W749-P 1866 A' lite ■ $§ !p 013/N ^5^^>undo«I 183C, ?S§p^ Section Number 3 Us ? Form 113c, W. D., S. G. O. •'» 3—10543 (RevismlJune 13, 193C) DUE TWO WEEKS FROM LAST DATE TAUG ? 195S GPO lft—71341-1 "> m THE FAMILY COMPANION PHYSICIAN. ON REFORMED BOTANICAL PRINCIPLES, TBEA.TXNG OP THE EYMTTOMS AND REMEDIES OF ACUTE DISEASES, IS MEN, "WOMEN, AND CHILDEEN; TOGETHER WITH A SHORT LECTURE ON THE LAWS OF THE MANY NEEVOUS DISEASES TC WHICH WE AEE SUBJECT. ALSO, ■ ,.. • NUMEROUS PREPARATIONS, VALUABLE TO EVERY JAMILY. By DR. J. WILSON, Fellow op the Eclectio Medical Society op New York StatEi Cooper Institute. OWEGO, NEW YORK, 1866. 21st Edition. ROCHESTER: DAILY DEMOCRAT STEAM PRINTING HOUSE, 62 BUFFALO STREET. W743f = INTRODUCTION". In presenting this little work to the public, I am confident that it will meet the approbation and ap- proval of the masses. The present age may be em- phatically regarded as an age of investigation and improvement, and when truth is fairly presented to the human mind, it seldom fails to meet with the most cordial approval and reception. In arts and sciences in general, greater researches and discoveries have been made during the last few years than at any period previous—such as steam- boats, railroads, education, and various other mat ters; the human mind has achieved wonders, and given ample proof of its divine origin. But in regard to medical treatment, our race may justly be said to have retrograded rather than improved. The common people have had their IV INTRODUCTION. minds blurred and biassed by technicalities and for- eign languages, as well as imposition, until they have but little knowledge of the human organiza- tion, and much less of the simple rcnw&es found in the wild garden of Nature, for the curing of disease. And physicians themselves, even the most learned and skillful, have, instead of improving, greatly re- trograded, and now constitute a most lamentable contrast to the progress made in other departments. However, light is breaking forth, the day begins to dawn. Men are investigating these matters. Re- form medical schools are established. Physicians are springing up everywhere. Dagon's god begins to tremble. King Calomel is tottering upon his throne, and before long will fall, I trust to rise no more—Its old rubbish removed, as well as the build- ing torn down, and a new edifice which is already going up, and with a few more efforts will be com- pleted. We may therefore say, with the great po- litical reformer, Thomas Jefferson, we arc in the full tide of successful experiment, and I would add, im- provement. This little work may justly be regarded as a Fam- ily Companion and Physician, and the warmest INTRODUCTION. V friend by whom you have ever been greeted. If you will listen to its counsels it will save jou from as well as remove the many pains and aches in- cident to life. My object has been in this work to teach you how to cure your acute diseases without the use of cal- omel, and I am confident, if I can succeed in this, that most of the chronic diseases will be avoided, as it is from acute that nearly all chronic diseases orig- inate. I have endeavored to render the practice plain and simple, and have prescribed such remedies as are attainable by all, so that the common people as well as the learned may cure themselves with equal facility. I have also described the symptoms of each disease in as brief and simple form as pos- sible, so that at a glance you may readily detect your disease and the remedies indicated. Praying and trusting by the grace of God, that by the aid of this little work our race may be freed, and to prevent many of the ills of life, as well as lengthen their days. I am, yours, &c, THE AUTHOR. DR. WILSON'S FAMILY COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. Ague and Fever, or Intermittent Fever. Symptoms.—This disease may be divided into three classes, viz.: 1. The cold stage, the hot stage, and the sweating stage. The cold stage generally begins with pain in the head and loins, wea- riness of the limbs, coldness of the extremi- ties, stretching, yawning, and sometimes vomiting, shivering and violent shaking. 2. A burning heat, red skin, sensitive to the touch, pain in the head, and flying pains are felt in the different parts of the body, and often flighty ; the pulse is quick and 8 dr. Wilson's family strong, truo tongue white, the thirst great, and the urine is highly colored. 3. Perspiration is seen first about the neck and breast, and thus continuing until profuse sweat breaks out at every part of the body ; the heart diminishes to its usual standard, and the pulsations to their usual number, and all the functions are restored to their natural order—when after a certain interval the paroxysm returns, and produces the same distressing sensations, generally once in twenty-four hours. To Cure.—First to put as speedy a stop as possible to the fits when they have occurred, give the patient an emetic, viz. : Take equal parts pulv. Lobelia, Ipecac, and Bloodroot, pulv. cayenne pepper one half a tea-spoon- ful, and repeat every twenty minutes, to= gether with Boneset or Chamomile tea, until the patient vomits freely. This is to be given before the cold stage, and often it breaks up the disease without further medi- cines. It sometimes happens that the Cay- enne cannot be taken ; in that case give less doses, sufficient to vomit a little. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 9 Should any peculiar temperament, debility, or state of the system render an emetic inju- dicious, you will give a cathartic, viz. : Man- drake or May apple, and Cream-tartar, in equal parts, one tea-spoonful ; add one gill of boiling water; sweeten to taste, and drink. This will cleanse both the stomach and bowels. But should the cold stage come on, then you will give the patient warm Catnip or Virginia Snakcroot, Boneset, or Peppermint teas, and apply warm bricks to his feet, cover warm, and use every means to promote per- spiration. These remedies will greatly les- sen the other stages. Hot stage.—As soon as the cold stage ter- minates, you will remove the extra covering, and all warm applications, as well as warm drinks, and give the patient cold drinks. You may also give lemonade freely. This course will allay the febrile excitement. Sweating stage.—At this stage both cold and hot drinks must be discontinued, and those that are tepid given. During the intermission drink ague wine 10 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY bitters. This will cure in a short time where everything else fails. Drink from a half to one wine-glassful every two or three hours, made as follows : One oz. Peruvian bark, half oz. Wild Cherry bark, half oz. Cinna mon, half oz. Cloves, half oz. Nutmeg, .hall oz. Cayenne pepper, one tea-spoonful Sul- phur, and one quart Wiue. Pulverize all. Cathartic.—Extract the substance from bark of butternut root, and take one pill the size of a pea each night. These remedies will not fail to cure in a short time. Remittent Fever. This disease is characterized by frequenl paroxysms, one succeeding another so rapid, that the former scarcely leaves until they have another symptom much like the former, it being very difficult to discriminate between the two, only as the former attacks with the paroxysm but once in about twenty-foui hours. Remedies.—First, give an emetic at once, COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 11 combined with the vapor bath, and repeat if necessary the following day. Second, cleanse the bowels with the Man- drake compound. Third, give the Quieting powder every two or three hours, and bathe frequently the en- tire body with warm weak lye or warm sal- eratus water, until you promote perspira- tion. You may also give the patient freely warm Lemon tea. Give the patient Slippery Elm, Comfrey root, Mint, or Catnip tea. Often the patient has severe headache. In that case make cold applications to the head and warm to the feet. After the fever is removed, the patient will be weak. In that case you will give him the Wine bitters, a half to one wine-glass- ful three times a day. Inflammatory Fever. This disease may be known by great heat, frequent, strong, and hard pulse, redness of the face, and may be distinguished from the 12 dr. wilson's family former by the increased amount of inflam- mation, dizziness of the head, &c. Remedies.—This fever should in every way be treated as the remittent fever, omit- ting the emetics. First give the Mandrake compound once in four hours, until you pro- mote a healthy action of the bowels, and then follow up the remedies as directed un- der that head. Regimen.—Nutritious liquids should be given, such as corn meal gruel, toasted bread and Avater, ripe fruits, roasted fruit, and wa- ter, &c. All kinds of fever may be broken in a short time by the use of the emetic or man- drake coniDOund and vapor bath, if taken in time. Continued Fever. This fever is characterized by debility, in- activity, heaviness, yawning, stretching, cold- ness in the back, which continues to spread until it sweeps over the whole system, ac- companied with chills, &c.; stomach nau- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 13 seated, and frequently confusion of intellect. Finally the coldness passes off, and then the skin becomes dry, face red, dull pain in the head, the pulse quick and full, great tendency of blood to the head, costiveness, urine high- ly colored and scanty. Remedus.—Follow the directions as laid down under the head of Remittent and In- flammatory Fevers. At the beginning give the Emetic, and in eight or ten hours after give the Mandrake compound, and repeat ev- ery four hours until you obtain a lively ac- tion of the bowels. Give the Sweating pow- der every night, and plenty of Motherwort tea to drink, and bathe the whole body fre- quently with weak lye ; give the patient from three to five grains of Ipecac three or four times a day. If he has much pain of the bowels, you will simmer Catnip, Smart- weed, Wormwood, Hops, &c, in vinegar, and apply to the parts ; warm and change fre- quently. In the latter stages, when the patient is much reduced, and the fever abates, you will stimulate; give wine, or wine and water. 14 DR. WILSONS FAMILY Should the stomach assume a putrid state, you may give him two or three table-spoons- ful of yeast, three or four times a day. Regimen.—Avoid all stimulating drink and food at the commencement of this fever, but when weak and reduced, give more nour- ishing food, and Wine and raw Eggs, Oys- ters, &c. Scarlet Fever. Symptoms.—Commences with a chill, like other fevers, nausea and sometimes vomiting, thirst, headache, eyes red and frequently swollen, pulse high, breathing quick ; subse- quently the flesh begins to swell, and a prick- ing sensation is felt; red blotches usually appear about the neck and breast, then sweep over the entire body ; usually in two or three days perspiration takes place, and the erup- tion disappears, and the scale or cuticle peels off. 'Remedies.—Very little medicine is requir- ed in this disease. Only cleanse the secre- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 15 tions of the body, with a cool diet, and pre- vent the patient from taking cold. But a second form sometimes appears, in which the throat and mouth are much in- flamed, and soon succeeded by greyish sloughs, and give the parts a speckled appearance, and render the breath fetid. This is a gan- grenous form, for the patient often dies in a few days, or if he recovers it will be very slowly, accompanied by many unfavorable symptoms, such as Dropsy, Ulcers of the throat, nose, &c. Remedies.—In this as other fevers, cleanse the stomach and bowels, give the Sweating Powder once in four hours, with the free use of warm Lemon, or Catnip teas, until he sweats; bathe the body in warm Saleratus water freely and frequently, and give Saffron tea frequently. You may also give three or four Ipecac powders during the day. This will not only relax the bowels, but promote perspiration, and is also an expectorant. Bathe the throat if swollen and painful, with the Sassafras Liniment; gargle with Shoe- moke bolls or berries, 1 oz. to 1 pint of wa- 16 DR. WILSONS FAMILY ter, steeped strong ; also with Yeast and water ; weak Lye is also good. Apply Mus- tard poultices to the feet. Should the pa- tient be very restless, give the Sweating Powder at niglit. or two Pills as large as a pea, of Motherwort Extract. Should there be symptoms of inflammation of the brain, apply warm wet cloths, or cold applications such as Brandy or Rain Water and Vine- gar ; Camphor is also good. Regimen.—Give glutinous drinks such as Slippery Elm, Flaxseed, Comfrey, or Marsh- mallow Root teas. Food mild and cooling ; room neither cold nor hot; keep the air pure. You may also give Snakeroot tea occasionally. Infantile Fever. Symptoms.—The child is peevish ; lips dry ; hands hot; breath short and quick ; head aches ; pulse quick, often from 100 to 140 in a minute ; lays stupid ; sleep disturb- ed ; food rejected ; sometimes bowels are re COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 17 laxed, and sometimes costive ; evacuations slimy ; often delirious and sometimes speech- less ; generally drowsy ; sometimes seems quite well, but peevish. This fever is mild at the beginning, slow in its progress, and uncertain in its results. Remedies.