SICK MAN'S  FRIEND.

                    BEING A

           PLAIN,  PRACTICAL

     MEDICAL  WORK;

                   DESIGNED

OR THE USE OF FAMILIES  AND INDIVIDUALS
     • a
fr  *%
    v;-?.
»  VEGETABLE,  OR BOTANICAL   ~-

                 PRINCIPLES.  v>         "£■
                              cc' rfT''"' •■*■ "n' •   '
              tN FOUR PART^ryjv^ ,
*/
BY P.  E. SANBORN. Physician.
;a,v
Tho vegetable remedies w%!ch the God of Nature has spread out with
ch rirlnifss and profusion, over even hill, and dale, and  field and
fest, will supersede the use of minerals.                         ,'lfjf
       TAUNTON:

PUBLISHED BIT THE! AUTHOR.
1835. 
XA/tS


185^
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, b|

         THOMAS STOCKBRIDGE.

In the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusettt
     Taunton :
Bradford & Amsbmry,
      Printers. 
PREFACE.
  I.t  preparing this  work, I have labored more to make ii
useful to mankind, than to please the taste of  the critic.  I
huve  endeavored  to avoid technical  terms as much as  pos-
sible ; and for the purpose of explaining such  terms, made
use of, as may not be familiar to every one, I have inserted a
short  Vocabulary.
  The treatment of diseases here laid down, may be relied on
with confidence; it is the result of my own experience, and the
experience of the most successful practitioners:  Families,
who have adopted this system in the  treatment of their dis-
eases, are very rarely under the  necessity of calling the aid
of a physician.   Physicians, in constant practice, on this sys-
tem, rarely loose a patient.  I do not'mean to say that all our
patients recover,  we often have patients in a confirmed  con-
sumption  that we are only able  to give relief.   The system
laid down in this  work  I follow  in the treatment of disease
in myself, my wife, and little ones.
  I very well know  the difficulties people labor under from
early  impiessions.  I was myself educated to believe in the
popular system of medicine, and  it was not  till after I  had
suffered under disease for ten  years, that  I submitted to a
thorough botanical treatment, when,  after the  operation of
one thorough course, I  found that relief which I had not ex-
perienced for  the ten  years.  Dark and inscrutable are the
providences of God.  I  hope to be of some service to my fel-
low men by this book,  which probably would never have had
existence were it not for the above circumstance.
  In preparing this work, I have availed myself of the labors
of most of the distinguished authors on reformed principles,
and it is due  in this  place to give credit to Dr.  Beach,  now
of the  city of New-York, and  President of the Reformed
Medical  Society,  and  Founder of the  Reformed  Medical
Colleges of the  United States ;   Dr. Bucliau ;  Dr. Elisha
Smith,  Tate of the city of New-York ;; Hooper's Dictionary ;
American Dispensatory ;  Elias Smith, Physician ; Dr. D. J.
Cobb, and others. 
  Errata.—On page  81, four lines from the top, for leaves
read berries.   lJage 177, twelve  lines from  the  bottom, for
hot stage, read cold  stage.   Some other typographical  errors
are  noticed in this work, but none very  important;  and it is
not deemed necessary to  point them out, but leave it to the
good sense of the reader to correct them. 
INDEX.
OF  MEDICAL BOTANY.
per ounce, page.
         6  38
Aloes,
Archangel, (root,
Almond,
Ague root,
Ague grass,
Ague weed,    59,
Asafcetida,          12^
Alder,
Aniseed,
American Ipecacuanha,
American Hellebore,
Asthrna-weed,
Aconite,
Avens root,        113,
Angelica,             4

Butterfly weed,
Black snakeroot,       6
Black Cohash,
Burdock seeds,        4
Broad leaf asarabacca,
Bitter root,
Blazing star,
Bitter grass,
Barberry,
Birch bark,
Bitter Cucumber,
Boneset,
Black Hellebore,
Butternut, (ext.)
Bugle,
Bayberry, (pulv.)
96,  16
59,
 39
 46
 47
 47
113
 60
 76
 76
 89
102
105
108
110
111

 37
 40
 40
 41
 41
 44
 47
 47
 48
 48
 51
113
 62
 65
 67
 69
Bitter-sweet,
Blood-root,
Blue flag,
Blue pimpernel],
Beth root,
Blessed thistle,
Borage,
Button bush,
Blackberry,

Canada root,
Camomile,
Canada snakeroot,
Copaiba,
Copevia,
Cayenne pepper,
Cicuta,
Colocynth,
Celandine,
Camphor,
Cloves,
Cranesbill,     ^ -
Cedar,
Colomba,
Colombo,      -
Catnip,
Cat mint,
Coakum,
Cloudberry,
Caster oil,
j Castor bean,
[Comfry,
per ounce, page.
  6
  6
  6

12.1;
 85
 86
 91
100
101
103
103
110
 81
     37
  6  37
  6  41
  9  49
     49
  6  49
  4  50
 60  51
     51
  8  57
     60
12£  61
     66
  9  70
     70
  6  72
     72
     80
  4  81
  6  82
     81
  6  86 
6                       INDEX.
Cough root,
Cleavers,
Cowage,
Centaury,
Canker root,
Chocolate root,
per ounce, page.
           101
113,
Dog's fennel,
Dilly,
Deadly nightshade,     6
Dragon  root,          6
Dragon  turnip,
Devil's hit,
Dogwood bark,        5
Dandelion, (plant,)     5
Dragon's claw,
Dewberry,
Double tansy,          6
Dog's bane,

Ergot,
Elecampane,
Euphorbia Ipecacuanha,
Elder flowers,
Emetic weed,

Flux root,
Fennel seed,
Foxglove,
Feverwort,
Fly tray,
Flowering ash,
Fumitory,
Feverbush,
Fever-roor,
Fir balsam

Gariic,
Ginger,
Golden thread,
Gamboge,
Gentian,
Guaiacum,
       Ground raspberry,
 6 103 Gum Arabic,
   10D Garden peony,
 6 109 Ground lily,
17 110 Goose grass,
 6 1.10 Golden rod,
      iGolden seal,
    381 Garget,
       Garden poppy,
per ounce, page.
   Heart snakeroot,
   Hemlock,
   Horned rye,
55 Horseradish,
69 Hellebore,
77 Hyssop,
31 Hops,
89 Hoar hound,
96 Hemlock, (the tree,)
   Honey bloom,
   Henbane,
   Hvoscyamus,
   Hood  wort,
   Hard-hack,
 52
 66
 89
 97
105
           Indian turnip,
       37  Indian physic,
    6  42  Indigo broom,
    6  58  Indigo weed,
 59,    113  Ipecacuanha,
       96jIndian sage,
       99  Indian plant,
    6  105  Indian apple,
       112| Indian hemp,
       77.Indian poke,
   17  76,'ludian tobacco,
         ffceland moss,
       42  Icephnt,
 /  2  431 Indian wicker by,
5 I2£"  53l Indigo ginger,
   25  60  Jalap,
    6  61lJuniper,
    3  61'Jerusalem Oak,
 5
16
16


33



 8
 6

 6
17
 3
 6 
INDEX.                         7
per Lemon,	ounce, page.		per ounce, page.		
		54	Poke,	4	80
^Ladies' slipper,		57	Pigeonlaerry-root,		80
Liquorice,	4	62	Pink,		87
Liverwort,		64	Peony,		82
Logwood,		65	Prickly ash,	6.	97
Lavender,		68	Pennyroyal,	6	97
Lovage,	6	111	Poly pod,		99
Lobelia,	16	105	Poke, Indian, Pukeweed,		102 105
Male fern,	6	45	Plant of renown,		105
Marsh mallows,	6	46	Pench,	12	108
Milkweed,	*	47	Pigweed,	6	111
Mandrake,	10	78	Poplar bark,	6	115
May apple,		78	Pleurisy root,	12.}	37
Mustard,		86	Plantain,	6	79
Mullen,	6	ICO			
Manna,	10	99jQuercus Alba,			73
Mastervvort,	6	104			
Mountain cranber	•y, 6	111	Rich-word,		40
Motherwort,	6	110	Rattlesnake root,		40
Mug wort,	6	112	Rattle bush,		49
Mayweed,	6	38	Rose willow,		55
Myrrh,	9	43	Round leafed dogwood,		55
Mouth root,		53	Red willow,		55
Maiden-hair,	6	00	Rhubarb, (pulv.) Raspberry,	m	84 1)1
Noble liverwort,		64	Red raspberry leaves,	6	91
Nutmeg,		92	Rose,		98
Nerve root,		102			
Nettle,		HOJStarr root,			47
			Spikenard,	6	47
Olive oil.	6	75	Silkweed, (root,)	6	47
Oilnut,		65	Starr* grass,		47
Orange root,		63	Spurred rye,		52
Origanum,		74	Swamp dogwood,		55
Orange peel,		54	Scatnmony,	60	56
			Senna,	6	56
Pepper Turnip,		44	Solomon's seal,	6	56
Parsley,	6	46	Saffron,	12	57
Peruvian bark,	10	54	Skunk cabbage,	6	66
Pistachce-nut,		64	Savin,		67
Peppermint,	6	71	Sassafras,	6	68
Pitch-pine,		77	Spearmint,	6	72
 
per ounce, page.				per ounce	. page.
Scoke,			80	Vegetable antimony, 59,	113
Se.neca snakeroot,		6	81	Virginia speedwell,	;»3
S d tunc h,		6	85	Vinegar,	108
Sarsaparilla,		5	87 Vervain,		6 111
Sage,			88|Valeriaii,		8 112
Spurge,			89		
Slippery-chn,		6	90 Wind-roof,		37
Sciilleap,		6	100 White root,		37
Swamp hellebore,			102 Wild camomile,		6 38
Smart-weed,			110|\Vild ginger,		41
Sweet marjorum,		8	112|Wild indigo,		49
Summer savory,		6	lI2;Wild CarPot,		58
Stone root,			112 Witch hazel,		6 64
Spice bush,			1 i-l; Winter Bloom,		64
Scurvy grass,			112i White-wood bark,		6 67
Squaw root,		8	40 White poplar,		67
				Wild poplar,	67
Three leafed arum	j		44	White lily,	6 68
T horoiighwort,	59,	•	113 White oak,		73
Thoroughstem,	59,		113 White pine,		77
Tobacco,			74. Wild cherry,		4 77
Thyme,		6	75	Water fennel,	f-3
Thimbleberry,			91	Wormwood,	7 101
Toothache bark,			97	Wild tobacco,	105
Toothache tree,			97|Wood sorrel,		108
Tolu balsam,		48	88| Winter green,		6 109
Tansy,		6	89, Whortleberry,		110
Thorn apple,			59|		
				Yellow dock,	6 83
Uva Ursi,		6	111	Yarrow,	6 109
Unicorn root,	47,		108	Yellow paint,	63
Virginia snakeroot		6	48'Yellow pine,		77
OF DISEASES.
                 4   PaSe>
Ague in the face,   "••'"'> 18Q
Apoplexy,      '.   '*'; 186
Asthma,          ▼'..-• 135

Bleeding at the lungs,    172
                      page*:
Bleeding at the nose,      ]73
Riles,                    170
Burns and scalds,         185

Cancer.                 oo 
w
		INDEX.		y
	page.			page.
Consumption-),		138	Inflammation of the	liver, 142
Cholera morbus,		144	Itch,	190
Canker,	200	157	Injections,	149
Costiveness,		187	Intlrunmation of the	)inin, 119
Corns,		188	Inflammation of womb, 123	
Cholic,	201	188	Inflammation of bladder, 125	
Cramp,		189	Inflammation of kid	neys, 125
Cholera,		227	Influenza, (see catarrh,)	
Cough,		239	Inflammation of the	ungs, 135
Croup,		129	Inflammation of the	eyes, 166
Catarrh,		132	Jaundice,	127
Diarrhoea,	146	198	Kings-evil, (see	scrofula,)
Dysentery, 147,240		147		
Dropsy,		155	Looseness, (see	diarhcea,)
Dyspepsy,		159	Locked jaw,	221
Drowned persons,		174	Lacing tight,	234
Deafness,		1791 Lethargy,		234
Directions to mothers,		196		
Debility,		225 Menses, [suppress,]		224
Diabetis,		150|Midvvrifery,		253,237
			Measles,	181
Erysipelas,		161	Mumps,	121
Eye inflammation,		166	Nightmare,	189
Epilepsy,		168		
Ear inflammation,		120	Palpitation of the heart* 128	
			Pleurisy,	136
Fainting,		185	Putrid or malignant	sore
Fevers,	204 to 2l.		throat,	123, 170
Fever and Ague,		176	P*lsy,	182
Flour Albus, (	see whites.)		Poison,	222
Felon,	,	225	Piles, -	117
Fever sore,	■*	236		
Falls and bruises,		239	Quinsy,	121
Fits, m		198	Rupture,	200
Gravel,		151	Ringworms,	223
Gout,		236	Rheumatism, Rickets,	183 201
Hooping Cough,		130	Stone, (see gravel,)	
Headache,		153	St. Vitus' dance,	160
Hickup,		158	Sore mouth, (see canker,)	
Heartburn,		170	St. Anthony's fire,	161
Hydrophobia,		223	Small pox,	164
 
10
Salt-Rheum,
Scrofula,
Scalt head,
Scurvy,
Sores,
Swelling,
Swelling of the bowels,
Swathing children,
Suppression of menses,
Teething,
Toothache,
INDEX.		
pa get		page.
190 Urine,		150
192		
193 Vapor bath,		238
•193, Vomiting,		158
224	Venereal disease,	195
226		
Is, 237	Worms,	201,154
239	Warts,	191
>s, 224	Whites,	224
202, 163	Whitlow,	(see felon,)
180	Wounds,	226
OF  PHARMACY.
 Alterative syrup,  (per bottle,)
 Antidyspeptic pills, (per  box.)
 Ague poultice,     -
 Asthmatic pills,     (per  box,)

 Bilious pills,        (per  box,)
 British oil,        (per ounce,)
 Black drops,         "   "
 Bitters,           ...

 Compound elixir,    "   "
 Cough powders,    (per box,)
 Corrector,         (per oz.)
 Catarrh snuff,     (per bottle,)
 Dyspeptic bitters,   "   "
 Elixir,           (peroz.)
 Essences,            *'   «
 Godfry's cordial,    "  "
llygeian pills,     (per box,)
Harisem oil,       (per oz.)
Injections,         -

Lobelia tincture,    (peroz.)
Laudanum,         -
Lobelia tincture, No. 2,
Mother's cordial,  (per bottle,)
price. $1 00 50 50	page. 245 242 247 115
- 50 20 - 26	242 245 247 248
- 25 20 - 15 25	244 247 247 248
- 58	226
10 - 8	243 249-
8	251
- 75 25	242 244 249
12*	244 252 244
1 00	
 
INDEX.
11
Nourishment for the sick,      -                        252

Opodeldoc,        (per oz.)
Ointment,         (per box.)

Paregoric,          (per oz.)
Plaster,        -    -     -     -     -     -
Pills,        -..-...
Physical powders,  (per oz.)

Rhumatic plaster,   (per box.)

Sudorific drops,      -    -    -    -
Scrofulous pills,    (per box,)

Tonic tincture,      (peroz.)     -    -   „.
Tincture of lobelia,  "   "      -
Turlington's balsam of life,

Vegetable powders, (per oz.)        - :   -

Whitwith's drops,   "   "
Wine tincture,      -     -    -    -    -
>-*■ '      " '•  .^■V"
12*	244
38	248
8	245
	250
	242 ^
20	2»7
	T/
25	250
12*	249
50	251
58	243
12*	244
	247
12*	rr.
12*	248
	250
Vs \	\	
.	*■■',	
^  \>'c'h
 
INTRODUCTION.
   The subject of the treatment of the diseases of the hut
 man  body, is of vast importance  to every individual.  It
 was  esteemed  by the ancients  to be the  most valuable as
 well  as  the most noble  study of mankind.   Hippocrates
 says, " All men ought \o%e acquainted  with the medical
 art.  I believe that knowledge of medicine is the sjeter
 companion of wisdom."
   Notwithstanding we are enjoying the  full blaze of all
 that  concentration of light, shed on the  science of medi-
.£ine  for many centuries,'we see the robust and the healthy
 seized with disease; it progresses, and terminates in the
 dissolution of the sick man ;  and the physician has  not
 been able to control the disease,  more than the mariner
 his ship,at sea in  a tempest, wiihont helm or  compass.
   Most persons who have been afflicted with disease, have
 experienced the  incompetency of the Minjgfal  System to
 effect a cure.
   That physician who breaks away from  the uncJiaDjaing
 laws  of nature, and makes use of those medicinqjfc nev'eT
 designed by nature to cure the sick, must expect to be un-
 successful.  The laws that govern the natural, as well as
 the moral world,  never change.   We believe it  not neces-
 sary  for the inhabitants  of one continent, to send to an-
 other, and there  excavate the bowels of the  earth  and
 bring forth minerals to be used for the purpose of  curing
 their diseases.
   Nature's wants both in sickness and health, are few  and
 easily supplied.   The vegetable remedies^whic'h the.God
 of Nature has spread out with such richness and profusion,
 over every hill, and dale,  and  field, and forest,  will super-
 sede  the use of  minerals.  The voice  of nature  speaks
 every where, in language that may not be misunderstood
 by  any, who hearken to her instructions.
   The whole surface of tire earth, wherever designed for
-* 
*
                      INTRODUCTION.                  13

  the fbode of man, is but one continued apothecary's shop.
     Our mode of treatment on the Botanical System is, to
  make a  direct attack upon  the disorder, whilst we  permit
  the vital energies of the system to remain  in full strength
  to cooperate with the medicine in overcoming the disease.
     The  improvements in  medicine, since  the  revival of
  learning, (says Buchan,) have by  no means kept pace with
  those of the other arts.   The reason is obvious.   Medi-
  cine  has been studied by few, except those who intended
  to live by it as a business.   Such, either from a mistaken
  zeal for the honour of  medicine,  or to raise their own  im-
  portance, have endeavoured to disguise or conceal the  art.
  Medical authors have generally written in a foreign  lan-
  guage ; and those who are unequal to this task, have even
  valued  themselves upon couching, at least, their prescrip-
  tions, in terms and characters uniutelligible to the  rest of
  mankind.
     Medicine, however,  has not, as far  as I know, in  any
  country, been reckoned a necessary part of the education
  of a gentleman.   But  surely, no  sufficient reason  can be
  assigned  for this omission.   No science lays open a more
  extensiva^field of useful knowledge, or affords more am-
  ple entertainment to an inquisitive^ mind*   Anatomy, Bot-
  'any, Chemistry, and the Materia Mcdica,nre all branches
  of Natural History, and are fraught with such amusement
t and utility, that the man  who entirely neglects them  has
  but a sorry claim either to taste or learning.   If a  gentle-
  man has a turn for observation, says an excellent and sen-
  sible writer,  surely the natural history of his own  species
  is a more  interesting subject, and presents a  more ample
  field for the exertion of genius, than the natural history of
  spiders and cockle-shells.
     As matters stand "t present, it is eas^r  to cheat a man
  out of his life than of  a shilling, and almost impossible to
  detect or punish the offender.  Notwithstanding this, peo-
  ple  still shut their eyes,  and take every thing upon trust
  that  is administered by any pretender to  medicine, with-
  out flaring to ask him  a reason for any part of hii condu«t. 
14
INTRODUCTION.
 Implicit faith, every where  else the object of ridicule, is
 still sacred here.  Many of the Faculty are no doubt wor-
 thy of  all the confidence that  can be reposed  in  them ;
 but as  this can never be the character of every individual
 in any  profession, it would certainly  be for the safety,  as
 well as the honor of mankind,  to have some check upon
 the conduct of those to whom  they entrust  so valuable a
 treasure as health.
   The veil of mystery, which  still hangs over Medicine, *
 renders it not only .a conjectural,  but even a suspicious
 art.  This has been long ago removed from the other sci-
 ences,  which  induces many  to believe that Medicine is a
 mere trick, and that  it will  not bear a fair and candid ex-
 amination.  Medicine,  however, needs  only to be better
 known, in order to secure the general esteem of mankind.
 Its precepts are such as every wise man would choose  to
 observe, and it forbids nothing but what  is compatible with
 true happiness.
   Disguising Medicine not only retards its improvement
 as a science,  but exposes the profession to  ridicule, and
 is injurious to the true interests of society.  An art, found-
 ed on observation, can never arrive at any high  degree of
 improvement, while it is confined to a  few  who make a
 trade of it   The united observations of  all  the ingenious
 and sensible part of mankind,  would do more in a few
 years towards the improvement of Medicine, than those of
 the  Faculty alone in a great many.  Any  man can tell
 when a medicine gives  him  ease as well as  a physician :
 and  if he only knows the name  and dose of  the medicine

 Sp fin! namef°f,the ^^T' k is SUfficient  to Perpetuate
 tock of mL   ."T" Wh°  adds °ne  si"g,e  fact to the
 t£-t  *h   iCal?b8e"atIOn' d°eS  ™°™real service to
 the art  than he who writes a volume  in support of some
 favorable hypothesis.                     ff        me

   Very  few of the valuable  discoveries in Medicine  have
 been  made by physicians.  They have in general either
 been the effect of chance or of necessity, £ have£l
usual.y  opposed  by  the Facdty,  till e/eVy one ese^ 
INTRODUCTION.
15
eonvinced of their importance.   An  implicit faith  in the
opinion of teachers, and attachment to systems and estab-
lished  forms, and the dread of reflections, will always ope-
rate upon those  who  follow Medicine as a  trade.   Few
improvements are to be expected  from a man who might
ruin his character and family by even the smallest devia-
tion from an established rule.
  No  argument,  continues  he, can  be brought  against
laying  open   Medicine, which does not apply with equal,
if not greater force, to religion ;  yet experience has shown,
that  since the laity have asserted  their  rights  of inquiry
into these subjects, Theology, considered as a science, has
been improved,   and  the  interests of real religion  have
been promoted.

  In the arrangement of this work, I  have divided  it into
parts, as follows :
  Part First—Contains a synopsis of the human struct
ture.
   Part Second—Medical Hotany.
  Part Third—Art of Healing.
  Part Fourth—Recipes.
                 CERTIFICATES.

  The following  certificate is from  the Rev. Lucius W.
Clark, and  Rev. Thomas Conant,  both of  Plymouth,
Massachusetts :
  To all whom it may concern:—We the undersigned, do tes-
tify, that Dr. Sanborn has been 'practicing on  the Botanical
System of medical treatment in Plymouth,  and as far as our
knowledge extends, has been successful. In some instances
his medicines have reached, where other treatment has failed.
                              LUCIUS W. CLARK,
                              THOMAS CON ANT, 
10
INTRODUCTION.
   The following are a few of the cures performed by Dr.
Sanborn's treatment.
   case  of rheumatism—From Capt. Joseph Allen.
   This may Certify—-That I have  been visited with a violent
attack of the  Rheumatism.  So much so,  that  I could not
sleep nights ; and for some weeks could not attend  to busi-
ness of any kind.  I tiied various medicines without produc-
ing any benefit.
   I was induced to submit to a course of Dr. Sanborn's treat-
ment, and found immediate relief.   So that I was in a few
days able to attend to my business  as  usual.  Had 1 been
treated according to the common course,  I think I should
have had a settled fever and required  a course of attendance.
   Plymouth, 1834.                   JOSEPH  ALLEN.

   To whom it may concern:—My daughter lias for a number
of years been afflicted with a Cough, Scrofulous and Rheu-
matic complaints.  She  found relief by attending a  cour.se of
Dr. Sanborn's ^medicines.  I was pleased with the operation
as his medicines did not weaken ; for my  daughter gained
strength under their operation.
   Plymouth, 1835.             MARY STURTEVANT.

       From Capt. Thomas Basset, of Plymouth.
   This may Certify—That I was attacked with a violent pain
in my breast and side; a sense  of  coldness in the parts; this
was followed by a pain and soreness through my breast, loins,
and side, with a distressing burning and rising in my stomach
and throat.  Also darting pains through every  part of my
body.  I had frequent turns of faint,  sinking feelings, with a
yellow appearance in the face.
   My wife had frequently to get up  in the night to adminis-
ter something to relieve  my distress.   I applied to physicians
in town and out of town ; none of them understood my case.
   Hearing of Dr. Sanborn's success in treating diseases, I was
induced to call on him for advice.  After following his  direc-
tions, and taking his medicines  a few  weeks, 1 found so much
help that I could perform a day's work, arid am  now abla
to attend to my daily business.
   Dr. Sanborn's treatment  in my case was as different from
the mode of treatment pursued by other physicians, as was
the result.  For it was  the only medicine  that did  ma any. 
introduction.
17
permanent good.  I should think in the course of a few
weeks, by following his directions, there passed from tne six
quarts of slimy jelly matter,
  I have felt it  my duty to give a description of my disease,
and cure, and have requested Dr. Sanborn to make such use
of it as he shall  think  proper.  For  further particulars, in-
quire of                       THOMAS B AS SETT.

      From wife of Sampson Perkins, of Dighton.
  This  may Certify—That  1  have been  afflicted with the
palpitation of heart  for six  years, and at  times very severe;
and for  three years past I have been afflicted with  a seated
pain in  the side.   It was so severe at times that 1 was unable
to do any labor, or even sleep nights.  I employed a number
of physicians of the  first reputation for skill without receiving
any  permanent relief.  I thought there was no help for me,
and I had got quite  discouraged.  At this time,  which was
last May, hearing of the success of Dr. Sanborn, I was induc-
ed to submit to a course of his  treatment,  which, I am happy
to say, had the desired effect.  After following his directions
for a few weeks, the pftin in the side and  palpitation of heart
left me, and have since enjoyed a better state of health than I
had for six years before.          ALM1RA  TERKINS.

     From wife of Obed Harloio, of Middleborough.
  This  may Certify—That I had been afflicted with disease
for nine months, so  that I  was not able to attend to business,
and a great part  of the time unable to sit  up,  with a  distress
across my stomach, pain in my sides and  back,  and soreness
and  inaction in my  throat, and canker.   During these nine
months I was attended by the first physicians ; but got no
help and found  myself gradually sinking into the grave.  I
think I  could not have continued many weeks.  At this time
I put myself under the care of Dr. Sanborn,  and by taking
his  medicines and  following his directions,  I began imme-
diately to recover, and have been gaining ever since, and am
now able to attend upon the wants of my  family.
  Middleboro', JYov. 5, 1835.       EUNICE HARLOW.

  A son of Mr.  John  Perkins, of Plymouth, Mass, of five
years of age, had been subject to fits from  the time that he was
eighteen mogths old.  The father cailed on me at the time  of
one of his paroxysms and  wished to know if any thing could
be done for him, without  giving him calomel, as the physic- 
18
INTRODUCTION.
   ians had done previously, for he dreaded.the eff.'ct of the cal-  ,
   iO.mel more than the disease.  I visited the child, and  found
   that it was worms that caused the difficulty.  The parentssaid
   it was not, in  the opinion of three different physicians who had
   attended  him previously.  After relieving the urgent  symp-
   toms, 1  succeeded in. taking away  two kinds cf Worms,  the
   Teres or round and long  worm, and the Ascarides or round
   and short worm.  The child soon recovered.

     Mr.-Ephraim  Morton, of Plymouth, Mass., was attacked
   with the Cholera Morbus.  Succeeded in removing the diffi-
   culty  in a few hours, with our vegetable emetic and other
   medicines.
     Mrs. Deborah Kempton, eighty years of age, was  seized,
   with the influenza and difficulty of breathing;  had kept  her
   bed for  nine days.  Carried  her through a course of medi-
   cine, she found immediate relief.

     Mr. Henry Tillson, requested my attendance last spring; he
   was not expected to live from one  week to  another.   1 gave
   him the vegetable  emetic, which   operated so easily that he
^  was not under the  necessity of raising his head from his  pil-
r   low.  He had, previous to this, taken two portions of the emet-
   ic tartar Without any effect, excepting distressing him.  He
   found great relief.

     The  wife of Mr. Bryant, keeper of  the Pilgrim House, in
   Plymouth, Mass., was threatened with a fever;  her stomach
   was in  a very irritable  state ; she  could keep nothing down.
   Carried her through a course of medicines, the next day  she
   was up.   She informed me tj^at she was attacked before this
   in a similar way, but not so siolenily as now.   She was treated
   the old vvay, and had a regular course  of fever.

     Wife of Mr.  Ellis Griffin, South part of Middlebornugh,
   and Mrs. Murdock in the  same neighborhood, both inclining
   to a consumption, by taking two or three bottles each  of  the
   Compound Vegetable Syrup, are so far restored  that they  en-
   joy comfortable health.
  *The following recipe was accidentally omitted in its prop-
er p!:iee.
  Vegetable Powoers.  Take 1 pound of bnyberry barV,
8 ounces of ginger, 3 ounces  of cayenne,  4 ounces of hem-
lock bark.  Mix one teaspoonful for a dose. 
DEFINITIONS.
Abdomen."  The cavity of the body below the diaphragm.
Acute.  A disease  attended with an increased action of
  blood, and violent pain.
Antiseptic.  Against putrefaction.
Antispasmodic.  A medicine to quiet the irritation of the
  nerves and muscles.
Aromatic.   Spicy, strong scented.
Articulation.  Joint.
Astringent.   Binding, contracting.
Abortion.   To miscarry.
Abscess.  A collection of pus.
Acid.   Sour.                                   [sleep.
Anodynes.  Those medicines that ease pain, an'<I*procure
Antacids.   Remedies that obviate acidity in the stomach.
Anthemintic.   Medicine that remove worms.
Aleratives.  Medicines  that restore health without any
  perceptible evacuation.
Antiscarbutics.  Against scurvy.         <'
Antiflogistic.  Medicines that oppose inflammation.
Aperient.   Medicine that gently open the bowels.
Attenuate.  To make thin.
Cataplasm.   A poultice.                     t
Cephalic.   Remedy for disease of the head
Calculous.  Stony, gritty.
Carminatives.  Medicine to dispel wind, and remove pain.
Cathartic.   Medicine to purge downward ; physic.
Caustic.  An application which consumes flesh.
Chronic.  A disease of long continuance.
Concretion.   Several parts formed into one body.
Contagious.   Taken by the  breath or external union.
Diaphragm.   The Diaphragm divides the tapper and lower
  cavities of the body.                           [urine.
Diuretic.  Having  power to  increase  the discharge of
Decoction.  Any medicine boiled in water.
Deglutition.   The act of swallowing. 
20
DEFINITION!.
 Detergent.  Cleansing medicine.
 Deobstruents.   Medicines that remove obstruction.
 Diaforetics.   Medicines that produce gentle perspiration.
 Emulsion.   Soft and oily medicines.
 Epidemic.   A contagious disease that attacks  many peo-
   ple at the same time and place.
 Errhine those medicines that excite sneezing.
 Expectorants.   Those medicines that  increase discharge
   of mucus from the lungs.
 Expiration.  Throwing out the breath.
 Effluvia.   A stench  which corrupts air.
 Emetic.   Medicine  which causes vomiting.
 Emmenagogue.  Medicine to cause menstruation.
 Equilibrium.   Equal circulation.
 Eradicate.   To destroy or remove.
 Eruption.   Sores or blotches on the skin.
 Excitability.  Power of  motion.
 Fauces.  The top of the throat.   #
 Fcetid.   Stinking, rancid.
 Flatulency.  Wind  in the stomach and bowels.
 Fungus.   An unnatural  growth of tender flesh  in a sore.
 Hygeian.  To be well.
 Gland.   A smooth fleshy substance which serves  as  a
  strainer to separate some particular fluid from the blood.
 Inspissation.  The act of making any liquid thick.
 Indication.   What   demonstrates  in disease that which
  ought to be done.
 Infusion.   Water poured  into a vessel containing medicine
 Inspiration.  Drawing air into the lungs.
 Lassitude.   Weariness, fatigue.
 Laxative.   Mild Physic.
 Ligament.   A strong substance which  unites bones.
 Maxillary.   Belonging to the jaw-bone.
Midriff.  The  diapragm.
Mucilage.   A slimy  substance.
Mucus.  Slime.
Muscles.   The fleshy, fibrous part of the body which cau-
  ses motion. 
                      DEFINITIONS.                   9\

  Nauseate.  Tq disturb, to sicken.
  Nidus.   A nest—the seat of disease.
  Nervines.   Medicines that quiet the nerves.
  Narcotics.  Substances that have the effect to reduce the
    power^jf the system without evacuation; produce sleep:
  Obstetric.   Belonging to midwifery.
  Opiates.   Medicines that procure sleep.
  Obtuse.   Dull.
  Paralytic.  Inclined to  palsy—inactive.
  Parotid.   Belonging to the glands under Sf behind the ear.
  Panacea.   To make all well.
  Paroxysm.  A fit—the  aggravated stage of a disease.
  Prepuse.   The fore-skin.
  Purulentt  Consisting of pus.
  Pus.  The matter of a well  digested sore.
  Putrid.   Rotten, corrupt.
  Perspiration.   To sweat.
 Rectum.   The straight or last great gut.
 Respiration.   The  act of breathing.
 Spasm.   Violent and involuntary contractions.
 Saliva.  Spittle.                     [der or other parts.
 Sphinctre.  The muscle which shuts the neck of theblad-
 Stimulaut.   Medicine that excites sensation.
 Styptic.   Medicine  that stops bleeding.
 Sudorific.   A medicine that promotes sweat.
 Suppuration.   The  formation of pus.
 Sedatives.  Medicines that reduce the animal energies of
   the  body without  taking life.
 Septic.  To putrefy.
 Sialogogues.  Medicines that increase saliva.
 Testicles.   An organ of seed in animals.
 Thorax.   The cavity above the diaphragm.
 Tonic.   Strengthening medicine.
Torpor.   Dullness, numbness.                 *
Tumour.   A swelling.         [of the roots of the tongue.
Tonsils.   Tonsils are two round glands placed on the side
Vermifuge.  Medicine that destroys or expels worms.
Virus.   Matter of contagion.
                        2* 
PART  FIR S T.
HUMAN  STKUCTURE.
  The animal frame is composed of bones, musSfcs, brain,
nerves, arteries, veins, cartilages,  membranes, glands,—
also of chyle, blood,"milk, fyc.

                     BONES
  Are white, hard, brittle,  and almost insensible ; they
support and Bform the stature of the body, defend its vis-
cera,  and give power to the various muscles.   The num-
ber of bones in the human body is generally 240 ; but in
some  individuals, who have two  additional bones  in each
thumb and  great toe, they  amount to 248.
                     TEETH,
  A set of bones,  situated in the  upper and  lower jaws,
for the purpose of  mastication.   In adults, they are 32 in
number, or 16 in each jaw-bone, consisting of 4  cutting,
2 canine, and  grinders.
  The teeth are of various sizes,  being arranged in  the
following order ;  four in  front,  termed cutting teeth, on
each side of which, is a sharp pointed canine or eye tooth;
adjoining to these  are foe grinders on each side,  the last
of whicn is denominated the tooth of wisdom, because it
seldom appears  before  the  25th  year.  The front and
eye teeth are furnished with only one root each ;  the two
first grinders with two ; and the hindermost, generally with
three or four ; which may,  in  most persons, be ascertained 
HUMAN  STRUCTURE.
23
by  the  number of small  tubercles on the crowns.  The
tooth is  divided into  two principal parts ;  viz.  the crown,
which projects  above the gums; and the root  that is en-
closed within  the sockets.   The  crown  is  a  hard, fine,
glossy,  white enamel, serving to  defend^ the  substance
against external injury.   The root is open at the  bottom,
where it is connected with vessels and nerves, by which
it receives nourishment,  life and  sensation.   Each tooth
has a nerve, artery and vein.

                   M U S C L E S ,
   Of which,  it is said, there are 44G in the human body,
dissectible and  describable, are parts of the animal body,
destied to move some other parts, and  hence are  teimed
the organs or  instruments of motion.  They a«e Composed
of  flesh  and tendinous fibres, and contain vessels of all
kinds.
      t               FLESH
   Is the fibrous or muscular part of the  animan  body;
muscular flesh is composed of a great number  of fibres or
threads; it is commonly of a reddish  or whitish color.
The ancients  distinguished five different  kinds of flesh:
but the moderns admit one only, fleshy and muscular parts
being with them the same.
                       SKIN
  Is the general covering  of the body.   Though apparent-
ly a simple  membrane, it consists of several parts.  The
outermost  is the scarf-shin; it has no nerves,  and is ex-
tended over every  part of the true skin, except where the
nails are;  it is this skin which is raised by the application
of a blister;  it is thickest in those parts  accustomed to
labor or pressure, as the hand and foot.   The rcte mi/cosmn
is a web-like mucous  substance, lying  between the scarf
and  true skin, which  chiefly gives the color to the-exterior
of the human  body.   It  is black  in the  negro;  white,
brown, or yellowish in the European.  The (rue skin is a
very sensible  membrane, extended over all  parts of the
body, and nerves terminating so plentifully on its surface, 
24               HUMAN STRUCTURE.
 that the  finest needle  cannot [prick  it without touching
 some of  them.
                  ABSORBENTS
   Are a  set of small colorless vessels, which pervade the
 whole surface of the body both externally and  internally.
 Their office is to take  up whatever fluids are effused into
 the different cavities, and to pour out their  contents for
 particular uses.   For  the purpose of absorption, they are
 highly irritable at their extremes, and are very replete with
 valve, to  prevent the escape or return of their  contents.
 Their number, when compared with other vessels, is four
 times greater ;  and they are divided  into  lymphatics and
 lacteals,  according to their respective offices,  the former
 conveying lymph, the latter ch}le.

                CARTILAGES,
   Or gristles, are smooth, solid, flexible, elastic parts, soft-
 er than bone, and seem to be  of the  same nature*; some
 even become bones by time ; some again are much softer,
 and partake of the nature of ligaments.   They terminate
 those  bones that form moveable joints, and  in some in-
 stances serve to connect bones  together.  In  the nose,
 ears, and  eyelids  are cartilages.
                 A  MEMBRANE    ,
   Is a thin, white, flexible, expanded  skin, formed of sev-
 eral sorts  of fibres interwoven together.  The use of mem-
 branes is  to  cover and  wrap up the  parts of the body ; to
 strengthen them,  and save them from external injuries;
 to preserve the natural heat;; to join one part to another;
 to sustain  small vessels, &c.
                    A  GLAND
   Is'an organic part of the  body,  destined for  the secre-
 tion or alteration of some peculiar fluid, and composed of
 blood-vessels,  nerves,  and absorbents.  The glands are
designated either according to  thegparticular fluids which
they  contain, as .mucous, sebaceous,  lymphatic,  saliva!,
and lachrymal glands ; or their structure, as simple, coin- 
                  HUMAN  STRUCTURE.               25

 pound, conglobate,  and conglomerate glands.   The ves-
 sels and nerves of glands always come from the neighbor-
 ing parts, and  the arteries  appear to possess a  higher de-
 gree of irritability.  Glands appear to the eye  as°whitish
'membranous masses.
                  THE  BRAIN
   Consists of the whole of that mass which, with its sur-
 rounding membranes and vessels,  fills the greater part of
 the skull.  It is said to be larger in man, in proportion to
 the nerves belonging to it, than in any other animal.  It
 consists of the cerebrum,  cerebellum,  tuber annulare, and
 medulla oblongata ;  the whole weighs usually about forty-
 eight or  fifty ounces; but  its  weight  varies in different
 subjects.
              THE  CEREBRUM,
   Which is by far the largest portion, is contained in  all
 the upper part  of the skull ; it is divided into a right and
 left hemisphere by a membrane iexmedfalx.  Each hem-
 isphere is also  again subdivided into three lobes, the two
 lying  in the  front portion of the skull being the largest.
 It is surrounded with membranes, and accompanied with
 blood-vessels.
           'THE  CEREBELLUM,
   Or little brain, is situated in the back part of the skull
 beneath  the posterior lobes of the cerebrum, from which
 it is separated by  a membrane  called the tentorium.   It is
 divided by the  falx minor  into two  hemispheres, which
 are again subdivided into lobules.
   The Taber annulare is of  a roundish form,  about an
 inch in length  and of the same width.  From the tuber
annulare arises the  medulla oblongata, which  forms the
 beginning of the spinal marrow.
   From the Brain arises nine pairs of NERVES ; some
in solid cords, others in separate threads which afterwards
unite into cords.   Of these some have their origin in the
cerebrum, some in the cerebellum, some in the tuber annu-
lary and some  in the medulla oblongata.   From these the 
26
HUMAN  STRUCTURE.
nerves supplying the organs of smfll, sight, taste, hearing
and feeling, in part, are derived.   The nerves are called
pairs,  not because they proceed  together from  the  brain
and spinal  marrow, but because they proceed  from  the
opposite lobes of the brain, or from  opposite sides of the
spinal .marrow, and supply  similar  parts on each side of
the body with nerves.  And hence it often  happens  in
paralysis,  or palsy, that on one side of  the  body all the
nerves perform their office imperfectly, while on the other
side no diminution  of nervous energy  is evinced.   A  nerve
is a long white medullary cord.   The uses of the nerves
are to  convey impressions to the brain,  frors  all parts of
the body, over which they are spread, and to impart mo-
tion, by exciting the muscles, to the whole system.

         THE   SPINAL  MARROW,
   Or medulla spinalis, is a continuation of  the  medulla
oblongata from the head through the centre of  the  spine,
which consists of  a series of bones called  vertebra:, sup-
porting the  body.  From  the spinal marrow are given out
thirty pairs of nerves; these,  in conjunction with  those
arising from the brain, communicate energy and  feeling
to the whole body  ; and also by their extreme  sensibility
convey to the brain, the mind or soul, the slightest as well
as the strongest  impressions made upon the different or-
gans; hence our  pleasures and our pains, our hopes, our
fear?., and our affections.
   That the Brain,  as a  whole,  is the organ of  thought,
the seat of  the understanding,  and  the place  where the
emotions of the mind or soul  arise, we cannot doubt; it
is also the  centre  of  sensation  and  muscular motion, and
to which all the nerves of the body  appear subservient.

                THE  THORAX
   Or  Chest, consists of the upper portion of the trunk of
the  human body ; it  is inclosed  by the ribs,  having the
sternum or  breast  bone in the  front, and a portion  of the
bones of the back  behind.  It is separated from the liver,
stomach,  intestines, &c, by the diaphragm, or midiiff.—
I 
HUMAN  STRUCTURE.
27
 The thorax contains the lungs, heart, &c, and numerous
 blood  vessels, nerves, and absorbents.  It is also separated
 by a membrane called  mediastinum, into a right and left
 portion.
             T HE  RESPIRATION
   Is that actions of the lungs and  diaphragm, consisting
 of the process of inspiration and expiration, by which air
 is received into, and expelled from the thorax or chest.—
 The quantity of  air taken into the lungs at each  natural
 inspiration, is supposed  io be about  15 or  16 cubic inches;
 the number of respirations made in a minute is about 20.

                THE  WINDPIPE
   Is a cartilaginous  and  membranous  canal,  through
 which the  air passes  into and  from the  lungs.   It is di-
 vided  by  anatomists into three parts,—the larynx, the
 trachea, and the bronchia.
   The larnyx is a hollow carlilaginous organ  at the top
 of the trachea.   The air which  passes through it during
 respiration produces voice.
   The trachea is that  portion of the wind-pipe which ex-
 tends from the larynx to the bronchia.
   The bronchia is  a term given to the trachea after it has
 entered the thorax, or  chest; here it  separates into two
 branches, one of which communicates with the right and
 the other with the left lung.
                  THE LUNGS
   Are two viscera  situated  in  the thorax, by means of
 which  we  breathe.   The lung in the right cavity of the
chest, is divided into three, that  in the left cavity into two
lobes.  They hang  in the chest,  attached at their superior
part by means of the trachea, and are separated by a mem-
brane  called mediastinum.   They are furnished with in-
numerable cells which are formed by a continuation of the
trachea, the  bronchial tubes of  which communicate with
each other ; the whole  appears not unlike a honey-comb.
   The most important  use of the lungs is for the process
of respiration,  by which  th« circulation  of the blood ap- 
23               HUMAN STRUCTURE.
pears to  be  immediately supported ;  and, doubtless, by
their  alternate inflation  and  collapsing,  they  contribute
with the diaphragm to promote the various functions of the
abdominal viscera, such as digestion, &c.  For the change
which the  blood undergoes 'in  its  passage  through  the
lungs, see the following articles.
                 THE  HEART
  Is a hollow, strong, muscular viscus, having the shape
of a cone or pyramid reversed.  Its size varies in differ-
ent subjects ;  it is generally about six inches long, and, at
the base, four or five wide.  The younger the subject the
larger is the heart, in proportion to the body.   It is often
smaller in tall and strong men than  in others.   It is situ-
ated on the  left side of the thorax, and is surrounded  by a
membrane called pericardinum or heart purse; it is also
imbedded,  as it were, in the left lung.   Its weight,  with
the pericardium, is usually from ten  to fifteen ounces.   It
is the centre of the circulation of the blood : of course from
it all -the arteries arise,  and in it all the veins terminate.
It  is divided internally into a right and \ekventricle; these
are divided by a  fleshy  septum.  Each ventricle  has two
orifices;  one  auricular,  through which the blood enters,
the other arterious, through which  the blood  passes out.
These four  orifices are supplied with  valves.   There are
also two cavities adhering to the base of the heart, called
auricles.   The heart has, in  the living subject, an alter-
nate motion, consisting of contraction and  dilatation, called
systole and diastole, by means of which the blood  is circu-
lated  throughout  the body.  The heart is said  to contract
4000 times  in an hour;  hence, as each ventricle contains
one ounce of blood,  there passes through the heart every
hour  4000 ounces, or 350 pounds of blood.   The whole
mass of blood  is about  twenty-eight pounds,  so that this
quantity of blood passes through the heart thirteen or four-
teen times in  an hour, or about once in every  four or five
minutes.  In  the whale,  ten  or twelve gallons of blood
are thrown out of the heart at a stioke, with an immense
velocity,  through a tube  of a foot diameter. 
unvwr  STRmrrniir-.
29
                  AN  ARTERY,
  Or a pulsating blood-vessel, is a cylindrical canal con-
veying  the blood  immediately from trie heart to all parts
of the body,  for the purposes of nutrition, preservation of
life,  generation of heat, and the  secretion of  different
fluids.  The motion of the blood in the arteries is called
the pulse: it corresponds  with  that of the heart.   The
pulse may be felt in various parts of the body, but the most
usual place of feeling it is  at the wrist.  From seventy to
eighty pulsations  in a minute are commonly the number
which in the adult subject is considered,  as far  as the
pulse is concerned,  to constitute health.   In  children,
however, the pulse is much quicker than this; and in old
persons slower.  Wounds  in arteries  are always danger-
ous,  and very frequently mortal; hence the wisdom evinced
in the structure of man :  all the arteries are deeply im-
bedded in flesh,   or  other surrounding media,  while the
veins, a wound in  which  is comparatively unimportant,
are plentifully scattered on the surface of the body.   The
blood in the arteries is of a florid red.color.

