ARMY MEDICAL LIBRARY poundid iasa <7 I ' / s ¦ w^^-^ \ WASHINGTON. DC. > — * — t 4 FAMILY PHYSICIAN, OK EVERY MAN'S COMPANION, BEING A COMPILATION FROM THE MOST APPROVED MEDICAL AUTHORS, ADAPTED TO THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN CLIMATES. Berts, 2vootjs antr 43la nt s t use* far WITH DIRECTIONS HOW THEY ARK TO BE PREPARED, SO THAT EVERY MAX CAN BE HIS OWN PHYSICIAN", TOGETHER WITH A GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS. BY A.G. GOODLETT, M. D., FOR MANY YEARS A SURGKON IN THK UNITED STATKS ARMY. WITH AN APPENDIX, ¦ CONTAINING A NEW AND SUCCESSFUL MODE OF TREATING ASIATIC CHOLERA, BY THE COMPILER. ; ''.- £j fe = ¦ = Priutfld at Smith ti n d Nesbit'a Steam Press. ¦¦¦' ' 1888. i :..'...: '..•¦• '...l Cnpy• r I c ntn t secured nci:or d i n r to Ij nw • • GENERAL INDEX. Abortion - - 514 i Accidents - - 503 I Aliment - - - 44 < Ambition - - - 148 1 Amputation of the Leg - 8241 Amputation of the Thigh - 624 ) Amputation of Fingers, Toes, 021 i Amputation, Concluding Ku- I mirks on, - - 688 » Anger - - 1551 • Anthony's Fire, St., 86111 Apoplectic Fits - - 880' Asthma - - - 403' Avarice - - - 168 i Amputation - - 021 i Arm, Fracture of - 011,012' Arm, amputation of, - 622* Arm, Fore, amputation of, - 025 Barrenntti ... 551 V Bladder, Inflammation of, - 31 1 Bloodletting - 405 Blood, Spitting of, - - 303 B.rn, Still, - su'l Biles, or Tumors, - - 443 1 Brain, Concussion of, - 50GJ Bruin, Inflammation ofc - 320 1 Brain, Compression of, - 597 Bites of Venomous Animala 43;")! Bites of Musquitoes - 485 Burns - 340, 431); Cough, Common, - - 207: Cleanliness - - 106 Children, Clothing of, - 20 Children, Food m, - - 28 Children, Exercfoe of, - 21 Children, Effects of Bad Air, 33 Cow Pox 352 Chicken Pox - - 359 Chilblains - - - 438 Colic - - 505,573 Croup - - «>™ Children, Fever of, - 581 Cancer - - - 317 Convulsions or Fits, - 577 ¦Cholera, Symptoms of, - 058 Cholera* Treatment of) - 688 Cholera [nfantum - - 582 I Cough) Whooping) * **^0 Contusions - 51)5 Constipation / 572 Children, Diseases of, - 508 Cancer of the Womb - 540 Clavicle, Fracture of, - 010 Chills - - - 534 Consumption - - 3t>s I Colic in Pregnancy - 505 Cramps in Pregnancy - 507 Cholera Mortal * 409 [Cholera, Bpidemic, - 052 Catheter, Directions for using, 027 Catheter, Method of using, 028 U Diet for the Sick - 042 I Drowned Persona - 432 ! Diseases, General Cause of, 17 i Diseases, Cure of, - 210 Delirium - - - 50C Dress - - - IS! Diarrhoea, or Lax, - - 38)* j Dropsy - - " 41! ! Disease of Pregnancy - - 50.' Drowsiness - - 50. : : Dislocations - 455, 611 Dyseniery - - - 38 Dyspepsia - • 40 ' Dislocation of Jaw - 457,01 Dislocation of Shoulder 457, 01 i Death, Examination Alter, - tMJ 1 Directions to Nurses - T>2 V Dislocation of the Coliar Bone Gi 4 Dislocation of the Elbow 458, 617 Hicktip - -* - 402 Dislocation of the Wrist - (518 Health, Preserving of, - 86 Dislocation of the Thigh 458,(518 Health, Directions for Preserv- Dislocation of the Knee-pan 619 ing, - 676 Dislocation of the Leg - 610 Hemorrhoids - - 380 Dislocation of the Foot - * 6fO Hernia, or Ruptures - 410 Deafness - - - 3iJl Hope - - 138 E (Hypochondriac Disease - 396 Ear Ache - 331 Hydrophobia - - 436 Envy ... 165 Hygienic - 88 Eyes, Sore, - 313, 575 I Exercise ... 113 ' Imperfections, Original, - 568 Ear, Wounds of, - - 600 .Intemperance - • 170 Evacuations ... ]•»,'] Infants, New Born, - 565 Elbow, Dislocation of, 458, (5 17 Inflammation of the Kidnies 301) F ; Inflammation of the B!;ulder 311 Fainting - - G3l Inflammation of the Breast -535 Fear - - H 9 Inflammations - - 535 Feven in General - 221 Iniliimmation of the Liver 321 Fevers, Intermittent, - 223 Inflammation of the Stomach 323 Fever, Bilious or Remittent, 230 Inflammation of the Brain 32G Fever, Nervous, - - 243 Itch ... 435 Fever, Inflammatory, - 2(55 Infiammafion of the Intestines 324 Face, Painful AlTection of, - 341 Inflammation of the Lungs - 320 Fever, Scarlet, - - ,'U'O lnto.\icniion - - 431 Fever, Miliary, - - 351) Inflammation of the Spleen - 308 Fever, Child-Bed, - 53S Issues - - 467 Fever, Milk, - - 53fv J & X Fit?, Epileptic, - - 300 Jaw, Dislocation of, - 616 Fits, Fainting, - - 892 paw, Locked, - - 346 Fractures - - 450, G0i> Joy - - - 112 Foot, Dislocation of, - 620 Jaundice - 428 Food - - 102 Jaw, Fracture of, - 609 Flooding - - - BllKidnies, Inflammation of, - 309 Foot, Fracture of the, - 614 L Fits, Hysteric, * - 393 Laborious, Sedentary, &c. 36, 38 G -Labor, Directions After, - 531 Grief - - 144 Ladies, Hints to, - - 470 Gaming - - 178 Leg, Swelled in Pregnancy, 537 Gum, Yellow, - - 571 Labor, Difficult, - - 523 Gum, Red, - - 570 Labor - - 518,531 Greensickness - - 486 Lochia ... 533 Gout - - - 421 Love - - - 125 II Leg, Swelled, - . 506 Head, Scald, - - 582 Lightning, Killed by, - 433 Head, Injuries of, 4551 M Head Ache - 329, 459 -Machine, Human, - 48 Heartburn - 405, 506 Mare, Night, ... 403 Heart, Palpitation of, - • 401 (Measles - - - 387 Haired - - 160 Menses, Obstructed, - 483 5 Menses, Cessation of, - 489|j Menses, or Courses, - 4808 Urines, Immoderate Flow of, «7 I Alidwives. Directions for, - 696 2 Modetty - - -IS it Mortification - - 463, 0U» . Moles .... 6611 Meconium - - - f]< j. Miliary Eruptions - - JOl I Mumps - 81S ' N Nose, Fracture of the bone, - 609P Now, Bleeding at, - 862 '} Nipples, Soreness of, - 558 1 Nurses, Directions for, - o'2i) I O Ovarium, Dropsy of - 55 1 ) Organs of Generation - 478 t Pains, False, - 510 I [ Parents, Diseases of, 1 <( I I Passions - - - 125 J I Patriolism - - - l^ s I Palate, Falling of, - -3>7 > I P( isons - - •»'* :> ' I Pil-is, Bleeding and Blind, - 382 V ¦ Piles in Pregnancy - - 609 \ I Pregno.icy - 496 V ¦Pregnancy, Signs of, • 50(1 \ fcrognancy, Cautions During, 501 V ¦Pivgnaney, Diseases of, 508 \ Vox, Small, - - 856 V R'ui-, Swallowing of, - S:i s \ Vicurisy - - - 816 V jVeripiieumony - - 320 V Ani •• - 44Jgion ... 20t2 \ ¦Bis, l-'raoture of, - 4()4, 4 613 \ - - 417 ¦' - - - 119, 509 \ ft;i Sickness ... 430 \ Bah! Head . - 582 \ Laborious, dec, 36, 38 \ Hvmach, Sickness of, ¦ 504 "\ ' Skin, Eruptions of, - 423 i NnitHes - - " 570 Spleen, Inflammation of, - 308 Sprains and hruises 454 Shoulder, Dislocation of, - 017 i Swelling, White, - - 439 Twins - - ¦ 5-4 Totter or Rinj? Worm - 496 Tinea or Scald Head - 496 Tooth Ache - ; j Throat, Putrid Sore. - 303 Thrush - " 571 Teething ... f>7b Thigh, Fracture of, 818 Thigh, Dislocation ofj - -618 Thigh, Amputation of, - IW4 Ulcers, Common, 4 14 Urine, Incontinence of, - 3^6 Urine, Difficulty of, 877,608 Vaccine Matter - 869 Vanity - - Vagina, Protrusion of, - 514 Water, Drinking of Cold, - 411 Water, Desire to Make, 508 Water, Stoppage of, - - >>0S Whites - - 499 Whooping Cough - 580 Womb, Falling down, - 545 Womb, Polypus - 549 Worms - 555, 588 Womb, Inflammation of, 552 Womb, Cancer of, - 0 19 Woman, Diseases of, - - 478 Worm Guinea, - - 437 Wounds - 447, 51)8 Wounds, Incised, - 000 Wounds, Punctured, 002 Wounds, Contused, - - *'t ; 3 Wounds of the Scalp - 606 Wounds of the Throat - Odrt Wounds of the Belly - -607 Wounds of the Chest - OS7 Wounds of the Nose, Ear, &c. <'>ots Wounds of the Tendons - 008 Wounds of the Joints - - OUB ' Wrist, Fractures of, - -612 INDEX TO MATERIA MEDICA- Agaric . . . 083 Agrimony . . 083 Aider, Black, . . o*3 Alexander . . 684 Alum Root . . 084 Angelica . . 084 Apple, Peru, . . 664 Arbutus . . 08 1 Arro v Root . . ONI Ataral ncca, Swamp, . ON.") Arena, Common, . GNf) Back-Ac ie, Brake, . 685 Bill m . . . 5S."> Barberry . . GNf) Bastard, Ipecacuanha, . ON,"> Bayberry . . ON."> Bear berry . . GNU Beech Drops . . GS(» Boer, Small, . . 715 Bonne . . (5811 Beth Root . . 686 Bind Wlhhl . . 686 Bitter Sweet . . 085 Blackberry . . 686 Black Snake Root . (58? Blazing Star . . OS; Blood Root . . 687 Bloodwortbi Striped, . 688 Blue Cardinal Flowers . 08S Bonetet . . 688 Boweman*! Root . 688 Boxwood . . 088 Brootnrope, Virginia, . 688 B:idi Thorn . . oNi> Burdock . . . GSM Burnt SixatVago . 081) Butterfly Weed . . 689 Butler Nut . . 68ti Button Snake Root . 689 Calico Tree . . 680 Cailim is, or Sweet Flag 690 Camomile . . . 01)0 Do. Wild, . 690- Cancer Root . . 090 Candle-Berry, Myrtle, . 600 Caraway . . . (WO Carrot, Wild, . . ti;»o Castor Oil . . Gill Catgut, or Goat's Rue, . 09] Celandine . . . GUI Cenlaury . . . GUI Cherry Tree, Wild, . GIU Chick' Weed, Red, . G! v : Cinquefuil . . OJ\> Cleavers . . . 693 Cocum . . 695J ( Jock- up-hat, or Yaii Weed 693 Cohuib) or Papoose Root GUI! Colt'i Foot . . 699 Citltunbo, American, . ()[Y.\ Comfrcy . . 01 W Curiander . . (,;':{ Cow Parsnip . . 69J) Crane's Bill . . 694 Crotiwort . . 095 Crow Foot . . 693 Cuckold . . 093 Cuckow Bread . . 695 Cuckow Pint . . 695 Cucumber Root . (iii! Cure-All . . 696 Currant! . . O.Hi Umtard Applo . . Olttf I) inde lon ' . . 6U6 Deadly Xightshado . GJ'7 Deerberry . . Gl'7 Devil's Bit . . •.'.'? Dewberry \ . . 6IH Pill " . . 6!)7 Diroctioni for Preserving Vegetiibie* ¦ . 757 Dock, Water, . Blfl Dogwood . . BD3 D,\i«»on'rf Claw . 60S Dragon Root . . 698 Eider, Common, . 698 Elecampane . . 698 Elm, American, . 69S Emetic Weed . 608 Ergof; or Spurred Rye, 701 Evergreen Cassinc . 701 IVatlicrfew, or Feverfew, 701 Fennel* Sweet, . . 701 Torn, Female and Mrfle, - 702 Fever Rush, or Wild A lspice 702 Fever Root . . 708 Flag, Blue, ' . . 703 Flag, Sweet, . . 70S Flower de Luce . 70S Flux Root . . 70S Floxglove . . 70S French Apple . 701) Frost wort . . 7 (Hi Garlic, Common, . 707 Garget . . 707 Gellcnia, Common, . 708 Ginseng . . 70S Golden Rod, or Thread, 700 Goose Grass . . 70S) Ground Holly . 710 Ground Pine . . 710 Ground Pink . . 710 Guinea Pepper . 710 Hart'a Tongue , 710 Heart's Ease . . 710 Heart Snake Root . 710 Ilcleborc, White, . 710 Henbane, Black, .' 713 Herb Bennet . . 713 Herb Trinity . . 713 Hogbed, or Hogweed, 713 Holy Thistle . . 713 Hooded Widow Herb . 713, Horehound 715 Uortt-fUdkh 71C Hottscleek . . 710 Ice-Plant \ 716 ( - Indian Hemp . . 716 Indian Physic . . 717 Indian Tobacco . 71? Indian Turnip . . 717 Indigo Weed . . 717 Ipecacuanha . . 718 Ivy ... 718 Jamestown Weed . 718 Jerusalem Oak, or Worm Seed 718 Juniper, Common, . 718 Lambkill . . 718 Laurel . , 718 Lavender . . 718 Lemon Tree . 710 Lettuce . . 719 Lettuce, Wild, . 790 Lichen, or Lungwort, . 720 Lite Root . . 720 Lobelia . . 721 Madder, Wild, . . ?2l Magnolia . . 721 Maiden Hair . . 722 Male Fern . . 722 Mallow, Common, . 722 Mandrake, or May Apple, 722 Marsh Trefoil . 722 Marsh Mallow 723 Marsh Rosemary . 723 Masterwort . . • 723 May Apple . . 723 May Weed . . 723 Mezereon . . 723 Milk, or Silk Weed, . 724 Milkwort, Common, . 724 Miltw'asto . . 724 Mint . . . 724 Misletoof the Oak . 724 Moonvort, Broad-Leaved, 725 Motherwort . . 725 Mountain Tea, or Deerberry, 725 Mouth Root . 725 Mugwort, or Common Wormwood, . . . 725 Mulbery Tree . . 726 Mullen . . 726 Mustard . . 726 Nettle, Stinging, . 727 Nightshade, American, 727 Nightshade, Deadly, . 727 7 IHDEX TO MATEItIA KKDICa. 8 Onions . . . 725) Orange Tree . . WO Pnpau . . 980 Papoose Root . . 730 Parsley-Leaved Yellow Root 730 Parsley, Wild, . 731 Peach Treo .'' . 731 Pennyroyal . . 73- Peppermint, . . 73' .Aromatic-; - - 778 Astringents Astringent Decoction - 77.* Astringent Mixture Antidysenteric Mixture - 780 Arsenic. Solution of - 783 Alteratives - - 784 Alterative Diet Drink 784 ArseniCy Saturated - 786 Arsenic Solution of - 786 Ammoniac Solution of 786 Anodyne Liniment - 787 Astringent Washes. 788 Bitters - 785 Blistering Plaster - 791 Cataplasms - - - 791 Cataplasms of Alum 791 Cataplasras v of Mustard - 791 Cataplasms of Common Salt 701 Cl urcoal Poultice -- 782 Carrot Poultice - - 708 Cathartics - 765,766 Cathartic Mixture - - 766' Camphorated Powders - 769 ' Croiou Oil - - - 767 • Calcined Magneota - -770' Cream of Tartar . - 771 ' Cough Mixture - - 773 ' Coidials - - 776 < Cordial Mixture - 776 Cordial Draught - 776 ;i; i Cordial Drops - - 776 [Camphor - - 777 < 'umphorated Julep - 778 Camphor Pills 778 Cold I illusion of Hark 781 Columbo • - ~ ;I -' Columbo, Infusion of - 788 Cholybeaie Wine - 783 (';iK)iiu'l - - 784 Camphorafe I Spirits 785 Caustic, A i kali - 786 Camphorated Oil Charcoal Powder - - 787 Clyster* - 789 Clysters, F.mollient - 789 Clyster Common - 789 Clyster, Stimulating - 789 ( !|j iter, Anodyne - 789 Clyster, Nourishing - 790 Dispensatory 759 Diaphoretic Drops 768 Dover's Powders - 769 Demulcents 770 Diuretics - - - 771 Duretics, Mild - 771 Dulcified Spirits - 771 Diuretic Iniusion 772 Diuretic Pills - 772 Decoction of Bark - 781 Emetics - 765 Effervescing - 768 Expectorants - - 772 Eya Water - 787 Febrifuge - 769 Febrifuge Mixture 709 Flax-seed Poultice 792 Qum Pills - - 770 Gargles - - 788 Gargle, Common - 738 Qargle, Borax - - 788 Gargle, Linseed - 788 Gtargle, Astringent - 788 Sargle, Detergent - 788 Infusion of Virginia Snake v Root .-- 769 10 Infusion of Roses - - 779 Infusion ofO;ik Birk - 771) Infusion of Columbo - 782 Infusion of Gentian 782 Iron, Piling! of - 782 Itch Ointment - - 791 Laxatives - 766 Lime Water - - 786", 770 Laudanum - - 785 Morphine - - 775 Mineral Tonics - - 782 Mercurial Pills - - 784 Mercurial Solution - 78! Mindeierus' Spirits - 709, 787 Milk Poultice - 791 Nitric Lie Ammormc - 773 Nitrous Lozenges - - 774 Narcotics - - 777 Nitric Acid - - 783, 784 Oil of Juniper - - 772 Opiate Pills - 774 Opodeldoc - - -'786 Ointments - - - 790 Ointment, Saturine 790 Ointment Basilicon - 791) Oitments, Mercurial 790 Ointment, Memorrhoidal 790 Ointment. Tar 790 Ointment, Itch - - 791 Purgatives - - 7GO Purgative Infusion - - 767 Purgative Powder 707 Purgative Pills - 707 Purgative Electuary - 707 Prepared Chalk - - 770 Parsley - - - 771 Pectoral Mixture - 773 Pectoral Lozenges - 774 Pectoral Emulsion - 773 Paregoric - - 775 Pills of Sugar of Lead * 780 Peruvian Bark - - 781 Paregoric Blxir - - 785 Plaster Blistering - 791 Poultices - - 791 Poultice, Milk and Bread 791 Poultice] Flax-seed - 798 Poultice, Carrot - - 79:2 Poultice, Charcoal - 792 Q Quinine - - 781 Quinine, Solution of - - 782 Quinine, Pills of - - 882 R Remedies for Whooping Cough - - - 774 Rhu malic Tincture - 78fi Khumatism, Domestic Remedies for 780 S Saline Julep Mixture - 768 Spirits of Nitre - - 7(39 Salt of Tartar - 771 Stimulating Diuretics - 772 Stimulants - - 776 Spirits of Turpentine - 773 Snturine or Lead Water 789 Saturino Poultice - - 791 T Tables of Medicine - 760 Tablet of Medical Composition - - 704 Tonics - - - 780 Tonics, Medial - - 781 Tonics, Mineral - - 782 Tonic Powders - • 703 Tonic Pills • - 783 Tincture of Rhubarb • 705 Tincture of Hark - 785 Tincture of Columbo - 785 Tincture of Foxglove - 785 Tincture ofCantharidei 785 Tincture of Myrrh 785 Turlington's Balsam - 785 Tar Water - - 786 Turner's Cerate - - 790 V & W Volatile Sal Ammoniac - 777 Vitrolie Solution - 779 Vitriol, Blue - - 783 Volatile Liniment Wine - - - 778 Warm Liniment* - '^ Warm Plaster - - ? 8 ' Waits and Measures - 7^9 I OR, DEFINITION OF MEDICAL TERMS USED IN THIS BOOK A ABDOMEN, tho holly. Abortion, mison rriage. Abscess, -\ tumor containing matter Absorbents, DiediciM to correct ascidity and dry up superlltuni;; moisture. Acescent, a tendency to acidity. Acidulated, impicgnated with acid. Acme, full height. Acrid, sharp and corrosive. Acute, violent. .[fusion, pouring one thing on another. Ague-cake, enlargement of the spleen. ( Alimentary canal, or tube, thu stomach and intestines < Alkali, any substance which pro- » ducei fermentation when mixed with acid. < Anodyne, composing medicines, and ' such as mitigate pain . Aiitifogmatics, drains ( Antiphlogistic, counteracting in- < flamination Antiscorbutic, good against, scurvy ( Antiseptics, medicines to correct rot- < tenness Anlispasmodic, to remove or pre- ( vent spasms < Anus, the fundament Aperient, opening \l Areo/a, tho circle which surrounds (the nipple on the breast. Aromatic, spicy, pungent \C Astringent, medicine to correct C looseness of the bowels i( Attenuants, medicines for reducing the body Ataxic, irregularity of symptoms BILK, or gall, a fluid secreted by tho liver Into the gall-bladder, and thenco into tho intestines for promoting digestion Hankie, a tapef bady, introduced into a passage or sinus, to keep it open lia/us, a medicine in a mass larger than pills. CALCULUS, stoney or gravelly Cantharides, the Spanish flies for blistering Capillary, line, hair like Capsule, a dry hollow vessel containing the seed or fruit Carious, lottou bones or teeth Carminatives, medicines for dispulling wind Cataplasm, poultice or soft plaster Catarrh, discharge from the head or throat Cathartic, a purge Catheter, a pipe to draw ofF the urine Caustics, burning applications Cutaneous, of or belonging to the skin Chronic, a lingering disease Chyle, a milky fluid; mixing with and forming the blood Clammy sweats, cold glutinous Coagulum,a curd Comatose, inclined to sleep 12 Compress, a bandage of linen Constipation, costiveness or stop- I page / Contagion, infectious matter i Contusion, a bruise / Convalescence, recovering from / sickness I Convulsions, violent motions or fits / Corroborants strengthening, me- / dicinei or tonics Corrosive, substances that destroy 1 or eat away J Cosmetic, beautifying i Cruditi/, indigestion or rawness DECOCTION a preparation by boiling ( Dcglution, the act of swallowing Demonical, duliterious or hurtful ( Demulcent, softening Dmiition, teething < Detergent, cleansing Diapkoric, prompiiug persuiralion t Diathesis, habit or disposition of body Dietetic, relating to diet Discutient, a medicine that has power to repel Diuretic, whatever promotes the secretion of urine Drastics, active or strong purges ECCHYMOSIS, a tumor, the effect ol blood letting Effloresence, eruption, or the redness around it Epiric, a quack Enamel, the out sidn covering of the teeth Endemic, a disease peculiar to a certain district Equilibrium, equal in weight Eructation, a belch Exacerbation, increase of the disease Excoriation, ihe loss of the skin Excretion, discharge of fluids, or mill tor Exhibit, lo administer Expectoration, a discharge from the breast 1 page FJECES, excrements Farinaceous, 1 1 MM 1 y Febrifuge, removing lever Febrile, feverish Fetid, offensive smell Flatulent, producing wind Foftlf, the child in the womb Fomentation, partial bathing, or rubbing with wet towels Friction, nibbing Fungus, proud flesh Fumigation, a vapor raised by burning F/utinous, sticky or gluey G GANGRENE, a weak circulation succeeded by mortification Gargle, a wash for the mouth or throat Gland, a«ecretory organ ii HECTIC FMVJSBf* slow consuming fever Hemorrhage, a dicharge of blood Hemorrhoidal, relating to the piles Hepatic, relating to the liver 1 ICHOR, a. thin watery humor Impost hume , a collection of purulent matter Inanitilion, emptiness Incarnating, healing Incrassale, to thicken Induration, hardening Infusion, steeping any thing in liquor without boiling Inspissate, to thicken Intestines, the internal parts ol the body, or guts Julaps, simple or compound mixtures L LACTEALS, vessels containing chyle Laxatives, relieving costiveness Levigated, reduced to fine powder Ligature, a bandage Ligneous, woody, i Linement, a mixture of the thick¦ ness of oil 13 Lotioii, a wash 'jOi-hiu! Discharge, a discharge from tin 1 womb M {AGNUM DEI DONUM, the, grant gift of God Mecotdum, the infant's first stools \lrmbranc, the covering of certain parts M •.(•>< v, the monihlv course* IWrp/iitic, suffocating) noxious Muisina, or Miasmata, morbed exhalations or vapors Miltary, eruptions resembling the seeds of millit IMuci/agc, a gluey or slimy substance Mucus, a matter resembling that discharged from the nose N NARCOTICS, medicines producing sleep. Nausea, an inclination to vomit. O OBTUNED, to blunt. (JjticwMtOUt, IWOllod as in dropsy. Opiates, medicines which promote Bleep* Oplhalmia, a disesiso of the eyes. P PANCREAS, the sweet bread. Paroxysms, periodical fits. Pectoral, medicines for curing od, by following the advice given in that letter. That the work is not without errors, is not presumed; but it v believed that the Famili/ Physician will be found to be an important book in every family; and as a book of reference to the young physician and practitioner, it is not without importance. A. G. GOODLETT. Nashville, March 4//t, 1838. Tiik better to trace disease from their general causes, we shall take a view of the course or treatment of mankind in the state of Infancy. In this period of our lives the foundations of a good or bad constitution are generally laid; it is therefore of importance, that parents be well acquainted with the various causes which may injure the health of their offspring. It appears from the annual registers of the dead, that almost one half of the children born in some countries at least, die under twelve years of age. To many, indeed, this may be a natural evil; but, on due examination, it will be found one of our own creating. Were the death of infants a natural evil, other animals would be as liable to die young as man ; but this wo find is by no means the It may seem strange that man, notwithstanding his superior reason, should fall so far short of other animals in the management of his young. But our surprise will soon cease, if we consider that brutes, guided by instinct, never err in this respect; while man, trusting solely to art, is seldom right. Were a catalogue of those infants who perish annually by art alone, exhibited to public view, it would astonish most people. Nothing can be more preposterous than a mother who thinks it below her to take care of her own child, or who is so ignorant as not to know what is proper to be done for it. If we search Nature throughout, we cannot find a parallel to this. Every other animal is the nurse of its own offspring, and they thrive accordingly. Were the brutes to bring up their young by proxy, they would share the same fate with those of the human species. We mean not, however, to impose it as a task upon <'very mother to suckle her own child. Women of deli- I Lite constitutions, subject to hysteric fits, or other nervis affections, make very bad nurses: and these comlaints are now so common, that it is rnre to find a oman of fashion free from them. Such women, therere, supposing them willing, are really unable to suckle eir own children. I Almost every mother would be in a condition to give ick, did mankind live agreeably to nature. Hut whorer er considers how far mothers often deviate from tlioir ctates, will not be surprised to find some of them lint-6 to perform that necessary office. Mothers who do >t eat a sufficient quantity of solid food, or enjoy the •nefitof free air and exercise, can neither have wholeme humors themselves, or afford proper nourishment an infant. Hence, children who are suckled by delito women, either die young or are weak and sickly all eir lives. I After all to the credit of the American ladies, be it d, that few of them abandon their children to the cart 1 servants as nurses, but delight themselves with the re of their offspring. Our ladies in the general have t become so degenerate as Tacitus tells us the Roman lies were in his time. But he says that in former ics the greatest women in Rome used to account it >ir chief glory to keep the house and attend to their llf mothers were to reflect on their own importance, d lay it to heart, they would embrace every opportuy of informing themselves of the duties which they r e to their infant offspring. It is their province not ly to form the body, but also to give the mind its most rly bias. They have it very much in their power to ike men healthy or valetudinary — useful in life or the \ Irhoso who inherit any family disease ought to be very s sumspect in (heir manner of living. They shouli isider well the nature of such disease and giian inst it by a proper regimen. It is certain, that ihinih [>ases have often, by proper care, been kept off for one leration; and there is reason to believe, that by pcring in the same course, such diseases might at length wholly eradicated. This is a subject very little reded, though of the greatest importance. Family istitutions are as capable of improvement as fainih istes; and the libertine, who impairs the one, i\oc>, ater injury to his posterity than the prodigal, win 1 anders away the other. THE CLOTHING OF CHILDREN. (rhe clothing of an infant is so simple a matter, that ; surprising how any person should err in it; yet mam Idren lose their lives, and others are deformed, wj ttention to this article. I Nature knows no use of clothing to an infant, but n kept warm. All that is necessary for this purposed wrap it in a soft, loose covering. Were a mother M ; the dictates of Nature alone, she would certainly W ! Mow this method. But. the business of dressing an infant j, ;ls long hem out of ilio hands of mothers, and has al |l;isr beconfe a secret which none but adopts pretend to ¦understand. From the most early ages it has been thought neces* Isary thai a woman in labor should have some person to [attend her. This, in time, became a business; and, as in all others, those who were employed in It strove to outdo one another in the different branches of their profession. The dressing of a child came of course to be considered as the midwife's province, who no doubt imagined, that the more dexterity she should show in this matter the more her skill would be admired. Her attempts were seconded by the vanity of parents, who, too often desirous of making a show of the infantas soon as it was born, were ambitious to have as much finery heaped upon it as possible. Thus it came to be thought as necessary lor a midwife to excel in bracing and dressing an infant, as for a surgeon to be expert in applying bandages to a broken limb; and the poor child, as soon as it came into the world, had as many rollers and wrappers applied to its body, as if every bone had been fractured in the birth; while these were often so tight as not only to gall and wound its tender frame, but even to obstruct the motion of the heart, lungs, and other organs necessary tor life. In several parts of the world the practice of rolling children with so many bandages is now, in some measure, laid aside; but it would still be a difficult task to persuade the generality of mankind, that the shape of an infant does not entirely depend on the care of the midwife. So far, however, are all her endeavors to mend the shape from being successful, that they constantly operate the contrary way, and mankind become deformed just in proportion to the means used to prevent it. How little deformity is to be found among uncivilized nations? So little indeed, that it is vulgarly believed they put all their deformed children to death. The truth is, they hardly know such a thing as a deformed child. Neither should we, if wo followed their example. Savage nations never think of manacling their children. They allow them the fill] use of every organ, carry them abroad in the open air, wash their bodies daily in cold water. By this management children become so strong and hardy, that by the time our puny infants get out of the nurse's arms, theirs arc able to shift lor themselves. I Among brute animals no art is necessary to procure a c shape. Though many of them arc extremely delite when they conic into the world, yet we never find •in grow crooked tor the want of swadding bands. Is lure less generous to the human kind? No: But we ;e the business out of Nature's hand. I Not only the analogy of other animals, but the very lings of infants, tell us they ought to be kept easy and c from all pressure. They cannot indeed tell their nplaints, but they can show signs of pain: and tliis y never fail to do, by crying when pinched by their thes. No sooner are they freed from their bracings n they seem pleased and happy; the moment they (I their peace, they are again committed to their chains. If we consider the body of an infant as a bundle ol pipes, replenished with fluids in continual motion. danger of pressure will appear in the strongest light lure, in order to make way for the growth of children. ; formed their bodies soft and flexible; and lest they tuld receive any injury from the womb, has surrounded fcrtus every where with fluids. This shows the can 1 ich Nature takes to prevent all unequal pressure on bodies of infants, and to defend them against even tg that might in the least cramp or confine their nio- IS. ICven the bones of an infant are soft and cartilaginous t they readily yield to the slightest pressure, and easily une a bad shape, which can never after be remedied. nee it is, that so many people appear with high shouls, crooked spines, and flat breasts, who were as well portioned at their birth as others, but had the niisibri> to be squeezed out of shape by the application o\ m and bandagos. Pressure, by obstructing the circulation, likewise prevents the equal distribution of nourishment to the different parts of the body, by which means the growth becomes unequal One part grows too large, white another remains too small; and thus in time, the whole frame becomes disproportioned and misshapen. To tins we must add, that when a child is cramped in its clothes it naturally shrinks from the part that is hurt; and by putting its body into unnatural posture's, it becomes de- Defbrmity of body may, indeed, proceed from weakness or disease; but in genera], it is the effect of improper clothing. Nine-tenths, at least, of the deformity of mankind, must be imputed to this cause. A deformed body is not only disagreeable to the eye, but. by a bad figure, both the animal and vital functions must bo impeded, and of course health impaired. Mence few people remarkably misshapen are strong or healthy. The new motions which commence at the birth, as the circulation of the whole mass of blood through the lungs, respiration, the peristaltic motion, &lc. afford another strong argument for keeping the body of an infant free from all pressure. These organs, not having been accustomed to move, are easily stopped] but when this happens, death must ensue. Hardly any method could be devised more effectually to stop this motion than bracing the body too tight with rollers and bandages. Were these to be applied in the same manner to the body of an adult for an equal length of time, they could hardly fail to hurt digestion and make him sick. How much more hurtful they must prove to the tender bodies of infants, we shall leave any one to judge. "W hoeVer considers these things will not be surprised, that so many children die of convulsions soon after the birth. These fits are generallyattributed to some inward cause; but in fact, they oftener proceed from our own imprudent conduct. I have known a child seized with convulsion fits soon after the midwife had done swaddling it, who, upon taking oil' the rollers and bandages, was immediately relieved, and never had the disease 23 afterwards. Numerous examples of this might be given were they necessary. It would be safer to fix on the clothes of an infant whii Strings than pins, as these often gall anil irritate their tender skins, and occasion disorders. Pins have been found sticking above half an inch into the body of ;; child, after it had died of convulsion-tits, which, in all probability, proceeded from that cause. Children are not only hurt by the tightness of their clothes, but also by the quantity. Every child has souk degree of fever after the birth; and if it be loaded with too many clothes, the fever must be increased Hut that is not all ; the child is generally laid in bed with the mother, who is likewise feverish: to which we nun add, the heat of the bed, bed-chamber, the wines, and other heating things, too frequently given to children immediately after the birth. When all these arc combined, which does not seldom happen, they must increase the lever to such a degree as will endanger the life of the infant. The danger of keeping infants too hot will further appear, if vre consider that, after they have been for some time in the situation mentioned above, they are often sent into the country to be nursed in a cold house, h it aqy wonder if a child, from such a transition, catches a mortal cold, or contracts some other fatal disease' When an infant is kept too warm, its lungs not being sufficiently expanded, are apt to remain weak and placid for life ; hence proceed coughs, consumptions, and other diseases ©f the breast. It would answer little purpose to specify the particular ' pieces of dress proper for an infant These will always vary in different places according to custom, and tw fancy of parents. The great rule to he observed fc that a child have no more clothes than are necessary to keep it warm, and that they be quite easy for its both We shall only add. with respect to the clothes of children, that they ought to be kept thoroughly clean; children perspire more than adults, and if their clothes be | not frequently changed they become very hurtful. 24 25 Dirty clothes not only gall and firel the tender skins of intiints. hut likewise occasion ill smells, and what is worse, tend to produce vermin and cutaneous diseases. Cleanliness is not only agreeable to the eye, but tends greatly to preserve the health of children. It promotes the perspiration, and by that means, frees the body from superfluous humors, which, If retained, would not tail to occasion diseases. No mother or nurse can have any excuse for allowing B child to be dirty. Poverty may oblige her to give it coarse clothes; hut if she docs not keep them clean it must he her own fault THE FOOD O!/ CHILDREN. Nature not only points out the food proper for an infant, but actually prepares it. This, however, is not sufficient to prevent some who think themselves wiser than Nature^ from attempting to bring uj> their children without her provision. Nothing ran show the disposition which mankind have to depart from Nature, more than their endeavoring to bring up their children without the breast. The mother 9 ! milk, or that of a healthy nurse, is unquestionably the best food for an infant. Neither art nor nature can afford a proper substitute for if. Children may seem to thrive; for a few months without the nvast; hut, when tea thing, the small-pox, and oilier diseases incident to childhood come on, they generally perish. A child, soon after the birth, shows an inclination to suck; and there is no reason why it should not be gratified, ft, is true, the mother's milk does not always come immediately after the birth; but this is the Way to bring it. Besides, the first milk that the child can squeeze out of the breast answers the purpose of cleansing better than all the drugs in the Apothecary's shop, and at the same time prevents inflammations of the breast, fevers, and other diseases incident to mothers. It is strange how people come to think that the first thing to fa given to a child should be drugs, 'ibis is the beginning with medicine by times, and no wonder that oey generally end with it. It* sometimes happpens, . - ; i • 2 i indeed, thai a child does not discharge the meconium a soon as could be wished; Miis lias Induced physicians, in such cases, to give something of an opening nature to cleanse the first passages. Midwivea have improved Upon lliis him, and never (ail to give, syrups, oils. &C whether they be necessary or not. Cramming an inliui with such indigestible stuff} as soon as it is born, can hardly fail to snake it sick, and is more likely to occasion diseases than to prevent them. Children are seldom long aller the birth without having a passage, both lv stool and urine; though these evacuations maybe wanting for some time without any danger. But if children must have something before they be allowed the breast, lei it be a little thin water-pap, to which may be added an equal quantity of new milk, or rather water alone. with the addition of a little sugar. Ji' this be given without any wines or spices, it will neither heat the blood, load the stomach, nor occasion gripes. Il^pon the first sight of an infant, almost every pcrsor struck with the idea of its being weak, feeble, juhi uiling support. This naturally suggests the need <>! rdials. Accordingly wines are universally mixed witli B first food of children. Nothing can be more fill!;;-his than this way of reasoning, or more hurtful to inits than the conduct founded upon it. Children need rv little lor some time after the birth, and what the) •eive should be thin, weak, light, and of a cooling ality. A very small quantity of wine is sufficient to at and inflame the blood of an infant: but every person nversant in these matters must know, that most of tlio leases of infants proceed from the heat of their hu- llf the mother or nurse has milk enough, the child. 11 need little or no other food before the third or fourth mth. It will then be proper to give it, once or twice lay, a little of some food that is easy of digestion, aiter-pap, milk-pottage, weak broth, with bread in if[l such like. This will v ; ise the mother, will accu* n the child by degrees to take food, and will rendtf i weaning both less dillicult and less dangerous. AH 26 nf and sudden transitions, are to be avoided in nursjjwr, For this purpose the food of children ought no< orJy 10 be simple, but to resemble, as nearly as possible, the properties of milk. Indeed milk itself should make a principal part of their food, not only before they are weaned, but for a long time after. Next to milk we would recommend good light bread. Bread may be given to a child as soon as it shows an inclination to chew; and it may at all times be allowed as much plain bread as it will eat The very chewing of bread will promote the cutting of teeth, and the discharge of saKva, while, by mixing with the nurse's milk in the stomach, it will aflbrd an excellent nourishment, Children discover an early inclination to chew whatever is put into their hands. Parents observe the inclination, hut generally mistake the object. Instead of giving the child something which may at once exercise its gums and ailbrd it nourishment, they commonly }>ut into its hands ;i piece of hard metal, or impenetrable coral. A crust of bread is the best gum-stick. It not only answers the purpose hotter than any tiling else, but has the additional properties of nourishing the child and carrying the saliva down to the Stomach, which is too valuable a liquor to be lost Bread, besides being used dry, may be many ways prepared into food for a child. Oncol the best methods is to boil it in water, afterwards pouring the water ofi) and mixing with the bread a proper quantity of new milk unboiled. Milk is both more wholesome and nourishing this way than boiied, and is less apt to occasion costiveness. For a child further advanced, bread may bo mixed with chicken broth, or veal broth, or the like. l>ivad is a proper food for children at all times, provided it be plain, made of wholesome grain and well fermented, but when enriched with sugars, or such things, it becomes very unwholesome. It is soon enough to allow children animal food when they have got teeth to eat it. They should never taste it until after they are weaned, and even then they ought to use it sparingly. Indeed when children live wholly on vegetable food, it is apt to sour 27 ihcir stomach; bat, on the other hand, too much flesh heats the blood, and occasions fevers, and other inflammatory diseases. This plainly points out a due mixture of animal and vegetable food as most proper for children. Few things arc more hurtful to infants than the common method of sweetening their food, h entices them to take more than they ought to do, which makes them grow fat and bloated, it is pretty certain, if the food of children were quite plain, they would never etl more than enough. if a child be gorged with food ni all hours, and enticed to take it, by making it sweet and agreeable to the palate, is it any wonder that such a child should isi time be induced to crave more food than it ought to have? Children may be hurl by too little as well as too much food. Alter a child is weaned, it ought to be fed four or live times a day; but should never be accustomed to cat in the night ; neither should it have too much at a time. Children thrive best with small quantities of focd frequently giv^i. This neither loads the stomach nor hurls the digestion, and is certainly most agreeable to nature. Many people imagine, that the food which they themselves love cannot be bad for their children: but titis is very absurd. In the more advanced periods of life we often acquire an inclination lor food, which when children we could not endure. Besides, there are many things that by habit may agree very well with the stomach of a grown person, which would be hurtful to a child. as high-seasoned, salted, and smoke-dried provisions. Slc. It would also bo improper to feed children with fat meat, strong broths, or the like. All strong drinks are hurtful to children. Some parents teach their children to drink their dram or morning bitters, such a practice cannot fail to do mischief. Those children seldom escape the violence of the measles, hooping-cough, or some inflammatory disorder. Milk, water, butter-milk, or whey, are the most proper for children to drink. If they have any thing stronger it may be a little wine with water. The stomachs oi children can digest well enough without the assistant 28 29 Ibf warm stimulants, besides, being naturally hot, they Lc easily hurt by every thing of a healing quality. Few things are more hurtful to children than unripe fruits. They weaken the powers of digestion, and sour mid relax the stomach, by which means it becomes n \ proper nest for insects. Children indeed show a great nclination for fruits, and I am apt to believe, that if good ipe fruit were allowed them in proper quantity, if would iave no bad effects. We never find a natural inclination wrong, if properly regulated. Fruits are generally of a cooling nature, and correct the heat and acrimony of the humors. This is what most children want; only care should be taken that they do not eat too much. Indeed the best way to prevent hildren from going to excess in the use of fruit, or eating that which is bad, is to allow them a proper quantity of ivhat is good. Butter oughi likewise to be sparingly given to children, i both relaxes the stomach and produces gross humors. Indeed most things thai are fat or oily, have this effect Sutter, when salted, becomes still more hurtful, [nstead dl' butter, so liberally given to children in most parts of [Mir country, we would recommend honey. Honey is lot only wholesome, but cooling, cleansing, and tends o sweeten the humors. Children who eat honey are eldom troubled with worms. They are Jess subject to I'litiineous diseases, as itch, scabhcd-head, &C, AS any teople err in thinking, that the diet of children ought to v' altogether moist. When children live entirely upon ilops, it relaxes their solids, renders them weak, and lisposes them to the rickets, the scrofula, and other [landular diseases of children. Every thing, therefore, vhicli tends to unbrace their solids, ought to be careillly avoided. Till: EXERCISE OF CHILDREN. Of all the causes which conspire to render the life of ban short and miserable, none has greater influence tl 1 '1 1 1 1 1 1 ?+* * TTII Rsome food, and proper clothing, will avail little exercise is neglected. Sufficient exercise wil up for Beveral defects in noremff, but nothing can the Want of it. It is absolutely necessary to the , the growth, and the strength of children. The desire of exercise is coeval with life itself Were this principle attended to, many diseases might be prevented. I'm. while indolence and sedentary employments prevent two-thirds of mankind from either taking sufficient exercise themselves, or giving it to their children, what have we to expect but disease and deformity among their offspring? The rickets, so destructive to children, we are told, never appeared in Britain ; manufactories began to flourish; and people, attracted by the love of gain, left the country to follow sedentary employments in great towns. Ii is among these peopli that this disease chiefly prevails, and not only deforms. but kills many of their offspring. The conduct of other young animals shows the propriety of giving exercise to children* Every oilier animal makes use of its organs of motion as soon us i; can, and many of them, even when under no necessity of moving in quest of food, cannot be restrained without force. This is evidently the case with the calf, the lamb and most other young animals. If these creatures wen not permitted to frisk about and lake exercise, they wouM soon die or become diseased. The same inclinatioi appears very early in the human species; but as the] are not able to take exercise themselves, it is the business of their parents and nurses to assist them. Children may be exercised various ways. method, while they are light, is to carry them about B the nurse's arms, (the nurse taking care to keep the chi'tl in a proper position.) This gives the nurse an opportl nity of talking to the child, and of pointing out everj thins thai may piease and delight its fancy. Besid< ¦ is much san r than swinging an infant in a machine, oi leaving it to the rare of such as are not fit to take r;n of themselves. Nothing can bo more ridiculous than m 30 31 I£h;i! to many infants, and has rendered othen miserable Wnti i. •.. 