—As in many other fevers, give an Emetic ; then cleanse the bowels with Senna and Manna two or three times a week. Promote perspiration ; bathe the entire body with warm water ; apply cloths wet in vin- egar and water, to the head, and a mild mus- tard poultice to the feet; give Elder Blow tea freely ; also the Ipecac and Sweating powders. When the fever abates and the child is weak, give a Tonic, such as Chamo- mile Flowers, Gentian, or Colombo teas. Diet as in all fevers. Inflammatory Diseases. These diseases are characterized by red- ness, heat, pain and swelling of a part, or the whole body, either acute or chronic, and 18 dr. wilson's family may attack any or either organ or member of the body. Inflammation of the Brain. The patient is attacked with fever symp- toms, such as redness of the face and eyes, retires from light and noise, headache, de- lirium, pressure of the head, throbbing of the temples, feet cold and head hot, &c. Remedies.—Bring the heat from the head to the feet as soon as possible,*by cold appli- cations to the head and warm bathing of the feet, draughts, &c. Give a Cathartic once in four hours, until an action is procured, and then repeat two or three times a week the Mandrake compound, and promote per- spiration as in fevers. But should the symp- toms not abate, you will apply a Mustard Poultice between the shoulders, and foment the head by applying Hops simmered in vin- egar, warm, and change frequently, and if restless give 1 to 3 Motherwort pills at night. Regimen.—Food cool and mild. Drink mucilaginous teas. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 19 Inflammation of the Far. Symptoms.—The pain is very acute ; ear inflamed ; more or less fever, and sometimes delirium, attended with throbbing. Suppu- ration takes place, and often continues for years. Remedies.—If the pain is very acute( sim- mer bitter leaves in vinegar and water, and foment the parts; repeat until the pain abates. If this fails, take ^ oz. of Sassafras Oil, 1 oz. Olive Oil, and 1 drachm Camphor; mix all, and drop it on wet on a little cot- ton, and put into the «?ar. Onion Juice, Laudanum, &c, is also good ; the Vapor Bath is also good, applied to the head; Hickory wood Sap is also good, as well as for deafness. If the ear suppurates, inject with an ear syringe Olive Oil, Castile Soap Suds, decoction White Oak, &c. Mumps. The glands of the neck upon one or both 20 dr. Wilson's family sides, become enlarged, hard and painful; difficulty often of both breathing and swal- lowing ; the swelling often extends to the testicle, and becomes very dangerous as well as painful, increasing for three or four days. It is frequently attended with fever. Remedies. — Promote perspiration ; give Cathartic (gentle). If very painful, immerse raw cotton in the following : Castile Soap, scraped, 1 drachm; Sassafras Oil, £ oz.; Olive Oil, 1 oz.; Camphor, 3 drachms, ap- ply to the parts, and give the patient warm tea freely. If the testicle is swollen, take equal pants of good old Jamaica Rum, Tinct. Camphor, and Laudanum ; mix and warm a little, and bathe frequently ; or wet cotton and apply. You may also give an Emetic, and Sweating Powder, &c. Quinsy. This disease is characterized by redness of the tonsils, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, hoarseness and dryness of the companion and physician. 21 throat, fullness of the tongue, difficulty in expectoration; it is attended with fever, pulse full and hard, often from 100 to 150. This disease occasioned the death of Wash- ington. Remedies.—Give an Emetic, Purgatives ; steam the head with bitter Herbs and Vine- gar, inhaling the same freely, and repeat fre- quently until the symptoms abate. Bathe the affected parts freely with the Rum Lini- ment. The Sassafras Liniment is also good. To the latter add a little Hartshorne. Gar- gle the throat frequently with Shoemoke li- quor, viz.: 1 oz. of the berry and pint of water ; you may add a little Sage, Alum, Borax, &c. A little yeast is also good with the above. Saltpetre is also good. Weak Lye is also valuable. If the throat is badly swollen*, make a Poultice of Flour, Slippery Elm, 'and Buttermilk ; apply warm, and change frequently. Henbane simmered in spirits, and applied, is also very valuable. Regimen.—Avoid all cold or stimulating drinks ; food mild, as in all other inflamma- tory symptoms. 22 dr. Wilson's family. Croup. Symptoms.—A whistling noise ; frequent- ly hoarseness, when coughing, like the bark- ing of a hoarse dog; great thirst and rest* lessness ; difficult expectoration. Remedies.—Carry off the mucus as quick as possible by means of an Emetic, and cleanse the bowels as soon as practicable ; bathe the feet in warm water, or apply Mus- tard Poultices to the same ; repeat the Emet- ic every day, or oftener if necessary ; also keep the bowels open ; bathe the throat and Btomach with the Sassafras Liniment ; you may also steam the parts, and inhale Hoar- hound, Catnip, and Hops, simmered in Vin- egar, and bind them about the neck warm, and repeat. You may also give a tea-spoon- ful of the following : Onion Juice Sweeten- ed with honey, i to 1 tea-spoonful*every hour. Diet the same as Quinsy. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 23 Hooping Cough. Symptoms.—A tightness of breathing ; thirst; quick pulse, and some symptoms of fever ; hoarseness ; cough ; expectoration difficult. It assumes this character ten to twelve days, and then is attended'with a pe- culiar kind of hooping at intervals, and is quite violent, and in its advanced stages the patient frequently chokes, and then vomits either from the stomach or lungs, or both. and often bleeds from the nose or ears. It sometimes continues for months and even for years. This disease is not curable ; the symptoms can only be mitigated by proper remedies. To lessen the unfavorable symptoms you will give emetics frequently, sufficient to vomit lightly, so as to keep the phlegm as clear from the stomach as possible. Give the pa- tient Poppy tea freely and frequently. Pen- nyroyal, Hyssop, Spearmint, Comfrey, Slip- pery Elm, and Flaxseed teas are all good. Give Castor Oil frequently, to keep the bowels open. Olive Oil is also good. Im- 24 dr. wilson's family merse the feet in warm weak Lye every night. You may also apply mild solutions to the feet and breast frequently. You may also apply a plaster between the shoulders, made as follows : 3 parts Hemlock Gum to 1 part White Pine Gum. Regimen.—The food should be light and easy of digestion, and drinks warm. Colds and Coughs. Symptoms.—It is not necessary to describe the symptoms of this complaint; they are too well known to be mistaken. I would only admonish you, and say that this is the forerunner of many of the ills of life. And as the Apostle admonishes us to flee from the appearance of evil, so I would say flee from these attacks as soon as possible. No time should be lost, lest a viper more terrible fastens upon you. Remedies.—First take the Steam Bath ; an Emetic next; cleanse the bowels, and drink bitter Herb teas, such as Smartweed, Bone- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 25 set, Hoarhouud or Penneroyal, Spearmint, Chamomile, &c. You may also make a Sy- rup of Onion Juice and Honey, or Poppies. Should your cold continue you may take the Cough Drops. Regimen.—Avoid everything of a heating and stimulating character both in food and drink. Corn Meal Gruel or Bean Porridge is the best food. Keep warm, dry, and free from cold atmosphere. Drink warm teas freely, and immerse the feet in warm weak Lye each night on going to bed. Inflammation of the Lungs. Symptoms.—The patient is attacked with violent pain in the side or chest; difficulty of breathing*; cough ; dryness of the skin ; heat, anxiety, and thirst; pulse hard, strong, and frequent. Remedies.—Employ a counter-irritant at once ; the best one is a mild Mustard Poul- tice ; leave it on until the skin is reddened, but not blistered. Give the Ipecac Tincture 26 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY to loosen the mucus ; this will promote per- spiration, expectoration, and action of the bowels. You may also give the Cayenne Powder; this will both lessen cough and inflammation, and give quiet and ease. Drink Comfrey, Flaxseed, Slippery Elm, or Marshmallow tea freely. Buttermilk Soup is also valuable. Immerse the feet every night in warm weak Lye, from twenty to thirty minutes. Regimen.—The best food the patient can eat, is Buttermilk or Indian Meal Gruel ; these are both food, drink, and medicine. Avoid everything of a stimulating nature both in food and drink. Pleurisy. Symptoms.—The patient is attacked with chills, fever, thirst, restlessness, and then a sudden violent pricking pain in the side, ex- tending to the shoulder blade and back and sometimes over part of the breast, with fre- quent cough, expectoration, &c. The mucus COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 27 thrown off at first is small in quantity, and , then often having streaks of blood, and as it progresses it becomes more gross and more impregnated with blood. Pulse very btrong and tight, like the string of the viol. Remedies.—Give to an adult 2 tea-spoons- ful of Sudorific Drops in Catnip tea, and if not relieved in half an hour, repeat. Bathe the feet in tepid Water or Ley. Apply Mustard Poultices to the side and Draughts to the feet. Camphor, Whisky, and warm Water, applied by wetting cloths, are all good ; or you may take 1 pint Alcohol or brandy, and 1 oz. of Cayenne Pepper ; sim- mer a little ; wet flannel and apply, and change as often as cool; or, you may boil bitter Herbs in Vinegar, and apply warm, and change frequently. Give Pleurisy Root Tea freely through the day, say ^ oz. of the root to 1 pint of boiling water ; you must first bruise the root. Should the inflamma- tion not abate, you may give 15 to 20 drops of Tincture of Foxglove, in Pleurisy Root Tea, and give the Sweating Powder each night. 28 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY Regimen.—Food cool, slender, and dilut- ed. Avoid all stimulants, whether solids or liquids. Inflammation of the Stomach. Symptoms.—Burning heat, pain, and swel ling, frequently hiccough, vomiting, cold ex tremities; hard, quick, and tense pulse; pain increased by pressure ; thirst and pain increased by drink ; restlessness and weak ness. Treatment.—To ease the pain, give 20 drops of the Cholera Compound, once in fif teen to thirty minutes, until the pain is re- lieved. Drink Slippery Elm Tea freely ; Flaxseed, Comfrey, and Marshmallow Root Teas are all good. Foment the stomach with bitter Herbs, or if very urgent, apply a Mus- tard plaster. Give a dose of Castor or Ol- ive Oil frequently, sufficient to keep the bow- els rather relaxed. Should the patient con- tinue to vomit, give Spearmint Tea and bind the herb upon the stomach. Do not give an Emetic in this case ; if you COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 29 do, you may endanger life. Carefully avoid eating or drinking anything of a heating, ac- rimonious, or irritating nature. Avoid all Spirits, Wine, or Malt Liquors. Food, Corn Meal Gruel, Buttermilk Pap, simple Toast prepared in water, mild Mutton or Chicken Broth. Drink, neither cold nor hot; it should be chiefly Slippery Elm Tea. Inflammation of the Womb. This disease often occurs from injury, such as Childbirth, Difficult Labor, Puncturing, Pollution, or Cold, and Obstructed Menstru- ation, &c. Symptoms.—Heat of the bowels, burning pain, urine high colored and scanty, sensi- tive or painful to the touch, and sometimes bloating ; the pulse is hard and frequent, countenance dejected, depression of strength, heat of the whole body, thirst, and some- times a nausea. Remedies.—Fomentations should at once be employed, such as Camphor Compound, 80 dr. wilson's family Hops simmered in vinegar and applied in a bag warm, and changed frequently. Catnip Tea should be drank freely. The Sweating Powder should be given from two to three times a day. Cathartic, give a small dose af Compound Mandrake three or four times a week, and give the Compound Tincture frequently and freely. Inflammation of the Bladder. Symptoms.—Acute burning and pain at ihe lower part of the abdomen ; a frequent desire to urinate ; a partial and sometimes entire obstruction of the urine ; frequent de- sire to evacuate ; a frequent and hard pulse ; sometimes vomiting &c, and frequently blood and matter passes with the urine. Remedies.—Employ counter-irritants ; a Mustard Poultice, bitter Herbs simmered in water or vinegar ; or the Camphor Com- pound, warm, and change frequently ; inject warm water with a small syringe ; give from companion and physician. 31 a | to 1 tea-spoonful of the White Drops three times a day. Also give the Compound Tincture of Burdock. Wild Carrot, Wild Parsley Seed, and Rush teas are all good. Diet, chiefly Gruel, Buttermilk, &c. Drink, cooling and mucilaginous, such as Slippery Elm, Flaxseed, and Pumpkin Seed teas, which are all good. Small Pox. Symptoms.—This disease is divided into two distinct classes. It is known as Dis- tinct and Confluent. In the Distinct Small Pox the disease begins with an inflammatory fever. Cold stage, great languor and drow- siness. A hot stage soon comes on, and then is characterized by great drowsiness, and frequently a numb sensation, and often when the patient closes his eyes, it appears to him as if the entire members of his body were enlarged. From three to five days after the attack, the eruption appears and spreads over the entire body. At this stage the fe- 32 DR. "WILSON'S FAMILY. ver entirely subsides. At first, numerous red spots appear, and then gradually rise into pimples, which first appear upon the face, and at the sixth day are filled like a bladder. The fluid, and afterwards a pit, form at the centre. Between the eruptions the skin assumes a scarlet hue, the eyes red, face swollen, until the eyes are often closed. At the eleventh day the swelling abates, the pustules are quite full; on the top of each a dark spot appears and then breaks, and a portion of the matter oozes out, and forms a crust or scab over the surface, and some days after, the scab falls from the skin, leaving a darkish spot. Confluent form.