** > 4 ••V \ ■¥; ->: ■.*";.:»•■ s^.x > *; M* /. />* /hm^n^l-^ NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Bethesda, Maryland • MAEEOW OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE, AND FAMILY GUIDE: CONTAINING A BRIEF AND ACCURATE DESCRIPTION_OF TITS CHARACTER, CAUSES, AND SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASES OF MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN, WITH THE MOST APPROPRIATE TREATMENT. "WITHOUT poison oh. bloodshed." WO WHICH IS ADDED ■ A DESCRIPTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND HERBS, THEIR MEDICAL QUALITIES, AND APPROPRIATE DOSES: WITH PLAIN AND FULL DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING THE VARIOUS COMPOUND MEDICINES RECOMMEN- DED FOR THE CURE OF DISEASES, &C. BY DR. WILLIAM MILLS. ----------------- \&— ST. CLAIRSVILLE, O. FUBL1SHED BY TlfE^UTHOR. WILLIAM BROWH, BOOK ANB JOB rRINTER. 1848T Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, BY WILLIAM MILLS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Ohio. #"' Cnlm> -r RECOMMENDATIONS. New Athens, July 24th 1848. Having examined the Marrow of Practical Medicine and Fam- ily Guide, written by Dr. Wm. Mills, I find it to be well adap- ted to the present wants of community. The language is plain, diseases accurately described, and the remedies safe, easily ob- tained, and well suited to the cases for which they are recommen- ded. Dr. JOHN DICKERSON. Franklin College, New Athens, July 20th 1848. From a hasty examination of this work. I think it worthy of pat- ronage. With no pretensions to medical knowledge it would seem to be absurd in me to recommend books of this class; but the work of Dr. Mills is an exception. Intended for common use, it is adapted to common understanding. I can, from actual, person- al experiense, recommend the precautions for preserving health; and also the remedies, so far as my knowledge of them extends. JOSEPH GORDON, A. M. Professor of Mathematics and Natural Scienee. Having briefly examined the Marrow of Practical Medicine, by Dr. Wm. Mills, I feel, as a result of my examination, fully pre- pared to recommend the same to an enlightened public as a med- ical work, just such as is demanded at the present time, and loud- ly called for by the sufferings of humanity. 7 Rev. A. W. THOMAS, •»- Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio, July 18th, 1848. V cursory examination of Dr. William Mills' Marrow of Prac- tical Medicine and Family Guide, has satisfied us, that it contains much important information, written in a style so simple, and published in a form so cheap, as to put it in the power of almost every family to procure it and use it advantageously. tt has a just claim on the Public. A. D. CLARK, A. M. President and Professor of Hebrew Literature, fyc. A. M. BLACK, A. M. Professor of Greek Lit- erature, Mental Philosophy, and Logic. JAMES DOIG, A.M. Professor of Latin Liter- ature and Rhetoric. INDEX. Abstinence, - 49 Alcoholic sweat - - - 83 Aloes, - 368 Anger, - 63 Anise seed, - - - - 385 Anti-dysenteric syrup, 397 Apoplexy, - 121 Apple and Cranberry sauce - 70 Apple dumplings, 76 Art of preserving health, 29 Arrow root jelly, - 70 Artechokes, - - - 73 Asafcetida, - 378 Asiatic Cholera, - 284 Asthma, - - - - 240 Barley, - - - 78 Bathing, - - - 43 Bathing the feet, - - 84 Bayberry, - - - - 382 Beans, - - 74 ' Beets, - - - - - - 73 Beef tea, - - - . - - 79 Best indian bread, - - 66 Bilious pleurisy, - - 156 Bilious remittent fever, - v - 103 Bites 0/ men and dogs, - - - 326 do of snakes and mad animals, - ■ 326 Bitter herb, . - 395 Bitter root, - - - - - 396 Blackberry, - 394 Bleeding at the nose, - 210 Bleeding from the, lungs, - 212 INDEX. 5 Bleeding from the stomach, - - 214 Blood root, - - 386 Bloody flux, r - - - 185 Boiled rice, - 68 Boiled eggs, - - 72 Boneset,.....377 Bread, - - - - - - 65 Bread and milk, - - - - 66 Broken bones, - - 334 Burns and scalds, - 365 Butterfly weed, - - 369 Buttermilk pop, - 69 Butternut, - - ' - - - 380 Butternut extract, . . . 414 Cakes of coarse flour, - - 66 Camphor, - 376 Carolina pink, - 388 Carrots, - 73 Castor oil,.....393 Catnip,.....392 Catalepsy, - - - - - *125 Catarrh,.....142 Cautions relative to brass and cop-} per cooking utensils, Cayenne pepper, Centaury, - - Chamomile, Cheap mode of steaming, Chicken pox, - Chilblains, - Chocolate, Cholera morbus, Cholera, Asiatic, - 81 371 395 368 83 261 347 81 280 284 . 6 INDEX, Cholera syrup, * 399 Cleanliness, - 41 Clothing,.....39 Cloves, - - - - 377 Coarse bread, - - - - 65 Cold bathing, 43 Cold or catarrh, - - - 142 Colic, bilious, - 228 do flatulent, - - - 230 do painters, - 232 Columbo, - - 383 Compound syrup of yellow parilla, 400 Consumption, - - - 158 Corns, - - - 350 Corn, sweet, 74 Costiveness, - 306 Coughftea, 79 Cough syrup, - - - 397 Course of medicine, 84 do rules to be observed in, - 86 Cow pox, - - 259 Cranes-bill, - 379 Croup, - - 147 Composition, - - - 418 Dandelion, r : : : 392 Dentist's scurvy wash, . . 419 Delirium Tremens. ... 269 Diabetes, - 308 Directions for preparing food, - 65 do do medicine, : 397 Dislocations, - 334 Dogwood, - - - - 374 Propsy, - - - - ^ 201 INDEX. 7. Dropsy of the brain, - - 136 do & infantile remit, fever contrast. 138 do of the scrotum, - - 262 Dyspepsia, (Indigestion,) - - 298 Dyspeptic consumption, - - 163 Dysentery, - - - - 185 Ear-ache, - - - - - 238 Eggs, to boil - - - 72 Elderberry syrup, - 78 Elecampane, .... 330 Epilepsy, - 217 Erysipelas, - 206 Essence of peppermint, &c. . 414 Exercise, - 34 Extract of butternut . . . 414 do of gentian, . . . 415 Extract from Wesley, - 21 Eye water, . . . 402 & 403 Fainting, - - - - 266 Fear,.....62 Felon or Whitlow, - - - 345 Fever and Ague, - - - 96 Fevers in general, - - - 91 Food and drink, - - 31 Foreign substance in the throat, - 363 Fungus flesh, (proud flesh,) - 336 Gamboge, - - - - 378 Gargle stimulating, - - 403 do astringent, - - 403 Gentian, - - - " 3^1 Giddiness, - - .. - " 268 S*fr' , * * ' ' * 3?9 (jolden seal, . • • J'* 8 INDEX. Golden thread, . 372 Gout, ... . . . 196 Gout and Rheumatism contrasted, , 144 Gravel or Stone, . 343 Greens, . . • • • 75 Grief, . . . ... . 60 Gruel, Indian meal, 69 do unbolted flour, . 69 do oat and rye meal, 69 Gum Arabic, . . 367 Guaiacum, ..... 389 Headache, .... 320 Healing salve . . 406 Hives, ..... 132 Hemlock, : : : : 384 Hoar hound, .... 392 Homony, ..... 67 do slut, . . . , . 68 do wheat, , , , , 68 Hooping cough, .... 149 Hypochondria, .... 275 Hysterics,..... 272 Indian Corn, . ... 65 Indian Turnip, .... 391 Indigestion, .... 298 Infantile remittent fever, 106 Inflammation, .... 321 do of the brain, 134 do of the eye, 140 do of the throat, 144 do of the lungs, . 151 do of the heart, 181 do of the bowels, . . 183 "» ■** INDEX. 9 Inflammation of the ear, 238 do of the diaphragm, 242 do of the stomach, . . 243 do of the liver, acute, 245 do of the liver contrasted with pleurisy &c, 247 do of the liver, chronic, . 249 do of the kidneys, 251 do of the kidneys contrasted, with lumber abscess, 252 do of the bladder, . 253 Influenza, • • • . 142 Injection common, . 404 do soothing, 405 Insanity, . .... 263 Intermittent fever, 96 Introduction , . 17 Ipecacuanha, .... . 373 Itch, .... 364 Jalap, . . . • • 372 Jaundice, ..... 313 Jelly, moss, .... 80 do sago, . • . 80 Jimson weec 1, . . . . 376 Juniper, 391 Kings evil, .... 235 Ladies slipper, . 375 Lavender, . . . • 390 Laxative bitters or laxative tonic, 401 Light corn bread, 66 Liniment lime, . 404 do soap or opodeldoc, 404 do stimulating, . 403 10 INDEX. Liver complaint, . . 249 Lobelia, . 382 Locked jaw, . . . . 331 Looseness of the bowels. . . 390 Love, . 58 Lumbago, .... 318 Mandrake, . 383 Mandrake physic, 418 Masturbation, 178 Measles, .... . 119 Meat,..... 68 Milk sickness, . 303 Mixture neutralizing, 418 Mustard plaster, 409 Mortification, . 328 Mustard, . ... 387 Myrrh, .... 379 Nettle rash, .... 132 Nightmare, 310 No. 4..... 401 No. 6...... 402 Onions, .... . 73 Ointment bassilicon, . 407 do healing, . 406 do itch, . 407 do nerve, . 406 do Jewets pile, 405 do eye, 407 do pile, 405 do resin. 407 do tetter, . . 406 do of Jamestown weed, 405 Opodeldoc, . 404 INDEX. 11 Pains in the face, 348 Palpitation of the heart, 312 Palsy,..... 225 Panado, . 69 Parsnips, ..... 73 Passions, .... . 57 Peas, ..... 73 Pea soup, , 71 Penny royal, .... 390 Peppermint, .... 390 Peppersauce, 403 Peruvian bark, 373 Phrensy, . ... 134 Piles, . . ... 336 Pills, anti-bilious, 416 do anti-dyspeptic, 415 do anti-hysteric 416 do hepatic, 415 Pink rool, . 388 Plantain, .... . 393 Plaster adhesive, . 410 do astringent, 409 do burgundy, 410 do irritating, 411 do sears cloth, 410 do vermifuge, 411 Pleurisy, ..... 154 Pleurisy root, . 369 Poisons, ..... 351 do alcohol and combinations, . 353 do arsenic and do 354 do antimony and do . 355 do acids and do 356 12 INDEX. Poisons, alkalies and compounds . 356 do earths, . do . . 358 do bismuth and do . . 357 do empyreumatic oils &c, . 358 do gasses of various kinds, • 359 do glass & other hard substances, 362 do Iodine, .... 360 do Lead and compounds, . . 360 do Mercury and do . . 360 do phosphorus, . . . 362 do silver and compounds, . 361 do tin and do . . 361 do zinc and do : : 362 Poplar, : : : : : 392 Porridge, : : : : ^69 Potatoes, : : : : 69 Poultice drawing, . . . 409 do Flaxseed, . . . 408 do lye, . . . 408 do mustard, . . . 409 do potatoe, . . . 408 do slippery elm, . . 408 do Thompson's, . . 408 do yest, .... 409 Powder anti-bilious or cathartic, . 418 do emetic, . . . 417 do King's emetic, . 417 do mandrake, . . 418 do sweat, . . 416 & 417 do vegetable heating, . 418 Prickly ash, : : : : 390 Pucoon root, : : : : 386 Pudding, minute, : : : 66 INDEX. 13 Pudding, bread, .... 66 do wheat, ... 67 do rye, . ... 67 do Indian, .... 67 do hasty, . . . . 67 do baked Indian, ... 67 do baked rice, ... 67 Pulse, . . . • 87 Pure air, . ... 29 Quinsy,.....144 Rattle weed, . ... 369 Remarks on fevers in general, . .91 Remittent fever,.....• 101 Retention of urine, . . • 342 Rheumatic tincture, - - 414 do drops No. 6, 402 Rheumatism and gout contrasted, 194 Rheumatism,......192 Rhubarb,..... 385 Rice,......b8 Rice flour,......67 Rice, southern mode of boiling, . 76 Rickets, ..... • • 364 Rye bread,......66 Safron, 391 Salve Deshler's, - 407 do eye, 407 do healing, - f£ Scalds and burns, . • • 3bj Scarlet fever,.....1^ Scrofula, . • ' * ' 7^ Scrofulous consumption, . . ' Z?* Scurvy,......315 14 INDEX. Scurvy wash, - - - - 419 Season for gathering medicines, 366 Select vegetable medicines, . . 366 Senna, ... 374 Skunk cabbage, .... 381 Sleep, . . ... 48 Slippery elm, . ... 394 Small pox, . . . 255 Snake root, black, 371 Snake root, seneca, 385 Soap liniment opodeldoc, 404 Soothing injection, - 405 Sore mouth, ... 302 Soup, oyster, 71 Soup, pea, .... 71 Soup, portable, ... 72 Spearmint, ... 390 Spice bitters, 401 Spikenard, ... 370 Spirits of lavender, 412 Spitting blood, 212 Sprains, ..... 365 St. Anthony's fire, 206 Steaming, or vapour bath, 82 Stomachic tincture, - 79 Studious, - 51 St. Vitus' dance - 223 Sumach, - 394 Summer complaint, 190 Surgery, - 321 Sweet oil, - 392 Syrup of blackberry, 77 do elderberry, - - 78 INDEX. 15 Syrup, lemon - 77 do molasses, ' - - - 78 do orange, - 77 do wild cherry, - 398 Table of doses, - - - 420 do of weights and measures, - 420 Tapioca jelly, - 80 Tar beer, - 419 Temperance, - 37 Third preparation of lobelia, - 413 Thorn apple. - - - 376 Tic douloureux, - 347 Tincture of cayenne, - - 412 do of lavender, - - 412 do of lobelia, - - 413 do of do compound, - 413 do Myrrh, - - - 412 do rheumatic, - - 414 do of rhubarb and blood root, 413 Toast,..... 66 Tomatoes, - 75 Tomato soy, - 70 Tomato catsup, : : : 71 Tonic bitters, - - - 401 Tooth-ache, : : : : 349 Tooth-ache drops, - - 402 Tooth-ache tree, : : : 390 Turnips, : : s : : 72 Typhus fever, : : : 112 Typhus and Typhoid contrasted, : 114 Umbil, ::::.. 375 Unhealthy occupations, : : 55 Urine, bloody, - - - 215 16 INDEX. Vaccine disease, : : 259 do genuine & spurious contrasted, 260 Valerian, American, : : 375 Vapour bath, : : : 82 Venereal disease, : : 338 Virginia snake root, : : 371 Visiting the sick, : : : 89 Vomiting, : : : : 307 Vomiting blood, : : : 214 Vomiting and purging, : : 280 Water brash, : : : : 297 Wheat bread, : : : : 65 Wheat cake, : : : : 66 ; White poplar, : : : : 392 White swelling, : : : 340 White walnut, : : : 380 Wild cherry, : : : 384 Wine bitters, : : 400 Wine whey, : : : 79 Winter-green, : : : : 395 Worms, : : : : 318 Wormwood, . . . .367 Wounds, : : : 323 do contused, :*•-■ : 326 ,,. do danger of, : : : 323 do gunshot, : : 326 do incised, : : : 325 do lacerated, : : 325 do poisoned, . . .326 do punctured, . . 325 Yellow dock, . . . * . 394 Yellow fever, . . . 107 Yellow parilla, . . . 39 5 INTRODUCTION. The knowledge of Medicine or the art of cu- ring diseases, next to that of Religion, is of the greatest importance to mankind. Each and every individual is interested to know the means by which his aches and pains can be most promptly and certainly relieved. For all the other wants to which our fallen na- ture is subjected,each can make his own prescrip- tion. When hungry, does he not find abundant ma- terial to supply all the wants of his nature, in the succulent plants, mellow fruits, esculent roots, and farinacious grains, that have been distributed by a beneficent hand, in liberal profusion, wherever there are needy creatures with wants to supply. But at the time of his greatest need, when hurry and dispatch are most demanded, he is wofully and willfully ignorant of that which he is most in- terested to know, And not unfrequently in the midst of agony, while disease is advancing, he is obliged to wait till the man of skill arrives to tell him he may use the means that a kind providence has provided for his relief, and placed within his reach. Beside the protracted suffering from need- less delay, he has to endure the pain and incur the danger of a disease augmented by the want B 18 INTRODUCTION. of timely aid, or aggravated by improper applian- ces. It is the object of this little work to put it in the power of every individual and family to become their own physicians in a majority of cases, and enable them to judge correctly where real danger is to be apprehended; and save them, on the one hand, the expense of procuring a physician on ev- ery trivial occasion, and on the other the danger of delay in case one should be absolutely needed. At this time, more than at any past period in the history of medicine,such a work as this seems to be demanded. Never before was the worl d so imposed upon by quacks and quack remedies. Patent medicines in the form of pills, plasters, syrups &c. &c. are puffed in almost every News- paper, pamphlet and Almanac in the land; each professing to be some new and important discov- ery. Thus millions of dollars are anually drained from the pockets of the innocent and unsuspect- ing, for that which, in many instances, is worse than useless. A proper regard for the opinions of others re- quires, that, in offering to the publick another work on medical practice, in addition to the many valuable works already extant, we should state ihe reasons that have impelled us to so arduous a task. Those conversant with the subject are fully a- ware of the deficiencies of the works heretofore published, for tie use of families and individuals not familiar with technicalities of medical lore. Some are couched in language and terms unintel- INTRODUCTION. 19 ligible to "men of plain sense." Others are so loaded with nice distinctions (some times distinc- tions without difference,) and finely wrought the- ories, having no practical bearing, that the sick man or his friend is wearied with the search be- fore he finds the object of his desire. Not a few are faulty in this respect; their authors, willing to display their skill rather than be truly useful, give too many remedies for the same disease; some no doubt very valuable, but being mentioned in con- nection with others comparatively inert, it requires the man of skill and experience to make the proper selection. We do not pretend to deny that there are many valuable works now extant, but they are either faulty in some of the above respects, or too vo- luminous and costly to find their way into general use. The object of the present volume is to fur- nish the community in general with a plain prac- tical work,,in such language as to be understood by all, and in so condensed a form as to bring the cost within the means of every one. The author's desire to condense the work, and avoid all language that would be embarassing to the uneducated,has rendered the language in many instances rather stiff and barren, and to the crit- ical ear might seem defective in harmony; beside, the work was written at short intervals from the hurry of business, and taken to press before we had sufficient time for re-examination and arrange- ment. But usefulness, rather than systematic ar- rangement or fluency of style, has been our grand aim in the production of the work; and we submit to 20 INTRODUCTION. the decision of every candid reader, whether we have failed in the accomplishment of this impor- tant object. The remedies prescribed are such, and only such, as experience has proved to be the most suc- cessful.—To those accustomed to the common popular and fashionable practice of the day, in which decanters and bottles, vials and glasses, and teacups and tumblers, are strung along, rank and file, with directions so complicated as to require the most tenacious memory to follow, the remedies here recommended may appear too few and simple to be beneficial; but experience teaches that the great secret of success, consists in doing a few things well. To the man on a journey who has mistaken his way, a few short and plain directions are worth more than a long circumstantial detail, the half of which could not be remembered. So to the traveller in the path of life who has stepped from the way that leads to health and happiness, we would rather prescribe one good and attaina- ble remedy, than a thousand that would be less beneficial, or out of his reach. Besides the very fact of giving too many articles at once, however innocent or good they may severally be, is calcu- lated to derange and sicken the stomach and not unfrequently destroys the benefit of all. It is acknowledged by every physician, that the great object of the practitioner should be to aid and imitate the operations of nature. We observe that in all these operations the greatest ends are accomplished by the simplest means. Let us then follow the example, and may the great Physician PRIMITIVE PHYSIC. 21 above give success and efficacy to our remedies, and afford us relief from all our pains and sorrows. An extract from Rev. John Wesley's PRIMITIVE PHYSIC, Which so nearly corresponds with our own sent- iments that we cannot refrain from inserting it. "When man first came out of the hands of the great Creator, clothed in body as well as in soul with immortality and incorruption, there was no place for physic, or the art of healing. As he knew no sin, so he knew no pain, no sickness,weak- ness, or bodily disorder. The habitation wherein the angelic mind, the Divince Particula Aurce, a- bode, although originally formed out of the dust of the earth, was liable to no decay. It had no seeds of corruption or dissolution within itself; and there was nothing without to injure it. Heaven and earth, and all the hosts of them, were mild, benign, and friendly to human nature. The entire crea- tion was at peace with man so long as man was at peace with his Creator. So that well might "the morning stars sing together, and all the sons of God shout for joy." But since man rebelled against the sovereign of heaven and earth, how entirely is the scene changed! The incorruptible frame hath put on corruption; the immortal has put on mortality. The seeds of wickedness and pain, of sickness and 22 EXTRACT FROM WESLEY'S death, are now lodged in our inmost substance; whence a thousand disorders continually spring, even without the aid of external violence. And how is the number of these increased by every thing round about us? The heavens, the earth, and all things contained therein, conspire to pun- ish the rebels against their Creator. The sun and the moon shed unwholesome influences from above. The earth exhales poisonous clamps from beneath. The beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, are in a state of hostility. The air itself that surrounds us on every side is replete with the shafts of death; yea, the food we eat daily saps the foundation of that life which can- not be sustained without it. So has the Lord of all secured the execution of his decree, "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return." But can nothing be found to lessen those in- conveniences which cannot be wholly removed? To soften the evils of life, and prevent, in part, the sickness and pain to which we are continual- ly exposed? Without question there may. One grand preventive of pain and sickness, of various kinds, seems intimated by the grand Author of nature in the very sentence that entails death up- on us: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground." The pow- er of exercise both to preserve and restore health is greater than can well be conceived, especially in those who add temperance thereto; who, if they do not confine themselves altogether to eat either "bread or the herb of the field," (which God does not require them to do,) yet steadily observe both PRIMITIVE PHYSIC. 23 that kind and measure of food which experi- ence shows to be the most friendly to health and strength. It is probable physic, as well as religion, was in the first ages chiefly traditional: every father delivered down to his sons what he in like manner received concerning the manner of heal- ing both outward hurts and the diseases incident to each climate, and the medicines which weie of the greatest efficacy for the cure of each disorder. It is certain this is the method wherein the art of healing is preserved among the American Indians to this day. Their diseases indeed are exceed- ing few; nor do they often occur, by reason of their continual exercise and (till of late) universal tem- perance. But if any are sick, or bit by a serpent, or torn by a wild beast, the fathers immediately tell their children what remedy to apply. And it is rare that the patient suffers long, those medi- cines being quick, as well as generally infallible. Hence it was, perhaps, that the ancients, not only of Greece and Rome, but even of bar- barous nations, usually assigned physic a divine original. And indeed it was a natural thought, that He who had taught it to the very beasts and birds, the Cretan Stag, the Egyptian Ibis, could not be wanting to teach Man. Yea, sometimes even by those meaner creatures; for it was easy to infer, "If this will heal that creature, whose flesh is nearly of the same tex- ture with mine, then in a parallel case it will heal me." The trial was made—the cure was wrought —and experience and physic grew up together. 24 EXTRACT FROM WESLEY'S But in process of time, men of a philosophi- cal turn were not satisfied with this. They be- gan to inquire how they might account for these things? how such medicines wrought such effects? They examined the human body, and all its parts; the nature of the flesh, veins, arteries, nerves; the structure of the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, bow- els; with the springs of the several kinds of ani- mal functions. They explored the several kinds of animal and mineral as well as vegetable sub- stances. And hence the v\ hole order of physic, which had obtained to that time, came gradually to be inverted. Men of learning began to set ex- perience aside, to build physic upon hypothesis, to form theories of diseases and their cure, and to substitute these in the place of experiment s. As theories increased, simple medicines were more and more disregarded and disused, till in a course of years the greater part of them were for- gotten, at least in the politer nations. In the room of these, abundance of new ones were introduced by reasoning, speculative men, and those more and more difficult to be applied, as being more re- mote from common observation. Hence rules for the application of these, and medical books were immensely multiplied, till at length physic became an abstruse science, quite out of the reach of or- dinary men. Physicians now began to be had in admir- ation, as persons who were something more than human; and profit attended their employ, as well as honor; so that they had now two weighty rea- sons for keeping the bulk of mankind at a dis- PRIMITIVE PHYSIC. 25 tance, that they might not pry into the mysteries of the profession. To this end, they increase those difficulties by design, which began in a manner by accident. They filled their writings with a- bundance of technical terms, utterly unintelligible to plain men. They affected to deliver their rules, and to reason upon them, in an abstruse and phil- osophical manner. They represented the critical knowledge of Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, (and what not?) some of them insisting on that of As- tronomy, and Astrology too, as necessary, previ- ous to the understanding the art of healing. Those who understood only how to restore the sick to health, they branded with the name of Empirics. They introduced into practice abundance of com- pound medicines, consisting of so many ingredi- ents, that it was scarce possible for common peo- ple to know which it was that wrought the cure; abundance of exotics, neither the nature nor names of which their own countrymen understood; of chymicals, such as they neither had skill, nor for- tune, nor time to prepare; yea, and of dangerous ones, such as they could not use,'without hazard- ing life, but by the advice of a physician. And thus both their honor and gain were secured, a vast majority of mankind being utterly cut off from helping either themselves or their neighbors, or once daring to attempt it. Yet there have not been wanting, from time to time, some lovers of mankind, who have en- deavored (even contrary to their own interest) to reduce physic to its ancient standard; who have labored to explode it out of all the hypothesis and 26 EXTRACT FROM WESLEY'S fine spun theories, and to make it a plain, intellig- ible thing, as it was in the beginning, having no more mystery in it than this—"Such a medicine removes such a pain." These have demonstra- bly shown, that neither the knowledge of Astrol- ogy, Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, nor even Anatomy itself, is absolutely necessary to the quick and effectual cure of most diseases incident to hu- man bodies; nor yet any chymical, or compound medicine, but a simple plant or root duly applied. So that every man of common sense, unless in some rare case, may prescribe either to himself or his neighbor, and may be very secure from doing harm, even where he can do no good. Without any regard to this, without any con- cern about the obliging or disobliging any man liv- ing, a mean hand has made here some little at- tempt towards a plain and easy way of curing most diseases. I have only consulted herein, ex- perience, common sense, and the common interest of mankind. And supposing they can be cured in this easy way, who would desire to use any other? Who would not wish to have a physician always in his house, and one that attends with- out fee or reward? to be able, (unless in some few complicated cases,) to prescribe to his family as well as himself? If it be said, but what need is there of such at- tempt? I answer, the greatest that can possibly be conceived. Is it not needful in the highest de- gree to rescue men from the jaws of destruction? from wasting their fortunes, as thousands have done, and continue to do daily? from pining a- PRIMITIVE PHYSIC. 27 way in sickness and pain, either, through the ig- norance or dishonor of physicians? Yea, and many times throw away their lives, after their health, time, and substance. Is it inquired, but are there not books enough already on every part of the art of medicine? les, too many ten times over, considering how little to the purpose the far greater part of them speak. But besides this, they are too dear for poor men to buy, and too hard for plain men to understand. In all that have yet fallen into my hands I find many dear and many far-fetched medicines, be- sides many of so dangerous a kind as a prudent man would never meddle with. And against the greater part of these medicines there is a further objection: they consist of too many ingredients. The common method of compounding and re-com- pounding medicines can never be reconciled to common sense. Experience shows that one thing will cure most disorders, at least, as well as twen- ty put together. Then why do you add the other nineteen? Only to swell the apothecary's bill? Nay, possibly, on purpose to prolong the distem- per, that the doctor and he may divide the spoil. But admitting there is some quality in the me- dicine proposed which has need to be corrected, will not one thing correct it as well as twenty? It is possible, much better. And if not, there is a sufficiency of other medicines which need no such correction. . . As to the manner of using the medicines here set down, I should advise, as soon as you know your distemper, which is very easy, unless in a 28 EXTRACT FROM WESLEY. complication ofdisorders, and then you would do well to apply to a physician thai, -ears God— First: Use the first oi tie remedies for that disease which occurs in the c--suing collection, unless some other of them be easier to be had, and then it may do just as veil! Secondly: After a cc mpr.ent time, if it takes no effect, use the second, and the third, and so on. I have purposely set down, in most cases, several remedies for each disorder, not only because all are not equally easy to be procured at all times, and in all places; but likewise, because the medi- cine which cures one nan will not always cure another of the same distemper; nor will it cure the same man at all times: Thirdly: Observe all the ti;»;e the greatest ex- actness in your regimen or manner of living; ab- stain from all mixed or high-seasoned food; use plain diet, easy of digestion, and this as sparingly as you can, consistent with ease and strength. Drink only water, if it agrees with your stomach; if not. good clear sn all beer. Use as much exercise daily in the open air as you can without weariness. Sup at six or seven, on the lightest food. Go to bed early, and rise betimes. To persevere with steadiness in this course is often more than half the cure. Above all, add to the rest, for it is not labor lost, that old-fashioned medicine, Prayer; and have faith in God, who "killeth and maketh alive; who bringeth down to the grave, and bring- eth up." ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. Surely, if it be an important matter to know how to relieve pain, to cure diseases, and restore health when lost, it is vastly more important, to be able to avoid pain-and disease, and preserve unsullied that bodily health without which all oth- er sublunary favours are bestowed in vain. At the same time that health is acknowledged on all hands to be the most valuable of all earthly pos- sessions, yet there is none of which we are more prodigal. How many Esaus are there who are bartering away, for that which is less valuable, and even more paltry than a mess of potage, their birth right, not only to health and happiness but life itself. Many a heedless youth and blooming fair one, for the merest momentary gratifications, are urging their way with rapid strides to prema- ture old age, or to an untimely grave. In preser- ving health as well as restoring the sick, nothing is more important than PURE AIR. Air is that invisible transparent, tasteless, in- odorous, and elastic fluid called atmosphere, which surrounds the earth to the height of forty five miles. Air is composed of two gases called oxygen and nitrogen or azote, united in the proportion of twen- ty parts of oxygen to eighty of the nitrogen. It 30 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. also contains a small proportion of carbonic acid gas, beside some watery vapours arising from the surface of the earth. Oxygen is the vital portion of the air, but would be entirely too stimulating if breathed by itself. It has been ascertained by ac- tual experiment, that the two gases composing the atmosphere are united in that proportion which is best adapted to the preservation of life and health. The blood, when thrown from the right side of the heart to the lungs, imbibes oxygen from the air which we receive into them, in the act of breathing; at the same time that the blood imbibes oxygen from the air, it parts with carbon, which escapes from the lungs in the form of carbonic a- cid gas. By this process, the blood is unloaded of its carbon, and supplied with oxygen, which changes its colour from a dark to a bright red. Being now fitted for nourishing and animating the system, it is returned to the left side of the heart, and thence distributed through the arteries, to every part of the body. Having spent its oxy- gen it is returned through the veins to the heart, to be,again sent to the lungs on the same errand as before. If the reader will now turn to poisons, and run his finger down the margin till he comes to gases, he will there find, that carbonic acid gas, as well as some others, not only injure the lungs, but also act on the system like opium and other narcotic poisons; producing depression, stupor, ap- oplexy and death. Then, let him again reflect, that in breathing, we not only deprive the sur- rounding air of its oxygen, but at the same time, FOOD AND DRINK. 31 load it with this poisonous gas, and he will not be surprised that in crowded rooms, where many are breathing in the same confined atmosphere, the weak and delicate become stupid, have head- ache, and sometimes faint; nor will he fail to see the absolute necessity of pure air for the sick who are less able to contend with poisonous air, pois onous medicines, and unhealthy diet, than those who are possessed of more strength and vitality. FOOD AND DRINK. Next to pure air, proper food and drink are of the utmost importance in the preservation of health. When we reflect that not only the blood, but al- so the whole body in all its various and diversi- fied parts, nerves, bones, tendons, muscles, hair, nails kc. are all composed of materials derived from the food we eat, the importance of this sub- ject will be apparent. When either the quantity or quality of food is such, as to prevent the process of digestion from being fully accomplished, the chyle, which is the nourishing part of digested food, will be of an in- ferior quality; and at the same time the stomach is injured by the performance of an unnatural and unusual task; and if the food has been of an irri- tating and vitiated quality the blood becomes cor- rupted thereby, and diseases of the most malignant character often result from this source. Dr. Abernethy says "If you put improper food into the stomach it becomes disordered, and the whole system is affected; vegetable food ferments 32 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. and becomes gaseous, while animal substances are changed into a putrid, abominable and acrid stimulus." "The effects of animal food and oth- er improper stimulants upon the system, produce blotches on the face and other parts of the body, gout, apoplexy, inflammation of the eyes, decay of the teeth &c." As a general rule, vegetable is more conducive to health than animal food. It appears that with some, animal food is essential to health. This arises probably, more from habit, than from any other cause. "You ask me, says Plutarch," why Pythagoras abstained from eating the flesh of brutes? For my part, I am astonished to think, on the contrary, what appetite first induced man to taste of a dead carcass; or what motive could suggest the notion of nourishing himself with the flesh of animals which he saw, the moment before, bleating, bellowing, walking, and looking about them! How could he bear to see an impotent and defenceless creature slaughtered, skinned and cut up for food. We should, therefore rather wonder at the conduct of those who first indulged themselves in this horrible repast, than at such as have humanely abstained from ir. "I have, myself," says Dr. Parmly, "suffered much in former years from debility and other forms of indisposition, induced, I am persuaded, by gross and improper diet, For the last year I have ab- stained from all exciting drink, have utterly relin- quished the use of tea and coffee, have abstained from animal food of every name and nature, and by this course of conduct, have found my health FOOD AND DRINK. 33 so much benefited, that I feel it a duty, as well as a pleasure, to endeavour to impress upon the reader the necessity of living more frugally, if he wish to enjoy that health of body and tranquility of mind, which none can enjoy, for any length of time, but such as live in accordance with the rules prescribed by all sound Philosophers, both of an- cient and modern times." We are not prepared to say whether it would be better for mankind to adopt an entirely vegeta- ble diet or not; but this we think is certain, that a majority of our race eat much more animal food than is conducive to health. Another thing is e- qually certain, that the present fashionable mode of cookery, which flatters the appetite with rich messes, and complicated mixtures, is distroying its thousands; while want of exercise, impure air, and stimulating drinks, are slaying their tens of thousands. "The throat," says an ingenious writer, "has destroyed more than the sword." Food, to be healthy, should be as plain and simple as possible. And though we cannot give precise rules of diet that: would not admit of many exceptions, yet we may mention a few articles whose tendency is only evil, and that continually. Among these are sweetened bread of all kinds, the more rich and complicated the worse; all rich, concentrated jel- lies and preserves; lard, rancid butter, animal oils, and gravies. Hot bread, shortened cakes and pies, are hard to digest. All hot drinks are in- jurious to the stomach, nerves, and teeth; of which coffee is probably the worst. "Coffee," says Dr. c 34 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. Fitch, "is very generally used, and by some per- sons who attain to considerable age, and speak of it in raptures. Yet from the experience of many thousand dyspeptics, who have consulted me, I find no article of diet more generally repudiated by the dyspeptic than coffee. Its effects are al- most universally, if much drank, to produce dys- pepsia, nervousness, palpitation of the heart, head- aches, dizziness, costiveness &c." It is true that many persons have attained to great age who were in the habit of using some, or all of the a- bove articles. And it is also true, that others have attained to the same, or greater age, who were in the habit of drinking to intoxication, and were frequently seen rolling in the dirt and mire. But would any rational man say that such swin- ish habits were conducive to health and longevity. All that such instances prove, is, that some con- stitutions can endure great injury without sinking under its destructive influence. But let the weak and infirm attempt to carry the burdens of the strong, and they are crushed beneath the ponder- ous load. The best drink, as a general rule, for both sick and well, is pure soft water. The wat- er drinker is proverbial for his uniform appetite; his blood is pure, his head is clear and free from pains and aches, his temper unruffled, his nerves are steady and his soul "calm and serene as a summer's evening." God bless the water drink- ers, and give success to both the sons and daught- ers of Temperance. EXERCISE. However temperate we may be in eating and EXERCISE. 35 drinking, we must completely fail to reap the re- ward of good health, without proper and plenti- ful exercise. This is in beautiful accordance with the sentence pronounced upon the first of the hu- man race, on falling from primitive innocence: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread." Here we see a blessing, instead of a curse; a mark at once of Infinite Wisdom and benevolence. This idea is strengthened by the fact, that when man perverts his being so far as to loll in luxury and idleness, in consequence of having acquired more than his share of worldly riches, disease and un- happiness naturally flow from his disregard of the Divine mandate. The repinings of the laborer when lie looks upon the affluent and idle are not half as productive of real misery as the results of indolence to the man of wealth and the victim of sloth. There is not an organ but suffers in the in- activity of the indolent man. The stomach ceas- ing to perform proper digestion, the liver to give out its healthful secretion, the bowels stop in their op- eration, the absorbents cease to partake of the congenial nourishment, and the whole man lan- guishes in dyspepsia, general debility, and a want of proper heat from the lungs, till decay and death in mercy come in to relieve the wretch from his load of self accumulated misery. The pleasure derived from activity and exer- cise is manifested in all the animal creation, and is exhibited at a very early period in the actions of children, whose fondness for exercise is such that neither bribes nor punishments, sometimes so cruelly inflicted by parents, can restrain them from 36 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. that which their very natures demand, as the only security against disease. It appears to be the uni- versal law of all animated existence, that no creat- ure can enjoy health or procure a subsistence with- out exercise; and man is the only animal that has been disobedient to the general rule; and he never fails to reap the legitimate fruits of his folly. "The weak and valetudinarian" says Dr. Cheyne, "ought to make exercise part of their religion." Every person, whose business does not afford him sufficient exercise, should bring himself under a kind of necessity to take exercise at a certain hour, which he should observe with as much punctuality as he does in taking food. "Indolence, like other vices when indulged, gains ground and at length becomes agreeable. Hence, many who were fond of exercise when young, become averse to it when more advanced in years. This is the case with most hypochondriac and gouty persons,which nev- er fails to aggravate their disease, and renders them, in many instances, incurable. While indo- lence and idleness beget vice and misery, exercise and useful employ promote virtue, health and hap- piness. Of all the different forms of indolence that have cursed mankind, none is more destructive to health than that of lying too long in bed. Man is the only creature on earth that is too indolent to enjoy the beauties and invigorating influence of the morning. Half an hour of active exercise, after bathing at the dawn of day, will do more to invig- orate and give healthy tone to the system, than any thing else we could recommend. Let him who wishes to enjoy earthly happiness, therefore, see TEMPERANCE. 37 to this; and let him rejoice in the beauties of the morning while sluggards are snoring. TEMPERANCE. Temperance consists in the moderate use of necessary thi igs, and consequently, the avoid- ance of all that is unnecessary or hurtful. While Temperance admits its votaries to the full enjoy- ment of all that is consistent with life, health, and happiness, Intemperance, on the contrary, is only the food of perverted passion, which fosters dis- ease and discontent, and is the sure prelude to a life of sorrow and a death of wo. It is the fuel that feeds the flame of inordinate desire, which grows up for death, and ultimately mingles with its native flames, where hope is a stranger and mercy forgot. It has been wisely said that "ex- ercise and Temperance are the two best Physici- ans in the world; and if these were duly regarded, there would be little occasion for any other." When mankind, not satisfied with supplying the simple calls of nature, create to themselves arti- ficial wants, they may search creation round for some gratifying object; but imaginary wants can never be gratified. "Nature is content with little; but luxury knows no bounds. Hence the epicure,the drunkard, and the debauchee seldom stop in their career till their money or their constitutions fail: then, indeed, they generally see their error when too late. Health consists in the regular perform- ance of the various functions, or vital actions, of 38 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. the animal economy; when each organ duly per- forms its part, the tide of life flows in one unruffled stream; but whatever disturbs this harmony, neces- sarily impairs the health and induces disease. In- temperance disturbs this harmony and regularity of action, by overloading and over exciting certain organs, which produces debility, directly or indi- rectly, according as they are overloaded or stim- ulated. When the stomach is overloaded with food, it is directly debilitated by the performance of an unusual and unnecessary task; but when stimulated with spirituous liquors, it is indirectly debilitated by the prostration which necessarily follows every undue excitement. It is a law of our physical nature that, when the system is excited to action beyond its natural abilities, it falls as far below par, when the stimulus has subsided, as it had been raised above: a second repetition of the exciting cause now becomes necessary in order to arouse to the standard of health, after which it flags as before. Thus the harmonious action of the system is lost, and it runs to ruin like a ship without a helm. "The analogy between the nour- ishment of plants and animals, affords a striking proof of the danger of Intemperance. Moisture and manure greatly promote vegetation; yet an over quantity of either will entirely destroy it. The best things become hurtful, nay, destructive, when carried to excess." Hence we learn that the high- est degree of human wisdom consists in regulating our appetites and passions, so as to avoid all ex- tremes. It is that chiefly which entitles us to the character of rational beings, The slaves of ap- CLOTHING 39 petite will ever be the disgrace of human nature. It is in vain to attempt giving precise rules for the quantity or quality of food to be eaten by oth- ers. Every one knows when he has eaten enough, and may avoid excess if he will. Franklin's rule, however, is a good one and should never be dis- regarded: that is, to always leave the table with a good appetite. Simplicity in diet is the perfec- tion of the art; and no animal but man misappre- hends its rules. He, and he alone, feasts on the luxuries of a foreign soil, and finds in the dainties of earth the elements of his own destruction. "For my part," says Dr. Adison, "when I behold a fashionable table set out in all its magnificence, I fancy that I see gouts and dropsies, fevers and lethorgies, with other innumerable diseases, lying in ambuscade among the dishes." As to intoxi- cating liquors there has been so much written, printed and spoken on that subject, in every Coun- try, Village and town in Christendom, that every school boy knows so much of their destructive in- fluence, both on body and soul, for time and for eternity, that none but those who are bent upon ruin, and determined to "take hell by storm," will ever be tempted to use them as a beverage, or countenance others in so doing. CLOTHING. The clothing should be suited to the climate and state of the weather; the sudden and extreme variations that occur in the temperature of this climate require frequent changes in clothing if we 40 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. would be either comfortable or healthy. In youth, while the blood is warm and circulation free, less clothing is necessary; but as the fire and vigour of youth decline the clothing should be increased. Clothing is but too often perverted from its prop- er use, and made an object of pride and show; and the fashions are continually changing with very little regard to either health, comfort, or con- venience. It would be quite an unprofitable and thankless business to point out the follies and hurtful effects of the present fashionable mode of dress; suffice it to say that in many instances it is both ridiculous and hurtful. In preparing clothing, especially for children, who are not capable of judging for themselves, care should be taken that no portion of it is so tight as to impede the circu- lation in any part of the body, nor hinder the free motion of all the limbs. "The perfection of dress," says an eminent author, "is to be easy and clean. Nothing can be more ridiculous than for any one to make him- self a slave to fine clothes. * # * * Were we to recommend any particular pattern for dress, it would be that worn by the people called Quakers. They are always neat, clean, and often elegant, without any thing superfluous. What others lay out upon taudry, laces, ruffles and ribands, they be- stow upon superior cleanliness. Finery is only the affectation of dress, and very often covers a great deal of dirt." In relation to the quantity of clothing, comfort should be our guide; for every addition beyond that point, is absolutely injurious. It produces general langour and debility, renders CLEANLINESS. 41 the skin tender and susceptible to the slightest impression of cold. Much injury is done by over- loading the body with clothes, especially in warm weather. CLEANLINESS. 'The want of cleanliness,' says Dr. Buchan, "is a. fault which admits of no excuse. Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every person to be clean. The continual dis- charge from our bodies by perspiration, renders frequent change of apparel necessary. Changing apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary for health. When this matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is either retained in the body, or reabsorbed from dirty clothes, it must occasion diseases." Chil- dren whose skins are much more active than those of an adult, and also more exposed to dirt from their peculiar habits of life, require to be washed and changed much oftener. It is a good rule to wash children all over every morning and change their clothes once every two or three days, and if very young they should be changed oftener. A strict observance of cleanliness prevents a great majority of the skin diseases, so common among children. The utmost cleanliness should be ob- served in relation to the sick; for cleanliness is as important in restoring health to the sick as in its preservation when well. The old notion, that to change the clothes of the sick is debilitating, is as false as it is mischievous. Their clothes, and the 42 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. sheets upon which they lie, should be changed ai often as it can be conveniently done, v\ ithout too much exposure and fatigue; taking care that the clothes be entirely free from dampness. Many diseases are rendered contagious by a want of proper attention to keeping the patient and his apartment clean and sweet. Every thing that passes the bowels should be immediately re- moved, and a free circulation of fresh air admitted, at all times; but should not fall in a direct current upon the patient. "If cleanliness be necessary for persons in health, it is certainly more so for the sick. Many diseases may be cured by cleanliness alone; most of them might be mitigated by it; and, where it is neg- lected, the slightest disorders are often changed into the most malignant. The same mistaken care which prompted people to prevent the least admission of fresh air to the sick, seems to have induced them to keep them dirty. Both these destructive prejudices will, we hope, be soon erad- icated. Cleanliness is certainly agreeable to our nature. We cannot help approving it in others, even though we should not practice it ourselves. It sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains esteem where that fails. It is an ornament to the highest as well as to the lowest station, and cannot be dispensed with in either. Few virtues are of more importance to society than general cleanliness. It ought to be carefully cultivated every where; but in populous cities it should be almost revered. COLD BATHING. A very important part of cleanliness, and no less important in the preservation of health, is Cold Bathing. It is not only a potent agent in the pre- vention of disease; but, when properly applied, is an invaluable remedy for many, if not all, of the diseases incident to fallen humanity. The subject of bathing has been so ably treated by Dr. Fitch, that we hope to be excused for making so long an extract from the writings of that ingenious author: "To strengthen the skin, and to fortify it, and all the system against cold or changes of weather, and to render the skin pure and healthy, no remedy can for one moment be compared to washing the whole surface of the body over daily with pure cold water. I do not refer to covering yourselves with water, or taking a bath, but simply to washing your whole person over daily with pure cold water, as you do your face and hands. Extend the same fa- vor to your whole person, that you do to your hands and face. All you require is two to four quarts of cold water, and as much more as you please, but a common wash-basin will do, and two or three tow- els. Take one of the towels, dip it in this crystal fluid, eminently worthy of you, and you of it; lave well the wrists, the ears, the neck, the chest, the whole person, the lower limbs, the feet. Dwell much on the chest, about the collar-bones and be- low them, and on all the large joints, and feet and soles of the feet. As it will be a little difficult to wash between the shoulders, fill a towel full of wa- 44 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTi. ter, and spread it out like a shawl, and convey it over the head, and let it fall down the back to the hips, covering all the shoulders, and all the spine. Let it embrace and wet all the spine well. Now, take a good-sized towel, one in each hand, if you please, and commence vigorous friction, and wiping on and over all your person, rub yourselves per- fectly dry, animate all the skin by rubbing with a dry towel. This done, throw the dry towel over your neck, take the opposite corners of the towel in each hand, draw the towel across the back of the neck, and between the shoulders, and down the back as far as the hips, wiping and rubbing the whole spine well and thoroughly, and shoulders, neck, shoulder- blades, &c, all down. Fill the chest full of air as you can, then throw the head, neck, shoulders, and chest backwards as far as possible, and for one or two minutes walk the room, holding the breath,and expanding the chest to its fullest extent by drawing in all the air you can. By this operation your shoul- ders will soon lie flat to the back of the chest, and the bosom, all untrammelled, will swell and re- sume all the luxuriance of its natural form, and al- most unapproachable beauty. This whole oper- ation will not occupy you more than three or four minutes, when your ablutions, frictions, and expan- ding the chest, will be finished, and you prepared to resume your clothing. The morning is the best time of day for bathing,—on first stepping out of bed, and when all the skin is in a glow of warmth. Any other hour of the day, or on retiring at night, may be selected with great advantage, as inclina- tion or convenience mav dictate. Persons not ac- COLD BATHING. 45 customed to cold bathing, or who dread exposing the person to the air, may, at first, use only a damp towel, or merely dampened in salt and warm wat- er, and first expose only the limbs and person very partially at a time, and so gradually accustom the surface of the person to exposure. In this way, by exercising a little sound discretion and care, in five to ten days the most effeminated and feeble per sons may habituate themselves to the free use of cold water, over all the surface of body and limbs, daily. Should you in the commencement take cold, you need not dread taking cold always from expos- ure of the person, or bathing with cold water. The value of the bathing, save mere purity, is derived from the cold that is in the water. Bathing in cold water is more valuable when the weather is coldest in autumn, winter, and spring. In summer its ef- fects are less striking than in winter. It is at this moment, I wish I possessed the highest|power of persuasion, to induce you to adopt at once constant daily ablutions with eold water all your lives. It may be done always. When accustomed to it, it may be done an hour before childbirth, or an hour after, with perfect safety. It is hardly possible to imagine any fever, or any sickness, that forbids your daily bathing, or washing all over with cold water. On the contrary, in scarlet fever, measles, typhus fever, childbed fever, lung fever, scrofula, spine diseases, liver complaint, dyspepsia, consumption, ague and fever, erysipelas, and, in fact, in almost any and every disease incident to the human frame, cold-bathing is itself a great remedy, and never can do hurt, when you have before been accustomed to 46 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. it. Rarely, very rarely, will you be subject to any of these, should you constantly and faithfully bathe daily in cold water. The shower-bath may be used, when perfectly convenient and agreeable. Never use a tepid bath, unless to begin before you use cold,—it effeminates the whole system. Let the water be hot or cold. Hot-baths are occasion- ally admissible, as a remedy for pain, fever, or hoarseness, either of longer or shorter duration. For stiff joints from rheumatism, lameness, pain in the side, and sore throat, or quinzy, pain and heat in the spine, swelling and pain and heat in either side, or about the chest, there are few remedies superior to cold water, either poured, or, what is most applicable, a piece of cotton cloth folded two or three thicknesses, and laid or bound on the pain- ful or swelled part, changed often, and kept on for hours or days and nights. This application is far superior to a blister, or tartar emetic sores; will remove the pain sooner, and make a far more permanent cure. By tying up the neck with a handkerchief dipped in cold water, and kept on over-night, or for several days and nights, if urgent, or for successive nights, will usually cure the sore throat in the most gratifying manner, without one twinge of pain, or reducing the strength in any degree. Dry friction, with a flannel, if the surface is cold, or with a dry towel, fine or coarse, as suits you, or a flesh, brush, as taste or inclination, or judgment direct, will be found excellent. Friction, to have its best effects, should be long continued, and for old persons, they are most valuable; but ought not to supersede COLD BATHING. 