                      A  VEIN
   Is  a blood-vessel, which  returns the  blood from the vari-
ous parts of the body to the heart.  The veins do not pul-
sate; the  blood flows  through them very   slowly,  and  is
conveyed to  the heart  by  the contractility  of their coats,
the pressure of the blood  from the arteries, the action of
the muscles,  and  respiration ;  and  it is  prevented from
going backwards in the veins by vedves, of which there
are a great number.  The blood in the veins is of a much
darker red than that in the arteries.
                   THE   BLOOD
  Is  a red fluid of a saltish taste, of a somewhat urinous
smell, and  glutinous consistence, which circulates in the
heart, arteries, and veins,  conveying  nutrition,  heat, and
excitement  to the whole body.   The quantity of blood in
the  human body,  is estimated  to be about twenty-eight
pounds in an adult.  Of this, four parts are contained in 
30
HUMAN  STRUCTURE.
the veins  and a fifth in  the arteries.  The blood  being
returned by the veins, of a dark red color, to the heart, is
sent from that viscus into the lungs, to undergo some ma-
terial change  by corning  in contact with atmospheric air,
in the air-cells of the lungs; after which, as has been stat-
ed, it is returned to the heart again, of a much more florid
color, and then impelled into the arteries, to be distributed
over the body.  The heat of the body is  usually  about
ninety-eight degrees.
              THORACIC  DUCT,
   An important vessel,  called the trunk of the absorbents.
It is of a serpentine form,  and about the diameter of a
crowquill.   It  is attached to the bones of the back, and
extends from the lower opening of the midriffor diaphragm
(a membrane  which  separates  the heart and lung..* from
the stomach, bowels, and other abdominal viscera,) to the
angle formed by the union of the left subclavian and jugu-.
lar veins, into which it opens and evacuates its contents,
there to be mixed with the  blood.   These contents con-
sist  chiefly of c/iyle^  a  whitish or milky  fluid, separated
from the food by  the process of digestion,  and taken up
by the absorbents  thickly spread over the intestines, and
by them conveyed to the thoracic duct.
                THE  ABDOMEN
   Consists  of all  that portion of the trunk of the human
body, situated below the thorax.   It contains the liver, its
gall-bladder, the  stomach, the  spleen, the pancreas, the
intestines, the mesentery, the kidneys, the urinary bladder,
the  omentum, &c.  It has also  numerous  blood-vessels,
nerves, and absorbents.
                  THE  LIVER,
   Which is the largest and most ponderous viscus in the
abdomen,  it weighing in adults, about three pounds, is of
a deep red color.   It consists of a glandulous mass, inter-
spersed with numerous blood vessels.  It is situated under
the diaphragm,  inclining to the right side of the body, hav-
ing the stomach beneath it;  between which, and the liver 
HUMAN  STRUCTURE.               31
itself, lies the gall-blader, with which it is of course inti-
mately connected.  It is divided into two principal lobes,
the right of which is by far  the  largest.   Its shape ap-
proaches that of a circle ; it is attached to  the diaphragm
by the suspensary and other  ligaments.   It is  larger in
young animals than in old ones.
                   THE  BILE
  Is of a yellow-green color, about the consistence of thin
oil ;  when  mach agitated, it  froths  like soap and  water.
Its smell is somewhat  like musk  ; its taste  is bitter.  It
is, in fact, a species of  soap ;  and like other soap,  is suc-
cessfully employed to remove grease from  clothes, &c.
The gall bladder in the human body is shaped like a pear,
and  is generally capable of  containing about an ounce.
It is firmly connected to the liver.   In the elephant, stag,
all insects  and worms, this reservoir is wanting, the bile
which they secrete passing at once  into the intestinal ca-
nal.   The real use of the bile does not even now seem to
be accurately ascertained.  It appears, however, to assist
in separating the chyle, to excite  the intestines  to action,
and  to produce the healthy appearance of intestine  evacu-
ations. .
                 THE  SPLEEN,
  Or Milt,  is a spongy viscus of a livid color, in form
somewhat resembling a tongue,   but its shape, situation
and  size, vary very much.   It is,  in a healthy subject, al-
ways on  the left side, between the false ribs and the stom-
ach.  Its general length is six inches, breadth three, and
one thick.   It is connected  by the  blood vessels  to the
stomach and the left  kidney.   It is larger  when the stom-
ach  is empty, and smaller when compressed or evacuated
by  a full stomach.   The uses of  the spleen,  have, till
lately, been  considered as unknown ; but  by a  paper of
Sir E. Home, in the Philosophical  Transactions, it appears
probable that this viscus is a  reservoir for  the superabun-
dant serum, lymph, globules, soluble  mucus, and coloring
matter carried  into the circulation,  immediately after di-
gestion  Is completed. 
    \i'4                HUMAN STRUCTURE.
                                                   <f
                    THE  S T O M A C II
      Is a large receptacle, varying in its capacity from about
    five to eleven pints.  It is situated under the left side of
    the diaphragm, "its left side  touching the spleen, and  its
    right covered by the thin edge of the liver ; its figure near-
    ly resembling the  pouch of a  bag-pipe, its left edge being
    most caaacious.   The upper side  is'concave, the lower is
    convex.   It has two orifices, both on its. upper part;  the.
    left, through  which the aliment  passes  from the mouth
    through the gullet'or oesophagus to the stomach,  is nanled
    cordia;  the right, through which  it is conveyed out of the
    stomach into the duodenum, is named pyloris, where there
    is a circular valve which hinders the return  of the aliment
    from the gut, but  does not at all times hinder the bile from
    flowing into the stomach.  The stomach, like the intesti-
    nal canal, is composed of three coats or membranes.
       The uses of the stomach are to  excite hunger, and part-
■p   ly, thirst; to receive the food from the oesophagus, and to
    retain  it, till, by the motion-of the  stomach and the admix-'
    ture of various fluids, and by many other changes not ex-
    actly understood,  it is rendered fit to pass thotright orifice
    of the  stomach, and afford chyle  to the intestines, for the
    nutrition of the body.                                .  •
                      DIGESTION.
       The chief agent in this process is, beyond question, the
    gastric juice ; a  fluid that is secreted from certain glands
    in the stomach, and which possesses great solvent powers
    in regard to numerous  animal and vegetable substances.
    The food being duly masticated, and blended with a con-
    siderable portion  of saliva, is  propelled into the stomach,.
    where it sobn undergoes a remarkable  change, bein" con-^
    verted into  a pulpy mass, termed chyme:  the chyme alienj
    wards, passes from  the^omach  Into the small  intesties^
    here, it is mixed with bile, and separated into two portions,
    one of which is as vvhite as' milk, and called chyle;  the
    other passes on to the larger intestines, and is void as ex-
    crementitious  matter.   The chyle is absorbed by the  lac-
    teals, which terminate in the trunk or tubt called thoracis 
                  • 1
                  HUMAN  STRUCTURE.               33

 duct: it is there mixed with variable proportions of lymph,
 and, lastly, with the blood, as stated under that article.
                GASTRIC  JUICE
    Is said to be of so powerful  a nature, that  after death
 the stomach is occasionally eaten  into holes by its action.
 And it is also said,  that if exposed toka proper tempera-
 ture, it will digest food in metal tubes.   .
              .THE   PANCREAS,
   X)r Sweet-rread, is a large gland of the salivary kind,
 of  a long  figure, compared  to  a dog's tongue.   It lies
 across the upper and back  part of the abdomen, under the
 stomach.   Its use is to secrete a juice  called the pancrea-
 tic juice, which appears to be similar  in its properties to
 saliva, arid, together with the bile, helps  to complete  the
 digestion of the aliment.  It communicates with the duo-
 denum.                     «
              THE INTESTINES           *f
    Consist of that convoluted"'tube beginning at the right
 orifice of thestomach, called pylorus, and ending with the
 sphincter recti.   The length of this canal is gene'rally six
 times the length  of the whole human subject.   It is divid-
 ed by nature into two parts.  The small intestines begin
 from the stomach,   and fill the middle or  fore part of the
 abdomen ,  the large intestines occupy the sides, and  both
 the upper and lower parts of the same  cavity.
                  THE  KIDNEYS
    Are shaped like  a kidney-bean,  They are situated.on
. the lower part of the back,  one on each  side.  They are
 generally surrounded with more or less fat.
j%                 THE  SENSES
    Are those faculties or powers by which external objects
 are perceived.   The sight, touch or feeling, hearing, smell
 and taste,  are called the senses.   The  organs through
 which they operate  are the following :—
                      THE  EYE
    Is the organ of  seeing.  The  eye-ball is of a globular 
     34               HUMAN  STRUCTURE.

     figure ; it  is composed of  various membranes ; but those
     parts of the eye deserving the most notice, are the iris,
     the pupil,  and the retina.  The  iris is that colored  circu-
     lar ring, situated beneath  the crystalline lens, which sur-
     rounds the central or dark  part called  the pupil.
       It is capable of expanding or contracting, which it con-
     stantly does,  according to the quantity of light which is
     thrown upon  the»eye.  In a very bright light the pupil is
     reduced by the  contraction of the iris to»a very narrow
     hole ; in a dark place the  pupil is so much enlarged, V- to
     render the iris scarcely  visible.   The pupil is the dark
     round  opening in the middle of the  eye,  surrounded by
     the  iris, and  through which the  rays of light pass  to the
     retina, which  is the true  organ of vision,  and  is formed ,
     by an  expansion of  the pulp of the optic  nerve.  Exter-
     nally the globe of the eye, and the transparent  cornea are
     moistened by  a fluid called, the tears, which are secreted
•    in the  lachrymal glands, one of which is  situated  above
     each inner corner of the ey#»  In proportion as the eye is*'
     more or less round, is the sight of a person longer or shorter.
                          TOUCH,        •
       Or Feeling,  resides in every part of the bodythat is
     supplied with nerves.   The sense of touch is most exquis-
     ite  in the  lips, the tops of the fingers, the tongue  and a
     few other  places.
                         THE  EAR
       Is the organ of hearing.   In man it consists of an ex-
     ternal ear, or auricula, and in internal bony cavity with
     numerous circular  and winding passages, by which the
     vibrations of the air are  collected and  concentrated, and
     by a peculiar mechanism conveyed to the auditory nerves.^
     The ear is supplied  with  peculiar glands, which secrete
     an unctuous substance, called" the wax of  the  ear.   The
     external auditory passage  proceeds in a spiral direction to
     the tympanum or drum of the ear, which forms a complete
     partition ^between this passage and the  internal cavities.
     Beyond the.  tympanum is a hemispherical cavity  which
     leads to the fauces, or opening at the back of the mouth : 
HUMAN  STRUCTURE.
35
  this opening is of a trumpet form.  The inner cavity, in-
  cluding the winding passage, is aptly called the labyrinth
  of the ear.
                     THE  NOSE
    Is  in man,  and most of the superior animals, the organ
  of smelling.   The structure of the nose has nothing in it
  so very peculiar that can convey any idea of a mechanical
  organization to aid the sense of smelling.
                   THE  TASTE.
    Resides  chiefly in the tongue,  in conjunction with the
  palate, lips, and other  parts of the mouth.  The tongue is
  however destined to perform much more varied and impor-
  tant functions than that of conveying to the mind the taste
  of  sapid bodies.   It is the tongue, in conjunction with the
  lips, teeth,  palate and throat, which  produces the  sounds
  of language.   The  tongue is partly muscular, and  partly
  composed  of  membranes and cellular substance.   Its up-
  per side is covered with papilla;,  in which the taste more
  immediately resides.  The impression of sapid 4odies on
  the organs o^itaste is modified by age, size, habit, and the'
' more  or less frequent  application of strong  stimulants.
  The  state of  the stomach, as well as general health, is of-
  ten indicated by the state and color of the  tongue.  In
  health the  tongue is always of  a red  color;  in disease it
  varies from white to yellow, and sometimes is almost black.
  In health the tongue is always more or less moist; in dis-
  ease  frequently parched and dry.
                    THE SEXES
    The male  is generally of a larger size than the  female,
  and  more  robust; the  male becomes frequently bald on
  the top of the head, the female rarely or never; the male
  has always more or less beard, the female rarely any, ex-
  cept  as old age approaches, and then it is chiefly confined
  to  the upper lip.  The anatomical differences, besides the
  obvious ones, are, in the female, a larger pelvis than in the
  male, more delicate muscles and smaller bones. 
PART   SECOND.
MEDICAL  BOTANY.
        OPINIONS  OF VARIOUS  AUTHORS.

  "This is the oeraof calomel.   The present medical practice1
might well dispense with every other drug beside it.  I own
the calomel practice is both cheap and e.isy to the physician;
for the whole extent of both theory and practice is, give calo-
mel,  [f that will not help, give more calomel, and if that again
proves abortive,  double,  treble the doses of calomel.  If the
patient recovers, li calomel has cured him :" if he dies, "noth-
ing on earth could have saved him."—Dr. A. Hunn, of Ken-
tucky.
  " Let truth and falsehood grapple.  Whoever knew  truth
put to the  worse in a free and open encounter."—Milton.

  "If employment of the  lancet were abolished altogether, it
would perhaps save annually a greater number of lives than
in any one year the sword has ever destroyed."—Dr. Ring.

  "Minerals  exert a pernicious and baleful influence on the
system ; they  seldom or never cure, but  often destroy the
patient.  Their operation is altogether uncertain,  depending
entirely on the state of the stomach, whether  they act at all
or prove injurious."
  "The whole nation is groaning under  the present practice
of the Medical Profession, which fosters disease  more thun
cures it, and debases or ruins our constitutions."—JlJor-ison.

  " All men ought to be  acquainted with the medical art.  I
believe that knowledge of medicine is the sister and compan-
ion of wisdom."—Hypocrates. 
PLEURISY ROOT.
  Botanical Name—Asclepias Tuberosa.
   Vulgar Names—Pleurisy Root, Butterfly- Weed, Flux*
Root, Wind-Root, White-Root, Silk-Weed,'Canada-Root.

  Root perennial, or living longer than two years, large
fleshy  arid  white orange-colored  flowers.  Blossoms in
July and August; very ornamental; milky; produces a
soft down;  has been  used for beds, hats, cloth, and paper.
Found throughout the United States ; but more abundant
in the Southern States.  The root when dry is bitter.
  Medical Properties.—Promotes moderate perspiration ;
assists in discharging the mucus from the lungs ;  increases
urinary discharge;  laxative;  allays pain, and  removes
wind ;  anti-spasmodic or against spasms.  Its  action  is
specifically  upon the  lungs to assist suppressed expectora-
tion, and to relieve difficult breathing of patients laboring
under Pleurisy.  It acts sometimes  as a  mild cathartic;
suitable to the complaints of Children.  In  low stages of
the Typhus, and other febrile diseases, it has been  known
to excite perspiration,  when other sudorifics have failed.
It is highly  recommended in cases of phthisic, inflamation
of the lungs, asthma, syphilis, and worms ; also summer
complaints of children.   From the authority of Drs.  Beach,
Bigelow, Eberle, and Burgen.—Dose from 20 to 30 grains
of the powder two or three times a day.
                    CAMOMILE.
                 Anthemis Nobilis.
  The color of the flower is pale green, white in the centre ;
is indigenous, or grows natural in t*ie South of England :
is cultivated in  our gardens.  Camomile, flowers in July
and August.  The flowers are sometimes chewed instead
              A 
38
medical  botant
of tobacco, and it would contribute  greatly to the promo-
tion of the health of multitudes, who are now spitting
away their lives by the  inordinate use of tobacco if they
would  make the exchange.  Camomile flowers are good
ugainst spasms, wind,  and removes pain ; it is also tonic.
Good to correct a derangement of the digestive organs.
The flowers are useful in Hysteria, Phthisis, Pulmonalis.
They have been thought by some distinguished physicians
to equal in intermitants,  the Peruvian bark.   Excellent to
assist the action of emetics, taken in large quantities (the
infusion) drank warm.   In small doses it is tonic.   The
cold infusion assists the digestion.  It should not be raised
to a boiling temperature.  May be drank at discretion.
                WILD CAMOMILE.
                 Anthemis Cotula.
 Wild Camomile, Mayweed, Dogs-fennel, Dilly, Dihoeed
                     Fieldweed.
  It is indigenous to this country.  Blossoms from June
to November ;  found throughout the United States.   The
medical properties  are  the  same as  the Camomile  but
weaker, and less pleasant to the taste.  Dr. Eeach says it
may be substituted for it with safety.
                      ALOES.
                   Aloe Spicata.
  It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.  The
SEL.  k IS'heImost a^ndant, and universally acknow-
ledged to be the best.   It comes from the Cape of Good
Hope, by way of Engtmd; there being no  direct trad.

SocTil1 A.0^6 3nd  ihe Ti"ited Stat^   The inu n3
fcocotrwe  Aloes is produced m the island  of Socotora, 
MEDICAL BOTANY.                39
which  lies in the straits of Babelmandel.  The Hepatic
Aloes are prepared in the West Indies and Spain ;  and is
also  brought from the  ports of India, particularly from
Bombay.—Aloes was known to the ancients.   The varie-
ties  are  similar in their mode of action.  They are all
cathartic, operating very slowly, but certainly, and  have, a
peculiar affinity for the large intestines.
  These actions seem to be directed to the muscular coats
of the elementary canal, riding it of mucus and gluey sub-
stance, that may have  long been attached to its surface.
In a full dose they quicken the circulation, and produce
general warmth.  When frequently repeated, they are apt
to irritate  the  rectum, giving rise, in some instances, to>
hemorrhoids, or discharge of blood.
   Aloes  has also a decided tendency to the uterine system.
It has the power of slightly stimulating the stomach.  It
is therefore, an excellent remedy, in habitual costiveness,
in minute doses attended with torpor of  the  digestive or-
gans.  Given in doses of from 5 to  15  grains; the best
form of administering it is in pills combined with other
articles.   It enters into the composition of many noted
nostrums.                         x
                   ARCHANGEL.
             Angelica,  Arciiangelica.
                 Garden  Archangel.
  This is not the Archangel which grows spontaneously
in this country ;  it is cultivated in our  gardens, and is
indigenous \o the South of  France.   It has a bitter taste,
and very pleasant smell.  It is a powerful stimulant, and is
good to expel wind, and nain in the breast.   It is exhibited
in cases of debility  of the  stomach, and organs of diges-
tion.   Also in  nervous headache, pain and trembling in
the limbs, and  hysteria ; chronic catarrh of the lungs, to
facilitate expectoration, and to restore tone  to the mucus
         2a 
40
MEDICAL BOTANT.
membrane.  It is used in the form of infusion or tea for
wind, particularly adapted for children.
                BLACK SNAKE-ROOT.
                    ACTEA RACEMOSA.

  Squaw-Root,  Rich-Weed,  Rattle-Weed, Rattle-Snake-
                   Root, Black Cohosh.

     The root is perennial, blackish, thick, with long fibers.
T It is found  all over the United States, Canada and Texas ;
 > common in open woods, and  sides of hills.  It has a ten-
  dency to bind and contract the  fibers of  the body,  by its
  astringent  properties1.   It  promotes urinary evacuations,
  and produces a general healthy action through the system ;
  very serviceable in female complaints, whence the Indians
  call it Squaw-Root ;  it promotes menstrual discharge, and
  is peculiarly  serviceable in  removing pains and sickness
  of the  stomach  and  heartburn in  pregnant women.  I
  have used it in such  cases with astonishingly good effect.
. The American Indians use it for this purpose.  The mode
  of administering  it, is in a tea;  take'a handfull, say two
  ounces, add a pint of boiling water, keep it where it will
  be warm, and  drink occasionally two or three swallows at
  a time, through the day.  It should be used in connexion
  with slippery-elm, before child birth,  as it generally assists
  nature  in such cases.   It is excellent in bowel complaints,
  especially of children.  A  poultice  with  slippery-elm, is
  good for  every kind of inflamation.   Good, against bleed-
  ing, coughs, and quinsy as a gargle.  The Indians make
  much use of it for the cure of the rheumatism.  Boiling
  water should be poured to it,  instead of cold, or moderately
  warm;  as boiling water will make it more pleasant to  the
  taste.   It is very settling to the stomucb, where persons
  are inclined to throw up their food. 
MEDICAL BOTANY,
41
                     CURDOCK.
                  Arctium Lappa.

  This root is generally laxative, and produces gentle per-
spiration,  without irritation.   It is useful in humors of all
kinds, rheumatism, gout, and venerial.   It requires to be
persisted in for a long time to produce a change.  The
seeds are good  steeped to expel wind.   It is an excellent
alterative.  The root  soon becomes calky after  it springs
up, and its strength goes into the  stock.  Take the roots
when young, clean and slice them up, put them  into an
earthen pot, add equal parts of water and molasses ; cover
over the  pot with a  crust,  and  bake it.  Good to purify
the blood.
  The leaves  applied to the  head, and feet, are excellent
in febrile cases.  The seeds have been used with decided
good effect in dropsies, where more powerful medicines
have failed.
   A gentleman informed me, that his son had been subject
for many years to distressing turns of the cholic, and that
he administered the strong decoction of the burdock seeds, jt'.
and it gave him immediate relief, and never troubled him
afterwards.
             CANADA SNAKE-ROOT.

                ASARUM CANADENSE.

Broadleqf Asarabacca,  Wild Ginger, Indian  Ginger,
            Heart Snake-Root, Colts-Foot.

  This plant inhabits woods and shady places, from Cana-
da to Carolina.  The root is aromatic, stimulent, and tonic.
Good against catarrh, and pairj in the stomach ; coldsf
coughs, and pulmonary complants.
3a 
43
MEDICAL BOTANY.
              DEADLY  NIGHTSHADE.

                 Atropa Belladonna.

   The Deadly Nightshade is an active poison, soon pro-
 duces death  if taken in  large doses.   It grows along the
 side of old walls and hedges ; it flowers from June to Au-
 gust ;  fruit is ripe in September, when it  is black.
   Thisplant is used principally to discuss indolent tumors,
 cancers, and ill  conditioned ulcers.  It  is held in great
 reputation  among German practitioners,  for the  cure of
 the hooping cough in the last stages.   It is said to be an
 effectual remedy  in  neuralgia.   It has been used  in epi-
 lepsy,  hydrophobia,  mania,  rheumatism,  gout, obstinate
 intermitants,  dropsy,  and jaundice.  Dose, one  or two
grains  for an adult twice a day, and gradually  increased,
till the peculiar effects of the medicine are experienced.
                      FENNEL.

               Anethum  Foeniculum.

   This plant is a native of Spain  and  Portugal,  and is
naturalized in this country ; grows'principally in gardens.
Fennel seed is possessed of mild stimulent properties, and
agreeable aromatic; used in dyspepsia,cholic in children,
and difficult digestion, pain, and weakness of the breast.
                      GARLIC.
                  Allium Sativum.
  Garlic grows wild in Sicily, and  is  cultivated  in our
gardens.  It is used principally by  external  application.
Draughts made of Garlics,  applied to the feet at night, is
good to remove feverish symptoms, and equalize the circu-
lations.   Good  in all inflammatory diseases.  Dr. Beach 
MEDIC \L BOTANV.
43
recommends it  in  discussing  indolent tumors,  coughs,
colds, and asthma.  It is also recommended in the dropsy.
Applied to  the  feet of  children it quiets  and produces
sleep.
                      GINGER.

                  Amomum Zingiber.

  This plant is a native of Hindostan, and is  cultivated
in all parts of India.  It is also cultivated in  the West
Indies, whither it was transplanted  from the East.   It is
gathered when a year old in the West Indies  in January
and February. Good in  dyspepsia, flatulence, cholic, pain
in the  stomach, and  extremities, it warms the stomach
and is an agreeable stimulant.  It promotes perspiration ;
is good taken  in a tea in habitual  coldness.
  It is rarely that this article is found when pulverised in
its pure state, if not, of course it  is unfit for medical pur-
poses.   It enters into our vegetable powders.
                      MYRRH.

                    Amyris Kataf.

  Good Myrrh, is of a turbed, black-red color, solid and
heavy, of a peculiar smell, and bitter taste, says Dr. Beach.
  The two varieties of myrrh are distinguished in market
by India and the Turkey myrrh, the former imported from
the East Indies, the latter from the Levant.  The Turkey
myrrh is the best.
  The  tincture of  myrrh and cayenne we use in a cold
state of the system  and debility, it is useful in equalizing
the circulations, for internal  pains in any part of the visera;
it will relieve sickness of  the stomach, and cholic.  It is
anti-emetic, prevents putrefaction ;  used  externally it  re- 
44
MF.DlcAL  BOTANY
duces inflammation and toolfenche.  It will cure a recent
cough  by  adding molasses and hot water; it should  be
drank warm.
                INDIAN TURNIP.
                Arum Triphyllum.

 Three-leaved Arum,  Dragon Root, Dragon  Turnip,
                   Pepper  Turnip.

  Found in all  parts of North America, in wet, shady
land.   It is too acrid to be used in a green state, it should
be dried  and grated.   The  American Dispensatory re-
commends  the  powder  mixed with  honey,  for the sore
mouth of children, by making a paste of it, and diffusing
it over the mouth and throat.  It  is one of the best reme-
dies for the cholic,  and local irritations;  for coughs, pain
in the breast, chronic, rheumatism, asthma, and chronic
catarrh. The fresh root is said to be good simmered in hogs
lard for the scald head.  It is an excellent expectorant.
                  BITTER root.
              Apocynum Cannabinum.
American Ipecacuanha, Indian Hemp,  Indian Physic.
  It is indigenous to  the United States] and is found in
low moist land.   It grows about two feet high ; its flowers
resemble  buck wheat.   The  root only is used, which are
numerous, small, brown, and slender.
  This Plant is  emetic, cathartic,  tonic or bracing  and
diuretic, or increasing urinary discharge;  it is an excels
lent expectorant.
»™Lha!  ^en used,with  Sreat access  in dropsy.  An
aggravated  case under the care of Dr. Joseph Parish, of 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
45
Philadelphia,\vas completely cured by the decoction of the
plant.  It is one of the best  cathartics now in use.  Its
tonic  properties  prevent  its prostrating the system; it  is
therefore valuable, combined with aromatic, and stimulant
articles.   In  general debility, we make great use of it;
we frequently use it in our vegetable powders ; an heaping
tea-spoonful to an ounce of the powders, is a proper quan-
tity to act gently on the bowels.   It has a surprising effect
in diminishing a feverish  habit: it is one of the best medi-
cines  in  dyspepsia.   It is said  on the authority of the
American Dispensatory, to operate as an emetic and ca-
thartic in doses from  fifteen to thirty grains.
                   MALE FERN.

                 Aspidioi  Filix Mas.

   It is perennial; is found in  all parts of Great  Britain,
and from New-Jersey to Virginia.  It is slightly tonic and
astringent.  It is celebrated as  being  the basis of the
Vermifuge prepared by Madame Nouffer.   This lady was
the widow of a surgeon in Switzerland;  she had gained a
great  reputation in curing^fhe tape worm, by a secret nos-
trum.   This secret was  purchased by order of  the King
of France, and published.  Her plan was  to  give an in-
jection, and a supper of  panada with  butter and salt; in
the morning he is directed to take while in bed two or 3
drachms of the powdered root of the male fern.  The
ppwder to  be washed  down with  a swallow of water, in
two hours after take a strong cathartic of jalap and scam-
many.  If this does not operate in  time, a dose of salts
is given.  If this does not expel the worm in the course
of a few hours, the dose must be repeated at proper times.
It has been  a question in the minds of many whether the
strong cathartic or the male fern expels the tape  worm.
   On the assurance of Dr. Peschier in the  course of nine
months, one hundred and fifty tape worms had  been  ex« 
46                MEDICAL  BOTANY.

pelled  by the  male fern.   Dr. Ebers has also  found the
same preparation  successful in curing eight cases of the
taenia.
               MARSH-MALLOWS.

          j     Althaea Officinalis.

  This plant is  indfgenous to  England,  but is found
throughout the United States, in wet places.*  The decoc-
tion  is much used in inflammation,  and irritation of  the
mucus membrane.   The  roots are sometimes used  as a
poultice ; it is emollient or soothing.  It is said to be good
in the inflammation of the»,kidneys, I have used it in this
disease but have seen no good effects resulting from it.
                     ALMOND.
               Amygdalus Communis.
  The oil of almonds diminish the action of stimulants
on the sensible solids of the^fcly; good for  an irritating
cough.  It acts upon the urinaru organs.

                       —i s

                     PARSLEY.
               APIUM PETROSELrNUM*
  A native of the South of Europe, and cultivated in our
gardens, for culinary purposes.   Good to produce urinary
discharge, and in inflammations of the kidneys and drop-
sy : taken in tea, 
                  MEDICAL BOTANY.                47

                  STAR GRASS

                 Ai.etris Farinosa.

Mealy Starwort,  Blazing-Star,  Bitter-Grass,  Unicorn-
  Root, Ague-root, Ague-Grass, Star-Root, Devils-Bit. t

  This plant is bitter like quassia  and aloes.  Good in
small doses as a tonic ;  used for bitters.
                   SPIKENARD.

                 Aralia Racem*sa.

  Dr. Beach informs us, that the Indians make great use
of it in  all  kinds of sores, and ulcers.  It blossoms  in
July and  August.  Berries  are ripe  in  September;  is
found in New-England, Carolina, and Indiana; good for
colds and coughs; may be taken in syrup and decoction
        m
                    SILK  WEED

                 Asclepias Syriaca.

                     Milk  Weed.

   It grows plentifully throughout the United States.   The
pods  contain a silky  down ; sometimes used  instead of
feathers in filling beds, pillows, and in the manufactory
of hats.
   On wounding the stock, a milky substance exudes out,
which  is  a  cure for warts.   The decoction  is  good in
suppression  of  urine  and  dropsies;  it  also promotes
menstruation.
   It has been used by Dr.  Richardson, with success in
the asthma, and typhus fever attended with catarrh ;  it
promoted  expectoration and relieved pain and a cough.
For the dropsy boil  eight ounces of the root in six quart* 
43
MEDICAL BOTANY.
of water, down to three quarts—take a gill of this decoc-
tion  four  times a day.   This form is recommended by
Dr. Beach, in powder from twenty  to forty grains,  three
or four times a day.
            VIRGINIA SNAKE-ROOT.

             Aristolochia  Serpentaria.

  This plant blossoms but seldom ; found in shady woods
from New-England to Florida.   It was first introduced as
a remedy against the Snakebite; from whence it derives
its name.  It is a powerful stimulant;  produces perspira-
tion, and from its gentle Jonic properties,  it is used  when
more bracing articles will not do.  Quantity  from ten to
thirty grains—say what may  be taken up on a half  of an
inch of  the handle of a teaspoon.
   BARBERRY.
Berberis Vulgaris.
  It operates against putrefaction, sores, &c.   Cooling —
1 he berries stewed in molasses, make a very fine sauce;
the bark of the root with Bayberry  bark put  into hard ci-
der is good in jaundice ; the berries of the barberry alone
are recommended by  Dr. Beach, when  steeped  in hard
cider, for the jaundice.
  It is said to be good in bilious  and  putrid fevers
                BIRCH  BARK.
                 Betula  Lenta.
Tonic and astringent. 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
49
                  WILD INDIGO.

                Baptista Tinctoria.

Indigo Broom,  Indigo  Weed,  Yellow Broom,  Clover
         Broom, Rattle Bush, Yellow Indigo.

  This  root  is  recommended  for a sore  mouth.   It is
said, to be emetic and cathartic.  It is recommended in
the scarlatina, and against mortification.   A very excel-
lent ointment is  made of the roots  for  painful obstinate
ulcers, by miking a strong decoction or tea, and simmer it
down  in hogs lard; this ointment is also good in the salt-
rheum.  Half an ounce of the decoction is  a suitable por-
tion internally.   It is also  recommended for  sore throat,
sore eyes, and sore nipples.
         COPAIBA : OR, GUM CAPEVIA.

               Copaifera Officinalis.

  This article is principally used in the Gonarrhaea, that
is, an unnatural flow attended with heat on making water.
It is used in the gleet.   It is  stimulant, produces dis-
charge of urine.   In large doses it  is  purgative ; it is
good in pain and soreness in the chest;  it may be taken
from twenty to thirty drops on loaf sugar two or three times
a day.  It operates on the urinary organs =r™<*«'^t..like
the  turpentines.
               CAYENNE PEPPER.
                 Capsicum Annuum.
  This is one of the most valuable stimulents in the ma-
teria medica.  It produces a gentle warmth  through the
whole system; it is peculiarly adapted to cold constitutions; 
50                medical  botany
 it warms the stomach, and equalizes the circulations.  It
 will relieve persons troubled with cold feet and hands, by
 drinking a tea constantly of it and soaking the feet, every
 other night, in weak  lye ;  afterwards  rubing them with
 the  tincture of cayenne.  A strong tea is one of the  best
 remedies in case of a bad cold  taken on going to bed ;  a
 heaping teaspoonful will not be found too much.  Mr.  Ste-
 phens administered the following formula to four hundred
 patients laboring under the malignant sore throat, or scar-
 let fever, with great success.   Take three ta^le spoonfuls
 of common cayenne or two of the West India, or African,
 add  two teaspoonfuls of fine salt, pour in a pint of hot wa-
 ter, and strain when  cold ;  then add  an equal  quantity
 of sharp vinegar, a table spoonful every half hour.   The
 small green West India or African cayenne has about three
 times the  strength of the  common.  We use the West
 India or Africali in making the vegetable  Elixir.   In as-
 sisting  the operation of emetics, we use the common cay.
enne.   A large  portion of cayenne taken at  once, when
the  body is  chilled;  will create extreme pain;  small
portions should be given at once in such cases.   The body
should be warmed up by degrees.
                      CICUTA.
                 Conium Maculatum
                       Hemlock.

   This plant is indigenous to Europe, but is found in New i
England and middle  States.  The strength of the nlant
depends upon the climate and soil where it is found  and
the time of year it is gathered.                      '
   It is famous for being the poison, that the virtuous and
innocent Athenians  Socrates,  and Phocion were con-
demned  to drink of.   It is seldom used as an Tnternal
remedy.  L relieves spasms and produces  slep ,   f, 7
—•H-. ,be enereies 0Pf th6 body. P DrFtsht^cksot 
                  MEDICAL BOTANY.               51

and Bigelow recommended it in jaundice.   Their mode
is to begin with small doses, and  increase till the effects
are felt injthe head and stomach.  The yellowness of the
eyes and skin will disappear in  favorable cases, in two or
three days.  It  is used  in a  plaster to discuss indolent
tumors.
                  COLOCYNTH.

               CUCUMIS CoLOSYNTHIS.

                  Bitter Cucumber.

  An annual plant native of the Levant and cultivated in
our wardens.   It is found in Turkey, Asia, and Africa.
It  is a powerful drastic ;  producing griping when  used
alone.   It is sometimes used combined with other cathar-
tics in dropsical cases, very popular medicine with some
German practitioners.  Dose from five to ten grains.
                    CELADINE.

                 Chelidonium Majus.
                   Great Celandine.
   This juice is said to cure warts, ring-worms, and cleanse
 old ulcers.  Good- in jaundice, when steeped in  water,
^and added to vinegar and  peppermint or  spearmint tea.
 Good in piles and salt-rheum. 
52                MEDICAL BOTANY.
                  SPURRED RYE.

                 Secale Cornutum.

                 Horned Rye, Ergot.

  This article ground into flour often proves a deadly poi-
son, and when distilled  into whiskey it produces the same
effect.   Twenty thousand persons are supposed to -have
died principally in Vermont and New-York, by eating the
flour and drinking the  gin, which  was  higjhly charged
with the  Ergot.   Meeting  after  meeting  was  held  by
the faculty  to  ascertain the  cause to no purpose ; the
cause was finally discovered by Dr. Beach.  This same
poison  was supposed to be the principal cause of the plague
in London.   The  principal  and almost only use that ia
made of the Spurred Rye is in cases where there  is not
action  enough in the organs  of the womb to produce pain
sufficient to expel the child.   In such cases the exhibition
of this  article is highly recommended by the best authors
ties.  From  thirty to forty grains  in a pint of hot water;
take of this a great spoonful  every fifteen minutes.      »
                 HORSE-RADISH

               Cochlajria  Armoracia.

  Is highly stimulcnt;  promotes secretion of urine.  It is
used in  dropsy and general debility of the system.  It
promotes appetite,  and invigorates dig«stion ; it is princi-
pally used with food.   Cullen  found it useful  in  hoarse^
ness when made into a syrup, sweetened with sugar. 
MEDICAL BOTANY
53
               GOLDEN THREAD.
                  Coptis Trifolia.

              Yellow Root,  Mouth Root.

  Tonic, promotes digestion, good in dyspepsia. It posseses
nearly the same properties of quassia, it is much used in
the country for the sore mouth ;  an ointment made of this
article and camomile simmered  in hogs lard is  excellent
for sore lips, chapped hands and chilblains.
                  IPECACUANHA.

              Callicocca Ipecacuanha.

   This article is found in South. America.  It was first em-
 ployed by the natives of Brazille, as an emetic when that
 country was settled by the Portuguese.  It was not known
 in Europe till 1672.  This article is emetic in  large doses,
 in smaller doses produces gentle perspiration, producing
 a'discharge  of  mucus from the lungs,  and still  smaller,
 stimulant; exciting the appetite and producing digestion.
 It is the most mild emetic used in  regular practice.  Dr.
 Chapman recommends  it very highly in cases of bleeding
 to the  lungs  and  bloody urine.   It is used  in  dyspepsia.
 Dr. James says that two grains taken  after dinner will
 obviate oppression.
  Ipecacuanha is proved by indubitable evidence  to be
 one of the most efficient remedies in dysentery.   In armies
 and ship's companies where the disease has raged with ex-
 treme malignance, the exhibition of this article has proved
 a sovereign remedy, as  will appear in a letter published in
 the London Medical and Physical Journal.
  Clark's mode of administering it in these cases,  is to
take for an adult, three  drachms of the ipecacuanha boiled
in a quart of water down to a pint, strain  and inject at
once.  About thirty grains is a common portion for  an
 emetic. 
51
MEDICAL BOTANY.
                 ORANGE-PEEL.

                Citrus Aurantium-
  Is a gentle tonic, used chiefly to give a pleasant flavor;
it is seldom used alone.  Too large a dose is injurious ; it
has been known to produce death in the case of  a child's
eating a quantity of the peel.                         ,
                      LEMON.
                  Citrus Medica.
  Is stimulant  and promotes  digestion ; is  good united
with honey or loaf sirgar for  a recent cough;  is recom-
mended  in jaundice  and  scurvy;  in irritation jof the
stomach, where there  is constant vomiting^ Lemoiiadeis
a very cooling drink in febrile diseases*.
                              ■      ■  V-
                PERUVIAN BARK.
               Cinchona Officinalis.

  This valuable medicine, says the  American Dispensa*
tory was  unknown  to the civilized world till the middle
of the  seventeenth  century; though  it is supposed, that
the natives of Peru werejiong before acquainted with its
febrifuge properties.   ^
  There are said  to be  three varieties of this bark, the
pale,  the yellow,  and the  red.   The  Peruvian bark is
universally acknowledged to  be the  best remedy in the
remittent fever.  It produces action on the stomach and
intestinal canal,  and assists  the  digestive organs.  Dr,
Beach says in intermittents it should  be given immediately
after cleansing the stomach in doses of from one scruple to
a drachm every second or third hour during the interval
of the paroxisms.   We must always avoid giving the medi-
r- 
              #   MEDICAL BOTANY.               5">

cine during the fevers.  It should be administered  near
the close of the fever, that the operation may be over be-
fore a return of the fever.   It is  sometimes administered
in the  form of quinia, where, the stomach is so delicate
that the bark will not continue long enough to produce au
effect.  In cases of continued fevers attended  with debility
it is recommended  as a valuable  medicine.   From ten to
thirty grains of  the  bark,  is usually a sufficient  quantity
to commence  with, in chronic cases.
                    DOGWOOD.
                .  Cornus Florida.
  This tree is a  native of the United States, found from
Massachusetts to Florida ; its height is from twenty to
thirty feet.  The properties of dogwood are very near the
same as the  Peruvian bark, and is used by country phy-
sicians in its stead, many of whom testify  that they have
succeeded as  well as with'the Peruvian bark.   The bark
of the root is  prefered.   Dr. Grigg of Bristol exhibited it
in intermittants and as a tonic in debility, and found it uni-
formly beneficial.
                  ROSE-WILLOW.

                   Cornus Sericea.

Round-leafed Dogwood, Red Willow, Sioamp Dogwood.

  It inhabits the United States, Canada and Florida.—
Flowers in June and July.  Its medical properties are al-
most exactly the  same as the Dbg-Wood ;  it may be ad-
ministered in the same doses  and given in the same man-
ner by the authority of Dr. Walker.

               C
?' 
56
MHDI«AL BOTANY.
                   SCAMMONY.

              Convolvulus ' Scammonja.

  It is an energetic  cathartic or physic.  When given
alone it produces griping.   It  is found in Syria.  It was
known to the Greek  physicians; also to  the  Arabians,
who applied  it externally for  the cure of diseases of the
skin.  When  combined with aromatics, such as spearmint,
peppermint, &c, it is a mild  cathartic.  Dose from five
to ten grains.
                      SENNA.

                   Cassia Senna.

  Alexandria  Senna was first used as a medicine by the
Arabians.  It is a safe, prompt and serviceable cathartic;
suitable for febrile or feverish diseases; united with aro-
matic herbs it does not produce griping.  Dose from an
half a drachm to a drachm, or heaping teaspoonful. We
do not use it in its simple state.
               SOLOMON'S SEAL.

             CONVALLARIA MtJLTIFLORA.

  Is good in an  increased  secretion of white mucus in
the vagina of women, called the whites, which arises from
weakness.  It may  be taken in tea ; the quantity is left
to the discretion of the patient.   When applied externally
as a poultice, it is good for inflammation, and the piles. 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
57
                     SAFFRON.

                   Crocus Sativus.

  On the authority of Dr. Beach, saffron, in small doses,
produces perspiration ; in larger doses, it acts on the whole
animal economy in the same way as stimulus.  It extends
its action to the uterus, allays pains that attend menstrua-
tion in females,  it is useful in hysteria, and acts against
spasms.  It is rarely used in regular  practice except to
give a color to tinctures.   From ten to thirty grains for a
dose.
                LADIES' SLIPPER.

              Cypripedium Pubescens.
  The root^)f ladies' slipper has a tendency to lessen the
animal energy^ good to allay nervous affections and anti-
spasmodic ; it may be used in all cases instead of velerian.
It promotes sleep arid  allays headache.   Dr. Beach pre-
fers it to opium in most cases as it has no narcotic effects.
pose—a  teaspoon ful in  warm water with sugar.   It is
sometimes used with the lobelia emetic to quiet the nerves.
In these cases, half a teaspoo'nful is sufficient, with each
portion of the lobelia.
                    CAMPHOR.

                 Laurus Camphora.

  Camphor is stimulant, sudorific, or produces sweating ;
anti-spasmodic  and produces excitement.   If it is taken
in too large  a quantity, it produces  vertigo  convulsions
and death3.   Combined with opium it is said to be very
serviceable in low typhus and putrid fevers.  Dr. Eberle
says its power  of allaying  delirium,  and  other nervous 
5t<                MEDICAL  BOTANY.

symptoms of typhus, is I think, more decisive, than any
other  remedy  which we possess.   It is  likewise good in
epilepsy.   Dr. Gooch considers camphor given in union
with hyoscyamus, the  best sudorific that we are  now ac-
quainted  with.  He gives ten grains of each at bed-time
after tepid bath.   The medium dose is  from five to  ten
grains.
                 WILD CARROT.
                  Daucus Carota.
  This root acts particularly upon the urinary organs; is
good in the gravel complaint, and bilboes.
                    FOXGLOVE.

                Digitalis  Purpurea.

  The medical properties of the* foxglove are diuretic i.e.
it produces a discharge of urine,  good in dropsy of the
chest, reduces inflammation  by lessening the  action of the
heart.  It has been thought by  some to have  the same
effect as bleeding.   It reduces the frequency of the pulse.
It is recommended by Dr. Beach to  be applied in case of
imflammation of the lungs.   It is a poison,  and too large
a dose of it will produce spasms, vertigo and  death.   We
make but little  use of it.   The dose of the  powder, one
grain, repeated twice or three times a day,  and gradually
increase till some effect is produced upon the head stom-
ach, pulse or  kidneys. 
MEDICAL EOTANV,                59
                 THORN APPLE.

                Datura Sramonium.

  This is a wandering plant found throughout the United
States.  It was not known in this  country until  it was
settled by the whites.   The Indians call it the white man's
plant.  It is  used  in the regular practice in mania, epi-
lepsy, neuralgia, cancerous sores, rheumatism and  spas-
modic asthma.  It is  bitter, used as an external applica-
tion.  Simmered  in hogs lard,  it is good for burns and
piles.  Some soldiers  in the revolutionary war died in
consequence  of eating  this plant (through mistake)  for
greens.
               THOROUGHWORT.

             EuPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM.

Bone-set,  Feverwort,  Sweating-plant,  Thorough-stem,
  Crosswort, Indian-sage,  Ague-weed,  Thorough-wax,
  Vegetable Antimony.

  This plant is emetic and cathartic ;  and produces per-   ♦
spiration.  It has been known to produce thorough evacu-
ation where  every thing else has failed.   It has been em-
ployed with  success in intermittant fever instead of the
Peruvian bark.   There is no danger of giving too much.
1 have in a multitude of cases given more than a  quart of
strong and warm  decoction of it  in the  course of a few
hours with the  lobelia emetic.  It has also been success-
fully used in the yellow fever.   For a tonic, it  should be
taken  cold, and  in small  quantities.   Say from ten to
twenty grains in a powder.  It  is useful in bitters.  Also
for jaundice and cholic puns. 
60                MEDICAL BOTANY.

                      CLOVES.

              Eugenia Caryophylatta.

  Cloves are the most stimulant of the aromatics.  Their
influence is  rather local  than general  upon the system,
The oil of cloves is goPr to relieve the toothache.  The
chief use that  is Tnade of it, is to assist other medicines,
in rendering them more mild.  It is used sometimes to
remove  nausea and  vomiting ; to correct flatulence and
excite digestion.  An  infusion taken before an emetic is
said to assist its operation, and  cause the patient to vomit
more easily.
                       ASAFCETIDA.

                     Ferula Asafcetida.

       The gum is not  recommended where  there is inflam-
    mation ;  but is good in all nervous, and  spasmodic affec-
    tions.  Dr. Walcolt states,  that he cured a person of the
    spasmodic  asthma of  nine  years standing with this gum.
   ■ It was administered in the  form of a pill of ten grains,
^i  three times a day with other  attendant medicines.   It is
    very useful in  whooping-cough,  croup,  catarrh,  measles,
    consumption, and all diseases of the chest.
                    GAMBOGE.

                Garcinia Gambogia.

  Is a powerful drastic; it is cathartic, but too powcrfi
to be given alone.  It is employed in dropsies, and foun
effectual in the expulsion of the tape-worm.
  When  administered it should be combined with som
other mild  cathartic.   Dose  from two to three grains o
the powdered gum. 
MEDICAL BOTANY,                (51
                     GENTIAN.
                  Gentiana Lutea.
  This root grows  in the  temperate parts of Europe—
blossoms in May.  It  is a valuable tonic, excites the appe-
tite, invigorates the system, increases  moderately the.tem-
perature of the body.   It has been known as a medicinfe
from the  highest antiquity.   It can  be administered to
advantage in  all cases of debility of the digestive organs,
gout, hysteria, scrofula and dyspepsy.  Dose from ten to
forty grains.                                        .  „.
                    GUAIACUM.

               Guaiacum Officinale.

  Is a native of the  West Indies.   It  may be  found at
the pump and  block  makers.  The borings are better
than 1116' saw-dust.   Both tile gum and wood affect  the
skin by their driving properties."  It  is used in  syrup to    |
purify the'blood ; good in beer, &c. fV is  highly spoken
of by Dr. Chapman  in*diseases  of the  eyes ; also gout
and  chronic Rheumatism.   It  is sometimes steeped and
drank instead of tea.
                   CRANESBILL.

               Geranium Maculatum.

   This herb grows awflg the sides of hedges in rich and
moist land, in hollows that receive  the wash ; the top re-
sembles crowsfoot; found in New-England.  It is a power-
ful astringent or bracing ;  good boiled in milk in cases of
cholera infantum ; also sore throat and mouth.  It is highly
esteemed by the Indians in venerial ;  it is valuable in the
Gleets.  On the authority of Dr. Thatcher,  it will sup- 
G2
MEDICAL BOTANY.
press  bleeding nt the  lungs, in a  prompt  manner ; the
pulverised, and sprinkled on a wound will relieve effusion
of blood.           ,
*^NT,              LiaUORlCE.
                'Glycyrriiiza Glabra.

   Found  in  the  South of,Europe.  This  root  is  used
Jtifiiefly to  relieve cough, tightness of the lungs and chest;
 jvhen you  find a medicine too  bracing, add a quantity of
 this root,  and it will enable  the patient to bear it ;  when
 otherwise, he could not.   Very useful  to allay irritation.
 The late Dr.  James Malone, of London, gives the follow-
 ing receipt :—For a cold, a large teaspoonful of linseed oil
 with two penny worth of stick liquorice,a quarter of a pound
 of sun raisins,  add  two quarts of soft water, reduce it by
 boiling  to one , then add  a  quarter of  a pound of brown
 sugar candy,  pounded ; a table spoonful of while wine or
 lemon juice.  Drink half a phit  on going to bed, and take
 a little when  thatdfcugh  is troublesome.  This is said to
 cure the worst ofPolds  in two okthree days. „ Jt has been
 known  to cure colds, says Dr. Beach, that < has almost
 been settled into a  consumption in a  fy^todeliLs.  Dose
 of the root of liquorice from twelve grains to ardrachm.
                   HELLEBORE.
                 IIelleborus  Niger.
                  Black Helleblto.

  It was used and esteemed by Galen and Hippocrates as
a valuable cathartic.   It is recorded of Melan.pus a Greek
physician, who first discovered this plant, that he acquired
immense wealth  and  renown by  restoring to reason the
daughters of an Eastern monarch, who, by lome unknown 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
63
cause had all of them been deprived of.  .The Hellebore
is the only article that he employed:   Powerful cathartics
produce a  change in the  constitution  in  these  diseases
favorable to recovery.
                  GOLDEN SEAL.

               Hydrastis^ Canadensis.

 Yellow-root,  Ground Raspberry, Yellow Paint, Qrattge-
                 Root, Indian Plant.              *■

   It is found principally in this country beyond the Alle-
ghanies.  It has an  exceedingly bitter taste.   It is tonic
or bracing, and cathartic, or physical, is much used by the
Indians in cases of inflammation of the eyes,  producing"
redness, difficulty in opening the eye to the  light, and
running from  the eye.  In disorders of the bile and liver
we consider it invaluable.   Jt is one of the best remedies
to restore the digestive organs.. The  Indians  use it for
the dropay,  ana" to produce  urinary ^discharge.  I have
found it useful togethe*with bitter root to restore the bile,
and* relieve the  stomach after  eating,  by adding peach-
meats pounded fine, and all put to Holland gin.   Dose of
the powdjtf of €rolden Seal from ten to twe'nty grains.     j

                #t     _______

                      HYSSOP.

                Hyssopus Officinalis.

  Hyssop is a native of the continent of Europe ; culti-
vated in our  gardens.   Very useful  in producing expec-
toration, or discharge of mucus from the lungs;  good  in
catarrhs  especially in old people, and those of debilitated
habit of body ; useful as a gargle  in sore throat.   Make
a tea and drink  at discretion. 
\
G4                MEDICAL BOTANY.

                       HOPS.

                 Humulus Lupulus.

  Hops are tonic,  and moderately  produces sleep ;  good
in dyspepsy, and nervous tremors, weakness and tremors
of drunkards.   A  pillow  made of hops wet with  rum to
prevent a rustling noise'is good to produce sleep, and allay
nervous irritation.   It is anodyne, and  may be used in-
stead of laudanum ; good in after pains of women ; valua-
ble  in fermentations.       *
                     WITCH  HAZEL.

                  'Hamamelis Virginica.

     Snapping Hazelnut,  Winter-bloom, Pistachce-nut, Sfc.

      Grows in most- parts of the United  States.  It is the
    only shrub, that blossoms  in winter ; the fruit when ripe
\    explodes, making a noise, antl scattering abroad the seeds.
p    It is astringent, tonic, afld useful to discuss tumors ;  it is
    highly valued  by the Indians, and used by them ih  inflam-
    mation ;  bleeding at the lungs ; tob  great a  discharge of
    the menses, and from its astringent or contracting  proper-"
    ties; good against falling of the bowels  and womb.  It
9 may be given  internally in tea; a strong^decoction inject-   <
    ed for falling down of the womb, and a*jwash  for falling of
    the intestines.
                   LIVERWORT.

                 Hepatica Triloba.

                   Noble Liverwort.

  Liverwort may be  used  in  fevers; liver  complaints;
bleeding  to  the  lungs;  it has  been a popular remedy in
chronic roughs, or coughs of long continuance.
V 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
6.5
                    LOGWOOD.

           H^EMATOXYLUM CaMPECHIANUM.

  Logwood  is a  mild astringent, or contracting to the
fibers, without irritating, and well  adapted to a  relaxed
state of the bowels ;   it is valuable in chronic dysentery
and diarrhoea.
                   BUTTERNUT..

                 Juglans  Cinerea.

                       Oilnut.

  Is a mild cathartic or physical,  operating without pain
or irritation, and  resembling rhubarb ;  good in habitual
costiveness.   The extract should  be made from the bark
in May and June.   Extract in doses from  fifteen to thirty
grains.
                     JUNIPER.
                Jumperus Communis.

  The berries of this shrub are the only part used, and
are ripe in August.   Natural  to Europe, but naturalized
in this country.   They are stimulant, and produce a dis-
charge of urine;  an ounce of the berries may be steeped
in a pint of water and drank in the  course of twenty-four
hours.   They are principally  used in dropsies ; the oil is
exhibited  in  flatulences or wind ; eight or ten  drops on
sugar.   The  imported are possessed of the same  medical
properties as  our own, except they are stronger.       ^ 
66
MI'.DICAL BOTANY.
               E L E C A M PANE.
                   Inula Helenium.
   This plant was much used by the ancients in  diseases
•peculiar to  females, and  is  now  considered  valuable in
 suppression of  the menses, diseases of the chest, general
 debility, arising from weakness in the digestive  organs;
 useful in dropsy,   One or two fluid ounces may be  taken
 at a  time of the decoction ;  used  much  in  coughs, and
 pulmonary affections.
                      CEDAR.

                JUNIPERUS Virciniana.

  This tree is found all over the United States.   The red
cedar is possessed of the same properties, as savin ;  use-
ful in  rheumatism, and  suppression of the  menses; the
oil is useful  to bathe the  parts for rheumatism ;  the oil
combined  with the oil of spearmint is useful in the gravel;
diseases of the kidneys, and scalding of the  urine.     •
                SKUNK-CABBAGE.

                   ICTODES FfJETlDA.

  This is one of the most  valuable native plants.   It al-
lays spasms, irritation,  and  promotes sleep; it purifies the
blood ; is an excellent  expectorant or promotes discharge
from the lungs ;  good  in cough.   It  looses much  of its
strength by age ; for a  syrup it requires long boiling.   It
should be dug after  the tops are dried  in the fall, or early
in the spring.  It is a valuable  nervine, very useful in the
asthma, and cough of old  people.  It  is  highly recom-
mended in the above cases  by Drs. Chapman and Eberle.
It may be drank in  the form of syrup  freely.  In  powder
a leaspoonful is a common dose. 
MKDICAL BOTANY.
67
                       SAVIN.

                 JuNIPERUS SABINA.

  Savine is highly stimulant or exciting to animal energy.
It should never  be  used in pregnancy,  or weakly  com-
plaints of females.   It is  used for  the cure of warts,
scald head, ulcers,  worms,  rheumatism, and suppressed
menses.
  It is a universal stimulant, particularly the organs of
secretion.
                       BUGLE.

                Lycopus Virginicus.

                    Sweet Bugle.

  Good in  coughs, bleedings of the  lungs, and phthisic;
it produces sleep, and  ceases pain.  Drs. Pendleton and
Rodgers of the city of New-York, Smith, Ives, Lawrence,
Refinesque, and  Beach, testify that they have cured bleed-
ing of the lungs, and phthisic with this^., article ;  given in
tea.
WHITE  WOOD.   Inner bark of the Trunk and Roots.

              LlRIODENDRON TuLIPIFERA.

             White Poplar,  Wild Poplar.