—In this species the fore- going symptoms are much aggravated. The pulse is increased ; more fever ; increased drowsiness, and frequently delirium, and sometimes vomiting, and with the young fre- quently epileptic fits, and often proves fatal before the^ eruption appears, and when they do appear, they are in clusters like the mea- sles, and often run together, and the entire face and other parts assume a black or crus- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 33 ty appearance. The eruption does not pro- perly fill, but assumes a watery hue, and ev- idently indicates putrefaction. It is always attended with fever, and the more fever the greater the danger. Remedies.—If vomiting, give the patient Spearmint tea warm and freely, and if vio- lent and difficult to check, bind the herb warm upon the breast; or you may give him Saleratus water to drink ; when this is accomplished, give the Mandrake Compound, and repeat once in four hours until the bow- els are thoroughly cleansed. Then promote perspiration ; give warm tea of Catnip and Saffron, equal parts ; frequently immerse the feet in warm weak Lye, and bathe the sur- face of the entire body once or twice a day. If fever increases at any time, see that the bowels and stomach are kept well cleansed, and give the Sweating Powder every night. Should there be much pain in the head, ap- ply Mustard Poultices to the soles of the feet, and bathe the head with equal parts of Rain Water, Vinegar and Spirits. Should the throat be sore, gargle it with 34 DR. WILSONS FAMILY equal parts of Hyssop and Sage, sweetened with Honey, and three or four times a day give a wine-glassful of yeast. Should the patient manifest restlessness, give him Vir- ginia Snakeroot weak tea to drink at night. Should he be languid and weak, give him Buttermilk to drink, not too sour, or made in Pap. A little wine whey, &c. Should the eruptions not fill, you will give him Ale and Molasses well warmed, to drink freely. Should this fail, give him warm milk punch freely. Or after the eruptions fill, should they strike in, you will pursue the same treat- ment. Secondary fever.—This is the most danger- ous of all other stages. This generally oc- curs when the, eruptions begin to turn dark. Many are carried off at this stage. To cor- rect this at once, give a Cathartic, even though the bowels may be relaxed. By this method you will carry off the impurities of the body. The above treatment to be pursued in ei- ther of the forms of the disease. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 35 Regimen.—If the pox is well filled, there is no occasion for alarm. Give him Corn Meal Gruel, Buttermilk, Roasted Apples, Mush, or Hasty Pudding. Let his diet be cooling and yet nourishing. Avoid all stim- ulants except in such cases as you are direct- ed to use them. Keep the room well cleans- ed ; a fresh air, but of moderate tempera- ture. If there should be much irritation of the eruptions, Poultice with Buttermilk and Flower of Slippery Elm. Measles. Symptoms.—This disease is characterized by uneasiness, chills, shivering, headache, sore throat, heaviness, and sometimes vomit- ing, &c, but more commonly with heaviness of the eyes, redness, tears, and inflammation, resistance of light, and frequent sneezing , the heat increasing rapidly, a dry cough, vio- lent pain in the groins, and frequently loose- ness ; tongue coated, thirst great, &c. • the eruptions appear from the third to the fifth 36 dr. wilson's family day, and the spots dry up ; the skin peels oft and a new one comes on ; from the ninth to the eleventh day, no redness is seen upon the surface, but unless the secretions and excre- tions have been well cleansed, the cough will continue and fever increase, and bring on great distress and danger. Remedies.—I know of no better remedies or course of treatment for Measles, than that I have laid down under the head of Small Pox. Except that of Pulmonary symptoms, where the mucus has accumulated, you will give the patient a mild Emetic, and repeat if necessary. Regimen.—Diet the same as for Small Pox. While recovering, eat light food, and in small quantities, for some time. Delirium Tremens. Symptoms.—Vomiting, belching of wind, &c. This disease is gradual in its progress, and is a number of days before it arrives at its worst stage. It causes restlessness, wake- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 37 fulness, and a constant disposition to walk to and fro ; delirium ; spirits agitated ; sud- den frights, and often visions of ghosts, snakes, devils, &c. It is attended with fever and costiveness, and often terminates in fits of epilepsy, but with proper treatment the patient may recover. Remedies.—You should give the patient brandy or gin, which frequently affords im- mediate relief. Should the blood rush to the head, which may be known by the red- ness of the eyes, palpitation of the heart, &c, immerse the feet and limbs at once in warm, weak Lye, and give Motherwort tea freely. You may also apply Mustard Poul- tices to the feet and back of the neck. Also give Cathartics and Emetics, and 2 to 3 Motherwort Pills the size of a pea, on going to bed. Regimen.—Care should be taken that du- ring the fit he does not do violence to him- self. His food should be chiefly Corn Meal Gruel, and he should be kept quiet and easy. 38 dr. Wilson's family Cholera Morbus. Symptoms.—The attack is sudden and vio- lent, causing nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach, accompanied by griping and pain in the bowels and purging. The stools are at first thin and watery, and often accompa- nied with green bile. As the disease advan- ces, these symptoms are more violent, and cause a spasmodic affection of the muscles of the bowels and extremities. The patient is drawn nearly into cramps by every parox- ysm, and often screams at the top of his voice from the most excruciating pain. Thirst great, but when gratified, causes vom- iting. The pulse becomes feeble, small, and intermitting; extremities cold ; countenance pale, and a cold sweat breaks out over the entire surface. It is a violent and danger- ous disease, and often proves fatal in a few hours. Remedies.—When first attacked, give from 20 to 30 drops of the Cholera Compound, and Motherwort tea freely ; repeat every thirty minutes. Should these remedies fail companion and physician. 39 to check, which is seldom the case, you may give the Neutralizing Powder, viz. : to 1 large tea-spoonful add half a pint of boiling water, and loaf sugar to sweeten, and when nearly cold, add 2 table-spoonsful of bran- dy, and give two tablespoonsful every half hour. In violent cases you may add to each dose a few drops of laudanum, and continue until the symptoms abate. Attention must also be given to the bowels, to which you may apply a small bag of Oats, simmered in water, warm, or Hops simmered in vinegar, or bitter Herbs, steeped, and changed, and applied warm to the parts. If costive and full of flatulency, take one pint of sweet Milk, and a quarter of a pound of hog's lard; warm and inject every few minutes until he gets an action of the bowels. Immerse his feet in warm Ley or Water, and apply warm bricks or bottles to his extremities, and pro- mote perspiration. Give him to drink all the Oat Meal or Indian Meal Gruel he can conveniently drink, a little warmed. After the patient recovers, in about twelve hours give him a mild Cathartic. 40 dr. wilson's family. Asiatic Cholera. Symptoms.—-They are much the same, on- ly in a more violent form, and consequently should be treated much the same as Cholera Morbus, only as the symptoms are much more urgent, of course the doses should be larger. The Cholera Compound was used during the prevalence of Cholera in Cincin- nati, with almost perfect success, and my opiniou is, that no remedy can be found in either of the above diseases, more efficient. Cholera in Children. This disease is known as Cholera Infant- um, and resembles somewhat Cholera in adults. Although there are many variations, it is more commonly known as Summer or Bowel Complaint. It frequently attacks children during the summer, and is often oc- casioned by eating green corn and fruits, and by teething, &c. ■ Symptoms.—It commences with a mild fe- companion and physician. 41 ver; diarrhea, nausea, and subsequently vomiting ; stools very offensive, of a slimy, whitish, frothy, or colorless, watery fluid. In its progress the child begins to sink, be- comes very weak and pale; extremities cold; skin dry and shriveled, and heat of the head and bowels; eyes sunk and dull, pulse weak and irregular ; patient dull and sleepy, and when asleep, eyes partly open. This disease may assume a chronic form, and the child become a mere skeleton and linger a number of months ; or it may die in a few days, unless the most efficient remedies are employed. Remedies.—If the patient is vomiting, give the neutralizing powder. Dose accord- ing to age and urgency of the case ; this, however, will be required in an advanced stage. If when first attacked you will give the Cholera Drops in proportion to age and strength, you will invariably check the dis- ease in one hour; but you should always give a Cathartic after the disease is checked. If the skin is dry, bathe the entire surface with warm weak Lye or Saleratus Water, 42 dr. Wilson's family once or twice a day, and give the Sweating Powders every night, together with Catnip tea, and drink freely Slippery Elm, Comfrey, or Flaxseed teas. Regimen.—Keep the atmosphere pure, and clothes clean. The best diet is boiled milk, thickened with wheat flour ; it may be spiced with a little nutmeg, cinnamon, or cloves. Vomiting. Symptoms.—Extreme loathing of food ; nausea ; vomiting ; general debility ; lassi- tude ; frequent straining and cramping of the stomach, returning about once every hour ; great distress and burning of the sto- mach, and frequently hiccough and belching of wind ; tongue slightly furred; breath offensive, &e. In a more advanced stage the patient be- comes stupid, and sometimes the eyes set in the head, and occasionally vomiting of black matter, and often destroys the patient in a COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 43 few hours.- He is dizzy, trembles, stag- gers, &c. Remedies.—To allay the irritability of the stomach, give Spearmint tea, and add a lit- tle Saleratus, say 1 tea-spoonful of Saleratu3 to 1 pint of the tea, and give a table-spoon- ful every hour until relieved ; when the sto- mach is relieved, give the Neutralizing Pow- der, until it produces a little action of the bowels. Should this fail, you may give the Mandrake Compound. Smartweed tea is said to be good ; or you may give an Emetic in the beginning ; or the Cholera Drops, which have cured in a few minutes. Water Brash. Symptoms.—Usually attacks in the morn- ing and forenoon, when the stomach is emp- ty. It comes on with pain in the stomach, similar to cramps, after which a great deal of water is thrown from the stomach, of an acid and sometimes insipid ta^ste, and is sometimes ropy, resembling the white of au 44 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY egg, and after awhile passes off.- This dis- ease seldom proves fatal. Remedies.—Take 8 oz. of Compound Tinc- ture of Senna, $ an oz. of Balsam of Tolu Tincture ; mix, and take 1 table-spoonful ev- ery morning. Regimen.—Avoid all greasy and acid foods. Pepper, Horseradish, Mustard, &c, may bo eaten. Cramp in the Stomach. You will immediately apply a lively fric- tion to the stomach, and take 20 drops of the Cholera Compound, and repeat in fifteen minutes if necessary. You may also take Catnip, Motherwort, or Smartweed, or Set Teas. Heartburn. When attacked, take 1 tea-spoonful of Carbonate of Magnesia, morning and even- ing, in milk. Or you may take a mild COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 45 Emetic, and avoid eating anything which produces flatulency. Hiccough. Causes.—Inflammation of the stomach ; flatulency; drinking ardent spirits; swal- lowing tobacco juice. If from either of the two latter causes, give half a table-spoonful of Hog's Lard and one-tea-cupful of sweet Milk warmed. Or a mild Emetic. Should it be from inflammation, give a little Lauda- num, after which give Slippery Elm tea freely. Bleeding of the Nose. This may generally be stopped in a few minutes by holding a piece of silver between the teeth, or applying cold water to the head and nape of the neck. But sometimes these remedies fail. You will then wet cotton in orandy, and saturate it in pulv. alum, and plug the nose. I was called in one day to 46 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY see two ladies-"who were bleeding at the nose until they had bled nearly to death, and soon succeeded in stopping the blood with the above remedies. Grated dried beef is said to be good ; plug the nose with it. It may be important in some cases to immerse the feet in warm lye. Jaundice. Symptoms.—Loss of appetite ; dullness ; costiveness; soon the skin turns yellowish, first of the eye, then the nails ; urine high colored ; stools grey; skin dry, with fre- quent pricking sensations ; generally drowsy and sleepy; sometimes over wakeful; as the disease advances, the skin becomes more yellowish. Remedies.—As this is an obstruction of the bile in its passage into the duodenum, you will first give an Emetic rather mild, and then in a day or two give a half tea-spoonful of equal parts of pulv. Mandrake Root, pulv. Cloves, and Cream Tartar, and repeat ii COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 47 necessary. Then take the following, viz. : 1 drachm Yellow Dock Root, 2 drachms Bit- ter Root, 2 drachms White Poplar Bark, 1 drachm Capsicum, 1 drachm Wild Cherry Bark ; cover with boiling Avater; then add 1 pint Holland Gin. Dose, £ to 1 wine- glassful three times a day. At the same time take No. 4 Powder each morning, from 3 to 5 grains, or sufficient to keep the bow- els a little relaxed. After the disease is thoroughly broken up, you may take the following : 2 drachms each of Spikenard, Comfrey, and Sol Seal, and 1 drachm of Cherry Bark, 1 drachm of Ba- bary, one of Columbo, and 1 of Chamomile Blows; add boiling water; let stand one hour ; then add 1 quart of good old Port or domestic Wine, and take from a half to one wine-glassful three times a day. Inflammation or Ague of the Breast. Symptoms.