drink is highly  serviceable.    Sweet  oil,  in
 laige  quantities, is   highly  recommended  for  this
nvilady.   Strong poultices composed of cayenne, lobe- 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
85
lia, plantain and elm should often be applied to the
part affected by the bite.
                 CHILBLAINS.

  Chilblains  are  inflammatory swellings,  chiefly  af-
fecting the heels, feet and  toes, and sometimes  the
arms and  hands, and  attended  with great pain and a
degree of itching.   This is  owing to a weaker action
of the small vessels most remote from the heart, occa-
sioned by cold  or .dampness, and  occurs most  fre-
quently among children and  people of delicate consti-
tutions.
  Where the parts  are frost bitten by a long exposure
to the cold, they should be  plunged into  the  coldest
water and afterwards rubbed with the vegetable elixir.
When they are only benumbed,  they may be rubbed
with the tincture of camphor, or itch drops ; but when
they crack and discharge  an acrid  matter,  poultices
should be applied, but not for any length  of time, as
their continuance is apt to produce fungous excrescen-
ces.  The application of canker wasj?, or itch drops,
to the part, if the exciting causes be avoided, will af-
terward effect a cure.  The powders should be given
night and morning ; and to raise  a heat in the system,
pills should also be given.
                    WARTS.

  When.warts are attended with inconvenience,  they
may be removed by  a ligature.  Bathing the hands 
86            MEDICAL COMPANION.

with elixir, several times a day, and applying the milk
of green sullendine,  will effect a cure.
                    CORNS.

  Corns are formed entirely by pressure and  friction ;
and we  must carefully avoid the cause  by wearing
wide shoes.   For their removal, corns should be bath-
ed for some time in the vegetable elixir, and then par-
ed off as much as possible, without ^giving pain ;  after
which apply around the toe, above or below the corn,
a strip of cotton five or six inches long, a quarter  of
an inch  in wfdth.  Botanic ointment should be applied
to the corn once a day ; and the corn should be trim-
med as  often as it becomes hard.  In a  short time it
will come out by the roots.
           TUMOURS,  OR  BILES.

  Every tumour  terminates in one of the following
ways.   By an absorption  of [the  substance  into  the
circulation, by a conversion into pus, or degeneration
into scirrhus or cancer.
  When they appear on any part of the body with  a
degree of pain,  tension and inflammation,  that may
induce us to believe it to be the effects of nature to get
rid of  some noxious matter.   Their  suppuration in
all cases.should be promoted as soon as possible, by
warm poultices, as milk and cracker, elm, pond lilly, 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.            87

ginger, renewed every three or four hours.   When the
suppuration is completed, if the matter does not make
its own way out, the tumour is to be opened with a
lancet, after which, the  part should be washed with
warm castile soap suds, applying the poultices, until it
begins to  heal.   After this, it should be washed with
the tincture of  myrrh,  to  prevent  fungus, or  proud
flesh ; if it appears, it  must be destroyed  by sprink-
ling burnt alum, or cranes bill over it.  Ointment, or
salve, will be found serviceable. Attention must also be
paid to the general state of the system,  since if that
particular state on which the humours depend,  is not
changed, the patient may be harassed a  considerable
time  by their  recurrence.    However  the powders,
elixir, and pills should be employed, and these follow-
ed by a regular course, which should be  repeated two
or three times if the^case requires.   A tumour  on the
gums is to  be  brought to  suppuration  by applying
 roasted figs, or raisins, internally to  the part, as warm
 as can be borne ; and  afterwards  the mouth is to be
 frequently washed with astringents.  But when  it aris-
 es from  a carious tooth, a removal of it becomes nec-
 essary in order to effect a cure.
           SCALDS AND  BURNS.

  If the  following simple manner of treating burns is
strictly attended to, most cases may be speedily cured,
and without much pain or smart.  In all case's of" bad
burns, the patient must not fail to take something stim-
ulating,  such as cayenne,  warm powders, elixir, &c.
and in some cases, an emetic is necessary.   As soon
as the accident happens, the part should be kept wet
by means of a cloth  wet in  cold  water;  a number of 
88             MEDICAL  COMPANION.
 raw potatoes should be immediately grated or scraped,
.and spread on a thick piece of cloth, sufficiently large
 to cover the part that is burned or scalded—this should
 be allowed to remain six or eight hours, and if the po-
 tatoes  become dry, and the pain  or smart increases,
 the  cloth should be wet with cold water ; this  manner
 of treatment seldom  fails  to  allay  the inflammation,
 even" in bad cases, in six or ten hours.   As  soon as
 the  inflammation,  is  out, the part should  be  washed
 with castile soap suds ; the salve should be spread on
 linen cloth, and  applied  to "the affected part.   This
 should be repeated every  six hours, until the cure is
 made—the patient should be kept comfortably warm,*'
  * The case of a young man came under my care, in Low-~^|*
ell in 1832, at Capt. W. Wyman's.   He was burnt by amV
accidental explosion of gunpowder,  and so badly, that the
skin fell#from his face, arms, and hands.  I applied cold wa-
ter first,' until potatoes could be scraped, which were then
applied as mentioned above ,  in eight hours the inflamma-
tion was wholly out.  I  then washed the parts with cas-
tile soaprsuds, and applied the salve—repeating the wash-
ing and salve three times a day. and in eight days I had the
happiness to find an  entiae new surface  formed,  and the
young man wholly cured.


  A child of Mr. Carr, of  Lowell, was badly scalded with
boiling tea.   As soon as  the accident happened, Mr. Carr
called on me.  I found the child much injured by the scald,
on the neck and arm, the skin was removed in taking off her
clothes.  A cloth was .wet with Jcold water  and applied
to shield the injured parts from the air. Potatoes were im-
mediately scraped, spread on a cloth  and applied.  In a few
moments her cries, which had. been most heart-rending,
ceased, and the  little sufferer fell asleep.  The next morn-
ing the inflammation was out—it was then washed.with
eoap-suds, and the salvejapplied,  and the powders were giv-
en to keep up the inward heat.   By this course of practice,
on the fifth day she was perfectly cured.         M. P. 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.            89

  In some cases  where the burn  has been wrongly
treated, where spirits of turpentine, oil, soap,  molas-"
ses  or  rum has been applied, poultices made of elm,
crackers or rye meal, and wet with raspberry leaf tea,
should be  used.   The  tincture of  myrrh will also be
found serviceable.  When there is an indication of fe-
ver, or convulsions, a  regular course should be given,
keeping the part wet with  cold water until the  emetic
has done operating.
        ERUPTIONS  OF  THE SKIN.

  There  subsists  so intimate a relation between the
internal and external parts of our body, that no disor-
der scarcely takes place within, that does not show it-
self ultimately on the surface.

   Diseases of  tfte  skin are therefore very numerous,
and as they most commonly arise from a constitutional
cause,  they  should  be  treated by general remedies.
Persons of relaxed habits, especially females, are sub-
ject to an eruption, attended with redness and soreness
of the skin, forming large spots on  the face and neck.
This is certainly the marks of a constitutional debility,
and can only  be removed by  strengthening medicines,
such as powders,  bitters, stomach  drops, cordial, &c.
 Outward applications are  of great  service,  such as
 canker wash,  itch drops, or washing the  eruptions in
strong raspberry leaf tea.  Attention should always be
 paid to a  frequent change of  linen.  Cutaneous erup-
 tions oftentimes arise from foulness of the stomach, in
 which case occasional vomiting and purging are found
 to be highly useful.  There  are eruptions in  persons
 of apparent health, which are the causes of an lnflam-- 
90            MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                                             t
ed liver, from a  too frequent  use of wine  and spirits
and high living.

  An  attempt to  remove these pimples by externa!
means would not only be fruitless, but highly danger-
ous ;  and their cure can only be effected  by gradually
correcting  the habit of intemperance, both in  eating
and drinking-
                     SCURVY,
                                                     • «
   This disease is known by the following symptoms.
 An unusual weak state of the body ;  pale and bloat-«^
 ed countenance ; the breathing affected  on the slight«»
 est exertion ; the gums soft, swollen, and inclined to""
 bleed on  being rubbed ; and sometimes putrid ulcers
•are formed, the teeth become  loose, the breath foetid,
 and the urine high coloured.   The heart is subject to
 palpitation-—the lower extremities  to dropsical swell-
 ings—the body to pains of a  pleuratic, or rheumatic
 kind  ; besides which, blotches and ulcers break out in
 different parts of the skin—and  often terminating in
 mortification.

   Causes.—Cold moist air  ; scanty diet ;  an indolent
 life, with luxurious indulgences ; impure  water ; cor-
 rupted provisions, and whatever may weaken the body.

   Treatment.—The same  method should be pursued
 in this case as in all other cases of obstructions, which
 is to warm and clear the system of cold and canker,
 by the regular courses ; that powders, pills, elixir and
 bitters should be given between the courses.  When
 the gums are enlarged, ulcerated and foetid, the mouth 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
91
should be frequently washed with a decoction of pond
lilly, sumach, or raspberry and*hazel  leaves, and  the
gums rubbed with the tooth powder-   The scorbutic
ulcers should  also   be  washed with  tinctures  of
myrrh.   These ulcers  may  be  known by their soft
and spongy  edges.   The patient should be  allowed
such food'as suits best*; a vegetable diet  is to be pre-
ferred.   As nothing is of more importance to the scor-
butic, than breathing pure fresh  air,  they should at all
times  be well supplied.   Seamen, affected with it,
ought constantly to keep on deck in fair weather.
                      ITCH.

   The itch consists of small watery pimples of a con-
tagious  nature, which  first  appear  between the  fin-
gers, and  on  the wrists,  but  in the process of time
spreading over the  whole body, except the face,  at-
tended with a great  degree of itching, especially after
being heated by exercise, or when warm in bed.

   People ought to be extremely cautious lest they take
other eruptions for the itch ; as the stoppage of these
maybe attended  with fatal consequences.   Many of
the  eruptive disorders to which  children are liable,
have a near resemblance to the itch ; and infants are
sometimes killed  by being  rubbed  with  greasy oint-
ments  that make, these  eruptions strike suddenly in,
which nature had thrown out to  preserve the patient's
life, or to prevent some other malady.

   The best remedy yet known for the itch, is the itch
drop's, bathing the parts night and morning by the fire,
or in bed, and taking  the powders at the same  time. 
92            MEDICAL COMPANION.

This method should be continued until  a cure is per-
formed, which is generally within a few  days.   There
is no need of changing the clothes, the drops which
cure the infection, will cleanse the clothes.   There is
no danger by exposure, as the powders keep up the
inward heat,  while the  drops  remove  the  eruptions.
This method I have found perfectly safe, to old  and
young,  in numerous cases.
        TETTER,  OR  RING WORM.

  This is  an eruption that  attacks various parts  of
the skin, in a  circle, with  an inflamed  basis, which^
gradually spreads,  forming  an extensive excoriation,
sometimes  moist, and other times dry ; and is attend-
ed with smarting and  itching, succeeded  by scurfy
scales.  If the habit of body be not faulty, external ap-
plications alone, are often sufficient to remove this af-
fection.  The  vegetable elixir, itch drops, or canker
wash,  are  excellent remedies.  Covering the eruption
daily with juice of black walnut  has  often effected a
cure.  Where the disease is stubborn, internal med-
icines must be administered, such as  powders, pills,
and bitters.  If this is  not  sufficient,  the person must
go through a regular course, which will effect a cure.
       SCROFULA,  OR KING'S EVIL.

  This disease is most  frequent among children, who
are  ill fed,  ill lodged, and ill clothed ; it is also hered-
• 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.            93
   itary  Dut  never  contagious.   It most commonly oc-
   curs in children from  the third to the tenth year ; fre-
   quently, however, it discovers  itself at a later period,
   in habits peculiarly disposed to it.   It is known by in-
   dolent bard tumours of the lymphatic glands, particu-
   larly those of the neck, behind the ears, or under the
   chin.   Sometimes  the scrofula attacks the arms-pits,
   groins, feet, hands, eyes, and breast.   In the progress,
   of the disease, these* tumours degenerate into ulcers of
   bad digestion ; the discharge of which  consists of a
   white curdled matter, and previous  to their breaking,
   they  acquire a sort of purple redness, and a softness
   to the touch.  In whatever form  it appears, it is no-
   thing  more nor less than canker, caused by cold, or ob-
   structions in the glands.

      Treatment.—The only sure cure of this disease, is
^L to  clear the  whole  system by  the regular courses,
  * and these  should be repeated twice a week until  the
   cure is made.  Powders, bitters, pills and elixir, should
   be  given for some time  afterwards.  A decoction  of
   perola, two tumblers full a day, is of great service in
   this  complaint.    When the  ulcers  discharge, they
   should be washed with the tincture of myrrh ; if they
   are much swelled and painful,  vegetable  poultices
   should be applied ; and when the abcess^s are cleared
   of canker, they should  be  washed with canker^wash,
   and the ointment applied until they are healed.
           SCIRRHUS,  OR CANCER.

  A cancer is a spreading sore, preceded  by a  hard
or scirrhous  swelling of the part, attended with pain,
and, for the  most  part, with a thin  foetid  discharge. 
94
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
Any part of the body may be the seat of this disorder,
though it is mostly confined to the glands.   A scirrhus
in the breast commences with a  small hard and move-
able kernal like a pea,  without discoloration and with-
out pain.   This generally increases  in size  and  in
hardness ;  the neighboring parts become affected with
a sense of pain and uncommon heat, as if touched with
fire, or  pierced with sharp  needles.  Inflammation
now succeeds, which ending in an ulcer or open sore,
the cancerous state begins.  When the surface of the
skin is attacked by a cancer,  it  generally  begins with
a small  excrecences of a watery kind, which becomes
a cancerous ulcer on  suffering even the slightest irri-
tation.

  This is a disease which many  endure for years  ;  as
it is agreed that cancers cannot be cured, from what sev-
eral have written, except by the knife, or caustic.  It .£»
appears  that the disease  is but  little  understood, al-
though it is represented by authors,  as one of the  foul-
est kind, yet they acknowledge it is a disease for which
no certain remedy is known.

   Numerous are the prescriptions for this disease :—
blood-letting, wearing a rabbit's  skin about the part af-
fected, mercurial plasters, lead water,  solution of ar-
senic, opium,  blistering,  leaches, infusion of  deadly
night-shade, and poison hemlock, and all these without
the least encouragement of a cure.

   It is evident that the disease originates from the im-
purities  of the blood ;  and  in order to effect a cure,
the cause must he removed, and the effect will then  be
experienced.   This  is  to be  done by cleansing the
whole  system  of cold  and  canker,  by  the  regular
courses, repeating the courses twice  a week, for six
months,  if the cure is  not  made before.   While at-
tending to  this, apply the cancer plaster, which  goes
into the sore and reduces  it.   The plaster should  be 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.             95

repeated as often  as  it falls off, until the cure is per-
formed.*
              GRAVEL, AND  STONE.

    These diseases are the  consequences of a peculiar
  disposition of the fluids, but more particularly of 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 urinic  acid.
  When small*stones are lodged  in  the kidneys, or dis-
  charged  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 other matter,  and  at  length be-
  comes too large  to pass  off with the  urine.  In this
  case  the patient is said to have the stone.
     Causes.—The stone and gravel may be occasioned
  by strains—the frequent use  of mineral poisons—the
  use of astringent wines—a sedentary life—the constant
  use of water impregnated with  earthy  or stony  parti-
  cles—aliments of an astringent or  flatulent nature, &c.
  Persons in  the decline  of life, and those who have
  been much afflicted with the gout, or rheumatism, are
  most liable to it.
     Symptoms.—Stone, or  gravel,  is known  by a  fixed
  pain  in the loins, sickness," vomiting, and sometimes
  * In a case of cancer in the breast, I attended one person
twenty-four times in the space of three months, practising
as above.  Between the courses, powders, pills, and bitters
were given.  At the expiration of the time the patient was
fully cured, and has not been troubled with it since. 
96
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
bloody urine, and  not unfrequently with a slight sup-
pression of urine.  When the stone descends into  the
urethra,  and is too large  to pass along with ease, all
the above symptoms  are increased ; the pain extends
toward the bladder ;  the thigh and leg of  the affected
side  are  benumbeYl,  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  ;—
from the frequent inclination to void the urine ; from
the urine coming away by drops, or stopping sudden-
ly when running in a full stream.

   Treatment.—In the first  symptoms of gravel,  the
vegetable powders, and gin elixir, should  be  given
morning  and evening—the balm should be  given  ev-
ery night—a strong decoction of bear-berry,' or wild
cranberry sweetened with honey,  used  for constant
drinks ; with the assistance of lobelia pills, from four  .
to six every night, is of great service  in removing  the
cause of this distressing disease.

   In the advanced  stages of this disease, it will be
found requisite to administer the regular courses twice
a week, and these  should be  followed with powders,
stomach bitters, injections made of pennyroyal, valeri-
an, and cayenne, steeped  together, adding half a tea-
spoon full of green emetic to  the preparation—whor-
tleberry-leaf tea, Tor  constant drink, is found very ser-
viceable in this complaint:   this mode of  treatment
must be pursued, and it will  dissolve the stone and  re-
move the cause.          •
* See Bear-berry. 
MEDICAL
COMPANION-
97
          SUPPRESSION OF  URINE.

   A stoppage of urine may proceed from various caua
es ;  as an inflammation of the kidney's,  or bladder ;
small stones or gravel lodging in the urinary passages ;
hard faeces lying in the rectum ; pregnancy ; a spasm,
or contraction of the neck of  the  bladder;  venereal
clap ; stricture ;  clotted blood, &c.

  Jf the obstruction proceeds 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, irritates it so as  to produce a
spasm ; or the gravel may be so large as totally to ob-
struct the passage : and when  either of these is the
case, the regular  course may be depended on  in re-
moving the obstructions,   and opening the passage.
In addition to  this, a large poultice of softened onions
must be laid over the lower part of the beily.  These
will relax the spasm, and give speedy relief.   If  there
is a stricture of the urethra from the venereal disease,
the courses should be given as often  as  the case re-
quires ; between  the courses,  the  oil of  pumpkin
seeds, or cleavers, may be  given,  and an onion poul-
tice applied outwardly to relax the  constriction.
   In all  inflammatory or  spasmodic Obstructions, fo-
mentations are beneficial.    These  may consist  of de-
coctions of mild vegetables, as mash mallow s, camo-
mile, hops, wormwood, &c..  Cloths dipped in  these
may  be applied to the part,  or warm herbs may be put
in a flannel bag and  laid  on.   In all obstructions of
urine, the body ought to be kept open by warm injec-
tions.
   The food must be light  and  mucilaginous, as weak
broths, decoctions of marsh mallows, comfrey, elm,&c,
                     I 
98            MEDICAL COMPANION.
                     DROPSY.

   This disease is  known by  a swelling of the whole
 body, or some part of it, occasioned by a collection of
 watery humour. «It is distinguished by different names,
 according to the part  affected, as  anasarca, or a col-
 lection of water under the cellular membrane ; ascites,
 or a collection of water in the bowels ; hydropspecto-
 ris, or dropsy of the  breast ; hydrocephalus, or drop-
 sy of the brain.

   Anasarca,* or general dropsy, generally begins with
 a  swelling of the feet and ancles towards  night, which
 for some time disappears in the morning.   In the eve-
 ning the parts, if pressed with the finger, will pit.   The
 swelling gradually ascends, and occupies the trunk of
 the body, the  arms and  the   head.   Afterwards the
 breathing becomes difficult, the urine is in small quan-
 tity, and the thirst great;  the -body is bound, and per-
 spiration is greatly  obstructed.  To  these  suceeed
 torpor, heaviness, a slow, wasting fever, and a trou-
 blesome cough.  This last is generally a  fatal symp-
 tom, as it shows that the lungs are affected.

   In the treatment of dropsy,  the  attention should be '
 directed to ascertain  whether the disease be an origi-

                •
   * I once attended a young man with general dropsy, who
 was very much swelled from his head to  his  feet, attended
 with a bad cough. I attended him through five courses in
 ten days, steaming him  every day between  the courses—
 in three weeks he went home entirely cured.

  Another patient had  the dropsy  in the  bowels ; and in
 addition to the dropsy, had a stoppage ol the menses.  The
 patient was  attended four  times, and took the vegetable
 powders, bitters and  balm,J which entirely  effected a cure ;
 and the person now enjoys good health, and has had no ap-
pearance of the complaint for near two years.      M. P. 
MEDICAL COMPANION.
99
nal one, or  whether  it prevails  as  the  symptom'of
some other ;  as by removing the cause we shall often
be enabled to remove the effect also,  and thus perform
a cure.   For example.   Should  dropsy  have arisen
as a consequence of intemperance, a free useofspirit-
ous liquors, exposure to  a  moist  atmosphere, or the
frequent use of mineral poison, or having  recourse to
large evacuations, particularly bleeding, there is great
fear that the consequences will prove  fatal.

   When  the disease comes suddenly on, and the pa-
tient is young- and strong,  there is reason to hope for
a cure, if  medicine be given early.   It may generally
be removed by the regular  courses ;  and as we cannot
depend on any other  means' than  that which promotes
a discharge by perspiration  and urine,  the  courses
should be repeated  as often as  the patient's strength
will admit, the vapour bath will be found very service-
able between the courses, and should not be neglected,
as it promotes perspiration,  cleanses  the surface, and
refreshes  the patient.  The powders should also be
^iven morning and evening ;  gin  elixir  twice a day,
and pills,  or balm once  in  two or three days.   This
method never fails off effecting a  cure in a short time,
in all curable cases.
   Dropsy in the  chest is very difficult to  cure, and in
the brain  is incurable.
                    WORMS

  These are chiefly of three kinds, viz. the taenia, or
tape worm  ; the teres, or round  and long worm ;  and
the ascarides, or  round and short worm.  There are
many other kinds of worms found in the^human body ; 
10U           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
but as they proceed in a great measure,  from similar
causes, have nearly the same symptoms,  and require
the same method of treatment,  as those already men-
tioned, we shall not spend time in enumerating them.
The tape-worm is  white, very  long and full of joints,
resembling tape.   It  is  generally  bred either in  the
stomach  or small  intestines.   The round  and  long
worm is likewise bred in the small  guts, and some-
times in the stomach.   The round  and short worms
commonly lodge in the rectum,  or  what is called  the
end gut,  and occasions  a  disagreeable itching about
the seat.
   The long  round worms occasion  squeamishness,
vomiting,  a  disagreeable breath,  gripes, looseness,
swelling of the bowels, loathing of food,  and at other
times voracious  appetite, a dry cough, convulsions,
epileptic  fits, and  sometimes a  privation of speech.
The effects of the  tapeworm are nearly the same with
those of long and round  worm,  but rather more vio-
lent.

   Worms  may  proceed from  various causes ;   but
they are   seldom found except in  weak  and relaxed
stomachs, where the digestion is bad.  Sedentary per-
sons are  more liable to them than the active and labo-
rious.  Those who eat great quantities of unripe fruit,
are generally subject to worms.   There  seems to be
an hereditary disposition  in some persons to this dis-
ease ;  and I have  often seen  all  the children  of a
family subject to worms of a particular kind.
   Numberless drugs are extolled for  destroying  and
expelling worms ;  and the consequence  is,  that they
as frequently destroy the patient as  the worms.   How
often have we seen children treated for worms, which
apparently are all destroyed and expelled in  a day or
two, yet  the child  lingers for weeks or montlis,  and
very frequently goes into  a consumption and dies. 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.           101

  When persons are  supposed to have  worms,  the
safest and surest remedy is to  cleanse and  warm the
stomach, the same as in jaundice and weak stomach.
Restore digestion and the cause will be removed.*
               MENSTRUATION,

   One of the principal constitutional characteristics of
the female, is menstruation, or the monthly evacuation,
peculiar to the sex.
   This important operation generally takes place about
Ihe age of fourteen, but varies through the  world, ei-
ther in degree or frequency, both from  constitution
and climate.   Its return is  generally once  a month  ; ^
and in robust constitutions  it continues for a shorter
period than in  the more weakly.   It is of importance
for women to know  that occasional  irregularities are
not always  the  consequence of disease.   Constitu-
tions vary as much in respect to the regular returns of
this discharge, as they do with regard to its  first ap-
pearance, or its  final cessation.  Those in whom this
change occurs very early from vigour of constitution,
require little to be  done for them ; but in weak and les-s
plethoric  young females, the  non-appearance of  this
evacuation is too often considered as the cause, where-
  * I recently visited a child, about seven years of age, who
had had a number of fits caused by worms.  I attended her
twice, and gave her the emetics and injections, and bitten
between the emetics—in one week  she was wholly cured,
and has not been  troubled with fits or worms for more than
tw,o years past.                              M* * ■ 
102           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
as it ought to be viewed as the  effect, of the state of
the habit unpropitious to its taking place.   And ac-
cording to family practice, under this false impression,
forcing medicines are employed, which often do much
harm.