11 begin to walk. the safest and best nethod of leading about, is by the hands. It is a comiion notion, that if children be sei upon their feet too Don, their legs will become crooked There is reason > believe, that the very reverse of this is true. Every leinber acquires strength in proportion as it is exercised, 'he limbs of children are weak indeed, but their bodies ire proportionally light; and had they skill to direct hemselves, they would soon be able to support their own reight. Whoever heard of any other animal that belame crooked by using its legs too soon. Indeed, it' a ihild be not permitted to make any use of its legs till a xmsiderable time after the birth, and be then set upon dem with ic»ys are brought ii|) in I more delicate manner than even girls ought to be, ihfl never will be men. Not is the common educational girls less hurtful to the constitution, than thatofboji Would mothers, instead of having their danghtoi instructed in many trifling accomplishments, employ them in plain work and housewifery, and allow them sufficient exercise in the open air, they would both mak them more healthy mothers, and more useful membej <>f society. lam no enemy to genteel accomplishment but would have them only considered as secondary,an always disregarded when they impair health. Then are, nevertheless, various ways of employing young pw pie without hurting their "health. The easier parted gardening, or any business carried on without doors. an most proper. These are employments which DMM young people are fond of, and some parts of them mi] always he adapted to their age, taste and strength. leh parents, however, as are under the necessity Q Dying their children within doors, ought to aM sufficient time for active diversions. This would encourage them to do more work, and piTu" constitutions from being hurt. ¦me imagine thai exercise within doors is sulHckih ley are greatly mistaken. One hour spent in run or any other exercise without doors, is worth til 32 33 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. tMthii; When children cannot go abroad, they may inlet '(I In 1 exercised at home. The host method of doing I, X is to make them run about in a long room, or dance. i, ., last kind of exercise, if not carried to excess, is I exceUent service to young people. It cheers the spi•j«. promotes jtorspi ration, strengthens the limbs, &c. [have been told of an eminent physician who used to iv, that he made his children dance instead of giving hem physic I The cold Bath may be considered as an aid to exercise. ]\ it the body is braced and strengthed, the circulation mil secretions promoted) and, were it conducted with (iiidciice, many diseases, as the rickets, scrofula, &&, niijlit thereby be prevented. The ancients, who took •very method to render children hardy and robust, were tnngen to the use of the cold bath. We ought not to et aside the cold bath, because some nurses and others nakc • wrong use of it. Every child, when in health, liould at least have its extremities daily washed in cold nter. This is a partial use of the cold bath, and is etter than none. In winter this may sullice, but, in the vann season, if a child be relaxed, or seem to have a endencytothe rickets or scrofula, its whole body ought Dbe frequently immersed in cold water. Care, how- WT, must be taken not to do this when the body is vann or full. The child should be dipped only once it l time, should be taken out immediately and have its 'kin rubbed with a dry cloth. THE BAD EFFECTS OF UNWHOLESOME AIR UPON CHILDREN. F«w things prove more destructive to children than tonfined or unwholesome air. Want of wholesome air ¦ likewise destructive to many of the children born in S towns. There the poorer sort of inhabitants live , dirty, confined houses, to which the fresh air has &M, Though grown people, who are hardy and .may live in such situations, yet they generally fatal to their offspring, few of whom arrive at ma- Kf % and (hose Who do are weak and deformed. \ v people are not in a condition to carry their chitdra ;ul into the open air, we must lay our account *\; g the greater part of them. Bat the rich have not this excuse. It is their busiwi to see that their children be daily carried abroad, i^ that they be kept in the open air lor a sufficient iin :l , This will always succeed better if tin 4 mother goes iknj with them. Servants are often negligent in these ma ters, and allow a child to sit or lie on the damp ground instead of leading or carrying it about. The umiln-r surely needs air as well as her children ; ami how can di be better employed than in attending them.' At« bad custom prevails in making children sleep in an] apartments, or crowding two or three beds in onechaa ber. Instead of this (he nursery ought always to betfai largest and best aired room in the house. When (hi! dren are confined in small apartments, the air not (ink becomes unwholesome, but the heat relaxes their solid) renders them delicate, and disposes them to colds an other disorders. Nor is the custom of wrapping then up too close in cradles less pernicious. One would this 1 that nurses were afraid lest children should sut&rbj breathing free air, as many of them actually cover tii child's face while asleep, and others wrap a ooveriM over the whole cradle, by which means the child is i'oivri to breathe the same air over and over all the tin;* i sleeps. Cradles indeed are on many accounts hurtful I children, and it would be better if the use of them wen totally laid aside. I child is generally laid to sleep with all its cloth ml ii* ;i number of others are. heaped above then st be over-heated, by which means it cannot fiult i cold on being taken out of the cradle and expow 3 <>, \ air with only its usual clothing, which b w :. • !y iho case. Children who are kept within dooi :iy, and sleep all night in warm, close apaitmonl witli great propriety, be compared to plants, nurse lot-house, instead of the open air. Though bob a may by this means be kepi alive for some time, w 34 mill never nrrivo at that degree of strength, vigor, and Mjmitude, which they would have acquired in the open ir nor would they be enabled to boar ii afterwards [?,,,1,1 they be exposed to it. Without entering into a detail of the advantages of rholesotoe air to children, or of the bad consequences Much proceed from the want of it. 1 may give in evijencethti testimony of a physician of great eminence, md whom I had the honor of becoming acquainted with n Dublin when 1 visited mat city after the last war; he pored mo that of the several thousands of children uiich have been under Ins care he did not remember mt>inslance of a single child who continued healthy in a ¦!osi\ confined situation: but have often known the most ilisiiimlo diseases cured by removing them from such a iiiKiiion to an open free air. Allowing children to continue long wet, is another wry pernicious custom of indolent nurses, 'This is not [inly disagreeable, but it galls and frets tho infant, and by taxing the solids, occasions scroulas, rickets, and oilier diseases. Nature often attempts to free the bodies of children wo bad htamors, by throwing them upon the skin. By IB means fevers and other diseases are prevented. — firsts are apt lo mistake such critical eruptions for an i ( li. <»r some other infectious disorder. Accordingly In v take every method to drive them in. In this way iiiiiv children lose their lives; and no wonder, as nature 'opposed in the very method she takes to relieve them. i l( rhubarb, a gentle vomit, or some other evacuation, ghoul always precede the use of astringent medicines. No person ought to imagine these unworthy of I, attention. On the proper management of children d pond not only their health and usefulness in life, but lib wise the safety and prosperity of the state to which ilit belong. Effeminacy even will prove the ruin of h state where it prevails; and H hen its foundations an h in Infancy, it can never afterwards be wholly eradicate Parents who love their offspring, and wish well i<> the country, ought therefore, in the management of iliti children, to avoid every thing that may have a tandem to make them weak or efliininate, and to lake ever method in their power to render their constitutions slum and hardy. THE LABORIOUS, THE SEDENTARY, AM THE STUDIOUS. That men are exposed to particular diseases from ih occupations which they follow, is a fact well Known but to remedy this evil, is a matter of some difficult Most people are under a necessity of following iheci plovments to which they have been bred, whether t|M be favorable to health or not. For this reason tosta of inveighing, in a general way. as some authors hi! done, against those occupations which are hurtful i health, we shall endeavor to point out the ciroimistsiiH't of each of them from which the danger chiefly ark and to propose the most rational methods of preventing! Chimists. founders, glass-makers, and several oUK artists, are hurt by the unwholesomv air which Micv ;ir obliged to breathe. This air is not only loaded with IB noxious exhalations arising from metals and miner" but is so charged with the unwholesome properties j the air, as to be unfit for expanding the lungs sufficient! and answering the other important purposes of respilj tion. Hence proceed asthmas, coughs, and coiitfiu'l' Tin: studious. l|jon«of the lungs, so incident Co persons who follow these Bflnployments. ¦ To prevent such consequences as far as possible, the ¦places where these occupations are carried on, ought to ¦j )( . ciMisinicted with the utmost care for discharging the ¦smoke and other exhalations, and admitting a free cur¦niiiot livsli air. Such artists ouffhi never to continue ¦ iiioloni; «it work; and when they leave oil", they should ¦suiler themselves to cool gradually, and put on their ¦doilies before they go into the open air. They ought Im'vcr to drink large drinks of cold water in haste. I Miners, and all who work under ground are likewise linn by unwholesome air. The two kinds of air which ¦rove most destructive to miners, are what is called the lire (lamp, and the choke damp; in both cases the air becomes a poison* The danger from the former may Iv obviated by making it explode before it accumulates ¦ two great quantities, and the latter may he generally mried off hy promoting a free circulation of air in the mm, Minen are not only hurt by unwholesome air, hut likewise by the particles of metal which adhere to their >kin. doilies, &c. These are absorbed, or taken u\^ into ilu 1 body, and occasion palsies, vertigoes, and other nervous allections, which often prove fatal. It is observed, that those who work in mines of mercury, seldom live lbo?e three or four years. Lead and several other metis, arc likewise very pernicious to health. Plumbers, painters, gilders, smelters, makers of white wd, and many others who work in metals, are liable totlie same diseases as miners, and ought to observe the toe directions for avoiding them. Callow-chandlers, boilers of oil, and all who work in Ipfrid animal substances, are likewise liable to suffer lr "m the unwholesome smells or efHuvia of these bodies. Incy ought to observe cleanliness. 37 38 THE LA HO RIOTS. Though those who follow laborious employmenta an in general the most healthy of mankind, yet the natwi of their occupations, and the places where they are carried on, expose them more particularly to some disease* Husbandmen, i<>r example, are exposed to all the \'m<. situdes of the weather, which, in this country, are ?en great and sudden, and occasions colds, coughs^ quinsies, rheumatisms, fevers, and oilier acute disorders. Tlim are likewise forced to work hard, and often to lift abow their strength, which, by overstraining the vessels, occasion asthmas, ruptures, &c The Erysipelas, or St. Anthony's fire, is a. disease very incideni to the laborious, U is occasioned In whatever gives B sudden check to perspiration, ns drinking cold water when the body is warm, wel feet, keeping on wet clothes, sitting or lying on the damp ground, &c The iliac passutn^ tne cnolic, and other complaints d the bowels, are often occasioned by the same causes as the Erysipelas; but they may likewise proceed from flatulent and indigestible food. Inflammations, whitloes, and other diseases of the extremities, are likewise common among those who labor without doors. These diseases are often attributed tt venom, or some kind of poison; but they generally proceed either from sudden heat after cold, or the contrary. Laborers in the hot season are apt to lie down ana sleep in the sun. This practice is so dangerous, linn they, often make a burning fever, or from the damp ol the ground contract a stiffness of the limbs, and \^ under the rlu umaiisin for months, and even longer, These ardent fevers, which prove so fatal about iheend of summer and beginning of autumn, are frequently occasioned by this meaiM The office of a soldier, in time of war, may be ranked among the laborious employments. Soldiejrs suffer manj hardships from the inclemency of the seasons, l - l()ilmarches, bad provisions, hunger, watching, unwholesonrt climates, bad wator, &c These occasion fevers, flux^ rlmKiintisms, mid other fatal diseases, which generally ( 1,» greater execution than the sword, especially when canipaiilii* are continued l< >* > late in the' year. A few weeks of cold, rainy weather will often prove more fatal than nn engagement Those who have die command of armies, should take cue thai their soldiers be well clothed ;n;d well tvd. They ought to finish their campaign in due season* and to provide their men with i\vy and well aired winter These rales, taking rare, at the same ime, to keep die sick at a proper distance from those in health, would lend greatly to preserve the lives of the soldiery. Sailors may also be numbered among the laborious. They undergo great hardships from change of climate, the violence of weather, hard labor, bad provisions, &.o. Sailors are of so great importance both to the trade and si'iivof this country, thai too iniicii pains can never bo bestowed in pointing out the means of preserving their B great source of the diseases of gen-faring people s. When they get on shore, after having been sea, without regard to the climate or their own tions, they plunge headlong into all manner ol riot, and often persist till a (ever puts an end to their lives. Thus intemperance, and not the climate, is often the cause why so many of our bravo sailors die, having scarcely pitted the meridian of life. when on duty, cannot avoid sometimes geting wet. When this happens, they should change their doilies as soon as they are relieved, and take every Method to restore the perspiration. They should not, in this ease, have recourse to spirits, or other strong liquors, but should rather drink such as are weak and diluting, ol a proper warmth, and go immediately to bed, when Hound sleep and a gentle sweat would set all to rights. Bat the health of sailors sutlers most from unwholenii 1 food. The constant use of salted provisions vitis 'heir humors and occasions tin; scurvy, and other Mute maladies. It is no easy matter to prevent this 39 disease in long voyages; yet, as wo cannot help thinking, th.it much might i>c done towards affecting so desinbS an end, were dun pains bestowed for that purpose. IV example, various roots, and fruits, might be kept | loqj time at sea, as onions, potatoes, cabbages, lemons, oranfm tamarinds, apples, &&; when fruits cannot be kept, tin juices of them, either fresh or fermented, may; with these all the drink, and even the ibod, of the ship's company ought to be acidulated in long voyages. State bread and beer likewise contribute to vitiate tin humors. Meal will keep for along time on board, of which fresh bread might frequently be made. Mall ion might be kept, and infused With boiling water at any time This liquor, when drank even in the form of what i called malf,is very wholesome, and is found to be aiiaiidote against the scurvy. Small wines and cider might likewise be plentifully laid in; and should they turn Ma they would still be useful as vinegar — vinegar isagrai antidote against diseases, and should be used by all traders, especially at sea. It may be mixed with the watt they drink, or taken in their ibod. There is a vegetable called sen ivy-grass, it sometime grows in abundance in the South. When t was rar goon and physician to the 7th United States 1 [nfimUfi which was removed from fifteen miles below Net" Orleans t<> the neighborhood of Natchez, in 1809, 1 found it of greal service in the euro of scurvy, wbid had prevailed to an alarming extent. 1 had it collected and allowed the soldies to cat it raw in large <|ii:iiitiin> Bch animals as can be kept alive, ought likewise io irried on board, as hens, pigs, ducks, &c. FrtSj s made of portable soup, and puddings loaded or other vegetables, ought to be used plentifully Many other things will readily occur to people conversant in these matters, which would tend to preserve the bean of that brave and useful set of men. We have reason to believe, if due attention werepSM to the diet, air, clothing, and, above all things, to tin 1 cleanliness of sea-faring people, they would be the iiu^t healthy set of men in (he world, but when these are DM 40 I vied the very reverse will happen. It is asserted, by Ljiysjcfan rf gww experience, that the host medical nridote that we can recommend to sailors of soldiers, ,11 foreign coasts, especially when dampness prevails, is |i,» Peruvian Hark — this will often prevent fevers, and thef fat**' diseases ; about a drachm of it may be chewed >\rrv day. or, if this should prove disagreeable, an ounce f bark with half an ounce of orange pealing and two rachms of snake root pr'ir«iery powdered, may he infused ;,r mo or three days iU <* |iiart of brandy, or whiskey, mil half a wine glass of it taken twice or thrice a day, dun (he stomach is empty. This has been found to be n excefient antidote against iluxes. jmtrid, intermittent, ml other fevers, in unhealthy climates. It is not niarial in what form this medicine be taken* It may either c infilled in water, wine, or spirits, as recommended hove, or made into an electuary with syrup of lemons, nnfes, or the like. Though nothing can be more contrary to the nature )f man than sedentary life, yet this class comprehends lie far greater, part of the species. Almost the whole male world, and, in manufacturing countries, the major I the males may be reckoned sedentary. Agriculture is the great source of domestic riches, when it is neglected, whatever wealtii may be imported mo abroad, poverty and misery will abound at home. nidi is, and ever will be, that thousands of people may tciii lull employment to-day and to-morrow in beggary. This can never happen to those who cultivate the round. They can eat the fruit of their labor, and can ways by industry obtain, at least, the necessaries of Though sedentary employments are necessary, yet lute seems to be no reason why any person should be nffaed for life to these alone. Where such employ- MBtt intermixed with the more active and laborious, fitv never would do hurt. It is constant confinement |w ruins the health. A man will not be hurt by sitting i^ 1 or six hours a day, but if he be obliged to sit tenor Nfe ho will soon become delicate. 1 41 Hut it is not want of exorcise alone that hurts gedfe tary people; they likewise sillier from confined air whir they breathe. It is very common to see ten or a (| (1 >, tailors, or shoemakers, ibr example, crowded into qm small apartment, where there is hardly room for ones* gle person to hreathe freely. In this situation therm crally continue for many hours at a time, often With thl addition of sundry candles, winch tend likewise to \\;i the air, and render it less fit for respiration. Air thati breathed repeatedly loses its spring and becomes liini: tor expanding the lungs. This is one cause of \[ A phthisical coughs, and other complaints of the breast,* incident to Sedentary artificers. I ven perspiration from a great number of person up together, renders the air unwholesome. '\\ »er from this quarter will be greatly increased if an of them happens to fiaVe had lungs, or beotfierwi* ised. Those who sit. near liim, being forced the the same air, can hardly Hail to be iniiefed. 1 Id be a rare thing, however, to find adbzehofsedei people all in good health. The danger of crowd in: i together must therefore he evident toevijry i le, Many of tliose who follow sedentary employment are constantly in a bending posture, as shoemaken tailors, cutlers,, &c. Such a situation is extremely hort ful. A bending posture obstructs all the vital motion and of course must destroy the healtli. Accordingly^ find such artificers generally complaining of indigestiQq flatulencies, headaches, pains of the breast, &c. The aliment in sedentary people, instead of beid pushed forward by an erect posture, and the action the muscles, is in a mnnner cojifined in \\w bojwl Hence indigestions, costiveness, wind, and other Inp" chondriacal atfeetions. the constant companions ojf M sedentary^ indeed none of the excretions can bii Ughl to be discharged in this v>:l . v ' : retained I .:<• in the body, it must have bad e(M as it is again toieii up into the mass of humors. A bending posture is likewise hurtful to the topf! 42 Yin n this organ is compressed die air cannot have tree gcess Into nil hs parts, so as to expand them properly. fence tubercle^ adhesions, &c, arc formed*, which often ?i in consumptions. Besides, the proper action of the mra being absolutely necessary tor making good blood, hen thai organ fails the humors soon become univerillv depraved, and the whole constitution goes to wreck. Sedentary artificers are not only hurl by pressure on I,- bowels, but also on the inferior extremities, which Ibtrucis the circulation in these parts, and renders them ink and feeble. Thus tailors, shoemakers, &.c. frcicntly lose the use of their legs altogether; besides, c blood and humors are, by stagnation, vitiated, and 0 perspiration is dbstructed: from whence proceed tlic •nl). ulcerous sores, foul blotches, and other cutaneous leases so common to sedentary artificers. A bad figure of body is a very common consequence 1 close application to sedentary employments. The >iiK\ for example, by being continually bent, |>ufs on a ooked shape, and generally remains so ever after; but bad figure of body has already been observed to bo uriliil to health as the vital functions are thereby hn- IA sedentary life seldom fails to occasion a universal taxation of the solids. This is the great, source from fence most of the diseases of sedentary people How. lit scrofula, consumption, hysterics, and nervous disisos now so common, were very little known in this miiirv some years ago, and they are very little known ill among such as follow- active employments without tors: though in large towns, at least, two-thirds of the habitants are afflicted with them. yIE STUDIOUS. ; is said to be destructive to health and ct that there are few persons who arc are strong and healthy. power of mind over the body, that, by diolc vital motions may be accelerated 43 44 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. or retarded to almost any degree. Thus ehoorfu!n<\; and mirth give the circulation and promote all the mviy. tions; whereas, sadness and profound thought Dover ft to retard them. Perpetual thinkers, as they are called, seldom thinj long. In a few years they generally become quite stmj and exhibit a melancholy proof how readily thegretfefl blessings may be abused. Studious persons are very subject to the gout. Tin. painful disease in a gr^at measure proceeds from jaf gestion, and an obstructed |)erspiration. The studious are likewise very subject to the stone and gravel. Exercise greatly promotes both the teen tion and discharge of urine; consequently a sedeimin life must have the contrary effect. Ihe circulation in the liver being slow, obstruction? lat organ can hardly fail to be the consequent < it livity. Hence sedentary people are frequei^ •ted with scirrous or hard livers. Er> shall only observe, with regard to those kinds I ise which are most proper for the studious, ilia: should not be too violent, nor ever carried to h eof excessive fatigue. They ought likewise to I frequently varied so as to give action to all the diflera parts of the body; and should, as often as possible, k taken in the Open air. In general, riding on horse-back. walking, working in a garden, or playing at some arrive diversions, are the best. AYe would likewise recommend the use of tlio 00l bath to the studious. It will, in some measure MM the place of exercise, and should not be neglected Ij persons of a relaxed habit, especially in the warm season No person ought either to take violent exercise, or it study immediately after a full meal. ALIMENT. Our intention is not to inquire minutely into the natrrt and properties of the various kinds of aliment in ¦ among mankind, nor to show their effects upon the ait tVrenf const imtions of the human body, but to mark some pfihemost pernicious errors which people are apt to jili into with reject to the quantity and qualities of tbeir food, and lo point out their influence, upon health. Unwholesome food, and irregularities in diet, occasion maiiv diseases — there is no douht but that the whole, constitution of body may be changed by diet alone. The fluids may be thereby attenuated or condensed, rendered mild or acrimonious, coagulated or diluted, to almost any degree. Nor are its effects upon the solids less considerable. They may be braced or relaxed, have their j;( i ii>i!>ility, motions, (fee. greatly increased or diminished, [>V different kinds of aliment. A very small attention to these things will be sufficient to show how much the preservation of health depends upon a proper regimen of the diet. Xoris an attention to diet necessary for the preservation of health only; it is likewise of importance in the curt 1 of diseases. Every intention in the cure of many diseases may be answered by diet alone. Its effects, indeed, are not always so quick as those of medicine, but theyare generally more lasting. Besides, it is neither so disagreeable to the patient, nor so dangerous as medicine, and is always more easily obtained. It is not indeed an easy matter to ascertain the exact <|iiantity of food proper for every age, sex, and constitution. The best rule is to avoid all extremes. Nature teaches every creature when it has enough; and the calls of thirst and hunger arc sufficient to inform them when more is necessary. Though moderation be the chief rule with regard to tho quantity, yet the qualify of food merits a further consideration. There are many ways by which provisions may be rendered unwholesome. Bad seasons may either prevent the ripening of grain, or damage it after- Animal as well as vegetable food may be rendered unwholesome by being kept too long; all animal subjuices have a constant tendency to putrefaction; and, when that has proceeded too far, they not only become 45 offensive to the senses, hut hurtful to health. The injunctions given to the .lows noi to ejit any creature whid died of itself, seem to have a strict regard to health; and ought to be observed by Chrfetiaris as well ns Jews, Animals never die of themselves without some prevkxi disease; Inn how a diseased animal should be whole. some food is inconceivable; even those which die liv accident must be hurtful, as their blood is mixed win the flesh, and soon turns putrid. It. is said that then are no people in the world who eat such quantities of animal food as the Knglish, which is said to be one ivason why they are so generally tainted with the scum and its numerous train of consequences, indigestion, low spirits, hypochondriacisni, &.c. Animal food was surely designed for man, and with a proper mixture of vegetables it will be found the most wholesome, but to gorg! beef, mutton, pork, fifth, and fowl, twice or thrice a da] is certainly too much; all who value health ought to In contented with making one meal of flesh in the twenty. four hours, and this ought to consist of one kind only. The most obstinate scurvy has often been cured by I vegetable diet; nay, milk alone will frequently do more in that disease than any medicine. ] lenoe it is evident, that if vegetables and milk were more used in diet, we should have less scurvy, and likewise fewer putrid ami inflammatory levers. Ke American people, although they cat meat often, oy mix (heir articles of diet more I believe thai thcr people, and consequently are less liable k) y and other putrid diseases. Our food ought neither to bo too moist nor too dry. Moist aliment relaxes the solids and renders the body feeble. Thus we see females who live much (¦ tea and other watery diet generally become weak, and unable to digest solid food. Hence proceed hysteria. and all their dreadful consequences. On the other lunid. tod that is too dry renders the solids in a manner rigwi id the humors viscid. The arts of cooking render many things unwholesome which ar© not so in their own nature. By jumbling 46 47 rilr. FA.WII* \ Pil SICIAX. toiiothor a number of different ingredients, in order to ,n;ikr a poignant sauce, or rich soap, the com'postion proves almost a poison^ All liigh seasonings, pickles, A:i\ tro only incentives to luxury and never i'ail to hurt the stomach. The liquid part of our aliment likewise claims our attention, (iood water must therefore be of the great& importance in diet. The best water in that which is most purr and (Vec^ from any mixture of foreign bodies. "U iiicr takes v;) parts of most bodies with which it comes into contact j Uy this means it is olieu impregnated with netall or minerals of a hurtful or poisonous aature. Hence the inhabitants oi % some hilly countries have peculiar diseases, which in all probability proceed from the water. Thus, the people who live near the Alps in Switzerland, and the inhabitants of Derby in England^ iave largo tumors or wens on their necks. This disease 1 g generally imputed to tlie snow water; but there i; iioiv reason lo believe it is owing to the minerals in tho Dountatns through which the water passes. When water is impregnated with lbreign bodies, it Noerally appears, by its weight, color, tas|e,sm< . : at, pi some other sensible quality, Our business therefore, |s to choose such water, for common use, as is lightest foil without any particular color, taste or smell. or THE HUMAN MACHINE. IFow |ioor, how rich, how Reject, how august; How complicate, how wonderful h man! How [ i ; i ? 33 i 1 1 u, wonder IN- who made him such! Who centred in our make such strange extremes From dilFe.rent natures, marvel;>u»!y mixed! An hoir of s;lory ! a frail child of dust! Helpless immortal I insect infinite! A worm! a (iod ! — I tremble tit myself, And in mjself am lost. ToOM< "/ am fearfully and wonderfully made, () Lord" exclaimed David, on surveying tlie admirable inccliiiiiisni of his own frame. Indeed, so complicated and eurku is the structure of the human frame, that no person, who contemplates it, can possibly avoid joining with the pkM That illustrious physician of antiquity, Ciiden, is reported in his youth to have been a sceptic, but on witnetting a dissection, and examining the niechanismoi the human body, the divine wisdom and design running through all its parti, he was struck with such a sensed the great Architect, that he immediately became 'A a* vert, and during his life devoted himself to the worship of the Deity with all the fervor becoming an enlightened and grateful mind. Having himself caught the finj spark of Divine light from a survey of this wondenffl machine, he earnestly recommends to others the sunn of it as the noblest employment of the faculties, and«* of the surest guides to rational devotion. His thoughtt on this subject, though emanating from a heathen, an 1 (ell worth the attention of all Christians.— "Those \m*es," says he, "which display the excellencies of m ..,,.. Cksatob, compose one of the noblest and most Lreptable hymns. To acquaint ourselves with his tjblime perfection^, and point out to others his infinite v.viiit. his unerring wisdom, and his boundless nr.\i<:-,rV -this is a more substantial act of devotion, i\u\n to [jay hecatombs of victims at his altar, or kindle mountain* of spices into incense/ '.Dw. as one object of " The Family Physician" is Jo pal of the art of preserving this divine piece of workoanship in a healthy state, nothing can impress us nine brcibly than the absolute necessity of being made icquakited with its parts. i\mi the laws that govern ihiMii: without some knowledge thereof, it appears no tore possible to take the right care of it, or to keep it n good order, than to perpetuate the regutar motion of ii dock, or time-piece, without a femiliar acquaintance i h its mechanism. The study of' Anatomy, as it lends to the knowledge i.! % nature, needs not, says the illustrious Chescldon, iintiv tedious descriptions, nor minute dissections, what is most worth knowing being soonest learned, and least subject to difficulty; while dividing and describing the parts more than fhe knowledge of their us^s requires, perplex die learners, and make the science tedious, dry, Mid liiilicnlt. Upon this principle, the following anatomical description of the ha tu an body is conducted; and to render if porl'ict'v intelligible to the uninformed readers, technical terms have. ;» • much ns possible been avoided; "U lieu a master builder,*' says the celebrated Hervcv. whoso sublime sentiments on this theme are at once » elegant and appropriate that I have taken the liberty "ts(> them, "undertakes to erect a magnificent edifice, • begins with the less decorated, but more solid parts, 'iiosc which are to support, or to contain the rest." 't'i ¦ law order we will follow in considering the structure °i the human frame, She Bones nrv. the hardest nnd most solid parts of e human machine, cast into a. variety of moulds, en- Vged or contracted into a variety of sizes, and calculated 49 from their strength, to support the whole body. Thr manner of their articulation is truly admirable, and remarkably various; yet never varied without demon. Btrating some wise design and answering some valuable end. They contain marrow, whiclr makes then ki brittle, and are covered with a membrane, or thin sub. ¦fence like a bladder, called periosteum, except on the skull, where it is called ]>erieninium, which is exquiriteh sensible; in an inflamed state, being plentifully supplied with nerves and blood vcs*els. Its use is to sustain the vessels which enter the substance of the bones with their nourishment. The Haul, designed for the residence of the brain, is framed in exact conformity to this important purpose, ample to receive it; strong to uphold it; and firm to defend it. The Ribs, turned into a regular arch, are gently moveable for the act of respiration. They form a secure lodgment for the lungs and the heart. I The Hack-bone is intended not only to strengthen te body, and sustain its most capacious store-rooms; lit also to bring down that appendage of the brain. which is usually termed spinal marrow. The Arms, pendent on either side, are so exactly proportioned to each other, that the equilibrium of the structure may not be disconcerted. These being (lie guards which defend, and the ministers which servo llie whole body, are fitted for the most diversified and extensive operations; firm with bone, yet not weighty with flesh ; and capable of performing, with singular expedition and ease, all manner of useful motions. To these are annexed the hands, and all terminated by the//"-gersj which are not, like the arms, of the same length, and of equal bigness, but consisting of various link bones and a multitude of muscles, what shape can t ! i e v not assume? what service can they not perform? The Thighs and Legs arc alike substantial ami stately columns; articulated in such a manner, thai W/f administer most commodiously to the act of walking yet obstruct not the easy posture of sitting. The lip swell out towards the top, with a gentle projection ; a' l " 50 nr( . wrought off, towards the bottom, with neat diminutions. WWch variation lessons their bulk, and at the Lpfl dme increases their beauty. Tlio feet compose the firmest and neatest pedestal; infmiiHv beyond all that statuary or architecture can accomplish: capable of altering their form, and extendiiiij [heir size, as different circumstances require. Hesiilcs performing the office of a pedestal, they contain a s ,t of the neatest springs, which help to place the body jn a variety of graceful attitudes, and quality it for a multiplicity of advantageous motions. The undermost part of the heel, and the extremity of the sole, are shod with a tough, insensible, sinewy substance. This we call B natural sandal. It never wears out, never wants repair, and always prevents that undue compression of the vessels, which the weight of the body, in walking or standing might otherwise occasion. While many animals creep on the ground, while all of them are prone in their posture or their aspect, the attitude of man is erect, by far the most graceful, with an air of dignity, and bespeaking superiority; and by far the most commodious, fitting us for the prosecution of every grand scheme, and facilitating the succe-s of all our extensive designs. It is likewise attended with the greatest safety; being, if not less than any other position exposed to dangers, more happily contrived to repel or avoid them. ¦ Cartilages, approach much to the nature of being smooth and elastic, fn them there is no a cavity to contain marrow, nor are they covered iv membrane to render them sensible as the bones Ptiey serve to make the bones, whose extremities •ver, more freely in their joints. They also conin a great measure, to the formation of several is the wind-pipe, nose, ears, and breast. K'Jgamcnts are tough, compact substances, more than cartilages. They have no conspicuous neither have they any sensibility, lest they should on the motion of the joint. They serve to unite 51 52 Bveral limbs. and prevent their parting from eatj as happen in dislocations. The Muscles are distioct portiong of Boft, red desk with strong tendinous heads iiiid tails designed for inn. tiou. Ti.ev are composed of the slenderest fibres, ra endued with incredible strength; fashioned after a variety of patterns, but all in the highest taste forel* gance, convenience and usefulness. These, with their tendons annexed, constitute the instru nents of motioi The former contracting (heir substance, operate sour. what like the pulley in mechanics. The latter iv> ,;,,- :¦.{ the cord, are fastened to a bone or some portioi of f'esh; ami following the muscular contraction, act* ate the pan into winch they are inserted. This, and al their functions, they exercise, not like a shm^isii beag of burden, but quick as lightning. A nerve or moreii each muscle seta them, a! work, diffusing the power oi sensation through the body, or, returning upon anioh pression from without, giving all needful intelligence to the soul; so thai flesh and nervesare the principal constituents of a muscle. Inwardly they supply the seven! movements of the active machine: oulwardhi theyrefr tier its appearance plump, we.ll proportioned, and grace- 18 strength of the muscles is astonishing Iqall . • hut especially in cases of frenzy and in certui ordinary characters, who. by the 118$ of a lew tm» nlv. \\\\\ easily raise a weight much greater thai f their own bodies. Ie Tendons, although much smaller than the bodj 3 muscle, are conu i >ose(l of tii<^ same number o! . Th^y are not capable oi" contraction, 1 ;ii Bern opes Jo pull when t|be fleshy fijbres act, for tbeco©' >usness and firmness of insertion, and the directM »tion. c of the tendons is to avoid a largo quantity™! I - —».• .•, v the joint, to prevent clumsiness in j>artin» and for the better admitting of that friction, which s compact parts would have been injurious, c Nci'vey are surprisingly minute, white cordM* lived from the brain, running u> every part of the body. ftey perform two distinct offices; conveying sensation ILHal| pans o ( .' the body to the brain, and carrying the imnanaa of the will from thai Beat to all the different :! ns of the body. 