—Redness, SweUing, Pain, Ob- struction of Milk, &c. 48 dr. wilson's family Remedies.—Drink Yeast and Water freely until it purges ; at the same time apply the Rum Liniment, to which you may add a lit- tle pulv. Black Pepper. Wet cloths and ap- ply warm and keep moist. But should you fail to remove the inflammation with this remedy, then there has evidently matter formed, and the treatment must be changed. You will then poultice as follows : take Slippery Elm and weak Lye, make a poul- tice, and change frequently. You may ap- ply a little Oil or Butter to the parts first, to prevent from adhering. Should the pain be intolerable, you may take now and then a pill or two of Motherwort Extract as large as a pea, or an Opium pill the same size. You may also give the Sweating Powder at night, and immerse the feet in warm water. Promote perspiration, and if necessary have the breast opened with a lancet. It is bet- ter, however, to be patient and let Nature do its own work. After the breast has sup- purated and the inflammation has subsided, you may apply any healing salve until well. Diet, the same as in other inflammatory cases. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 49 Locked-Jaw. Causes.—This disease proceeds from vio- lent cold, stabs, punctures, bruises, cuts, &c, which must in every case demand our first attention. Treatment.—Poultice with Slippery Elm and weak Lye, or steam with bitter Herbs the affected parts if much inflamed, and repeat three or four times a day. Or you may im- merse the parts in weak Lye. Also take the Vapor Bath, immerse the head as well as the body ; set until you sweat freely, say from fifteen to twenty minutes. At the same time give an Emetic. You may add a little Capsicum. Repeat the dose every twenty minutes until he vomits freely. If the bow- els are constipated, give an injection of hog's lard and sweet milk, and after the stomach is thoroughly settled, you may give 1 oz. of Olive or Sweet, or Castor Oil, and repeat if necessary. You may also give the Sweating Powders, two or three a day, and frequent- ly drink warm Catnip, Hoarhannd, Pen- neroyal, or Motherwort te^Sfr' wtD,CAL LIBli**? ( 3H3?3 50 dr. Wilson's family. Inflammation of the Eye. First remove the cause. It sometimes happens that dust, or sand, or cinder, or an eyelash gets into the eye, and produces in- flammation. Should this be the case, you will turn the lid outward, and remove the cause. But from other causes, such as scrof- ula, injuries, heat, bright light, bleak winds, the use of liquors, or from measles, small pox, or syphilis, then you will poultice the eye at night with pulverized Slippery Elm and Buttermilk. During the day anoint with the Brown Ointment three times a day. Or you may use an Eye Water made as fol- lows : Take the pith of Sassafras Root, ex- tract its strength in rain water, add equal parts of Spirits Camphor and Laudanum. Wash the eyes frequently. Give an Emetic every week and Cathartic twice a week. The Vapor Bath is also good. You may also give the Sarsaparilla Syrup. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 51 Felon. The first thing to be done is to lessen in- flammation and pain, when this has taken place. In its first stage, however, it may frequently be removed by immersing the fin- ger in warm weak Lye, and holding it there a long time. But should it continue obsti- nate, you will take Tansy, Catnip, Hops, Smartweed and Wormwood ; boil fifteen to twenty minutes; add half a teacupful oi Soft Soap. Place the hand over it. Cover so as to confine the steam until the hand sweats freely, and repeat three or four times a day, and at intervals you may poultice with Flower of Slippery Elm and weak Lye. Poultice until you discover a small white spot; then take a needle and press gradual- ly until it enters the matter. Should fun- gus flesh follow the matter, you will apply a little of the Caustic or Potash, and you may introduce a little Caustic daily. It then may be dressed with a little Drawing Salve of any kind. You may now and then take a Cathartic, and let your diet be light and cooling. 52 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY Chilblains. These are occasioned by the parts being frosted, and may be corrected at once when it happens, by immersing the parts in snow or cold water, after which, let brisk friction be applied. Then take 2 oz. of Olive Oil, 1 drachm of Hartshorne, and 1 drachm of Camphor Gum. Mix and shake well. Bathe the parts two or three times a day, and immerse the feet in Lye at night. You should wear linen stockings winter and sum- mer. Boils. When highly inflamed and painful, you may steam with the bitter Herbs, and make a poultice of Slippery Elm and Flaxseed Oil; first boil the Elm in rain water or weak lye; after it suppurates and breaks, apply a little healing Salve. To prevent Boils, you may make a syrup of equal parts Yellow Dock and Burdock Roots, and take COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 53 from a half to one wine-glassful three times a day. Ague in the Face or Jaw. This complaint frequently comes from colds and other causes. The face becomes swollen and painful, and the pain often be- comes intolerable. Remedies.—Bathe the parts with the fol- lowing preparation, viz. : Equal parts of Hartshorne, Sulphuric Ether and Alcohol. Or you may steam with bitter Herbs, and you may immerse a bit of cotton in the Tinct. of Capsicum, and place between the cheek and teeth. Inverted Toe Nail. Immerse your feet in warm, weak Lye; then poultice with Slippery Elm until the in- flammation is reduced ; then cut the nail at the side affected a little from the flesh, and carefully skin it from the parts until you can 54 dr. Wilson's family withdraw it by means of a pair of tweezers. Should there be proud flesh, apply a little Caustic and Healing Salve. Corns and Warts. How to Cure.—Take £ lb. of Potash, 1 drachm Extract Belladonna, and 2 drachms Gum Arabic ; dissolve in a little water ; add wheat flour, and work all into a paste ; apply a little to the corn, then work around it with a sharp penknife, and soon it will come out; then apply a little Olive Oil or Vinegar, and be careful not to take cold af- ter it for a few days. Scalds and Burns. Remedies.—Immediately when the accident occurs, you will pulverize charcoal and mix with hog's Lard, and spread on a piece of linen and apply to the parts. This will re- lieve the pain in a few minutes. But should COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 55 you fail getting this remedy in time, until the parts become inflamed, you will then poul- tice with Flour of Slippery Elm. First apply a little Lard, fresh Butter, or Olive Oil, so as to prevent the plaster from adher- ing to the parts, and thus continue until well. Ringworm. Symptoms.—This disease begins with a small red spot, sometimes not larger than a three or five cent piece, and continues to spread until it becomes as large, frequently, as the palm of the hand. When the blood is heated by exercise, the parts itch intol- erably, and the sore is greatly aggravated by scratching, so that the patient seldom en- joys rest or comfort. Remedies.—Take Fire Weed Oil or Herb bruised, and mix with hog's Lard; after washing the parts with Castile Soap and water, bathe the parts two or three times a day. Or you may take pulv. Yellow Dock 56 dr. Wilson's family Root, and mix with Lard, and apply in the same form. Itch. Causes.—It is generally taken by coming in contact with some person having it, or wearing their clothes, or sleeping in the same bed, &c. But it is frequently the result of impure air, improper food, and filthy, dirty clothes, houses, &c. Symptoms.—It first attacks the joints be- tween the fingers, and then continues to spread until it sweeps frequently over the entire body. The pimples are first small, but frequently increase in size until they be- come like small boils. It is said that they contain animalculse, which may be seen by means of the microscope. Remedies.—This disease may be cured as follows : Make a syrup of equal parts of Yellow Dock and Burdock Roots, and take from a half to one wine-glassful three times a day, and anoint the parts two or three COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 57 times a day with the same, as is laid down under the head of Ringworm. The old fashioned way of curing Itch is as follows : Adult—take 1 tea-spoonful Cream Tartar, and 1 tea-spoonful Sulphur, mixed with molasses, three mornings, and at the third night anoint the entire surface of the body, and warm in well. Wrap in an old blanket, and sleep soundly until the next morning. Rise and wash in warm water and Castile Soap Suds. Avoid taking cold for a day or two. I have never known this to fail when properly applied. Although I have known many bad results from the use of these as well as all other minerals, I can only say, if you employ them, be careful that you use them judiciously, and not take cold afterwards. Sprains. If much swollen and inflamed, you will take Smartweed, Wormwood, Mayweed, and Hops; boil well; place the parts over the 58 dr. Wilson's family vessel ; cover well so as to confine the steam until it sweats freely, and repeat as often as painful, and bathe frequently and freely with the Sassafras Liniment. If after the pain abates you find the joint weak, bathe the parts with the following : Take the in- ner bark of White Oak, boil a strong liquor, and bathe three or four times a day. Antidote for Poisons. There is not a family on earth who should not understand the nature and cure of Poi- sons. They are frequently taken into the stomach accidentally, and their effects are often so sudden and violent-, that there is no time to procure a physician, and often when called, he does not know how to cure, or in his practice has not his remedies. It is a consoling thought that no great skill nor fo- reign remedies are requisite to remove poi- sonous substances from the stomach, Nature is the best doctor in the vorld, if we will only Ic glided by its Novates. companion and physician. 59 Hence when poison is taken into the sto- mach, it soon occasions sickness and an incli- nation to vomit. Thus we are admonished at once what must be done, namely, cleanse the stomach by means of an emetic. There are, however, several classes of Poisons, which I shall notice. They consist of mineral, animal, or vegfctable mineral, and are of an acrid or corrosive nature, as Arsenic, Zinc, Iodine, Corrosive Sublimate of Mercury, Antimony, &c. Remedies.—Immediately after you discov- er the accident, you should resort to one of the following remedies : Drink large quan- tities of warm Water and hog's Lard, or sweet Milk and Salad Oil; or fresh Butter may be melted and mixed in the milk ; or you may give 1 tea-spoonful of pulv. Tobac- co, mixed in molasses, and repeat every ten minutes, and drink large quantities of warm water. Either of the above remedies must be urged and repeated until the patient vom- its freely. Or you may give a Lobelia Emetic, or the Emetic Compound. But in every case double the usual quantity must be 60 dr. wilson's family administered. Pulv. Mustard in water, given warm, will also cause the patient to vomit it from the stomach, and in each case be sure to give the Oil, Fat, or Butter, with the other preparations. I mention all these ingredients, in order that you may find some of the above in that moment of peril and fright. Vegetable Poisons are generally of a nar- cotic or stupefying nature, as Poppy, Hem- lock, Henbane, Berries of Deadly Night- shade, Opium, &c. Remedies.—The same as for minerals are to be employed, and after the poisonous sub- stances are removed from the stomach, it would be well to give gentle purgatives, such as Olive or Sweet Oil, and should the patient be weak, Tonics or Wine to drink, and let his food be of a mild quality, Flax- seed, Comfrey, or Slippery Elm teas freely for two or three days. It would be well, however, to note in addition to the above, that sometimes by taking Opium or Laud- anum, the patient becomes stupid and diffi- cult to arouse. In that case it is important COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 61 to use other means to arouse and keep him awake. In this case he should be shook, tossed, and moved about. You may apply pure Mustard Plasters between his shoul- ders, legs, or arms, and apply stimulants to his nose ; Spirits or Salts of Hartshorne may be held to his nose, or you may let him snuff Cayenne Pepper, &c. You may also give him strong Coffee to drink freely, or you may give him a large tea-spoonful of pulv. black Mustard, mixed with water, and repeat if necessary in ten to fifteen min- utes. Ivy Poison. Both man and beast are liable to get poi- soned by a vine very common in this coun- try, known as Poison Ivy, Poison Weed, or Mercury. It produces great heat, itching and burning, swelling and inflammation. Remedies.—Take the Bark of Sweet Elder and simmer in Buttermilk ; wash the parts freely and frequently, after which you may apply Sweet Oil. If very irritable, poultice 62 dr. wilson's family with Slippery Elm. You may also use the Fire Oil Ointment three or four times a day. Bite of Snake. Remedies.