   Nature is not so deficient in her operations as to re-
quire such auxiliaries.   Care should be taken to man-
age the habits of females, as to improve  the  general
state of  their health, by attention  to dress, moderate
exercise, change of  air, and cheerfulness, which will
be found to have the happiest influence on  the  body
and mind, and give a  salutary impulse to  the circula-
tion of the blood.


   When obstructions proceed  from a weak and re-
laxed state of the solids,  such medicines  as tend to
promote digestion, to brace  the solids, and assist the
stomach in  preparing blood, ought  to be used.   For
this purpose, I  have given the  vegetable powders two
or three times a day, the white  root, and valerian,  a
tea-spoon full twice a day,  in warm water.   These  I
have found very serviceable.  Previous to  the use of
these medicines, it may be advisable to give the emet-
ic  and  injection, for the  purpose  of  warming and
cleansing the stomach and  bowels, and freeing them
from inactive fluids.


   An obstruction  of the menses is often  the effect of
other maladies.  When this is the case the regular cour-
ses should be given and  repeated twipe a week until
the obstruction is  removed. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
103
IMMODERATE  FLOW OF  THE  MENSES.

  The flow of the menses is to be considered immod-
erate, when it either  returns more  frequently than
what  is natural, continues longer than  ordinary, or is
more  abundant than is  usual  with  the same person,
at other times ; usually accompanied with pains in the
back and bowels, sometimes like  those of childbirth.

  But the menstrual discharge may be too great as
well as  too small.  When  this happens, the  patient
becomes  weak,  colour  pale, appetite  and digestion
bad, to  which oedematious swellings of the  feet, drop-
sies, and consumptions  often  ensue.   This frequent-
ly happens to females about the age  of forty-five or fif-
ty.   It  may proceed from a  sendentary life ; the use
of spirituous  liquors ;   excessive fatigue ;  relaxation,
&c.  the treatment  of this disease must be varied ac-   ^
cording to its  cause.   When  it is occasioned by any
error  in  the  patient's  regimen, an  opposite course to
that which induced the disorder must be  pursued, and
such medicines taken as have a  tendency  to  restrain
the flux and remove the cause.

   To restrain the flux, the patient should be kept quiet
and  easy,  both  in body and  mind.    It will  be
found necessary  to give the  emetics  and  injec ions,
repeating the injections once a day, the emetics as of-
ten as  the  patient's strength will  admit.   Powder,
bitters,  and restorative, should be given between the
emetics ;  the  patient's  back  and  bowels should be
bathed  with tlfe  elixir ; a flannel  wet  jvith < the same
andt"applied to the back, will be found very  serviceable
in strengthening and relieving pain. 
104'           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
          FLUOR ALBUS,  OR  WHITES.

      What is usually called the fluor albus, or whites, is
   a very common disease, and proves extremely hurtful
   to delicate women.    This discharge,  however, is not
   always white, but sometimes  of a pale yellow green,
   or of a blackish ''colour ;  sometimes it is   sharp  and
   corrosive, at other times, foul and foetid, &c.   It is at-
   tended with a pale countenance, pain in the back, loss
   of appetite, swelling of the feet, and other signs of de-
   bility.   It generally proceeds from a relaxed state of
   the body, caused by cold,  which produces weakness in
   the parts affected, frequent child-bearing,  &c.


      To remove this disease the  patient  must avoid  all
   fatiguing  exercises.   Her food  should.be solid  and
   nourishing, but of easy digestion,  and her drink should
~  be a decoction of elm, or buckhorn, brake, &c.


      If the patient be young, and the  disease has not been
   of long standing,  the vegetable  powders  and elixir
   taken night and  morning for some time, with a wine
   glass of peach cordial, tw ice a day will generally cure
   in two or three weeks.  If" the disease has been of long
  ^continuance, the  surest  method  of  cure is   to  go
   through the regular courses in the space of a month,
   taking  the powders, stomach bitters, twice  a day.
   This method never fails of effecting a  cure if attended
   to faithfully. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.           105
                 PREGNANCY.

   The great varieties of the female constitution, occa-
sion pregnancy to be to some of no trouble or distress,
but it is to  others a continual disease,  through the
wliole period of child-bearing  ;  they  being, perhaps,
from the  very first to the last week of their pregnancy,
more or  less disturbed in their frame, from the  pecu-
liar irritability of thejr habits.  The usual period,  how-
ever,  that its troublesome  sympathies and  antipathies
prevail, is during the first  month, until the time  of
quickening is past.

   In  the young and  healthy, one of the most  early
symptoms of pregnancy, is an uneasiness in  the breast,
somewhat differing from what  she may have been ac-
customed to on the eve of menstruation, and soon at-
tended with some sensible addition to  their  natural ful-
ness and  weight, as well  as with a particular change
in the appearance of the dark  circle around each nip-
ple.  The nipples also soon become more prominent,
the eminences around them  enlarge, and  a  milky fluid
will stain the linen,  which  had not been  at all,  or so
much observed before.  These occurrences may just-
ly excite in the mind, the  first apprehension of  preg-
nancy, after which, the interrupted course of menstru-
ation  generally establishes  the  certainty of it.   Nature *
would seem, by these early notices, to put the  mother
immediately upon her guard, that she may not by im-
prudences, and too  much freedom, disturb  the tender
embryo.
   The  most  important   circumstances  to  be at-
tended to, in the first months of pregnancy,  is the cos-
tive habit of the bowels.   This will  more  or less ac-
company the whole period of pregnancy.    Its preven-
tion will  subdue, if not wholly keep  off some of the
troublesome complaints of the  stomach, and will often 
106V          MEDICAL  COMPANION;
 guard,  most  securely,  against some  of the  exciting
 causes of early abortion.
    When symptoms of fulness appear in young women,
 formerly healthy and accustomed to live well, indicat-
 ed by pain and giddiness of the head, and flushings in
 the face, or when the sickness is constant or excessive,
 a gentle emetic will be exceedingly useful.   In oppo-
 site circumstances, where there is appearances of ner-
 vous  debility, along  with symptoms  of indigestion,
 an emetic will be  found equally serviceable, as in the
 former  case.    The person should not  consent  to  be
 blooded on any account, as it lays  a  foundation for
 abortion.  When  the  stomach appears affected, to-
 gether with constant loathing and frequent Teachings,
 powders and  bitters should be taken daily.  If this af-
 fection  is accompanied with a feverish disposition,  an
 emetic  will   generally  give  immediate  relief;  and
 u hen it occurs in a constitution of the nervous, irrita-
 ble kind, valerian  in  large doses may be depended
 upon.

    The  floodings  to which  women are liable, at any     *
 time of pregnancy,  occurs most frequently in  the first
 months, and  vary much in their character and tenden-
 cy.   They are more or less attended with danger, ac-
 cording to their frequency, and to the time elapsed of
* pregnancy.  In the early months they will sometimes
 put on  the appearance of a copious flow of the men-
 ses and render the female sometimes doubtful of her
 situation.  This  will happen most frequently in the .
 first and second months, and  may be connected with
 the monthly paroxism  of the womb, aggravated by the
 existing state of pregnancy.    When such hemorrhage
 has occurred, some injury has most  likely been done
 to the embryo, and about the third month of pregnan-
 cy, the patient will miscarry,  if she does not at the
 time  that  the flooding first  happens.   However, by
 prudent management on the  first alarm, such as keep- 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.          107

ing quiet and warm  in bed, by giving valerian, pow-
ders, and the decoction  of hollyhock and the use of *
warm injections, and the application of a  flannel wet
with elixir and applied to the bowels.  If the discharge
should be attended  with pain  in the back, a  regular
course  should be given ; the  patient  'should  be kept
quiet in bed after the course, and take the medicines
as recommended above.
   Women,  advanced  in pregnancy,  are frequently
liable to pains in their back and loins, and cramps on
the side of their bowels, legs and thighs.   When they
are violent,  bathing with elixir and olive oil of equal
parts, or fresh lard.   Gentle laxatives should  be giv-
en.   A frequent use of elm tea will be found  service-
able, taken  every day, for some time,  before delivery.
By caution  and  good management, these  occurrences
seldom prove any bar to a  safe "delivery, or a  favora-
ble getting up.   Nothing can be of greater importance #
to a pregnant woman than cheerfulness.  They should
therefore not be depressed, by the relation of  any un-
pleasant intelligence.
               SORE NIPPLES.

  To prevent the nipples from becoming sore, they
should be washed daily during the last month of preg-
nancy, with brandy, or tincture of  myrrh, to  harden
their tender surfaces ; but when they become inflamed
or chapped,  the use of  those  astringent applications
must be  discontinued.   The best application to them
when ulcerations are formed, and attended with sharp
acrimonious  humour,  is  an elm poultice ; or  they
should be often  washed with canker wash, or a strong
tea of raspberry leaves and hemlock bark.  r 
108
MEDICAL
COMPANION-
                     THRUSH.

   This  disease is an eruption  of white spots, gene-
 rally appearing on the lips  and inside  of the mouth,
 and sometimes affecting the whole alimentary  canal.
 It owes its origin  to  some affection of the first  passa-
 ges, and requires  gentle treatment.  As a local  appli-
 cation, borax and  honey,  in proportion of half  a tea-
 spoon full  of the former,  fine powdered, to an  ounce
 of the latter, and well mixed together, will have an ex-
 cellent effect in cleansing the mouth, and healing the
 ulcers, especially when the the milk adheres much to
 its surfaces.   A little of the canker  wash,  or the ex-
 tract of clover, may be put on  the  child's  tongue, as
 often  as may  be necessary  to keep the  parts  clean,
 which will be  communicated to  every part of the
 mouth, and will effectually  do without putting the in-
fant to pain  by forcibly rubbing it  on.  But the cure
 is not  permanent, unless internal medicines  are given,
 such as American rhubarb, senna and  mustard seed
 steeped, and given  in  small potions ; these followed
 with raspberry leaf tea, to subdue the  feverish state of
 the  system, will effect a cure.
              CROUP, OR HIVES.

   This disease, peculiar to children, is a  species of
asthma, with violent catarrhal symptoms.  It is very
common^n this part of the country, and prevails more
frequent in wet and cold seasons.   It is readily occa-
sioned by any thing wet  or damp, or  which obstructs
the perspiration.                                « 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
109
   There are two species of  croup,  the acute or in-
flammatory, and the chronic  or lingering.
   The former  is  attended  with a very quick pulse,
cough, hoarseness, and difficulty  of breathing, soon
after and  sometimes even before the occurrence  of
the croaking noise,  which is  the characteristic  of this
disorder.   As the disease increases, the pulse quick-
ens, the heat augments, and an excessive restlessness
takes place.  The breathing  becomes more and  more
difficult  and laborious,  and  the  peculiar  wheezing
sound which accompanies it, so increases,  qs  to  be
heard at some distance...

   The symptoms continue  to  increase in violence,
until a spasm of the muscles of the parts taking place,
the patient is suffocated, the disease often completing
its course  in  the space  of three or four  days and
nights.  The extreme degree  of danger  which  al-
ways accompanies this  disease, and the rapidity with •
which its  symptoms proceed,  show that immediate
remedies are requisite to arrest its progress.   There-
fore,  on its first appearance,  an emetic should be giv-
en, and the feet immediately  be put into warm water,
and  afterwards  poultices  of onions applied to their
soles—repeating  the emetics, and poultices  of onions
often as is necessary.   Draughts or poultices of gar-
lics or onions  should be  applied to the throat  and
stomach.   Nothing can operate more effectually than
this, in breaking up the croup.   Cough drops, or sy-
rup, has an excellent effect, as it cuts up the phlegm,
and frees  the passage.   Vinegar and horse  radish, or
cayenne  may be  given to  great  advantage.   Some
children  are troubled with this  complaint for several
years,  and then seem to out-grow it.   A flannel shirt,
light diet, change of air, gentle exercise, and whatev-
er strengthens the body, are  the best preventives. 
110           MEDICAL COMPANION.
              WHOOPING  COUGH.

    This cough seldom affects  adults, but  often prove*
 fatal to children.  This  cough  is convulsive, and is
 named from its peculiar whoop-like sound.  It is in-
 fectious.   Whatever hurts the  digestion,  obstructs
 the perspiration, or relaxes the solids, disposes to this
 disease ; consequently, its  cure must depend upon
 cleansing, and strengthening the stomach,  bracing the
 solids, and at the same  time promoting perspiration
 and the djfferent secretions.   The diet must be light,
 as chicken broth, boiled rice, sago, &c.   The drinks
 . may be hyssop, #or  pennyroyal  tea sweetened   with
 honey.  One of the' the  most  effectual remedies for
 the whooping cough is change of air.   When the dis-
 ease proves violent, and  the patient is in danger of
•being  suffocated by the  cough, he  ought to take an
 emetic, this may be  repeated if necessary.  Emetics
 not only cleanse the stomach, which in this disease is
 generally loaded with tough phlegm, but they likewise
 promote the perspiration.  ; and  ought  therefore to be
 repeated according  to the obstinacy  of the disease.
 They should not, however, be strong ; gentle emetics
 frequently repeated, are  more beneficial, than strong
 ones.   The bowels  ought to be kept open.  For this
 purpose pills or balm may be given.
    Stimulating, external applications frequently afford
 relief, and may be rubbed along the spine, breast bone,
 or lower  region of the  stomach.  Cayenne steeped
 in vinegar, or elixir, tincfure of  myrrh, afford  a good
 stimulus in this case.  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  warm water,
 and a Burgundy pitch plaster kept constantly between
 the shoulders. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
Ill
                   RICKETS.

  This disease generally attacks children between the
age of nine months and two years of age.  It  affects
the bones ; and the head is sometimes enlarged to an
enormous size, the wrists and  ankles  seem protrube-
rant, a d as the bones increase in size, the child grows
weake    One cause of the rickets,  is diseased pa-
rents.   Mothers of a weak and relaxed habit, who ne-
glect exercise, and live  upon  weak, watery diet, can
neither be expected to bring  forth  strong, heal-
thy children,  nor be able to nurse them when they
are brought forth.  Accordingly we find that the chil-
dren of such women die of  the rickets, scrofula, bip-
gout, or such like diseases.   Allowing an infant to lie
or sit  too much,  or not  keeping it thoroughly clean in
its  clothes, has the most pernicious effects.

   Those children who are much dandled and danced,
kept clean, and  frequently in  motion, will  be found
strangers to this  disorder.  A healthy child should al-
ways be kept in motion.  At the beginning of this dis-
ease, the  child's flesh  grows soft and flabby ; its
strength  is diminished ; it loses its wonted cheerful-
ness, looks more grave than  natural for it, and does
not choose to be moved.   The head  and belly be-
come  too large in proportion  to the other parts  ; the
face appears full, and the  complexion florid.   After-
wards the bones  begin   to  be affected, especially in
the more soft and spongy parts.  Hence the wrists
and ankles become thicker than usual ; the  spine or
back-bone puts  on an unnatural shape ; the breast is
likewise deformed and the bones of the arms and legs
grow crooked.   All  these  symptoms vary according
to the violence of the disease.  The  pulse is general-
ly quick, the  appetite and digestion' for the  most part
bad ;  the teeth  come slowly, and] they -often  decay 
112           MEDICAL COMPANION.
 and fall out afterwards.   Rickety  children have great
 acuteness of mind, and  an understanding above their
 years.

    Treatment.—For the cure of this disease, the pow-
. ders, elixir and strengthening bitters should be given.
 Change of air,  and a plenty of exercise, which is ab-
 solutely necessary.  The  whole  object of the regi-
 men should  be to strengthen the solids, and promote
 the digestion ;  and the cure is more in the hands of
 the nurse, than the physician.   The emetics will be
 found necessary in removing the obstructions.   The
 diet should be dry and nourishing.   Strengthening bit-
 ters must  be persevered in for a long time ; such as
 camomile, poplar  bark, myrrh,  horse radish buck-
 horn brake, and such like.

    External  applications will  be  found highly benefi-
 cial, such as bathing the limbs,  and the  back with
 elixir, tincture  of myrrh, or  a  strong decoction of
 buckhorn  brake root, to which may be added a little
 brandy.   The limbs should be rubbed frequently with
 a warm hand, and  the child kept  as cheerful as possi-
 ble. A bed of the tops  of buckhorn brakes, to lay the
 child on, helps greatly in the cure.
              SCARLET FEVER.

   This disease is so called, on account of the colour
of the skin or the large, red, vivid blotches in it.  It
happens at any season of the  year, but is most com-
mon in  autumn and the beginning of winter ;  at which
time, it often seizes whole  families.   Children and
young persons are most subject to it. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
113
  It begins  like other fevers, with coldness and shiv-
ering, and is frequently attended with nausea and vom-
iting ;  afterwards the skin  is  covered with red spots,
which are broader, more florid, and  less uniform than
the measles.   They  continue for two or three days,
and then disappear ;  after which  the scurf comes oft*.♦

   Causes.— Infection and a  putrid condition of  the
 fluids.   The same causes  as  produce nervous fever.

   Treatment.—If attended   with  sickness and  op-
pression at the pit of the stomach, an emetic  should
be given, and the patient should drink  freely of warm
teas, such as pennyroyal, snakeroot, or hyssop, and
the patient kept comfortably warm.    There is seldom
any  occasion for medicine  in the  mild form of this dis-
ease.   The patient ought,  however,  to be kept within
doors ; be particularly cautious  against colds, which
causes it to strike in, and  endanger life ; abstain from
flesh, strong liquors,  or  any thing of  hard  digestion,
and  drink freely of diluted liquors, with a little saffron
in them.  The body must  be  kept gently open by
clysters.  The fourth day a potion of  rhubarb or pills
 should  be given.   Many  children  have perished by
 the use of the lancet in this fever, which is almost cer-
 tain death, as also are all mineral drugs.

   To cure  the scarlet fever, it is only necessary to
 drive the  humours gently out to  the surface of the
 body, and prevent their striking  in upon the vitals. If
 proper care is  taken  of the patient, nature, in most
 cases,  effects a cure.

   The scarlet  fever  is sometimes attended with pu-
trid  or  malignant  symptoms, in  which  case  it is al-
ways dangerous*   When this  happens, the treatment
recommended for nervous  fever is applicable.
                    K* 
114
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
  If a child is suffered to venture out imemdiately up-
on recovery from this fever, a dropsy or bloating often
comes on suddenly, and which is more dangerous than
the original disease.   In this case',  if the stomach is
filled  with bilious matter, which is known by the re-
jection of all  food  and medicine, a  regular course
should be given, and repeated as often as is necessary.
In addition to the other medicines, as  prescribed in
dropsy, poultices  of  onions and mustard seed should
be  applied to the  soles  of  the feet and palms of the
hands.
     LEPROSY AND ELEPHANT  LEG.

  The leprosy is a disorder, which appears in whit-
ish dry scabs, and often spreads over the whole body,
Sometimes only one  leg is affected,*  which swells to
an enormous  size.                       „

  Causes.—Obstructed perspiration, weakness of the
solids, bad state of the blood, relics of the itch, which
will often lurk in the system, appearing and disappear-
ing for many years ;  and at length will break forth in
this dry scurf, gradually enlarging.

   Symptoms.—Sometimes it is confined to the palms
of the hands only, sometimes to  a little below the el-
bows ; one while to the face only ; another, in white,
hard scabs on  the hands arms and back, intolerable
i tellings ; the  elephant leg.

  Cure.—For the  leprosy give  the regular courses,   *
repeating it  as often as twice a week.  Between the  •
courses, powders,  pills and bitter should be given as
recommended  under  scurvy,  and  the part effected
should be washed often with canker wash. 
AMERICA!*
MATERIA  MEMCA.
" How wonderful are thy works, O Lord ; in wisdom hast
  thou made them all ; the  earth is full of thy riches."

  In all parts of the vast  complicated system of infi-
nite wisdom we  behold  the admirable fitness of one
thing to Another,  and their constant subservience to
the best good of all.  But in no  department of his
works does  wisdom and  goodness shine with greater
lustre than  in  the vegetable  kingdom.   There is
scarcely a plant that greens the fields, a  flower that
gems the  pasture,  a shrub that tufts the gardens, or
a tree that shades the earth, which  does  not coniain
certain  medicinal  virtues,  to  remove  our pains and
heal our diseases.

  The American continent, though  the last discover-
ed, is none the less favoured of God in this respect ;
embracing as it does almost every variety of clime and
soil, and abounding with  herbs of every healing quali-
ty.  The  common saying  that  " every country con-
tains the best cures for its own diseases," seems fully
verified  when applied to  America.  Here,  where fe-
vers greatly prevail, is exclusively to be found, the In-
dian tobacco or lobelia ;  and here too, exclusively, the 
116
INTRODUCTION.
white root, golden seal, snakeroot and ralerian.  Be-
sides these, are many other valuable plants, equal to
any brought from Europe,  which may be  obtained
in our own fields  and woods, cheap and unadulte-
rated.

.  With a  commendable zeal, many gentlemen of the
finest«genius among us have, explored the botanic and
medical treasures  of our  own  country ;  and have
shown an  eagerness to  make  known the precious
means to  preserve the  health and fives of our own
citizens.    With these, and my  own experience,  I
have, with great labor and care, compiled the Ameri-
can Materia Meuica, exhibiting, in alphabetical or-
der, the names, characters, and  qualities of our best
medical plants,  hitherto discovered, together with the
diseases they suit, and  their proper  doses and  form*
of administration, and making as I humbly hope, one
of the most* complete systems  now extant,
                                         M, P. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
PART II.
AMERICAN MATERIA JIEMCA.
                 AGRIMONY.

  This plant grows two or three feet  high, in hedges
and the sides of fields.   It blossoms in July, on  long
spikes yellow, and is  known by the vulgar name of
cuckold, from the seeds sticking to the clothes in the
fall  of the year.   In  whey or  tea, it forms a  good
drink for fevers.  The juice of this plant, or a strong
infusion of the roots, four ounces to  a quart  of boiling
water and sweetened with honey, is  an excellent  med-
icine in  the  jaundice and scurvy, and habitual  diar-
rhoea or looseness.  Dose of the infusion, half a  pint;
—of the juice, a wine  glass  full, three times a day,
the  herb  has  also  been applied  externally to  fresh
wounds.
               ALDER BLACK.

  Black alder, sometimes called Virginia winter berry,
grows in * moist  places, generally sending up  several
slender stalks  to the  height of ten feet, and bears  a 
 118          MEDICAL COMPANION.

 red bcrrv.   The bark  is tonic,  and  accordingly  is
 used in substance, or in  a strong decoction, like other
 restringents, and is found serviceable in case of debil-
 ity,  as dropsy, gangrene,  6a\  The  inner  bark,  in
 shape  of poultices externally, with the decoction inter-
 nally, about three or four ounces boiled  slowly in three
 pints  of water to  a  quart, is highly spoken  of both
 by Professor Barton and Dr. Mease.  It  is of admira-
 ble use in arresting the  progress of mortification. fA
 strong decoction of the  berries . formed into a  syrup
 with molasses in  closes of a wine-glass full, or two  tea-
 spoons full of the powder of  the inner bark, is a good .
 purge.

           i           _____


                  ALUM  ROOT.