'Host of the musclea of the body nidiiciiiir motion ;m> in the guidance of our will; some fthem, however, entirely independent of it, as those of leheart and vessels which carry on the circulation of a blood; and sonic ;tiv partly under i ;• direction of ir will, and partly independent of it, as in respiration. But aU the muscle*, the involuntary, an wel as the oluntary, are enabled to nci only by ; ieir communicaion wi;h the brain; for when that is cut off by the estruction of the connecting nerve, whatever impreson is made on the part can no longer be felt; the irfors of the will to that part pan no longer l>e obeyed, ml the part itself call m<> longer move. Hie Arteries are strong elastic mhep, which arise i i the heart; and thence, striking out, as they go into umberless smaller canals or branches, distribute the bod to every part of. the body. These being wiHe at *ir organ, lessening as they branch then selves, check le rapid motion of the blood. To sustain this shock, ley are indued with uncommon strength; by perform- the service they oblige the crimson current to pass Itfotho narrowest defiles, and distribute itself into all wrters. The blood thrown from the heart dilates the neries, and their own elastic force contracts them; by i means they vibrate, in proper places, very per-1 v:;i>!v against the finger; bring advices of the utmost nportance to the physician; and wry much assist him pA hi discovering tne nature of diseases, anil prescrill|!'i !'i for (heir cures. The larger arteries, wherever the jty is formed iov bending, are situated on t'»o bending Je; lest, being stretched to an improper length by the sections, their dimensions should be lessened, and the 53 ¦h in the flesh. This situation renders them R*n re from external injuries. The Veins are label or vessels accompanying arteries, and are appointed to receive the blood fo| their extremities, and re-convey it to the heart. Stnai. at their rise, and enlarging as they advance, they a r. void of any pulsation. In these, the pressure of iheci dilating fluid is not near so forcible as in the arterwi for which reason their texture is considerahly Blighlq In many places they have valves, because the slow n» tion of the blood in the veins, and their weajtercontni tile power unassisted by a force adequate to that of d| heart, have great need of such an invention to ensurt its return to the heart yl'he Secretory vessels are minute tubes in the diflf organs serving to separate and strain off the ditlirfluids from the general mass of blood. ¦he K.veretonj vessels, tubes also belonging to tlit rent organs, carry off the humors that are sepanitu' The (Hands* commonly called Kernels, arc sinai bodies of finely interwoven vessels, whose oilier it ill secrete or separate fluids from the blood for pariicnlii; uses, as spittle in the mouth, bile in the liver, milk if die breast, &C. (» lands, when obstructed, become law and indurated, from which scirrhus and cancels M produced. lie Membranes are thin tuniclcs or fine webs likea IfeT, appointed to enwrap the fleshy parts: to fin mexion between some, to line the cavities, and male oration between others. Bte Fibres are simple thread-like bodies, Bervingl other parts; hence; some are very hard, as ibeltfi and others are soft, as the fleshy parts. The Skin, like a curious surtouf, exactly fitted, efflj ops the whole, formed of the most delicate net-work; whose meshes are minute, and whose threads are m tiplied even to prodigy. — The meshes are so iii'm'^ that nothing discernible to the eye passes them: thoiii'i they discharge every moment myriads of superliiH' 1 ineumbrances from the body. The steam arising fron 54 uMvarni business transacted within, is carried off by i, s<> nal, though imperceptible, funnels; which consti[,> what wo usually call insensible perspiration. A ide grain of sand, according to M. Lewenhouk, will )\" mo (en than one hundred and twenty-fire thound of those funnels, or what has been prettily styled 'litmtrous chimneys." The threads are so multiplied, ll (be point of the smallest needle cannot pierce any ide part without causing an uneasy sensation, and an Fusion of blood; consequently without wounding, even so small a puncture, both a nerve and a blood-vessel. The outermost covering of the body is that soil whitish nunenl which rises in the pustule of a blister, and is filed scarf skin. The nvxt, or true skin, is that red- Ish and exquisitely tender part which appears when m blister is broken, and the dead skin taken oil! The m is void of sense, and intended to screen the second, )i only from the stroke of injuries, but even from the ipiTssions of the air, which, mild as it may feel to the unified, would be too rough and sharp for the naked TVOS. The natural color of the cuticle is white. The appant, black or brown color, in the African or Indian, is lirclv owing to the mucous substance under it. The skin unites in itself two very essential functions. is the organ of the sense of the touch, and the chanlof perspiration.. For this purpose innumerable ryes and vessels are dispersed throughout the skin, iioh are in the continual act of feeling, and at the mo time, of secreting and volatilizing noxious particles. lias been proved by accurate experiments, that the iWly individual daily and insensibly perspires upwards three pounds' weight of superfluous and impure hu- I* It may therefore be confidently asserted, that no rt of the body is provided with so many important lans. by which it is connected with almost every ope*Q performed in animal life, as the skin. By this lanization, we are placed in immediate connexion I' 1 the surrounding atmosphere, which particularly us through the skin, and exerts its influence on 55 56 ¦ealth. We farther feel, directly through thatn»| , the qualities of the j»ii\ heat, cold, pressure, ai I !C! ; ()II. I Important as the skin \s to external life, it is no lent to the internal economy of the body, where it appears* peculiarly designed to preserve, the grand equilibria! of the '. Bj the proper exercise of this organ, manydi eases may be suppressed in their early stages; and thoi which have already taken place, may be most effectual! removed. No disease whatever can be healed witho the co-operation of the skin. The nature ;ui ulating its activity^ where occasion requires. r^ '<> ' |lt! lion only one circumstance; it is well known todw who have experienced the beneficial « llects of ;i s'!ls ' !l blister, thai its stimulus, like a charm, has frequ^ relieved the most excruciatinff pains and spasmsin" internal parti. When the sensibility of the surface is impaired: W the myriads of orifices designed for the continual l ir fication of our fluids, are obstructed, ii' not closed; f WW the subtiie nervous texture is nearly deprived ot ii* ( 57 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. I that it becomes an impenetrable coat of mail, any reason to wonder that we are so often hara sense of constraint and anxiety, and that the ss, in many cases, terminates in gloom and mcl} Ask the hypochondriac, whether a certain di'jirot 1 of the cold, paleness, and spasmodic sensation in llu skin, does not always precede his most violent fits of imbecility; and whether his feelings he not most com- Itiriable when the surface of his body is vigorous, warm, nnd perspires freely? In short, the decrees of insensible perspiration are to him the surest barometer of the state; M mind If our skin lie disorganized, die free inlets or ntietsof the electric, magnetic, and other matters, which met us at the change of the weather, are inactive. — rims the origin of extreme sensibility, towards the various atmospheric revolutions, is no longer a mystery; i>r. in a healthy surface of the body, no inconvenience vill follow from such changes. If we farther advert to hose acrimonious fluids, which, in consequence of an nperfect state of perspiration, are retained in the body, nd which affect the most sensible nerves and memiranos. we shall the better comprehend how cramps and pasnis, the torluring pains of the gout and rheumatism, ml the great variety of cutaneous diseases, have of late Nome so obstinate and general. The just proportion t the fluids, and the circulation of the blood, are also Btermined, in no small degree, by the skin; so that, if tte fluids become languid, the whole momentum of le blood is repelled towards the inferior parts. Thus continual plethora, or fulness of the blood, is occattted; the head and breast are generally oppressed ; "d the external parts, especially the lower extremities, »l chilly and languid. May we not infer, from what has been advanced, that lie use of baths is too much neglected, and ought to be Mterntfly introduced? Bathing is considered an excellent remedy for alleging both mental and bodily affections. It is not tfielv a cleanser of the skin, enlivening and rendering more fit for performing its offices; it also refreshes the H mind, and spreads over ihc whole system a Bettntioi g case, activity, and pleasantness. It likewise remora stagnation in the larger, as well as in the smaller vcsm!^ gives a uniform, free circulation to the blood, and pn serves that wonderful harmony in our inferior organ, q the disposition of which our health and comfort so much depend. A person fatigued or distressed in body id mind, will derive more refreshment from the luxury if a tepid hath, and may drown his disquietude in it inert* effectually, than by indulging in copious libations to i>;n. chus. I There subsists so intimate a relation between our innrior and exterior vessels, that almost every error or rregularity in (he organs within, shows itself first on tin urface of the body, particularly on the face. Hoi ften are we struck with the countenance of a prison /ho thinks himself in perfect health, but whose illness. le result of some morbid cause, concealed in the Ikklv, istiiies, in a few days, the serious apprehensions we Rtertained at our last interview? Nature has wiftlj rdained, that the first appearance of internal irregulaii es should he indicated by the countenance, but to what owe generally apply this index? We refuse to avail urselves of her beneficent intimation; and the continual •;e of pernicious substances, instead of promoting lin 1 jject we have in view, ultimately tarnishes and impairs at beauty which we meant to adorn and preserve. The secret venom oiroHng in her veins, Works through her skin, and bursts in bloating strains Her cheeks their freshness lose, and wound s;race, And an unusual paleness spreads her face. — OsaWTIUA We imagine it in our power to improve the skin, without attending to the purity of the fluids, though ii ¦ indebted to them for its very existence; and yet weshonlil smile at a person who should attempt to cleanse an impure tongue by constantly scraping it when a disorder stomach was the real cause of that impurity. KThe Cellular Membrane, so called from its numer- I cells, adheres very closely to the skin, runDJJj tween the muscles in general, and between their seven" 58 |rtfin particular; and communicating with the mem- jjgie which linos the inside of the breast and holly. All if< cells communicate with each other throughout the ibole body, so that from any one part the whole may he tilled with air, as is evident in beasts, from the butchers fairing up their lean meat with air when newly killed, and in emphysema, where the air from a broken rib, ittiiiil into one of the cells, forces its way into all the rest, distending the body to a frightful size; as also, in meral dropsy, wherein all the cells, filled with water, innv, by puncture, be emptied in the: course of a night. Id health this membrane is filled with an oily substance, mringan agreeable rotundity to the limbs. It is also the seat of biles, and contributes to keep the inner parts warm and pliant; and, by filling the interstices of the muscles, renders the surface of the body smooth and |llll!ll|t. The Head) that majestic dome, being the seat of the brain, in which the soul is supposed to reside, resembles ilic General's tent in an army, or the Monarch's in a city. It has a communication established with all, even liio most remote parts of the system; having outlets and avenues, for the ready despatch of couriers to all quarters, and for the reception of speedy intelligence on every interesting occasion. It is furnished with lodgments wherein to post sentinels of various characters, and appoint to various offices, to expedite their operations, whether employed in reconnoitring what passes without, or examining what claims admittance within. The whole tarns upon a curious pivot, most nicely contrived to afford the largest and freest circumvolutions. This "lately capitol is screened from heat, defended from cold, and at the same time beautified by a copious growth of hair. Hie Great Creator, profusely gracious to mankind, '| lls niade us an inestimable present of the senses to be to inlets of innumerable pleasures, and the means of wtmnistering the most valuable comforts. High in the '" ad* bright and conspicuous as a star in the brow of evening, is placed the eye. In this elevated situation, 59 like a sentinel posted in his watch tower, it coninr^ the most enlarged prospect. Consisting only of mj fluids, enclosed in tain timicles, it conveys to oarappn hension ;i!l the graces of blooming nature, and all i| |( glories of the visible heavens. How prodigiously wur, derfnl that an image of the highest mountains, and; transcript of the most diversified landscapes, shall cnur the small circlet of the pupil ! How surprisingly antii', that the rays of light, like an inimitable pencil, sliouic paint on the optic nerves, paint in an instant of tfaj paint in the truest colors, and exacUtst lineaments, even species of external objects. The Eve is so tender, that a slight accident, scan perceivable by some other parts of the body, proves vtn injurious to its delicate frame. It is guarded therefore, with the most solicitous care; with a care evidently proportioned to its nice texture, and extensive usefiuiMs It is entrenched deep in the head, and barricaded s. every side with a strong fortification of bones. The wisdom and goodness of the (. Jreator a r ?i x ar in the astonisliin; apparatus of muscles with which the eye is furnishedii produce all the necessary and convenient motions in th* situation where it is placed. The eyebrows genre! defend this delicate organ from too strong a light; ami as the incursion of the smallest fly would incommode the polished surface, it is farther defended by two sok stantial curtains (eyelids) hung on a most slender cartilaginous rod, which secure it from floating dust nnJ from cxery troublesome annoyance. In sleep, whsj there is no occasion to exercise the sense, but an absolute necessity to protect the organ, these curtains spon- Esttf close, and never fail to lie shut. On ihl of these curtains or eyelids, lie glands, whkl a limpid fluid, that lubricates the eyeball, as ol'nn wink, or. as it were, oils its wheels, and fits it lor m of unwearied activity. The Ear consists of an outward porch and ' linor chambers, with tools of the most admirable contrivance. and finished workmanship. The porch is that cartilagitisus substance standing somewhat prominent fiW 60 61 I head, covered with a tight expansion of the skin, ml wrought into irregular bends and hollows; which, ;e circling hills, or surrounding rocky shores, collect c wandering undulations of the air, and transmit them iitli vigorous impulse to the finely stretched membrane 1 the tympanum, or drum of the ear. The avenue, or IITOW entry, is secured from the insinuating attempts I' little insects, by a morass of bitter and viscous matt.disgustful to their taste and embarrassing to their let The hammer and the anvil, the stirrup and the Hum; the winding labyrinths, and the winding gallejts; these and other pieces of mechanism, instrumental i the power of hearing, are, beyond description curious. Amazingly nice must be the formation, and ineonrivalilv exact the tension of the auditory nerves, since ley Correspond with the smallest tremors of the atmosbere, and easily distinguish their most subtile variations. Yitli tlit; gentle gales that fan us, or even with the ider blasts that as ?ult us, these delicate strings are ut little affected. »V T hereas, they are peri'ect unions with those fine, those significant agitations of the ir, which the acutest is unable to discern. These livu: chords, tuned by the touch of an Almighty hand, ml diffused through the echoing aisles and sonorous ills, receive the impressions of sound and propagate uni to the brain. '1 hese give existence to the charms t music, and reciprocate the rational entertainments of Booune. Tlie eye perceirefai only the objects before : whereas the ear warns us of transactions above us, bbind us, all around us. The eye is useless amidst liioom of night, and cannot carry its observation Rrough the bolted door or the closed window shutter; [it the ear admits intelligence through the darkest 'ilium and the minutest cranny, llence, when we uinot see a friend, because of an interposing partition, t. !>)' the friendly aid of this organ, we can learn that '' s in the adjoining room by his voice, or that he is •* by his steps. The eye is upon duty only in our iking hours; but the ear is always expanded, and w «iys accessible ; a courier which never tires, a sentry ever in Ins box. To secure a, resource, in case any mi* fortune should disable one of the hearing or nUm organs, our all gracious Maker, has given 118 duplicate I there are tremulous concussions impressed upon r, discernible only by the instruments of hearing; are also odoriferous particles wafted by the satin vehicle, which are perceivable only by the smd The Nostrils are wide at the bottom, that a brp quantity of efiluvia may tiller j narrow at the top, tfag when entered, they may clcse their ranks, and act with great vigor. Fine, beyond all imagination, arc il.t streams exhaled from fetid or fragrant bodies. The very best microscopes, which discover thousands ami tens of thousands of animalcules in a drop of putrilitd water, cannot bring one individual among all these evanescent legions to our sight. They sail in numberless squadrons close to our eyes, close by our ears: y. are so amazingly attenuated, that they elude the search of both. Nevertheless, so judiciously are the olfactory nets laid, and go artfully their meshes seized, that they catch these vanishing fugitives. They catch the roaming perfumes, which fly oil' from the opening homnsuckle, and take the stationed sweets which hover romn! the expanded rose. They imbibe all the balmy fr;i-grance of spring, all the aromatic exhalations of autumn. and enable us to banquet even on the invisible daintia of nature. Furnished « itli ibeM several organs, * # * * * ?fl{ q bri'izc Flies o'er the meadows, iwl a cloud imbibes The setting mil's effulgence^ not a strain From sill tilt; truants of Hie warbling shade Slseendsjntt whence oweenses can partake Fresh pleasure Awv.siun. Another capacity for frequent pleasure, our bountiful Creator has bestowed in the power oftuste; by mew* of which the food, that supports our body, feasts our palate; first treats us with a pleasing regale, tlion diy tributes its beneficial recruits. The razor, whetted ww 62 o j| ( bivoincs more exquisitely keen; so the salmi* fiovbropon the tongue,, and moistening its nerves, quickens fliciii into the liveliest nets of sensation. This sense is [jiruinstanecd in a manner peculiarly benign and wise; 0 ;is to be a standing! though silent plea KMT temperance. The sight, smell, and taste, are not only so many separate sources oi' delight, hut a joint Security to our health. They are the vigilant and accurate inspector! which examine our food, and inquire into its properties, pleasant or disagreeable, wholesome or noxious. For ilie discharge of their offices, they are excellently qualified, ami most eommodiously situated; so that nothing inn get admission through the mouth, till it has undergone the scrutiny and obtained the passport of each. ! To all these, as a most necessary and advantageous supplement, is added the sense of feeling; which renders the assemblage complete. While oilier senses have I particular place of residence, this is diffused throughout the whole body. In the palms of the hands, on the tips of the fingers, and, indeed, through all the extreme parts of the llesh, it is most quick and lively. — The whole army of Xerxes drawn out in battle array, with his millions of supernumerary attendants, was but as a lew fkaners straggling in the field, if compared either in umber or order, with those nervous detachments which made the texture of the skin and minister to the act of feeling. The crownh?g gift^ improving the satisfaction, and augmenting the beneficial effects of all the senses, is speech. Speech makes me a gainer from the eyes and Nil of other people; from the ideas they conceive, and the observation! they lmikc. And what an admirable instrument for articulating the voice, and modifying it Wo speech is the tongue! The tongue has neither bone I1() r joint; yet fashions itself, with the utmost volubility, ivery shape and every posture, to express sentiment, nstitute harmony. This little collection of muscu>ros, under the conducting skill of the Ckeator, is r titicer of our words. By this we communicate the U of the breast, and make our very thoughts audi- 63 bin. By this wo instruct the ignorant, and comfort i| lt distressed; wo glorify Goo, and edify each other. Who would uot bless for this the gift of speech, Ami in the tongue's beneficence be rich? But still, what is tho mansion of flesh thoßgfa so < v quisitoly wrought, compared with the noble ami inuM* tal inhabitants, which reside within? • ••••« "That intellectual being, Those thoughts which wander through eternity.' I The mind, or soul, of much higher character than that of the perishable frame with which it is connected, has neither ncrres, nor ncrrous fluids. These W only its agents, in this its imprisoned state. When tin uBUteru 8Uter cord" is broken, which connects mind and m\tti:r together) vitally ceases. Tho body then, with ;ii! its artful and numerous vessels, fibres, and nerves. ;uul other exquisite machinery, undergoes decomposition, and is turned into its original elements; but the lMMOt> tvt, sour., having shaken ofl' this coil, is destined for I i\v residence; to flourish in eternal youth; to OUtlin the wreck of elements and the crush of worlds, hi embodied even in its residence in another world. "Thou fool," says the philosopher and apostle, "that sral which thou sowest is not quickened except it die.— And that which thou sowest is not that body which shall be, but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him. ami to every seed its own body. So, also, is the resurrection of the dead. The hotly is sown in the earth in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, n is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it braised a spiritual body. — Behold, I show you a mystery. V\< shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last tnunp< ibr the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raw' 1 ' incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal mud put on immortality." Man, therefore, is not what ho will hereafter be. What we discover of him Ik 1 "* 64 65 l^nv, is only the gross foldage, in which he crawls „;„,,! die earth, and which lie must shortly casi oil! ¦iii¦ i • * i The animal body has no other relation than to this ( ;u!!i, The spiritual body will have enjoyments whicl •mr Imt/t not heard, nor hath it entered into the hear of twin to conceive* 19 New senses will be disclosed multiplying perfections in an almost infinite degree Man's sphere will he aggrandized, and he will becom< ¦ijiml to superior intelligences. Revelation informs us it will be so; and ihe parable of the seed is the mos axprasive and philosophical emblem of this wonderfu preordination. The senses, as they are brought into subjection to th< soul, will no longer rule over her. Separated from flesl niiil blood, then 1 will remain in her none of those earthly affections resulting from them. Transported into tin regions of light, the human understanding will presen no ideas to the will, hut those of the highest good. I will then have no other than lawful desires, and (m>< will bo their constant and ultimate end. h will lo\( him from gratitude; fear him from a. principle of love :uul adore him us the supremely amiable being, the eternal source of lite, perfection, and happiness. The Thorax, or breast, is situated between the belly and neck. The front part is commonly called the breast; the posterior part the back; and the lateral parts, foe right and left sides. Before we take notice of the internal parts, it may be Proper to speak of the mamma or breasts. These are two glandular bodies, of a round oval figure, most remarkable in women. The period of tlisir growing full in the female, is about the age of fourteen or fifteen, and of their decreasing, fifty. The breasts &re composed of a vast multitude of minute vessels to secrete the milk from I lie blood. These vessels, as they approach the nipple, fall into, and form eight or ten rge pipes, connected together with admirable skill, that, case of any obstruction or accident in any one or lore of them, tlic milk might not bo obstructed. Hie swelling of die breasts, during the time of ges- 7 tat ion, is owing to die consent between diem and tbi womb. The cavity of the breast is lined by a fine Nnoodi membrane, named pleura, and contains iliosc two grand organs, the heart and lungs. The Lungs are divided into two Larger portions, called lobes; the one on the right, and the other on the lei side. The vessels which enter the lungs, are thetrachea,or wind-pipe, by which we draw in the air; the pulmonan artery which comes from the right ventricle of the heart; and the pulmonary vein, whose trunk opens into thelefi ventricle of the heart: — Each of these divides into two branches. The lungs differ from every other part of the body io this respect: the wind-pipe, in its minutest ramifications, passes through all parts of its substance, terminating every where in air vesicles, ibr the grand purpose of respiration, which keeps it in a continued state of action and reaction. Hence, when the lungs are diseased, their motion is not only increased by (lie respiration being quickened, but they suffer violent concussion bj means of coughing. This circumstance renders disorders of the limns more; peculiarly difficult to cure. The Henri is a strong, active, indefatigable, muscular body, of a conical figure, included in an exceedingly strong membranous bag. called the pericardium, or heart purse, and situated in the cavity of the chest. It bai two separate cavities, called vent rides, out of which issue the two large arteries of the human body, OM called pulmonary, or artery of the lungs, the other aorta, or large artery of the body, from which all the oiiur arteries go otK as brandies of a free from its trunk, dividing themselves into minute ramifications in thw progress. Near the mouths of these two ventriclesaw two other hollows, which, from their similitude to dog's ears, are called auricles, into which the veins, returning from all parts of the body with the blood, through two large trunks or channels. It has two motions, called stfstofc and diastole; the former is when it contract 66 self, and thereby forces the blood into the arteries. — f )V diastole is when ii relaxes itself, and receives the ?, ,J from the veins. The ventricles of the heart are i capable of receiving an ounce of blood or more, iiui. therefore, being lull in their diastole, we may supine that they throw but, at least, one ounce of blood gch systole. The heart contracts about four thousand limes in an hour, more or less, according io the different temperaments, sexes, and ages; and, therefore, there as through the heart, every hour, four thousand ounces, or mo hundred and fifty pounds 1 weight of blood. Now, the common opinion is, that die whole mass of blood does not exceed twenty-five pounds, and, therefore, Kcording to this allowance, a quantity of blood equal lo the whole mass, passes through the heart ten times in an hour; that is, about an ounce every second. If lie heart contracts eighty times in a minute, then twentyfire pounds' weight of blood pass through its ventricles once in five minutes, or twelve times in an hour. The farther the blood moves from the heart, its velocity decreases as the artery divides into more branches, so natch so, that the blood moves 5'2.'1tl times slower in some capillary arteries than it does in the aorta or great Brtery. The blood is received from the arteries into the veins, where it still moves, more slowly as it returns to the heart again. The arteries are to the veins as 321 to Ml, and, consequently, the Mood moves in the veins &bo?e 7116 times slower than it does in the aorta. i'he heart is the grand organ of the circulation of ! '" 1 blood, and, consequently, of life. Impelled by this beating engine, part of the blood shoots upwards: and sweeps, with a bounding impetus, into the head. There it impregnates the prolific fields of the brain: and forms «wsb subtile spiritous dews, which impart sense to every nerve, and communicate motion to every limb. — ';'t Bows downward: rolls the recking current through B lower quarters; and dispenses the nutrimental Ireg, even to [he meanest member, and the minutest rewel, Observe, how the stately Ohio and the lordly Misippi 67 68 refresh the forest and groves; water die toinn h crowd (heir kinks, and make (lie meadows wl, id, intersect, laugh and sin?*. So, only with an incom. ;>ly richer fluid, and wilh infinitely more initnn-streams, iliis human river laves the several ronioih c body, transfusing vigor, and -propagating health gh the whole. The living Hood never discontinues terchangeable tide; but night and day, whether wt or wake, still perseveres to sally briskly through •(cries, and return softly through the veins. Such astonishing expedients are used to elaborate the chyle, to blend it with the blood, and to distribute both through the body, that the animal constitution is perfectly maintained. Iji youth, its'bulk is increased; in age, in decays are repaired; and it is kept in tenantable condition for the soul during the space of seventy or eighty ! 'he doctrine taught by the immortal Harvey, the diserer of the circulation of the blood, is, that all the is of the body falling into two trunks, viz: the as;lii;:> and descending cava, empty themselves into the t auricle of the heart. The right auricle unloads imo right ventricle of the heart, which throws the blood nigh the pulmonary artery, into the lungs, by its two iches, which go to the riffhi and left lobes. Rom the lungs the blood is brought buck bytnepuliary veins, into the left auricle, and thence if passa the left ventricle, from which it is distributed through body by (lie aorta, or large artery and its brancha se terminate in the veins of (he body, which colled )lood and brings it back to the heart, by the two caw, irge veins. ¦other words, the blood is conveyed from the Mi cle of the heart, by the aorta and its branches, to linulest and most remote parts of the body, :' passing from the extremities of the smallest arteri« lie incipient viens, circulates through them into t r branches, and so on into the right auricle ol il" 1 thence into the right ventricle, whence it is forced, he fresh supplies that it receives from the chyle m 69 ping through the subclavian rein, into the pulmonary .., r v. and, after circulating through, and being acted Kl|l In die lungs, in its passage through them, is reined oy the pulmonary vein into the left auricle 1 , and nee into the left ventricle, and so on, the same round, mil death concludes the progress. There is in the consideration of the organs perform- Line circulation of tho Mood, an air of grandeur that pei forcibly on the mind, and penetrates it with the ut round an artery, so as to pretthe blood from being carried to any particular limb, 'imb becomes colder than it was, and does not re- Nr its natural heat, until, by removal of the ligature, I ; ''<' expansion of ilk branches, which go off from ¦> the ligature, the usual quantity of blood is chtQ through the limb. Withanew-born infant, the first thins is to infuse inu it- | osirilw '¦•ilie breath of life;* 1 for until the lum^s be i . panded, and the venal or purple Mood changed into ai arterial or crimson in that organ, the heart does notcoi tract, nor the arteries vibrate; like a clock not wound m though found in all its pans, remaining entirely at red In the clock, if we wind it up, the main-spring applyinj its powers, all the wheels are immediately put in motioj and it marks its hours and minutes; so. likewise, inthj animal machine, the blood in die lungs having imbibe the vital principle from die air theheaH acquires its ac dons, the brain its energy, the nerves their sensibility, an the other subordinate springs of life presently resun their respective functions. I» organ can be severely affected without afiectinf cart, and disturbing its functions; nor can the her i the smallest degree affected, without disturbinl function of the animal economy. I'iut the heart is not only affected by what injures th body, but also by what ruHlcs the mind. Rage occasion frequent and forcible contractions; sorrow, slow an languid ones; and there are instances of violent passion suspending the contractions of the heart altogether, aa occasioning death. The heart is not only affected ti whatever hurts die body or mind of the person to whoi it belongs, but also by what hurts the bodies or minds < others. JJut ihe extent of (his kind of sympathy diffa greatly in different persons. In some it embraces clii dren, friends, relations, countrymen, and in a certain* gree, the whole human race; in others it seems, to I confined within the limits of their own bodies, or atmoi reaches with a blunted sensibility no farther than to lh« whom they conceive to be then* own oflspring. Wh' the blood is in circulation, various liquors are separate from it by a process called secretion all these secretioi being necessary for the health and preservation of iiisil life. When it is taken from the vein by the usu« mode of bleeding, and left to itself, it soon congeals, an 70 71 apein lo be composed of two distinct parts, called yggunentum, or solid, and serum, or liqura. la a man ,-¦ ,;iltl:v human blood, about one-half is crassamenyni, which !:ath rod color (> iisrli! The serum in a ealthy state is almost colorless; at other times it isyel[i\vAu «>r of a greenish hue, while ih<> fo;> of the crassanniiimi has different degrees of firmness, and puts on iferent appearances, with respect to color, according to g constitution and health of the subject, from which it takea A duo proportion of the respective parts of 16 blood is necessary to perfect health. The Diaphragm^ or Midriffs is ;i large thin broad mi-do, to divides die breast from the belly. The nsesof the midriff arc, first to assist in respiram; for, in taking in the breath, it is pressed downlards, and in expiration, it rises upwards into thecavity f the breast; secondly, to assist the necessary motions f the stomach, intestine*, liver, and spleen; and for asnng the expulsion of the fiocos, the urine, the foetus, in irtarition, of the secundtnes or after birth. It marks ir passions by its irregular actions, as sighing, yawning, nghing, laughing. It is affected by spasms, as in hicwgh. TheAbdomen^ or Betty, lies between die breast and iWs, which is formed by the juncture of the haunch toes. The belly contains many of the principal parte of the inanbody, as the stomach, the intestines, liver, spleen, pcreas, kidneys, bladder, &c. On its inside, it is lined f! 'ii a membrane called peritoneum, which is capable of Jiypeat extension; and afterwards can con&act itp'l 'l to its ordinary size, as we sec in pregnancy, dropsy, kpnlency, and repletion. uki Stomach may bo considered a dilatation of the us or gullet, as it is a continuation of the same !• i'uuro nearly resembles tl?; 1 pouch of a bagf^tnd lias two orifices, the one above from the gul! j t:il<( >ii!iii which it receives the crude aliment, the other flow, whereby it conveys the partially digested food or 5» into the duodenum. > 72 Before the food enters the gullet, if musl of nece pass over the orifice of the wind-pipe; consequent! must be in very imminent danger of falling upon t| lungs, which would, if not entirely obstruct the breai yet occasion violent coughing, and greal inconveniencii To obviate this evil, the all-foreseeing Contrives b placed a nior cable /hi, or hung a cartilaginous dray bridge; which) when any of flu 1 ! smallest particle of foo advances to enter the stomach, is pulled down, andsh close; but the very moment the morsel is swallowed, is set loose and stands open* Jsy iliis two-fold artiiio the important passage is always barred and made sm against any noxious approaches : yet is always left fi for ilic necessary accession of air, and commodious li the purpose of respiration. When the malster prepares his grain for the transmit tion of the brew-house, Ise suffers it to lie several hoa steeping in the cistern, before it is fit to be spread on i floor, or dried on the ! ambling an apron tucked up. It servos (o lubricate stiiies, tlml they may the easier perform their pemotion, to cherish and defend them from cold, gsilt in the formation of the bile. It serves also tr the acrimony of the humors, and probably, to irishmen! to the body, as a]] the other fat is supdo, when it is incapable of being nourished any ay. (he Linr. situated immediately below the diaphragm idrifi", on the right side, reaches as far back almost 10 spine, or hack-bone, and rests upon the right kid- It is the largest gland in the body, and is divided two unequal parts, call lobes. Except lor the veswhich arc very numerous, the liver would be very and like a piece of congealed blood. The great use of the liver is to secrete the bile. It is the scat of various disorders, inflammation, abscess, srirrlms, &&, and in most of them, the continuance hath I pule color, or a yellowish one with a green cast. There I one circumstance not much attended to with respect Hthe situation of the liver; iis large or right lobe occupies i!io whole half of the belly, where it lies from the sjtiiu 1 to the inside of the ribs, laying over the upper part oft ho kidneys. Now this position of the liver is not ofioii considered, for, when one has a pain in (ho small of the kick, it is said to be in the kidneys; but if it be a lit.— lie higher up in the back ; it is seldom, if ever, thought to bo in the liver, though it must Undoubtedly may, as its posterior edge lays on that part, on the right side. IQaU*Bladdtt % or receptacle of bile, is fixed to r side of the liver. Punctual as a porter in his waits, ready to pour its acrimonious, but salutai on the aliment, as it advances from the stomlich dissolve its remaining viscidities, support Ndtic motion of the intestines, and greatly assist toting the digestion. Such is the importance of the bile in our constitution, fed the ill consequence of an error in it, that every aid is (:t >iral)le, by which our knowledge of its nature can be Promoted. When there is a defect of bile, it disposes die body to various diseases: as melancholy, indigestion. and obstruction of the viscera, Ate When there is a redundancy oi'l)ile, or it offends the stomach by its acrimony, it causes chilliness, shivering and great anxiety^ II is certain, that in levers the bile is not only plentifully generated, but peccant in its quality; and if not duly evacuated must be productive of many disagreeable symptoms; hence the importance of a soluble belly in febrile disorders. The Pancreas, or Sweet Bread, a large gland, situ ated near the stomach, serves to secrete a. liquor like tin saliva, which is discharged, by a short duct into the duodenum. The Spleen is situated under the cartilages ofthelefl short ribs. In its natural and sound state, it is about six or seven inches long, about three in breadth, and one in thickness. It often becomes seirrhous and considerably enlarged in persons who have been frequently attacked with intermittent Its use is not precisely known. The Kidneys are two oval bodies, situated in the loins, contiguous to the two last short ribs; the right under the liver, and the left under the spleen. They separate the urine from the blood. The Ureters are tubes about the size of goose quilk, and about a foot long; rising from the kidneys, and entering the bladder near its neck. They form to themselves, as it were, valves, so that, upon the contraction of the bladder, the urine is ejected through the urethra, its proper passage. The Bladder is a membranous and fleshy sack or bag, capable of contradiction and dilatation, situated inthe lower part of the belly. Around its neck, which i* longer in men than in women, there goes a small sphincter muscle to contract the orifice, that the urine may not be involuntarily discharged. The use of the bladders to receive the urine, perpetually secreted into it from the kidneys. The (Items, or Womb, between the urinary bladder and the rectum, or straight gut, is placed, by Divino 78 Wisdom, in ;i situation ofgreal security, culled the pelvis tftadllt being guarded on all sides by the strong bones ,jiai i!>riii the basis of the trunk. In figure, it very much Itwmblei ;i P*U*i i ls broadest extremity, which is called iis bottom, is uppermost, and its small part, the ntck. is downwards. The womb, when impregnated, jiaih a very small cavity, but becomes larger as pregnancy advances, and, in the time of delivery, has its mouth wonderfully dilated, «O as to give passage to the child. About the age of puberty, the blood vessels of the utem become distented, and secrete monthly a fluid called menses, entemenia, and vulgarly, flowers, courses. The Vagina, or Neck of the Womb* extends from •A mouth of the uterus to the pudendum or external pans. In women it enlarges, and, like the Uterus, in the mm* of birth, dilates very much, .fust within the vagina i the Ofifioe of the urethra, which is shorter, wider, and srakhter than in men. Beside the womb and vagina, there are two other contrivance] supposed to perform particular functions, in the propagation and formation of oUr species, the one called ovariii. from their retaining small round substances of fa nature of eggs, the other Fallopian tubes, from their discoverer, Fallopius. The Fallopian Tubes are situated on the right and lilt sides of the womb. They rise from its bottom by a narrow beginning, and dilate in the form of a trumpet to their extremities at the ovaria. Their cavity, where kjropen in the womb, will scarcely admit of a hog's wtte; but at its widest part, it will take in the end of ag'slittle finger. The tubes are about four or live fin|w' breadth lone. riv O lliey serve to convey from the ovaries the rudiments ¦tfaefoßtua to the Womb, where they are farther dcvelo- N wrf perfected. Hif Ovaria, or Grants, are two small bodies, situa|* on each side of the fiindus uteris, or bottom of the «uini» behind the Fallopian tubes. At the age of puber- Iwey are full and plump, anil continue so until the Nrii are about to depart. They contain from ten to 79 80 Bf or more pellucid eggs, supposed to contain ih< rdia of the iirtus. The TcsteS) or Testicles^ are two oval glandular bodies, seated in the scrotum, which serve to secrete \\w Bemen from fhe blood. The scroiuin. or external cover* ing, is made up of the scarf skin, true skin, and hnniodiately under the latter, is a thick cellular texture closely adhering to it. It. is likewise composed of many fleshy, or muscular fibres, by means of which the scrotum is contracted, and is reckoned a sign of health. Irhe Prostate Gland is situated at the neck of the dderj and is about the bigness of a walnut. Bysoint s supposed to secrete a fluid merely to lubricate the thra, and by others it is deemed subservient to tin cess of generation. The Urethra is a canal or pipe of the thickness of a goose (mill, and about twelve or thirteen inches K>nir. which begins at the neck of the bladder, and terminals at the end of the penis, its inner membrane furnishes a mucilaginous liquor, serving to defend it against the acrimony of the urine. The P<'ttis is composed of two spongious bodies, par; of the urethra, the glands or nut at its extremity, and ii> integuments. — The spongious bodies take their nunt from being porous 'ike sponge, and capable of being distended and enlarged by the blood penetrating their sob" stance, as incase of erection. The integuments of the penis make a hood to the glands or ntttofthe yard, called prepuce or foreskin* The small ligament, by which it is tied to the underside of the nut, is called frssnun. The use of the prepuce or foreskin, is to keep Ac '^ soft and moist, and to preserve its sensibility. The amputation of it constitutes circumcision, a practice recommended by Moses to the .lews. ¦ shall now conclude the anatomical part ot tin 1 1 body, and trust enough has been said, concise ai > give to the uninformed readers just conception* most important parts of the human machine, in oral action. Wo see the greatest multiplicity of parts, yet ihe most Hr f tH t harmony subsists between them all. No one ,„„!,!%. but each assists the operation of another, and J| conspire to the benefit and preservation of the whole. Injudiciously has die great apostle touched this sublet: and most happily applied it to illustrate the reasonbleness, and enforce the practice, botli of persona! mil social duties, of private content, and public con¦orti. flic body, he observes, is not one member, but ;/i order, and destined to serve on the very ground, has 0 reason to reckon itself a worthless outcast; or to say, lia'tnisc lam not the head* 1 am not of the body. Wither has the head, in its exalted station, and amidst k honorable functions, any cause to despise the inferior hubs; or to say with contempt and self-sufficiency, / hire no need of you, — If there were no feet, what would MOflM of the locomotive faculty? or how could the hhlv convey itself from one place to another? If there were noliands, what should we do for the instrument of iuiion? or how could the animal frame be defended and accommodated? Nay, the parts which seem to be less honorable, are necessary. Even those which form the sediments, or throw off the dregs, are of importance 1 liti 1 and its comforts. Should those be obstructed in ilieir action, the most raging torment ensues ; and should I obstruction continue, death is the inevitable consequence — By this wise adjustment, there is no schism in t body, no separate or interfering ends pursued by the numbers, but the safety and support of each are the one undivided care of all. Wite, wonderfully wise and eminently gracious, is the regulation both of spontaneous and involuntary mo|ion. Were this regulation reversed, what deplorable inconveniences would take place; nay, what unavoidable ruin must ensue! Deplorable inconveniences ; if P discharge of the bowels, or evacuations of the blad¦J were quite independent of our leave. Unavoidable r '"«.' il the action of the heart required the co-opera- 9 81 82 lion of our thoughts, or the business of respiration wain for the concurrence of our will. The will, in some cases, has not so much as a sin> myself struck with greater admiration at the power, vlruhf mi/sterrous power and sway which the soul Iffdtei over tliem. Ten thousand reins are put into nrhand; she is not acquainted with their office, their se or their name; she has not learned so much as to istiniriiisli one from another, nevertheless she manages I, conducts all without the least perplexity, or the least rix r iil;irity; rather with a promptitude, a consistency, lid • speed, which nothing else can equal! Since health ipeodi upon such a numerous assemhlage of moving mans; since a single secretion stopped) may destroy ie salutary state of the fluids, or a single wheel clogged, iav put an end to the vital motion of the solids; with lint holy /mr should we pass the time of our sojourn* in; In re below! trusting for continual preservation, not ntrelv to our own care, but to that omnipotent hand ihich formed the admirable machine: that the same land which formed it, may superintend its agency and iipport its being. When wo consider the extensive contrivance and delate mechanism — what plans of geometry have been id: what operations of chemistry are performed; in a onl, what miracles of art and elegance are executed, i Older to furnish us with the necessary recruits and ie several delights of life — is there not abundant reason > < tv out with the inspired writer, '"How dear are thy ounsrls unto me, O God!" thy counsels of creating istltmi! Thou hast not been sparing, but even lavish *Jf indulgent designs! Thou hast omitted no expe¦l which might establish my ease, enlarge my comirts. . and promote, yea complete, my bodily happiness! W is not this a most endearing obligation to glorify tlie ¦fed God with our bodies, as well as with our spir- 83 The mechanism of our body ; the connection and sni> serviency of all its parts to a common purpose ; the n quisite contrivance of its organs, consisting of such variJ ous minute vessels, interwoven With wonderful art. bavj led anatomists of all ages, to acknowledge an infinjJ Pand powerful Maker. Among the most prectoi ins of antiquity, are those commentaries of Gain 'n on the usesofthe several parts of the human m 4 hymns and offerings of praise to the great Cuev (Is it, indeed, otherwise conceivable how such conn 3iicy and harmony could have taken place in the ditlir nt parts of our wonderful frame? How they couli have been so exactly fitted to each other, and to tho a tcrior objects which have an evident relation to them, ;hk the system they compose? Could the bones, which n all amount to tour hundred, and the muscles still mor numerous, and each so well disposed for motion, he ;id justed without a superior knowledge in mechanics? 