47 their use of cold water. Cold water preserves the freshness of the skin, and prevents wrinkles, and every thing of that kind, to a great degree. Fol- lowed and preceded by friction, it is beyond all possible value. A person who bathes in cold wat- er freely, as I have directed, can hardly feel fluctuations of the weather, or be liable to take cold, or receive any injury from atmospheric changes. He will rarely ever have a pain, or be liable to fever, to rheumatism, or inflammation of the lungs, or pleurisy, or quinzy, or sore throat, or cough or skin diseases, liver complaints, or dys- pepsia. When you can faithfully and fearlessly wash yourselves all over with cold water daily, you will have taken a vast step in the commence- ment of a period of uninterrupted health. Infants at the breast should be bathed incold water daily, from their youngest hours. Do not be afraid of doing them any injury by it. It is impossible, when the cold sponge bath is judiciously used. It is of almost inappreciable value to the child. The rooms in which you wash may be very warm in- deed, if you please, and should always be warm, if you are delicate or unaccustomed to exposure of your person to the air. To render the skin soft and pure, I recommend to my patients, to wash all over once a week, with salseratus and water, cold or hot, or with super-carbonate of soda, which is the best. The effect of this upon the skin, used once a week, is very agreeable, and makes the surface of the person as pure as the rose. The soda should be the fine super-carbonate of soda, sold by the apothecaries, &c. It will make the 48 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. skin soft as the finest, the softest velvet. You need never be afraid of exposing your whole person to the air, (in a warm room, if delicate,) and ot washing all over, daily, with pure cold water. The effect is, to give you good health, and, unless counteracted by other causes, I have already mentioned, and shall mention in another lecture, uninterrupted and brilliant health. The mind will be clear, the eye bright, and countenance brilliant as the first blushes of the morning. Lassitude, despondency, low spirits, and indolence, will find no lodgment in your persons. Timidity, fear, and moroseness, will be driven from you by the courage and resolution that result from good health. Your first great enemy is ignorance; the next, its legitim- ate child, is indolence. Overcome these, and you have before you a pleasant and beautiful world, a long and happy life; victorious over these, and every other obstacle to health, usefulness, or happi- ness, will retire at your approach, as darkness be- fore light. SLEEP. In the beautiful and harmonious arrangement of nature there is an intimate and mutual dependence of enjoyment upon duty. The individual who, contrary to the established order of infinite wis- dom, loiters away his days in inactivity and sloth can never enjoy that luxurious repast of wearied nature, "balmy sleep." Regular and undisturbed repose is as necessary to the preservation of health as any of the means heretofore mentioned. Those SLEEP.—ABSTINENCE. 49 who will subvert the established order of high heaven by changing night into day and day into night, in relation to their hours of exercise and repose, will necessarily suffer the penalty of such a violation. Few things are better calculated to produce the wrinkles and decrepitude of prema- ture old age, than exposure to the night air, at late and irregular hours. He that would enjoy health must not only retire to rest at a proper and regular hour, but must observe the same in rising. There is much truth and good sense in the old rhyme. "Early to bed and early to rise, &c." The habit "of lying too long in bed in the morn- ing, is not only a criminal waste of the precious moments of which life is composed, but it deranges health and shortens life, by producing general de- bility and effeminacy of body. It is especially calculated to produce and aggravate diseases of the lungs, by permitting them to remain too long without that action and full expansion which are required to preserve them in a state of health. A hard bed is decidedly more congenial to the pre- servation of health than a soft one. A matress of husks or straw is sufficiently soft for comfort, and is not so heating and debilitating as feathers. Gout and Rheumatism are almost strangers to hard beds. ABSTINENCE. We have recommended, elsewhere, that the stomach should not be over loaded by eating food D 50 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. that is either too rich, or in such quantity as the stomach will be unable to digest; here, we would recommend occasional abstinence from food of ev- ery kind. It is a reflection worthy of our notice at all times, that none of the commands of the Creator were ever inconsistent with either the health or happiness of his creatures: hence the fasts so frequently enjoined upon the Jews; their washings, and other modes of cleanliness, as well as their entire prohibition from the use of swine's flesh, and that of every other un- clean beast, were all weff calculated to promote the health of that peculiarly favoured people. And the dictates of infinite wisdom and goodness are as true now as they were then, and as applicable to the people of every nation as to the Jews. Ab- stinence is a kind of treatment which every man can apply without any expense of money; and may be practiced upon every class of persons, at all seasons, and in every place. For many of the ailments to which we are exposed, it is a safe and effectual remedy. In a majority of diseases, na- ture points out this remedy by taking away the appetite for food; and he that is deaf to her calls, is less wise than many of his inferiors in creation. But how common it is to hear nurses, and those who ought to know better, insisting upon the sick to eat; telling them that they cannot get well or obtain strength without eating. Such should re- member, that if we take food into the stomach, when it is not able to digest it, we debilitate that organ, derange the blood, and detract from the strength and energies of the system; thus laying THE STUDIOUS. 51 the foundation for protracted suffering and disease. THE STUDIOUS. This being the most intelligent class of man- kind,we might reasonably expect that they, of all others, would be best qualified to understand and obey the laws of our physical organization, and that they would be the first to adopt a rigid mode of discipline, for the preservation of body as well as the cultivation of mind. But it is a lamenta- ble fac*, that no class more frequently violate the laws of life, or sooner reduce their health and con- stitution to ruins. We have long felt a deep anxie- ty to do something to remedy this great and grow- ing evil in this class of community. The question here necessarily arises: can this be prevented? Can young Men and Ladies be educated without destroying their health and breaking down their constitutions? We answer most unhesitatingly,that they can ; and further, that a full and thorough ed- ucation may be acquired in less time with the use of the necessary means for preserving health than without; but, with the student, bodily health rare- ly receives that attention which its importance de- mands. When intense thinking is joined with im- pure air, want of exercise, and the rich diet, so much in demand in boarding houses, and without which many students would not be satisfied, it is no wonder if the most Herculian constitutions sink under the influence of such gross violations of our physical organization. Our constitutions are no more adapted to continual study than they are to 52 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. continual labour, and that student who thinks the necessary time spent hi exercise and amusement is lost from study, has not learned the first princi- ples of his art, we mean the art of acquiring knowledge. One hour's efficient study, when the body is invigorated by exercise and the mind clear and untrammeled, is worth three, spent in dull mu- sings when the mind is clouded, and. all tie wheels of life "wading in backed water." Beside, so great is the influence of the mind over the body that intense and long continued application to stu- dy is utterly inconsistent with the healthy perform- ance of the various vital actions of the body. It is a law of the animal economy, that the energies of the system can never be powerfully active in two points at the same time; for example, a man is thrown from his carriage and breaks one leg and at the same time cuts the skin on the other, the ener- gies are so concentrated upon the broken limb, that the slighter injury on the other is neither felt nor known, unless incidentally discovered. Again, a man receives an injury on the foot, insomuch that he is quite lame; while lamenting over his painful injury, he is approached by an individual who ad- dresses him in such insulting language as to excite the most violent anger; his face reddens, the blood vessels on the head are engorged with blood, evi- dently showing the energies to be powerfully con- centrated upon the brain; the neglected foot is now no longer painful, and is used with the same ease and dexterity as the sound one. How often are invalids charged with hypocrasy, who forget their pains and infirmities in the moment of excitement; THE STUDIOUS. 53 such allegations in many instances only display the ignorance of those who make them. Let the student eat a full meal and engage immediately after, in hard study; the energies of the system being diverted from the stomach and concentrated upon the brain, the food is imperfectly digested, and if the imposition be frequently practiced, the stomach becomes debilitated, the food sours, and we have heart-burn, head-ache, languor, shattered nerves and all the train of necessary and legitimate consequences. Hence we see the necessity of the rule "Never engage in study, for at least thirty minutes, after eating a full meal." No one can enjoy health who does not properly digest his food. The want of exercise and constant thinking cannot fail to weaken the digestive powers; the humours become loaded with irritating substances, the sol- ids weak and relaxed, and the whole system runs rapidly to ruins. A certain amount of thoughtless- ness and relaxation from study appears to be nec- essary to the enjoyment of health. While serious and profound thought retards the circulation and sinks the spirits, cheerfulness and mirth raise and animate the spirits, increase the circulation and promote all the bodily secretions. Those who are always sedate and constantly engaged in thought, seldom enjoy good health or arrive at old age; while, on the contrary, those who seldom think seriously on any subject, are generally the most healthy and attain the most advanced age. "Per- petual thinkers, as they are called, seldom think long. In a few years they become stupid, and ex- hibit a melancholy proof how readily the great- 54 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. est blessings may be abused. Thinking, like every thing else, when carried to extreme becomes a vice; nor can any one afford a greater proof of w is- dom than frequently and seasonably to unbend the mind by mingling in cheerful company, active ex- ercise kc." It is not enough that the studious should cease to read and write in order to relax their minds, but they should actively engage in some amusement or employment that will so far occupy their attention as to make them forget the subject upon which the mind has been engaged. The society of children is well adapted to relax and amuse the mind; their artless display of human nature is not only amusing, but highly entertain- ing and instructive; nor are trey beneath the at- tention of the most philosophic minds. Children have been the favourite companions of the wisest and best of men, and were admitted to "the fond embrace of our blessed Saviour himself. All that we have heretofore said on air, food, exercise, temperance, cleanliness&c.,applies with pe- culiar force to the studious. "It is much to be regretted, that learned men, while in health, pay so little regard to these things! There is not any thing more common than to see a miserable object over-run with nervous diseases, bathing, walking, riding, and in a word, doing ev- ery thing for health after it is gone; yet, if any one had recommended these things to him by way of prevention, the advice would, in all probability, have been treated with contempt, or, at least, with neglect. Such is the weakness and folly of mankind, and such the want of foresight, even in UNHEALTHY OCCUPATIONS. 55 those who ought to be wiser than others! With regard to the diet of the studious, we see no reason why they should abstain from any kind of food that is wholesome, provided they use it in moder- ation. They ought, however, to be sparing in the use of every thing that is windy, rancid, or hard of digestion. Their suppers should always be light, or taken soon in the evening. Their drink should be water. We shall only observe, with regard to those kinds of exercise which are most proper for the studious; that they should not be too violent, nor ever car- ried to the degree of excessive fatigue. They ought likewise to be frequently varied so as to give action to all the different parts of the body; and should, as often as possible, be taken in the open air. In general, riding on horseback, walking, working in a garden, or playing at some active diversions, are the best. We would likewise recommend the use of the cold bath to the studious. It will, in some meas- ure, supply the place of exercise, and should not be neglected by persons of a relaxed habit, espe- cially in the warm season. No person ought either to take violent exercise or to study immediately after a full meal. UNHEALTHY OCCUPAT IONS. That many mechanics and artists are exposed, by their occupations, to various forms of disease, is a fact so well known as to require no argument. Some exert a deliterious influence upon the health, 56 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. by the confinement and want of exercise which they require; such as watch-makers, tailors, shoe- makers, &c. These are also injured by the impuri- ty of the atmosphere in which they breathe. The air is not only injured by several persons breathing the same confined portion, and by the exhalations from their bodies, (for the skin itself is a kind of breathing apparatus,) but it is often so heated and loaded with dust as to be unfit to enter the lungs. In addition to this, we frequently see sev- eral candles burning in the same small room, w hich changes the oxygen of the air into carbonic acid gas; of the destructive influence of which we more than once had occasion to speak. This, in connection with the want of exercise, is the cause of coughs, consumptions, and other diseases of the chest, so common among such mechanics. Others, such as chemists, type-founders, glass- blowers, mirers, manufacturers of white lead, &c. are injured by the fumes and exhalations arising from the articles of their manufacture. To pre- vent the ill effects from such exhalations and im- pure air, the apartments, in which these operations are carried on, should be so constructed as to car- ry off all the vapor and fumes that may arise, and admit a current of fresh air. The mechanic or artist should not continue at his work too long at a time, but relieve his lungs by frequent excursions into the open air. He should never return to his work with an empty stomach; and he should pay the most scrupulous regard to cleanliness. For the mode of preventing the mischievous consequences of lead, see under the head Painters'1 Colic. THE PASSIONS. 57 Mechanics and others, whose occupations afford little or no exercise, or require an unfavorable po- sition, should learn to sit as erect and with the shoulders as far back as the nature of the case will admit; and change their position as frequently as possible. They should also mingle their hours of labor with intervals of out-door exercise, or with some active labor, such as gardening, chop- ping, sawing &c. Some persons, who appear to have quite too lit- tle time for exercise, seldom employ that little to their own advantage. Instead of engaging in ex- ercise in the open air where their lungs would be expanded and their blood enriched by a pure at- mosphere, they frequently sit down in a heated and dusty room, to read a novel, or to play at some game which has no recommendation, and answers no purpose, except to murder time. In short, ex- ercise in the open air is so essential to health and life, that he who neglects it cannot long enjoy either. THE PASSIONS. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dryeth the bones."—Prov. xvii. 22. We would have avoided saying any thing on this apparently trifling subject, had we not repeat- edly witnessed the most disastrous consequences resulting from a want of information upon this im- portant subject. Both the healthy and sick are often seriously injured by an undue and sometimes an unnecessary excitement of the passions. 58 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. Few, very few, are aware of the extent of the influence exerted by the mind upon the body. The mind pervades every part of the living machine, and is the main spring of every action it performs. The body therefore partakes of all its changes; when the mind is excited the body is excited; when the mind is depressed the body sinks with it. We would not pretend to explain the mysterious connection between mind & matter; a mystery that has never been explained by the philosophers or metaphysicians of any age. It is sufficient for our present purpose to know that such a connection does exist; and the fact is known to almost every individual; but the extent of the reciprocal influ- ence that the one exerts upon the other, both in the production and cure of disease, is known to but few, and perhaps fully appreciated by none. It has been fully ascertained by repeated experi- ments, that disease and death will result from the depressing influence of certain passions and emo- tions of the mind. Every passion and emotion was implanted in our natures by a wise and beneficent Creator, and subjected to certain laws, all calculated to pro- mote our lasting happiness and well being; and it is only by the violation of these laws, and the perversion of these passions, that misery instead of happiness; a curse instead of a blessing; has resulted therefrom. The passions most frequently perverted to the injury of mankind, in the produc- tion and aggravation of disease, are love, grief, fear, anger, and the love of approbation. Love is probably the strongest of all the pas- THE PASSIONS. 59 sions that have been implanted in the human mind; and when not misplaced, is capable of yiel- ding the most exalted happiness of which our na- ture is susceptible; but when misplaced, or inor- dinately indulged, is productive of the most miser- able and disastrous consequences. Insanity, fat- uity, and even suicide, are the frequent results of disappointed, or misplaced love. Though the most dangerous, there is none more frequently tampered with and perverted than this sovereign and ruling passion of the mind. Some persons are so foolish and wicked as to gain the affections of others, for mere amusement, or the purpose of showing their influence over the oppos- ite sex; and when they have gained their boasted victory, they abandon the unhappy and deceived object of their pretended affection, to hopeless dispair. Such unchristian, inhuman, and unprin- cipled deceivers are unworthy of the name of hu- manity, fallen as it is; and will never find suitable companions this side of that region where inno- cence never entered and where virtue is unknown. We have no disposition to be severe or to indulge in denunciations against any, but would most im- peratively guard the youthful and inexperienced from the artifice of the deceiving coxcomb, and the unprincipled coquette. Fortunately, though love is the strongest of the human passions, it is not so rapid in its progress as many others; and thus time is afforded for an escape. Whenever we perceive that there is dan- ger of our falling in love with an object that is ei- ther unworthy of our affection, or out of our reach, 60 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH we should avoid every occasion of fanning the flame, by shunning the company and sight, and, as far as possible, the very thought of the beloved object. Close application to study or business, and traveling are excellent remedies for love. But, perhaps the surest and best remedy, when it can be found, is, to place the affections on some more worthy and attainable object. This has cured thousands! while many have pined away in secret, and without apparent cause, from the fact of their having placed their affections on an object unwor- thy of them, or out of their reach. Many of these have been led to the altar of deep affections by the very persons who have afterward abandoned them to their fate, unable to appreciate the great wrong done to the object of their deception. Grief has a very depressing influence upon both mind and body. It is not so rapid in. its effects as fear and anger; but it is no less disastrous in its results. Its effects are permanent, and often set- tle into a deep melancholy which preys upon the constitution, and finally sink the unhappy victim into the cold but often welcome embraces of un- timely death. Though \re cannot avoid the misfortunes and ills of life that are calculated to awaken this emo- tion in the mind, it is surely amarkof wisdom and true greatness to meet them with becoming forti- tude. Some willfully indulge in grief and stub- bornly refuse consolation, until the mind sinks un- der its depressing influence and the individual be- comes a prey to melancholy, or the victim of de- spair, until death interposes a release. Grief im- THE PASSIONS. 61 pedes the circulation, destroys the appetite, pre- vents sleep, impairs digestion and deranges all the secretions; it produces general debility, paleness, dyspepsia, hysteria, loss of memory, marks of pre- mature old age, melancholy, insanity, apoplexy and death. "There is another peculiar symptom of grief," says Dr Beach, "not generally noticed, which is, that of profound sleep. A mother that has lost a child often sleeps profoundly. The keeper of Newgate, in London, states, that criminals slept soundly the night before their execution. The son of General Custine, in Paris, slept nine hours the night before he was led to the gullotine. The de- ciples of our Saviour slept during his agony in the garden, in consequence of sorrow having filled their hearts." This result of grief is hi consequence of prostra- tion from over-excitement; just as an over-dose of intoxicating liquor lays the drunkard asleep, while a less quantity of the same beverage would cause him to be noisy. To cure grief the hermit flies from Society, and the tippler to strong drink; but in both cases the evil is either increased, or a worse brought on in its stead. The proper course is ac- tive habits of business or exercise. Let the per- son struck with sudden calamity, and overpower- ed with grief, redouble his exertion in all the pur- suits of active life; let him associate with those of a cheerful temper; let him, when the enemy ap- proaches, rouse himself and seek employment for either, or both, the body and mind. The variety presented to our senses in the scenery 62 ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH. of nature, and the delight which the mind experi- ences in the contemplation of new objects, affords an important hint in relation to the mode of relieving the mind from the influence of grief. By the con- templation of new and interesting subjects a con- stant train of new and agreeable ideas and impres- sions is kept up till the old and disagreeable ones are entirely dissipated. The mind as well as the body requires exercise. "Indolence and inaction nourishes grief. When the mind has nothing else to think of but calamities no wonder it should dwell there." But of all the means of relief from this as well as the other ills of life none are so effectual as the consolations of Religion. If it be agreeable and beneficial to unbosom ourselves to an earthly friend, who is possessed of like passions and sorrows as ourselves, is it not infinitely more consoling when the mind is loaded with grief and sorrow, when troubles press upon us from every hand, and from which the sons of earth can afford us no relief, to be able to present our forlorn condition to that com- passionately kind and beneficent Father, "who withholdeth no good thing from them that love him," and without whose tender regard, even a "sparrow cannot fall to the ground." Fear answers a very valuable purpose in the preservation of life, by the guard which it inter- poses against the attacks of every destructive a- gent. Through the intervention of this passion, our nature recoils at every thing that threatens life. But, by the perversion of man, it is changed from a friend to an enemy; from a preserver to a de- THE PASSIONS. 63 stroyer of life. "Sudden fear has generally violent effects. Epileptic fits and other convulsive disor- ders are often occasioned by it. Hence the dan- ger of that practice, so common among young people of frightning one another. Many have lost their lives, and others have been rendered miserable, by frolicks of this kind. It is dangerous to tamper with the human passions. The mind may easily be thrown into such disorder as never again to act with regularity." The practice of telling tales of ghosts and witches, hobgoblins and wizards, to children, for the purpose of awing them into sub- jection is not only foolish but is both wicked and cruel. Children should be taught to disregard such idle tales and feel above foolish and groundless fears. Some persons have been so thoughtless as to shut children in cellars and closets as a punish- ment ; the fright has rendered some idiots the re- mainder of their days, and thrown others into con- vulsions from which they never recovered. The wise and humane will never be guilty of such a practice. Fear greatly aggravates disease and renders those fatal which otherwise were quite managea- ble. Many persons, no doubt, die for fear of death. It is therefore the plainest dictates of humanity and good sense to console and encourage the minds of the sick with every reasonable prospect of a speedy recovery. See visiting the sick. Anger is the most violent of all the passions, and is often productive of the most fearful conse- quences. It hurries the circulation of the blood, 64 THE PASSIONS. deranges all the vital actions and produces fevers, hysteria, head-ache, and sometimes sudden death. The prostration which follows the over excitement from a fit of anger is very debilitating, and pecu- liarly hurtful to the delicate, and persons of weak nerves. Such persons have frequently been known to lose their lives by a violent fit of anger. "Such as value health should avoid violent gusts of anger as they would the most deadly poison. Neither ought they to indulge resentment, but to endeav- our at all times to keep their minds calm and se- rene. Nothing tends so much to the health of the body as a constant tranquility of mind." Cold bathing both cures and prevents all the violent and angry passions; promoting both health of body and peace and tranquility of mind. A drink of cold water will generally suspend a fit of anger. FOR PREPARING FOOD, FOR BOTH THE HEALTHY AND THE SICK. Recipe for Bread.—Pour warm waterr with the yeast, into flour, and make a thick batter; let it rise; then stir in more meal, knead it, and put it into pans; let it rise again, and then bake it. A little Indian meal or mashed boiled potatoes are a good addition. It may be mixed with milk or butter-milk. Wheat Bread.—Bread should be made of un- bolted wheat flour, or only the very coarsest part separated, ground coarse, and made in the usual manner. This keeps the bowels regular, while that made of superfine flour causes costiveness and dyspepsia, by a deficient stimulus imparted to the intestines. Indian Corn.—Indian corn is probably the most healthy and nutritious food in the world. See Joel Barlow's poem on "Hasty Pudding." It may be used in various ways; in the form of bread, pud- ding, cakes, &c. Indian Bread.—Mix Indian meal with a little salt, wet with cold water, and make a thick bat- ter ; put into tin-pans, and bake well; to be eaten E 66 DIRECTIONS FOR with butter. This is preferred to wheat bread at the south and west, and was the only bread used by General Washington. Best Indian Bread.—Take one quart of sour milk, (or sour buttermilk,) add to it one tea-spoon- ful of salaeratus, two eggs, and Indian meal suffi- cient to make it of the consistence of mush or pud- ding ; bake in a tin-pan for an hour with a moder- ate heat. The best Indian bread ever used. Light Corn Bread.—Stir four pints of Indian meal into three pints of warm water, add a tea- spoonful of salt, and let it rise five or six hours; knead well, and bake thoroughly. Rye.—Rye bread is a wholesome article of diet, much more so than common wheat bread. Bread and Milk.—Make an excellent dish. Coarse Cakes.—Ferment coarse flour, and bake it on a griddle, the same as buckwheat cakes: to be eaten with butter or molasses. Wheat Cake.—Take three pints of wheat meal, one pint and a half of buttermilk, and a tea-spoon- ful of salaeratus: roll and cut into round cakes, and bake by a quick fire. Toast.—Toast bread slowly till very brown, pour on it a little milk or water, and add butter: generally rests well on the stomach. Bread Pudding.—Soak bread or crusts in cold water till soft, and squeeze dry; to one pint of which add one quart of milk, three or four eggs, and a tea-cup of sugar. It may be baked or boiled. Minute Pudding.—Boil milk, sweet or sour, and thicken with flour: to be eaten as above. An ex- cellent dish. PREPARING FOOD. 67 Wheat Pudding.—Mix coarse wheat flour with milk, (water will answer,) put into a bag, and boil well: to be eaten with butter and molasses or sauce. Rye Pudding.—Milk, thickened with rye flour, boiled and eaten with butter and molasses, is very good. Indian Pudding.—This is used daily in most of the eastern states. Indian is mixed with milk or water, and kneaded well till a batter is formed, then put into a bag, and boiled for six hours; then cut in slices, and eaten with butter and molasses or sauce. A superior and wholesome dish. Hasty Pudding.—Made by boiling salted water, and thickening it slowly, as it boils, with Indian meal till stiff: makes a very valuable and pleasant article of diet, both for the healthy and the invalid; to be eaten with milk, butter, molasses, or sugar. Baked Indian Pudding.—Prepared by mixing milk and Indian meal together, and adding eggs and sugar; to be well baked, and eaten with but- ler or sauce: very palatable and healthy. Baked Rice Pudding.—This makes a very fine dish: take a tea-cupful of rice, and as much sugar, two quarts of milk, and a tea-spoonful of salt; bake with a moderate heat for two hours. A very wholesome and rich dish. Rice Flojr may be used in various ways. A gruel made of it is excellent in all kinds of bowel complaints, with the addition of a little nutmeg and cinnamon. Sa\ip. Hommony.—Favourite and wdiolesome dishes: made by hulling corn, grinding it very 68 DIRECTIONS FOR coarse, and boiling it till soft. The com should be soaked over night; eat h with milk or otherwise. Slut Hommony.—Boil Indian corn in lye until the hull is loose, then pour off the lye and wash in clean water till the corn is free from the hulls and from the taste of lye; then boil in clean water till perfectly soft; to be eaten with milk or sugar; for the healthy it may be fried in butter. Wheat Hommony.—Boil a pint of clean wheat in water till quite soft, when nearly dry add a quart of sweet milk; or it may be eaten with sugar like rice, and is a superiour article. It keeps the bowels regular better than any kind of bread, and is much better than bread, for which it may be substituted, without any dressing, by the dys- peptic and persons of weak digestive organs. Bar- ley may be used in the same way. Meat should not be eaten more than once a day and then in small quantity; and when eaten let it be of the best quality of beef, veal, or mutton and not too long kept, pork is not so good. Boil in water till tender, leave till cold, then cut in slices; to be eaten alone, or with pepper sauce. Fried meat, rich gravies, or meat of an inferiour quality should not be eaten by either sick or well. Poul- try and fowls generally, are very hard to digest, and should not be eaten by the weak and delicate. When soup is made for the sick the skin should be taken from the fowl before it is boiled. Rice.—This is a very valuable grain, and sup- ports millions in the east. It digests well, and is very nutritious. Boiled Rice.—The most simple and best meth- PREPARING FOOD. 69 od is, to boil rice, well washed in pure water, with a little salt till very soft. It may be eaten w ith milk, or w ith butter and molasses. Potatoes generally digest well. The mealy kinds should be used, (as the Mercer.) To boil- ing water add the potatoes, with a little salt, boil till a fork passes easily through them, pour off the water, and let the vessel stand by the fire till they are perfectly dry. Potatoes baked in a stove or oven are still better. Indian Meal Gruel.—Boil a pint of water, add a little salt, and stir in a table-spoonful of Indian meal, previously wet with cold water; boil fifteen minutes, and sweeten with sugar. Rests well on the most delicate stomach, and is very soothing and nutritious; very good when medicine is taken. Unbolted Wheat Meal Gruel.—May be made in the same manner. Oat and Rye Meal Gruel.—Likewise made in the same manner. Buttermilk Pop.—Buttermilk, four parts; water, one part; mix: boil and thicken with Indian meal. May be made thin, and drank; or thick, and eaten with butter, sugar, or molasses. Pleasant and nourishing. Milk Porridge.—Mix two .table-spoonsful of sifted flour in three or four of water, pour it into a gill or more of boiling water, and stir often, while it cooks eight or ten minutes; then add a pint of new milk, and let it boil again. Panado.—Put a little water on the fire, with some sugar, and a little grated nutmeg; boil all to- gether a second, and add some crumbs of bread 70 DIRECTIONS FOR or pounded cracker, and again boil all together a few minutes. Arrow-root Jelly.—Stir a table-spoonful of arrow-root powder into half a cupful of cold water, pour in a pint of boiling water, let it stand five or ten minutes, and sweeten it. This is very good for infants, children, and others, Apple and Cranberry Sauce.—Pare and quar- ter the apples—if not tart, stew them in cider—if tart enough, stew them in water. When stewed soft, put in a small piece of butter, and sweeten it to the taste, with sugar. Another way, which is very good, is to boil the apples without paring them, with a few quinces and molasses, in new cider, till reduced to half the quantity. When cool, strain the sauce. This kind of sauce will keep good several months. It makes very good plain pies, with the addition of a little cinnamon or cloves. To make cranberry sauce, nothing more is necessary than to stew the cranberries till soft; then stir in sugar and molasses to sweeten it. Let the sugar scald in it a few minutes. Strain it if you like—it is very good without straining. ToxMato Soy.—Take ripe tomatos, and prick them with a fork—lay them in a deep dish, and to each layer put a layer of salt. Let them re- main in it four or five days, then take them out of the salt, and put them in vinegar and water for one night. Drain off the vinegar, and to each peck of tomatos put half a pint of mustard seed, half an ounce of cloves, and the same quantity of pepper. The tomatos should be put in ajar, with a layer of sliced onions to each layer of the tomatos, and PREPARING FOOD. 71 the spices sprinkled over each layer. In ten days, they will be in good eating order. Tomato Catsup.—To a gallon of ripe tomatos, put four table spoonsful of salt, four of ground black pepper, three table spoonsful of ground mustard, half a table spoonful of allspice, half a spoonful of cloves, six red peppers, ground fine—simmer the whole slowly, with a pint of vinegar, three or four hours—then strain it through a sieve, bottle and cork it tight. The catsup should be made in a tin uten- sil, and the later in the season it is made, the less liable it will be to spoil. Oyster soup.—-Separate the oysters from the liquor, to each quart of the liquor, put a pint of milk or water, set it on the fire with the oysters. Mix a heaping table spoonful of flour with a little water, and stir it into the liquor as soon as it boils. Sea- son it with salt, pepper, and a little walnut, or butternut vinegar, if you have it, if not, common vinegar may be substituted. Put in a small lump of butter, and turn it as soon as it boils up again on to buttered toast, cut into small pieces. Pea Soup.—If you make your soup of dry peas, soak them over night, in a warm place, using a quart of water to each quart of the peas. Early the next morning boil them an hour. Boil with them a tea spoonful of saleratus, eight or ten min- utes, then take them out of the water they were soaking in, put them into fresh water, with a pound of salt pork, and boil it till the peas are soft, which will be in the course of three or four hours. Green peas for soup require no soaking, and boiling only 72 DIRECTIONS FOR long enough to have the pork get thoroughly cook- ed, which will be in the course of an hour. Portable Soup.—Take beef or veal soap, and let it get perfectly cold, then skim off every part- icle of the grease. Set it on the fire, and let it boil till of a thick glutinous consistence. Care should be taken that it does not burn. Season it highly with salt, pepper, cloves and mace—add a little wine or brandy, and then turn it on to earth- en platters. It should not be more than a quarter of an inch in thickness. Let it remain until cold, then cut it in pieces three inches square, set them in the sun to dry, turning them frequently. When perfectly dry, put them in an earthen or tin vessel, having a layer of white paper between each lay- er. These, if the directions are strictly attended to, w ill keep good a long time. Whenever you wish to make a soup of them, nothing more is necessary, than to put a quart of water to one of the cakes, and heat it very hot. To Boil Eggs.—They should be put into boil- ing water, and if you wish to have them soft, boil them only three minutes. If you wish to have them hard enough to cut in slices, boil them five minutes. Another way which is very nice, is to break the shells, and drop the eggs into a pan of scalding hot water, let it stand till the white has set, then put the pan on a moderate fire, when the water boils up, the eggs are cooked sufficiently. Eggs look very prettily cooked in this way, the yelk being just visible through the white. Turnips.—White turnips require about as much boiling as potatoes. When tender, take them up* PREPARING FOOD. 73 peel and mash them—season them with a little salt and butter. Yellow turnips require about two hours boiling—-if very large, split them in two. The tops of white turnips make a good salad. Beets.—Beets should not be cut or scraped be- fore they are boiled, or the juice will run out, and make them insipid. In summer, they will boil in an hour—in winter, it takes three hours to boil them tender. The tops in summer are good boiled for greens. Boiled beets cut in slices, and put in cold spiced vinegar for several days, are very nice. Parsnips and Carrots.—Wash them, and split them in two-lay them in a stew pan, with the flat side down, turn on boiling water enough to cover them-boil them till tender, then take them up, and take off the skin, and butter them. Many cooks boil them whole, but it is not a good plan, as the outside gets done too much, before the in- side is cooked sufficiently. Cold boiled parsnips are good cut in slices, and fried brown. Onions.—Peel and put them in boiling milk, (water will do, but it is not as good.) When boil- ed tender, take them up, salt them, and turn a lit- tle melted butter over them. ARTiciioKE.-Scrape and put them inboiling wat- er, with a table spoonful of salt to a couple of dozen. When boiled tender, (which will be in about two hours,) take them up, salt and butter each one. a Peas.—Peas should be put into boiling water, with salt and saleratus, in the proportion of a quarter of a tea spoonful of saleratus to half a peck 74 DIRECTIONS FOR of peas. Boil them from fifteen to thirty minutes, according to their age and kind. When boiled ten- der, take them out of the water with a skimmer, salt and butter them to the taste. Peas to be good should be fresh gathered, and not shelled till just before they are cooked. Sweet Corn.—Corn is much sweeter to be boil- ed on the cob. If made into succotash, cut it trom the cobs, and boil it with beans, and a few slices of beef. It requires boiling from fifteen to thirty minutes, according to its age. To cook various kinds of Beans.—French beans should have the strings taken off—if old, the edges should be cut off, and the beans cut through the middle. Boil them with a little salt, from twenty five to forty minutes, according to their age. A little saleratus boiled with them preserves their green color, and makes them more healthy. Salt and butter them when taken up. Lima beans can be kept the year round, by being perfectly dried when fresh gathered in the pods, or being put with- out drying into a keg, with a layer of salt to each layer of beans, having a layer of salt at the bot- tom of the keg. Cover them tight, and keep them in a cool place. Whenever you wish to cook them, soak them over night, in cold water-shell and boil them, with a little saleratus. White beans for baking, should be picked over carefully to get out the colored and bad ones. Wash and soak them over night in a pot, set where they will keep luke- warm. There should be about three quarts of water to three pints of the beans. The next morning set them where they will boil, with a tea PREPARING FOOD. 75 spoonful of saleratus. When they have boiled four or five minutes, take them up with a skimmer. Put them in a baking pot. Gash a pound of beef and put it down In the pot, so as to have the beans cover all but the upper surface—turn in cold wat- er till you can just see it at the top. They will bake in a hot oven, in the course of three hours— but they are better to remain in it five or six hours. Beans are good prepared in the same manner as for baking, and stewed several hours without ba- king. Greens.—White mustard, spinach, water cres- ses, dandelions, and the leaves and roots of very small beets, are the best greens. Boil them with a little salt and saleratus in the water. If not fresh and plump, soak them in salt and water half an hour before cooking them. When they are boiled enough, they will sink to the bottom of the pot. Excellent for those troubled with costiveness and others. Tomatoes.—If very ripe will skin easily; if not, pour scalding water in them, and let them remain in it four or five minutes. Peel and put them in a stew pan, with a table spoonful of water, if not very juicy; if so, no water will be required. Put in a little salt, and stew them for half an hour; then turn them into a deep dish with buttered toast. Another way of cooking them, which is considered very nice by epicures, is to put them in a deep dish, with fine bread crumbs, crackers pounded fine, a layer of each alternately; put small bits of butter, a little salt, and pepper on each lay- er—some cooks add a little nutmeg and sugar. 76 DIRECTIONS FOR Have a layer of bread crumbs on the top. Bake it three quarters of an hour. Southern manner of Boiling Rice.—Pick over the rice, rinse it in cold water a number of times, to get it perfectly clean; drain off the water, then put it in a pot of boiling water, with a little salt. Allow as much as a quart of water to a tea-cup of rice, as it absorbs the water very much while boiling. Boil it seventeen minutes; then turn the water off very close: set the pot over a few coals, and let it steam fifteen minutes with the lid of the pot off. The beauty of rice boiled in this way, is, that each kernel stands out by itself, while it is quite tender. Great care is necessary to be used in the time of boiling and steaming it, as a few moments variation in the time, makes a great deal of difference in the locks of it. The water should boil hard when the rice is put in, and not suffered to stop boiling, till turned off to have the rice steamed. The water that the rice is boiled in, makes good starch for muslin, if boiled a few min- utes by itself. Apple Dumplings.—Pare tart, mellow apples- take out the cores with a small knife, and fill the holes with sugar. Make good pie crust—roll it out about two-thirds of an inch thick, cut it into pieces just large enough to enclose one apple. Lay the apples on them, and close the crust tight over them—tie them up in small pieces of thick cloth, that has been well floured—put the dump- lings in a pot of boiling water, and boil them an hour without any intermission—if allowed to stop PREPARING FOOD. 77 boiling, they will be heavy. Serve them up with pudding sauce, or butter and sugar. Lemon Syrup. Pare thin the rind of fresh lem- ons, squeeze out. the juice, and to a pint of it, when strained, put a pound and three-quarters of sugar, and the rind of the lemons. Dissolve the sugar by a gentle heat, skim it clear, then let it simmer gently eight or ten minutes—strain it through a flannel bag. When cool, bottle, cork, and seal it tight, and keep it in a cool place. A little in wa- ter makes a pleasant and cooling drink. Orange Syrup. Squeeze out the juice of fresh oranges, and strain it. To a pint of the juice, put a pound and a half of sugar; set it on a moderate fire; when the sugar has dissolved, put in the peel of the oranges, and set the syrup where it will boil slowly for six or eight minutes; then strain it, till clear, through a flannel bag. The bag should not be squeezed while the syrup is passing through it, or it will not be clear. Bottle, cork, and seal it tight. This syrup is very nice to flavor puddings and pies. Blackberry Syrup. Procure nice, high vine blackberries, that are perfectly ripe; the low vine blackberries will not answer for syrup, as they do not possess the medicinal properties of the high vine blackberries. Set them on a moderate fire, and let them simmer till they break to pieces, then strain them through a flannel cloth; to each pint of juice put a pound of wdiite sugar, half an ounce of cinnamon, powdered fine, a quarter of an ounce of finely powdered mace, and a couple of tea- spoonsful of powdered cloves. Boil the whole to- 78 DIRECTIONS FOR gether fifteen minutes; strain it, and when cool, add to each pint of syrup a wine glass of French brandy. Bottle, cork, and seal it; keep it in a cool place. This, mixed with cold water, in the pro- portion of a wine glass of syrup to two-thirds of a tumbler of wrater, is an excellent remedy for the dysentery, and similar complaints. It is also a very pleasant summer beverage. Elderberry Syrup. Wash and strain the ber- ries, which should be perfectly ripe. To a pint of juice, put a pint of molasses. Boil it twenty min- utes, stirring it constantly, then take it from the fire—when cold, add to each quart four table- spoonsful of French brandy—bottle and cork it tight. This is an excellent remedy for a tight cough. Molasses Syrup, or Clear Molasses.—Mix eight pounds of light sugar-house or New-Orleans molasses, eight pounds of water, one pound of pow- dered charcoal. Boil the whole together twenty minutes, then strain it through a flannel bag. When lukewarm, put in the beaten whites of a couple of eggs, and put it on the fire. As soon as it boils, take it from the fire, and skim it till clear—then put it on the fire, and let it boil till it becomes a thick syrup—strain it for use. Barley Water.—Boil a couple of ounces of barley, in two quarts of water, till soft—pearl bar- ley is the best, but the common barley answers very well. When soft, strain and mix it with a little currant jelly, to give it a pleasant, acid taste. If the jelly is not liked, turn it, when boiled soft, on to a couple of ounces of figs or raisins, and boil *■* PREPARING FOOD. 79 it again, till reduced to one quart, then strain it for use. Wine Whey.—Stir into a pint of boiling milk a couple of glasses of wine. Let it boil a minute, then take it from the fire, and let it remain till the curd has settled—then turn off the whey, and sweeten it with white sugar. Stomachic TiNCTURE.—Bruise a couple of ounces of Peruvian bark, one of bitter dried orange peel. Steep them in a pint of proof spirit a fortnight, shaking up the bottle that contains it once or twice every day. Let it remain untouched for a couple of days, then decant the bitter into another bottle. A tea-spoonful of this, in a wine glass of water, is a fine tonic. Cough TEA.—Make a strong tea of everlasting- strain, and put to a quart of it two ounces of figs or raisins, two of liquorice, cut in bits. Boil them in the tea for twenty minutes, then take the tea from the fire, and add to it the juice of a lemon. This is an excellent remedy for a tight cough—it should be drank freely, being perfectly innocent. It is the most effectual when hot. Beef Tea.—Broil a pound of fresh lean beef ten minutes—then cut it into small bits, turn a pint of boiling water on it, and let it steep in a warm place half an hour—then strain it, and season the tea with salt and pepper to the taste. This is a quick way of making the tea, but it is not so good, when the stomach will bear but a little liquid on it, as the following method: Cut the beef into small bits, which should be perfectly free from fat-fill a junk bottle with them, cork it up tight, and immerse it 80 DIRECTIONS FOR in a kettle of lukewarm water, and boil it four or five hours. This way is superior to the first, on account of obtaining the juices of the meat, unal- loyed with water, a table-spoonful of it being as nourishing as a tea-cup full of the other. Moss JELLY.-Steep Carragua, or Irish moss, in cold water a few minutes, to extract the bitter taste—then drain off the water, and to half an ounce of moss put a quart of fresh water, and a stick of cinnamon. Boil it till it becomes a thick jelly, then strain it, and season it to the taste with white sugar. This is very nourishing, and recom- mended highly for consumptive complaints. Sago Jelly.—Rinse four ounces of sago thor- oughly, then soak it in cold water half an hour— turn off the water, and put to it a pint and a half of fresh cold water. Let it soak in it half an hour, then set it where it will boil slowly, stirring it con- stantly—boil with it a stick of cinnamon. When of a thick consistency, add a glass of wine, and white sugar to the taste. Let it boil five minutes, then turn it into cups. Tapioca Jelly.—Take four table-spoonsful of tapioca—rinse it thoroughly, then soak it five hours, in cold water enough to cover it. Set a pint of cold water on the fire—when it boils, mash and stir up the tapioca that is in water, and mix it with the boiling water. Let the whole simmer gently, with a stick of cinnamon or mace. When thick and clear, mix a couple of table-spoonsful of white sugar, with half a table-spoonful of lemon juice, and half a glass of white wine—stir it into PREPARING FOOD. 81 the jelly—if not sweet enough, add more sugar and turn the jelly into cups. Chocolate.—Scrape the chocolate off fine, mix it smooth with water—if liked very rich, make the chocolate entirely of milk-if not, use half wat- er. Boil water and milk together, then stir in the chocolate, previously mixed with water—stir it till it boils, then sweeten it to your taste, and take it up. If liked rich, grate in a little nutmeg. A table-spoonful of chocolate to a pint of water or milk, is about the right proportion. Cautions relative to the use of Brass and Copper Cooking Utensils.—Cleanliness has been aptly styled the cardinal virtue of cooks. Food is more healthy, as well as palatable, cooked in a cleanly manner. Many lives have been lost in con- sequence of carelessness in using brass, copper, and glazed earthen cooking utensils. The two first should be thoroughly cleansed with salt and hot vinegar before cooking in them, and no oily or acid substance, after being cooked, should be allowed to cool or remain in any of them. The above with many other plain and simple articles of diet, such as ripe fruits, milk, both sweet and sour, fresh butter, fresh fish, &c. &c. are whole- some and nourishing enough, and afford sufficient variety to satisfy the appetite of any one, without clogging the wheels of life with fat and greasy messes, scalding drinks, rich and complicated dishes, so intimately incorporated in the art of cook- ery within the circles of fashion, pride, and folly. f VAPOUR BATH, OR STEAMING. The best mode of steaming, is to have a box that will reach as high as the waist, in which the patient must be seated in an open seat, with oiled, or gum elastic cloth, extending from the top of the box to the top of the shoulders, and secured by a drawing string about the neck, or waist, as the case may demand. The steam is conveyed to the box, from a tea kettle on the fire, by tin, or cop- per tubes, and regulated by a stop-cock. For com- mon country practice, where suitable apparatus is not provided, the patient may be seated on a split, or flag bottom chair; cover him, chair and all, with a blanket or coverlet; then place under the bottom of the chair a suitable vessel containing hot water. Hot stones or bricks must then be carried with the tongs, and gradually immersed in the water, taking care not to raise the steam so rapidly as to burn the patient. The face should be washed, or dashed occasionally with cold water, to prevent or relieve faintness. The steaming should be continued un- till free perspiration is produced, or till the sensa- tion becomes disagreeable to the patient, who is then to be quickly washed in water that is com- fortably warm; to which should be added a little lye, or salaeratus. Then rinse off by dashing on the body a few pints of cold water, and immedi- ately, rub dry and dress or return to a warm bed. ALCOHOLIC SWEAT. A very convenient and effectual mode of sweat- ing is to place the patient on a split bottom chair, and enclose him and the chair in a blanket or cov- erlet, with the feet in warm water, as in steaming; place under the chair a tea-cup, or some small ves- sel not so wide in the mouth, containing about a gill of alcohol, which can be set on fire by a slip of light- ed paper; taking care that the blaze does not come too near the bottom of the chair, &c. If the flame is too great cover the vessel so as to exclude the air and it will go out immediately. To prevent this, ei- ther get a vessel with a narrower mouth, or put less alcohol in the vessel at a time, and when it burns out, add more and set on fire as before; and repeat as often as may be necessary. Whiskey can be substituted for the alcohol, but must be used in much greater quantity. The patient should drink freely of cold water or warm teas during the operation; and be washed with cold water when he has sweat enough. The advantage of this mode of sweating is, there is less danger of taking cold after it. Another cheap and convenient mode of steaming is to take a common oyster lamp; fill it half full of al- cohol, put the wicks to their places, and trim it as if about to fry oysters;—put a tin of water in the pan, and place a roll of tow or cotton across the edge of the tin, with one end in the water and the other hanging down on the out side, so as to convey the water in drops into the hot pan which is heated by the spirit lamp under it. The water is conver- 84 * COURSE OF MEDICINE. ted into steam as fast as it falls upon the hot pan. The lamp, thus arranged, is to be placed under the chair upon which the patient is seated; the patient, chair and all, being surrounded by blankets or cov- erlets, as in the common mode of steaming. By ta- king the pan off and leaving the lamp to burn un- der the patient we have the alcoholic sweat with much less troublethan by the mode above described. Do not forget to put the feet in hot water. When the feet are to be bathed let ashes or lye be added to the water "till it feels slippery," the water being no warmer than will be pleasant to the feet; hot water must be added every few min- utes so as gradually to raise the heat as the feet can endure it. At the end of 12 minutes remove the feet, one at a time, rinse them with cold wa- ter, and rub them dry. COURSE OF MEDICINE. First, give the patient composition tea, made pleasant with cream and sugar, if most agreeable; and after a pint or more lias been taken, the Va- por bath, or Alcoholic sweat, must be administer- ed, according to the directions given under these heads. After sweating sufficiently, he must be put to bed with a hot stone, or jug of hot water, to his feet; and a bag of hot salt, or some other hot sub- stance, applied to the stomach; especially if there be any fears of cramp or hard vomiting; after which, an emetic is to be given as follows: To half a pint of composition tea, not boiling hot, but COURSE OF MEDICINE. &5 so as to be rather disagreeable to the finger, add a large teaspoonful of pulverized lobelia seed, or twice the quantity if the herb is used. After it has stood ten or fifteen minutes, being frequently stir- red, give a table spoonful of this tea, to an adult, every ten minutes, till vomiting is produced; then give composition, pennyroyal,or boneset tea, to pro* mote vomiting until the stomach is sufficiently cleansed. When the stomach is sour lobelia will not oper- ate readily, unless weak lye or salaeratus is given to destroy the acid in the stomach. Half a tea- spoonful of salaeratus, dissolved in two table spoon- fuls of warm tea, will be sufficient for that purpose. This quantity of salaeratus should not be given at once, but divided into four or five portions, and giv- en at intervals often minutes; otherwise it will pro- duce pain in the stomach. A spiritous tincture will vomit the easiest, and the seeds or herb taken in substance, will operate the hardest of all the different preparations of lobelia. Ipicac and lobe- lia, combined in equal proportions, make a very good emetic. An injection composed of warm wa- ter one pint, salt and No. 6, a tea-spoonful each, molasses and lard, or sweet oil, a table spoonful each, should be administered after the operation of the emetic. When it becomes necessary from any cause, to counteract the effects of lobelia, let the patient drink freely of sweet oil, or sweet milk, the newer the milk the better; after a few minutes, give a warm tea of cayenne pepper: the oil or milk de- stroys the effects of the lobelia, and the cayenne 86 COURSE OF MEDICINE. excites sufficient action in the stomach to throw it off. Where there are spasms or disease of the nerves, the nerve powrder should be combined with all the patient's drinks. When a course of medicine, or even an emetic, is to be administered the following rules should be strictly observed: 1. Always immerse the feet in warm water be- fore applying the steam or attempting to sweat with alcohol; and let them remain in during the process of steaming. This is to prevent an over determination of blood to the head, which, without this precaution, might prove injurious or even fa- tal. 2. When there is general heat over the surface with inward fever, indicated by thirst &c, give such warm fluids as are calculated to promote per- spiration without stimulating the system; such as catnip, balm, hyssop, boneset, or snakeroot teas, or buttermilk whey ;and wash or sponge the body all o- ver with weak lye, or rain water,made comfortably warm; and repeated every twenty or thirty min- utes till the fever is reduced, and the skin becomes moist. This should be done before an emetic is given, in order that the capillaries, or small ves- sels may unload themselves; otherwise, the efforts of vomiting might injure the brain, by throwing too much blood upon that delicate organ. 