   This root is also called  senicle"; the  root is a  very
 intense astringent.  It is the  basis of a  powder  which
 has acquired some reputation in the cure of cancers.
 It is doubted that alum root has cured genuine cancers,
 but that-it has proved very beneficial in  obstinate ul-
 cers, which have been mistaken for cancers is admit-
 ted.   Professor Barton says,  " it is one of the articles
 in the materia medica of our Indians,"  the  powdered
 root of which they apply to wounds, ulcers, and can-
cers.
              ADDER'S TONGUE.

   This small herb has but one leaf, which grows with
the stalk, a finger's length above the ground, being flat
and of  fresh green  color, broad like wate^ plantain,
but without any middle rib in it.  From the bottom of
>»* 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
119
the leaf there arises one, and sometimes two or three
small slender stalks, the upper half of which is the larg-
est, and of a  yellowish green color, like the tongue of
an adder.   It grows in low, moist places, appearing
early in the spring ; root perennial.   The  expressed
juice of the plant,  infused in wine or cider, is good to
relieve dropsies.   It is also a good remedy for wounds
in the breast  or bowels ;  and stays hiccupping, vomit-
ing,  hemorrhage,  allays  inflammation, and forms  a
good healing application for wounds.
                  ANGELICA.        ^

   This herb grows in marshy woods and  hedges, flow-
ering in June and July.  It is frequently cultivated in
our gardens.  Every part of this useful vegetable par-
takes of  its aromatic virtues,  especially  the  root,
which in the form  of powder, tincture, or tea, is use-
ful in flatulent  colics, conjoined  with cranes-bill  root,
or any other tonics.  It may, like the poplar bark, be
employed  with  advantage  in intermittents,  and low
stages of fever.   The dose is half a tea-spoon full, in
substance, of the former, to two  of the latter.  It may
also be employed in  the  form of  a strong decoction,
in doses of a gill.   A strong decoction  of  the root,
combined with red  oak bark, a large  handful of each
to a pint of boiling water, makes  an admirable  gargle
for  relaxed  and spongy gums, and  ulcerated  sore
throats.
                ARROW  ROOT.

  This root  grows  spontaneously' in the  southern
states, where  it is also cultivated.   A table-spoon full 
120           MEDICAL  COMPANION.          .

makes a pint of the  finest jelly, which affords a  most
nutricious food in acute diseases,  for  children.   To
persons labouring  under  bowel complaints, as  diar-
rhoea and dysentery, it is of itself a remedy.   The jel-
ly is made in the following manner :—to a table-spoon
full  of the powdered root, add  as  much cold water as
will make it  into a thin paste, and then pour on boiling
water, stirring it the same time briskly, till it becomes
a clear jelly, after which season it with sugar and nut-
meg, and to render it still more palatable, a little wine ;
but for children, to blend it with new milk is best.
               AVENS  COMMON.

   Tins herb grows a foot high by fences and border.
 of fields.   The blossoms  are white or yellowish in Ju-
 ly,   Its smell resembles that of cloves.   A strong tinc-
 ture of the root, four ounces steeped in a quart of wine,
 giving to the quantity of half  a wine-glass full, or the
 powder, in doses of  a  tea-spoon full, several times  a
 day, has  afforded an excellent remedy' in fevers and
 other  disorders where  strengthening medicines are re-
 quired.  There is another variety of  this plant, called
 water-avens, throat-root,  and cure-all,  which is found
 in boggy meadows   The blossoms are purplish,  and
 appear in May.   Its  properties  are  the same as the
 preceding.  A  decoction  of it has been found benefi-
 cial as a gargle in ulcerated sore throats, which proba-
 oly gave rise to the name of throat-root,  or throat-wort.


                      BALM.

  This herb makes an excellent  tea  for fevers, and
when sweetened and  a^ciclulated with tamarinds, or "bar-
berry syrup, forms a most grateful beverage. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION-
121
                    BARBERRY.

    This is  so well known it needs no description.   A
  table-spoon full of the syrup in a pint of hot water, and
  given in doses of a tea-cup full, four or five times a day,
.  is  an  excellent  remedy  in diarrhoea, dysentery and
  jaundice.
    Culpepper says, u the inner rind of the  bark is good
  to cure scabs,  itch,  tetters,  ringworms, yellow jaun-
  dice."   The berries,  he says, help the digestion, by
  strengthening the digestive powers.
                  BAYBERRY.

  Bayberry called also  dwarf  candleberry  myrtle,      *
grows in swamps  to the height of three or four feet,
and bears numerous green  berries, of which tallow is
made.
  The  bark of  the root is considered a good ^remedy
for the jaundice.    The powder of it, in doses from one
to two tea-spoons  full will  operate as a mild emetic.
The inner bark,  in poultices applied morning and eve-
ning to scrofulous  swelling, and drinking a tea-cup full
of a strong infusion  of the leaves, is  said  to have
wrought surprising cures in a few weeks.   (More up-
on this hereafter.)
BEARBERRY, or MOUNTAIN CRANBERRY.

   This bears whortleberry or wild cranberry.   It is a
low evergreen shrub, somewhat  resembling the myrtle.
The leaves have a bitter astringent taste, and possess
great medicinal virtues, especially in relieving the irri- 
122
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
tation  of tbe stone, gravel,  and in old cases of gon-
errhoea,  and menstrual  discharges ; also in catarrhs,
and consumptions.   The dose is half a pint, twice or
thrice a day, of a decoction made of the leaves, a hand-
ful to a pint, or  a tea-spoon  full  in  substance, two or
three times a day.
                  BETH  ROOT.

  The top from this root grows about a foot high ;  the
leaves oval, three at the top of each  stalk, one flower,
of a purple colour, bell-shaped, producing a small ber-
ry that contains the seed.   The root is of a brown col-
our, externally bulbous  and full of  small  fibres ;  the
powder of the root, in doses of one tea-spoon full, three
or four times a day, is said to be useful to  prevent the
spitting of blood, immoderate discharges of the menses,
or in cases of discharging bloody urine.   It is also said
to be a good application, in the form of poultice, to pu-
trid ulcers, and to obviate gangrene or mortification.
      BLACKBERRY,  OR DEWBERRY.

  These, though different in name, are  nearly, if  not
the same, in nature.   They both bear the same kind
of berry, which when ripe, is pleasant and  wholesome.
The roots of these vines, but especially of the dewber-
ry are famous as astringents.   From  my own  observa-
tion in practice, four ounces of the dried roots, in three
pints  of water to a quart, and given  in doses of a  tea-
cup full, every two or three hours, has often cured ob-
stinate diarrhoea and dysentery, when  a great many med-
icines had failed. 
Medical  companion.           123
                BUCK THORN.

  This bush grows in hedges.  It is a "prickly bush,
which flowers in June, and produces in the fall a round
blackberry containing four  seeds.   Equal parts of the
expressed juice of the berries and  molasses, half the
quantity of sugar, with a  little ginger,  formed into a sy-
rup by a gentle  fire, is a good purgative medicine, ta-
ken in doses of a  large wine-glass full.   It  is a good
medicine in the cure of dropsy.
                   BURDOCK.

   This herb grows  on the  road  side, on rubbish ui 1
ditch banks, bearing  purplish blossoms in July and Au-
gust.   The juice of the fresh leaves, or an infusion or >
a decoction of the roots, operates gently on the bowels,
sweetens the blood, promotes sweat  and urine, and is
esteemed serviceable in rheumatic, and venereal disor-
ders.  The juice is given in  doses of a wine-glass full,
and the decoction half a pint three times a day.
           BUTTON  SNAKE ROOT.

  This root grows in  South Carolina and Georgia,  in
poor land ; the root bulbous, with numerous fibres, of a
pungent nitrous  taste ; the leaves or blades  are long,
narrow, pointed, and saw-edged.   A stalk shoots up in
autumn, to the height of  three feet,  bearing globular,
prickly flowers,  of an ash-colour, which  a fancied re-
semblance to buttons of an old fashion, gives it its name.
   This root  is  a powerful suporific ; but in cases  of 
124           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
gangrene and foul ulcers, is  perhaps superior to any
thing yet discovered.   The mode of applying it, is in
the form of poulticejby boiling it soft.
        CALAMUS  OR SWEET  FLAG,

  This grows in marshy situations, and in shallow waJ
ter, and may be known by the long sword-shaped leaves^
resembling those of the blue and yellow  flags, but nar*
rower, and of a brighter green.   The root is like that
of the blue flag in appearance, but has a strong aromatic
smell, and a warm pungenttaste.   The flavour is great-
ly improved  by  drying the root,  possesses  stomachic
virtues,  and is frequently grated  into water, and given
to children for flatulent colics.   It is  sometimes used
as an ingredient  with cherry tree bark, and camomile
for morning bitters ; and as a preventive of the  ague in
low marshy situations.
                  CAMOMILE.

  This herb grows well in our gardens.  An infusion,
or tea, made of  the  flowers, is excellent to warm and
strengthen  the stomach in the ca'se of indigestion,  loss
of appetite, and other complaints  arising_from debility.
It is highly esteemed in the" Southern States.   It is
taken in dose of a tea-cup full three times a day, and
serves as a preventive  to the ague and fever, and bil-
ious fever, in sickly situations.   I have found it very
serviceable^ in the form of fomentation and poultice,
in relieving pain  in the side.*
* See Bitters. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
125
                  CELANDINE.

   This plant grows about two feet high in  meadows,
and by  running brooks ; has many stalks, with larger
joints than is common with  other plants, very easily
broken ;  the leaves  are  large and  saw-edged ; the
flowers  consist  of four leaves,  which  are  yellow ;
the roots long, reddish  externally, and yellow within,
and  full of yellow juice.   Twenty  or thirty drops of
the juice, or half a tea-spoon  full  of  the  dried root in
powder, in a cup full of new milk, morning  and night,
is beneficial  in dropsy, green sickness, and cutaneous
eruptions.   The juice rubbed on warts, ring and tetter-
worms effectually cures them.  A poultice  made of
this plant  boiled in milk, or the roots roasted, and mash-
ed in vinegar, is extolled by some, as an excellent ap-
plication to disperse scrofulous tumours on the neck.
            CHERRY  TREE, WILD.

   The bark  of this tree  is an excellent restringent.  I
have  frequently employed it in the cine of tooth-ache.
It has been frequently employed in the ague and fever,
bilious fever, and other diseases where tonic medicines
were  proper.   A  strong infusion of it  in sour cider, is
useful in the jaundice.  Adecoction of thei bark  will
be found a good wash to ill conditioned ulcers.  The
stones .dried and  pounded, with other articles, make
an excellent cordial to taken after dysentery, or when-
ever the digestive powers need  restoring,  The gum of
the common tree  is  a good  substitute  for  the*  gum
Arabic.
L* 
126          MEDICAL COMPANION.
             CHICK-WEED,  RED,

  Called  also  red  pimpernel, guachhul-  It is  cul-
tivated in many gardens  and grows  spontaneously in
Baltimore and  Havre de Grace.   According to the
deposition of Valentine Kettering to the Legislature of
Pennsylvania, and report made by their committee, the
red chick-weed is a specific in that most dreadful of all
diseases, the  hydrophobia or bite of a mad dog.  The
dose for an  adult  is a  small table-spoon full of the
dried leaves in powder.
                   CARAWAY.

  A choice aromatic, cultivated in our gardens.  The
seeds assist digestion, strengthen the stomach,  and are
serviceable in flatulent colics.   The dose of the seeds
in powder is from one to two tea-spoons full to adults.
                 CARROT,  WILD.

     The  wild carrot  grows  two or three feet high in
  meadows  and  swamps,  and flowers  in  July.   The
  seeds have an agreeable aromatic smell, and in a slight
  degree, a warm pungent taste.  An ounce of the seeds
  infused  in a pint of water, and taken in doses of  a tea-
  cup  full every hour  or  two, will give immediate relief
  in suppression of urine, and is also serviceable  in pro-
  moting  the menses.
     The roots of the carrot, cultivated  in our gardens,
  beaten to  a pulp,  form an excellent application .to can-
.  cerous  and other il-conditioned  ulcers,  allaying  the
  pain, checking the  suppuration  and foetid smell, and 
MEDICAL COMPANION.            12*1
softening  the callous edges.    An  infusion  of these
roots has  also  been found  useful in  gravel com-
plaints.
                  CRANE-BILL.

   Improperly called,  by some, crow-foot.   It  grows
five or six inches* high  in  meadows and  woods ; has
long slender stalks,  with seven long narrow leaves at a
joint.   The root is  generally  crooked  and  knotted,
blackish on the outside and reddish ;  has a rough taste,
with an aromatic flavour.

   When applied externally, it is highly extolled  for its
styptic  power, in stopping  hemorrhages  of wounded
vessels.*  • The  powdered  root,  in  a dose of  a tea-
  * The following account of the efficacy of crane-bill, as
stated by Dr.  Mease in the " Medical Museum," deserves
the attention of the reader.

  The son of  Mr. David  Cooper near Woodbury, partially
divided the artery of the wrist, with the point of a hatchet in
trimming a tree ; the wound bled profusely and an  anuris-
matic tumour of the sifce of a pullet'sjsgg "Was quickly form-
ed.   Dr. Hendry, who was immediately  called, applied a
tourniquet, and also a piece of flat lead to the tumour ; and
apprehending  the usual  operation  would be necessary, re-
quested the assistance of Dr. Wm.  Shippen, from Philadel-
phia.  On the arrival of that gentleman, the operation was
resolved on; when the fathe'r of the young man insisted upon
the trial of a vegetable remedy, which he said he had learned
the use of from one of the first settlers of our country.  He
immediately repaired to the woods, and returned with some
of the specific,  which was  pounded  in a mortar with a littla
cold water, and applied to the  part,  and in a short time, to
the  great satisfaction of the sufferer and his friends,, checked 
128            MEDICAL COMPANION.
spoon full, three or four times a day, or a decoction in
milk used as a common drink, is excellent in checking
menstrual discharges ;  also  the whites, and gleets, and
obstinate diarrhoea.

   Providence has diffused the valuable plant over every
part of our country,  yet  as it grows, principally  in the
woods, and the accident  it  is  intended to relieve will
admit of no delay and often happens in  winter when
the plant cannot be  found,  it should be transferred to
evary garden,  that it may be at hand when wanted.
the bleeding.   In the course of a few days the wound heal-
ed and the young man had no further trouble.

  A man pruning a tree, divided the stout muscles of the
fore-arm in an oblique direction ; the wound was full four
inches in  length, and bled profusely  from a  large artery,-
and numerous smaller vessels.  His shirt  sleeve was filled
with.blood ; for being made tight round his wrist and fore-
arm, it prevented the blood from escaping, and forming a co-
agulum  round the bleeding orifice, checked for  a short time
a further effusion.  The powerful  effects  produced* by the
geranium in the former case, induced  Dr. Hendry to apply
it in the present ; accordingly he procured some of the roots.
—and after pounding  them, filled  the wound therewith ;
the effects upon the smaller vessels was almost instantane-
ous in checking the profusion of their contents,  and  the
bleeding in a short time entirely ceased.

  In the instance of a violent vomiting of blood, which had
resisted a variety  of  remedies, an infusion of  the plant in
water, produced the desired  effects in  a few minutes.

  Another instance mentioned ofthe astringent effects  of the
geranium, was that of a young man who had a most obsti-
nate hemorrhage from the socket of a jaw tooth, which had
been extracted.   An  attempt was made by a  physician to
close the bleeding orifice by burning it with a  red hot nee-.
die, -4>ut without effect; on the application however of the
gerauium, the bleeding soon ceased. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.           129
      CANCER ROOT OR BEECH  DROPS.

     This root is bulbous, similar to a cancer, from which
  intakes its name^   It grows out of beech trees, in low
■ -•.grounds, and rises six  or  eight inches  in  height, of a
thrown glossy colour, with brittle springs, but no leaves.
  It must be gathered before the frost touches it.
     The beech drops are a powerful astringent, and can-
  cers have been effectually cured  by the application  of
  the fresh bruised root, frequently applied.  It is very
  beneiicial in the cure of St. Anthony's fire, and canker
  in  the throat.  It   may be  prepared by boiling eight
  ounces of the' herb  in two quarts of water, and sweet-
  ened.  After an emetic, persons subject to the erysipe-
  las may  take a tea-cup full of this decoction four times a
  day,  at the  same time applying cloths  to the  inflamed
  part, wet with the decoction, not sweetened, and con-
  tinue till well,
                    CATNIP.

  This useful and common herb is well known, and its
virtues pretty w;ell understood, although many consider
it too simple to deserve much attention.   It is an ex-
cellent warm aromatic cordial;  an infusion promotes
perspiration.
               CAT-TAIL FLAG.

  The root of this flag, bruised till it becomes like jel-
ly, forms  an excellent application  for burns,  and is
cooling and useful in all species of inflammations. 
f30           MEDICAL COMPANION.
         CLEAVERS  OR GOOSE-GRASS.

    This  vine-like  grass  is found in hedges, on  low
  grounds, in meadows, and near brooks.  It rises from  •-
  four to six feet in  height, climbing round  the busbesj*c
  near it.   The leaves  are eight" in a* whirl, lance-like, v
  and the upper side whitish,  with sharp prickles  ; stem
  square,  the  angles being guarded with sharp prickles ;
  bent  down ; flowers small, inconspicnous, and divided
  into four segments ; these change into  a  fruit  rather
  large, composed  of two berries,  slightly adhering to-
  gether,  and  covered with hooded prickles ©ontaining
  seeds.
     Cleavers  is one of the most valuable herbs our coun-
  try produces.  It is one of the most excellent and spee-
  dy medicines in all suppressions of the urine and grav-
  elly complaints,  and  is  a  powerful  repelling  medi-
  cine.

     It has also been found beneficial in the cure of scur-
  vy, and spitting of blood.   Infusions of this herb should
  always be made in cold water, heat destroying  its vir-
  tues.   Three  or  four  ounces of the dried  herb  to  a
  quart of water is  sufficient;  this should be  drank for
  common daily drinks.  It is an admirable remedy in
  gravelly disorders, often curing them entirely alone.  It
  seems to possess  a solvent power over the stone, or
  gravel,  crumbling  it into a sandy substance, so that it is
  dischaged without difficulty.  When  urinery obstruc-
  tions proceed from a collection of cold, slimy, or mud-
.  dy substances in the kidneys or  bladder, this effectual-
  ly clears it out, in all  cases.   In inflammatory affec-
  tions  of the  kidneys or- bladder, the cleavers infusion is
  peculiarly applicable, from its cooling,  as well as diure-
  tic quality.    It gives  great relief in the scalding of the
  clap, and whites. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.           131
               SWEET CICELY.

   This plant  rises  from two to three  feet in height ;
 leaves small,  numerous, and on long  stalks ;  flowers
 small, and of pale white  colour.  It grows plentifully
•on the sides of low  meadows, on the banks of  running
 streams and on the borders of low woodlands.
   The root of this  plant is both relaxing and warming,
 and may be taken in all colds, and  flatulent complaints
 of the bowels.   It may be pulverized, and taken in do-
 ses of half a tea-spoon full, in a little brandy, for windy
 complaints ; or combined with  other appropriate medi-
 cinesfor coughs.
PEPPER, RED  OR  CAYENNE-CAPSICUM-

  It is cultivated  in our gardens.  The superior spe-
cies of pepper is a native of South America, and is cul-
tivated  extensively in  the West India islands.  The
pods are long, pointed and pendulous, at first of a green
colour, and afterwards  of a bright  orange red.  The
taste of cayenne is p.ungent and acrimonious.   Its pun-
gency|may be completely extracted by alcohol,and part-
ly by water.
   Cayenne pepper is an  indiscriminate mixture of the
powder of the dried pods of many species  of capsi-
cum.   These peppers  have been chiefly used  as con-
diment.  They prevent flatulence from vegetable food,
and have a warm  and  kind effect upon the stomach
It has  of late been employed as one of the first medi-
cines  in  the botanic  system.    There can be  little
doubt but  they furnish us  with one of the strongest
stimulants, that can be introduced  into the  stomach ;
while, at the same time, they leave nothing of the nar-
cotic effects  of ardent spirits.    It may be given to the 
132           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
extent of a half to a whole tea-spoon full in  molasses,
or cider ;or it may be combined with myrrh, and  infus-
ed in brandy or gin, (see elixir.)  It is also useful, both
as a medicine  and  gargle in  putrid sore throat,  when
infused  in  water or steeped in  vinegar and "applied
warm to the  extremities  in chronic  rheumatism, or
low stages of fever, when the circulation is languid, it
has produced  the most happy effects.   (More upon
this in the succeeding subjects.)
                BLUE  COHUSH.

  This is also called blueberry,  pappoose-root, squaw-
root, blue ginseng, &c.   It grows from two to four feet
high.   The root yellow inside, brown outside, hard,^ir-
regular, knobby  branched, with many fibres.   Stem
upright, straight, smooth,  dividing at top into  three
branches, each of which  has  three leaves,  and  in the
centre  of  which  comes  out  the flower stem ;  leaves
lobbed, somewhat in shape like the hand.   The flow-
ers are of a yellowish green, producing a stone berry,
of a dark blue color, something  like  sour  grapes.  It
grows  spontaneously  over the United States, and is
generally found in  low, moist, rich grounds, near run-
ning streams in  swamps, and on islands that have  been
overflowed with water.
  The root of  this plant, is  prepared  in infusion and
tincture.   Cohush is  used  by the  Indians, and by
many  botanists, for rheumatism,  dropsy,  colic, sore
throat, cramps, hickup, epilepsy, hysterics, inflamma-
tion of the womb, &c.  It appears to be particularly
suitable for female diseases.*   As a powerful emmena-
  * Mr. Peter Smith asserts, " that the Indian women owe
the facility of their parturition, to a constant use of a tea 
MEDICAL COMPANION.           133
 gogue, cohush  promotes  delivery, .menstruation  and
 dropsical  discharges, and is serviceable  in venereal
 complaints.   It has been found efficacious  in the cure
 of yellow fever.
   There are four species of the cohush, viz: the one
 above mentioned,  the  red,  black, and  white, all  of
 which, except the black, are known by the colour of
 their berries.   Their qualities, however,  are similar.



               CRESSE, WATER.

   This  plant  grows plentifully in brooks and running
 streams  ; has many weak, hollow, sappy stalks, shoot-
 ing out fibres at the joints, and long winged leaves of a
 brownish colour.  Its flowers are numerous  and  white,
 standing on long foot stalks, and the seed is contained
 in long  pods, like horns.    The  whole plant is green
 in winter,  and tastes hot and sharp, similar to pepper-
 grass.
   Water-cresse is  valuable for its  anti-scorbutic qual-
 ities.  It is powerful against the scurvy, and to cleanse
 the  blood  and  humours.   A  decoction  of it  is a
 cleansing wash for ulcers.  It is a good remedy in the
spring to cleanse the,blood of gross humours, and en-
liven the spirits.    It  may be  eaten as  a salad, or
greens.
                  DANDELION.
   This plant is well known, growing in meadows and
pastures, on road side, banks, &c.   It has many long,
of this root, for two or three weeks before their time. This
may be the case with the females of some of the tribes, but
not with others.  I know that  the squaw-berry vine, par-
tridge berry, or winter-clover, as is it called, is used for that
.purpose, and most successfully. 
134            MEDICAL COMPANION.
deep, gashed leaves, lying on the ground ; and several
slender, hollow, weak, naked foot-stalks, each bearing
at the top, one large, yellow flower, which has the re-
markable quality of expanding  early in  the  morning,
and closing in the evening.
   The root, leaves and stalks,  contain a large propor-
tion of bitter, milky juice, which possesses considera-
ble activity.  Its more immediate action is to remove
visceral obstructions,  particularly of the kidneys and
urinery passages, and the spleen.  It  is one the best
remedies for a real affection of the  liver, with which I
am acquainted, and is useful in  all dropsical and hypo-
chondriacal complaints.   A table-spoon full of the fresh
juice may be taken three or four times a day.   It is
very effectual in schirrus and hardness ofthe  liver.  A
decoction may  be made of it, or pills may be made of
the extract,  but  they are inferior to the pure juice.
                DOCK,  YELLOW.