'Hi eye, so admirably adapted to light, and appropriated I vision, was it formed without a knowledge of optics Or the ear, without the science of sounds? Even on inclinations and passions, those sources of so much ap parent ill, are by the Deity providentially rendered th means of our preservation, both as individuals and race; and the selfish and social affections, like centrqN tral and centrifugal forces, conduct us with proper fbffl to the end intended by our Makes to be produced b them. Yet the love of life and all its enjoyments, th fear of death and all its dreadful harbingers, and the sn cial affections and all their endearments, would not bat been sufficient security for our carrying on the vital mo Lions with that constancy and uniformity decenary t the preservation of life, if thus engaged these motions n depended upon our will and choice. Reason WOW 6 deliberated concerning them with too much slow and volition would have executed often with a (tor is and fatal caprice. For, if the heart had boi v Ctto the soul's authority, as much as the voluntar les are ; if its motions could have been suspend 84 or stopped with the same facility, death would then have o*os no painful pang; and whenever tho body was tor(llir,i ,i with disease, and the mind in anguish from grief X disappointment, a remedy so easily applied might liavo been too frequently resorted to, and yet more unlortunate beings might have rushed uncalled into the presence of Him who stationed us for the wisest reasons hero on earth. — The preservation of life, therefore, greatly depends on our vital motions being entirely subject to tho wise government of the Author of our lives, who charges Himsklf with the immediate care of them and otiK All this, when attentively considered, must affect us with a sense of God's goodness; who, respecting tho imbecility of man's nature, hath been pleased, by appetites and passions, to excite him to acts of self-preservation; where the violence of these might have been hurtful, no less than the slowness and instability of reason, I taken our safety under his more immediate direc- To attribute contrivances like these, and even uninding itself, to unintelligent causes, rather than to l-wise Parent of Nati t ue, seems an incomprehens- LTversion of reason and philosophy. That mind must ongly prepossessed and bewildered with false sci- Wnich rather seeks for the cause of these involunnotions in dead matter, organization, chance, ney, something that, without knowledge or power, viscly and powerfully, than in the great Fountain >ircr, wisdom and animation. If chance could be supposed to produce a regular determinate action, yet it is beyond the highest degree of credulity to suppose it could continue this regularity for any time. But we find it remains through life, independent of our will ; and the same incessant vital actions have been carried on from the commencement of the world. It is thus that the sun's influence upon the earth has ever been regular. The production of trees, plants, and herbs ever uniform. Every seed produces now the same fruit it ever did. Every species of animal life is still the same. Could giiance continue this regular ar- 85 86 Bement? Could any thing continue it, but the hand Omnipotent Creator ? The human body is exalted to a most intimate ami personal union with the Kternal Son of (ion. ]|, who decorated die heaven with stars, and crowned tb stars with lustre ; lie vouchsafed to be made Jlvsh. ni was found in fashion OS a titan. Nay, this is even nov die apparel of thai divine and adorable nunon. lit « clothed with our nature he wears our very limbs; ami appears in the dress of humanity, even at the right k%\ of God, and at the head of the heavenly hosts. What think you of another privilege mentioned hy tho Apostle? "Your bodies are the temple of the Hdi Ghost." Not your souls only, but your very bodies in the shrine in which the high and holy one, that inlnth- Ueth eternity, condescends to dwell. He, who sM between the cherubim and walketh in the circuit ofthi skies, is pleased to sanctify these earthly tenements fix his own habitation. And is not this a much grander embellishment, than all their matchless contrivance and masterly workmanship? Nor must I omit the dignity — the transcendent dignity, which is reserved for these systems ofilcsh at the resurrection of the just. They will then be refined and improved into the most perfect state, and the most beauteous form ; surpassing whatever is resplendent and amiable in the most ornamental appearances of material nature. They will bo purer than the unspotted firmament; brighter than the lustre of the stars; and, which exceeds all parallel, which comprehends all perfection, they will be made like unto Christ's glorious bodtj; like thai incomparably glorious body which the blessed Jfsis wears in his celestial kingdom, and on his triumphant throne. When we add all these magnificent preroiffttirn which are revealed in Scripture, to all those inimiiiiUt niceties which are displayed by anatomits, what thankfulness, what admiration can equal such a profusion ol favors? THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 87 Say, why was man so eminently ruisM Amid the vast crcaiion, why ordainM ligh life and death to dart his piercing eye, thought! beyond the limit ofhis frame? Kit the Omnipotent might send him forth, ht of mortal ami immortal powers, Sa boundless theatre, to run reat career of justice; to exalt ¦ncrous aim to all diviner deeds; Base each partial purpose from his breast, brotightbe tossing tide of chance and pain, Id his course unfaltering, while (he voice nth and Virtue up the steep ascent Of nature, call him to his high reward, 'I'he applaudin ir smile of Heaven. Akhnsidk. ON HYGIEINE; OR, THE ART OF PRESERVING HEAT/HI Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, Lie in three words — Health, Peace, and Competence. But health consists of temperance alone, And Peace, O Virtue, Peace is all thy own. — Pope. 8 the preceding chapter I have treated of the timed c Human Body. I shall now show, that by di tion to the "Non-naturals," ahr, food, exenk , evacuations, and passions, we may go farther t rye this fabric in good health from the cradle loth grave. Nay, so wonderful is the body in its resources, its powers of renovation; and so sovereign are the virtues of the Non-naturals, that thousands are the instances of persons who, after having their health apparently ruined by an abuse of them, have, on returning to a v» and temperate use, entirely recovered their health, ani attained to a most active and happy old age. HoM the reason mankind are so often sick, is because tliev >j often err in the use of these, the appointed preservative! of life and health. To inculcate this truth more universally, I have inffl duced these disquisitions on the art of preserving iie;ilih and, to render them more acceptable to my readers, bt* enlivened them with appropriate illustrations, hop thereby to make impressions as lasting as they are i portant. OF AIR. Thou cheerful guardian of the rut ing yenr, Whether thou wanton'st on the Western gale, Orshak'st the rigid pinions of (ho North, DiffuMfl life and vigor through the tracts Of air, through earth and ocean's deep domain. Without thy cheerful active energy No rapture swells the breast j no poet sings; No more the Maids of Helicon delight. Come then with me, O! goddess heavenly gay! Begin the song; and let it sweetly How, And let it sweetly teach thy wholesome laws; Miow best the h'ckle fabric to support Of mortal man: in healthy body how A healthful mind the longest to maintain. — Armstrong. As soon as an infant enters the world, the air rushes into its lungs, the circulation of the blood through that organ commences, and its life from that moment depends "on the breath that is in its nostrils,"' which is incessantly taken in and thrown out of the lungs. While die child remained in the womb, it required no external air. because it existed in the blood which was received from its mother through the unbilical cord, or naval string. Jsut as soon as the infant is born, the air is inuilcd, and the circulation is determined through the lungs, which ever after continues in that way; and hence the necessity of breathing, which can never cease but with life. Since, then, air is the main instrument of vitality, both to mail and all creatures, it certainly must be a most pleasing and protitable study to acquire correct ideas of this great element. By the unlettered part of mankind, the vast atmosphere which surrounds our globe, to the depth of two and thirty miles, is supposed to be one simple, colorless, invisible mass, without any essential difference of qualities, and without weight. But it is a gross mistake; for instead of being a simple uniform element, it is composed of several parts, some of which are widely different lo 89 90 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. from each other. We have, too, numberless proofs of n* weight; like other bodies falling to the earth, and Ik. coining more dense as it approaches its centre. E?en one knows that air on the tops of high mountains is mini, thinner than it is below in the vallies; but the Weight «| air is susceptible of demonstration by positive expoi Having exhausted a thin glass flask, and suspended! at one end of a balance, which being nicely oounterpoj» ed by weights in the other scale; this done, admii tin air into the flask; into which it will rush with a noix, and though the flask was balanced before, it will now, upon admission of the air, preponderate. If the IhisL hold a quart, it will be found that the weight of the air »now contains is about 17 grains, so that a quart of air eighs about 17 grains. IWe will mention another experiment, easily put into ictice. Some water being poured into a saucer, hum a bit of paper in a tea-cup, which by rarefying, will exhaust and make a vacuum in the cup. Then, while the paper is yet burning, turn it hastily down, paper and all, into the saucer, and the air without will press the watt up from the saucer into the cup. The water will slmifi within the cup in a column; and if the cup were thirtytwo feet high, and the air within it perfectly exhausted the water would rise to that height in it, as we havesaii before. This satisfactorily accounts for the rising of water in pumps, or the standing of the quicksilver in tlif barometer. If farther proof be necessary to show the weight d that great ocean of air, which constantly surrounds q let a man take a thick glass tube, such as is put owl lamps, and place it upright on a table having a small hole in it for an air pump. Then let him place his ban closely over the top of the tube, while a friend with tlit pump extracts the air, and he will find that as the air on the inside is removed, the air on the outside will pw* his hand down with much violence. Nor will he hesiirtised at this pressure of the air, when he conn 1 - i |! irn that a column or pillar of air. of only one inch in 91 Lunctefi «md thirty-two miles high, which is the depth Lf [be atmosphere from its top above the clouds to the Hjrrouiul, weighs about fourteen poundll If tlio hand of ¦tiie person which covers the top of the tube measure ten ¦inches Miiare, the pressure on it will be about one liun- Wred ana forty pounds — sufficient in all conscience to ¦crush every bone in his hand. Hy the same token, a ¦ square foot of such a column of air would weigh near ¦two thousand pounds, and as a common sized man mca- Itfircs about fourteen square feet, it is a fact, as curious as In is awful, that every sucli person bears constantly on his I body a weight of fourteen tons, or twenty-eight thousand [pounds of air. Some persons may doubt this from the conclusion that such a weight would crush every man to pieces. So it would, if it were to press solely on any particular part Hut this conclusion instantly falls to the ground, when it is recollected, that this pressure of the air is uniform and equal all round him, the air pressing as strongly from below as from above; from one side as from another; thus causing the various pressures most exactly and admirably to counterpoise each other; of ihis we see a wonderful instance in the case of fishes in the ocean. One of these animals, at a great depth under water, would be crushed to atoms, if all that heavy (lenient pressed only on his back. Hut the God who made him has so kindly attended to his safety, as to cause the water that surrounds him from below to press upwards as strongly as that from above to press downwards. There is another reason why our bodies are not so sensible of the tremendous weight of air, which thirtytwo miles deep presses on us; it is simply this, all bodies are full of air; and the air within pressing against that without, preserves even the most delicate bodies uninjured. A bladder, or even a bag of oiled paper, if tilled with water, remains perfectly unhurt, though a hundred fathoms below the surface of the sea; because the water within furnishes a full resistance to the water without. Hut take away this resistance from within, and you will find that the slightest pressure will bring the two titles together. According to the late discoveries in chemistry, the atmosphere consists of three different species of airnamely, pure, rcspirable, or dephlogistieated air ; azotic, or phlogisticated air; and fixed, or carbonic acid air. The proportion of the flrst, namely, pure or vital air. consists, according to the French chemists, who have given it the name of Oxygen, of '27 or 28 in the hundred parts; die second, the Azote of the French, of Ii or 73 in the hundred; and the third, namely, die Carbonic acidaii\ of about one part only in the hundred, Oxygen is much better adapted to the respiration of animals than common atmospheric air. If two animals be enclosed in vessels, one of which contains pure Oxygen and the other common atmospheric air, in proportions equal to the size of the animals, the former in the Oxygen will be found to live six or seven times as \m as tho latter in common air. It is properly this Oxygen which we inspire, and which is the grand support of animal life. Persons apparently dead, or in a state of suffocation, have been instantly restored to life, by ii> influence; and from the corresponding testimony of several respectable physicians, it appears to have been employed with advantage in many obstinate diseases. Tin celebrated Ingenhouz, therefore, gave it the name of mid air. It promotes combustion in a very high degree. A candle will burn in it from six to seven times longer than in common air, with a much greater degree of heat, ami a more brilliant flame. Bodies in a glowing state are immediately inflamed, when put into Oxygen gas; and even metals, which are not very fusible, are melted mi ; with the greatest facility. Azote, by others called phlogisticated, mephitic, corrupted, or suflbcative air, is absolutely unrespirable, aim not niiscible with water. It arises from the change which atmospheric air undergoes in every pfooMfl combustion, putrefaction, and respiration, whether pw duced by nature or art. Azote enters into no combination with water, but may be rendered less hurtful by shaking it with that fluid. TM accounts, in some measure, for the salubrity of the sea-air i 92 i frailly promotes the growth of plants, and readily accumulates in apartments filled with people, or container articles fresh-painted with oil colors, or in which Ifoogly fragrant flowers are kept without having any occasion or fresh air. We should be extremely canlow in entering such places, as diseases of the breast mil lungs are too frequently the consequence of neglect L ignorance. Tlic Carbonic acid air, OV fixed air, is misciblc with iter, but in its pure state is equally unrespirable as the iota It derives its origin, partly from the vinous ferlt'iiiution of vegetables and some animal substances, tul partly from the mild alkaline salts and earths comrod with acid. 3luch of this air abounds in mines, lure it frequently distresses the workmen by its sullouiiijr (tloct. It is also observed in most mineral wa- H, where a stratum of it sometimes floats upon the irliur of the well. These waters, as well as fermented ]iiors, which contain a considerable portion of fixed r. receive from it that well known pungency so agree¦B to the palate. Hence, flat and spoiled beer or iiK 1 . may be corrected and restored to its former briskn,bv the addition of fixed air evolved from chalk and trolic acid; or by mixing it with new beer, or wine in Mate of fermentation. lAs this species of air quickly extinguishes fire, animals nnot live in it. These three wrlnl bodies, though blended together, •age themselves, in some degree, according to their Wilic gravities; that is, the proportion of azotic air, lich is the lighter body of the three, will be found w in the upper part, the oxygen air in the middle, and 1 Jived air will be found most in the lower part of tho irtment This occasions a circulation in the air, the Hied air will ascend, the fixed air sink, and die far and purer air rush into the apartment through *y crevice. To render the circulation of the air in to sense, if the air of a room be heated by a fire, ihl the air in the next room is cold, and the door be*n opened, the hot air of one room being rarified, 93 t: will pass through the upper part of the opening of i door into tiic cold room; and on ihe contrary, the cm air of the other room being heavier, will pass into t former through the lower part of the opening. Tin may be proved by applying a candle ;it the upper n lower openings between the two rooms. The directk of the name of the candle will point out" the contni currents of air. It is for this reason, that when a § is lighted in a chimney, a strong current of airetnti the room, which may be felt by applying the handm the key-hole, or other small openings, if the doori windows be shut. A fire is said to purify a room:! this it does partly by drying the dampness of the root and chiefly hy promoting the circulation of the air. Tl fire does not perform such service by purifying the k air, but by removing it*rfend substituting that which fresh and wholesome. (l Fence it appears that those p sons arc mistaken, who are over anxious to keep I from the apartments of convalescent persons, studioi stopping, bij list, linings, and sand bags, all the sum est openings that admit fresh ah\\ Unless the air were constantly renewed, persons wn be exposed to the most fatal accidents in large MM blies or crowded rooms. To mention no other fact, a strong proof of then cessity of the frequent renewal of air may he found the records of the Dublin lying-in hospital In this hospital two thousand nine hundred and Wi four infants out of seven thousand six hundred and til died in the year 178*2, within the first fortnight " ! their birth, which is nearly every third child! Tlhv most all died in convulsions, or what the nurses r ninth day Jits, because they came on nine dayi d their birth*. Many of these children foamed at iii mouths, their thumbs drawn info the palms of ill hands, jaws locked, and faces swelled and blue, as tfw they were choked. The last circumstance led Dr. 1 1 to conclude that the rooms were too close and crowd That benevolent physician contrived, (herefore. air-pip by which the rooms were completely ventilated I 94 95 . O iis'qucnce was, a prodigious decrease in the mortality. upmost unnecessary to mention the frequent and sud|,.|i deaths that huvc taken place from entering deep Jk cellars, and other confined places. Three poor men atDenton, Maryland, having nearly oniplttotl a deep well, quitted their work to go home to ti{ )\\wh<)ll/-. To discharge this, the miners are in the liahit I ' 'rawling on their hands and feet, and, with a taper ¦ttd to a long stick, set fire to it, which is succeeded ft terrible, and sometimes fatal explosion. This air wengenerated in the stomach and bowels of animals, Jiii living and dead. A lighted candle held near, has pn caused it to take fire. 96 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. I i >l h :ir The inflammable woman of Coventry, as describe by Mr. Wilmer, appears to have reduced herself | dram drinking, to such a state, as to be capable ofbea let on fire, and burjhg away like a match: so eager, sn the learned Dr. Beddoes, were the piinoiplefl of whig she was composed to combine with Oxygen* E?he Russians and Germans are frequently expos, minting during their cold season, from the nexim of their stoves, and want of due ventilation. \ ias a person is discovered in this slate without sen? motion, he is instantly carried into the open SJr;ai Igstript, is rubbed very briskly with snow, or col bt, which generally recovers him, if breathing k been suspended above an hour. Paintings, orsulli cms from the ftunes of charcoal, are commonly con •old water thrown on the patient. As the mass of atmospheric air is incessantly comip ed by the respiration of men and animals, by the ban ing of so many natural and artificial fires, by the
  • m, «fee. In persons who take little exercise, the fluidi c apt to stagnate, and the solids to chill in the winter. pon the whole, however, the effects of cold weather ay he rendered less hurtful, and even salutary to tin xiy, if proper exercise he not neglected. I Dump or Moist Air suddenly relaxes and debilitate^ itarding the circulation, checking the perspiration, ami the spirits. If damp air he accompanied ith cold, it tends, by obstructing the j)erspiration. 10 row the retained humors on the breast, throat, stomach. >wcls, &x\, occasioning sore throats, pleurisies, sick miach, diarrlurs, &c. If damp air he accompanied ith heat, it is still worse, by opening the pores, through bid) the moisture penetrates in the body, and pmlis•ses every part of it to putrefaction and dissolution Iris accounts for the great mortality prevalent during c hot season at Uatavia, and some of the West liuliii I Dry and Cool Air, from its elasticity, promotes, ¦ i extraordinary manner the serenity and alertness ot md and body; and is, therefore, most agreeable and lubrious, both to the healthy and infirm. I Too sudden a transition from warm to cold air, or 3 reverse, is pernicious. Hut none have ever comlined on leaving, however suddenly, the sickly air ¦ own, for the dry, pure, temperate air of the couinrv. for all, the surest sign of good air in any place, is the igevity of its inhabitants. The most certain marks, by which to distingu^ lether the air in rooms be damp or not, are the for ving. The walls or tapestry change their color: bread acquires a mouldy surface ; sponges in the rooms niiiii tlieir moisture; loaf-sugar turns soft; iron rusts; |, r a.ss md copper acquire a green color, and wooden furniture moulders and crumbles to pieces. In cities the sitting rooms ought, if possihle, to be above the ground floor, or on the second story, well ventilated by convenient doors and windows. And as to tlii 1 bed-rooms, they ought assuredly to be in the most chilled stories of the house, that they may be as far removed as possible from that mass of azote, or deadly air which is so copiously generated in large towns, and which naturally settles near the ground. The airing of apartments should not be neglected, even in winter, as fires alone are not sufficient to carry oil' the corrupted air. If possible, we should not sit Aroogh the day in a room in which we have slept; as the bed clothes, and particularly feather beds, very slowly part with the exhalations they have imbibed during the night. It farther deserves to be remarked) that all damp vapors are prejudicial; hence, keeping wet clothes in dwelling rooms should by all means be carefully avoided. Unwholesome air is a very common cause of diseases. Few are aware of the danger arising from it, People Rurally pay some attention to what they eat and drink, Ml seldom regard what goes into the lungs, though the latter often proves more suddenly fatal than the former. Air, as well as water, takes up parts of most bodies with which it comes into contact, and is often so replenished with those of a noxious quality as to occasion immediate death. But such violent effects seldom happen, as people are generally on their guard against them. The less perceptible influences of bad air generally prove more hurtful to mankind. We shall, therefore, endeavor to point out some of these, and to show from whence the danger chiefly arises. Air may become noxious in many ways. Whatever greatly alters its degree of heat, cold, moisture, fee., Anders it unwholesome: for example, that which is too hot dissipates the watery parts of the blood, exalts the "ile, and renders the whole humors adust and thick. 99 100 Hence proceed bilious and inflammatory fevers, cholera mortals, &c. Very cold air obstructs tlie pcrspirntion. constringes tbe solids, and condenses die lluids. || occasions rheumatisms, coughs, and catarrhs, with othct diseases of the throat and bieast. Air tliat is too moid destroys the elasticity or spring of the solids, indues phlegmatic or lax constitutions, and disposes the body to agues, or intermittent fevers, dropsies, &c. Wherever great numbers of people are crowded into one place, if the air lias not a free current, it soon bfr comes unwholesome. Hence it is that delicate persons are so apt to siken or faint in crowded churches, assemblies, or any place where, the air is injured by breathing, fires, candles, or the [ike. In great, cities so many tilings tend to pollute (he iiir, that it is no wonder it proves so fatal to the inhabitants The air in cities is not only breathed repeatedly over. but is likewise loaded with sulphur, smoke, and other exhalations, besides the vapors continually arising from innumerable putrid substances, as dung-hills, slaughterhouses, Slc All possible care should he taken to keep the streets of large towns open and wide, that the air may have ji free current through them; they ou<:iit likewise to be kept clean. Nothing tends more to pollute -and contaminate the air of a. city than dirty streets. Wherever air stagnates long it becomes unwholesome; hence the unhappy persons confined in jails not only contract malignant fevers themselves, but often communicate them to others. Nor are many of the hovels, lor we cannot call them houses, possessed by the poor in great towns, much better than jails. These low. dirty habitations are the very lurking places of bad air and contagious diseases. Su,ch as live in them seldom enjoy good health, and their children commonly die yomiii. In the choice of a house, those who have it in their power ought always to pay the greatest attention to open (fee* air. The various methods which luxury lias invented to make houses close and warm, contribute not a little to render them unwholesome. No house can be wholsome unless the a ' r nas ;l fr°° passage through it; for which reason ln )llsrs Might daily lo ho ventilated hv opening ojijiosii* 1 *findowß| and admitting a current of fresh nir j,,i,> every room. Bods, instead of being made up as soon as people rise cut of them, ought to he turned down ami exposed to the fresh air from the open windows duough the tiny. This would expel any noxious vapor ami could not fail to promote the health of the inhahi- pints. In hospitals, jails, ships, &c, where thai cannot he runveiiiontlv done, ventilators should he used. The jetbod of expelling foul, and introducing fresh air. by mans of ventilators, is a most salutary invention, and I, indeed, tho most useful of all our modern medical mprovoinents. It is capable of universal application, uitl is fraught with numerous advantages, both to those n health and sickness, in all places, where numbers of tropic are crowded together, ventilation becomes absoutolv necessary. Air which stagnates in mines, wells, cellars, &c., is xiivinelv noxious. That kind of air is to he avoided as lie most deadly poison. It often kills almost as quickly lightning. For this reason, people should be very "unions in opening cellars that have been long shut, or long down into deep wells, or pits, especially if they lave been kept closely covered. Many people who have splendid houses, choose to topin sinull apartments. This conduct is very impruttt A bed-chamber ought always to be well aired; lit is generally occupied in the night only, when all *"»is and windows are shut. If a fire be kept in it, the aniier from a small room becomes still greater. Numm have been stifled when asleep by a fire in a small ptrtment, which is always hurtful. Delicate persons ought, as much as possible, to avoid 1(1 air of large cities. It is peculiarly hurtful to the Jwnatic and consumptive. Such persons should avoid "' ls as they would the plague. The hypochondriac much hurt by it. I have often scon persons > rnucli afflicted with this malady while in town, that 101 102 it seemed impossible for them to live, who, upon bew removed to the eoimfry, were immediately relieved' Tlie same observation holds witli regard to nervous ain| hysteric women. Many people, indeed, have it not i their |>ower to change their situation in , but load it with putrid exhalations, which pro the most dangerous and fatal diseases. OF FOOD. For this tbo watchful appetite was given, Daily with frefh materials to repair This unavoidable expense of life. This necessary waste of Hesh and blood. Hence the coneoetive powers, with v.irious art, Subdued the cruder aliments to chyle; The chyle to blood : the foamy purple tide To liquors, which through finer arteries To different part? 1 their winding course pursue; To try new changes, and new forms put on, Or for the public, or some private use. — Armstrong. INaturk not only points out the food fit for intain t kindly prepares it. When the babe, just born into tin 103 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. cold world, is applied to its mother's bosom, it is first gnvably affected by warmth; next it is delighted with Si odor of tli^ milk; then gratified by the flavor of it; iliinvurds the appetites of hunger and of thirst ailbrd Snare by the possession of their objects, and by the übseijueiit digestion of the aliment ; and lastly, (he sense f touch if delighted by the softness and smoothness of lu > milky fountain, which the innocent embraces with i> hands, presses with its lips, and watches with its eyes. Itisfied, it smiles at the enjoyment of such a variety of ibsiiros. It feels an animal attraction, which is love; mtification when the object is present, v desire when it ; absent, which constitutes the purest, source of human t'liiitv, the cordial drop in the otherwise vapid cup of ife. overpaying the fond mother for all her solicitudes ml cares. r Lo! at the couch whore infant bounty sloops, Her silent wutch the mournful mother keeps; Slie, while tl c lovely babe unconscious lies, Smiles on her slumb'ring child with pensive eyes, And weaves ;i song of melancholy joy. — Camthkll. Few mothers in our country are to be found who are 10 lost to the finer feelings as to abandon their darling ppriog. Nothing can be so preposterous and uiinatiral. as a mother abandoning the care of her child. If N search Nature throughout, we cannot find a parallel. Every other animal is the nurse of its own offspring, nico thrives accordingly. Connubial fair! whom no font! transport warms, To lull your infant in maternal arm?; Who, blest in vain with tumid bosom, hear His tender wailing with unfeeling ear; Trie soothing kiss, and milky rill deny To the sweet pouting lip, and glltt'ttiftg eye! All! what avails the cradle's damask roof, The eider bolster, and embroiderM woof! Oft hears the gilded coach, unpity'd plains; And many a tear the tassell'd cushion stains! No voice so sweet attunes his cares to rest, 00 soft no pillow, as his mother's breast! — Darwix. 104 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. It is in infancy and early ago, that the foundation jj laid for the many diseases arising from indigestion, tlmm in almost every iiunilv. If children be \\d inunodnau l\ the first |>assuges become too much distondr:!, and iljp stomach, by degrees, acquires an unnatural craving fa food, which must be satisfied, whatever be the coiisi. <|ucnee. These excessive supplies are not only annece» sarv, but produce the most serious and fatal disorden.- There is a certain relation subsislmg between what is taken in, and what is lost by the body. If we eat an drink much, We likewise lose much, without gaming :in; more by it than we might do by moderate meals. Eli ing too much retards the growth, and eventually drain ishes the digestive power of the stomach. Nature i easily satisfied, and is always best, provided if we do no obtrude upon her more than she is accustomed to. [ we have, for some time, taken little nourishment, natwi becomes so habituated to it, that we feel indisposed | soon as the usual measure is transgressed; and both t!it stomach and its digestive powers are thereby foipaired It would be impossible to lay down fixed rules, wherety to determine the salubrity or insalubrity, of aliment! with respect to the individual. Kxperience is, indeed, our chief nuide upon this sub ject; for, such is tin; peculiarity of constitutions, that tin same article; which will nourish and perfectly agree will one person, would prove highly pernicious to anotlut Let us, therefore, in the selection of our food, adopt liia which lon«j and careful observation has confirmed lob salutary, and avoid those things, however tempting torn palate, which we know to be injurious. There are, however, articles of die! obviously im proper to every one; which, though they may not Rial lest their ill effects immediately, yet, nevertheless, mulct mine and break down by gradual operation, the vigors our systems, and entail upon us, with certainty, a i'" ; 111 of chronic disorders, of all others the most trottblejon and difficult to cure. The articles of this deschpltf are all high-seasoned dishes, and those which arc COB posed of a great variety of ingredients People in hew 105 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. roouiro no excitement to die relish of <*ood and wliole|oaetD6at; and to those in the opposite state, the- luxui* of the table are poison The sail efiectiof luxury are these: We drink our poison, and we eat disease. Not m, O Temperance bland; when ruled by thco, T le brute's obedient, and Urn man is free: Suit are his slumbers, baltnly is his rest, His wins not boiling from Urn midnight feast, ¦Tis to thy rules, bright Temperance! we owe All pleasures which from strength and health can flow; Vigor of body, purity of mind, Unclouded reason, sentiments refined) Unmixed) untainted joys, without remorse. The intemperate sensualist's never failing curse. — Dorm. There are three kinds of appetite: first, the natural ¦petite — which is equally stimulated and satisfied with lie mo f simple disli as with the most palatable; secondly, he artificial appetite, or that excited by hitters, spirits, tickles, and other condiments, which remain only as mj as the operation of these stimulants continues; liirdlv. ihe habitual appetite, or that by which we EICCUSNO ourselves to take victuals at certain hours, and frejiipntly without any appetite. Longing for a particular ood is likewise a kind of false appetite. By the true and healthy appetite, alone, can we ascer- M the quantity of aliment proper for the individual. It. in that state, we no longer relish a common dish, it is certain evidence of its disairreeinff with our digestive fan* If, after dinner, we feel ourselves as cheerful as Wore it, we may be assured that we have taken a proper leal; for if the proper measure be exceeded, torpor Wl ensue, with indigestion, and a variety of unpleasant ttoplaints. When the tired glutton labors through a treat, He finds no relish in the sweetest meat. Then hear what blessings Temperance can bring, Those blessings, only, form my cause to sing: First Health — the stomach erammM from every dish A tomb of roast andboil'd, of flesh and fish, It Where bile and wind, And phlegm and acid jar. And nil the man ii one intestine war, Rimikmiilkts well the ichooMwy'i limple hre, The temperate sleep*, and spirits light as air. — Pora. A decent well-furnished tnd hospitable table, is rer commendable in those who can afford ii. It speaks i!n greatness of their minds, the goodness of tluir natwq and gains the blessings of the poor and needy, when they are charitably allowed to come in for a share; in; when feasting runs into excessive luxury and vainq Dense, it reproaches the author of it with prodigality am f)lly; for no money can be so truly said to be throwi way, as that which is superfluously spent upon the belli It was a maxim of Socrates, "that we OUghl to eat an drink to live, and not to live in order to eat and drink.] Temperance is the preserv; ion of the dominion olsmil over sense, of reason over passion. The want of ii i!t ¦troys health, fortune, and conscience. Chremes, of Greece, though a young man, was v r infirm and sickly, through a course of luxury and inirn perance; and subject to those stranko sorts of fitswhk are colled trances. Jn one of these, lie thought thin philosopher came to sup with him; who out of all ill dishes served up at the table, would only eat of one. M tint the most simple; yet his conversation Wassprigbtj his knowledge great, his countenance cheerful, and hi constitution strong. When the philosopher took In leave, he invited (.'hrenies to sup with him at a house i the neighborhood ; which also took place in his imagin tion; and he thought he was received with the mOßtp lite and affectionate tokens of friendship; but W greatly surprised, when supper came up, to find notbil but milk and honey, and a tew roots dressed up in '' plainest manner, to which cheerfulness and good sen; were the only sauces. As Chremes was unused to i!> B>f diet, and could not eat, the philosopher order) Br table to he spread more to his taste: and imm y there succeeded a banquet composed of tin 1 HMJ ial dishes thai luxury could invent, with great pit n ariety of the richest and most intoxicating wi« 106 107 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. |0* 100, were accompanied by damsels of the most etritching beauty, Anil now Chretnes gave a loose to II ?is appetites; and every thing be tasted raised ccsta•H beyond what he had ever known. Their charms Ranted the enraptorod guest, already heated with pit he bad drunk. His senses were lost in ecstatic ontiision. Every thing around him seemed Elysium, ; ,,| he was upon the point of indulging with the most wndlett freedom; wlien lo! on a sudden, their beauty, jiich wsj bvt a visor. Ml off, and discovered to his lew foroM the most hideous and forbidding imaginable. ,11-1. revenge, tolly, murder, meagre poverty, and franic despair, now appeared in the most odious shape*, |d the place instantly became the direct scene of misirvand desolation, 1 low often did Chremes wish himself iir distant from such diaboli] d company ! and how dread • fetal consequences which threatened him on every do' His blood ran chill to his heart; his knees smote aimteach other with fear; joy and rapture were turned It astonishment and horror. — When the philosopher Retired that this scene had made a sufficient impreslon on his gne world, or the world to come. It is, indeed, the true l.xurv of life; for without it life cannot be enjoyed." — his said, he disappeared; and Chremes awaking, and i acted by the vision, altered his course of life, beanie frugal, temperate, industrious; and by that means tfleojted his health and estate, that he lived without Hi to a very old age; and was esteemed one of the idlest, best, and wisest men in Greece. is the beautiful moral drawn by the pen of ele- Maad instructive fiction; with which, if there be any lllll ' so insensibie as not to be properly affected, let us tt 'v turn to that striking reality, presented to us in the 108 Ps of Lewis Cornaro. This gentleman was a Venetian! loble extraction, and memorable for having lived I ixtremeokl age; for ho was abate a bandred yenrJ at the time of liis death, which happened at Padua,! m the year 15(>5. Amongst other little pcrfonn;inei>! he left behind him a piece entitled. H)f the advant;i»» J of a temperate life," of which we will hen* give .»,"¦ readers some account: not only because it will v«rvl well illustrate the life and character of the author, I may possibly be of use to those who take the summiuM bintuni, or chief good of life, to consist in good eatin J He was moved, it seems, to compose this little piece a:l the request, and for the benefit of some ingenuous voium men, for whom he had a regard; and who, haying \wM since lost their parents, and seeing him, then eight v-onel years old, in a line florid state of health, were desimi to know of him, what had enabled him to preserve. -I he did, a sound mind, in a sound body, to so extreme ;inl age. He describes to them, therefore, his whole in: '-¦ ncr of living, and the regimen he had always pursunM and was then pursuing. He tells them that, when i r« anoe had brought upon him many and grievous disor-l ders; that from the thirty-fifth to the fortieth year of l« age, he spent his nights and days in the utmost an\iiiei'fonvard, till the time in which he wrote his trealisc. Some sensualists, as it appears, had objected to his ptfMllioUl manner of living; and in order to evince the monablenese of their own, had urged that it was not ivorili while to mortify one's appetites at such a rate ior llio sake of being old, since all that was life, after the mof sixty-five, could not properly be called a living it'o. but a dead life. "Now," says he, "to show these ntlemen how much they are mistaken, I will briefly mi over the satisfactions and pleasures which I myself iijtv in this eighty-third year of my age In the first ilaet'. 