3. If the system be cold with a want of gener- al action, bathe the feet in warm water and give warm, stimulating drinks; such as composition, cayenne, &c, until the patient is warm enough to sweat; for a person may be either too cold, or too THE PULSE. 87 warm to sweat; and in either case the proper tem- perature should be restored, before vomiting is in- duced. Some thing warm applied to the stomach, such as a bag of heated salt, or a bottle of hot wa- ter, will render vomiting much more easy. THE PULSE. The expansion and contraction of the left side of the heart produces wave-like motions of the blood in the arteries; and, wherever they are near enough to the surface, these motions may be felt with the finger, and are denominated the pulse. The frequency of the pulse varies according to the age, sex, and constitution of the individual The number of pulsations per minute, in a state of health are about as follows: number of pulsations per minute in health. Before birth, from 130 to 150 At birth from 120 to 150 One month from 120 to 140 One year from 115 to 130 Two years from 100 to 115 Three years from 90 to 100 Seyen years from 85 to 90 Twelve years from 80 to 85 Fifteen years from 75 to 80 Twenty years from 70 to 75 Thirty years from 65 to 70 Old age from 50 to 65 It appears that in extreme old age the pulse be- comes more frequent as we again approach the state of infancy. 88 THE PULSE. The pulse of a female is generally more frequent than that of a male of the same age; and in per- sons who are very irritable it is more frequent than in those of an opposite character. In health, the pulse, besides giving the regular number of beats, is entirely uniform, both in regard to the time occupied in the flow of the blood, and the intervals between; and is moderately full, of a medium strength, and is neither hard nor soft. But. in disease it may deviate in any or all of these re- spects ; it may be too hard giving a sensation to the finger like a piece of wire, or a tight cord, and is technically called corded or wiry; it may be too soft and yielding; or it may be irregular and inter- mitting ; may be attended w ith a thril, or give the sensation of a double beat, &c. Physicians have given more than fifty varieties of the pulse, but as a majority of them are neither useful nor diverting, we shall not insert them here. When we speak of variations in the pulse, as indicative of disease, we must be understood as speaking in relation to the pulse of the same individual, in a state of health. It requires much skill and experience to be a good judge of the pulse of a stranger. Besides the circumstances above mentioned as giving rise to variations in the pulse, it may be suddenly excited by the presence of a stranger; oy apprehensions of danger or suffering, at the hand of the physician, or by disease.. If, therefore, we wish to get the true pulse, we must not go about the examination in too formal a manner, es- pecially if the patient be young and timerous, or, we will defeat ourselves by the fears which our VISITING THE SICK. presence may excite. Better take hold of the wrist with apparent indifference; and with the mind fixed on the pulse, draw off the mind of the patient by conversing on some other subject; and, after an in- terval of some minutes, examine again. A second. and even a third examination may be necessary. especially with young females, before the true pulse is obtained. In general we conclude if the pulse is slow* full, and strong, the derangement is super- ficial, and the case not dangerous. Ifuquick,full and strong, with free perspiration," the obstructions are deeper than the surface and first passages, in which case, the system must be first relaxed, and then stimulated. A quick, small, and strong or wiry pulse, shows that the obstructions are still deeper and requires the same treatment as the last but more energetic and longer continued. An irregular or tremulous pulse, shows exten- sive derangement of the circulation, and is always indicative of danger. VISITING THE SICK. We now come to rather a delicate part of our subject, which we would willingly avoid did not a sense of duty compel us to speak out: that is, Objections to the indiscriminate system of visit- ing the sick. It is doubtless very pleasant to have kind friends to wait upon, and sympathize with us while suffering under disease; and while we would not take one consoling friend from the bed side of the sufferer, we should be well con- 90 VISITING THE SICK. vinced that the presence of mere visiters would have a salutary influence, before they were allow- ed to approach. "How often," says a late writer, "have we writhed in agony, afterwards, at the bare remembrance that our departed friend had been forced to leave us in consequence of our own wrant of firmness in preventing a host of visiters from entering the sick chamber, and that too on a Sabbath day; a day of peculiar fitness for the idle gossips of a village." It is too true, that many per- sons who will not take time to visit the sick through the week, will assemble in crowds around them on the Sabbath day; such conduct cannot be too se- verely censured. It has more than once fallen to our lot to witness the ill effects of this practice. We have shown elsewhere the injurious effects, upon the weak and delicate, of breathing air that has been corrupted by the breath of others; but be- side poisoning the air, the interruption, and in fact, the very presence of strangers, their looks, gestures, and often foolish whisperings, excite apprehen- sions in the minds of weak patients, that have a very depressing influence, and should be carefully guarded against by every friend of the sick. A nd, strange to tell, some are so thoughtless, as to relate disastrous tales of suffering and death, within the hearing of the sick, and thus sink still lower, the spirits of those who are, perhaps, already on the borders of despair. The patient's mind should be kept as tranquil as possible. His hopes should be encouraged, and his spirits kept up by every rea- sonable prospect of returning health. The influ- ence of the passions and emotions of the mind up- REMARKS ON FEVERS. 91 on disease is not fully known or realized by those who have not investigated the subject. It has been ascertained by actual experiment, that fear, grief, anger, and other depressing passions and e- motions will produce permanent disease, which in some instances has resulted in death. REMARKS ON FEVERS IN GENERAL. Fevers form so great a proportion of the ills of mankind, and are frequently of so malignant and fatal a character, that they assume a very impor- tant place in the classification of disease. It is estimated that a majority of mankind die of fevers. The causes that give rise to this class of diseases, are numerous and diversified. Of these the fol- lowing are, perhaps, the most usual; viz, a check of perspiration by exposure to cold, contagion, er- rors in diet, impure air, suppression or stoppage of some usual evacuation, extreme heat or cold, and noxious effluvia from low, moist and unhealthy sit- uations. These being the most common causes of fevers, it becomes the duty of those who would shun them to carefully avoid their causes. Many are running themselves into dangers and difficulties which we think do not lie in their way; while others, and perhaps the same persons, are equally criminal in endeavoring to avert the judgments of Heaven by neglecting their duty towards their af- flicted fellow mortals. Reason, experience, and Scripture give the same united testimony upon this subject: "He that would save his life, shall lose it." We have more than once had occasion 92 REMARKS ON FEAERS. to observe that those who w ere most fearful, and took the greatest pains to run away from disease, were the first overtaken; while those, on the con- trary, who went forward in the faithful discharge of duty, remained in safety. The very confidence inspired by a sense of duty is itself a great safe- guard against disease; while the depressing influ- ence of the fear, resulting from guilt, invites its attack. Very few fevers are contagious, where proper cleanliness is observed. The most usual, distinguishing features of fever are loss of appetite, general debility,increased heat, frequent pulse, pain in the head, and the derange- ment of the vital functions: or, fever is the neces- sary consequence of a locked up state of the se- cretions ; that is, an obstruction of the secreting organs, the skin, liver, pancreas, &c. Fevers are usually attended with sickness of the stomach, a sense of weariness, anxiety, thirst, want of sleep, wasting of the flesh, and delirium. They have been divided into intermittent, re- mittent, continued, and such as are accompanied w ith an eruption on the skin; as small pox, mea- sles, &c. An intermittent fever is one that is marked by distinct intervals of freedom from fever. A remittent fever is one in which the symptoms increase and decrease, usually at stated periods, but do not entirely leave the patient during the course of the disease. By a continued fever we are to understand one which does not leave the pa- tient nor show any remarkable increase or decrease. Continued fever is also divided into acute, slow, and malignant or putrid. It is called acute when REMARKS ON FEVERS. 93 its progress is rapid, and its symptoms are violent; but when its symptoms are mild and less rapid in progress it may be denominated slow, or chronic, if of long standing. When livid spots appear on the skin and other symptoms denoting a putrid state of the hu- mours, it is termed malignant or putrid. In the treatment of fevers, it should always be borne in mind, that they are salutary efforts of the system, to throw off some offending cause; and in- stead of crippling its energies, by debilitating meas- ures, we should observe w ith dilligence the course pointed out by Nature; and endeavour to assist her operations. Our bodies are so framed as to have a constant tendency to expel or throw off whatever is injurious to health. This is usually done by sweating, stool, vomiting, or some other evacuation. If these efforts were duly attended to, and promoted, at the beginning of the fever, it would rarely continue long. The dry tongue, parched skin, burning heat, and unquenchable thirst, are indications not to be mistaken. What is so well calculated to relieve thirst, thin the blood, promote perspiration, and remove obstruc- tions, as water, teas, thin gruels, and wheys, of which, water is the principle ingredient; and who, but the most prejudiced and superstitious, could withhold the remedy, or withstand the entreaties of the patient for that which nature so loudly de- mands. And is it not equally plain that when the skin is dry and parched with heat, that we may soften and relax it, and open its pores by sponging or bathing with weak lye, saleratus water, or even 94 REMARKS ON FEVERS. soft water alone. Some may think of danger from cold, or some fanciful cause, we know not what, from such a course in a burning fever; but we have done so, and caused it to be done, scores of times, in various grades and classes of fevers, and have never seen the least injury result from the prac- tice. When there is pain and over determination of blood to the head, the feet should be bathed in warm water to equalize the circulation. Fevers generally have a tendency to produce determination of blood to the brain and disturbance of the mental operations; hence the necessity of every precautionary means to prevent irritation and disturbance of the mind. Darkness has a very soothing influence, and where the brain is much involved in the disease, the clear light of day should never be admitted into the room. The stomach and skin are seriously involved in almost every variety of fever, and claim our special attention. To relieve these, emetics are peculiarly adapted and can seldom be omitted without seri- ously interfering with the safety of the patient. They not only rid the stomach of all irritating and offending matter, but they unlock all the secretions, open the pores of the skin, and promote perspira- tion ; diminish heat, reduce the frequency of the pulse, equalize the circulation, and ease pain; thus at once disarming disease of its most painful and dangerous symptoms. The bowels, next to the stomach and skin, de- mand attention. While they remain costive and loaded with morbid matter, fever and pains in the REMARKS ON FEVERS. 95 head will frequently recur, notwithstanding the most appropriate means may be adopted for their prevention if the cause be not removed. Some ap- propriate physic should follow the emetic, at the commencement of a fever; and after the bowels have once been properly cleansed, it should be re- peated with great caution, lest we produce debil- ity in the midst of disease, out of which the patient can never be raised: better keep the bowels loose by injections and laxative diet. On recovering from a fever, every precaution should be taken to prevent its return. Many use- ful lives are annually lost for want of proper care at this critical time. The mind should be as free from care and anxiety as possible; and every thing like fatigue of body or mind carefully avoided. The stomach being very weak, the utmost care must be taken not to over-load it with raw, heavy or indi- gestible food. INTERMITTENT FEVER, FEVER AND AGUE, OR CHILLS AND FEVER. (Febris Intermittens.} CHARACTER. Intermittent fever is a disease in which there are distinct paroxysms, or periods of fever, with intervals of freedom from fever. It has received different names according to the different periods at which it is observed to return; as, first, second, third, and fourth day ague. This is all that is meant by quotidian, tertion, quartan &c. CAUSES. This fever is generally caused by effluvia, or ex- halations from stagnant water and marshy ground. It may also arise from a debilitated state of the system from any cause; as, poor diet, damp houses, lying on the damp ground, exposure to the night air at late hours, or when the body is fatigued. Whatever obstructs perspiration, or destroys the equilibrium, or balance of the circulation, will fa- vour the developement of this disease. Intermittent fever is very liable to return from slight causes; as, fatigue, exposure to damp, or cOld air; return of the same season next year; over-loading the stomach with too much, or too SYMPTOMS. 97 rich food; eating raw, watery or unripe fruit, &c. SYMPTOMS. The paroxysms of intermittent fever are divided into three stages: the cold, the hot and sweating stages. At the commencement of the first or cold stage, the patient feels languid, weak, and indis- posed to action; he stretches, yawns, and feels greatly oppressed. The whole body becomes pale and shrunk, especially the extremities. Sometimes the sensation of-cold is intense, and the patient will shake severely; at other times the coldness is more moderate and some slight trem- bling is all that is experienced. After the cold sensation has continued for some time, it begins to subside, and is succeeded by a glow that spreads itself successively over the whole body, and in a short time is converted into a heat of greater or less intensity; the face and other parts of the body redden, the skin becomes dry, with great thirst, headache, anxiety and restlessness; the tongue is furred, the pulse is frequent, and gen- erally hard and full. This stage is sometimes ac- companied with delirium, convulsions &c. and is attended with more or less danger. After the hot stage, a moisture breaks out upon the face and gradually spreads over the body; upon which the fever subsides, and there is an abatement of all the distressing symptoms, and the patient feels but little inconvenience, except from weakness! All the symptoms above described are repeated over and over, every twenty-four, forty-eight, or G 98 INTERMITTENT FEVER. seventy-two hours, more or less, according to the type or form of the disease. The danger is in proportion to the severity of the symptoms; the length of the different stages, and the amount of disease in the intervals. Agues seldom prove fatal, except by inducing other derangements, as chronic inflammation of the liver, or spleen, or by dropsical effusions into the abdomen. TREATMENT. As we conceive this disease to depend upon a derangement of the stomach and bowels, a loss of balance in the circulation of the blood, and de- bility of the nerves, (caused by a deranged circu- lation,) it is evident that the first thing to be done is to cleanse the stomach and bowels: 2d, to e- qualize the circulation; and 3d, to tone the nerves and strengthen the system. The first two objects will be best accomplished by giving an emetic; for the mode of giving which, see course of medicine. The best article for this purpose is lobelia, which shduld be given in such divided doses as will keep the patient nauciated or sick for some time before he is vomited; this opens the pores, unlocks the secretions, and equal- izes the circulation. After vomiting commences it should be promoted by giving boneset, catnip, or other teas, till the stomach is well cleansed. After the stomach is settled and the patient rested, a dose of the antibillious pills, or mandrake physic, should be given to move the bowels and rid them of any unhealthy matter that may be TREATMENT. 99 lodged therein.* Such a course, given a short time before the expected chill, will often break the dis- ease without any other remedies. Should any peculiarity of the system, or circum- stances of the patient, render it imprudent to give an emetic, let it be omitted and the physic given. In this case it is better to give the physic in divi- ded doses, to be repeated every hour. After the operation of the physic, take of the compound tinc- ture of dogwood and cherry, one table spoonful every hour, or as much as the stomach will bear, till the time for the return of the chill or shake has passed; then, the dose need not be repeated more than once in three hours, till within four hours of its return again, when the dose must be repeated every hour, for four or five hours, and so on. This course will seldom fail; but if it does not break the shake in two days, repeat the emetic on the third day, some two hours before the expected shake, using the vapour bath before the emetic. This treatment, persevered in, will cure any case not complicated with other derangements. When the patient labours under some other disease the appropriate remedies must be used for it also. Cold Stage. In addition to the emetic and phys- ic, let warm stimulating teas be taken freely to warm the stomach, and as far as possible shorten the chill; and by so doing the other stages will be proportionally shorter; for this purpose, composi- * All the compound articles mentioned, with directions for making and giving, can be found in their proper places by refer- ring to the index. 100 INTERMITTENT FEVER. tion, penny-royal, boneset, Virginia snakeroot, or peppermint, will answer very well. The patient should be covered with warm clothes; and hot stones, or jugs of hot water, placed at the feet, shoulders and stomach. Hot Stage. As soon as the heat returns to the system we should remove at least part of the bed clothes, and instead of the warm teas, cold water, lemonade or any pleasant and cooling drink may be freely given. Sweating Stage. In this stage little need be done except to keep the patient as easy as possible, and avoid taking cold. After the disease has been broken, every care should be taken to prevent its return. The same remedy that cures the disease should be continued for some time, to prevent its return; but, in less doses and gradually discontin- ued. Night air, fatigue, and the hot sun should be carefully avoided, and all unnatural stimulants, such as distilled and fermented liquors, must be re- jected. The food should be light, and taken in small quantities, so as not to overload or oppress the stomach. Avoid all raw and unripe fruits, cucumbers, watermelons, &c. And as you regard your health, constitution, and life itself, avoid the numerous secret remedies recommended for this disease. They generally contain calomel, quinine, or arsenic, in greater or less proportions. They at best only check the disease for a time; but it will return with more and more violence. They imperceptibly wear out the slender cords of life; and it is only when REMITTENT FEVER. 101 too late that the innocent and unguarded sufferer discovers that he has been poisoned. Since writing the above we received the follow- ing, upon the most undoubted authority, as an ef- fectual remedy. It has been fairly and fully tested, in the City of Philadelphia, and in various parts of Ohio; and so far as we can learn has never been known to fail. Take best red peruvian bark 2 oz. Cream of Tartar, 2 " Cloves, 1-4 " Pulverize and mix well; then divide into six equal parts; the first part to be taken two hours before the expected chill, and one every two hours, till all are taken. This sickens the stomach, and generally vomits and purges; which is rather se- vere at the time, but is highly necessary to the cure. REMITTENT FEVER, (Febris Rcmittens.) CHARACTER. By a remittent fever we mean that kind which abates, but dees not go entirely off, before another attack comes on. It rises and falls, or increases and decreases, once in tw elve or twenty four hours; but seldom leaves the patient without some degree of fever. CAUSES. Remittent Fever is brought on by much the 102 REMITTENT FEVER. same causes as Intermittent, or Fever and Ague; such as exhalations from marshy ground or stag- nant water; and is most apt to appear when close sultry weather follows immediately after heavy rains or great floods. It is more common in the south and south western parts of our country. In some of the southern States it is a yearly visiter; prevailing most in August and September, when the. excessive heat, impurities of the atmosphere &c, have the greatest tendency to derange the stomach and liver. SYMPTOMS. This fever commences very much like fever and ague. It is preceeded by languor, anxiety, rest- lessness, yawning, and sometimes by alternate flashes of heat and cold; pain in the head and back; thirst, the heat of the body is increased, more or less difficulty of breathing, tongue coated; the eyes and skin are generally of a yellowish col- or; sometimes there is sickness of the stomach and vomiting. The pulse is frequent, and either full or low according to the constitution and condition of the the patient. The urine is scanty, high col- ored, and the skin dry. After these symptoms have continued for some- time, the fever abates, a gentle sweat breaks out, and the patient is better, but not well. After a a few hours, more or less, according to the severity of the disease, the fever again returns, and then abates, and so on till it ends, or assumes another form; that is, till it turns to fever and ague, or TREATMENT. 103 changes to a typhus fever. When it turns to a regular shake, it is less dangerous and more easily cured; but when it assumes a typhus form, which it is likely to do if the patient has been bled, or too much physicked, the case will then be more tedi- ous and dangerous. Another form of Remittent fever is called Bilious Remittent Fever.—Which comes on with a distinct chilly fit, and is succeeded by the ordinary symptons of fever, with a frequent, full and soft pulse: the tongue has a yellow or dark cast, is not attended with much sharp pain; "but great aching and restlessness," sickness of the stomach, or vomiting of bilious matter. This form is not so dangerous as the one above described. TREATMENT. The treatment of this fever should be prompt and decisive; half way measures will rarely suc- ceed, unless it be in its very mildest form. Emet- ics in the first stages of the disease are of the greatest advantage. After the emetic, a dose of the antibilious pills, or mandrake physic, should be given, as soon as the stomach settles. If the emetic and physic are properly given, and repeated as often as may be necessary to unload the stomach and bowels, and keep them clean, the more vio- lent symptoms will generally be subdued, and the remainder of the cure will be easily effected. But if the first stages of the disease have been suffered to pass without proper treatment, the case is likely to be much more obstinate. 104 REMITTENT FEVER. If the tongue i» still coated after the proper use of emetics,give of the mandrake physic, one-fourth of a tea-spoonful to a full grown person, every hour till it operates. Given in this way, it acts powerfully on the stomach and liver, and promotes a healthy action in these organs. The physic may be repeated every second or third day, if the state of the disease demands it; whether the bow- els be costive or not, as the design is not so much to move the bowels as to promote the secretions of the stomach and liver. To prevent the fever from rising,we should com- mence, if possible, sometime before the expect- ed return of the fever with some snakeroot, bone- set, hyssop or other tea, calculated to produce per- spiration ; at the same time let the feet be bathed (see bathing the feet,) and as soon as the tea is ready, add to a gill of boneset tea, one teaspoonful of pulverized lobelia seed and the same of ipicac, if to be had; let it "draw" a few minutes and give a teaspoonful, more or less, as the stomach will bear, every twenty or thirty minutes, till the sweat breaks. When the fever rises do not oppress the patient with too many bed clothes in the vain hope of making him sweat; remember he may be too hot as well as to cold to sweat; while the skin is dry and hot,rub him ail over every half hour with soft water and saleratus, or week lye, made near- ly milk warm. This must not be neglected if you have any regard for the comfort and safety of the patient, for this is one of the most effectual means of reducing the fever and promoting a healthy ac- tion of the skin. If the lobelia and ipicac cannot TREATMENT. 105 be had or disagree, you may substitute, in their stead, any of the articles used for sweating; (see medicines for sweating.) After the stomach and bowels have been cleansed, as above directed, the most important part of the treatment devolves up- on the nurse. The medicines and teas must not be given according to the clock so much as accor- ding to the state of the patient. Watch to keep the skin always moist, and the feet warm with hot bricks it necessary. Twenty-four hours of such treat- ment will break almost any fever, and is worth a week's attendance in a careless, inattentive manner. Sometimes there is severe pain in the head, to re- lieve which apply a plaster of mustard, about as broad as a dollar, to each temple, which may be left on 20 or 30 minutes. Cayenne pepper orNo.6 may be substituted for the mustard, but must be kept on much longer. Brown paper, wet in warm vinegar, and applied to the forehead, wilt often give relief; bathing the feet in warm water is also ben- eficial. If there be pain in the stomach, bowels or else- where, apply a flannel wrung out of a decoction of bitter herbs,ashot as can be borne, to be changed every few minutes; or apply the mustard &c, as above directed. Water in which slippery elm bark has been steeped, is both pleasant and beneficial as a drink; give it plentifully. When the fever has subsided, and the patient is very weak, and the pulse low, brandy may be giv- en in sweetened water, or sweet milk, sufficient to keep the patient from sinking, till the stomach is able to digest food, to answer the same purpose. 106 INFANTILE REMITTENT FEVER. Diet.—During the fever, the diet should be light and unirritating; such as buttermilk whey, hot buttermilk and light bread, toast bread, with vin- egar and water sweetened, kc. After the fever is gone, the diet may be more nourishing. Use moderate exercise, and avoid overloading the stom- ach with food that is too rich; or you may pay dear for your folly. INFANTILE REMITTENT FEVER. Fever of a remitting character sometimes at- tacks children, between the ages of one and six years; and comes on gradually, exciting very lit- tle alarm at first; but, it rivets its chains as it goes, and is seldom shaken off without much diffi- culty and danger. CAUSES. This fever appears to arise from derangement of the stomach and bowels, from neglected colds, unhealthy diet, &c. Some think it may be caused by "absorption of the putrid contents of the intes- tines." SYMPTOMS. This variety of fever, in many ot its symptoms, resembles dropsy of the brain: for the marks of dis- tinction between them, see "dropsy of the brain." It comes on gradually; the child is usually fretful, the skin dry and hot, pulse quick, breathing hurri- ed, sick at the stomach, bowels generally costive, sometimes too loose; sleep disturbed by frightful dreams. The fever generally rises twice in the day, during which the child is very stupid and drowsy; sometimes flighty, "These symptoms YELLOW FEVER. 107 generally manifest themselves more or less, for eight or ten days, when all at once a more violent paroxysm of fever will arise, preceded by a shiv- ering, and by vomiting. The pulse rises to 140 per minute; the cheeks are flushed, the drowsiness is much increased, and the child keeps picking, al- most incessantly, at the skin of the lips and nose, and of the angles of the eyes." TREATMENT. The stomach and bowels must be well cleansed, by an emetic of lobelia tincture, well sweetened; fol- lowed by a physic of Senna two parts, and ginger one part; a strong tea of which must be given, in table spoonful doses, every hour, till it operates. The skin must be kept moist by using the sweat powders, No. 1 or 2, aided by drinking freely of black snakeroot or boneset, or some other suitable tea. The skin should be sponged or rubbed with luke warm water, as often as it becomes dry and hot. If the fever still rises, repeat the emetic and physic, if the patient has strength to bear it; oth- erwise, we must depend upon the sweat powders and sponging. When the fever has nearly subsi- ded and the patient is weak, give some suitable tonic: see tonic. YELLOW FEVER. (Typhus Icterodes.) The yellow fever varies both in its symptoms and danger according to the climate, age and con- stitution of the patient, &c. 108 YELLOW FEVER. In persons accustomed to the climate, where this fever is a native, it is often as mild as an or- dinary case of billious remittent fever, which it very much resembles. But, in strangers that visit that climate, or when it makes its appearance in our large Cities, it generally commences with great violence; sometimes ending in death within forty- eight hours of its attack. CAUSES. The causes as well as the treatment of yellow fever have been a fruitful theme of controversy a- mong medical writers. But from the best infor- mation we can collect on the subject, it seems ev- idently to he caused by exhalation or vapour,a- rising from coUectrrn* of filthy, putrescent, or de- caying vegetable and animal matter. It has al- so been brought to this country in ships from the West Indies and other waim climates. Some have supposed it to be contagious or catch- ing, but this we believe to be a mistake. Dr. Beach says "It is evident that yellow fever is not conta- gious, except under peculiar circumstances. It is highly infectious within a certain distance of an infected ship or place. In other words, as far as the atmosphere is sufficiently contaminated with the deliterious effluvia, it may be communicated to those who inhale it. This was clearly proved when it last occurred in this city in 1832. A cer- tain part was enclosed called "the infected dis- trict." Those who went within it caught the fe- ver, while those who remained outside were free SYMPTOMS. 109 from it. But it is equally as clear and as well established, that the fever was seldom, if ever, communicated to those who visited or nursed such as were sick with it. As soon as they were re- moved into the country, or even a short distance from the infected part, they never communicated it to a single individual. SYMPTOMS. Yellow fever generally commences with a sense of weariness, giddiness, pain in the back, loins and limbs, chills, sickness of the stomach, faintness and general debility. After a few hours these symptoms are followed by a hot and dry skin, red eyes, extreme headache, great thirst, pain in tha limbs and sense of weight at the stomach. The tongue is covered with a white or yellowish fur. "Towards the end of the first 24 hours, the patient begins to vomit frequently; particularly after ta- king drinks." At first only such things are thrown up as have been taken into the stomach; but as the disease advances, the matter thrown from the stomach becomes darker, till it has the appear- ance of coffee grounds. These symptoms gener- ally last from twenty-four to thirty-six hours, wdien all the symptoms, except the sickness and vomit- ing, subside; and patient and friends sometimes flatter themselves that the danger is passed. Af- ter a few hours the symptoms all return with in- creased violence; the urine is high colored, and becomes more and more scanty; the breath is of- fensive, and signs of putrifaction ensue. "The 110 YELLOW FEVER. eyes, and skin about the neck and breast, now ac- quire a yellow hue. This second paroxysm, or fit of increased violence, continues, commonly, from twelve to thirty-six hours; and is succeeded by a new train of symptoms, which mark the third stage of the complaint. The pulse now sinks in frequency, force, and violence; the tongue is dark brown, or black; the vomiting becomes almost in- cessant, and exceedingly forcible." "Diarrhoea or looseness, usually occurs at this period: the discharges being green or black." The pulse sinks, and hiccough, and death follow. Such is a brief history of the ordinary course of this fatal disease, but there is considerable varia- tion in different cases. TREATMENT. "The only safe treatment," says Dr. Beach, "is stimulation. The skin is especially inactive, in yellow fever, and so is the liver. Hence the bile, a fluid necessary to digestion, instead of being dis- charged into the stomach, is distributed through the svstem, and reaches the skin to be thrown off by perspiration; but the skin being inactive, and perspiration consequently checked, this bile is re- tained at the surface: hence the dryness and yel- lowness of the skin." The stomach and bowels, also, are paralized; hence the loss of appetite, and inability to digest. Under this theory of cause and symptoms the mode of cure "is to excite ac- tion where it is most deficient, in the stomach, bowels, liver, and skin; and this can be done only TREATMENT. Ill by stimulants." To carry into practical operation the theory here laid down, let the patient be car- ried through a regular and thorough Thompson- ian, "course of medicine." (See course of medi- cine.) After he has been vomited, sweat, &c. as directed, give a dose of the anti-bilious pills, or mandrake physic. This course of treatment must be repeated every day, or even oftener, if the ur- gency of the case demand it; and when commen- ced in time, and promptly and perseveringly car- ried out, it will seldom if ever fail of a cure. If however, from being applied too late or from any other cause, it should fail to subdue the fever, and the skin still dry and hot, let the patient be wash- ed or sponged all over, with weak lye or saleratus water, as cold as is consistent with his feelings; which must be repeated every half hour while the skin remains dry and hot. The patient, in the mean time, should be allowed as much cold water a> he chooses to drink; which he should take in small quantities at a time. Some times, the most decided advantage has resulted from repeatedly bathing in cold water, till the fever abates. Snake root and boneset tea has been found beneficial in this disease. It must be drank freely, so as to promote a free perspiration, if we would expect it to be beneficial. It is related, that Mr. Gilbert Fowler cured himself of yellow fever, by drinking two quarts of strong boneset tea; to which was added half a pint of French Brandy. The whole was taken as warm and as fast as possible. This, by its action on the stomach, skin &c. soon relieved him. Should the stomach still refuse to settle, and 112 TYPHUS FEVER. remain irritable, put a mustard or horse reddish plaster over the pit of the stomach; and put hall a tea spoonful of soda or saleratus in a tea cup full of strong peppermint or spearmint, tea; ot which give a tea spoonful every five or ten min- utes, till the stomach settles; or give peppersauce in the same quantity. When the patient has any disposition to eat, let his diet be very light and of easy digestion, taken in small quantities at a time. Almost any of the vegetable acids may be used as a drink,* vinegar and water sweetened, lemonade, fresh ci- der, diluted with water, and none is better than good cold water, if it can be procured. The pa- tient should take moderate exercise, and be strict- ly temperate in all things, for some time after re- covery. TYPHUS FEVER. (Febris Typhodes.} To reconcile the various, discordant and even contradictory statements of medical writers, con- cerning typhus fever, has caused us much trouble and perplexity. The cause of this confusion ap- pears to be that two distinct diseases have been confounded; viz. typhus and typhoid Fever. They commence alike and bear some resemblance to each other through all their different stages. Though they have many distinguishing features which we shall point out, yet they are so nearly alike in nature and character that we shall treat them as the same disease. CAUSES. Whatever depresses the spirits, or impoverishes the blood, may cause typhus fever, such as intense study, poor diet, moist, close or impure air; or it may be occasioned by bleeding, or the use of mer- cury and other poisonous medicines. It is most prevalent in hot, damp weather, and is most fatal to those who live in narrow and dirty streets, jails, hospitals, or in any other situations where the air is confined and impure. It may also arise from contagion, where the air is confined and proper cleanliness is not observed; but where the patient's room is sufficiently large, and fresh air freely ad- mitted, and every thing kept sweet and clean, it sel- dom becomes catching. SYMPTOMS. First or premonitory stage.—There is an uneasy and painful sensation at the pit of the stomach, loss of appetite, lightness or swimming of the head, countenance sunk, heaviness of the eyes, a sense of weariness of both body and mind; chills, with occasional flashes of heat; tongue covered with a white fur; sickness and sometimes vomiting; a quick, small and irregular pulse, and the whole body as well as the mind very much depressed. After about a week the second stage, called the stage of excitement, commences. The fever now increases, the face is flushed, the pulse rises, the skin dry and considerable thirst, the patient is fret- H 1H TYPHUS FEVER. ful and cannot sleep. About the 8th or 9th day he is more or less delirious or flighty, especially at night; pain in the back, and a general soreness all over the body. Red or rose colored spots appear on the body about the 4th or 8th day, according as it is typhus or typhoid, as may be seen below. About the 14th day the third or sinking stage sets in. The fever now subsides, the patient's strength is gone, the pulse is weak and rapid, the tongue is brown and afterwards black, and he be- comes stupid, & indifferent in regard to himself and every thing around him. We have now given a general description of the two forms of typhus fe- ver; but let it be remembered, that in the same form, there will seldom be two cases exactly alike. The true typhus is a fever common in some parts of Europe, and is very dangerous and catching; but is quite rare in the United States; though we sometimes see it in a modified form. We will now contrast the two forms of this disease, in order to show more clearly the exact difference between them. CONTRAST. TYPHOID. | TYPHUS. Endemic; that is, confined to a particular place or people. Not propagated by personal infection; not catching. Attacks young, adults, and children. Greatest liability, under 25 years of age. Age most liable, from 15 to 25. 1. Epidemic, or seizes a num- ber at the same limp. 2. Readily propagated by per- sonal infection, quite catching 3. Attacks all but children. 4. Greatest liability over 25. 5. Age most liable, from 30 to 40. CONTRAST. 115 TYPHOID. 6. Attacks, chiefly, strangers. 7. Seldom ends before the 20th day. 8. No sensible remission or a- batement. 9. Diarrhoea, 1st week. 10. Pulse not over lOOper minute. 11. The patient has musty smell when sweating, and smells sour when dry. 12. A few rose colored spots, the shape of a lens, appear on the belly and breast, about th.3 7th or 8th day; and will almost disappear when pressed. 13. Sudani iua, that is pimples caused by sweating, rare. " 14. Petechiae rare, that is small spots resembling flea-bites, rare 15. No critical,or relieving sweat 16. Mortality one fifth to l-6th. 17. Constant primary, and char- acterislic lesion, or mark of the disease; to be found on ex- amination after death. 18. Second attack unknown. 19. Affects the bronchia or tubes leading to the lungs. 20. Common in summer and fall. 21. Found in all climates. TYPHUS. 6. Attacks all alike. 7. Often ends before the 14th day. 8. Remits after an increase of excitement, about the 7th, or 14th, day. 9. Seldom before the last week. 10. Usually from 100 to 120. 11. Has a smell resembling harts- horn. 12. Red spots over all the body, numerous and not obliterated by pressure: come out about the 4th, day. 13. Sudamina common. 14. Petechiae common. 15. Always a critical sweat. 16. Mortality one sixth to l-12lh. 17. No constant characteristic lesion. 18. Often recurs. 19. Affects the lungs. 20. Common in winter & spring. 21. In temperate and cold cli- mates.* * For this arrangement, we are indebted to our friend and in- structor, Prof. Mitchell, of the Jefferson Medical College, Phila. whose memory, as well as that of the oth«r worthy names asso- ciated with him, in that Institution, we shall ever cherish with sentiments of respect and gratitude. 116 TYPHUS FEVER. The danger is in proportion to the frequency and irregularity of the pulse. Some parts of the body hot, while others are cold, is a dangerous symptom. Delirium is common, and the patient frequently says he is better, when he is worse. Costive cases, it is said, seldom prove fatal. The small spots, spoken of above at fourteen, can be distinguished from flea bites, by a black speck being in the centre of the flea bite, better seen through a magnifying glass. TREATMENT. If given in the commencement of the disease, no treatment is more beneficial than an emetic and it can be advantageously given at any time, before the third or sinking stage. After that, it should not be given except the stomach be very foul. "Emetics, says Dr. Beach, judiciously given, not only cleanse the stomach of its acrid and morbid contents, but the impression which they give to the skin, the other excretions and the whole sys- tem, is attended with a very excellent effect. They promote perspiration, and thereby prevent congestion, expel irritating agents from the circu- lating mass, give tone and energy to the stomach, liver and connecting organs, and in many cases their early use breaks up the disease before it be- comes fairly seated or established; and at any rate mitigates the symptoms." A gentle physic should be given every other day; the common physic, Antibilious pills, or man- drake physic; any of them will answer. The bow- TREATMENT. 117 els should be kept regular, throughout the disease, either by giving physic or injections, or both, as often as the case may require. It is better not to use the same article as a physic too long, or it will loose its power. Change them, and use injections frequently, when the bowels are disposed to be costive. Active purges should never be given in this disease, except in the first stage, and then just sufficient to clear the bowels of vitiated matter; to remove costiveness we should depend on injec- tions ; because the bowels can be cleared in this way without reducing the strength of the patient. A gentle perspiration or moisture should be kept on the skin, throughout the disease; for this pur- pose the powders, No. 1 or 2, are well adapted. The operation of the medicine should be aided by chinking freely of snake root, boneset, catnip, or some other tea calculated to produce perspiration. When the skin becomes moist, and the patient is quiet and easy, the moisture should be kept up by the use of teas, and the powders only repeated as necessity requires. Cooling drinks.-When the fever is high, and the thirst great, the vegetable acids form very pleas- ant and cooling drinks; lemonade, apple water, a little vinegar in water sweetened, &c, are grate- ful. But of all the cooling drinks, ever recommen- ded in this or any other fever, cold water stands at the head. It is the best, cheapest, and the most pleasant; rtiay be given under all circum- stances, and at all times. The only precaution ne- cessary is "not too much at a time," give it as of- ten as called for. As often as the patient's skin 118 TYPHUS FEVER. becomes dry and hot. wash him all over with cool soft water, or vinegar and water. This is cooling, refreshing, and strengthening; forget it not! Sinking Stage. When the strength fails, the pulse sinks, and the fever subsides, we must support the strength of the patient by suitable tonics and stim- ulants. A. teaspoonful of wine bitters, or spice bit- ters, may be put in half a pint of boiling water; and a table spoonful taken every two or three hours; or, if the head be free from pain, and there be not too much fever, the same quantity of the bitters may be put to a gill of Frerch bran- dy and a gill of water, and given in the same way. Composition tea, properly sweeterei, should be drunk freely. Should these disagree with, the stom- ach, or be insufficient to keep the pulse from sink- ing, brardy or wine may be given, diluted with water, and sweetened, if most agreeable to tie pa- tient. Enough of these articles sh.ovdd be given to keep the pulse from sin' h g, without regard to the quantity. When some parts of the body are hot, w bile others are cold, the cold parts should be rubbed with cayenne pepper and vinegar. Mustard plas- ters may also be applied along the course of the back-bone; but should never be left on one place more than thirty minutes. At the end of that time they should either be taken off or shifted to another place. The room of the sick should be well aired, and kept clean, as well as the patient himself. Centaury, boneset, and camomile teas, are highly recommended in the latter stages of typhus, to which we will add dogwood, cherry and MEASLES. 119 poplar, steeped in water, and used as a drink. Diet.—During the prevalence of the fever, let the diet be thin & light; wheys, gruels, pami do, kc. After the fever has abated, the diet may be more nourishing; as milk parage, mush and milk, mutton, squirrel or chicken soup; but keep out the grease. Take moderate exercise in the open air, as soon as able to ride; but avoid fatigue, noise and passion. MEASLES. (Rubeola.) Measles are kaown by the appearance of a small eruption, somewhat resembling flea-bites, ov- er the face and body; but particularly about the neck and breast, not tending to suppuration, or the formation of matter. Many of these spots soon run into each other, and form red streaks, larger or smaller, which give the skin an inflammatory ap- pearance; and produce a perceptible swelling of the face. Each spot is raised a little above the sur- face, especially on the face, where they are man- ifest to the touch; but on the limbs and trunk they form only a roughness. This disease is very catch- ing ; and the person that has it once, seldom has it again. The disease generally appears about ten or fifteen days after receiving the infection. Win- ter is the most common season for its appearance. SYMPTOMS. Measles generally commence, like other fevers, with chilliness, heaviness or oppression, heat and thirst, especially the first day; and these symptoms 120 MEASLES. terminate in a well formed fever. Sometimes sickness & even vomiting attend it. The most prominent symp- toms are heaviness, with swelling and inflamma- tion of the eyes, and the secretion of sharp tears; with sneezing and other symptoms of a severe cold. The patient is generally worse in the evening, and somewhat better in the morning. The eruption generally makes its appearance about the fourth day. When the eruption appears fully on the surface, the fever generally abates; but does not entirely cease for some days after when the scales begin to fall from the skin. TREATMENT. In many cases this disease is so mild as to re- quire little or no medical aid, and in a majority of cases there is more danger to be apprehended from the popular remedies, for this disease, than from the disease itself. If the natural powers of the system be insuffi- cient to throw the eruption upon the surface, we must aid them to do so by such means as are cal- culated to open the pores of the skin, and reduce the fever. Bathe the feet in weak lye, and sponge or rub the body all over, w ith soft or broken water made milk warm, to which a little lye or sal- eratus must be added. In the mean time, give free- ly of boneset, snakeroot or composition tea. If, from debility, cold or any other cause, the eruption should only partially appear; or, hav- ing come out, should it suddenly disappear, in ad- dition to these means, give the sweat powders, No. 1 or 2; warm milk punch, &c, and if these' APOPLEXY. 121 fail, use the warm or vapor bath, or a full course of medicine. The bowels should be kept regular, with the mandrake physic, or antibilious pills; or for chil- dren, take half an ounce of Alexandrian senna and a table spoonful of ginger; cover with boiling water, and keep it hot; of this give a table spoonful ev- ery hour till it operates on the bowels; still ad- ding more hot water as you take out; thus you will have it stronger than if the water were added at once. For the cough attending this disease give the Expectorant Syrup. Diet.—Patients recovering from measles should be careful about their diet. Their food for some time ought to be light and in small quantities. Panado, gruel, ripe fruits, &c, may be taken. The patient may drink barley water, toast water, butter milk whey, &c. The room should be well ventilated, clean and of moderate temperature; and the clothes often changed; and taking cold carefully avoided. APOPLEXY. (Apoplexia.) Apoplexy may be defined a sudden loss, or sus- pension, of all the senses and motions of the body; except those of the heart and lungs. The disease may be divided into two kinds: the Serus and San- guineous. The first is caused by blood engorg- ing and distending the vessels of the brain; or, by blood thrown out into the brain, by the rupture of 122 APOPLEXY. a vessel. The second is caused by serum, or a watery fluid, collecting in the cavities of the brain. Apoplexy seldom, if ever, occurs in persons un- der twenty years of age. It is most common be- tween forty and sixty live. Persons with short necks, large heads, florid complexions and who ex- ercise little, and use a full diet, are most subject to this disease. CAUSES. Whatever tends to produce general fullness of blood, or produces an unnatural or unusual deter- mination of blood to the brain; as tight cravats, drinking spiritous and fermented liquors, violent exertions in lifting, strong fits of coughing, sneez- ing, long and loud sj.e; king, playing on wind in- struments,'hard or too long continued study, &c. may produce this diseo.se, in those predisposed. Dr. Jackson, of the University of Pennsylvania, states that apoplexy is often caused by some dis- ease softening the brain ; andthusremovingtl e sup- port of the capilary, or small vessels of the brain; and the force of the heart suddenly ruptures the vessels, and death follows. In proof of this, he ex- hibited the brain of a man who died of apoplexy. On the surface of the brain there was clotted blood, from the rupture of the small vessels. It may al- so arise from the enlargement of the left side of the heart; causing it to throw the blood with too much force upon the brain. SYMPTOMS. "Generally, there are premonitory or warning TREATMENT. 123 symptoms of apoplexy; and it,is in this stage that the most benefit from proper treatment is derived. In the first stage of the disease there is, generally, dull pain in the head, weakness, giddiness, partic- ularly on stooping; dimness of sight, drowsiness; loss of memory, faultering of the tongue; bleeding from the nose, flushed face, heat of the head, and sometimes vomiting. But the attack is often sud- den, when the person falls to the ground without warning, and lies as in a deep sleep ;from which he cannot be roused. The pulse, at first, general- ly sinks quite low; but, after it recovers from the first shock, is generally full and strong. The breath- ing is generally attended with a noise like snor- ing. The fit may end in a few hours, or it may last twenty four, or forty eight hours, or even more. Sometimes the first fit proves fatal; if not, each succeeding one grows worse, and the third one gen- erally carries off the patient. In some cases, the patient lies for some time in- sensible, ami motiordess; and yet gradually recov- ers the use of his understanding and muscular strength; but, for the most part he is permanently deprived of the command of one side of his body; or he may regain it imperfectly, after a time: but his mind sustains a shock from wdiich it never re- covers. TREATMENT. The first thing to be accomplished in this dis- ease, is to relieve the fit by recalling the blood, from the brain to the surface and extremities; and to prevent its re-accumulation upon that tender or- 124 APOPLEXY. gan. The patient should be placed, with his head and shoulders raised, and supported in as easy and as natural a position as possible. Every thing should be removed from about the neck, and all the clothes made loose and easy. The feet and legs should immediately be placed in warm water and ashes, or weak lye. After they have remained in about fifteen minutes, still adding hot water to gradually increase the heat, rub them dry and cover them up; placing a hot stone near enough to keep them warm. At the same time cold water must be pour- ed on the head, and the whole body rubbed with warm vinegar and cayenne pepper. "If the patient be unable to take medicine, a large injection should be immediately administered; made as follows: Take lobelia, composition, and fine salt, a tea spoonful of each, in a pint of water; and the same of sweet milk; to which add a gill of sweet oil, and the same of molasses: mix, and introduce with a syringe. A mustard plaster should also be ap- plied between the shoulders. As soon as the pa- tient can swallow, let a brisk purgative be given. This is infinitely better than the bloody practice usually pursued. For some time after the fit, the bowels should be kept open, by gentle purgatives; the feet frequently bathed in hot water, and the patient kept quiet and free from excitement. The diet should be light, and thin, and taken in small quantities. Loading the stomach, high sea- soned food, spiritous and fermented liquors, meats, and rich diet of all kinds, should be carefully avoid- ed. Fatigue of either body or mind, and sudden changes from heat to cold, are also injurious. CATALEPSY. (Catalepsia.) CHARACTER. This remarkable and rare disease consists in a temporary suspension of consciousness, sensation and voluntary motion; the body remaining in the precise position in which it was, when the attack came on; without any muscular rigidity or spasm, the breathing and circulation continuing. CAUSES. This affection occurs much more frequently in females than in males. It is most liable to occur about the age of puberty. Persons of nervous tem- perament, and those addicted to long and close mental application, are subject to it. The causes are various; but strong passions and emotions ap- pear to be the most common. Violent anger, grief, disappointed love, hatred and terrour have caused it. SYMPTOMS. The attack generally comes on without any pre- monitory, or warning symptoms. In some cases, however, before the attack, there are swimming or lightness of the head, pain in the head, flushed face, a feeling of heaviness, forgetfulness, pains in the bowels, yawning, depressed spirits, &c. When the fit comes on, every part of the body remains in 126 CATALEPSY. precisely the same position, in which it was at the moment of seizure. If the fit comes on while the person is doing any thing, as, drinking, for in- stance the hand will be suddenly arrested with, per- haps, the glass near the lips, & the mouth open. Even the expression of the countenance continues fixed, during the cataleptic state, as at the moment of attack. "One of the most re narkable circum- stances of this affection, is the wax-like flexibility of all the members of the body* with sufficient mus- cular action to cause an extremity, or the whole body to remain in the exact position, in which it is put by another person. Thus, if during the cat- aleptic state, the arm be raised up, or in any way extended, or bent, it will remain so until the fit is over. In complete catalepsy the patient,on recover- ing, remembers nothing, either of his own internal sensations, or of any thing done about him, du- ring the fit. In some less perfect cases, the patient, on re- covering, has some faint recollection of what oc- curei during the tit. In some cases, also, the breathing and pulse become so feeble, as to be imperceptible; and the whole surface is cold and contracted, as in death. It is to be feared that some near and dear to us have been buried in this state. (j^ The flexibility of the limbs, however, remains throughout; a circumstance which is never ob- served in dead subjects. The duration of the cataleptic state varies from a few minutes to. several days. A deep inspiration generally anounces the return of consciousness, SCARLET FEVER. 127 sensation and voluntary motion. Sometimes cat- alepsy seems to resemble trance or ecstacy. TREATMENT. During the fit, the patient's limbs and body, es- pecially over the heart, should be rubbed with cay- enne pepper and vinegar, made quite warm; and if the pulse is very weak, and the patient appa- rently lifeless; after being briskly rubbed for some minutes with the cayenne and vinegar, let the whole body be wrapped in a blanket, wrung out of warm water, and kept warm by jugs and bottlesof hot wat- er, laid about the patient. An injection must also be given, of composition tea one pint, molasses and sweet oil, castor oil or lard, and salt, each one ta- ble spoonful; mixing and introducing with a syr- inge. After the fit is over, to prevent its return, keep the bowels regular, use light diet, with exer- cise in the open air, cold bathing, . Attacks alike the temperate and intemperate, industrious and the idle. 6. Usually affects the large joints. 7. Frequently shifts from place to place. f. Attacks alike all agesand *e.\. GOUT. 1. Produced by internal causes, as rich stimulating diet and drinks, indolence &c. 2. Returns at stated periods. 