   This is also called sour dock, from the leaves being
sour, although the root is bitter.  It has a long yellow
root and is  well  known.   Yellow, dock is  a valuable
and  cleansing medicine.   It  is supposed to possess
considerable efficacy in  cancer and similar  affections,
for which the decoction of the root  should be drank
continually, and a poultice of the bruised roots laid on.
It is narcotic and requires to  be used Vjjk  judgment.
A pound ofthe green roots, may be boiled to a quart,
and a table-spoon full taken at a  dose,  three times a
day.  Too large  a dose will produce vomiting ;  half a
tea-spoon full of pulverized root is also a dose.

   Yellow dock may be  used  alone or in a compound,
or in ointment, in all eruptive disorders arising from
impure humours. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.            135
       ELDER,  COMMON OR BLACK,

  Grows to the height of a  small tree, in hedges and
along the borders of  meadows ; the young shoots are
full of pith, and the old stalk empty  ; flowers in July,
and  the berry  of  a blackish purple colour when ripe.
The juice  of elder-berries put into a plate, and evapo-
rated in the sun  to the  state of an extract, in doses
from a tea  to a table-spoon full, acts as a good  aperi-
ent medicine.   A tea made of the leaves, a large hand-
ful to a quart of boiling water and taken freely, removes
a costive habit, promotes perspiration, and thus proves
useful  in  eruptions  of the  skin,  St. Anthony's fire,
colds, dropsies, and all obstructions.  The inner green
bark, steeped in  wine, a large handful to  a pint,  or
made into a strong decoction,  purges gently, in doses
of a gill ; the flowers stewed  with  lard, form a  good
ointment for burns and piles.
      ELECAMPANE OR STAR-WORT

   This herb grows three or four feet  high, in stony
pastures, and by the road side ; flowers large and yel-
low in July and  August ; and the root, when dry, has
an agreeable,  aromatic  smell,  and  in a  decoction
sweetened with honey, or in the form of syrup, or a tea-
spoon full of  the powdered root in molases, is valuable
for promoting expectoration in  asthma and coughs.
The fresh root, in ointment, or  strong decoction,  is
said  to cure the itch.
           ELM,  SLIPPERY RED.

  This is  a  large  tree  and is well known, growing
throughout the United  States. 
136          MEDICAL COMPANION.

  Slippery elm bark taken constantly, in decoction, has
been found very effectual in the cure of coughs, erup-
tions, whites, gleets,  ulcers, &c. and is one of the  best
poultices for fresh  wound,s burns, scalds, bruises, and
ulcers, that can be applied.  The surgeons in the re-
volutionary army experienced the most happy effects
from its application  to gun-shot  wounds, which  were
soon brought to a  good suppuration and a disposition
to heal.   It was applied as the first remedy.  When a
tendency  to mortification was evident, this bark bruis-
ed and boiled  in water,  produced the most surprising
good^effects.   In old, ill-conditioned ulcers, equal ben-
efit was derived from it.   The infusion of the bark is
highly esteemed as a  diet-drink in pleurisy and catarrh,
and also in diarrhoea and dysentery.

   The constant use  is very proper  for  pregnant wo-
men, during the ninth month, as it facilitates the  birth
and causes a speedy and easy delivery.
                 FEVER-FEW.

  This plant grows chiefly in gardens, and is so well
known as to need no description.  It  is sometimes
named feather-few.   The wild  and garden fever-few
have both the same virtues. They areiwarm and bitter,
and strengthen  the  stomach, expel the wind, promote
the menses, destroy worms and are beneficial in hy-
sterical complaints and lowness of spirits.   For a de-
coction, pour two quarts  of boiling water to four ounc-
es of the leaves, of which a tea-cup full may be taken
three or four times a day,  in order to promote the men-
ses.   The  same  maybe  taken  in colds and fevers,
and also in  hysterical complaints. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
137
              FENNEL, SWEET.

  This plant  grows  kindly  in our gardens.   A tea-
spoon full of the seeds, with a little sugar and, gin is a
good remedy in flatulent  eolic.   To children afflicted
with the above  complaint, an infusion of the seeds,
sweetened is highly serviceable.    The  seed yield  an.
aromatic oil, which in doses of from  two to  twelve
drops, removes flatulence, promotes expectoration, and
is serviceable in  coughs.
FERN  FEMALE,or  BACK-ACHE BRAKE.

   This brake grows near ponds, and in moist pastures,
about  twelve  inches  high.   The  leaves are  single,
winged, and about a hand's length  ; the root is about
the size  of a goose-quill, of  a  brown  colour,  very
sweet, and of a mucilaginous taste.
   The properties of this brake are tonic and strength-
ening.   The root and shoots, in  decoction, or com-
pounded with other articles, forms a very strengthen-
ing syrup  for  female  weaknesses, particularly  the
whites.  The same is  also an  excellent remedy  for the
rickets in children ; and while taking  this, the child
should be placed upon a bed of the  brake-tops,  and al-
lowed to sleep upon them constantly.   By this means
I have  cured  several ricketty children.
                 FERN,  MALE,

  Called also sweet-fern, grows in woods and  stony
places, flowering from June to October.
                  M* 
138          MEDICAL  COMPANION.

  The root, when chewed, is somewhat mucilaginous
and sweet, and afterwards astringent and bitter. Sweet-
fern in powder, in doses from one to two tea-spbons
full, or a decoction, a pint a-day, followed on the fifth
day with a dose of senna and mustard-seed, or pills, is
a powerful  medicine against worms ; and particularly
against the tape-worm.  This is the famous remedy of
Madame Nouffler, of Switzerland, for the tape-worm
She acquired 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  generally
preferred by Madame N,
  Another method of administering it is, the day pre-.
vious  to taking the powder, to give a smart  purge, as
of balm-of-life, and after  its operation,  to take a light
supper  ; the next  morning give a tea-spoon full ofthe
powdered root, and   two  hours  afterwards, another
dose of the balm, and  drink  a tea-cup  full  of the
skunk cabbage root decoction every hour till the tape-
worm is expelled—taking care not  to break the worm,
but to pull  it gently.   In case the  worm is not expell-
ed  the first day,  the medicine  is  to be repeated the
next.
                 FIVE  FINGER.

   The stalks of this grass trail along the ground, with
long, slender strings, like strawberries ; each stem has
five leaves, placed together, of an unequal size; flowers
yellow, and the root small.  It grows by the road sides,
on meadow banks and waste grounds.
  The root is a gentle astringent, and is beneficial in
fevers, and particularly  when there  is great debility,
lassitude and night sweats, which last it seldom fails to 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.            139
check ; it also helps the appetite.   It  may be made
into a decoction, or it may be boiled with milk.   It is
serviceable in allaying fluxes, immoderate flow of the
menses, &c.
                  FUMITORY.        - ,   **.

  This plant grows in corn-fields, and by fences, and
rises a foot high ;  leaves, pale  green, and the flowers
of a reddish purple.   The leaves, in the form of an in-
fusion, three ounces to  a quart of boiling water, and
taken in doses of a tea-cup full,, two or three  times a
day, is a  good medicine in  scabby eruptions, and all
cutaneous diseases,  particularly  if the eruptions are
washed with the infusion.
               GARDEN PIONY.            f^

  This plant has been  introduced into many of our
."•aniens, from Europe.   Rises two feet high ; leaves
cut into lobes, which are oblong*, ■ flowers large and
red.                    ;.      .   *
  It is no fed for its virtues in the cute of epilepsy and
fits  in children.  'The, roots must be dug.in May, and.
dried, pulverized and kept in bottles.   Adults, subject
to the epilepsy, may take a tea-spoon fuft of  the pow-
ders fo»r times a day, in a tea-cup full of bitter-sweet
tea  ; also,  apply the bruised roots  to the solesof the
feet when going to J>edVt'J*jjJ 
140           MEDICAL COMPANION.
                    GINGER.    *?

   Ginger-root is imported from the East and the West
 Indies.   It is in small  wrinkled pieces,  of a greyish
 colour, having an aromatic odour,  and a  very pungent
 taste.   The root is frequently employed as a grateful
 and moderately  powerful  aromatic, either in combina-
 tion with other remedies,  or by itself, as a  stimulant,
 particularly in indigestion or dispepsia, and flatulence.
 This spicy root is more immediately serviceable, com-
 bined .with bayberry,* in cold, flatulent colics ;  in lax-
 ity and debility  of the stomach and intestines, and es-
 pecially in torpid, phlegmatic constitutions, in order
 to induce  a more brisk action ofthe vessels.
                       _____            -^nf' ■
                 GOLDEN ROD.

   This  herb grows in woods and  meadows, and along
 fences,  in most parts of the United States ; and rises
 about two feet in height; small brown round stalks, di-
 vided at the top into small branches, with many long
 green leaves ; flowers small and yellow, on every one
'of the branches, all of which are turned one way, and
 when ripe they become as down, and are carried away
 by the wind.  It flowers in July.    The flowers  are
 beneficial in removing obstructions in the urinery or-
 gans in  gravelly  complaints, ulcerations of the bladder,
 and in the first stages of the dropsies.  The leaves  are
 good in debility,  and  all  disorders proceeding from
 that  cause.  They may be taken in infusion, or decoc-
 tion.



                GOLDEN SEAL.
   This  plant grows on a rich, moist land, has_a stem '
 teqor twelve inches high, and often but one leaf, of an
 _                        _____  5
              * See vegetable powder. *
*":*♦■ 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
14^
olive  green  colour ; 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 Canada to  Tennessee.    To  the taste it  is ex-
ceeding bitter.   It is sometimes known by the  names
of yellowroot,  ground raspberry, yellow paint, yellow
eye-root,  Indian paint, or orange root.
   It is an estimable tonic, and at the same  time laxa-
tive, which makes it very appropriate in dyspeptic disor-
ders.   This plant is much used in  the western States
for diseases ofthe eyes, 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.
   It is used as a bitter tonic, in infusion or tincture, in
disorders   of  the   stomach,  bile, and  liver.    An
ounce of the dried pulverized roots, is sufficient to in-
fuse in a quart  of spirits.  This root  appears also to
be slightly narcotic, and is said to  enter into many of
the compounded remedies for cancer.
   Golden seal  bitters forms one of the best correct-
ives of bile and bilious habits, that can be given.*
                 HOAR-HOUND.

   This common  useful plant rises about a  foot  in
height ; leaves deeply serrated, veined, wrinkled, hoa-
ry, in pairs, and standing on long fooj stalks ; flowers
white and in whirls, growing wild along the roadsides,
and in abundance throughout the United States.   The
leaves promote  the fluid  secretions in general, and
drank  freely,  obviate costiveness,  are  beneficial  in
* See stontach 'bitters and powders. 
142           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
moist asthmas,  coughs,  yellow jaundice,  menstrual
obstructions, dropsy, and  are good  to destroy worms.
In these complaints  the patient may take a teaspoon
full of the powdered leaves in molasses twice a  day,
or its equivalent  in decoction.
                     HOPS.

   Hops are an agreeable,  strong  bitter, principally
used in  making malt liquors.   They also induce sleep  ;
hence the popular remedy of a piilow  of hops to pro-
cure sleep in the  delirium of fever, and insanity which
not unfrequently succeeds,  They give out their vir-
tues to spirits or water.
   Another very useful purpose for which hops may be
employed is for fomentations in inflammatoryjfevers,es-
pecially of  the lungs, and pleurisies, where  they give
the most agreeable relief.
   The  extract of hops is highly recommended in con-
sumptions,  as it produces sleep, without any deleteri-
ous effects.   It has been  employed  with  success in
jaundice,  indigestion,  hypochondriac passions, vene-
real, worms, &c.
               HEART'S-EASE.

   What  is  commonly known  as iieart's ease, in this
country, resembles arse-smart, only it grows larger,and
has a black spot in the shape of a heart on its leaves.
   Its properties are similar to those of arse-smart, ex-
cept they are much milder and therefore more appli-
cable to  general  use.   It makes  an  excellent fo-
mentation for all inflamed sores and ulcers, particularly 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.           143
if boiled with urine.   Taken in decoction, it is an ex-
cellent remedy for the asthma, and taken freely, it ex-
cites perspiration, and breaks up colds.
              HEMLOCK BARK.

  The inner bark of this well known tree is an excel-
lent medicine  for canker, and is very serviceable in a
decoction hVcleansing foul ulcers, or to make poultices
for biles, or ulcers,  to  be  thickened with pounded  .•
crackers,  slippery  elm,  and  pond-lily  root.   A tea
made of this bark is good for children and grown peo- .
pie who  are  troubled  with canker  in their mouths, •".
throats, stomachs and bowels.  The boughs may  fte
employed with advantage for fomentations and sweat-
ings  in colds, rheumatisms, fevers, &c.  Dr.E.Smith
states,  that he has  known many lives saved during an
epidemic fever, by giving the decoction internally, and
fomenting externally.   The oil  is  also used in colds
and coughs.
                HORSE-RADISH.

   This plant is well known-  . It  is  chiefly cultivateu
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 secre-
tions ; it is greatly recommended in dropsies.   In pa-
ralytic complaints, horse-radish has often been applied
with advantage to the affected parts, as  a stimulating
reme'dy.  Horse-radish has  been found beneficial in
chronic rheumatism,  asthma, and all diseases of de-
bility and torpidity of the blood ; and should be eaten
freely with the food.   When steeped in vinegar dur- 
144           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
ing a fortnight, it is said effectually to remove freckles
from the face.
                   HYSSOP.

  The leaves of hyssop have an aromatic smell, and a
warm, pungent taste, and is a valuable  herb.   A de-
coction of the leaves drank freely in the .measles, and
chicken-pox is highly esteemed, and promotes perspi-
ration. This herb is particularly recommended in asth-
ma, coughs and other disorders of the breast and  lungs,
and is  said  greatly to promote expectoration.   The
leaves  are  highly useful when applied to bruises, the
pain of which  they speedily mitigate, and at the same
time disperse  every spot or mark  from the part  af-
fected.
                  ICE PLANT.

   The  ice  plant  rises about six inches  in  height, is
white, transparent, 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  many other  parts of the
U. States, 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.  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 tea-spoon*full to  a whole one,
three mornings, and stop .three morningsr in  a tea-cup
full of piony  root ;   or valerian  tea  for epilepsy in
adults.  The expressed juice mixed with rose water, 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.            145

will cure the most inveterate inflammation ofthe eyes,
observing such evacuations as are  necessary.
                WILD INDIGO.

  This is also called yellow  indigo  broom,  indigo
weed,  horsefly weed, clover broom, rattle bush, &c.
The root is large  und  woody,  blackish outside, yel-
lowish within ; stalks two or three feet high, round and
smooth, yellowish  green,  with  black dots, branches
thin,  with  small leaves ;  flowers  bright  yellow, in
small  loose spikes  at  the end of the  branches, pea-
like, but smaller, succeeded by an oblong pod of a blu-
ish black colour.
   This plant has the appearance of a  small shrub,  or
broom ; it dyes a kind of blue, like indigo.  It is often
used  to keep flies from  horses, as insects appear to
avoid  it.   It  is found all  over  the United States, in
woods  and on hills, and prefers dry and poor soils.
The whole  plant, but particularly the root, is nauseous
and astringent.   It is active and dangerous in its fresh
state, if taken internally,  but loses much of its action
by long keeping and boiling.   Its  properties are as-
tringent, emetic, and stimulant.   It is a valuable rem-
edy°for  all kinds of  ulcers, even the foulest, either
gangrenous or  eating;  also, for almost every sore,
such as malignant, ulcerous sore  throat, mercurial sore
mouth, sore nipples, chronic sore eyes, painful soses,
and every ulcerous affection.  It must be nsed exter-
nally in strong decoction as  a wash, or in  a fomenta-
tion,  and  also  in poultices.  This is one of the most
powerful vegetables in putrid  disorders, and internal
mortification.    It may be given  internally at a dose of
half an ounce  of a decoction made with a  pint  of wa-
ter.  Its stops gangrene, has cured scarlet fever, sore
throat and inverted womb.
                    N 
146           MEDICAL COMPANION.
                INDIAN HEMP.

 , This plant grows  in  woods, on the borders of mea-
dows,  and along the road side, three feet high.  The
stalk is bare  for a  foot, then spring many branches ;
leaves numerous, flowers whitish, similar to buckwheat,
which terminate in seed-pods, resembling a cucumber.
  The bark of the  root in the form of powder, in do-
ses from half to a whole  tea-spoon full will generally
operate as an emetic and cathartic.  In small doses,
of a wine-glass full  of the infusion, every two hours,
promotes   perspiration.   It has  been beneficial  in
rheumatism, dropsies, fits  in  children,  and  asthmatic
complaints.   A table-spoon full  of the infusion,  an
ounce  of the bark to a pint of the  boiling water, given
occasionally to children in the whooping cough, throws
iff the phlegm, and prevents straining.
            JUNIPER,  COMMON.

  This is an ever green shrub, growing on dry barren
commons, and hilly ground.
  A strong decoction, made of a handful of the  tops
and berries to a quart of boiling water,  in doses  of  a
tea-cup full three or  four times a day, has ong been
employed in dropsy, scurvy, and gravel,  o  difficulty
of urine.   The oil of juniper possesses the same prop-
erties in a high degree, and imparts them to ardent  spir-
its .  The peculiar flavour, and well known effects of
Holland gin, are owing to  this oil.


                JOHN'S WORT.

   This plant rises two feet high, with spreading branch-
es from  the  sides to  the top of round, hard upright 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
147
stalks, with two small leaves set one against the other
throughout, of  a deep green colour ; flowers,  which
stand on the heads of the branches, are yellow,  five
leaved, with  many yellow  threads in  the  middle,
which when bruised, yield a  reddish juice like blood,
and produce small, round heads, containing the seeds,
which are black, and small like raisins.  The root is
hard, with  many fibres, of  a  brownish colour.  • It
grows in meadows, pasture-grounds, and flowers the
last of June.
   It is  beneficial in promoting urine, curing of ulcers,
immoderate flowings of the menses, diarrhoea, removes
low spirits, helps hysterical,  and maniacal  disorders.
For diarrhoea, or flux, put two  ounces  of the flowers
in a quart of good  brandy, and after giving a dose of
pills,  the patient may take a  wine glass of the'brandy
night and morning till well.   It may be  combined in
an  ointment with bitter-sweet, elder, and everlasting,
for dispelling hard tumours, and caked breasts.
             LIFE  EVERLASTING.

   Also called 'white balsam, and  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  top, flowers in a cluster, white
 and furzy,'and continue on during the  winter.  Itjias
 a  pleasant  aromatic smell.   The  blossoms  chewed
 and the juice'swallowed, proves a sovereign remedy for'
 most kinds of sore throat.  When taken in a warm de-
 coction, it produces perspiration in  fevers.   It  is also
 excellent in quinsey, weak lungs, fluor albus, consump-
 tions, &c   It forms an excellent fomentation in cases
of quinsey, croup, sore throat, pleurisy, and inflamma-
tion of the breasts. 
148           MEDICAL COMPANION.
                 LUNGWORT,

  This  is a thin shell,  or skin, which grows on the
bark on  the white oak tree, resembling the lungs, from
whence'it takes its name.   Lung-wort may be found in
almost every part of the U. States. It posseses fhe same
qualities as the Iceland moss, and other lichens ; they
all- belong to one family,  and may be used with bene-
fit in consumptions.
                LIVERWORT

  The root has long brown fibres, leaves on long hair)
stems, somewhat leathery, and stand through  the win-
ter; leaf divided into three rounded, blunt lobes ; flow-
ers of a pale yellow, or blue.  It is found in all north-
ern latitudes, and is common in  the woods, hills, and
mountains of the United States, from New-England
to Kentucky.  Its taste is nearly insipid, but a little
astringent and mucilaginous.   It was formerly used iii
fevers, liver complaints, indigestion, and  hypochon-
dria, &c-   It has lately been brought into notice m
cases  of bleeding at  the  throat,  consumption,  and
coughs;  and' is taken in the form of a strong  infusion,
drank cold, or in  syrup.   It is serviceable in hypo-
chondriac complaints, in form of tea, which  may. be
drank  in any quantity.-  It has no  effect  on  the
lungs,  beyond that of a mild astringent.
LOBELIA  INFLATA, or INDIAN TOBACCO.

  As this is one of our principal medicines, I shall
treat more upon this than on any other in this  work.
It is  an*American {Slant, annual, found in a great vari- 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
149
  ety of soils throughout the United States.   The leaves
  oblong, slightly serrated, sessile, alternate, on the up-
  per  surface  numerous  tubercles ;  stems branched ;
  blossoms solitary in a kind of spike, pale blue :  com
  mon in dry fields, and flowers in August.

'.  f* The leaves, when chewed, communicate to  the
  mouth  a burning, pungent sensation,  which remains
  long and occasions a  copious discharge of saliva.  If
  they  are held  in the mouth for some time, they pro-
  duce giddiness* of the  head, with a trembling agitation
  of the whole body, and at length nausea and vomiting.
    Lobelia is  a sure and thorough emetic, attended
  with  stimulant effects  during its operation.   It vomits
  very  kindly, without straining, and  performs the task
  more effectually than any other medicine that can  be
  obtained,  especially where there are any obstructions *
  in the system,  or  cold slime,  or  phlegm in  the sto-
  mach, which it breaks  up  and removes thoroughly.
  It is therefore highly beneficial in preventing  intermit-
  tants  and  similar disorders, which are  caused by the
  prevalence of  cold phlegm in  the stomach.   Indeed,
  in all  fevers requiring an evacuation of the  stomach,
  this cannot be  given amiss ; and will seldom fail, when
  properly assisted,  of removing their causes, and break-
  ing them up in the commencement.   Its value  is  in-
  creased in febrile complaints, by its creating a profuse
  perspiration, along with  its  emetic-effects,  thereby re-
  laxing the constriction on the surface,  and restoring a
  free circulation, so necessary and desirable.

*   Lobelia possesses  the greatest  power, as nature's
  assistant, in removing  diseases, and may be considered
  a:* the ne plus ultra of all herbs,   It has proved emi-
  nently serviceable in colics,  spasms, rheumatisms,
  cramps, hydrophobia,  where emetics and anti-spasmo- ,
  dies were indicated.   In asthmatic affections it' has
  manifested great efficacy in cleansing  the passages ;
N* 
160           MEDICAL COMPANION.
and has often proved  more beneficial than every oth-
er medicine in this distressing disease.
   The prejudices  that  have been excited against lo-
belia, and the abuse which has been heaped upon it,
have all arisen from ignorance of its value.   None who
have witnessed  its  happy  effects, when  properly ad-
ministered, can  honestly and sincerely condemn it.   It
is  the most innocent and safe of  all emetics, as it nev-
er cramps or convulses, but is  a specific  remedy in
either  of these diseases ; and, I believe, it is more
effectual than all others.   From  its irritating quality,
it cannot  be dangerous, because as  soon as a  certain
degree of irritation is produced  upon the coats of the
stomach, it is ejected, be the dose large or small.   A
distressed and sickening sensation, it is true,  sometimes
shoots  across the stomach, when lobelia has been re-
ceived into it, but it is only temporary, and passes off
without any ill  consequences.   The frightful  tales of
its mortal effects, which have been  so  industriously
circulated by  the medical faculty have no foundation,
but in'malice and vexation.   It is evident that the  true
cause of the malignant opposition, which most of them
have manifested to the use of lobelia, is, that its  vir-
tues,  like most ofthe valuable medicines in use, were
discovered without the limits of their society.
   Lobelia may be administered in powder of the leaves
or seeds ; or in tincture of- the  herb ;  of the pulver-
ized  seeds'or leaves, a tea-spoon full may be given in
valerian or penny-royal tea, in two  or  three potions,
the second within fifteen minutes after the first, the third
within fifteen minutes after the second, whether the first
operates or not.  Of the  saturated tincture, from one
to six tea-spoons  full  may  be given.  As I intend to
write more upon this in the recipes, I shall proceed no
further upon this subject here,           • 
MEDICAL  COMPANION,            151
               LADY'S SLIPPER.