  This tree is called the glory of the American forest; it
rises to the hght of one hundred and forty feet, frequently
nine feet in diameter.                             .
  The bark of this tree possesses valuable tonic and stimu-
lant properties.  It has  been used in the ague and lever
with good success.  Dr. J. F.  Young,  says, that he Jias
used the Poplar bark in cases of intermittants with equal
success as the Peruvian bark.   The same writer declare. 
ea
MKD1CAI. EOTANT.
that there is not a more speedy  and effectual  remedy for
the Hysteria than  the Poplar bark, combined with a little
Laudanum.   It is valuable  in  dyspepsy,  phthisic, with
hectic fever, night sweats and diarrhaea.  Dose from half
to an ounce in a pint of  boiling water.  The tree bears a
beiutiful flower, and is found in the Middle and Western
States.
                   SASSAFRAS.

                 Laurus Sassafras.

  The bark is stimulant; good against all diseases of the
skin, and rheumatism of long standing.   Dr. Eberle says
he has known a long continued use of the infusion of this
article to effectually cure an inveterate case of rheumatism.
  The bark, and pith of the young shoots, steeped in wa-
ter make an excellent eye water for inflamed eyes.
               ^  WHITE LILY.

                 Lilium  Candidum.

  This plant is a native of Syria, and Asia Minor, but has
long been cultivated  in our  gardens; said to be good in
dropsy.   It is a mucilage, and good for poultices to reduce
inflammation.  Good in an ointment for the tetters or harps.
                   LAVENDER.

                  Lavandula Spica.

  Is found in the South of France.  It is but little used
as a medicine ;  it is a stimulant often used as a  perfume
and is often added  to medicine, to make it more grateful
to the Btomach.                         .        b 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
GU
                   DANDELION.

              Leontodon, Taraxacum.

  This  plant is found  in Europe, Asia and America; it
takes  its name  from a French word, meaning a Lion's
tooth.   It is highly recommended in the cure of diseases
of the liver, and for the dropsy by the most eminent phy-
sicians.   This is a very valuable medicine as the Liver is
so liable to become diseased.  I  believe that a morbid
state of  the Liver originates more chronic diseases, than
all other of the visera.   The yellow dock steeped strong,
and drank  at liberty daily, with  occasionally  a lobelia
emetic, will not fail to produce a healthy action upon the
liver.
                   BAYBERRY.

                 Myrica  Cerifera.

  Is found throughout the United States ; but most abun-
dant in New England, particularly  near the sea shore.
  The bark of the root produces  sleep, and removes pain.
It braces and strengthens the fibers of the body, and fre-
quently operates ag an emetic.
  Take one pound  of the  pulverised bark  of  Bayberry,
four ounces of ginger, two ounces of cayenne, two  ounces
of rhubard,  pulverised, or  four ounces of yellow dock
will answer the same purpose, and two  ounces hemlock
bark may be added,  and unite them together : this com-
pound is very valuable in almost  every disease.  A heap-
ing teaspoonful is  a common  portion,  put  it into a cup
with the  same quantity  of  sugar;  fill the cup two thirds
full of scalding water, stir it well, and when cool enough,
drink dregs and  all.   This is what we call vegetable pow-
ders.   They are good in colds, coughs and  cholic;  good
to equalize circulation.   It is good to  take a  number of
portions of it previous to taking  an emetic :  it  warms the
stomach,  produces  gentle moiiture upon the surface and 
\
70                MEDICAL  BOTANY.

also sleep.   For a bad cold, cholic and in some other cases
the Elixir should be added from  one to two teaspoonfuls.
I have cured myself of the cholic with this medicine alone.
I took  two portions within  about  ten  minutes of each
other.   I have also broken up a cold with the same in two
nights, which usually lasted  me four weeks.   Dr. Beach,
considers a poultice made of the Bayberry bark in connec-
tion with slippery-elm bark  to be a sovereign remedy for
the King's Evil  or scrofula.    It is excellent in dysenterj
and jaundice.
            COLOMBA ; or, COLOMBO.
              Menispermum Palmatum.

   This root is a  native of Africa, Madagascar, and the
East Indies.  It is a very mild tonic, or has the property
of strengthening the system without producing  stimulant
and  irritating effects.   It  is very excellent in  dyspepsy
and hectic  fever.   The  American  Dispensatory  recom-
mends in  bowel complaints, half an  ounce of Colombo,
half of an ounce of ginger, and a drachm  of senna, with
a pint of boiling water; give a wine glass full three times
a day.   Dr.  Eberle gives  in dyspepsy ,*ten or twelve grains
of Colombo with two of ipecacuanha, with  decided good
effect.
                   GUM  ARABIC.
                  Mimosa Nilotica.
  The tree from which this  gum is found, grows along
the Nile of Egypt, and  the sandy deserts of Africa, and
Arabia, and Petraca.  The Moors and Negroes live on it
almost exclusively during the period of its collection, and
conveyance to market.  The Bushmen Hottentots in times
of scarcity, support themselves upon it for days together. 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
71
Six ounces a day is said to be sufficient to sustain life in
a healthy adult.   It is nutritive, and sheathing to inflamed
or irritated parts ; it is good therefore to prevent bleeding
in dysentery,  hoarseness, whooping-cough, suppression of
urine  attended with  pain.  Take a handful of English
barley, gum  arabic, a piece as large as a walnut, with a
little slippery-elm ; pour a pint of boiling  water upon it,
steep it, and sweeten with loaf  sugar.  This I have found
excellent where the patient had  not much  appetite  and
could not bear solid food.   It will be found very servicea-
ble to keep up the strength of the patient.
                   HOARHOUND.

                Marrubium Vulgare.

  This plant is a native of Europe, but flourishes well in
this country ;  it was formerly  valued, by the faculty, in
many chronic diseases ; but is now by them but little used.
It is good in coughs, colds, and all consumptive complaints.
It is a little to much of a tonic to be given alone in coughs.
This may be obviated by adding to the syrup a little stick
liquorice.  This herb in  large doses proves laxative.   It
also promotes menstrual discharge.
                   PEPPERMINT.

                  Mentha Piperita.

  This herb is a native of  Great Britain, from whence it
has been transplanted to  the continent of Europe and to
this country. It produces sweating; is good against spasms,
stimulating, and warming.   It is good to prevent vomiting
taken in the form of tea, or the herb infusion in hot water,
and applied to the pit of the stomach.    It is very useful 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
to disguise other medicines, and make them  more palata-
ble,  particularly cathartic.   Good to  relieve  spasmodic
pains of the bowels and stomach.
                      CATNIP.

                  Nepeta Cataria.

   Notwithstanding this  plant is  but little thought of in
regular practice, it is a very  valuable herb.   I have suc-
ceeded  in relieving pain in the bowel?, where they were
swollen when every thing else failed, by giving simply an
injection of  catnip tea made strong ;  for a child six years
old an even  teaspoonful of fine salt,  three great spoonfuls
of molasses, one great spoonful of sweet oil or hogs lard;
put up two  thirds  of  a tumbler full,  keep it up fifteen or
twenty  minutes.   This  injection I  have used with great
success in  case of fits caused by worms.  It will bring
away the  superabundance of slime that has collected on
the internal  surface of the canal.   Catnip fea is very use-
ful in fevers, as it will produce perspiration without increas-
ing the heat of the body ; it  is useful  in all  spasmodic
affections.   We have sometimes used it with the emetic
instead of pennyroyal, but it is inferior for that purpose.
                   SPEARMINT.

                   Mentha Viridis.

  Spearmint is said to be a  native of this country, and
possesses the same medical properties with the Peppermint
which is a native of Europe.  It is highly recommended
by Dr. Beach  as a  diuretic,  or  produces of urinary dis-
charge, and also in cases of gravel. 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
73
               WHITE-OAK  BARK.

                   Quhrcus Alba.

  There are said to be  eighty different  species of this
genus, and thirty in the United States.  The white oak
is the most  valuable for  medical purposes; it is  said to
possess four times the strength in the spring that it does
in the winter.   As an external medicine it is very useful,
in bad conditioned ulcers, as a wash it prevents putrefac-
tion.  A strong decoction is said to be a certain cure for
sore lips.  A poultice made of the powder is good against
gangreen and mortification.  It will contract, support and
strengthen the animal fibers.   It is useful in falling down
of the bowels.   Dr. Beach recommends a  strong  decoc-
tion as a gargle in the croup.   I  have used it in the form
of syrup with success, internally, where the  stomach was
not  disposed to receive medicine kindly, owing to its weak
and relaxed  state ; it  is strengthening,  possessing some-
what the property of the Peruvian bark, but it is esteemed
inferior  to it.
                JERUSALEM  OAK.

          Chenapodium. Anthelminticuji.

  This plant is found in  most parts of the United States,
generally about old cellars, and rubish.   It is of a yellow-
ish green color ; it flowers from July to September.  The
whole herb has a strong peculiar offensive smell.   It is one
of the best native remedies we  have for expelling worms
from the intestines.   A teaspoonful of the powdered herb
and seed united with peppermint herb, pounded fine for a
child two or three years old may be taken, night and morn-
ing before eating, for  two or three days,  then follovy it
with the common physical powders or any other brisk
cathartic.   The oil of the seed is perhaps the  most con-
venient  mode of administering it.  The dose for a child
               C 
74
MEDICAL BOTANY.
is from five to ten drops, and may betaken on sugar, morn-
ing and night, for two or  three  days, and  followed  by
physic.  A  wine 'glass full of the decoction prepared by
boiling one ounce of the herb in a pint of milk for com-
mon practice, is recommended by the American Dispen-
satory, with the addition of orange peel.   Dr. Baylies, of
Taunton,  recommends the herb highly in after pains of
women.
                     TOBACCO.

                 NlCOTIANA TABACUM.

   This  plant is  emetic and narcotic,  or produces sleep
 and stimulating.   It excites  the mucus membrane when
 taken  into the mouth,  causing it  to discharge an abun-
 dance of saliva; this is spit out by those who chew tobacco,
 instead,  as was  intended by the  Creator,  to moisten the
 mouth, and prepare the food to be swallowed, and after-
 wards to be digested.   Therefore persons who  are accus-
 tomed to chew tobacco or smoke, are troubled  with a dry-
 ness of the mouth and heat, especially  in  the  morning;
 faintness, with a weak trembling feeling at the stomach!
 It injures the digestive organs, and  irritates the nervous
 system.
   All these symptoms I know by experience ; having used
 tobacco  more or less  for twenty years.   It is now°about
 four years since  I abandoned it entirely; since which
 time the above symptoms have abandoned me.  The effects
 Of tobacco are alike, whether smoked, chewed, or snuffed
up the nose; except, taken in the  form of snuff, it  effects
 the speech.  The  habitual use  of this article is a species
 of intemperance,  as truly as the   habitual  use of  ardent
 spirits ; while it is abandoned with far more difficulty.  A
 person told me not  long ago, that he found no difficulty in
 leaving off the use of ardent spirits ;  but he had made an
 effort to leave off chewing tobacco, and had not'succeeded. 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
/O
He found it far more difficult than breaking off drinking
rum.  Yet  people are encouraged to learn to use tobacco
for as simple a  disease as the  toothache, and as it were,
spit out their lives as really  as the drunkard burns out his.
                      THYME.
                Origanum Majorana.
  This is the common garden Thymer.   It is principally
used in cookery.  Its properties are similar  to other aro-
matic herbs, such  as sage, lavender, and is  used for the
same purposes.   It is called good in painful  and difficult
menstruation and rheumatism.
                    OLIVE OIL.

                   Olea Europ^ea.

   The Olive tree flourishes in all the countries  bordering
on the Mediterranean.   It is  cultivated in Spain, South
of France, Italy, and the North of Africa.   It begins to
bear after the second year, and flourishes for a century.
Olive oil is nutritious, gently laxative, is principally used
in ointments, linaments, and plasters.   It is sheathing to
the stomach and bowels, therefore good in dysentery, and
internal  inflammation, good  also to  destroy  the effect of
acid and poison taken into the stomach.
   It is supposed to be a sure cure for the bite of poison-
ous serpents.   It is recommended in the dropsy to rub on
where the swelling may be.   I have  frequently  used it in
injections to  soften and  quiet the  internal surface of  the
canal.  A great spoonful or two, according to the age of
the patient, and the quantity of matter that you inject is
a common portion.  For a laxative  an ounce  should be
given. 
76                MEDICAL BOTANY.
                      ALDER.

               Prinos  Verticillatus.

  Black alder is good in flabby, ill conditioned ulcers as
a wash, while it is taken internally.   It  is also good in
case of worms and  in bleeding at the lungs.  A gentleman
in Weymouth, (Massachusetts,) informed me, that he had
cured  himself of bleeding at the  lungs, by taking a tea-
spoonful .of the pulverised  bark in  molasses a few times.
It possesses alterative properties, that is, the power of re-
moving disease from the system, without any perceptible
evacuation.   It gives tone to the muscular fibers.   A dose
of the  powder is about an even teaspoonful.
                      ANISEED.

                 Pimpinella Anisum.

   Anise is a native of Egypt and the Levant; but is cul-
tivated in the South of Europe, Spain,  Malta, and some-
times in this country.   It is carminative, that is, it removes
wind and pain.   A  little of the oil mixed with water, or
the essence, I have found to be very serviceable to give to
sucking infants, to start the wind.   The oil imparts a very
pleasant flavor to liquors.  It assists to promote a discharge
from  the lungs.   Its  medical properties are the same as
the Fennel.
 FIR-BALSAM.

PlNUS  BALSAMEA.
   This tree is found growing i„ Canada,  Nova Scotia
Maine, and  ,n other parts of the United States    It s
called good for sore nipples, flour albus, fresh wounds and
weakness of the stomach.  Dose  from  IwentyT   hirtv
drops.   It may  be taken internally on loaf sugaV       J 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
77
                DRAGON'S CLAW.

              Pterospora Andromeda.

                     Fever-Root.

  Dr. Beach says that this plant is useful in various kinds
of fevers,  particularly typhus.  It keeps  up a moisture of
the skin, without producing  any excitement.   To a tea-
spoonful of the root, add about a half pint of boiling water.
It may be  drank freely.
    WHITE and YELLOW, or PITCH PINE.

           Pinus Strobus, and Palustus.

  All the different pines possess nearly the same medical
properties;  their properties consist principally in their
essential oils.  Pills made of turpentine are good against
raising blood—two, twice a day is  sufficient.   They are
stimulant,  produce copious discharges of urine, and also
good to expel worms.  All the turpentines boiled down to
the consistency of plaster are good to strengthen the weak
parts  and  remove pain.   The  inside bark of the white
pine is good in cases of suppression of urine,  it may be
drank freely.   It is good  as a plaster to cleanse foul ulcers.
It produces a discharge of the menses, good in rheuma-
tism, consumption, and diseases of  the kidneys.  The oil
of tar is recommended by Dr. Beach in pain of the breast
and obstructed menses.   Take ten  drops of the oil of tar
at a time, three or four times  a day to be given  in milk.
                 WILD CHERRY.
                Prunus Virginiana.

  This tree is found growing in many parts of the United
States.  The bark  taken in  small ^doses is considered a 
?s
MEDICAL BOTANY.
tonic, invigorating the whole system.  In nervous debility,
it has a tendency to allay the irritability, and also debili-
tated state of the stomach.   Dr. Eberle states that the cold
infusion in copious  draughts a number of times  a  day,
followed  for  nearly two weeks, reduced  his  pulse from
seventy-five to fifty strokes  per-minute.  Good in  hectic
fever scroffula and consumption.
                     HEMLOCK.

                 Pinus Canadensis.

  A decoction  of the bark is a  powerful astringent, that
is, contracting the fibers of the body ; it is good therefore
to bathe  the  parts  in case of falling of the  bowels, and
womb, and weak  joints.   In these cases there should be
added one third part the best French brandy.  The oil is
said to produce perspiration by bathing the  bottoms of the
feet.  The gum makes  an excellent plaster for a weak back.
                    MANDRAKE.

              Podophyllum  Peltatum.

              May Apple, Indian Apple.
  The mandrake is  found growing throughout the United
States.   It is a sure  and certain cathartic or physic.  Pro-
fessor Bigelow says we have hardly any native plant, which
answers  better the  common purpose of jalap, aloes, and
rhubarb, and which  is more mild and soft in its operation.
Dr. Beach says we  have found this root very valuable in
many inveterate chronic diseases ;  such  as venereal, scro-
fulous, bilious dyspeptic, or chronic affections of the liver,
dropsy, &c.   If given in too large doses, it often produces
vomiting, as  well as purging.   When  given  in  Email 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
70
doses, and  repeated once in two or three hours, it is said
to produce an influence on every part of ihe system, touch-
ing every gland..  It is good to expel  worms.  Dr. Lob-
stein says that he'has never known it to fail in suppression
of wind.  Take Mandrake, Cream of  Tartar, Spearmint
pulverised—equal  parts—one teaspoonful is a dose.   A
small teaspoonful is a dose of the  mandrake*alone.
                 GARDEN POPPY.

                Papaver Somniferum.

  This plant is a native of Asia, and is cultivated both in
Europe  and  America.   It relieves irritation, and  allays
excitement, produces insensibility and sleep.  It relieves
nervous affections, produces tranquility.  It will prevent
vomiting,  quiets  the  stomach,  and  intestines;  useful in
diarrhoea.
  We make but very little use of opium, as it relieves pain
by destroying sensibility ; there is therefore  but very little
gained.   I believe many persons have lost  their lives by
the administration of opium, especially in  acute inflam-
matory cases attended with pain ; opium has been admin-
istered, the  pain  relieved—stupor and  death ensues, and
no one mistrusted that opium killed the patient.  There
are cases no doubt, that  this  article may be used to good
advantage ;  but in many cases it locks up the disease, and
defies all other  medicines to penetrate.
                    PLANTAIN.

                  Plantago Major.
  This herb is celebrated for its virtues in expelling.poi-
sons.   It is said, that a spider and a toad, had a battle.,;, tfic;
toad, sooften as he was biten by the spider, went and eat 
SO                MEDICAL BOTANY.

of the plantain,  and then renewed the  attack ;  a person
deprived him of the plant, and he soon died.
  A negro at the South, obtained his freedom for discover-
ing a nostrum that would cure the bite of snakes.  It is said
that a Gentleman in Virginia was bitten by a spider above
the knee ; a few minutes after,  he perceived a pain shoot-
ing upward  from the spot, which soon reached his heart;
a quantity of plantain was immediately gathered and bruis-
ed,  and a "quantity of the  juice squeezed out, and swal-
lowed which stopped the progress of the posion,  so that a
cure of the  bite was obtained  immediately.  Culpepper
calls it the  best plant in nature.   An ointment made of
plantain by  simmering  it in spirits or fresh  butter, says
Dr. Beach, is good in theeryscipelas, tetters and saltrheum.
The negroe's mode of cure for the bite of snakes, is, take
equal parts of the  expressed  juice of plantain, and hoar-
hound,  take a table spoonful as often as the stomach will
bear it, and  apply the same to the wound.
                       POKE.
               Phytolacca Decandria.
       Skoke, Garget, Coakum, Pigconbcrry-root.

  It is a native of America,  but is found growing spon-
taneously in the South of Europe and A frica.  The young
shoots  are good, boiled for greens.   The  root is emetic,
purgative, or physical, and  produces  sleep.   Its operation
as an emetic, is very slow, not causing the patient to vomit
sometimes  under two hours, and  acts for a  long time on
the  stomach  and bowels;  it is apt to operate as physic.
Dose for an emetic, ten or twenty grains; when used to
purify the  blood and  not to vomit, from one  to five grains
is sufficient.
  In all nervous difficulties, and rheumatism, particularly
inflammatory,  large slices of the  root warmed-i)y;the fire
and  applied to the  bottom of the feet ; for  drafts  are at- 
                  MEDICAL  BOTANY.                81

tended with very beneficial effects.  I have known it to be   <|
very beneficial in hystericks, and inflammatory rheuma-   ^
tism; in the latter case it produced gentle perspiration all   >
over the body.  Thajuice oftheh.nw is highly esteemed   1
for the cure of the  rheumatism  preserved in spirits, they  £
are  also used  as an  ointment for the salt-rheum.   The
root  should be dug late in November  and cut into thin
slices, and dried ; the berries collected when perfectly ripe,
             SENECA SNAKE  ROOT.

                  Polygala Senega.

                   Rattlesnake-root.

   This root was introduced by a Dr. Tenent^of Virginia,
it  was recommended by him as a cure for the bite of the
rattlesnake.  It is good in  asthma, cough, and catarrh.
Half of an even teaspoonful is sufficient for a dose of the
powder.
                   BLACKBERRY.

                   RUBUS VlLLOSUS.

           Raspberry, Dcicbcrry, Cloudberry.

   The dewberry is the kind of blackberry that runs on
the ground.   A syrup of the roots is a celebrated remedy
for bowel complaints, particularly of children.  Diarrhoea,
dysentery,  and  cholera infantum.   The different species
refered to, possess nearly the  same medical properties—
they are all  restringent.  I  have myself proved the good
effects of the blackberry syrup, on my own child.   The
root must be boiled a long  time in order to get  out  the
strength—after the strength is out boil in a little milk and
sweeten it, and let the patient drink at liberty.  Dr. Beach 
82
MEDICAL BOTANY.
says that about  five hundred of the Oneida tribe  of In-
dians were-attacked at one time, with the dysentery, that
all recovered by the use of this root, whilst their neighbors,
the whites many o^itl^^n died with the same disorder.
                 GARDEN PEONY.

                P^eonia  Officinalis.

  Is cultivated in gardens as an ornament.   It was high-
ly esteemed by the ancients for the cure of the epilepsy ;
the  root was used ; quantity  for a dose from twenty to
thirty grains, or half of  an even teaspoonful.
         CANTOR OIL : CASTOR BEAN.

                 Ricinus Communis.

   This plant is a  native of the East Indies and  Africa,
where it attains the character of a tree, growing thirty or
forty feet high.   In this country and England, it is annu-
al.   It is a mild gentle physic, particularly adapted to chil-
drens diseases,  and all cases where there is inflammation
in the bowels, in diarrhoea, dysentery, and piles; but it is
not sufficient to evacuate the bowels of that bilious mucus
substance, which often collects upon the  internal  surface
of the canal.  Common  dose  is  an ounce; children re-
quire more in proportion  than adults, as it^is supposed, that
they digest a greater proportion of the oil.  It is very com-
monly  resorted   to by pregnant women where they are
habitually costive, with  much  propriety.   Some have re-
commended  it  to be  taken in  milk, others in  coffee ;  it
may be  taken in whatever the  patient may find the most
agreeable.
                                                  dpi- 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
83
                 YELLOW DOCK.

                   Rumex  Crispus.

  Narrow Dock grows on high land ; the root is very yel-
low.  There are many species of the dock ; we use  none
except the  common  narrow, or yellow dock,  English
dock, that is cultivated in gardens, and  the asthma dock
or blood dock, which is good in case of asthma ; the veins
of the leaf of this dock are of a blood red color.
  The common narrow or yellow dock is one of the best
of our native plants.   It  is physical and bracing ;  it will
evacuate the  bowels without weakening the system, as
many other medicines do,—three tumblers full per day at
three different times may   be taken with perfect safety.
There is scarcely any disease where it may not be admin-
istered to advantage.  I have used it in  palpitation of the
heart with very visible  advantage.   In all  bilious com-
plaints it has never failed of giving immediate relief.  In
the piles it always relieves.   It will allay internal  heat,
and promote a moisture upon the surface.  I have found
nothing surpass it in cases of hectic fever.  In all diseases
of the skin it may be administered with  advantage.  It is
good in chronic rheumatism, as well as inflammatory. The
reason that the value of this article is so little known per-
haps is because the  patient does not take enough of it, and
does  not  follow  it up long enough.  It will  purify the
blood, promote the secretions and excretions, allay inflam-
mation,  and irritation, and throw out of the system acri-
monious humors.   It  is rather cold when taken alone, it
may be made palatable with  sugar or  molasses, and add as
much cayenne to every tumbler full as you  may conven-
iently take up upon the handle of a teaspoon, or half of a
teaspoon full.   It will prove  gently laxative.  -
  I have used it in  bleeding at the lungs attended with a
coucrh, with beneficial results ;  in this case the  powdered
root should be  used one teaspoonful to a cup full of milk,
scalded  in.   It is rather difficult to get the right kind ; that
which is found in wet land  is white and woody, and is not 
84
MEDICAL BOTANY.
fit to use . there is no kind good but that which is yellow
and fibrous.   The English water dock such  as is culti-
vated in gardens, perhaps, is the best. I have administered
this article in a multitude of cases of the piles, and have
never known it to fail in  giving immediate relief.
                     RHUBARB.

                  Rheum Palmatum.

  Of this herb there are three principal species, the Rus-
sian, the Chinese, and the European ; the Russian is pre-
fered.   The  European requires  two or  three times  the
quantity to produce the same effect  as the other  kinds.
The rhubarb possesses properties almost peculiar to itself.
The Ruaiex Crispus, or yellow dock, has nearly the same
operation ;  but it is vastly inferior in strength.   Rhubarb
possess  a restringent, or property of contracting  the ani-
mal fibers,  whilst it operates  as a thorough cathartic;  it
therefore answers better for  patients of  weakly constitu-
tions, that cannot bear  more drastic physic :  if there  is
weakness and  debility, in the bowels ; it is very servicea-
ble in the piles, diarrhoea, and dysentery ; it first evacu-
ates the  bowels, and then braces the relaxed fibres.   In
cholera, Dr. Beach, recommends adding alkali.
  In  small doses  it will invigorate the stomach.  1 have
given from halfof a teaspoonful to three heaping teaspoon-
fuls at  a dose, very rarely as much as three teaspoonfuls.
The patient should take but a teaspoonful at a time, once
in about fifteen minutes—suck a little lemon or take a lit-
tle vinegar and water, sweetened, or the stomach will  be
liable to reject it.   Rhubarb combined with aromatic herbs
will prevent its griping effects, that is, those roots or herbs
that   possess a sweet spicy scent and agreeable pungent
taste—the vegetable powders may be combined with the
rhubarb in equal parts.
   By roasting the rhubarb, it is said the purgative or physi- 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
85
cal  properties are destroyed, leaving only the restringent.
The American Dispensatory gives as a portion from twenty
to thirty grains, bwt this is quite insufficient to remove dis-
eases of long standing.   Dr. Beach says the root of this
plant is a valuable  and singular cathartic, differing from
all others of the materia  medica.   It  operates  first by
evacuating the intestinal canal, and then gently astringing
or restoring the tone of it.
                     SUMACH.
                  Rhus Typhinum.
  The bark of the root and berries makes an agreeable
cooling  drink;  good against canker;  good to wash the
mouth, and  gargle the throat  in ulceration of the throat
and mouth.  A strong tea made of the  berries or bark of
the root is excellent in cough, either the common or whoop-
ing cough ; add about one third molasses ;  take care that
the molasses be of a good quality.
                  BITTERSWEET.

                Solanum  Dulcamara.

  Found in the United States growing on rich loose rocky
soil.   The  bark of the root simmered in hogs lard makes
an excellent ointment for diseases of the skin,  as well as
for sores.   A strong decoction may be applied to the skin
whilst the  same may be taken  internally  in quantity of
from one to two fluid ounces, four times a day, and gradu-
ally increase till it produce some  pain in the head.
  It has been recommended in chronic  rheumatism, and
the  liver complaint.  Dose of the  powders from half to.
a whole drachm. 
86                medical botany.

                  BLOOD ROOT.

              Sanguinaria Canadensis.

  It is found growing in low land among rocks.  It grows
natural  in this country.  It flowers in  March and April.
It is used externally  in cleansing  ulcers, and  removing
fungus  flesh.   It  is very  excellent to increase the dis-
charge of mucus from the lungs and trachea, or windpipe.
It is therefore good  in coughs and croup.   It is emetic
and narcotic ;  it produces perspiration,  and menstrual dis-
charges;  it is highly recommended  in the  influenza,
hooping  cough  and phthisic.  Dr. Macbride  in a letter
to Dr. Bigelow, speaks highly of this root.  He says he
has administered  the tincture  sixty  drops  in dropsy in
the chest,  three times a day, and increased every day
till nausea followed  each dose.   It is good in bilious dis-
eases, and  malignant scarlet fever.  It is  excellent in
catarrh; it  is the base of  our catarrh snuff.  Professor
Smith of New Hampshire  says he has cured  a  number of
polypus, the soft kind, by using it as a snuff.  Dose for an
emetic from ten to twenty grains.
                    COMFREY.

               Symphitum Officinale.

  Comfrey is a native of Europe, but cultivated in this
country ; it is a mucilage well adapted to allay irritation ;
good in dysentery, diarrhoea, and consumptive complaints
excellent in coughs.
              MUSTARD.   The Seed.

                   Sinapis Alba.

  Musturd is a very  valuable medicine.  It is stimulant.
A great spoonful of the seeds  taken  with  molasses will 
MEDICAL botany.
87
cure the  cholic, and  give  action to the stomach ;  also a
popular remedy in the dyspepsy.
  The bruised seeds  in the dose of a large teaspoonful
acts as an emetic;  it facilitates the action of other emetics;
it has been used in  dropsies.   We find mustard very ser-
viceable in all cases where a blister is necessary.  Take
rye meal,  mix it with vinegar, cover the surface of the
poultice all over with  pulverised mustard,  and  apply it.
There is not the danger from mortification in the mustard
poultice, as there is in the common blister.  This poultice
is very useful for a  pain in  the side ;  when applied to the
feet, good  against spasms.
  A teaspoonful of the powdered mustard, with water will
expel poison from the stomach very promptly.   The pro-
perties of  the black and white mustard are nearly alike.
                       PINK.

               Spigelia  Marilandica.

  Carolina Pink stands high as a cure for worms. A knowl-
edge of its properties as a  vermifuge, was  communicated
to a number of the faculty in  Carolina, by the Cherokee
Indians.   It is used  in this country  perhaps  more than
any other  article to destroy worms.  It may be given in
powder  from half a teaspoonful to two teaspoonfuls  two or
three times a day, after which give a brisk cathartic.
                 SARSAPARILLA.

                Smilax  Sarsaparilla.

  This plant is a native of South America, and was intro-
duced  into Europe by the Spaniards, about the year 1563.
It was formerly very  highly esteemed  as a cure  for the
venereal  disease.  It  is now esteemed insufficient to meet
* 
88
MEDICAL BOTANY.
that  disorder.  It is said  to  be the principal ingredient
in the celebrated Swaims Panacea.  It is alterative in
its properties,  that is, it produces a  change  favorable to
health, without any perceptible evacuations.  It is much
used in syrup for alterative purposes.   I  have made use of
our common Sarsaparilla instead of the Spanish, and find
it answers the purpose well.  We use it in our  alterative
syrup for purifying  the blood, chronic rheumatism, liver
complaints, diseases of the skin.
                       SAGE.
                 Salvia Officinalis.

  Sage makes a very wholesome drink ;  answers the pur-
pose of tea, and I believe  it to contribute much more to
the  health than that article.  One reason why many peo-
ple  do not like sage  as a drink, is, because they make it
too  strong.
  It is good made into  a strong tea for children troubled
with worms, and as a gargle in quinsy and canker.   It is
useful  in colds, coughs, and fevers.   One author has so
high an opinion of  it, that he  says  " why dies the man
whose garden sage affords."
                BALSAM  OF TOLU.

                TOLUIFERA BALSAMUM.

  This tree  grows in Spanish ' America.   The balsam
flows  from  incisions made in the bark of trees, during
the hot season.   It is found in  Peru,  Carthagena, New-
Granada, and Tolu.   This balsam is stimulating and mild,
has a  pleasant flavor, and is much used in coughs.
* 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
89
                      TANSY.

               Tanacetum Vulgare.

                   Double Tansy.

  Few people perhaps are aware of the value of this herb,
particularly in regulating flooding, after childbirth.   From
one to two tumblerfulls, of the strong tea^of double tansy,
and spirits, with  molasses, may be taken in the coarse of
twenty-four hours, for a  number of days after the child is
born.   I know this to be good, having proved it.  It regu-
lates the flooding, whether it be too little or too much ; it
gives vigor and energy  to the system.   Those females,
who are subject to humors, or diseases of the skin of  any
kind, particularly  require, after  delivery, something to
throw it out to the  surface;  the  debilitated state of the
body in these cases give the humors advantage, and they
fix upon some of the internal visera, the  most  weak,  and
frequently produce  almost immediate death.   I believe
the free u:seof this herb would have saved many a woman's
li£e."r  I have never administered it without  seeing decid-
edly good  effects follow.
          AMERICAN  IPECACUANHA.

              Euphorbia Ipecacuanile.

                       Spurge;        . ,

  This plant is a native of America ; found in the middle
and southern States, growing  in woods, bogs  and sandy
land.   It is*very much celebrated for its power to evacuate
water—this it is said  to do when every other agent  fails.
The distinguished botanical  physician, Dr. Bone, of New
Jersey, prescribed this medicine in a great variety of dis-
eases.   Fifteen or twenty grains may be administered a
number of times a week.  It operates as an emetic and
phvsic; is also good  in obstructed  menses.  Dr. Beach, 
l.)0
MEDICAL BOTANY.
says it is possessed of very powerful properties;  it is an
excellent hydragogue; evacuating the water when all other
agents prove abortive or useless.
                 SLIPPERY-ELM.

                   Ulmus Fulva.

  Is a native tree of North America.   The slippery-elm,
is  an  excellent remedy  in  all  inflammatory diseases,
whether external or internal.  It is one of the best reme-
dies that can be prescribed in dysentery and bowel com-
plaints; useful  iu  sore throat, inflammation of the lungs
and coughs.  For  a poultice, it stands first in the vegeta-
ble kingdom ; for ulcers, tumors, swellings, gunshot wounds
and chilblains.   Thetea is said  to  be much used  by the
Indian women, to procure easy labor,  and is drank two or
three months previous to their being confined.  A man in
the revolutionary war, lived ten days on elm bark and*sas-
safras.  The Indians resort to it as  a  nutrement in cases
of extremity.  A very valuable drink  may be made of the
flower of slippery-elm, which is  the  best form to  use it;•
take owe heaping teaspoonful of the flower, sweeten it with
loaf or brown sugar; add  a  little salt, and cinnamon, mix
them  well together; then  add, by degrees, a pint of boil-
ing water,  put in  a little milk and^iutmeg.   The patient
may drink  a gill at a time—this will keep up the tone and
strength of the system where more  solid  food cannot be
taken.  For a cough, instead of using sugar put a gill of
the  best molasses, and the juice of two lemons, or as much
vinegar.                                   * 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
91
                RED RASPBERRY.

                  Rubus Strigosus.

  A native of Great Britain,  but grows spontaneously in
the  United States,  and sometimes cultivated in gardens.
It flowers  in May and June;  fruit ripe in August.   Dr.
Elias Smith recommends the leaves of this plant very high-
ly in dysentery, diarrhoea, and to remove canker from the
mouth, throat, stomach, and bowels;  also a wash of the
strong  infusion of  the leaves, for burns,  sores,  and dis-
eases of the skin.   He says, that children who have sore
mouths ought to wash with it often.
                   BLUE FLAG.^

                  Iris Vehsicolor.

  Found throughout  the United States,  by the side  of
streams and wet places.  It flowers in June—has a very
handsome blue flower, rising about  two feet high.   The
Oneida Indians, make much use of this root for the cure
of rheumatism.  The directions are, make a strong tinc-
ture of the  blue flagroot, by putting it into spirits or alco-
hol.  Let the patient take a teaspoonful three timraa day,
after eating, and increase gradually ;  if it should pr&duce
slight pains in  the  head and breast, tak^  less.   I have
used this root together with  c'okum or garget, for the vene-
real taint, with decided good effect.
  Dr. Beach says that Dr. Woodruff informed  him, that
this root is  valuable in several diseases.  He says, given
in doses of six* or eight grains, night and morning, it proves
gently laxative and eradicates the most inveterate taint of
the system.
  Says Dr. Elisha Smith of the city of New York—"This
root possesses  great medicinal power ; and from  a long ex-
perience of its use, I am convinced that it is equally effica-
cious as mercury, in all the diseases in which, in the com.
               D
$ 
92                MEDICAL  BOTANY.
mon practice, it is supposed that mercury is indicated.  It
serves as an alterative and sialagogue, that is, produces a
flow of  saliva, in small  continued  doses,  as a powerful
drastic purge, stimulant, a vermifuge a diuretic, errhine,
&c.  It is  a complete  substitute  for  that  mineral, for
any of its purposes ; and, being a vegetable,  I consider
it far preferable, because, after  having its operation and
effect, it passes off, snd  leaves the system free ; wheretis,
mercury fastens upon the bones and solids,Tand  remains
like a carroding canker, rendering  vast numbers  feeble
and debilitated for life.  Such is the  difference between
these two articles of medicine ;  and it would  be  a happy
event for mankind, if physicians would,  for once, divest
themselves of their blind  prejudices in favor of the min-
eral, and consent, at least, to make  a trial of this vegeta-
ble substitute.  Their humanity should be a  sufficient in-
ducements for this.  The plea that the vegetable kingdom
contains no equivalent to mercury, is  no longer tenable;
then why should not physicians discard the  use of it at
once, when it is universally  acknowledged  and i'clt, that
in the aggregate it has proved a curse, a destroyer to the
human  race.  The disuse  of it,  it is  true,  would  lesson
the employment of the  medical  profession ;  but the satis-
faction  they  must feel  at the proportionate  decrease of
suffering among their fellow beings, will, no  doubt, richly
compensate them  for their  pecuniary sacrifice."
  For a cathartic the dose is about  half of  an even tea-
spoonful.      g
                      NUTMEG.        •
                 Myristica Moschata.
   This was entirely unknown to the ancients ;  it is used
to cover unpleasant taste in medicines.  In doses of two
or three drachms, it has been known to produce danger-
ous consequences.   It removes wind and pain, and is good

                                                 t 
MEDICAL BOTANlf.
93
in a weak  debilitated  state of the stomach ;  it gives  on
agreeable flavor to medicines, useful  to check diarrhoea.
The properties of nutmeg, are said to be contained in their
volatile oil.   Two or three drops of which is sufficient for
a dose—about half of an even  teaspoonful of the pow-
der is a dose for a medicine.
            VIRGINIA  SPEEDWELL.
               Veronica Virginica.

  Dr. Beach gives a  number  of instances where  cures
have been effected by this article, in  very bad cases of
dropsy and  leprosy.  For  the  dropsy  take  half  a pint
of the strong  decoction of the  speedwell and drink it in
the course of a few hours.         •
                WATER FENNEL.

             PlIELLANDRIUM AQUATICUM.

' Dr. Beach informs us that J. F. Daniel Lobstein, M. D.
in a communication to the members of the Associate Medi-
cal Society of Botanic Physicians and  Surgeons of New-
York, says of this  herb :—I have employed this  remedy
in four cases of  mucous consumption,  in two of humored
asthma;  intone  of chronic  ulcers of the legs;  in three
of phthiic ulceroca, or genuine pulmonary consumption ;
in three of chronic  catarrh,  and in two cases of hsem-
optisis.
  C\SE  I.—The first case of mucous in which I  pre-
scribed  this remedy, occurred in Strasburg,  in  France.
The patient was a  middle  aged  woman ; she  had taken
various remedies for her complaint, before I saw her  and
was  at  the time I  first prescribed for her, exceedingly re-
duced    Her cough, was at  times very violent, attended
              2d 
y-i
MEDICAL BOTANY.
 occasionally with a copious and  tenacious expectoration.
 She was much emaciated, and effected with symptoms of
 dyspepsy ; a slight paroxysm of fever supervened  every
 afternoon,  and the night sweats were sometimes very pro-
 fuse.
   On being  first called to her,  I ordered such  remedies
 as I thought calculated to mitigate the cough, from which
 she derived temporary benefit.   After  having continued
 for a few  weeks, with  the use of  the common demulcents
 and expectorants,  in cases of this  kind, I prescribed the
 Semen Phellandrium,  or  Water Fennel,  in  union with
 Saccharum Lactis, that is,  Sugar,  and, Gum Arabic, in
 the dose of ten grains  of the former, meaning Water Fen-
 nel, the seeds, and twenty grains of the other two articles
 three times a day. After having used it about fourteen days,
 she  was evidently  better.   The  fever had almost entirely
 disappeared,  and the  cough was much less  violent, and
 accompanied  by a much easier and  better expectoration.
   Under the continued use of this medicine, she gradual-
 ly recovered, more  and more strength;  her appetite be-
 came good, and in about six meeks  she was so well as not
 to require any farther attendance.

   Case. II.—This was also a case of mucous consump*-
 tion  in a young woman of Strasburg, she contracted her
 disease from an imprudent exposure to a cold atmosphere,
 immediately after having over heated  herself by dancing.
 She was at first affected by a dry cough, which she neglect-
 ed, until, becoming weak  and troubled with night sweats,
 with increased coughing.   She requested my attendance.
   I at first prescribed  a  mixture composed of Kerme's
 mineral, Gum Arabic and Sugar,  by which the cough and
expectoration  were considerably  improved.   The expec-
toration, however, soon  became exceedingly copious, and
emaciation with great debility ensued.
   I now prescribed Semen Phellandrium, or Water Fen-
nel, the seeds, and had the satisfaction of seeing my pa-
tient gradually  recover under its  use.  I have since pre- 
MEDICAL BOTANY.               95
scribed this remedy in  two other cases, of this variety of
pulmonary disease, and with  the happiest effects.

  Case III.—The first case of phthisis pulmonalis ulce-
rosa, in which I employed this article was in a woman of
Strashurg.  She had been laboring under  disease a num-
ber of years,   and  had  undergone various treatments for
her disease.   She  was  about thirty-two years of age, and
the mother of three children.  I found her very emacia-
ted with frequent and  troublesome cough, attended with
copious purulent expectoration; she had regular exacer-
bations of fever; a small  tense and frequent pulse, and
experienced debilitating, night sweats. Scarcely any hopes
were entertained of her recovery or indeed by myself, be-
ing requested however to prescribe for her,  I put  her
up°on  the use of the Phellandrium  Aquaticum, or  Water
Fennel, and  in the course of about  four months, she was
almost restored to  her original health.   When I leftStras-
burg,  in 1818, four years had  already elapsed,  during
which, she was free from  her disease.  Two similar cases
I treated in Philadelphia.
   Case IV.—This was also a case of phthisis pulmonalis
exhibiting the most unequivocal symptoms of the disease,
expectoration was purulent, the  night  sweats exhausting,
the cough very troublesome,  and debility and  emaciation
were progressing ; she gradually and completely recovered
under the employment of  the  Semen Phellandrium, or
Water Fennel.  1 treated another consumptive patient, a
weaver, whose disease yielded effectually to the powers of
this remedy.
    Case V.—This was a case of  humored asthma, in a
 widow about sixty-five years old.   She had suffered much
 from the frequent attacks of the disease, and had consult-
 ed many eminent physicians.  After  prescribing various
 remedies without  any  particular advantage,  I determined
 to give her  the Semen Phellandrium, she soon found her-
 self relieved by this remedy ; and was finally entirely freed
 from her complaint by its use.
                   3d 
H3
MEDICAL BOTANY.
  Case VI.—This case of asthma.occurred in a young wo-
man at Reading, Pennsylvania.   She had already suffered
much from the disease, and undergone various treatments
for its removal without any advantage.   In  this case the
Semen Phellandrium was  signally serviceable.'  She was
speedily and effectually cured by it.
                  BITTER  ROOT.

            Apocynum Androseamifolium.

Bitter Root, Dogsbane, Fly-trap, Honey Bloom, Ameri-
            can Ipecacuanha, Indian Hemp.

   This root is  emetic  and cathartic ;  it is expectorant, or
increases the discharge of mucus from the lungs, and in-
creases urinary discharge.  It is good to regulate the bow-
els when in commotion attended with  fever.  It is said to
answer all the purposes of an emetic that the ipecacuanha
does ;  but it requires  about one third more.  It is an ex-
cellent tonic ; we use it frequently in bitters.  Dr. Parish,
of Philadelphia, and Dr. Knap both found it useful in the
dropsy, the former gentleman  cured an aggravated case of
the dropsy  by  the  decoction of this root;  it acted  as a
cathartic, powerfully evacuating the water.
   About the bowl of a teaspoonful will vomit and purge;
for a tonic a quarter of a bowl of a teaspoonful is enough.
R-oots and herbs loose  their virtues very much by a<re, so
one should ascertain nearly the strength of his medTcine,
or he will be deceived in its operation.   We frequently use
the Bitter Root in the vegetable powders.   It is  much
used by the Indians in  the cure of the  venereal. 
MEDICAL BOTANY.               97
                 PRICKLY ASH.

             Zanthoxylum Fraxineum.

           Toothache Bark, Toothache-tree.

  The bark and berries of the Prickly Ash are stimulant,
tonic  and energetic.   It has  been highly esteemed as a
remedy  for the  chronic rheumatism.  It is a celebrated
remedy for the toothache. It is a very common ingredient
in bitters,  it possesses somewhat the properties of guaia-
cum.   By a  long continuance in  taking this bark,  it has
been said to  produce salivation.  The dose to be  taken
is from ten grains to half of  a drachm to be repeated three
or four times a day.
                 .PENNYROYAL.

               IIedeoma Pulegioides.

        Thick-weed, Stinking-balm, Squaw-mint.

  Found all over the United States and in Canada.   It is
gently  stimulant, produces universal  perspiration,  when
taken in large quantities warm.   We consider it the best
drink to accompany the Lobelia emetic.  In cases of sud-
den suppression of the menses a tumbler full of this drink
with an even teaspoonful of  black pepper pounded fine,
sweetened, and drank warm after soaking the feet in weak
lie,  will rarely fail of producing the desired effect.   It is
useful to qualify other medicines, for sickness to  the stom-
ach, colds, &c.   It may be drank at liberty.
                      ELDER.
                  Sambucus Niger.
  The roots, bark of the stalk, flowers and berries possess
medical properties.   The flowers  are good to cure the
% 
98
MEDICAL botany.
scurvy, taken in strong tea; they are good also in Dowel
complaints  of children.   H is gently laxative and has a
tendency to purify the blood.
  I have found great service from  a  syrup made of the
berries  in weakness of the bowels.   The bark  is  often
used in making an ointment for diseases of the skin, and
in syrup for the dropsy.   I have used the roots in altera-
tive svrup when I could not obtain the flowers.  The pa-
tient may take at liberty with snfety  as much as he shall
choose.   The  young leaves  and buds are said to be a
thorough and useful physic.
                       ROSE.

                    Rosagallh;a.

  The  flower is  tonic and  astringent.   Dr. Beach pre-
scribes the rose water in connexion with the pith of young
sassafras twigs in ophthalmy  or inflammation of the eyes.
                    HENBANE.

                 Hyoscyamus Niger.

  Henbane is annual, a native of Europe, but grows com-
mon in this  country ;  found by the  sides of roads and
among rubbish.
  It somewhat "resembles opium in its  operation.   The
root possesses the same  properties as the leaves, and in a
higher degree.  Henbane is an active poison 'and often
proves fatal when taken in  large doses; as an  antidote,
take  a  heaping  teaspoonful of  powdered mustard in
water to evacuate the stomach, afterwards take water and
vinegar, followed up with sweet oil.  Black Henbane is
used in various spasmodic diseases; dose of the juice of
the  leaves from one  to two grains.   It differs from opium
a 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
99
in as much as it does not produce costiveness.  In open
ulcers the powdered  leaves have  been recommended; it
is one ingredient in the  celebrated Lamott's pills for the
cough.
                     MANNA.

                  Fraxinus Ornus.

                   Flowering Ash.

  The flowering ash is a native of tjje South of Europe,
particularly of Sicily and Calabria.  When first gathered
it seems not to possess the physical properties that it does
when it has age, as the natives of the country where it is
gathered use it instead of sugar.   We are informed in the
American Dispensatory  that Manna is a gentle laxative,
usually operating pleasantly, but in some cases, producing
flatulence and pain.
  Though  peculiarly adapted to children  and pregnant
women,It may be  given with advantage in ordinary cases
of piles from constipation or costiveness unattended>ith
dyspeptic symptoms.  It  is usually, however, prescribed
with other  purgatives, particularly senna, rhubarb, mag-
nesia  and the neutral salts, the taste  of which it conceals
while it adds to the purgative  effect.  The dose  for an
adult is from one to two ounces ;  for children from one to
four drachms.  It is  usually given desolved in water or
some aromatic  infusion ;  but the  best flake manna may
be conveniently administered in substance.
                    POLYPOD.

               POLYPODIUM VULGARE.

  A fern belonging  both to the old and new continents,
found growing in old walls and trunks of trees.  The roots
«♦ 
100              MEDICAL  BOTANY.
are used.  They  are about the thickness of a gooseqtiill.
It is  cathartic or physical;  good to expel worms.  It
is said  to have  been used with  other  articles success-
fully in  expelling the taenia, or tape worm.   It is stated
also that a lady  in South Carolina, was  cured of a con-
sumption with this herb in connexion with the Liverwort,
     MULLEN.
Verbascum Thapsus.
  The leaves of this plant are good in dysentery and piles,
good to discuss tumors.  A poultice is sometimes used of
the leaves and pith in white swelling, useful in cough when
made into a tea,  and a very good ointment may be made
of the flowers simmered in hogs lard  for sore nipples.   It
is good in cases of female obstructions, bleeding at  the
lungs and stomach.  It is somewhat cathartic.
                     SCULLCAP.

              Scutellaria Lateriflora.
       Mad-Weed, Hood-Wort, Blue Pimpornell
   The following account is from Dr. Beach :
   Tonic, nervine and anti-spasmodic. It is remarkably effi-
cacious in chorea,  or, St. Vitus' dance;  with the infusion
1 have cured a great number of cases of this disease.  It
has oUate become quite  famous as a cure for the bite of
mad dogs.   Its property as a medicine in this case, was
first discovered by  Dr. Vanderesveer, towards  1772   He
used ,t with the  utmost  success, and is  said to have, till
18Io,  at which  period he died,  preserved four hundred
St? 7  °ne  ^ousand cattle from becoming affected
with the disease, after they were  bitten by rabid animals
m 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
101
It is likewise  stated that his son  prevented, relieved, or
cured forty persons in three years, in the States of  New-
York  and New-Jersey, by the use of this article.   It is
also very useful in convulsions, tetanous  and tremours.
                   BETH ROOT.

                Ttillium Latifolium.

 Rattlesnake Root, Wake  Robin, Cough Root,  Indian
                 Balm, Ground Lily.

   This root has the power  of contracting the fibers or, is
bracing, ; good  against diseases of the lungs and chest,
and spasms.   The root is employed in cases of  bleeding
from  the kidneys or bladder, in bloody  urine,  in exces-
sive menstrual  evacuation,  in spitting*blood, hectic fever
and cough.  The root  is esteemed highly by some practi-
tioners  for a poultice.   Dr. Beach says  he has  used  the
powdered root in doses of a teaspoonful in flour albus, or
whites of females with  much success.   Refinesque  says
that the poultice is a certain cure  for inflamed carbuncles
and ulcers.  Dose a tea spoonful at a time, may be taken
at liberty.
                   WORMWOOD.

               Artemisia Absinthium.

  Wormwood is a  native of Europe, but raised in our
gardens.   Flowers in July and Auguut.          **•
  Wormwood is a very valuable herb,—a tea of this herb
will often "correct the stomach and give an appetite ; it is
excellent to break up a cold—make a stirong tea put in a
glass of Holland gin, and fill the tumbler with hot water,
sweeten  it with sugar, put  sugar in the warming pan,
warm  the  bed at night, and after getting into  bed, take 
103
MEDICAL BOTANY.
down the above prescription ;  it will be sure to break up
a cold.   I have taken it myself and know its efficacy by
experience ; the gin may  be omitted if not at hand.
  The herb pounded with spirits is good to put on bruises;
also  united with double tansy and  bops pounded together
and wet with spirits or vinegar, is excellent to apply to any
external inflammation, or a pain  in the side; if you have
not the  three articles above named  use what you have.
Bitters made of this herb is very good for jaundice.
                  INDIAN HEMP.