3. Usually preceded by an un- easy sensation at the stomach. 4. Generally hereditary. 5. Attacks the intemperate and indolent. 6. Usually affects ihe small joints of fingers and toes. 7. Seldom chances places. 8. Usually attacks men over 30. TREATMENT. The sooner this disease is removed from the system the more easy and permanent will be the cure. The quickest method of curing this disease is to bathe the affected part well with cayenne and vinegar, Unctuie of cayenne, or best No. 6; and then sweat effectually with alcohol, (see al- coholic sweat.) In the mean time the patient must be kept warm, -drink cayenne or composition lea, and take lobelia pills, or some other prepara- tion of lobelia, to be repeated every half hour, in such doses, as the stomach will bear without vom- iting. In this way he must be kept constantly TREATMENT. 195 moist, and the system perfectly relaxed, until the pain and inflammation entirely subside. While the pain continues the feet should be bathed once or twice, in the twenty four hours,in weak lye; at the same time the painful part, after being bath- ed with the cayenne &c, as above directed, must be wrapped in flannel and w ater or weak lye poured on, as hot as can be borne; or if the part should be so situated that the water cannot be poured on without too much inconvenience, let cloths be wrung out of the liquid and laid on as hot as can be borne, and changed as often as they cool. The bathing should continue about fifteen minutes, when the parts must be dried and brisk- ly rubbed a few minutes with the dry hand, or a piece of soft flannel; and then bathed before a warm fire, with best No. 6, and Steer's opodeldoc equal parts, and apply a flannel roller or bandage as tight as will be comfortable. The stomach and bowels must be cleansed by taking the antibilious pills, half aTjill to be taken every hour till they operate. This treatment we have never known to fail in giving relief when properly and perseve- ringly applied. For various articles useful in rheu- matism, see liniments and rheumatic tincture. Bathing in cold water, and pouring cold water on the affected part, and then wrapping up warm in bed or taking exercise, if able, till the body is warm, has relieved many cases. Cold bathing, exercise and friction are the best preventives. See cold bathing. GOUT. (Arthritis.) CHARACTER. Gout like rheumatism, may be divided into acute, and chronic. In the acute or regular form it recurs in regular fits, accompanied with active inflammation of the parts. In the chrdnic or ir- regular form, it does not return at regular intervals and is not accompanied with any active inflam- mation. Sometimes it leaves the joints and ex- tremities, and like rheumatism, fixes on some in- ternal part. CAUSES. Gout occurs most frequently in the winter and spring. Men are more subject to the disease than women; probably on account of their great- er irregularities in living, and more intemperate habits. The predisposition to this disease is gen- erally hereditary, or communicated from parent to child, but may be acquired by indolent, inac- tive habits, by a rich luxurious diet, especially of animal food; fowls, and hogs' flesh beingthe worst; by drinking spirituous and fermented liquors, es- pecially wines; of which, champaign, claret, and port are the most likely to produce gout. Ardent spirits can kill the patient without going so far as the fingers and toes! Gout seldom makes its appearance before the age of 30, unless the predisposition is inherited, SYMPTOMS, 197 when it may appear at 20; and when inherited from both parents, it may occur in early youth, or even in infancy. This affection so much resembles rheumatism, that the one may readily be mistaken for the oth- er. We have therefore pointed out the marks of distinction between them, under the head rheuma- tism, to which the reader is referred. SYMPTOMS. The acute, or regular form of gout, occurs in fits with longer or shorter intervals between them; the health of the patient remaining apparently unimpaired in the intervals. Sometimes the fit comes on w ithout any warning of its approach; but, in a majority of cases, it is preceded by belching of wind, and a peculiar uneasy and: emp- ty feeling at the pit of the stomach; costiveness, white tongue, drowsiness, low spirits, and disturb- ed sleep. In some cases there is a sensation like the biting of ants, or as if water was running over the part about to be affected. Sometimes there is an unnatural desire for food, which if indulged occasions the most distressing sickness of the stomach. These warning symptoms may last a few hours, or as many days. The attack usually comes on about two o'clock in the morning, when the patient is aroused by a severe pain in the ball of the great toe, heel or instep of one foot, which becomes more and more violent, accompanied with chills, followed by heat and more or less fever. The pain still increases.. 198 GOUT. the patient is restless, the skin dry, and hot, and the pulse frequent, full and hard. Sometimes the pain subsides in about three or four hours, and in other instances the pain and inflammation contin- ue without intermission for about twenty-four hours, when the pain gradually abates and ends in a gentle sweat. During several succeeding even- ings the pain and fever return and grow better towards morning. This state of affairs may con- tinue from two to three weeks; the first attack be- ing shorter than the succeeding ones. After the disease fairly subsides, the patient enjoys better health than he did before ihe attack. Sooner or later, according to the strength of the constitution and the mode of living, the attack is removed. At first the attacks occur at longer intervals; in some cases not for two or three years; but usually they return once a year. The intervals between the attacks become shorter and shorter, as the constitution becomes enfeebled and broken down by repeated attacks; till at la.-t the patient is free from the disease only two or three months in the summer. In the morning, after an attack of gout, the part is swollen, red, and the veins very much en- larged and full of blood; and the affected joint so tender that the lightest bed clothes are insup- portable. At first the feet alone are affected, but after repeated attacks it spreads to other parts, to the ankles, knees, hands, wrists and elbows. Chronic Gout.—After the constitution is bro- ken down by repeated attacks of the acute form; or from original debility of constitution, the disease SYMPTOMS. 199 does not manifest itself in regular fits, accompani- ed with acute inflammation; but assumes the Chronic form, producing wandering and irregular pains resembling chronic rheumatism. "The pain in chronic gout is usually but moderate through the day," but a feeling of numbness and weight is felt in the diseased part, andslight crampsoccurduring tlie fore part of the night. The affected parts re- tain their usual color, except perhaps, a purplish hue, with more or less swelling and stiffness; the neighboring muscles being weak and sometimes diminished in size. There is rarely much fever, but the stomach and liver are very much deranged. The patient's temper, in this form of gout, becomes very irritable; and he is often affected with hypo- chondria, or low spirits; wdiich are accompanied with symptoms of gravel. The tendons or sinews become knotted, hard, and contracted; and earthy matter is deposited around the joints, producing great inconvenience and deformity. From a want of energy in the system gout may leave its usual location in the extremities and fall upon some internal part. This may depend upon debility of the general system, or of the part on which it fixes; it may also be caused by cold, and debilitating remedies applied to the external parts affected. °The disease may be driven upon almost any internal part, but the brain, heart, lungs, stom- ach, kidneys and bowels, are most frequently its places of retreat. When it retreats to the brain, it produces either stupor, furious delirium, or symptoms of apoplexy. When it passes to the stomach, it causes violent 200 GOUT. and even fatal cramps, symptoms of inflammation, great pain, vomiting, &c. When it fixes on the heart, it causes violent pain and fluttering of the heart, sometimes fainting, and death. When it falls upon the lungs it gives rise to painful and dif- ficult breathing, resembling asthma. TREATMENT. Cold water has done more, perhaps, for this disease than any one mode of treatment. It has been used and recommended by some of the wisest and most learned, from Hippocrates, down to the present day. It is related that Dr. Good received the most signal benefit in his own case by strip- ping off his flannel bandage and plunging his foot repeatedly into cold water. "The celebrated Dr. Harvey, upon the first approach of gout in his foot, would instantly put it off by plunging the leg in- to a pail of cold water. And many in our own day, have been cured by bathing, exercise, & proper attention to diet." Why this valuable remedy has not urged its way into more common use, we can- not conjecture, unless it be this; that those who have heart enough to put their feet into cold water, or apply it to their bodies, as a general rule, are not the ones that take gout. A poultice of powdered slippery elm, or wheat bran and vinegar, applied blood warm, is said to be good for relieving the pain. For further treat- ment see rheumatism. When either gout or rheum- atism leaves an external part and falls upon the heart, stomach or seme other internal organ, it DROPSY. 201 should be invited back to the part it has left, in the following manner. Take fine salt and cayenne pepper and scour the part from which the disease departed, till the skin is quite red; then wrap it in flannel and pour on water or weak lye as hot as can be endured; at the same time give plenti- fully of warm teas, with as much lobelia in each drink of tea as the stomach can bear without vom- iting; and if vomiting should occur it will be no in- jury. This will seldom fail to bring it back to the place it left. No mode of treatment will produce a complete cure, and secure an entire exemption from a re- turn of the disease, without the most persevering attention to exercise and diet. During the con- tinuance of a fit, it will not be prudent to make any considerable alteration in the habits of the patient: but during the interval, let him adopt the most rigid principles of "temperance in all things,"—entirely abstaining from animal food, from intoxicating liquors of all kinds, and from all rich and highly seasoned food. Let the diet be light and plain; bathe all over in cold water daily; sleep on a hard bed, and take plenty of out-door exercise; avoid late hours and hard studies, and a long life of health and enjoyment, may be your happy reward. DROPSY. (Anasarca.) CHARACTER. This consists in an unnatural collection of the 202 DROPSY. * serous or watery portion of the blood, in different parts of the body, through weakness, in conse- quence of excessive drinking, poor diet, loss of blood kc, which by relaxing the exhalent vessels, an increased quantity of serum or watery fluid es- capes from the blood, and at the same time, by diminishing the action of the absorbents an accu- mulation is rapidly produced. The exhalents are a set of vessels by which a watery fluid called se- rum is discharged from the blood upon certain membranes, called serous membranes, which line all the different shut cavities of the body: Such as the abdomen, chest, kc. This serous fluid keeps the parts continually moist and slippery, so that the organs, as the lungs bowels &c, contained in these cavities, may perform their various motions without friction and pain. The reason why this fluid wdiich is continually poured into these cavities does not fill them, and every body have dropsy all the time, is, because while in a state of health, another set of vessels, called absorbents, take up this fluid as fast as it is poured out; but when dis- ease causes too much fluid to be poured out, or too little taken up, it collects and we have dropsy. Dropsy is distinguished by different names, ac- cording to its location. When it occupies the cell- ular membrane, immediately under the skin, it is called Anasarca; when in the cavity of the abdo- men Acites; in the cavity of the chest, Hydrothor- a.r, kc, but the whole of these collections comes under the generaljname of Dropsy; and require the same general treatment. SYMPTOMS. 203 CAUSES. This may be caused as stated above, by exces- sive drinking, poor diet, loss of blood, or any oth- er cause that produces relaxation or debility of the system; by which the effusion from the exha- lent vessels is increased, and the action of the ab- sorbents diminished, Local dropsy is frequently produced by the hardening & enlargement of different parts of the body interrupting the free return of blood to the heart, thus pregnancy, by compressing the large veins that convey blood from the low er extremities, often causes dropsical swellings of the feet and legs. Hardening and enlargement of the liver, from the use of spirituous liquors, will pro- duce dropsy of the abdomen; and certain diseases of the heart may produce dropsy of the chest. SYMPTOMS. The symptoms of anasarca, or dropsy under the skin, are a uniformly pale, and often shining, swelling or distension of the skin, generally com- mencing in the feet and ankles. At first it is soft, and when the finger is pressed upon the swelled part, a pit will remain for a short time after the finger is withdrawn. The swelling is much dimin- ished by lying down; and the face will be more or less swelled. It gradually extends itself up- wards till it occupies the thighs and body, and sometimes even reaches the head. The urine is scanty and high colored. When it occupies the abdomen, the swelling commences below and 204 DROPSY. gradually extends upwards, attended with a sense of weight; and an evident fluctuation, or motion of the fluid, may be felt by placing the left hand on one side of the abdomen and striking lightly on the other side with the right hand; or it may be felt on any sudden motion of the body. As the fluid increases, the breathing becomes difficult and the legs are affected with dropsical swelling. Whenthe fluid collects in the cavity of the chest, there is a sense of more or less anxiety about the heart and lower end of the breast bone, with a difficulty of breathing, which is increased by lying down; vio- lent beating of the heart and a dry cough; and those accustomed to such examinations, can re- cognise the presence of the water by the sound on striking the chest lightly with the fingers. TREATMENT. In treating dropsy, our first object should be to remove the accumulated fluid as soon as possible; and so to strengthen and tone the system as to prevent it from again collecting. For the purpose of removing the unnecessary fluid without inju- ring the system, or predisposing it to a second ac- cumulation, we know of no plan so consistent with sound physiological principles and the plain dic- tates of common sense, as that adopted by Dr. S. Thompson; that is, first, two cleanse the stomach and bowels by emetics and injections, from all the unhealthy matter, calculated to cripple and de- range the active powers of the system: second, to arouse the system into increased action by stimu- TREATMENT. 205 lants, and thus give increased power to the absor- bent vessels; and third, to open the pores of the skin and promote free sweating by the vapour bath. By these means the blood is purified, the ap- petite improved, the strength and energies of the system increased, and by drawing off the watery fluids from the blood a demand is created in the system for more fluids, which the absorbents read- ily supply by taking up the fluids it already con- tains. The stimulants, such as composition or pepper tea, and the vapour bath, must, be repeated daily; and the stomach and bowels cleansed by emetics and injections, as often as may be necessary. Such articles as increase the quantity of' urine will be beneficial in carrying off the water from the sys- tem. The following compound has been highly re- commended for this purpose: Take hard cider one gallon, and add junniper berries, prickly-ash bark, horse radish root and mustard seed, each two ounces, to be well bruised before putting them into the cider: of this, from one to two table spoons- ful, or as much as the stomach will bear, must be taken every two hours through the day. Such articles of physic as produce very watery stools, will be useful where they do not produce too much debility. Cream of tartar and jallap, mixed, equal quantities, will be as good as any; or jallap and gamboge, equal proportions, may be made into pills, and taken in such quantities, and as often as the constitution will bear, without de- bility. In the meantime, using the vapour bath kc, as above directed. This treatment, however, 206 ERYSIPELAS. will not cure every case without the operation of tapping, which must not be attempted except by the experienced and skillful. ERYSIPELAS, OR ST. ANTHONYS FIRE. (Febris Erysipelatosa.) CHARACTER. Erysipelas is a diffusive inflammation of the skin, characterized by redness, burning heat, swel- ling, and blistering; and is attended with more or less fever. CAUSES. The causes of this disease appear to be rather obscure. Some persons appear to be constitution- ally predisposed to erysipelas, which appears to depend upon a very delicate and irritable condi- tion of the skin. In such persons any wound, bruise, or other local injury, is apt to give rise to this kind of inflammation. Persons of a scrofu- lous habit, the intemperate, either in eating or drinking, and those labouring under derangements of the stomach, liver kc, are most liable to this affection. Violent passions will produce it in some persons. Erysipelas seems sometimes to depend upon some peculiar derangement, or poisonous vapour, in the atmosphere. Under such circumstances it will prevail generally throughout w hole neighbor- hood and spread over large districts of country, SYMPTOMS. 207 without any apparent cause. When such a state of the atmosphere prevails, it seems to create a predisposition to the disease in the system of each individual, and only awaits some exciting cause, such as an overloaded, or deranged stomach, ex- posure to cold kc, to arouse it into action, and develope the disease. Erysipelas is thought by some to be a contagious, or catching disease. This however is a point of controversy among medical writers. The truth appears to be this; where a predisposition prevails in the system, ex- posure to the breath and effluvia, or exhalations arising from one or more persons labouring under the disease, may serve as an exciting cause, and thus develope the disease at such a time, as to fa- vour very much, the suspicion of its contagious character. SYMPTOMS. Various symptoms of deranged health general- ly precede the appearance of any affection on the sk'm; such as headache, pans in the back and limbs. k»s of appetite, sick stomach, furred tongue, and an uneasy load or weight about the stomach. In general, tl ere is more or less t'exer, before the inflammation appears on the skin; but sometimes the infhmmation of the skin appears first ? and in other cases they both make their ap- pearance at once. "The inflammation usually appears in the form of an irregular stain or blotch, which spreads to a greater or less extent over the surrounding surface. When the inflammation is very superficial, the redness of the skin disappears 208 ERYSIPELAS. for a moment, on pressure being made by the point of the finger; but where the inflammation extends deeper, no white spot is left after pressure. Con- siderable burning and stinging pain, but neither pulsation nor tightness, is felt in the inflamed part. Usually about the third day, small blisters may be seen scattered over the inflamed surface. These contain a clear or rather a yellowish coloured flu- id. From one to three days after these blisters appear, they break, and where no means are used to prevent, they dry upon the skin, and form crusts or scabs. In some unfavourable cases the blis- ters degenerate into obstinate ulcers, which some- times end in mortification. This disease is sub- ject to great variation, both in appearance and character. Sometimes the fever and constitution- al disturbance will be very great, with little affec- tion of the skin, while in other cases the reverse may be true. In some cases the inflammatory affection of the skin is attended with considerable swelling, especially about the head, while in oth- er parts the inflamed portion is but little elevated above the surrounding surface. In some instan- ces the inflammation appears to extend deeper than the skin, attended with swelling, redness and extreme pain, insomuch that the slightest pressure is insupportable. The inflammatory excitement in such cases usually ends in suppuration or the formation of pus, about the seventh day, though sometimes sooner, and is attended with slight chills; the pain and redness now decrease, but the swelling increases; and in consequence of the depressed state of the system, the pus remains TREATMENT. 209 an unusual time before an opening is made through the skin for its escape. In such instances the pa- tient frequently sinks very low; and unless well, and timously supported by tonics and stimulants, sinks beyond recovery. This affection is sometimes accompanied with derangement of the stomach and liver. The tongue is covered with a brown fur, the skin and eye are tinged with yellow; and billious matter is discharged by vomiting &c. In such cases, in ad- dition to the symptoms above described we have all the usual symptoms of billious, or remittent fever. TREATMENT. We should commence the treatment of this dis- ease by an emetic followed by a dose of the man- drake physic or antibillious pills. After the oper- ation of the emetic, the skin must be kept moist by drinking freely of warm teas, snakeroot, bone- set and composition, and by applying a jug of warm water to the feet; and after the operation of the physic, if there should be any difficulty in keeping up the moisture, we must use the sweat powders; or we may commence with a full course of medi- cine ; (see course of medicine.) In the mean time, and at all times when the skin is dry and hot, let the patient be sponged all over with rain water or saleratus water, repeated every half hour until the skin becomes moist. No treatment will be suc- cessful in this disease unless the skin is kept moist; which is quite as beneficial as free sweating. The inflamed surface should be kept constantly cover- N 210 BLEEDING AT THE NOSE. ed with a poultice made of the flour of slippery elm bark, applied as cool as will be agreeable to the patient, and changed as often as it becomes disagreeably warm or dry. A muslin cloth doub- led four fold, may be dipped in a mucilage of slip- pery elm, or starch, and used instead of the poul- tice, but must be changed oftener. The bowels must be kept regular, after the operation of the first dose of physic, by injections. If symptoms of mortification appear, apply a poultice of lye, yeast, and charcoal, equal quanti- ties, and thicken, if necessary, with sifted wheat bran or rye meal, and give the same internally, except the lye. The yeast, charcoal and sifted bran, may be given in tea-spoonful doses every half hour, in sweet milk or molasses; with an abundance of stimulating medicines. Mortifica- tion seldom appears where a sufficient quantity of stimulating medicines have been given. BLEEDING AT THE NOSE (Epistaxis.) CHARACTER. Bleeding at the nose, is a very common occur- rence with young persons who are of an irritable constitution, and full of blood. It is sometimes, though seldom, attended with danger. CAUSES. Whatever has a tendency to produce an unnat- TREATMENT. 211 ural determination of blood to the head; such as exposure to the hot sun, over loading the stomach, heavy lifting, long continued study, keeping the head in too low a position, irritation in the bow- els, stoppage of any habitual discharge, as the menses kc, are some of the usual causes. SYMPTOMS. The bleeding is generally confined to one nostril, and occurs most frequently in warm weather; some- times it is preceded by head-ache, redness of the face and eyes; and, in weak and nervous patients, there is noise in the ears, giddiness, or lightness of the head, frightful dreams, night-mare, coldness of the extremities, &c. TREATMENT. This, in a majority of cases, requires no treat- ment; but where it occurs in very debilitated per- sons, or continues too long, we should use means to check it. In general, this is accomplished by placing a cloth w rung out of cold water on the back of the neck, or water may be poured on the head and neck. If this fails, wet as much cotton or lint as will fill the nostril, roll it in powdered nutgall, and introduce into the nose. Or, take crow foot, or cranebill (geraneum maculatum,) finely powdered, and use as a snuff freely. If it still continues to bleed, let the patient sit in cold water, while the feet are placed in warm water, this we have not known to fail. The patient in 212 BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS. the meantime should keep as quiet as possible, avoiding all talking and looking about, breathing entirely through the mouth. The collar should be opened & every thing removed from about the neck. The following is said to be an infallible cure. "Take a piece of smoked beef that is very dry and hard, and grate it into a fine powder, and push this up the nostril as far as possible, and continue to do so till it is closed and the bleeding ceases." BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS OR, SPITTING BLOOD. ( Haemoptysis.) CHARACTER. This consists in a discharge of blood from the mouth, of a bright red color, generally a little frothy and brought up by more or less coughing or hocking. CAUSES. This may arise from violent exertion; as run- ning, jumping, blowing on wind instruments, loud singing, coughing, excessive drinking, the stoppage of some accustomed discharge, as the menses kc, or, it may arise from a debilitated or diseased state of the lungs, especially in persons predisposed to consumption, and sometimes a forerunner of that disease. ~* SYMPTOMS. Bleeding from the lungs is usually preceded by TREATMENT. 213 a sense of heaviness or weakness in the limbs, tightness across the breast, short cough, a sharp or burning pain in the breast, and slight chills; a small, hard and frequent pulse; and often there is a sweet or salty taste in the mouth. When the blood is about to make its appearance there is a sense of warmth felt in the breast, gradually rising into the throat, accompanied with a salty taste, upon a slight effort to cough or hock, the blood is discharged. Sometimes the bleeding occurs suddenly, without any previous symptoms. In such cases there is usually not much blood dis- charged, but will be likely to return frequently for some weeks or even months. This disease is distinguished from bleeding from the stomach, by the blood of the stomach being of a darker color, thrown up in greater quantity, and frequently mixed with some other contents of the stomach; whilst that from the lungs is thrown up in a smaller quantity at a time, is of a bright red, mixed with a little frothy mucus; is brought up by hocking, or coughing; and is not of- ten in clots or lumps, as that discharged by vom- iting frequently is. TREATMENT. When this affection arises from a suppression or stoppage of the menses, or any similar cause, that cause must be removed by appropriate remedies. In order fo divert the blood from the diseased parts, let the feet and hands be placed in hot wa- ter, the body well covered from the air, and com- 2T4 BLEEDING FROM THE STOMACH. position tea, or No. 6, in hot water taken until the skin becomes moist. When the circulation is thus equalized, take the coldest water that can be pro- cured, put into it as much common salt as it will dissolve, and give a table spoonful every five min- utes, till the bleeding stops. Alum dissolved in water may also be given, if it be slow about stop- ping: or, a teaspoonful of salt and the same of cayenne pepper may be put in a gill of vinegar, and given as above; if the vinegar is very strong it must be diluted with water. If the cough be troublesome, the cough syrup must be used, with the mucilage of slippery elm bark, till it is remov- ed. The bowels must be kept loose by the free use of slippery elm and injections, as often as may be necessary. BLEEDING FROM THE STOMACH, OR VOMITING BLOOD. (Hmmatemcsis.) CHARACTER. This affection is usually preceded by a sense of weight, anxiety or pain in the stomach. The blood is usually discharged in considerable quan- tity, of a dark color, and frequently mixed with other contents of the stomach. CAUSES. This disease may be caused by externa] injuries BLOODY URINE. 215 wounds, bruises, or any thing that will excite in- flammation, or too great a determination of blood to the stomach. SYMPTOMS. There is usually a sense of weight and pressure about the stomach, the appetite is either deficient or unnaturally craving-, foul breath, sickness, ring- ing in the ears; a small quick pulse, alternate flashes of heat and cold, cold hands and feet, coun- tenance pale and contracted, with disposition to faint from slight causes; and finally discharges of blood from the stomach. For the distinction be- tween this and bleeding from the lungs, see that disease. TREATMENT. The treatment for this affection is much the same as pointed out for bleeding from the lungs, with the addition of powdered charcoal, which must be taken in table spoonful doses every three or four hours, according to the urgency of the case BLOODY URINE. (Hematuria.) CHARACTER This affection consists in a discharge of blood from some of the urinary organs; that is, from the kidneys, the bladder, or the canals conveying the urine from the kidneys to the bladder, called ure- ters. It is usually attended with pain, and is oft- en indicative of much danger. 216 BLOODY URINE. CAUSES. Bloody urine may arise from gravel, or stone in the bladder, by the use of blistering flies, spirits of turpentine, and other irritating articles, given to promote the discharge of urine; from ulcers, or fleshy tumors in the bladder, ureters or kidneys; or it may arise from any cause capable of exciting inflammation, or too great a determination Of blood to the parts.. SYMPTOMS. When the discharge of blood proceeds from the kidney or ureter, it is usually attended with a sharp pain or weight in the back, with some diffi- culty in making water; the blood is usually so in- timately mixed with the urine, as to give it a uni- formly bloody appearance without any flakes or clots. After the urine has stood in a vessel for some time, the blood settles to the bottom, leaving the clear urine swimming over it; there is usually a numbness felt in one thigh, and the testicle on that side will be drawn up. When the blood pro- ceeds from the bladder, it is usually attended with a sense of heat and pain in the lower part of the belly; the blood comes away in small flakes or clots,accompanied with a burningpain as it comes, and in some instances the clots entirely block up the neck of the bladder, and render it necessary to introduce the catheter in order to discharge the urine. Bloody urine may be distinguished from high TREATMENT. 217 colored or red urine, attendant upon many diseas- es, by the blood settling in the bottom of the ves- sel after standing, and by its staining linnen of a red colour. TREATMENT. The treatment of this affection, in a majority of cases, should commence with a full course of med- icine ; after which the patient should drink freely of the mucilage of slippery elm bark, flax seed tea, barley water &c, sweetened with honey; a dose of the nerve powders should be taken once or twice a day, to quiet the nerves. "A decoction of peach leaves," says Dr. How- ard, "drank so as not to produce too much purging, is a very useful remedy in this complaint. In case the leaves cannot be procured, the bark may be used; and in one bad case in which we tried it, answered every purpose that the leaves could have done. The bark or leaves ought always to be resorted to in cases of this kind." Alum and Ipicacuanha are highly recommended in this affec- tion. Take a teaspoonful of powdered alum and one fourth the quantity of ipicac; divide into ten equal doses and give one, morning, noon and night. The patient should live on milk and light vegeta- ble diet and avoid violent exercise,heavy lifting&c. EPILEPSY, OR FALLING SICKNESS. (Epilepsia.) CHARACTER. This is one of the most deplorable maladies that 218 EPILEPSY. has ever afflicted poor fallen humanity. It is prin- cipally seated in the nervous system and is mani- fested by convulsions, returning at uncertain peri- ods, in paroxysms or fits, accompanied by a tem- porary suspension of consciousness, sense and voluntary motion; and usually in a state resem- bling sleep. CAUSES. The causes of epilepsy are various; some acting directly on the brain itself, while others make their impressions on distant parts, and affect the brain through the medium of the nerves. Of the first kind, the most common are external injuries, as falls, blows &e„ which wound or compress the brain by driving portions of the fractured skull up- on it; a full or distended state of the blood vessels of the brain, water in the brain, tumours, concre- tions or deformity of the shape of bones in the in- terior of the skull; sudden and violent emotions of the mind; as grief, fear,.terror kc, may produce this disease. It may also be excited by injuries of the spinal marrow; and by causes affecting the brain through the the medium of the nerves; such as the irritation of worms and other substances in the stomach and bowels. The sudden stoppage of any accustomed discharge, as the menses, or monthly sickness; the discharge from bleeding Piles; the healing up of old sores &c. Onanism or masturbation, and too free indulgence in sexual or venerial pleasures. And the habitual use of intox- icating liquors, both by producing a determination of blood to the brain, and by its deranging influence SYMPTOMS. 219 upon the liver, is a fruitful source of this affection. And the same effect may be produced by swallowing poisons, such as lead, arsenic, opium kc, whether taken by accident or design, called medicines or by their own appropriate name does not alter their deliterious nature: see Eberle vol. II, page 53. SYMPTOMS. In some instances the attack of epilepsy comes on suddenly without any previous warning of its approach. But in a majority of cases certain symp- toms precede its occurrence; such as a distress- ing feeling in the head; wandering and confused state of the mind; flashes of light, specters or ima- ginary sights before the eyes, trembling, numbness restlessness, and sometimes coldness of the ex- tremities: ringing in the ears; an uneasy oppres- sive feeling at the stomach, and in some instances sickness and vomiting. Immediately before the attack a sense of coldness or numbness starts, usu- ally, in the feet or legs, and gradually ascends un- til it reaches the head, when the patient is immedi- ately seized with convulsions, and all the fearful and frightful symptoms of Epilepsy. With some patients, the attack always occurs at night. If the fit comes on while the patient is sitting or standing he immediately falls down in a state of insensibility, and becomes more or less vio- lently convulsed. "In some cases the convulsive motions of the muscles, particularly those of the face, are frightfully violent; the wHole frame is violently agitated; the eyes roll about; the lips 220 EPILEPSY. & eyelids are convulsed, the tongue often spasmodic- ally thrust from the mouth, which with the gnashing of the teeth,& foamingat the mouth,give the counten- ance a horridly wild expression." The face is some- times pale, but more frequently it is of a dark red, with the veins of the head & neck, full k distended with blood. At the termination of the fit some frothy saliva flows from the mouth; the breathing becomes more free; the pulse fuller and.more reg- ular, the spasms cease, and the patient falls into a state resembling a deep sleep. The breathing is still laborious and sometimes attended with a snoring sound. The duration of the fit is various; sometimes not exceeding fifteen minutes, at others extended to half an hour or more. Usually there is but one fit at a time, but in some instances the patient pas- ses from one into another with but a short interval between them. In regard to the intervals between the fits, there is a great difference in different ca- ses. With some, they return daily; with others not for several days or weeks, or even a whole year. In some cases the disease seems to be un- der the influence of the moon; the fits occurring at the new or full moon, and we believe it to have been patients labouring in this disease, that were called lunatics in the days of our Saviour. As it was then universally understood to be an incurable disease, it clearly evinced the supernatural powrer of Him who could subdue it at a word. Is Epilepsy a curable disease? This is a diffi- cult questiof to answer correctly. Dr. Dewees says, "This afflicting disease has triumphed over TREATMENT. 221 medical skill from the time of Hippocrates to the present moment; for we dare not but confess, that its treatment is as little understood at this time, as it wras in his day. It is true that medical records furnish many examples purporting to be 'cured ep- ilepsy •;' yet there is too much reason to believe, that some other convulsive disease has been mista- ken for it, or else they have been cases of "sym- pathetic epilepsy." Other writers speak confi- dently of their ability to cure the disease. When epilepsy occurs as a primary disease, and not as a symptom of some other affection, we think it be- yond the controll of medicine. But where it ari- ses as a symptom of some other affection as irrita- tion of worms, &c, in the stomach and bowels, a portion of the skull driven upon the brain by frac- ture, or any other cause that can be removed, the epilepsy is then curable by removing the cause. We saw a young man who had epilepsy from a portion of the skull being driven upon the brain by a blow on the head; who was cured by the opera- tion of trephining; that is, by removing that por- tion of the skull wdiich presses upon the brain. TREATMENT. Where this affection arises from the presence of worms or other irritating substances in the stomach and bowels, from injuries of the head kc, let these be treated by their appropriate remedies as laid down under these heads. If the skull be injured let a skillful Surgeon be enjployed. By these means remove as far as possible the exciting cause of the disease. The nerves must be quiet- 222 EPILEPSY. ed by the free use of the American valerian or nerve powder. When the general health is im- paired we must use the most prompt aud decisive measures for restoring it. In general, an emetic and alcoholic sweat will be the most appropriate means to commence with; after which the cold bath and tonics should be resorted to. When it arises from scanty or obstructed menses, this diffi- culty must be removed by bathing the feet, sitting in warm water, or over the steam of boiled herbs; as tansy, pennyroyal, spruce pine tops kc. At the same time taking one of the antibillious pills every second night, at bed time; and use the compound syrup of yellowparilla, from a teaspoon- ful to a table spoonful three times a day. In order to prevent a determination of blood to the head, which is very common in this complaint, give a dose of the mandrake physic once or twice a week, with occasional, injections, and an emet- ic once a week, or as often as may be necessary to keep the stomach clean and the secreting or- gans, the skin, liver, kc, in proper action. The third of a teaspoonful of the urine bitters may be taken three times a day, before eating, in a little molasses or honey. Should these means fail to give relief, the patient should be taken through a full course of medicine, to be repeated once or twice a week, according to the urgency of the case. The diet must be light and almost exclusively vegetable, anil taken in such quantity as never to overload the stomach; observing to leave the ta- ble with an appetite for more. As much exercise ST. VITUS' DANCE. 223 should be taken in the open air as the patient can endure without fatigue.—Go to bed soon and rise early, with regularity in all the habits, and en- tire abstinence from all distilled and fermented liquors—let water be the only drink. ST. VITUS' DANCE. (Chorea Sancti Viti.) CHARACTER. This singular affection is characterized by con- vulsive, or involuntary, motions of certain muscles; mostly confined to one side. It usually affects children and youth from ten to fifteen years of age. CAUSES. - Debility, by increasing' the irritability of the • system, is a very common cause of this disease. It arises from an increased excitement of the ner- vous system, which is often produced by irritation in the stomach and bowels; such as worms; and sometimes by violent passions, or disquietude of mind. In young females it may arise from the same causes as hysterics. SYMPTOMS. This affection usually shows itself by a lame- ness, or rather an unsteadiness, of one leg, which the patient draws after him like an idiot; it after- 224 ST. VITUS' DANCE. wards affects the hand on the same side, so that if a glass of liquor be put in the hand to drink, before the patient can get it to the mouth, he uses a great many odd gestures; the hand being drawn in a different direction by the convulsive action of the muscles. As-soon as he gets it to the lips he throws it suddenly into the mouth, and drinks it very hastily, as if he only intended to amuse the spectators. In many cases it is accompanied with an impediment of speech. The bowels are usually costive and the stomach deranged, from the onset of the disease. The appetite is some- times almost entirely wanting, at others, unnat- urally craving and the flesh and strength of the patient wastes rapidly. TREATMENT. We should commence the treatment .of this dis- ease by cleansing the stomach with an emetic, and after it settles give a dose of the antibilious pills, or senna two parts and ginger one part will answer better for young patients. A portion of the nerve powder, or American valerian and skull caps should be put in all the teas used during the oper- ation of the emetic; and a tea of the same should be drank freely every four hours. The above treatment should be persevered in until the dis- ease is removed. The cold bath, or simply washing all over with cold water wiUjbe found highly beneficial both in removing the disease and in preventing its return. The diet must be light and nourishing; and ev- PALSY. 225 ery kind of excitement either of body or mind care- fully avoided. ------ PALSY. (Paralysis.) CHARACTER. Palsy consists in a partial or entire loss of mo- tion and sensibility in some part of the body. Sometimes one entire side is affected; k sometimes the lower half is palsied, while, in other cases, the disease is confined to one of the limbs. CAUSES. This affection may be caused by an attack of apoplexy; by pressure on the nerves, in conse- quence of dislocations, fractures, and other inju- ries ; or by any thing which prevents the nervous influence from passing from the brain to the mus- cles. It may also arise from any cause capable of greatly relaxing and debilitating the system; as the use of poisons, such as the different prepara- tions of lead, mercury, arsenic, &c, from handling preparations of lead, as in painting; indolence, lux- urious and irregular habits of living; derangement of the stomach and bowels; intense, or too long continued application to study; grief; anxiety, &c. The aged are more subject to this disease than the young or middle aged. SYMPTOMS. The attack of palsy sometimes comespn sudden- ly, but generally it is preceded for days, or weeks, with drowsiness, swimming in the head, numbness, o 226 PALSY. dimness of sight, forgetfulness, and failure of the powers of the mind. Sometimes the whole of one .aide, or both the lower extremities are palsied at once, but more frequently it commences in one hand, arm, finger, muscles of the mouth, face, or ton- gue and gradually extendstoother parts of the body. "If the brain is much affected with the disease the eye and mouth are drawn to one side, the memory and judgement are much impaired, and the speech is indistinct and incoherent." When the bladder and lower part of the bowels are in- volved in the disease, the stools and urine pass off without the will, and sometimes without the knowledge of the patient. When it attacks the heart, the brain, or any other vital organ, death will be the necessary consequence. Palsy, ari- sing as a consequence of apoplexy or from injuries of the spinal marrow, is very seldom cured. This is at all times, a very dangerous disease, but is not necessarily followed by fatal consequences. The favorable symptoms are an increase of heat in the affected part, a sensation resembling the pricking of needles, the parts become more red and fuller of blood, with increased power of motion and sensation. TREATMENT. We should always commence the treatment of this disease with an emetic; for, in a majority of cases, the stomach will be found very much de- ranged; and even where this is not the case, the emetic will still be necessary, to arouse the sys- lem into an active circulation. After the emetic. TREATMENT. 227 the bowels should be freely moved by repeated stimu- lating injections; see injections. Theaffected parts should be rubbed with cayenne k vinegar, or some other preparation of cayenne, & then wrapped in flan- nelcloths wrungoutofhotwater & carefully covered from the air to prevent evaporation. The nerve pow- der should be given frequently to quiet the nerves. If the patient is able to sit up he may be taken through a full course of medicine, to be repeated once or twice a week. Between the course of medicine, or after the sensation is partially resto- red by the above means, the best No. 6, and Steer's opodeldoc, equal quantities, will be found an ex- cellent liniment to bathe with; which should be well rubbed upon the diseased part, with the na- ked hand, before a warm fire, and kept warmly covered with soft flannel. Water should be pour- ed from a height on the affected limb in the morn- ings. Electricity has been highly recommended, and may, no doubt, be applied with advantage in many cases. It should always commence with the utmost caution, and if found to disagree, it must be immediately discontinued. Let the diet be light and easily digested ; avoid- ing all animal food and spirituous and fermented liquors. Exercise must be taken daily in the open air, when the weather will admit. If the patient is not able to walk he should ride on horse-back, or in a carriage, avoiding too long exposure to damp or cold air. 228 BILIOUS COLIC. COLIC. This affection consists in pain situated around, or near the navel, and extending to the stomach, and is often attended with sickness and vomiting, k not unfrequently with cramp in the stomach or abdomen. It has received different names from the different causes that give rise to the disease. It is called Bilious Colic, when connected with bile on the stomach, &c. Flatulent or windy col- ic, w hen attended with wind in the stomach and bow els. Painters colic, when caused by painting or handling lead. BILIOUS COLIC. (CoNca Biliosa.). CHARACTER. This variety of colic arises from a deranged state of the liver and stomach, and is characterized by pain in the bow els, which the patient compares to twisting or boring; and is usually located around or near the navel. CAUSES. This affection, which was formerly thought to depend upon an increased quantity of bile, is more probably caused by a vitiated and acrid quality of the bile, wdiich is rather deficient in quantity. The true reason why such quantities are dischar- ged in vomiting is, that, in consequence of its ir- SYMPTOMS. 229 ritating quality, the bowel closed against its passage downwards, and that which formerly pass- ed down is now, by a reversed action of the bowel, thrown into the stomach. This derange- ment of the liver and its secretion may depend up- on the debilitating influence of heat, sudden chan- ges of weather, or any other cause capable of pro- ducing congestion, or an overloaded state of that important organ. SYMPTOMS. Before the more severe and urgent symptoms of this disease come on, there is usually more or less headache, loss of appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, thirst, sick stomach, and occasionally vomiting of bile. After these symptoms have continued for some time, a sharp pain is felt in the stomach and bowels, moving perhaps at first, from one part of the abdomen to another, but more severe about the navel; which is at times extremely distressing. After a spell of vomiting, the pain will abate for a short time. The bowels are usually extremely costive and inactive. The pulse is very little al- tered from its natural state, until the disease is considerably advanced, whenit partakesinthegen- eral excitement of the system. At first the pain is not increased by pressure, but after the disease has continued for some time, the bowels become quite tender to the touch; from this circumstance, this affection can be distinguished from inflamma- of the bowels, in which the bowels are tender from the commencement 230 FLATULENT OR WINDY COLIC. TREATMENT. An emetic is of the greatest importance in the commencement of this disease. We should begin by giving plentifully of warm teas, as composition, pepper, ginger or pennyroyal &c., with a little lo- belia in each dose of the tea, but not enough to excite vomiting until a pint or more of the tea has been taken. During the operation of the emetic, the stomach must be kept full of tea; and a poke of hot salt, or some other hot application must be kept to the stomach and seat of the pain. After the emetic, the bowels must be freely moved by injections. A dose of caster oil must also be giv- en; for an adult two table spoonsful of the oil may be put into half a pint of hot buttermilk and taken at a dose. After the disease is removed, the greatest cau- tion must be used to prevent its return; the feet must be frequently bathed and kept warm; and the bonds kept loose by injections, and mild phys- ic, if necessary. The diet must be light and un- irritating, and taken in small quantities at a time. No cold or raw fruit should be eaten for some time. FLATULENT OR WINDY COLIC. (Gastrodinia Flatulenta.) CHARACTER. This variety of the disease is characterized by wind in the stomach and bowels, and the usual symptoms of colic; such as p(ain, vomiting, & c. SYMPTOxVIS. 231 CAUSES. Persons who labor under a weak and irritable state of the digestive organs are subject to attacks of this affection from the slightest causes. In such persons, an unusually hearty meal of ordinary food will excite the disease*; but when the food is of a heavy or indigestible kind, a fit of colic is almost certain. Crude vegetables, v.wipe fruits, pies, sweet cakes, pound cake &c, should not be eaten by persons subject to this disease. SYMPTOMS. Usually the first intimation of the disease is a sense of fullness and uneasiness in the pit of the stomach; or, sometimes in the left side of the ab- domen. In a short time this is followed by a sick- ning pain, accompanied with a sense of lightness and fullness in the stomach and bowels. Usually the pain is not constant, but occurs in fits with in- tervals of comparative ease. During the fits of pain the patient is very restless, and moves from side to side with the hands firmly pressed against the abdomen. The bowels are usually very cos- tive- This affection may be distinguished from inflam- mation of the bowels as follows: In this, pressure on the bowels, instead of increasing the pain, af- fords some temporary relief; the agitation and writhing motions of the patient, the absence of fe- ver, frequent discharges of wind from the bowels, and the pain oecuring in fits. The reyerse of all 232 PAINTER'S COLIC. this is true of inflammation of the stomach and bowels. Where there is the least doubt, or the pain does not readily yield to the treatment, let the best assistance be speedily procured, as a mistake or delay may be attended with fatal con- sequences. TREATMENT. In mild cases, and in the commencement of the disease, a teaspoonful of No. 6 in a little sweeten- ed water,and repeated every five minutes, will usa- ally give relief in a few minutes. In violent, ca- ses let the stomach be filled with warm and stim- ulating teas; such as composition, cayenne, or gin- ger, and an emetic given as soon as possible. While drinking the above teas, and before the emetic is given, a poke of hot salt, heated board or some other hot article, should be applied to the stomach and seat of the pain. (See treatment of bilious colic.) PAINTER'S COLIC. (Colica Pectonum^ CHARACTER. This affection has been called by a great varie" ty of names.;, as dry belly-ache, dry gripes, Dev- onshire colic, colica metalica, kc CAUSES. "Lead," says a late writer, "in whatever w SYMPTOMS. 233 and form it may be brought to act on the system, is almost the only well ascertained cause of this variety of colic. It would seem that the fumes of melted lead, and the white oxyde of this metal are most apt to act injuriously on the animal sys- tem, and to give rise to this extremely distressing affection." Manufacturers of white lead, paint- ers and workers in lead mines, are most exposed to this disease. Copper will produce a similar disease; but may be distinguished from the effects of lead by the bowels being loose and the stools green. Letharge and other preparations of lead are sometimes put into wine to give it a sweet taste which gives rise to colic in those who drink it. The same result may follow the use of apple butter, or other sour articles that have stood in earthen vessels that have been glazed with lead. SYMPTOMS. T he approach of this affection is indicated by a weak and irregular appetite, costiveness, belch- ing of foul and disagreeable wind from the stom- ach, sick stomach, an uneasy load or tightness across the abdomen, with occasional pains, and a stupid and inactive state of both body and mind. The pain in the abdomen grows constant and se- vere, extending to the stomach and sometimes to the breast, attended with the most distressing sickness and vomiting. The discharge of urine is often ajtended with much pain and difficulty. In extreme cases a cold sweat breaks upon the face and extremities, "the countenance is pale, 234 PAINTER'S COLIC. contracted and expressive of great suffering;" the wrists are sometimes paralized, severe pains in the extremities, fainting, delirium, convulsions kc In persons long exposed to the action of lead, as painters and workers in lead manufactories, or those who have had several attacks of the dis- ease, it will sometimes assume a chronic, or lin- gering form, when the patient grows weak and ir- ritable, both in body and mind, the skin becomes pale, dry and harsh; the abdomen becomes hard and painful on pressure, the legs swell, pains in the joints, and the patient is restless and wakeful at nights, the sight grows weak, and palsy, epi- lepsy, or apoplexy usualljr follows in the host of death. TREATMENT. The feet and hands must be immediately bath- ed in hot water. The vessels should be deep enough to cover the legs above the knees, and the arms above the elbows; where suitable vessels cannot be obtained, let the arms and legs, not covered by water, be wrapped with flannel and the water poured on so as to keep the parts as warm as can be comfortably borne. Hot salt should be applied as directed for the other varie- ties of colic. The patient must take the third of a teaspoonful (or 15 gr.) of pulverized alum every hour, and a gill of vinegar and water, equal parts, between the doses of alum. At the same time the following must be given by injection. Take boiling water one pint, powdered slippery elm bark one ounce, sweet oil half a gill (2 oz.) mix well KING'S EVIL. 235 and when milk warm inject. Castor oil or any fresh animal oil may be substituted for the sweet oil: or chicken, mutton, or any greasy broth may be given by injection, which must be repeated ev- ery half hour till the bowels are freely moved. If these means fail to give relief, too much time must not be lost, but we must proceed to administer a full course of medicine; which must be repeated according to the urgency of the case, not neglect- ing the above injunctions. The alum and vinegar being still taken between the courses, and a large dose of castor oil taken after the first course. Preventives. The utmost cleanliness should be observed by those engaged in handling lead; the linnen should be changed at night, so as not to sleep in any of the clothes that have been exposed to the fumes of lead through the day. While working among lead the saliva or spittle should not be swallowed; for this reason chewing tobac- co was thought to be a preventive against the dis- ease; but this must not be relied upon. The use of fat meat and greasy articles of food, with an occasional dose of sweet oil, taken in the morning on an empty stomach, in connection with cleanli- ness and frequent change of cloths, are the best preventives. KING'S EVIL. (Scrofula.) CHARACTER. This affection is characterized by hard, indo- 236 KING'S EVIL. lent humors appearing in different parts of the body, usually about the neck and under the chin, which after some time suppurate or form matter, break and discharge a whitish colored fluid resem- bling curdled milk. It was called scrofula from scrofa a latin name for hog, because the disease has been observed among hogs. It has received the popular name of "Kings Evil," from the fact that several of the kings of England and France pretended to cure it by the touch. CAUSES. This disease most commonly occurs among children between the ages of two and ten years, and the predisposition is often inherited from their parents. "A cold damp and variable atmosphere, more especially when aided by deficient and un- wholesome nourishment, appears to hcive a strong tendency to favour the developement of a scrofu- lous habit." Impure and unwholesome air, such as we are frequently obliged to .breathe in large cities; the impression left on the system by cer- tain diseases, as measles, whooping cough, and scarlet fever, or any other cause whose tendency is to debilitate the system and detract from the richness and purity of the blood, may give rise to a scrofulous habit, or develope the disease where the predisposition already exists. SYMPTOMS. The disease usually shows itself in an enlarge- TREATMENT. 