  This has various names, valerian, nerve powder med-
icine, yellow umbil,  male mervine,  nerve root, &c
There are three or four species of lady's slipper, as the
white, red, and yellow, from  the colour of their flow-
ers,  but  their qualities are the same.   It grows from
one to two feet high, and sometimes has leaves all the
way   up,  but more frequently  the  leaves lie on the
ground ;  the stalk has one flower on  it in the form of
a purse or round bag, with a small entrance near where
it joins  the  stalk,  and  is something like a mocasin
or slipper.   The roots are fibrous and thickly matted
together.   It is  common, and grows  in various parts
of New-England, and may be  easily found.  The
roots have a pungent, mucilaginous taste,  and a pecu-
liar smell, somewhat nauseous.   The manner in which
it should be prepared, is  as follows :  The  roots  should
be dug in the fall and dried in the sun ;  it should then
be pounded, and sifted through a fine sieve, and put in-
to bottles for use.  The potion to be taken  at a time,
is from one to two tea-spoons full ofthe powder, in pen-
ny-royal tea, sweetened; or the root may be steeped,an
ounce to a pint of hot water, and  drank from one to
three tea-cups full a day in  all  nervous diseases, and
hysterical affections, as it allays pain, quiets the nerves
and promotes sleep.   In all  cases where  an emetic is
necessary, this must be given with it.*  It is also ser-
viceable  in nervous head-ache, epilepsy, tremors, ner-
vous  fevers.   It  is  also  serviceable in  the last  stages
of pregnancy as  nature's assistant, and  may be given
in large potions at the time of labour without produc-
ing any  evil result.   It is preferable  to opium in all
cases, having no  baneful, nor narcotic effects.   It has
produced sleep when opium  has failed.
* See emetic. 
152           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
            LILY, WHITE POND

  This [Hly grows in  ponds and wet grounds through-
out the United States, and is pretty generally known.
The leaves lie on the water ;  blossoms yellow, root as
large as a man's leg, knotty and spongy, of a yellow
color outside,  and white  within.  The root is soften-
ing and cooling, and  is  good  in gleets, and whites.
They are applied externally to scrofulous tumors, and
will ease pain and promote  suppuration.  For the
cure of gleets and whites, take the expressed juice of
this root,  and  to every pint of it, add half a pint of gin
and four  ounces  of sugar ;  of. this, the patient may
take a tea-cup full four times  a day.   The root roast-
ed in ashes, and applied to wounds from bruises,  &c.
is good to  draw out  substances, and  allay inflamma-
tion.   A  poultice  of this  root, ginger, slippery elm
bark and  cracker  all  pulverized  and  mixed together
with milk or  hemlock  bark tea, will discuss white
swellings.   It should be  changed three times a day  ;
giving the patient, at the same time, internal cleansing
remedies. •
                  LIQUORICE.

   This is imported from the south of Europe, and con-
siderably  used for medicinal  purposes*    Liquorice
root has  a  pleasant sweetish  taste,  and  possesses
gentle detergent qualities which renders it an excellent
medicine  in coughs, hoarseness, asthma, &c. ; also,
for lubricating the throat, softening acrimonious hurriors,
and it affords relief to the organs of respiration.   But
with this intention  it ought to be taken as a diet drink,
in considerable potions, by way of  infusion.   This
plant has been found in the State of Vermont and on
the Ohio river. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
153
                MAIDENHAIR.

  This is also called milk-waste, and spleen-wort.   It
grows on old walls, rocks,  and shady,  stony places,
generally to the  height of seven or eight inches,
leaves  very fine and soft,  and  spotted  underneath.
Stalks of a   dark purple colour ; flowers from May to
October.   Its leaves  have a  mucilaginous  sweetish
taste, without any peculiar odour.
  An infusion, by pouring  a quart of boiling-water on
two  ounces of the dry herb, sweetened  with  honey,
and  taken in quantity  of a tea-cup full every hour or
 two, or  a spoon full in the form of syrup,  is said to
he good in tickling coughs, hoarseness, and disorders
of the breast,  proceeding from acrid humours, in ir-
regularities of the menses.
              MARSHMALLOW.
                                         •
  This  herb grows in marshes and wet places.   The
leaves have  a soft, woolly surface, feeling like velvet.
The flowers are of  a white, pale flesh colour, and ap-
pear in August.
  Every part of the marsh mallow, and especially the
root, when boiled, yields  a copious mucilage, on ac-
count of which it may be  employed in emollient poul-
tices, for softening and maturating  hard tumours.  It
is likewise of great  service in the form of infusunn, or
asthma, hoarseness, dysentery and  gravel.
                  MAYWEED.

  This  herb, sometimes called wild  camomile, rises
from one to two feet high ;  leaves  ovate, flowers yel- 
154           MEDICAL COMPANION.
low, resembling camomile flowers,  but smaller.  It
grows by the road sides in low grounds.
   The leaves  and flowers  answer all the intention of
camomile  flowers,  except  that they are inferior  in
strength.  In  fevers  and  common  colds, wherever
perspiration  is  necessary, these may be employed  to
good advantage.
        MILKWEED,  OR  SILKWEED.

   This plant is so well known it needs no describing.
The root has been found effectual in the cure of drop-
sy.  It is beneficial in scrofulous and rheumatic dis-
orders, and wrorms in children.
   Boil eight ounces of the dry root in three quarts  of
water ; of this, a gill may be taken four times a day for
the dropsy, increasing the dose according to its effect.
For other complaints a larger dose may be taken.  Or
the root, in  tincture with  gin may be used in dropsy
and gravelly disorders.
               MOTHERWORT.

   This valuable plant has  a hard, square,  brownish,
strong stalk, rising from two to four feet high, spread-
ing into many branches, leaves broad and long, two at
every" joint, notched about the edge.   From the mid-
dle  ofthe bmnches  to the tops grow the flowers,
round  alk>ut them, in sharp, pointed, rough, prickly
husks or burs, of a red or  purple  colour.  The root
sends forth a number of long strings and small fibres
of a dark, yellowish colour.
   Motherwort is an excellent medicine.  It  may be
given in powder, a table-spoon full at a dose ; or the 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
155
infusion.   It relieves  hysterical  symptoms,  procures
sleep, abates delirium, allays  spasms and  risings of
the uterus; it is  admirably  adapted to  the cases of
those females who suffer pains from tenderness about
the lower bowels  and  loins.   It brings on the menses,
and relieves violent pains after delivery.   As a warm
cordial, it may be used in low fevers and  in chronic
weakness, with nervous affections, cramps  and con-
vulsions.
                 MOUSE-EAR,

  This is a low creeping herb, something like straw-
berry,  shooting forth srnall strings and roots, on which
grow many small, short leaves,  set in a  round form
together, and very hairy which are milky.  The flow-
er stem is three or  four inches high, on the top  of
which  is  a pale yellow flower, resembling a dandelion,
It grows  on ditch banks and  sandy grounds, and con-
tinues  green  all winter.   The juice or decoction,
drank twice a day continually for some tfme, is  good
in jaundice ; relieves the stone and gripings in the
bowels.   It is an excellent gargle  for the sore throat,
and cleansing to malignant  ulcers, caaker, &c
                   MULLEIN.

  This well known plant grows from  three to eight
feet high, with an upright stalk, set with large, long,
woolly leaves ; flowers small and of a beautiful yel-
low colour which clothe the extremities  of the stem.
It grows by road sides and on poor land.   The leaves
have a bitterish, astringent taste, and a mucilaginous
quality, and have been  found  beneficial  in r.atarrhs. 
156           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
diarrhoeas-, and piles.   For  internal  use, the  leaves
may be boiled in  new  milk,  to  which  sugar may be
added, and  taken in dysenteries, &c.   Persons ac-
customed to the piles,  may sit over the steam of mul-
lein  for half an hour, washing the anus with the warm
leaves, till  the  piles come down, when they may be
opened.  Afterwards a cloth wet with canker wash,
and laid on the piles, will be necessary.
              BLACK MUSTARD.

  This garden plant is so well known, as to need no
description.  Mustard used with our food,  provokes
the appetite, assists digestion, and  promotes the fluid
secretions, and  is  especially  adapted to persons  of
weak  stomachs,  or where much acid prevails, as it
acts upon the system generally, without producing
much heat.
  A table-spoon full of prepared mustard in  a pint of
warm  water, on  an  empty stomach, operates as  an
emetic in  nervous disorders.  A table-spoon full ofthe
unbruised seed, taken twice or  three  times a day,
proves a gentle laxatative,  increases the  urinery  dis-
charges, and is useful in rheumatism, asthma, palsy,
and dropsy.
  In languid constitutions, or  low stages of  fevers, a
gill of the seeds mixed with a small handful  of horse-
radish, and infused  in a quart of wine, in doses of a
wine-glass full occasionally, is a most cordial stimulant.
  The powder of the seeds, mixed with bread or meal,
and formed into  a poultice with sharp vinegar, is an
excellent application to the parts affected  with rheu-
matism, and to the  soles of the feet  and palms cl the
hands, in fevers, where there is a languid circulation,
or cold extremities. 
M_DICAL COMPANION.
157
                     ONIONS.

  Onions possess similar virtues  with the garlic, on-
ly in  a less degree.   The disagreeable smell which
they impart to the breath may be effectually obviated
by eating a few  leaves of parsley immediately after the
onions.
  Onions are justly reputed an efficacious  remedy in
suppression of urine, dropsies, and abcess of the liver.
They arejiighly serviceable as an external application
in croup, inflammation of the  lungs,  pleurisy, and
suppression  of the urine.f
             PARTRIDGE-BERRY.

   This is also called squaw-vine, winter clover, one
berry.  This is a small vine on the ground, with small
round green leaves, like those of clover, and bearing
one red berry in a place.   It is green through the win-
ter.   It is found in woods, among alders and in swam-
py places.
   This is an invaluable plant for child-bearing women.
A knowledge  of its use  was obtained  from a tribe of
Indians in the  west part of tNew York,  though no-
  * The following exemplification of the virtues of onions
in liver complaints, deserves the attention ofthe reader.
   Capt. B. Burch ofthe District of Columbia,  was afflict-
ed with an abcess of the liver, deemed incurable by  his
physicians, and seeing some onions in the room, expressed
a wish to eat one ; thinking his case desperate, and no lon-
ger a matter of any  consequence what he ate, his wife im-
mediately  gratified his  appetite.  After eating  one or two
onions, he found himself much .better, which induced him
further to  indulge his appetite.   He subsisted  for several
weeks entirely on onions only, with the addition of a little
salt and bread—and  from using thia diet, he was restored
to perfect health. 
158           MEDICAL COMPANION.
without considerable  difficulty and  intrigue.    The
squaws drink it in decoction for  two or three weeks
previous to, and during delivery, and it  is the use of
this herb that renders that  generally dreaded event,
so remarkably safe and easy with  them.
                    PEACH.

  The flowers and leaves of the common peach trees,
are an excellent remedy for worms in children.   They
will often cure when other means fail.   Two ounces
of the  leaves  and flowers,  or the  leaves alone may
be steeped, and the  decoction given  repeatedly,  in
small doses, followed by a potion of senna and mus-
tard  seed, which'will  usually bring  the worms away.
The leaves dried  and powdered,  are good  to stop
blood and heal wounds.  They are useful for a cough,
or shortness of breath, and to remove hoarseness, and
for defect in the lungs, and such as raise blood.
                ^PEACH PITS.

  It will be seen that these form one of the principal
ingredients in the peach_cordial,  and stomacli drops.
               PENNY-ROYAL.

  This  is  very common  and abundant all over the
United  States,  and grows principally  in a dry soil.
The taste and smell, are very pungent  and bitterish.
It  is  deservedly  a popular remedy  throughout  the
country  for female complaints, suppressed  menstrual 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.           159
tions,  hysterics,  &c.   It is beneficial in  obstructed
menses, and cases of suppression given as a sweeten-
ed tea, and used as a bath or fomentation.  It pro-
motes  expectoration.in consumptive coughs, and espe-
cially the whooping cough.   It alleviates spasms, pains
in the hips, and the dyspeptic symptoms of menstrua-
tion.    It  is also serviceable in palpitations, fevers,   *
and gout.   It  is  employed extensively in the botanic
practice in assisting the  operation of the emetics in all
cases,  in removing obstructions, warming the stomach
and promoting perspiration.
                PEPPERMINT.

  This herb is an excellent  stomachic in flatulent col-
ics, languors, hysteric cases  and vomiting.  The usual
modes of administering it,  are infusion, the distilled
water, and  the essential oil.  This last, united with
rectified spirits of wine, forms the essence of pepper-
mint, so highly esteemed.
  In nausea, cholera morbus, obstinate vomiting, and
griping, peppermint,  infused  in spirits,   and  ap-
plied  as hot as  can be  endured to the stomach and
bowels, will be found a most valuable  remedy.
                   PLANTAIN.

  There  are  two kinds, the common  great plantain,
and common  sweet plantain.    Their  properties are
the  same.
  The  great  plantain  has  a  fibrous root, sending out
long  oval leaves, irregularly dented, of a pale green
color, and ribbed, and  generally from five to nine in  *' 
160           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
number,   The flower stems grow  from six inches to
a foot high, crowned with a spike of clustered flowers
which  are very  small.  It grows  plentifully in mea-
dows, pastures, byroad sides, and around gardens.
  This plant has long been employed as an antidote
against the bite  of snakes, spiders  and other  venom-
ous  insects.   For  this purpose  the bruised  leaves
should be applied to the wound, immediately, and  the
fresh juice,  drank in doses of half a table-spoon full
every hour as long as necessary.   Many people apply
bruised leaves of this herb to  slight wrounds,  and in
flamed  sores and swellings with  a favorable effect.
The juice of the plantain  drank for several days is ex-
cellent to remedy pain in the bowels  and to  cleanse
the blood.   It  has been found beneficial in preventing
immoderate flows ofthe menses, and curing the whites,
piles, salt rheum, and venereal disease.   The juice
may be employed, or the plantain may be prepared by
boiling it in milk.
   An excellent external application for the salt-rheum,
St. Anthony's fire, and eruptions of the skin, is made
by  boiling half a pound of the dry plant in two quarts
of spring water for an hour, when the decoction may
be  strained,  and when cool add half a pint of brandy
and put up for use.   The head, hands and other parts
affected with the salt rheum, or the disorders mention-
ed  above, may be bathed  with  this lotion four or five
times a day ;  internal remedies should be taken at the
 same time.
              PLEURISY ROOT.

  This is also called  white root, orange swallow wort,
butterfly weed, flux  root, wind  root, silk weed, &c.  .
This  root  is  large,  fleshy  and white;  crooked,  or
branched ;  several stalks, either erector procumbent, 
MEDICAL COMPANION.            161
round hairy, green or  red, leaves scattered, on "short
stems hairy, lance-like, flowers of a bright  or  orange
colour, appearing  in July and August.   It  rises about
four feet high, and is one of the most beautiful Ameri-
can plants.   It grows  chiefly on poor and sandy 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 ; and is somewhat bitter,
but not unpleasant.
   Pleurisy  root is a valuable  remedy and  a  mild
su'porific, acting safely,  without stimulating  the body.
It is supposed to act specifically on the lungs, to pro-
mote suppressed   expectoration,  and  to relieve the
breathing of pleuritic patients.   It appears to equalize
die circulation,  and exert a mild  tonic effect  as well
as a stimulant power.   It  relieves  difficult  breathing,
and  removes 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,
and dysentery.  But in flatulency, colics and griping
pains in the  stomach,  its benefits are most conspicu-
ous,  in  giving quick  and effectual relief.    It has
quickly removed  many misnamed c liver complaints.'
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 fey.er,  it has produced per-
spiration, when other medicines had failed.  In in-
flammation  of the lungs, and  the 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.*
  * The late Paul Hamilton, Esfj. ascribed the same  vir-
tues of curing pleurisies and dysentery to a plant that grows
in South Carolina, and which is also called pleurisy root,
he thus describes it :
  " It grows in- high lands.  The root has the appearance
and taste of a small, long, sweet potato.   The stalk erect ;  4
the leaves resemblirrg the persimmon leaf,are situated trans-
                    0# 
162           MEDICAL COMPANION.
        POPLAR, OR WHITE WOOD.

   The bark of this noble tree,  as well as the root, is
a very strong bitter, and somewhat aromatic.  It is a
most excellent bitter, either by itself, in  a strong de-
coction,  or compounded with bitter herbs.  There is
perhaps no one thing better for indigestion, or canker
in  the stomach, and fiver complaint, than this bark.   It
is highly recommended in consumptive cases ; the bark
of the root made into a decoction and  drank  freely,
several times in  a day, is  serviceable  in intermittents
in  the last stages of dysentery and  other disorders re-
quiring tonic medicines.
  AMERICAN  RHUBARB OR PIE  PLANT.

  Although this plant is  but little knowrn as to its me-
dicinal virtues, it  is superior to  the Turkey rhubarb,
as its effects are more mild  on the system and it pos-
sesses none of those griping qualities of  the Turkey
rhubarb.
  American rhubarb should be highly prized, as it is
a mild cathartic, and may be safely given  to children,
invalids, and delicate women, in doses of from half to
versely, and  when broken, it  throws out a viscid  milk ;
blossoms  in  May and  June.  The blossoms are a  cream
colour, with  purple centres.  Twenty grains of this root in
powder, he says, given in warm water or tea,  is excellent
in flatulent colic ;  and  the same7*quantity repeated every
two hours in  pleurisy, will seldom fail to bring on  a per-
spiration, while its pectoral effects are admirable.
  The common  doses  are from  half to a whole tea-spoon
full ol the powdered root, three times a  day ; or a gill of
the decoction and infusion every few hours. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
163
a whole tea-spoon full of the powaerea root.   It  may
be given in hysterical  and phthisical habits, as  it is
not apt to occasion gripes, nor aggravate febrile symp-
toms.   It may be given in the first stages of dysente-
ry.   Small doses  of  rhubarb in the above complaints
will be attended with the best effects.

  Besides its purgative quality, it should be esteemed
as an astringent, by which it  strengthens the tone of
the  stomach and bowels,  and proves useful in the di-1
arKecea and disorders proceeding from  laxity.  It op-
erates more  powerful when administered in suhstance,
than in any other form.  The dose for an adult is from
a half to a tea-spoon full.   The infusion is considera-
bly weaker  than  the powder  and requires double the
quantity.
                   RASPBERRY.

    The raspberry is a rich fruit when ripe, and is whole-
 some and nourishing.   Raspberries, as  well a  straw-
 berries, held in the mouth, will dissolve tartarous con-
 cretions formed on the teeth.
    The leaves  are  very serviceable  in decoction  for
 canker in the mouth, throat, or bowels, and are valua-
•ble in the cholera morbus, and dysentery, and relaxa-
 tion of the womb  and parts.   A decoction of these is     +
 given and used as  a gargle with  success, in cankers
 and ulcerated sore  throSt;  and  the decoction may be
 used with advantage as a wash in cleansing ulcers and
 foul sores.  People that are troubled with canker hu-
 mours, ought to drink, a decoction  of this herb freely,
 and for a considerable time. 
164           MEDICAL COMPANION.
                ROSE WILLOW.

    This tree is about the size of a small apple  tree and
 covered with a greenish colored bark, and very white
 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, labouring under the whites, relaxation, bear-
 ing down, &c. ;  and likewise in restraining immode-
 rate flowing of the menses.
    For  use, one pound  of  the bark may be boiled to
 three quarts ;  to which add one quart of brandy, and
 six ounces of loaf sugar.   Dose, a tea-cup full three
 times a day as a tonic, and to  be  continued till well.
 It is equally useful in gleets when the  pure decoction
 may be used for injection.
                   SAFFRON.

  This plant is cultivated in gardens.  Its  smell is
pleasant, the taste a fine aromatic bitter, and it gives a
deep yellow colour to the saliva, when chewed.   The"
active  matter  is  equally extracted by alcohol, water
and vinegar.                *
  Saffron is a  valuable plant, and is highly esteemed,
as it exhilarates the spirits when taken in small doses  ;
but  if used in too large potions, it produces immode-
rate mirth.  It is considered an excellent  remedy in
hysterics and depressions.   Its  principal  use, hovvev- 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
165*
er, at the present time, is to prevent  the striking in of
eruptions  and the matter of the scarlet fever, measles
and similar diseases.
               SARSAPARILLA.
                                                 P
  This  vine grows  in several  parts  of the  United
States.  It is a small vine, resembling a bramble.  A de-
coction of sarsaparilla, prepared by boiling four ounces
of the root  in  a quart of water, till a  third part  be
evaporated,  has long been employed in  the venereal
complaints.  It promotes perspiration, relieves venereal
head-ache,  and also  disposes venereal ulcers  to heal.
In rheumatic affections, cutaneous disorders, and scrof-
ula,  it is a very useful  medicine.   It may also be giv-
en in the form of powder in doses of one or two tea-
spoons full,  or extract, in the form of pills, from four to
eight, three  or four times a day.
                  SASSAFRAS.

  This tree is a native of North America.  The wood,
root, and bark are used.   They have a moderately fra-
grant smell, and a sweetish, aromatic taste.   Sassafras
is  a warm,  aperient and strengthening medicine.   It
has often  been  successfully given  in  the form of in-
fusion and decoction for improving the tone of the sto-
mach  and bowels, and has been given as a sweeten-
er or purifier of the blood.   The  oil is  highly stimu-
lating and heating, and must  be  given  only in  very
small doses.  The bark is  useful  in intermittents.—
The oil, externally  applied,  in rheumatism, and  also 
166           MEDICAL COMPANION.
in wens and indolent swellings, has oftentimes proved
salutary.   The  pith  of  the  small twigs,  in  wate'r,
forms a mucilage of excellent  use  for sore eyes,   It
also affords, when sweetened,  w-ith the addition of nut-
meg, a palatable jelly useful in dysentery and  febrile-
diseases.



               SW'EET  BUGLE.

   This herb grows in low lands and in the road sides.
It is an excellent  astringent herb.   In decoction, and
taken repeatedly, it checks internal hemorrhages from
the lungs or throat and stomach, more effectually than
any thing else  I am acquainted with.  I make frequent
use of it. A small quantity is sufficient for use in a com-
mon case.   For  other  purposes  it is similar to other
astringents.   This is one ofthe main ingredients in the
bitters.*
 BITTER SWEET, OR JACOB'S LADDER.