1 am always well, and so active, withal, that 1 can, mil case, mount a horse upon a flat, or walk upon the ops of very high mountains. In the next place, lam bays cheerful, pleasant, perfectly contented, and free on all perturbation, and every uneasy thought I iavc none of that fast'ulium rUsf, that satiety of life, t often to be met with in persons of my age, I take a it w of palaces, gardens, antiquities, public buildings, snples, fortifications, and endeavor to let nothing Ripe me which may afford the least amusement to a "iional mind. Nor are these pleasures at all blunted •ytlio usual imperfections of great age; for I enjoy all iiy senses in perfect vigor; my taste ("specially, in so iftl l degree, that I have a better relish for the plain* ifood now, than I had for the choicest delicacies for*ly, when immersed in a life of luxury." Al a principal rule of diet, we ought to take food with ln easy and serene mind, and to cat slowly. The 110 stomnch Buffering in tins case «i very gradual dtstentioi as the food has sufficient time to be duly prepared l>\ mastication. To eft! of one dish only seems moti ooq. fbrmabte to nature, and is doubtless the means of procuring the most healthy fluids. The diet ought not only to be such as is best adapted to the constituti >n. but likewise to be taken at regular periods; for long fasting is hurtful at any stage of life, All great and sudden changes of diet are universally dangerous, particularly from a rich and full diet to a bi and sparing one. When, therefore* a change becomei necessary, it ought always to be made by degrees. When a person has Buffered so much from extren hunger, much food must not be given at once. \)\ \\\ feeding, thoustnds long starved at sea have beend siroyed at once Such persons should be supplied Wil liquid food, and that sparingly. As soon as the food has entered the stomach, the important office of digestion begins. The rigor of tin organs exerted on this occasion, ought certainly not to be abridged by violent exercise; but muscular niul robust people feel no inconvenience from gentle motion about one hour after the\ 9 heaviest meal. Uut as tin whole process of digestion is of much longer duratki than is generally imagined, the- afternoon hours camm be employed so advantageously to health in any labor requiring strong exertions. In violent exercise, or an increased state of perspiration, the fluids are propeMed to the external parts, and withdrawn from the stomach, where they are indispensable to assist the proper concoction. Cxolusive of the quantity and quality of food, grati attention is due to the kind of it in particular constitutions. Animal food in general is more nourishing than vegetable, and, when fresh, is likewise more eisjf Sj digestion. On this account, it generally agrees best with delicate and weak constitutions. But the flesh of young animals, with a proportionate quantity of well boiled and wholesome vegetables, is tin 1 best diet adapted to our system. In summer it is adijbMo 111 t° increase tno proportion of vegetable food, and to nake use of ripe fruit. With regard to oar food, dimwit, in quantity and quality, it should be propor* ini:it i (! lo our exercise* The laborer, who is perpetually loiling from morning to night, could not subsist on food upropriated to ihoae who pursue not the severe? exer- c j >rs of tin* body. His diet must he of the coarser kind; juch it salted meats or fish, cheese, com bread, potai,KS. onions and peas, and these in pretty large quantities. On the whole, it will be found to be the safest, both in health and sickness to regulate our diet with simpliciiv; over bearing in mind that a preference is to be vjreatotttch articles as our personal knowledge has Jamoflstrated to be the most congenial lo our constitutions and habits. In our aliment, an essential part is drink, the use of which is indispensable to the digestion of food. Water % the basis of our drinks, should be carefully MKained in its highest purity. The best water is that which is pure, light, and without any particular color, Lte, or smell. Where water cannot be obtained pure jrem springs, wells, rivers, or lakes, care should be taken i»> deprive it of its pernicious qualities, by boiling and illering, but most effectually by distillation. Any putrid ¦balances in the water may be corrected by the nddipooof an acid. Thus half an ounce of alum, in powwr, will make twelve gallons of corrupted water pure ¦d transparent in two hours, without imparting a senible degree of astringency. Charcoal powder has also WMi found of great efficacy in checking the putrid tendency of water. To the same purpose, vinegar and oiher strong acids, arc well adapted. Whatever kind of drink is used, it ought to be taken in a moderate quantity. Too much drink, even >t water, innocent as it is, tends to oppress and weaken | il(i stomach, of course to generate acidities and Hatufcnee. Bone advise us never to drink without eating sometag, but he who drinks only whan nature requires it, 112 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. on the contrary, once accustomed to drink more than i necessary, or to make use of hot, stimulating, and into* icating liquors, would do well always to eat some bread or other solid food along with them. An undue proportion of dri k renders the mass ?; blood too thin .and watery, and occasions a general t |.. bility of the body. On the other hand, too little drink renders the blood thick and viscid, and weakens tin digestive powers. Light and well fermented beer, mi wholesome, and, at the same time, diluent species 4 nourishment. tCi(lci% when properly fermented and pure, is aboi asant and wholesome liquor. On the contrary, win I new or tart, we cannot recommend it as a silu ions beverage. I'inc, when pure, and used in moderation, certain!; luces to health, especially in weak and languid Is. See Vine, Mat. Med. Ardent spirits, when properly diluted, are likewii an excellent beverage and antiseptic 'I hese liqaoretn of considerable service in preventing the bad effects 4 a moist and cold atmosphere, pestilential vapors, dasj military camps, unclean occupations, and, occasional!) too, of a temporary abstinence from food. Rut as the infusion of too great a quantity of oil in lately extinguishes the lamp, the light of reason, mi amp of life itself, arc frequently suffocated, and pi for ever, by an imprudent use of either wine i ts. Ea is considered by some as being highly injorioi others have either asserted its innocence, or ewj >ed to it extraordinary virtues. When taken in large quantity, or very strong, and at a late hour, it old produces watchfulness; but if used in moderation, greatly relieves an oppressed stomach, and pains of U head. It ought however, to be made of a model* strength, otherwise it certainly affects the nerves. "» pochon Iriac and hysteric people are much deceived l their opinions of the efficacy of tea; for all the ey 113 |kg* complain, are certainly increased by tea, (specially if taken in large and strong quantities. The cold itom„ ji which thf^y propose to warm by it, is a mere phantom gfthe brain; for the sensation of cold is nothing but fl |;i\atioiu which, instead of being removed by hot JMiiors. is assuredly increased by them. Coffee promotes digestion, and exhilarates the animal spirits ; but an excessive list 4 , of it like tea, affects the nerves, occasions watchfulness, and trembling of the Ikiikls. As possessing excellent anti-spasmodic virtues, ii is a favorite beverage with the hypochondriac and Chocolate is nutrieious and wholesome, if taken in nail quantity; but to the corpulent and weak, particularly those with whom a vegetable diet disagrees, it is Koerelly hurtful. OF EXERCISE. ****** By health the peasant's toil Is troll repaid, if exercise were pain Indeed, and temperance pain. l»y arts liko these Laconia nursed of old her hardy sons: And Rome's unconquered legions urged (heir way Unhurt, through every toil and every clime. Toil and be strong. JJy toil the flaccid nerves Grow firm, and gain a more comparted tone; The greener juices are by toil subdu'd, Mellowed, and nubtilix'd; the vapid old Expell'd and all the rancor iif the blood. Begin with gentle toils, and, as your nerves Grow firm, to hardier by just steps aspire The prudent, even in every moderate walk, At first but saunter, and by slow degrees, Increase their pace. This doctrine of the wise, Well knows the master of the flying steed. — Armstrongs. It was a common saying among the ancients, that Wte diseases are from heaven, and chronic from our- MfQH To die, says Dr. Johnson, is the fate of man; (* ut to die with lingering anguish, is generally his own i ; 114 folly. Inactivity never fails (o induce a universal relaxation of ilu* contractile fibres. When these fiben m relaxed) neither the digestion, the circulation, nor iln peristaltic motion can be duly performed. It is absolutely impossible to enjoy health where ihe perspiration also is not duly carried on; and that can never be the case, where exercise is neglected. Indolence often originate from a mistaken education, in which pleasure and flattery is made tho immediau motive of action, and not future advantage, or whal i> termed duty. This observation is of great value H those who attend to the education of their own children, I have seen, says Dr. Darwin, one or two young married ladies of fortune, who perpetually became uneasy and believed themselves ill, a week after their arrival in the country, and continued so uniformly during their stay; yet, on their return to London or Bath, immediately lost all their complaints. I was led to ascribt this to their being surrounded in infancy with menial attendants, who had flattered them into the exertion* they then used; and that, in riper years, 'they becami torpid for want of this stimulus, and could not amiM themselves by any voluntary employment; requirim:, ever after, either to be amused by other people, or to be flattered into activity. Dr. Johnson says, •'Whenever chance brings within my observation a knot of young ladies, busy at tlitir needles, I consider myself as in the school ofvirtM and though 1 have no extraordinary skill in plain won or embroidery, I look upon their operations with as jam satisfaction as the governess, because I regard then S providing a security against the most dangerous • snarers of the soul, by enabling themselves to exclsi idleness from their solitary moments, and with idleness its attendent train of passions, fancies, chimeras, tear?. sorrows, and desires." Fit' sedentary employments be intermixed with a 'I'" antity of exercise, they will never injure health. Weak fibres are the constant companions ot mat Htity. Nothing but daily exercise in the open air can 115 jnoetnd strengthen the powers of the stomach, and prevent an endless train of diseases, winch proceed from a [eiaxed state of that organ. We seldom hear the active mil laborious complain of nervous; diseases; which are nerved for ihe sons of idleness. ****** How happy he whose toil Has oVr his languid poworleu limbs (lilFusci! A pleasing lansitude. He not in vain favoket the gentle deity of dreams. ]{v t il sübdued, « it is, that I could not live upon twice so much being* own, and you upon half of it, though you pay rent tor"' are able in less than twenty years to buy it?" "O sir. said the farmer, "a few words make the differ**" When any thing was to be done, you said, *Go and •' it,' and lay in bed or took your pleasure; but I alwa v said, k Come, let us go and do it,' and both assisted am saw my business done myself!" To show the absolute necessity of exercise in (>0 ' c climates, we cannot omit relating the botanical excur 116 ;:on of Sir Joseph Bank*, Dr. Solandcr, and others, on lie heights of Terni-del-Fuc^o. Dr. Solandcr who Md more than once crossed the mountains dividing 'Widen from Norway, well knowing that extreme cold traduced a torpor and sleepiness almost irresistible, conuivd (he company to keep always in motion, whatever iin it might cost them, and whatever relief they might )c promised by rest. "Whoerer sits ffoirn,"' said he, iriil sleep, and whoerer sleeps will mike no more." Tims at oiicc admonished and alarmed, they set forward. HI while they were still upon the naked rock, and be- I'orv they pot among the bushes, the cold was so intense, as 10 produce the effect! that had been most dreaded. J)r. Solander. himself, was the first who found the inclination, against which he had warned others, irresistible; md insisted upon being suffered to lie down. Sir Joseph Bulks entreated and remonstrated with him in vain; down he lay upon the ground, though it was covered kith snow; and it was with great difficulty that his Ineildfl kept him from sleeping. One of his black servants also began to linger. Partly by persuasion, and manly by force, the company made them go forward. Boon, however, they both declared, "they would go no larther." Sir Joseph Banks had recourse again to expostulation, but this produced no effect When (lie black was told that if he did not go on, he would in a short time be frozen to death, he answered that he desired nothing so much as to lie down and die. The Doctor •lid not so explicitly renounce his life; saying, he would 2 ( > on. but dial he must first take "some sleep,*" 1 though M hud before told the company, that k; to sleep was to perish."' Both in a few minutes fell into a profound sloop. After considerable exertions they happily succeeded in waking the Doctor, who had almost lost the "><' ot his limbs, and the muscles were so shrunk, that n shots fell from his feet; but every attempt to relieve loe unfortunate black proved unsuccessful. ¦ we have touched upon the subject of cold, we orbear inserting the observations of the iminorvin. 117 Animal bodies resist the power of cold probably h their exertions: hut if these increased exertions be w violent, so as lo exhaust the power of the brain, the uj mal will probably sooner perish. Thus the modem quantity of wine or spirii, repeated at proper intcrv;i|>, time, might he of service to those who are long expo*! to excessive cold, both by increasing the action of the capillary vessels, and thus producing heal, and, perhaa by increasing in some degree the secretion of the Bean rial power in the brain. iJut the contrary must hipps; when taken immoderately, and not at due intervals, l well attested story was once related to me of two nun, who set out on foot to travel in the snow, one of wiMfl drank two or three glasses of brandy before theybegq their journey, the oilier contented himself with his nsua. diet and potation: the one perished, in spite of even assistance his companion could allord him, and the otkfl performed his journey with safety. In this case tfa power of the brain wns exhausted by the unnecemi] motions of incipient intoxication by the stimulus ot* the brandy, as well as by the exertions of walking, wind so weakened the dram-drinker, that the cold sooner destroyed him; not having power to produce Bilffictefl muscular, or arterial action, and in consequence sullicim: heat to supply the great expenditure of it. Hence ill capillaries or smaller vessel* of the skin, first ceased I act, and became pale and empty; next those which ill immediately associated with them; as the extremities o the pulmonary artery, as happens on going into the com bath. .By the continued inaction of these parts of ilie vascular system, the blood becomes accumulated intfc internal arteries, and the brain is supposed to be afiectt by its compression; because these patients are said I sleep, or to become apoplectic, before they die. Travellers, benighted in deep snow, might frequent!! save themselves by laying down on the dry ground, M" suffering themselves to be entirely covered with the SWfl except a small hole for air. The ground being usual!) at the 40th degree of cold, that is, eight degrees above freezing, and the snow in contact with thei* clothes, thaffb 118 119 and contracting into the snow next to it, would form Lore them a close, dry coverlet, that would perfectly [chide t!>c external cold, and place them in v situation Imosi as warm as a bed ! The reverend and worthy Dr. Andrew Hunter, ' Washington, overcome with the fatigues of a long iiv's march, during the revolutionary war, threw hinilf down with the rest of the army, on the cold frozen ¦omul. Mis only cover was a blanket, and a saddle his ¦low. Instantly his wearied senses were locked up in hep so sound that he never felt the cold snow, which mently began to fall in heavy flakes upon him. Nvxt lorning when he awoke, he was astonished at his situa-0I , — ;t heavy lull of snow a foot deep had completely krered him, through which the heat of his breath melti:: ilu 1 snow as it fell, had formed a. nice opening. I lav- Ig raised his head, and seeing his comrades still asleep, c laid himself down to enjoy a little longer his singuv bed, which he declared was very pleasant. If these facts were more generally known, they might ire the lives of many valuable citizens. O F S LEE P. The shades descends, and midnight o'er iho wo:H Expand) her sable wings. Great Nature droops Through all her works. Now happy he wlx.so toil Haio'ef his languid powerless limbs difl'used A pleating lassitude: He not in vain Invokes the gentle Deity of dreams His powers the most voluptuously dissolve In soft repose: on him the balmy dews Of sleep with double nutriment descend. — Armstrong. "Turd Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," cannot fi dispensed with. It introduces a most welcome va- Miou. both for the soul and the body. The exercises 1 the brain and the labors of the hands, arc at once dis- Jntiiroedj so that the weary limbs repair their exhaus«l vigor, while the pensive thoughts drop their load of fKWW, and the busy ones rest from the fatigue of application. Most reviving cordial ! equally beneficial t,. our animal and intellectual powers. Ece sleep is so absolutely necessary, so inestimably ble, observe what a fine apiwrahis Aknighjj ness bas made to accommodate us with the hahtn Dg, With bow kind a precaution be removes wlai €?ver might obstruct its access, or impede fa influenci He draws around us the curtain of darkness, which inclines to drowsiness, and conceals every object that ini^li: too strongly agitate the senses. He conveys peace into our apartments, and imposes silence on the whole creation May we not discern in this gracious disposition oflhiap tiie tender cares of an affectionate Mother, who liv.4* every noise and excludes every disturbance, where .4 has laid the child of her love to rest? So, by such sooiliing circumstances, and gentle working opiates, He|t elk to his beloced, sleep. P\o sooner does the morning dawn, and day-light tii the room, than this strange enchantment vankhf The man awakes, and finds himself possessed of ill A valuable endowments which for several hours were M ponded or lost. His sinews are braced, and fit fur M tion. His senses are alert and keen. The romaiiii visionary heightens into the master of reason, md 4 frozen or benumbed affections melt into tendernes/. NJ glow with benevolence. ******* q ga( . re( ] rest! Sweet pleasing sleep! of all the powers the best; O peace of mind ! repairer of decay ! Whose bairns renew the limbs to labors of the day, Care shuns thy soft approach, and sullen Hies away. Drypen. B sleep do not pay the accustomed visit, the wH c of man will in a short time be thrown into dwr his appetite cease, his spirits dejected, and M mind, abridged of its slumbering visions, begin to NJjJ waking dreams. It is in vain that all light is exchul^ all sound romoved, and books of entertainment roa ' the restless and busy mind still retains its former BC« 120 (v, and reason, that wishes to lay down the reins, in njto of herself, is obliged to maintain them. This is strong! v instanced by shakspeare, in the soliloquy of King Henry. How many thousands of my poorest subjects Arc at this hour asleep! Oh! politic sleep, Nature's soft nurse, how have L frighted thee, That thou n:> more wilt weigh my eye-lids down, And steep my senses in forgetfulncss? Why, rather, sleep, ly'st thou on smoky cribs, Upon uneasy pallets stretching thee, And hushM with buz/ing aiight-ilies to thy slumbers; Than in the perfum'd chambers of the great, AndlullM with sounds of sweetest melody? O thou dull god, why ly'st thou with the vile in loathsome beds, and leav'st the kingly couch, A watch-case or a common larum bell? Wilt thou upon the high and giddy Inast Seal up the ship boy's eyes, and rock his braim In cradle of the wild imperious surge; And in the visitation of the winds, Who take the ruflian billows by the top, Curling thoir monstrous heads, and hanging them, With deaf'ning clamors in the slippery shrouds, That, with the hurley, death itself awakes? Canst thou, O partial sleep! give thy repose To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude; And in the calmest, and most stillest night, With all the appliances and means to boot, Deny it to a King. Then, happy low, lie down! Uneasy lies the In ad that wears a crown. Excess of sleep is not less prejudicial to health than ewant of it. The whole body sinking gradually into 'oinple state of inactivity, the solid parts become read, the blood circulates slowly, and remains particuly long in the head; perspiration is disordered, the ly increases in fat, and rendered incapable of being medium of mental exertion, the memory is enfeebled, j the unhappy sleeper falls into a lethartic state, by •cli his sensibility is, in a great measure, destroyed. 14 121 122 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Sleep, immediately after supper, is apt to occasion ih» nightmare, or a stagnation of the blood, which, l>v iv pressuro, produces the sensation or idea of this troubl* torn a bed-fellow, [t is principally the nervous, t!i<>debiliiau (I, and those of an impaired digestion, who in visited by such terrific dream's. f 'he proper duration cif sleep, in youth and adults, i illy settled at six or seveil hours; in children an aged, from eight to nine lionrs. The more bodih kness wa feel, the more we may indulge in si provided it be refreshing. If people in a state of beak be perfectly cheerful in mind and body, when the awake, this is the most certain criterion that they liai slept sufficiently. Though weakly persons may bare disposition to sleep during the d iv, they ought noi I sleep long, since it tends to increase their langorandu laxatio :. Whether to s)eep after dinner be adymhi must be decided by a variety of concurrent circumsM ces; age, climate and the like. However, a sleep ill dinner ought never to exceed a half, or one houratiiMi and it is also much better sitting, than lying horizontal] for, in the latter case, we are subject to determine ;; of tho blood towards the head, and consequent!/ headach, and riskapopls xy. In the evening we slum eat light food, ana not retire to rest till two or thl hours after gupftor. Tho mind ought to be serenei cheerful previously to going to rest, and we ghould 4 avoid gloomy thoughts; so tiiat we may as much wp sihle guard agninst drenniH, which alvvuys interfere* the refreshing influences of sleep. Sleep, accompanied either with tnlking or w;i!-i« called soiimilo' The Fcatlin'-bcds. in which we usually sloop, are (Trininly not as healthy as mattresses in summer. Hut. as many individuals have not sufficient resolution to use these, tliev ought to be particular in having their feather-beds frequently shaken and aired. Farther, it is highly improper to sleep in heds overloaded with clothes: they heat the blood more than is consistent with health, and produce an immoderate and enerv;i:ii)Lf perspiration, which still more weakens the organs already relaxed by sleep. 'The custom of sleeping with the curtain drawn close, is pernicious to health, because jlh^ copious exhalations, which then take place, cannot be properly dissipated, and are consequently re-absorbed. It is a!so very unprudent t<> cover the head with the bed-clothes. The old and abominable custom of (ruining the bed, likewise deserved to be condemned: as it lias a direct tendency to produce debility. A spacious and lofty room should always be chosen, if practicable, for a bed-chamber, and attention paid to me admission of fresh air. even during the night, in warm weather, Lastly, no candle or fire should be kept burning during the night in a bed room. O JV EVAG U A T lONS. By suhile flnuls poured through tubtlt) tubes Tiil' iiatH ral {vital] function 8 are |><:r formed ; By iheso the stubborn aliipentfftre lamed, The t iifing heart distributes life and siiength, These the still crurrhling taune rebuild. — Armstrong. Tin: evacuations of the body, from its superfluous, impure, and noxious particles, are no less necessary than its nourishment, i lie same power which changes and Mttiinilates olu> f°od {1 »se, in plethoric young men; the hemorrhoids, with Inch persons of middle age are sometimes troubled; c various ulcers common to those whose fluids arc in i impure slate; the excretions of saliva, and the ex* ¦ctoration of others, &c. By a premature suppression the troublesome, but salutary efforts of nature, great ischief may he produced to the individual. I Many persons perspire much under the arm-pits; ers in the hands or feet; others again are subject to iptions in the face, or different parts of the body: such lals, however, if nature be once accustomed to ejeel them certain ill-humors, cannot he suddenly stopped hout considerable danger — cleanliness, in the strictsense of the word, is almost the only safe remedy to interact their fatal effects. OF THE PASSIONS. Passions, like aliments, though horn to fi mean t inic* a snow had fallen, which troubled them )iiii. lie feared to be betrayed by his feet, and the lady vis unwtljing dial such prints should be found at iier door. Being much perplexed, she did an act for her lover, very unusual for the daughter of one of the greatjcrt men upon earth* She took the gentleman upon her bhoulders, and carried itim all the length of t ie court to Ins chamber, he never setting a foot to the ground v so thai the nexf day no impression might be seen of his footing, it happened that Charlemagne watched at his simlv this night, and hearing a noise, opened the window and perceived this pretty prank, at which in? could not tell whether it were best to be afogrv or to laugh. The next day in a great assembly of lords, and in the presence of his daughter and ESginardus, he askod what punishment that servant was worthy of, who made use of a kind's daughter as a mule, and caused himself to be carried on her shoulders in the midst of winter, through night, snow,and all the sharpness of the season. Every one gave his opinion, and not one but condom. ned that insolent, man to death. The princess and secretary changed color, thinking nothing remained for them but lo be, flayed alive. Bui the Elmperor, looking on his secretary with a smooth brow, said. "Kginardu*, hadst thotp loved the princess my daughter, thou oughtsst to h:ivo come to her fatiier, the disposer of her liberty; thou art worthy of death, but [ give diec two liyej at present ; take thy fair portress in marriage, fear (Jo •, and love one another.' 1 Though the female be the weaker sex, yet some hive so repaid the weakness of their nature by an incredible strength of affection, that they have often thni)!; performed is great things as we could expect from" the courage of the most generous amongst men. They have despised death, in whatever shape, and made all sorts of differ ties give way before ils invincible tbrce, which scm, proud to show itself most strong, in the greatest extrnni-, of their husbands. Arria, the wife of Cecinna Pirtus, understanding tin her husband was condemned to die, and thai be W| permitted to choose the manner of his death, wentl him, and having exhorted him to depart this life courageously, and bidding him farewell, gave herself a sta: into the breast with the knife she h;ul hid lor thai n» pose under her clothes; then drawing the knife out c the wound, and reaching it to PaHUS, she said, ••Vulim,, quod feei. Pete, non dolet, sed quod tv facies:" "Tk wound J hare made, Ptetus, smarts not; but that onk which thou art about to gite thyself. Whereupn Martial wrote the following epigram: — When Arm to her hatband gave the knife, Which made (he wound whereby she lost her life, "This wound, de;ir PtetllS, irricves me not," quoth she, "But (hat. which thou must yive thyself grieves me." Happy they'- tlio happiest of their kind, Whom gentler stars unite, and in one fate Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings blend. Tii not the coarser tie of human laws Unnatural oft, and foreign to the mind, That binds their peace but harmony itself Attuning all their passions into Love. — TsonrtOft "It is this," saysLavater, "which has sweetened every bitter of my life; this has alone supported me, when the sorrows of a wounded heart wanted vent. When my best endeavors were rejected, when the sacred impolM of conscious truth was ridiculed, hissed at and despised. the tear of sorrow was ever wiped away by the gentle, tender, and affectionate address of a female mind, who lias an aspect like that of unpractised virginity, whk'ii felt, and was enabled to efface each emotion, each [»:>>¦ sion in the most concealed feature of her husband s countenance, and by endearing means, without whattlio world would call beauty, always shone forth in counttnance heavenly as an angel." 128 129 Serene in virgin modesty she shines. Ami Unobserved the glorious orb declines, Oil, hlest with temper, whose unclouded ray Can make to-morrow cheerful as to day: She who ne'er answers till a husband cools, Or, if she rules him, never shows she rules; Charms by accepting] by submitting sways, Yet has her humor most when she obeys. — Pont How delightful that sentiment, which, even in admired life, inspires a passion, perhaps, more profound inn it excites even in youth; a passion which collects uo the soul all that time has robbed from the senses, ii.il stripping life, in its Inst stages, of nil gloom, unsocta* ¦lity and indifference, secures us the happiness of meetbg death in those' arms which sustained our youth, and ntwined us in the ardent embraces of love. !() the sweet powerful influences of love! It is this iat unites the interests as well as the hearts of lovers, lid iiives to each the joys and felicities of the other. — !\\u\ it is this which induces the delicate lady to forget t ;tcr (hivs, and to smile in poverty, and toil willi the Qsband whom she loves. What charm then under h:ui:\ can excel this noble passion? No pleasures re comparable to those that affect the heart, and there re none that affect it with such exquisite delight, as lovii ;i!id being beloved by a worthy object. Ask the i!"'»;i!i(l who is blest with an amiable wife, and he ill tell you that the most delicious feelings his heart ver experienced were those of virtuous love. Go, gentle gales, find hear my sighs along! The birds shall cease to tune their evening song; The winds to breathe, the waving woods to move. And streams to murmur, ere 1 cease Co love. — Pope. t Some angry poets spit all ilicir venom against loving |tiisl)aii(ls; but it in noway depreciates virtue. Virtue, the strength and beauty of (he soul, II pleases and it lasts; a happiness That even ahove tl.e smiles and frowns of fate Exalts great nature's favorite; a wealth 15 130 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. I i ! I Ii That ne'er encumbers, nor to baser hands Can he transferred ; it ii the only good Man justly boasts of, or can call kU own. — AsMmoM. A. Neapolitan, being at work in a field bordering hm he seaside, liis wife being some distance from him, m seized by some rorsairs of Tunis, and carried on bowj heir vessel. Missing his wife, and seeing a ship atu chor, he soon conjectured what (lie matter was, ani! browing himself into the sea, swam to the ship, lelKw lie captain, "lie was come to take the same late wit lis wife; lor though he understood the hardship and m ry he must undergo in slavery, his love had conquerd 11 difficulties, he neither could nor would live but wiii, ler." The Turks, admiring the man's unnccomitalik flection, at their return told it to the King of Tiink vho pleasing himself with so singular an example 4 ove and constancy, gave them both their liberty. Bless'd is the maid, and worthy to be blessed, Whose soul, entire by him she loves possessed, Feels every vanity in fondness lost; And asks no power but that of pleasing most . Her'sil the bliss, in just return, to prove The honest warmth of undissembled love; For her inconstant man might cease to range, And gratitude forbid desire to change. I Love is a vice only in vicious hearts. Fire, ihoiiiii c purest of all substances, will yet emit unwholesonit id noxious vapors when it is fvd by tainted mailer: I ye, if it grow in a vicious mind, produces nothing i» ameful desires and criminal designs, and is follown it Ii pain, vexation, and misery. But let it rise in* •right heart, and be kindled by an object adorned wiiii rtuej it is safe from censure. Love, studious how to please, improves our parts With polished manners, and adorned with arts. It kindles all the soul with honor's fire; Curbs and restrains extravagant desire, And to bo chaste and kind docs still conspire. A just heroic passion, that can find No room in any base degenerate mind. — Drvdeiv. 131 In propitious love the heart heats with joy; vivacity c'lrers the countenance, the eye is brilliant, society is courted, and all the henevolent a licet ions are indulged. IJut disappointed love, on the other hand, is extremely detrimental It depresses the spirits, enfeebles digestion, takes away the appetite, banishes sleep, and not unfrequently produces insanity. 1 1 istorv affords many instantfg of mental derangement from disappointed fore. — rhe following affecting cases deserve to he mentioned. A German lady, of great beauty and aocomplishmenis, having married a Hessian officer ordered to America, and not being able to acquire any tidings of linn in her own country, came over to l&ngland. Here, be could only learn the destiny of her liushand from hose ships which had either transported troops to the continent or wen; bringing hack the wounded. Day after day she wandered on the beach at Portsmouth, ;iiid hour after hour she wearied her eyes, bedewed with ¦;us. in the vain expectation of seeing him. She was observed at the same spot, ere it was light, and watched each motion of the waves until the setting sun. Then her haunted imagination presented him mangled with wounds, and the smallest gust of wind seemed to threaten her with an eternal separation. After eight months spent in this anxious manner, she learned that a vessel bringing some wounded Hessian officers had arrived: she kept at some distance, tor fear of giving too great a shock to her husband's feelings, should he he among them, ile was landed with others: she followed to the tavern. When she entered the room, he hurst into a flood of tears. A lady was supporting him in her arms. What words or painter could represent the tragedy that followed! He had married in America, and this person was also his wife. He entreated for "pardon" was past reproach, for in a few minutes after he sunk into the arms of death. The lady, whose melancholy history We are recording, rushed from the room, and leaving her clothes and money at her lodging, wandered, she knew not whither, vowing that she would "never enter Iwuse more, or trust man." She stopped at last near Bristol, and begged the refreshment of a little milk.- There was something so attractive in her whole appearance, as soon procured her whatever she requested.— She was young, and extremely beautiful; her mannen graceful and elegant, and her countenance interesting to the last degree. She was alone, a stranger, and in extreme distress; she asked only fora little milk, but Uttered no complaint, and used no art to excite compa* sion. Her dress and accent bora visible marks that sla was a foreigner of superior birth. All the day she was seen wandering in search of a place to lay her wretched head; she scooped towards night a lodging lor iurself in an old hay-stack. Multitudes soon flocked around her, in this new habitation, attracted by the dotelty of the circumstance 1 , her singular beauty, Dut,abore all, the suddenness of her arrival. French and Italiai were spoken to her, but she appeared not to understand these languages; however, when she was accosted in German, she evidently appeared confused, the emotion was too great to he suppressed, : ; hc uttered some faiol exclamations in that tongue, and then, as if she bad been hurried into an imprudence, attempted to appeal ignorant of this language also. Various conjecture! were instantly formed, hut what seemed passing strange, was, her acceptance of no food, except bread or iniik. and that only from the hands of females. On the in :i she looked with anger and disdain, but sweetly smiixL as she accepted any present from the other sex. neighboring ladies remonstrated with her on the danger of so exposed a situation, bufinvain; for neither prayers nor menaces could induce her to sleep Ib> Beneath the ifock Louisa's dwelling rose, Here (lie fair maniac bore four winter's snows, Here long she shiver'ii itifPning in the blast, And lightning! round her head their horrors cast, Disheveled) k>! her beauteous tresses fly, And the wild glance now fills the staring eye, The balls fierce glaring in the orbits move, Bright spheres, where beam'd the sparkling fires of love. 132 133 Ilt may gratify the reader to learn, that it has been certained since her death, that this fair sufferer was c natural daughter of the Emperor Francis of Gepmy. Iju' \V , a small village in Saxony, there lived a Kir. hut honest and upright curate, who lor many Bars had enjoyed without alloy, the tranquil pleasure f domestic happiness, lie; had a wife, and an only lild, a daughter. Content in the sphere wherein t!u>y ere placed* and unacquainted with the turbulent pas- Dnsof the fashionable world, their days flowed quieto;i iii a uniform course of undisturbed felicity. The other and daughter took a joint care of all the lolestic concerns, and strove by every act of attention iv! love, to diminish the burden which the duties of the nod old man imposed on him. Harriet, this was the ame of his daughter, was in the strict sense of the ninl, the child after his own heart, lie was unhappy ' she were absent even for a lew hours; she was, therein', his constant attendant. — She was about eighteen curs old, but had not yet experienced the inquietudes t* that passion, which often exhibits itself in very early l! 1 in the great world; and her principles and mode of linking were too noble and good to inspire her parents iili even the slighest apprehensions as to the wander- Ins of her heart Hut bear i\u> history. Far diflerni from the condition of the Americans, the Saxons re obliged in. time of peace, to receive the king's cay- Iry, which are quartered in different villages, where it > maintained at the expense of the poor peasantry* — tosl of the soldiers are riotous young men, who, by irtue of their profession and uniform, obtain entrance »to the houses of all the peasantry, and even to the cuiteSj to the great corruption of the innocent and virtutta manners of the country people. One of them, a ndsotne, but giddy young man, was quartered at ' , where lie soon made the acquaintance of the M <» old parson. The young soldier had more culture ' mind than is usually met with in such a class of men. '•' pleased the curate, who often invited him to the par- sonage, and listened with pleasure to the historian his battles and warlike achievements. The tender-hearted Harriet found groat entertaii incut in the company of the young warrior, and, Ha Othello's mistress, the story of liis life, the batik* steles, fortunes that he had passed, the hair-brnui 'scapes, the moving accidents by flood and field, \w her heart. — Love had taken possession of her bosom, before she was aware of its approach. She blusht When he look her by the hand, and was unhappy win: he left her. The soldier could not resist the beautftl girl, for his heart was formed for love. They, thet» tore, soon came to an explanation of their mutual pa* sion, which, for the present, they agreed to coned from their parents, for fear that prudential mothra would cause them to oppose it. They hound thai selves to each other, however, hy an oath, which, ntilir same time that, it showed the strength of their affection exhibited the most romantic turn of mind. The promised to marry, as soon as he could attain the rank of sergeant-major, and agreed that the one should ihstray the other, who first jailed in the engagtmenL- Thus matters stood, when, contrary to the wishes of the lovers, a lawyer from a neighboring town applied I the father of Harriet for ihe hand of his daughter. B was well received, and his views promoted bythed people; but when his intention was declared to then fortunate girl, she fell into the arms of her father, a* i struck with lightning, and, on her recovery, wept bitttf |y, entreating them not to encourage the addresses « this new lover. Her parents, being ignorant oi '»< true cause of her aversion, thought that time wonli soon overcome it, and, therefore, gave their iolenu promise to the lawyer to second his wishes. HarrM however, resisted every argument, and remained in to her promise; but her parents, at length growing tin of her opposition, determined to employ authority which at lust prevailed. The young soldier soon *' ceived the intelligence, and instantly formed hi* f loaded pistols, and waited until the parly broke Hp. It was a dark night, but he discerned the unhappy Bride intended, and her bridegroom, walking hand in HiiikL He stepped up to her, and in a low voice, ro- Rm sud that she would indulge him with a moment's Conversation. She disengaged her arm from that of the Hmvor, entreated him to walk on, assuring him she Hvould immediately return: but, alas! she was to return Ho more! A pistol was heard, and when her trembling Hricmls reached the place, they found her weltering in Blood at the feet of her murderer. "Now art thou Biine, v cried the soldier, in tones of horrid joy, and fled, Bui not to escape. He delivered himself to the officers Hk justice, and begged to be instantly executed, which Bvt'iii, indeed, soon followed. I I Lriini parents, from this story, the danger of intcrfcr¦iir with your children's ailed ions in so serious an at- Hiiir as marriage: for as Shakspeare observes: Marriage M suro a matter of more worth Than to be subject for attorncyship; For what is wedlock, forced, but. ft hell, An age of discord and continual strife? Whereas the contrary brinjjeth forth bliss, And is a pattern of celestial peace. I The most dangerous effect of love is Jealousy, [t is Ik most vain, idle, foolish, and turbulent disease that evr assaulted and oppressed the mind of mankind. Of all lie diseases of the mind, it is that which most things one for aliment and fewest for remedy. IBonaventur, sitting at a table, and looking earnestly poo I beautiful woman present, was asked by her husaiul, why he so gazed t He answered : "That he ad"red the excellency of the Creator by contemplating the beauty of (lie creature; and that if mortals Vfvnu amiable, now lovely should we bo at the resurrectio^ This was an example, saith Boschier, that was rather | be admired than imitated, suitable to the golden a. and not this present iron ageof the world, wherein j, ousv may be compared to the Indian arrows, so enr«| omed, that it* they prick the? skin it is very dangerou but if they draw blood, it is irrecoverably death: them motions that rise from this root of bitterness havethqj evil effects; butwnere the disease is improved, il inn. sons all our comforts, and throws us headlong into i most tragical resolutions. — _ The Marquis ofAstorffas, of the family of Osorio, •?, dulged himself in an illicit intercourse with a most ben tii'ul young woman. His wife on being informed of i intrigue, went immediately to the house where herhd band's mistress lived, and murdered her in them! cruel manner. She tore her heart from her bosom. m took it home, ordering it to be hashed and served up to her husband lor dinner. After he had eaten it, she asked him if it were £ood ! and, on his answering yes, she said, she was not in t!it least surprised, for it was the heart of his mistress, win us he so dearly loved. At the same time, she drew from! cupboard the bleeding head of his murdered favoitoj and rolled it on the table at which this unhappy lowl was sitting with his friends. Ilis wife immediately departed, and took refogeini convent, where she soon afterwards went mad willing and jealousy. Earth has no rage like lovo to hai rod turn\l, Nor licll a. fury like a woman scornM. — DsTSEN. The power of beauty is universally acknowledge having been the object of love and admiration in ;l times and among all nations. Hut alas! what is bea'Jty without the graces of virtue! X Italy there grows an herb called the Basfliscp; rt« t-scented enough, but, withal, lias this strange \ )l 'f that heing laid under a stone in a moist place, M 136 137 :' L days it produces a scorpion. Thus, though the oiikiik inher first creation, was intended as a. help tor ;,„, die partner of his joys and cares, the sweet perfume id rclisli of his days throughout his whole pilgrimage: >i there are some so far degenerated from their primiic institution, though otherwise of exterior beauty and ejection enough, that they have proved more intolcrabthan scorpions, not only tormenting the life, but hasuiin^ the death dftheir too indulgent husbands. Not that my verse would blemish all the fair, Hut vet if some be bad, 'tis wisdom to beware: And better shun the bait, than struggle in tlie snare. Pryden. Joan, grand-child to Robert, king of Naples, suceded hear grandfather in the kingdom of Naples, and icily; a woman of beautiful person and rare endow- Bnte of nature. She was first married to her cousin idrew, a prince of royal extraction and of sweet dispolion; but being lasciviously disposed, she grew weary 'him, and caused him to be strangled in the night, and en threw out his corpse into the garden, where it lay line days unburied. It is said her husband, on seeing it twisting a thick string of silk and silver, asked for tat purpose she made it; she answered, , u to hang you !" which be then little believed; the rather, because ose who intend tmch mischief use not to speak of it ['lore-hand; but it seems she was as good as her O fairest of creation! last and best Of all God* works? creature in whom excelled Whatever can to sight or thought be formed, Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet! How art ihou lost! — Milton. Love is never more abused than by those men who o not design to marry. It will generally be found, that bertiiies will single out from among the herd of females, f»Wi innocent, young creature, who thinks all the wld as sincere as herself, to whom they design to »ake their addresses. They take every opportunity to 16 be in their company, and protend to zeal in love, whe; Hit nothing but lust that tires them When moil's desire* and lusts once stated are For oaths and promises tliey little care. The female, who yields her virtue to the brutal t sin's ol a false lover, degrades herself in his estimate by the infidelity she commits, and the surrender of| precious a jewel inspires a remorse and shame, wlhjim ceases to be beloved, that constitutes the bitterest wo It is surely matter of wonder, that these destroyen innocence, though dead to all the higher sentiments. virtue and honor, are not restrained by compassion a humanity. To bring sorrow, confusion, and iniu into a family; to wound the heart of a lender |» n and stain the life of a poor deluded young woman, fi a dishonor which never can be wiped off, are circM stances, one would think, sufficient to check the mosti olent passion, in a heart the least susceptible of fedsj OF HOPE. "Hope springs immortal in t he human breast, Man never is, hut always to be blest. O H ippiness, our being's end and aim, Good, Pleasure, Ease, Content, whate'er thy nnme. That something still, which prompts the et<'rmi> sigh, For which we bear lo live or dare to»'ss of the fast. fhat city, from a long siege, suffered all the miseries bat fatigue, bad provisions, and distress of mind could )r "»g °'i its inhabitants. Among other misfortunes the K'uny mad u its appearance, and carried off great nuin)Pr^. This, added to other calamities, induced the gar- Sl) iUo incline t nvards a surrender of the place; when 1111 ™nee of Orange, anxious to prevent its loss, and mable to relieve the garrison, contrived to introduce letters addressed to the men, promising them ilio m speedy assistance. Thftte were accompanied witli n, \y discovered medirines against the scurvy, of | m extraordinary price, but still more extraordinary effiq cy. To each physician were given three small vials.ii ed with drops of such sovereign power, that four dm were sufficient to impart a healing virtue to a |oft of liquor. We now, says the physician, who wag| of the eye-witnesses of this curious fact, began todinli our wonder-working balsjims. Nor were even the en manders let into the secret of the cheat upon the i diers. All who had the scurvy crowded around u>: take their doses. Cheerfulness again appears in e\c countenance, and the universal faith prevails in | sovereign virtues of the remedy. The effect of this d* lusion was truly astonishing. Many who had not aft ed their limbs for a month before, were seen walkiK the streets erect and perfectly cured. Many who* clared they had been rendered worse by all former ni edies, recovered in a few days, to their inexpressible f and the no less general surprise, by their taking, in we affirm to be, their gracious Prince's cure "This curious relation," adds Dr. Lind, "would hard perhaps gain credit, were it not, in every respect. M sonant to the most accurate observations, and best N tested description of that disease. It is given us by I eye-witness, an author of great candor and veracity, m as he informs us, wrote down every day the state ot In patients, and seems more to be surprised with their WH pected recovery, than he probably would have been. lie been acquainted with the nature of this surprint malady. An important lesson in physic,*' adds ihi*' 1 cellent writer, "is hence to be learned; the wondw influence of the passions of the mind on the state M disorders of the body. This is too often overlooked I the cure of disorders, many of which are Bometti attempted by the sole mechanical operation of dfl| without calling in to our assistance the strong power? 