237 ment and hardness of the glands about the neck or under the arms. Such tumors, or enlarged glands, will remain in this condition for years, without giving rise to any pain, redness or consti- tutional disturbance. Sometimes they spontane- ously disappear; but in a majority of cases they suppurate, break, and after discharging a great amount of matter, heal up, leaving purple scars of a ragged and puckered appearance. While these are healing, others are enlarging, breaking and running, so that in the same system we find them in every stage, from their commencement to their ter- mination. In this way the disease goes on from year to year, till the system either throws it off, or it assumes some other form. The most usual termination of this disease is in consumption. TREATMENT. We should commence the treatment, of this dis- ease with a full course of medicine, and repeated as often and at such intervals as the case may de- mand; between the courses the cold bath should be used every morning, with as much exercise af- ter bathing and through the day, as the patient is capable of bearing without fatigue: (see bathing and exercise.) The compound syrup of yellow parilla must be taken three times a day in such doses as the stomach will bear; commencing with a teaspoonful and increasing it as the stomach be- comes accustomed to its use. The swelled glands or hard tumours should be bathed twice a day, morning and evening with No. 6, containing as 238 EAR-ACHE. much common salt as it will dissolve; and those that are open and running must be washed as of- ten with castile soap, soft water and spirits. A poultice must then be applied, made of equal parts of powdered bayberry and slippery elm, with as much new milk as will make a poultice of the proper consistency; to be changed as often as may be necessary to prevent its becoming dry or sour. When the ulcers are deep, they must be in- jected with weak lye& tinctureofmyrrh,orastrong tea of bayberry, used alternately. These injec- tions must be thrown into the ulcer or abscess, with a small syringe. When this process has pro- duced a change on the appearance of the dischar- ges from the ulcer, the poultice may be omitted and the healing salve applied until it heals. Af- ter pursuing the above plan of treatment for some time, the wine bitters or bitter tonic, should be used instead of the compound syrup of yellow pa- rilla for a week, after which the use of the syrup must be resumed again. Perseverance must be the motto of those who expect to be cured of this constitutional disease. EAR-ACHE OR, INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR. (Otitis.) CHARACTER. This consists in an inflammation of the mem- brane lining the internal surface of the ear, and is characterized by pain and throbbing in the ear. TREATMENT. 239 CAUSES. Exposure to cold is the most frequent cause of this painful affection. Sitting by an open window or near a broken pane, where a current of air strikes the side of the head, or cutting the hair short in cold weather, is a ready wray of taking cold in the ear. SYMPTOMS. Inflammation of the ear is attended with a sharp, and sometimes most distressing pain and throbbing; and in severe cases there is fever, and sometimes delirium. The swelling and redness in some instances extend to the external ear. Suppuration, or the formation of matter, frequent- ly occurs, and is discharged from the ear; and this discharge may last for years, if not prevent- ed by proper means. TREATMENT. In mild cases, to wet cotton or wool in No. 6, and tincture of camphire made comfortably warm a id introduce it into the ear, will usually give ease; or, the No. 6, and camphire may be dropped into the ear, and the ear plugged with the wool or cot- ton, and a poke of hot salt applied to the side of the head so as to cover the ear. In very severe cases it will be necessary to steam trie head over a decoction made by boiling bitter herbs in water and vinegar; and used as 240 ASTHMA. directed in the treatment of quinsy. The feet must be placed in warm water while the head is being steamed. After steaming for fifteen or twenty minutes, get into a warm bed, laying the affected ear on the poke of hot salt, not forgetting to introduce the wool or cotton, wet as above di- rected, before lying down. ASTHMA. CHARACTER. Asthma is a spasmodic contraction of the air cells in the lungs, and is characterized by great difficulty of breathing, wheezing, tightness across the breast, "and sense of suffocation without fever or local inflammation." CAUSES. The primary cause of this affection is no doubt a peculiarly irritable state of the nerve distributed to the lungs and stomach, called by Anatomists, "The pneumo-gastric nerve" This diseased state of the nerve may either be hereditary or acquired by certain derangements of the stomach, or by diseases of the heart and large arteries. Asthma may be excited in those predisposed to it by a great variety of circumstances; among which the following are the most common; any Budden change in the weather, from cold to warm, or the reverse; unusually dry or damp air; the smell of certain articles; as the fumes, of sulphur, SYMPTOMS. 241 lead, tobacco; the smell of new hay; irritating substances taken into the stomach; as stimulating drinks, highly seasoned food kc; the sudden stop- page of some accustomed discharge from the sys- tem ; as the drying up of an old ulcer, stoppage of the menses, &c.; a check of perspiration from cold; violent passions, as fear, grief, anger, joy, &c SYMPTOMS. Before the occurrence of a paroxysm or fit of asthma, certain symptoms usually arise by which the patient may be apprized of its approach. Among these are heart burn, itching of the skin, pain over the eyes, a sense of fullness or weight in the stomach, belching wind and sourness of the stomach. The fit usually occurs in the night, when the patient is asleep. He awakes under a sense of tightness across the breast that obstructs his breathing, and seems to threaten immediate suffocation. The breathing is laborious, accom- panied with a wheezing noise and a short dry cough. The dread of suffocation is so great that he rises to his feet and flies to the door or window for fresh air. Speaking is difficult and even pain- ful ; the extremities are cold, the face becomes bloated, and the veins of the neck full and distend- ed with blood. After some time these symptoms gradually subside, and towards morning the pa- tient is comparatively easy and remains so during the day. On the return of night, the same train of symptoms arise and subside towards morning as before. Thus for three or four days and nights in succession, before it entirely subsides. p 242 INFLAMMATION of the DIAPHRAGM TREATMENT. In the treatment of this affection, the principal, if not the only article, in which we can place con- fidence, is lobelia. The efficacy of this article in asthma is acknowledged by all, and denied by none. The tincture may be taken in teaspoonful doses, and repeated every twenty minutes till re- lief is obtained; or the powdered seeds, or herb, may be taken in half teaspoonful doses, in molas- ses or honey, and repeated as above. A tea, or infusion made by pouring a gill of warm water on a table spoonful of the dry herb, may betaken in table spoonful doses every twenty minutes. Skunk cabbage is perhaps the next best article to lobelia, that we are acquainted with for this disease, and may be taken in the quantity and manner direct- ed for using the lobelia. The following simple means is said to render immediate relief in many cases. Take, say half a pint of water, to which add salt-petre, as much as it will dissolve; in this solution, steep brown paper, dry it and burn half a sheet or more, in a tight room, so that the pa- tient may breathe the smoke. The person who would be finally cured, must take a gentle emet- ic once or twice a week, and use two or three do- ses of lobelia daily, and live on a very spare vege- table diet, with as much out door exercise as his strength will bear. INFLAMMATION OF THE DIAPHRAGM. (Paraphrenitis.) CHARACTER. This consists in an inflammation of the mem- INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 243 brane which divides the chest from the abdomen, called diaphragm or midriff. CAUSES. Exposure to cold &c.,the same as pleurisy. SYMPTOMS. Sharp, deeply seated pain in the side, under the short ribs, striking through from that to the back; the breathing is quick and difficult; frequently there is sickness of the stomach and hiccough; the pulse is small, hard, frequent and irregular. It is very nearly connected with pleurisy. Treatment the same as for pleurisy. ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. (Acute Gastritis.) CHARACTER. This consists in an inflammation of the mucus membrane or inner coat of the stomach, and is characterized by sickness, vomiting and burning pain in the stomach. CAUSES. Irritating substances taken into the stomach; drinking rashly of cold water when heated with exercise, more especially dangerous when fa- tigued; exposure to cold; stimulating or indigesti- ble food; sudden check of the menses or other ha- bitual discharge; and the shifting or retreat of gout or rheumatism from some external part to the stomach. These are some of the most fre- quent causes of this disease. SYMPTOMS. This affection sometimes commences with a 244 INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. prickling sensation or soreness in the upper part of the throat. Frequently it commences with more or less pain and uneasiness in the stomach, with sickness and vomiting, and in some instan- ces with both vomiting and purging. In nearly all cases the patient vomits immediately after drink- ing any warm fluid. After each spell of vomiting the patient feels some relief. There is a constant desire for cool drink, while warm drink is almost invariably rejected. The breathing is difficult and sometimes painful. "Acute gastritis," says a late writer, "is generally attended with great de- pression of spirits and prostration of strength; and the pulse, though at first moderately full, soon be- comes very contracted, quick and tense, and at last so small as scarcely to be felt. A short and painful cough attends in some cases, and the voice usually becomes much altered, and some- times entirely lost, from a paralized state of the muscles of the throat. "The countenance is ex- pressive of great anxiety and suffering, or of de- spondency and despair." TREATMENT. The first thing in treating this disease should be to place the hands and feet in warm water, the heat being increased by adding hot water as fast as can be comfortably borne by the patient, and continued for fifteen minutes. The stomach should be bathed with some strong preparation of cayenne; as the tincture of cayenne, No. 6 or vinegar and cayenne. Flannel cloths must then be wrung out of vinegar and water, equal parts, INFLMMATION OF THE LIVER. 245 and applied as hot as can be borne, and repeated every few minutes. If hops, tansy, and other bit- ter herbs are at hand they should be boiled in the vinegar and water, otherwise the vinegar and wa- ter will answer alone. Composition tea must now be given in small do- ses, not exceeding a table spoonful at a time, and repeated every five ; r ten minutes as the stomach will bear. After a gill or more of the tea has been taken, add to half a pint of the tea, half a tea- ' spoonful ofpowdere I lobelia seed, stir it well and let it settle and give the tea as before. This course, persevered in, will usually settle the stomach, aiter. perhaps, one or two motions of vomiting from the ■effects oft! e lobelia. The mu- cilage of slippery elm bask should be the only cool drink used ami shisin small quantity. The bow- els must be move!, and kept loose by injections; for this purpose take, mncilage of idippery elm and composition lea, each half a pint; a Id a table spoonful of moiasoes ai!d die same of castor oil or fresh lard, mix and inject when milk warm, and repeat every hall hour till the bowels are moved. ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. (Acute Hepatitis.) CHARACTER. Acute inflammation of the liver is a rare disease in northern and temperate latitudes, but is quite common in hot climates. In some sections of country in the south, this is a very prevalent dis- ease, where its attacks are sudden and very violent. 246 INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. CAUSES. Among the usual causes are, external injuries, the use of mercury, the sudden influence of cool and damp night air after the extreme heat of the day in hot climates, drinking spirituous liquors, errours of diet, and consequent derangements oi the stomach; eating too hot or stimulating food, and any sudden change in the temperature of the body, either from heat to cold, or the reverse. SYMPTOMS. The patient frequently, without any previous illness, is attacked with pain in the right side, with a sense of tightness across the abdomen, and diffi- culty of breathing. The symptoms are aggravated by lying down. The pain frequently extends to different parts of the body, sometimes to the left side, to the breast, to either shoulder, but most fre- quently to the right shoulder. In some instances there is more pain felt in these parts than in the true seat of the disease. Pressure on the right side always increases the pain; and lying on the left side will usually do the same; but* this is not an invariable rule, for some lie easier on the left side. A dry, short cough usually attends the dis- ease, with a hot dry skin, great thirst, a full and frequent pulse; and the tongue is usually covered with a white or yellow fur, and a bitter taste in the mouth. Not unfrequently there is sickness and vomiting of bilious matter. In temperate climates, it seldom attacks with such violence, and usually assumes the chronic form. CONTRAST. 247 DISTINCTION BETWEEN ACUTE INFLAMMATION of the LIVER AND PLEURISY k(\ ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 1. Cough and oppression less severe. 2. Lies easiest on the affected side. 3. Pressure under the short ribs greatly increases the pain. 4. Pressure between the ribs does not increase the pain, 1. Breathing is performed by the motion of the ribs and expansion of the chest; while the abdomen is as quiet as possible. I. Pulse generally full andhard. 2. Strength little affected in the beginning of the disease. 3. Vomiting is not usually ex- cited by taking food or drink. 4. Pressure over the liver cau- ses most pain. 1. Attended with fever. 2. Pain continuous. 3. Easiest position is leaning to the right, the knees drawn up. Obs. 1. "When the inflammation is located in the upper convex side of the liver the pain is PLEURISY. 1. Cough and oppression of the chest more severe. 2. Lies easiest on the well side. 3. Pressure under the short ribs does not increase the pain. 4. Pressure between the ribs does increase the pain. INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 1. Breathing is performed by the motion of the abdomen. and the ribs as quiet as possi- ble. INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 1. Pulse generally contracted and weak. 2. Debility usually very great from the commencement. 3. Vomiting is usually excited by taking either food or drink. 4. Pressure over the stomach causes most pain. PASSAGE OF GALL STONES. 1. Not attended with fever. 2. Pain intermite. 3. Easiest position is leaning forward. 248 INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. chiefly referred to the breast; and when located on the under concave side it is referred to the stomach. Obs. 2. When the inflammation is confined to the membrane covering the liver there is al- ways more pain and fever than when the substance of the liver is the seat of the disease." TREATMENT, In this, as wrell as every other local inflamma- tion, our first object should be to divert the blood, as much as possible, from the inflamed part, by producing an action in the extremities, and in the skin. In order to accomplish 4his object, the feet and hands must he bathed; (see bathing feet.) A tea of hyssop, catnip, or balm, must be freely drank; and the sweat powders, taken in such quantities as may be necessary to produce a general mois- ture on the skin. If the bowels are costive injec- tions must be given every half hour till they are moved. The affected side must be bathed with tincture of cayenne, or cayenne and vinegar, and a four fold muslin, or linnen cloth wrung out of cold water and applied, which must be covered from the air, and changed as often as it becomes disagreeably warm. Should these means fail in producing the desi- red relief, a full course of medicine should be re- sorted to, and repeated if necessary; the above means being used between the courses.; in addi- tion to which the antibilious pills should be given in divided doses; say half a pill every hour till they affect the bowels: which may be repeated LIVER COMPLAINT. 249 every other day. After the pain and inflamma- tion have subsided, the compound syrup of yellow parilla should be given as a tonic and alternative. The diet-should be light, and chiefly vegetable; using moderate exercise and avoiding all sudden change. LIVER COMPLAINT, OR Chronic Inflammation of the Liver. (Ch ronic Hepatitis?) CHARACTER. Inflammation of the liver often assumes the chronic form -especially in temperate climates, where we seldom see it in its acute form. CAUSES. This variety of the disease may arise as a con- sequence of the acute form; but it usually occurs under the gradual influence, of the same causes which produce acute inflammation of the liver. Persons residing in low marshy districts, or who habitually drink spirituous liquors, are most subject to this disease. SYMPTOMS. The symptoms of this affection are various, and scarcely any two patients will be affected alike. Among the most common symptoms are, irregu- lar appetite, sourness, and wind on the stomach, a sense of fullness or weight in the stomach some time after eating; pains in the stomach; and some- times sickness and vomitingi more or less pain or soreness in the right side, and top of the shoulders; 250 LIVER COMPLAINT. cough, headache, yellowness of the skin and eyes; low spirits; debility, and wasting of the flesh, cos- tiveness, stools clay colored, kc. "One of the most constant and characteristic symptoms of chronic inflammation of the liver is a dry, harsh, and contracted state of the skin." "So inactive is the skin in this affection, that to produce a general moisture, or even a softness of the skin, is often very difficult. TREATMENT. We should commence the treatment of this dis- ease with an emetic; after which the mandrake physic or anti-bilious pills should be given in divi- ded doses; say one fourth of a teaspoonful of the mandrake physic, or half a pill every hour till they operate on the bowels. The emetic and physic must be repeated once or twice a week. The pa- tient in the mean time should wash all over with cold water every morning, and take wine bitters, mixed with one fourth of its waright of saleratus, of this as much as will lie on a ten cent piece may be taken in water or molasses, immediately after each meal. The hepatic pills are highly recom- mended for this disease, and deserve a faithful trial. An ounce of blood root, pulverized and put in a quart of spirits, and taken in table spoonful doses, three times a day, will also be found a val- uable remedy. The diet must be light, and such as has a tendency to keep the bowels loose; such as ripe fruit, mush, molasses, coarse bread, butter- milk, &c. The patient should never load his Stomach, but invariably leave the table with an SYMPTOMS. 251 appetite for more. The only drink should be soft water, or buttermilk. INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. (JYephritis.) CHARACTER. This affection is characterized by fever, pain in the back, drawing up of the testicles on the affec- ted side, numbness of the thigh, high colored urine, which is frequently discharged; costiveness, colic pains, vomiting, &c. CAUSES. Exposure to cold, irritating substances given to promote the discharge of urine, irritation of grav- el in the urinary passages; external injuries; as bruises and strains of the back, violent exercise; as running, jumping, riding, &c; the retreat, or shifting of gout or rheumatism from the extremi- ties to the kidneys, are among the most frequent causes of this disease. SYMPTOMS. When this affection is excited by cold, it usual- ly commences like other diseases from this cause, by slight chills and flushes of heat. When the disease proceeds from external injury, from gravel, from Spanish flies, turpentine or other irritating sub- stances absorbed into the circulation, or from the shifting of gout or rheumatism, the first intima- tion of the disease is. a sharp pressing pain in one 252 INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. or both sides of the back, over the kidney, or kid- neys, when both are diseased. "The pain is deep- seated and of a very severe aching character, and but little aggravated by external pressure. Any sudden motion of the body increases the pain con- siderably." The tc sticle of the side affected, is drawn up and painful; pain in the groin, and numb- ness of the thigh; sickness of the stomach and vomiting. "This urease sometimes assumes, a chronic form,, known by heat, pain kc, over the loins." As this affection may be mistaken for lumba- go, (Rheumatism in the loins.) and lumber abscess, (an abscess within ihe loins,) it will be necessa- ry to point out the disti: cion between them. But where there is any doub s remaining, or the least suspicion of its beiig lumber abscess, the most skilliul aid should be procured without delay. CONTRAST. INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY. 1. Bending the body forward lessens the pain. 2. Vomiting and frequent de- sire to pass urine. I. Urine scanty, high colored, and passed with difficulty. 2. Sickness and vomiting. 3. Little or no increase of pain from rising; or from motion of the muscles of the loins. LUMBER ABSCESS. 1. Banding forwards increases the pain. 2. No vomiting nor frequent de- sire to pass urine unless the kidneys become affected at the same time. LUMBAGO, (Rheumatism of the Loins.) 1. No material alteration in the urine. 2. No sickness or vomiting. 3. Rising to the feet or any mo- tion of the muscles of th« loins increases the pain. INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 253 TREATMENT. The quickest relief, in this affection, will be obtained from a full course of medicine, to be repeated as the case may demand. After the first course, the emetic may be omitted, if there be no special derangement of the stomach. Be- tween the courses, the loins must be bathed with cayenne and vinegar, and a poultice applied, made of powdered slippery elm and crackers, or light bread stewed in new milk. The patient should drink freely of the mucilage of slippery elm bark and hard cider alternately, throughout the disease. The warm bath has been highly recommended; but steaming, we presume, is better. A decoction, or strong tea, of the leaves or bark of the pear tree has been recommended, of which a pint may be drank in a day. INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. (Cystitis.) CHARACTER. This is characterized by pain and tenderness in the region of the bladder; frequent and painful discharges of urine, accompanied with fever, and sometimes with, sickness and vomiting. CAUSES. This affection may arise from external injury, irritating substances absorbed into the circulation; 254 INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. as Spanish flies, turpentine, &c.; too long retention of the urine, as is sometimes done under a misap- prehension of true delicacy; cold feet, &c, &c. SYMPTOMS. Sharp burning, or throbbing pain is felt, in the region of the bladder, extending along the course of the urine of and sometimes to the testicles and thighs, attended with a sense of tightness across the lower part of the abdomen, and a constant de- sire to make water. The small portion of urine which is passed, is high colored, and in some cases mixed with blood. An uneasy sensation at the stomach, with sickness and vomiting are frequent symptoms. The bowels are usally costive; the pulse full, hard, and frequent; the skin hot, thirst great. If the disease is not soon checked we have swelling and all the usual consequences of inflammation. The disease may assume the chronic form & becomes a source of great inconven- ience to the patient. In this case the desire to pass mine is very frequent & troublesome. The urine is of- ten mixed with bloody mucus, attended with great debility especially in the back and loins, and more or less fever. TREATMENT. The lower part of the abdomen and all the painful parts should be bathed with opodeldoc and No. 6, equal parts, or some other suitable liniment. Cloths must be wrung out of a decoction of bitter herbs in vinegar and water and applied, as warm as can be borne. SMALL POX. 255 The liniment should be applied every two or three hours and the cloth changed every few min- utes. The bowels must be kept loose by injec- tions and occasional doses of oil or some mild phys- ic in violent cases it will be better to resort to a full course of medicine, and repeat as the case may demand, and use the above means between the courses. Mucilage of slippery elm should be free- ly drank throughout the disease. The diet must be light and unirrittating. SMALL POX. ( Variola.) CHARACTER. This is certainly one of the most contagious, or catching diseases of which we have any knowl- edge ; and those who once suffer under its influ- ence are, with very few exceptions, free from a second attack. There are some exceptions. Prof. Mitchell of Philadelphia, saw a man who had small pox twice, and a woman who had it ev- ery time she was exposed to it, which was seven times: such cases, however are very rare. When the pustules, (which consist of an eruption like lit- tle boils,) are separate, it is called distinct and when they run together it is called confluent. CAUSES. The only known cause of small pox is, a specif- ic contagien, which may be carried thousands of 256 SMALL POX. miles in any article of clothing that has been on or about the body of a person laboring under the dis- ease. This usually makes its appearance from the ninth to the fourteenth day after the infection has been received. It has been known to appear as early as the seventh, and as late as the twenty first. SYMPTOMS. The disease comes on with chills, pain in the head, sickness, and other symptoms of fever; and in some instances, children will be affected with convulsions a few hours before the appearance of the eruption on the skin. After the fever has been fully established, the skin is dry, tongue white and generally red at the?point; the bowels costive, and the urine scanty and high Colored. About the third day, the tongue becomes quite red; and the mind is dejected and confused. The eruption usually makes its appearance on the fourth day from the commencement of the fe- ver; first, on the head and face, then on the neck, breast, and body. The eruption at first consists of red paints, which, about the middle of the sec- ond day, become visibly elevated, or raised above the surface, with inflamed circles around them. On the third day after the eruption comes out, a small pit may be seen in the centre of the pus- tules. The pustules gradually enlarge and proceed to the formation of matter, wdiich is completed about the eleventh day after they come out, when the inflammation and swelling abate, and the eruption TREATMENT. 257 begins to dry and scale off; and about the fifteenth day it entirely disappears. The confluent variety passes through the same course, in about the same time, but the symptoms are more violent and se- vere. When the pustules run together and become confluent, are flat, or of a livid appearance, the danger is great, and the most skillful aid should be procured without delay. TREATMENT. The patient laboring under this most disagree- able disease, should lie on a straw, or husk mat- tress ; in a dark room, as free from company, noise and confusion, as possible. One or two friends to attend to the patient's wants, is all the company that should be permitted. Fresh air should cir- culate freely through the room; but should not fall in a direct current upon the body of the patient "The number of pustules, and malignity of the disease, will often depend on the treatment at first adopted. If the room be considerably heated, the patient kept in bed under a load of bed clothes, and plied with heating drinks, such as white wine whey, the crop of pustules may be expected to be so great, that the powers of the patient will be exhausted before they are ripened and cleared off." "Care should be taken not to break the pustules, which causes deep sores." Dr. Mitch- ell says "we should keep the patient cool to make the soil poor, and thus prevent so heavy a crop of pustules." The skin being the soil in which pus- 258 SMALL POX. tules grow. These are general rules, but we must be governed by the circumstances of the case. Should the fever rise high, with pain in the head, back, &c.the body should be bathed twice a day or sponged with rain water, to which a little vinegar may be added, and applied luke warm, and the sweat powders No. 1 given in connection with snakeroot tea, until the fever is reduced. A jug of hot water, or a hot stone, may, at the same time, be applied to the feet to relieve the head. On the contrary, should symptoms of typhus, or putrid fever appear, such as a low, weak pulse, delirium, extreme debility, purple eruption, or the pustules are flabby and not well filled it will be ne- cessary to give stimulants and tonics such as com- position tea, milk punch, wine whey, wine bitters, &c, &c. When the eruption does not readily appear, or is imperfectly filled, an emetic is the most effectu- al modeof throwing it upon the surface. Sometimes when the eruption does not readily appear, the patient feels a sickening load about the stomach and breast: in this case let him take half a tea- spoonful of the third preparation of lobelia, to be repeated every half hour till relief is obtained. The bowels must be kept loose either by injec- tions or mild physic; a teaspoonful of povvadered senna and jallap may be given in peppermint tea, and repeated once, twice, or three times a day, so as to keep the bowels active. Diet.—In the commencement of the disease, and while the fever continues, the drink should be cooling and the diet light. Cold water, apple-w a- COW-POX. 259 ter, lemonade kc, will be suitable drinks; and corn gruel, buttermilk gruel, buttermilk and light bread, sweetened if desirable, will afford sufficient nourishment. As the fever subsides, or the strength of the pa- tient fails, the drink should be more warm and stimulating, and the food more nourishing. To prevent pitting and deformity from small pox, a light poultice of powdered slippery elm and wa- ter, applied cool, and frequently changed, so as to keep the parts cool and constantly moist, is the best that we know of. If left on too long, so as to become dry or hot, it does more harm than good. COW-POX, OR VACCINE DISEASE. (Vaccina.) CHARACTER. Cow-pox, or vaccination, in a great majority of cases, affords a complete protection against small pox; and where it fails of entire protection, it so modifies the disease as to render it so compara- tively innocent as, in many instances, to require no medical aid. Where it does not do this, we may conclude that the matter has not-been genu- ine, or has not been procured at. a proper period. In procuring matter for vaccination, we should be careful to have it from a healthy and clean skinned person, or something worse than small pox might be communicated. The best time for procuring matter is from the fifth to the ninth day, after the pustule makes its appearance. It may be intro- daced with a needle, or the point of a lancet, 260 COW-POX. which should merely scratch through the outside, or scarf skin, with as little bleeding as possible. COW-POX. As it is a matter of much importance to every one to know whether he has the genuine cow-pox, and consequently whether it is likely to protect him from a future attack of small-pox, we will here point out the distinction between the genu- ine and spurious. CONTRAST. GENUINE. 1. Inflammation does not com- mence tiU the second, third, or fourth day after the punc- ture is made. 2. Pale at first, and becomes gradually of a beautiful rose color. i. Arrives at maturity about the ninth day. 4. A regular rose colored cir- cle surrounds the pustule, lar- gest from the sixth to the ninth day. 5. Flatten'd surface, with a small depression in its" centre. 6. Contains a transparent, or colorless fluid. 7. Leaves a scar like small pox. SPURIOUS. Inflammation from the first or second day. 2. Red from the first and some- times dark red. 3. Arrives at maturity about the fifth day. 4. An irregular red circle; lar- gest from the second to the fifth day. 5. Higher and sharp pointed. 6. Contains a cream colored, or bloody fluid. 7. Usually no scar. The susceptibility of the system to small-pox increases from twelve to twenty-five years of age- and diminishes from that to forty. This is the reason that some persons, vaccinated in youth take the disease in manhood; and not because the CHICKEN POX. 261 protection from vaccination wears out, as has been supposed. Dr. Mitchell believes that it is not best to vaccinate those who have once been vaccina- ted, at, or immediately before, the time of their exposure to small-pox, as it only increases their liability to take the disease. Vaccination will not be likely to succeed where there is tetter, or almost any other disease of the skin. Where the matter is genuine, it is apt to produce some constitutional symptoms of success, such as headache, pain in the back, fever, &c, which will pass off in a few hours, whhout med- icine. When the inflammation is very great in the pustule, poultice with slippery elm. CHICKEN POX, OR SWINE POX. ( Varicella.) CHARACTER. This is a catching disease, bearing some resem- blance to small pox, and seldom, if ever attacks persons more than once. CAUSES. So far as is known, this disease arises from no other cause but contagion. SYMPTOMS. The appearance of the eruption is usually pre- ceded by a slight degree of fever, quick pulse, head ache, pain in the back, thirst, flushing of the face and restlessness, In many instances, however, 262 DROPSY OF THE SCROTUM. the eruption comes out without any previous ill- ness. The appearance of the eruption is usually accompanied with an uneasy tingling and itching in the skin, which causes the patient to be very restless. The eruption, at first, appears in small, red, flat, and shining pimples; with a watery fluid in the centre. On the second or third day they be- come of a pale yellow color; and on the fourth, the blisters begin to shrink; and on the sixth day the blisters are converted into scabs, which fall off on the ninth or tenth. TREATMENT. This complaint is usually so trifling as to re- quire no treatment, except to keep the bowels loose by an occasional dose of rheubarb or senna. Should the fever rise too high, some balm, catnip or snakeroot tea should be given till a gentle sweat is produced. A little lobelia may be added to the tea; but, except in violent cases, need not be carried so far as to produce vomiting. DROPSY OF THE SCROTUM. (Hydrocele.) CHARACTER. This consists in an effusion of serum, or water in the coats of the testicle. There is a tumour formed which gradually increases and is transpa- rent and elastic. Sometimes a fluctuation of wa- ter can be felt. Great care is necessary to dis- criminate between this and hernia or rupture. In INSANITY. 263 hernia the tumour usually disappears on lying down, which is not the case in dropsy of the scro- tum. TREATMENT. If there be general debility, or derangement of the system, a course of medicine should be ad- ministered, and repeated as often as may be ne- cessary to restore the general health. The part should be bathed with equal parts of lobelia tinc- ture and No. 0, two or three times a day, and a poke of hot salt applied at bed time. The bow- els should be kept open by frequent doses of jal- lap and cream of tartar, equal parts. Two or three tea spoonsful of this mixture may be taken each morning fasting. If the above treatment does not remove the water, it will be necessary to tap the part and draw it off; which must be done by some person of skill and experience. INSANITY OR, MENTAL DERANGEMENT. (Mania.) CHARACTER "Insanity, or mental derangement is,,, says Sperzheim, "an aberration of any sensation or mental power from the healthy state, without be- ing able to distinguish it; or without the influence of the will over the actions .of the voluntary instru- ments. In other words, the incapacity of distin- guishing the diseased functions of the mind." De- rangement of mind is usually first manifested, in 264 INSANITY. false opinions formed in relation to the patient's nearest connections, and best friends. CAUSES. Insanity may arise from a great variety of cau- ses ; the following are among the most common ex- citing causes. The use of ardent spirits, inordi- nate sexual desires, and that destructive habit among some young people called onanism; Dys- pepsia, intense study, exposure to excessive heat of.the sun, disappointed love, violent anger, mista- ken notions of religion, in short a want of religion; for he who consistently follows the dictates of true religion will never be insane. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." SYMPTOMS. Mental derangement is usually preceded by a change in the temper and disposition of the pa- tient. His temper is irritable, easily provoked and fretful. "Often betrays an unusually vicious dis- position ; he sleeps, but little; is harrassed by fright- ful dreams;forms various extravagant plans for the increase of his fortune, or the good of the public." In a majority of cases the appetite is unnaturally craving; the bowels costive; heat, and pain in the head; face red, eyes wild and glistening, with gid- diness or swimming in the head. Some patients are melancholy, shun company, and are not much disposed to talk or take exer- cise. While others are quite mirthful, which they- TREATMENT. 265 express in wity jokes, antic gestures and loud laughter. Another class is furious and boisterous, full of mal- ice and resentment; and entertain the greatest ha- tred towards those with whom they have been most associated. Insanity usually manfests itself in paroxysms or fits, which may last from one day to several months, with longer or shorter intervals of ration- ality. Some are quite deranged during the sum- mer and become much more rational during the fall and winter. Others appear to be under the influence of the moon: while a few are uniformly deranged the year round. TREATMENT. On the first approach of mental derangement the patient should, as far as possible, be relieved from all business and every other source of irrita- tion and anxiety of mind, and treated with atten- tion and kindness. And, instead of relating, in the patient's hearing, marvelous tales of the won- drous and foolish things he has said and done, as some thoughtless folks are wont to do, every idea of derangement should, as far as possible, be con- cealed from the patient's mind. The bowels should be kept loose by diet, injections, and mild physic, when they cannot be kept loose without. The diet should be as light and digestable as possible. Bread, fruits, sugar or molasses and water, will be sufficiently nourishing; and should not be taken in too great quantity at a time. When it becomes 266 SWOONING. necessary for his own benefit, or the safety of oth- ers, to make the patient acquainted with his true situation, it should be done in the most candid manner by some confidential friend, in whom the patient has confidence. When these mild measures fail in preventing the full developement of the disease, we should not confine the patient at home, under the vain expectation of curing the disease, while surround- ed by the causes and circumstances that gave it birth. If travelling or change of residence does not improve his condition, let him be sent to the Asylum, or submitted to the hands of the most skillful. When the patient is furious and raving, darkness is indispensably necessary in calming the mind. FAINTING OR SWOONING. (Syncope.) CHARACTER. Fainting is a partial, or total cessation, or sus- pension of pulsation and breathing with a loss of voluntary motion and death like paleness of the face. CAUSES. Fainting may arise from the loss of blood or any other cause that produces great debility of the system; violent passions or emotions of the mind; extreme heat, especially on coming into a warm and crowded room after enduring severe TREATMENT. 267 cold, or when fatigued from exercise. Habitual fainting may arise from debility, or from a diseas- ed state of the heart or brain. SYMPTOMS. Fainting commence s with great anxiety about the heart, dimness of sight; the pulse and breath- ing become suddenly weak; in some cases they are imperceptible, the patient being suddenly de- prived of both sense aud motion. The extremi- ties become cold and relaxed, the face pale and in some instances very closely resembles death. TREATMENT. The patient must be immediately laid down with his head as low as his feet; and if the fainting was caused by the loss of blood, the head should be the lowest part. About half a gill of water should be suddenly and forcibly dashed in the face, and the extremities briskly rubbed with the dry hand or a piece of flannel, and camphire, hartshorn, or the like may be held to the nose. But be careful not to hold any very highly scented or sharp smelling article too long, or too close to the patient's nose or you may do more harm than good; try it to your own nose, and then, "as you would that men should do to you" kc Every thing tight must be removed from the body; the clothes especially about the neck, must be free and easy. If these means fail, let the feet be immersed in warm water and a little essence of peppermint, or 268 GIDDINESS. essence of cinnamon, No. 6, or some other stimula- ting article be cautiously poured into the patient's mouth. Persons subject to fainting should avoid all the causes which they know will be likely to give rise to it, such as passing immediately from the cold air into a heated room, crowded assem- blies in warm weather &c, kc GIDDINESS, DIZZINESS, OR SWIMMING OF THE HEAD. ( Vertigo.) CHARACTER. In this alieciion. the patient feels a sense of fullness in the head, the sight grows dim, and the mind confused. Every thing appears to be run- ning round, aud if the patient attempts to walk he staggers or falls. CAUSES. Giddiness is usually a symptom of some other derangement: such as a foul stomach, costiveness, dyspepsia, overloaded stomach, difficult or ob- structed menses, or any thing that causes too great a determination of blood to the head, and is often a fore-runner of insanity, apoplexy, epilepsy, kc, SYMPTOMS. Among the first symptoms is an uneasy sensa- tion in the head, the eyes are painful and cannot be steadily fixed on any one object without pain; the mind is confused, as before stated, objects ap- DELIRIUM TREMENS. 269 pear to be running round and the patient cannot walk or even stand without danger of falling. When this affection is not attended with deter- mination of blood to the head it is not dangerous; but when the vessels of the head are full, throb- bing in the temples and the face red; there is dan- ger of apoplexy. TREATMENT. For immediate relief, the feet must be placed in warm water, and the head cooled by pouring it with cold water, while a little cayenne pepper should be taken inwardly. To effect a permanent cure we must remove the cause. If the stomach be foul, an emetic, followed by a dose of the anti-bilious pills will be the best remedy, or in mild cases the pills alone will usually afford relief. When it arises from debility of the nerves, the cold bath will be the most appropriate means. The feet should be kept warm and bath- ed frequently; the bowels loose, and the strictest temperance observed, both in eating and drinking. A hearty drink of cold water at bed time, will be found highly beneficial. DELIRIUM TREMENS. (Mania a Potu.) CHARACTER This variety of mental disease is characterized by trembling of the limbs, wakefulness or inability to sleep, strange, fanciful, and frightful visions be- 270 DELIRIUM TREMENS. fore the eyes; wild incoherent or foolish talking &c. CAUSES. The habitual use of intoxicating liquors and opi- um are the most frequent cause of this singular and most distressing disease. It is said that as long as the usual quantity of these narcotic stimulants is used, the disease seldom makes its appearance; but when the accustomed dose is either suddenly left off, or greatly diminished the disease is likely to occur. SYMPTOMS. This disease usually commences with a want of appetite, belching of wind, lightness of the head, inability to sleep, confusion of ideas; and as the disease advances there is an expression of suspicion and alarm in the countenance. He becomes, at times, very talkative, and easily provoked; the hands tremble and he is continually tormented with frightful and disgusting sights before the eyes. He sometimes fancies that he sees snakes, dogs, cats and mice in his room; and that disgusting vermin are crawling over his bed and clothes, and that various persons have entered his room for the purpose of robbing, killing, or annoying him. To avoid these horrid illusions he often calls out loudly for assistance; runs to the door to make his escape, or to the window to leap out. If the patient is flatly contradicted, he usually becomes much exasperated, and insists with vehemence on the correctness of his notions; but, when he is TREATMENT. 271 soothingly dealt with, he will now and then an- swer certain questions mildly, and even distinctly, and by judicious management, may, in general, be restrained without any violent or coercive meas- ures. This is a general description of the disease; but there is a great variety of symptoms in differ- ent cases. TREATMENT. A table spoonful or two of No. 6 may be taken in a little sweetened water, and repeated every half hour, if necessary; this will usually afford im- mediate relief; after an emetic or a full course of medicine should be administered, and followed by stimulating injections. Before the emetic is giv- en the feet should be bathed in weak lye, and kept warm by the application of a hot stone or jug of hot water, in order to divert the blood away from the head, lest fatal apoplexy result from the strain- ing and vomiting. There will, however, be little danger of this if the full course be administered according to directions: (See course of medicine.) The patient should be washed all ove r in mod- erately cold water every night and morning. Af- ter a brief washing, accompanied with a brisk rub- bing with his own hands and those of an assist- ant, he should be rubbed dry and immediately covered in a warm bed, at least until he is com- fortably warm; after which, if in the morning, he should arise and take exercise in the open air. Continue the treatment till wTell. HYSTERICS. (Hysteria.) CHARACTER. Hysterics is characterized by wind in the stom- ach and bowels, giving rise to pains resembling colic; a sensation compared to that of a ball ri- sing into the throat, which threatens suffocation; alternate fits of crying and laughing; stupor; con- vulsions &c. There are three varieties, 1. Chronic or Hab- itual, which most frequently occurs among weak delicate females, with weak nerves and irritating tempers. 2. Convulsive Hysterics, is more common among stout & robust females, who are full of blood & possessedofstrongpassions. This variety seldom at- tacks the weak & delicate. 3. Hysteric Stupor, is usu- ally met with among young unmarried females, whose minds are susceptible of stronger impres- sions; as grief, joy, fear, &c. CAUSES. Any thing that has a tendency to debilitate the nervous system will predispose to hysterics. Vio- lent passions and emotions of the mind; as anger, grief, disappointment, great excitement, kc, are among the most usual exciting causes. Indigest- able food taken into the stomach will sometimes excite it. Perhaps derangement of the monthly periods is as common a cause of this affection as any that we have named. HYSTERICS. "273 SYMPTOMS. L Chronic Form.—Persons afflicted with this variety of hysteria are subject to great and sud- den variations in their temper and states of mind, being at one moment gay and cheerful and at the next gloomy and desponding; and will either cry or laugh as the feeling of the moment may deter- mine. A fit of the disease usually commences with various disagreeable sensations in the abdo- men, head, and chest. There is a sense of weight and bearing down in the lower part of the abdomen; colic pains from * wind in the stomach and bowels; frequent desire to make water, which is usually attended with pain and difficulty; the sensation of a ball rising in the throat, which causes difficult and hurried breathing. 2, Convulsive Hysteria. In this variety the fit occurs suddenly without any premonitory symptoms. In some instances the patient exhibits the most sin- gular variety of symptoms; sometimes crying and at others laughing; atone moment apparently ea- sy and cheerful, the next, in the most extreme ag- ony, convulsed with spasms, gnashing the teeth or tearing out the hair. When these symptoms sub- aide the patient is left free from disease, except, perhaps, a little pain in the head or pit of the stom- ach. 3. In Hysteric Stupor the patient, without any previous spasms, falls into a state of insensibil- ity resembling a deep sleep. This state may con- tinue from an hour to a whole day. Fits of hys- R 274 HYSTERICS. teria are sometimes very alarming, but are seldom attended with danger, except when the patient is very much debilitated, or when the disease chan- ges into mania or epilepsy. TREATMENT. During a fit of hysteria our first object should be to relieve the pain and remove the cramp as soon as possible. For this purpose a tea spoon- ful or two of the third preparation of lobelia, will give relief as quick, perhaps, as any other article known. It may be repeated every fifteen minutes until it produces the desired effect. As soon as the patient is able to swallow, an emetic may be administered. Or should the desired relief not be obtained and the patient still unable to swallow, the following injection may be given; to a pint of pennyroyal or weak composition tea, add a tea spoonful of nerve powder and half the quantity of powdered lobelia seed, or, a table spoonful of the tincture, and a table spoonful of sweet oil or lard, inject the whole. Sometimes a dash of water in the face will bring them to their recollection. Between the fits, and in chronic cases, especial- ly where there is a sensation like a ball rising in the throat, called by the doctors, "globus hysteri- cus;" a pill of asafoetida, the size of a pea, should be given every three hours, and will be found high- ly beneficial. But of all other remedies for this and every other nervous disease, cold water stands first. They who drink no other beverage but that of pure water, avoid the downy bed of the luxuri- HYPOCHONDRIA. 275 ous and slothful, "shake off dull sleep" at an ear- ly hour, and take the cold bath every morning, will never be tortured with the multifarious ills that render life a burden to thousands. Who among the beguiled daughters of Eve, will shake off the spell of infatuation and follow the dic- tates of reason and experience, into those plain paths of exercise and temperance which lead un- erringly to life, health, and happiness. Those who are delicate and unaccustomed to bathing may commence with running a wet towel or sponge- rapidly over the body, and after being well rubbed with a dry towel, may return to bed until comfort- ably warm; then let them rise and take exercise in the open air. The amount of water and its cold- ness may be gradually increased until the full shower bath, or a bucket of the coldest water may be dashed on without dread or fear: (See cold bathing. One ounce of the saw dust from rich pine added to a pint of best French brandy and half a pint of water, and taken in table spoonful doses three times a day, will be found beneficial to patients having weak nerves. HYPOCHONDRIA, SPLEEN, VAPOURS, ENNUI, &c. ( Hypochondriasis.) CHARACTER. Hypochondria is another of those diseases which depend upon debility of the nervous system, induced in many instances by a derangement of the 276 HYPOCHONDRIA. stomach and liver; and is characterized by want of resolution, timidity, apprehension of the worst and most unhappy consequences from all future events; and however groundless or foolish their -opinions may be, no arguments can convince them of the contrary. CAUSES. Any circumstance, or combination of circum- stances, capable of greatly debilitating the nervous system, may give rise to this disease. It usually attacks men of advanced age, being seldom met with in early life. When it has once commenced, it generally goes on increasing. The usual exciting causes are grief, great anx- iety of mind, long continued and intense study; want of exercise and proper amusement, or relax- ation of mind; loss of reputation, property or friends; dyspepsia or derangement of the stomach and liv- er; intemperance, immoderate sexual pleasures, crude, windy and unwholesome food &c. SYMPTOMS. Persons afflicted with this deplorable disease are usually very attentive to the state of their own health; and from the slighest change in their feel- ing, or any unusual sensation, they apprehend the greatest danger, even death itself. They are dis- posed to fly from remedy to remedy, and from one physician to another, without fully testing the vir- tue of any; and beside a few, perhaps real ail- ments, are continually tormenting themselves with SYMPTOMS. 277 wa multitude of imaginary woes." To show the length of extravagance to which some have carri- ed the imaginations we shall give the following from Ewel's Medical Companion. "Some are afflicted one way and some another, according to the agitations of the mind, for it is so affected as to produce many strange notions, which are hard to be eradicated, and the patient brought to his right mind again. Some have insis- ted that they were tea pots, and others that they were town clocks; while one conceits that his bel- ly is very large, and full of young ducks, another affirms that his legs are made of glass; one that he is very ill, and another that he is actually dy- ing. But I never heard of any of this blue Devil Class, whose extravagance ever yet came up with the following, which was related to me by my noble hearted old friend, the late Dr. Stephenson, of Baltimore, whose very name always sounds in my ears as the summary of every manly virtue. This hypochondriac,who, by the by,was a patient of Dr. Stephenson's, after ringing the changes on every mad conceit, that ever tormented a crazy brain, would have it at last, that he was dead, actually dead. Dr. Stephenson, having been sent for one morning in great haste by the wife of his pa- tient, hastened to his bed side, where he found him stretched out at full length, with his hands across his breast, his great toes in contact, his eyes and mouth closely shut, and his looks cadaverous. Well sir, how do you do, this morning? asked Dr. Stephenson, in his blustering jocular manner as he 278 HYPOCHONDRIA. approached his bed. "How do I do," replied the hypochondriac, faintly—"a pretty question to ask a dead man," "dead!" replied the Doctor, "yes sir dead! I died last night about twelve o'clock!!" Quick as lightning Dr. Stephenson caught his cue, which was to strike him on the string of his char- acter, in which the Doctor happily recollected he was very tender: having gently put his hand on the forehead of the hypochondriac, as if to ascer- tain whether it was cold or not, and also felt of his pulse, and exclaimed in a doleful note, "yes, the poor man is dead enough. It is all over with him, and now the sooner he is burried the better." Then stepping up to his wife, and whispered her not to be frightened at the measure he was about to take; he then called to his servant, saying, "my boy, your poor master is dead, and the soon- er he can be put in the ground the better. Run to Mr. C.------m, for I know he always keeps New- England coffins by him ready made, and do you hear? bring a coffin of the largest size, for your master makes a stout corpse, and having died last night, and the weather being warm, he will soon begin to smell." Away w< ent the boy and soon re- turned with a proper coffin. The wife and fami- ly having got their lesson from the Doctor, gather- ed around him,andbawled no little, while they were putting the body in the coffin: presently the pall bearers, who were quickly provided and let into the secret, started with the hypochondriac for the church-yard. They had not advanced far, before they were met by one of the towns people, (who having been SYMPTOMS. 279 properly drilled by the facetious Stephenson,) cried out, "Ah Doctor! what poor soul have you ' got there?" "Poor Mr. B-------," sighed the Doctor—"left us last night." "Great pity he had not left us twenty years ago replied the townsman, "for lie was a bad man." Presently another of the townsmen met them with the same question, "and what poor soul have you got there Doctor?" "poor Mr. B-------," answered the Doctor, again, "is dead"—"Ah indeed!" said the other, "and the devil has got his own at last." "Oh vile wretch!" exclaimed the man in the coffin; "if I was not dead how I would pay you for that." Soon after this, while the pall bearers were resting them- selves near the church yard, another one stepped up with the old question again, "what poor soul have you got there Doctor?" "poor Mr. B———," he replied "is gone," "yes and to hell said the oth- er, for if he is not gone there I see not what use there is for such a place." Here the dead man bursting off the lid of the coffin, (which had been designedly left loose,) leaped out exclaiming: "oh you villain! I am gone to hell, am I!—well I have come back again to pay such ungrateful rascals as you are." A race commenced immediately be- tween the dead and living men, to the petrifying consternation of many of the spectators, at the sight of a corpse, bursting from its coffin, and in all the horrors of the winding sheet, racing through the streets. After having exercised himself into a copious perspiration, by his fantastic chase, the hypo- chondriac was brought home by Doctor Stephen- son, fre^ed of all bis complaints, and by strengthen- 28a VOMITING AND PURGING. ing food, and generous wine, cheerful company, and moderate exercise, was soon restored to perfect health. TREATMENT. In a great majority of cases the imaginary evils that afflict the hypochondriac, are caused either di- rectly or indirectly by some real bodily disease; hence in treating this affection our first aim should be to remove, as far as possible, the cause of the complaint. If the patient has symptoms of dys- pepsia, we must pursue the course laid down un- der that head; and if the nervous system be weak, it must be restored to strength and energy by ton- ics, exercise, cheerful company, cold bathing &c. And when the mind alone is diseased we must soothe it with kindness and divert it from the pain- ful remembrance of the melancholy subject, upon which it has been accustomed to dwell. The manner of doing this, must depend upon the cir- cumstances, and condition of the patient. We will therefore leave it for the ingenuity of the at- tendants or friends to devise the best mode of ac- complishing this object. Travelling with cheerful company will be found highly beneficial, where circumstances will admit; and cold bathing with exercise and constant employ of an agreeable char- acter are indispensable to a cure. VOMITING AND PURGING. (Cholera Morbus.) CHARACTER. Cholera morbus is an affection of the stomach SYMPTOMS. 