   This'plant, also called woody-nightshade, felonwort,
 &c. rises ten or fifteen feet high, and entwines around
 trees as a vine ;  but if there be no shrubs in the vicin-
 ity, the shoots creep along the ground, and frequently
 strike for new roots. ■ It flowers in June and July,
 color purple, with yellow  antlers, always turning from
 the sun.   The berries are of a bright  orange colour,
 similar  in form to  currants, and of a bitter sweet taste.
 It grows  in high  and  low  grounds, and marshes, and
"is sometimes  mistaken  for  ivy, which is poisonous.
* See bitters. 
               MEDICAL  COMPANION.            167

The bitter-sweet is a powerful  and useful  medicine,
though like  most  of  the  invaluable medicinal  plants
which  nature so  profusely  furnishes to our hands, its
virtues are appreciated by but  few.   It increases all
the secrections and  excretions, particularly sweat,
urine and stool, and excites the heart and arteries.   It
may be employed both externally and internally.   It
is peculiarly beneficial in  real liver complaints ;  also
in  rheumatism, schirrous swellings,  ill-ccnditioned ul-^
cers, scrofula,  wjiites, jaundice, and obstructed men-
ses.   It is said that cancers of the breast,  have been
cured  by rubbing the juice  over the cancer, and the
green  leaves applied over  the  breast.   For internal
use, boil  half  a pound of the bark of the root to one
gallon..   The  dose,  a gill  three times a day.   It is
also good in fevers and dropsical swellings.    The bit-
ter sweet ointment,  (the preparation of which will be
found among the  recipes,)  is of  superior  efficacy in
diseases of  the breast to which women are  subject af-
ter delivery.
              SENNA,  AMERICAN.

   This plant  is easily cultivated from  the seeds', and
ought  to be  more  generally introduced into our gar-
dens.  It has long been employed as a purgative.  To in-
crease its effects on the bowels, mustard  seed, and man-
na are generally added.   To correct its ill flavour, and
prevent griping, it should be joined  with some aroma-
tics, such as coriander or fennel seed, ginger, &c.  In
the form of decoction, a  handful, or an ounce to a pint
of boiling  water.   The  dose  is a  tea-cup  full every
hour or two until it operates.  It may also be exhibit-
ed* in the form of tincture,  to  relieve flatulent colics,
four ounces of senna to a  quart of spirits, with an ounce
of coriander seed  or  ginger, and  a wine-glass full the
dose. 
163
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
               SKUNK CABBAGE.

   This herb-abounds in swamps and  meadows, and
 emits  a  disagreeable smell, nearly resembling that of
 a skunk  or pole-cat, and from this, and its leaves re-
 sembling those of a cabbage, it has acquired its name.
 The roots  dried  and powdered, have proved of ex-
 cellent use in asthmatic  cases,  and often.afforded relief
Jn this distressing disease, when  other means  were in-
 effectual.   It should be given  during the paroxysm,
 and continued until  the patient has perfectly  recover-
 ed.   Dr.  Culler has celebrated its efficacy in his own
 case of asthma, after other medicines had failed.  In
 one ofthe most violent asthmatic cases, two tea-spoons
 full  of the  powdered root  in spirits procured immedi-
 ate  relief,  and on repeating the trials with  the  same
 patient,  it  afforded more lasting  benefit than any other
 medicine.   In  childbed  it produces the  desired ef-
 fects in  doses of a  tea-spoonful  repeated occasionally.
 In numerous other instances  of  hysteric  and spasm,
 and also in chronic and acute rheumatism  and dropsy,
 in powder or decoction it  has  performed  important
 cures.  The seeds possess the same virtues with the
 root.
             COMMON SUMACH.

  There are two kinds of the common upland sumach ;
one known as the narrow-leaved  sumach, the other as
the  Pennsylvania sumach.   The latter is smooth and
rises to the height of ten or fifteen feet.  The leaves
are  feathered,  sawed,  lanced, naked  on both sides,
and change to a beautiful red in  autumn.-  The seeds
are  in large bunches, arranged like the flowers, are red,
and covered with a powder of an agreeable acid taste. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
169
  The two species above mentioned, are considerably
astringent.   An infusion of the berries sweetened with
honey is an excellent medicine for coughs, and as a gar-
gle in sore throats, and for cleansing the mouth in pu-
trid fevers.
  The bark of the root in  the form of poultices for
old  ulcers ;  it is  hardly equalled  by any.  In decoc-
tion it  is goodF for  hectic fever and scrofula.  It is *
said to be efficacious  in  the venerial,  combined jwith
the  bark ofthe slippery elm and white  pine, in deeoc-
tion, and taken freely. ►•
              WHITE SOLOMON'S  SEAL.

•       This plant rises six or. eight inches in height; leaves
      lance-like, and of a dar"k green color ; flowers  in um-
      bels, and hang on the lower side of the leaning stalks,
      producing red berries.   It grows  on the sides of,mea-
      dows, high banks and  mountains,  in every part of the
      United States.
        The roots  are astringent,  the  flowers, berries and
  •  leaves are acrid and poisonous.  The sweet mucilage
      ofthe roots, applied as a  poultice, is  good in  inflam-
      mation and piles.  Four  of  each of Solomon's seal
      and comfrey root, bruised  and infused  in two quarts of
      Muscat wipe, is a valuable remedy for the whites, and
      other female  weaknesses,  when taken  in the quantity
      of a wine-glass full three times a day.
                STRAWBERRY.

  The  common strawberry,  although  chiefly consid-
ered an article of food, deserves a place among medi-
cines.   They are useful in fevers, gravel, gout, scur-
                    P 
170
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
vy, and  consumption.   They are  cooling, promote
perspiration, give relief in diseases of the bladder, and
kidneys,  upon which they act powerfully.  It has long
been extolled in gout  and phthisic.  Persons  labor-
ing under these complaints ought, to eat them frequent-
ly when in season, and use at other times their syrup.
Used moderately, they are certainly  a valuable medi-
cine in many cases ;  but an excessive dose of either is
liable to produce vomiting or a painful stricture in the
bladder,  with red urine.  The 'plant and  leaves have
nearly the same properties, are  less cooling and more
astringent.   Both  are  used   for sore throat, swelled
gums, bowel complaints,  and jaundice, in infusion and
decoction.
                 SUNFLOWER.

  This plant has an  agreeable and  somewhat spicy
odour.  The sunflower is one of the most valuable me-
dicinal plants our country produces ; and is the most
efficacious remedy in bilious colics, that  can be ad-
ministered.   In  all  diseases, where anti-spasmodics -%
are  indicated, it  may be employed with  the  greatest
benefit.  The leaves,  or root, which is the strongest,
may be taken in powder, in quantity of half to a whole
tea-spoon full  every hour, if  necessary ;  or in [urgent
cases, in a larger dose.
                    TANSY.

  This herb has a warm, bitter taste, not ungrateful to
the palate.   It is an excellent tonic stomachic and has
a favourable effect in hysteric  disorders.  'The leaves 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.           171

and seeds have been in considerable esteem as anthel-
mintics, and are given in doses from  one to two tea-
spoons full.   The decoction  of tansy, or  the  juice
drank in  wine,  is very useful  in  stranguary and other
obstructions of urine, and in weakness  of the kidneys.
                       VERVAIN.

      The common blue vervain is  a tall showy plant,
    common by road sides in low ground.  'Stems three or
    four feet high ; leaves opposite, rough, sharply serrate,
    tapering to a long point, the lower ones broader, with
    commonly a lob on each side at their base ; spikes  nu-
    merous,  erect, slender,  the  flowers  commencing at
    their base, and are long in reaching their summit ; flow-
    ers close,  of a dark, purplish  hue, appearing in July
    and August, roots long1 and small.  It is found through-
    out the United States. . I  have found it beneficial in
    the cure of fevers,  particularly the scarlet feve¥.  It
    opens obstructions of the viscera, promotes the menses,
    and is good in gravelly complaints, coughs and wheez-
»   ing, and expels worms.  It should be prepared in a
    decoction, and drank daily.
  VIRGINIA,  OR BLACK  SNAKE ROOT.

  This plant grows in rich wood lands, from seven to
nine inches high, leaves heart shaped, flowers of a pur-
plish brown colour.   The root is composed of a num-
ber of strings, or  fibres,  issuing from one head, and
matted together, of a brownish colour on the outside,
and pale  or  yellowish within.
  It has  an aromatic smell, and a warm, bitterish pun-
gent taste.   It promotes perspiration, raises the pulse, 
172           MEDICAL COMPANION.

and resists putrefaction.  Hence it is especially adapt-
ed to the low and advanced stage of typhus or nervous
fever.   It may be given in the form of infusion  or tea,
four  ounces to a  quart of boiling water, in doses of a
tea-cup full ;  or in powder, from half to a whole tea-
spoonful twice  or three times a day.   Conjoined with
poplar bark, or any of its substitutes,  it is an admira-
ble remedy in obstinate cases of the  ague  and  fever,
and other disorders of general weakness.  In  cold
phlegmatic habits, it  has  also .been  exhibited in the
form of tincture,  and when united  with double the
quantity of bitter  root or dogsbane  it affords  a good
bitter.   Professor Barton observes, that " a strong de-
coction of the root  was used  with  great benefit as a
gargle in a putrid  sore throat, which prevailed in New-
Jersey."   Externally applied, the decoction has been
found to cure the  itch.
             -   WATER  DOCK.

  This plant grows  in peat  marshes,  wet ditches.
pools,  at the sides of rivers and  in shallow water.   It
rises five feet high ; leaves nearly two feet  long,wiar-
row, and pointed; those at  the bottom are near eight-
een inches in length, of a narrow form, somewhat in-
dented, and  stand  upon  long channeled  foot-stalks ;
flowers numerous, yellow, and hang in whorled spikeff,
upon slender stalks.
  This plant affords a medicine of considerable effica-
cy, when applied externally as a wash for foul ulcers,
and for spongy and putrid gums.  Its roots when pul-
verized have  been found   excellent  for cleaning the
teeth.   These roots  are of a  bitter, astringent taste,
and have often been employed lor the cure of scorbu-
tic and cutaneous disorders, in which  they, are admin-
istered internally, and applied externally in ointments, 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
173
or fomentations.   Decoctions of the leaves are like-
wise an efficacious laxative, and have  been taken with
advantage in rheumatic pains and chronic diseases, oc-
casioned  by  costiveness, the dose  usually given is a
decoction of half an ounce ofthe fresh root, or half a
tea-spoon full of it in a dry state.
  The Indians  used the water dock with great suc-
cess in cleansing foul ulcers. Dr. Withering says, " he
saw an ill-conditioned  ulcer in the mouth, which had
destroyed the palate, cured by washing the mouth with
a decoction of the root/and drinking a small quantity of
the same decoction daily."
   WHITE  WALNUT, OR BUTTER NUT.

  This affords  one of  the finest cathartic medicines
in the whole of the American Materia Medica.   The
inner bark boiled for several hours, then strained and
reboiled to the  consistence of thick honey, forms the
best preparation of this invaluable medicine.   A com-
mon sized pill or two, on  going to bed, is admirable
to remove those costive habits, which occasion head-
aches, loaded stomachs, colics, &c.   And, in increas-
ed doses, say double quantities, it will be found a sove-
reign medicine in dysentery, bilious fever, and all oth-
er complaints requiring aperient medicines, more es-
pecially if combined  with equal quantities of gamboge.
I cannot quit this extract, without recommending it to
every family to keep it constantly by them.   The ex-
tract from the bark ofthe root, is preferable to that of
die  trunk.
                WITCH  HAZLE.

  This is a shrub from six  to ten feet high, with ir-
regular, crooked and knotty branches ; bark  smooth,
                       p* 
174            MEDICAL  COMPANION.

gray,  with brown  dots ;  leaves  large and  smooth.
Flower on short stems,  clustered three to five togeth-
er, in several places along the branches, yellow.   It
is common on hills and mountains, and on the  stony
banks of streams, throughout the United States.   It is
astringent.   The  Indians  value  this  shrub highly.
The bark affords an excellent topical application for
painful tumours and piles, external inflammations, sore
and inflamed  eyes ;  and  also a  wash for  foul sores,
corroded surface, sore mouth, &c. applied in poultice
or wash.  A tea is made of the leaves and employed
for many purposes, in bowel complaints, pains in the
sides, menstrual effusions, bleeding at the stomach, &c.
In the last case, the  chewed  leaves, a  decoction of
the bark, or tea of leaves, are all employed with great
advantage.  A  strong infusion, given in injection, for
bowel complaints is highly serviceable.
                 WORMWOOD.

   The common wormwood is an herb growing wild
on the road sides ; and is cultivated in gardens.  The
smell is disagreeable, and  its  taste extremely bitter.
It is used in stomach complaints, and is of great ser-
vice to hypochondriacs.  It is also employed in inter-
mittent fevers, in dropsical  affections, in jaundice, and
against worms.   An infusion  of  the  leaves is a good
stomachic, and with the addition of other vegetables*
is serviceable  in jaundice, loss of appetite, and indi-
gestion, &c.

   The essential oil is used both externally and  inter-
nally for  destroying worms.   The herb is an excel-
* See Bitters. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
175
lent external  application in wounds  and bruises, em-
ployed in fomentation.   It resists putrefaction ;  and if
the plant be macerated in boiling vinegar, or soft soap,
and  repeatedly applied to the bruise, it will  not only
remove the pain, but also prevent the swelling and dis-
coloration ofthe part affected.
                    WILLOW.

   Professor  Barton  thinks  that  our  willows  pos-
sess nearly the same virtues that have been ascribed to
those of  Europe.   The bark of the white  willow,
smooth* willow, and crack willow, so  called from the
remarkable bitterness of its branches, collected when
it abounds with  sap, has  been successfully employed
in intermittent,  or ague  and fever, in  one or fcvo tea-
spoons full.   The broad-leaved willow possesses great-
er virtues  than either ofthe above.  This species may
be distinguished by the shape of its leaves from others.
The leaves have  a downy .appearance on the under
surface.   It  is found  in woods and hedges, on  hilly
situations.   A strong decoction of this bark resembles
port wine in colour.   It is astringent to the taste, and
somewhat bitter.   It is a' remedy  of great efficacy in
most  cases where  restringencies are needed.   Four
ounces of the bark to be infused in one quart of water
for six hours, then boil it over a gentle fire for a quar-
ter of an  hour, and strain for use.  Of this, the ordi-
nary dose is a wine-glass full three or four times a-day.
But in ague and fever, the dose may be repeated  ever
ry third hour in the interval of the fit.
                   YARROW.

 . Common yarrow is a frequent inhabitant of dry pas-
tures and. fields ; erect, furrowed, hairy,  branched at
-**• ' 
176
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
 the top ;  leaves alternate, cut into a multitude of very
 small linear subdivisions; flowers white, forming a large,
 flat top.  The plant has  a strong  penetrating  smell.
 Yarrow possesses considerable medicinal virtues, as
 it purifies the blood,  opens the  pores,  removes  ob-
 structions, &c.   It is said that a table-spoon full ofthe
 juice of this plant taken twice.a-day, and the bruised
•herb applied  over  the  cancer, after washing  it with
 the juice, has cured a  cancer, of the breast.   It stops
 the  spitting of blood, and cures bleeding piles and dys-
 entery.   It may be used in decoction, sweetened with
 honey  and  taken freely.   By applying the pounded
 green leaves over a bruise and drinking the infusion, it
 is dissipated it in a few days.
             BITTER  DOGSBANE.

  Also bitter-root, fly-trap, honey-bloom, &c   This
is rather  a common plant, found in most parts of the
United  States.  It grows in woods, hills, dry, sandy
soils, along  fences, and  in  old  fields.   The  root  is
large, bitter and milky.   Stalks  very smooth as well
as the leaves, with a tough, fibrous bark, from two  to
three feet high, and branches, round and often rose col-
ored ; leaves opposite two or three  inches long, with
one  large  nerve ; flowers  on  flower stems,  always
longer than the leaves,  nodding,  few, and bell-shaped,
flesh or rose colored.
 ■ This is a very active  plant.   The root is the most
powerful part : but it  must be used  fresh, since time
diminishes or destroys  its power.  At the dose of two
tea-spoons full of the fresh powdered root,  it acts  as
an emetic ; in smaller doses it  is  a tonic, useful in
dyspepsia  and fever.  It is  highly  recommended for
costive habits, indigestion, and  loss  .of appetite. 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.            177
   Some of the southern tribes of  Indians  employ it
syphilis, and consider it a specific ; they use the fresh
root, chewed,  swallowing only the juice.  It has been
used  for the same purpose in Kentucky and Tennes-
see, and kept a secret.
       OLIVE  OIL,  OR  SWEET OIL.

  The olive  tree  is  a native of the southern parts of
Europe.   Its fruit is  considerably used as an  article
of food by the  inhabitants of the countries where it is
found ; but it is hurtful  ; its  oily nature relaxing the
stomach.   Medicinally considered, olive oil  foas been
found an excellent preventive of the plague, when rub-
bed over the whole body,  immediately after  the con-
tagion is  supposed to have been taken.  The  oil when
properly  applied, and followed by use of a considera-
ble degree  of  friction, occasioned a  copious sweat
over the  whole body, by which it is said the patients
were immediately cured.   Olive oil has also  been em-
ployed with success as an  antidote against poison oc-
casioned by  vegetable, or  minerals, or by the  bite of
serpents, especially that of the rattlesnake.   In seve-
ral cases apparently desperate, when a few spoons full
of oil had been  sw allowed,  the  violent symptoms in-
stantaneously subsided, and cures  were soon  effected.
In gouty patients, sweet oil rubbed on the pained limbs
proves a soothing, safe, and  useful application.  It is
also  beneficially  employed   internally  for  coughs,
hoarseness, &c and is a gentle laxative.  It may be
taken in large quantities to destroy the action of acrid
substances taken  into  the stomach ;  but its  principal
use  is  for  the  composition of ointment and  plas-
ter5: 
178
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                    PALM  OIL.

     This oil is obtained from the kernel of the  fruit of
  the palm tree Cultivated in the West Indies.   It is of
  an orange color, of the consistence of ointment,  emit-
  ting a strong agreeable odour,  and very little taste ;
<t both of which it loses by long keeping, when it is unfit
  for use.   It is employed chiefly externally, for relax-
  ing pains, cramps, and similar affections ; and  also,
  for the  cure of chilblains.   With  camphor, palm  oil
  makes a very excellent  liniment of  the stimulating
  kind.   Palm oil, with other ingrediences, form an ac-
  tive ointment*  for bruises, sprains,  gout, rheumatism,
  croup, numbness, and for indolent tumours, rigidity of
  the tendons, &c.
         PUMPKIN SEED, THE  OIL.

  The expressed oil of pumpkin seeds is perhaps with-
out exception the most certain and efficient remedy for
gravel or stone, which we possess.   The dose may be
from six to twelve drops, three or four times a-day, or
oftener if required.   It gives  quick relief in cases of
spasm  upon  the urinery  passages.  It relieves  the
scalding of the urine.  When the oil cannot be obtain-
ed, the decoction may be substituted.
* See Botanic Ointment.
<% 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
179
                  GAMBOGE.

  A vegetable  juice  of  a resinous nature, imported
from the East Indies.   The best sort is of a deep col-
our, 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 water purge, and will often bring ^
away large quantities of water.   Gamboge is  also  re-
commended 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, or a
quarter of a common  tea-spoon full is  a common ca-
thartic dose.   Great  precaution, however is  requisite
in the use of this active medicine.   If too large a dose
should be accidentally swallowed,  the most  effectual
antidote will be a copious draught of solution of salaera-
tus, in water.
                 GUM ARABIC.

   This, the purest of the gums, is obtained by sponta-
neous exudation from the mimosa tree.  It is in small,
irregular  pieces, white  or yellowish, without taste or
smell.  It has all the properties of gum Qs  insoluble
in alcohol or oils, and  is  soluble in water,  forming a
viscid solution,  termed mneilage.
   Gum Arabic is useful in dysentery, diarrhoea, stran-
guary and heat of urine,  when it should be given in so-
lution. It form^an.excellent basis for all mixtures.
-:& 
180
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                       GUxM MYRRH.

        Myrrh is the produce of a shrub growing in the East
      Indies.   The best myrrh is somewhat transparent,  of
      a uniform brownish, or reddish colour ;  slightly pun-
      gent bitter taste, with a strong aromatic, not disagree-
      able odour, though nauseous to the palate,
   ^   In its medieinal effects,  this aromatic bitter, when
      taken internally, warms and strengthens the stomach.
      It  frequently occasions mild  sweats, and in general,
      promotes the fluid secretions. Hence it  is used with
      great advantage in case of debility ; in diseases arising
      from suppression of the urine, or from inordinate dis-
      charges,  in  cachectic habits, and  to those  persons
      whose  lungs  and  throats  are oppressed with tough
      phlegm.

        Myrrh is likewise supposed, in a peculiar manner, to
      resist  putrefaction in all  parts of the body  ;  and in
      this light, stands recommended in malignant,putrid and
      pestilential fevers, and in smallpox,  in which last it is
      said to accelerate the eruption.   Tincture of myrrh is
      recommended internally for warming the habit, attenua-
      ting viscid juices, strengthening the solids, opening ob-
      structions,  and resisting putrefactions.   The dose is
      from fifteen to forty drops, or more.   It  may perhaps
      be given  in  these  cases  with advantage, though it is
      more .commonly used externally as a  stimulant and an-
      tiseptic application for clearing foul  ulcers,  and  pro-
      moting the ejsfoHation of  carious bones.

        Myrrh is one of the main ingredients in  the elixirs,
      which has proved serviceable in coughs, colds, fevers,
      head-ache,  pain in the stomach and  bowels, and  co-
#     lie, &c.  And is highly esteemed as  an external appli-
4     cation in  rheumatic affections.
rtS
St 
               DIRECTIONS

RESPECTING THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION

                       OF                         •?

     VEGETABLE  SUBSTANCES. 1
   Herbs and leaves should be gathered in dry weather,
after the dew is off them, and freed from decayed an*.
withered  leaves.   They  should be tied in bundles.
and hung up in shady, warm and airy places, or spread
upon the floor, and frequently  turned.  If very juicy
they should be laid upon a cloth and dried in the sun,
or  by  a  gentle  degree  of  artificial warmth.   They
should be  dried in such  quantities  at a time that the
process may be finished as quickly as possible ; for by
this means their virtues and strength are best preserv-
ed ; the test of which is,  the  perfect preservation of
their natural colour.

  Flowers ought also  to be collected in clear dry wea-
ther, after the dew is  off, immediately  after they have
opened.   They should be dried nearly  the same as
leaves, but quicker, and with more  attention; as they
must not be exposed  to the sun,  it can be done best
by  a slight degree of artificial warmth.

  Barks and woods should be collected when the most
active parts of thejvegetables are concentrated in them,
which happns in the Spring and in Autumn.    Spring
is  preferred for  resinous barks,   and Autumn  for
& 
182            MEDICAL COMPANION.
  those that are gummy.   Barks  should be taken from
  young trees, and  freed from decayed parts and all  im-
  purities.   Seeds  and fruits are  to be gathered when
  ripe, but before they fall spontaneously.

    Roots which are annual, should be collected before
  they shoot out their stalks or flowers.   Those which
  are worm-eaten, or decayed, are to be rejected.  The
* others are immediately to be cleaned with a brush  and
  cold water, letting them lie in it as short a time as pos-
  sible ; and the fibres and  little roots, when not essen-
  tial, are to be cut away.   Roots which consist princi-
  pally of fibres, and have but a small top, may be  im-
  mediately dried.   If  they be  juicy and not aromatic,
  this may be done by a moderate heat;  but,  if aromat-
  ic,  by simply exposing  them, and frequently  turning
  them in a current of cold  air.  If very  thick  and
  strong,   they are to be  split or  cut  into slices,  and
  strung upon  threads,  if covered  with  a  tough bark,
  thoy may be peeled fresh, and  then dried.    Such as
  lose their virtues  by drying, are to be  kept  preserved
  in a fresh state should be buried in dry  sand.

     The proper drying of vegetable substances is ofthe
  greatest importance.   It  is often directed to  be-done
  in ■ the shade  and  slowly, that the volatile and active
  particles may not  be  evaporated by  too great heat  ;
  but this is an error.   They always lose more by slow,
  than by quick drying.   When on account of  the  col-
  our, they cannot   be  exposed to the sun, and  the
  warmth of the'atmosphere is insufficient, they should
  be  dried by an artificial warmth, and well exposed to
  a current of air.   When  perfectly dry, they have but
  little smell ;  but  after being kept  for some time, they
  attract  moisture  from the air and regain their proper
 • odour. 
MEDICAL COMPANION.
PART  III.
DISPENSATORY.
   Having finished, as far as the limits of this work will
 permit, a general detail ofthe practice of botanic med-
 icine, adapted to the climate of our country, it now
 only remains to notice the medicines requisite for fam-
 ily use, and to point out  the best forms of prescribing
 them, in the  treatment  of the different diseases, de-
 scribed in the preceding parts of this work.