                ASCLEPIAS INCARNATA.

                Or,  Water Nerve Root.

   This is a species of the silk weed.   I  believe it to be
one of the best  remedies  for the palpitation of the heart;
I have found it  of great service in this complaint.   It is
a  powerful  nervine,  very  good  in old  standing nervous
complaints of women.   1 cured a Mrs. Perkins of Dighton,
Mass., with giving  her an even teaspoonful of the pow-
dered root, in molasses, three or four  times a day for a  few
weeks with other medicines.  In this difficulty we consider
it almost an infallible remedy.
   It will answer the  purposes of opium without its consti-
pating effects or  tendency  to costiveness and inaction.   It
will produce sleep.
                  INDIAN POKE.
                  Veratrum Viride.

  Poke Root, Sivamp Hellebore, American Hellebore.
  Found in the United States, says the American Dispen-
satory ;  it may be used in the same quantities  and for the 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
ioa
same purposes that the European Hellebore is used. The
root is sometimes taken in snuff for the catarrh, combined
with aromatics.
               BLESSED THISTLE.

              Centanre^e Benedicts.

  Is a native of the South of Europe, and is cultivated in
gardens  in different parts of the world;  it  is  naturalized
in this country.  A tea taken cold is good  in a weak de-
bilitated state of the stomach.   A stronger  infusion of it
taken in bed  produces copious  perspiration, whilst still
stronger, and taken in  large quantities produces vomiting
and assists the operation of emetics.  Its medical proper-
ties are somewhat like that of  camomile.
                     BORAGE.

                Borago Officinalis.

  Makes a cooling drink in cases of internal inflammation,
produces gentle moisture without heating the body.  It is
said to be much used in France ;  it is sometimes used in
rheumatism and diseases of the skin.
                    CLEAVERS.

                 Gallium  Aparine.

                     Goosegrass.
r
  The  following is from Dr. Smith's Botanic Physician :
 " Cleavers is one of the most valuable diuretics that our
 country produces.  I have found it an excellent and speedy
 medicine in all  suppressions of the  urine  and gravelly
 complaints, and is a powerful discutient. 
104
MEDICAL BOTANY.
  " It has also been found  beneficial in the cure of the
scurvy and spitting of blood.  The expressed juice of this
plant, mixed with oatmeal to the consistence of a poultice
and applied  cold over an indolent tumor, three times a day,
keeping the bowels open in the meantime by castor oil, and
taking a table spoonful of the juice  every morning, will
often  disperse it in a few days."   A tumor is a swelling
without inflammation.
  Infusions of this herb  should always be made in cold
water—heat destroying its virtues.  Three or four ounces
of. the dried herb to a  quart of water, is  sufficient; this
should be drank  for a common daily drink.
  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  discharged without difficulty.—
When urinary obstructions proceed  from  a collection of
cold, slimy,  or muddy substance in the kidneys or bladder,
this effectually clears it out  in all cases.
  " In inflammatory affections of the kidneys or bladder,
the cleavers infusion is peculiarly applicable, from its cool-
ing as well as its diuretic quality.   It  gives great relief in
the scalding of the clap."
  The cold  nature of cleavers, however, renders its em-
ployment in dropsies, and other diseases of cold and de?
bility, improper."
                  MASTER WORT.
                Heracleum Lanatum.

                     Cow Parsnip.

   Is  found from Canada to Pennsylvania, and  flowers in
June.   It grows from three to  five feet high, and is often
an inch in diameter;  it resembles parsley in appearance.
It is said by Dr. Bigelow to be poisonous.   Dr. Thatcher
says that Dr.  Orm of Salem,  Mass.  used  it successfully in 
MEDICAL BOTANY.
105
cases of epilepsy, attended with flatulence and gastric dis-
order.   He directed  two or three drachms of the pulver-
ised root to be taken daily, for a long time, and a strong
infusion of the leaves to be drank at bed time.  The root
is stimulant and carminitive, or removes pain  and wind.
                    FUMITORY.

                Fc.MARIA OFFICINALIA.

  An annual European plant, and grows in cultivated land
in this country ; it  flowers from  May to  August.  It is
said to be useful to cure diseases of the skin.  Cullen used
two ounces twice a day of the expressed juice ; it is said
to possess an alterative property ; useful in diseases of the
liver.
                      LOBELIA.

                   Lobelia Infata.

 Indian-tobacco. Emetic-weed, Wild-tobacco, Puke-weed
                    Asthma-weed.

   This plant  blossoms from June  to November, it has
about the same medical properties let it be gathered what
time it may.   I think,  however,  August the  most suitable
time to collect it.   It should be carefully  dried,pulverised
and put up close from the  air.
   It is found in all parts of the United States ; it is most
abundant  along the sides of roads, in rye fields after being
rept, and sometimes in mowing fields.  It grows from one
to  two feet high contains numerous pods, with 3 blue flow-
er.  It has long been known, and used by the aborigines
of our country, as an  emetic;  but. its merits were never
thoroughly tested  till it was unfolded by Doct. Samuel
Thompson.   I esteem it  the most valuable of our  native
plants.                           ,v 
106
MEDICAL BOTANY.
   This herb properly administered will break up diseases
 of long standing  that have  resisted the power of every
 other  remedy  prescribed.   By  its action upon the great
 sympathetic nerve it allays irritation and inflammation, and
 is peculiarly adapted for  the cure of cholera, hydrophobia,
 or bite of the mad dog, lockjaw, asthma, fits, and all spas-
 modic diseases.
   In the hooping cough, tightness of the chest, difficulty
 of breathing, and all bilious affections, it is almost a sov-
 ereign remedy;  and,  indeed, there are but few diseases
 where it may not in some form be profitably employed.
   I  have  administered the Lobelia to a multitude of pa-
 tients in different diseases and  to different ages from the
"infant at the   breast,  to eighty years of age with decid-
 edly good effect.
   Says Dr. Beach, President  of the  Reformed Medical
 College, of New-York :  " The charge brought against it
 (meanning Lobelia) by some physicians, is  totally false. I
 have used  it for  many years  in various diseases  both of
 men, woman and children, and in which I have never seen
 a single unpleasant symptom arise from its administration."
 Says Dr, llobinson, who is a conrert from the old school,
 Lobelia Will penetrate the system, equalize excitement, re-
 move obstructions, cleanse the stomach and  bowels, purify
 the blood[  and remove diseases from the lungs and liver,.
 in a mannqr  far  superior to whatever was  accomplished
 by inercmjy ; while it possesses  this advantage that mer-
 cury never had ;  it acts in  harmony with all the principles
 of life ; leaving no taint, no'disease, no wrecked and de-
 cayed  bones  and deformed constitutions behind.
 <?  Mode of Administering.—A  common  portion is about
 three teaspoonfuls, given at three  different  times ; some-
 times one.fhird of this quantity is sufficient, at other times
 two thirds, and again the whole three teaspoonfuls : it de-
 pends  upon the constitution of the patient, and the nature
 of the  disease.   I have in some cases given  four, five, and
 in one case six teaspoonfuls.  I give oftener than any other
 portion/three teaspoonfuls  at three different timeattiu from 
MEDieAL BOTANY.               107
twenty to thirty minutes between each portion of the Lobe-
lia.   There should be  added about  half of an even bowl
of a teaspoon of cayenne, and a  little more than this quan-
tity of skonk-cabbage ;  these three articles, viz. the Lobe-
lia, cayenne, and skonk-cabbage together, with a teaspoon-
ful of sugar should be put into a  tea cup two thirds full of
pennyroyal tea made strong, all rriixed together and tirrfnk
dre^s and all.  Take care and not put the Lobelia into the
tea whilst it is scalding  hot, as it will produce distress.—
No more drink need  be given to the  patient till he vomits,
then let him drink as much  pennyroyal tea  as  he will—
the tea may be sweetened a little.
  In case you intend to give three portions,  and you have
(riven two portions, and the patient does not vomit, I  gen-
erally wait an  hour  after giving  tb^e second.  If the pa-
tient does not vomit then, give the third.  I generally give
from one to two quarts of pennyroyal tea during the vomit-
intr.   It makes the emetic operate  easier, and renders  it
more efficacious.  A little before the patient has done vomit-
ing commence giving water gruel.   This is very impor-
tant.   I have  required patients  to drink a quart in a short
time, thajj had not takflfc so much nourishment for a num-
ber of days before.  The gruel  should be- boiled half of
an hour and skimmed.
  Before giving the emetic, I give a heaping teaspoonful
of vegetable powders, in a tea cup of hot water, sweetened.
There should not be  any rhubarb in these  powders, and
should be  taken  half or three quarters of  an hour before
taking the emetic.  Where it is convenient, it is best to
prepare the  patient two  or three   days, by  giving  the
pills  and  the vegetable powders every  night before giv-
ing the emetic.  We sometimes give the tincture, this is
belt made from the seeds.   The seeds must be pounded
very fine in an iron  mortar ;*j*dd two ounces to a pint of
alcohol and a  gill of water.  Take a great spoonful to a
dose—a teaspoonful for a child  from one to two years old,
once in ten minutes; till the child vomit.'
   The adult  may  take a -great spoonful once in fifteen 
108
MEDICAL BOTANY.
 minutes, three or four portions, taking warm tori as often
 as he vomits, and water gruel afterwards.  It is very impor-
 tant to get  the body warm  before giving the  emetic.   \
 hot stone quenched in vinegar should always be put to the
 patient's feet in bed ;  if he complain of chills, put on more
 cloths, and  give a teaspoonful of the elixir in  warm water.
 If the patient should call for  cold water  let  him have it,
 but not in large quantities  at once.   1 have never found
 any ill effects from it.  A person should never take a course
 of jhe  emetic at night, after being exposed all day to the
 cold,  the body should be warmed by degrees.


 »                   »' -------

   Wood  Sorrel possesses nearly  the same properties of
 the common sorrel.   It is  cooling ;  useful  simmered in
 milk for a drink in febrile and inflammatory affections.

   Vinegar is cooling and produces urinary discharge; it
 is useful to  burn in the sick room to destroy putrid effluvia,
 or cover an  unpleasant smell.   It is sometimes given as
 a clyster.
   Aconite was well known to  the ancients as an active
 poison.  It  is  rarely used in practice ;—it has been  em-
 ployed  in rheumatism, gout,  scrofula, cancers, and some
 cutaneous diseases.  From one  to fifteen drops of the de-
 coction is  a  dose.  It is said to have been employed with
 success by some German practitioners.

   Star Grass possesses tonic properties and is useful in
 bitters—ten  grains are sufficient of the powder for a dose.

   Peach leaves and twigs are useful  in  a bad cough,
steeped down to a strong tea with about half of the quan-
tity of skonk-cabbage, add«the same quantity  of good mo-
lasses as there is of the tea, take half of a wineglass three
or four times a  day.   I have  cured  an obstinate cough
with this  medicine.   Peach stones, -the meats,  are very
useful in bitters to assist the digestive organs, and prevents 
MEDICAL BOTANV.
109
inflammation of the kidneys and bladder; the leaves and
twigs  have the  same  properties as the  meats,  and will
answer when the meats cannot be obtained.

  Yarrow, it is said, purifies the blood, opens the pores,
removes obstructions, stops spitting of blood, and cures
the bleeding piles; good in dysentery.  It may be taken
in the form of tea.
  Winter Green.   The  oil  is good  in  toothache;  it is
much used in  syrup  by the  country people to purify the
blood.  The Indians,  it is  said,  make great use of it as a
stimulant restorative cordial.  The oil is used  to disguise
nany popular panaceas.
  Iceland Moss possesses nearly the same properties of
Gum Arabic ; it is  bracing and nourishing, very good  in
coughs.                          *
  Cowage.  It has  been used in expelling the round
worm ; its  operation is said to be  merely mechanical by
irritating and aiding its expulsion  by wounding it without
injuring the  intestines.   It is  prepared  by  dipping th#
pods in syrup or molasses,  and then with a knife  scraping
off the hairs along with the molasses until it forms a  mix-
ture of the consistency of  honey,  which is given in doses
of a teaspoonful to a table spoonful, in the morning,  then
followed  by a brisk cathartic.  It  is  first advised, before
administering this medicine to give a  brisk cathartic.
  Golden Rod is gently  laxative; the flowers have  been
used in removing obstructions in the urinary organs.

  Centaury makes an excellent bitter.   It is esteemed
by Dr. Beach to be the most efficacious of any herb that
is indigenous to the United States; two  ounces of the
centaury  and one of the orange peel, says the  same au-
thor, infused  in two quarts of brandy for two weeks.  One
table spoonful  taken before breakfast  and  dinner,  will
create an appetite ; and children, who have worms, taking
two  teaspoonfuls or more, every morning, will effectually
destroy them.
                 E 
110
medical botany.
   Ice Plant.  The root of this plant i3 esteemed aimosi
an infalible remedy for fits in children.  The  juice dilu-
ted in water  is said to be very efficacious  in  sore  eye?.
For fits,  half of a teaspoonful of the powder is  recom-
mended  in tea.

   Whortleberry, vulgarly called  huckleberry, is good
in suppression of  urine, and is said to afford  immediate
relief in  gravel.   To be taken at liberty.

   Nettle.   The young shoots are good in the spring for
greens ; and  especially good  in scurvy ; good in suppress
sion of urine; consumption.

   Mother-wort is against  spasms ;  produces menstrua-
tion, and is  nervine;  very  good to  settle  the head and
nerves of women.

   Button Bust, is a shrub growing in wet places, it bears
a round flower  and burr.  It is very  excellent to produce
urinary discharges.

   Canker root.   This herb  grows in  low lands, about
a foot high ;  the root only is used ; it is very mucilaginous.
Cold water should only be used to extract the mucilage;
it  is said  to be almost a sovereign remedy for the canker;
it  may be taken at liberty.

   Chocolate Root ; or, Avens Root, is found in wet
places growing about a foot  and a  half high , it makes a
very wholesome drink ; is used by  the country people in-
stead  of chocolate which  it very much resembles iu taste.
It  makes a good strengthening drink for the sick, where
something supporting is needed; good to make blood.

  Indian Wickerby.   The root is mucilaginous and
makes one of the  best poultices  in the world  for an old
sore or inflammation.

   Smart-weed.  This herb is one of the most powerful
sudonfics, or  sweating ; is an excellent remedy to break 
MEDICAL BOTANY.              Ill
up a eold, or when  threatened with  a fever ;  it may  be
drank in tea at liberty.                        2|h

  Pig-weed.  The nature of this herb is perhaps known
to but few.   It is especially valuable  in fevers to produce
perspiration ; its particular property is  to produce perspira-
tion without increasing the heat of the body.

  Mountain Cranberry,  produces  urinary evacuation,
and useful in a tea for bleeding at the lungs.
  Garget ;  or, Scoke Leaves.  Dr. Bilson, of Taunton,
has just informed me that he cured a bad case of poison
by dogwood, by  taking the garget leaves, smooth them out
with a hot flat, put on fresh  cream, and apply it to the in-
flamed part; itproduced copious perspiration and effected
a cure immediately.

  Angelica.  Alropurpurea  is found in  all parts of the
United States.  Its medical properties are the same as the
garden Archangelica of  Europe.
  Hard-hack—Spiraea  Tomentosa—is tonic and astrin-
gent ;  good in a weak state of the stomach; is  less apt to
be rejected  by that organ than most tonics; used in diar-
rhoea and dysentery.
  Lovage—Ligusticum Levisticum—grows wild in the
South of  Europe,  and is cultivated   in our gardens.   It
possesses much  the  same properties as  Angelica. A tea
is used to expel urine and pain,  especially in children; it
promotes menstrual discharge and sweat.
  Vervain—Verbena  Hastata.  A  syrup made   very
strong of the roots of this plant, is said to be good in in-
termittants and  scrofula ; good in gravel; coughs; expels
worms, &lc.
  Uva Ursi—inhabits  the  Northern  parts of  Europe,
Asia,  and America.  It is a hardy shrub ; found  also in the
lofty mountains of Southern Europe, such as  the Pyren-
nees and the Alps, and in America from Hudson's bay to
              2e 
1
112               medical botany.

as far  South as New-Jersey.   It bears a smooth 'glossy
red berry.   It  is tonic and  astringent;  good  in diseases
of the kidneys  and the bladder, gleet, &c.
   Sweet Marjoram—Origanum marjorana—cultivated
in our gardens ; is tonic ; most used in cookery.
   Summer Savory—Satureja  hortcnsis—is  an annual
plant growing without cultivation in the South of Europe;
is cultivated in our  gardens ; principally used to  season
food ;  it is stimulant, and has a tendency to remove pain
and wind.
   Stone  root—Collinsonia canadensis—is considered
tonic, astringent, and good to evacuate water; used in its
 fresh state for the gravel and all diseases of the urinary
 organs.
   Spice-bush ; or, Feverrusii—Laurus Benzoin—found
 in this country growing in wet land from  four to ten feet
 high.   All  parts of the shrub  have a  spicy,  agreeable
 flavor, particularly  the  bark  and  berries.   The berries
 dried  and bruised, were said  to be used in the  time of
 the revolutionary war, instead of allspice.
   Scurvy-grass—Cochlearia Officinalis—is a native of
 the Southern  parts of Europe.   It is said to be  good in
 chronic rheumatism ; celebrated  as  a remedy for the sea
 scurvy; it may be eaten in the form of  sallad ;  it may be
 applied to the gums in scorbutic affections of the gums.
   Valerian—Valeriana—is very useful in nervous com-
 plaints of long standing; make a tea, and sweeten it,  and
 take a swallow or two occasionally.
    Mugwort—Artemisia Santonica—the seeds of  this
 plant has been celebrated for its  efficacy  in expelling
 worms; the dose is  from  ten to thirty grains given every
 night and morning, for  a number of days and then follow-
 ed by a brisk physic 
MEDICAL  BOTANY.
US
                  AVENS  ROOT.
                 Geum-Virginian um.

                   Chocolate Root.                '*■
  This root rises about two feet high; found in wet plac-
es.   It should be dug in April, or late in the fall, cut into
slices and dried quick and battled up tight.   Dr. E/Smith,
late of the  city of New-York, says it is a noble medicine
in all cases of beginning consumptions and .debility ; it is
preferable  to the Peruvian bark  in the cure_of intermit-
tents, dysentery, chronic diarrhoea, wind, cholic, affections
of the stomach, asthr®'t"rc symptoms, and cases of debility;
whites, flooding, sore-throat.   The continued use of it has
restored to  health the most shattered  and enfeebfed con-
stitutions, and  is probably as effectual as any  one single
article in arresting a consumption.
  In a fever, after proper evacuations, it may be given till
the  fever is broken.up.  The  doses  are daily, a pint of
weak decoction, or about sixty grains of the powder, di-
vided into three doses and mixed with honey.   This root
has formed a principal ingredient in  the popular Indian
chocolate,  for consumption.
                THOROUGH WORT.

              EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM.

                       Bonesct.

 fcThc following is from the same author as above.   This
plant is a valuable  sudorific, tonic, alterative, anticeptic,
cathartic, emetic,  febrifuge, corroborant, diuretic,  astrm-
"luV deobstruent and stimulant.
&" It' was one of the most powerfuljremedies of the native
tribes,  for fevers and colds, ect.
  It has been introduced extensively into practice through-
out the United Stales, and appears to be superior to camo-
                    3e 
114               MEDICAL  BOTANY.
mile, as a sudorific tonic, and far preferable  to bark, in
the treatment of the local autumnal fevers of the country,
near the  streams,  lakes  and marshes, often curing when
other  tonics failed.  A warm  decoction of  boneset taken
warm, till it vomits freely, is sufficient to break up almost
any fever in its commencement.  It cleanses the stomach,
excites all the secretions, relaxes constriction, produces a
free perspiration,  and  of course throws  off the disease.
For colds it is a complete remedy ;  always observing to
take a draught of the cold tea, after the  sweat  is over,
which will prevent an additional cold, or exposure.
   The cold preparations are  powerful'tonics, and do not
produce vomiting., as an  over dose of the warm decoction.
It acts "powerfully on the skin and removes obstinate cu-
taneous diseases.   It has cused the following disorders in
many  instances, viz :  intermittent and remittent fevers,
-spotted fever,  malignant pleurisy; diseases  of general de-
 bility, dropsies, and debility arising  from intemperance;
 iccute and chronic rheumatism-, catarrh, billious and ty-
 »hus   fever, particularly low  typhus, incident to  marshy
places, and attended with a hot dry skin  ;  influenza, late
fevers, and yellow fever itself;  ringworms,  scalt-head,
gout and  syphilitic pains, dyspepsy, and complaints of t|ie
stomach, and  the  bites of snakes.                      '
   Boneset may "be so managed as to act as a tonic, a su-
dorific, a  laxative, or an  emetic,  as required.
   No other tonic of equal activity can be exhibited in fe-
 ers,  with less danger of increasing excitement, or pro
 lucing congestion ; the objection  to its general use  is its
nauseous  and  disagreeable taste.  But  this difficulty's
surmounted by preparing  it in  a syrup, or obtaining we
extract, which preserves all its properties, and are  less dis-
agreeable to the palate.  In substance, or cold decoction,
and combined  with aromatics,  it becomes'very cff&fejt,
in intermittents and  dyspeptic  disorders;  it strengthens
the viscera  and  restores the ton? of the  system.   The
doses of  the powders are from ten, to.twenty grains ; the
decoction and infusion, from one to three ounces. 
MEDICAL  BOTANY.               115
  No unpleasant effects follow  the cold preparations.  It
is  particularly useful in indigestion of-old people ; and
may be used as an auxiliary to other  tonics and  emetics
in  all cases.                    y     .      ,;
                  POPLAR BARK.

  The properties of the poplar bark are tonic or bracing ;
good in  bitters, and  purifying to the blood ;  the bark of
the  root is the strongest.
               ASTHMATIC, PILLS.

  The following formuh.Lre.ccived from Professor Briggs,
formerly of Waterville Ctllege :
  Take 4 oz.  of the brown e.neiic, that  is,  the see<?S"«B£
the  Lobelia finely pulverised, 1 oz.of the African cayenne,
2 oz. bitter root, 2 oz. of nerve powder, or velerian,  the
Indian hemp may be substituted instead of velerian, 4 oz.
of skonk cabbage, 2 oz. of bayberry bark, 2 oz.of hoar-
hound ; t;ike one or two pills every night.   These pills are
very excellent for the asthma and phthisic, also for  a bad
cough.  The vegetable powders should be taken  as often
as the pills.   Tti'ey.should be well mixedWith honey'or
molasses.
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PART   THIRD.
     ART  OF  HEADING.

KNOWLEDGE AND CURE  OF DISEASES.
                        PILES.

   This disease is occasioned by a painful swelling of the
 intestinal vessels.  When these  vessels only swell, and
 discharge no blood, they are called blind piles;  but when
 they discharge blood, they are called bleeding piles.  The
 piles are  produced by various causes :  I think  most fre-
 quently by much  sitting; whether it  be sitting at work,
 study, or riding.   In all these cases, a costive habit is
 produced,  which  crowd the  vessels, producing  irritation,
 inflammation,  and sometimes rupture,  which  produces
 bleeding.   Drastic purges ought to be  avoided.   Some
 constitutions are more inclined to this disease than  others;
 it makes its appearance usually by an uncommon  itching of
 the anus.   As soon as a person finds this to be the  case, if
 his habits be sedintary, or sitting, he should change if pos-
 sible his business ; be very regular in going to stool, by ob-
 serving the same  hour  every day ;  keep the bowels open
 with gentle purgatives ;  anoint the part with sweet  oil and
 whiting, the flour of hemlock  bark is better than the whi-
 tino1  if it can be had.   In a more advanced state, use fre-
quent injections, made of mullen and  mallows, or what is
Called cheeses,  or slippery-elm.
  This disease may be easily  cured in the first stages, but
when it is of long standing,  it is very difficult to effect it.
I have used the narrow  dock, or yellow dock root, some-
times called  upland dock, with the  greatest success.  I 
118               ART OF HEALING.

have never failed of curing or relieving, by administering
it.  In this disease it  is rather cold  alone ;  it should be
combined with something stimulating and warming :  cay-
enne answers  this  purpose  very well.   From  one to three
tumblers full of the strong decoction of the dock, with as
much cayenne as may be taken  up on the  handle of a
teaspoon to each  tumbler full, will  be sufficient.   This
may be  taken  without fear, by persons of the most delicate
constitutions;  it does not weaken like most other physic;
while it operates gently it gives strength and tone to the
animal fibers.   In the advanced state of piles, it is apt to
be attended with canker;  the dock is peculiarly servicea-
ble to purify the blood, arid root out the canker.  If the
first portion of the dock should produce vomiting, which
it often does, take  a second dose, and so on, till  you keep
a portion down.   When the piles are produced by a mor-
bid state of the liver, it is then symptomatic of a diseased
liver.   When  this is the  case, I  have  found nothing
equal to the  Lobelia  Emetic.  These emetics, if repeat-
ed will  produce a healthy action of the  liver.  If small
tumors should  appear on the  end of the anus, anoint the
part a number of times a day, with  an ointment made of
hogs-lard three parts, pulverised nut galls one part, and
camphor one part, simmer them together.
   I have never failed of healing up these tumors with this
ointment.  It  should be introduced  as  far up the  rectum
as possible with the finger,  as well as to anoint the out side.
If bleeding be present, add to the  above salve one part of
Venice turpentine.
   When prolapsusani, or falling of the bowels takes place,
take white oak bark,  witch-hazel bark, upland sumach'
equal parts, make a strong decoction, add a  teaspoonful
of pulverised  alum to  every  pint,  apply this wash from
time to time, and occasionally gently press up the  bowels.
When the bowels are returned ; take equal parts of finely
pulverised  hemlock bark, bark of  the  roots of upland su-
mach, white-oak  bark—mix  them together,  and roil up
troches, or long and picked   pills, of  suitable  size to be 
ART OF IIF.ALING,
119
introduced up the anus.  Let this be occasionally repeated:
all the while, let the bowels be kept open with  the yellow
dock.  The English dock is the best, such as  is cultivat-
ed in gardens.  Tumors  are  often  removed by surgical
operations, but they are attended with danger.   As high
living has  in many  cases produced the piles, it will be im-
portant, that  the patient abstain from all rich and highly
seasoned food.  An injection occasionally taken, made of
strong pennyroyal  tea, add a great  spoonful of molasses,
and one of sweet oil or hogs-lard, put a heaping teaspoon-
ful of lobelia and a sixth part as  much  cayanne, into a
teacup half full of the pennyroyal  tea  blood  warm,  let
it stand till  the strength is out, then  strain it through a
cloth and  inject a common tumbler  full.  This will  be
found to be an excellent remedy.
       INFLAMMATION OF  THE BRAIN.

  This disease  generally attacks the  middle aged.  It
is sometimes a primary disease;  at others it  is produced
by some other disease.   It is occasioned by night watch-
ing,  hard  study, hard drinking, anger, grief,  anxiety, ex-
treme  perturbation of mind, exposure  to the  heat of the
sun,  suspension of accustomed  evacuations.   Sometimes
it is produced by blows  on the head.  The symptoms are
extreme pain in the  head, flushed countenance, a quick-
ness  of the temporal  arteries, redness of the eyes, an aver-
sion  to the light, watchfulness  and delirium.   It often re-
quires  a number of persons to hold the  patient in bed.

  Mode of Cure.—No  time is to be  lost  in giving this
disease a  prompt and thorough treatment.   As  it is  al-
ways attended with  an  uncommon flow of blood  to the
head, the  first thing  to be done will be to divert the blood
from the head to the  extremities, by soaking  the  feet in a
weak lie for fifteen minutes at  a time, then rub them for
five  minutes with  a  coarse towel;  after which rub  them 
120               ART OF HEALING.

thoroughly  with the elixir, let  the hands be treated  the
same as the feet; put on poultices upon the feet at least a
half of an  inch  thick, made of rye-meal and vinegar, 0:1
the surface of which, sprinkle over a  great  spoonful of
miist.iid-seed, pulverised.   If this poultice should  produce
soreness after six hours, soak the feet as before, and pfttpn
an onion poultice.  Give a thorough portion of physic, and
if the disease does  not abate  repeat it  after two days.
Give warming  drinks that will produce gentle perspira-
tion.   Bathe the  head frequently  with  the compound
Elixir.
   If this should fail,  and the pain continue; make a poul-
tice of coakum, or garget root,  cut  a  slice from a  large
root, that will nearly cover  the bottom of the foot, let it be
a third part of an inch thick; heat it thoroughly by the
fire, apply  it warm to the feet.  This will have a tendency
to draw  from the  head, and  produce  moisture upon the
surface; then  scarify  and cup the temples, take  away
blood according to discretion.  This course of treatment
will be found far preferable to the popular practice of .shav-
ing the head, blistering and bleeding from the arm.   If it
should be  found necessary,  bitter  herbs,  such as worm-
wood,  double-tansy,  hops  and  catnip, equal party,  after
beinjr stripped from the stock may be put into a bag, pour
on hot vinegar, and apply it to the head.
   A drink made of equal  parts of marsh-mallows and
queen of the  meadow may be taken at pleasure,  say take
four ounces of each.   If the  first means  laid down does
not give immediate relief, apply the  scarificator.   It may
be necessary to cup   in twenty places before relief can  be
given.
             EAR  INFLAMMATION.

  The  car-ache often proceeds from a sudden check of
perspiration, a:» from a current of  air when  the head  has 
ART  OF HEALING.               121
fccen  sweating.  It may be  occasioned by some  foreign
substance being lodged in the ear.
  The ear should  be filled up with a  piece of cotton, a
drop or two of sweet almond, or olive oil, should be intro-
duced ; a mustard poultice may be applied to the ear if the
pain should continue severe.   The feet may be soaked in
weak lie.  Taking blood by  cuping in the neck is recom-
mended.   Take  hops, wormwood,  camomile and double-
tansy, equal parts, if you have not all of them take a part,
cut  them  fine, put them into  a jug, pour in hot water, put
the  mouth of the jug to the ear ; bathe around the ear with
the  elixir, or compound elixir.  (See Compound Elixir.)
It may be necessary in some cases  to apply a mustard
poultice behind the ear and on the feet at night.
  If the  pain in the ear proceed from  a diseased toothe
the patient may chew the Indian hemp-root.  Care should
be taken  to keep the bowels open.
                      MUMPS.

  Mumps is a  swelling of the glands about the  throat
which  makes swallowing  difficult.  This disease is not
attended with danger except the patient takes cold, or the
disease is translated to the testicles.
  Treatment.—The patient should be directed to  keep
from taking  cold, and  take warming drinks that will pro-
mote gentle  perspiration.   If the tesMcles swell  they may
be bathed with camphor and sweet oil.   If the  swelling
be very severe put on a slippery-elm poultice.
                      QUINSY.

  It is truly astonishing,  says Dr. Beach,  that men pos-
sessing a  knowledge of the science of medicine, should
make'use  of the common practice to cure this complaint, 
!
122               ART OF HEAL!NOt                  #

Especially when  it is well known, that this very treatment
occasioned the death of General Washington,  as well as
thousands of others.   Common practice-\-blccdijig, mc'r-
cury. fyc.
   The first thing to be administered is the lobelia emetic.
This will have a tendency  to relax the whole system as
well as the tonsils, and reduce local as well as general in-
flammation.  Take  wormwood, hops, catnip, equal parte,
put it into a common teapot,  pour in hot water  and inhale
<he steam from the snout for  fifteen or twenty minutes.
   Bathe the  throat with the elixir.  Take one ounce of
pulverised blood-root, add one pint of vinegar  and two
ounces of honey : let the patient take a teaspoonful even^
half  hour.  Purgatives should  be repeated, as they have a
direct tendency to lessen  the  inflammation.   Dr. Beach
recommends gassafras oil, olive oil, spirits of hartshorn,
each half an  ounce, warmed,  with a little  camphor, the
gum, and bathe the throat as long as the patient can bear;
 after which put a flannel  round the neck.   After the in-
 flammation has subsided, take  one part of sumach berries,
 and two parts of golden seal, make a gargle, add a small
 quantity of alum  pulverised or  powdered ;  let the throat
 be often gargled, let it be  made strong.
   A gargle made of weak lie  is said to have proved very
 efficacious, where other means  have failed,  particularly
 where  persons have been subject to this disease.
   To prevent a recurrence  of this disorder, it  will be very
 important that  a person should keep his neck from the cold
 by wearing a piece of flannel constantly loose around the
 neck.   Keep the  bowels  open, and let the diet be spare.
 In extreme cases,  it is necessary to puncture the tonsils
 with a lancet, after pressing down the tongue with a spoon
 handle, or any proper instrument, so  that there shall oe
 no danger of wounding any other part than what is inten-
 ded.  Mr. Jenks, of Pawtucket,  informed me  that this
 operation was  performed  on him as the last resort, and it
 succeeded in giving relief.  I once cured myself of a sore
 throat in the first stages of it,  with the vegetable powder* 
ART  OF HEALING.               123
           PUTRID  SORE  THROAT.

  This disease effects the glands of the throat, while the
Quinsy effects the mucous membrane.  It is considered
contagious.  It may be produced by putrefaction, want of
cleanliness, impure air, damaged provisions, &c.
  This disease  should be treated nearly the same as the
Gtuinsy.   When  the parts appear putrid,  a gargle made
of yeast and milk  should be used.   As this disease pros-
trates the  system, it should be supported by stimulant
medicines, such as wine and the like.  Dr. Thomas, speaks
in the highest terms of the following composition  :—Two
table spoonfuls of cayenne pepper, one teaspoonful of salt,
half a pint of boiling water; and  half a  pint  of warm
vinegar.   Let it  stand about an hour, and strain the liquor
through a fine cloth.  Let  the patient  take two table
spoonfuls every half hour.   A plaster made of equal parts
of common  soap and rosin, may be applied! to the throat.
Take the  vegetable powders night  and morning; if it be
an adult, a heaping teaspoonful  each time, in a cup about
two thirds full of hot water, sweetened with  molasses or
sugar,  and  a teaspoonful of the elixir  should be added
when cool enough to drink.
   Be careful to keep the  bowels open.   Take the canker
root, infuse  it  in oold  water, wash the mouth frequently
with it, and swallow the same.   If the  patient cannot
Bwallow  it, take a swab and wet it.   The lobelia emetic
Should occasionally be administered in thorough courses.
       INFLAMMATION OF  THE WOMB.

  This disease is attended with  pain at the lower part of
the  bowels,  almost an  entire suspension of the  menses,
tightness about the parts, change of countenance, loss of
flesh, great weakness,  constant fever,  a discharge of un-
natural matter from the womb,  an inclination  frequently
to go to stool, heat and sometimes suppression of urine. 
    121               ART OF  IIEAL1NU.

      Treatment.—If you have opportunity, commence with
    giving the vegetable powders on going  to bed, and a full
    portion of physic ;  ffter the  physic is done operating, give
    the lobelia emetic.   (Sec Lobelia.)  After the operation
"*   of the emetic, take a heaping teaspoonful of the physical
    powders in a teacupful of  warm  water, sweetened with
    Sugar or molasses.   Eat and drink that which is the most
    nourishing.  Take  nearly a wine glass full of  the altera-
    tive syrup, three  or four  times a day.  (See Alterative
    Syrup in the appendix.)  The emetic may  be repeated
    twice  a week,  or  but once a week,  just as  it  is  con-
    venient, till it effects a cure; physic should  be taken as
    often as  every  other day.   If this course  be persisted
    in it will effect  a cure  in a- few weeks.   The directions
    must "always be  varied according to the constitution.
      I cured a woman a kw  days ago who had been labor-
    ing under this disease for  more than  two years;  during
    that time she had nothing of consequence pass according
    to the course of women.   She told  me that  she had suf-
    fered  more in that  time  than she had in  having all her
    children, and I  think she has had four or five.  The very
    next day after taking the course she became regular, and
    it continued for six days in succession ; her pain and ten-
    sion left her, and she did not lay by her work a single day.
    In less than a  month I gave her  two  more  courses ; the
    day after taking the last emetic, she came right again and
    continued for four days in succession.   A  number of dif-
    ferent physicians  had attended her,  but could not  remove
    the difficulty ; one of thein  told her it was  weakness, and
    he gave her tonics,  which was a  course directly contrary
    to the one that ought to have  been  pursued.  It only in-
    creased the difficulty by shotting up the acrimonious hu-
    mors  which might  have escaped, if a  proper course of
   -treatment had been pursued. 
ART  OF HEALING,
125
    INFLAMMATION OF THE  BLADDER.

  Symptoms.—Pain in the lower part of the abdomen, a
constant propensity to go to stool, and void water, and a
difficulty  in discharging  either.   The same course may
be pursued as in the inflammation of the womb.  Fermen-
tations of  bitter herbs may be applied to the lower part of
the bowels to advantage.  But  the most thorough and
sure remedy is, first let the patient set over a tub of hot
water, if  he can sit up,  spread  a  blanket or two around
him, put two pieces of boards across the tub, then drop in
small  stones previously heated ;  let the patient  continue
this ten or fifteen minutes, and give the vegetable powders
and elixir to keep up the  internal heat.  If the patient
cannot sit up, hot stones may be applied quenched in vine-
gar to the bowels ;  if this  does not relieve the pain entire-
ly, give the lobelia emetic, and after it has done operating
and the  stomach settled, give a thorough portion of the
physical  powders.   Sometimes   a 'powerful portion will
start the water when  it seems  as though nothing would.
When the  pain was extreme, I have succeeded  in reliev-
ing the patient at  once by cuping over  the region of the
pain, and  bathe it well with the elixir.
   My mode of cuping in such  cases  is, to wet  the part
all over where the pain is present with as warm water as
the patient can bear, with a sponge or  piece of flannel;
then dry cup, that is,  put on the cup without scarifying,
and draw it along gently  over the surface for some extent,
the object  is to produce  a  counter action.  Then let the
patient put the  finger on  (he spot where the greatest pain
is, put on the scarificator, and take away blood till you give
relief.  I  have  never failed to cure by the above  process.
     INFLAMMATION  OF THE KIDNEYS
  Is caused %y over exertion of the region of the kidneys,
as riding on horseback or in a jolting wagon, which strains 
1
126               ART OF Hi: A LINO.                * »

the parts, and cold settles upon them ; the kidneys become
inflamed, and water of a dark  bloody color comes  away
with sometimes a sediment somewhat thick.
   It is  supposed sometimes  to be  occasioned by small
stones being lodged in the kidneys.
   Take double tansy, hops and wormwood, equal parts;
simmer it in vinegar and water, and apply it warm, bathe
the part occasionally with the compound elixir.   (Se com-
pound Elixir.)   I have always  found this to give  relief.
The  food should be light and  nutricious.   By all means
give the emetic, and steam as in the case above, inflam-
mation  of the bladder.   It will serve to lessen the inflam-
mation, and give a healthy action to the  system : giving it
energy  to sympathise with the diseased part.
   Taike peach-meats, a handful, and poplar bark, a hand-
ful, put them into a junk bottle of best Holland's gin ; after
a  few days, take half a wine glass full just after eating.  I
Rave found great benefit by this cordial.   The patient may
govern  himself  as to the quantity,  and  may dilute it and
sweeten it according to his pleasure.   If he cannot pro-
cure the peach-meats, peach twigs will  do.
   Cuping over the region of the kidneys may be servicea-
ble.   I approve of no  other  bleeding but local, except in
very extraordinary cases.  By local  bleeding  you make
an application to the disease without weakening the whole
body, as you  must in  taking it from the arm.  A little
blood taken  from the  inflamed part, will do  more good
than much more from the veins.   It will be found  neces-
sary to give occasionally light portions of physic, which
have a tendency to lessen inflammation.   Mucilaginous
nourishing drinks will be found to have  a good effect such
as have a tendency  to excite  gently the  urinary  organs.
Such medicines as have a  powerful tendency to evacuate
water should be avoided.  The reader is  particularly re-
 ferred  to Clean rs,  in this  work.  (See appendix.)   A
drink of the Cleavers should be taken daily. 
I
ART OF II f* ALU*.
J 27
                    JAUNDICE.                «

  This  disease, says Bachan, is first observable in the
white of the eye, which appears  yellow:  afterwards the
whole skin puts on a yellow appearance.
  The  urine is of a saffron hue,  and dies a white cloth
if put into it, of the same  color.   There is also a species
of this  disease called the Black Jaundice.
  The  cause of this disease, in my opinion is, an obstruc-
tion of  the ducts  which^conveys  the bile into  its proper
channel, and is therefore thrown into the circulations. *
  I have had  many cases of this kind, Kind have never
failed  of making a cure,   where I have  attended  them
a sufficient time.   I was once called in a case of this kind
when  the friends were satisfied  that the family  physician
could do no more,  and where it was doubtful whether the
patient would live many days, and given immediate relief
so that the  patient  rode out in three days.   She told me a
number of  months after, that she believed the medicines
1 prescribed .were  the means of saving  her life.           m
   The course I pursue, when called to a patient laboring  ^
under this disease, is, first  give a portion of  the vegetable
powders;  heat stones by the fire, quench them in  vinegar,
wrap them up in cloths, put one to the feet, and a number
around the patient in bed ;  and, in about half or three
quarters of an hour, commence giving the lobelia emetic.
Give one, two  or three portions,  according  as you find it
necessary.  It is  very desirable to produce copious per-
spiration.  This course should  be pursued  once or twice
a week, till a cure is effected.
   Give the vegetable powders every ni^ht on going to bed.
 Much  depends on keeping the bowels open : the physical
 powders should be taken occasionally, and occasionally a
 teaspoonful of rhubarb.  If the patient be weak and debili-
 tated,  and has but little appetite, a  tea of Euglish barley
 and slippery-elm  should  be taken.  It may be drank at
 liberty.   The emetic will produce a healthy action upon
 the liver ;  rc"rnove the obstructions in  the ducts, and throw •
 the bile into  its  proper channel.  If there bo roughness
                  F                             .■"'.. 
153
ART  07 HEALINS.
in Ihe mouth and throat, take one part of blood-root, one
part of slippery-elm, add hot  warter and molasses,  a little
salt and vinegar, take a teaspoonful occasionally.
  Where the case  is not of  long standing, one course of
the emetic  I have found sufficient; but in other cases, it
will  be found necessary to  follow up the courses.  A tea
made of wormwood is very  good to take occasionally; also
equal partsof the bark of bayberry and barberry, may be
used for a tea.
  I attended a young man a few months ago, and after
carrying him  through a course of emetic and  sweating,
which took  about eight hours, he declared that he felt bet-
ter  to get up then, at the end of the eight hours, and go to
work, than  he frequently had when he went to his labor
previous mornings.   He went to work the next day, mid
has not lost a day since from sickness.  The popular prac-
tice is—mercury, bleeding, gentle emetics, &c.
        PALPITATION OF THE  HEAR.T.
  This difficulty arises from obstructions of usual evacua-
tions, which  is caused by cold.   Dr. Smith, says on this
disease, place a large stone in a small smooth stream, and
it will  cause palpitation of the watery  remove the stone,
and the palpitation is done.
  So in the man :  remove the cold, and the palpitation is
cured.   To do this, clear the whole man from obstructions,
and this difficulty is cured.   A plaster should be worn over
the region of the heart; the feet should be occasionally
soaked in weak lie, and rubbed with the elixir;  the vege-
table powders should be taken every night;  and physic,
every other day, if  the powders should not evacuate suffic-
iently.   The lobelia emetic should be taken once or twice
a week, till a cure  is performed ;  the body  should first be
warmed gently before giving the emetic.  Irj'this disease,
less of the cayenne, and more of the skonk-cabbage should
be given,  than in common cases.   Indian  Hemp root, I 
ART  Or HEALINU.                129
 hive found to be excellent in this difficulty.   The Botani-
 ctl name is Asclepias lncarnata—dry and  make a fine
.powder;  take an even teaspoonful  three times a dav.
   By this very  process laid down above, with cuping, I
 cured a woman of the  palpitation of  the  heart in  a few
 weeks, who had been laboring under that disease for two
 years.   She took besides a number of bottles of the altera-
 tive syrup.   I have  found a  syrup made of  yellow dock
 root to be very serviceable in  this disease.   Take from
 one to two  tumblers full every day—it opens the  bowels,
 and does not weaken the  patient.   Great care should  be-
 taken in  this disease'to keep the bowels open : the dock
 is a little loo cold  alone -T—a little  cayenne,  as  much  as
 may be taken upon the handle of a teaspoon  may be put
 into every tumblerful of the syrup.
                      CROUP.

  Children are most subject to this disease;  most preva-
lent in cold, wet seasons,  and upon  the  seacoast.  It is
caused by a sudden cold, and generally attacks the persons
by night.  It is attended with  cough and some fever;
breathing is performed  with  difficulty, and attended with
n peculiar kind of cj.oaking, or quackling, or rattling noise.
Those symptoms show immediate attention to be necessary
—the feet should be immediately placed in warm water,
to which is added ashes  and salt; give an  injection ; place
the child in a warm bath,  as soon as it may be prepared.
Then give an emetic, half lobelia and half bloodroot.
  There is not much difficulty in curing the croup in  the
first  stages of  it, in the second stage it is considered un-
certain, and  in  the last stage  never.   This emetic should
be followed up at every spasm, during the first and second
stages,  but in  the last, I think  it  should not be  given;
because, after  an emetic  has  excited  its full  force,  the
Jungs, in some degree,  collapse or close, as much as they
were distended;during  the operation of the emetic.  Hence
              3f 
130               ART OF HS.VLINC.
 we frequently find that patients breath with difficulty after
 taken an emetic, especially the  lobelia, which is no unfa-
 vorable symptom where there is no inflammation in  ihe
 tracked or wind-pipe; but where this is present, there is
 danger of suffocation.
   With the lobelia emetic and bloodroot, equal parts, giv-
 en in pennyroyal tea, I have succeeded in giving decided
 relief.  Care should be taken from the beginning to keep
 the bowels open, and  put onion poultices on the feet, and
 drange them every two hours.   Take pigs-feet oil, skonk's
•grease or goose-oil, and lubricate or  bathe the throat, and
 scatter the surface all over with common  Scotch snuff; let
 it remain  till it is done drawing:   Mustard poultices may
 be placed between the shoulders. A teaspoonful of skonk's
 oil, pigs-feet or goose oil, may occasionally be given.  Ex-
 pectorants, such as  are used in coughs,  may be  admin-
 istered to  advantage.  In some instances, the patient dies
 in four and twenty hours; but  not  usually   sooner than
 eight and forty  hours.  Take  the  juice of a lemon, IcMff
 sugar, and slippery-elm, make it palatable,  and it will be
 good to  relieve the cough,  and help to raise the phlegm.
 If taken  in season, this disease will give way withont all
 this formula.   Inhaling the steam of vinegar is, by some,
 recommended.  In giving the lobelia  and bloodroot  emetic,
 take a teaspoonful  of  each, put it into a teacupful  of herb
 tea, or warm water, (not scalding  hot',) sweeten with  loaf
 sugar; let it stand a  while, strain it through a cloth,
 back and  forth  a number of times to get out the strength,
 give to a child of two or three years old,  a great spoonful
 once in ten minutes till it vomits.
                 HOOPING-COUGH.
  This cough  is  produced  by contagion ; therefore the
most direct course to get rid of it is to change  the place
of residence, and get out of the infected air.  It  rarely at-
tacks grown pcr«ons or youths but once. 
ART OF HEALINGf.
131
   The symptoms are  familiar to every one,  and need no
 description.   Whatever hinders perspiration, free evacua-
 tion, and creates a morbid state of the stomach, promotes
 this disease; those of the contrary of this favors recovery.
 The bowels  should be  kept open  by taking  rhubarb, or
 castor  oil;  these may be  taken in jelly or some  kind of
 agreeable sauce or syrup, that will disguise the taste.  A
 child a year old, may take of rhubarb, what may be taken
 up on  the handle of a teaspoon, or  a  quarter  part of a
 teaspoon even full, or from one to two teaspoonfuls of cas-
 tor oil; take the vegetable  powders  at night.   Soak the
 feet in weak lie, and rub them over  with the elixir, and by
 all means give the lobelia emetic.   Perhaps in no disease
 the good effect of this emetic  is more perceptible than in
 this cough.   Take for a child in this  case, a  heaping tea-
 spoonful of the powdered lobelia, the  same  quantity of
 bayberry bark, the flour,  or pounded firie, and about one
 third as much skonk-cabbage, fill a cup three  quarters full
 of pennyroyal  tea blood warm, let  it  stand a  while, then
 strain it  through a cloth and sweeten it; give a great
 spoonful of  it once every  ten minutes till it operates, and
 when the child begins to  vomit, get down as much  tea as
 possible, then follow up with water gruel.  Onion poultice
 should   be applied to the  feet; a slice off of  each end of
 an onion warmed  by the fire and applied  to the  bottoms
 of the  feet, is the best  mode of applying them.   The
 food should  be light and  easy of digestion.  A strength-
 ening plaster should be kept constantly between the  shoul-
 ders.   Change of air, is often attended with  very  bene-
 ficial results in diseases of children, especially those of the
 infectious kind.   Take pearl barley, a handful, a teaspoon-
 ful of slippery-elm, a little salt and vinegar, a great spoon-
 ful or two of the roots of the Indian  hemp, the  same quan-
tity skonk cabbage, pour a pint of boiling water and sweet-
en, and let the patient drink  freely.  It will assist in loosen-
ing the cough ;  lessen excitement;  and at the same time,
nourish the  body.
Sf 
1
 132               ART OF HEALINfl.

          CATARRH:  or, INFLUENZA.

   This disease is epidemic, an/1 at the same time, effects .
 seven-eights  of the people of  almost an  entire continent.
 " It is an increased secretion of mucus from  the  mem-
 brane of the nose.   Fauces and brouchia, with fever, and
 attended with sneezing, cough, thirst, lassitude, and want
 of appetite.   The rapidity that this disease  spreads  itself
 over the land, indicates that a current of air is impregna-
 ted with a specific poison  which communicates disease to
 almost every man that it comes in contact with.
   The  last  occurrence of this kind, I think,  was  in the
 latter part of 1831, and  the beginning of 1832,  which
 carried off multitudes, particularly  aged persons.
   In this disease take freely of the vegetable powders and
 elixir, and the vapor bath; if this is not convenient, go to
 bed, take the powders and elixir, (after soaking the feet in
 warm water and bathing them with the elixir,) heat  stones
 and quench  them in vinegar, wrap them in cloths, put one
 at the feet, and the rest all around the body.  After the
 patient  has  perspired freely for three quarters of an hour,
 let  him  reduce the temperature moderately.  If this does
 not break up the difficulty, the next day but one go through
 with the same process, and in addition, take the  lobelia
 emetic.   Great care should be taken, when the patient is
 very warm not to  cool off too quick ; and when  there
is great heat applied externally, be careful to keep up a
 corresponding internal heat, by giving warming drinks.—
The sweating and emetic  process should be continued at
proper intervals till a cure is affected : but one course will
generally be'found sufficient.
              COLDS AND COUGHS.