281 and bowels, characterized by frequent vomiting and purging, with severe griping pains, and cramps in the stomach, abdomen, and extremities. CAUSES. The system is greatly predisposed to this dis- ease by the relaxing and debilitating influence of hot weather; which is supposed to cause the se- cretion of an irritating acid by the liver, making its appearance in the stomach and bowels, and upon which the disease depends. It is also produced by eating raw, indigestable, or unwholesome food. SYMPTOMS. The disease usually comes on suddenly, with pain and sickness of the stomach, followed by pains in the bowels resembling colic. In a few minutes after this, the vomiting and purging com- mence, which so rapidly exhausts the strength of the patient, that in a few hours, he is unable to stand alone; and in severe cases, it seldom con- tinues beyond twenty four hours without termina- ting either in recovery or death. At first, the discharges from the bowels are thin and watery, with very little bile in the discharges, either from the stomach or bowels; but after the disease has continued for an hour or more, the bile is dischar- ged copiously in both ways. Among the most distressing symptoms of this painful disease, are the cramps which frequently attack the muscles of the abdomen and lower ex- 282 VOMITING AND PURGING. tremities. The thirst is extreme with a constant demand for cold drink, which, instead of allaying the thirst, only increases the vomiting. The pulse is weak, frequent, and irregular; the feet and hands are cold and the countenance pale, and ex- pressive of great distress. The symptoms become more and more severe, and unless relief is prompt- ly afforded, death is the inevitable consequence. TREATMENT. In mild cases, a tea spoonful of No. 6 repeated every ten minutes, for three or four times, will usually check the disease; or, take of salt and cayenne pepper each a teaspoonful, and add to a tea cupful of good vinegar; of this give a tea- spoonful every five or six minutes, will sometimes answer better than the No. 6. Which ever of these articles we use, the stomach must be rub- bed with the same, and a wet cloth must then be applied to the part and a poke of hot salt or ash- es applied over that, to keep it as hot as can be borne. But where it is at hand, the neutralizing mixture is far superior to either of the above; this is composed of rheubarb, saleratus, peppermint and cinnamon, equal parts, all pulverized and mix- ed. Add a large teaspoonful of this powder to half a pint of boiling water, sweeten with loaf su- gar, and when cool enough, add two table spoons- ful of best French brandy; of this give two table spoonsful every half hour. "It is seldom," says Dr. Beach, "that the patient will vomit up more than one dose of the medicine; it rests upon th e TREATMENT. 283 stomach, calms the irritation, checks the nausea and vomiting, passes gently through the alimenta- ry canal (stomach and bowels,) changing their contents from the most morbid and foetid, to the most healthy state. While mercury, which is now given in this disease, only aggravates, this prep- aration acts divinely, and, as I was about to say, might be compared to the act of extinguishing fire by pouring water upon it." If the above cannot be procured, or should fail from any cause, we must proceed to carry the patient through a full course of medicine. The emetic, in this case, must be given in small doses, and frequently repeated un- til it will lie on the stomach; thus, to a teacupful of composition tea, as hot as you can bear your finger in, add a teaspoonful of powdered lobelia seed; the herb will answer, but not so well; stir it and when settled give a teaspoonful every five minutes till it lies on the stomach; then increase the dose to a tablespoonful, and repeat till it pro- duces vomiting. At first, while giving the tea- spoonful doses, no drink should be allowed; but when we allow the patient to vomit; composition tea should be given in abundance till the stomach is sufficiently cleansed; when the patient should be left to rest. A vomit given in this way has, without any other treatment, cured the worst ca- ses we ever saw. In all such cases it will be advisable to procure the most skillful aid, if such can be had, who will not poison the patient. ASIATIC OR, SPASMODIC CHOLERA. (Cholera Asphyxia.) This "scourge of nations," which has travelled round greater part of the habitable globe, carrying desolation and death in its awful visitations, has once more, we learn, taken up the march of death; and if not providentially prevented will visit us, during the coming summer, for the third time. Geographic Sketch.—That Geography should be connected with any disease may seem curious to many, but there can be no doubt of the fact, that the cholera, having assumed the epidemic form, travelled over the world in regular order, and with a pretty uniform march. Previous to the year 1817, this disease generally appeared in the sporadic or irregular form, both as to its place and the persons attacked; but about the middle of August of that year, it commenced its march as an epidemic, having some connection with the pe- culiarity of the atmosphere at that time, and in the place, whence it took its rise. A Hindoo in Jessore, (a town 70 miles east of Calcutta, in the East Indies,) was taken with vomiting and pur- ging, and died on the second day, the cause being supposed to be lis having eaten spoiled rice. The immediate death of seventeen others, and ul- timately of one tenth of the population however, dispelled the illusion and spread horror and dis- may among the people. It soon reached the cap- ital of British India, Calcutta, having for one month ravaged the villages of the intermediate country. It then took through Bengal, and on to ASIATIC CHOLERA. 285 the rivers Ganges and Jumna, where it seemed to stop; but soon broke out at Benares, a considera- ble town in the interior, and distant from Calcutta. Benares being the holy city of the Hindoos, the crowds of worshippers made the disease more terrific, and no less than 15,000 died in less than two months, and 30,000 died in a single district. In 1819 the disease arrived at Ceylon and shortly after, it appeared at Malacca, Java and some other of the oceanic islands; and thence passing through the kingdom of Siam, it destroyed 40,000 persons in the town of Bankok. In 1820 it visit- ed various parts of the Birman Empire, and in the following year 1821 it crossed the sea of Arabia to the city of Muscat, where it exhibited the most frightful mortality; and where we are told, the dead were not buried, but sewed up in mats and turned adrift in the harbour. Passing along the coast of the Persian gulf it destroyed about a thousand per day for fifteen days, at Bassora; and it arrived at Bagdad where 30,000 more were cut off in a very short time. In 1822 it pas- sed through Turkey, and in 1823 it reached the Asiatic coast of the Mediterranean, and nearly at the same time it passed through Persia, and pro- ceeding in a north-western direction arrived at Astracan at the mouth of the Volga, in Septem- ber of the same year. During the years 1824—5-6 and 7, it again vis- ited many of the same places, and in much the same order as before mentioned, and again arri- red at Astracan in 1830. From this point it rap- idly spread through Russia, Poland and Germa- 286 ASIATIC CHOLERA. ny; and in 1831 it visited Hamburgh, and late in October of the same year, reached Sunderland in England, and spreading in a north-western direct- ion it had reached all the populous cities of Eng- land, Ireland and Scotland against March 1832. Its first appearance on this continent was at Que- bec on the St. Lawrence river on the 8th of June 1832, and in two days after, it visited Montreal; being a distance of one hundred and eighty miles. Having scourged all the principal places on the St. Lawrence and the lakes, it arrived at New York on the 24th of June; and passing up the Hudson river, arrived at Albany on the 3d of Ju- ly, and was in Philadelphia in two days afterwards; and pursuing the principal water-courses it rapidly spread over the entire Union. CHARACTER, CAUSES, &c. "One of the laws," says Dr. Bond, "which seems to govern this epidemic (cholera) is its steady and uniform progress from east to west; wholly incompatible with the idea of propagation by con- tagion. In 1832 it appeared first in the eastern extremity of Canada, and traveled over a given space in about the same time, until it crossed the United States to the extreme towns of the West. Another law appears to operate invariably. The epidemic riots in crowds. It strikes wherev- er, in its course, persons are congregrated, in cities and large villages, in prisons, penitentiaries, alms- houses, and in camps: but it passes over, with few if any exceptions, the scattered population of the country. Whether the morbific cause finds in the CHARACTER 287 emanations from congregated human bodies some- thing with which it combines, and which is neces- sary to its activity as a poison, we know too little of the nature of the cause itself to say; but the fact, that its virulence was chiefly, if not exclusively, developed under such circumstances, both in 1832 and 1834, is pretty well established by the history of the epidemic and general observation. The third law we shall mention is common to all epidemical diseases; and to virulent endemics also. They compel, during their prevalence, all other fe- brile diseases to wear their livery. Whatever oth- er ailment occurs to individuals during the preva- lence of cholera, influenza, or yellow fever, if they produce constitutional disturbance they are gener- ally merged in the reigning disease, and conse- quently partake of its violence and danger to life. This remark, however, must be limited by the lim- its of the reigning disease itself. If it only attacks a certain class of subjects, or within a given space, the law is limited to such subjects and such space. Thus the measles only attacks those who have not before been subjected to it, though it usually exists as an epidemic. And perhaps the same may be said of scarlet fever, while yellow fever acts only within a limited circle around its source. With the knowledge of the first law of cholera, we are permitted to prepare, as well as human effort can prepare, for the expected visit of the epidemic. We may do this deliberately, as we can determine beforehand what time will be al- lowed us, by the distance of the nearest city which has been invaded. 288 ASIATIC CHOLERA. With an understanding of the second law, we are directed to the most efficient measure of preven- tion, which is, to lessen, as much as possible, the number of subjects to be acted upon in cities, vil- lages, kc It will not do, however, to encamp the poor in considerable numbers in the country, as has been done during the prevalence of yellow fever; for it is not the place, or the atmosphere of places, which invites the cholera, but congregated human bodies; and whether this is in town or country the effect is the same. The alms-house of Baltimore is two miles from the city; yet in no place did the cholera rage with more violence than in that institution, perhaps the best institu- tion of the kind in the world. The people of cities should, therefore, disperse themselves over the country, in anticipation of the approaching epidemic, and not wait until its arrival. But, whoever else remains, let the drunkard, and even the habitual temperate drinker of intox- icating beverages, take "the pledge," and hasten to the woods. His inveterate, relentless enemy, is at hand. His stomach will attract the cholera, like a lightning rod; and his system will make little resistance, but run down to "colapse"in two or three hours. Perhaps among the numerous benefits conferred upon this country by the tem- perance societies, one of the greatest has not yet been enumerated. They will have greatly less- ened the hopeless subjects of cholera. Is the disease catching? The opinion was for- merly entertained both by physicians and others, CHARACTER. 289 that it was very catching; but since the disease has visited the enlightened nations of Europe and America and afforded the medical world an op- portunity of becoming familiar with its true char- acter, this opinion has been relinquished by the most intelligent physicians on both sides of the At- lantic. The rapid manner in which it traveled from place to place, without any reference to the cur- rent of emigration, affords, at least, presumptive evidence that it was not carried by contagion; but, as has already been intimated, was commu- nicated by some agency or condition in the atmos- sphere, beyond the scrutiny of human intelligence. It appears that this atmospheric condition or agen- cy produces in the system a predisposition to the disease, which only awaits some error in the con- stitution or habits of life to develope the disease, It is stated that while the cholera was raging in Moscow as much as forty thousand persons fled to the country; but in no instance was the disease communicated by them to the districts where they took shelter. A late writer informs us that he has slept in the wards with the dying, and that he and his as- sistants had stood for as much as six hours per day over the dead bodies of persons who died of cholera, with their hands constantly imbrued in the secretions of the dead, and received various disec- ting wounds, and yet not one of them took the dis- ease. Dr. Walker, speaking of the disease as it prevailed at Moscow, says that "persons had puf on the clothes of patients who were very ill, or s 290 ASIATIC CHOLERA. had died of cholera—had lain in their beds, and even along side of dead bodies—had bathed in the same water where very bad cholera patients had been bathed just before, and that, notwithstand- ing, not one of these individuals was attacked with the disease." Dr. Mackintosh thinks that there is no evidence of its contagious character, and that the cases which have been advanced in proof of the contra- ry opinion can all be explained on other and more satisfactory principles. "What answer," says he, "can be made to this fact, that I have seen sev- eral mothers suckle their children when they them- selves were dying of cholera, and in one instance I found an infant suckling its dead mother's breast, and yet not one of them had a symptom of chol- era, at least for months afterwards? The wife of the first person attacked with cholera in Edin- burgh was found ^dead drunk,'' lying with her face on the breast of her dead husband, whom she had robbed of his stimulants; yet she escaped the disease!" We generally observe that diseases which are really catching advance regularly, and that in the direct line of intercourse between the people; but cholera attacks places hundreds of miles distant, at nearly the same time, leaving populous places m the line of intercourse between them unmoles- ted. And when it first entered a city it often se- lected its victims from different, and even oppo- site parts of the place, as was observed both in New York and Philadelphia, in which it selected SYMPTOMS. 291 its victims in such a manner as was entirely in- compatible with contagion. SYMPTOMS. The symptoms of this disease are usually divi- ded into threejstages: 1 st, the premonitory or war- ning stage; 2nd, the stage of collapse, or sinking stage; 3d, the stage of reaction and fever. 1. Premonitory Stage.—The approach of this fearful disease is usually attended with swimming in the head and depressed state of both body and mind. There is usually an uneasy sense of full- ness across the abdomen, with a rumbling or churn- ing noise, from wind in the bowels. The fingers and toes are often affected with -slight cramps, sometimes accompanied with numbness and an indisposition to move the limbs. These premon- itory symptoms are soon followed by discharges from the bowels, which, however, are not usually attended with much griping pain. After these symptoms have continued for an uncertain period, from a few hours to as many days, the more se- vere and frightful symptoms appear. In some ca- ses the very first symptom of the disease is a sud- den and most copious discharge from the bowels; and in some rare cases sickness and vomiting are among the first symptoms, unaccompanied by any looseness of the bowels. Among the first alarming symptoms are ringing in the ears, swimming in the head, dimness of sight, faintness and the most hor- rible feelings of anxiety and distress. "The bow- els begin to rumble; a burning pain is felt at the 292 ASIATIC CHOLERA. pit of the stomach and violent purging and vomit- ing ensue, followed by great prostration." 2. Sinking Stage.—After some or all of the above symptoms have continued for a short time, the sinking stage comes on, so suddenly in some instances, as to produce immediate prostration. The stools,which were at first of a bilious or yel- low appearance, now become watery and resem- ble very thin gruel or rice water; sometimes they consist of water wThich is almost clear, with small flakes of curdled matter floating in it. Sometimes they look like the washings of beef; and instead of the usual odour they smell more like the water in which salt fish has been soaked, and a similar smell is sometimes observed to arise from the body. These appearances of the stools are among the greatest peculiarities of the disease, and indicate the true cholera. The desire to go to stool is gen- erally instantaneous and irrisistible. The stools are usually very copious and accompanied with discharges of wind and griping pains. This stage seldomlasts long, for if the patient is not soon re- lieved by medicines he will soon be destroyed by disease. There is a death-like coldness of the hands and feet; cramps and spasmodic twitchings now take place in the fingers and toes, and some- times in other parts of the body; burning pain in the stomach, and vomiting of large quantities of a watery fluid. The skin becomes shrunk and pale, and an expression of great anxiety rests upon the countenance. The thirst is great with a constant desire for cold drink. The pulse becomes so weak as to be scarcely perceptible at the wrist, and SYMPTOMS 2$3 sometimes it entirely disappears for several hours before the death of the patient. The voice be- comes weak and whispering, the ringing in the ears and cramp increase, the breath and tongue become cold, and finally a want of circulation and universal cramp terminate the miseries of the un- happy sufferer. 3. Stage of Reaction aXd Fever.—Those jfew? who struggle through the second stage, have to en- counter the dangers of a fever consequent upon the general reaction that follows the stage of col- lapse. Few arrive at this stage of the disease^ With those who recover, the disease is usually ar- rested in its first stage; and those who die, usual- ly die in the second ; but the few that escape the dangers of the second or sinking stage become af- fected with a fever similar to typhus. At the ter- mination of the second stage there is an abate- ment ofall the severe and threatening symptoms; the vomiting and purging cease, the. temperature of the bady is restored, the cramps disappear, and the prospect of recovery is truly flattering; but the scene is soon changed; all the symptoms of a most malignant fever soon set in; the skin becomes hot, with thirst, sickness and vomiting of billious mat- ter, hurried and difficult breathing, irregular pulse; the patient becomes stupid and drowsy, the pur- ging returns, the abdomen becomes tender and painful which is increased by pressure; delirium^ convulsions &c, usually close the scene of suffer- ing. Such is a brief account of the usual symp- toms attendant upon tMs most frightful disease; 294 ASIATIC CHOLERA but we seldom, if ever, find them all united in the same case. TREATMENT. It appears that when this disease is taken in the onset, and the symptoms promptly met with appropriate remedies,it generally, if not uniformly, can be cured. But a short delay, in many instan- ces, enables the disease to get the ascendency, and the unfortunate patient passes rapidly beyond the reach of remedies. On the first appearance of the disease the pa- tient should drink half a gill or more of best No. 6, and immediately be covered warm in bed, with a jug of hot water or hot stone on each side of him, his feet turned over the side of the bed and pla- ced in warm water, the heat of which must be 'gradually increased by adding hot water; (see di- rections for bathing feet.) The whole stomach and bowels must be bathed with vinegar and cay- enne pepper, or the strongest tincture of cayenne, kc. A cloth must then be wrung out of hot wa- ter and spread over them, and changed as often as it begins to get cool. After the feet have re- mained in the water fifteen minutes, let them be dried and briskly rubbed with the cayenne and vinegar, and placed in bed with a jug of hot water or hot stone placed near them. The patient must drink freely of composition, pennyroyal or other herb tea until he sweats freely, which must be kept up for at least twenty-four hours. In the mean time, the cholera syrup niust be taken in ta- ble spoonful doses, every hour or two as the case TREATMENT 295 may demand. The neutralizing mixture or pep- per sauce, if there is any sickness or vomiting, must be given as directed under the head of chol- era morbus. Should these means not be sufficient to control the disease, the third preparation may be given in teaspoonful doses every fifteen or thir- ty minutes, as the case may demand, until the cramps are relieved. Injections must also be fre- quently given; the following will be found excel- lent for that purpose; take composition tea one pint, new milk half a pint; salt, molasses, and sweet oil or lard, each a table spoonful: mix and inject, and give the patient an alcoholic sweat. See directions under that head. Various Modes of Cure formerly tried. Dr. Mackintosh says, "the following long cata- logue was made out at the time cholera prevailed, but it is not even pretended that all the remedies are enumerated:" Venesection, (bleeding,) cupping, dry cupping, arterrotemy, (bleeding in an artery,) emetics of mustard, ipicacuanha, antimony, and sulphate of copper.—Calomel, colocynth, singly and combi- ned, castor oil, croton oil, jallap, opium, calomel and opium, fluid mercury, mercurial frictions, opi- um combined with antimony, opiate confection, colchicum, peppermint oil, capsicum, charcoal, camphor, variously combined, aether, mint tea, spt. setherisnitrici, magnesia, milk, milk and mag- nesia combined, lime water, alkalies, spt. ammo., aromat., Dover's powder, ox. bismuth.—Various balsams, acetate of lead, nitrous acid, soda water, cold water ad libitum, water prohibited, efferves- 296 ASIATIC CHOLERA. cing draughts, strychnia, various rubefacients in the shape of frictions, sinapisms, embrocations, various contra irritants, as blisters, antimony oint- ment, moxas, actual cautery, bastinadoing the feet! Cutting the throat! Suffocating under a feather bed! Injections of oxygen gas into the bowels! The application of heat in the shape of warm bath, vapour bath, fomentations, dry heat, the application of cold, galvanism.—Injections of beef tea, starch and opium, turpentine, chamomile tea, hot water, cold water, strong solution of po- tassa fusa, tobacco, port wine, alcohol, sulphate of copper, acetate of lead, kc, Stephen's drug, saline injections into the veins. The above list would be humiliating to the whole profession, continues the Dr. were it not re- membered how much anxiety and excitement pre- vailed among medical men at the time; so much so, that several lost their reason, and many their lives on the occasion. Many of these remedies are totally opposite in their nature and principles of action; many of them were proposed upon er- roneous principles, and many more upon no princi- ples at all." Calomel in this, as in mostother dis- eases, was the Samson remedy. The enormity of the doses of this medicine would be incredible to those not aware of the powers of the system to re- sist the impositions sometimes forced upon it. It was frequently given in doses from a drachm to an ounce, and a pound and a half has been known to be given in 48 hours. It is surprising what the human system will sometimes undergo without an- nihilation. WATER BRASH. (Pyrosis.) CHARACTER. This disease consists in a discharge of a clean water by eructations or vomiting, attended with burning heat about the pit of the stomach. CAUSES. It may be caused by any thing that greatly de- ranges the digestive organs; such as the use of ardent spirits; poor diet; taking poison for med- icine; as calomel, arsenic &c; depressing pas- sions of the mind, or long continued mental labour; and cold applied to the lower extremities; as damp, or wet feet, &c. SYMPTOMS. Water brash occurs in fits or spells which are most frequent in the morning, when the stomach is empty. The first symptom that the patient feels is an uneasy and painful sensation in the stomach, which is followed by a discharge of a clear liquid, sometimes having a sour taste, but oftener entire- ly tasteless. After a few spells of discharging the water from the stomach, the patient feels re- lieved and the fit subsides; but is likely to return at longer or shorter intervals, and is sometimes very troublesome. TREATMENT. Let the patient take an emetic, followed by a dose of the antibilious pills. The emetic and 298 INDIGESTION. pills may be repeated in a few days, if necessary. This produces a healthy action in the digestive or- gans, which must be strengthened by taking the wine bitters & saleratus; of this powder take as much as will lie on a ten cent piece, fifteen minutes be- fore eating, three times a day. Should this disa- gree with the stomach, the laxative tonic may be substituted. All excesses in eating or drinking, hot bread, unripe fruits, kc, must be carefully avoided. INDIGESTION. (Dyspepsia.) CHARACTER. Dyspepsia is a derangement in the process of digestion, and is characterized by loss of appetite, sickness or vomiting, costiveness, wind in the stom- ach and bowels, heart burn, pain in the stomach, tenderness in the region of the stomach and un- der the short ribs, with heaviness through the whole system. CAUSES. Among the various causes that tend to impair the digestive organs, intemperance in eating and drinking are the most common. The use of tea, coffee, tobacco, and poisons, sometimes called medicines; hot bread, and all other articles taken into the stomach too hot have the same tendency; want of exercise in the open air; too long continu- TREATMENT. 299 ed, or intense application to study; anxiety of mind; eating too fast, without taking sufficient time to chew; exposure; late hours; and finally, eyery cause which has a tendency to debilitate the system, may predispose to dyspepsia. SYMPTOMS. In the commencement of this disease, the appe- tite is usually very irregular, sometimes entirely wanting, at others unnaturally craving; the bow- els are generally costive; and the patient is troub- led with wind, and sour belchings; the mind is of- ten depressed, especially an hour or more after eating. If the patient indulges his appetite, he usually suffers for some hours after, with pain in the stomach, or bowels: sick-headache is a very common and distressing symptom of indigestion. After the disease has continued for some time, the mind becomes irritable, gloomy, and despond- ing; and it frequently gives rise to hypochondria, and other derangements of mind. Or, it may cause disease of the lungs, and terminate in con- sumption. (See dyspeptic consumption.) TREATMENT. We should commence the treatment of this ling- ering and stubborn disease with an emetic; which, not only cleanses the stomach of its vitiated secre- tions, but gives increased action to the stomach, liver, and other organs concerned in the process of digestion. After the emetic, the bowels should be 300 INDIGESTION. moved with the mandrake physic, or the common purgative. If the tongue is coated and a disagree- able taste in the mouth; or if the stomach appears to be loaded, with headache, kc, it may be ne- cessary to repeat the emetic in three or four days. After the stomach has been once cleansed, the pa- tient should be careful to eat such articles only, as he knows from experience, will be likely to agree with his stomach. Carefully avoiding warm bread, and all hot articles of diet; as well as all sweetmeats, pies, sweetened bread of every de- scription, and every thing that is known to lie hea- vy upon the stomach. Food should be taken reg- ularly, and never in such quantity as to entirely satisfy the appetiie. No other article should be used as a drink but water; soft water is best. The patient may indulge himself in the free use of cold water, at all times, except at meal time, and for half an hour before and after, when it will be advisable to use as little drink of any kind as will be consistent with comfort; as it only serves to di- lute the gastric juice, which is already deficient in its solvent powers. A hearty drink of cool wa- ter at bed time, and on rising in the morning, will be beneficial to the dyspeptic. Where the bowels are habitually costive, it is a very bad plan to take pills, or physic of any kind, to keep them regular; as it will soon grow into a habit, which will not be easily relinquished. The want of sufficient out door exercise; keeping the body too warm; lying too long in a soft, warm bed: drinking tea, coffee, and ardent spirits; or bread made of fine flour, are all calculated to produce TREATMENT. 301 costiveness. Also care and anxiety of mind; and last, but not least, the want of regular attention to the calls of nature. A regular hour should be set apart for this purpose, which neither business nor Company, should interfere with. "This," says an ingenious writer, "is a matter of so much importance that it should never be ne- glected. There is always reason for alarm, w hen threatened with costiveness." Beside exercise and regular attention to the calls of the bowels, we may do a great deal tow- ards regulating the bowels by proper attention to diet; corn or rye bread, or bread made from un- bolted flour; mush, molasses, buttermilk, hommony &c, will be found highly beneficial. In addition to these, the patient may eat a handful or two of clean wheat bran, two or three times a clay. The use of this article is always safe, and one of the best means of regulating the bowels, in dyspepsia and some other diseases, that we have ever known. The laxative tonic may also be taken a few minutes before eating, commencing with a tea- spoonful and gradually increasing to a table spoon- ful. The plainer and more simple the diet, and habits of living, the better. And as much free- dom from care and anxiety of mind as possible, is to be preferred. The third or half of a teaspoon- ful of white mustard seed, swallowed whole, the first thing in the morning, is said to be an excellent remedy for dyspepsia. CANKER, THRUSH OR SORE MOUTH. (Aphtha.) CHARACTER. This disease appears in white specks resembling curdled milk, in the corners of the mouth, on the lips, tongue and back part of the mouth. Some- times it spreads all over the inside of the mouth; and from its appearance at the lower extremity of the bowels, it has been thought that it exten- ded entirely through the intestines. Children fed by hand are most subject to this disease; and with such, sometimes proves fatal. TREATMENT. The diet of the child should be changed, and it put to the breast of a healthy woman, if possible: when this cannot be done, new milk, one third water, and sweetened with loaf sugar is a good substitute; this must be prepared fresh every time the child is fed. Children that have no teeth should not be fed on solid food; and chewing food for children is an abomination! The child's bow- els should be moved with some gentle physic. Sen- na combined with third its weight of ginger will answer the purpose ^ery well, and maybe repeat- ed every other day for a week. Then take a tea- spoonful of pulverized borax and mix with a table spoonful of honey, or the same quantity of loaf su- gar,finelypulverized,willanswerinstead of the hon- ey. The third of a teaspoonful ofthis mixture may be put into the child's mouth every three hours. Or take sage, privy bark, & sumach berries, equal parts, MILK SICKNESS. 303 and make a strong tea, and to every half pint add a teaspoonful of pulverized alum; with this let the child's mouth be frequently washed. This is good for any sore mouth, whether the patient be old or young. A tea of red raspberry leaves is also good. Our friend Dr. B-------, first gives an emetic, followed by enough of the neutral- izing mixture to act gently on the bowels; then gives golden seal, finely pulverized and sifted, and formed into a paste with honey. Haifa teaspoon- ful of this paste is to be put on the child's tongue every three hours. This, we have no doubt, is an excellent plan and every way worthy of its in- genious author. MILK SICKNESS. CHARACTER This disease is confined to the western parts of Ohio and some of the adjoining states; and is characterized by sickness, burning in the stomach, vomiting, obstinate costiveness, &c. CAUSES. "It is communicated to cattle and sheep, says Howard, as is pretty well ascertained, by eating the leaves of a poison shrub; hogs and dogs derive it from eating the milk or dead carcasses of cattle oar sheep that die of this disorder, which, in them, is called the trembles; and man takes the com- plaint from eating either the milk, butter or flesh of infected animals. 304 MILK SICKNESS. SYMPTOMS. The disease usually comes on with a sense of weariness and debility, and a very offensive breath. These symptoms sometimes continue for some days before the attack comes on; at other times it comes on suddenly with most distressing sickness and burning at the stomach, vomiting, thirst, and the most obstinate costiveness. While the costive- ness continues, it seems almost out of the question to stop the vomiting, which, if not soon checked, must necessarily exhaust the patient; hence none but the most prompt and energetic treatment can save the patient. TREATMENT. As the vomiting and irritability of the stomach usually prevent enough of physic from being given to move the bowels, the only alternative is to give injections, which must not be done with a sparing hand. The following forms a very good injection for that purpose; to a pint of hot water a table spoonful of salt, two table spoonful of molasses and the same of castor oil: sweet oil or fresh lard will answer. Give the whole of this by injection at once, ifpossible, andlet it be retained as long as the patient can, before it is passed off. This must be repeated every twenty or thirty minutes until the bowels are moved. In the meantime, the patient should take a ta- ble spoonful of strong composition tea, every ten minutes, or a teaspoonful of pepper sauce may be TREATMENT 305 given at the same intervals and apply a plaster of mustard or horse redish to the stomach. Should these not check the vomiting, let the composition tea be mixed with a small quantity of lobelia, say a small teaspoonful of the pulverized seed to a pint of the tea, and a table spoonful given every few minutes until it lies on the stomach, when the dose must be increased and repeated until free vomit- ing is produced, and the stomach properly clean- sed. "My course," says Dr. Hewston, "has al- ways been to give weak lobelia tea, to take off the tension of the stomach, and injections to re- lieve the bowels; then apply the steam to relax the surface; and when this is properly done, give lobelia so as to produce thorough vomiting, that the stomach may be relieved of all irritating mat- ter in it; and as soon as the stomach is settled, give physic enough to operate freely on the bow- els ; the operation will be quicker and more effect- ual if the patient be kept in a gentle perspiration. After the physic has operated, if the stomach does not feel clear of weight and soreness, give an- other emetic, with steaming and toning the sur- face, as one course will do more good after phys- ic has operated well, than two courses would be- fore. Generally, when lobelia operates thorough- ly, there is a dark substance thrown from the stom- ach like coffee grounds, which give immediate re- lief; and by giving laxative bitters sufficient to keep the bowels open, the patient is soon well." The patient should be careful not to fatigue or expose himself to cold or damp air for some time, or the disease will be likely to return. T COSTIVENESS OR CONSTIPATION. (Constipatio.) CHARACTER. A costive state of the bowels is usually a symp- tom of some other disease; such as dyspepsia, liv- er complaint, &c. Persons whose occupations re- quire a great deal of sitting; those who have a great amount of care and anxiety of mind, and those troubled with hypochondria, are very liable to costiveness. It is a very common practice for persons who are costive to take physic which only aggravates the disease by rendering the bowels still more cos- tive ; hence one dose creates a necessity for an- other, until a habit is formed which is not easily broken off. TREATMENT. When costiveness depends upon some other dis- ease; as dyspepsia, &c, we must use the appro- priate means for removing the principal disease, while the state of the bowels is only to be regard- ed as one of the symptoms. Where it arises from too constant sitting, or too close confinement with- in doors, no treatment will answer so well, as ex- ercise in the open air, which should be taken at regular hours every day. This, with the habit of retiring at a regular time or times, each day, for the purpose of unloading the bowels, will cure a majority of cases without any other means. The strictest attention should be paid to the diet of VOMITING, 307 those troubled with costiveness; corn, rye bread, and wheat flour unbolted; buttermilk, molasses, mush, ripe fruits of all kinds, stewed apples, &c, will be found very beneficial. At the same time, avoid bread of superfine flour, buckwheat, cheese, coffee, opium, wine, &c. Rubbing and pressing, or kneading the bowels, is very useful; and so are cold bathing and drinking plentifully of cold water; especially at bed time, and on first rising in the morning, which should be at an early hou* Eat- ing a handful or two of wheat bran, once or twice every day, has relieved some obstinate cases. The laxative tonic should be taken three times a day. VOMITING. (Emesis.) CHARACTER. Vomiting, like costiveness, is generally a symp- tom of some other disease; but where it becomes excessive, or occurs in persons whose peculiar cir- cumstances render vomiting unsafe, it becomes our imperative duty to check it as soon as possible. Vomiting is some times a very distressingsymptom of pregnancy, and is always, worst when the woman first rises in the morning. When this is the case, the woman should have some bread and coffee, or something comfortable to eat, before rising in the morning. A little good sherry or Port wine taken occasionally through the day, will sometimes re- lieve this kind of sickness; or what is still better, 308 DIABETES. a few doses of neutralizing mixture taken as often* When vomiting comes on shortly after delivery, it is attended with danger, and should be checked by every suitable means. Soda, lemonade, pep- persauce, essence of peppermint, or peppermint tea, neutralizing mixture; and mustard, or horse rad- ish plaster, on the stomach, should be tried. While these means are being tried, a messenger should be sent, on the swiftest horse, for the most skill- ful Physician jwithin reach; as inflammation may be the consecfuence, and the woman die within twenty-four hours. Under ordinary circumstances the above means will generally check the vomit- ing ; but should they fail, give an emetic as directed under the head of milk sickness. DIABETES. (Flux oV Urine.') CHARACTER. Diabetes consists in a frequent and excessive discharge of urine, sometimes having a sweetish taste. It is more frequently met with among men advanced in years; especially those who have been addicted to the use of spiritous liquors and luxurious living. CAUSES. This disease may be caused by excessive fa- tigue, carrying heavy burdens, longjournies on rough roads or a hard trotting horse. It may also arise TREATMENT. 309 from intemperate habits in eating and drinking, the use of Spanish flies and spirits of turpentine taken as medicines, long protracted grief and anxiety of mind; and, in short, all the depressing passions and emotions will favor the developement of the disease in persons who are predisposed, SYMPTOMS. Diabetes usually comes on gradually, with a sense of weariness or debility; head-ache sick- ness, and sometimes vomiting, with increased quantity of urine, which in some cases amounts to fifteen or twenty pints in twenty-four hours; ex- ceeding by far the entire amount of both food and drink taken by the patient in the same time. In consequence of which the body wastes rapidly. The appetite is unusually craving, though the food is evidently not well digested, giving rise to wind; and painful or uueasy sensations in the stomach sometime after eating. The tongue is covered with a white coat in the centre, with red edges, the mouth is dry and parched, great thirst, dry skin, "urine of a pale straw color approaching to a shade of green. Its smell is usually faint, resem- bling that of milk, or according to some, that of fresh animal broths." The duration of diabetes is various. In some instances it terminates in a few weeks; generally in a few months, and sometimes in as many years. TREATMENT. As this is a dangerous disease we should adopt the most decided measures at once. Let the pa- 310 NIGHTMARE. tient, therefore, be taken through a thorough course of medicine, which should be repeated about once a week in ordinary cases. Between the courses, the best tonics must be used. The wine bitters in brandy or wine, or the laxatiye tonic, if the bow- els are costive, may be taken three times a day, in such quantity as will keep the bowels regular. The shower bath must be taken every morning with exercise immediately after, if the patient's strength will admit; and as much out door exer- cise through the day as can be endured without fatigue. Where the strength is not sufficient to endure exercise on foot, riding in a carriage, or on horse back, must be substituted. Diet, is sometimes a very important part of the treatment of this disease. An entire animal diet has usually been recommended, but this rule is not without its exceptions. Where it agrees it should be adopted. It is stated that one patient was cu- red after other remedies had failed, by eating boil- ed beef-steak, well cooked, and thoroughly chew- ed, without bread or vegetables of any kind; this was taken three times a day in small quantities, with very little drink. NIGHTMARE. (Incubus.) CHARACTER. Nightmare always comes on during sleep; and appears in the form of a frightful dream. The patient imagines himself to be in some imminent TREATMENT. 311 danger, or pursued by some frightful animal from which he attempts in vain to escape; if he at- tempts to run, his legs fail him; or if he attempts to fight his blows have no force. Sometimes it ucomes on with a sense of weight and oppression in the chest, often accompanied with a distressing dream; the person makes ineffectual efforts to speak and move; he moans and groans, and at length awakes, oftimes affrighted and much fa- tigued." Nightmare is a very distressing disease; and it is highly probable that it has, in some ca- ses, proved fatal where the cause of death was not known and perhaps neyer suspected CAUSES. Among the most frequent causes of nightmare are grief, anxiety of mind, intense study, languid circulation of the blood from want of proper exer- cise; weakness of the digestive organs, or an overloaded stomach, from improper food, espe- cially when taken at too late an hour, or immedi- ately before going to bed. TREATMENT. Persons who are troubled with nightmare should take sufficient exercise in the open air; avoid eat- ing strong or indigestable food, especially for sup- per, which ought to be light and eaten at least three hours before bed-time. Where this is not sufficient to give relief, the nerves must be braced by tonics; and a little nerve powder, No. 6, or cayenne tea may be taken before going to bed. PALPITATION OF THE HEART. (Palpitatio Cordis.) CHARACTER. This disease is characterized by an irregular and rapid motion of the heart, sometimes so vio- lent as to be heard at some distance, and seen on the outside of the clothes. CAUSES. Whatever has a tendency to weaken the ner- vous system such as excessive fatigue, violent pas- sions and emotions of the mind; fear, anger, &c; onanism, sexual indulgence, intemperance, &c. SYMPTOMS. When persons, affected with this disease, at- tempt to run, walk up stairs, or make any violent exertion, the heart is thrown into a rapid and vio- lent motion, with difficulty of breathing and more or less pain, uneasiness, or oppression in the chest. In some cases the motions of the heart are irregu- lar; after two or three beats, in rapid succession, it loses one or two; and so on. After every two or three beats it makes a pause of longer or shor- ter duration. The countenance is pale, and ex- pressive of anxiety; and the patient is rendered in- capable of any kind of labour. JAUNDICE. 313 TREATMENT. As this disease is always attended with more or less danger it is proper that a skillful physician should be consulted before any mode of treatment is adopted. Where the disease arises from weakness of the nerves, suitable tonics must be used; such as the wine or spice bitters, or the laxative tonic. But, of all other forms of treatment, none can compare with the water treatment, for this and every oth- er disease of the nerves; the full benefits of which will be best realized at some well conducted Water cure Establishment. Where the heart is enlarged, or otherwise chan- ged in structure, a cure can hardly be anticipated. JAUNDICE. (Icterus, or morbus regius.) CHARACTER. This is a disease of the liver, and of the tube that conveys the bile from the liver into the bow- el ; and is characterized by yellowness of the skin and eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, clay-colored stools, bilious urine, and generally, an obscure pain in the right side. CAUSES. Jaundice may be caused by anything that ob- structs the passage of the bile through the tube 314 TREATMENT. that conveys it into the intestines; as biliary con- cretions, called gall stones, lodged in the tube; spasms or contraction of the tube itself; enlarge- ment and hardening of the neighboring organs so as to compress the tube; or tough mucus clogging up the orifice of the tube. When, from any of these causes, the bile is prevented from flowing along its natural channel, it becomes engorged, is absorbed, carried into the circulation and thrown upon the surface and discharged by urine. SYMPTOMS. This disease comes on with loss of appetite, stu" pidity, drowsiness, oppression and costiveness; which is soon followed by a yellow appearance of the skin, whites of the eyes, nails on the fingers, and finally spreads all over the surface; the stools are white, the urine high colored, with a yellow sediment, which imparts its colour to linen. A pain frequently extends from the right side to the pit of the stomach, which is aggravated by eating a full meal. Some patients are much disposed to 6leep, while others, on the contrary, are unusually wakeful. TREATMENT. In violent cases, or cases of long standing, we should commence with an emetic, after which the antibilious pills should be given, in divided doses, a pill, or half a pill, if the patient is very easily physicked, every hour till they move the bowels; after which one, more or less, may be taken every SCURVY. 315 other night, at bed-time, so as to keep the bowels open. If this does not break the disease, the emetic must be repeated or a full course of medi- cine administered, according to the urgency of the case. Where there is pain in the side or in the pit of the stomach, let the part be bathed with No. 6, or cayenne and vinegar; and a hot stone wrapped in a damp cloth applied. In the meantime, the laxative tonic may be taken three times a day. SCURVY. (Scorbutus.) CHARACTER. Scurvy is a disease which is chiefly prevalent in cold climates, and is characterized by extreme debility of the system, a pale and bloated com- plexion, spongy gums, livid spots on the skin, offen- sive breath, swelling of the legs, foul ulcers, small and frequent pulse, offensive stools, &c. CAUSES. It arises from breathing impure air, unwhole- some diet, or the exclusive use of salt provisions, or animal food; as on long sea voyages; want of exercise and cleanliness; anxiety of mind, with ex- posure to damp and cold air, are among the most frequent causes of this disease. SYMPTOMS. Previous to the appearance of any disease upon 316 SCURVY. the skin the patient feels an unusual degree of weakness and indisposition to move; the breath- ing becomes short and hurried upon the slightest exertion; the countenance becomes pale or lead- colored; the skin is dry, and small scales appear on different parts of the body. After a short time dark blue or violet colored spots appear on the legs, which extend over the thighs, abdomen and arms; the gums at the same time become spongy and bleed on being touched; the breath is very of- fensive, and a very disagreeble taste in the mouth; the teeth become loose and decay. As the dis- ease advances these symptoms all become aggra- vated, and others of a more alarming character arise; such as haemorrhages or discharges of blood from different parts of the body; pains in the breast, side kc; scaly eruptions over the body; obstinate ulcers; k dysentery, dropsy or mortification terminates the sufferings of the unhappy patient. TREATMENT. In ordinary cases the only thing necessary to restore the patient to health is to give him fresh air to breath; restore him to fresh and healthy articles of diet, with suitable exercise and cheer- ful company. The diet should be chiefly vegeta- ble; all kinds of ripe fruits, potatoes, cabbage, horse radish, onions, carrots, kc, kc But of all the different articles of vegetable food, none, it is said, can equal "cabbage in the form of sour-krout," both as a preventive and cure for scurvy. Where the patient has been accustomed to animal food, some fresh meat should be allowed, provided it TREATMENT. 317 does not aggravate the disease, which can be de- termined alone by experience. A milk diet gen- erally proves beneficial. The drink may consist^ cider, vinegar and water, butter-milk &c; the best of all is lemon juice in water, sweetened. Where this cannot be procured it may be imitated by making water pleasantly sour with tartaric acid, to every pint of which, add six or eight drops of oil of lemon and sweeten with sugar. This forms a very pleasant drink for either sick or well. Medicines are very seldom needful in the treat- ment of this disease; but, in obstinate cases, or where the digestive organs are much deranged, a course of medicine will be found highly benefi- cial, and may be repeated as the necessity of the case may demand. Between the courses, the wine bitters should be taken three times a day, in such doses as the stomach will bear. The root of sour, or narrow leafed dock, is highly recommen- ded as a remedy in this disease. It is to be made into a strong tea, of which the patient should drink a pint or more every day. For ulcers of the gums and looseness of the teeth, let the mouth be washed three times a day with the Dentist's scurvy wash, or charcoal and baybery, equal quantities. Ulcers in different parts of the body are to be washed with water and castile soap and poulticed, if inflamed, and after- wards washed with tincture of myrrh, and dressed with the healing salve. Where symptoms of mor- tification appear, apply a poultice of yeast and charcoal, and wash every time the poultice is changed with No. 6. LUMBAGO, Lumbago is nothing more nor less than rheuma- tism located in the small of the back and lower part of the backbone, which causes great weak- ness and pain in the back, the pain being greatly aggravated by lifting or stooping. Treatment the same as for rheumatism. WORMS. Medical writers have described a great variety of worms that infest the human body; but they are chiefly comprehended under the following three classes, viz; ascarides, small round and short worms, which generally occupy the lower part of the bowels: the teres, round worms, which occupy the small intestines and stomach; and the taenia or tape worm, which usually occupies the whole intestinal canal, and is said to be from two to forty feet long. CAUSES. The origin of worms in the human system is a mystery which has never yet been explained Worms have been found in shut cavities of the human body; and a horse was exhibited in Phila- delphia with a worm in the aqueous humour of his eye. How worms could get into these situations, whether they dig their way through the surround- ing membranes at an early period of their exist- ence ; or their eggs conveyed there, through the medium of the circulation is unknown; the latter, is TREATMENT, 319 the opinion of Prof, Mitchell* Whatever their or- igin may be, it is evident that their growth de- pends upon an unhealthy secretion of the stomach and bowels, as they are never known to do any in- jury except when the stomach and bowels are. otherwise deranged SYMPTOMS The usual symptoms denoting the existence of worms are, indigestion, variable appetite, foul ton- gue, with red speck near the point, hard, full, and tight belly, offensive breath, with griping pains about the navel, swelling of the upper lip; pale- ness of the face, especially about the mouth, with occasional flushing of the cheeks; heaviness and dullness of the eyes, itching of the nose, grinding Of the teeth, starting in the sleep and a dry cough; usually attended with more or less fever. A ma- jority of the above symptoms may arise from a foul stomach without worms. TREATMENT. As the stomach and bowels are almost uniform- ly deranged in every instance where symptoms of worms are present, we think it advisable to com- mence the treatment with a vomit, followed by a physic of the butternut syrup; or pink and senna, with enough of ginger to prevent it from paining the bowels. After these have operated, tonics should be given; such as a tea of poplar bark; the wine bitters, kc This course may be repeat- 320 HEADACHE. ed two or three times if necessary; with an interval of one or two days between each course. West- ley's plaster for worms is also worthy of a trial. HEADACHE. (Cephalalia.) Headache usually arises as a symptom of a foul stomach, and is called sick headache; a cos- tive state of the bowrels, determination of blood to the head from cold kc It also arises from debili- ty of the nervous system, and is called nervous headache. TREATMENT. Where head ache arises from derangement of the stomach, an emetic will be the quickest relief. We have known saleratus to relieve it in a short time. Take the bulk of a common bean dissolved in cold water, and repeat in two hours, if necessa- ry. Or, if the case is not very urgent, and the pa- tient unwilling to take medicine, a day or two of entire abstinence from food, will usually cure it. If occasioned by costiveness, use the means recom- mended under that head. When it arises from cold, cure the cold, by bathing the feet, drinking warm teas &c. For nervous headache a little tincture of nervine and No. 6, will generally give relief. Persons addicted to headache, should avoid overloading the stomacii; live on the plain- est diet, observe regular hours, both for eating and sleeping; and bathe the head in cold w ater every morning. SURGERY. 321 A mustard plaster, the size of a dollar applied to each temple, we have known to give relief in a few minutes. SURGERY. INFLAMMATION. CHARACTER. Inflammation is characterized by heat, pain, redness and swelling of the parts affected. CAUSES. Inflammation may result from either extreme heat, or cold; from external injuries; as blows, c uts, bruises, burns, scalds, kc. SYMPTOMS. Among the usual signs of inflammation are, heat, redness, swelling, with shooting and throb- bing pain. And where the inflammation is ex- tensive the system is affected with fever; coated tongue, quick pulse, and dry hot skin. TREATMENT. In treating inflammation we should, as far as practicable, remove the cause. If it be caused by a wound, let the wound be cleansed, and all poi- sonous and irritating substances removed: then to u 322 TREATMENT. reduce the inflammatory action, let perspiration be excited on the skin, by drinking freely of cat- nip, balm, or peppermint tea; and the bowels un- loaded by injections or some mild physic. "W here there is local inflammation," says Dr. Beach, "ap- ply a decoction of bitter herbs," or, "apply a poul- tice to the inflamed part; and none equals the slippery elm bark for all kinds of inflammation: there has been nothing discovered that will bear any comparison, in point of utility, with it." The powdered bark may be mixed with rain water, new milk, and sometimes with weak lye, to the consistency of a poultice, and applied either cold, luke warm, or warm, as upon trial, may afford the most relief. For white swellings, felons, and in- flammation of the breast, the bark mixed with lye is best. A small quantity of sw7eet oil may be added to keep it longer soft and moist. The bark of linn root, scraped fine, and beaten with cold water or simmered in sweet milk, forms an excellent poultice for inflamed parts. Or, to keep the part constantly wet with soft water, of such temperature as may be most agreeable to the pa- tient, will reduce inflammation as fast as any oth- er application that we know of. After matter has been formed, which may be known by the softness and fluctuation when the parts are slightly pressed by the fingers, it will be better, in a majority of cases, to puncture it with a lancet or some sharp pointed instrument in order that the matter may escape; then apply a poultice while it is discharging; after that, dress with some healing salve until it is healed. *• WOUNDS. By a wound we are to understand a division of the soft parts of the body by any instrument or agent. Wounds may be divided into six varieties; viz, 1. Incised, when divided by a sharp instru- ment; as a knife, axe, or sword. 2. Punctured, when made by a pointed instrument, as a pitch fork or spear. 3. Lacerated or torn, when done with a saw or any dull instrument forcibly driven through the flesh. 4. Contused, where the inj ury is accompanied by a bruise, as from the falling of a stone or piece of timber. 5. Gunshot, from the discharge of a rifle, musket, pistol, &c. 6. Poi- soned, as dissecting wounds, bites of men, dogs, snakes &c. Danger of Wounds.—This -depends upon the nature and extent of the wound, the importance of the parts involved, and the age and constitution of the patient. Where death results from a wound it usually arises from bleeding, locked-jaw, fever, erysipelas, or mortification. The pain from a wound is usu- ally but trifling at first, unless a nerve or tendon has been partially divided," in which case it is often severe. After an hour or more the pain in- creases and is accompanied with more or less in- flammation; and when the* wound is large a pro- portional fever follows. The. symptoms becom- ing more and more aggravated from neglect or im- proper treatment, mortification may be the conse- quence ; but in favourable cases, the lips of the wound either become glued together by a sizy 324 WOUNDS. matter thrown out from the blood, and heal by what surgeons call the first intention, which is usually accomplished in three days; or, a thin se- rum oozes into the wound, collects there and is changed into pus, upon which the pain and in- flammation subside, and the wound heals by the second intention. TREATMENT. In treating a wound three things claim special attention. 