   The following medicines will  be found sufficient to
 answer every purpose of botanic practice,  and the ex-
 pence  will  be found nothing, compared to the great
 advantages, which  must  result from being constantly
 supplied with them.

   To  render the work still  more complete, I have an-
 nexed to the  medicines,  their doses according to the
 age of  the  patient ; observing, however, that whatev-
 er general rule may be given, it  can only  be  applied
 with reference to the habit and  state of the patient.
 The judgment ofthe person who administers the med-
 icine must  therefore be exercised  in this respect.  It
 will be found that  the constitutions  of patients are
 often" a tanded with some certain peculiarities, both .
in relation to medicine in general, and also to certain
substances particularly, of which knowledge is only to
be obtained by experience.
<* 
184
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
                    EMETICS.

   Emetics are substances capable of exciting vomiting.
 The effects of an emetic are,  an uneasy sensation in
 the stomach, with nausea and  vomiting.   While  the
 nausea only  is present the pulse is feeble, quick  and
 irregular, and the countenance pale.   During thevonir
 iting the face is flushed, the pulse is quicker, and it re-
 mains so  during the intervals of vomiting.  When the
 operation of vomiting  has ceased, the nausea goes off
 graduatly ;  the patient  remains languid, and often^in-
 clined to  sleep ;  and the pulse is weak, but gradually
 becomes  slow and  full, and the  skin is  commonly
 moist.
   Frequently after an  emetic is given the patient com-
 plaius of distress in the stomach,  with flying pains
 over the system,  which increases until the  patient  be-
 comes delirious, which frequently continues from four
 to six hours,  the extremities become _cold, the pulse
 slow and  full, the face  florid, which last is of short du-
 ration, arid is  followed with a death-like paleness;  and
 the patient  becomes exceedingly restless.   At length
 the patient becomes calm and  falls asleep  ; a  sighing
.takes place, which continues from fifteen to forty min-
 utes ;  the patient awakes, and  vomiting  ensues.   Af-
 ter vomiting several times, the patient falls asleep again
 and soon becomes in a profuse perspiration ; soon he
 awakes quite refreshed, feeling no inconvenience from
 the operation.
   The susceptibility of vomiting is  very different in*
 different individuals ; and is often considerably varied
 by disease.   Though nausea generally accompanies
 vomiting, yet it  ismot always so.    Sometimes  the
 emetic acts without "occasioning  much nausea, while
 at other times it induces it in a much  greater  degree*
 than is propoationed to its emetic power.
   The feeble  and low  pulse which accompanies vom-
 iting,  has been ascribed to direct association between
?\    .   t
0 
MEDICAL COMPANION.            185
  he motions ofthe stomach und those ofthe heart; or
  tit 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 ex-
  ists between the stomach and the surface ofthe body,
  so that the state of the vessels of the one part is com
  municated to the vessels of the other.  Emetics pow
  erfully promote absorption.   They often occasion in
  creased evacuation  by the  intestinal canal,  an effec
  arising from  their  stimulating power.
    The manner of  administering the emetic, or giving
  a regular  course, is as follows :  Take an ounce and
  a half of valerian bruised, put it in an earthen mug  or
  pitcher, pour one quart of boiling wat r to it ;  le it
  steep twenty or thirty minutes.   Put two ouncesss o
  pennyroyal in another  vessel ;  pour two  quarto of
  boiling water to it  ;  let it steep as long as the valerjian
  Strain off half a pint  of the valerian tea for an inec-
  tion ;  add a tea-spoon full of vegetable powder, half^a
  tea-spoon  full of green emetic, and  one of  gin  elixir
  this to be given in bed,  as soon    as ihe operaticm
  over, the  patient should be put into the box, the steald
  raised about the temperature of the blood.  He should
  remain in the  steam from fifteen to thirty minutes, ac-
  cording to his strength.    The  patient, while in the
  steam,  should drink freely of  the  pennyroyal tea.
  When he  comes out, a blanket should be put over him,
  and he should then  be put immediately to bed  and re-
  main  in the blanket fifteen minutes ;  the inner clothes
 should then b e. put on and the blanket taken out.
   Strain off a half tea-cup full of valerian  tea, add a
 tea-spoon full of sugar, and when cool enough to drink,
 add a tea-spoon full of green emetic, pounded fine and
 sifted,  a quarter tea-spoon full of cayenne, and a tea-
 spoon full of gin elixir.  Stir these  together and give
• it to the patientt; and give* a tea-cup full of pennyroyal
 tea directly after.   In fifteen or twenty minutes  give
 another cup of emetic prepared  in the same manner, 
186           MEDICAL  COMPANION.

whether it operates or not.  In about twenty minutes,
give  the third, prepared in the same manner as the two
first.   If the patient is  distressed, or appears delirious,
the third enp may be dispensed with, and a cup of va-
lerian,  with  a tea-spoon full  of  elixir added,  may !>r
given.   The third cup should be given,  except in the
case  abrrve mentioned, and the third followed in thirty
minutes with a cup half full of valerian tea, to which
should be added half half a tea-spoon full of cayenne.
The  patient %should be allowed to drink, if he desires
it, cider, wateiVgruel, or tea, and as much as he wants
   When the  emetic has  done  operating,  the jpatient
should remain in bed two  or  three hours until  the
perspiration ceases ;,he  shcula  then be set up in bed
and a blanket thrown  around  him, wash him in 'rum
or brandy,  and wipe him  dry ;  then change his inner
clothes.   He may then be dressed and sit by the fire.
The next day, when the weather is pleasant, if the pa-
tient has no "fever, ho  may  walk out ; and should eat
such food as his appetite requires.    This method may
be pursued in all  cases of  obstructions, and  may be
relied  upon as perfectly safe.*
   "  Although it is  one ofthe most* powerful emetics
in the  world, it is  far from causing cramp, or convul-
sions ;  it is  a specific remedy in  either  of the cases..
It is one of the most powerful assistants, of any medi-
cines known ; as a stimulant  it  differs from any other
medicine we know of,  as it  leaves the patient'in more
cheerful spirits ; and when taken, it promotes strength
and sleep,  but has no tendency to  stupify..  It is per-
fectly safe to give to male or female, in every situation
in life, from infancy to old age."
   The second preparation  is for children from three
days old to  twelve years,  and  is prepared by adding
four  ounces of^the leaf and pod of lobelia to two quarts
of alcohol, let'it stand eight or tSh d;rys,  shaking it oc-
casionally, strain it off and it is fit for use.  The po-
tion  for children under the age, of one year, is from one
X 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.           187

to three tea-spoons full, in a cup half full of pennyroyal
tea sweetened.   It should be  given in  three potions  :
the second potion should begiven ten minutes after the
first ; in ten  minutes  give  the third.  For children
over  one  year  of  age and  upwards,  from three to
twelve tea-spoons full.   This  should be given in three
potions, in pennyroyal tea,  in the course*of an hour.
To each potion,  a tea-spoon full of elixir should be
added.   The nurse should  be particular to give-drink
as often as the child wants,  either water or tea,
PREPARATIONS  AND COMPOSITIONS OF
 BOTANIC MEDICINES IN  COMMON USE.
     i-
  Family pills  are  prepared.as follows :  Take  one
pound of  tboroughwort, one  of bugle, one of bitter
sweet, one of camomile flowers,  one of wormwood,
boil them in eight  gallons of  spring water one hour ;
strain it off  and boil tlje  decoction to two  quarts,
strain it  through a fine seive, add three pounds of the
best aloes pulverized and sifted, mixed with one pound
of golden seal ; ten ounces of  gum gamboge pulveriz-
ed and sifted ;  one pound of bitter root, one pound  of
valerian,  eight ounces  of West-India  cayenne,  four
ounces  of slippery elm, eight  ounces of rheubarb pul-
verized  and  sifted.   Mix  them well  together,  and if
too thick  to  make into pills, add  molasses ; if not,
add  flour  of licorice  root.   The preparation should
then be cut   in  pieces  and rolled out to  a  consistent
thickness,and cut in strips of a sufficient length for the
mould.   The strips shpuld be rolled in  the  flour of li-
corice,  before they are  laid in the mould,  to prevent
their adhering.  -When rolled  out,  they  sholud  be
prcad on  a waiter, and dried in  the shade.   They
iiic a specific in case of costiveness, indigestion,  dys-
 
188           MEDICAL COMPANION.
pepsia, coughs, head-ache, jaundice, stranguary, drop-
sy, and dysentery, &c.
   Directions.—The potion  from four to eight, over
night, when they are intended as a cathartic, and then
four every six hours,  until  such intention is effected.
If the first dose does not answer the purpose.  In ve-
ry obstinate cases,  even a  larger number may very
safely be administered.
                BALM  OF LIFE-
   Take one pound of alloes pulverized^ two pounds of
"ball licorice, one pound  of rheubarb, one of valerian,
half a pound of gum gamboge.   Pulverized, put these
into a keg, add six gallons Muscat wine, let it  stand
one month  in a cool place and shake it occasionally.
Let it stand one week to settle ; then strain it off from
the dregs ;  add two quarts of alcohol, in which should
be  infused two ounces of the oil of chickerberry, and
itjis fit to bottle and use.
  The balm of life is useful in Qpstiveness, indigestion,
dyspepsia, flatulency, faintness at the stomach, coughs,
jaundice, stranguary, gravel, humours, female  com-
plaints,  and nervous complaints in  general.
  Directions.—For an  adult, give  two or three tea-
spoons full every night.   If it  does  not  operate  by
morning, give two or three spoons full more.   In case
wind  or  pain, or any other difficulty, caused by cold
or obstructions, take two or three tea-spoons full every
hour until it relieves.  For children, from one to two
tea-spoons full.
          VEGETABLE POWDERS.

  Take one pound of bayberry bark, ofthe root,  pul-
verized and sifted ;  four ounces  of ginger ; four of
     /■'•■'     '  ' J 
                   MEDICAL COMPANION.            189

     golden seal; two of African cayenne ;  mix these we'll
     together,  and  they  are  fit  for use.  These powders
     will be found serviceable in all cases of sicknessr such
     as violent colds, dysentery,  pain in the stomach, or
    .bowels, head-ache,  colic,  female complaints* "and all
     kinds ofjiumours.  If taken  in the first symptoms of.
     ajiever, they frequently  throw it off, and the rjatiejit is
£   restored  to health,  after  takingthem a  few times.
     They warm the stomach and cause an appetite.  They
     are a good remedy for the jaundice ; and are effectual
     in removing all obstructions^ of the  liver, spleen, kid-
     neys, and urinery passage^,. They frequently cause a
    . person to  vomit, in which-case, they afford great re-
 •   lief.
      ■  Directions*—For an adult.   Take a large'tea-spoon
     ftill of them  in a tea-cup; add a tea-spoon foil of sugar  ;
    'fill tho cup half full of water and stir it well ; and wbe.Q
     cool enough, give it to the sick-person in bed at night.
    Tn cases of tfever, it should  be given two.or  three
  .   times  a day.   For children, it should "be strained ; to
   • whicii add a- little milk.  4
. *
           jHEALTH RESTORATIVE.

    Take one pound of camomile flowers, one of  bitter
  sweet bark, one of dock root,  one of  thoroughwort,
  one Of angelica root, and one of cleavers.   Put them
r  in a three pail kettle, and  fill it up with spring water.
  Boil them three hours, then strain .the  liquor off, and'
  boil itdowlf to three gallons ; put it in  a demijohn to
  cool ;-add two quarts of alcdhol, ope pound ol  aloes,
  eight ounces  of rheubarb, eight^>f b/Uteput extract,.
  eight ounces  of  valerian  pulverized,*four ounces of
..bitter-root, four of gdlden seal;  let  tfiem  stand one   -.
  morth, shaking it  occasionally ;'tb_fi_ strain it offvbot-   ^f
  tie jt and it is fit for use. 
190           MEDICAL COMPANION.
* Health restorative is useful in case of pain and wind
in the stomach and bowels, indigestion or dyspepsia,
obstructions in the  liver  and kidneys,'for stranguary, .
and female complaints  in general.
  Defections.— Take  half a  wine-glass  full  before.
breakfast.   In  case of costiveness, take half a wine-
grass full every hour till it operates.  At other times,
when .troublea with  wind or  pain,  caused  by cold oi»
cbstructipns,  take  a quarter,of a  wine-glass full.   It
may be  sweetened or not, as is most agreeable to the
taste.
            STOMA6H  BITTERS.       •  .  .
                                                 •
  Take one pound  of white poplar bark, pulverized
and sifted through a fine seive, eight ounces of gulden
seal, eight of pleurisy root, one ounce of cayenne, two.
ounces of American rhubarb, two of snakeroot, one
                                                V.
                                                 e
                                                ss
of appetite,' mid costiveness.
  Directions.—Take a teft-spoon fulloPMiem in a>tea-
cup, fill the  cup halffull of boiling water', stir it, and
when cool, drink it, they should be drank two or three
times ,a day as the  case may require.
           VEGETABLE  BITTERS.

, Take white poplar bark, wormwood, thoroughwoi",
oitter-sweet Bark,  bugle, camomile, flowers, each oiu:
pound, pjjlveri»ed ; add twto.ortnces of cayenne, ard
mix them together.-  These bitters are excellent for in>
dicesiioi*, loss of appetite, pain  fn the ^tdhiach- affd'
.*
 !.%» 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
191
  bowels, costiveness,and all bilious complaints, and al-
  so in all female complaints.
    Directions.—Put two ounces of these bitters into a
*mug or pitcher j pour three pints of boiling water to
  them, let them boil fifteen minutes, strain it off and let
 "it cool ; then  add half a pint of gin,  or brandy, and
  eight ounces of loaf  sugar.   If the patient is troubled
  with costivenesss, add gin.  If relaxed* add brandy.
  Take one wine-glass full before breakfast, and one be-
  fpre dinner ;  and ocnasionally, one toward night.-
                 COMMON ELIXIR.

     Take one gallon of fourth proof brandy, put it into
  a deininjohn, or jug ; add one pound of the best gum
  myrrh ;  one  ounce  of  African  cayenne ; and let
  it  stand in a warm place one month, and shake it  occa-
  sionally, when it should be'strained off from the dregs.
  Add half an ounce of of the oil of checkerberry, shake
  it  well and bottle it.
     This elixir is useful, and may be used  with advan-
  tage internally, or externally ; and will be found highly
  serviceable in case of pain in  the stoiriaeh  or bowels,
  dysentery, cfiolera morbus^  cramps in the  stomach,
  bowels, or limbs, by bathing  the  parts affeeted, and
  drinking half a  wine-glass full.  It-generally relieves
  pain and weakness in the back, by bathing night and
• morning.   It  is  good to  apply to  cuts, braises,#and
  common wounds.   It cures a relax, by taking a table-
  spoon full, two or three times a day.
                  GIN  ELIXIR.

  Take* a gallon of Holland gin, put it in a* jug "/add
one pound of gum myrrh, half an ounce qi African
 •  '     »-                     *         * 
192           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
cayenne, two ounces of golden seal, two of  saffron,
two of pleurisy root ; let it stand two months.   Strain
it off and bottle it, and  it is fit for use.   This  elixir is
useful and safe  for coughs, colds, hoarseness, fevers,
head-ache, jaundice, pain  in the stomach and  bowels,
colic, palpitation of the heart, female complaints caus-
ed by colds and humours.
  Directions.—Take from one to two table-spoons full
two or three times a  day,  in  a glass of warm water
sweetened ;  or it may be taken in molasses ; a table-
spoon full of each.   Take it before breakfast,  and be-
fore dinner ; and it may be taken_at other timos, when
occasion requires.
              STOMACH  DROPS.

   Take one gallon of fourth  proof brandy ;  add one
pound of peach-pits, two ounces of myrrh, four ounces
of the life-of-man root, four of pleurisy root pulverised,
two  ounces of  Gilead   buds.   Let  it digest one
month,  and shaket it  often, strain it  off;  add one
ounce of chickerb'erry oil.   These  dropj are highly
serviceable for faintness at the stomach,dysentery loss
of appetite, general weakness, fluor-of-albus, or whites,
bearing down pain, immoderate  flow of the menses,
and are also useful after a fever.

   Directions.—Take from one to three tea-spoons full,
three times a day in a glass of warm  water 'sweetened.
If the patient is troubled with  costiveness, the. stomach
bitters should be taken at night-*
• See Stomach Bitters.
r
1L 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
193
                 PEACH  CORDIAL.

   f" Take one pound of bayberry bark, one of  crane-
   bill  root pulverized, one  of camomile  flowers,  put
   them in a tin boiler, pour four'gallons offspring water,
,  boil them half an hour,* strain them  off,  add  to  the
   decoction three pounds  of peach-pits pulverized, six
   pbunds  of  loaf sugar, half a pound of gum myrrh
   pulverized, to a gallon of brandy.  Stir it well and bot-
   tle it  and it is  fit for u«e.
     This cordial is useful  for weakness  and faintness
   of the stomach, indigestion, loss of appetite, and  is a
   powerful tonic in all cases of debility, fever, and ague,
   and is remarkably efficacious in  curing the whites.  A
   wine-glass full  may be taken two or three times a day.
                     ITCH DROPS.

      Take two quarts of alcohol, add eight ounces of the
    seed emetic, two ounces of the African cayenne. » Let
    it stand in a warm place eight days ;  strain  it ^off and
 •.  add four ounces of me oil of fir, and four ounce's of the
 *   spirits of turpentine ; shake it well, and it is  fit for use.
    These  drops, externally applied, are serviceable in the
    cure of the itch.*                                 *
      These drops  aro useful  in the  salt rheum, and  a]J
    eruptions ofthe skin  ; and also in rheumatism, shrunk
    cords,  stiffness  of the joints,  croup,  wounds   and   •
  "bruises.                                .^           4*


                   CANKER WASH..   *

+   '  Take of dock, raspberry,  witch hazle, bitter-sweet
    bark, camomile flowers, each eight  ounces.   Boi^m

  , ~~                  * See Itch.
                       R
<? 
194           MEDICAL  COMPANION.

six quarts of spring water till the  strength is out J strain
it oft, boil the decoction down  to two quarts ;  add
four ounces of extract of clover heads,  stir it well ;
when cool, add one quart fourth proof brandy.  This
wash ia valuable  in  the cure of  leprosy, salt-rheum,
canker, inflamed eyes, nipple sores ; and is useful in  *
cleansing foul  ulcers.  It should be used as  often jis
two or three times a  day.
               BOTANIC OINTMENT.

      Take  of  white  poplar bark, thoroughwort", worm-
.   wood,  dock  root, bugle,  camomile  flowers,  bitter-
    sweet, cranebill, each one pound, boil them in six gal-
   . Ions of spring water, two hours* ;]strain it nff ; boil the
    decoction down to two quarts,  over a slow fire.  Add
    ten pounds of palm oil, one quart of fourth proof bran-
    dy ; boil it over a slow fire till the decoction has evap-
    orated, which may be known when it is done sparkling."
    Take it from the fire, let it stand  fifteen minutes ; add  •
    eight ounces of fir ; eight of turpentine,  when nearly
    cool.*  Add one pound of pennyroyal seed, pulverized W
    and sifted through  a fine seive ;  it should be  bottled,
    and it is  fit for us.  This ointment is a valuable com-
    position" in the following complaints, viz  : — bruises,
    eout, rheumatism,  croup,  numbness, stiffness of the
    joints,  shrunk cords, chilblains, chopped hands, weak-  .
    ness, and pain in the back,  sores, cuts„and bruises.
      Directions.—Bathe  the  parts affected  night  and
    morning, and keep the part warm with'flannel, or some
    other covering, till a cure is effected.
         BITTER-SWEET OINTMENT.

^  . Take equal parts of "plantain leaves, and root, JbitteK «
,v sweet bark and cranebill root,  boil out  the*1'strength 
e
              MEDICAL  COMPANION.          195

strain,  and make it into  an ointment with palm  oil.
This is a valuable ointment, as it softens and relieves a
cracked and inflamed breast, in a remarkable manner,
and may be applied with advantage.
A,            HEALING SALVE.

 ,;<*Take of mutton tallOw, beeswax, rosin, olive oil,
each one pound, and simmer them  together.   This is
a most  excellent salve, for scalds,  and  is serviceable
in healing old sores  and ulcers. ;  »
             •COUGH POWDERS.

   Take eight ounces of Indian  hemp  root,  eight of
 cowlily root, four ounces hoarhoynd, one of cayeqne,
 one 6T leaf emetic, pulverized and sifted through a fine-
 seive, • mix fhem  well  together  and bottle.  These
jpOwders are excellent in curing colds, common coughs,
 and are highly serviceable in exciting expectoration in
 asthmatic ^nd consumptive complaints.
   Directions.—rTake a tea-spoon full night and morn-
 ing in warm water sweetened, or in molasses.
               COUGH DROPS.

  To two quarts of Holland  gin, add two ounces of
leaf  emetic, one of  cayenne, four of skunk-cajtf)age
root  pulverised, one qf myrrh ; digest ten days ; strain
it off, add  a .pint  of molasses  and  it is fit foe  use.
These drops are sifperior to  any thing else, in old and
firm  seated  coughs, croup, and  quinsy ;  and  may be
used with safety in all affections ofthe lungs.


                  t 
196           MEDICAL COMPANION.

  Dose.—From one to two tea-spoons full, two  or
three times a day, or oftener if the case requires.
             FEMALE  BITTERS.

  Take.of cranebill, four ounces"; comfrey, four ounc-
es ;  bath  root, four ounces ; motherwort root, four
ounces ; poplar  bark, four ounces ;  orange-peel, one
ounce ; cinnamon half an ounce ; all bruised, and in-
fused in three quarts of  Muscat wine.  This is very
useful in all cases of female debility, fluor albus, and
immoderate flow of the menses, &c.
              BATHING DROPS. •

 " To one quart of alcohol, add on§ ounce of hemlock
oil  ; one  ounce of gum guaiacum,  pulverized ; two
ounces of gum-myrrh, half an  ounce  of  cayenne.
Shake diem well together, and bottle for use.
  For  rheumatic pains, or pain in the head, stomach,
or elsewhere, bathe the parts every night and morn-
ing.  They may be taken internally at the same time,
in water .or molasses, from one to two tea-spoons full?
         STRENGTHENING  SYRUP.
                      *
                           *
•*  Take balm of Gilead buds, black cherry bark, black
 aldef*bark  or berries, pleurisy root, cranebill root,
 and white p*oplar bark, each four ounces ; boil *all to-
 gether, in three quarts  of water, one hour ; strain and
 sweeten,  and add spirits  enough to preserve it from
•fermentation.                               v  *
 
              MEDICAL  COMPANION.          197

  This is an excellent stomachic, and strengthens the
system generally.
              COLIC POWDERS.

 . Take two  ounces of pleurisy root, and one ounce
of cayenne; pulverise and mix.   In  colics, steep the
whole in a half pint of  water ; sweeten, and take it at
a dose.   It^may be  repeated according to circumstan-
ces.   Or, which is better, equal parts of pleurisy-root  •
and bitter root pulverized, mixed and given in powder.
 STIMULATING CATHARTIC  POWDERS.

   Take golden seal, pleurisy root, bitter-root, Ameri-
can  rheubarb,  one  ounce each ;   cayenne, half., an
ounce, 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.
           JJAUNDICE BITTERS,

  Take the bark  of  the  roots  of white wood, black
cherry, and prickly ash, each two ounces ; horse-rad-
ish roots,  and mustard seed, each two ounces ; and
a handful of hops; all to be infused in agalloji  of'cider,
or of equal parts of wine and water.
  Dose.—Half a wine-glass full three times a day.
                  R*
t 
193           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
 SNUFF FOR CATARRH IN THE HEAD.