  People in general think little of colds, and pay as little
attention to cure them ;  but when we  consider that they
are  the inlet to most of our diseases, we find it is very im-
portant—instead of paying no attention to them as iscom-
iwonly the case, we endeavor to break them up as soon as 
                   J«HT OF  HEALING.                13?

possible.  People are  most liable to  colds in the  Spring
and Autumn.   I used  to  have one at  each of these sea-
sons, that lasted me three or four weeks ; but I have learned
how to break them up in forty-eight hours at least.   Soak
the feet at night in warm water, wipe arid rub them so as
to produce active circulation ; warm the bed, put in a little
sugar  in the pan on the coals, £et  into bed,  and  take a
heaping  teaspoonful of the vegetable powders, add a tea-
spoonful of the elixir;  put an extra  quantity of cloths on
the bed,  and  in  an  hour  from  the taking the  first dose,
take another portion :  this will take off the chills, and pro-
duce perspiration before morning.  In the morning  cool
off by degrees,  and  when  you  have done  sweating, you
may get  up.  Let your food be light through the day.  It
is a false notion that we must stuff a cold ;   it obstructs
the system already burdened, and has  a tendency  to pro-
duce a fever.
   If the above treatment does not throw off  the cold,  re-
peat the same the  next night; und  nineteen  times  out
of twenty, it will break up a cold, even if the  person is on
the verge of a settled fever.   I cured myself by this  very
process,  in two nights,  of a cold which usually lasted tne
three or  four weeks.  It was attended with a  sore-throat,
so that it was with difficulty  that I could swallow.   If a
cough should attend a cold and continue, take the vegeta-
ble powders, without the elixir, every night; take occasion-
ally a teaspoonful of the elixir,  two great spoonfuls of mo-
lasses,  and  two or three great spoonfuls of hot water, drink
occasionally.  If this  does  not cure,  make  a syrup of
peach-tree  twigs, a large handful, a  fifth part as much
skonk-cabbage, boil them  for two hours down to half of a
pint, then add  the  same  quantity of  good  molasses.   I
have found  this to be very efficacious  in long standing
coughs.
   Persons subject to coughs from every slight cold, should
never  be without a  flannel waistcoat  summer  or winter;
in the  summer  it may be of  a thinner texture than in
winter. 
134                ART OF IIEALI*;.
                     ASTHMA;

  Or breathing with difficulty,  is  produced  by want of
proportionate heat and energy of the lungs,  with  the other
parts of  the  body.  The  lungs  perforin their  functions
with labor owing to  its weakness under the most  favorable
circumstances ;  but  when the air is light, as it is  frequent-
ly at night, and  when it  is cold—when  foreign  matter ia
introduced, as the dust from hay,&c. it increases  the labor
of breathing.  When a person is sitting up, the lungs come
in contact with but little of its surface.   Its whole weight
being suspended by  its  superior, there is not that chance
to be obstructed.    The  cause in  my  opinion  is  cold,
which produces a laxed state of the lungs, which lessen  the
diameter of the air-cells, or pipes.
   Those medicines that have  a tendency to equalize  the
circulations and produce uniform  warmth  through  the
whole system,  are the only  medicines that  will he of ser-
vice in  this disease.  The lobelia emetic has been found
to answer this  purpose better  than  any remedy  that  has
ever been discovered.  I have never known  it to fail where
it has  been properly administered.   The feet should be
soaked in warm water, wiped dry, and if they are inclined
to be cold,  rub them with the elixir; put on every  night
an onion poultice.   Take the composition powders  every
night and every other  morning ; take  care to  keep  the
bowels open ; give one  of the asthmatic pills every night,
(see Asthmatic Pills,) and every other night or  morning,
a teaspoonful of the lobelia with pennyroyal tea.  A  full
course once  a week should  be given of the emetic.  In
cases of long  standing, this  course  must be  followed up
for a number of weeks,  in order to effect a  cure.  Many
persons want to get  cured  of a chronic difficulty that has
been upon them for years; in one day—and certainly it
would  be  very desirable; but people often  fail of get-
ting a cure for want of  perseverance.   It may require, in
some cases of long standing, eight or ten thorough courses,
to effect  a complete  cure.   One  course will give prompt
relief, but will not generally be enough to equalise tj"ie cir- 
ART  OF HEALING.
135
culation and  give a healthy action to the  lungs.  Take
salt-petre, a  great spoonful, put it into  as much water as
it will take to dissolve it; wet  brown paper in  the same,
and dry it thoroughly :  when you  go to  bed at night, sit
a piece  on fire as  large as your two hands; it will burn
slowly till it is all consumed ; and you will find it will give
great relief and enable  a person to lie down who must
otherwise have sit up  during the night.  A gentleman in-  -
formed me that he  cured himself of the asthma by apply-
ing hogs  melt to his  feet..  As soon as it was taken out,
he sliced it in two, and put one half on the bottom of each
foot and let it remain till it became dry.
       INFLAMMATION  OF THE LUNGS.

   This disease is always attended with  danger, particu-
 larly if the  patient be  advanced in age, and  has a flat
 breast, lives high, and drinks strong liquor.
   In this disease,  breathing is performed with  difficulty,
 great oppression of the  breast, the pulse  quick, the pain
 is increased on coughing, and by  taking a long breath.—
 It proceeds from the same causes as the pleurisy : viz. an
 obstructed perspiration  from cold,  wet cloths, &c.  In
 this disease  as well as the pleurisy  the food  ought to be
 exceedingly light.   A syrup made of comfrey root, a little
 vinegar, salt and sugar,  or flaxseed lea ;  take two ounces
of pearl-barley,  add a little  slippery-elm, a little salt and
vinegar, pour a quart of hot water, and  let it 'steep : let
the patient sup occasionally, and frequently  it will give
nourishment and alleviate a cough.
  The bowels  should be  kept open  by gentle physic, or
clysters.  The yellow dock  is one of the best medicines
in this  case ; it will keep the bowels open while the patient
gains strength.  Fiom one to two tumblersful of the strong
decoction, or tea, may be taken during the day.
  The  feet should occasionally b« soaked, in weak lie, and
 rubbed  drv, afterwards bath  with the elixir. 
136               ART OF I1EALINCI.                    1
                                                    >  '
  Bleading  and blistering in this disease, as is the com-
mon practice, we consider dangerous; mustard seed poul-
tices should take the  place of blistering.
  Take  equal  quantities of tho  vegetable  powders and  '
yellow dock, pulverised fine, of the compound well mixed.
The patient may  take a spoonful every other night.
  The vapor bath, will occasionally be found useful. (See ' '
Vapor Bath.)   Be careful to give warming drinks while
under the operation of the bath.  Take double  tansey,
hoarhoun'd, and wermwood, equal parts, divest it of the
large stalks; put  it  into a large coffee-pot,, pour in hot
water, let it steep; then inhale the steam from the spout.
If it be too hot, place a long tube at the snout of the'cof-  I
fee-pot, and inhale through it.   Perspiration should  by all
means be promoted, as it tends to reduce all internal in-
flammations.   An emetic should occasionally be given,
say  a teaspoonful of lobelia,  and half a teaspoonful of
skonk-cabbage;  if this does not cause vomiting, in  an
hour, give the same quantity again.   Indian-meal gruel
will  be found an excellent regimen in this disease as well
as in all  others.   In order to  make gruel good, it sriould
be  boiled and  skimmed _half an hour after the thicken-  (
ing is put in.
                    PLEURISY.
  The true pleurisy is an inflammation of that membrane *
called the pleura, which lines the inside of the breast.  It
proceeds from  the  same cause that the inflammation of
the lungs does—that  which obstructs perspiration.   It
should  be  treated  the same as the inflammation of the
lungs only in a much more prompt manner.
  In the first place a  thorough emetic  should be given,
and extra means to  produce copious perspiration  such as
hot stones quenched in vinegar, wrapped in cloths and ap-
plied to different parts of the body,  especially to the feet
and side.   As soon  as the operation of  the emetic is over, 
                   ART OF HEALINfJ.               137

give a thorough portion of physic, say a heaping teaspoon-
ful of rhubarb, or the same quantity  of the physical pow-
ders.  (See Physical Powders.)  If the inflammation does
not subside, put on the cups,  and take away blood from
as many as  half a dozen places, from one jill to half a
pint,  and  more if necessary.   This  is perhaps the most
efficient course of reducing the  inflammation ; but  in
weakly habits,  blood-letting,  particularly  from the  veins,
weakens the system, so that it will require  perhaps months
to get up again.  Therefore we  prefer as little bleeding
as possible.  Local bleeding is not attended with the bad
consequences, that general bleeding is.  In bleeding^from
the  arm, it is necessary to take much  more to produce the
same effect.  We prefer to attack the disease rather than
the  constitution—apply  the remdy to the diseased part,
rather than to  the whole body.
  If all this should not  succeed in  relieving  the inflam-
mation, take  tansey,  hoarhound and wormwood,  equal
parts, wet it through  with vinegar, heat,  and  apply it as
hot as the patient can bear.
  If, after the  urgent symptoms  are relieved, there should
be uneasiness  arid difficulty in sleeping, give a  teaspoonful
of the Indian  hemp root in molasses, three times  a day,
till  this difficulty is removed.   The  pleurisy root should
be drank in tea occasionally from the beginning.
  By the  above process, or only  a part of  it, I  have cured
in a few weeks, a pain in the side of two  years standing.
  The pleurisy  may  be cured  frequently without cuping
or bleeding in  any way, if you have.not the cuping appa-
ratus, you  will pursue  thoroughly  the other  course laid
down.
  Large  poultices of onions on the  feet,  has a powerful
tendency  to alleviate inflammation,  and  to produce per-
spiration.   They  should be applied in this case and  ex-
changed once in four or  six hours.  A  poultice of  rye-
meal and  vinegar, with mustard  seed sprinkled  on  the
surface, say a great  spoonful,  may be  occasionally  ex-
changed  for the onions.  The side  may occasionally b« 
133               ART OF HEALING.
bathed  with "the compound  elixir.  The  feet should be
occasionally soaked in weak  lie from the commencement
of treating this^dtsease.
                  CONSUMPTION.

   A consumption  is the decaying of the whole body, from
an ulcer, or tubercles, a collection of pus in the cavity, or
a nervous decay  of the  whole system.   It  is estimated
that consumptions in our large cities make up one fifth of
the bills of mortality ; in  the  country rather less.  An
hundred years ago, this disease made but  one tenth.  This
disparity  may arise from  various causes.   People  lived
formerly, on more simple  food, than at  the  present day,
that which was more conductive to health.  Among females
the pernicious fashion of lacing, is practiced to a greater
extent than  at that period; they go more  thinly clad than
formerly.   Again  new sedentary occupations have be6:i
introduced into this country : and  besides,  people of all
sedentary business  apply  themselves far  more closely to
their employment, than they did  an hundred years ago;
and  in  addition  to all this, the climate has changed very
materially.  Our  summers  have been so  cold, as to prove
in its consequences,  fatal  to thousands;  their  heat was
not sufficient to withstand the cold of winter, and multi-
tudes died formerly, of the spotted fever.
   Another very  prolific cause of consumption, which, in
my opinion, has scourged every age for many generations,
is the mode of treatment  by blistering,  calomel-emetic-
tartar,  bleeding, salivation, &c.  This course will make
a well man sick, and no wonder it should  destroy  so many
persons.   I have  no personal ill will toward  any  one who
practices this course, it is from duty, and a love  to my
species, that I bear testimony against their practice.  As
well might you kindle a fire with snow-balls, as to attempt
to kindle up the vital spark which has begun to decline,
by cold  medicines and blood-letting. 
ART  OF JISALIN*.               139
   A warming, nourishing.cleansing, purifying"and stength-
 ening course should be  pursued in consumptions.   We
 find in that  disease the natural heat  declines in all parts
 of the body; then,  by  bringing the  body to  a  natural
 warmth,  we assist nature;  for if nature ever  does over-
 come  the disease, it will  bring the body back to its  natu-
 ral warmth.   When the feet, for instance, are cold and
 we warm  them, we  encourage the  blood to flow into the
 feet, and  thereby give  them their natural warmth  ; blood
 cannot flow into a limb  that is cold—it flows with diffi-
 culty,  tardily, and imperfectly in a limb that is partially
 cold.   If this principle  be true, we see that bringing the
 body to its natural temperature, lessens the  action of the
 heart.   But  no external  application  alone  can equalize
 circulations.
   External application  prepares the way, opens the door
 for warming, stimulating medicines, to be received inter-
 nally ;  which, if properly applied, will not fail, if the case
. be not past cure,  to produce the desired effect.  I  have
 found  nothing more  efficacious in  these cases than the
 lobelia emetic.  I would here refer the reader to Dr. Rob-
 inson's remarks under the head of lobelia, near the latter
 part of the article.
   By this emetic's peculiar  action upon the great sympa-
 thetic  nerve, it diffuses itself into every nook and  corner
 of the   system, and more especially  upon  that  organ, if
 there  be  any, that is diseased.  For particular  directions
 in administering this emetic, the reader is referred  to Lo-
 belia,  in this work.
   One, two,  or three portions may be administered of the
emetic, as the case  may seem to require, and as often as
may be  found  necessary.   If a number of courses be
found necessary, il should be attended  too as often as once
or twice a  week.  The vegetable powders should  be ad-
ministered at night,  and the alterative syrup through the
day.    Great care should be taken before giving the emetic
to produce a gentle moisture upon the surface.   If a cough
be troublesome, take lemon-juice, flax-seed tea or slippery- 
141                ART OF  HEALING.

elm, and loaf sugar, proportion it so as to make nn agreea-
ble drink.   The feei should occasionally  be soaked in
weak lie, ten  or fifteen minutes before going to bed, and
rubbed with the elixir.  If they should become cold, this
course will  produce a gentle  moisture  upon the  surface;
and  in the hollow of the hands it has a tendency to lessen
the frequency of the pulse, and reduce the fever.   I would
refer the reader to a communication by J. F. Daniel Lob-
stein,  M. D.,  under  the article of Water Fennel, of the
Appendix to Medical Botany, of this work.
   I  have not proved the water fennel, but I  have much
confidence  in it.  The food should be  light and nourish-
ing ; strong coffee and tea, should be avoided.
   Perhaps there is nothing more wholesome than ripe fruit
of almost every kind, in the season  of it;  the  patient
should eat enough to regulate his bowels without any other
physic, if he  can obtain it.   Journeying is beneficial to
persons inclining to consumption.   The best mode of rid-
ing, perhaps,  is on  horseback;  but people generally try
every other  thing first, and at the last, the physician often
recommends his patient to take a journey ; and frequently
the next you hear,  this poor sick  man  dies among stran-
gers : but his  tale of suffering and woe is rarely told.
   If there should be  bleeding at the lungs, one small por-
tion, the lobeliaj emetic will, b* found very efficacious.  I
have used in such cases with  much success, a teaspoonful
of the pulverised bark of  black-alder, taken in molasses;
also, sweet  bugle  or common bugle may be drank at dis-
cretion.
   Tonics are  generally injurious, especially  if there is
much  inflammation present,  by tightening the chest and
preventing expectoration.
   Mucilaginous drinks will  be found  very serviceable
such as sl.ppery-elrn, comfrey, gum arabic,flax-seed, sarsa'
parilla, colts-foot and fquince sauce.  Simply boilincr or
steeping, will be all  that is necessary, and it may be taken
at discretion—they have  a  cooling, healing and  nourish,
ing operation.   MiJk  u a very'proper food where it agreed 
ART  OP HEALING.
141
with the patient; baked apples, blackberries, or whortle-
berries and milk are very proper.   A drink of good cider
after  eating milk, will sometimes make the milk sit easy
when otherwise the stomach would not bear it.  A gentle
emetic of lobelia will  be found serviceable, though  the
patient may be past recovery.
  1 administered the  emetic in a case of this kind where
the patient's  appetite  began to fail and was not expected
to live from one week to another.  The eo.etic operated
go easy that he was  not under  the necessity of raising his
head from his pillow ;  his appetite returned and he lived
about six  months  afterwards.   No fears  need be enter-
tained,%if during  the  operation of the emetic, it  should
produce sobbing similar to a child who has been whipped :
the emetic  operates through sympathy, upon the lungs.
  In  nervoms consumptions where there is not much in-
flammation, tonics or bracing medicines may be necessary;
but in general, nourishing food  is all the tonic that  is nec-
essary.  Consumption may be  easily cured in the first
Btages by proper attention ;  but very difficult, and frequent-
ly not at all, if neglected too long.  The immediate cause
of most consumptions are  produced from wet feet, damp
beds, putting on wet  cloths, exchanging  thick garments
for thin, tight lacing, sedentary  business,  labor  that re-
quires a.n  unnatural position of the  body,  such as shoe-
making, sewing, braiding straw, and the like.
   Consumption seems to be in some  families hereditary.
This every one will admit,  for we see almost whole fami-
lies die in early  life  at about  the same age.  Tbit is a
subject that I  have never seen  fully explained;  but the
cause why  it is so,  I  consider to be very  important.  I
think it proceeds from three causes :  first, a deficiency in
the size of the lungs by which  there is a deficiency of vital
heat generated to diffuse through the  system, so that when
the person arrives to  maturity, and is done with the elas-
ticity and buoyancy of youth, and nature thrown upon its
own resorces the body soon sinks and dies.  The second
cause is owing to the construction of the chest;  there be» 
142               ART OP HKALl#o.
ing a want of room in the  thorax i the chest being flat
there is  not sufficient  space for the  lunjs  to  play, so if
any of the surrounding vicera become inflamed the lungs
are liable to be irritated and ii,flamed by it,  and so at any
slight inflammation  of the  lungs, it would be crowded
against   its neighboring visera, and thus increase its own
difficulty.  The third and last case is owing to an  heredi-
tary  taint or scroffulous  humor,  that is transmitted from
one  generation to another.   It will  frequently show itself
in different parts  of  the body, and will finally often fix on
the lungs and destroy them.
   If persons of the  above  described cases of Northern
latitudes, were to remove to  a warmer climate before they
become diseased, I think they would live much Icmger.—
They should choose occupations that require much exer-
cise  in the open air.                              ,
   A person of* the above description, especially if he he
tall  and slender,  should not choose the trade of a shoe-
maker.   Every  person in this climate,  especially persona
inclining to a consumption should wear flannel summer
and  winter, a thinner texttire  may  be worn in summer
than in  winter.   A plaster should  be worn  between the
shoulders,  should a  person be attended  with a  constant
cough.   The tonic tincture,  (See Tonic tincture,) is highly
esteemed by the late Dr. Elisha Smith of the city of New,
York.   I-have never proved it; but should  think it must
be serviceable.   In case of bleeding  at the lungs I have
used with decidedly  good effect, a teaspoonfuf of the pow-i
dered root of yellow  dock, a little cayenne, put into a tea-
cup of hot milk, drank  when cook
       INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER.
  The liver is less liable to inflammation than most of the
other viscera, owing to .its circulation being slower.  Tho
principal causes of inflammation of the liver  are intem-
perance in  eating and drinking; and more especially par- 
ART «r HEALINO.
143
tial application of cold or wet wnen the body is over heat-
ed or fatigued with exercise.  The symptoms vary accord-
ing to the degree of the inflammation ; sometimes there
is an accute |)ain in the  side, running up  between  the
Bliriuldurs, n dry cough, &,c.,  where the disease has bee^
of long standing.   The general symptoms are a pain,aud
tension in the right side, under the  false ribs,' attended
with soYne fever; a sense of w</ight and fullness-'in  the
part; difficulty'of breathing : loathing of food ; great thirst,
with a  pale or  yellowish color of the  skin  and  eyes.—
Sometimes there is dilrrculty-of lying on the left si4et
   It may be known frpm the pleurisy, from the pain being
less violent and !o\*er down; and pulse  not fo full.   This
disease  is not  dangerous if properly  treated.  A  person
laboring  ondgr this disease, should abstain from stimula-
ting drinks, he;hs  and colds,.'hot  bread,  strong tea and
coffee, full meals of roasted meats, Jate suppers, especially
of solid  food  highly seasoned," spirits, wines, strongWr,
and the  like.   These will produce this disease and a mul-
titude of others;  but  will never cure any.   The  patieut
laboring under'this disease, must regard the above direc-
tions, if he would recover.   His food should be thin and*v
fight; the body and mind kept easy.
   In treating this disease, if  the patient be troubled with
cold feet,  I direct as  in almost a'l  diseases,  where that is
the case,  to soak the  feet in  weak  lie;  and  after rubbing
4hem tliorouohlv, bathe them with the elixir.  This may
be occasionally repeated till the feet  become warm.   Let
the patient take equal parts of the  vegetable powders  and
yellow dock root  poufioTd fine, with' about a  great'VJtoon-
fulol milk ; this.may be repeated every night ou going to
bed, and the same occasionally in the morning before  get-
ting up; rub the side and wherever the pain may be, with
the elixir,  frequently  and occasionally with the compound
elixir, when  the pain  is most severe;  make a constant
drink during the day of a tea made of dandelion root;  it
may be  sweetened and made palatable.  If the  pain in
the side should not subside,  put ou a poultice of rye meal 
144               *-RT OF BRALINA.

nnd vinegar, sprinkle the  surface over with mustard seed
pulverised.  A strengthening plaster should  bo worn on
the side and between the 'shoulders.  Take care to keep
the bowels open.   If the powders should not  prove  physi-"
cal enough, take two or three of the bilious pills.  It will
be necessary in the first stage of the treatment of this dis-
ease, to give the lobelia emetic; it  will not fail to  exriie
the liver to a  healthy action ;  it should be repeated occa-
sionally.  If the surface should be dry, and a want of ac-
tion in the system, the vapor bath may be used.  The alter-
ative syrup will  be found  very  serviceable,  half a wine
glass full  three times a day.                            ^
   I was called  to visit a woman a  few months ago'whf.^
was afflicted with  this  disease.  I found  her very low.—
She had a mercurial sore mouth, and had been  laboring
under  the disease for a long time, and  had many physic-
ians:  but grew  worse.  She  told her  husband^ before I
commenced, that her present prospect was certian*death4
and she could but die  if she empolyed  another physician. ,
I commenced with her, and followed nearly the course ns
laid down above,  and she began immediately  to recover
and is now able to take charge of the family.    *
                CHOLERA' MORBUS.

   The Cholera Morbus is a violent purging and vomiting
 of bilious matter, attended with  gripes, sickness, anda
 constant desire to go to stool.  It comes on suddenly, and
 is most  common in the autumn.   In warm climates, it a
. met with at all seasons of the year, and its occurrence is
 frequent.
   Symptoms.—It is  generally preceded by a -heartburn,
 sour belchings, with pain in the stomach and intestines.—
 To these succeed nausea, excessive vomiting and purging
 of green, yellow, or blackish-colored  bile, witHk^i disten-
 sion of  the stomach, and violent griping paiidlr *^here is
 likewise a  great thirst, with a very quick affi unequal 
ART  Or HEALIM*.                H.r>
 ptii,?, and often a fixed acute pain about th#- region of
 the navel.
   The cause of thir disease is a redundancy  and putrid
 acrimony of the bile—food that  easily turns rancid, or
 snurs on (he stomach, as butler,-bacon  and unripe fruit.
 Says Dr.  JBuchan, I have beeirtwL-e brought "to the gates
 of de^th  by this disease,'aud^oth times it was occasioned
 by enlinr.r rancid bacon.    ,Jy
   The foilowinglreatmeut, Says Dr.Beach, I think I may
 say with propriety, I have  found  an infallible  remedy for
 the cholera morbus, even Tn the last stages of it.
   Take of best Turkey rhubarb, either bruised or pulver-
 ised, hdf  a  dram.  Bi-carbonate of potash  half a dram.
 Peppermint plant, half a dram, ground together in a mor-
 tar, wid  put-'the powder into  a teacup, add sufficient loaf
 sugar-to sweeten, then add half a pint  of boilio^Nyater,
i when  nearly cold, two tablespoonsful of bragdy.  Of this,
 give two  tablespoonsful evety  half hour,  or as often as the
 paroxysm% or periods of vomiting and purging take place.
 In very severe cases I  have occasionally  added  to every
 dose  fifteen or twenty drops of laudanum.   This must  be
 repeated until the urgent symptoms  are diminished^  The
 effjet of this medicine is truly surprising.  So sudden and
 powerful  is it, that I have often  been delighted  with its
 salutary effects.  It is seldom that  the patient will vomit
 up-more  than  one dose of the medicine ; but it rests upon
 the stomach, calms the irritation, checks the  nausea and
 wniiiting. passes gehtly through the  alimentary canal,
 changing their contents of faces,  from the mpst morbid
 and fetid, for the most healthy state.  Vv'hfle mercury which
 is now given  in such cases,  only aggravates.   This pre-
 paration  acts like a charm, and I.was about to say, might
''be compared  to the act of Extinguishing fire by  pouring
 water upon it.
   The above  treatment I  have never proved, bf^t from its
 very   respectable  source  it is entitled  to credjfr   I have
 never failed of curing by  giving tho lobelia  emetic in this
 disease.   It will stop the purging and vomiting as soon'a*
                 G  • 
I4G               ART OF HEAHNa.
the operation of the emetic is over.  After the operation,
the patient should  take cooling drinks ; the food should
be light  and easy of digestion.  If there should be pain
about  the region of the navel, he should bathe with the
elixir; and,  if necessary,  apply bitter  herbs,  steeped in
vinegar to the part: if the pain should still coutiuue, apply
the cups and scarificator  in a number of places.   Give
the Indian hemp root, pulverised, an even teaspoonful two
or three thimes a day.  The patient should drink  freely
of mint tea, slippery-elm, and other mucilaginous drinks.
An  injection  made of  slippery-elm, steeped, half a tum-
blerful ; of warm milk, the same quantity ; molasses,.also
the same;  sweet-oil,  three-great spoonsful; pearlash, or
salaratus, a teaspoonful, and laudanum a teaspoonful.  M;x
and inject as much as you can.  If there should be-a dry-
ness upon the surface, apply onion poultices to  the fee*; n
hot stone should be applied to the feet.   The patient, may
occasionally take for  drink a tea made by toasting bread
very hard and  pouring boiling water upon it; gruel made
of Indian meal makes a good medical drink.  "
   It is a known fact  in chemistry  that an Alkali and an
Acid united  destroy each  other.   The cause of this dis-
ease is believed to proceed From acid, therefore, an Alkali
is its antidote.   A gentleman  in  New-Bedford informed
me since I commenced this article that he had  succeeded
in curing the cholera morbus, and almost universally all
bowel  complaints, with a syrup  made  of blackberries-
squeeze out the juice, boil,  take off the scum, add  loaf
sugar and best spirits sufficient to keep it; a wineglassfiii
two or three times a day.
          DIARRHCEA: or, LOOSENESS,
   Is not always a disease, but an effort of nature to throw
off some disease.  It ought, therefore, not to be checked,
unless it produce weakness and debility.   When it is pro-
duced  by taking cold, warming drinks, soak the feet and 
ART  OF HEALING.
147
excite a gentle  moisture of the surface.  Where this dis-
ease proceeds from an acid state of the stomach give the
Corrector, which is made of one teaspoonful of salaratus,
one of peppermint, or spearmint  finely pulverised,  and
one of best Turkey rhubarb,  sweetened with loaf sugar;
add half a pint of boiling water, a few spoonsful of spirits,
if it be at hand; for an adult, take half a wineglassful
every  hour till it produces  a change in  the stool.
  In  common cases of slight  relax.in children produced
by heat and exercise, let  their food be milk thickened
with flour, and  drink nothing except sage tea, chocolate-
root, or Avens-root, a little cayenne, and milk scalded will
be found serviceable.  In  some cases, it may be necessary
t» take an emetic,  but I  think,  rarely, if the above course
is properly pursued.  Diarrhoea produced by extreme agi-
tation of mind requires emetic in stead of cathartic. When
looseness proceeds from worms, the stool will appear slimy,
and appearances of decayed worms; when this is the case
means should  be  taken to expel the worms.   Whatever
may be the cause, when it is found necessary to stop the  >
looseness, the patient should take light food.
                   DYSENTERY.
  This disease may be distinguished from the diarrhoea,
from  acute  pain  in the  bowels which it  produces, and
discharge of bloody matter.   It  is most prevalent in the
spring and  fall.  Night  air, confined  and unwholesome
air, bad water, leaving off flannels, wet clothes, are some
of the principal causes that produce dysentery.         -:
  The symptoms are frequent griping pain in  the bowels,
an inclination to go often  to stool, bloody discharges mixed
with slime;  it is  attended with chills  and quickness of
pulse.   When the patient goes to stool, he feels a bearing
down as though the whole bowels were falling out.  It is
very important in this disease that the patient should keep
clean, warm and  quiet. 
148             .„   ART O?  HEALIWd.

   Treatment.—It may be cured in the first stages of it by
r?:ilk boiled and thickened with flour.   I once cured my-
self  by this course.   I was travelling, and found all the
^ymptoms coming on ; frstopped at a tavern, and for dinner
called for a dish of milk, boiled and thickened with flour.
It had the happiest effect.   I had  no more pain and noth-
ing passed my bowels for two or three days, and  then be-
came regular.
   I cured  myself a few weeks ago, of the same disease,
after it had assumed  rather a bad  form,  by taking about
an even  teaspoonful of rhubarb, with a  piece of salaratus
as large  as a white bean,  mixed in hot  water, sweetened,
taken once in ten or twelve  hours,  for two or three times,
lived  light, drank  t\v4 or three strong  cups of  tea, and
found  immediate relief.   The  thickened milk will soiiie-
times produce pain and constipation in the bowels, owing
to the  sudden  check which it produces: in  this case, it
will be necessary to take a gentle portion of physic—take
a teaspoon a  little  more than  half full of rhubarb, or six
of the hygeian pills. (See Ilygeian Pills.)   After three
hours, take half a pint at once  of  strong tea of thorough-
wort, warm,  and sweetened with   molasses or sugar; if
this does  not vomit in half an  hour, give as  much more.
I have produced an immediate cure by  the above treat-
ment,  that is,  by  giving the   thickened  milk, pills and
emetic ;  a  hot stone should be  placed at the  feet whilst
giving the emetic, to assist in producing perspiration.
  A sea  Captian of Plymouth,  Massachusetts, informed
me that he was once on a fishing voyage near the Labra-
dor coast,  and all  his company, by turns, were attacked
with the  Dysentery, and  all soon recovered, but one who
was his son ;  he could get no relief in the ordinary treat-
ment.  His case was so obstinate that he was under the
necessity of going on shore, and after finding a  suitable
place for his son, he met with one of the  native  Indiana,
who told  him  "me cure um,  sartin."    He  accordingly
collected a quantity of double spruce tops and boiled them
making a  strong decoction, and  gave   him  about a tea- 
ART  Or HEALING.
149
cupful ;  and in about an hour gave him a gentle portion
of physic, which produced an'immediate cure.
  A variety of treatments are necessary to be laid down,
as the same  medicine will not  have the same  effect on
every one.   Injections are useful made of
  Flaxseed tea ; or mucilage of Slippery-elm—half a pint,
  Milk—half a pint,
  Sweet-oil—a wine-glassful,
  Molasses—half  a pint,
  Fine Salt—one teaspoonful,
     Mix, and introduce with a large syringe.
  In giving injections in  this  disease, it is necessary to
give large portions,  in order to reach  the  inflamed part.
It is very important to keep the  feet and body warm; an
extra garment should be worn.
  The Corrector,  as laid  down  in the treatment of Diar-
rhoea, should be used in the first stages of this disease;  it
has a tendency to  neutralize the acidity of the stomach—
the rhubarb quickens the motion of the bowels and car-
ries it to the seat of the disease.   I have  found a syrup
made of blackberry-roots, to be very useful in all diseases
of the bowels: it should be boiled for a long  time to get
the strength.  It should he sweetened, and milk scalded
in.   It makes  a very agreeable syrup.  It is particularly
useful for children, as it is so pleasant, that they will drink
it without compulsion.  A syrup made of the berries an?
swers the same purpose.
   Dr.  Buchan says he has known  the Dysentery to be
cured by a  broth  made of sheep's head and  feet,  boiled
with the skin on, the hair and wool being singed off with
an hot iron.   It should  be boiled  till the broth is  quite a
jelly.  A little cinnamon, or mace, may be added, to give
it an agreeable flavor ;  the patient may take a little of  it
three or four times a day,  with a little toasted bread ;  and
a clyster may be given of it  twice a day.
52 
150
ART  ©r HEALI.VS.
                       URINE,

            FREQUENT AND EXCESSIVE :  OR,

                      DIABETIS.

                AND  ALSO  INVOLUNTARY.

   The diabetis  is a frequent and excessive discharge of
urine.  It is rarely met with in young people : but often
attacks persons in the decline  of life, especially such as
have been hard drinkers in their youth, or been  hard la-
borers.
   Symptoms.—In diabetis,  the urine generally exceeds in
quantity all the liquid food which the patient takes.   It is
thin, pale, and of a sweetish taste,  and  agreeable smell.
The  patient has a continual thirst, with some degree of
fever.  The  appetite  grows less, and the  flesh  fails.   As
this disease makes  its appearance  on the  decline of life,
when the  system  begins to grow slack, every  thing that
has a tendency to relax the system and excite the urinary
organs, should be avoided.   The food, in particular, should
be  of a solid kind, with but very little drink, and that of
a tonic and'^stringeut nature, such as sweet bugle, crane'a
bill, a syrup made of white-oak  bark ; acids for drink are
better than that which is sweet, such as lemon-juice, vine-
gar, elixir vitriol', &..C
   A gentleman told hTe^jgijad been afflicted with  this dis-
ease for live and twenty year?, by turns,  and that he found
the greatest help from a syrup made of  yarrow and plan-
tain.   Parched  corn  is recommended,  golden-seal, Solo-
mon-seal,  beth-root, and black-cohash, these may be taken
separate,  or combined;  but they should be boiled down
strong.  The bowels  should be  kept jently open and occa-
sionally an emetic should be taken.
  There is another disease of the urinary organs called
Incontinency of  Urine ;  but this is  different  from a
diabetis, as  the water passes off involuntarily  in drops,
and does not exceed ihe  usual quantity.  It attacks usual-
ly persons  in the decline of life, and such as labor hard. 
ART  OF HBALINtt.
151
The course of treatment to be pursued is similar to that
directed above.  In both of the above diseases, the patient
should  not sleep on a  feather bed, a matrass or straw bed
is the most suitable.
              GRAVEL AND  STONE.

   When  small  stones are lodged in the  kidneys, or dis-
 charged along with the urine,  it is called the gravel.   If
 one of these stones  happen  to  make a lodgment in the
 bladder for some time,  it accumulates fresh  matter, and
 at length becomes too large to pass off with the urine.  The
 patient  is  said, in this case to have the Stone.
   The  Stone and Gravel are  produced  by  high  living,
 a sedentary life, lying'too warm,or too much on the back ;
 the constant use of water  impregnated with earthy  or
 stony  particles*.- Stones or Gravel in  the kidneys, occasion
 fixed  pain in the loins, sickness, vomiting, and sometimes
 bloody urine, and not unfrequently a slight suppression of
 urine.   When the stone ^descends into the ureter, (or the
 canal  which  conveys tJie urine  from the kidneys to  the
 bladder,) and is too large to pass along with ease, all the
 above symptoms are  increased ; the pain extends towards
 the bladder ;  the  thigh and  leg of the  affected  side are
 benumbed ; the testicles are drawn upwards, and the urine
is obstructed.  A stone in the bladder is  known  from the
pain at  the time, as well as  before and after  making wa-
ter; from the frequent inclination to  void the  urine; from
the urine  corning away by  drops, or stopping  suddenly
when  it was running a full stream ;  by a violent pain in
the neck of the bladder upon motion, especially on horse-
back,  or in a carriage on a rough road ; or from  a white-
thick, copious,  stinking  mucous  sediment in the urine;
from an itching at the top of the penis.
  Many remedies have been'prescribed for the Stone and
Gravel ; but, perhaps, all that has been effected, or can be
accomplished by medicine, is, to remove urgent symptoms, 
152               iRT  OF HLALI.NG

and give action and  tone to  the  organs most  intimately
connected with these difficulties.   Those medicines that
give tone and a healthy action to the kidneys, producing
a free  discharge of urine,  are the  btist adapted  to these
diseases.
  The body should be relaxed by perspiration, and stimti-
lating^iuretics should be administered, in order to expel
the gravel from the system, lujfere  they shall  attain to so
large a size  that  they  cannot  pass off by  the ordinary
means.   Dr. Beach recommends, particularly in violent
attacks, that the patient soak  his feet in warm water, and
take the spirits of mint, which  is  made by pounding  up
the green herb of spearmint,  and  adding Holland gin";  of
this, take a  wine glassful  as  often  as  the stomach will
bear it.
  If there  be pain in the  region, apply  fermentations of
bitter  herbs, and  by  all  means, produce  perspiration;
lfthere is difficulty ih producing moisture on the surface'
use the vapor bath.           .                         '
  It will be necessary to keep the bowels open ; the ve<re-
table powders will be found very  applicable in this ca°se
The patient  should drink  a  plenty of slippery-elm tea
gum arable,  queen of the meadow, and marsh-mallows.  '
  Many persons  have  found great  relief from the usenf
Hscrlem oil.  1 have made  this oil,  by addina one part of
spirits of  turpentine,  to  three parts of  the balsom of sul-
phur, fifteen  drops is a portion.
  Dr. Beach  informs  us that he met with a man in the
State of New-York, who had cured himself of the Stone
in the  bladder  by drinking  free|y  of a strong decoction
or tea of the wild  carrot, (Dancus Sylvcstri,-,) the lops
and  seeds ; he voided forty-seven large piece's of stone
by taking the medicine.   The reader is directed to exam-
ne  the  medical properties  of Cleavers  as laid down in 
ART OP HKALIXO.
153
                     HEADACHE.
    Headache proceeds sometimes from a foul stomach and
 costiveness, when it is termed the sick headache.  There
 are a great jnany psople troubled, with this complant, who
 think they can never be cured ;  they have  not  Courage
 enough  to pursue the only course that will insure a com-
 plete cure, and  therefore must drag out  a life of periodi-
 cal headache, and sickness at the stomach ; whilst a reme-
 dy is within their reach.
   The acrimonious  humors have,  for a long time, been
 bound up in the body, as will appear from a costive habit;
 the stomach is foul, and  through  sympa'^y effects the
 head ; the pores are generally  closed,  and Xfery little mois-
 ture on the surface.
   Such  persons sometimes take a little physic, and once
 in  a great while an  emetic;  but not enough  to  do much
*good or  hurl.  They require prompt, thorough and co'h-
 stant treatment, for some-length of time, in order to break
 up the deep seated disease.  No one  thus afflicted is wil-
 ling to pay any attention to it, except to remove the very
 urgent symptoms when  they occur.
    'Ireatment.—Take a heaping teaspoonful of the physi-
 cal powders,  (or about that quantity,)  the next day but one
 after, take a thorough lobelia emetic.   Take  every night,
 a portion of  the vegetable powders,  and enough of the
 bilious pills  to operate on  the bowelsf1-—the HUrnber of
 pills will be left to  the discretion of the patient ;  but  take
 enough,  every night when  you take the powders, to ope-
 rate.   This course should be followed for  a number of
 weeks, and as often as once a week, take a lobelia emetic.
 Make a syrup of thoroughwort, and take half a wine-glass--
 ful, twice a day.   Avoid strong tea and coffee, drink occa-
 sionally through the  day the mother's cordial,  the  food
 should be light and chiefly vegetable.
   When tho headache proceeds  from a determination of
 blood to the head,  the  feet should be soaked every other
 night in weak lie, and rubbed with the elixir; the vegeta-
 ble powders and physic  should be taken.  It is very impor- 
154               ART OP HEALINO.

tant, in order to obviate  this kind of  headache, to take
blood from the temples, or the shoulders, by cupping.  I
have  frequefflly made this application, and  have never
failed of giving relief.  It relieves the small blood vessels,
that are pressed, and has a tendency to equalize the circu-
lation.   When  the  headache arises  from nervous affec-
tions, more particularly, the patient should be directed to
take,  nervines: such as skonk-cabbage, valerian, Indian-
hemp, &c.   Application of cold water to the  head every
morning  has sometimes  cured the headache when every
thing else, which was prescribed, failed.
                      WORMS.

  These are chiefly of three kinds, viz :  the taenia, or tape
worm ;  the teres, or  round  and long worm ; and the asca-
rides, or round and short worm.  There are many other
kinds of worms found in the human  body.
  The tape-worm is  white, very long, and full of joints.
It is generally bred in the stomach, or small intestines.
  The round and long  worm is also  bred in the small in-
testines, and sometimes  in the stomach.
  The round and short worms, commonly lodge in the
rectum ;  or  what isMCalled  the end of the gut,  and occa-
sions a disagreeable  itching about the seat.
  Symptoms.—The  common  symptoms  of  worms, are(
paleness of the countenance,  and at other times, an uni-
versal flushing of the face ; starting, and grinding of the
teeth in sleep; swelling of  the upper  lip;  the appetite
sometimes bad ; at other times quite voracious ; looseness ;
a sour or stinking  breath ; a hard swelled   belly ; great
thirst; the urine frothy, and sometimes of a whitish color;
griping or cholic pains; an involuntary discharge of saliva,
especially when asleep ; flushed cheeks; irregular pulse,
and sometimes the convulsive fits.  Sometimes the worms'
rise in the throat—they may always be carried down by
'Jrinking salt arjd water. 
                   ART OF  HftALINCS.               155

  When they produce fits, administer an injection made
of strong cajnip tea ; add one great spoonful of sweet-oil,
or hogs-lard, three gn.-at  spoonsful of molasses, and an
even teaspoonful of fine salt.   Inject for  a child from half
to a tumblerful at o:i;:e,  and  keep it up  fifteen or twenty
minutes.  Soak the feet in weak lie,  and put onion poul-
tices on his  feet : give from one to two ounces of the juice
of oniotts; and, in  about an  hour after,  give a thorough
portion  of the  physical powders.   After the operation of
the physic, give  a thorough  course <>f the lobelia emetic.
If t'i? child  should have a recurrence of spasms, pursue
the same course again.  1 have pursued ^he very course
here laid down  with success.   I had a case  a few mouths
ago, of  fits  from worms, attended with a lung fever.   1
succeeded in giving prompt relief, by  the above course of
treatment.   The emetic should be administered  as often
as every other day, and injections after,  and occasionally
physic.
  The  bowels as well as stomach, in this disease, become
very filthy and  require  much  cleansing.   The strength of
the patient should be kept  up; make a tea of pearl barley,
put in a little gum arable, or slippery-elm.   In ordinary
cases of worms, the juice of  onions,  and afterwards phy-
sic, as directed above, I have found to answer the  purpose.
Tansy,  garlics, onions and sage, are good agarist worms;
Bitters  made  of  wormwood,  tansy,- and   thoroughwort,
should be given two or three limes a day; after the emetic.
^Wonns will  breed  again if  the stomach  and  bowels are
not properly strengthened.
                      DROPSY.

  The dropsy is a preternatural swelling of the whole body,
or some part of it, occasioned bv a collection of watery hu-
mor.   It is  distinguished by different names, according to
the part affected, as anasarca;  or a  collection of water
under  the cel'ular  membrane :  ascites, or  a collection of 
156                ART OF IlEALIN'.i.

water in the belly: hydrops pectoris,  or  dropsy in the
breast :  hydrocephalus,  or  dropsy of the brain.  Dropsy
proceeds from various causes; sometimes it is  hereditary ;
sometimes from sedentary habits ; from drunkenness; ex-
cessive bleeding ; purging ; and salivations.
   Dropsy generally begins with a swelling of the feet and
ancles towards night, which, for  sometime,  disappears in
the-moming.  In the evening  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 quantity,  and  the thirst great; the body is bound,
and  perspiration is greatly obstructed.   To these, succeed
torpor, heaviness, a slow waisting fever, and a  troublesome
cough.   This last is generally a fatal symptom, as it shows
thai the  lungs are affected.
   This  kind of dropsy  is the most easily cured.   The
hydrops pectoris, or dropsy of the chest, the most difficult.
Dropsy,  means a collection of  water, wherever it may be,
and  requires about  the same kind of treatment.
   In all  kinds  of dropsies,  give  thorough portions of the
physical powders.   I have found them  very efficacious in
evacuating the water.   After the operation of  the physic,
use  the vapor bath ;  and immediately  after,  a thorough
course of the  lobelia emetic.  It is more  easily cured in
young persons than old.  A Mr.  Balcom, of Norton, sixty
four years  of age, was cured  in one week, by the above
process,  after being given over by his physician, as incurar
ble.   He took four courses—one  every other  day.  After
he had taken the third, he said he was no better, but the
fourth seemed to effect the cure, and he has  been able to
attend to his business ever since.
   Warming and  stimulating  medicines,  combined with
those which produce action upon the kidneys,  producing a
free discharge of urine, are very important in  this disease,
such as  mustard-seed, horseradish, cayenne,  juniper-ber-
ries, elder-bark, milk-weed, bittersweet  bark.   These may
be made into a- Syrup, or part of them in equal quantities ; 
ART  OF HJJALINe.               15T
let  the  patient drink of it occasionally ;  a wine-glassful
may be taken two or three times a day.  Stimulating diet
should be  taken in this disease ;  mustard and cayenne
should be taken freely with the food.  The dyspeptic bit-
ters, may occasionally be taken through the day, to keep
up the tone and strength of the system. (See Dyspeptic
Bitters.)



         CANKER :  or,  SORE  MOUTH,
  Appears  in small white ulcers upon the tongue, gums,
and  around the mouth and palate, resembling small parti-
cles of curdled milk.  When  it is mild, it is  confined to
the  mouth; but when it is violent  and of long  standing,
it extends the whole length  of the alimentary canal, and
produces flatulencies and sour purgings.   The physical
powders should be occasionally administered in thorough
doses.   A  tea made of  equal  parts of sumach leaves, or
hemlock bark, the inner meat;  raspberry leaves and bay-
berry bark, should be drank a number of times everyday
for a gargle.   Dissolve salt petre, if the case be very invelv
erale, and afterwards make use of a tea of slippery-elm ;
another  gargle may be  made of white-oak bark,  boiled
down very  strong,  and  brandy  burnt half away ; unite
them and use as a gargle, or  wash,  to hold  in the mouth.
In case  of slight appearances of canker,  I  have cured
with a little alum  v.ater, but where it assumes a malignant
form, it  is very difficult to eradicate.   Sage tea  for a con-
stant, drink is very good  for persons inclined  to canker.
If the canker assume a malignant formj it will  be neces-
sary to give gentle  emetics.   The canker root should be
chewed and swallowed; if the patient be a child, soak tho
root  in cold water, and feed the child with the mucilage. 
153
ART  OI  HEALMU.
                    VOMITING.

  If it is found necessary to stop vomiting  at  any time,
the following articles will be found useful.   A cup or two
of strong tea ; spearmint or peppermint tea ;  an  onion
poultice applied  to the pit of  the  stomach.  Should not
this check it, give of the essence of spearmint and lauda-
num twenty drops of each.  The common soda powders
may be taken.  Bathe the feet in soft warm  water.  Some-
times the lobelia  emetic will keep  the patient  vomit-
ing for a long time, and it will seem to be desirable to put
a stop to it; but I have found it the  best way  generally
to let it have its course,  it will  stop itself, when the emetic
has operated sufficiently.  Where the patient has become
very much  exhausted by vomiting, a little cold water will
revive; commence with a teaspoonful as often as the patient
wants it, and after a while take a great spoonful.  I have
pursued this course successfully.
                      HICKUP.

  The hickup is a spasmodic affection of the stomach and
midriff,  arising from any cause  that irritates the nervous
system.   When it arises from the use of food that is hard
of digestion, wine or any spirituous liquors may be used;
sometimes a little  vinegar will answer the purpose.
  If poison be the cause the patient should take a plenty
of oil and milk.  When it proceeds from inflammation of
the stomach, cooling drinks should  be taken.  Laudanum
is sometimes administered : ten or fifteen drops at a time,
occasionally repeated.   Hops and  wormwood simmered
in vinegar and applied to the stomach are recommended, 
ART  OP HEAL1NW.
159
                     DYSPEPSY.

  Dyspepsy  is a derangement of the digestive functions,
occasioning an interruption in the organs, or viscera, con-
cerned in the process of digestion ; the immediate cause
of which,  appears to be a diminished or increased quan-
tity, or vitiated quality of the  gastric, or the  secretion of
bile.
  There is no disease perhaps that requires more strict at-
tention to diet than the dyspepsy, and in general the appe-
tite of such patients will direct them  what is proper  to be
taken.  Bread made  of meal  not sifted,  should  be used
in preference  to that  made of flour, as  the  physical pro-
pel ties of meal is contained in the bran.  Ripe fruit may
be eaten, and the bowels regulated generally  by the diet.
Anti-dyspeptic pills may be used occasionally.  A tea made
of the leaves of bayberry will  be found  to be an excellent
remedy ; it should be drank daily, and the vegetable pow-
ders taken  with a little milk, every night.
  By  all means,  administer the  lobelia  emetic  once or
twice  a week  according as the patient  can  bear.   This
emetic is particularly  adapted  to the cure of this  disease,
as it produces a change and an action on the internal vis-
cera, stimulating  it to a healthy action, producing all the
good  effects which  is expected from  mercury, without its
evil effects.
  It is argued that we use this emetic for every disease ;
supposing we  do, which, by the way, we  do not; do not
the  faculty, with  as  much truth, use  mercury for every
disease?   Stimulants should  be taken  along  with  food;
such as cayenne, mustard, &c.
  The  body  should  be rubbed  every day with a  flesh
brush arid  especially the stomach and bowels.  Rubbing
or kneading the bowels and stomach, is attended with very
beneficnl  effects.  When dyspepsy is attended with ner-
vous ;■. auctions, nervines should occasionally be used.
  Particular attention should  be paid to the  feet, to keep
thetn  dry and warm.   No exercise in this disease perhaps 
160
ART  OF HEALING.
is so good as walking.  Riding on  horseback, and in a
carriage occasionally wiM be found serviceable.   Dr. Beach
recommends, in this disc -s, a drink made of
  Golden-Seal, pulverise;' —one dram,
  Whitewood bark—two drams,
  Bitter  root, or Indian Hemp, pulverised—one dram,
  Cayenne—half a dram.
  Sweet Malaga wine—one  quart.
Add these articles, pulverised or bruised, to the wine, and
let them stand a few days, and  it is fit for use.
  Take  from a quarter to  half  a  wineglassful,  three or
four times a day.   This creates an appetite and strength-
ens the system generally.
   It  is said  there are hundreds of dollars worth  of this
medicine sold at two dollars per bottle.
   Dyspepsy is caused, perhaps, the most often by intem-
perance   in eating  and drinking.   The best rule that  we
can  make in  regard  to er.ting,  is to rise from the  table
with  as good an appetite as  we  sat down, and in regard to
the use of ardent  spirits, to let it alone before it  is med-
dled  with.   Strong tea and coffee  have a tendency to
bring on dispeptic  habits,  especially  with   sedentary
persons.
               ST. VITUS' DANCE.

  This disease generally attacks young people, from the
eight year of their age, till the time of puberty ; though it
has sometimes been found to occur at a more advanced
period  of life.   Females are more liable to it than males.
  The first  symptoms of this disease is a slight lameness
of one leg, which the patient drags a little, and  seems to
have lost  the  power of regulating its action.  The arms
next become affected, and are thrown into various contor-
tions, which deprive persons affected with this disease of
the power of  feeding  themselves;  and these awkward 
ART OF HIAI.INa.
161
gesticulations in attempting to bring articles of food tow-
ards their  mouth  appear  ridiculous.   One side of  the
body is in general more affected,jjian the other.
  Give the Hygeian  pills  every, day, with the  vegetable
powders  for a few days; then r've the  emetic : if one is
not sufficient to produce a  curer follow them up as often
as it will  agree with  the constitution.   One course cured
a lad in Middleborough, about eight years old.
   A tea  made of the  Indian hemp root  is very good to
allay nervous  irritations,   also valerian.   The scull-cap,
made into a tea and occasionally  drank, is highly  recom-
mended.   Dr. Beach informs  us he has never known the
scull-cap to fail of performing a cure.  The  feet should
occasionally be bathed with warm water.
  ST.  ANTHONY'S FIRE:  or,  ERYSIPELAS.