1. Stop the bleeding as soon as possi- ble. 2. Remove all dirt and foreign substances from the wound. 3. Place the parts in the most favourable position for healing. 1. To stop the bleeding.—In a majority of cases, where no large bloodvessel is divided, to bring the lips of the wound together, apply a piece of linen folded thick, just broad enough to cover the edg- es of the wound, and secured by a bandage, will be sufficient. But where this is not sufficient to stop it, take a small bunch of lint, roll it into a tight ball and press it into the place from which the blood flows; upon this, place a small roll of linen or muslin and secure it by a bandage. Where the bleeding -wound is situated on an arm or leg the part should be placed as high as possible; then by pouring on cold water from the pipe of a coffee pot, or some other convenient ves- sel, the bleeding will usually be stopped. When an artery of any considerable size is divided, a surgeon should be sent for, to tie it up. In the mean time the thumb should be pressed upon the TREATMENT, 325 vessel to prevent the patient from bleeding to death before the surgeon arrives. The bleeding from a vein and artery may readily be distinguished from each other: the blood from an artery is of a bright scarlet colour, and is thrown out in an irregular jerking stream, corresponding with the beating of the pulse; whereas the blood from a vein, is of a dark purple colour, and flows in a smooth regular stream. 2. Cleanse the wound, by removing any splinters, pieces of bone, dirt, or any other foreign substance that may be found in the wound. 3. Bring the lips of the wound together, or as nearly so as the nature of the case will admit, and secure them by strips of adhesive plaster; or a few stitches may, in some cases, be necessary. In case of extensive injury a surgeon should be employed. Incised Wounds, wdiich means a clean cut, when dressed as above directed, will usually unite in about three days, without any further attention^ except to keep the part at rest, and to avoid cold Punctured Wounds, are frequently attended with great danger; but this depends upon the part9 involved in the injury. When any internal organ, or bloodvessel is injured, the most skillful aid should be procured without delay; otherwise let it be treated like lacerated wounds. Lacerated Wounds, should be dressed as be- fore directed; that is, the bleeding stopped, the wound cleansed, and brought as near to the natu- ral position as the case will admit. The wound should then be covered with lint and carefully se- 326 WOUNDS. cured by a bandage, and kept constantly wet with No. 6; or water will answer, but will not heal it so fast, nor so certainly prevent mortification. Contused Wounds, are nothing more nor less than bruises. They may be covered with sever- al folds of linen, and kept wet with No. 6, or wa- ter, as above directed; or, they may be wet with vinegar and wormwood boiled together, and ap- plied luke warm or cold. Wounds near a joint are always more dangerous. The safest plan is to splint the limb so that it cannot be bent. Gunshot wounds must be treated on general principles; but should be entrusted only to the most skillful. Poisoned Wounds, are of various kinds, but re- quire to be treated in many respects alike. 1. Dissecting Wounds, or wounds received in opening or dissecting the bodies of the dead, are dangerous, and sometimes fatal. They should be well sucked at the time, and a garlick or onion poultice, of the raw article pound- ed fine, applied cold; to be changed every three hours for three times, then poultice with slippery elm, or wrap in four plies of linen and keep it wet with water, and take some mild physic. 2. Bites of Men, Dogs, and some other ani- mals, are very poisonous, and should be poulticed with the pulverized -slippery elm stewed in new milk, and then dressed with the healing salve. 3. Bites of Snakes or Mad (Rabid) Animals, When bitten by a snake or mad animal, catch a hen Or any ojher domestic fowl, and if the bite WOUNDS. 327 be on the fingers or toes, let the fowl be opened behind the point of the breast bone, and the bitten part be placed among the warm entrails of the fowl. At the end of ten minutes, if possible, let a second fowl be ready and the first one throwed away. The second may remain fifteen minutes, and the third may remain as long as it keeps warm. The part may then be poulticed with finely poun- ded garlic, or fresh cow dung. As soon after the bite as possible let three pods of red pepper bro- ken fine, or a tea spoonful of cayenne, be put into a gill of whisky or brandy and given to the patient to drink, and repeated as frequently as the patient can bear. Where the fowls cannot be obtained in time, the part should be sucked and poulticed as above. Washing the part with hartshorn (spirits of am- monia) and cupping, is good treatment. But spts. of ammonia and cupping instruments are not al- ways at hand in places where snake bites are most likely to occur.—An excellent poultice for any poisoned wound is made thus.: Take new milk and fresh honey, equal parts; and thicken with flour of slippery elm. The blue, or Indigo bag out of a dye pot, is said to be an excellent remedy for snake bites. The sting of insects may be washed with spirits of ammonia, or salt and wate r, and poulticed with any of the aboye poultices. If the sting occur in the woods where the above ar e not at hand, chew the green leaves of sassafras a nd apply. MORTIFICATION. (Sphacelus.) CHARACTER. Wounds, as has already been intimated, some- times terminate in mortification; which, in plain terms, means the death of a part of the body. Sys- tematic writers on Surgery have divided it into sev- eral varieties; viz; 1. Hot, acute, or inflammatory. 2. Cold, or that which occurs without previous in- flammation. 3. Humid, or that accompanied with the effusion of a fluid. 4. Dry or that which is not accompanied with the effusion of a fluid; chiefly confined to old persons. 5. Chronic, chiefly at- tacking the extremities. 6. Hospital gangrene, occuring where the air is corrupted by crowding too many sick or wounded persons together. Such a division may be useful, to give the reader an idea of the various forms in which mortification may ap- pear; but we deem it unnecessary to give them a separate consideration. CAUSES. Any cause which produces an entire or partial cessation of the circulation in a part, which may result from a high state of inflammation, mechani- cal obstruction, extreme debility &c, or may arise from bruises; extreme heat, or cold; miner- al acids; caustick alkalies; from the poison of rep- tiles; as snakes &c;putrid animal fluids;unwhole- some diet; want of exercise and fresh air &c biMPTOMS. 329 Gangrene, which is the first stage of mortification, is indicated by the part assuming a dirty yellow colour, and gradually changes from that to a dark green. The pain and sensibility of the part be- come suddenly diminished; the outside or scarf skin rubs off readily under the finger, below which a dirty looking fluid is to be found; the heat, and swelling, suddenly subside; and a slight crackling noise may be heard by pressing the finger over the decayed part, caused by a gas which is generated under the skin. As the disease advances the part becomes darker, and the heat and sensation decrease until it is quite black and destitute of heat and sensation; which is called a state of mortification. When the progress of mortification is checked* whether by means of remedies, or the unaided powers of the system itself, a boundary line is formed between the living and dead part, "and nature poceeds to amputate, as it were, the portion which has lost its vitality, by a process termed 4 sloughing.' The effects produced upon the system by mor- tification depend upon the part involved. If the or- gan destroyed be vital, or essential to life, death will be the necessary consequence; but, if the part affected is not vital sloughing may take plaoe and the individual recover. We should be careful in forming an opinion, both in regard to the nature, and extent of the disease. The color of the skin may be changed from other causes, or the skin alone 330 MORTIFICATION. may be affected by the disease, when the whole limb will appear to be involved. "In dysentery, inflammation of the bowels, &c, where mortification is about to take place, there will be a cessation of pain and fever; the pulse becomes small, weak and irregular; the face as- sumes a cadaverous, or deathlike appearance; the extremities become cold, with a cold clammy sweat over the whole body." The tongue becomes cleaner and assumes a glossy appearance; and the patient either becomes very restless without pain or any other apparent cause; or sleepy and stupid, with symptoms of extreme debility.. TREATMENT. The treatment must be applied early, while in a state of gangrene, if we expect to save the affec- ted part. After the cause has been ascertained, let it be removed as quick as possible. If caused by inflammation, reduce the inflammation by the means recommended under that head. When caused by mechanical obstruction of the circula- tion, the obstruction must be removed. When ex- treme cold is the cause, the part should be placed in the coldest water that can be procured and the warmth very gradually increased up to the natural temperature. During this time it should be lightly but steadily rubbed by the hand of an as- sistant. The part should then be bathed with the best No. 6, and wrapped in cloth, kept con- stantly wet with the same, or poulticed with lye thickened with powdered slippery elm. The treatment should be varied to suit the case, LOCKED-JAW. 331 but as a local application few articles will be found equal to lye thickened with the flour of slip- pery elm, to which yeast may be added; and eve- ry time the poultice is changed wash the part with No. 6. A poultice made of boiled carrots is rec- ^ ommended by high authority. The constitution must be supported by tonics and stimulants, and the diet should be as nourish- ing as the nature of the case will admit. Morti- fication seldom, if ever, takes place where the medicines employed have been sufficiently stimu- lating. When mortification is likely to result from dy- sentery or inflammation of the bowels, yeast and charcoal should be given in table spoonful doses, every hour, or half hour, according to the urgency of the case. The feet should be bathed with the hotest preparation of cayenne and wrapped in flannel cloths wet with vinegar and water, and a hot stone, or jug of hot.water, applied to keep them as warm as the patient can bear. The carrot or elm poultice, as above mentioned, should be ap- plied to the bowels, as warm as can be borne, and changed before it cools. Every time the poultice is changed, the bowels must be washed with the best No. 6., and the poultice quickly apr plied with as little exposure as possible. LOCKED-JAW. (Tetanus.) CHARACTER. This affection is characterized by an involun* 332 LOCKED-JAW. tary and continued contraction of the muscles of the body; principally affecting the muscles of the jaw, and hence called lock-jaw. CAUSES. This disease sometimes arises as a conse- quence of wounds : more especially from punctu- red wounds, in consequence of the partial divis- ion of a tendon or nerve. The disease sometimes occurs where no previous injury has been recei- ved, and without any well understood cause.— Sudden atmospheric changes is the most common cause of this form of "the disease, which is almost exclusively confined to southern latitudes. SYMPTOMS. It usually commences with stifthess in the back of the neck, which gradually increases to a pain, and renders the affected part entirely immovable. It extends to the root of the tongue and affects the parts concerned in swallowing, then attacks the front of the chest, and lastly seizes the back : spasms then arise in the stiffened parts, occasion- ing such excruciating pain, that death is often wished for, even by the spectators. The pain and cramps, sometimes abate for a few minutes, but only to be renewed with increased violence from the most trifling causes. The jaws are so firmly closed that nothing can be introduced into the mouth ; and at last the muscles are so gene- rally contracted as to produce the most frightful TREATMENT. 333 deformity. None are exempt from its attacks, but it usually selects for its victims the strong and robust. TREATMENT. When this affection arises from a wound or in- jury of any kind, we should examine the condi- tion of the part, and if there be no discharge, or it be of an unhealthy character, we must use the necessary means to restore it to a healthy condi- tion. To bathe the part in lye as hot as can be borne, for fifteen or twenty minutes, then apply the slippery elm poultice, will be found highly beneficial. In the meantime the patient must take a tea-spoonful of the 3d preparation of lobelia, or of tincture of lobelia, and tincture of cayenne, mixed equal quantities, to be taken every ten min- utes till relief is afforded, but if neither be at hand a tea may be made by pouring a gill of warm water on pulverized lobelia seed and cayenne, a tea-spoonful of each, and given in the same way. Whilst these things are doing, preparations should hbe made, and the patient carried through a course of medicine, with as little delay as possi- ble. In conclusion, we would give it as our hon- est conviction, that if the principles of botanic practice were strictly adhered to in the treatment of wounds, obstructed perspiration,and other cau- ses out of which these affections grow, we should never have occasion to treat either mortification or locked-jaw. DISLOCATIONS AND BROKEN BONES. (Luxations and Fractures.) A great share of the pain and difficulty of re- ducing fractures and dislocations may be obviated by properly relaxing the parts, before the attempt is made. The most successful mode of accom- plishing this object is to wrap the part, for some distance both above and below the injury, with several folds of linen or muslin; and pour on warm water, holding a basin under, to catch the water; at the same time give the patient of lobelia tinc- ture, a tea-spoonful every five minutes, until he complains of being sick. The cloth must then be taken off, and the bone or joint reduced to its prop- er place, with as little delay as possible, by some skillful hand. During the operation of setting, the limb should be bent, at the joint, to an angle of about forty five degrees from its straight position, in order still more to relax the muscles. Those who adopt this mode of reducing dislocations and fractures, will never relinquish it for the old plan of pulling the limb, till the contractile power of the muscles are overcome by main strength. To give directions for reducing the various dis- locations and fractures, as laid dow n in works on surgery, would be incompatible with both the limits, and design of the present work; for we are far from recommending to the inexperienced and uninstructed that kind of practice which often em- barrases the most skillful and experienced. In many plain and simple cases, however any man of sense may be successful. ULCERS. 335 "An ulcer is an injury done to the flesh from various causes, and from which matter issues, with more or less pain and inflammation. It may arise from any source that occasions inflammation, or corrupts the fluids; as fever, scrofula, the venerial disease, retention of acrid humours, cold," extern- al violence, kc TREATMENT. The treatment must be varied to suit the kind and condition of the ulcer, as well as the constitu- tional condition, or general health of the patient. When the patient is weak, or the health other- wise deranged, it is not to be expected that an ul- cer or sore of any kind will heal readily. In such cases we must attend to the general health, and restore it by appropriate means; after which, the ulcer must be treatetl on general-principles. When the ulcerated part is inflamed, a slippery elm or flaxseed poultice, with other soothing applications, must be applied; and afterwards dressed with the basilicon ointment, or healing salve. When the ulcer is found to be sluggish and inactive, without any disposition to heal, besides the constitutional treatment above recommended, let the part be carefully washed two or three times a day with rain water and castile soap, and then, with the best tincture of myrrh or No. 6, and dressed with the healing salve. Should there be a deep ulcer, ex- tending some distance under the skin, a small syr- inge is to be used for introducing the wash and tincture; otherwise, they will not reach the bot- 336 PILES. torn of the ulcer. Weak lye may be used altern- ately with the tincture. See scrofula. "Fungus Flesh, Cancer Src.—The pulverized blood root is a good escarotic (destroyer of flesh.) I lately removed a fleshy excrescence of the eye by applying a little to it daily, by means of soft muslin moistened with water.—Dr. Beach. Dr. Stewart, uses it as follows: Extract the clear juice of blood root by pounding and pressing; then reduce it to the consistence of salve by the heat of embers or in the sun. Says he 'This sim- ple salve will kill the fungus part of a sore cancer, faster than any medicine I am master of; and the patient may sleep the meanwhile." PILES. (Hcemerrhoids.) CHARACTER. Piles consist in small tumours situated at the lower extremity of the bowel, or fundament.— There are two varieties: the one is an unnaturally enlarged or distended state of the veins within the extremity of the bowel: the other consists of fleshy tumours which are external. CAUSES. Costiveness, and too lax a state of the bowels, are alike calculated to produce this disease.— The use of aloes as a physic: the intemperate use of spirituous liquors: much riding: cold: sit- ting on the cold or damp ground, &c* SYMPTOMS. 337 Usually the first symptom of piles is an uneasy sensation about the extremity of the bowel ; es- pecially when anything passes the bowels. A small tumour is perceived at the end of the bow- el, and a short distance up, which in discharging the bowels, is forced down. Or if the tumours consist of an enlargement of the bloodvessels with- in the bowel, they bleed frequently, especially at the time, and for a short time after the bowels are moved. As the disease advances, the bleed- ing becomes more troublesome and debilitating. In the other variety, which does not bleed, sometimes called blind piles, the tumour or tu- mours become more and more enlarged and pain- ful ; and the patient rides on horseback or sits on a hard seat with great difficulty. The disease is frequently attended with light- ness or pain in the head, pain in the back and lower part of the abdomen, with wind in the bow- els, and a variety of untold miseries. TREATMENT. The most important thing, both in 'the treat- ment and prevention of piles, is to keep the bow- els regular, not by physic ;■ for all kinds of physio, especially aloes, are calculated to«produce and aggravate the disease. The diet, habits, and ex- ercise of the patient should be such as to answer this purpose without resorting to the sickly opera- tions of art. But where we must use artificial means, the patient may take a table-spoonful of pulverized charcoal every four hours, in water, sweetened if most palatable, or in molasses; or v 338 VENEREAL DISEASE. twice the quantity of wheat bran may be taken in the same way: See Costiveness. Having regula- ted the bowels by exercise, kneading the bowels; diet, as rye mush and molasses, (which alone have cured some cases) corn bread, bran bread, mild laxatives, and soothing injections kc. then let the pile ointment be applied two or three times a day. Should there be much bleeding, the following in- jection may be used: Make a strong decoction of white oak bark, to a pint of which, add sage and bayberry half an ounce each, pulverized alum one tea-spoonful; put all in a tea pot or some covered vessel and set in a hot place till the strength is ex- tracted; then strain and inject, and repeat as the case may demand: meanwhile the patient must take a tea of the neutralizing mixture, in ta- ble spoonful doses, every hour; and live exclusively on boiled sweet milk thickened with wheat flour (milk pap) sweetened with loaf sugar, if most pal- atable VENEREAL DISEASE. (Syphilis—Lues Venerea.) -The disease that is called by this name is more common in seaports than in the country, because tiiere is a more promiscuous and illicit intercourse Of the sexes than in other places. It is a very high itate of canker and putrifaction, which takes hold of the glands of those parts that are first affected * with it; and if not checked, the whole system be- comes affected with the venereal taint. It is more common among seafaring men, because of their be- TREATMENT. 339 ing long absent at sea, and on coming on shore they give free scope to their passions, without be- ing very scrupulous about the manner of their in- dulgence. "It probably originates with those com- mon women who have connection With many dif- ferent men, and going beyond the impulse of na- ture, this impure connection causes uncleanness^ which produces the disease, and when seated is contageous. The reason why this disease causes so much fright and alarm is owing to two causes: the first is the disgrace that is attached to the dishonesty in getting it: and the other is the manner in which it has generally been treated, in giving mercury to cure it, the remedy becomes worse than the dis- ease. That this disorder cannot be cured by any other means, is altogether an error: for I have cured a number of cases by very simple means. The first symptoms felt is a scalding sensation and pain when voiding the urine; and within twen- ty four hours after this is experienced, it may be cured in that time, by applying cold water and making use of the rheumatic drops, (No. 6;) if there is much soreness, make use of the tea of No. 3, with the drops in it, which must be taken as well as applied to the parts two or three times a day. If the disease has been of long standing and the whole system has become affected, the patient must be carried through a course of medicine; Where there has been mercury made use of, and there is all the attendant consequences of such treatment, it is much more difficult to effect a cure; and it is only done by a full course of medicine* 340 WHITE SWELLING. and repeating it a number of times; raising the heat each time as high as he can bear, to throw out the mercury and remove the canker, at the same time applying the poultice; then give bitters to correct the bile." Thompson. In addition to the above take one pint of Holland gin, to which add one k half ounce of gum guaiacum pulverized; of this a gill is to be taken three times a day on an empty stomach. Prevention is better than cure in this disease. "When sinners entice thee, consent thou not." WHITE SWELLING. "This is a most dreadful disease and is usually seated in the knee joint, though sometimes in the ankle, wrist or elbow. It takes ils name from there being no inflammation or discoloration of the skin which covers the swelling, and seems to be a com- plaint partaking of the nature of both scrofula and rheumatism; and may often be said to unite the honours of both. The disease in fact, is distin- guished by authors into two kinds, the rheumatic, and the scrofulous, as it shows symptoms of one or other of these affections.—In the rheumatic spe- cies of white swelling, which is its mildest form, an acute pain is felt extending over the whole joint, and sometimes along the muscles which are con- nected with it. A swelling of the part also, at the same time, commences, which in different patients progresses with different degrees of rapidity; but the joint is always sufficiently swollen to cause a perceptible difference of size between it and the TREATMENT, 341 corresponding one of the sound limb. The skin which surrounds the swelling generally becomes considerably tense; but there is scarcely ever any discoloration of it at this stage of the disease. Any motion of the joint causes considerable pain; and a bent position of the limb being found easiest, the patient generally suffers it to become stiff in that form. In that variety of the disease called scrofulous, the pain at the commencement is more sharp and confined to a particular point, most frequently in the very centre of the joint; but the swelling is not so great as in the rheumatic species. An increase of pain, on motion, and stiffness of the joint take place in this as in the other variety; and as the disorder advances, the pains increase in violence and the swelling becomes more considerable; the ends of the bones appear to partake of the disease, and also become enlarged." The constitution usu- ally suffers very much in this disease, and the gen- eral health rapidly declines. TREATMENT. When the pain is first felt in the joint, let it and the limb, for some distance both above and below, be well bathed with cayenne and vinegar as strong as possible; then steam it over bitter herbs boiled in vinegar and water; or if steaming be inconvenient, the limb may be wrapped in flannel and the liquid poured on as warm as can conveniently be borne. After steaming or fomen- ting the part for twenty minutes, apply a poultice of vinegar and yellow clay. 342 RETENTION OF URINE. The steaming kc to be repeated as often as the case may require. This will usually put it back if applied in time; but when it is so far ad- vanced that it cannot be scattered or put back, and it is desirable to favour suppuration or hasten the formation of matter, instead of the clay poul- tice, apply the following, viz: Take salt, honey or molasses, and soft soap, a table spoonful each, to which add one egg; beat all together and thick- en with rye meal, or wheat flour will answer. These articles must not be heated but made cool, and when spread may be held to the fire till pleas- antly warm. When matter is formed it may be opened and treated as directed for other ulcers: not forgetting to syringe with tincture of myrrh and weak lye alternately, and keep it open, wiien the opening is small, by introducing a small cord of twisted flax, called a tent, which must be well smeared with salve before it is introduced. RETENTION or SUPPRESSION of URINE p' A partial or entire inability to make water may arise from gravel, inflammation of the bladder, cold, and the swelling of any part which ob- structs the water course. As the urine accumu- lates in the bladder, the most excruciating pain is produced, which may terminate in inflamma- tion, mortification and death. TREATMENT. Let the patient sit over the steam of bitter herbs, or in a tub of warm water, and drink freely GRAVEL. 343 of penny royal tea; parsely, dandelion, pumpkin seeds, or horse-radish may be made into tea and drank; horse radish scraped or grated into vine- gar is still better; of wdiich a table-spoonful may be taken every half hour. A cloth wrung out of iiot water, or decoction of bitter herbs, should at the same time, be applied to the lower part of the abdomen. Should these .all fail, the cathe- ter must be introduced and the water drawn off by some person of skill. GRAVEL OR STONE. (^Lithia Renalis.) CHARACTER By gravel we mean u. disease which is formed by small concretions, like sand or gravel, wdiich form in the kidneys, pass along the ureters or wa- ter course to the bladder, and are expelled with the urine. These concretions or sand-like matter settles to the bottom of the vessel after the urine stands a short time. When they are so large that they cannot be passed with the urine the com- plaint iscalled stone, which beangonly a variety of the same complaint, we deem unnecessary to treat separately from graveL CAUSES. The causes which produce, or give rise to the formation of calculi or stone, is supposed to be an acid in the urine, called uric acid Men are more subject to this disease than women. The intern- 344 GRAVEL. perate, and those who lead an indolent inactive life are more frequently afflicted with this disease than the temperate and industrious; It is more common in northern latitudes than in the south. SYMPTOMS. Gravel is attended with pain in the loins or small of the back, with sickness and vomiting. When gravel is passing from the kidneys to the bladder, it often occasions very severe pain, pro- portionate to the size and form of the stone.— "When a stone happens to be too large to pass off from the bladder with the urine, it gradually enlarges and forms the disease called stone. When the piece is smooth and round, it is scarcely per- ceived by the patient, till from its weight and mag- nitude it becomes troublesome, producing, beside pain in the part, numbness in the thighs, and spasms in the calves of the legs, probably from its pressure on the nerves leading to those parts. When the surface of the stone is rough and of an ir- regular form, the sufferings of the patient are often very severe, attended with a slimy discharge in the urine, and not unfrequently a quantity of hlood; and from the irritation of the inner coat of the bladder, a frequent inclination to make water and go to stool." TREATMENT. In treating this disease our first object should be to correct that state of the system which favours the formation and deposit of gravel. This must WHITLOW. 345 be done by one or more courses of medicine, follow- ed by the wine bitters, laxative bitters, or some other stimulating tonic, and a free use of alkaline preparations; such as Saleratus, pearl-ash, soda, clean hickory ashes, in such quantity as the stom- ach can bear. A tea of wild carrot seed is high- ly recommended for this disease, but requires to be used a long time. During a fit of the gravel, when the pain is severe the patient should sit over the steam of bitter herbs, boiled in vinegar and water, as directed for suppression of urine, with a blanket tied round the waist to confine the steam to the painful parts. The steam must be raised by putting a hot stone or brick into the decoction, wdiich must be placed in some suitable vessel under v the blanket; when too hot raise the blanket to ad- mit the air. Four ounces of green spearmint may be put in a quart of Holland gin and a table spoonful taken ev- ery four hours, and when the pain is severe the mucilage of slippery elm may be taken freely with benefit. —----- FELON OR WHITLOW. This consists in an inflammation of the lining membrane of the bone called periostium. It usu- ally occurs on the fingers, thumb, hand, and some- times on the toes. The pain is deep seated and very severe, attended with sharp stinging pains, throbbing, swelling &c. TREATMENT. Hold the affected part in strong lye, as hot as 346 WHITLOW. can be borne, from five to ten minutes at a time; to be repeated as often as the pain returns. This if taken in time; that is, when the pain is first felt, will usually put an end to the disease. But should the pain continue to return, thicken the lye with flour of slippery elm, and apply as a poul- tice. Every time the poultice is changed, which should not be less than three times a day, let it be held in the lye again. When this fails, Dr. Beach recommends steam- ing the head or feet, as the case maybe, "over a de- coction of bitter herbs, consisting of catnip, worm- wood, hoarhound, tansy, and hops. A handful of each is boiled down till the strength is extracted, then a small quantity of soap should be added, and the whole thrown into a small vessel, the hand placed over it, and the steam retained by means of a blanket, or piece of flannel thrown over it. The steaming must be continued fifteen or twenty minutes or as long as the patient can bear; and if there is not sufficient heat to produce perspiration, let a hot brick or stone be thrown into the decoction. This process should be re- peated every time it becomes painful." The same decoction of herbs will answer for several steam- ings. When the disease still lingers, it is evident that matter is forming, it will be best to apply a draw- ing poultice until a white spot appears in the skin, caused by the matter approaching the surface, when a puncture should be made for its escape. CHILBLAIN AND FROSTBITES. Inflammatory purple or lead coloured swellings frequently appear on the heels, feet and toes called chilblains, which are attended with a burning or stinging pain and an intolerable itching. CAUSES.. Sudden changes from cold to heat are among the most common causes. When the hands or feet are benumbed by cold and suddenly brought to the fire, the expansion of the vessels is so sudden as to produce the irritation in question, that is, chilblains. They may be prevented by keeping the feet dry and warm; or when cold, approaching the fire grad^ ually. TREATMENT. When a part is frost bitten, by long exposure to Cold, let it first be rubbed a minute with snow or pounded ice, then with the coldest water for about ten minutes, and lastly with best No. 6, Chilblains may be treated in the same way, to be repeated every night and morning till well. TIC DOULOUREUX, OR NERVOUS PAINS OF THE FACE &c. (Neuralgia.) This is a most painful affection. Its usual loca- tion is in some part of the face or head. Its at- tacks are sudden, and commence with sharp pains 348 TIC DOULOUREUX. shooting from the forehead, eyebrow's, cheek, or teeth, and attended with twitchings of the mus- cles. The pain as it shoots along the affected nerve may be compared to a heated needle dart- ing through the flesh. It occurs in paroxyisms fits, or with intervals of ease. There is generally neither redness nor swelling in the part affected. TREATMENT. First attend to the general health; cleanse the stomach, regulate the bowels and give tonics or strengthening medicines; then pour cold water on the affected part from the pipe of acoffee pot every morning. At first the water should fall not more than two feet; the height being gradually increas- ed. Should this fail a full course of medicine should be tried; and repeated if benefit results therefrom; between the courses the part should be bathed with the 3d preparation of lobelia, and the same ta- ken inwardly, as much as the stomach will bear. It is often a very stubborn disease. "Ague in the Face, or Pains in the Jaws. The jaws, teeth, and face frequently become swollen and painful, proceeding from cold, which is by some called "ague in the face." TREATMENT. Boil vinegar and water in a tea-kettle, cover the mouth of the kettle with a sod of grass, with a small hole in the centre, set it on a lap board on TOOTH-ACHE. 349 the patient's knee; cover the head with a blanket to retain the steam about the face. The steam may be increased, if necessary by dropping a hot ston e into the kettle. After sweating in this way, for fifteen or twenty minutes, introduce a piece of cotton or lint between the cheek and gums, previ- ously wet in No. 6, and rolled in cayenne; and ap- ply on the outside the grounds of No. 6, as a poul- tice." TOOTH-ACHE. (Odontalgia.) This disease may arise from a variety of causes, affecting the pulp or nerve of the tooth. It gener- ally arises from decay of the tooth, which exposes the pulp to the action of the air, and the irritation of various substances which come in contact with it in the act of chewing. The nerve becoming in- flamed attempts to swell, but being prevented by the surrounding tooth from expanding, the nerve is pressed by the engorged vessels, giving rise to the pain called tooth-ache. TREATMENT. Dip lint or cotton in the tooth-drops, and intro- duce it into the cavity of the tooth; or dip the lint into No. 6., and then roll it in cayenne and introduce it into the tooth, or on the gum over the affected tooth Oil of cloves, or oil of sum- mer-savory may be applied on lint as above.— Should these fail, steam and poultice the face as directed for Ague in the face. 350 CORNS. Sometimes tooth-ache and pains in the face as- sume the character of rheumatism, and is atten- ded with a determination of blood to the head* is worst at night, and is increased by lying down, especially with the head Iowa In such cases the pain will not yield to the usual remedies. The best treatment here, is to bathe the feet frequent- ly, take one or two active doses of physic, and at the same time, abstain from food and all spiritu- ous liquors, until the painceases, which will usual- ly be within twenty four hours. To prevent tooth ache, keep the teeth clean by washing them two or three times a day with cold water, and avoid taking very cold or hot ar- ticles of food or drink, into the mouth; they should never be more than blood warm, nor so cold as to feel unpleasant to the teeth. Observe this for the stomach's sake, as well as the teeth's. CORNS, These are hard knots or tumours that grow upon the joints of the toes or sides of the feet.—= They are caused by wearing hard or tight shoes Or boots: and sometimes they become very trouble^ Borne and painful* TREATMENT. Let the feet be bathed in weak lye, as warm as can be borne, for twenty or thirty minutes, then pare or scrape the corn down as low as possible: to scrape it off with a dull knife is better for this POISONS. 351 purpose than a sharp instrument, This is to be repeated twice a week. Between times let the feet be bathed at night with cold Water; at the same time wear shoes that will be entirely easy to the feet, otherwise you will raise more corns than you can cure. Or after bathing and paring, apply the draw- ing poultice, and let it remain over night, to be repeated if necessary: this is a quicker mode than the above. Dr. Thompson recommends, after bathing and paring as above, to apply^a narrow strip of blad- der or suet skin eight or ten inches long, rubbed till it is soft, and dipped in "rattlesnake oil or nerve ointment," and kept on till worn out, to be repeated till cured. Some other animal oil, we presume, would answer as well as rattlesnake oil. Better to avoid them by leaving our feet in the shape they were made. POISONS. By a poison we understand any substance* which, when applied to a living body, proves de- structive or injurious. Poisons are to be found in the three kingdoms of nature, animal, vegetable, ajad mineral. Animal Poisons have already been treated of under the dead of poisoned wounds^— Vegetable and mineral poisons remain to be spo- ken of. Poisons have been variously divided by system- atic writers; but as we aim at usefulness rather than system, we will not follow them, but shall 352 POISONS. proceed to group together such as produce similar effects upon the system, and require the same, or nearly the same treatment. It is highly important that every one should be acquainted with the means to be employed where poison has been taken, either by accident or for criminal purposes, as useful lives may frequently be saved by a few simple remedies employed in time: whereas a few hours, or even a few min- utes delay may render the case hopeless even un- der the most skilful treatment. Whenever there is just reason for believing that a person has taken poison, and the kind of poison is unknown, without waiting to investigate the case, let the following means be immediately re- sorted to; which will not do injury in any case, and may save the patient's life before other means can be obtained. Swallow as quick as possible half a dozen raw eggs; a quart of sweet milk, or cream; with pul- verized slippery elm in it, if in reach. Or the same quantity of slippery elm or starch in water. If it comes up, or excites vomiting, repeat it im- mediately and keep up the vomiting if possible; drink for dear life. As soon as it can be procured, enough of lobelia tincture or lobelia tea must be taken to excite vomiting;—a gill of the tincture or strong tea may be given every five minutes till it operates freely. If the lobelia cannot be had take a table spoon- ful of mustard seed or a gill of salt and water; and without waiting for their operation drink of the above articles or warm water as much as can be TREATMENT. 353 swallowed. If vomiting does not occur immedi- ately, drink a gill or more of lamp oil. After the stomach has been well cleansed, give mild injections of slippery elm, starch, &c. freely, with a dose of caster oil or sweet oil by the mouth: also, give mucilage of elm, or gum arabic to drink; and afterwards treat the case like inflammation of the bowels. But to be more particular, and as the same treat- ment is not equally adapted to the different kinds of poisons, we shall give the most prominent symp- toms produced by the different articles of poisons, with the antidotes and treatments. Alcohol including brandy, whiskey, rum, wines, and all spiritous liquors. SYMPTOMS. Intoxication, and when taken in very large quan- tities, complete insensibility, apoplexy, or paraly- sis. The face is swelled and of a dark red colour; the eyes red, the breathing difficult, and often loud and snoring; the breath has the peculiar smell of the liquor, which is the distinguishing symptom between this and other varieties of ap- oplexy. TREATMENT. The patient should be placed as erect as the nature of the case will admit, and the head and back of the neck poured with cold water until they are moderately cold, and if the feet and w 354 POISONS. hands are cool they must, at the same time, be placed in warm water; and as soon as he is ca- pable of swallowing let him drink freely of warm sweet milk; for an adult several pints will not be too much, and if this does not excite vomiting, give salt and warm water until that desirable ef- fect is produced. The after treatment may be the same as for any other fever; fasting and prayer is not bad. xVrsemc and its preparations; Yellow Sulphu- ret of arsenic or Orpiment; King's Yellow, Red Sulphurct or Realgar, fly Powder, Fowlers Solution Shed's green, <$t. SYMPTOMS. Violent burning pain in the stomach and bowels, with tenderness or pressure; sense of dryness and tightness in the throat; sickness and vomiting of a greenish or yellow matter, sometimes streaked with blood; hoarseness and difficulty of speaking; thirst; looseness of the bowels, with frequent de- sire to go to stool and bearing down pains in the bowels; making water difficult and painful, and sometimes it is entirely stopped; convulsions and cramps; cold sweats, countenance shrunk; eyes red and sparkling; delirium,and death. TREATMENT The hydrated sesqueoxide of iron, it is said, destroys its effects upon the system; and Fowlers solution is neutralized by lime water* But as these TREATMENT. 355' are not always at hand, if they cannot be procured without too much loss of time, the patient must take, without delay, some speedy emetic, such asJ tincture of lobelia or mustard seed, and drink free- ly of the whites of eggs in water, mucilage of slip- pery elm, pulverized elm, loaf sugar and sweet milk, flaxseed tea, starch, flour and warm water, kc After the emetic, a dose of sweet oil, with injections and fomentations to the bowels may be administered as directed at the head of this chap- ter. Antimony and its preparations Tartar Emetic, muriate, or Batter of Antimony, Oxide of Antimo- ny kc SYMPTOMS. Burning pain in the pit of the stomach, purging, colicky pains, sense of tightness in the throat, vi- olent cramps and repeated returns of vomiting. TREATMENT. When vomiting has not yet occurred it must be encouraged by drinking freely of-warm water, dog wood, or chamomile tea, and tickling the throat with the finger or a feather. Astringent infusions must then be made; thus, take peruvian bark or oak bark one ounce, or pulverized nut gall half an ounce, to which add half a pint of boiling water: let it stand where it will keep hot, fifteen or twen- ty minutes; then give a table spoonful every ten minutes till relief is obtained. The bark may be taken in substance until the infusion can be pre- pared. 356 POISONS. Acids ; Acetic acid, Cetric acid, Muriatic acid, Nitric acid or aquafortis, Sulphuric acid or oil of vitriol, tartaric acid, and oxalic acid. SYMPTOMS. Sour sharp taste, burning in the throat, which is increased by pressure, swallowing, coughing; belching of wind, and excrutiating pain in the stomach. The countenance becomes glazey, the extremities cold and clammy; convulsions and death. Sulphuric acid produces dark stains, and Nitric acid, or aqua fortis, yellow stains. TREATMENT. Give a tea-spoonful of soda, Saleratus or a ta- ble spoonful of Chalk, or magnesia. Any of these articles may be given, except for Nitric acid, that is, aqua fortis, or oxalic acid; for which chalk and magnesia only can be employed with safety. In case of sulphuric acid, sometimes called oil of vitriol, the patient should avoid drinking water. Ammonia is an antidote for the acids, but should not be employed in too strong or concen- trated a form. Cold water poured upon the head has been recommended in such cases. Alkalies and their salts, \iz.,Strong Liquor, or Water of Ammonia, called Aqua Ammonia ; Mu- riate ofAmmonia or Sal Ammonia; Potassa; Caus- tic Potash, and Liquor Potassa, Carbonate of Pot ash or Pearlash; Salts of Tartar; Nitrate of Po- tassa or Saltpetre; Sulphuret of or Liver of Sul- phu r, and Soda. SYMPTOMS. 357 Violent caustic, or sharp biting taste; great heat in the throat, with destruction of its lining membrane; difficult and painful swallowing; vom- iting of bloody matter, sharp pain in the stomach ; violent colic pains; cold sweats; purging of blood- y stools; and flakes of membrane;—death. Liver of Sulphur causes the patient to belch up sulphureted hydrogen, which smells much like rotten eggs. TREATMENT. The vegetable acids, such as vinegar, lemon juice, citric and tartaric acid, dissolved in water, destroy the effects of the alkalies and their car- bonates. The fixed oils, such as sweet oil, castor oil, flaxseed oil kc, also destroy their effects by uniting with them and forming soaps. For saltpetre, give mucilages &c, as recom- mended for arsenic. Liver of Sulphur, or sulphuret of potassa is de- composed and neutralized by common salt, and also by the liquid chloride of soda. Bismuth and its preparations.—Nitrate of— Pearl Powder; Copper and its combinations; Sul- phate of Blue Vitriol; Acetate of Copper, Verdi- gris, Arsenite of SheeVs Green, Food cooked in dirty copper, or pickles made green by copper. SYMPTOMS. Similar to those produced by arsenic; metallic 358 POISONS. or coppery taste, vomitings, cramps, convulsions; delirium, palsy, and death. TREATMENT. The same as for arsenic. Earths and Compounds. Baryta: Carbonate of, kc, and Lime. SYMPTOMS. Violent burning in the stomach, vomiting, gripes? diarrhoea; great debility, head-ache, convulsions and death. TREATMENT. Glaubers Salts and Epsom Salts are good anti- dotes to all the poisonous salts of baryta. Phos- phate of soda will also answer the same purpose. Lime may be neutralized by diluted acids; as good vinegar, tartaric acid, dissolved in water, lemon juice, &c. The fixed oils, Sweet oil, Cas- tor oil, Flaxseed oil, kc, may be used for either baryta or lime, when not in a compound state. Empyreumatic Oils; as Creosote; DippeVs An- imal oil; oil of tar; oil of tobacco; and oil of turpentine. SYMPTOMS. General action much the same as other irrita- ting poisons: Burning pain in the stomach, throat kc\ yomhing, purging; sharp biting taste kc; the oils of turpentine and tobacco affect the nerves; the peculiar smell of each oil, will be manifested in the matter vomited. TREATMENT, 359 Creosote may be immediately rendered harm- less by taking the white of eggs and new milk. DippeVs animal oil may be counteracted by the diluted acids, and fixed oils; as above: the effects of the other oils must be counteracted by mucila- ginous drinks; as new milk with pulverized slip- pery elm and loaf sugar, starch, flour and warm water, vomits &c; as directed at the commence- ment of this chapter. Gasses: Carbonic Acid or Fixed Air; Carbonic oxide: Fumes of Burning Charcoal; Chlorine; and Sulphuretted Hydrogen. SYMPTOMS. Chlorine, when breathed into the lungs, causes violent irritation of the organs concerned in breath- ing ; lungs,"windpipe, kc, spitting of blood, and permanent diseases of the lungs. The other gas- ses, Carbonic acid &c. although producing some effect on the breathing organs, act as poisons in consequence of their sedative or depressing agen- cy. The symptoms, therefore, are like those of apoplexy or the effects of opium. TREATMENT. For chlorine let the patient cautiously breathe the fumes or vapour of ammonia or sulphureted hydrogen; not so strong or held so close as to strangle him. For the other gasses pour cold wa- ter on the head, and treat any inflammatory symp- toms that may arise on general principles. 360 POISONS. Iodine causes burning pain in the throat and stomach; fruitless efforts to vomit; redness and swelling of the eyes; with extreme pain and tender- ness about the pit of the stomach. TREATMENT. Give starch, or flour in water freely. Lead and its co3ipounds: Sugar of lead, white lead, Red lead, Litharge, wines sweetened with lead; water that has stood in leaden vessels, sour food left in vessels glazed with lead. SYMPTOMS. Pains aud irritation of the stomach and bow- els; with cramps. The nerves are so affected as to produce a partial or entire loss of one or more of the limbs. The bowels are very costive and the countenance anxious and gloomy, and if- relief is not speedily afforded the most alarming symptoms and death will follow. TREATMENT. Both Epsom and Glauber's salts are suitable remedies and may be taken in table spoonful do- ses, till relief is obtained. Mercury and its various preparations; Corro- sive Sublimate, Nitrate of—Red Precipitate, White Precipitate, Suphate, or Furbith Mineral, Red Sulphuret, or Vermillion. SYMPTOMS. Astringent metallic taste; burning pain in the TREATMENT. 361 stomach; vomiting and purging; the discharges being often streaked with blood; pain and diffi- culty of making water; burning pain in the throat: the patient becomes drowsy, convulsions and death follow. TREATMENT. While of eggs beaten with water, must be drank freely; or wheat flour may be beaten with milk and taken as a substitute. Any symptom of in- flammation in the stomach or bowels must be treated as directed under these heads. Silver; Nitrate of Silver or Lunar Caustic SYMPTOMS. The same as other irritating poisons. TREATMENT. Common salt decomposes this substance and destroys its active properties; inflammatory sym- ptoms to be treated as before directed. Tin ; Muriate of Tin ; Oxide of tin, or Putty powder; Solution of Tin used by dyers. Symptoms:—The same as other irritating poi- sons. TREATMENT. Milk to be given in large and repeated draughts; and the treatment, afterwards, to be regulated according to the symptoms. 362 POISONS. Zinc ; Oxide of Zinc, or White Vitriol; Sul- phate of Zinc; Acetate of Zinc. SYMPTOMS. Astringent taste, burning pain in stomach, vom- iting; pale countenance; extremities cold, eyes dull and pulse fluttering. TREATMENT. Carbonate of soda dissolved in water will de- compose the Sulphate of Zinc or White Vitriol. Milk and the white of eggs are good antidotes, and should be drank freely. PHOSPHORUS. SYMPTOMS. Pain in the stomach and bowels, vomiting, pur- ging, pain and tenderness in the abdomen. TREATMENT. An emetic to be immediately given, and large draughts of water containing magnesia; and mu- cilage of gum arabic and slippery elm is to be drank freely. Glass, and other hard substances reduced to powader. SYMPTOMS. If taken in coarse powder, produces irritation and inflammation of the stomach and bowels. TREATMENT. 3 63 Large quantities of crumb bread should be ea- ten to envelope the particles; and an emetic giv- en, and its operation promoted by drinking fr eely of some mucillage, such as gum arabic or slipp ery elm in warm water, flaxseed tea or flour in war m water. In all cases of poisoning it will be prudent, while using the appropriate means, as above di- rected to send immediately for some skillful phy- sician; whose council in relation to the subsequent treatment may at least be useful if not indispen- sable. Foreign Substance in the Throat. When a pin, fish bone, or any other foreign sub- stance sticks in the throat it should be removed as quickly as possible or death may be the imme- diate consequence. Such things can frequently be removed from the throat by the fingers, even when they cannot, be seen. The fingers should be introduced into the throat as far as possible, and will often suc- ceed very unexpectedly. Where the fingers fail an emetic will sometimes succeed. A piece of sponge tied upon a wire or piece of whale bone, has been used very successfully; but, except in cases of absolute necessity, should never be intro- duced by any but the skillful and experienced. RICKETS. (Rachitis.) This disease is peculiar to children, especially those who are born of scrofulous parents. It is characterized by crookedness of the long bones, crooked spine, large abdomen, and a large head. It is attended with general debility, lean- ness and indigestion; the flesh is soft and the bow- els usually deranged. The joints enlarge and the bones are so soft that they are incapable of sup- porting the body. TREATMENT. The same as for scrofula or Kings Evil. ITCH. (Psora.) This is a contageous disease consisting Of min- ute pimples which itch intolerably, and terminate in scabs. It principally occupies the spaces be- tween the fingers, the wrists, backs of the hands &c. but seldom appears in the face. It appears to be caused by a small insect that lives in the skin. TREATMENT. An ointment may be made by stewing yellow dock in fresh butter or lard, and applied whenever *there is any itching, two or three times a day; or, apply the itch ointment in the same way. If the disease is of long standing, some gentle physic BURNS AND SCALDS. 365 should be taken once or twice a week, and the clothes and skin kept clean. SPRAINS. Sprains are often very painful, and the injured joint a long time in recovering its former strength. TREATMENT. Make a poultice of yellow clay and vinegar, and apply round the joint: or take salt, soap, and molasses, a table spoonful each, thicken with rye meal and apply. Dr. Beach says, the best appli- cation is wormwood leaves, simmered in vinegar to extract the strength, with a little salt added, to be applied cold or warm, as agrees best; nothing sooner reduces the swelling. BURNS AND SCALDS. When any part is burned or scalded it should be immediately plunged into cold water and held there until it quits smarting; and if the part can- not conveniently be dipped in the water, apply a cloth, folded four times and wet in cold water, and change it as often as it becomes warm, or the pain returns. The water must be continued for sever- al hours, or until the pain no longer returns when the water is withdrawn. When a burn or scald becomes inflamed, a poultice of slippery elm should be applied, and as soon as the inflammation is re- duced, anoint it with seneca oil, or the heating salve until it heals. SELECT VEGETABLE MEDICINES. It is no part of our design to give a general de- scription of all the medicinal plants and herbs that have been discovered and used by mankind for the healing of their various and complicated maladies, nor yet all that have been usually re- tained as medicines in the popular works of the day. Our remedies, like our words, should be "few and well chosen;" for an inferior medicine, like an inferior physician, stands in the way of a bet- ter. These consist of roots, barks, medicinal plants, flowers and seeds. SEASON FOR GATHERING MEDICINES- Roots should be gathered in the fall, after the tops are dead, or in the spring before they com- mence to grow. Barks should be collected in the spring as soon . as the sap rises sufficiently to make them peel ea- sily. The outer bark should be taken off, and the clean bark dried in the shade. Medicinal Plants may be collected any time from they begin to blossom till the frost kills them; but the best time is when in full bloom. They should be cut in full bloom, and dried in the shade. Flowers should be collected as soon as they are full blown, and not after they begin to fade; the rose especially should be taken before it is ful- ly exnanded, and dried in the shade. All flowers WORMWOOD. 367 and plants should be kept from air and light as far as possible; tin jars are best for this purpose. Seeds ought to be gathered as soon as ripe and kept dry and free from insects and mould. WORMWOOD. (Artimissia Abrinthium.) This plant is a native of Europe, and grows in waste grounds and stony places in that country, and is cultivated in our gardens. PROPERTIES. Wormwood is a powerful tonic, increasing the appetite and strengthening the digestive organs. It is given in dyspepsia and other diseases depen- ding upon a debilitated state of the stomach. It is also given in fever and ague, and also to des- troy worms. The most common use made of it in this coun- tr y is a fomentation for bruises and inflamed parts. Dose:—The fourth of a tea spoonful of the pow- dered herb, or a table spoonful of the strong tea, GUM ARABIC. (Acacia.) This gum exudes spontaneously from the trunk and branches of a tree found in various parts of Africa, and hardens in the sun. Sometimes in- cisions are made in the tree, in order to increase the quantity of gum. PROPERTIES. Gum arabic is found in irregular lumps, which are hard, brittle, and may be reduced to a fine povv- 368 CHAMOMILE. der: The best quality is clean and transparent. It is dissolved in water and used as a soothing drink, in inflammations of the stomach and bow- els, for making pills, and other purposes where a mucilage is w anting. It dissolves readily in ei- ther hot or cold water, but not in alcohol, ether, or oil. ALOES. (aloe.) This is the product of a plant which grows three or four feet high, and about four inches in diameter. The leaves are from one to two feet long, tapering to a point and of a beautiful dark green colour. There are several varieties of this plant. There are three kinds of aloes in com- merce: the socotrine, the nepatic, and the horse aloes. The socotrine is the kind chiefly used by physicians and takes its name from the Island of'Socotra. PROPERTIES. Aloes is a warm stimulating purgative, acting with the greatest force upon the lower portion of the bowels; and hence should not be used by those afflicted with piles. Its peculiar stimula- ting qualities render it a valuable remedy in some female derangements. Dose:—The medium dose as a purgative is 10 grains, but it is seldom given alone. CHAMOMILE. (anthenis nobilis.) Chamomile is a native of England, but is culti- vated in our gardens. BUTTERFLY WEED, 369 Chamomile flowers possess an aromatic smell and intensely bitter taste. They are used as all tonics to improve the appetite, strengthen the stoiimda, and the tea is also drank to promote vomiting, ©nd in this way, is a common remedy Ifor sack headache. The herb is frequently boil- ed and applied as a fomentation in cases of in- flammation and indolent tumours. As a tonic the infusion made with cold water is better than the tea or decoction, for much of the medical vir- tues are lost by boiling. It yields its virtues to both water and spirits. BUTTERFLY WEED, SILK WEED, PLEURISY ROOT. (Asclepias Tuberosa.) All this species of plants are milky, but this is less so than the rest. It may, however be read- ily distinguished by its bright orange colored flow- ers, which make their appearance in July and August* It usually grows in open uncultivated fields, on hillsides and on the banks of streams, where the soil is gravelly. The root lives in the ground several years, and is the part used in med- icine* Properties. It promotes perspiration and increas- es the discharge of urine. It is a popular reme- dy for pleurisy and wind colic, given in the form of teas; and is also put into syrups for diseases of the lungs. BLACK SNAKE ROOT, RATTLE WEED, RATTLEj ROOT, BLACK COHOSH.] Rattleweed grows from four to six feet high, x 370 SPIKENARD. the blossoms are white and appear in July, suc- ceeded by shells that contain the seeds, which be- come ripe in September. The root is black and has many prongs and small fibres, and lives in the ground from year to year. This is a very common plant and grows in the open woods, on rich hill sides kc. Properties: The root boiled in water and thickened with powdered slippery elm or rye meal, makes an excellent poultice to reduce inflamma- tion ; and the tincture, made by adding a pint of spirits to an ounce of the powdered root, is highly extoled as a remedy for chronic rheumatism. Dose. Half a tea spoonful of the tincture or strong tea, to be repeated and gradually increased as the stomach will bear. SPIKENARD. (Aralia Racemosa.) This plant is found in almost every state in the Union. It grows in rich soils, in deep woods and shady hill sides, rises from three to five feet high, the leaves are small, numerous and oval, growing on long footstalks. The main stalk is the size of a man's thumb, and of a purple colour."