1 the imagination, or the concurring influences of the ijj Hence it is, that the same remedy will not always p« 140 duco the same effort, even in the same person; and that Common remedies often prove wonderfully successful in the hands of men not of the faculty, which do not answer the purpose in a timorous and distrustful patient." Primeval Hope, the Aoniiiii muses say, When Man and Nature mounted (heir first decay, When every fortl of death, and every wo, Shot from malignant ¦tan to earth below; When Murder bared her arm, and rampant War YokM the red dragoni of her iron car; When Peace and Mercy banish'd from the plain, Sprung on the viewless wind to llcav'n again] All, all forsook the friendless guilty mind, But hope, the charmer, lingerM still behind. — Camfhell. A certain Rhodian, for his over freedom in speech, was cast, by a tyrant, into a cage, and there kept as a wild beast, to his great pain and shame; for his hands wore cut oft', his nostrils slit, and his face deformed by several wounds upon it. In this extremity, lie was advised, by some of his friends, to shorten his life by a voluntary abstinence from all food. But he rejected their counsel with great indignation; and told them, " While a man is alive, all things are to be hoped for him." Cease, every joy, to glimmer on my mind, But leave — oh! leave the light of Hope behind! What though my winged hours of bliss have been, Like angel-visits, few and far between! Her musing mood shall every pang appease, And charm when pleasures lose their power to please! Campbell. But Hope ill-grounded docs often trick and bubble the owner, as it did the Spanish woman that, coming with three of her sons a begging to a French shoemaker that lived in Spain, he said to her one day, "Good woman, I will ease thee of some part of thy charge ; for if thou leave one of thy sons with me I will breed him up M my trade, and make him capable of living like a man, aiicl be helpful to his parents also." "God forbid," said the woman, "that I should cast away my' child to 141 P ranger, and bring him Op to so pitiful a mechanic c as a shoemaker, since 1 live in hopes (hat the elde>; be Viceroy of Naples, the second of Mexico, and youngest of Sardinia." Hope, Fortune's cheating lottery. Where, t<>r one prize, ;i hundred blanks there be. Fond archer, Hope! who tak'st. thy siim so far, T.mt still, or short or wide, thy arrows are. Thin empty cloud! which th' eye deceives With shapes that our own fancy gives: A cloud, which gilt and painted now appears, Hut must drop presently in tears. Brother of tear! more gaily clad! The merrier fool o' the two, hut quite as mad. — Dryde\ OF JOY. Pleasures arc ever in our hands or eyes; And when, in act, they ease, in prospect, rise, Present to grasp, and future still to find, The whole employ of body and of mind. All spread their charms, but charms not all alike; On ditPrent senses, dirt"' rent objects strike; Hence difPrent passions, more or less inflame, As strong or weak, the organs of the frame; And hence one masti r passion in ihe breast, Like Aaron's serpent, swallows up the rest. — Pope. ITiii: consideration of some present good, and which articularly belongs to us, begets in the soul that d< -light which we call joy; lor as soon as our understandiiiL' observes that we are possessed of the good we desiml. the imagination presently makes some impression in the brain, from whence proceeds a motion of the sensitive soul, and of the spirits, that excites the passion ol jojf- By it, the activity of the whole machine is enlivom'il: the action of the heart and arteries is increased: tltf circulati >n of all the fluids is more vigorous and uniform. preveniing the formation of disease, and facilitating W cure of such as aro formed. 142 There are several decrees of joy, as various circumstances may intervene: and so may we distinguish various jiflirenees of die passion itself: for there is no pleasure )r (rood that may not he mixed with some ill or incontinence. Our extremes! pleasure has still some air of rroan w* and complaining in it, unless it be discreetly Moderated it proves fatal to us when it grows into ¦xeess. PtolemOf Philadelphia had received the sacred volumes of the law of God, newly brought out of Judea; ml while he held them with great reverence in his lands, praising God upon that account, all that were present made a joyful exclamation; and the king himself vas so overjoyed, that he broke out into tears. Nature Hiving so ordered it, that the expression of sorrow houlti also he (lie follower of extraordinary joys. Askew, a wealthy and facetious fanner of Cornwall, vas afflicted with a most alarming imposthumation, of vhieli he appeared to he on the very point of suflocaiop. Concluding, from his agonies, that he had hut a ew moments to live, his servants, an ungrateful crew to Mich a generous master, began to plunder. One seized iis gold watch, another laid violent hands on his plate, •uid the third, more daring still, broke his bureau, and Iteiian to linger his gold. A monkey, who was present, 'feeing what they were about, and thinking he might as well lake a hand in the game, laid hold of his master's wig. and with his gold-headed cane, made him aya v low l>uu, and began to walk about the room as a man of [real consequence. The stately stoppings and selfassumed dignity of Jacko, so tickled the fancy of Mr. Askew, as to excite a most immoderate fit of laughter. Tlie imposthumation burst, the purulent matter was thrown vp — an. l, to the eternal confusion of his servants, Mr. Askew perfectly recovered his health. B Philemon, a comic poet, beholding an ass eating some ¦%* that a hoy had laid down ; when the boy returned, |H«'o now," said he, "and fetch the ass some drink;" the H^lu niun was so tickled with the f'liicv of* his own iest 143 V that lie died laughing. In the same manner, and much upon the same occasion, died Crysippus. Diagoram the Hhodian, when lie saw his three son> all victorious in the Olympic panics, and crowned t|| t same day, was extremely pleased; hut when bis son> came and embraced their aged father, and each pi (heir triumphal wreath upon his head, he was so ovir- Kino with joy and delight, that he fell into their nrin>, ddied. If we have anticipated any joyful event, the body i> gradually prepared to undergo the emotions connicuii with it. For this reason we ought to fortify ounehi with the necessary share of iirmncss, to meet joyi'ula> well as disastrous tidings. OF GRIEF. It is the great art of life to manage well The resistless mind. Forever on pursuit Of knowledge bent, it starves the grosser powers Quite unemployed, against his own repose It turns its fatal edge, and sharper pangs Than what the body knows, imhittcr life. Chiefly were solitude, the nurse of care, To sickly musing gives the pensive mind, There midness enters; and the dim-eyed fiend, Sour melancholy, night and day provokes Her own eternal wound. * * * * AmrsTiuwu. Grief, like a poison, corrodes the powers of the mind and body; it enfeebles the whole nervous system; the heart beats slower; the circulation of the blood, and other fluids, become more inert; the appetite and digestion become vitiated, and thus arise obstructions and other distressing complaints. Tears are the anodyne of grief, and ought therelbre, not to be restrained. Tlu 1)'1 )' have a tendency to prevent the danger to be apprehend* from griefj by diminishing the spasmodic motions in tlu breast and head; and by restoring regularity in respiration, as well as in the circulation of the blood. 144 145 rII X FA^IILV I'll \ SIC I iVN . 1 V widow lady was left in narrow circumstances with Jfltov him! g' l ''' two beautiful and lovely children, the X s jx, and the other seven years of age. As her ciro|nisi nets allowed her to keep but one maid servant, ¦ Jnc two children were the sole attention, employment, Iod consolation of her life. She ivd them, dressed til in. slept with them, and taught them herself They gfciv lioth snatched from her by the gangrenous sore #o;n. in one week; so that she lost at once all that | Jnloved her. as well as all that was dear to her. For 4r first three! or four days after their death, when any . fric 1 1 visited her, she sat upright with her eves wide Opn. without shedding tears, and affected to speak of IWillerent things. Afterwards she began to weep much, [|B({ lor some weeks talked to her friends of nothing else [bit her dear children; hut did not for many years, even Ito iicr dying hour, get quite over a gloom which was llefi iiDoii her countenance. jU When any cause of deep grief is presented to the [mi .it frequently gains such a force as almost totally ij< viii-lc all thoughts, except those that are connectbd wiili it. I [(Mice the whole imagination is, by de¦Bs-. obscured, and the most usual consequences of it lit :lic deepest melancholy, succeeded by Insanity — and ¦Qin 'times, that speedier dissolution, "a broken heart." IE When the Turks came to raise the siege of Buda, ¦iv was amongst the German captains, a nobleman Bled Rayschachius, whose son, ;i valiant young gentle- having got out of the army without his father's ¦mvledge, lie behaved so gallantly in light against the ¦(mv. in the sight of his father and the army, that he B*hu>idv commended of all men, and especially of his Bier, who did not know 7 he was his son; yet before he Bill clear himself, he was compassed in by the enemy, 81. valiantly fighting was slain. Rayschachius, exceed- Blv moved by the death of a brave man, ignorant how Brit touched himself, turning about to the other captains, Bh! he will toil thee that the wealth uf worlds Should ne'er seduce his bofom to forego That sacred hour: when llealing from (lie noise. Of cure and envy, sweet rcni'oniiiee tootbf With virtue's kindest looks, his aching breai t, And turns his tears to rapture. Whilst the great genius of physic, Hippocrates, drove away maladies by his precepts, and almost siiatcluil bodies out of the hands of death, one Antiphon iron in Greece*, who, envious of his glory, promised to do upon souls what the other tlid on bodies; and proposal the sublime invention, which Plutarch calls tlwm-tof curing gritfi where we may truly say, he used more vanity, promises, and show of words, than he wrouiiln effects. Certainly it were to be wished that all tjjfl which are abundant in misery, should likewise product 1 great comforts to soften the calamities of human life O! canst thou minister 10 R mind diseased, Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, Rase out the written troubles of the brain; Ami, with some sweet oblivions antidote, Cleanse the stutPd mind of that perilous stuff Which weighs; upon the heart? — SirAKsrEAi.K. 147 Iln the £*agan religion, the power of dying was the nat consolation i i irremediable distress, Seneca says, NO one need be unhappy, unless by his own fault." — jid the author of Telemachus begins his work by sayur, that Calypso could not console herself for the loss t llvses, anq found herself unhappy in being iinmoril. IJut to the Christian this one suggestion, "I know i;ii mv Eiedeemer liveth," afibrds a richer cordial to ie fainting soul. th man's frail lite. Many are Ale consolatory writs fbftn'd With studied argument and persuasion; lint with th* afflicted in Ins pangfl lUcb sounds Little prevail, or raiherseeni ;i tune lfirsh,and of dissonant mood from his comptaint: Unless be feel within Some source of consolation from aborc, Becrei refreshings tint repair his strength, And tainting spirits uphold. — Hilton. I lii the midst of all distresses, there remains to every ncere Christian, that n&ixture of pure and genuine insolation, which springs from the promises and hopes a future life. Consider what ;i singular distinction iii makes in your situation, beyond the state of those lio. under the various troubles of life, are left without We; without any thing to look up to, hut a train of iknown causes and accidents, in which they see no |hl or comfort. Thank the Father of Mercies, that !t) all the evil ho semis, he infuses joyful hope, that sufferings of the present time arc not worthy to * compared with the glory thai skull be revealed in r at'! to fin- ptriuous and good. Have we sustained c greatest of all losses? It is his sain that he yet Mb, that this life is but the ihroshhold, the portal, the "r.inne to a better place, and that his happiness is as complete as our misery is great. Let us turn our m from earth to heaven, from the perishable body toil which endureth forever; and even whilst we are beg with affliction, let us smile with our eyes turned upwid and say, "It is thy will: I suhmit. He is happy, would not wish him hack to a troublesome world. soon shall follow after him. The mortal hath ntt| immortality — We shall then meet, never to be squirm. more." Think, then, ye mourning parents, nor complain F«>r breathless children, as ye weep in vain. VVhv should you be in lamentations drown'd, While your young babes with victory are crown'd Before the sword was drawn, or cruel strife Had shed its venom on the ills of life? Perhaps, Almighty God foresaw some wile, Some tempting evil that should them beguile; Of sore adversity, a monstrous storm, Or of dire wickedness, a dreadful form. How then in words which nothing can avail, Against thai kind precaution dare you rail? Remember that of them you're not bereav'd, But from "the coming evil they are savM." — AlfXimi OF AMBITION. tA carelessness about the opinions of others is said! 1 enophon to be the source of impudence; certainly I regard for what others think of us frequently incitwi to virtuous actions, and deters us from vicious ooaj and increases our happiness by enlarging our ?sphere sympathy, and by Haltering our vanity. When this reverie of ambition excites to conquer* tions, or to enslave them, it has been the source of innumerable wars, and the occasion of a great devastation! mankind. Caesar is reported to have boasted, thatw had destroyed three millions of his enemies and m million of his friends. ¦c works of 1 1 onier are supposed to have done *r»*ea: to mankind by inspiring the love of military <»l or ] 148 149 H/\lo\«inder was said to sloop with them always under his jjpillow. How like a mad butcher, amid a flock of sheep, mnpcars the hero of ihe Llliad in the following lines of Mr. Pope, which conclude the twentieth hook. His fiefy coursers, ;is the chariot rolls, Tread down whole ranks and oruih out heroV souls; LashV) front their hoofs, as oW the dead they fly, Black bloody drops the smoking chariot dye, The spiky wheels through he;i|>s of carnage tore; And thick the groaning axles dropped with gore, High o'er the scene of death Aehillos stood, All grim with dust, all horrible with Mood; Yet still insati ile, still with rage on flame, Such is the lust of never-dying fiune. The cure must be taken from moral writers. OF FEAR. TimYous self-love, witli siek'ning fane\ 's aid. Presents the danger that you dread the most, And ever (jails you in your tender part. Hence, some for love, and some for jealousy, Have lost their reason : some for fear of want, Want all their lives; and others every day, For fear of dying suffer worse than death. Is there an evil worse than fear itself? I And what avails it that indulgent Heaven I From mortal eyes has wrapt the woe* to come, I If we, ingenious to torment ourselves, I Grow paje at hideous fictions of our own? — Armstkong. II The fear of death perpetually employs the thoughts of Home patients: hence they are devising new medicines, Hi id applying to physicians and quacks without number. mis confounded with hypochondriacies. The sufferers ¦ndor this malady are generally at once discoverable by ¦icir telling you, amidst an unconnected description of ¦loir complaints, that they are nevertheless not afraid of ¦vinst any part of the body, and are thus soon discov- OF FEAR. tFrar has its origin in the apprehension of danger, i^ kindly placed in man as a sentinel lor tie!£preservauoi it, like every other passion, the excess of it is pen* () Pear! 1 know tlicc by niv ihioblnns; heart ; Thy withering power inspired each mournful lino: Though gentle Pity chum her mingled part, Vet. all the thunders of the ¦oeneftre thine. — Gjeuina Don DiegO Osorious, a Spaniard of Doble family, k | in love with a young lady of the court, had pre?aiW ii her for a private conference under the shady bough ol a tree, that grew within the gardetis of tho Kingd Spain: hut, hy the unfortunate barking of a littlo doj. their privacy was betrayed, and the young gentlenM seized hysoine of the king's guard, was imprisoned. I was a capital crime to be found in that place, and ilhp fore he was condemned to die. lie was so terrified i the hearing of his sentence, that one and the same nigh saw the same person young, and all turned gra\ h I age. The jailer, moved at the sight, related the amdent to King Ferdinand, as a prodigy; who, thereopn, pardoned him; saying, "lie liad been sufficiently po» isiied for his fault, seeing he had exchanged the (lower of his youth into the hoary hairs of age.'* "I knew a surgeon,*' says Dr. Darwin, "who \v;ts always rathe/ of a parsimonious disposition, had :i buf house, with a fortune of forty thousand pounds lefl Im'i and in a few weeks became insane from the iear of |" |V> erty; lamenting that he would die in a jail or a l?ow house. He had left off a laborious country practice a« the daily perception of profit in his hooks: he also DM saw greater expenses going on in his new house tlwiii'it had Been accustomed to observe, and did not sow tinctly gee the source of supply; which seems to hiH occasioned the maniacal hallucination. The feai > hell,** continues he, *'hns also, in some instances, brt attended with fatal effects. In this kind of madness. the poor patients frequently commit suicide; although M oelieVe they run headlong into the very hell which WJ 150 151 11l is said of Epicurus, a profane teacher, that never is;i school boy more afraid of a rod, than he was of c thoughts of God and death. ]\o man more feared B things which be tauchl should be despised, than msell! For whatever there is in the air. there is cerulv an elastical power in the conscience, that will bear elf up, notwithstanding all the weight that is laid on it. Conscience, the torturer of the soul, unseen, Dovfi fiercely brandish a sharp scourge within. Severe decrees may keep our tongues in awe, But to our thought! what edict cun give law? Even you, yourself, to your own breast shall tell Your crinleS, and your own conscience be your hell. I)rvdj:n. Iriic wretched state of Richard the Third, after lie I murdered Ins nephew, is thus described by Sir lomas Moore: *l have heard," saith he, "by credible torts, that after tin's abominable Q*eed he never had id in his mind, and never thought himself safe. lien he went abroad his eyes whirled about, his body is privily fenced, his hand ever on his dagger, his counlance and manner like one who was ever ready to ike; he took no rest in the night, lay long waking (I musing, sore wearied with care and watching, and her slumbered than slept, troubled with fearful dreams: sometimes started suddenly up, leaped out of his bed, •i ran about his chamber: his restless heart was coniiiillv tossed and tumbled with the tedious impression rt stormy remembrance of his horrid and abominable rds." Conscience, what, art . Thou? Thou mysterious pow'r, That dost inhabit us without our leave. And art within ourselves another self, Aiiuislcr soli', that, loves to domineer, And treat the monarch frankly a.s the slave; How dost thnu lijrht a torch to distant deeds. How, ever and anon, wake the soul, As with a peal of thunder, tostr:uii*e horrors! SIIAKSPEARE. The rich Cardinal of Winchester, Henry Ueaulon. who preemped the death of the good Duke of Gloucester, was soon after struck with an incurable disease; and, understanding by his physicians, that he could not the expressed himself thus: "Fie, will not death k f Will money do nothing? lMust I die who h,w eal riches? If the whole realm of England would my life. I am able either by policy to get it, or hv sto buy it." (Jut the king of terrors is not to U bribed by gold* It is a pleasure to him to mix the brains of princes and politician* with common dust; and how loth soever he was to depart, yet grim death would seize upon him. How shocking must thy summons be, O death! '• o him tli;it is at ease in his possession; Who, counting on long year* of pleasure here, Is (iiiik 1 unfuinish'd for the world to come? In that dread moment how the frantic soul Raves round the walls of her clay tenement. Rushes to each itvenue, and shrieks for help, But shrieks in vain, ****** **•*##?#?*## The foe Like a staunch murderer, steady to his purpose, Pursues him close through every lane ol' life, Nor misses once the track, but presses on, Till fore.'d at last to the tremendous verge, At once he sinks to everlasting ruin. — Blair. E> best remedy against this torturing state of thf is a good conscience 1 , which is to the soul, wkfl is to the body. It preserves a constant ease niul iy within us, and more than countervails all il'* 1 ities and afflictions that can befall us. When the mind has been under the influence of tit den surprise, or vehement attention to some interest^ object, it has frequently suspended, and even entirely cured, ague and fever, asthma, and other chronic d^ 152 I An officer, of great courage, who had contracted the sihma by long service in India, declares, that during a lO si severe attack of that complaint, when he could areelv breathe in an erect posture, and without power I) more, BJ he thought, six yards to save his life, the hum irniis were fired for the whole line to film out, BCtUSO the Mahrattas broke into the camp. Knowing mi certain death would be his portion if he remained i his tent, he sprung out with an alacrity that amazed is attendants, instantly mounted his horse, and with. mil vase drew his sword, which the day before he mid not more from its scabbard, though he had, ted his whole strength in the attempt. From the in;ini <>!' the alarm, the debility left him, together with c asthma, nor did the disorder return for some time "1 have frequently observed,' 1 says the ingenious autli<>r of (he Medical Extracts, "delicate hysterical wolon, who. for many months, had seldom enjoyed one ay's health, suddenly relieved from every complaint, Alien a liivorite child was attacked with a disease, in diich danger was apprehended: and they continued in ppearance, to be in perfect health during the whole nurse of the illness, and exhibited an unusual alertness i discharging their duly as nurses and patients. Hut hen they understood that the danger was over, their inner complaint gradually returned, to their great sur- Tsej (br, from the health they had lately enjoyed, and 1 so considerable a time, they believed themselves perctly cured." A very remarkable instance of the influence the mind I* upon the disorders of the body, occurred to the cele wed Boßrhaave. A person tell down in an epileptic 'in tlie Bight of other patients. The etfect of this opetted M strongly that great numl)ers of them became tonediatejy affected in the same manner. The opinion 1 we groat physician above mentioned was requested '"iiis occasion. He judiciously reflected, that, as these > were originally produced by an impression on the ""•I. that the most proper means of cure would be to 18 153 154 eradicate those impressions by Others still more poworfi; He therefore, directed actual cauteries to be prepare., and kepi hot, in readiness to he applied to the ptiy who should next be atleotod. The consequence w* not one person -was seized. Through a most criminal inattention to children i the nursery, a foundation is sometimes laid in their lender minds for those superstitious terrors, from which N all their efforts in subsequent life can entirely relief) them. I allude to those dismal stories about iritciu\ spirt fs, hobgoblins, raw-head ami blood^bones^hm with silly nurses, especially poor blacks, are so fond (I frightening infants. ( Considering the importance of do) impressions made during those tender years, pans) cannot too strictly forbid every thing of this sort; neither can they ever exceed in their generous labors to illuminate the minds of their children with lofty ideas (I their Creator, and that mighty power which lit 1 ffl never fail to exert in their favor, if they will Inn hi Timorous persons are more readily infected bycosH ffjpus disorders, than those possessed of foriiiwit Hence it is we find nurses most frequently escape Mt tagion, while persons of a fearful disposition conWd the disease on entering the chamber of the sick onlj once or twice. Persons under a violent tit of fear should he treaier. like those who sutler from any other spasmodic a* traction. Tea, a little wine, or spirits and water WJ be given to them: vinegar, lavender-drops, or spirits « hartshorn may be hold to the nostrils: warm bathing « the feet, and emollient injections may he of advantsfi hut above all, the mind ought to be duly ComposeA*" Ej'eessire bashfulness borders on tear, it may be corrected by social intercourse with persons of a chetTliil disposition. 155 1 OF ANfiKR. When reason, like :i. skilful charioteer, Canbroak the tien passions, to the bit, And. spit'? of their licentious sallies, keep Th 6 radiant I rack of i>lory; passions, then, Arc aids anl ornaments. * * * Young. $ Resentment of wrong is a useful principle in human giiiiin >: and for the wisest purposes was implanted in otir Inline. It is (lie necessary guard of private rights, ¦id the great restraint on the insolence of the violent; Who. if no resistance were made, would trample on the : inilc and peaceable. »l>uf. in the fulness of sell-estima- W'M. we an> too apt to forge! what we are. We are Herons to offences, as if we did not daily entreat tleatfHilor mercy. It is a vice that few persons are able Iti conceal ; for, if it do not betray itself by external I si}. ¦.-. swell as sudden paleness of tlie countenance, and IlilMiibliiiii of the joints, it is more impetuous within. I P;ilc and trembling Anger ruthei in, I With fallVimr speech, and eyes that wildly stare; I I'h ice a? (he tiger, madder than the seas', I Desperate, and arm'd with more than human strength, I lie whom Anger stinga^drops, if lie dies, ¦ At once, and rushes apoplectic down; ¦ Ora fierce fever hurries him to hell. — Armstuonu. ¦¦Those who feel the approach of anger in the mind, Huiild, as much as possible, divert their attention from V oltj(H't of provocation, and remain silent. They jl ;i| i!(l never use loud oaths, violent uphraidings, or ¦"nil expressions of countenance, or gesticulations of 'inns, or clenched lists; as these, by their former as»i:nioiis with an«i;er, will contribute t<> increase it. -1 J(1J (1 been told." says Dr. Darwin, "of a sergeant or I, who began moderately to cane his soldiers, were awkward in their exercise; but, being ¦* 1(> U'(I to swearing and coarse language, he used soon ¦luiaije himself by his own expressions of anger, till, ¦M* the end, he was liable to beat the delinquents unmercifully/ Is this not applicable to some of us. i-l the treatment of our slaves? A gentlemen in New-Castle county, Delaware, wM Rnraged with a neighboring slave, for persevcrin.l rary to his orders, to visit a female servant I iiunilv, that he bought him of his master. I price, lor the express purpose of gctHiig >vi,B isf action ; that is, to give him a severe Ho^ii™ and then to sell him to a negro-buyer. What with m bitter curses and blows he indicted Upon the poor ll'l I tied hands and jcct, his anger rose at length to a ll;i I he could not control, and, by the time the in;i>i'i I lost the power to inflict, the poor skive had lost ih" ,' ¦ er to sutler — having literally expired under his crorß hands. I A sea captain, in Charleston, South Carolina, uaviuß ted his vessel with the help of three slaves. On *>;:.¦ provocation from one of them, he laid hold ot'lliow fender, who was so alarmed at his master's look, iliil he jerked away from him. Roused to fury by siiciufl act of treason, as this appeared to him, the wv^rn caughi up a broad-axe, and with the looks and voia ¦ a demon, ordered his other slaves "to seize the dd — ¦ villian." Frightened out of their wits, they seized \\\t fl manitv. Justice may take away a man's lite, to pi^S liis offences, and to deter otliers by his example tr ß the commission of the same crimes; but to do H H racks and other torments, savors little of humanity I of Christianity. ¦ 156 How many millions of men have the Spaniards butchered in South America. Bartholomew Gam affirms, that in forty-five yean they destroyed about ten millions of human souls; an unaccountable way of converting these poor savages to Christianity. These millions were butchered outright, and if we add those who died laboring in the mines, doing the drudgery of asses, oxen, and mules, to what a vast number would they amount? Some of them carry burdens upon their backs of a hundred and sixty pounds* weight, above three hundred miles. How many of these poor wretches have perished by water as well as by land, by diving fathoms deep, fishing for pearl, who stay there sometimes half an hour under water, panting and drawing the same breath all the while, and are fed on purpose with coarse biscuit and dry things, to make them long winded. And if what is reported Im: true, they hunt the poor Indians with dogs to make themselves sport. — There is a story of llathir Caciea, a stout Indian, who, being to die, was persuaded by a Franciscan friar to turn Christian, and then he should go to heaven; Caci\ martial law. The chief leaders were sent to London, Hid there executed. The sedition being thus suppresed, it is memorable what cruel revenge or sport Sir Villiam Kingston, provost-martial, made by virtue of iis office, upon men in misery. One BoVef, mayor of fodmin in Cornwall, had been amongst the rebels, not nllingly, but enforced To him the provost sent word aat he would come and dine with him, for whom the i&ybrmade great provision. A little be/ore dinner, the 19 161 162 THE FAMILY l'llV'SlClAil. provost took the mayor aside, and whispered him in the oar, "That an execution must thai day be dour in the town, and therefore required iliat a gallows should besei up, against dinner should be over." The maydr failed not 6i his charge. Presently after dinner, the provost taking the mayor by the hand, desired him to load him to the place where the gallows was: which, when he beheld ,he asked the mayor, "if he thought it to be strong enough?" -yes," said the mayor, '•doubtless it is." "Well then/* said the provost, "get yon up, speedily, for il is provided for you." "1 nope, 91 answered the mayor, '•you mean not as you speak?'* "In faith,"* saith the provost, "there is no remedy, for you have been a b:i>\ rebel;'* and so without respite or defence, he was hanged. Near the said place, dwelt a miller who had bees a husv actor in that rebellion, who, fearing the approach of the marshal, told a sturdy follow, fiis servant, thai he had occasion to go from home, and. therefore, i f any came to inquire for the miller, he should not speak of him, but say he was the miller, and had been so lor three years before. So, the provost came, and called for ihe miller, when out comes the servant, and said, "i am the man." The provost demanded, how long he had kepi the mill? "'These three years," answered the servant Then the provost commanded his men to lay hold "t him. and bang him on the next tree. At this the U lion cried out, k "l am not the miller, but the miller's man." "Nay, sir," said the provost, "1 will take you at your word, If thou beesi the miller, thou art a busy knave, if thou art not, thou art a false lying Jknave; and, howsoever, thou canst never do thy master, better service than to hang for him;" and so, without more ado, he was dispatched. Ivevengc is but a frailty, incident To era z*i l and sickly minds; tho poor content Of little souls, unable to ¦urmouot An injury, 100 weak to bcaratlVont. — Dryden. Eevenge is a great sint that he should not carry hte resentments too far, where a gentle revenge is sufficient Excellent was the advice that was given to \\w Romans by the ambassadors of some cities in Etruri;i — That since they were men. they should not resent any thins beyond human nature; and that in mortal bo- I 1I 1 " 1 . a . » ; - dies they should not carry immortal feuds. Light injuriesare made hone by dtsregardius them; which,if w« revenged, grow grievous and burdensome, and live to I hurt us, when they might die to secure us. It is princely to disdain a wrong; and they say. princes, when ambassadors have offered indecencies, used not to chide, lmi deny them audience: as if silence were tin* royal ¦way to revenue a wrong. When the Duke of Alva was in Brussels, about the, Manning ol the tumults in the .Netherlands, hie had sat lown before llulst, in Inlanders; and there was a provosi-marshal in the army who was a favorite of his. and !iis j)rovost had put some to death by secret commission m:n the duke. 'Then* was one Captain Boles in the irmy, who was an intimate friend of the provost's; and me evening late he went to the captain's tent, and >rouirht with him a confe>sor and an executioner, as it ivasiiis custom. I[e told the captain he was come to Execute his excellency's commission and marshal law |fci><»n him. The captain started up suddenly, liis hair ¦itndiiii: upright, .iikl being struck with amazement, J>k! l d him, "Win rein have I offended tlie duke." The Brovosi answered, "Sir, 1 am not to expostulate the bu¦iiiiss with you, but to execute my connnission; there- Igiv. 1 pray prepare yourself, for there is your ghostly fa- BxTand exeeutionor." So he fell on his knees before ¦'©priest, and having done, and the hangman going to ... .11. . . r> . . ¦ ~ ~ ° B»nhpln!t;».ns In ' tin* bodyj or, if they tight on a sound part, never leave Wowinii ; upon it till they have disposed it to putrefaction. Wft'iHM Momus could find no fault with the fece in iho Ictiiiit 1 of Venus, he picked a quarrel with her slippers | Kiidso malevolent persons, when (hey cannot blame the übstance, will yet represent the circumstance of men's fst actions with prejudice. The black shadow is still bscrved to wait upon those that have been the most ilistrious for virtue, or remarkable for some kind of perfction; and to excel in either has been an tlnpardona- X' crime, k The mm wlio envios, must behold with jiaiti Another's joys, and lickJOQ ;it his gain." | When Aristides, so remarkable for his inviolable atfcilmn'iit to justice, was tried by the people at Athens, m-\ condemned to banishment, a peasant unacquainted ¦>ili the person of Aristides, applied to him to vote fcinst Aristides. -Has he done you any wrong,*' said Bi'iMiuYs, -that you are tor punisning him in this man- ID' ''No.** replied the countryman, '•! don't even ¦low him; but 1 am tired and angcy with hearing every m>- call him the just." ¦ •'liuius, a citizen of Rome, was noted to b(^ of such an ¦vious and malevolent disposition tSiat Plubius. one m observing him to be very sad, said, "Either some ¦ iU evil has happened to Mutiiis, or some great good |O B ( itlicr. M ¦^idicint's cannot euro a disease fo odious. lOduca- Bj'Uiul improvement of morals are its only antidotes. ¦nidus persons commonly give too much import'ince to B*-' s : hence they ought to be instrucied to employ •iiHelvosin more useful pursuits; to judge of things ac¦ I '/ 1^ to their true value, and to accustom themselves to 167 !1V ua Kto moderate their selfishness; (o counter balnnr, expectations with their desertej and to equal (i ss others in their merits, rather than in their juvti'ii- OF AVA ItICE. Ami, oh! what man's condition can be worse Than his, whom plenty starves ami bleMiogi curtef The beggars but a oOOQtPOfI H'to d-.'plore, Tho rich poor man's emphatically poor. If cures and troubles, eDVjr, griefj fclld leai, Tho bitter fruits be what fair ricbet bear, Il'ii new poverty grows out of store, The old plain way, yo gods! let niche poor. — COWUY. »Tms vile passion, which frowns at tho approach of le stranger, clinches the hand against the poor, daw II encouragement of public good, and can pinch U starve wife and children, is hardly more detestable ill moral point of view, than it is pernicious in a physical. It is true, that by his unwillingness to part with his money, the miser is generally a temperate, and even anife stemious character, and so far his vice is beneficial to his health: but, in many other respects, this detestaU vice operates very neutrally to the health of him whoi cursed with it. By the extreme eagerness to make rod ey, by the distressing fears about keeping it, by then consolable grief for losing it: besides the heart-ndis, tin envies and jealousies, the sleepless nights, Wearisoffl days, and numberless other ills which it inflicts on n slaves.it often ruins their health, ami brings them <1(IU11 (IU1 to the grave by some lingering disease, or more hwn» suicide. History tells us of illustrious villians: buttlwi never was an illustrious miser in nature. Can wealth give happiness? Look round, and sestate, on appraisement, amounted to nearly one hundred thousand dollars. h York county, Pennsylvania, a fanner so wealthy as o raise one hundred bushels of clover seed on his own mills, in consequence of losing" five dollars per bushel o his clover seed, that is, only getting seven dollars in laltimore, after he had been offered twelve for it at ©me, was struck with such a deadly heart anguish, that $ went into a h't of despondence* and hung himself! liter iiis death, silver to the amount of two hundred tattand dollars, was found barrelled up in his cellar. Vain infui! 'tis Heaven's prerogative To take, what it first deigned to give, Thy tributary breath: In awful expectation phio'd, Await thy doom, nor impious baste To pluck from God's rigkt hand his instruments of death. Warton. I Hippocrates, in his epistle to Crateva, the herbalist, lv^hiin tliis advice for the cure of some rich patients. ;it it* it were JMMBible he should cut up thr.t weed of 20 Coretonsnrss by the roots, that there might be no n. mainder left, then he might be certain, that, togeth« with their bodies, he might cure all the diseases of t| 1( r minds. tThe same greatand learned philosopher wished | msultation of all the physicians in the world, tbattbn ight advise together upon the means how to cure cmetousness. It is now above (wo thousands years %m since he had his desire; and after him a thousand tndi thousand philosophers have employed their endeavors i,, cure this insatiable dropsy. All of them have lost thei labors. The evil rather increases than declines under the multitude of remedies. There have been a number, in former ages, sick of it; and this wide hospital of the world is as full of patients as ever it was. OF INTEMPERANCE. We curse not wine — the iv7<: excess we blame; More fruitful than the accumulated hoard, Of pain and misery. For the subtle draught Faster and surer swells the vital tide j And with more active poison than the Hoods Of grosser crudity convey, pervades The far remote meanders of our frame. ******* |,' 01 . i- vow whatever Beyond its natural fervor hurries on The sanguine tide; whether the frequent bowl, High-seasoned fare, exercise to toil Protracted, spurs to its last Stage tir'd life And sows the temples with untimely snow. — Akmstko>« Tehpkrame, by fortifying the mind and body, lead> to happiness. Intemperance by enervating them, endi in misery. — And those who destroy a healthy constitution of body by intemperance, do as manifestly kill tlinnselves, as those who haasf, poison, or drown themselves. Virtue is no enemy to pleasure; but, on the contrary* i> its most certain friend. Her office is to regulate i"' r desires, that we may enjoy every pleasure with moderation; and then our relish tor them will continue. 