  This disease attacks persons at any period of life ;  but
is most common between thirty and forty.  It often attacks
young people, and pregnant women,  and  such  as have
once "been afflicted with it are most liable to have it again.
  Every part of the body is liable to be attacked with  the
erysipelas ;  but it most frequently seizes the legs or face,
especially the latter.
  It is most common in autumn, or when hot weather is
succeeded by cold and wet.
  Causes.—Violent passions, or affections of the mind.
Those which  produce an  internal inflammation, or  an
acrid humor, heats and colds, or obstruction of any accus-
tomary evacuation : sudden exposure  to cold, when  the
body has been greatly heated, by drinking to  excess, &c.

  Symptoms.—The St. Anthony's Fire attacks with- a
shivering,  thirst, loss  of strength, pain  in the head  and
back'  heat, restlessness,  and a quick pulse  ; and some-
times vomiting and  delirium;  on the  second  third or
fourth day  the part swells, becomes red, and small pustules 
162
ART  OF LEALINO.
appear ; at which time the fever generally abates.   When
it 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 pustules, filled  with  clear wa-
ter.   One or  both eyes are generally closed  with a swel-
ling;  there  is inflammation of the throat, and difficulty of
breathing and swallowing.  If the mouth and nostrils  be
dry and the patient  drowsy, there is reason to suspect  an
inflammation of the brain.   This  disease  is seldom dan-
gerous ;  but when  the constitution  is bad,  the legs will
swell  to a prodigious size and the cure proves difficult.
  It has often proved fatal to people in the decline of life,
who were of a scarbotic habit.              .
  When the  erysipelas is  large,  deep, and effects a very
sensible part of  the body, the danger is great.
  If the  livid red  color, changes into a livid black, there
is danger of mortification.   A poultice made of the flour
of slippery-elm,  milk and yeast, should be  applied  to pre-
vent  the  mortification.   Yeast  has  a tendency  to stop
mortification.
  Those  that die of this  disease, are carried off about
the seventh or eight  day.   The  patient  should  be kept
within doors ; should take  such drinks  as will produce
moderate perspiration ;  the  bowels should  be kept con-
stantly open  by very gentle physic or injections ; if  the
pulse be low, the patient should  be supported by  cordials.
When the disease affects the face and brain, soak the feet
in warm water ; apply  onions or mustard  seed poultices
to the feet,  to divert it from the head ; also use injections.
The food should be light.   The patient should never be
suffered to be costive.   If the stomach be foul, administer
the emetic.   The vapor  bath seems  peculiarly adapted to
the cure of this  disease ; it is one of those diseases  lhat the
vapor bath  has the happiest  effect it gives immediate re-
lief.  It is very  important  in this disease to have the head
and face steamed as well as the  rest of the body.
'*» 
ART  OF nr.ALIMi.
163
  I have  known when  the erysipelas was prevalent in a
place that almost all the women who were confined at that
time died  within eight and forty hours after their confine-
ment.  I believe  in these cases, that the weak state of the
bowels invite the infection,  and there is not energy and
power enough in the system to create a fever sufficient to
throw it to the  surface;  and nothing being administered
to the patient, to assist nature in throwing it out, the pa-
tient dies of mollification  or gangrene of some of the in-
ternal viscera.  Great care should be taken after confine-
ment to strengthen the intestines and support and defend
them  against diseases of this  kind—all diseases of the
skin are liable to  strike in, as it is familiarly call.   I have
used with great success,  after confinement, the double
tansy tea and spirits, sweetened,  and vegetable powders.
The vegetable powders  should be  taken every night and
morning, and the tansy tea may be  taken at liberty, eight
or ten times in  the course of four and twenty hours.
  It strengthens  and  defends the internal parts that are
weak, and directs the determining  powers to thesuii'uce.
I believe this course would  have saved many a woman's
life.  If this is not sufficient, I should give sudorifics and
a gentle emetic.   Unless the disease can be thrown  to the
surface, the patient must die.   If there is difficulty in pro-
ducing  perspiration,  1 should direct to bathe the surface
with weak lie, or use the vaj;or bath.
                    TEETHING.

  Arbuthnot,  states that about a tenth part of the infants
die in teething, by symptoms proceeding from the irritation
of the tender,  nervous parts of the jaws, occasioning in-
flammation, fever,  convulsions, gangrene,  &c.  These
sjmptoms are in a great measure  owing to the great deli-
cacy  and exquisite  sensibility of the  nervous  system at
this time of life, which is too often increased by an effemi-
nate  education.  Hence it  comes to pass that children
                II 
164
ART  OF HEALING.
who are delicately brought up, always suffer most in teeth-
ing, and often fall by convulsive disorders.
   About the sixth or seventh month, the  teeth  begin to
make their  appearance :  first, the  incisors, or fore-teeth ;
next the canini or dog-teeth ;  and, lastly, the molares, or
grinders.  About the seventh year,  there comes a new
set; and about the twentieth, the  two inner grinders, cal-
led dentes sepientise, the teeth of  wisdom.
   Children about the time of cutting their teeth, salaver
much, and have  generally a looseness.   When the teeth-
ing is difficult, especially when the dog-teeth begin to make
their way through the gums, the child has startings in his
sleep, tumors of  the gums, watching, gripes, green stools,
t^e thrush, fever, difficult breathing and convulsions.
   Difficult teething  requires nearly the same treatment as
an inflammatory  disease.  If  the  body be  bound, it must
be opened either by emollient clysters, 'or gentle purga-
tives ;  as senna,  manna, rhubarb, &x.   The food should
be light, and  in  small quantities ;  the drink plentiful but
weak and diluting, as infusions of balm, catnip flowers, &c.
—to which a third or fourth part of milk may be added.
  It is  sometimes necessary  to give the  lobelia emetic,
the tincture  is the best form to  administer it.   Children
are subject  to frequent spasms, or difficulty of breathing,
and suppression ; in this case the  emetic should be used.
A plaster of Burgundy pitch,  should  be kept between the
shoulders; onion poultices on  the feet, after soaking them
in weak lye.
                    SMALL POX.

  This disease, which  originally  came from Arabia, is,
since the discovery of vaccination, not so general as here-
tofore ; nor does it  appear to be of so malignant  a tvpe.
It  is nevertheless, a most contagious malady ; and ' for
many years,  proved the  scourge of civilized, 'as well as 
ART  OF HEALING.
165
uncivilized nations.   It most generally makes its appear-
ance in the spring.
  This disease is attended with some fever.   Children are
inclined  to appear a little  dull;  more  inclined to drink
than usual ; but little appetite for  solid  food ;  complain
of weariness,  and on exercising inclined to perspire.—
These symptoms are followed by frequent turns of chils
and heat.  About the third or fourth day from  the time
of sickening the  Small Pox  begins to appear.  At first
it very nearly resemble  flea-bites, and is  first discovered
on the face, arms, and breast.                        .  ~"
  When  it is  taken  by vaccination, it  begins  to be  in-
flamed in about eight or nine days.
  In this disease,  as well as all others, we should  watch
its indications, and treat it accordingly; without a certain
discernment to know symptoms and judgment to vary the
treatment  according  to  circumstances,  a person  is not
fit for a  nurse.  The Small Pox  is  an infection received
into the  system, which may, in some cases, be expelled
by the efforts of unaided nature.
  All that can be done by the physician, is, to  assist na-
ture in throwino- it off.  When the body receives the virus
or infection, the powers of nature are put in operation to
throw it  out upon tjie surface :  this it attempts to perform
by creating a  fever.   Without this fever, itcould not  ex-
pel it; so it is not an unfavorable symptom, and it should
not be destroyed :  but rather assisted.         .'.■«•.
  The great danger is when  the  fever is  raised  to its
greatest  height, and  has failed  of expelling the  virus mat-
ter.  It then, as it is  termed, strikes ,m   1 hen active and
stimulating means must be  adopted to  bring it out.  A
tea of saffron  and snake-root, milk punch, catnip and pig-
weed tea, will be  needed to assist  nature in keeping  the
determining powers to the surface.  If the eri.pnon»houW
not  fill as fs sometimes the case, they w.l be needed
When  the fever is highest,  let the body be bathed with
warn water before and  after the eruption appears.   1 he
3s Should be kept open with emollient clysters, or gen-
               2h 
166
ART  OF HKALINO.
tie physic ; the feet should occasionally be soaked.   When
the secondary  fever appears,  and the disease  has fairly
turned,  the patient should be thoroughly  purged : some-
times nature  teaches  this herself, by bringing on a diar-
rhoea.   Whenever there is any appearance of putrescence,
give a wine glass of yeast, three or four times a day.
  There are  two species of the Small Pox—the Distinct
and Confluent.   The Confluent  is the most severe in its
symptoms.
  If there  should be  pain in the  head,  delirium, sore-
throat, &C, soak the feet in warm water, and if necessary
apply mustard seed poultices to the feet.   The food should
be light; the patient should be kept cool ; drinks may be
made of mint,  catnip, balm, pigweed,  lemonade, currant
jelly, and  toasted bread water.   His nourishment should
be barly water, Indian meal gruel, milk and  water, roast-
ed apples, buttermilk and water, ripe fruit, hasty-pudding
and milk.  The room should be aired ; but not be suffered
to come in contact with the patient.   If  there should be
appearances of sinking in the patient, in any stage of the
disease, he should be supported by cordials.
        INFLAMMATION  OF THE EYE.

  Inflammation of the eye is produced by various causes,
as blows, bruises, and the like.  It may also proceed from
dust, lime,  or particles of matter coming in contact with
the eye.  It is also caused  by drying up of accustomed
evacuationy, as drying up of old sores, seatons, &c.
  It is often produced by humors, by the hairs of the eye
lashes being turned in and injuring the eye.   It is some-
times epidemic.   It is often produced by hard drinking.
It is sometimes handed down from  one  generation  to
another from  a venereal taint; a very poor  inheritance.
When  it  procedes  from a  scrofulous  habit, alterative
remedies should bo administered to cleanse the blood.  If 
ART OF UEALlftG.
167
any substance should get into the eye,  it must be taken
out;  as it will create constant inflammation, so long as
it remains.
  The  best eye water  for inflamed, or sore eyes, is the
elixir, diluted with a little water ; the water turns it near-
ly the color of milk.  Take a feather, dip the end of it in
the elixir, and touch it to the inner corner of the eye ; it
will  smart severely  for a few  minutes.   As soon as that
is over, it will feel cool and much relieved.   I have cured
sore eyes in  a short time, with this eye-water.  It should
be repeated  a''number  of times  a day, till  it is cured.
The feet should be soaked at night in warm  water fifteen
or twenty minutes, as often  as every other night, till the
eyes are well.
   If this does  not effect a cure, scarrificate the  temples,
 and put on  the cups,  take  out  from  a wine glassful to
 half a pint, as it may seem necessary.  In cupping, some
 skill and management is necessary, in order to take blood :
 first, in all cases,  the cup should  be put on before any
 incisions are  made : this  is called dry  cupping.   This
 determines  whether you can make the cup  hold on, and
 also draws  the blood to the part.   After you take off the
 cup, warm the spot again with a sponge dipped  in warm
 water, then put  on the cup lightly, after scarrificating.  If
 the air is too much exhausted, it will  draw  too hard and
 the blood will not run freely.  In addition to these means,
 a mustard-seed  poultice may be applied to the nape of the
 neck and the feet.
   If the patient should feel as though there was any for-
 eign substance in the eye,  that had not been taken out,
 take the mucilage of slippery-elm,  and  drop  it into the
 inner  corner of the eye ; this will  be likely to  take out
 any matter that does not stick fast.  If the  eye should be
 very much swollen, put on  over the eye a poultice made
 of the  flour of  slippery-elm, mixed  up with milk.  If
 there be pain or inflammation about the eye, bathe it with
 the compound elixir.  If sore-eyes be of long standing, the
 bygeian pills should  be taken every  night, in  sufficient 
168
ART  OF HEALING.
quantities to produce  an operation everyday;  they will
operate easily and without weakening, as many kinds do.
   Where this difficulty is of long standing, emetics should
be administered as often as twice a week.
   The pith of the young twigs of sassafras, immersed in
rose water, makes  an excellent  eye water.   Weak eyes
are sometimes produced  by a retension of acrimonious
humors in the system, that was not properly physiced off
after some contagious disease as the measles, small pox, &c,
       EPILEPSY: or, FALLING SICKNESS.

   The epilepsy is a sudden deprivation.of all the senses ;
 the patient falls down suddenly and is affected with vu>
 lent convulsive  motions.
   Children, especially those who are delicately brought up,
 are most  subject to it.   It  more frequently  attacks meii
 than women, and is very'difficult to cure.
   Epilepsy may proceed from blows, bruises on the head,
 a collection of water, blood,  or serious humors in the brain]
 excessive drinking, intense study, excess of venery,worms'
 teething,  suppression of accustomed  evacuations,' violent
 passions or affections of the mind, as fear, joy ;  too great
 emptiness or repletion;  hysteric affections, contagion re-
 ceived  into the body,  as  the infection of the small pox
 measles, &c.                                         '

  Symptoms.—An epileptic fit  is generally preceded by
 unusual weariness;  pain of the head,  dullness, noise in
 the ears,  dimness of the sight, palpitation of the heart
disturbed  sleep, the extremities are cold, and  the patient
often feels, as it were, a stream of cold air ascending tow-
ards his head.   In the fit, the patient makes  an unusual
noise;  his thumbs are drawn  in towards the palm of his
hands;  his eyes are distorted ; he starts and foams at the
mouth; his extremities are bent,or  twisted various ways • 
ART  OF HEALING.
169
he often discharges his urine and faces involuntarily, and
is quite destitute of all sense and reason.
  Common  practice, bleeding,  arsenic, mercury,  lunar
caustic, or nitrate of silver, oxide and sulphate of zinc,
sulphate of copper, ammoniated copper, sulphate of iron,
ammoniuted iron, &,c.
  This disease is produced  by obstruction in the system,
retention of humors that ought to be evacuated, which
deranges the operations of nature.   Commence by taking
every night, the hygeian pills,  (see hygeian pills,) take
four every night, increase two every night till they operate
pretty thoroughly ;  then  leave off' a few days and  begin
with  four again ;  take at the same time,  the vegetable
powders, according to directions; after two or three days,
give the lobelia emetic and the vapor bath.   This should
be repeated two or three  times a week, till a cure is effec-
ted.   Says Dr. Beach, from the extensive influence of this
plant on the syslem, (meaning lobelia,) it is better adapted
to diseases of this kind, thtm any other kind of emetic.—
It stimulates the stomach, liver, pancreas, brain, and the
whole nervous system, and usually  brings on more or less
perspiration.   The same author recommends
       Garden Peony—1 oz.
       Peruvian bark—1 oz.
       Virginia Snake-Root—A oz.
       Wild Valerian, or Ladies' Slipper—1 oz.
EKtract all the strength of these by repeated boilings, then
strain and simmer to one quart, add a pound of loaf sugar,
and  half a pint of Madeira  wine.  Of this, the patient
may take  from half, to a  wineglassful three or  four times
day.
  If all these  should fail, the  dyspeptic  bitters may  be
taken. 
1
170
ART OF  HEAL1NCI.
HEARTBURN.
   I was very much  subject  to  this disease myself, till
about fifteen years ago, when I obtained a cure, and have
not had (to my recollection) a bad turn since.
   At a time when the  heartburn was  present,  I took a
heaping teaspoonful of black pepper, pounded fine, put it
in a wine glassful of spirit, stirred it up and drank it'at one
dose;  it effectually cured  me.    It may be  relied on, I
think, as a certain  cure.   It  may betaken without any
fear of danger.  In delicate constitutions, the patient may
take a less quantity.   It would not be proper  in cases of
pregnancy.   I have giyen a  little, however, of  the black
pepper in water with safety.  In  pregnancy for heartburn
and sickness to the stomach, the mother's cordial is almost
an infallible cure. (See Mother's  Cordial.) Rhubarb and
salaratus is alio good against sickness to the stomach  and
heartburn.
   PUTRID, or, MALIGNANT SORE THROAT.

   Since I wrote on this disease, I have  been called to at-
 tend a patient with this disorder, and for the  benefit of mv
 readers  I shall show my  course of treatment and  the re-
 sult.  1 he patient was a  physician, who practices on the
 botanical  principles: he  had  had a severe attack and got
 better; he had, when  I was called, fallen into a relapse.
 He  had previously given directions himself, but now  fear-
 ■»g  it was too much  for his mind  to  have  this care he
 requested  my  attendance and  said he would  follow'my
 directions   He was a man of a robust  constitution  and
 was not  afraid of  the  medicines that he administered to
 others, he followed my directions fully.
   I  found his head to be affected, his stomach foul  his
 £ngue badly coated, and  his throat sore.  He had found
«reat rehef by steainmg his throat with bitter herbs, that h
 t>y inhaleing the steam, and applying the flesh side of th« 
ART  OF HEALING,
171
 Bkm of a cat, warm, around the neck;  he had occasion-
 ally taken emetics and expectorants.   It seemed now to
 be a critical time with him, and his case called for active
 treatment.   I commenced by  giving him a heaping tea-
 spoonful of equal parts of lobelia and ipecacuanha, in about
 fifteen  minutes, I gave him a heaping teaspoonful of lobelia
 in pennyroyal tea, with about half a  teaspoonful of skonk-
 cabbage and about the same quantity of African  cayenne,
 and whenever he vomited I gave him the pennyroyal tea;
 also a plenty of tea made of equal parts of sumach leaves,
 bayberry bark, and the  inside of hemlock  bark ;  in about
 twenty  minutes, I gave him a second heaping teaspoonful
 of the powdered leaves of the lobelia, skonk-cabbage and
 cayenne, and  in  about  half an  hour  more, gave  him
 about an even  teaspoonful of the  clear seeds of lobelia,
 well pounded, accompanied with the skonk-cabbage, cay-
 enne and tea;  this  portion  accompanied  with  copious
 draughts of the  tea above  named, made  of sumach leaves,
 hemlock bark, raspberry  leaves and  bayberry bark, equal
 parts, produced copious vomiting—it operated very thor-
 oughly, and  in an hour or two it was over,  and  his head
 and stomach were  relieved;  he  rested comfortably  that
 night.  The next day but one, he went through  another
 similar course.  I sat up with  him that night, he rested
 comfortably,  and the next morning  he was  able to sit up
 in his  bed  and shave himself.   He took  frequently  of
 water gruel and such other nourishment as was proper in
 his case; he also  occasionally  took a  tea made of  cay-
enne, and a  tincture made ot balsam Tolu, spruce balsam,
 and  hemlock  balsam, dissolved  in spirits, about three
ounces  of each  to the gallon of spirits. 
172
ART OF  HEALING
 BLEEDING AT  THE LUNGS AND STOMACH.

  Discharge of blood from the lungs, is distinguished by
a florid  or red color,  mixed with a little frothy mucous
substance; whereas, blood from the stomach is not so red,
and generally is thrown up in large quantities, and some-
times mixed with  the  contents of the stomach.  They
both require the same course of treatment.
  Persons of a slender form and lax fibers, who have long
necks and strait  breasts,  are most liable to this disease.
It is often occasioned  by  excessive  drinking,  running,
wrestling, singing, playing on wind instruments, or speak-
ing aloud.   Such as have weak lungs ought to avoid all
violent exertions of  that organ as they  value life.  They
should also  guard against drinking  ardent spirits, violent
passions, and every thing that  occasions a  rapid circula-
tion of  blood.   It may  proceed from any  thing that ob-
structs  the course of the  blood in  the lungs.  It is often
the effect of a long  and  violent cough ; in which case it is
often a  forerunner of a consumption.   It may be produced
by sudden  application of cold  to the  external surface of
the body by extreme heat, as working  about furnaces, or
ascending very  high mountains or in balloons;  one man
who ascended  about five miles, said that  it seemed as
though his  blood vessels would have bursted.   Spitting of
blood in a  person who is not inclining to consumption is
not dangerous; it is often only a symptom,  and not a pri-
mary disease, and in some diseases  it  is not an unfavora-
ble symptom, as in  pleurisies and some other fevers.  In
dropsy,  scurvy,  or consumption,  it  is a bad  symptom, and
shows that the lungs are ulcerated.   When  the blood pro-
ceeds from an ulcer in the lungs, it is generally fatal.

  Treatment.—The first thing to be observed is  to equal-
ize circulation  and  produce moderate  perspiration.   The
feet should occasionally be soaked  in weak  lie, and after-
wards rubbed with  the elixir.   I have used  the following
prescription,  and succeeded in  stoping the blood  :—Take
an even teaspoonful of lobelia, the powdery the sawn 
ART  OT HEALING.                173
quantity  of bayberry-root, pulverized,  to which may be
added the  same quantity of skonk-cabbage;  put all  into
a cup of pennyroyal tea ;  add a teaspoonful of the elixir;
take half at once,  and the other half in the course of ten
or fifteen minutes; let the  patient take nothing  more till
he begins to vomit; let him take a plenty of water  gruel.
Sometimes  the patient will, vomit soon, again  not guilder
an hour,  and at other times,  not at all.   This course I
have  found to  relieve a cough, and  has a tendency to
equalize  the circulation  and  relieve  the  crowded blood
vessels, and cleanse the stomach, should there be clotted
blood collected.  Take the bugle tea  for  a drink; take,
on going to bed,  a heaping teaspoonful of yellow-dock,
pulverised,  put it into a teacup, fill  it up with milk boiling
hot, sweeten  it, add  a little cayenne ; this 1  have  used
with decided  benefit;—the yellow-dock is a little too cold
of itself; it requires, in ail cases, something a little stimu-
lating.  The dock  may also be taken  occasionally  in the
morning, an hour before getting up, and if it should seem
to agree  with the patient,  he  may take it every morning.
Ifthis should not  keep the bowels sufficiently  open, give
gentle purgatives or physic.
   I have pursued  this course where the patient had the
consumption and cough, with decided good results.
   The diet should  be light and cool ;  baked  apples and
milk is very proper in this difficulty.  Give three or  four
pills a day made of white-pine turpentine.   The dyspeptic
bitters, and alterative syrup may occasionally be taken.
       '    BLEEDING  AT THE  NOSE.
  The blood-vessels in the nose are more slightly covered
and mores liable to bleed than most parts of the body, on
being ruptured, or  by a  determination of bldod to the
head.  It is important, therefore, to equalize the circular
tion  by soaking the feet and legs in weak lie ;  and after-
wards rub them thoroughly and bathe them with the elixir j 
174               ART OF HEALING.
take catnip or pennyroyal tea,  and the vegetable powders
to produce a gentle moisture on the surface.   If this does
not stop it, apply cold water to the nape of the neck and
forehead.   Introduce a piece of cotton wet in alurn-water
as far up as possible.  Introduce a piece of the dry shav-
ing of leather as far up as can  be.
  If all this does not stop it,  take dried  beef,  cut  it in
slices, dry it'hard enough to pound into a snuff;  and intro-
duce it into the nose ;  this has proved effectual when all
other  agents have  failed.   When the  patient is very full
of blood, it is well to let it bleed, it may prevent an attack
from some disease more dangerous,  as the epilepsy, ver-
tigo, &c.   It is only when there is danger of bleeding
too much  that means should be taken to stop it.
                  DROWNED  PERSONS.
      Persons remaining under water for a quarter of an hour
    or more,  there is but  very  little  hope of their  recovery;
    yet as we have full proof that many have been resusitated
    after remaining under water for a considerable  time, and
*•   appeared no otherways than dead  for a considerable time
    after  they were  taken  out of the  water,  every means
    should be adopted to restore life.
      The body should be conveyed carfully to the house with
    the head a little inclining to give the water opportunity to
    run  out;  the body should not be rolled on a  barrel as is
    sometimes practiced.
      The grand object  in this case  is to restore a natural
    warmth, and this should  be  accomplished by the best and
    easiest means possible.
      It  should not  be warmed  too  suddenly;  it  may  be
    wrapped in hot flannels  and placed in a warmed bed,  the
    surface should be rubbed all over with hot flannel. Warm
    flannels should also be applied to the stomach and bowels,
    and hot  bricks or bottles of hot water placed  to the soles
    of thejeet, and the palms of the hands.   In  the  mean 
ART  OF HEALING.               175
time have water  heating,  if you have  conveniences for
using  the warm bath, should you not succeed otherwise
in getting the body warm.  After restoration of heat, spirits
of wine should be rubbed upon  the back and pit of the
stomach, the spirits should be previously  warmed.
  To  restore  breathing,  blow into the  patient's mouth
with your own  breath, griping the nose at the same time ;
when  the lungs are inflated, press with your hand on the
stomach and bowels, in order to  expel the air ;  this may
be done a number of times  in order to  imitate natural
breathing.  A  pint of water may be injected about blood
warm,  with a  little spirit  and essence of peppermint.—
Nothing should be given internally till there is symptoms
of  life.
  Tissot, mentions an instance of a girl who was restored
to life after she had been taken out of the water, swollen,
bloated, and to all appearance dead, by laying her naked
body upon hot  ashes, covering her with other's equally hot,
putting a bonnet upon her head, and a stocking round her
neck,  stuffed with the same, and heaping coverings over
all:   After she  had remained half an hour  in this situa-
tion, her pulse returned, she recovered speech, and cried
out, " I  freeze—I  freeze :"—A  little cherry  brandy
was given her, and she  remained buried, as it were, un-
der the  ashes for  eight  hours . afterwards she was taken
out and recovered.
  The same author mentions another case where the pa-
tient had  lain  under water for six hours, and was resusi-
tated by the heat of a dunghill.   After signs of life appear
in drowned persons, they should by no means be neglected
as they sometimes die after signs of life  appear.
  Such persons as have been deprived of all appearance
of life  by a blow, fall, or the like, should be treated very
nearly  the same as a drowned person.
  A warm bath has been the  means of bringing  back
sensibility, after it had been  suspended for sometime by a
blow.   If ever  bleeding from the vein  ought to be toler-
ated, it will be justified  in this case. 
176               ART OF MEALING.
                FEVER AND AGUE.
  The paroxisms of  an intermittent consists of three suc-
cessive stages, viz : a hot, a cold, and  a sweating stage.
  Sometimes fcfrenfe-is an intermission of twenty-four hours,
at other times forty-eight, "and again seventy-two hours.
It appears to begenerally acknowledged, that marsh mias-
mata, or the effluvia arising from stagnant water, or marshy
ground, when acted  upon by  heat, is the most frequent
exciting cause of this fever.   Sometimes, however, people
living in cities and remote  from marshes, are attacked by-
it.  It is brought on by a poor  watery  diet, damp houses,
evening dews,  lying upon the  damp  ground,  watching,
fatigue, depressing passions of the mind.
  When the inhabitants of a high  country emigrate to a
low-©ne, they are generally seized with intermittent fevers.
Whatever relaxes the solids, diminishes the perspiration,
or obstructs the circulation  in the capillary, or small ves-
sels, disposes the body to agues.
  Symptoms of the  Cold Stage.—An intermittent fever
begins generally with pain in the head and loins, wearij,
ness of the limbs,  coldness of the extremities,  stretching,
yawning, with sometimes great sickness and vomiting ; to
which succeed shivering  and  violent shaking.

  On the Cold Stage.—After a longer or shorter continu-
ance of shivering, the heat of the body gradually returns ;
irregularly at first, and  by transient flushes;  soon,  how-
ever, succeeded  by a steady, dry, and  burning  heat, con-
siderably augmenting  above the natural standard. ' The
skin which before was pale and constricted, becomes now
swollen, tense,  and  red ; and  is remarkably  sensible to
the  touch.   The sensibility, diminished in the cold stages,
is now preternaturally acute; pains attack the head,  and
flying pains are  felt  over various parts of the body.   The
pulse is quick,  strong, and hard ;  the tongue white, the
thirst is great, and the urine is  high colored.
  Of the Sweating Stage.—A moisture is at  length ob-
served to break out upon the face  and neck, which soon 
ART  OF HEALING.                177
becomes universal and uniform.  The heat falls to its ordi-
nary standard; the  pulse  diminishes in frequency, and
becomes full and free ;  the  urine deposits a sedement; the
bowels are no longer  confined ; respiration is free and
full ; all the functions are restored to  their natural order; "
when, after a specific interval, the paroxysm returns, and
performs the same successional evolutions.  Between the ♦
paroxysms, the patient must be supported with nourishing
food and drinks, it should be Ijght and easy  of  digestion ;
such as chicken broth, gruel, a little wine, light pudding,
lemons, oranges and a little weak punch; he may drink
freely of bitter herbs, hoarhound tea should be drank sev-
eral times a day, and the vegetable povy4ers every night;
if  physic should be necessary, add a little rhubarb to the
vegetable  powders.  Cheerfulness  and  exercise in pure
air is very  desirable.  In this disease, as well  as  in  all
others, where  it is produced  by infection,  injections are
better  for a general thing than physic.  Injections not
only evacuate  the bowels,] but warm   the intestines, and
assists nature  in throwing out the difficulty ; it assists the
fever, that nature has kindly sent to rid  the patient of his
difficulty,  whilst drastic physic has the contrary effects.
   The first thing to be attended to,  in this disease, is to
give a  thorough  lobelia emetic,  after  giv ing the vegetable
powders night and morning a  few  times, with a little rhu-
barb in them.   The emetic should be given a little before
the hot stage comes on, a cup  of the composition, or vege-
table  powders should  be given  about half  an  hour or an
hour before giving the emetic; the boneset or  hoarhound
tea may be used  in this disease, instead of pennyroyal.
Put a number of hot stones, quenched  in vinegar  in bed
to the  patient  before giving  the emetic.  The emetic is
very important in this disease  to cleanse the stomach, and
produce a change in the order of the disease;  the emetic.
may be repeated as often as necessary.
   I have been more particular on this disease,  as I expect
this book will fall into the  hands of  many  that will emi-
grate to the West, where they will be liable to  bo afflicted 
J7S               ART OF HEALING.
1
more or less., with this disease.  I really believe that fami-
lies emigrating from New-Enghhd to the West may never
be effected with, it,  if they will strictly  follow  the  direc-
tions laid down to prevent it.   Take best

       Peruvian Bark—1 oz.
       Virginia Snakeroot—1 oz.
       Orange-peel—1  oz.
       Thoroughwort or j^oneset—1. oz.
       White-oak Bark—1 oz.

   These  may be put into a  quart of sweet wine or best
Holland gin.  Take  from half to two  thirds  of a wine-
glassful a  numfrer  of times a day,   before  the hot stage
comes on.   It may also be taken as a preventative by per-
sons living in those  sections of the country  where this dis-
ease prevails,  and more especially in those seasons of the
year when  it is thr> most prevalent; at the same time, take
occasionally the vegetable powders at night, at such sea-
sons.   Alst), as a preventative, wear woollen  flannel next
the skin.   Guard against  wet feet and  night air ; keep a
little fire on the hearth,  particularly  at night;  drink occa-
sionally the thoroughwort  tea, poplar bark,  camomile flow-
ers, or a tea made of the  inner  bark of white-oak.   The
Peruvian bark and Quinine, are the  most popular remedies
for the cure of this disease. Dr. Buchan prescribes,  in this
disease the

       Sulphate of Quinine—12 giains.
       Good Maderia Wine 2-J pints.

It may be taken at  liberty a  number of times a day.. It
should be  remembered that it is necessary to cleanse the
stomach before giving  tonics,  and  also they  should  be
omitted during the paroxysms.
   When the chills almost entirely cease, and a fever con-
tinues, and the patient is much debilitated, give the emetic
every two or three days.
   Where infants are afflicted with this disease, the follow-
ing is recommended :   Take                        ,* 
ART  OF HEALING.               179
      Sulphate of Quinine—16 grains.
      Lemon juice—20 drops.
      Loaf sugar—a suitable quantity.
      Water—2 oz.   Mix.
The dose is a teaspoonful every two hours, for a child be-
tween two and five years of age.
  I have known  the health of a family in the Swamps of
Delaware, says Dr. Mease, preserved during a whole sum-
mer, while the neighbors were all afflicted  by  agues,  by
keeping afire in  the sitting rooms mornings and evenings
during the damp  seasons; they will be found useful in de-
priving the air of its unhealthy moisture, and keeping the
walls dry.
                      BILES.

  Biles are the effect of an effort of Nature to rid herself
of impurities in the system.   The alterative  syrup,  the
hygeian pills and the vegetable powders  should be taken
daily to cleanse the  blood.  If the bile  is very painful, it
may  be  relieved  by  steaming it over bitter herbs.   A
poultice made of a roasted onion will assist in bringing it
to a head ;  or a poultice made of the flour of slippery-elm
and flaxseed equal parts, simmered in milk or water.
                     DEAFNESS.

   The ear should be cleansed every day with warm suds
 made of casteel soap,  and by means of a syringe injected
 and drawn out.  Dry cupping will be found useful, espec-
 ially if the patient should be troubled with a noise  in the
 e,r   The balsam of copaiba may be dropped into the ear.
 Onion poultices may be worn on the feet at night, and
' sometimes these may be exchanged for a slice of the root 
                                                      1
       »                                               1
ISO               ART OF HEALlNrt.
of the garget, skoke, or pigeonberry, applied warm to the
bottoms of the feet.  Electricity  is recommended.
              AGUE IN THE  FACE.
  Take  a portion of the'vegetable powders with a tea-
spoonful of the elixir, put a coat over the shoulders, sit be-
fore a fire and hold  the elixir in  the  mouth ;  if this does
not relieve it, take a teaspoonful of cayenne, tie it up.in a
thin rag, wet it with the  elixir  and put it between the lip
and jaw, soak the feet in warm water, and after  wiping
them dry, rub them over with the elixir.   This has cured  >
in very desperate cases.
                  TOOTHACHE,

  Is generally the effect of cold;  the circulation  should  I
be promoted by soaking the  feet.   I  have found the com-
pound  tincture rarely to fail of relieving the  toothach".
I had a case where the  patient had been kept  awake all
night with the toothache; I gave him the compound tinc-
ture and it relieved him, so  that he slept that  night, and
the next day I filled up the decayed place, and to my
knowledge it has not troubled him since.  If this does not
cure, however, put a little of the oil of cloves on  cotton and
place in the decayed tooth.
   Many highly recommended preparations for  cleansing
the teeth are before  the public,  but  most of them,  I be-
lieve to be injurious.  Nothing is better, in my  opinion, to
preserve the teeth, than to wash them every morning  with
cold water, rubbing  them with the finger or a  brush. If
the gums be spungy .yellow  dock root, pulverized, will be
found good to rub them with.   When tartar collects, as it *
often does, it is very important to have it removed in or4er
to preserve the teeth.  In cleansing teeth, I  have iound 
ART  OF HEALINfl,
181
chalk, rubbed on the flesh side of a narrow strip of sole-
leather to answer the best purpose of  any thing I have
tried ; rubbing the teeth with this is merely mechanical, it
has no chymical effect to  injure the  enamel  as  acids or
alkalies have.
                     MEASLES.

  The  measles are known by  the  appearance of small
eruptions, s6mewhat resembling flea-bites, over the  face
and body ; but particularly about the neck and breast, not
lending to suppuration—or produce pus.   Many of these
spots soon run into each other, and form red streaks, and
give the skin an inflammatory appearance, and produces
a perceptible swelling in the  face ; each spot is a little
above the surface.  Measles  somewhat  resemble scarla-
tinn, but in  the measles the eruption rises more above the
skin, and occasions  a  manifest roughness  to the touch
which is hardly observable in the scarlet fever, except a
very little roughness sometimes  in the arms.   In the scar-
let fever, there is seldom a severe cough ;  the eyes do not
run much.   Measles are highly infectious, and rarely at-
tack a second time.
  It is caused by infection being received into the system.
In many respects, it resembles the small-pox,  and the gen-
eral  course  of treatment should be the  same.  In  most
cases of the measles,  nature will throw off the  infection
without  any assistance,  by keeping the patient comforta-
bly warm and  within  doors ;  but  it  is well, in all cases,
after the measles have fairly turned, to cleanse the system
with physic.  In  this disease,  it is well  to give a strong
tea made of saffron and snake-root, pennyroyal,  or may-
weed ;  in worse cases, give the vegetable powders.
  If there should  appear to be  inflammation on the lungs,
or a bad cough,  or  the measles appear  to strike in, the
lobelia  emetic,  should  be administered.   This  emetic
                  I 
1S2                ART OF 1IEAL1NB.

should always be administered in bad cases, and repeated
if necessary.
   In  most  cases of measles,  nature performs her work
best without any assistance.
                       PALSY.

   This disease is a loss or diminution of motion, or feel-
ing, or of both, in one or  more parts of the body.  When
one entire side of the body,  from  the  head  downward,
is affected,  it  is distinguished  by professional  men, by
the name of hemiplegia.  If one half of the body taken
transversly,   by the seat of the disease, it  is named para-
plegia;  and when confined to a particular limb,  or set of
muscles, it  is  called a paralysis.   It may  be caused by
apoplexy.   It may  likewise  be occasioned  by any thing
that prevents a nervous  power from  the brain into the
organs of motion ; hence tumors, over distention, and effu-
sions, often  give rise to it.   It may be occasioned  by sup-
pression  of  usual evacuations, drunkenness,  exposure to
wet and damp air, by fractures, bruises, and  wounds.
   Those who are constantly  exposed to the fumes of poi-
sonous  metals, such  as red-lead  and the like,  are very
liable to  be  attacked with it.
   Mode of  Cure.—Thorough courses of the emetic and
steaming should be administered a number of time a week.
   Give occasionally  injections, a heaping teaspoonful of
lobelia, bayberry-bark, and cayenne,  the same quantity,
put all into  a  pint of strong  pennyroyal  tea ; steep and
strain : this  may  be given as often as the emetic.  The
body .should be frequently rubbed  with a flesh-brush, or
flannel  cloth.  Electricity should   accompany the above
treatment.   Make a  tincture of
     African cayenne—1  oz.     Alcohol—1 quart.
     Mustard—I  oz.             Horseradish—1 oz.
Bathe frequently with  this tincture, and take occasionally 
ART  OF HEALING.
183
rwery day, a teaspoonful, with the vegetable powders.   If
the injections are not enough  to evacuate the bowels suf-
ficiently, give gentle purgatives.  When this disease affects
the face and  head, it draws the mouth one side, affects
the understanding, and deranges the organs of speech.
                  RHEUMATISM.

  This disease  has often a resemblance to the gout.   It
nenerally attacks  the  joints with exquisite  pain,  and is
sometimes attended with inflammation and  swelling.  It
is most common in spring and autumn.  It is usually dis-
tinguished  by acute  and chronic : or rheumatism with
and without a fever.

  Causa —Sudden transitions from heat to cold; ardent-
spirits    I have  cured slight rheumatism  with the rheu-
matic plaster;  if the pain move, put on another  plaster
where the pain  is present :  if this does not cure, in addi-
tion, soak the feet at  night, just before going  to bed rub
them thoroughly with flannel ; bathe them with the elixir;
put on a plaster of poke-root, (See Poke,) take a  portion
of vegetable powders,  and eight or ten  of the hygeian
pills "repeat this*urse every night; bathe the part where
 he pain  is present  wnhrfhe hearlem oil.   I  have found
t ns article to' b|ver^#cacious.  The patient should be
careful  not to expose himself to take  colci umfcr the opera-
tion of  medicine.  I have given immediate relief in this
disease  by cupping ;  dry cup first from where the  pain .s,
downward.   By  dry cupping, 1  mean, after  wetting (he
pa t with a sponge or cloth dipped in warm  water, put on
Uie cup where  the pain is, and  pump out a little a.r  enough
 o make the glass stick, then carry the glass  downward,
 he glass still adhering to the flesh.   After  this operation
   performed a few times, rub it over with  alcohol or the
elixir then put on the scarificator, ever the  place where 
184
ART  OF HEALING.
1
the pain is felt, put on the cup, and take out more or less
blood according as the case may require.                  (
   If the pain should be extreme, when called to a patient,
and has been of long standing, it will be necessary, if the
above treatment fails,  to give a thorough course of the va-
por bath  and emetic.  The patient may be steamed in the
bath house,  by the steam of hot waterj or  by quenching
hot stones  in vinegar,  wrapping  them  up in  cloths and
placing them around the body.
   I was  called to a patient a few months  ago, who had
been  laboring under this disease, and toad  not been able
to attend to  his business for some time.  1 found him in
bed, and exercised with extreme pain,  and had not slept
any the night previous.
   I got him up,  soaked his feet, gave him the composition
powders  and elixir ; got him into bed again and placed hdt
stones quenched  in vinegar around his body, and one at   '
his feet,  gave him warming medicines  to take internally,   •
and produced  copious perspiration ; the stones were of
different sizes, the largest I  placed where there was the
most pain.  After about  three quarters of an hour, we
changed his linen, and gave him a thorough lobelia emetic;
after the  operation of the emetic,  he  took  some gruel ;
the pain left him, and he went to sleep.
   He  took the vegetable powders a number of days with
the elixir and  the physical powdeutf aqd  in a few days
Was able to attend  to his businesses  usual.  I  saw him
a number of months after, and he  toldJme he had been
as free from the rheumatism as he waMwhen a boy.
   Garget, or poke plumbs and  brandy  makes a very valu-
able medicine for the  rheumatism ; put enough of the her-  .
ries to make it somewhat thick—take  half a glassful and
add as much water for a dose.   The  compound tincture
will be found very good for an external application.  Cut
up pitch-pine  knots, or any part of the tree that is full of
pitch,  and put four ounces of it in one quart of gin, and
half an  ounce ofguaiacum, the gum,  add one pint of wa-
ter; take a glass a number of times a day. 
                  ART OF HEALINS.                I&J

  In inflammatory rheumatism, it should be the first ob-
ject to produce perspiration ; and to accomplish this, put
on the  feet large slices of poke-root, or garget;  let them
be warmed by the fire; give warming drinks.^nd  give a
thorough steaming in the vapor house; if the patient can-
not be  moved, put hot stones quenched in  vinegar to the
feet, and all around him, give the vegetable powders and
the lobelia  emetic ; if  any part  swells, use the cups.—
Treat  the case in  other respects  much as the chronic
rheumatism.
              BURNS AND SCALDS.
  The best thing that I know of in this case is the elixir,
or alcohol, bathe the part constantly till the fire is all out.
  If the burn be deep, make a poultice of sweet oil and
the  flour of slippery-elm ; this  has performed wonderful
cures in very  desperate cases, an ointment of elder-bark
is also good.   The elixir has a tendency to prevent morti-
fication.                                        ,,     ,
  A very valuable  ointment* for the cure of scalds and
burns is made by simmering fresh balls of horse-dung in
goose oil, simmer till the dung becomes a little dry, then
strain it  through a cloth, and when nearly coo , stir in as
much snow as Jou can  get in ;  the snow will  not  melt
after it  is worked in ;  it sheuld be applied to the burn or
scald cold.
                  . FAINTING.
  In  this complaint, there is a diminished  action of all
the functions of the body, accompanied with  a death like

PalTheSSpatient, in this difficulty,  should b* Iain on Wa
back or Vide, with  the arm*  extended , the ^extremities 
186
ART  OF HEALING.
should be rubbed with spirits, if it be at hand, a woollen
cloth or flesh-brush should be used, a little cold water may
be thrown  in his face, volatile salts should be applied to
the nose, » warm stone or brick may  be put to the  feet if
it be necessary, and a flannel wet with spirits put to the
pit of the stomach.                  *
                     APOPLEXY.

   Apoplexy  is a sudden loss of sense  and motion, during
 which, the patient is, to all appearance, dead ;  the heart
 and lungs, howefer, still continue to move.  Though this
 disease proves often fatal, yet it may sometimes be removed
 by proper care. . It chiefly attacks sedentary persons of a
 gross, habit, who use a rich and plentiful diet, and indulge
 in strong liquors.  People in the decline of life, are most
 subject to the apoplexy.  It prevails most in winter, espec-
 ially in rainy seasons.
   The immediate cause of apoplexy,  is a compression of
 the brain,  occasioned by  an excess of blood, or a  collec-
 tion of watery humors.  In the treatment of this disease,
 the  great object will  be to  equalize the circulation,  and
 cause the blood to rece'de from the brain;  and, in order to
 invite it into the extremities, the feet sjfeuld  be Immersed
 in warm water;  and after  the,y have been  there  for some-
 time, rub them thoroughly with flannel, afterwards  bathe
 them with elixir ; the neck should  be free from any com-
 pression.   The whole body should be bathed with a lini-
 ment of African cayenne, steeped in alcohol, and  applied
 hot.
   Take half a pint of strong catnip tea, put  in H heaping
 teaspoonful of lobelia, milk half a pint, a wineglassful or
 sweet oil, a gill of molasses, and a teaspoonful of fijie salt.
 Mix,  and- introduce with  a syringe.   This  will "have a
 tendency  to   relieve  the head,  and answer the purpose
of evacuating  the  bowels; hot bricks wet with  vinegar, 
ART  OF II HALING.                187
should  be kept at the  feet,  and poke-root poultices, or
mustard-seed and rye-meal, should be applied  to the bot-
toms of the feet.
                  COSTIVENESS.
                                         •4
  III this difficulty, there is a retention of the excrements,
attended  with hardness and dryness of  the evacuations,
which are often difficult, and sometimes  painful.   Seden-
tary  persons  are subject to  this disease;  irregularity in
goin<T to stool is apt to produce it;  eating too great a  pro-
portion of solid food.  This  disease is to be obviated by
attention to diet;—the bread should  be made of meal un-
sifted; the most physical  part of grain  is in the bran.—
Dyspeptic persons should eat no other kind of bread, and
indeed  it would conduce to the  health of every  one, if
they would eat no other.  Pfiysic in this disease is injuri-
ous ■ apples and  milk, and fruit of almost any kind is good.
A regular  time  should  always  be observed in  going to
stoolT once a  day  is generally about right, although some
persons enjoy good health who do not go ofteuer then once
in three  days, and sometimes not oftener than a week or
more.   If the patient is very costive, and it does not yield
to diet, take the  yellow-dock  syrup, or a  little rhubarb
   Costiteness is sometimes brought on  by sedentary  busi-
ness and noihin-but exerc.ise will cure; the shoe-making
business, for instance, is  apt to produce it.
   The bowels should  be rubbed or kneaded every day,
and exercise either in walking or riding.
   It is well to bo:rrd at a distance from  business, and walk
to every  meal, otherwise sufficient exercise is  apt to  be
neglected.
* 
188               ART OF HEAL1N«.

                      CHOLIC.

  Of this disease, there  are various  kinds, such as bil-
ious,  wind, hysteric, inflammatory, nervous, and  stone
cholic, &,c.
  This disease, may be treated according to the urgency
of the symptoms, and not according to their names. I have
cured a  cholic in half an  hour by  giving  the  vegetable
powders and elixir;  give a portion of the powders, with
two teaspoonsful of the elixir;  if this does not cure in ten
minutes, take another portion with three teaspoonfuls of
the elixir, and soak the feet in weak lie and rub them dry,
afterwards bathe them with the elixir,  also bathe the bow-
els with the elixir.   If all this should not remove the diffi-
culty, give an  injection of a heaping teaspoonful of lobelia,
the same quantity of cayenne, put them into a strong tea
of pennyroyal, a little more  than blood warm ;  after it  is
sufficiently steeped, strain it and  inject a tumblerful; give   '
a thorough  lobelia emetic.   We  can  produce  instances
where this course has cured very obstinate cases of bilious
cholic.   Where children are  troubled  with wind, causing
pain, rubbing  the bowels  with  the elixir  will frequently
relieve them.   If this does not do, a little of  the essence
of anise or spearmint, diluted and sweetened, will be found
to give immediate relief.   Children will rarely be troubled
with the pain  in the  bowels, if the  mother will keep their
feet warm.  Painters  are subject  to cholic: they should   '
never go to work in the morning  on an empty stomach;
they  should be careful  to keep  themselves  from being
costive.
                       CORNS.
  These are formed by wearing shoes that are toojtight.
In the first place a callous is formed, which, by constant
pressure, frequently extends to the bone.   They are then
difficult to  cure.  In the  first place, the  feet should be 
ART  OF HEALIN8.                189
soaked, the callous should be shaved down as close as the
patient can bear, then in order to prevent any farther chaf-
ing, take a piece of soft buck-skin  or wash-leather,  put it
round the toe, cut a hole in it over  the corn ; if the leather
be thick enough it will prevent the shoe from chafing it;
then put on penetrating  oil that will keep the part mollient,
or an onion poultice, potash, or lunar caustic.

                       _______           <

                      CRAMP.

  For cramp in  the stomach, take  three or four teaspoons-
ful of the elixir  in  a little hot water.   If this  does not
relieve,  give  a great spoonful more in  a wineglass of hot
water.   Friction should be applied  to the  stomach, and
the feet emersed in  warm water and a  mustard-seed poul-
tice applied to the feet.   For cramp in  the feet and hands,
they should  be  rubbed throughly and  bathed  with the
elixir.
                   NIGHT-MARE.

  This occurs 'during sleep, and is distinguished  from
dreams by a sense of weight upon the chest,  from which
the afflicted',apprehend great danger, but have not power
to get away from it; they gradually wake, but still remain
incapable of motion, until,  at length, by repeated efforts,
the system is at once restored to its former energies.   At
other" limes,  they remain  motionless, are sensible of all
they hear, but cannot move without assistance.       ^
  The? patient should abstain from  hearty suppers ;  a*hd
lyin<T on the right side,  will oftentimes be sufficient.  If
rrot,°cnve .the* vegetable powders with a teaspoonful of the
elkh^fr^iight. 
1
190            «■  ART OF HEALING!.

                       ITCH.

  This is an eruption of the skin, which causes  a con-
stant inclination  to scratch, especially when warm.   It is
a disease of the skin.   The itch shows itself first in pim-
ples between the fingers, on the wrists, hands, and  waist.

  Cure.—Take  flour of sulphur, half an ounce, lard two
ounces, melt the lard,  and stir in the sulphur until it is
cold.   Let *the parts be bathed two or three times  a day
with this ointment.  Make a strong  decoction of yellow-
dock root, and drink half a pint a day, and bathe the part
with the same as often.
                   SALT-RHEUM.

   There are different species of this disease ; but alL re-
quire about the  same  treatment.   It is  one of  the most
unyielding diseases that the physician meets with.   The
physician cannot depend on one kind of  medicine to cure
in all cases, it is pretty evident that it proceeds from impu-
rities of  the  blood.   This eruption appears on  different
parts of the body, but  generally on the back of the hands;
it causes a very great irritation, itching, and heat.  Some-
times it  effects the face,  and at other  times nearly .the
whole body;  in this case, the vapor bath should be used.
The grand object in effectually curing  this disease is to
cleanse the blood, and for this purpose the alterative syrup
is very good.
  An ointment made  of equal parts of lard and tar, sim-
mered together, I have found to be very good;  it should
be spread on  a piece of cotton cloth, and laid on the part
at night, and may,  if necessary,  be taken  off in  the
morning.
  An ointment made of yellow-dock root and cream, is a
very cooling ointment, and will give great reTl^aHJThe
berries of poke (See Poke)  simmered  in  hogs-il|d'are
recommended.  Take  the poke leaves, iron them with a 
ART  Or HEALING.
191
warm flat, and put it on the part affected, and the patient
will find relief.   One author informs, that he has succeed-
ed admirably  in that  species that affects the whole body
by a wash made of

       Corrosive sublimate—1 scruple.
       Venice turpentine—2 drams.
       Fresh butter—2 ounces.

Rub the whole  in a mortar until it is well  mixed ; then
apply a small quantity,  morning and night:  after  which,
if the  hands be anointed,  let the palient wear a soft pair
of gloves.   While this ointment  is using, make a wash,
and apply, of

       Corrosive sublimate—% scruple.
       Best French brandy—8 ounces.

   In this disease, the hands should never be put into water,
either  hot or cold; the hands may be washed in spirit, and
may occasionally be  bathed with the tincture of lobelia.
A syrup or beer to purify the blood, may be made  of part
or all of the following  articles:—Sarsaparilla, elder-flow-
ers, sassafras, black-alder, winter-green, yellow-dock, ber-
dock-roots  or  seeds,  elecampane,  dandelion guaiacum
shavings, and nettles.
                      WARTS.