—Take the roots and branches of the Red Plantain and Hoarhound, equal parts ; bruise all in a mortar ; then squeeze out the juice and give as soon as possible a large table-spoonful of the juice, and if ne- cessary, repeat in one hour, and apply a to- bacco leaf to the wound ; change frequently. Or you may apply the caustic to the wound and then the tobacco leaf. Salt is also good. The patient should also have frequent Cathartics. The following is good : Take a bottle of Spirits of Turpentine, place the mouth over the wound, until the pain is extracted, which will be in a short time. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 63 Bite of a Mad Dog. Remedies.—Take ash colored, ground, or pulv. Liverwort, -J an oz., Black Pepper £ of an oz. Mix all and divide into four parts. Take one each morning in a half pint of sweet Milk, warm, and after the above med- icine is taken, then the patient must be dip- ped under water head and all, and not re- main in over half a minute, for thirty days, and then for two weeks three times a week. This is old Dr. Mead's remedy. In this I have but little confidence. Dr. Buchan recommends if there be no blood-vessel injured, the parts adjacent to the wound may be cut out. But this must be done soon. But if not practicable, mix Salt and Vinegar, and apply, after which, take Yellow Basilicon mixed with Red Pre- cipitate, and apply twice a day. Dr. Beach recommends the following, and I have more confidence in him than either or all those noted. First have the wound cup- ped as soon as possible, after which apply the Caustic Potash until an eschar is formed. 64 dr. wilson's family Then apply an Yeast Poultice, and keep up a discharge as long as possible. Then take a strong infusion of Scullcap through the day, and Mandrake Compound once a week. But if there be symptoms of Hydrophobia, take a Lobelia Emetic every other day, and at the same time take the Vapor Bath. Myself together with two young gentle- men, were bitten by a dog having Hydro- phobia, among the Dutch near Schenectady, N. Y., one in the nose, one in the left hand, and the other in the right. A Dutchman orescribed the following strange prescrip- tion : Equal parts of the false tongue of a colt, and the jaw bone of a dog, and verdi- gris, to be taken nine mornings in succes- sion. Also from one quarter to one third of a copper, to be filed, and taken during the day. We all took the above, and neither myself nor they, so far as my knowledge ex- tends of them, have had the disease. I be- lieve, however, they had the wounded parts cut out, but I did not. I am of an opinion that the Red Plantain would cure or prevent the disease, by eating COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 65 large quantities of the stalk, of the leaf, or squeezing out the juice from the stalk and root, as prescribed for the bite of a rattle- snake, but in that case it would be well to apply Dr. Beach's remedies externally. Diseases of Children. Infants are frequently afflicted with flatu- lency and gripes, more frequently from the mother eating improper food than from any other cause. She should therefore be care- ful about her diet. When the child is thus attacked, you may give it some Cat- nip, Peppermint, or Penneroyal tea. But the best remedy in all cases of griping, teething, nervousness, and disquietness, is to make Syrup of Motherwort, and sweeten, say about the consistency of laudanum, and give the child from ten to fifteen drops, and increase if necessary. This will also cure fits in children. With this remedy I cured one in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., who had 66 dr. Wilson's family been afflicted with them two years, after all others had decided the case incurable. Purging or Looseness.—This may soon be corrected by giving the child from one to three drops of the Cholera Compound, or by giving both the mother and child the Neutralizing Powder. Teething.—This complaint has cost the life of many a child. It causes heat and pain in the head, restlessness, fever, swollen gums, dysentery, and often fits. Remedies.—It may be necessary to cut the 511ms a little, and administer a little Casto" Oil every other day, unless the bowels are relaxed. You may also give the Mother- wort Extract, and Catnip Tea, and promote perspiration. You may give the child a crust of bread, or make a hole through a sil- ver dollar, and hang about the neck. Sores about the Ears, Groins, &c.— Wash the parts with Castile Soap and Wa- ter ; wipe dry with linen; then you may sprinkle on the sores a little Flour of Slip- pery Elm, or apply the Fire Oil Ointment, made as follows : Take 2 drachms Oil and COMPANION and physician. 67 one quarter of a pound of pure hog's Lard. Mix cold. Sore Mouth.—Children are frequently afflicted with this complaint. Little small spots appear in the mouth. Give a gentle physic, and wash the mouth frequently with a tea made of Sage and Hysop, sweetened with honey. Convulsions from Teething.—You will at once immerse the feet in warm, weak Lye, and give the Motherwort Syrup. Onion or garlic may be bruised and applied to the stomach. If there is much heat of the head, you may apply a cloth wet with rain water, spirits and vinegar. Soreness about the Navel.—Apply the same remedies as prescribed for Sores about the Ears, &c. Rupture.—Lay the child upon his back ; then press the tumor or protruded parts back, and make a plaster of the Extract of White Oak Bark, and apply; then a com- pression over it with a bandage, to keep it in its proper place. 68 dr. Wilson's famili Tongue Tied. It so happens that sometimes infants can- not nurse, from the traenum of the tongue being contracted. In that case, and in that only, should there be a very small incision made with a lancet or a pair of scissors. This cut, however, must be very small, lest a blood-vessel be severed. Parents are apt to think their child is tongue tied sometimes, when such is not the case. For Sty of the Eye. Take 1 tea-spoonful of tea in a small bag, turn a few drops of boiling water on the same, and apply at night, and if necessary repeat the next niglit. This will certainly cure, unless it be from scrofulous taint For Worms. Dry Egg Shell pulverized, and mixed in molasses. Give the child one tea-spoonful COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 69 three mornings in succession ; then a dose of physic. This remedy will destroy the worms. To Preserve the Eye, and Restore Partial Blindness. Occasionally press the eye-ball by means of placing the thumb and finger next to the nose and the temple. Take 1 gallon of Wa- ter, 2 drachms of Cream Tartar, and 2 oz. ol refined Sugar. Wash the eyes three times a day. This simple remedy has restored the eye- sight of those partially blind for many years. Another Remedy for Felon. Take 1 pint Soft Soap, and add slacked Lime until formed into putty. Fill a leather thimble, made somewhat larger than the fin- ger, and insert the finger. -4 70 dr. wilson's family. A LECTURE ON THE LAWS OF THE MANY NERVOUS DISEASES TO WHICH WE ARE SUBJECT. In speaking of the Nervous System, anat- omists include those organs which are com- posed of a nervous or pulpy tissue. The nervous system in man is composed of two parts, that which is called the cerebro-spinal axis, which is the brain and spinal marrow, and thirty-nine or forty-two pair of cords called Nerves, which pass off laterally from the cerebro-spinal axis, and ramify over ev- ery part of the body. Secondly, the gan- glions and plexuses, with their various cords, branches, and filaments. Under the term encephalon, are included the contents of the cranium, which are the cerebrum or f;he brain proper, the cerebellum or little COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 71 brain, and the medulla oblongata. These different parts are included under the name brain. The brain proper, or Cerebrum, oc- cupies the upper part of the head ; *the cere- bellum is next; below it posteriorly is the Medulla Oblongata lower still. I would here remark that I cannot go in- to a description of the brain phrenological- ly, but I am fully impressed with the value of phrenology as a science, and would ear- nestly recommend to my readers, especially those who are skeptical as to its truth, the admirable works of George Combe and the Messrs. Fowler. " Combe's Constitution of Man," is a work that is above praise. His other works are exceedingly valuable. The writings of 0. S. Fowler contain physiolog- ical and phrenological truths well adapted to the wants of our age, and eminently cal- culated to bless humanity. J. N. Fowler is said by good judges to be the best practical phrenologist in America. French anatomists reckon forty-two pairs of nerves. Of these, twelve pairs draw their origin from, or are connected with the 72 dr. Wilson's family encephalon, and thirty come from the spinal marrow. Each of the spinal nerves con- sists of filaments destined for two distinct uses—motion and sensibility. They have two roots, one arising from the posterior, the other from the anterior part of the spinal marrow. Sir Charles Bell says that the an- terior part gives rise to Nerves of motion, the posterior to Nerves of sensibility. The series of ganglions and plexuses, with the nervous cords, fibres and filaments which unite them, are collectively termed the great Sympathetic Nerve. It is connected with each of the spinal nerves, and with several of the encephalic, but does not arise from either. The Sympathetic is considered the great system of involuntary nerves. The nerves of the brain and spinal marrow, with their various ramifications, are called the Nerves of animal life. These are distrib- uted principally to the muscles of voluntary motion, and to the sensitive surface of the body or external skin. The Sympathetic or Ganglionic Nerves are called Nerves of organic life. The ganglions of the Sympa- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 73 thetic Nerve give off branches, some oi which connect the ganglions with each other, and some interweave and inosculate, and form plexuses. From these, numerous branch' es are given off to supply the different or- gans with nerves. Besides the more deeply seated ganglions connected with the princi- pal viscera, there are two series of them which range along the anterior side of the spine, connected by nervous cords which ex- tend from the lower extremity of the spine to the base of the cranium, and enter by small branches through the carotid canal, along with the artery, and form connections with the fifth and sixth pairs of the nerves of the brain. These two series of what are termed peripheral ganglions, with their con- necting cords, are called Sympathetic Nerves, because they are believed to form the most intimate union of sympathy between all the viscera concerned in organic life. At the base of the diaphragm, on the an- terior side of the spine, are two large gan- glions called Semilunar Ganglions. These give off numerous large branches, which, to- 74 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY gether with several from other parts, and some from within the cranium, form a very large central plexus in front of the spine, which constitutes a kind of common centre of action and sympathy to the whole sys- tem of organic nerves. This is called the Solar Plexus. From this, branches are given off in every direction, uniting with nerves from the brain, and supplying the different organs, particularly the stomach and arteries. These are invested with a lace-work of nerves, which accompanies them to their termination in the glands, skin, and mucous membrane, and other mem- branes. The Cerebro-Spinal Nerves are instru- ments of sensation and perception. The Sympathetic or Ganglionic Nerves are instruments of sympathy, and in a heal- thy state are not instruments of sensation ; but in a diseased state they have great mor- bid sensibility, and a morbid sympathy may also be induced. The Nerves of the Bones in a state of health, convey no appreciable sensation to COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 75 the brain. But bones may become diseased, and no pain is more acute than the pain of diseased bones. They may result in abuses of the nerves, and render them acutely sen- sible. The Nerves of Sensibility partake of the injury. Thus there is disease from abuse and disease from sympathy. A great physiologist, from whose works these views of the Nervous system are ta- ken, has said that the proper performance of the functions of life, and the welfare of each and every part of the system, depend upon the integrity of the nerves in supplying the necessary vital energy, and this again de- pends on their healthy state. By inducing a diseased"condition and inflammation of any part, a new and abnormal centre of action may be established, equal in the power and extent of its influence, to the importance 01 the part, and the degree of its morbid irrita- tion, which will not only derange the func- tions of the part itself, but also to a greater or less extent those of the other parts, and sometimes of the whole system, causing an undue determination of tb« fluids to itselfj 76 dr. wilson's family and resulting in morbid secretion, imperfect assimilation, chronic inflammation, disorgan- ization by change of structure, by softening or induration, producing scirrhus, ossifica- tion, calculi, ulcers, cancers, and dissolution, or mounting into a high state of acute in- flammation, and in a more violent and rapid career, bringing on gangrene, general con- vulsions, collapse, and death. After carefully studying these views of the Nervous System, you will be better able to understand how we are affected by hurtful influences. In the first place it will be pro- per to lay down a definition of tone, which is that state of the nervous system when it responds with sufficient promptitude, vigor, and regularity, to the