170 171 Pleasure, my friend, 00 this side lolly lies; It may be vig'rous, but it must bfl wise: And when our OffgMM once that end attain, Each step beyond it is a step to pain. — Cawthorn. Anacliarsis, the Scythian, in order to deter young men from that voluptuousness ever attended with ill effects, applied his discourse to them in a parable, telling them that (bovine of youthful gratification had three branches, tfoducing three clusters. "On the first," says he, "grows pleasure; on the second, sottishness ; on the third, sad- Struck by the powerful charm the gloom dissolves In empty air: Elysium opens round A. pleasing frenzy buoys the lightened soul, And sanguine hopes dispel your fleeting ff js ; And what are dillicult, and what was dire, Yield to your prowess and superior stars; The happiest you of all that e'er were mad, Or are, or shall be, could this folly last. But soon your heaven is gone; a heavier gloom Shuts o'er your head; and, as the thundering stream Bwoln o'er its banks with sudden mountain rain, Sinks from its tumult to a silent brook ; So, when the frantic raptures in your breast Subside, you languish into mortal man; You sleep, — and waking, find yourself undone, , For, prodigal of life, in one rash night You lavished more than might support three days. A heavy morning comes; your cares return With tenfold rage. — Armstrong. Dri»king is undoubtedly the most miserable refuge rom misfortune. It is the most broken of all reeds. Tliis solace is truly short-lived ; when over, the spirits "Hiinonly sinking as much below their usual tone, as II 1 ') had been before raised above it. — Hence, a repetilo|i i of the dose becomes necessary, and every fresh dose mm way for another, till the miserable man is ren*«d a slave to the bottle ; and at length falls a sacri* to what at first, perhaps, was taken only as a mcdi- 172 Unhappy man, whom .sotroir thus am! rqgif, Two different ills, alternately en\ ith reioortelem fangt. ) it i those who liave boon enticed frequently to taste MJrituoUß liquors, till ;u length they begin to have a tomliirss ibr them, reflect B moment on the danger of iin ir situation, and resolve to make a speedy and honmble retreat Remember that custom soon changes ;„!,. hiiliit: thai habit is a second nature, more stubborn Inn the first; anil, of all thing*, the most difficult to be ttbdued. Remember, that it is by little unsuspecting that the unfortunate vice is generally contacted; and, when once confirmed; scarcely terminates tot with life ! Learn, then, in lime, to resist this bewitching spirit, whenever it tempts you. Then will you find yourself so perfectly easy without it. as at length never to regret its absence; nay, peculiarly happy, in haying escaped the allurements of such ;ul;i microns and insidious enemy. Those who pride themselves on living fast, and are )ont upon living "a short and merry life," though, in null, it is a short and miserable one, will, doubtless, jinn at these admonitions, and run headlong to their vvn destruction. Strange infatuation! Can you subnit to such despicable bondage, and tamely give up your rmlom without one generous struggle? The present inflict, remember, is not for the fading laurel, or tinseled wreath, Ibr which others so earnestly contend, but IT those more blooming, more substantial honors, which hillh, the daughter of Tempi ranee, only can bestow, 'or it is thine, U Health! and thine alone, to diffuse toogh the human breast that genial warmth, that se- Ine sunshine, which glow on the cheek, shine hi the vc. uiul animate the whole frame ! .But, if still you avo no regard for this blessing, let me remind you of n hereafter! "To die — to sleep — lo sloop! jtorchancc to dream — Ay, there's the rub!" 1 If death were iiotliiufr, and naught after death; It' i v i t «i vi 1 Upturning to the barren womb of Nothing, Whence they sprung — then might the wretch That's weary of the world, ami tired of life, At once give each inquietude the slip, By stealing out of being when he pleased, And by that way, whether by hemp or .steel, Death's thousand doors are open. Who could force The ill-pleased guest to sit out his full time, Or blame him if he goes? Sure, he does well That helps himself as timely as he can, When able. But if there's an hereafter, And that then is, Conscience, uninfluenced, And suiler'd to speak out, tells every man; Then must it bean awful thing to die: More horrid i/ct to die by one's own hand. Self-murder! dreadful deed! our country's shame, That makes her the reproach of neighboring state* : Shall Nature, swerving from her earliest dictates, Self-preservation, fall by her own act? Forbid it Heaven! Let not, upon disgust, The shameless hand be foully crimson'd o'er With blood of its own lord. Dreadful attempt! Just reeking from self-slaughter, in a rage, To rush into the presence of our Judge; As if we challenged him to do his worst, And heeded not his wrath. — Bum. It is an invariable law of our present condition, thai every pleasure, which tt pursued to excess, converts itself into a poison. Could we expose to view the monument? of death, they would read a lecture on moderation much more powerful than any that the most eloquent writer* can give. You would behold the graves, peopled with the victims of intemperance. You would behold than chambers of darkness, hung round, on every side, witli the trophies of luxury, drunkenness, and sensuality So numerous would you find those victims to iniquity that it may be safely asserted, where war or pestikw have slain their thousands, intemperate pleasure has slam its ten thousands. ¦ unhappy excesses, how many ainiablo disposition* been corrupted or destroyed ! how many riling* 174 175 parities and powers have been suppressed ! how many flattering hopes of parents and friends have been totally extinguished ! Who, but must drop a tear over human piture, when he beholds that morning, which arose so bright, overcast with such untimely darkness; that good Imiiior, which once captivated all hearts : thai vivacity, which sparkled in every company; those abilities which Lere fitted for adorning the highest station, all sacrificed jii (he shrine of low sensuality ; and one who was formed Ir running the fair career of life in the midst of public Mean, CUf off by his vices at the beginning of his course; niMink, for the whole of it, into insignificancy and con- Would you extend your narrow spun, And make the most of lite you can; Would you, when mwPcineJ cannot gav< Descend willi ease into the grave; Calmly retire like evening light) And cheerful hid the world t' using spirituous or vinous juniors lo excess, that he will not taste them, lest ho be enticed to exceed the bounds of moderation; ami whenever he sees a person so inclined, never fails to caution him against so insidious an enemy. i V <>!c, since every persuasive means had been used nto break her of this beastly vice. At the sight extraordinary a visitant in her closet, she was struck ut 1 pni what has become of the losers?" To which theoU prig making no reply, a third person overhearing their conversation, told the young gentleman, that Bincetbt oiher was silent and confounded with shame at theque* tion, he would oblige him with an answer — M Manj of the losers." saith he, "taking the highway to repair their losses, have been hanged; others have gone to sea to earn their bread; some have taken up the trade of bein bullies to bawdy-houses: others mat have not hid themselves as servants under a livery, are begging or niimiping about the streets, or starving in jails for debt, when you will be ere long, if you follow that rascal's eouiht!." "The punishment.*' says the young gentleman, is lit tor the sin, when men, possessed with great sums of thef own money, will pjay the fool to make it another man's; and. if this he the humor of the town. 1 will return again to the country, and spend my estate among my neighbors and tenants, where* you, sir," speaking to the gentleman that dealt so plainly with him, "shall beyerj welcome." OF VANITY. So weak are hunmn kind by Nature made Of to such weakness by their vice bctrayM; Almighty Vanity! to ihee they owe The^r lest ol' pleasure, and their balm of wo. — Yovnc- Vanity' consists of an agreeable reverie; and is well ridiculed in the story of Nftrcjssus, who so long MB* templated his own beautiful image in the water, that he died from neglect of taking sustenance. On t lie green margin sits the youth and laves His floating train of tresses in the waves; Sees his fair features paint the streams that pase, And bends for over o'er the wntery glass. — Dabwtv 180 A> the viiin found their claims on qualities which they | () not possess, they frequently meet with mortifications; ipilo their extreme solicitude lor distinctions they are pt entitled to. can never allow them any repose; hence, miiv is an enemy to health. Observe a lady at a ball, anxious to be thought the jntst woman in the assembly, and doubtful of success. lie pleasure, which it is the purpose of the assembly to Hoy, is lost to her. She does not for a moment expeienee such a sensation; for it is totally absorbed by the ¦wailing sentiment, and the pains she takes to conceal t, watches the looks, lh6 most trivial marks of the pinion of the company, with the attention of a moralland the anxiety of a. politician; and wishing to concillioin every eve the torment she feels, her alleclation f gaiety at the triumph of a rival: the turbulence of tt conversation when that rival is applauded: the over- Cted regard which she expresses for her: and the uneeessary eilbrts which Bhe makes, betray her suilerings ml constraint. Grace, that supreme charm of beauty, ivit displays itself hut when the mind is perfectly at ise, and when confidence prevails. It we take the whole sex together, we shall find thoso ho have the strongest possession of men's hearts, are ot always eminent for their beauty. As pride destroys D symmetry and grace, so affectation is a more terrible mmvto fine faces than the small-pox. And it will titty's be found, that the lady who has an humble opinion I herself, will have every body's applause, because she ocs not expect it ; while the vain creature; loses approba- M through too great a sense of deserving it, by her own It a beautiful, proud, and gay woman, would but sc"iislv reflect what a loathsome carcass she must ere JiiL r Become in the grave, amidst worms and corruption, [would tend to mortify her pride, lessen her vanity, and Ml her to be humble. Ye proud, Ambitious, wealthy, younjj, and «yay, 181 And tliumpli in existence, come with me, And in the tnoutci'ring corpM your picture see, What you, and all, must soon or later be. Solitary Waih "Pride, well placed and rightly defined, is of ambifi ous signification," says the late incomparable Manp of Halifax: "one kind being at much a virtue as the other v vice." Hut wo an; naturally so apt to ebon the worst, (hat it lias become dangerous to commcij the host side of* it Pride is a .s7//, insidious enem that wounds the soul unseen, and many, who haven stated other formidable vices, have been ruined by tln> subtle invader; for, though we smile to ourselves. | least ironically, when flatterers bedaub us with false en. coiniiuns; though we seem many times angry, and bha at our praises; yet our souls inwardly rejoice; weaq pleased with it. and forget ourselves. Some are proud of their quality, and despise all below it; first, set it up for the idol of a vain imagination, and then their reason tfall down and worship' it They would havetk 1 think, that no amends can be made for the want of at title. They imagine, that with this advantage stand out he higher ground, which makes them look i upon merit and virtue as things inferior to t!um Some, and most commonly women, are proud of their fine clothes; and when they have less wit and sense than \}\" rest of their neighbors, comfort themselves with tlit flection that they have more lace. Some ladies poti much weight upon ornaments, that, if one could see m their hearts, it would be found that even the thought c| death was made less heavy to them, by the conteinniation of their being laid out in state, and honorably aliended to the grave. The man of letters is proud ot ¦ esteem the world gives him for his knowledge: butN might easily cure himself of that disease, by considcrnii how much learning he wants. The military man I proud of some great action performed by him, wW possibly it was more owing to fortune than his own v;w or conduct: and some are proud of their ignorance. and have as much reason to be so as any of the re^t; tor 182 183 tt u v boinu majesty dismissed his keepers. OF MODESTY. Hail, Modesty! Ihir female honor hails! Beauty 9 ! chief ornament, without wbdM charms, Beauty diiguiti, or gives but vulgar joy*. Thou gir'.st the smile U»grac€; the heightened kins Its balm ij essence ttweet! — AnttTlOlfO. MoDESTT is to virtue, what a line veil is to beauty, It is one of the most distinguishing and attractive characteristics of the female sex. It comprises the beautiei of the mind, as well as those of the body; andil Ml only heightens the desire of the male, but deters him from rudeness and improper behavior. It is, therefore, the interest of the men to cherish, and not to injure, by indelicacy, a quality from which they derive so imu'li pleasure and advantage. Naked in nothing should a woman be, Hut veil her very wit with modesty; Let man discover, let. not he* display, But yield her charms of mind without delay. — Yoou •'I remember," says a female author of great distinction, "the Count M , one of the most ftCCO* plished young men in Vienna, when I was there; M was so passionately in love with a girl of peerless be* t. She was the (laughter of a man of great rank anj (In n< •/-kiii*t> -in I ir\ t\ i 1 unti »iig *I>< Wei' 184 BID regard to her charms, she was followed by a iiiultimi 1 <»1 suitors. She was lively and amiable, and trcnidthem all with an affability which still kept them in ef train, although it was generally known that she had vowed a predilection for the count, and that preparai,ms were making for their nuptials. The count was of fa refined mind and delicate sensibility; and loved er for herself alone; for the virtues which he believed |,v, It ill her beautiful form; and. like a lover of such erfections,,he never approached her without timidity, ml when he touched her, a lire shoi through his veins lut warned him not to invade the vermilion sanctuary f her lips. Such were his feelings, when, one night, i ins intended father-in-law's, a party of young people rere met to celebrate; a certain festival; several of tin; Ming lady's rejected suitors being present Forfeits rere one of the pastimes, and all went on with a grateli merriment, till the count was commanded, by some? ritty mademoiselle, to redeem his glove by saluting the hoik of his intended bride. The count blushed, trem. led, advanced to his mistress, retreated, advanced iiain — and at last, with a tremor, that shook every fibre 1 his frame, with a modest grace, he put the soft ringis, which played upon her cheek, to his lips, and retir(l to demand his redeemed pledge, in evident confu- ¦! m. His mistress gaily Broiled, and the game went on. ¦)iioot' her rejected suitors, but who was of a merry, un- Biinking disposition, was adjudged by the Bairie in;lis¦rvi crier of the forfeits, to snatch a kiss from the lips ¦' the object of his recent vows. A lively contest be¦^•vn the lady and the gentleman lasted fop a minute! Bui tiu> lady yielded, though in the midst of a convul¦ivi'laugh; and the count had the mortification, the ago- ¦ v t! »;;(•(> the lips, which his passionate and delicate love Jmild not allow him to touch, kissed with roughness by B»'»ilkt man, and one whom he despised. Without a •"nl. he rose from his chair, and left the room, and the ¦mise— ;md never saw her more! Tims, by that "oodrn'itnred kiss, the fair boast of Vienna lost a husband ¦ her lover." ?: 185 186 Although 1 consider this act of the count as rulin;. lously fastidious, yet i cannot but think it may prove i good hint to mv lair readers. Certainly the Benailni plant cannot shrink more coyly, than should the lon'i virgin from the slightest touch of the immodest. "Learn, then ye (air, to keep the person sacred; * * * * like the pure miiul, Be that army M in modett dignity: Nor c'en it.-, boantiet flauntingly expoM — Thus may yo keep the heart your charms have won.' Blio attractive grace and powerful charm of Modak lot he better illustrated, than by relating the |i> ng interesting narrative: — Charlotte Corday was tall and well-shaped, of th most graceful manners ;uid modest demeanor. Then was in her countenance, which was beautiful and at jjajjing, and in all her movements a mixture of Boftna and dignity, which wore evident indications of a Inn only mind. She came to Paris, and, under a feigd pretext, gained admission to that republican tyrant. .Mirat, in whose breast she plunged a dagger, acknowledf cd the deed, and justified it by asserting that ii wmi duty she owed her country and mankind, to rid lit world of" such a monster. Her deportment during In trial was modest and dignified. — There was a softnti so engaging in her countenance, that it was difficoltl conceive how she could have armed herself with suliicient intrepidity to execute the deed. Her answers » the questions of the tribunal, were full of point and a eray. She sometimes surprised the audience by i" 1 #ri/, and excited their admiration hy her cfoqitr.-ict'- Her face sometimes beamed with sublhnitji andw sometimes covered with smiles. She retired while ¦ jury deliberated on their verdict; and when shea|U entered the tribunal, there was a majestic solnnnilij ll her demeanor, which perfectly became her situatiun»Shc heard her sentence with attention and composufl and left the court with serenity, her mind being I' 11 before prepared even for the last scene. It is difficult roncoivo the heroism which she displayed in tho way to kecutkm- There was such an air of chastened exul- Lion thrown over her countenance, that she inspired Umnentl <>t* '°ye. rather than pity. The spectators, Ughe passed, uncovered their heads before her , and ,i| U'i-sU 'i-s gave loud tokens of applause. She; ascended the icaflbldwith undaunted firmness. When the execution* informed lu-r that lier I'e.et must be lied to the fatal plank, she submitted with a smile. When lie took otV |i, r handkerchief the moment before she bent under il, t fatal stroke, she blushed deeply; and her head, tviiidi was held up to the multitude the moment after, Exhibited the last impression of ollcndcd modesty. Such an instance of a young female, given up to detiruciion, and yet so tremblingly alive to modesty, that ivcn in her last moments she resents the slightest insult to that, more than she dreads the executioner's axe, is a display of the charm, as well as the force of virtue triumphant over death, that deserves to bo preferred in Bverlasting remembrance. Its eifects on the crowd beggared all description. Admiration held the gazing thousands mute. And though, while gazing on her cheeks yet divinely enriched with the blush of deathless modesty, they slied their tears over her untimely fate, still their joy-glistening eyes seemed to thank her for Midi a proof of the divinity of virtue, and the birthright to heaven. One of the spectators, a young man, by the name of Ijujl\ had his feelings wrought to such ;iii adoration of her virtues, that he proposed^ in a pamphlet published the day after, to erect a monument loher honor, and to inscribe it with these words: — GREATER THAN BRUTUS. He was instantly etttenced to the guillotine, lie received the news with or, and died exulting that Ik; had the honor of being oflered up at the same altar with the immaculate Charlotte Vorday. As lamps burn with lUMXWfCidtlfl litfljl, So niovlesl case, in beauty, shines most bright: Untuning charms with edge resistless fall, 187 Plutarch observes, thai as thistles, though noxkt things in themselves, are usually signs of an excelkq ground wherein they grow, so bashfulness. though mtn times a weakness and betrayer of the mind, is \< i v , . orally iin argument of a soul ingeniously and virtuoush inclined. We read of many, who, through modesty and liar, when they were to speak publicly, have been SO (tin* pointed, that they were forced to hold their tongue.- Thus, Cicero writes of Cairo, that being to plead in a cause before the senate, he was not able Jo spe;ik wliai he had premeditated. Also, Theophrantns being in Bpeak before the people of Athens, was on a sudden m deprived of memory, that he remained silent. Tlit siiinn happened to the famous Demosthenes in thepnt once of King Philip. Nor are we ignorant thai the lib misfortunes have befallen many excellent persons in our times. (Jet that great gift and talent, Impudence. Accomplished mankind's highest excellence; Tii that alone prefers, alone makes great, Confers atone, wealth, titles, ;m< l estate: Gains place at court, can make a fool a peer, An ass a bishop, Can vil'st blockhead rear To wear red bats, arid sit in porph'ry chair. — Okdham. H hen once men have bid adieu to modesty, there if ng so unmanly, indecent, or reprehensible; but the in brow will venture upon; and nothing so high or that his impudence does not pretend a title to. A gentleman being asked how it came to pass that in, being a man of extraordinary natural parts, and those improved by a university education, foreign travel, di!i-gent study, and the knowledge of most European languages: besides being well born, and having manj friends to recommend him, missed a considerable nployment in the government, at a lime when there so many vacancies? the gentleman answered. "Thi reason is plain; 1 have too much modesty, and too li'tle impudence, to be preferred* where a higher value I put upon the latter than the former." 188 For lie that hai but impudence, To all tbinga baa a fair pretence) Ami | »» 1 111 1 among his wants but ¦iuunej To all tln % world inuv lay his claim. — I lrmitu vs. An Athenian, of decrepit age, came into the theatre ti Athens, on a public night, when it was very much towded. ITo wont to that part of tho house where his Lang countrymen were silting; hut, instead of majting loom li>r him, they closed their ranks. ]5y chance he mine io a place where sal some young 1-ieedemonians it 'iiu 1 first distinction, who, moved with the age of the nan. in reverence to his years and hoary hairs, rose up, iiul placed him in an honorable seat amongst them; vliicli. when the people beheld, with a loud applause, licv approved the modesty of another city. At which mi ot' the Lacedemonians said, "It appears that tho Athenians do understand what ought to be done, but bey neglect the practice of it.'' these young Lacedemonians were heathens. How levoutly were it to be wished, that all young Christians rould copy so fair an example, and learn to treat seniorvwitli a respect equally amiable and endearing. OF DRESS. If the rude vertfl that now detains your car, Should Io one female heart conviction bear; Recall one gentler mind from Fatkiotfs erew t To give to Nature what is Nature* due; Whilst others mount the arduous heights oi fame. To wake your feelings be my nobler aim: Nor you unblest, if, whilst I fail to move, The fond attempt my kind intention prove. — RotCOB. Pliny, one of the most celebrated naturalists of ani'|"itv. pathetically laments, that, "whilst Nature has riven various clothing to the brute creation, and even weed plants and trees with bark against the injuries of 11(1 cold and heat, she should have cast man into this torM naked, unprovided against the inclemency of difwith 189 that philosopher, that Nature has, in this particular, acted more like a cruel step-mother, than a kind andfe diligent parent to man, we cannot sufficiently extol bet providence and wisdom. It was no more than const lent with equity Jo provide the irrational pan of fa works with clothing suitable lo their circumstances; \ m man, whom she endued with the transcendent faculty rlvson, she hath very wisely left to accommodate himself Co the difference of season and climate, and to clothe himself, accordingly, with the fleeces and bldsj of animals, and the products of various plants and my. > Nature knows no other use of clothes hut to keeptsi body warm. The shape God has given, is too often a;-tempted to be mended by dress; and those who know no belter, believe thai mankind would be frights without its assistance. The bones of growing persons are v cartilaginous, that they readily yield to the slightest pro* sure, and easily assume the mould in which they ;nv confined. Hence it is that so many girls, in propone to boys, are misshapen. A lady, whose girls were all misshapen, though in r family was numerous, consulted the celebrated anatomist, Mr. Cline, on the prevention. ki 7V> hate M stays — and to let the next girl run about liketk boys" was the excellent advice of this gentlema; which being complied with, none of the future childfflj were afterwards marred by the ill-placed attention d the ignorant mother. "It has been said," observes a celebrated female at ihor, "that the lore of dress is natural to the sex:" uj we see no reason why any female should be offend* with the assertion. Dress, however, to be ConusM with the graces and with nature, must be subject toe» tain rales. S>y attending to these particulars, duced that agreeable exterior which pleases tveki* not why: which charms, even without that first m powerful attraction, beauty. "A beauty, carelessly arrayM, En'.imorsniore, than if displayM. 190 191 A! I woman's t-luirins wen given, .\n<\ o'er llio bosom's vestal wliito, The guinse appears a robe of lijjlit. That veil*, yet opens heaven. 11 fashion, in her various flights, frequently soars belaid tin* reach of propriety. Good sense, taste, and jelicacy, then make their appeal in vain. Her despotic and arbitrary sway levels and confounds. Where is [elicacyf where is policy? we mentally exclaim, when ie see the fair inconsiderate votary of fashion exposing, hisitiiilv, that bosom which good men delight to imarjoe the abode of innocence and truth* Can the ga/e of lie voluptuous, the Unlicensed admiration of the prollitte, compensate the woman of sentiment and purity, in 1 what she loses in the estimation of the moral and istf Hut, delicacy apart, what shall we say to the blind •tx' as the skin remains dry* never can he hurtful. 19 193 194 In answer to another objection against the wearing 4 flannel, it is certain that a flannel shirt may preserved body as clean, and much cleaner, than linen, if 3% > fh qmnthj changed. To cold, phlegmatic temperaments; to all wholeidi sedentary lite; to individuals subject to catarrhs, orfo quent colds, gout, diarrh(e, and partial congestions the blood ; to all nervous patients and convalescents tini severe chronic disorders; to persons who are loon, ceptible ot the impressions of the atmosphere; and. -lav ly, in such climates and pursuits of life, as are expend to frequent and sudden changes of air, the wearing tlanuel next to the skin is certainly a salutary dress | will also be found a better preventive of contagion thai; any other; because: while it encourages perspiration. i at the same time removes the inhaled poisonous part cles. It is a mistaken notion that flannel is too warai clothing for summer. 1 have never found the least inconvenience from wearing it during the hottest weatlur: buU on the contrary, have experienced the greatest mivantage. A celebrated author's favorite recipe k health was, "to leave off flannel on mid-summer clay. i. resume it the day following." To keep an animal in health, beside the retaining of I due degree of animal heat, there must be a contina generation of new juices, and a perpetual discharge 4 the old. Without the due quantity of perspiration which, with us, depends very much on our clothing, 111 ther the vegetable nor animal can continue in belli A plant, whose perspiration is stopped, becomes BicUj and dies. Even an egg, whose shell Jias been covertc with a varnish, and the perspiration stopped, will ] induce no animal. I Whilst treating on clothing, I would recommend ; k r ery person to be careful in observing that the Si which they put on, and the sheets in which M >be properly dried. Due care should also In 1 • to change the stockings, and other clothing. ass|)i< a possible, after their becoming wet from expos* lin or snow. Those who neglect these cautions ii Uposc themselves either to rheumatism, fever, pleurisy, Logh, consumption, Of some other disease of a danger* t lls or even latal nature. OF CLEANLINESS. The gland discharge, of the effusion of the skin, Slowly impaired, the languid maladies Creep on, and through the liflk'ning functions steal; As, when the chilling cast invades the spring, The delicate Narcissus pines away In hectic languor; and a slow disease Taints all the family of flowers, condemned To cruel heuv'ns. But why already prone To lade should beauty cherish its own bane! Olbamei Oplty! nipt with pale quadrille, And midnight cares, the bloom of Albion dies. Armstrong. Cleanliness may be considered the grand secret of raerving beauty as well as promoting health; and, ltTifore. is applicable to all ages and sexes. It niainm the limbs in their pliancy; the skin in its softness; |e complexion in its lustre; the eyes in their brightness; c teeth in their purity; and the constitution in its fairit vigor. The frequent use of tepid baths is not more grateful to if sense, than it is salutary to health, and to beauty. ysucli ablutions all impurities are thrown off: cutanei> obstructions removed; and, while the surface of the nlv is preserved. in its original brightness, many threatiiiii r disorders are put to the rout. Indeed, so importit is this regimen, that every family should make a baing vessel as indispensable an article in the house as a OF CLEANLINESS. Armstrong. Against the rigors of a damp, cold heaven, To fortify (heir bodies, some frequent The gelid cistern, and, where naught forbids, 1 praise the dauntless heart. * * * * * Will »V> • n r»t" • mi l-iinf 111- 195 196 The warn ablution, just ODOUgt) to clear The sluices of the skin; enough to keep The body sacred from indecent, soil. Still to be pur*) «;v'n did it not conduce, As much it docs, to health, were greatly worth Your daily pains. 'Tis this adorns the rich ; The want of thil is poverty's worst wo — With this external virtue, age maintains A decent grace; without it, youth and charms Are loathsome. This the venal graces know; So, doubtless, do your wires; for married sires As uell m lovers, still pretend to taste; Nor is it less, nil prudent wives can tell, To lose a husband's than a lover's heart. — AftMSTBONi Cleanliness is certainly agreeable to our nature, i sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and of ten gains esteem where that foils. It is an ornaments the highest, as well as the lowest situation, and cam* be dispensed with in. either. "I hud occasion," says the author of the Spectator, "ft go a few miles out of town, some days since, in a stag* coach, where 1 had. for mv iellow -travellers, a dirty hn and a pretty young quaker woman. Having no mcli* ation to talk much, 1 placed myself backward, wiilia design to survey them, and to pick a speculation oairf my two companions. Their different figures were sufficient to drttw my attention. The gentleman was dressed in a suit, the ground whereof had been black, Bfl i j" r rceived from some few spaces that had escaped thepo* dcr which was incorporated with the greatest pari liis coat; his periwig, which cost no small sum, wastf t<«r so slovenly a manner cast over his shoulders, tint seemed not to have been combed since the pear 1683; his linen, which was not much concealed, was daubd with plain Spanish, from the chin to the lowest Imnon. and the diamond upon his linger, which naturally dred ed tin 1 ; water, put me in mind how it sparkled ainuM the rubbish of the mine where it was first discovered ¦ii the other hand, the pretty quaker appeared ! ' legnnce of cleanliness, not a speck was 197 Luui upon nor - c ' eiul i ovn ' I >{UV - j ust (> d<;cd abbot ti little thin phuts of the purest cambric, received , IV ;i! idvantage firom the shade of her black hood; as &i ( ] the whiteness of Ikm* arms from th;ii sobe'r-oolored Cuff in which she had clothed herself The plaitiness of ; , nlivss was very well suited to the simplicity of her linisrs; all which, put gavd me an exalted Bciisi - of both her «j;oo(l taste and her pure innocence, I -Tliis adventure occasioned my throwing together a ¦hv hints upon cleanliness, which I shall consider as one Bt'the half-virtues, as Aristotle calls them, and shall Kroiuiiicnd. under it, the three following heads: — As it B,i mark of politeness; as it produces regard: and as it Bears analog? to purity of mind. I "first, il is a mark of politeness. If is universally ¦iriri'd ujMui, that no one* unadorned with this virtue, can Bn into company without giving a manifest oflenco. 'i'lic Busier or higher any one's fortune is, this duty rises pro¦)(»niitii;ijly. The different nations of the world areas ¦melt distinguished by their cleanliness, as by their arts Biul sciences The more any country is civilized, the Biore ilicv consult this part of politeness. We need but Rompare our ideas of a female Hottentot and an Bng- Ish beauty, to be satisfied of what has been advanced. ! I "hi the next place, cleanliness may be said to be the ¦tsMT-inoiher of love. Beauty) indeed, most commonly Iroduces that passion in the mind, but cleanliness pre- Bi'i'vcs il. An indifferent face and person, kept in por- Be!u:i! neatness, has won many a heart from a pretty Bnieii. Age itself is not unamiable, while il ispreserr- Bf the commonwealth* It is a sentiment wbkk s us prefer the interest of the public to ourowi c very name of country, the wise and brave fed v siasm which renders them invincible. Briotism also contributes greatly to the promotion of morals; and, hence, to health and even otto Ig, both private and public. Koine, Athens. iiml ;emon, owed all their glory to patriotism; ;nnl nothingness to their forget fulness of their country, iws. and morals. Happy if these awful lessons, read tons in the exa» pies of the great republic of antiquity, could but avail t kindle among ourselves that divine patriotism wbki once exalted them to such glory among the natioM Among innumerable other blessings, health would iM) be promoted. For the noble virtues of the son), cow* tuling patriotism, as magnanimity. disinK •ivsfwinj*' valor, and consciousness of doing our duty, would difli through the heart that habitual complacency ami jof 199 TIIK FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ?o>t friendly to health : which would be still farther pronoted by that simplicity of manners, and activity of life, , nil belong to republicans. Whereas, on the contrary in proportion as national patriotism decays, health bein ks enervated by luxury and other vices, which are lire to overspread a nation that has lost the animating jre of patriotism, John U.. king of Portugal, who, for the nobleness of IB mind, was worthy of a greater kingdom, when he i, anl there was a bird called the pelican, that tears and rounds her breast with her bill, that with her own blood he may restore her young ones to life, when left as dead ivthe biting of serpents, this excellent prince took care bat the figure of this bird, engaged in this action, should c added to his other royal devices; that he might hereyshow, that he was ready, upon occasion, to parl with is own blood for the welfare and preservation of his eople and country. Pity it is to conceal their names, rhose minds have been, in this respect, as pious and rincely as his, not tearing to redeem the lives of their illiiw-citizens at the price of their own. Themistocles, the .Athenian general, after his many mums exploits, was banished the country, and sought tii t lo bo slain. Ile chose, therefore, to put himself in— (the power of the Persian king, his enemy, rather than )t\|>ose himself to the malice of his fellow-citizens. i< was hy him received with great joy; insomuch, tint v' kin<>-, in the midst, of his sleep, was heard to cry cut ince, aloud, "I have with me Themistocles, the AtheiH!.' lie, also, did him great honor, for he allotted iia three cities for his table provisions, and two others * die furniture of his wardrobe and bed. While he re laiiud in that court with such splendor and dignity, the •gyptiana rebelled, encouraged, and also assisted by the thehians. The Grecian navy had come as far as Cyrosand Cilicia; and Cimon, the Athenian admiral, "!(' master at sea. This caused the Persian king to fy soldiers, and appoint commanders to repress them. ealso sent letters to Themistocles. then at Magnesia, sporting that he had given him the supreme command in that a flair, and thai he should now bo mindful of | , promise to him, and undertake iliis war against Greco l>ui 'riKMiiisioclcs was no wav moved with anger again his ungrateful countrymen, nor incited to wage war wid them by the gilt of all liis honor and power: lor, qfa having sacrificed, he called about him liis friends, aai having embraced them, lie drank a strong poison, lll( chose rather to close iiis own life, than to Be an insa* Dient of evil to liis native country, which yet had fa served so ill at his hands. Thus died Themistocles, a the sixty-fifth year of his age, most of which time he had spent in the management of the republic at home, or a the chief commander abroad. At the siege of Turin by the French army, in |(i|n a sergeant of the Piedmontese guards signalized hig self by a singular example of patriotism: this serge* guarded, with some soldiers, the subterraneous parts a work of the citadel. The mine was changed, ii nothing was wanting but what is called a suasuge pudding, to blow up several companies of grenadier! who served in the work and posted themselves in i The loss of the work would have accelerated the >n: render of the place. — The sergeant, with great resob tion, ordered the soldiers he commanded '<> retire,!** gins them t<> desire the king his master to protect hi wife and children. lie then set fire to the powder, II perished lor his country. On the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, in the Anuncan war, the Loyalist, of 2*2 guns, then in the Che* peake, became a party in that disastrous even:: In' crew were conveyed to the Count de Grasses fleeH that fleet the Ardent, captured oil' Plymouth, made 04 but was then in a very leaky condition The Count bl ing informed that the carpenter of the Loyalist wiij man of talents, and perfectly acquainted with thenat* of the chain pump, of which die French were ignortij ordered him on board the Villo de Paris, and addreMi him thus: "Sir, you are to go on board the Ardent*, reetly; use your utmost skill, and save her from smM". for "which service you shall have a premium, and B 200 201 nooaragooaent duo to the carpenter of an equal rate in he British navy; to this I pledge my honor; on refusal, rouwilli during your captivity. Ix 4 \\h\ on bread and wa- L rt — The tar, surprised at being thus addressed in his (iwii language, boldly answered: "Noble Count, I am rour prisoner. It is in your power to confine me; but lever let it be said that a British sailor forgot his duty lo liis king and country, and entered, voluntarily, into the icrvice Oi the enemy; your promises are no inducement ,i me, and your threats shall not force me to injure my jountry." There is a land, of every land the pride, Uelov'd hy heaven o'er all the world heside: Where brighter suns dispense serener light, And milder moons emparadise the night, A land of beauty | virtue, valor, truth, Time-tutor'd age, and love exulted youth. "Where shall that land, that spot of earth be found!" Art thou a man? % patriot I look round; Othou shall find] howe'er ihy footsteps roam, That land Ihy country, and that spot thy BOJtt! MONTUOMKIIV. tht Americans, we feel the love of country, not merel)(c;mso it is (he land where we were born, but the ml where wo enjoy freedom, equal rights, and every egging that can sweeten life, and gild it over with glory. < iky wo need not have gone hack to ancient times to i»\v what men have dared from patriotism. No, thank (id! we have, in our own country, and in our own days, ;iinos as bright as ever adorned the annals of time. lie memory of my exulting reader is already Hying be- Hvine to a host of heroes, who even couried wounds iul death for their country; to Lawrence* whose last ords were "Don't grte up the ship!" — to Burrows, li), when desperately wounded on the deck, said, **/ on't be earned below; prop me up, that I may see i'/ brave men at their guns!" — !o Lowry Donaldson, lio cried, "My gallant countrymen, 1 file, but don't } the cause of freedom die with rue!' 1 ' — to Davies, 34 202 TIIB FAMILY PIIYSICIAJf. who, on the field of Tippecanoe, smiling in the arms of fate, exclaimed, *Thonk God, I die in the best of can. sesf" I—to1 — to a common sailor, who, while below, dreagJM for a mortal wound, and hearing his companions v deck shouting (or victory, snatched away the shattered stump of his arm, laying, Let me go, doctor: 1 hunt I am tfi/htif, but I must give one huzza more farm country!" — to Pike. Covirigton, Gibson, Wood, Holm* Stoddara, Beasley, Mead, Spencer, Wattles, Hoppud Jack, Bradford, Armistead, Vanhorn, Olmstead, Middleton, Woodfblk, Smith, M'Donough, Blaney, Legate Yatcs, .Jackson. O'Fling, of the army — to Allen, \,\ilow, Wi liner, Funk, Babbits Hamilton, Bowell, Sta» bury, Gamble, Cowell, Williams, Brootyes, I'u4 Broome, of the nayw — to Davis, Allen, IjEiuderdale, Henderson, Graves, Hicl-man, Hart, M'Cracken, Hoop er, Pace, Jluel, Hamilton, Evans, Gtuarles, Brown, Ht Iknap, Blakealey, Claret, Cleman, Rotevelt, Foe, of tk militia. — and a thousand other Maktvrs of LIBEBTT, who all rushed into the battle as if animated by the is> mortal Washington's injunction, — "Remember, ////if you are going to fight for Liberty!" and who all did rejoicing that they had shed their blood to cement bfl lloi.v Fabric. "To li\(^ with fame the gods allow to many; bin to die with equal lustre, is a gift which Heaven Beted tin all the choicest boons of fate, and with a ipUS] nd on few bestows." OF RELIGION. (Some of my readers may perhaps be surprised, that in book which professes to treat of Health. I should so r forget the text as to introduce the subject ofJWt gion. — But I trust they will cease to wonder when ihev consider that health is the physical result of nicely W anced appetites and passions, and that there exists Ij power on earth, that can so attune these into liarmoiiv. as Religion. Cast your eye around you, and say ulrh^ have sprung most of the diseases, both mental and fcr ' OflLbotfiwn lack of this divine guardian of man, /?<•\fion, l^ v tms i? r(4Jlt name, Ido not mean that hvpocms which consists in gloomy faces, nor that narrow hig- Oy which rests on particular forms, the one only shows Inn religion is very galling to their feelings: the other is ni[ (oo often false and treacherous, deluding those who ehotd theni* into the opinion of their superior sanctity n,| virtue. IVor can I entertain a more favorable opin)nt)f those who make a profession of religion, and cxjbil too much levity, li is a maxim among politicians, thai those who know not how to dissemhle, know not owto rule." But this will not hold in religion, where irme is at all times to he the guide of our actions. There are sonic sectarians who are so illiberal as to [press a belief thai those only of their persuasion are itheright road to heaven! Strange infatuation! Can iis be consistent with the Scriptures or reason? The ire spirit of the gospel of Christ breathes forth a holy sligion, founded on meekness, charity, kindness, and rotberly love. Could we forbear dispute, and practioe love, We should Igree as angels do above j Where love presides, not vice alone does find Nb entrance there, but virtue stays behind: Bolh faitli and hope, and nil the meaner train, Of moral virtues, al Ihe door remain. Love only enters as a native them, For, born in lic;iv<;n, it does but sojourn here, — Waller It is of the utmost importance to guard against exomos of every kind in religion, lest by seeking to avoid 16 rock we split upon another. It has been long the bject of remark, that Superstition and Enthusiasm etwo capital sources of delusion. Superstition, on the if hand, attaching men with immoderate zeal to the mill and external points of religion, and enthusiasm, on c other, directing their whole attention to internal emotts and mystical communications with the spiritual wld; while neither the one nor the other has paid suf[ient regard to the great moral duties of the Christian c. 203 Blest is the man, as far as eortli can bless, Whose measured passions reach no wild excess; Who, urg'd l>y Nature's voice, her gifts enjoys, Nor other means than Nature's force employs. Zimmuui In mental illusion, Imagination, when she firs, bun to exercise her powers, seizes on some fact, of tho ri; ,; nature of which, the mind has bat an obscure idea. ;u l( j for want of tracing it through all its connexions ami d. pendencies, misleads reason into the darkest pathi4 error. The wild conjectures, and extravagant opinioj which have issued from this source, are innumcniMt.