  Take  colt's foot,  snake-root valerian,  bay berry
bark,  each one ounce, pulverized fine, and mixed
with oil of roses.  If the wandering  milk-weed be add-
ed to this, it cure* the head-ache.
       GENUINE  BILIOUS POWDERS.
     9

  Take eight  ounces of aloes ; one ounce each of
mace, myrrh, cinnamon, cloves, saffron, ginger and
lobelia seeds ; four ounces of the dried leaves of the
garden sunflower ; pulverise the articles separately,
and mix them thoroughly.
  Dose.—A tea-spoon full in warm water, and repeat-
ed till relief is obtained.

    ■x                 -------

     FOR  A QUICK  BILIOUS PURGE.

  Take an  ounce of gamboge, two ounces of pleurisy
root, one ounce of lobelia seeds pulverized  ; one tea-
spoon full of cayenne, forty drops of oil of lobelia,
mixed well with mucilage of gum Arabic, for pills, ^p
  Dose —For a  purge, from three  to four ; for ' a
purge and emetic, from five to six.
          STOMACH LOZENGES.

  Take one pound red hollyhock flowers, green ; one
pound of loaf sugar ; mix and roll them well together ,
* 
              MEDICAL COMPANION.      •      199
                            *
 on a board ; add "one pound of bayberry-bark pulveriz-
,ed and sifted through a fine seive; one ounce of African
 cayenne ; one ounce of ginger; one ounce cloves, pul-
 verized ; mix them well together, and make'into lozen-
 ges, and spread  them to dry.   These lozenges are
 serviceable for canker in thefhouth and throat,* and are
 a sure preventive from  colds,  taken!immediately af-
 ter being confined in warm assemblies,  or exposed  to
 the cold.
               9
             TOOTH  POWDER.
                                             »»
  Take eight ounces of bay berry bark, four ounces of
gum myrrh, eight  ounces  of pomice stone pulveriz-
ed  and sifted  through a fine seive ; mix them well.
These powders are serviceable in clearing and preserv-
ing  the  teeth,  gums and  mouth ; and  have a tenden-
cy to  remove whatever is offensive in the»breath.
  Directions for use.—Wet a brush in warm water ;
sprinkle a small quantity of powder on the brush ; rub
it on the teeth a short time, then rinse the mouth with
warm water.  Use it morning and evening.
         TINCTURE  QF«VALERIAN.
                           *-
   Take one pound  of valerian^ pulverized, Jnfused  in
 one gallon of Holland gin ten days ;  shake it often ;'
 after which strain for use.   This tincture is good in all
 hysterical *and nervous affections ; and j§ serviceable
 in the preparation of the_emetic.
   Dose.—From half to a.whole wine-glass-full, once or
.•.twice a day.


•  *  :   t  ■    •__.   .   *

p *. 
«
200 •  .       MEDICAL  COMPANION.

   TINCTURE  OF ALOES  AND MYRRH.

   Take myrrh, two ounces ;  alcohol, a  pound and a
half; water, half a pound ; digest  them four days ; and
lastly, add aloes and saffron, each two ounces ; digest
them for three days,.and^pour off the tincture.   This
may be considere$t*'as being the  elixir proprietatis of
paracelsus.  It has long been in repute  as a warm stim-
ulating medicine.   It strentghens the stomach, cleans-
es the  first passages from  tenacious phlegm  and pro-
motes the natural secretionsjn general.   It|j^ontinued
use has frequently done much service* in dropsy, jaun-
dice*, uterine obstructions, and other similar disorders.
  Djge.—From one to two tea-spoons full twice a-day.
                TAR OINTMENT.

    Take one pound of tar, four  ounces of mutton tal-
 low,4wo ounces of olive oil; simmer them together one
 hour ; strain it off; add  four ounces of oil  of fir bal-
* sam.   This ointment is valuable for scald-head, erup-
 tions of  the flesh, old  wounds, fever-sores, piles and
 ulcers, and has been used with success for  sore nip-
 ples.   It  may be  applied twice a-day on a'piece  of
 linen.
                       -----                    O

              CANCER PLASTER.

 -  Take  four  ounces of the extract  of clover, one
 ounce of African cayenne, one ounce of senacle root,
 one ounce of seed of lobelia pulverized,  half an ounce
 of the oil of lobelia, mix themjvell together,  and it  is
 fit for use.   This plaster spread on a piece of kid, or
 bladder, and applied  once  or  twice a  week, will kill
 the roots  of a cancer.   It should be renewed as often*.
 as it falls  off.   • 
               MEDICAL COMPANIOI^    <>&,< •  201

   FEMALE  STRENGTHENING  SYRUP.

  •Take four ounces of comfrey, two of brake-root,
two of elecampane' root; and one ounce of hoarhqund;
boil from  three quarts to three pints ; strain, and add
while Warm, half an ounce of bath root pulverized, a
pint of brandy,  and a pound of loaf sugar.
  Dose.—From half to two thirds of a wine-glass  full,
three  or  four  times  a-day.   This  is used in female
weaknesses, bearing down of  the womb,  fluor albus,
debility, a#d  relaxation of the genital  organs,  bar-
renness  &c.
             FEMALE  CORDIAL.

  Fof one gallon.—Take one pound of the partridge-
berry' vine, or "squaw vine, dried _ and* one fourth of a^
pound  of  high cranberry' ;-boil i'n "two gallons wateT~
to three quarts.  Strain, and add one quart of brandy,
and one pound of sugar.
  Dose.—In the latter stages of pregnancy, half a wine
glass full  every right on going to bed, in a little warm
water.   The  dose may be increased  to a gill,  if neces-
sary, to relieve cramps and pain.  This is a valuable
coadial for pregnant women,  and should* be used in
all cases, for  at least  two weeks, as a  preparatory to
confinement.              , - .
                  CLYSTERS.

  Take of pennyroyal tea eight ounces, add one tea-
spoon full of vegetable powders, one of valerian, and ;
one of elixir!
 
202  .          MEDICAL  COMPANION.
  Or, take one ounce of valerian ; steep in three gills
of water ;*add half a teaspoon full  of green emetic,
half a tea-spoon* full of cayenne, and a tea-snoon full of
brandy elixir.
 * Another.—Take hemlock bark, (two ounces  of the
inner bark) steep in one  pint  of water ; strain it off ;
add one  tea-spoon full of  vegetable powder; one  of
valerian ; half a tea-spoon  of  green emetic, and  tea-
spoon full of elixir.

  Elm Clyster.—Take a  tea-spoon  full of red elm
pulverized ;  mix with  a tea-spoon full of stigar ; add
eight "-ounces of hot water,  and a half tea-spoon full of
cayenne.
     *
                     PLASTERS.

.____Plasters ought to be  of different consistences, ac-
   cording to the purposes Tor which they are intended.
   Such as are to be applied to the breasts, or stomach,
'~ ought to be  soft and yielding : while those designed
   for the limbs, should be firm and adhesive.

     Adhesive Plaster.—Take of common plaster,  eight
   ounces, Burgundy pitch four ounces.  Melt them to-
   gether, and stir them till cold.   This" plaster is princi-
   pally used for keeping, on other dressings ; and for "re-
   taining the lips of a wound  togethe*

     Burgundy Pitch Plaster.—Take of Burgundy pitch
   two pounds ; yellow rosin  and yellow wax, each four
   ounces ; and oil  of mace, one ounce.  *To the pitch,
   rosin and wax melted together, add the oil' of  mace.
   This plaster, or Burgundy pitch*alone, worn continual-
   ly upon the breast, or between the shoulder blades, will
   be of more benefit  in the long continued winter coughs,
   than all other remedies. 
MEDICAL COMPANION.           203
   Stomach Plaster.—Take of hemlock gum half a
pound ; camphorated oil, an  ounce and a half :  cay-
enne one ouuce ;  melt the gum  and mix  it with the
oil ; then sprinkle in the cayenne previously reduced
to fine powder.
   An ounce or two of this plaster,  spread upon soft
leather, and applied to the region of the stomach, will
be of service  in flatulencies  arising from hysteric or
nervous affections.
             COMMON GARGLE.

  Take the flowers of life everlasting, or Indian posy,
raspberry leaves, golden seal, or gold thread ; make a,
tea and sweeten with honey.
  A gargle, very useful for a sore mouth, sore throat,
and canker in  the  stomach.   Make a strong  tea of
cranebill root,  golden  rod and  sumach tops, of equal
parts.  Take equal  parts of the tea and honey,  and
simmer  them.   Give the patient little and  often, as
the stomach will bear.
       ESSENCE  OF PEPPERMINT.

  •Take'the  oil of peppermint,  one ounce, alcohol,
two ounces.   Digest  till the oil is blended with the
alcohol.
t;\ Essence of Spearmint—is madeln the samejnanner,
with half the quantity of oil.
                 POULTICES.

  Take the inner bark of common hemlock, cracker,
slippery elm, pond lily  root, equal parts, pulverized; 
204           MEDICAL  COMPANION.
mix  .well  togetber ; and soften  with  raspberry~leaf
tea.
  Another.—Take flax  seed,  bruised,  three parts,
ginger one part, and elm  one part; mix them, and sof-
ten  with milk.  Poultices are  often  beneficial, even
in the most simple form, but more so when prepared,
as above  described ; to keep them in contact with the
skin,  and to fit it for their absorption-
            VINEGAR  OF  SQUILLS,

   Take  of dried  squills, two ounces ; vinegar, .one
 quart.  Infuse for  ten days or a fortnight in a gentle
# degree of heat ; afterwards strain off the liquor and add
'to it one gill of spirits.
   This medicine has a good effect in disorders of the
 breast, occasioned by  a Iqad of viscid phlegm.  It is
 also of use in stranguary and  gravelly complaints for
 promoting a discharge of urine.
   The dose is from one to  two ounces, according to
 the  intentions for which it is given.   When intended
 to act as a vomit, the dose ought to be large.   In other
 cases it must only be used in small doses-
   The list of medicinal preparations which are describ-
ed in this work  comprises, without  a  single excep-
tion, all my favourite compounds*; together with many
others, gathered in the course of my practice.  None
of these are infallible in  all cases ; although when sea-
sonably applied, they will,  I venture to say, fulfil all
reasonable expectation  that  can be entertained from
medicine.  But good  medicine will frequently disap-
point expectation.   When this happens, however, be-
fore we discard or blame the means, let us satisfy our- 
MEDICAL  COMPANION.
205
selves that  they have not  been misapplied ;  for more
depends upon a correct application, than upon the spe-
cific virtues of any remedy ;  and skill to  direct con-
stitutes the great secret of success in practice.
   As  no mention has been made  of bleeding in the
 description of the foregoing diseases ; and as the reader
 will probably expect that something will be said on that
 subject, I will here add a  few remarks by way of ob-
 jections to  the  bleeding, and then leave the reader to
 decide in favour or against the objections.
   1. Man has not too much blood, any more than he
 has too much brains, or too many bones.
   Bleeding is against the plainest dictates of common
 sense  ; and is  evidently  an unnatural waste  of the
 fountain of life.   There are no disorders in which let-
 ting blood removes any cause  ; and when it is praticed,
 recovery is very slow.   *'  The Yankee house-wife,
 when she finds the brine of her pork becoming rusty,
 does not draw off one gallon,and then pronounce  the
 remaining brine  pure and sweet.  No: she would think
 such a proposition came only from a fool.  Her com-
 mon sense, however, teaches to place  the brine  over
 a fire, and by the action of a gentle heat, cause the im-
 purities to .separate and rise on the surface, when  she
 readily skims them off,  leaving the brine purified, and
 again  fit  for  use.   Just  so with  the  animal blood ;
 drawing off the tenth, eighth, or even a fourth part of
 a man's blood, does not in the least change the quality
 of the remainder.lt is only the  foolish waste of the cap-
 ital of life.  As  with the blood, so with the  brine;  a
 gentle  heat  is required to separate the noxious impuri-
 ties."
   2. Blood is the life of man  ;  and in proportion to
tthe blood taken, do you deprive <him of life.
                   T 
206
MEDICAL COMPANION.
  3.  Taking away the blood prostrates the strength,
reduces the heat, and gives power to cold  or disease.

  4.  " The method to  kill an animal by bleeding, is
not a rational way of curing the sick.
  5.  Bleeding is connected  with the deadly poisons
made use of by the medical  faculty ; and is evidently
inconsistent with reason and good sense.
  The argument used  by  I. Burgin against bleed-
ing, in his lecture on  the Botanic  system,  are suffi-
ciently weighty to convince any reasonable  person of
the inconsistency of bleeding.
  He says, " if  your friend accidentally cuts himself
and bleeds a pint, you send for a doctor.   He comes
and stops the blood, and it is supposed,saves the man's
life ;  though perhaps he has not bled  more  than a
pint in all.  The man, very soon after, may be taken
down sick with a fever ;  the same doctor is  again sent
for, who takes from his arm   a  quart  of blood ; and
after repeating it several  times, if he lives, the doctor
is extolled for twice saving bis life—once by  stopping
the blood ; and once by letting it out.  Reason would
teach us that such things are inconsistent, and that a
man in sound and vigorous health, can better afford to
lose a gallon  of blood than a  sick and feeble man can
a pint.   It most certainly  is  the principal   organ  of
life, and a person cannot have too much of it.  The
grand difficulty is, the morbid state  of the body, pre-
vents the free circulation of the blood through the  mi-
nute pores of the flesh.   Let this be  remedied by per-
spiration, and blood letting  will be useless.   Some ar-
gue,  that it is necessary to bleed a person in case of a
fall, or sudden suppression of life.  I acknowledge  the
blood may be made to move in that way, and the per-
son may recover ;  but  this does not follow, that put-
ting the blood in circulation by stimulating medicine, is
not often times better.    You may drag a man  from a 
             MEDICAL  COMPANION.            207

well, and say you have saved him from drowning ; al-
though you have half killed him by the rough manner
in which you have  draged him  out, when he might
have been taken out in some reasonable manner, with-
out the least inconvenience or hurt."
 Eight important Cautions to the  Sick and Healthy.

   1.  Beware of the M.D. as enemies of the  human
race ; and remember the Healing Art has become a
trade to live by ; and they care not who suffers, if they
can be gratified in what they desire.
   2.  Avoid all vegetable and mineral poisons, used as
medicines ; such as mercury, arsenic,  antimony, calo-
mel, preparations of copper, iron, or lead ; and also of
hemlock, nitre and opium.   They are all poisons, and
deadly enemies to health.
,   3.  Beware of blisters,  as  they can never do  any
good, and may be productive of much  harm ; they are
contrary to nature,  and strengthen  the powers of dis-
ease."
   Seatons and  issues should also be avoided ; as they
only tend to waste away the strength of the patient,
without doing any good.   It is a more sure way to re-
move the cause by  the administration of the medicine,
which will be a better way, and safe in its effects.
   4.  Be careful not to make use of  salt-petre or ni-
tre in any way whatever.   It is one  of the greatest poi-
sons ; and was never designed for any other purpose
than  to  destroy  life.  It  is common  among  dairy
women of putting  it into  butter  ; such  a practice
should be avoided.   It is very bad  to  put it on meat,
for it destroys all the juices, the most  nourishing  part,
and  leaves the flesh hard and difficult  to digest.  Its
poison may be discovered by its frothing when cooked. 
208          MEDICAL  COMPANION.

  5.  Be careful not to drink too freely of  cold water
in very hot weather, as it will suddenly check the  per-
spiration, and lays  a  foundation for the most invete-
rate disease.
  6.  Be careful not to cool suddenly after being  very
warm, in consequence of uncommon exercise.  If this
should be the  case, the result may  be prevented by
taking the hot medicine, which will raise the heat, and
overpower the cold,
  7.  Avoid irregularity in diet.   If more food is tak-
en  in the stomach,  than is well digested, it clogs the
system, and causes  disease.   Be careful not to eat toe
much at a time ; and  have  your  food well  cooked.
This  is  very essential  to  those  who have  weak
stomachs.
  8-  Avoid  all  alcoholic liquors, they are  slow  poi-
sons ; and the constant use  of them  destroys the  tone
of  the stomach, deranges the  digestive organs, and
causes disease.  It  is much  better, when the appetite
requires any  thing of  the kind, to make use of warm«-
ing  drinks ; such as ginger and  water, cayenne  and
water, as they will answer a  far better purpose. 
AGREEMENT.
  THE Author and Proprietor ofthe System of Med-
ical Practice, described in this Work, agrees to  give,
whenever applied to, any Information that shall be use-
ful to give an understanding of the collecting, prepar-
ing'and administering all such Medicines as are  describ-
ed in this Work, to the Purchasers ;  they also agree
ing, that they will not reveal the contents of this Book'
or^any part of it, unless  it be to such as have purchased
the same,  of the Author  and Proprietor, under the
penalty of forfeiting  all right  to the Information the
Author has agreed to give.
                     MICHAEL L.  PRIEST. 
 
^
      INDEX
     _.   TO THE

MEDICAL COMPANION.
Page.		Page.	
Ague and Fever,	19	Chicken, or Swine Pox,52	
Asthma,	79	Colds,	31
Alum Root,	118	Cow Pox,	4.8
Adder's Tonge,	ib.	Consumptions,	55
Angelica,	119	Costiveness,	59
Arrow Root,	ib.	Cramp,	73
Avens, Common	120	n/olic,	78
Bleeding at the Nose,	54	Chilblains,	85
Butter,	15	Corns,	86
Buckthorn	123	Croup, or Hives,	108
Balm,	120	Calamus,or Sweet-flag	,124
Barberry,	121	Camomile,	ib.
Bayberry,	ib.	Jelandine,	125
Bearberry, or Mounta	in .	/herry-Tree, Wild	ib.
Cranberry,	ib.	Chickweed, Red	126
Bath Root,	122	Caraway,	ib.
Blackberry, or Dew		Carrot, Wild	ib.
berry,	,ib.	Cranebill,	127
Button Snakeroot,	ib.	Cancen-root, or Beech	
Bitter-Sweet, or Ja-		Drops,	129
cob's Ladder,	1G6	Catnip,	ib.
Balm of Life,	188	Cat-tail Flag,	ib.
Balsamic Ointment,	194	Canker Wash,	193
Bitter-Sweet Ointment, ib.		Cleavers, or G.oose	
Bathing Drops,	196	Grass,	130
Bilious Bitters,	198	Cicely, Sweet	131
Bilious Purge,	ib.	Cayenne Capsicum,	ib.
 
212
INDEX.
                   Page.
Cohush,             132
Cresses, Water      133
Common Elixir,      191
Clysters,            201
Cough Powders,      195
Cough Drops,1]        ib
Colic Powders,       197
Cancer Plaster,      200

Diet, Vegetable       16
Deafness,             45
Dysentery, or Bloody
  Flux,              68
Dropsy,              98
Dandelion,           133
Dogsbane, Bitter,    176
Dock, Yellow        134

Exercise, On         17
Ear-Ache,            44
Eryssipelas, or St. An-
  thony's Fire,       40
Epilepsy,  or  Falling
  Sickness,           68
Eruptions of the  Skin, 89
Elder, Common or
  Black,            135
Elecampane,          ib.
Elm,  Slippery Red    ib.
Emetics,         .   184
Essence of Pepper-
  mint,             203

Food,  Of              9
Falling ofthe Palate,  35
Fluor Albos.,orWhites,104
                   Page.
Fever Few,          136
Fern, Female or Back-
  ache Brake,       137
Fern Male,           ib.
Five Finger,        138
Fumitdfy,           139
Family Pills,        187
Female Bitters,      196
Female Strengthening
  Syrup,            201
Female Cordial.       ib.

Gravel, and  Stone,    95
G-urn Arabic,        179
Gamboge,           178
Garden Piony,       139
Ginger,              140
Golden Rod,         ib.
Golden Seal,         ib.
Gin Elixir,          191
Gargle, Common     203

Hydrophobia, or bite
  of a Mad  Dog,      83
Heart Burn,         76
Hickups,            79
Hysteric Fits,        70
Hyssop,             141
Hemlock Bark,      142
Horse Radish,        ib.
Hops,               143
Heart's-Ease,        ib.
Hoarhound,         144
Health Restorative,  189
Healing Salve,       195 
fi&DEX.-
21$
e,                  Page.
Maiden  Hair,        153
Marsh Mallow,        ib.
May Weed,          ib.
Milk Weed or Silk
                      Pa,
Inflammation
    ofthe Brain,      30
    ofthe Lungs,     38
    ofthe Liver,      39
    of the Stomagh,  40
    of the Intestines,  41
    of the Kidneys,   42
    of the Bladder,   43
Indigestion, or Weak- 77
  ness ofthe Stomach,
Immoderate  Flow of
  the  Menses,       103
Indigo, Wild       f 145
Indian Hemp,        146
Itch Drops,          193

Jaundice,             80
John's Wort,        146
Juniper, Common     ib.
Jaundice Bitters,     197

Liquorice,           152
Lilly,  White Pond   152
Lady's Slipper,      151
Lock  Jaw,            74
Leprosy,            114
Life Everlasting,     147
Lungwort,           148
Lobelia Inflata, or
  Indian Tobacco^    ib.
Lozenges, Stomach   198

Menstruation,        101
Materia Medica,     115
Mumps,              36
Measles,              51
Myrrh, Gum         179,
Weed,	154
Motherwort,	ib.
Mouse Ear,	155
Mullein,	ib. -
Mustard, Black	156
Nervous Fever,	25
Nervous Diseases,	61
Olive, or Sweet Oil,	117
Onions,	157
Palsy,	71
Pleurisy,	36
Palpitation ofthe .Heart, 75	
Poisons,	82
Pregnancy,	105
Partridge Berry,	157
Peach, and PeachPits	,158
Pennyroyal,	•i*.
Peppermint,	159
Plantain,	ib.
Pleurisy Root,	160
Poplar, or White	
Wood,	162
Palm Oil,	178
Peach Cordial,	193
Plasters,	202
Poultices,	203
Quinsey, or Inflam-___x___O___TT.-^,,	v <ZA
matory Sore Throat, 34
Maiden Hair,
Marsh Mallow,
May Weed,
Milk Weed or Silk
  Weed,
Motherwort,
Mouse Ear,
Mullein,
Mustard, Black 
214
INDEX.
	Page.		Page.
Remittant Bilious		Stomach Drops,	192
Fever,	24	Strengthening Syrup,	196
Rheumatism,	47	Stimulating Cathartic	
Rhubarb, American,		Powders,	197
or Pie Plant,	162	Snuff, for Catarrh in	
Raspberry,	163	Head,	198
Rose Willow,	164		
Rickets,	111	Tooth-Ache,	45
		Tumours, or Biles,	86
Small Pox,	50	Tetter, or Ringworm	, 92
Spitting, or Vomiting		Tansy,	170
Blood,	54	Tooth Powder,	199
St. Vitus' Dance,	66	Tincture of Valerian,	ib.
Sore Eyes,	72	Tincture of Aloes,	200
Scalds and Burns,	87	Tar Ointment,	ib.
Scurvy,	90		
Senna, American	167	Vervine,	171
Skunk Cabbage,	168	Vegetable Powders,	188
Sumach, Common	ib.	Vegetable Bitters,	190
Saffron,	164		
Sarsaparilla,	165	White Swelling,	81
Sassafras,	ib.	Warts,	85
Sweet Bugle,	166	Worms,	99
Skirt flower,	170	Whooping Cough,	110
Strawberry,	169	Water Dock,	172
Solomon's Seal, White ib.		White Walnut,	173
Snakeroot, Black	171	Witch Hazle,	ib.
Sore Nipples,	107	Willow,	175
Squills, Vinegar of	204		
Scarlet Fever,	112	Yarrow,	175
Stdmach Bitters,	190		
 
 
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