healthful and natural stimuli. Want of tone is of two kinds ; first, when from deficient excitability the nerves do not respond with sufficient promp- titude, vigor, and regularity, to the natural excitants, and the functions of the system, in all or in part, fall into a state of torpor. The second species of deficient tone, is when the nerves from excess of excitability, re- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 77 spond too promptly and often irregularly to the ordinary stimuli, and often act with vio- lence, from the impression of causes which in their normal condition affect them but little if at all. It is this latter species of deficient tone with which we have prin- cipally to do. It is produced by over ex- citement, mental as well as physical ; by over exertion of" the organs, without suffi- cient intervals of rest; by whatever reduces the physical energies of the system ; deficient exercise ; deficient food ; mental and moral indolence, as well as by excessive mental la- bor ; excessive evacuations ; and by what- ever impairs or vitiates the nutritive func- tions of the system, as excessive, improper or deficient food, improper drinks, vitiated and confined air, deficiency of sleep, the de- pressive passions, &c. In regard to the ex- tension or diffusion of morbid action, this takes place through the nervous centres ; ir- ritation of the stomach by being reflected upon the heart and lungs, hurries the respi- ration and circulation ; irritation of the ute- rus, by being reflected upon the stomach, 78 dr. wilson's family causes sickness, gastrodynia, &c. ; or upon the spinal nerves of motion, hysteria and neuralgia; when upon the nerves of sensa- tion, a piece of indigestible food in the sto- mach of a child, gives rise by reflection up- on the nerves of motion or of animal life, to convulsions ; a portion of a briar in the end of the finger, by a similar reflection, causes tetanus, &c. The world has so long looked upon pas- sions misdirected, or excessive inaction, that many seem to have come to the conclusion that certain passions or propensities are in- herently bad, and that they should conse- quently be eradicated. Now if we look in to this subject, we shall find that it is only the excessive or erratic action of the pas sions, that is productive of evil. These re marks are especially true of that appetite, instinct, or passion, which impels us to the propagation of our species. When kept within bounds, and exercised according to the dictates of nature, of reason, -and of vir- tue, it has not only a beneficial influence up- on the health and longevity of the system, is companion and physician. 79 not merely to promote our individual happi- ness, and fulfill an important law of oui being—increase and multiply, but it has a tendency to soften and improve the heart, and by the new relations thus resulting, to promote feelings of kindness and benevo- lence, and to interest us more deeply in the happiness and well-being of our fellow crea- tures. But the instinct of which we are speaking, is one which requires to be watch- ed with the greatest care ; its tendency in the present artificial state of society, is to premature, excessive and destructive iudulg- ence, and to this cause are to be attributed very many if not all of the usual diseases, which, instead of being confined as formerly to those classes which revel in luxury, com- mence now to inflict their pains and penal- ties upon the sex at large. No form of nervous excitement is as inju- rious as solitary vice. The reports of our hospitals for the insane, if we had no other means of obtaining information, would con- vince us that this vice is exceedingly com mon. I shall proceed to show some of its 80 dr. wilson's family effects, and then point out its causes, and the means of preventing it. That the unnatu- ral, precocious, or excessive development of the sexual instinct, is disease as much as fever, and should be treated as such, I am fully persuaded. If hospitals were built for the social and solitary licentious, instead of casting them out from society, and suffering them to herd in dens of infamy, destroying and destroyed society might be in' a more healthy state ; but such is the excessive and diseased development of the animal nature of man, that the civilized world might well be turned into an hospital for the cure of diseases caused by licentiousness. In the reports of our lunatic hospitals, masturbation or solitary vice ranks next to alcohol in producing insanity. All the dis- eases caused by social licentiousness, are pro- duced by this form of nervous abuse. I would remark that many of these dis- eases may be produced by other causes. 1 have given advice in almost every form of disease induced by this vice. - I have seen idiotcy and insanity caused by it, and I think COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 8a it is time that something should be done to rescue the most moral and conscientious, and sometimes the most promising youth from the mind-wasting ravages of an indulgence, of the terrible consequences of which they have never been forewarned; that is, it is the vice of ignorance not of depravity. The sufferers are personally less offenders than victims. That is a truth to be remem- bered. We should labor in the spirit of love not of blame, for the restoration of fal- len, diseased humanity. Children are born with the impress of sensuality upon their whole being, in consequence of their parents. They are trained in a manner destructive to health, and it would be indeed a miracle if they should escape this vice. I am unwil- ling to leave this subject without again call- ing attention to the diseases which are caused by this habit. There is hardly an end to them. Dyspepsia, spinal disease, headache, epilepsy, and various kinds of fits, which differ in their character according to the degree of abuse and consequent disease of the nervous system. Impaired eyesight, 82 dr. wilson's family palpitation of the heart, pain in the side, and bleeding at the lungs, spasm of the heart and lungs, and sometimes sudden death, are caused by indulgence in this vice. Diabetes or incontinence of urine, fluor albus or whites, and inflammation of the urinary or- gans, are induced by indulgence in this prac- tice. Indeed this habit so diseases the nervous system, and through that the sto- mach and the whole body, that every form of disease may be produced by it through these disorders, and may afflict those who slightly indulged in the habit. Some who have been in a degree enlightened on these subjects, have feared to have others enlight- ened, lest it should increase the evil. They say there is safety in ignorance. I answer, the silent course has been pursued, till our world has become one vast pit of corruption. Has the world been safe in its ignorance ? If not, will it be so hereafter ? Deslandes says that St. Vitus' dance is al- bo at times caused by this vice, and I be- lieve it. Deslande3 and Tissot contain abun- dant evidence that the worst forms of spinal COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 8^ disease are occasioned by matsurbation. But light has dawned upon us, and we should be thankful for the blessing. I have it from good authority, that among the insane admitted into the lunatic hospital from this cause, the proportion of females is nearly as large, and from my own obser- vation, larger than that of males. The reports of our lunatic asylums fur- nish melancholy evidence of the prevalence and increase of this vice. In the Fifth An- nual Report of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, Mass., we find the following : The number of insane from masturbation (self pollution), has been even greater than usual the past year, and our ill success in its treatment the same. No good whatever arises in such cases from remedial treatment, unless such an impression can be made upon the mind and moral feelings of the individ- ual, as to induce him to abandon the habit. In this attempt, even with the rational mind, we have to encounter mistaken views as well as active propensities. No effectual means can be adopted to prevent the devas- 84 dr. Wilson's family tation of mind and body, and the debase- ment of moral principle from this cause. Till the whole subject is well understood and properly appreciated by parents and in- structors, as well as by the young them- selves, how many of earth's noblest, even the brightest and best of our youth, have sunk beneath slow, wasting, nervous disease, the cause of which was neither known nor sus- pected by themselves or their friends. They have felt that they were doomed, that a des- tiny from which they could not escape, held them in its relentless grasp. They have shrunk from the struggle of life as if they were all nerves, and as if each nerve was bared to the pitiless pelting of the storm of life. They have felt sure that they were born.with a constitutional nervous sensibil- ity ; that life is a burden and a curse ; and often they have sought refuge in voluntary death, as a relief from sufferings that it was not in humanity to bear through. There are many causes for nervous diseases, still we have good reason to believe that many who rise every morning, like an infernal frog out COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 85 cf Acheron, covered with the ooze and mud of melancholy, may trace their misery to this cause. Is he the true philanthropist, nay more, is he a christian, who, knowing all this, can be silent, can put his finger on his lips and say this subject is too delicate to be meddled with—you will but increase the evil by your efforts. Let ministers, let christians cease to denounce theft and mur- der : let them blot from the blessed book the commands against licentiousness, and use an expurgated edition of the Bible, lest the reading of the Holy Scriptures increase the evil. When I reflect upon the distressing details to which I have listened, and the dreadful consequences I have witnessed, such as par, tial blindness, deafness, coughs, raising or vomiting blood, scrofula, eruptions of the face, breast and back, stiff joints, enlarged necks, glimmering of the eyes, cold extrem- ities, catarrh, insanity, heart disease, pale- ness, weakness, female weakness, fits, emacia- tion and death, from this solitary vice, I feel as if no time should be lost by physicians, 66 dr. wilson's family parents, and even ministers from the sacred desk, alike should engage in this work of reform. I have been traveling nearly two years, treating chronic diseases, and it is universally admitted that I can and do des- cribe the symptoms, and locate the disease of each patient as correctly as they could themselves, as well as to detect the cause or origin. And here I would unequivocally declare, that according to the best of my knowledge and belief, eight out of ten who die of consumption from the age of 16 to 28. started at this very point, and that two- thirds of all the chronic diseases from 16 to 30, is the legitimate cause of this practice. And if this be true, what a heart-rending picture, and what a terrible harvest to meet in the judgment. What a scene of horror, when we reflect that he that soweth to flesh sinII of the flesh reap corruption. My intention in this Lecture is to show the best means of preserving health. He«lih is a precious boon ; without it you may r*os- pess all other good, yet you are mijeiaule. Were men half as solicitous about .heir COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 87 health as they are about other interests, the amount of human suffering would be greatly mitigated. Luxury, intemperance, extrava gance, and improper conduct, are the seeds sown of a dreadful harvest, and invariably prove to be the common destroyers of our race. It is natural for us to indulge in our propensities and appetites, until some de- rangement of our digestive functions is the consequence, and then, instead of correcting our habits, we resort to poisons and nos- trums, which almost invariably create the disease for which they are taken to cure. One ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. How many have you heard say they would live well, eat and drink what they desired, whether their life were short or long. A certain man within my own knowl- edge, of a dyspeptic habit, would eat a full meal, then run his finger down his throat, and vomit it up. And this is not an isolated case by any means ; they abound everywhere. Says Dr. Mott: All who have abused their stomachs will be brought to an account my>r ir or later. And adds : I am not sure 88 dr. wilson's family but more disease results from intemperance of eating than drinking. Unwholesome food and irregularities in diet, occasion many diseases. The whole constitution may be changed by diet. The fluids may be attenuated or condensed, ren- dered mild or acrimonious, coagulated or di- luted to almost any degree. Nor can its effects be less upon the solids. They may be relaxed or braced, have their sensibility, motion, &c, greatly increased or diminished by different kinds of aliment. A little attention to these things, says Dr. Buchan, will show how much the preserva- tion of health depends upon proper diet. Nor is proper diet only necessary for its preservation but also for its restoration. Many diseases may be cured by diet alone, and others greatly mitigated. It is not my intention, however, at this time to investigate the nature and properties of the various aliments in use among mankind, nor to show their effects upon different con- stitutions of the human body, but to show some of the more pernicious habits men are COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 89 liable to run into with regard to their food, quantity they eat, and the influence it pro- duces upon their health. It is impossible to direct in regard to the quantity the various constitutions, sex and age require. The best rule is to avoid the two extremes. Nature teaches every crea- ture in most cases. When nature calls for food or drink, it is an evidence that nature should be supplied. But with regard to quality we should act like intelligent men, not like dumb beasts. The food we eat contains frequently the fruits of disease* Unripe or shriveled grain, potatoes defective with spots, and roots or any other vegetables not sound or ripe, is an evidence that they are defective or diseased, and should not be eaten. Grain may be kept too long until musty, and therefore rendered unwholesome. Animal food may also be rendered unwholesome by being kept too long. All animal substances have a nat- ural tendency to putrefaction, and when kept too long are not only rendered repugnant to the taste and smell, but hurtful to the health. 