  A popular remedy for "the cure of warts is the  juice of
milk-weed.  If  this  should  not succeed,  they may  be
touched with lunar-caustic. 
1
192                ART OF ULALINo.

          SCROFULA:  or,  KINGS-EVIL.

  This disease chiefly effects  the glands, especially those
of the neck.  Children and persons of  sedentary life,  are
much subject to it.  The inhabitants of cold, damp, and
marshy countries are most liable  to  it.   It  was called
Kings-evil, from an imaginary  cure performed by the roy-
al touch.
   Cause.—Hereditary  disposition,  venereal  taint, or a
scrofulous nurse.  Children born of sickly parents, are apt
to be affected with the scrofula.  It may proceed from  the
small-pox, or measles.   Whatever tends to vitiate the  hu-
mors or relax the solids,  paves the way to scrofula; as
want of exercise,  too much of heat or  cold, confined air,
unwholesome food, bad water, &c.
   At first,  small knots appear under the chin,  or behind
ihe ears,  which gradually increases in number and size,
till they form one large hard tumor.   This often continues
for a long time without breaking, and when it does  break,
it only  discharges  a  thin, acrid, watery humor.   Other
parts of the  body are also liable to its attacks ; as the arm-
pits, groins, feet, hands, eyes, breast,  &c.  Nor are  the
internal parts exempt from it.  It often  effects the  lungs,
liver,  spleen, prostrate glands, &c, und frequently  the
glands of the mesentery are greatly enlarged by it.
   Those  obstinate ulcers which  break out upon the face
and  hands,  with swelling,  and little or  no redness, are of
the scrofulous kind ; the white swelling of the joints seem
to be of this kind.
  There is not a more general symptom of scrofula than
a swelling of the upper lip and nose.
  The course to be pursued in the cure of this disease, is
to give a  regular course as often as once  a week, and let
the patient drink  freely of yellow-dock syrup,  to  which
may  be added a little cayenne ; the  patient should  drink
half  a pint every day made strong, and  two or three Wine
glasses of the alterative syrup.  I have  found this  to be
an excellent  remedy.  If the   part should  bo swelled, a 
ART OF HEALING.
193
                   •
poultice may be made of wake-robbin or Indian-turnip;
add slippery-elm, and apply the poultice cold; let it remain
till  it is dry,  then renew it; let  it be continued till the
swelling subsides or breaks, then apply a poultice of  yel-
low or  narrow-dock, the root, and  slippery-elm.   Then
apply a poultice made of
       Slippery-elm—one part.
       Bayberry-bark,  pulverized fine—one part.
       Crackers—one  part.          ,
  Where there is a swelling, with or without pain,  or an
indolent  tumor, a poultice of poke-root, or the berries,
are recommended.
  Take  common tar,  boil it down hard enough to form
it into pills,—take four every day ;  it has a  tendency to
purify the blood.
                   SCALT  HEAD.
  This disease should  be treated in general the same as
the salt-rheum, with this difference; in the scalt head  a
cap should be worn made of cotton cloth;  this cap should
be infused thoroughly in a  mixture of tar, say  half a pin  ,
and four ounces of  mutton tallow  and one ounce of sul-
phur ;  the hair should be shaved close to the  head, and a
new cap prepared every week.
                      SCURVY.

  This disease prevails chiefly in cold Northern countries,
especially in low, damp situations, near large marshes, or
near great quantities of  stagnant water.  Sedentary peo-
ple  of a dull, melancholy disposition, are most subject to
it  ' It proves  often fatal to sailors on  long voyages, par-
ticularly in  ships that are  not  properly ventilated  have
many people on board, or where cleanliness is neglected. 
194
ART  OF HKALINK.
What  is called  the land scurvy is seldom attended with
those highly putrid symptoms, as  appear in  patients who
have  long been at sea.   The  scurvy is caused  by cold
moist air; by the long use of salted,  smoked  or dried pro-
visions, or any kind of food that is hard of digestion, and
affords little nourishment.

   Symptoms.—Weariness, heaviness, difficulty of breath"
ingrrottennes3 of the gums, which are apt to bleed on the
slightest touch; atetinking breath; frequent bleeding  at
the nose ; crackling of the joints; difficulty of walking ;
sometimes swelling, and at other  times  a falling  away  of
the legs, on which there are lined, yellow, or  violet-colored
spots ; the face is  generally of a  pale,  leaden-color.  In
more advanced  stages  of  the  disease,  rottenness of the
teeth, discharge of  blood from different  parts of the body ;
foul obstinate  ulcers in  different parts of  the body, espec-
ially about the breast;  dry, scaly eruptions all  over the
body; hectic  fever; finally dysentery,  diarrhoea,  dropsy,
palsy,  fainting  fits, or  a mortification  of  some of the
bowels.
   The best way to cure this disease is to pursue a direct-
ly opposite course from that which brought it on.   If the
course is the constant use of dry-sahed provisions, the diet
should  be vegetables.   A  syrup made of yellow-dock and
elder-flowers,  equal parts, will be found good ;  if both of
these articles  cannot be obtained, make a syrup of one of
them.  Thorough courses of the emetic and steaminer will
be found very  important.  People going  to sea  on long
voyages,  should lay in a  plenty of vegetables  in  order to
prevent this disease.   Cider and  vinegar are good,  both
for  cure and preventatives, and  may be kept on  board
during a long voyage ;  the drinks  may  be sharpened with
vinegar. 
ART  OF WEALING.
195
              VENEREAL DISEASE.

  This  disease sometimes  appears in three or  four days
after the infectrqn is received,  and  so varies in different
persons from that time to fourteen day or thereabouts.
  The first symptoms  which is  called gonorrhoea, is a
discharge resembling pus or matter from the urethra, with
heat of  urine,  &c, which often  succeeds a discharge of
mucus from the urethra  with little or no difficulty, or pain
in the discharge  called a gleet.   In the male,  it begins
with  an uneasiness  about the  parts, such  as itching,
and  a soreness and  tinging along the whole  course  of,
Ihe  urethra ; soon  after which, the  person perceives an
appearance of  whitish matter at its orifice,  and  also some
degree of pungency  upon  making water.   Presently  the
glands will' put on the appearance  of a  ripe cherry ;—■
the  stream of  urine will be smaller  than usual, owing to
the  swelling  of the internal  membrane  of the canal, a
scalding heat will  be perceived on every attempt to make
water, and sometimes a discharge of blood accompanies
the  water.   Take
       Queen of the meadow—one part.   y.
       Marshmallows—one part.
       White-pine bark, (inside)—one part.
Of  each two ounces,  add one pint of best Holland gin,
and one quart of water, add the water first hot ;  let it steep
awhile,  then  put in the gin, drink a gill  in the course of
the day.  Let the diet be milk or light food, wash the part
daily with casteel soap.   If this should not  cure in a short
time, give the alterative syrup,  a thorough course of the
emetic,  and the following syrup:  Take
        Blue-flagroot—6 ounces.
        Poke-root or garget—3 ounces.
        Holland gin, (best,)—1 quart.
Mix, and take one teaspoonful at a time, three times a day,
in  half  a cupful of spearmint tea.  The above prescrip-
tion I have proved to be good.   In this disease the quan-
tity may be increased to two teaspoonsful at a time after a 
^
19G               ART OF HEALING.

few days ; and after  a few days more, to three teaspoons-
ful at a time.  If there should  be sores in different parts
of the body, the same means should be adopted to produce
a cure as in ulcers or sores produced by'other causes.
   DIRECTIONS  TO  MOTHERS
                       ON  THE
      MANAGEMENT  OF  CHILDREN.

  A philosopher  was once  interrogated by  a  father on
the best course to be pursued in regard to the  education
of his son ;  he answered, " Let him learn that which will
be of most service to him  when he becomes a man."
  Is  there not utterly a defect in the  education of our
females at the present day?  Many of them, indeed,  know
how to  play  elegantly on the piano-forte,  they are well
instructed  in rhetoric, chemestry, painting,  ancient and
modern history, natural philosophy, arithmetic, arid geogra-
phy ;—but know  not how to  cook  a meal of victuals, as it
ought to be,  or make their offspring comfortable, but let
them suffer and die for want of proper nursing.
  Now,  while all these accomplishments are very desira-
ble, yet a knowledge of that which concerns |he practical
business of every  day, in domestic life,  is of more impor-
tance.  Whilst I  would by no means discourage  such an
education as  will  make an intelligent companion, I  would
by all means  encourage an education that cannot be  devel-
oped to the husband but  by  its adaptation to the little do-
mestic wants of every day.  It is very rarely the case, in
my opinion, that children need to die who are born healthy
if the  mother knows  how  to perform  her duty.  Most
mothers depend on the family physician to obviate diseases
in their children; but, I would ask, who is better qualified
to be the family  physician  than  the  mother, who is con-
stantly with her .offspring;-she best knows the constitution 
ART  OF HEALIN«.
197
of her child, and when disease first makes  its attack, she
sees the first symptoms.  Frequently, the physician is cal-
led too  late, th%.disease has been  suffered  to  progress so
far as to have tlfe controlling  power of the body.  I be-
lieve that a fifth part of all  the infants and children  that
die under ten  years of age, die for  the want of proper
care  and nursing of  the mother.   In this treatise, I shall
give  particular directions to the mother, to  enable her not
only  to obviate  urgent symptoms in her offspring, but to
cure  diseases—though man's bounds are set and he cannot
pass  beyond them, yet proper means are always necessary
to accomplish appropriate ends.

  Infants, till they are three months old,  are apt to be
troubled from flatulence, or  wind, caused principally from
the want of proper  warmth.   When people ask me what
they  shall do for their children to  prevent their  crying, I
tell  them to give them a plenty of milk, and keep them
warm,  particularly the feet.  This  is  a very important
truth,  and ought to be strongly  impressed  upon the mind
of every mother that cold feet cause most of the pain and
disease ol the infant, till it is three months  old.   I do not
mean,  that they  should be confined from the air;—at.any
season of the year they may  be allowed to  take the fresh
air, as well as other members of the family.   Small bodies
of any material, capable of holding heat, cool  sooner than
large ones. ,  An other thing  is to be considered with re-
spect to infants.  They  have not opportunity of exercis-
ing as others  have,  who are capable of moving  about, so
that  they require the constant watch and care of the moth-
er to  keep them in a  proper temperament.   Children
should always wear stockings after they are three months
old,  if the weather  be cold.  They are at that age jarge
eno'uirh to exercise, and get their feet out  of their clothes.
When children  are  troubled with wind, get them warm;
if cold  be the cause, give'a  little aniseseed  steeped, or cat-
nip,  the flowers and berries,  the seeds of  masterwort and
caraway  are good ;  either  of the above will answer the
purpose.   If "neither of these  are  at hand, give a little 
198                ART OF HEAl.INA.
strong pennyroyal tea ;  meanwhile the mother should jump
the child on her knee,  this will sometimes expel the wind.
  Children  should in  all cases  be kept dry, in orfter to
preserve their health ;  as soon as the clothes of the child
are wet, they should immediately be exchanged.   Mothers
often suffer their children to chafe  for. tho want of proper
cleanliness,  which creates foul sores,  and then lay it all
to bad  humors.   The  parts  that  are inclined  to chafe,
should  be washed  every day,  with casteel soap  and  soft
water and wiped dry ; then sprinkle in  a little  fine hem-
lock-bark,  scorched  flour,  powderpost, hair  powder, or
fine elm bark.

                LOOSENESS OR  PURGING.

   This disease arises frequently from the introduction of
unwholesome or improper food.   Weaning children some-
times produces disorder  in  their  bowels, with  frequent
watery  stools, attended with gripes, and  occasionally  con-
vulsions.  In cominpn cases of relax, a teaspoonful of cas-
tor-oil ;—this is a portion for a child under six months, and
more according to the age.  If this does not cure,  give
the* corrector,  the lobelia emetic, and  a teaspoonful of
of  the tincture once in ten minutes, till it vomits.   It may
be  taken  in warm  tea of any  kind.   It  has a very fine
effect on children  in such cases.   Avens-root made strong,
with milk, is good for  a drink.

                  FITS OR CONVULSIONS.

   Children  are subject to fits in  some instances/ from the
time they are born.   For this difficulty, let it proceed  from
what cause  it may, the tincture of  lobelia will be  found a
sovereign remedy.  I know this to be the case  from ex-
perience and observation.   Fits that attack children, caus-
ed  by want  of  heat or  stagnation of the blood, the emetic
will cure immediately.   It may be given every other day,
for a number of times; its bowels  and stomach should be
bathed  in the elixir; it should be  administered as under 
ART  OF HEALING.
199
the head of Looseness.   Where fits are produced  from
worms, I have found the emetic  to operate like a charm,
the  child will  often go directly to  sleep after taking the
emetic;  and  in such cases  they should be permitted  to
sleep.  For further particulars on fits, or convulsions, occa-
sioned by worms, the reader is referred to an article under
the head of  Worms. (Sec Index.)    When fits attack the
infant at the  breast the  mother should always take the
vegetable powders once or twice a day.

                        MILK.

  Many children suffer for the want of sufficient breast
milk; where  it is deficient,  the mother should drink milk
frequently between meals;  if milk is not to be had,  drink
sage tea, avens-root ;  chocolate-root, as it is sometimes
called; it makes a very wholesome drink ; coffee also makes
a good drink.

                 FEVER IN CHILDREN.

  Children  are often attacked  with symptoms of  fever^
most frequently at night, the skin is dry, the pulse quick,
the flesh hot, the breathing quick,  and perhaps the tongue
coated.   These symptoms  may  all  be obviated in  the
course of one night, and in  nineteen times out of twenty,
entirely broken  up,  by simply putting an  onion poul-
tice  on  the feet on going to haft, and covering  up warm ;
take an onion,  cut a slice off of each  end, heat it thor-
oughly through by the fire,  and bind the slices on the feet
nsliot as the child can bear ; it will produce a gentle mois-
ture on  the  surface ;  the pulse will  be  less frequent, and
the unusual heat will subside.
   If the fever does not subside by morning, give an emetic
of the tincture of lobelia ; give  a  teaspoonful of the tinc-
ture in  a great spoonful  of pennyroyal,  or any  other herb
tea, as  often  as once in ten minutes, till the child takes
two or three doses; let  the patient  drink as much herb
tea as vou can get down, after he begins  to vomit;  in an
                 K 
 200               ART OF HEALINe.

 hour, give water gruel; keep the child warm while giving
 the emetic.  The above prescription is for a  child under
 one year old.  The tincture for children should be made
 of the leaves, pods, and stalks.   This medicine may be
 given without  any fear by the mother.   If your child is
 stuffed  at the lungs, or has a  cough, this emetic will  give
 immediate  relief; it may be repeated,  if necessary, as
 often as every other day without any inconvenience.   If a
 fever, after all the efforts of the mother, is not thrown off
 by following the above directions, they will so mitigate the
 symptoms that the fever will be mild.

                 CANKER  IN CHILDREN.

   Children and infants, are apt to be troubled with little
 sore  spots or eruptions about the  mouth, and  it usually
 extends from the stomach to the end of the bowels.  The
 child should take a tea every day made of sumach-berries,
 raspberry-leaves,  bayberry-bark,  and hemlock-bark;  a
 part of these or all of them may  be made into a tea, just
 as is convenient.  This tea should be drank daily by the
 child, if it be weaned  ; if not, it should be drank by the
 mother.   The  spots in the infants  mouth should be fre-
 quently bathed by means of a swab dipped in a  little salt-
 petre water.   Give a portion of the physical powders oc-
 casionally.

                       RfjTPTURE.

   When the bowels come  down, the child should be  laid
 on its back,the parts relaxed with warm water, then gently
 pressed  into its place.   Make  a strong decoction of white-
 oak bark, hemlock bark, equal parts ; boil it down to one
 gill, add half a gill of  best brandy ;  the  parts should  be
 frequently bathed with  it,  and a bandage  should be worn
 round the body, with  an extra thickness next to the part
 affected.   The same treatment should be pursued  in fal-
ling down of the bowels on going to stool. 
                  ART OF HEALING.               201

                      RICKETS.

  This  disease is generally caused  by diseased parents,
want of cleanliness, want of proper exercise, want of suita-
ble nourishment, and sufficient warmth.  It is, perhaps,
brought on oftener than any way,  by laying, hour after
hour in their  own  water.  As  this  disease  is  mostly
brought on through  the  negligence and  carelessness of
mothers, it is obvious  that a contrary  course  on the part
of the mother  is the  only  remedy.  The child  should be
rubbed, frequently,  all over with  the  warm  hand of its
mother;  the  food should  be nourishing ;  if  the child is
nursing a  feeble, sickly nurse,  it should be weaned, or be
placed  with one that  is healthy.   The child  should fre-
rfliently  be dipped all over in cold water and  wrapped up
warm,  and warm tea given.
  Every mother ought, if possible,  to nurse  her own off-
spring.  That is  a monster, and  not a mother, who feels
above  performing  this kind office  for  her  child.  The
whole  range of nature  presents  no such example.  In
some cases,  it is highly  improper,  both  for mother and
child.
                       CHOLIC
  Children are frequently subject to pain in the bowels
after they are two or  three years old ; in this case, the
mother  should give two or three teaspoonsful  of mustard-
seed, not pounded, mixed in molasses.

                       WORMS.

  Children should be allowed to eat raw onions, and they
should  occasionally  be cooked for them ;  they are good
agianst worms.
  Some children  are subject to slight wheezing for a day
or two,  without interruption,  and  accompanied with a
hoarseness; but without  fever.   The  tincture  of lobelia
and gentle physic,  should be given without delay as above
directed.  It should  be remembered,  that from the above
              2k 
202    <*■           ART OF  HEALING.

symptoms, precede the croup ; and that disease is rarely
cured, except in the first stages of it, and the above direc-
tions are  first to be followed, together with soaking the
feet;  the  warm bath ;  poultices on the feet, &,c.

   Children are much subject to falls and bruises,  as soon
as they begin  to go alone ;  the best  thing, that 1 have
found, is, immediately to apply cold  water to the place
bruised ;  it is  a certain  preventative  against  the blood
settling.

   The stomach and bowels of the  new-born  infant, are
filled  with a blackish colored matter of the consistance  of
syrup; the most  proper  medicine for expelling it, is. the
mother's milk, which is always at first, of a purgative qual-
ity.   It is very desirable,  both on  the account of mother
and child, that the infant should nurse as soon as possible ;
it frequently prevents the mother  from having a broken
breast, and  it cleanses the  stomach  and bowels of the
child.   If the milk should begin to cake, or become hard
in the breast, it should be frequently bathed with the elixir.

   If  any substance should  get into a child's  throat, let
him stand on his feet,  a little inclining forward, and give a
smart  pat with the flat of the hand between the shoulders.
If this should not remove it, run the fingers  down the
throat.

                       TEETHING.

   When teething produces  looseness and sickness at the
stomach,  the best plan is  to give an emetic of the tincture
of lobelia, and in a few hours after the operation of the
emetic, give nearly  half of a great spoonful of castor-oil,
to a child six months old ; vary the quantity according to
the age.   The tincture  of lobelia for children,  may  be
made, by  adding  two or three ounces of lobelia leaves,
stocks, and pods after it is dry, to half a pint of spirits, and
half a  pint of water ;  after a  few days, it will be fit for use : 
ART  OF HEALING.
2C3
one teaspoonful of this  tincture, with  a great spoonful of
pennyroyal tea, or almost any herb tea, will answer; it may
be given to a child  six months old; and, in ten minutes,
give the same quantity again ; this  is  enough  for one
course.   The child may take between vomiting, gruel,
herb tea, or let it nurse.   The above portions are intended
for a child of a  strong  constitution ;—if your child  be
weakly,  take a less quantity.   After  this  process, if the
flesh  be hot  and dry, and the child breathes  quick, put
onion poultices on  the  feet;  and  continue them  till the
flesh  becomes natural ;  be very careful to keep the child
dry and warm. If  the child will  be still in the mother's
lap and not play as usual, and seem to require more atten-
tion than common, the mother should indulge  it with her
attention; keep its arms covered up and its feet  warm, and
this will greatly assist nature  in overcoming the difficulty.
In treating children, the nurse should not be  constantly
forcing  down medicines.   The  most that  she  can do is,
to pay particular  attention to her child, watch  the opera-
tions of nature, and remove urgent symptoms. She should
not be  impatient  for nature to do her own work, for she
will take her own time for it.
   The  above treatment in teething, is not without prece-
dent.  I treated a little boy of my own, of five months and
a half old, according  to the  above directions.   He was
taken in the morning with looseness and vomiting; 1 gave
him the quantity of the tincture as above, and  it operated
eight or ten times  thoroughly.■;  it nursed soon  after  the
operation, and the  next day gave  it a portion  of  oil,  put
slices of onions warmed on his feet, and the next day he
rode with his mother a journey of fifty miles.
3k 
 204               ART OF HEALING.

    GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON FEVERS.
                                                        i
   Perhaps there is no disease that has been more success-
 ful in demolishing human life, than fever.  And I believe
 there is no  disease so badly treated.  The  three greatest  '
 engines, commonly made use of, in the cure of this disease,
 are  Mercury,  Bleeding and Blistering.  They have in
 my opinion,  been the fruitful source of more  deaths, in
 our country, than sword, pestilence and famine.   I have
 reference more particularly to Mercury and general bleed-
 ing, or bleeding by the large veins.
   A man informed me not long since, that his wife, a son,
 and two daughters, were prostrated at the same time with
 fevers, and that his wife, son, and one daughter, died ;—  '
 but one  daughter, who would not  submit to any of the
 physician's directions whatever, recovered.   " And, said
 he, what adds keenness to my anguish, is, that 1 held the
 bowl with my own hand, and permitted the physician to
 draw the life's blood  from  my wife,  my son,  and my  J
 daughter."   Who of us cannot recollect a beloved friend,
 or dear relative, that has fallen under this practice.  A
 respectable  physician told me,  that he was satisfied, that  I
 he had been the means of killing a number of patients, I
 think seven  or eight,  with mercury ; and that he had en-  I
 tirely abandoned the use of it,  since which, he had not  ]
 lost a single patient in fever   Blistering is not so pernic-
 ious in its effects  upon  the constitution as mercury or
 bleeding ; but we  believexhat mustard-seed poultices an-
 swer a better purpose.   Blisters  are often  attended  with
 difficulty in healing, and sometimes mortification.
  All who recover from a  fever, throw it off through the
 force  of the constitution ; all  that can be  done is  to aid
 nature in her operations.  But instead of this, by general
 bleeding, we destroy nature and lessen the prospect of
recovery ; it weakens the whole body,  and diminishes its
capability of sympathizing with  the diseased part, and
there is more lost in strength than gained in reducing the
fever.  One pint of blood, perhaps, taken out of the head 
ART  OF HEALING.
205
in a brain fever, or the side, for the pleurisy, will lessen
the  inflammation  more than three quarts taken  out of
the  arm.
  It is said,  that more than one half of the  human race
die  of fevers ;  it is important therefore, that the best mode
of treating that disease be properly understood.   Buchan
says as a faver is only  an  effort of nature to free  herself
from an offending cause,  it  is the  business of those that
have thecare-of the sick, to  observe with diligence, which
way nature points,  and endeavor to assist her operations.
I shall here  lay  down general directions  in regard to
fevers.  In the first place, nine times out of ten,  fevers
may be thrown off if attended too in season.   A thorough
course of emetic and sweating in the first stages of it, will
break  it up even if the  attack be  severe.   In  common
cases where  a person is threatened with  a fever, soak the
feet at night,  take a good  portion of vegetable powders
with  two teaspoonsful of elixir, and a  portion of physic ;
go  to bed and cover up warm, and by morning the patient
will be  well.  Open the pores and perspire freely, and
there is but little danger.  Every man in health, it is esti-
mated.'throws off a number of pounds daily, by perspira-
tion.  Now in fevers the surface of the body becomes dry
and hot, the pores closed, the blood recedes from the small
vsssels of the surface  to the larger ones, creating an in-
creased action of  the  blood, the pulse rises from seventy-
five to one hundred and sometimes more;  the retained
secretions affect the internal organs, sometimes the lungs,
producing the lung-fever ; at other times the liver, produc-
ing the  bilious fever; again the pleura  causing the pleu-
risj^fever, &c.

             SECRETIONS AND EXCRETIONS.

    Whatever  is injurious  to health is thrown off by  urine,
 sweat, stool, expectoration, vomit, or some other  evacua-
 tion.  There is  a constant tendency in our constitutions
 to  expel disease by these evacuations, and wherever there
 is  an obstruction,  there the  attention of  the  physician 
206    .,           ART OF  HEALING.

shou'd be^direcled.  When  the secretions  and excretions
are restored to a healthy action, the functions of the body
become  natural, and the  heat equalized ; the pulse falls
to its natural  standard; the  appetite  is  improved,, and
health and strength, are re-established.

                       STOMACH.

   When there is  pain in the head, a thick  dark coat on
the tongue, especially  near  the roots, and sometimes, per-
haps, sickness at the stomach, a thorough emetic is needed;
and if those symptoms should return,  the emetic should
be repeated as often; and sometimes when these symptoms
are not  present; for the lobelia emetic not only  cleanses
the stomach,  but opens the pores and throws off  stagnant
excretions, relieves the  nervous system,  and  produces a
healthy  action upon the liver, lungs, and the whole inter-
nal  viscera.  In putrjd and bilious fevers in  particular,
repeated vomits will be found necessary  ; in putrid fevers, a
wineglassful of yeast, given occasionally, has  been thought
to have  saved the patient's life.   It is very important tu
keep the bowels clear by  frequent injections* or physic.
In bilious fevers, half a pint of  strong thoroughwort  tea,
taken occasionally, will be  found important.   It  will gen-
erally vomit the patient in  the course of fifteen  minuWS,
if given warm ; if it should not vomit  in  that time, give
as much more.

      NATURE OFTEN  POINTS OUT  THE COURSE  OF
                      TREATMENT.

   Almost every person in a fever,  calls out for cold wattr
and complains of  great thirst.  This at once points  out
the use of water, and other  cooling drinks.  It will abate
the heat; attenuate  the humors; remove spasms and obstruc-
tions ; promote perspiration;  increases the quantity of
urine; and, in short,  produces  a very  salutary  effect in
an ardent and inflammatory fever.
  The patient should  be allowed to drink plentifully of 
                    ART OF HEALING.               207

  cold water;  but not too much at once ;  water gruel, and
  other weak liquors.  Formerly cold water was prohibited
  in common.fevers.   A  gentleman informed  me, that  he
  was watching in company with  another, with a man sick
  of a fever,  and that he begged  for cold water, and they
  refused him j but finally  he plead so hard, they agreed to
  let him have as much as he wished for, agreeing not to let
  it be known  if it should prove unfavorable ;  they accord-
  ingly did so, and it broke up his fever;  the next morning
  the physician wished to know what  they had  been doing,
  for he was altogether  better.   A tea made of pigweed is
  very good in fevers:  it will produce moisture upon the
  surface without increasing the heat of the  body.   Smart-
  weed has the same effect.

                       THE PORES.

    Evacuations from the skin invariably lessen the force of
  the heart and  arteries, by taking  from the  circulation,
  every agent which is useless or  injurious, and returns the
  blood to the extreme vessels.   No sooner does perspiration
  break'out in a febrile patient, than there is  a mitigation of
• all  the  symptoms.  The  object then  should be,  irnme-
 "diately to restore perspiration, and continue it through the
  whole course of the fever.  If one  kind of sudorifics does
  not produce the effect, another kind must  be  used.  Vir-
  ginia  snake-root, catnip, the vegetable powders,   smart-
  weed, pigweed or hogweed, are sudorifics.  The following
  Cooling drink may  be given :   The

         Juice of a lemon.
         Cream of tartar—1 teaspoonful.
         Add a pint  of water.
         Then sweeten with loaf sugar.
  Let the patient drink freely when thirsty.
    W7hen the skin is hot  and  dry, it should be bathed all
  over with  weak  lie—the  patient may lay in bed, wet a
  sponge with the lie, and bathe one side ; then let the pa-
  tient turn over, and bathe  the other.   This may be repeated 
I
208                ART OF HEALING.

two or three times a day,  if the flesh  should  become hot
and dry so as to require it.

                       KIDNEYS.

   The body cannot be in health while the kidneys cease
to perform their office, or do it imperfectly. '  If the urine
should be scanty, drink freely of spearmint tea.

                          FOOD.

   Though  the patient in a fever has  the greatest inclina-
tion  for drink, yet  he  has  no appetite  for  solid  food :
hence the  impropriety of urging  him to  take victuals is
evident.  Much solid food in a fever  is every way hurtful.
It oppresses nature, and  instead of nourishing the patient,
serves only to  feed the disease.   What  food the  patient
takes should be in  small  quantity,  light, and easy of diges-
tion.  It ought to be chiefly of  the vegetable kind, as
roasted apples, gruel, and the like.

                          AIR.

   Nothing is more desired by  a patient  in  a fever, than
fresh air.   It not only removes his anxiety, but cools the
blood, revives  the spirits, and proves every way beneficial.
Many patients are  in a manner stifled to death in a  fever,
for the want of fresh air.   Yet most people think as soon
as a  patient has a fever,  he should be  kept in  a close cham-
ber,  where not a  particle of fresh air can  be admitted.
Instead  of this, there should be a constant stream of air
into  the sick person's chamber, so  as to keep it moderately
cool.  Indeed, its degree of warmth, ought never  to be
greater  than is agreeable to a  person in  perfect health.
As few persons as possible should  be  permitted to breathe
in the sick  man's chamber.   When the blood is inflamed,
or the humors in a putrid state, air that has been breathed
repeatedly, will greatly increase the disease.   Such air is
most pernicious  to the sick.   When  the  patient's spirits 
ART  OF HEALING.
209
are low in fevers, he should be  supported with  cordials,
and means used to cheer and comfort the mind.
                      LONGINGS.
  In fevers, a proper attention should be paid  to the pa-
tient's longings.   These are the calls of nature, and often
point out what may  be of real use.   Patients should not be
indulged with every thing their sickly appetites may crave,
but it is generally right  to let them have a little of what
they most eagerly  crave, though it may seem to  be not
quite right.

                       RELAPSE.

   When  a patient  is recovering from a fever, great care
is necessary to prevent a relapse.   Many persons, by too
soon imagining  themselves well,  have  lost their lives, or
contracted other diseases of an obstinate nature.
   As the body after a fever is delicate, it is  necessary to
 guard  against taking  cold.   Moderate exercise  in the
 open air"will be of  use;  but great fatigue is by all means
 to  be avoided.  Agreeable company will also have a good
 effect.
   The diet must be  light,  but nourishing.   It should be*  *
 taken frequently, but in small quantities.  It is dangerous
 at  such a time for  the patient to eat as much as the stom-
 ach may crave.
    The patient should by all  means avoid, in  fevers, bleeds
 ing, mercury, salts,  blisters, &c. 
210                ART OF HEALINS.
              REMITTENT  FEVER.

                     DESCRIPTION.

  By a remittent fever is to be understood that modifica-
tion of fever, which  abates, but  does not go entirely off
before a fresh attack ensues ; or, in other words, where
one paroxysm succeeds another so quickly that the patient
is never without some degree of fever.

                        CAUSE.

  Remittent fevers  are produced for the most part, from
the same causes as intermittent  fevers.   Remittents, pre-
vail mostly in very warm countries, and are generally of a
putrid kind, and prove very fatal.   No  age, sex, nor con-
stitution is exempt from  the attacks of this  fever.

                      SYMPTOMS.

  The first symptoms  of this fever is yawning, stretching,
pain, languor, and giddiness in the head,   with alternate
fits of heat and cold.   Sometimes the patient is  affected
with a delirium  at the very first attack.  There is a pain
and sometimes a swelling about the region of the stomach ;
the tongue  is white, the eyes and skin  frequently  appear
yellow, and the patient is often affected with bilious vomit-
ings.   The pulse is  sometimes  a little  hard, but seldom
full.  Sometimes  the  patient is costive, and sometimes
troubled with looseness.

                 MEDICAL  TREATMENT.

  If there should be any  local inflammation, we  direct,
as in all diseases where inflammation is present, the appli-
cation of cups.
  In  order  to bring this fever  to a regular intermission,
the  lobelia emetic should be administered, particularly in
the  first stages of it.   If this emetic be  promptly admin-
istered occasionally,  it  will  moderate the symptoms so that 
ART OF HEALING.
211
 a very simple treatment, will be sufficient.  Physic or in-
jections should follow each emetic.   If the surface be dry
 and hot, it should  be bathed with weak  lie  two or three
 times a day ; and sometimes, if the heat on the surface be
 great,  the lie may be applied to the surface  cold.  Sudo-
 rifics are important.   The feet  should  be soaked in weak
 lie, and a tea  made of pigweed, smarlweed, catnip, &x.
 drank occasionally. Let the patient drink cold water if he
shall crave  it;  he may drink daily of thorough wort tea.
  If there  should be pain in the head, bathe the feet in
warm water, apply a poultice made of rye or Indian meal
mixed with vinegar;  spread on  the surface of the poultice
one great spoonful  of mustard, well pulverised, and apply
to the feel.   Bathe the head with the compound elixir. If
this should  fail of giving relief,  apply the cups to the tem-
ples and  nape of the neck.
  When there is abundant evacuations, either  by stool or
vomit, the fever is  called bilious.  In this fever,it is said,
that the thoroughwort tea made  strong,  has proved a sover-
eign remedy.  It must be drank warm  at night and cold
through the day.   For further direction in this fever,  see
General Observations on Fevers.
              CONTINUED FEVERS.

   Fevers of this type continue for several days with nearly
 the same degree of violence.  An inflammatory type pre-
 vails in the commencement, and nervous or typhoid in the
 latter stages.   It is sometimes called the long fever.   It
 is considered contagious.   Cold is tire most frequent cause
 of this,   as well  as of  most other types of  fevers.  It is
 brought on by great bodily fatigue;  too great indulgence
in sensual pleasures ; violent exertions ; and intemperance
in drinking.  This fever  generally  terminates the third,
fifth, seventh., ninth, eleventh, fourteenth, seventeenth, or
 twentieth. 
212
ART  OF HEALING.
                      SYMPTOMS.

  This fever is characterized by the patient's being seized
with considerable degree of languor, or sense of debility,
sluggishness, an aversion to motion, frequent yawning and
stretching ;  the face and extremities at the same time be-
coming pale ; the "skin over the  whole body becoming con-
stricted ;  a sensation of pain in the back, passing thence
over the  whole frame, and there continuing to increase;
tremours ift the limbs, and cold shivering succeed.
   With these symptoms, there is a loss of appetite, want
of taste in the mouth;  slight pains in the back, head, loins,
and a small and frequent respiration; alternate  flushes ;—
these cease,  and are followed  by  great heat all  over the
body ; the skin and tongue dry  ; universal restlessness pre-
vails ;  and an inclination to vomit.  There is great thirst,
pulse  quick, frequently 90,   100, or  120  a  minute.—
When these symptoms run  high, and there is much deter-
mination of blood to the head, delirium will ensue.   There
is generally an increase of symptoms towards the evening
as in other fevers.
   The symptoms are favorable when the pulse becomes
soft,  moderate  and approaching its  natural  state; the  i
tongue becoming clear; thirst abating, the  skin covered
with a gentle and equal moisture.

                 MEDICAL  TREATMENT.

   The patient should be kept quiet  in bed, and treated  i
very nearly the  same as in other fevers.  Ifthere is much
determination of blood to the head, cupping will be neces-
sary.  The  nourishment  should  be  gruel, barly-water,
linseed-tea,  lemonade and the like.   For further particu-
lars see  General Observations  on Fevers. 
ART  OF HEALINS.
213
   INFLAMMATORY, ACUTE, OR ARDENT
                      FEVER.

  This fever is characterized by considerable increase of
heat;  a  frequent, strong, and  hard pulse; urine red;
the animal  functions but little disturbed,  although at an
advanced stage of it, the brain  is apt to  become much
affected.  It commonly attacks the young, or persons about
the prime and vigor of life,  especially such as  live high,
abound in blood, and  whose fibers are strong and elastic.
It  seizes  people at all seasons of the year; but is most
frequent in spring and beginning of summer.

                       CAUSES.

   It is caused  by sudden change  from heat to cold ;  violent
exercise;  sleeping in the  sun; drinking strong liquors;
application of cold to the  body, &c.

                      SYMPTOMS.

   A rigor or chilliness, generally  ushers in this fever,which
is soon succeeded by great heat;  a frequent and full pulse ;
pain of the head;  dry skin; redness of the eyes;   a florid
countenance;  pain   in  the back; and  loins, &c.   To
these succeed sickness with inclination  to vomit, and diffi-
culty of breathing.   The patient complains of great thirst;
has no appetite for his food ;  is restless ;  and his  tongue
is  of a scarlet color at the sides, and furred with white in
the centre.

                 MEDICAL TREATMENT.

   If there be pain and  inflammation  in the head, apply
the cups, and take away blood ; bathe the head with the
c.  mpound elixir;  if that is not at hand, give the common
elixir.  This kind of fever  requires very active treatment
at the commencement.   Assist  nature in her efforts to ex-
pel the morbific  matter, by the same method that nature
herself endeavors  to throw it off, whether by vomiting,
sweating, or urine. 
214
ART  OF HEALING.
  First give the emetic as before laid down, if the symp-
toms require it.  Give a thorough portion of physic. Take
jalap, senna, cream of tartar, equal parts ; take a teaspoon-
ful  in warm tea or  molasses,  every two hours, till free purg-
ing is  produced ;  cathartics have a powerful tendency  to
reduce inflammation in the system. This will have a tend-
ency to relieve the pain in the head.  Soak ihe feet in weak
lie, and apply mustard  seed  and rye meal poultices, mixed
with vinegar,  to the feet.
   Bathe the whole surface of the body in weak lie a num-
ber of times a day, or  as often as the skin  becomes dry.
To prevent sickness at the  stomach, a little camomile tea
may be taken.
   Fresh killed flesh of any animal may be applied, while
it is warm with  natural heat, over the pit of the stomach,
and to the glands, in the groins, arm-pits, &c.;  and chang-
ed as often as it becomes feted.  Fowls cut open and ap-
plied,  are generally the most convenient; or the skin strip-
ped off from cats and applied.   These applications of flesh
extract the fever and putrescence most astonishingly, and
stink  with corruption in  a short time.   Sudorifics  should
be  administered to produce moisture on  the surface.  For
more particular  directions,  see General Observations on
Fevers.
   Take care not to give the patient nourishment of a heat-
ing nature. There is danger of a relapse, after the patient
begins to  recover;  over loading the stomach at such times
produces a relapse and often proves fatal.
        TYPHUS OR NERVOUS  FEVER.

   The word Typhus  is derived from a Greek word which
signifies stupor; this  being the characteristic symptom of
the disease.  It is also called Nervous Fever, in consequence
of the nervous system being very much affected.   There
are three species of this fever.   The first is mild and the
attack more gradual.  The second species is more violent 
ART  OF HEALINft.
215
in its attack,  more  malignant  and more inclined  to  be
putrid.   It is sometimes called Putrid Fever.   The third
is called  Yellow Fever,  in consequence of bile and yel-
lowness.        *
THE FIRST
  Species of this fever is  sometimes  called slow or ner-
vous, is distinguished  from  other  kinds of fevers  by its
effect  on the nervous  system.  It is contagious.   It is
characterised by  a dullness,  inaction,  stupor and drowsi-
ness.  It principally attacks those of a weakly  constitu-
tion; and is generally in jails, hospitals, prison-ships, and
ill ventilated apartments.

  Medical  Treatment.   In the first stages of this fever in
particular,  emetics  should be administered every two or
three days—taken in strong  thoroughwort tea, instead ol
pennyroyal as directed  in common cases—and  a portion
of physic every  few days,  according, as the patient shall
require.  Says a celebrated  author, gentle cathartics  (or
physic) are exceedingly valuable through the whole course
of typhus fever.   The hygeian  pills will answer a  good
purpose.   The  tincture of  jalap,  a table  spoonful  at a
time,  is recommended, taken in warm  herb tea three or
four times, till it operates.
  Thoroughwort tea will be found of great advantage in
this fever f it may be drank  three or four times a day cold,
to produce perspiration without heating the body.   The
smartweed is good, and also pigweed  or hogweed.   A tea
of these  may be taken at liberty.   In an advanced stage
of the disease, if there should  be symptoms of sinking,
give wine.
  During the course of this  fever, the patient may  take
occasionally, one part of pulverised  rhubarb,  and three
parts of  common vegetable  powders ;  a teaspoonful at a
time.  It'will have a  tendency to produce a moisture on
the surface,  raise the  tone of the system, allay irritability,
and nervous affections, and gently evacuate the bowels. 
210
ART  OF HEALING.
 THE SECOND SPECIES  OF THIS FEVER IS PUTID, MALIG-
                 NANT, OR SPOTTED.

  This fever, which takes its  name from the malignancy
of its nature, and the symptoms of the putrefaction, ob-
served  towards  its close, may be called the  pestilential fe-
ver of  Europe,  says Buchan, as in many of its symptoms
it  bears a  great resemblance to that dreadful disease, the
plague.
   Cause.   This  fever is occasioned by foul air; from pu-
trid animal and vegetable effluvia, &,c.  Long rainy and
foggy weather, great inundations in wet and marshy coun-
tries, especially when  they are preceded and  followed by
a  hot and  sultry season.   Eating too  much animal food,
   Symptoms.  The malignant fever is generally preceded
by languor;  a  remarkable weakness,  or loss of strength,
 without any apparent cause.   This is sometimes so great
 that the patient  can scarcely  walk, or even sit up  right,
 without being in danger of fainting away.   His mind, too,
 is greatly dejected ; he sighs, and is full of dreadful appre-
 hensions.  There is a nausa,  and sometimes a vomiting of
 bile ;  a violent  pain in the head, with a strong pulsation
 or throbbing of the temporal  arteries ;  the eyes red, in-
 flamed and painful ; a noise in the ear; difficulty of breath-
 ing;  pain in the stomach, back and loins ; the tongue at
 first white, afterwards black and chapped  ; and his teeth
 is covered with  a black crusl.   He  sometimes passes
 worms; is affected with shaking, and often becomes 1'e-
 lirious.
   Spots of a pale, purple, dun, or black color often appear
upon the skin,  and sometimes there are violent discharges
of blood from the mouth, eyes and nose.
   Putrid  fevers may be distinguished from inflammatory,
by the smallness  of the pulse,  the great dejection of mind,
dissolved  state  of the  blood,  the purple spots and putrid
 smell  of the excrements.   The duration  of this fever is
 uncertain.  Favorable symptoms  in  this fever are gentle
sweats and looseness. 
                   ART OF  HEALING.               217

  Medical Treatment.—Emetics (particularly in the first
stages of this fever) will  not fail to have a good effect.—
The same course should be  pursued in the cure of this
kind of fever, as in the first species of the typhus, only
with the exception of the use of anticeptics or medicines
to prevent  putrescence;  for this purpose  acids should be
given in drinks—the tincture of Gum Myrrh is anticeptic.
Dr. Beach  and others, recommend  yeast very  highly in
putrid fevers.  A number of cases are well authenticated
where  persons  have been immediately  raised, who were
expected to live but a  few hours, simply by administering
yeast, about a wineglassful once in two or three  hours.—
One author says, that  he has given the yeast to above fifty
persons laboring under putrid fevers;  and what is singu-
lar, he had not lost one patient.  When the fever subsides
so that it will do, add  one ounce of Peruvian bark, half
an ounce of snake-root, to one quart of wine;  take two
or three great spoonsful once  in two or three hours during
the intermission.   Take care to follow the directions laid
down  under General Observations on Fevers.   And by
all means keep up a moisture on the  surface.


     THE  THIRD SPECIES  OF THIS  FEVER  IS THE
                   YELLOW FEVER.

  The yellow fever is a disease which very  much resem-
bles in its character, the highest grades of the bilious re-
mittent fever.  It is more violent in its attack, and all the
symptoms  are more  aggravated ; and there  is a  greater
tendency to putrescency.
  There are many predisposing causes of this complaint,
among which may be reckoned intetnperence of every kind.
Almost all the  victims  of  the yellow  fever,   are  ad-
dicted  to the use of ardent  spirits,  and such are the most
liable to fall victims to it.  The emetic should be admin-
istered in this disease, especially in the  first stages of it,
and active means used  to  promote  perspiration.  It vyill
be found that the emetic  will produce a  healthy action
                 L 
218
ART OF  HEALING.
upon the liver and stomach, where the seat of the disease
is.  The  vegetable powders may be taken a  number of
times a day, both before and after taking the emetic ;  add
one fourth  rhubarb to the vegetable powders,  and take a
heaping teaspoonful at a dose.  This will  allay irritation,
equalize  circulation, produce perspiration,  and prove gen-
tly physical.   Where the  stomach is very irritable  and
excessive vomiting prevails, the  following medicines are
highly recommended :
       Rhubarb—20 grains.
       Salaratus—20 grains.
       Peppermint—a teaspoonful—pulverised.
       Add a gill of  boiling water.
       Laudanum—15 drops.
       Brandy—a tablespoonful.
       Mix, and sweeten with  loaf sugar.
One  tablespoonful  of the above may be taken at a dose,
and repeated every half hour until it ceases.
  A tea  made of boneset, or  thoroughwort, is  particular-
ly serviceable in  this fever; it should be taken  strong and
at liberty.   One patient who found great help from it took
two quarts in the course of a few hours ; half-a pint taken
warm will generally produce vomiting.  Soaking the feet,
bathing the  whole surface with weak lie, &,c, as laid down
under General Observations on Fevers.
                SPOTTED  FEVER.
   This fever was prevalent in various parts of New Eng-
land, New York,  and the borders  of Canada, in 1810,
1812, and 1816.   It generally prevailed during the cold
weather.  Persons were attacked variously ; sometimes a
pain would commence at  the  great toe; again in  the fin-
gers ; sometimes a violent  pain in the  stomach, head,
joints, limbs;  some have a violent ague and shaking.
   It is supposed to be produced by poison from theatmos- 
ART  OF HEALING.
219
phere being received into the circulations, and a want of
sufficient animal heat in the system to resist it.
  Those physicians who have been the most successful in
this fever give thorough  lobelia emetic ; cayenne pepper
to drink ; Immerse the whole body in water as hot as the
patient can bear, or use the vapor bath,  in order to open
the pores and recall the blood to the  surface.   In addition
to this, the whole surface should be bathed  with a tincture
of African pepper and spirits.  One physician states, that
all the patients that he pursued this course with recovered,
whilst those who were treated diffierently died.   Warm
injections should  be administered, and physic, if needed.
The  tincture of cayenne  should  be  applied to the body
warm and often repeated.    The  patient  should  take
abundance of warming drinks to keep up the internal heat
and promote free perspiration ; the vegetable powders and
elixir, well charged with cayenne, may be taken  as often
as it  may seem necessary.
                SCARLET  FEVER.

  The scarlet fever is so called  on account  of the color
of the skin, or the large red livid blotches in it.   It hap-
pens at  any season of the year;  but is the  most common
towards the end of summer and beginning of winter, at
which time  it often seizes whole families.  Children and
vouno persons are  most subject to it.  It begins like other
h-verswith  coldness and  shivering, without any  violent
sickness.   Afterwards the skin  is covered with red spots,
which  are broader, more florid,  and less uniform than the
measles.  Thev continue  two or three days" and then dis-
appear •  after which the cuticle or scarf-skin  falls oft.
   Tins disease in  its mild  form,  needs but very little medi-
cal treatment.  The  child  should be  kept within  doors
and care  taken to prevent its striking in, as it is termed
If this should  be  the case, the vegetable powders,  or saf-
fron and snakeroot tea, may be  given.  It sometimes as-
               SI" 
220                ART OF  HEALING.
sumes a more  malignant form, in  which case it requires
more prompt and  energetic treatment.  Medicines that
will produce moisture upon the surface are very servicea-
ble, such as smartweed, pigweed, saffron, and snakeroot.
   Emetics particularly,  are serviceable in the first stages
of this disease, and indeed they should not be neglected
in any stage of it, where it seems to be  needed,—say, if
there  should  be  a fullness and  difficulty of breathing,
emetics will be necessary.  Children have not the faculty
to throw up phlegm as older persons,  and  therefore the
lobelia emetic is  peculiarly  favorable  to children,  for it
 will evacuate the  stomach and relieve  the lungs,  and the
 child  cannot  suppress it.   Gentle  purgatives are highly
 recommended by  some of the most experienced  practit-
 ioners in this disease.  There is, for this disease, perhaps,
 nothing better than the physical  powders.  A continued
 course of gentle  cathartics  is considered by  Dr. Beach,
 to prevent dropsies which are often attendant  on  this dis-
 ease.   The same author recommends  bathing the whole
 body  with soft rain water to which is added weak lie; he
 says that we are possessed of no physical agent, as far a»
 his experience has taught him, by which the functions of
 the animal economy are controlled with so much certainty,
 safety, and promptitude, as by the  application of weak lie
 to the surface  under the augmented heat  of scarlatina and
 some other fevers.
    Where the throat is sore and swollen,  it should be bathed
with a  liniment  made of spirits of turpentine one part,
and sweet-oil two parts, applied warm ;  after which bind a
flannel round the  neck.

   The following medicine is said to have stayed this dis-
ease very much in one of the West India islands where it
had assumed a very malignant form :
   Take two  table  spoonsful of cayenne pepper  ; a tea-
spoonful of salt;   add half a pint  of boiling water.  In
fifteen  minutes after, add half  a pint of  vinegar.   Let it
stand half an hour, then strain through a fine cloth.  Give 
ART  OF HEALING.
221
two table spoonsful every half hour.   Mustard seed poul-
tices may be applied to the  bottoms of the feet.
  If putrid  symptoms continue, the yeast may be freely
given.   The diet should  be the same  as directed in other
fevers.   The patient should not be exposed on recovering,
as it may produce dropsy.
                   LOCKED JAW.

   This  difficulty  is  a contraction of voluntary motion.
 When there is any appearance of the locked jaw, the pa-
 tient should take  a great spoonful of the elixir in a wine
 glass full of hot water.   If this does not allay the symp-
 toms, give a thorough lobelia emetic.   If the jaws should
 become locked before the emetic is given, take tincture of
 lobelia made of the seeds, say half a  great spoonful, fill it
 up with  the elixir.  If the mouth is  closed so  tight that
 it cannot be put between the teeth, put it in at one side of
♦the mouth, and let it run down by the side of the  cheek
 and teeth ;  and soon after it finds its way to the roots of
 the tongue, it will relax the muscles and the mouth will
 open without  any force.   In  about fifteen  minutes, give
 as much more ; in the  course of half an hour more, give
 a teaspoonful  of the  vegetable powders  in a  teacupful of
 pennyroyal tea,—all of which  will cause the  patient to
 vomit, and will give relief.  If the patient  should have a
 return of these spasms, follow the same course.
    Dr. E. Smith, of Boston, says, that he has had several
 cases of this kind, and has always cured them in this way.
    If the locked jaw is caused, as is generally the case, by
 some accident as  running a nail into the foot or hand, let
 the part be soaked in weak lie,- and keep it  bound up till
 it gets well.
31 
222               ART OF HEALING.
                      POISON

               BY DOGWOOD OR IVY, &C.