*^Small bluish colored flowers appear on it in July, suc- ceeded by small berries resembling those of elder, which ripen in September and October, and have a very pleasant, sweet, and aromantic taste. The root lives in the ground for many years. Properties: The roots and berries are the parts used,and are valuable for coughs and diseases of the lungs. They may be substituted for sarsaparilla, and are said to be much more powerful. VIRGINIA SNAKE-ROOT. 371 VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT. (Aristolochia Serpentaria, Serpentaria Virginiana.) The stem of this plant rises eight or ten inches high, is weak, crooked, and jointed. The leaves are long and heart shaped at the base. The root consists of many small fibres growing from one common head, and are of a dark yellow color when fresh, and become darker when dried: they live in the ground many years. Snake-root is found in rich soil, in shady situa- tion, throughout greater part of the United States. Properties. The root has a pleasant aromatic smell resembling that of spicewood root, with which it is sometimes adulterated. It has a warm biting, bitter taste, and in many of its properties re- sembles valerian. The tea is well calculated to promote perspiration, and is highly beneficial in different kinds of fevers; and the cold infusion is an excellent tonic. CAYENNE PEPPER, AFRICAN BIRD PEPPER, RED PEPPER, (Capsicum Annuum.) This is a natural product of southern climates, and is found in great perfection in some parts of Africa, South America, and the West Indies. Sev- eral varieties of it cultivated in our gardens, but are greatly inferiour to that produced in hot clim- ates. Lives but one year. Properties. Cayenne is one of the most pow- erful stimulants ever used in medicine; and may be advantageously employed wherever a power- ful stimulant is wanting. It yields its virtues to 372 JALAP. both alcohol and water, and may be used either in the form of tincture, tea, or powder. Dose. Half a teaspoonful of the powder in mo- lasses, a tea-spoonful of the tincture, in sweetened water, or a table-spoonful of the tea may be given to an adult, and repeated as the case may demand, JALAP. (Convolvulus Jalapa.) This plant is a native of Mexico and is brought to us from the port of Vera Cruz. The stem is round and smooth and rises to a considerable height, twining about surrounding ob- jects. The root lives for many years, is round and pear shaped; the outside being black and the in- side white. The leaves are heart shaped, smooth and point- ed, standing on long foot-stalks. Properties. The root Jalap is an active phys- ic ; and usually acts promptly and without griping. It is employed in fevers and other derangements of the stomach and bowels. Dose. From twenty to thirty grains, or a tea- spoonful. GOLDEN THREAD. (Coptis Trifolia.) This plant is a native of northern latitudes and is found from Lake Erie to Greenland, and also in the north of Asia. It blossoms in May; and the whole plant bears considerable resemblance to the strawberry. The roots are long, slender, and of a bright yellow color, wrhich has given rise to the name, golden thread. IPECACUANHA. 373 Properties. The whole plant is intensely bit- ter and possessed of tonic properties; but the root is the part principally used, and may be employed wherever a powerful tonic is wanted. It yields its properties to both water and alcohol. Dose. From one half to a whole tea-spoonful of the powdered root, and from one to four tea- spoonful of the tincture, for an adult. IPECACUANHA. (Colicocca Ipecacuanha.) This plant is a native of Brazil in South Amer- ica, growing in thick shady woods. It blooms in January and February, and ripens its fruit in May. Properties. The root of this plant has a bit- ter and nauseous taste, and in doses of twenty or thirty grains acts as an easy emetic, and also acts slightly on the bowels. It is employed in small doses as a sweat pow- der, to keep a moisture on the skin and reduce fevers. Dose. From twenty to thirty grains as an emetic; and from one to four, as a sweat powder. PERUVIAN BARK. (Cinchona Officinalis.) The tree that bears this bark is found in various parts of South America, and is of various sizes. The tree usually grows about, eighteen feet high, with large' branches, and leaves from two to three inches long and an inch and a half wide. There are three kinds of bark in commerce; viz, the pale, the yellow, and the red. The red is the 374 VIRGINIA DOGWOOD. best, and yellow the next; but this rule is not with- out its exceptions. Properties. Peruvian bark is an excellent ton- ic, and is a valuable remedy for fever and ague, and the best mode of taking it is in the form of powder or tincture. Dose. For fever and ague one drachm, or a large tea-spoon heaping full; as a tonic, for dis- pepsia, weak stomach kc. give one fourth of the above dose. DOGWOOD, VIRGINIA DOGWOOD. (Cornus Florida.) This is so common a tree in our forests as to need no description. Properties:—The bark, flowers, and berries, are the parts used in medicine, and are intensely hitter, and possess the same medicinal qualities as Peruvian bark, for which it may be substitu- ted. Dose:—The same as peruvian bark; or a gill of the strong tea. * SENNA. (Cassia Acutifolia.) There appears to be a great variety of this plant, but the best quality, called Alexandrian senna, is found in Egypt and various parts of Af- rica, There is an inferior quality produced in our own country called American senna, and another which comes to us from the East Indies; but not equal to the Alexandrian. Properties:—Senna is a prompt and very safe purgative, and may be us^rj jn #JJ kinds of fevers; LADIES SLIPPER. 375 and is well adapted to the diseases of children. The principal objection to it is that it produces griping pains in the bowels, which may be pre- vented by combining with it some aromatic or stimulating article; as ginger, annis seed, &c. Its purgative qualities are increased by uniting with it some bitter substance, as golden seal, bit- ter root, or Columbia. Dose:—From one fourth to half an ounce of the leaves may be made into a strong tea, and a table spoonful or two taken every hour till it op- erates. LADIES SLIPPER, YELLOW LADIES SLIPPER, Moccasin Flower, American Valerian, and Umbil. (Cypripedium Pubescens.) This plant is found in various parts of the Uni- ted States, growing in swampy ground and on shady hill sides. From one to five stems grow from one root, rising from twelve to thirty inches high. There are several varieties, with flowers of different colours; but all very nearly corres- pond in the shape of the flowers, which so much resemble the shape of a moccasin as to give rise to the name, Moccasin Flower. Properties:— The root of this plant is the principal ingredient in the "nerve powder," and is used to quiet the nerves in case ofcramps, hys- teria, and fits of various kinds. The European Valerian is said to possess all the qualities of the American valerian in a superior degree; this, how- ever is a disputed point. Dose:—A tea spoonful of the powdered root, or a table spoonful of the tincture. 376 THORN APPLE, Use; To quiet the nerves and give ease in all cases where the nerves are affected. THORN APPLE, JAMESTOWN WEED, JIMSON, STINK WEED, kc. (Datura Stramonium.) This herb is to be found in all parts of the United States, and nearly every part of the habitable globe; growing by way sides and dung hills, and wherever a loose rich soil is prepared for its reception. This stinking weed is too com- mon and well known to need a description. Properties: The plant when broken emits a disagreeable narcotic smell, and has a bitter nau- seous taste. The leaves when dry lose their dis- agreeable odour, but retain their medical quali- ties. The leaves and seeds are the parts used in medicine. They are powerfully narcotic, and should not be used internally, except by the ad- vice of a physician. The leaves stewed in lard or fresh butter make a valuable ointment for swel- led glands, indolent ulcers, and various purpo- ses. They form a principal ingredient in the pile omtment &c« CAMPHOR. (Laurus Camphora.) The Camphire tree is a native of China and Japan. The gum is obtained irom all parts of the tree, by applying a gentle heat, which drives the gum from the wood in the form of vapour and is condensed upon straw contained in a receiver a- bove,& afterwards purified by a second sublimation. Properties. Camphor has a strong penetra- CLOVES. 377 ting and fragrant odour, and a peculiar, biting, bit- ter taste. It is stimulating and antispasmodic, and is principally employed as an external appli- cation in rheumatism, sprains, bruises, &c. BONESET, THOROUGH-STEM, CROSSWORT, INDIAN SAGE AGUE-WEED &c. (Eupatorium Perfoliatum.) This noble plant is found in meadows and mar- shy ground, and is commonly known in all parts of the United States. The leaves appear as if the stem was thrust through them, they coining to a sharp point on each side. The whole plant is hairy, and blooms from August to October. Properties. Boneset is bitter, and the cold in- fusion or tea is an excellent tonic for allcases of dys- pepsia and weak digestive organs. The warm tea, in large doses, will vomit, and is an excellent article to promote the operation of other emetics; and in smaller doses promotes perspiration, and is a valuable remedy in all cases of fever. CLOVES. ( Ca ryophyllus.) The clove tree is a native of the Molucca Islands, but is now cultivated in various other places. Cloves, as they come to us, are the unexpanded flower-buds of the clove tree, which are collected in the fall, and dried in the sun. Properties. Cloves are a very pleasant aromat- ic stimulant; and enter into various compounds but are seldom used alone in medicine. 378 ASAFCETIDA. ASAFCETIDA. (Ferula Asafoetida) The plant that yields this gum is a native of Persia. The root is cut, and the juice which ex- udes is dried in the sun, and forms the drug called asafoetida. Properties. It has a strong disagreeable smell, resembling that of unions, and a sharp, biting, bit- ter taste. It is stimulating and antispasmodic; and is said to destroy worms. In hysteric fits, de- bility and irritability of the nerves, it is a valuable remedy. It expels wind from the stomach and bowels, quiets the nerves, and relaxes the bowels. Dose: From twenty to thirty grains may be taken at a time in safety. The most convenient mode is to make it into pills, the size of peas, and take one every hour or half hour; or, a tea spoonful of the tincture may be taken as often. GAMBOGE. (Gambogia.) This gum is the product of a tree found in the kingdom of Siam, and in Ceylon. Incisions are made in the tree from which the juice issues in drops and is dried in the sun; when of the pro- per consistence it is made into rolls, wrapped in leaves and sent to market. Properties: Gamboge has no smell and little taste, when broken is of a bright orange colour, and when reduced to powder, or wet with water is of a beautiful yellow, and is used as a water colour in painting. It acts powerfully as a physic, GOLDEN SEAL. 379 and also as an emetic; and is too active and dis- agreeable to use alone, but may be advantageous- ly combined with other articles. GOLDEN SEAL, YELLOW ROOT, YELLOW PUCOON &c. (Hydrastis Canadensis.) This has a crooked, knotted root, with many long fibres all of a bright yellow colour and a pleasant bitter taste. The stem rises from ten to twelve inches high, bearing two leaves resem- bling sugar maple; in the centre of one of these, appears the flower and afterwards the berry, which is red and contains a number of seeds. The root is the part used as a medicine. Properties: A pure and excellent tonic.— Chewing the root cures sore mouth, and a strong tea is good for sore eyes. CRANE'S BILL, SPOTTED CRANE'S BILL, CROWFOOT, ALUM ROOT, &c. (Geranium Maculatum.) This is a common plant, found in dry rich soils, on hill sides and in vacant ground. Properties: The root is the only part used, & is knotty and irregular, with long stringy fibres pro- ceeding from it; when broken it is of a greyish red colour, and astringent taste. It is used to stop bleeding from the lungs, in dysentery &c.— A tea of it sweetened with honey is said to be ex- cellent for hooping cough. MYRRH, GUM MYRRH. (Myrrha.) This is the product of a small tree found in Ara- bia. The juice exudes from the tree spontane ously and dries in the sun. 380 GUM MYRRH. Properties: The best quality is of a reddish brown colour, sometimes of a yellowish cast, and partially transparent, having a strong smell and bitter aromatic taste. The inferior kind is dark- er, more opaque, and has less smell; and is gen- erally mixed with various impurities. The best quality was formerly called Turkey myrrh, and the inferior, India myrrh, but the fact is that they both come from the same source. Myrrh is a stimulating tonic, and has been va- riously used by different practitioners, but is now principally used as an external application for spongy gums and foul ulcers. It may be applied in powder or in tincture. BUTTERNUT, WHITE WALNUT. (Juglans Cinert a.) This is a well known forest tree. The extract from the bark is alone used in medicines which should be made in the month of May; but other seasons will answer. Properties: An active and safe physic, not leaving the bowels costive, as many other articles do. Dose : Three pills, the size of a common pea, or a table spoonful of the syrup of the consistence of molasses, and repeated every three hours till they operate. This forms an important part of the antibilious pills. ELECAMPANE. (Inula Helenium.) This plant grows in rich meadows and by road ELECAMPANE. 381 sides; and is so common and well known as to re- quire no description. Properties: The root possesses tonic proper- ties, and in combination with other articles, is used for coughs, consumption, and other diseases of the lungs. SKUNK CABBAGE, SWAMP CABBAGE. [letodes FaitidaJ] This plant grows in rich swampy ground, has broad leaves not unlike common cabbage, but of a brighter green. It blooms early in the spring, and lives till the frost kills it. The leaves when broken have a disagreeable foeted smell, from which it got the name of skunk cabbage. lobelia, emetic herb, Indian tobacco, eyebright, PUKE WEED, &c. [Lobelia Inflata.~\ This plant lives two years, and flowers and bears seed the second year. The flowers are pale blue; and the seeds are very numerous, small, almost black when ripe, and contained in a pod which has been compared to the human stomach, though the resemblance is not striking. It is found in almost all parts of the United States, by roadsides and in uncultivated fields. Properties: This is a powerful anti-spasmod- ic, relieving cramps and rigidity of the muscles with certainty and promptness; an emetic, vom- iting quickly, safely and certainly; sudorific, pro- ducing sweat and thus relieving fevers; an e£- 382 LOBELIA. pectorant causing a discharge from the lungs by spitting, and hence is combined with the cough & hive syrups; and though not generally called a tonic, it may be profitably combined with tonics in many cases, especially in fever and ague. The whole plant possesses medical properties, but the seeds are the most powerful. They should be gathered as soon as ripe, and before the frost opens the pods. Dose: From one half to a whole tea spoonful of the pulverized seed, or a table spoonful of the tincture, will usually act as an emetic; as a sweat give as much as the stomach will bear without vomiting. A large dose of lobelia, or small ones frequent- ly repeated, will sometimes cause alarming symp- toms, especially in weak nervous patients. These symptoms may be avoided by combining it with blood root and ipecac, equal quantities. BAYBERRY, CANDLEBERRY, WAXBERRY, WAX MYRTLE. [Myrica Cerifera.'] Bayberry is a shrub found in various parts of the United States from Canada to Georgia. It grows from two to ten feet high, and is covered with a greyish bark. The leaves are oblong, be- ing broadest at the outer end and sometimes notch- ed near the extremity. The berries grow in clus- ters on the sides of the branches, are of a greyish colour and covered with a whitish coat of wax, which may be separated and made into candles, and used for various purposes. Properties: The bark of the root is the part BAYBERRY. 383 used in medicine. It possesses a bitter astringent taste, and is used as an astringent tonic in dysen- tery and other diseases of the bowels. It is used as a poultice in kings evil and other indolent ul- cers: and is variously combined with other medi- cines. Dose: A tea spoonful in warm water sweeten- ed. C0LUMB0. [Cocculus PalmatuS'] This is a native of Africa and the East Indies. The root comes to us in transverse slices with some cylindrical pieces, one or two inches long, of a yellow colour. A variety of this plant grows in our own country, which is a good substitute for the imported article. Properties: It is very bitter, and is a mild and valuable tonic; agreeing with weak stomachs when other tonics are rejected.. Dose: From one third to a whole tea spoonful. three times a day. MAY APPLE, INDIAN APPLE, MANDRAKE. (Podophyllum Peltatum. This is a common plant throughout the United States, growing in loose shaded soils. The stem is round, smooth and erect, from eight to ten in- ches high, divided into two branches near the top, and supporting two large leaves. One large white flower, between the two branches. The root is long, round and jointed, with small sprang- ling, threadlike roots proceeding from each joint. 384 WILD CHERRY. Properties: An active physic, used in all bil- ious diseases, in dropsy &c. A decoction is used to cleanse foul ulcers. The fresh juice of the root is said to be a remedy for deafness. Dose: A tea-spoonful of the powdered root, will usually operate as an active physic. WILD CHERRY. [Prunus Virginiana.~] This is a forest tree, well known throughout the United States. Properties: The inner bark is the part used in medicine; and may be taken from any part of the tree, but that from the root is the most pow- erful. Besides being an excellent tonic, it has the property of quieting the nervous system. It may be happily combined with other articles and employed in various diseases of the lungs times give immediate relief in head-ache, and may be successfully applied in various local pains.— Either white or black mustard will answer. Half a teaspoonful of the whole seed, taken ev- ery morning fasting, is good for dyspepsia and cos- tiveness. 388 CAROLINA PINK CAROLINA PINK. (Spigelia Merilandica.) This plant is a native of the Southern States. The stem is erect, four sides and nearly smooth, several coming from the same root and growing from twelve to twenty inches high. The root consists of many slim fibres, proceeding from one knoted head, and of a brownish color. It yields its virtues, to boiling water. Properties. This is one of the most powerful and certain worm destroyers that we have. When given in ordinary doses it produces no other mani- fest effect upon the system; but in larger doses it operates, slightly on the bowels, and in over doses produces determination to the head, giving rise to giddiness, stupor, k even convulsions, in some ca- ses. These effects may be entirely prevented by combining it with an equal quantity of senna; to which we usually add a little ginger; or ginger may be combined with both the articles, and they given separately. Dose. Half an ounce of the root should be put into a proper vessel and barely covered with boil- ing water, and set where it will keep hot; after standing a few minutes a table spoonful may be given, and repeated every hour, still adding hot water to keep it covered. After four doses have been taken, add half an ounce of senna, and pro- ceed as before till it operates upon the bowels..— The same may be kept till next day, and given as before, if necessary, as the strength will not be exhausted if the articles are good. The powder- ed root may be taken in molasses, a teaspoonful. GUAIACUM 389 being a dose for a man, and one third the quan- tity for a child five years old. GUAIACUM. (Guaiacum Officinale.) This tree is a native ofthe West India Islands. Both the wood and the gum, or resin, are used in medicine. The wood comes to us in billets cov- ered with a thick grey bark, and afterwards rasp- ed or cut into thin shavings. The resin improper- ly called gum, is the concrete juice of the tree, and comes in irregular pieces of a greenish brown color. Properties. It has a feeble but fragrant smell, which is increased by heat, and has a sharp spicy taste, followed by a heat in the mouth. Guaiacum is stimulating, and if aided by warm teas will pro- duce perspiration. It is chiefly employed in rheu- matism, and in some female derangements. Dose. From one to two teaspoonsful of the tincture, and ten or fifteen grains of the pow- der. GINGER. (Zingebcr.) This plant is a native of Hindostan, but is cul- tivated in all parts of India, and in the West In- dies. The stem is round, solid, and enclosed in a kind of membranous sheath, rising two or three feet high, with a tuberous root. Properties. Ginger is a pleasant stimulant, and calculated to improve the appetite. It is em- ployed in windy colic, and dyspepsia; and in com- bination withother medicines,to improve theirtaste and increase their action. 390 PRICKLY ASH. Dose. A teaspoonful in half a pint of warm water; or half that quantity may be taken at once in molasses. LAVENDER. [Lavendula SpicaJ] This is a native of France, but is cultivated in our gardens, flowering from may to September. Properties. This plant is strongly stimulant, and is good in windy colic, pains in the stomach &c, but is little used except as a perfume. PEPPERMINT. (Mentha Piperita.) Is a pleasant stimulant, well calculated to pro- mote perspiration, settle the stomach, and improve the appetite. The tea may be drunk freely. SPEARMINT. [Mentha Sativa.~\ Is much like peppermint and may be used for the same purpose. PENNYROYAL. [HerdeomaJ] Is a very common plant throughout the United States, is an aromatic stimulant of great value.— It promotes perspiration, relieves pain and sick- ness ofthe stomach; and is recommended in grav- el, and other diseases of the urinary organs.— The oil is used in liniments, for rheumatism &c, TOOTH-ACHE TREE, PRICKLY ASH. (Xanthoxylum Fraxineum.) A tall shrub found in various parts of the Uni- JUNIPER. 391 ted States. The bark is a powerful stimulant, producing a very sharp and biting sensation when taken into the mouth. This is a popular remedy for rheumatism, and is used in the form of tincture; commencing with a teaspoonful and gradually increasing to a table spoonful. It also forms an ingredient in the tooth- ache drops. INDIAN TURNIP. (Arum Triphyllum.) This plant rises from ten to twenty inches high, bearing three oval leaves, dark green above and pale beneath. The berries a bright scarlet; with a flat tuberous root, and many small fibres proceed- ing from it Properties. The fresh root of this plant is stim- ulating, possesses a very sharp biting taste, and makes an excellent poultice for scrofulous swel- lings. The dried root pulverized or grated is us- ed for coughs and pains in the breast. SAFRON, GARDEN SAFR0N. [Crocus Sativus.] Is given in the form of tea to promote perspira- tion, or may be combined with onion juice and made into syrup; and is useful for croup, and to keep eruptions out upon the skin. GENTIAN. [Gentiana Lutea] Is imported from Europe; and is a valuable ton- ic ; used in dyspepsia &c. JUNIPER. [Juniperus.~\ The berries and essential oil are diuretic, that 392 HOARHOUND. is they increase the quantity of urine, are use- ful for diseases of the kidneys, urinary organs, and dropsy. WHITE POPLAR. [Liriodendron Tulipifera.] Is a large and beautiful forest tree, found in va- rious parts of the United States. Properties. It is a valuable tonic, and has been used as a substitute for peruvian bark, and may be employed wherever a tonic is wanting. DANDELION. (Leontodon Taraxacum.) This is a very common plant, found in meadows and vacant, grounds, spreading flat on the ground. Blossoms, bright yellow, and in bloom from April to October. Properties. The root of this plant increases the quantity of urine and removes obstructions.— It is used in gravel, m liver complaint, and croup and may be given in the form of tea which should be drunk freely, or the extract may be given in pills or otherwise. HOARHOUND. (Marrubium Vulgare.) Is used in tea or syrups for coughs and diseases of the breast. CATNIP. (Nepeta Cataria.) Excellent to promote perspiration and reduce fever. The tea should be drunk freely. OLIVE OIL, SWEET OIL. (Oleum Olivce.) This oil is pressed from the fruit of the olive PLANTAIN. 393 tree, which is cultivated in various parts of Europe. Properties. The oil is a mild physic, and is well adapted to cases of inflammation ofthe stom- ach and bowels and wherever a mild and unirrita- ting physic is necessary. It is also used in lini- ments, salves and plasters. The warm oil is a valuable remedy for the bites of snakes, and poison- ous insects. Dose. From one to two ounces, that is from two to four table spoonsful for an adult. CASTOR OIL (Oleum Ricini.) This is the oil ofthe castor bean, (Ricinus Com- munis) native of Africa and the East Indies, where it is said to grow thirty or forty feet high, In this country, in the richest soil, and under the best cul- ture, it seldom exceeds twelve feet. Properties. The^same as sweet oil, but much more active. Dose. From one to two table spoonsful. PLANTAIN. (Plantago Major.) This plant is found growing in pastures, by roadsides, and in meadows, in all parts of the United States; and has obtained considerable reputation for the cure of snakebites, and in va- rious cases of poison. It is related that a slave in the South was liberated for making known a remedy for snake bites, which consisted of the juice of plantain and hoarhound, equal parts: a table spoonful to be given, and repeated as often as the stomach would bear, and the same to be applied to the wound. 394 SLIPPERY ELM. BLACKBERRY. [Rubus Villosus.] The root and berries are much used in dysen- tery, and various diseases of the bowels, on ac- count of their astringent and tonic properties.— Made into a syrup is the most pleasant form of using them. See Anti-dysenteric Syrup. The berries when fully ripe, are very grateful to weak stomachs; and when broken in water make a pleasant, cooling drink. YELLOW DOCK. [Rumex Crispus.] This variety of dock has broad leaves and a yellow root: and is very hard to destroy when it once gets possession of the soil. The root is a mild astringent tonic, and has considerable repu- tation as a remedy for itch; for which purpose it is stewed with fresh butter or lard, with which the affected parts are to be anointed. It is also used for scrofula and various impurities of the blood. SUMACH. Rhus Tiphinum. There are two or three varieties of sumach," but the one used in medicine is the largest, smoothest, and every way the most beautiful, The roots & berries are used for gargles, and washes for scar- let fever, quinsey, sore mouth, and foul ulcers. SLIPPERY ELM. (Ulmus Fulva.) A forest tree, abundant throughout the United States. The bark with either cold or hot water, YELLOW PARILLA. 395 yields a very clear pleasant, and soothing mucil- age ; which may be drunk in all forms of fever, and is especially beneficial both as a drink, and injection, in dysentery and inflammation of the bowels; and as a soft and soothing poultice to re- duce swelling and allay inflammation, nothing can excel it. WINTERGREEN, MOUNTAIN TEA. (Gaultheria Repens.) A pleasant aromatic stimulant, growing on mountains and high hills. The oil or essence is useful for pain in the stomach and bowels. CENTAURY. (Centaurium Minor.) This is an excellent tonic, and may be employ- ed in all cases of dyspepsia and debility of the di- gestive organs, and for worms in tea or powder, not dangerous. YELLOW PARILLA. (Menispermum Canadense.) A climbing woody vine, withlong yellow roots, that run considerable distance, near the surface of the ground. Found in abundance in the West- ern and middle states. The root, which is the part used in medicin e, is a stimulating tonic, and highly beneficial in scrofulous diseases, and other derangements of the blood. It is sometimes er- roneously called sarsaparilla, but may be used for the same purposes, and is a hundred per cent more powerful. BITTER HERB, BALMONY, SNAKE HEAD. (Chelone Glabra.) Grows in moist ground; stem square, and from 396 WANDERING MILKWEED two to four feet high; flowers generally white, though sometimes spotted with red or purple, and of the shape of a snake's head, with the mouth open, hence the name snake head. The leaves are of a dark green colour when fresh, and al- most black when dry; and bear some resemblance to mint leaves. The whole plant is bitter and tonic; and is recommended for destroying worms. The tea is to be drunk freely for two or three days, and a physic given to carry off the worms. BITTER ROOT, DOGSBANE, WANDERING MILKWEED &c. Apocynum Androsafolium. The stem is smooth, covered with a tough bark like hemp, rises from three to five feet high, with branches toward the top, and red on the side most exposed to the sun. The leaves are opposite, of an oval shape, and exude milk when broken. The blossoms are white and tinged with red. Properties: The root of this plant, which is nearly as thick as the little finger, is dark colored, possessed of an intensely bitter taste, and is both tonic and laxative. It also acts as an emetic in large doses, but is too disagreeable to be taken in sufficient doses to act upon the bowels by itself, and should never be employed as an emetic. It is variously combined with other articles. .r- COMPOUND MEDICINES. directions for* preparing medicines composed of different ingredients. COUGH OR HIVE SYRUP. Take Spikenard Root, 1 lb. Elecampane Root, 1 " Comfrey, " 1-2 lb. Hoarhound, " 1-4 " Skunk Cabbage Root. 1-8 " Boil all in a gallon of soft water down to a quart; then strain and add four pounds of sugar, bring it to the boil and skim; and wdien cool, add a table spoonful of best lobelia tincture for every pint of syrup; bottle, and keep in a cool place. Dose : A. tea spoonful every few minutes, while the cough is troublesome. (See table of Doses.) Use: This is useful in all kinds of cough, pains in the breast and croup. When used for croup, the lobelia tincture should be in the proportion of a tea spoonful to a table spoonful of the syrup, and given in table spoonful doses every ten min.- utes,till the child vomits. (See Croup.) AXTI DYSENTERIC SYRUP. Take Blackberry or Dewberry root, Wild Cher- ry bark and Poplar bark, each, 2oz. Cranesbill, [Gesaneum Maculatum,] 1 oz. Bayberry bark, ]■ oz. Boil in two quarts of water to one pint, then add two lbs. loaf sugar, boil and skim, and when 398 COMPOUND MEDICINES. cool add one half pint of best French brandy. Dose: A table spoonful evey hour, till the bowels are sufficiently controlled. ^J" Unless otherwise expressed, the dose for an adult is always to be understood. • Use: This is designed for dysentery, summer complaint; and in all cases where the bowels are too loose. ANOTHER FOR THE SAME. Take Rheubarb, 1 oz. Wild cherry bark, 2 oz. Loaf sugar, 8 oz. Add 1 pint of water, expose to a gentle heat, and simmer slowly down to 1-2 pint. Make it fresh every day, and in hot weather add a little brandy. Dose. A table spoonful every fifteen minutes till the pain ceases. Use. This is a valuable medicine in dysente- ry. SYRUP OF WILD CHERRY AND DOGWOOD. Take bark or berries of wild cherry and dog- wood 1-2 lb. each, add 1 pint of soft water, and let it stand 48 hours, strain and squeeze out all the liquid possible, then add two lbs. loaf sugar and a gill of brandy. Keep in bottles. Dose : A table spoonful three times a day. Use: For dyspepsia and weak stomachs; also good in coughs. This may be added to the cough syrup for consumptive patients. Tonic Syrups, Thompsons No 5. Take Poplar bark and bayberry bark, one pound each, boil them in two gallons of water down to one gallon, strain COMPOUND MEDICINES. 399 and add 7 pounds of sugar; then scald and skim and add half a pound of peach or cherry stone meats, pounded fine. When cool add a gallon of good brandy and bottle. Dose A table spoonful, three times a day. Use. To strengthen the stomach and restore weak patients. CHOLERA SYRUPS. Take ladies slipper, 4. oz Bayberry. 4. oz Golden seal. 2. oz African cayenne. 1-2. oz Boil all the above ingredients in a gallon of Wa- ter, down to half a gallon; then strain and add best 4th proof West India rum, or French brandy. French Brandy, 2 qts. Best molasses, 2 do. Tincture of Myrrh, 2 do. Keep tight in bottles. Dose. A table-spoonful. Use. For Cholera, cholera-morbus and other dis- eases of the bowels. ANOTHER FOR THE SAME. Take Ladies Slipper, 1 oz. Golden Seal, 1 oz. Race Ginger, 2 oz. Hemlock bark, 1 oz. Bayberry, 1 oz. Prickly ash, 1 oz. African cayenne, 1 oz. Boil in one gallon of water down to two quarts; 400 COMPOUND MEDICINES. then add best molasses, 1 gallon. Best rum or brandy, 1-2 gal. Tincture of Myrrh, 3 pts. Dose k Use: The same as above. COMPOUND SYRUP OF YELLOW PARILLA. Take Yellow Parilla Root, 1-2 lb. Wild Cherry bark, 1-4 " Boil in a gallon of water down to a quart, strain and add 4 lbs. of sugar, and to every pint of syrup add 1-4 oz. of wine bitters; and tincture of rheubarb and tincture of blood root half a gill each. Dose : A tea spoonful gradually increased as the stomach will bear. Use: To cleanse the blood, clear the system of scrofula, correct any vitiated state of the system and restore female derangements. (See Lady's Friend.) WINE BITTERS. Bayberry, 1-2 lb. Golden Seal, 1-2 " Bitter root, 1-2 " Senna Alex., 1-4 " Anise seed, 1-4 " Cloves, 2 oz. Cayenne, I u Sugar, 3 lb. All well pulverized and mixed. Where the stomach is sour, it should be made one third sal- eratus or Carbonate of soda. Dose: The third of a tea spoonful to be taken immediately after each meal; or half an ounce COxMPOUND MEDICINES. 401 of the powder may be added to a pint of wine or brandy, and taken in table spoonful doses as a- bove directed. Use: For dyspepsia and weak stomachs. SPICE BITTERS. Take Poplar bark, 1 lb. Bayberry, 1 " Golden seal, 1 " Cloves, 4 oz. Cayenne, 4 oz. Sugar, 3 lbs. All finely pulverized and mixed. Dose and Use the same as the wine bitters. LAXATIVE BITTERS, OR LAXATIVE TONIC. Take Rhubarb or "Senna, Anise seed, Coluin- bo, and Gentian, each one ounce, all pulverized; add a quart of proof spirits. Dose : A table spoonful three times a day. Use: For dyspepsia and all cases of weak stomach. When the bowels are habitually cos- tive, the rhubarb or senna should be doubled. tonic bitters, Thompson's No. 4. Take bitterherb or balmony, bayberry, and poplar bark, equal quantities, all pulverized, to an ounce of the powder add a pint of hot water and half a pint of proof spirits. Digest five days. Dose: From one to two table spoonsful. Use; To strengthen the stomach and increase the appetite; and may be used wherever a tonic is wanted. The above may be made hot or stimulating by adding a tea spoonful of cayenne. z 402 COMPOUND MEDICINES. TOOTHACHE DROPS. Take best African cayenne, 1 oz. Prickly ash bark pulverized. 1 oz. Add half a pint of alcohol and let them digest 3 days, shaking them frequently: then add oil of cloves and oil of sassafras, each one oz. Use. Dip a little lint or cotton in the drops and introduce into the tooth, if decayed, or on the gum if the tooth be sound. From to .6 to 10 drops on sugar, is good for pains in the stomach and bowels,or in the commencement of cholera. RHEUMATIC DROPS, OR No. 6. Take Gum myrrh, 1 lb. Best African cayenne, 1 oz. Pulverize and add one gallon of fourth proof brandy. A jug containing these articles may be put into a kettle of water and boiled fifteen or twenty minutes, with the cork out; or it can be pre- pared without boiling, by letting it stand several days and shaking it frequently. Dose. From one to two teaspoonsful in sweeten- ed water. Use. To relieve pain in the stomach and bow- els, check dysentery, diarrhoea, &c. As an ex- ternal application,it is used for rheumatism,sprains, bruises and cuts. It heals a wound quicker than any other application we know, prevents mortifi- cation and the ill effects of cold. EYE WATER. Take golden seal, 1 tea-spoonful. Add a gill of boiling water; stir and let it stand two hours. COMPOUND MEDICINES. 403 Use. For weak, and inflamed eyes. Apply two or three times a day, milk warm. ANOTHER. Take pith of sassafras, a table spoonful. Rose water, or rain water, one gill. After standing an hour or more it becomes a very pretty mucilage. Use. Apply cool, or milk warm to inflamed eyes. STIMULATING GARGLE, OR PFPPER SAUCE. Take Cayenne pepper, 1 tea-spoonful. Fine Salt, 1 do. Add a half gill of boiling water, and after stand- ing fifteen or twenty minutes add the same quanti- ty of good vinegar. Use. This is an excellent gargle for ulcerated sore throat, quinsy and other diseases ofthe throat. A little of it should be swallowed every time the throat is gargled. It is also used to check vdmit- ing and settle the stomach. ASTRINGENT GARGLE. '- " Take Sumach berries, and red raspberry leaves * or bark, equal quantities, and make a strong tea. Use. For sore mouth, sore throat, and may be beneficially applied to sore nipples, and is not bad for dysentery and other looseness ofthe bowels. For sore mouth, it should *be sweetened with hon- ey, and in dysentery, with loaf sugar. STIMULATING LINIMENT. Sweet oil, 1 oz. Spirits of Ammonia or Hartshorn, 1 oz. Shake together, and then add, Oil of pennyroyal or summer savory 1-4 oz. Tincture of Camphor, 1-2 oz. Tincture of Cayenne, 1 oz. 404 COMPOUND MEDICINES. Shake all together and keep well corked. The tinctures should be prepared with alcohol, or they will not unite so well. Use. For rheumatism, sprains, and all swelled and painful parts. SOAP LINIMENT OR OPODELDOC. Take white soap, [shaving soap,] 6 oz. Gum Camphor, 2 " Oil of Rosemary, 1-4 oz. Oil of Marjorum, [origanum)- 1-4 " Alcohol, 1 pt. Dissolve the soap in the alcohol by means of a gentle heat, then add the other ingredients, and when dissolved pour into wide mouthed vials and cork well. Use: This is a good liniment for sprains, brui- ses &c. It may be rendered more stimulating by adding to it an equal quantity of No. 6. LIME LINIMENT. Take lime water and flaxseed oil, equal quanti- ties; mix. Use; For burns and scalds, and to heal up old ulcers. COMMON INJECTION. Take fresh lard or butter and molasses each, 1 table spoonful, Salt, l tea spoonful, Hot water, 1 pint. Mix, and inject milk warm. Use: To move the bowels in case of obstinate costiveness, and when the patient is too weak to bear the operation of physic. Where a more stimulating injection may be ne- COMPOUND MEDICINES. 405 cessary, as in cholera, drowning kc, a tea spoon- ful of composition or No. 6., may be added to the above. SOOTHING INJECTION. Take mucilage of slippery elm or of Gum Ara- bic, and inject, milkwarm. Use: This is soothing and highly beneficial in dysentery and inflammation of the bowels, and may be united with any of the above articles to render it more stimulating, where the nature of the case demands it. Soap suds is sometimes used alone as an injec- tion, in cases of obstinate costiveness. PILE OINTMENT. Take nutgall pulverized, 1 oz. Blood root, 1 4" Leaves or green pods of Jamestown weed, (stramonium,) 2 " Stew all in fresh butter or lard till the strength is extracted; then strain. Use. This is valuable for piles, swelled glands, tetter &c. To be applied night and morning. JEWET'S PILE OINTMENT. Take Blood root and boil it in water till the strength is obtained; then strain and boil again to the consistence of tar; to an ounce of this extract add half an ounce of fresh butter or lard. Mix well and apply as above. OINTMENT OF JAMESTOWN WEED. Take the leaves or green pods, bruise them and add as much rich cream as will cover them, and simmer slowly to an oil. Fresh butter or lard may be substituted for the cream, and the addition of a 406 COMPOUND MEDICINES. few plantain leaves, it is thought, would improve the ointment. Use. Excellent for burns, scalds, inflammations, and eruptions on the skin, and piles. HEALING SALVE, OR OINTMENT. Take Balm of gilead buds, 2 oz. Elder bark, 1 oz. Sheep's tallow, 4 oz. Fresh butter, 4 oz. Bees wax, 2 oz. Honey, 1 oz. Simmer slowly thirty minutes. Use. This is an excellent ointment for burns, scalds, old sores, sore lips, kc NERVE OINTMENT. Take Bark of Bittersweet root. 2 oz. Wormwood, 1 oz. Chamomile, ] oz. Simmer in any soft animal oil, strain and add half a tea-spoonful of spirits turpentine. Use: For hard glandular swellings, sprains, bruises, corns, &c. TETTER OINTMENT. Take Spirits of Turpentine, 1 oz. Black Pepper, 1 oz. Ginger, 1 0z. Cloves, 1 oz. Brimstone, 1 0z. Fresh butter or lard, 2 oz. Simmer all together in any earthen vessel; strain while hot, and apply night and morning. Use: This is said to be a sovereign remedy for tetter, scald head, &c. COMPOUND MEDICINES. 407 EYE OINTMENT, OR EYE SALVE. Take pulverized lobelia seed, 2 oz. Alcohol, 1-2 pint. Bottle and shake frequently for five days; then strain and add two ounces of fresh butter, and ex- pose to a gentle heat till the alcohol disappears, and stir till cool. Use: An excellent salve for sore eyes; to be applied at bed time, on the eye-lids and corners of the eyes; the face and eyes being washed in the mornings with soft, luke-warm water. This is also good for tetter and scald head. In all cases of tetter, ringworm, and scald head, w heat bran must be used to wash with instead of soap. ITCH OINTMENT. Take Sulphur vivum (crude sulphur) fine, 1 oz. Venice turpentine, 1 oz. Lard, 1-2 lb. Melt the lard and turpentine; tnen add the sul- phur, and stir till it is cold: let it be applied two or three times a day. Use. It cures the complaint without the neces- sity of changing the clothes.—Beach. BASILICON OINTMENT. Take Resin (called rosin) 5 oz. Lard, 8 oz. Beeswax, 2 oz. Melt all together, strain, and stir them constant- ly till cool. Use. To heal scalds, burns, cuts, &c. RESIN OINTMENT, OR DESHLER'S SALVE. Take Resin, Suet, Beeswax, each one pound; Turpentine, (as it qomes, out of the pine tree, not 408 COMPOUND MEDICINES. the spirits) half a pound; Flaxseed oil half a pint. Melt all together, strain through linen, and stir till cool. 'Use. This is more stimulating than the basili- corc, and better adapted to indolent ulcers; and is a valuable healing salve. DR. S. THOMPSON'S POULTICE. Take a strong tea of Raspberry leaves and thicken with crackers and slippery elm, both fine- ly pulverized, and a little ginger added. Use. For scalds, burns, felons &c. Where there is much irritation the ginger may be omitted. FLAXSEED POULTICE, Take flaxseed, ground or pounded fine, and grad- ually add boiling water, and stir well till of the proper consistence for a poultice. Use. This may be applied in all cases of in- flammation, and is next to slippery elm in its sooth- ing influence. $ SLIPPERY ELM POULTICE, Take powdered slippery elm, sufficient to form & poultice, add hot water and stir till ofthe proper consistence. Use. This may be applied hot, lukewarm, or cold, as may best suit the case, and is one of the most soothing applications in all cases of inflam- mation. LYE POULTICE. Take weak lye, heat it and thicken with rye meal, or slippery elm pulverized. Use. This poultice is useful for felons, and all deep seated inflammations. P0TAT0E POULTICE. Take roasted potatoes, mash fine, and moisten COMPOUND MEDICINES. 409 with strong vinegar, and sprinkle with cayenne pepper till well coated; or cover with the grounds of No. 6. Use. This is an excellent poultice for the first stages of quinsy, pains in the face, toothache, kc DRAWJNG POULTICE. Take honey or molasses, salt and soap, a ta- ble spoonful each, and^ one egg. Mix well and thicken with rye flour,' or flour of slippery elm; wdieat flour will answer. This poultice should be made cold, but may be held to the fire and made comfortably warm before it is applied. Use : This is a powerful poultice, rapidly pro- motes supuration, cures sprains, removes corns and arouses indolent tumours. YEST POULTICE. Take yest and No. 6, equal quantities, and thicken with equal quantities of charcoal and powdered slippery elm. Use: To arrest mortification, and produce a healthy action in ill conditioned sores. MUSTARD POULTICE, OR Cataplasm. Make a poultice of light bread and water, spread, and cover with a coat of ground mustard seed. Use: This may be applied to the soles of the feet in fevers, and in all cases where there is an over determination to the head. It is also ap- plied to the temples to relieve headache,and is use- ful in removing other deep seated pains. ASTRINGENT PLASTER. Take white oak bark a sufficient quantity, pound- ed or ground fine, cover with water and let it stand 410 COMPOUND MEDICINES. 24 hours; then strain and boil down till thick enough for plasters. Use. This is to be spread on linen or soft leath- er, and used for rupture. After the plaster comes off, a truss must be applied. B.---- BURGUNDY PLASTER. Take Burgundy, a sufficient quantity, and spread on soft leather with a hot iron; sprinkle with cay- enne and run the hot iron over to make the cay- enne adhere to the plaster. Use. This is a good strengthening plaster for weak backs, pain in the back, &c. The cayenne is added to make it more stimulating, and is high- ly important where there is deep seated pain. SEARS' CLOTH PLASTER. Take Resin, (rosin) 1-2 lb. Beeswax, 2 oz. Cayenne pepper, 2 oz. Spirits, 1 pint. Simmer the cayenne in the spirits and strain; then melt the other articles and add; simmer all together till the spirits disappear; take from the fire, and when nearly cold, add two ounces of gum camphor and three tea-spoonsful of oil of sassafras. Use. To be spread on linen cloth or soft leath- er, and applied in all cases where a strengthening plaster is needed: this is an excellent plaster. ADHESIVE AND STRENGTHENING PLASTER. Take Resin, 3 lbs. Beeswax, 4 oz. Burgundy pitch, 4 oz. Mutton tallow, 4 oz. Melt these together, and then add. COMPOUND MEDICINES. 411 Sweet oil, 1-2 oz. Camphor, 1-2 oz. West India rum, 1 gill. Sassafras oil 1-2 oz. When well mixed together, let the w hole be poured into water and worked in the hands like shoe-makers wax. A little more oil or rosin may be added to make it harder or softer to suit the season. Use. This may be used for a sticking plaster to secure the lips of cuts together, for rheumatism, and wherever a strengthening plaster is rfeeded. B.---- IRRITATING PLASTER. Take Mandrake, Bloodroot, Indian turnip, and Poke-root, finely pulverized, of each half a pound; cover with alcohol, and let them stand uncovered until nearly dry. Melt four pounds of pure Burgun- dy pitch, and add half a pound of Venice turpen- tine. Stir in the powdered roots, and simmer un- til of the proper consistence for plasters. Use: Spread on soft leather and apply over the affected part. This brings out an eruption like small pox, and is well adapted to relieve pains in the side, from liver complaint; pains in the back, rheumatic pains, &c. After wearing it a few days, if the irritation becomes too great, the plaster should be removed and the part washed with water or spirits, and replaced in a day or two. B.------- VERMIFUGE PLASTER. Boil half an ounce of powdered aloes with a few sprigs of rue, wormwood and chamomile in 412 COMPOUND MEDICINES. half a pint of gall to the consistence of a plaster; spread this on thin leather and apply at the pit of the stomach, changing it every twelve hours for three days; then take fifteen grains of Jalap, (or butternut syrup,) and it will bring vast quan- tities of worms away, some burst and some alive. Wesley. COMPOUND SPIRITS OR TINCTURE OF LAVENDER. Take Flowers of Lavender, 1-2 oz. Nutmeg, " " Mace, " " Cloves, " " Cinnamon, " " Pulverize and add a quart of proof spirits. Dose; From one to two tea spoonsful. Use; For hysterics, pains in the stomach and breast, fainting, &c. TINCTURE OF MYRRH. Take Gum Myrrh pulverized, 2 oz. Alcohol, 1-2 pt. Put in a bottle and shake well for seven days. Use; To wash indolent ulcers, scrofulous sores, white swelling &c. Good whiskey may be sub- stituted for alcohol in making any of the tinct- ures, except when they are to be united with oils; as in making toothache drops, liniment &c. TINCTURE OF CAYENNE. Take cayenne pepper two ounces, alcohol one pint, bottle and shake daily for five days. Use; This is principally used as an external application to remove pain, rheumatism &c.— COMPOUND MFDICINES. 413 One pint of this united with three pints of tincture of myrrh makes good No. 6. TINCTURE OF LOBELIA. Take lobelia seed well pulverized two ounces, alcohol or proof spirits one pint. Bottle and shake for five days. Dose : From a tea spoonful to a table spoonful. Use: An easy and quick emetic; for poison, croup, foul stomach and wherever an emetic is needed. When prepared with alcohol it must be diluted with water before giving it to children. COMPOUND TINCTURE OF LOBELIA. Thompson's 3d preparation. Take Lobelia seed well pulverized, cayenne, k nerve powder, each one ounce, alcohol or No. 6., one pint; put all in a bottle and shake frequently for five days. In the old receipt, No. 6., and cay- enne were added to the pulverized seed, but we think this a better preparation. Dose; From half a tea spoonful to a table spoonful, according to the urgency of the case. Use; This is designed for Locked-jaw, Cholera, drowned persons, and various other cases of sus- pended animation. A powerful anti-spasmodic. TINCTURE OF RHUBARB AND BLOOD ROOT. Take Rhubarb in powder, 2 oz. Blood root, do 1 1-2 oz. Anise seed, 1 oz. Proof spirits, 1 qt. Bottle and shake frequently for ten days. Dose; From a tea spoonful to a table spoonful three times a day. Use; Excellent for liver complaint, costive- 414 COMPOUND MEDICINES. ness and scrofula. It is also added to the Com- pound Syrup of Yellow Parilla. RHEUMATIC TINCTURE. Take Guaiacum pulverized, 2 oz. Prickly ash bark powdered 1 " Ripe Poke berries, 3 oz. Proof Spirits, 1 q1. Bottle and shake frequently, for seven days. Dose; A tea. spoonful three times a day and increased as the stomach will bear. Use: This is useful in chronic rheumatism and gouty affections. ESSENCE OF PEPPERMINT. Take oil of peppermint, 1 oz. Alcohol, 1 pt. Shake together in a bottle. Dose; From ten drops to a tea spoonful. Use; For pains in the stomach, &c. Essence of Wintergreen, spearmint, cinnamon, &c, may be prepared from the oils, by uniting them with alcohol in the above proportions. BUTTERNUT EXTRACT. Take bark of butternut or white walnut, boil in water till the strength is extracted; then strain and boil again till thick as honey. The heat should be reduced as the syrup grows rich, or else it will burn. Dose; A tea. spoonful in a table spoonful of molasses, for an adult, repeated every three hours till it operates on the bowels. Use; This is an active and safe physic, & in less doses may be given to children for worms.— It forms part of the anti-bilious pills. COMPOUND MEDICINES. 415 EXTRACT OF GENTIAN. Take gentian root sliced, two and a half pounds, add boiling water two gallons, let it stand twen- ty four hours, then boil down to one gallon, strain while hot, and boil again slowly to the consistence of tar. Dose: From ten to thirty grains. Use : This is an excellent tonic, and may be ta- ken alone in the form of pills, but is usually com- bined with other articles. Extracts are all prepared in nearly the same wTay, by extracting the strength in water or spir- its, and evaporating slowly to the proper consis- tence ; or the juice of the plant may be dried in the sun. Extracts should be kept in tight jars and covered with bladder or buckskin. ANTI-DYSPEPTIC PILLS. Take best Aloes, 4 oz. Castile soap, 2 " Colocynth, 2 " Gamboge, 2 " Extract of Gentian, 4 " Oil of Cloves, 2 drachms. that is, about two tea spoonsful. Mix, and form into pills the size of a pea. Dose: One or two morning and evening. Use: To regulate the bowels, and strengthen the "stomachs of persons troubled with dyspepsia, and other debilitated patients. B. HEPATIC PILLS. Take extract of dandelion, mandrake, pulver- ized ; blood root pulverized, each half an ounce; 416 COMPOUND MEDICINES. add ten drops oil of peppermint. Mix, and make into pills the size of a pea. Dose: From one to three night and morning. Use: "This" says Dr. Beach, "is an extraordi- nary remedy for liver complaint. It generally soon removes the pain in the side, shoulder, and is ex- cellent in jaundice and affections of the kidneys. The irritating plaster should be worn over the seat of the disease. An amendment is sure to follow their use in a few days." ANTI-BILIOUS PILLS. Take aloes pulverized, 1 oz. Gamboge pulverized, 1-4 oz. Extract of butternut sufficient to make a mass of the proper consistence for pills. Mix well, and form into pills ofthe usual size. Dose: From two to four. Use: An active and safe physic; wa^ll adapted to bilious diseases, and wherever active physic is needed to cleanse the stomach and bowels. ANTI-HYSTERIC PILLS. Take asafoetida and rhubarb, equal quantities. Mix and make pills ofthe usual size. Dose.- Three, two or three times a day. Use: These regulate the bowels, expel wind, and relieve hysterics and hypochondria. 1. SWEAT POWDER. Take lobelia seed pulverized, 1-2 oz. Boneset pulverized, 1 oz. Mix. Dose : Put a tea spoonful in a tea cupful of warm water, and give a tea spoonful or more, if COMPOUND MEDICINES. 417 the stomach will bear it, every half hour, in snake- root tea. Use : To promote perspiration and reduce fever. 2 SWEAT POWDER. Take ipecac and cayenne pepper, equal quan- tities each: Mix. Dose: A level tea spoonful may be divided in- to eight equal parts, and one of these taken every hour, or half hour, in snake root or boneset tea. Use: An excellent sweat powder, especially where the system is sunk, and requires stimulation. EMETIC POWDER. Take lobelia seed pulverized, 1 oz. Ipecac, 1 oz. Blood root, 1-2 oz. Cayenne pepper, 1-4 oz. Mix. Dose: Half a tea spoonful every twenty min- utes till it vomits. Use: This is an active emetic, and may be giv- en without producingthe alarming symptoms some- times produced by lobelia alone. KINGS EMETIC POWDER. Take lobelia seed pulverized, 2 oz. Blood root, 1 " Skunk Cabbage, 1 " Ipecac, 1 1-3 oz. Cayenne pepper, 1-3 oz. Mix. Dose: Haifa tea-spoonful, in boneset tea, eve- ry fifteen minutes till it operates. If the first or second dose is rejected, repeat. Boneset has- tens the operation and renders it less severe. 418 COMPOUND MEDICINES. ANTI-BILIOUS OR CATHARTIC POWDER, COMMON PHYSIC. Take best senna, 2 oz. Cloves, 2 oz. Jalap, 1 oz. Pulverize separately; mix, and pass through a fine sieve. Dose : A tea-spoonful, in sweetened water, on an empty stomach. Use: This is a very safe and effectual physic. It operates easily on the bowels and leaves them in a healthy condition; and may be safely given in all cases where a physic is needed. B.------ VEGETABLE HEATING POWDER, OR COMPOSITION. Take Bay berry, bark of the root, 1 lb. Best ginger, 1-2 " Hemlock bark, 1-2 " Cloves, 1 oz. Cayenne pepper, 1 oz. Let all be well pulverized and sifted through a fine sieve. Mix; and keep in a tight jar or bottle. Dose: A tea-spoonful, in hot water sweetened. Use: This is excellent for colds, pains in the bowels, &c, &c. COMPOUND POWDER OF MANDRAKE, OR MANDRAKE PHYSIC. Take mandrake root pulverized, Spearmint pul- verized, and Cream of tartar, equal quantities of each, well mixed. Dose : A tea-spoonful of the powder in molas- ses or sweetened water. Use. This is an effectual & safe anti-bilious physic. * NEUTRALIZING MIXTURE. Take Rhubarb, saleratus, peppermint plant, COMPOUND MEDICINES. 419 and cinnamon, equal quantities, all pulverized and sifted through a fine sieve: Mix. To a large tea-spoonful add half a pint of boil- ing water; when cool, strain, sweeten with loaf sugar, and add a table spoonful of brandy. Dose: One or two table spoonsful, every hour or^half hour. Use: A most valuable preparation for Chole- ra morbus, summer complaint, dysentery, and to settle the stomach and prevent vomiting. DENTIST'S SCURVY WASH. Take red peruvian bark, 1 tea-spoonful. Nutgall pulverized, 1 do. Tooth-ache drops, 1-2 do. Carbonate of ammonia or saleratus, 1-2 do. Proof spirits, 1 oz. Rain water, 1 oz. Mix. Use: Let the teeth be scaled if coated with tartar, and the gums washed with this night and morning. This is excellent for scurvy, or spungy gums. TAR BEER. Take one quart bran, Three quarts water, One pint tar, One pint honey. Put in a stone jar and simmer six hours; when cool add a pint of yeast, let it stand thirty-six hours; then pour it off into bottles without shaking it; it is not to be strained. Take a wine glass full three times a day. 420 COMPOUND MEDICINES. N. B. The Apothecary's weights and the Eng- lish wine measures, are used throughout the whole book, the different denominations of which will appear from the followiug Table: A pound contains twelve ounces. An ounce - - - eight drachms. A drachm - - - three scruples. A scruple - - - twenty grains. A gallon contains eight pints. A pint - - - sixteen ounces. An ounce - - eight drachms. A table spoonful is the measure of half an ounce. A tea spoonful is one fourth of a table spoonful, or one drachm. Sixty drops make one tea- spoonful. TABLE OF DOSES FOR DIFFERENT AGES. (The Common Dose being taken at one.) 7 weeks of age, l-15th of common dose; 7 months of age, l-12th of do. 14 do. 1-8 do. 28 do. 1-5 do. 3 1-2 years, of age, 1-4 do. 5 do. 1-3 do. 7 do. 1-2 do. 14 do. 2-3 do. 21 do. common dose. do. 63 do. 11-12 do. 77 do. 5-6 do. 100 do. 4-6 do. END. e*#j .r<; A K Vw.*' •l A*>V* ■it* ** #" >* ■»■ P- % tW^l;