90 DR. WILSONS FAMILY Animals diseased or killed by accident, ara also hurtful, as their blood quickly putrifies. The divine injunction given to the Jews, not to eat any creature which had died of itself, has a reference, no doubt, to their health. Animals over-heated are rendered feverish. Butchers should be careful not to overheat their stock before they kill them, as this ren- ders their flesh very unwholesome. Swine, ducks, and other animals which are grossly fed, are also unwholesome. The art of cooking is frequently rendered unwholesome by jumbling together half a dozen different ingredients. Pickles, vine- gar, salt and spices, are all bad for the health. Water should also be carefully selected, as it forms the basis of a portion of the sol- "ds. That water is most pure which is the most free from foreign bodies. Water takes up parts of most bodies with which it comes in contact, by which means it is often im- pregnated with metals or minerals of a poi- sonous nature. Hard water, or such as is found in lime- COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 91 stone countries, is also hurtful. In some countries in which I have practiced, I have found at least one half of the ladies with large goitres upon their necks, and scrofu- lous tumors as quite prevalent in both sexes. With such water common rosin soap should not be used for washing the body or extrem- ties. as it obstructs the pores, and by that means prevents the escape of the impurities of the body through them. You may saturate the water with saleratus, wood ashes, bran bread, potatoes, or anything of a mucilagi- nous nature, and this will prevent its dele- terious effects, as this is equally necessary with proper diet. Persons who are weak and relaxed, ought to avoid all viscid food, or such things as are hard of digestion. Their diet, however, ought to be solid, and they should take plen- ty of exercise in the open air. Such as abound with blood, should be sparing in the use of everything that is highly nourishing, and, in a word, all should study simplicity, and carefully avoid luxuries. Nature de- lights in the most plain and simple food, 92 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY and every animal except man follows his dic- tates. Man alone riots at large, and ran- sacks the whole of creation in quest of lux- uries for his own destruction. Says Mr. Addison, an elegant writer of the last age: For my part, when I see a fashionable table set out in all its magnifi- cence, I fancy I see gouts, dropsies, fevers, lethargies, with other innumerable diseases, lying in ambuscade among the dishes. Intemperance in eating is not the only des- troyer of our race. How quickly does the immoderate pursuit of carnal pleasures des- troy man. Behold that young man who is destroying himself with his own hand, or by debauchery. How soon he begins to com- plain of headache, glimmering of the eyes, palpitation of the heart, nervousness, pain in the side and back, cold feet, frequently coughs, consumption, paleness, and finally dies a victim, if not corrected by skillful hands, of his own evil conduct, for he is his own murderer. Or if he does not die while young, he has planted the seeds of disease and premature decay in his own body, and COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 93 must suffer the penalty of a violated law down to the latest hour of his existence. 0 could that dear young man know what disease and destruction he is entailing upon himself, when thus indulging in the gratifica- tion of carnal pleasure and lust, I believe he would be forever restrained from such a dreadful habit. The improper use of intoxicating liquors is another destroyer of our race. Every act of intemperance puts nature to the ex- pense of a fever, before she can discharge the poisonous draught. When this is re- peated every day, or frequently, it is easy to foresee the consequences. But fevers from intoxication do not always leave the patient in a day; they frequently end in inflamma- tion of the liver, brain, breast, &c. Dr. Beach, of New York, says : Spirit- uous liquors inflame the blood, corrode the coats of the stomach, impair digestion, des- troy the appetite, and induce many diseases of a fearful character, such as gout, seirrhus of the liver or spleen, dropsy, apoplexy, pal- sy, madness, and fevers of different kinds. 94 dr. Wilson's family They also impair the judgment, destroy the memory, and produce intoxication. Dram drinking produces results terrible in their tendency, and end in the most fear- ful consequences. One glass makes way for another, and every glass inflames the appe- tite, stupefies the mind, and renders the man weaker and less capable of resisting the poi- sonous cup, for poison it most certainly is ; indeed it may not kill as quick, but in the end is certain. Although he may not fall by an acute disease, he seldom if ever escapes those of a chronic character. But drunken- ness does not only destroy the miserable creature himself, but the innocent too often feel the dreadful effects of intemperance. How many wretched orphans are to be seen in almost every town, who once had re- spectable parents, in affluence and wealth, who are now redueed to mere paupers, and perhaps while borne down with poverty and want, disease as fatal as poison itself, has seized upon them. How often do we behold the miserable mother, with her helpless infant pining in COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 95 want, while the cruel father is iDduiging his insatiate appetite. Families are not only reduced to want, disease, and death, by intoxication, but even extirpated. Nothing tends more to prevent propagation than intemperance. How often do we find the poor man who labors hard for his scanty morsel, surrounded with numerous offspring, hale and well, while his pampered lord, sunk in ease and luxury, often lan- guishes without an heir. Or if he has any, they are weakly and short lived, and soon the race becomes extinct. Many resort to this miserable subterfuge in the hour of trouble, for relief. They find a sort of temporary relief, but, alas! " it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an ad- der." This solace is short lived, and when it is over, the spirits sink as much below their natural pitch, as strong drink had raised them above it, and hence the necessity of a repetition, and every fresh dose makes way for another, until the unhappy wretch be- comes a slave to the bottle, and at length falls a sacrifice to what at first, perhaps, was 96 dr. wilson's family taken as medicine or to drown trouble. No man is as dejected as the drunkard, when his debauch has gone by. Then he feels his spirits dejected, disease preying upon him, nerves unstrung, prostration, poverty, and want, ten thousand devils haunting him right and day, and the end a drunkard's grave and a drunkard's hell. A want of cleanliness is also injurious to health ; and this is an evil which admits of no excuse, as God has so plentifully supplied us with water. The continual discharge from our bodies through the pores, by per- spiration, requires the frequent change of apparel. Frequent change of apparel great- ly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary for health, without which, the mat- ter that should be carried off from the body, is either retained or re-absorbed from dirty clothes, and often occasions cutaneous dis< eases. Itch and several other skin diseases, are frequently the result of filth. Putrid and malignant fevers result from the want of cleanliness. They almost invariably be- gin among low and filthy inhabitants. They COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 97 wear filthy clothes, breathe unwholesomo air, live in close, dirty houses, and take but little exercise. Here we find the infection hatched which often spreads far and wide, to the destruction of thousands. Hence cleanliness becomes a matter of public inte- rest ; for what will it avail that I keep clean myself, if my neighbor is wallowing in filth and dirt. Infections are frequently communicated by tainted air. Hence the importance of keeping your cellars, wells, and streets clean. Slaughter houses should also be kept at a proper distance, as nothing renders the air more impure than putrid blood. Tobacco is another potent enemy to man. It impairs his health. Tobacco is an actual and a virulent poison. Three drops of the oil applied to the tongue of a cat, will des- troy its life in from three to seven minutes. Make an incision in a pigeon's leg, and in two minutes it will destroy the action of the limb, and cause violent vomiting. Kempfer classes it with strong vegetable poisons. Saturate a thread with tobacco oil, 98 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY. and draw it through a wound in an animal, and it will kill quickly. It has been known to do it in seven minutes. Dr. Maynwaring has asserted in his trea- tise on scurvy, that tobacco causes scorbutic complaints, and that scurvy has abounded much more since the use of tobacco has be- come so prevalent, than previous. Old Mr. Salmon, a man eminent in medi- cal practice, says that snush taking, (mean- ing snuff,) is productive of great evils ; that it frequently induces apoplexies, and that a hundred has died of this disease to one previous, and most of those deaths I have witnessed from apoplexies, were great snuff takers. Smoking is also injurious. The saliva which is so copiously drained off by the pipe, is the first and greatest agent Nature employs in digesting food. Chewing tobacco also destroys the diges- tion, from the same cause. The unwise cus- tom of chewing and smoking tobacco for many hours in a day, not only injures the Balivary glands, producing dryness of the COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 99 mouth when the drug is not used, but it is supposed that it also produces seirrhus of the pancreas. It also injures the digestion, by throwing off that saliva which the sto- mach requires, and which the person should swallow. Again, the practice of tobacco smoking or chewing, saturates the tongue and mouth with tobacco juice, thereby vitiating the sa- liva that remains, which in this pernicious and poisonous condition, finds its way to the stomach. In view of these facts, who can wonder, then, that the use of tobacco produces debil- ity, and fixes its deadly grasp upon the or- gans of vitality, gradually undermining the health and sowing the seeds of disease in the body, which will sooner or later take root and spring up, carrying away its victim to a premature grave. Who can wonder, then, that those who use tobacco, are afflicted with dizziness of the head, faintness, weak sto- mach, tremulousness, Imskiness of the voice, disturbed sleep, nightmare, mental depres- sion, epilepsy, great nervousness, and gene- 100 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY ral debility. It will also produce dyspepsia, and it creates thirst, which is an evidence that saliva is deficient, and hence water is required. Thus you have water instead of saliva for digestion. No wopder, then, you become costive, and many using tobacco are afflicted with piles, &c. Again, the use of tobacco is pernicious, because of its filth. Look at that young man squirting his to- bacco juice in bar-rooms, halls, houses of worship, parlors, on fine carpets, ladies' ap- parel, And therefore should be carefully avoided. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 101 PREPARATIONS. Wine Bitters. 2 drachms Wild Cherry Bark, 2 " Spignant Root, ' 2 " Solomon Seal Root, 2 " Comfrey Root, 1 " Colombo Root, 1 " Gentian Root, 1 " Chamomile Flowers. Bruise all, and add boiling water to cover. Let stand one hour; then add 1 quart Do- mestic or Port Wine. Dose—£ to 1 wine-glassful three times a day. This is the best strengthening tonic I have ever found for weak and relaxed sys- tems. 102 dr. wilson's family Sweating Powder. 1 oz. pulv. Opium, 1 " pulv. Gum Camphor, £ " pulv. Ipecac, i lb. Cream Tartar. Dose—from \ to $ a teaspoonful. Mandrake Compound. Equal parts Pulv. Mandrake Root, Spear- mint Herb, and Cream Tartar. Sassafras Liniment. J oz. Sassafras Oil, J " Hemlock Oil, J " Red Cedar Oil, \ " Camphor Gum, \ " Capsicum, \ " Turpentine Spirits, 1 pint Alcohol. Mix all, and bathe the parts freely and frequently. For pain in the head, back, side, breast, or limbs. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 103 Emetic Preparation. 