  Dr.  Richardson,  of South  Reading,  Massachusetts,
states that he  has ascertained by actual experiment, that
copperas, sulphate of iron, is a perfect  specific  against
poison by dogwood or ivy.   Dissolve one forth of an ounce
in a pint of water,  and wash the affected part.   If the
poison should  create sickness at the stomach,  the patient
should drink a tea made of saffron and snakeroot, or take
a teaspoonful of vegetable powders.  A tea made of sage
willow or witch-hazle, is good against  this poison, as well
as that called  mercury ;  it should be  used as a wash, af-
terwards the surface may be rubbed over with sweet-oil.
     MINERAL AND VEGETABLE POISONS,
                  TAKEN INTERNALLY.
   Mineral poisons are chiefly arsenic, mercury, nitrate of
 silver, antimony, lead, &c.   Some of the principal vege-
 table poisons are, cicuta, henbane, stramonium, digitalis,
 opium, laurel, hellebore.
   When  mineral or vegetable poison is taken into  the
 stomach in so great quantity as to endanger life, it should
 be immediately taken out with^lie stomack pump.   If the
 pump is not  at hand, give the lobelia emetic ; give also
 an injection wit*h a heaping teaspoonful  of  lobelia  in it ;
 a wineglassful of sweet-oil, or if that be not  at hand, take'
 hogs-lard, the same quantity ;  half a pint of milk, a heap-
 ing teaspoonful of the flour of slippery-elm, or in its stead
the mucilege of slippery-elm ;  add warm  water  enough to
make a quart,  and  inject.  After the operation  of the
emetic, let the patient take  freely of milk, sweet-oil, and
mucilege of slippery-elm. 
ART  OF HEALING.               223
                   RINGWORMS.

   Anoint the ringworm two or three  times a day with an
 ointmant made of two parts common tar, two parts mut-
 ton tallow,  one part sulphur ; they'should  be simmered
 together.  A better  way of applying it,  perhaps,  is to
I spread the ointment on a piece of cotton cloth, and put it
 on only at  night ;  and in the day time, bathe it frequently
 with  a decoction of yellow-dock.
   This treatment  should be followed up for a week j if a
 cure  is not  effected,  use the ointment as laid down for
 the cure of the Salt rheum.
   HYDROPHOBIA : or, CANINE MADNESS.  ,

  Hydrophobia means a dread of water, which is charac-
teristic of persons bitten by a rabid animal.
  Sometimes  a person may be bitten  and not produce
madness,  especially, if the teeth  have to pass through
woollen as the infection  may be wiped  oft' of the teeth
before  it enters the flesh.   The infection may be com-
municated  to  a fresh wound  without the  bite of  a  mad
dog.   The symptoms  are pain in the bitten  part; also
wandering pains, heaviness,  uneasiness,  disturbed sleep,
frightful  dreams,  starting,  spasms, sighing, anxiety, and
love of solitude ;  paips shoot up  from the bitten  part to
the throat.
  The place of the bite should  be cupped as soon as pos-
sible.   Take physic two or three  times a week.   If any
of the above symptoms should appear, the patient should
go through with a thodtaugh lobelia emetic, the vapor-bath
and injections, which  should  be repeated  as often as every
other day, till  the symptoms subside entirely. 
224               ART OF HEALING.                     '

          WHITES: or, FLOUR ALBUS,

   Means a  thin white substance from  the vegina.   It is  J
owing to a weak relaxed state of the system.           --J
   Take half a peckTof the inside bark of white-oak, boil  1
it  down very strong,  say to ha4f a pint, and add to it the  J
same quantity of the best  Jamaica spirits;  bathe Up audfl
down the  back with it every day, and  take the lobelia   ,
emetic once or twice a  week, and the dyspeptic bitters  ••
two  or  three times a day till a cure  is effected.   The
hygeian pills may be taken sufficiently to keep the bowels  .
open.  This will certainly give relief.   Take  care that
the food be nourishing.
       SUPPRESSION OF THE  MENSES.
  Let  the patient take  the  lobelia emetic once or twice
a week, till they become regular.   Take occasionally the
physical  powders and the alterative  syrup.  1 have suc-
ceeded  in bringing-'nature  right with this course  imme-
diately, when  it had been suspended for six months.
                       SORES.
  For any kind of sores attended with inflammation and
pain,  soak the part in weak lie.  It will give almost in-
stant relief.   If there should be what is commonly called
proud flesh, sprinkle it with  bloodroot,  pulverised fine.
Make  an ointment of equal parts of camomile and gold-
thread, simmered  in hogs-lard ;  this ointment is excellent
also for chapped hands and chilblains. 
ART  OF HEALING.
225
                 FELON : or, WHITLOW.
      The part affected should  be immersed and soaked  in
    weak lie, as  hot  as the patient can bear, for fifteen min-
    utes at a time.  The whole  hand may be  steamed  with
I    water  containing  the  strength   of bitter  herbs,  worm-
    wood,  catnip,  double  tansy, and  tho  like.  If this should
    give ease, repeat it whenever the  pain is severe ; a poul-
    tice of equal parts of slippery-elm  and Indian meal, mixed
    with weak lie, may be applied.  Poultices may frequently
    be varied  in regard to  their consistency.  A gentleman
    informed me that he found great relief from putting a leaf
    of tobacco round the finger, and putting an onion poul-
    tice hot over the same.
                     DEBILITY.

   Persons are many times afflicted with universal languor
 and debility, without being able to trace it to any particu-
 lar cause. They complain of a sinking feeling after a little
 exercise.   Sometimes it seems as though there  was some-
 thing, or a  certain, wanting in the  stomach.   The feet
 are apt to be  cold.  In such cases,  I have succeeded in
 giving relief by directing them to soak the feet in a weak
 lie,  about  every other  night, and  bathe them with the
 elixir, and take of the vegetable powders three  parts, rhu-
 barb  one part.  Of this compound,  take a  heaping tea-
 spoonful every night on going to  bed, in two-thirds of a
 teacupful of hot water ; if it be convenient, the cup may
 be nearly filled  up with milk, which makes it more com-
 fortable to take.   A wineglassful or  two of the alterative
 syrup may  be given daily.
" I  have never  failed  of helping  persons of the  above
 symptoms by this process.  If there  is a  want of appetite,
 inward heat, or a nervous  indescribable  feeling, that will
 run all over the patient at once,  and  then be gone—make
 ft blister on the arm the bigness of a dollar, and let it re* 
m
 22G               ART OF HEALING.

 main only  long enough to start  the  skin ;  then take off
 the skin and apply an ointment  spread on a piece of cot-
 ton cloth, made of savin simmered in hogs-lard and a liltlo
 beeswax;  it should  be dressed three times a day.  Con-
 tinue  this  plaster till  it heals  up of itself.   Savin very
 much resembles the red cedar, it is an evergreen, #
                    SWELLING.

  For external swelling and inflammation, caused by some
injury and  taking cold, bathe the part repeatedly with"a
strong decoction of wild cherry tree bark.
  A lady in New Bedford, told me that one of her neigh-
bors had an arm that was very  much  swollen, and the
physicians could  make no impression in reducing the in-
flammation, and the day was appointed for the physicians
to meet  and amputate the  arm.   She thought it was a pity
for the man  to  loose his arm,  and accordingly called in
before  the time appointed, and recommended the above
wash.   When the physicians  came, it was  proposed to
them, and  they postponed the operation  for  that lime.
They commenced bathing with a strong  wash  made of
wild cherry tree bark.  The swelling went down, and the
arm was restored in a short time.
  Cupping and soaking the affected pact often, gives great
relief.   Slippery-elm poultice, especially  when it comes to
a sore, is good.
                     WOUNDS.
  Small wounds should  be bound up in the blood and re^
main  secure from the air, till they  are well.   If they be
large, bring  the edges of the wound together with a nee-
dle, or by a sticking plaster.   If,  what  is called proud
flesh appear, sprinkle it with bloodroot, finely pulverised.. 
ART  OF HEALING.
227
If it become a sore and does not heal, make a very strong
decoction of white oak bark, and  wash the sore occasion-
ally with it, and apply healing salve.
      #               CHOLERA.

    The following are  the  symptoms  of this disease as de-
  scribed by a superintendent of one of the N. York Cholera
  Hospitals, as given by the author of the New-York Chol-
  era Reports.   They  are extracts from these Reports:

    The malignant Cholera appears to be a violent disease
  of the primal vice, or stomach  or  intestinal canal,  into
  which the  fluids of the  body  are turned ; and the dis-
  charges thereof, both upward  and downward, though not
  always attended with pain, if  left unheeded, bring on that
  stage of the disease which has been denominated the state
  of collapse ; in which the countenance changes, the  eyes
  express a  peculiar sensation of  anxiety,  the pulse sinks,
  the extremities become cold, the fingers corrugated, a cold
  clammy sweat supervenes, cramps attack the extremities,
  the voice fails, and a cold breath  and a cold tongue give
  indications of  extreme danger,  and  of a speedy and fatal
  termination  to the disease.

                 PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS.
    The violent forms of this disease are most usually pre-
  ceded  by forewarnings,  or premonitory symptoms of a
  milder character, which, in  ninety-nine cases out of a
  hundred,  may be cured;  but if neglected, may suddenly
  and  unexpectedly advance to a more dangerous stage of
 . the disease, and  terminate fatally.   The most usual of the
  premonitory symptoms are simple looseness of the bowels,
» with  or without  pain,  and which  sometimes continues
  several days though at other times only a few hours, with-
  out  becoming dangerous.  Borborygm, or  rumbling  in
  the stomach  and bowels, with  pain or sickness, at the 
___18
ART  OF HEALING.
stomach, sometimes occur as premonitory of malignant
Cholera ; and they  precede vomiting, or looseness of the
bowels, or both.

                ESSENTIAL SYMPTOMS.              ^'

  The essential symptoms of the epidemic Cholera, as they
occurred to the observation of the  subscriber,  areJpurg-
ing, or puking, or both.   Vomiting sometimes occurs as
the first symptoms, but the disease most usually commences
with  evacuations  from  the bowels.  These may be, in
the commencement, the natural contents of the intestines,
or in vomiting, those of the stomach.  But in the progress
of the malady, the discharges, up and down, become copi-
ous and  thin, with little or no fetor,  and  often  without
pain,  looking like  dirty water, or the washings  of dirty
rice,  and  containing  portions of  flocculent  matter, as
though the fibrins of the  blood were separated into shreds,
and floating in the watery mass.   When these loose evac-
uations from the bowels become  involuntary, the patient
sinks without  the hope of recovery.
   The vomiting may be moderate,  and  yet the patient
die from the copiousness of the other evacuations, and the
violence of the cramps,  which occur in most of the  fatal
cases.  The irritability of the stomach  is sometimes  very
great, attended with  distress, pain,  burning  heat  and
thirst, when the desire for cold drinks is urgent,  and  they
are rejected soon after being swallowed, with additional
quantities of fluid.  In  such cases  other drinks or medi-
cines produce the same effect.
   Cramps  attend some of the milder cases,  and are  not
necessarily fatal.   They  occur most  usually in the extremi-
ties, sometimes in the  stomach  and external parts of the
body.   When violent,  they keep the patient in agony un-
til the strength is exhausted, and the sufferer sinks into a
state of torpor and death.  Some have passed into a stage
of collapse and died without cramps, remaining for some-
time in a state of cold insensibility denominated the Chol-
era Asphyxia. 
ART  OF HEALING.
229
  Premonitory symptoms are sometimes wanting, but such
cases are not numerous, and the patients are attacted with
violence, from the operation of some exciting cause, and the
disease  runs rapidly its fatal career.  A few such cases
have been admitted into the hospital at Carlaeis Hook.   *

  When the Cholera is left  to itself, says a practitioner,
or even  where it is treated in the beg.inning with improper
remedies, it is almost incredible to those who have not
seen it, how rapidly it runs its course to a  fatal termina-
tion ; but it  is equally incredible, when the disease is pro-
perly treated,  how very  soon it may be arrested  in  its.
rapid progress.

  I have  seen  in some of the-very worst cases,  where,
when a  few  doses of medicine  could be  retained  in the
system  for a sufficient time  to  enter the circulation, the
fatal symptoms were almost immediately arrested; and
even when  the collapse  has commenced,  after a short
period, the  pulse  can be felt beginning to creep,  animal
heat begins  to be evolved, and though the patients continue
weak for a time,  yet they gradually  recover from a state
of collapse.
  In two of the most malignant cases which I have seen,
there was no premonitory diarrhoea ; and in one of them
the bowels  had not beerii"bpen for three days previous to
the attack :  consequently, Cholera is not merely an exces-
sive diarrhoea,  for  rdfther the bowel complaint, the rice-
water ejections, vomiting, nor cramps, are assential to this
disease; and where  these symptoms  do exist, they  are
merely  accidental;  but  a  sudden coldness of the blood,
and of  course of the whole  body,  without  any obvious
cause, is, perhaps, the best characteristic symptom of this
disease.
  In the first stage of Cholera,  the ejections are, in gen-
erul, passed with great force ; but  as the disease advances,
the intestines become cold, and frequently  so torpid, that
hot clysters  can be retained with great ease : consequently, 
230                ART OF  HEALING.
in such cases, there is no necessity for plugging  the rec-
tum as recommended.
  We have seen that the animal  heat is generated and
evolved in the extreme texture all over the body  ; conse-
quently,  every thing that increases the  action of thfiex-
treme vessels, adds  to the quantity of  animal heat.  It is
for this reason that I consider friction with hot, dry flan-
nel, but particularly the  application of large sinapisms to
various parts of  the body, useful.
                                          A. Smith.

  In  August of 1832, a letter was addressed by Alexander
H. Stevens, M. D. of the city of New  York, in behalf of
the Special Medical Council, to  W. Beach, M.  D. Physic-
ian of the 10th  Ward, Medical  Station, in regard to the
symptoms, success, &,c. of his mode of treating the Cholera,
which was prevalent in that city at that time.   In answer
to which Dr. Beach says : " I have to state that the treat-
ment pursued at this station, has been  attended invariably
with  success.  The following recipe  constitutes almost
our only remedy for nausea, vomiting, pain in the bowels,
with flatulence,  and diarrhoea.
   Take of rhubarb, salaratus, peppermint plant, each two
scruples, mix,—add half a pint of boiling water,  sweeten
with loaf sugar,—then add a table spoonful of best brandy;
of this, give an adult  a table spoonful every hour until  it
acts as a laxative, or moderately upon the bowels.  In the
interval, diluent drinks,  such as  kifusions of  catnip and
spearmint  are directed to be taken.  This preparation  is
sufficient to remove the diarrhoea.  Where there is con-
siderable  pain, we have  found the addition of aromatics
attended with additional  benefit, to the same composition
is added of cinnamon and cloves, equal parts; one scruple.

  We have found the  administration of diaphoretic medi-
cines  very much to aid  in the  removal of the  disease;
bathing the feet, with the use of the  drinks  above men-
tioned, are,  in general,  sufficient  to  cause perspiration.
In neglected and protracted  cases of diarrhoea, when tha 
ART  OF HEALING.
231
  patient has  complained of great pain,  restlessness, want
  of sleep, &<c., ten grains of diaphoretic powders has been
  directed to be given at  bed time.  The following tincture
  to be applied over the region of the abdomen.
         Take Cayenne—2 table spoonsful.
         Brandy—1  pint:                               **
  Simmer a few moments, and apply warm,  with  flannel,
^ and repeat often.
    In reply  to which I  have to state that  the aggregate
  number has  been,  up to the present time,  since the  epi-
  demic, (a period of forty days) seven hundred and eighty.
  In a majority of the cases of the Cholera  and very gen-
  erally, an attack of the disease  has been  preceded  by
  diarrhoea, but not invariably so.  We have fully and clear-
  ly ascertained, that some cases have no such premonitory
  systems; but these have  been  of a very  malignant and
  fatal character to the aged and intemperate.
                                  W.  Beach, m. d.
        Physician of the tenth Ward, Medical Station.''

    I have  not copied the entire letter but all thatis of im-  „
  portance in this place.
    In treating this disesse  we  see the importance of keep-
  ing up a free perspiration, as well as to throw off the poi-
  son imbibed in the body by other evacuations.   To effect
  this, the feet and legs should be immersed  in weak lie for
  fifteen or twenty minutes. At the same time, the patient
  must take a strong tea made  of peppermint  plant,  two
  large teaspoonsful  of the sudorific drops may be added  to a
  tumblerful of the tea,  to  be  repeated every hour fill  per-
  spiration  takes place.  One quart  should  be taken  in as
  short time as possible.   Let the bricks be heated, wrapped
  -in  cloths,  dipped in vinegar and  applied to  the feet and
  sides.
     This  treatment is  applicable to the confirmed stage  of
  the Cholera.  This treatment, says Dr. Beach, will assist
  to remove   the pain and spasms of the stomach, to check
  the vomiting, promote a discharge of urine, allay  the irri- 
   232                ART OF  HHALING.

   tation of the intestines, and of what is  of  inconceivable
   importance, to dilute the morbid fluid, and expel it through
   the medium of the  skin by exciting a copious perspira-
   tion, while it will  return the accumulated and congested
   blood from the centre to the surface, or in other words,
   will equalize the circulation, or produce reaction.
      I know, says the Doctor,  of no single article (an alkali
   and  rhubarb excepted)  so exceedingly valuable  in  the (
   Cholera,  as the  simple  peppermint plant.   It appears to
   have a specifice effect in the complaint, different from  any
   other agent.
      One  other observes, and I think very truly, that drinks
   taken into the stomach, dilute and weaken  the power of
   any irritating matter that  may be in the alimentary canal,
   and entering the blood through the lacteal vessels, furnish
   the exhaling vessels of the  skin,  kidneys, lungs, and ali-
   mentary canal, with a vehicle to.assist them to tftrow out,
   and.carry off, the  subtle  poisonous«effluvia  that has been
   taken in by the  absorbants, is mixed with the whole mass
•  of blood, and is acting on the whole nervous  system,  and
   in a word,  upon the whole  body.   Except  the system is
   regularly arffl abundantly  supplied with water, and simple
   drinks,  the cause of disease, the noxious  matters in the
   blood cannot be removed  ;  no other remedies in nature
   can do  it.
      If the foregoing treatment doas not remove the difficulty
   apply  the vapor bath or warm bath  and  let the body be
   well  tubbed.  If perspiration cannot be promoted, dry fric-
   tions without  cessation, and bathing with the tincture of
   cayenne, warm, should be pursued.
     Frictions give great relief fo the patient,  and he  will
   call for it when his pain is so severe that he is regardless
   of almost every thing else.   The following is Dr. Beach's
   Choleric and anti-spasmodic mixture.   Take of
       Camphorated mixture, or spirits—4 ounces.
       Essence of peppermint—4 ounces.
       Tincture of Cayenne—1 drachm.
       Syrup of ginger—£ oz.   Mix. 
ART OF HEALING.
233
Of this,  let one table  speonful  be taken  every  fifteenf,
thirty, or sixty  minutes,  according to the urgency of  the
symptoms—to be accompanied  with  the use of copious
draughts of thin Indian nfeal  gruel,  in which has been
dissolved a little salaratus.   If this mixture does  not  les-
sen the  cramps, and  improve the condition of the patient,
an anodyne may be given, also anodyne and mucilaginous
injections,  .fomentations  of  bitter  herbs applied  to  the
stomach.
  In the cold or collapsed state in particular, warm injec-
tions  and hot drinks are recommended, and the former
directions  thoroughly pursued.  We have  the  testimony
of a number of botanic physicians in the  city of New-
York and to the West, who  have succeeded  admirably
with  the  use  of  lobelia emetics, in  the cure  of  the
Cholera,            ^
   During my appointment by  the  Board of Health of this
city, says' Dr. Beach, there  were  treatments to over  one
thousand  cases of Cholera,  either in  the premonitory, or
confirmed state of the disease.  In the  first stage of the
disease, every case was successful.  In thesecond stage,
the great proportion  was  cured, and nearly all, except the
most  malignant cases, and those to which  we were called
too late.
   The course of treatment  of the Cholera here laid down
is according to the practice  of the Reformed Medical  Col-
leges of the°U. States, of which Dr. Beach is founder.  For
more particulars  in regard  to this disease, the.  reader is
referred to Beach's  American Practice, Vol. 2. '
   The treatment of the Cholera in New-York  by the reg-
ular  faculty is represented  by  this author as  little other
than a series  of unsuccessful experiments.  The  most
 common  practice  was bleeding, mercury, &c. 
234                ART OF HEALING.
                    LETHARGY.

  When there is a sense of fullness in the head, giddinesss,
or oppression at the stomach,  together  with dull, heavy
feelings, the patient should take about eight  of the anti-
dyspeptic pills, soak  the feet in warm water, to which a
little ashes has been added ;  apply  onion poultices to the
feet on going to bed ; take a portion of the vegetable pow-  •
ders, with a teaspoonful of the elixir.   This course may
be  pursued every night, till a cure is effected.
                 TIGHT  LACING.

  When you have succeeded in crowding the body togeth-
er so that you  think you are small enough  around the
waist, and should feel any inconvenience from pressing of
the bones, and internal viscera, the patient should go to bed
and slack up ; the part affected should be rubbed with the
hand ;  warm herb tea should be given.
  Multitudes of our females ruin themselves  by this fool-
ish  practice: they make themselves unfit for mothers or
wives.   We would ask mothers to control their daughters ;
but alas, the mother practices the same.  I have found it
of no use to raise the warning voice, they will take their
own course.
  Desection has shown in many cases  that the ribs had
actually lapped over each  other, and the internal organs
were attached to the walls of the viscera.
                      CANCER.

  This disease, is, at first, a small swelling in the glands,
or affected part, unaccompanied by pain.  The tumor in-
creases gradually  in size and hardness, becomes knotty
and irregular, and when the powers of the system begin to
fail, it  is  attended  with  excruciating pain, as  if pierced 
ART  OF HEALING.
235
with a  sharp  instrument.   The  tumor  increases  till at
lengtlfthe skin changes to a purple, and so continues to
change, until it becomes dark, and the  part  is  attended
with much pain and a burning heat, when it breaks and
discharges a  thin acrimonious matter  which  sometimes
cuts off blood vessels.  In  this case,  blood will be dis-
charged with  the  matter.   If it  still be neglected,  the
whole  system becomes diseased, with symptoms that at^
tend other diseases,  and  should  be treated  in  a similar
manner.
  Electricity has  proved a valuable application for the
cure of cancers  and  many other local diseases.  I have
reason to believe that it has failed in but few instances of
effecting a complete cure when it has been judiciously ap-*-
plied ;  and  it is probable that a  suitable application of
medicine with it, might have prevented a failure  in  any
case.   When those who  are afflicted with a local disease
and cannot be favored with  electricity,  the object aimed at
in administering  that, should be  strictly adhered to, viz :
to open the  pores, and  keep the  fluids active, so that the
sharp humors may pass from the system through the  pores,
instead of gathering in the tumor.  This  should be con-
tinued till health be restored.
   When it becomes   necessary to remove a cancer  by an
external application, I consider the Indian method, much
the best.  They  scald With  hot water,  as much as they
wish to remove, then apply  a poultice immediately,  which
should  be continued until  the scalded  flesh and inflam-
mation are removed,  when, salve  and ointment would be
proper ; ointment may be applied  each time the poultice
is changed,  after the part  is thoroughly washed, which
should not be neglected.  The Indians secure the  adjoin-
ing flesh by  winding bark  pround it;  but I think  that a
llim tube, would be  far  preferable.  This can be applied
to any tumor where  caustics  would be proper  and would
do more in.  two or three minutes than  could  be  done with
a caustic in an hour or  two; besides it  has  this superior
advantage,  it leaves no poison behind  it. 
23G               ART OF HEALING.
  The most  successful practitioner that I  know of is Dr.
Robbins of Plymouth, Massachusetts.  He has succeeded
in curing this disease when all other means had  failed.
  I have assisted,  in cupping a cancer, when  there was
much  inflammation, and  given great relief.   In this dis-
ease great care should be  taken to cleanse the blood.
                       GOUT.
  This disease requires much the same treatment as the
rheumatism.   It is caused by over stimulating the system
with highly seasoned food or stimulating drinks.
                   FEVER SORE.

   Sometimes this disease is caused by a blow that affects
 the flesh and bone; and at other times it is produced by a
 general disease  becoming a local one.  In either case, it
 is important  to cleanse the system of all acrimonious hu-
 mors by all the evacuations  that nature has  provided to
 keep the body in a healthy state.
   It makes its appearance first by a deep seated pain ; at
 length the  parts swell and a tumor forms, possessing great
 hardness,  the skin becomes  red and tender,  there is an
 increase of heat, and other  symptoms of inflammation.
 Dr. G. J. Cobb informs us that he has known  a case cured
 by the application of sorril poultice for a few days, followed
 by washes, and other  poultices, and then salves.   A'sore
 may be made below the part affected, by putting on a fly
 blister as large as a dollar; let it remain only  long, enough
 to start the skin ;  take off the skin and put on the saviii
 salve ; dress  it as often as three or four times a day.   If
 the savin salve cannot be obtained, make a salve of equal
parts of plantain  and camomile, simmered iiLjwjgs-lard. 
ART  OF HEALING.
237
                   MIDWIFERY.

  Our limits will not allow us to  treat at  length on this
subject ;  but we would inform our readers that these medi-
cines favor nature,  and are  not injurious in any state of
pregnancy,  but  useful where medicine is needed.   The
emetic may  be given any  time before or after delivery
with safety.  I have attended my own wife as well as others,
with complete success, under  such  circumstances.   No
good  reason  can be  assigned why the  custom should be
changed,  making the physician the accoucher, instead of
the midwife, except  in difficult  cases.  Every  intelligent
husband  may perform this office in  common cases, with
little study and  attention.   This knowledge might be par-
ticularly useful to young men emigrating to new countries.
It is said that many females suffer and die  in some parts
of the West, for the want of medical skill and attention.
We propose   soon to prepare a plain practical treatise  for
this  class of  our subscribers.   It  may be  found  at our
depot in Boston.   The work will be furnished  cheep to
our subscribers.
         SWELLING OF THE  BOWELS.

  Children, and sometimes grown persons, are troubled
with a collection of slimy  and white gummy substance
that collects on the internal  surface of the lower region
the alementary  canal, which  physic will  not reach, and
causes pain and sometimes swelling.  In such  cases, I
have drawn away great quantities of this matter, and im-
mediately given  relief, by the following process:—For an
ndtilt/« take  strong catnip tea, ten  ounces; sweet-oil or
hog's, lard,  one  great spoonful ; fine salt,  a heaping tea-
spoonful ; molasses, half a wine glassful;  inject  it, and
keep  it up at lqast fifteen minutes.   If the case be  urgent
and it seems to do good, it  may be repeated once in three
hours afterwards, for a  number of times ;  if the slime con-
              2m 
238
ART OF HEALING.
tinues  to come away, repeat it every other  day.   Some-
times,  in repeating it too often, there will  be appearances
of blood in the stool;  if this be the case, it should be sus-
pended for a few days.
   A dose  for a child  five or  six years of age, should be
about half a tumblerful  for an injection.
                   VAPOR BATH.

   The easiest and best way of steaming in common cases,
 I think, is to put the patient to bed with  additional cov-
 ering, and plaae hot stones around  him, quenched in vine-
 gar ; let the stones be as hot as they can be without scorch-
 ing the  cloth  in which  they are wrapped ; from  four to
 eight stones  of different sizes  may be used according to
 circumstances—one stone should always be placed  at the
 feet.   Be careful  to keep up the internal  heat by giving
 warm drinks, 6uch as catnip, pennyroyal, or the vegetable
 powders and elixir.
   The  vapor house  is the best, where a  very  thorough
 course is necessary.
   Another easy mode of steaming is performed by sitting
 the  patient over a tub of hot water, lay a piece of board
 across the tub, cover the patient over with  a blanket, and
 put  hot stones into the tub as often as  the patient can
 bear.
  Dr. Jenning's  mode of steaming I have found a good
 one in  some  cases.  His  mode is to  communicate  the
 steam produced from burning alcohol to the body of the pa-
 tient, by means of a tin tube,  largest at the bottom,  set
 over a cup filled with alcohol, and running through  a foot
 board  placed  for  that purpose at the foot of the bed :  a
 light frame is  constructed to  keep  the clothes off of  tho
patient, so that he  may turn over at  his leisure.
»*;-* 
ART  OF HEALING.
239
             SWATHING CHILDREN.
  It was formerIy*customary for the mother to swathe her
infant with a woollen band six inches wide and about four
feet long, as though there was danger of the child falling
apart without this process, and the practice is kept up to
some extent to the present time.  Infants should  be han-
dled tenderly ; but they do nq4 require their clothes to be
made to sit more closely than grown  persons.
                      COUGH.

  For a cough that  arises suddenly by a slight cold, cre-
ating irritation—take a teaspoonful or two of the elixir, a
great spoonful of molasses, and a wineglass of hot water.
This may be taken in the  course of five minutes.
  If a cough be of long standing, take a handful of skonk
cabbage  root, and twice  as much of  the twigs of peach
trees, boil them in three quarts of water  down  to a pint,
then add a pint of molasses; take a  wine glassful three or
four times a day.   I  have found this syrup to be very effi-
cacious.   Take also one  or  two  of the asthmatic pills
evrrv night, and half a teaspoonful of the cough powders
in hot  water,  sweetened with molasses.  If all this does
not break up the cough, the patient should take a lobelia
emetic.
                 FALLS AND BRUISES.

     In these  cases,  where  the  patient is deprived of his
  senses  by the blow,, it may  be well to bleed at the vein ;
  but in other cases give the elixir and vegetable poioders—
  first,  soak the  feet in warm  water  and  bathe  them with
t the elixir, get the patient  thoroughly warm, then give the
  lobelia emetic.   It will take off the tension from the blood-
  vessels  and give relief sooner than  bleeding.  When  a
                 Sm 
240
ART OF HEALING.
person receives a  sudden shock from a  fall or blow,  it
checks the circulation,  the extremities become cold, the
excreations are retarded, and a fever follows.
   I attended a  patient who fell upon the edge of a stick
of timber, his back striking  the timber a little below the
shoulder blade : about a pint and a half of blood was taken
from  his arm.   I perceived no relief whatever; his. breath-
ing remained difficult, his-pulse tense;  he had no use of
one arm and leg,  till he took  a vomit, when immediately
after  its operation he got up and walked into the adjoining
room and back again without  assistance,  which  he  had
not done  before since  he was hurt,  at the same time he
had the use of his arm.
        DIARRHCEA AND DYSENTERY.

                OR BOWEL  COMPLAINTS.

  Take the yelk of two eggs, beat them for  ten or fifteen
minutes, take half an ounce of castor oil, turn it into the
ecror very moderately, at the same time stir the egg so that
the oil will completely  mix ; then turn in by degrees three
gills of water, the same way the oil.was poured in—stir-
ing the mess with one hand and pouring in the water very
moderately with the other, to prevent  its curdling.  Take
two thirds of a cupful every two hours till it operates, This
medicine is good in diarrhoea or dysentery.  Where you
wish it to act as physic, put in more of  the oil  and less of
the egg—say the yellow part of  one egg only,  and an
ounce of the oil or more.  1 consider this to be a valua-
ble recipe.   It is said never to fail.
v 
PART FOUR Til.
RECIPES.
                     DIRECTIONS.

     It is impossible to lay down any rule that will be a guide
   to the  practitioner in  regard to  doses in all cases.   We
   can only show what is a common portion in ordinary cases,
   and leave it to the judgment of the person who adminis-
   ters, as to  the proper  quantity to be given.  Before you
   administer  medicine,  ascertain  how medicine opdrales
   with the patient, whether easy  or not.   I have given an
   adult person one  pill that has operated as  thoroughly as
   eighteen of the  same  pills  have on another adult.  The
   quantity  of medicine  to be given depends very much on
   the nature of the disease and strength of the constitution.
   I have sometimes given a child  two years old  as  large a
   portion of  physic as in  another case to a grown  person ;
   in one  instance,  it was necessary  to  produce thorougn;
   evacuation ; in the other, the nature of the disease did
   not demand it.   For a general rule, persons require a full
   dose at twenty or twenty-one ; and women little less than
   men.

                apothecaries' weight.
|b     1  ounce,
       1  dram,
   ■    1  scruple,
makes
 8 drams,
 3 scruples,
20 grains.
f||P*# 
24v»
ART  OF HEALING.
                MEASURE FOR LIQUORS.

     A  pint,         contains         16 ounces,
    .An ounce,           »             8 drachms,
     A  great spoonful is about           J an ounce,
     A  teaspoonful is otie fourth of a table spoonful.
     Sixty drops make one teaspoonful.

      TIME  FOR COLLECTING  ROOTS AND HERBS.

  Most roots should be collected late in the fall when the
tops are dead, or early in the spring before they shoot up.
Herbs should be gathered when in bloom and dried  in the
shade, or  in  an oven moderately hot;  as soon as they are
dry they should be packed close to prevent  loosing  theif
strength by being  exposed to the air: in this way the vir-
tues of roots and herbs may be preserved for years.   The
Shakers put up their roots and herbs very neatly.
                        PILLS.
   Pills, is generally the most convenient form of admin-
 istering physic, but they lay in the stomach a longer time
 before they operate pthan hysic, given in the form of pow-
 ders.

   Bilious  Pills.   Take castile or common bar soap, two
 parts ; aloes, one part ; pulverise  the aloes and mix them
 well  together  in a mortar or with a  knife.  Doae, six or
 eight, the  size of a pea.   This is a valuable pill, it will
 i'rhijoediately remove any burden or oppression at the stom-
 ach, particularly  after eating.

   Anti Dyspeptic Pills, are made of equal parts of aloes,;
casiile soap, colocynth, gamboge, extract of gentian.  Dose
one or two, morning  and evening.
Tygeian Pills.  These pills operate very suhilfy io'the- 
ART  OF HEALING.
243
 celebrated " Morrison's Hygeian Pills.".  Take castile or
 common bar soap, one part; gamboge, one part; colocynth
 one part;  mix.   Three or four the size of a pea is a dose,
 taken on going to bed.

   Tonic Tincture.   This tincture is a favorite medicine
 of the late  Dr. Elisha Smith, of the city of New York.
 In thirty-two gallons of good  sound  cider,  infuse  five
 pounds of the inner bark of white-oak, pulverized; eight
 pounds of horseradish-root, bruised ; and  three pounds of
 Seneca snakeroot, bruised ; cover it, and  let it  stand in a
 warm place, or over a gentle heat, (not exceeding a blood
 beat,) for six days.
   Then strain the liquor off into a  clean cask, and  add
 three pounds of  the carbonate,  or rust of iron ; and  two
 ounces of the oil  of cloves, decomposed in alcohol.
   Let this stand  for two or three weeks, stir it occasion-
 ally, and  not entirely excluding  the air;  it may then be
 bottled, or remain in the cask.   To every  bottle of  this
 tincture, add half an ounce of  " Turlington's Balsam of
 Life/' shake them together and  the  composition is fit for
 use.  Dose from  one  third to two thirds of a wine glassful,
 three times  a day before meals.   The doctor  says in all
 cases of debility, weakness  of  blood,  in consumptions,
 dropsy, long  continued  agues,  obstructed  menses,  &c.
 the tonic tincture will be found  an invaluable  medicine.
 I should not myself recommend  the ironrust.

   Elixir.   This tincture is made by adding one^pound
of best gum niurr, pulverized, and three ounces of African
cayenne, to  one gallon of alcohol, or fourth  proof brandy.
It may be taken from a teaspoonful to  a great spoonful at
a time in water sweetened with  molasses  or sugar.  It is
flood  in almost every disease, internally and  externally.
It is  useful  in colds,  coughs,  consumptions pain-  in  the
Stomach and bowels; for an external application, it is in-
valuable for rheumatism,  pains  or  inflammation  of any
 kind,neadache, toothache, crarrTp, cold feet, &c. 
ART OF HEALING.
  Compound  Elixir.   This tincture is made by adding
to the above elixir, say for one quart, add an ounce of the
African cayenne, an ounce of the oil of cinnamon, half
an ounce of the oil of cloves, an ounce of the oil of hem-
lock,  an ounce of the oil  of spearmint, three ounces of
camphor,  and.half an  ounce of opium.  This  medicine
is only designed for external application and may be used
for all purposes externally as the elixir, when that fails;  it
is used for  headache, toothache, all external  inflammation,
in pain  and tightness of the chest.   I  have found it to
give great relief by bathing the chest.

  Lop.elia TinctupvE—for Children.   Take spirits and
water, half a pint each;  lobelia, the herb, dry, six ounces;
in a few days  it will be fit for use.   Dose for a child six
months old, two teaspoonsful;—give one teaspoonful at a
time,  in a great  spoonful of herb tea; and in ten minutes,
give the other teaspoonful in the  same quantity of tea.
This is generally enough for one dose.

  Lobelia  Tincture, No. 2, As made by Dr. Elias Smith,
for  cramps, convulsion, spasms,  locked jaw,  poison, &,c.
Take one pound pf the  seeds of lobelia, pound them fine;
add four ounces of the elixir, and  two spoonsful of cay-
enne, shake them well  together, and it is fit for use.   Iu
the above  diseases,  he gives about two thirds of a table
spoonful; in fifteen or twenty minutes, give warm penny-
royal tea.   If all this does not relieve in  half an  hour, give
a teaspoonful of cayenne, in  warm  pennyroyal tea with
one teaspoonful of the elixir.  This he says he has never
known to fail of giving  relief.                 *•

  Bard's Opodeldoc.   Take Venetian soap, two ounces ;
camphor gum, one ounce; brandy, one pint.   The soap
is to be dissolved in the  brandy by a gentle heat, and after
its solution, the camphor is to be  added.                i

  Harl/em Oil.  Take  balsam of sulphur, two.parts;
spirits of turpentine, one part.   I have  found ih\g com. 
ART  OF HEALING.               245
pound to be one of the best remedies that ever I have ap-
plied  for the  rheumatism.  Bathe  externally, and take
fifteen or twenty drops, twice a day.

  British  Oil.  Take sulphurated oil, one ounce ; oil of
petroleum,  or  rock oil, half an ounce;  purified oil of  am-
ber,  two drams;  oil of turpentine,  four ounces :  mix.—
Dose, from  fifteen to twenty drops, morning and evening.  *

  Syrup of White Poppies.   Take poppy heads, dried,
sliced, and free from seeds, two pounds;  boiling water,
thirty pounds;  refined sugar, four pounds.   Macerate for
twelve hours; then boil till one  third of the  liquor remains.
Strain and  again boil till one third of the  liquor remains.
Strain again and boil this  to the consumption of one half.
Lastly, add sugar, so  as to form a syrup.   This syrup is
given to children in doses of two or three drams, answer-
ing all the intentions of opiates.

  Paregoric  Elixir.  Take  of flowers of benzoin,  half
enounce;  opium,  two dritms.   Infuse in one  pound of
volatile aromatic spirit,  for four or  five days,  frequently
shaking the bottle.   This is an agreeable  and safe way
of administering  opium.  It  eases pains, allays tickling
coughs, relieves difficult breathing, and is  useful in many
disorders of children, particularly whooping cough.   Dose
to an adult, from fifty  to one hundred drops.

.  Alterative Syrup.  Take three pounds of sarsapa-
rilla,  either the  common  or  imported;  two  pounds of
guaiacum shavings, (they may  be obtained  at the " Pump
and  Block  Makers,") the borings-?£ guaiacum is prefera-
ble to the saw-dust: sassafras root, half a pound; elder
flowers, one pound ; black alderbuds, one pound ; burdock
seeds, one  pound.   Boil all these together  for three hours,
then turn off the liquor, and fill up again with  water ;  boil
ngain for the  same length of time; put it together  and
boil  down  to ten or twelve quarts, or thereabouts.  Add 
246
ART  OF HEALING.
 eight pounds of loaf sugar or clarified brown sugar.  Sugar
 may be clarified  by adding half its weight of water, put
 in a few eggs,  beat them up and boil  till no scum arises.
 This syrup  is good in the venereal disease, rheumatism,
 chronic inflammation of the liver, scrofula in all its differ-
 ent shapes,  in ulcers, cutageous diseases, white swelling-!,
 rickets : in salt-rheum, 1  have found  it very effectual. ° 1
■» have sold more than an hundred bottles of this syrup and
 have never  known it to fail of curing, or doing good.   If
 this syrup is made  when it  is warm, it will  be necessary
 to add  about one quart of  alcohol, in  order  to prevent it
 from-touring.

    Dysphptic Bitters.  Take four ounces of goldenseal,
 two ounces of bitter-root;  four ounces of poplar bark;
 four  ounces of peachmeats; add  tivo quarts of gin, and-
 two quarts of water*  Good in dyspepsy, weakness of the
 stomach, &c.  If taken after eating; it will prevent  the
 food  from  producing  distress.   Dose—Two thirds of  a
 wineglassful before eating.

    Common Bitters.  Take six pounds of barberry root,
 one pound  of wormwood,  and one of double tansy ; boil
 till the strength is out; add molasses, and it is fit for use.

    Mother's Cordial.  Take black snake root, called by
 the Indians, Squaw  root, half a pound; pour three pints of
 boiling water  upon it ; let  it steep  by a gentle heat  for
 fjur or five hours,  making about a quart; add two tea-
 spoonsful of the flour of slippery-elm,  and to  keep it from
 souring,  add a pound of loaf suger.  For heartburn and
 sickness  at the stomach, take  a tumblerful, in the course
 of a day.  The patient may act his pleasure about adding
 sugar: be particular to add boiling water, as it  will give •
 a  more pleasant taste.  For sickness  at the stomach and
 heartburn usually attendant on  pregnant women, it is  in-
 valuable.  Where persons  are  apt to vomit up their food,
 it is a preventative.   It is good  against a gnawing, sinking
 feeling at the stomach. 
ART OF HEALING.
S47
  Cough Powders.   Take lobelia, one teaspoonful; flour
of slippery-elm, two; skonk-cabbage, six; blood-root, one ;
cayenne, one; wake-robin, 3; elecampane, three ;  bitter-
root, two teaspoonsful; mix them all together, and pass
the mass through a fine sive.  Dose—From half to a tea-
spoonful two or three  times a day.   If all of the  above
articles cannot be obtained, some of them may be omitted.

  Turlington's Balsam of Life.   Take of balsam of
Peru, half an ounce; balsam Tolu, one ounce; gum  storax
one ounce; gum guaiacum, one ounce; gum benzoin an
ounce  and  a half;  hepatic aloes and  frankincense, each
two drams ;  and dragon's blood, one ounce.
  Let the gums be bruised and put the  ingredients into a
quarr/of proof brandy ; put it in a warm place and let it be
shaken, often for a  few days and it is fit for use.  Dose—
from twenty to thirty drops, internally, to remove coughs,
asthmas, and other complaints of the breast.   It is used
externally to heal recent wounds or bruises.
                m
  Physical Powders.  Take jalap one part, peppermint
plant pulverized one part, and senna two parts, unite them
thoroughly.   This physic operates very easily, and is pleas-
ant to the taste; children will" take it without any trouble.
1 have found it to be very efficacious  in common cases
where a cathartic is indicated.

  Ague Poultice.  I have known fresh cow-dung poul-
tice applied to the face hot and changed often, to give re-
lief, after all other means had failed.

  Corrector.  Take equal  parts of rhubarb, salaratu3,
peppermint, and cinnamon, of each  a  teaspoonful ; add
half a pint of hot water, and sufficient loaf sugar to sweet-
en • when cool, if it be convenient, add two great spoons-
ful of the best  French brandy;  of this give from  one to
three great spoonsful every  hour, until  the passages are
Ranged in appearance and consistance.  Tins is a favor- 
    248               ART  OF HEALING.

    ite prescription of Dr. Beach in dysentery and bowel com-
    plaints; and indeed, 1 have proved its utility myself.

      Catarrh Snuff.   Take ten parts of bloodroot, five of
    skonk-cabbage,  two of lobelia,  three of snakeroot,  six of
    the floor of slippeiry-elm, and  one part*ofc African cay-
    enne.   All  these should  be made fiifte, well  mixed, and
    run through a sive.   I have found this  very efficacious in
    catarrh and diseases in  the head.   Dose—A pinch may
    be taken a number of times a day.

       Expectorant Tincture.   Take one part of  blood-
     root, one of lobelia, three of skonk-cabbage,'two of white
     root or pleurisy  root, pulverize, and  add to spirits. . Dose
     from one teaspoonful  to a table spoonful.  Good against
     coughs and lung complaints.

       Poutlice to discuss Indolent Tumors.   Take  sTippery-
     elm and Indian meal, equal parts, mix with weak fie, in
     which is dissolved a little salt.

       Yellow-Dock Ointment.  Take yellow-dock, or  nar-
~v^i~ row-dock,  simmer  it  in cream.   It makes a  very cool-
     ing ointment for any kind of huuiors.

       Drops.   Accidents more often  occur from this form of
     medicine,  perhaps, than any other; the bottles containing
     it should be kept corked tight and labelled.

       Black Drop$  These drops are made by taking half
     a pound of opium,  three pints  of vinegar, one ounce and
     half of nutmeg,  half an  ounce'of  saffron; boil awhile and
     then add a quarter of a pound of loaf sugar, and two table
     spoonsful of yeast.   Set the whole in a warm place, and
     after a few weeks,  it is fit for  use.  Dose—from  five to
     ten drops.   This is use i in  cases  where an anodyne is
     required.

       Whithwith's  Drops.    Take camphor one dram ; oil of
     origanum six drams; spirits of turpentine, half an ounce; 
ART  OF HEALING.                249
alcohol, one pint; alkanet root, two drams.   Mix, and
let  it stand  one week.   Dose—internally, twhenty-five
drops in wine or sweetened water.   Useful as a stimulant
and may be applied externally in chronic rheumatism and
other painful affections.

  Sudorific Drops by Dr. Beach.   Take ipecac, saffron,
camphor, Virginia snake-root, and opium, two ounces of
each ; Holland gin or  Jamaica spirits, three quarts.  Let
it stand two weeks.  Dose—one teaspoonful  given in  a
teacupful of catnip tea, every hour, till it produces perspir-
ation.
   lrsr.—This medicine is probably unsurpassed,  in fulfil-
ling the indications for which it is given,  which is gener-
ally to produce a .free perspiration.   Oneor twodoses, aid-
ed by warm  infusions, or  drinks, and bathing the feet,
causes a copious perspiration.   Hence, it is used in a vari-
ety of diseases. _ In fever, inflammation, &,c,  1 know of
no medicine so certain in its operation.

   Injection.   A very excellent stimulating injection is
made of equal parts of lobelia, cayenne,  and an ounce of
pennyroyal, all  made into a tea, introduce  half a pint.
It is good in the piles, costiveness, pain, or other cholics,
and in a cold state of the system.

   Essences.  Add one ounce of oil  to one pint of alco-
hol, either  peppermint or hemlock, or whatever kind of
essence you wish to make.  An ounce of. oil to a pint of
alcohol, is  about a right proportion.
   A teaspoonful-of the essence is a common dose.
   A  respectable gentleman informed me that he was sub-
jpet to turns of the -bilious cholic,  and  his father  before
him, died of it; he fell in one day with a  stranger, a phy-
sician, who lold him how he might cure it with certainty.
lie followed his directions and had cured himself  imme-
diately  with the same medicine whenever he was attacked
with  it. 
250                ART OF HEALING.
  I have never administered the medicine myself;  but as
it may be of service to some of my readers, 1 will give ft
eii insertion.   Take one or two  balls of horse  dung, put
it  into a cloth, steep it in two tumblers of water,  one
ball  is enough if the  horse has been to  grass;  if to hay
take two; take a tumblerful at a time.   If one does not
give relief, take the other.  It generally  vomits first then
operates down.                                  5»

   Wine Tinture.  For the cure of fever and ague take
       Peruvian bark—2 ounces,
       Wild cherry-tree bark—I ounce,
       Cinnamon—1 teaspoonful,
       Cloves—1  teaspoonful,
       Nutmeg—1 teaspoonful,
       Sulpher—1 ounce,
       Wine—2 quarts.
   Let it stand a while.  Dose, a wineglaWful every two or
three hours.   This mixture is  said to be  almost an  infalli-
ble cure for intermittent fever, or fever and ague, and re-
moves it when all other means fail.

   Plasters.   For a common strengthening plaster, sim-
ply hemlock gum, or balsam,  is*bne of the  best plasters.
Burgundy  pitch alone makes  an excellent strengthening
plaster.

   Rheumatic Plaster.   Take sulphur and rosin, equal
parts, one pound each ; melt by a slow fire , then add two
ounces of African cayenne, and one ounce of camphor,
pulverised, stur it till it is well  mixed ; then temper it to
about  the softness of  shoemakers wax,  with sunfish oil.
This is the best plaster for the rheumatism  that^Hyrave
ever used ; and indeed, I use it in almost every carte wh'fr'e
a plaster is necessary.  For rheumatism,  put  t1ietjpT«ster
on the place where the pain is present.  If the pirn should
move, follow it up with another plaster. 
ART OF  HEALING.              251
   Scrofulous Pills.   Take tarr,  boil it till it is hard
enough to form  into pills ;  take three or four night and
morning.  It is said to be a certain remedy  against the
fttrofula.  if cf „■/>*-.-  ''•>•—  ' ✓■j-«..--f ■*-»-*_

   Tonic  Pills.   Take rhubarb and epicac, equal parts,
form into pills the size of a pea ; take two or three at night.

   Liniment for Bruises.   Mix equal parts of spirits of
amonia, sweet oil and spirits  of turpentine.   It should  be
thoroughly shook up before  bathing.

   Syrups.   Syrup of lemon may be made by adding five
parts of double refined sugar, to three parts of the juice of
lemon  after  it has settled.
   Syrups from the juice of other fruits may be made  by
the same rule;  such as blackberry,  elder-berries,  gargei
plums, &c.   The juice may be scalded and skimed.

   Compound Tincture of  Lavender.  Take of oil of
lavender, six ounces; oiPof. rosemary, two ounces;  cinna-
mon, one ounce; cloves,  two drams;  nutmeg, half  an
ounce ; red sanders, in shavings,  three drams ;   alcohol
for pounds.   Digest ten days  and filter.
   This is a  grateful cordial in common use, as relieving
languor and faintness.   From ten to  an hundred drops
may be conveniently taken  dropped  on sugar.

   Godfrey's Cordial.  Take opitum, eight grains; mo-
lasses,   eight ounces ; alcohol, four ounces ; oil sassafras,
three drops ; distilled water, one pint.   Digest three days.
Dose two drams  to an infant.  This medicine  is much
used as an anodyne for infant children.

   To relieve Cough.   Take an ounce  and a  half of
liquorice root; one ounce of elecampane;  half an ounce
of hoarhound ; two ounces of sulphur.  Pulverize them,
and add honey to make a conserve. 
w
*    252               ART OF HEALING.

       Nourishment for the Sick.  Where more solid food
k    cannot betaken in fevers and like diseases, tho best nutri-
I    ment that I have ever found is made by  taking half an
     ounce of gum arabic, two ounces  of  pearl or Knglish  bar-
Wk   ley, two heaping teaspoonsful of the flour of slippery-elm ;
W   add two quarts of cold water, stir it up well, steep or boil
f    it for two or three hours ; add a little sugar and salt, so a.i
     to make it palatable, and it is fit  for use.  It may be tak-
     en at discretion.  If you have not got the flour of slippery
     elm, the bark will answer the same purpose.   This drink
     is very  nourishing, soothing and healing, and may be
     taken as a common drink.

        Laudanum,  or, Tincture of Opium.   Take of opium,
    "**two ounces; spiritous aromatic water, and  mountain wine,
     of each ten ounces, dissolve the opium in the wine with  a
     gentle  heat,  frequently  stirring  it;  afterwarks add  the
     spirit and strain off the tincture.
        As twenty-five drops of this  tincture  contain  about  a
     grain of opium, the common dose may  be  from twenty to
     thirty drops.                . •
                «*
        For  Dysentery—(Dr. Perkins'last remedy, so called.)
     Take good vinegar, and as  much salt as it will dissolve:
     add one table spoonful of it to four of  hot water, and let
     it  be taken by  spoonsful,  as fast and as  hot  as it can be
     swallowed.  This  dose is to be  continued ounce  in two
■"^  hours till it operates as physic.  It is said to be a sovereign
     remedy in dysentery. *
                *  ■■■*  '
"2613 
 
NLM031936755