1 part pulv. Lobelia Seeds, 1 " " " Herbs, 2 " " Ipecac Roots, 1 " " Blood Root. Mix all thoroughly, and give one tea- Bpoonful every twenty minutes, drinking freely luke-warm water, until the patient vomits freely. This will not only cleanse the stomach, but produce a lively action of the blood, and produce profuse perspiration, and often break up fever without the aid of other medicines, if taken in time. Cough Drops, for Colds and Coughs. J drachm Oil of Almonds, i " Balsam of Fir, £ " Tinct. Balsam Tolu, i " Wine, \ " Tinct. of Black Cohosh. Mix all, and take from 25 to 30 dropa three to five times a day. 104 dr. Wilson's family. Rum Liniment. Take equal parts of good old Jamaica Rum, Laudanum, and Tinct. of Camphor. For inflammation. Warm and bathe the parts, or apply a cloth wet in the same. Cayenne Cough Powder. £ oz. pulv. Cayenne Pepper, £ " " Skunk Cabbage, i " " Wild Turnip, £ " " Ipecac, i " " Opium. Dose^—one eighth of a teaspoonful every four to six hours. For Colds, Coughs, In- flammation of the Lungs, and Difficulty of Breathing. White Drops. 1 oz. Oil of Sweet Almonds, 1 " Sweet Spirits of Nitre, 1 " Castile Soap, shaved fine, i " Balsam Copaiba, J " Spirits of Turpentine, 1 drachm Camphor Gum. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 105~ Sudorific Drops. 2 oz. of Ipecac. 2 " Saffron, 2 " Camphor Gum, 2 " Virginia Snake Root, 2 " Opium, 2 " Motherwort Extract, 3 quarts Holland Gin. Mix all, and let stand two weeks. Strain or filter. Dose—1 tea-spoonful given in a cup of Catnip tea every hour or two, until it pro- duces perspiration. Cholera Compound. 1 oz. Tinct. Camphor, 1 " " Rhubarb, 1 " " Opium. Mix all. Dose—from 20 to 30 drops every fifteen minutes. For Dysentery, Cramp of the Stomach, Pain of the Bowels, Billious Cholic. &c 106 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY Compound Tincture of Spearmint. Take the best old Holland Gin and apply to the green herb. Bruise and press out the juice, and add equal parts Sweet Spirits of Nitre and Tincture of Blue Flag. Dose must be regulated by the urgency of the case as well as the habits of the patient, say from 1 tea-spoonful to 1 table-spoonful every thirty to sixty minutes. For Stoppage of Urine and Disease of the Kidneys and Prostate Glands, &c. Red Ointment. 3 oz. of Fresh Butter, 2£ drachms of Red Precipitate, 1 " Prepared Tutty, 1 " Camphor Gum, dissolved in Olive Oil. ^ oz. of white Wax. Melt the Wax in the Oil, and while cool- ing, stir in the other ingredients, and con« tinue to stir until cold. For Sore Eyes, Eruptions, &c. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 107 Neutralizing Powder. 1 oz. pulv. Turkey Rhubarb, 1 " " Saleratus, 1 " " Peppermint Herb. Dose—1 large tea-spoonful. Add 1 pint of boiling Water. When cold, strain, sweeten, and add 1 table-spoon- ful of brandy, and take from 1 to 2 table- spoonsful every thirty to sixty minutes. No. 4 Powder. J oz. pulv. Dandelion Root, £ " " Mandrake Root, J " " Blood Root. Mix all, and add a few drops of Pepper- mint Oil, and mix well. Dose—every morning the amount that will lay on a five cent piece. Camphor Compound. Take Whisky, Camphor and Water, warm wet cloths and apply to the parts inflamed. 108 dr. wilson's family Sarsaparilla Syrup. 1 lb. American Sarsaparilla, £ " Guaicum Shavings, J " Elder Blows, i " Burdock Root, i " Bark of Sassafras Root. Add water ; boil well ; turn off; add more ; boil and turn off; and so continue until the roots are boiled soft ; then strain and simmer down to one gallon. Add a lit- tle spirits, and sweeten to taste. For impurities of the blood. Dose—from a half to one wine-glassful, three times a day. Caustic Potash. You will take Hickory, hard Maple, or white Elm, and burn into ashes ; then leach and strain the lye free from ashes, and sim- mer down until dry ; then stir until cold and fine. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 109 Fire Oil Ointment. Take 1 oz. of pure Fire Weed Oil and 1 lb. of hog's Lard. Mix all cold and it is fit for use. Gargle. To cure common Sore Throat, take 1 Su- mach Bob and add 1 pint of boiling water, and gargle the throat three to five times' a day. To Remove Warts and Corns. Take 1 lb. of common Potash, and half a pint of water ; add half an oz. of Extract of Belladonna, 1 oz. of Gum Arabic, and a little Wheat Flour, so as to form a paste. Keep well corked. Apply a little to the parts affected, and let it remain about five minutes. Then loosen the edges with a Bharp knife, and presently you can take it out by the roots. Then add a little Sweet Oil and Vinegar, and keep the parts warm and dry until healed. 110 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY. Strengthening Plaster. Take 3 parts Hemlock Gum, " 1 " White Pine Gum. Melt and strain. Spread on a thin piece of leather, and apply while moderately warm. Hair Dye. Preparation No. 1. Take 2 drachms Gallic Acid, " 1 oz. Alcohol, " 3 oz. soft Water. Mix all. After cleansing the hair well, and drying, apply it with a tooth-brush. Let it dry well. Preparation No. 2. Take 2 drachms Nitrate of Silver, " 1 " Spirits Ammonia F.F.F.F. " 1 oz. soft Water. Mix. After applying No. 1 as directed, then ap- ply No. 2 in like manner. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. Ill Katharion. To restore Hair in the head ; also to give it gloss* and beauty. Take 1 pint of Alcohol, " 1 oz. Cantharides Spirits, " 4 oz. Castor Oil, " £ oz. Bergaraot. Pain Extracting Plaster. For Colds, Coughs, and Spinal Affections. Take transparent Burgundy Pitch, and add Beeswax for consistency. Melt, spread, and apply. Anti-Spasmodic Drops. \ oz. Fluid Extract of Ladies' Slipper. \ " " " Catnip, £ " " " Scull Cap. Mix all. Dose—from 5 to 15 drops once in two hours. This is a valuable medicine for Headache, Neuralgia, Nervousness, &c. 112 DR. WILSON'S FAMILY Fire Ointment. Pulverized Charcoal mixed with hog'a Lard, spread on cloth, and applied, will ex- tract the fire in a few minutes and relieve the pain. Balm of Gilead. Ointment. Take the Balm Buds and the inner Bark of Sweet Elder, equal parts. Add fresh Butter to cover. Simmer slowly four or five hours, until crisped. Then press out, and when cold it is fit for use. This is a valuable medicine for Cuts, Burns, Scalds, Frosted Limbs, Ulcers, &c. It may be used on any eruption where the skin is broken. White Liniment. For Chilblains, Rheumatism, Sprains, and Bruises, on man or beast. Take 1 pint of Olive Oil and 8 pints of Ammonia—Hartshorne. Mix and shake well before using. Keep well corked, and apply freely and frequently. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 113 Soothing Syrup. Take Motherwort Herb, 4 parts, and Pop- py Blows, 1 part ; extract the substance, Bweeten well, and give the child a few drops according to age and strength. Worm Powder. Take •£■ oz. of Senna, " i " Carolina Pink, " £ " Manna. Add 1 quart of boiling water; let stand six hours ; strain and sweeten, and give the child half a tea-spoonful three or four times a day, say a child six years old. Always vary according to age. Inflammatory Liniment. Take equal parts good old Jamaica Rum, Laudanum, and Tinct. of Camphor. Warm, and bathe the parts freely and frequently. 114 dr. Wilson's family Diptheria or Putrid Sore Throat. When first attacked, you will give the pa- tient a vegetable Emetic; immerse the feet in warm weak Lye ; bathe the throat with the rum liniment. Or you may take bitter Herbs, such as Catnip, Wormwood, Hops, Tansy, Smartweed, or any other bitter herbs. Boil. Steam the neck and head. You may also let the patient inhale the steam of the same from a teapot, or any other vessel most convenient, and give the patient Cathartics freely. Above all, keep the stomach and bowels well cleansed ; But should the pa- tient be attacked violently, and liable to choke with the mucus collecting in the throat, take a quill cut at each end, fill it with pulverized Bloodroot, and blow it rap- idly into the throat, and repeat if necessary. This remedy has never failed. It will lessen the inflammation and cause the patient to throw off the mucus. You may also bind warm herbs about the neck, as warm as caa be borne, and change them frequently. COMPANION AND PHYSICIAN. 115 Another Remedy for Felon. Take chamber Lye and Copperas ; place the mixture over the fire and heat it; then hold the affected part in it as long as you can bear it; cool a little and apply again, until the part suppurates, which will be in a short time, after which make a poultice of Slippery Elm and weak Lye, and apply until thoroughly cleansed ; then apply a common healing Salve. Diarrhea. Take 1 tea-spoonful pulv. Soda, « 1 " " Rhubarb, " 2 " Peppermint Herb. Mix all. Then to 1 tea-spoonful add half a tea-cupful of boiling water ; sweeten well with loaf sugar ; you may also add a little brandy. Dose for an adult, 2 table-spoonsful every four hours. This seldom fails to cure. 116 dr. wilson's family companion. Frozen Feet, Chilblains, &o. Take 2 oz. Organum Oil, " 2 " Spirits Turpentine, " 2 " Hartshorne, " £ pint good Brandy, " £ " Vinegar. Mix all, and bathe freely and frequently. This is also good for pain in the back, &c. Bloody Flux. Take an apple, cut out the core and fill it with honey, wrap it in a cloth ; then roast it and feed it to the child. CONTENTS. Ague and Fever, or Intermittent Fever............ 7 Remittent Fever................................10 Inflammatory Fever............................ 11 Continued Fever............................... 12 Scarlet Fever.................................. 14 Infantile Fever................................. 16 Inflammatory Diseases.........................17 Inflammation of the Brain....................... IS » " Ear......................... 19 " " Lungs......................25 •• " Stomach....................28 « " Womb...................... 29 »» " Bladder..................... 80 «« «* Eye........................60 " or Ague of the Breast..............47 Mumps........................................ 19 Qfflnsy.......................................• 20 Croup........................................22 Hooping Cough................................23 Colds and Coughs.............................. 24 Pleurisy....................................... 26 118 CONTENTS. Small Pox.....................................81 Measles....................................... 35 Delirium Tremens.............................. 36 Cholera Morbus................................ 88 Asiatic Cholera.................................40 Cholera in Children.............................40 Vomiting......................................42 Water Brash................................... 43 Cramp in the Stomach........................... 44 Heartburn..................................... 44 Hiccough......................................45 Bleeding of the Nose..........................45 Jaundice......................................46 Locked-Jaw...................................49 Felon..................................51, 69, 115 Chilblains..................................52, 116 Boils.......................................... 52 Ague in the Face or Jaw........................53 Inverted Toe Nail.............................. 53 Corns and Warts............................... 54 Scalds and Burns............................... 64 Ringworm................. ...................65 Itch.......................................... 66 Sprains....................................... 67 Stye of the Eye................................ 68 To preserve the Eye and restore from partial Blind- ness...................................... 69 Diptheria or Putrid Sore Throat..................114 Diarrhea......................................116 Frozen Feet...................................118 Bloody Flux...................................116 CONTENTS. 119 Antidote for Poisons.........................58 Ivy Poison....................................61 Bite of Snake.................................. 62 Bite of Mad Dog............................... G3 Diseases of Children.......................... 65 Purging or Looseness........................... 66 Teething...................................... 66 Sores about the Ears, Groins, &c..................66 Sore Mouth....................................67 Convulsions from Teething....................... 67 Soreness about the Navel........................67 Rupture.......................................67 Tongue Tied................................... 68 Worms....................................... 68 Lecture on the Nervous System, and Diseases incident thereto......................70—102 PREPARATIONS. Wine Bitters.................................. 101 Sweating Powder............................. 102 Mandrake Compound........................... 102 Sassafras Liniment............................. 102 Emetic Preparation............................ 103 Cough Drops, for Colds and Coughs.............. 103 Rum Liniment................................ 104 Cayenne Cough Powder........................104 White Drops.................................. 104 Sudorific Drops................................ 105 Cholera Compound............................ 105 Comp. Tinct. Spearmint........................106 120 CONTENTS. Red Ointment................................. 106 Neutralizing Powder........................... 107 No. 4 Powder................................. 107 Camphor Compound........................... 107 Sarsaparilla Syrup............................. 108 Caustic Potash................................ 108 Fire Oil Ointment.............................. 109 Gargle....................................... 109 To Remove Warts and Corns.................... 109 Strengthening Plaster.......................... 110 Hair Dye..................................... 110 Katharion.................................... Ill Pain Extracting Plaster........................ Ill Anti-Spasmodic Drops.......................... Ill Fire Ointment........ ........................ 112 Balm of Gilcad Ointment....................... 112 White Liniment............................... 112 Soothing Syrup............................... 113 Worm Powder................................ 113 Inflammatory Liniment......,.................. 118