- The voice of the calm inquirer, Reason, is incapabieti being heard amidst the tumult, and the favorite imp is animated and enlarged by the glowing tire of tfa Passions. No poWer remains to control or regular much less to subdue, this mental ray, which inllaim. the whole soul, and exalts it into the fervor of Enikui asm, hurries it into the extravagance of Superstition, or precipitates it into the furious frenzies of 2* atia/fetm The lire of fanaticism is so subtilcly powerful, than: is capable of inflaming the coldest minds. The rapidity of its progress certainly depends, in a great degree, on the nature of the materials on which it acts; Inn. like every dangerous conflagration, its first appearanca should be watched, and every means taken to extnguish its flame. "In the course of my practice as a physician." ttjl Dr. Zimmerman, bk l was called upon to attend a vomi; lady, whose natural disposition had been extreme^ cheerful, until a severe fit of sickness damped hersp* its, and rendered her averse to all those lively pleasure which fascinate the youthful mind. The debility of hef §and the change of her temper, were notsufi 1 attended to in the early stages of her convaliv The anxiety of her mind was visible in the at Batures of her face; and she was frequently heard ress a melancholy regret, that she had consume ly hours in the frivolous, though innocent, amu>eof her age. Time increased, by almost imp* 204 iptiblouVirrees, those symptoms of approaching melandL)!v; ami at length exhibited themselves by penitenc hiiiu'iitations of the sin she had committed with Kyitvt to the most trifling actions of her life, and in Hi', !i no shadow of offence could possibly be found. — ill the time I was called in, this superstitions melan- Sulv was attended with certain indications of mental Kiaiiiivmrnt. The distemper rie;irl\ originated in the ¦,ii>|io>iiion of the body, and the gloom> apprehensions ¦in, It disease and pain had introduced into the mind Kr:ui a period of many months. This once lively, HiiiNomc. but now almost insane female, was daily ;ii- Xii (I with such violent paroxysms of her complaint, ¦in slio lost all consciousness of her situation, and ox- Hiniril. in horrid distraction and deep despair, that her Bnlitioii was already accomplished, and that the Jiv nils Ev: wailing to receive her soul, and plunge it into mr )illr:rst torments of lull. Her constitution, how- Bvr. still lortunad ly retained sufficient strength to ena- Br me. by the power of medicine, gradually to change ft temperament, and to reduce tlu^ violence of the iev(»r HiK Ji had been long preying on her life. Her mind be- Hinc more calm in proportion as her nerves recovered ¦in- former tone; and when her intellectual powers •¦re in a condition to be acted on with effect, 1 success- Bl!y counteracted the baleful effects of Superstition by m wholesome infusion of real Religion, and restored, ¦ decrees, a lovely, young, and virtuous woman to her Hiiiik and herself. 1 ' llt is that fervent love of Ciod and man, constituting ¦<' heart-gladdening religion of Christ, which I mean. ¦li is teaches us to deny ourselves, and follow in the exloiseof all virtues, wherein consists the life of religion, |viii!> aside all idle quarrels, self-interest, and needless |!>aios about circumstantials; for this religion is not in mn\U, hut in works; not in opinions, but in assurances; ¦''i'm speculation, but in practice. It is this religion all ¦'ii ought to love for their own sakes, because a holy I' 1 , which it teaches, gives a comfortable death and a 205 206 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Tho man who loves God, enjoys thai first of felicity the consciousness of having placed his allectionsoiir|. f only object that truly deserves them. O! how amklili \h gratitude; especially when directed to the Suprem t factor. It is the most exalted principle thatoi te the heart of man. WWen a good man looks round him on tlii> \ ;K world, where beauty and goodness are reflected 6m every object, and Where he beholds millions of creatoni in their different ranks, enjoying the blessings of en> tence, he looks up to the Universal F.vtiii:k, and ln< heart glows within him. And in every comfort whiel sweetens his own life, he discerns the same indulge hand. Thus it is that gratitude prepared a good man for the enjoyment of prosperity; tor not only has hca> full a relish as others of the innocent pleasures of liii, but, moreover, in these he holds communion with dud In all that is good or fair he traces his hand. From die beauties of nature, from the improvements of art, limn the blessings of public or private life, he raises his allietions to the great Fountain of all happiness which Mirrounds him, and this widens the sphere of his enjoyments, by adding to tin; pleasures of sense, the far more exquisite joys of the heart. If this goodness of God he so admirably seen in rhe wovlvs of Nature, and the favors of Providence. \vit!i a noble superiority does it even triumph in iln 1 ... ftery of redemption. Redemption is the brighter mirror in which to contemplate the most lovely attributes of the Deity. Religion is so far from debarring us of any innoceri pleasure or comfort of human life, that it purifies otf enjoyments, and renders them more grateful and geW 1 rous; and thus makes us habitually cheerful. Thou, Cheerfulness, by lle;iv'n design'd To BWaj the movements of the mind; Whatever fretful passion springt) Whatever wayward fortune brtnm To disarrange ilie power within, 207 Till FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Thpu t goddeMj thy attempering band Doth each discordant string command j Refines the soft and swells the strong, Andy joining Nature 1 ! general song, Through many a varying tone unfoldl The harmony of human souls. — AMMKUm. Cheerfulness is consistent with every species of viri, and practice of religion. It bears the same friendly r ;ud to the mind as to the hotly; it banishes all anxujcare and discontent, sooths and composes the pas-008,and keeps the BOttl In a perpetual calm, Providence did not design this world should be filled jib murmurs and repiniugs, and that the heart of mi should be involved in perpetual gloom and melanliohj. As i was between sleeping and waking, says a subiiu author, 1 perceived one of the most shocking ligvs imagination can frame, advancing towards me. — Ik was dressed in black, her eyes deep sunk in her pad, and her complexion pale and livid as the countckneeof death. Her looks were filled with terror and intituling severity, and her hands armed with whips id scorpions. As soon as she came near, with a hor(I frown, and a. voice that chilled my very blood, she ide me follow her. I obeyed, and she led me tin igged paths, beset with briers and thorns, and a deep ilitary valley. — Wherever she passed, the fading verire Withered beneath her steps; her pestilential breath fected the air with malignant vapors, obscured the Ins- B of the sun, ;md involved the fair face of heaven in liverea] gloom. Dismal bowlings resounded through v forests, from every baleful tree the night raven oaked his dreadful note; and the prospect was filled i:li denotation and horror. In the midst of this tretndous scene, she addressed me in the following manir: •'Retire with me, O rash, unthinking mortal, from the 'in allurements of a deceitful world, and learn that (((sure was not designed the portion of human life. — M was born to mourn, and to be wretched; tin's is the condition of all below the stars, and whoever* deavors to oppose it, acts in contradiction to thr wi!|, Heaven. Fly then from the fatal enchantments ofyooi and social delight, and here consecrate the Bolitan houra to lamentation and woe. Misery is the dutj all sublunary beings, and every enjoyment is an offenct to the Deity, who is to be worshipped only by the mortification o!" every sense of pleasure, and the everh* iiiuj exercise of sighs and tears." This melancholy picture of lite quite sunk my spins, and seemed to annihilate every principle of happing within me. I threw myself beneath a blasted yet, where the winds blew cold and dismal round my bed, dreadful apprehensions chilled my heart. Here I !•• solved to lie till the hand of death, which I impatient invoked, should put an end to the miseries of a life a deplorably wretched. In this sad situation L espied >» 208 m name and character, and seduces unhappy mortals to think us ilwsame till she at length drives them to the border! of despair; that dreadful ahyss, into which you any just going to sink. ••Look around, and survey the various heauties of the globe, which Heaven has destined for the seat of the human race, and consider whether a world thus exquisitely framed, could he meant for the abode of misery ami pain. For what end has the lavish hand of I'kovideitce dinlised such innumerable objects of delight, but that all might rejoice in the privilege of existence, and In 1 filled with gratitude for the blessings he has sent, is virtue and obedience; and to reject them merely as moans of pleasure is pitiable ignorance, or absurd perrerseness. Infinite goodness is the source of created existence; the proper tendency of every rational being, from the highest order of raptured seraphs, to the meanest rank of men, is to rise incessantly from lower degrees of happiness to higher. They have, each, faculties assigned them for various orders of delight." ¦What!" cried I, "is this the language of Religion? J)iHtil)l(> strokes to those delicate fibres of which we are WnjMMed, and wear out the machine insensibly; not to 11(> inion the injury they do to the blood , and those irre- tfi 209 210 gular disturbed motions which they raise in the rife] functions. Whereas C her rfal ness bears the bbom friendly regard to the mind as to the body; it baiu>||,< all anxious care and discontent, sooths and compos^ t| 1( (ssions, and keeps the soul in a perpetual calm. To aim at a constant succession of* high and yjtjj isations of pleasure, is an idea of happiness Jiltogciinr imerical. Calm and temperate (enjoyment is the n;. >st that is allotted to man. Beyond this, we Btnuri in vain to raise our state; and, in fact, depress our ion by endeavoring to heighten them. Look around you on the world ; reflect on the dificr ent societies which have fallen under your observation; and think who among them enjoys life to most advantage; whether they who, encircled by gay companions, are constantly fatiguing themselves in quest of pleasure; or (em to whom pleasure conies unsought, in the coon active, virtuous, and manly life. Religion or philosophy call you not to renounce pie* re, but teaches you how to enjoy it. Instead of abridgi| we exhort you to pursue it with safety. We propw measures for securing its possession, and for prolonging its duration. Though she may appear to contract the bounds of enjoyment, you will, upon reflection, find, tliai in truth she enlarges them: what is delightful in Intniim enjoyment she readily allows, and not only allows, bin heightens, by that grateful relish which a good conscience gives to every pleasure ; and not only heighten, but adds, when correcting the excess of some p&ssMty she gives room for the growth of others. Amid the turbulence of riot and the fumes of intoxication, unknown are the pleasures of generous friendship, heart-felt love. and domestic society ; unknown the conscious satisfaction which accompany honorable pursuits, and the jusdj acquired esteem of those who surround us. It was the daily practice of that eminent physician Dr. Bu'rhaave, throughout his whole life, as soon M II 11 ' 1 arose in the morning, which was generally very ecirly. w retire for an hour to private prayer and meditation on I some part of the Scriptures. He often told his friend* I 211 when they asked him how it was possible for him to go through bo much fatigue, that it was tliis which gave him omit und vigor in the business of the day. 'Phis, therefore, lie recommended, as the best, rule he could give: jor nothing, he said, could tend more to the health of the body than the tranquility of the mind; and that he kntw nothing which could support himself or his fellowdvatures, amidst the various distresses of life, but a well grounded confidence in the Supreme Being, upon the principles of Christianity. we have all of us experienced the effects which any indisposition of the body, even though slight, produces on external prosperity. Vihit the gayest and most fortuliat 1 man on earth, only with sleepless nights, disorder any single organ of the senses, corrode but one of his smallest nerves, and you shall presently see all his gaiety vanish; and you shall hear him complain that he is a miserable creature, and express his envy of the peasant and the cottager. And can you believe that a disease in the soul is less fatal to enjoyment than a disease in the animal frame; or that a sound mind is not as essential as ;i sound body to the happiness of man? Let us rate sensual gratifications as high as we please, we shall be pade to feel that the seat of enjoyment is in the soui. Ah! what is life? with ills cncompassM round Amidst our hopes, fate strikes the sudden wound: To clay the statesman of new honor dreams, To-morrow death destroys his airy schemes; b mouldy treasure in thy chest confin'df Think all that treasure thou must, leave behind! Thy heir with smiles shall view the blazonM hearse, And all thy hoards with lavish hand disperse. Should certain fate th' impending blow delay, Thy mirth will sicken, and thy bloom decay; Then feeble ajro will all thy nerves disarm, No more thy hlooj its narrow channels warm — Gay. i Let the affections of a man be once softened and dulcified with Divine love, and he is ever secure from the s "(Men apoplexies of the passionate, the poisonous cups 212 of the drunkard — the murdering pistol of the duelistthe assassinating dagger of tin* jealous — the loathsom diseases of llie harlot — and the wasting hectics of tin Though it is an ill man's interest there should be no God, because then there should be no punishment ti r sin, and though lliis interest passes into argument, yet i is never so conclusive as to pass into an entire satisfao lion; for we cannot believe any person that has tin- n>, of his rational faculties, and gives himself the liberty cf thinking, can deny the existence of a J)eilv, both as to creation and providence. Then, if every man befien there is a God, hot to live in obedience to his precepts i to enhance one's guilt, and bring conscience as a witnea to convict the offender of wilful transgressions. As lor professed atheists, or such as have pretended to be >o, and durst presume to affront (heir deities, let Others red the blackness of their sin in the exemplary punishment that attended it. B young gentleman of the city of Florence, in Italy, £ accounted brave and dexterous at single sword to duel another young man called Forchebene y were accompanied into the field by several of their laintance, where a friend saluted the former with good wishes, saying, '*! pray («od give you victor) your antagonist. 91 The insolent spark answered, "How can he fad to do otherwise?*' Forchebene, ot» hearing them, replied, ''These blasphemous words will render me the executioner of Divine vengeance" To it they went with equel fury, when the combat for bodw time, was very doubtful ; but at length Forchebene mwto such a home-thrust into his adversary's mouth, that In fixed his tongue to his neck, the sword appearing above six inches on the other side; of which he died immediately, and had his death in the part that offended. Oilman! degenerate man! offend no more; Goj learn of brute* thy maker io adore! Shall these through every tribe lii^s bounty own, Of nil his works ungrateful thou alone! 213 Mark how the wretch hit awful name blaspheme.*, [11l pily spares- — liis eleiuenev reclaims! Observe his patieneo with the guilty strive, Ami Iml the criminal repent and live; Recall the fugitive with gentle eje ( Beseech the obstinate he would not die! Amazing tenderness — amazing most The soul on whom such mercy should be lost! — Boyls. There are many wicked men who will spook unbosoming things of God, in a humor of bravado amidst l((»iii|tanv, but will tmnble before him in solitude, and hudder at the approach of death. Voltaire 1 , a man who, alter having long and 100 justly nil considered the patron of infidelity, and after having hown himself equally the enemy to every religious csiiMishrmmt, at length, to the astonishment of all serious iiimls. nnd at the close of a long life of nearly eighty ears, embraced the Christian religion. It" ;i veteran in the cause of infidelity thus close his ill' and his works.doc sit not greatly behoove those who la u> been deluded and misled by his writings, seriously o look to themselves, and bring home this striking cxmpfe to their hearts. Jt men so prodigal in scattering imprecations and urses upon all they are displeased at, would take li: . X) consider what they an 1 about before they disgorge Kin. they would certainly be ashamed of the folly of it'll a practice, because nobody is hurt by ii but themilvos; for curses, like arrows shot against heaven, fall pon the heads of those that throw them out, but can ever injure the persons or tilings levelled at Again, [hat can be more foolish than for men, in common disburse, to make imprecations upon themselves, to confirm ti ( ' truth of their assertions, which does not more than 'tea handle to their auditor's suspicion? for good men ill be believed without them, and scorn to use them; 1( 1 bad men can never gain credit, but disparage tlicml\cs, by so frequently venting them; because, by such tfer assentations, they seem to suspect their own rcpua 214 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. compliance with ft scandalous and vicious custom. i! i( men of sense, in oilier matters, upon very slight. ;u sometimes no occasion whatever, expose themselvet the wrath of Heaven, by calling upon (jlod to dam them, if what they say be false; when, at the same (im, they know there is no truth in it, and wish they ni;n> rish eternally, If they don't do what they never intui; when they speak it. Among all the nations, there are none so barton and cruel, none bo utterly lost to all the sentiments of 1} inanity and civility, but have embraced and continue; amongst them the notion of a Deity, or some being 9 titled to their adoration. This is a principle so decri engraven in the very nature of man, that no time, no: change, nor chance, hath ever been able to obliterate]: so that, rather than have nothing to worship, men baj often been contented to adore as gods, even the work of their own hands. And. indeed, herein their jfll ranee and folly is chiefly to be lamented, that they Ml still made choice of any thing, rather than the trueCM to pay their homage and veneration. In the mean tin they shame some of us, in having been more geatOQil their superstition, than we are in the true religion. The Athenians consulted the oracle of Apollo, imanding what rites they should make use of in nuMMJ of their religion. The answer was, tk The rites oftM ancestors.' 1 Returning (hither again, they said. "Tli 1 manner of their forefathers had been often changed, they, therefore inquired] ""What custom they should rod choice of in so great a variety?" Apollo replied."'^ The great Lord Burleigh used to say, "I will Wj trust any man not of sound religion: for he that isp* to (ioil can neter he tnte to wan." From the very respectful mention which I have 1 frequently made of religion, some of my readerei*] be charitable enough to conclude that I am religious' a high degree. Would to God 1 were. From my«jj I wish that my devotedness to religion had all jo v ' been equal to the exalted opinion which 1 entertain*' 215 IJJut, though like most of the human race, I have too Ih'i neglected my duty in this resj)eet, yet can 1 say, <[oiv my God, that. l look upon religion as the only nir "lory and happiness of man; and though worlds |ere thrown into toe opposite scale, yet would not I rcpquilh the joys imperfect as they are, which L derive mil it. And from this circumstance I have often been >d to think, that if 1 derive so much comfort from the till 1 religion which 1 possess, how truly enviahle, how tipurlatively happy must they be, whose whole lives are noted to her service, and whose hearts are perpetually jjjoying those sublime pleasures which her unclouded bile can impart. Arise, my soul, on wings seraphic rise, And praise th' Almighty Sor'reign of the skies; 111 him alone essential glory shines, Which not the heaven of hcav'ns, nor boundless space confines* While this immortal spark of heavenly ilamo Distends my breast, and animates my frame; To thee my urJcnl. praises shall be home (>n the first bree/.c that wakes the blushing morn: The latest star shall hear the pleasing .sound, And nature in full choir shall join around, When lull of thee my soul excursive ilies Throughair, earth, ocean, or ihy rot" this nature, to give a lull and accurate deseff t* each particular disease as it occurs; and.wlutf f the symptoms of one disease have a near res* 9 to those oi" another, to take notice of that circa* ?, and at the same time to point out the peculiar ' 217 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. chartcterfctk symptoms by which it may be distinguish,,,l, |Jv i due attention to these, the investigation of disenei will be found to be a k 4 ss difficult matter than most people would at first be ready to imagine, sist. both in the investigation and treatment of diseases. In childhood the fibres are lav and soft, the nerves extremely irritable, and the fluids thin; whereas in old igethfl fibres are rigid, the nerves become almost insensible, and many of the vessels imperviabto. These and other peculiarities render the diseases of the young and Iged very ditlercnt. and of course they must require a different method of treatment Females are liable to many diseases which do not afflict the other sex: Besides, the nervous system being more irritable in them than in men. their diseases require to h(> treated with greater caution. They are less able to hear large evacuations; and all Stimulating medicines oiiiihtto l>e administered to them with a sparing hand. Particular constitutions not only dispose persons to peculiar diseases, but likewise render it necessary to treat these diseases in a peculiar manner. A delicate person, for example, with weak nerves, who lives mostly within doors, must not be treated, under any disease, precisely in die same manner as one who is hardy and robust, and who is much exposed to the open air. The temper of mind ought to be carefully attended to in diseases. Fear, anxiety, and a fretful temper, both occasion and aggravate diseases: In vain do we apply medicines to the body to remove maladies which proceed from the mind. When it is affected, the best medicine is to sooth the passions, to divert the mind from anxious thought, and to keep the patient as easy and cheerful as possible. Attention ought likewise to be paid to the climate, or place where the patient lives, the air he breathes, his diet, &cj such as live in low marshy situations are subject to many diseases which are unknown to the inhabit- V 6 ants of high countries. Those who breathe the mm air of large cities, have many maladies to which fe more happy rustics are entire strangers. Persons wlir feed grossly, and indulge in strong liquors, are litblei diseases which do not affect the temperate and abstcinn,. ous, &c. It hai already been observed that the different ocean* tions and situations in life dispose men to peculiar (In. eases. It is therefore necessary to inquire into (hep* tients occupation, manner of life, ase be constitutional or accidental ; whether it has Ihyii )f long or short duration; whether it proceeds from am Teat and sudden alteration in the diet, manner ot'lilo. &,c. — The state of the patient's body, and of the other v;;euations, ought also to be enquired into, and likeww whether he can with ease perform all the vital and animal unctions, as breathing, digestion. &C t Lastly it will be proper to enquire what diseases tin lient has formerly been liable to, and wiiat medicimi re most beneficial to him; if he has a strong a version any particular drug, &c. As many of the indications of cure may be intwcfd by diet alone, it is always the first thing to be attended to in the treatment of diseases. — Those who know no better, imagine that every thing which goes by the iMflMfl a medicine possesses some wonderful power or secret charm, and think, if the patient swallows enough ot drugs, that he must do well. This mistake has many ill consequences — it makes people trust to drugs, and Dfr gleet their own endeavours; besides it discourages all attempts to relieve the sick, when medicine cannot M obtained. Medicines are no doubt useful in their place, and,^' 1011 administered with prudence, they may do much good: 218 j.at wlion ihajraw put in the place of every thing else, or idnunistered at random, which is not seldom the case, ii.rv musl do mischief We would therefore call the attention of mankind from the pursuit of secret medicines, to soch things as they are acquainted with. The proper regulation of theseyuay often do much good; and there is little danger of their ever doing harm. Kverv disease weakens the digestive powers, the diet Lgh< therefore, in nil diseases to be tight and of easy IjgQstioßi It, would be as prudent for a person with a broken leg to attempt to walk, as for one in a fever to r;u lac same kind or food, and in the same quantity, as when ho was in perfect health. Even abstinence alone jrill often cure a fever, especially when it has heeu occasioned by excess in eating or drinking. In all levers attended win inflammation, as pleurises, xripneuinonics, &c, their gruels, wheys, water infusions >f mucilaginous plants, roots, &c, are not only proper or the patient's food, hut they are likewise the best melicines which can be administered. In fevers of a slow, nervous, or putrid kind where i iciv are no symptoms of inllammation, and where the iifient must be supported with cordials, that intention an always he more effectually answered by nourishing liet and generous wines, than by any medicines yet [now 11. Nor is a proper attention to diet of less importance in llironic than in acute diseases. Persons afflicted with dw spirits, wind, weak nerves, and other hypochondriall affections, generally find more benefit from the use I solid food and generous liquors, than from .all the prdkJ and carminative medicines which can be adminnred to them. Hie scurvy, that most obstinate malady, will sooner rieltl to a proper vegetable diet, than to all the boasted iini-scorbatic remedies of the shop. In consumptions, when the humours are vitiated, and h 1 stomach so much weakened as to be unable to digest p solid fibres of animals, or even to assimulate the Pees of vegetables, a diet consisting chiefly of milk 219 will not only support the patient, but will often euro ih,. disease after every other medicine lias failed. Nor is an attention to other things of less importance than to diet The strange infatuation which Ims lea induced people to shut up the sick from all communiii. tion with the external air. has done great lnischitt'. V only in fevers, hut in many other diseases, the pntiu, will receive more benefit from having the fresh ;iir prudently admitted into his chamber, than from all lluim. ¦cines which can he riven him. Kxercise inav likewise, in many cases, be consider^ as a medicine. Sailing, or riding on horseback, fore* ample, will be of more service in the cure of consume tions, glandular obstructions, &.c, than any medicii yet known. In disease which proceed from a refold state of the solids, the cold bath, and other parts of ili» gymnastic regimen, will In* found equally beneficial. Few things are of greater importance, in the cored diseases, than cleanliness. When a patient is suffered ft lie in dirty clothes, whatever perspires from his bodyi again resorbed, or taken up into it. which serves ft nourish the disease, and increase 4 the danger. IM.inv diseases may be cured by cleanliness alone; most of tliiin may be mitigated by it, and in all of them it is highly necessary both for the patient and those who attend Jiim. Many other observations, were it necessary, might be adduced to prove the importance of a proper regimen a diseases. Regimen will often cure diseases without m* dicine, but medicine will seldom succeed when a prop* regimen is neglected. For this reason, in the trcniimiii of diseases, we have always given the first place to repmen. Those who are ignorant of medicine mayconfint themselves to it only. For others, who have more knowledge, we have recommended some of the most simple, but approved forms of medicine in every disease. The* however, are never to be administered but by peopled better understanding; nor even by them without tin 220 FEVERS IN GENERAL. ¦Two very opposite states of the human body are sup¦srd t(» <;ive rise to fevers, and to form li; ir iiTca; ;uii the part, the patient dies sometimes by the vio- B l^ oi the fever, and sometimes merely because an or¦N^spiuin! to lire is destroyed. Cold is found, by universal experience, to give i 4, position to inflammatory disorders, and heat to thostvaj. led putrid. During the winter, and early in thesprk pleurisies, pcripneumonics, ijuinsies, rheumatisms. nj inflammatory fever prevail. Towards the end of sum. iner, and particularly in autumn, fevers of a different ture, with dysenteries, and putrid ulcerous sore ilir,^, make their appearance. Although il is true, in general, that cold occasions a disposition to disease of an inflammatory nature, and heat to those supposed putrescent, yet, persons who tab violent exercise in sultry weather, or who aeeidomaliv fall asleep on the ground, exposed to the beams of h mid-day sun. are sometimes seized with fevers ofahiA ly inflammatory and dangerous quality; the inflammuigi directly affecting the brain itself or its membranes, The time, in which intermittent^ and remittents are most prevalent, is the end of summer and beginnings' autumn, when heat and moisture combine to Easterns) corruption of animal and vegetable substances, and til] the atmosphere with miasmata. These consideration* reduce it next to a certainty, that nothing essential connected with a marshy s soil produces lever, andweca suppose nothing with so much probability, as the ellluvia of stagnant water and corrupting animal and vegetable substances. (d if a certain stoppage of perspiration, from thf )f autumn, after the body is relaxed by the beatd ier, be sufficient of itself to produce fever in ikj veil ventillated countries, where there is n<> reasfl, nk that marsh miasmata prevail, we cannot beset 1 1 to find them far more universal and more ob*> in low and marshy soils, where the first cause cot vith the second. A still more active source of fevers is the effluvia fw* the living human body, which, when long coniined. I* comes in the highest degree acrimonious, and give ril 10 diseases the most dangerous and malignant AM' 11 ' 1 ' ever numbers of people are crowded together, ihetf must soon be deprived of its vital ingredient, by i<| l(aI ' 222 1 respiration : hence, this infectious matter will be form- J but with most rapidity in jails, in hospitals, in the Lids of ships, and in dirty dwellings, where its virulent Ldewcy i s hastened by nastiness, by unwholesome food, Erdespotiding thoughts, or by the effluvia coming from hhlks ill a diseased state. It communicates its infection i»i only to those who approach the places in which it is «liiam of the bead and back, and a m^ tion resembling a stricture across the stomach, freaotg ly distress the patient; and the sense of coldness i> „ great, that no endeavors to obtain warmth of the lea avail. These symptoms, subsiding by degrees, given finally to warm Bushings, which increase, until redm and heat, much greater than natural, are extended mi the whole body, the patient at length burning with nd extreme heat, as to be now as solicitous for the refiruk in' Treatment. — In the cure of an ague, whether m dian. tertian, or quartan, much the same plan B*JJ followed: which is, as far as possible, to prevent tM 225 me from being habitual; for the longer it continues, the more it weakens the constitution, and disposes the glandular viscera, us the liver, spleen, &c, to obstructions, md often prepares the habit of dropsies and other chronic diseases. So that although this disease be not very alarming in Us appearance, yet. if injudiciously treated, or neglected, it often draws after it the most serious consequences; and hence merits particular attention. Tile cure of the disease, therefore, calls for an emetic, or a dose of calomel and jalap, or salts, senna and manna, to free the bowels of their offending contents; and if the patient be of a lull habit, with headache.and flushed countenance, the pulse hard and quick, showing an inflammatory disposition, blood-letting will be highly necessary. Having prepared thesystem for strengthening or tonic medicines, the sulphate of Quinine, is at this time one oftbemost popular, and may be given in the intermission, if however there should be swelling or hardness of the viscera it must be relieved by gentle laxatives or diaphoretics us the cathartic and Saline mixture. In (lie mean time, strict attention must be paid to the habit of body: for in vain shall we expect to cure intermittents, if the bowels be not kept open and the skin moist. When, therefore, the Peruvian bark produces costiveness, live or six grains of rhubarb, or some mild purgative, should be added to each dose; and incase of cold phlegmatic habits, with a dry skin, the addition often or fifteen grains of Virginia snake-root is peculiarly proper. In some constitutions the bark produces severe and copious purging. This debilitating effect may be prevented by adding five or six drops of laudanum to each learn, that the black oak bark of America pW* 226 227 ;t s die same virtues as the Penman, as has been verii.d l»v repeated experiments, not only in llie cure of in(Tinitients, but other diseases hitherto treated with the Vruviau bark alone. It may be taken in the same manltl - or rather larger (loses. Tn substance it is most ef;(.;icious, .;icious, ( and if well pulverised it will be found more ial;ital)ie than the Peruvian bark, and not so apt to excite Another mode in which this remedy may be employed o irirat "advantage, from its abundance in our country, s Itv bathing twice or thrice a day in ;i strong decoction if it; which to children, and patients whose stomachs rill not retain medicine, will prove exceedingly benefiial. When the black oak is not convenient, the red oak lark, though t less efficacious, should be substituted, as have often witnessed the happiest effects accruing to ebilitated persons bathing in a strong decoction of it, boat luke-warm, particularly in the last stage of fevers, [eoce this remedy well deserves the attention of the Professor Barton assures us that he has employed the Kirk of the Spanish oak in gangrene, with the happiest fleet, and that he considered it. in powder, equal to the erf Penman bark. (See Oak. Matvria Medica.) The common dog-wood bark, of our country, is also n excellent substitute for Peruvian, particularly in the we of intermittents; so is the bark of the wild cherryw. and of the lyriadendron tulipifera, or American onlnr. all of which may be given in the same forms and om s, as the Peruvian bark. (See Materia Medica.) The Colombo root, an admirable corrector of bile, is most useful medicine in this complaint, and will often o retained by the stomach, when tile bark in every form las been rejected. It is, likewise, an excellent remedy, mcd with steel, as in the form of the tonic powders or ills, (see Dispensatory,) for patients disposed to be opgical, or who have a swelling and hardness of the wen, called agile cake; especially if «a purge or two a-'e been previously employed, and sonar mercurial action excited in the system, by one or two grains of cak inel, taken every night and morning tor a lew weeks. Another valuable medicine in the cure of agues, and which has frequently succeeded when the hark fail,,; is white vitriol. But, like other tonic medicines, h r ,, quires that the stomach and bowels should be freed 4 their morbid contents, before any good effects can rtsj from its use. Therefore, some evacuating medicine i always necessary; after which, one of the vitriolic pifc (see J)isj ensutonj ,) may be given every three or tim; hours during the intermission of fever, gradually repot ing the dose, or increasing it, as the system beeoinesli,,. bituated to its action. Charcoal powder, in doses from a tea to a table gpoo* fill given three or four times during the intermission, has often interrupted the expected paroxysm, and cat slmr; the disease. A scruple of the spider's web, it has been said, m many instances hath proved successful, given an hourln fore the tit of an ague and an hour after it. Stimulants administered betbre the tit, by inducing! salutary change in the system, have frequently overcoat the disease. It is in this way that emetics are consulted useful in the coming on of the tit; so is active cw cisc, and other stimulants. Cataplasms of mustard mi and garlic, or horse radish, applied to the wrists and ankles an hour or two previously to the expected lit. will excite a degree of inflammation so great as in • crease the heat as well as the circulation, and have olim succeeded. I have frequently, in obstinate inftermittentStpreveN the recurrence of the tit, by giving a large; dose ol laudanum or ether about an hour before the expected [HW» ysm. But when an inflammatory disposition prevail* in the system, this remedy should not be resorted to. I it may convert the intermittent into a continued lever. An emetic given previously to the return, while ¦ perspiration is supported by the volatile alkali or Dover? powder, (#OO Dispensatory.) in its usual doses, witli warm drinks, has also succeeded in obstinate cases. 1' 228 Luld be observed, however, that when we attempt to X vont the paroxysm of an intermittent by sweating, 1,, niiule of relief must he continued till the period of »,'¦ paroxysm is at an end: or at least till the time when Jl sweating stage would have otherwise commenced. ¦ Those means which excite terror, surprise, and horror l»v producing" «i train of new emotions will prevent d), iviiimof paroxysms. A man has been pushed into Ac water; lire has been cried; the most distressing tid»«s invented and communicated. All these remedies |]| ilic mind with such dread as to counteract the impres¦ gun of the cause; but in general they are dangerous, ilikl whon we wish tt) prevent the lit, we depend rather Hi ionics, the stimulants, and the sudorilies. $ Dr. Kellie, an ingenious surgeon of the British navy, Haus. that many instances have occurred of the good Iwlcis of compression by tourniquets or bandages appli\m so as to obstruct the circulation in two of the cxtreiitits. The plan pursued by him was to apply the inl-iriiiiH'iit on one thigh, and on one arm, of opposite ¦do. ;it (he same time. In two minutes after the appli- Hiiouof the tourniquets the shaking and other symptoms Wjf flu 1 cold stage entirely ceases, a mild hot stage was ipiiiKtliatclv induced, and the patient lbund himself quite Hblicvotl. After suffering the instruments to remain on Hr about lifteen minutes, they were removed, and the ¦kid symptoms did not return. He farther states, that, if tlu 1 tourniquets be applied previously to the accession N tin 1 paroxysm, the cold stage will be entirely prevent¦kl: and that, where the cold stage of an ague is either Bus shortened, or altogether prevented, the following Hot stage will be rendered both milder and of shorter I s a gues are liable to recur, one excellent means of Brcviiition. as well as cure, is to wear flannel next to the Hin. and to exchange the situation where the disease Was contracted, for another, even though not of a health- Br air. This alone has often effected a cure. Jn like ¦minor, a change of medicines is as necessary as a Hiange of air, that the body may not become habituated 229 230 I any one mode of treatment. Therefore it ought | remembered, that neither bark nor any other to^ dicine, should be continued longer than a Ibrtnighti hue; but should be changed for another article whoi tucs are nearly the same. After a week or two, | mcr may be resumed, in ease ihe disease should pun itinate; and, to bring about the necessary changes i constitution, larger doses should he given. RjEGiMßir. — As to regimen in the cold lit, very \\%t more is necessary than warm camomile tea. In the hi fit, the drink may he barley water, mint or balm tea. lemonade, toast and water, or cold spring water, laktr. often, but in small quantities at a time. When the swot ing begins, the drinks just enumerated may be entiveid with wine, and if the patient be able; to take it, he mtyk allowed a little nourishment. During the intennis>K the diet should be as nutritious as the patient's apfMM and digestion will allow. Every thing that tends tokei up a gentle perspiration, and to give tone to the veafl is useful; hence moderate exercise is singularly props, since nothing is more conducive to these beneficial 4 leets. The exercise should be of that kind to which Al patient has not been most accustomed ; and taken inth open air, unless wet weather, Of a damp situation forbid Hut the utmost care should be taken, that exercise besl pushed to fatigue, which, by induceing debility, cam thousands, particularly foreigners, to ultiinely gruves. REMITTENT, OR BILIOUS FEVER Symptoms. — In this fever there is a remission onibaifment of its violence, but not a total cessation. Likootliflevers, it commences with a sense of coldness and slicing, accompanied by violent pains in the head and M great dejection of spirits, sickness at the stomach, g*P ness, loss of strength, and difficulty of breathing. ! ' cold stage is succeeded by a considerable degree oi li* the pulse, which in the cold fit was small and thick. If 231 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAr. lonics full, but abates not of its quickness. The pain of ¦Lliead-ind back increases, and the nausea is augment- E frequently terminating in copious vomitings of bile, Kjeaesymptonw continuing, the skin, which had hitherto Km-u hoi au'l dry, becomes moist. Soon alter this, the ¦y;;i|>t<>ms abate, and sometimes cease entirely. The jjnticnt Haters liimself with the hopes of health speedily Kturnin!;: but, alas! these pleasing illusions, are soon ijs>in;itt(l by another attack, which conies on with inj*vaiis. profuse clammy sweats, and convulsions which Bon terminate in death. [|(\i'sr.s. — Remittents are produced from the same Buses which induce intermittent, but acting hen! in «i Bore powerful manner. Lake these, they are most pre- Bhn in the months of August, September, and Octo- Br. when heat and moisture combine to hasten the cor- B]>tu)i> jf animal and vegetable substances, by impreg- Blm"B lm " 11l( ' an * vv ' tn nox ' ous exhalations. I ¦TrbaTMBNT. — In the cure of this fever, all our efforts B ot| 'd l)l )l ' uiade to bring the remission to a complete itt- Wrinissioit: and this is to be effected by bleeding, cathar- B s< emetics, and diluents, with such medicines as have B Pudency to solicit the circulation of the fluids to the Blt;u>(B lt;u>( - At the commencement of the disease, where Blo^^^B 10^^^ much pain in the head, with a hard and quick B' SI> < Weeding will be necessary, and may be repeated ¦ the symptoms do not yield to the iirst Operation. Isut B(va(lB (va(ll < l te the first passages of their impure contents is B vavs necessary; Mid this is best done with calomel B ( '.i ;i l:l :i (N° r salts, senna, and manna, and when circum- B" 1(1(ls do not prohibit the use of emetics, they, also, By be employed. The extent to which these means are B '' ' carried, can only be indicated by the symptoms B^ 0111 *"" 10 habit of body, and other considerations. It ff in .many cases, be proper to exhibit an emetic at the ¦*' attack, but this may sometimes be forbidden, by 232 TIIK FAMILY PHYSICIAN. peal irritability of the stomach* or the appearance nf !fr flammation. For frequently in diseases ofthe Btmeoi gin, and in persona very nearly similiar, with respect age, sex. and temperament, one will frequently ben companied with an inflammatory diathesis, whilst anodJ will be more of the low, irritable species; and, cogJ ouently, the treatment must be varied, in proportion! the nature and violence ofthe disease. For amottU vers, we see all the intermediate degrees and varietal from common agues to those of the most violent ani!jr,l lections kinds. I If the patients be of a strong plethoric constitute I with a hard and quick pulse, a deep-seated pain in iJ eyes, a burning heat nt the stomach, and Hushed coiuJ kenance, indicative of strong inflammatory disposal bleeding is absolutely necessary, and should beiv|)iw\l every ten or twelve hours, or oftener, until the ml] I matory symptoms subside. I The necessity of diligently evacuating the intestinal canal, must be obvious to every person* Ami it is ikl always by one or two brisk cathartics that this cmiii|i!;uijl is to be cured; hut the operation must be coiitinucd v.l til the whole of the bilious matter is evacuated. vWM may be known by the tieees changing their color and putting on a natural appearance. When the irritaiiiii'l matter is thoroughly evacuated, mild laxatives, v 1 cathartic mixture, (see D/sfHnsatorj;,) Seidlitz \wm ders, or castor oil, answer very well in the course o!>-l disease to keep the body gently open, but whore :s« bowels are torpid or slow let the patient take, ten, iwckM or fifteen grains of rhubarb, with six, eight, or twclveH grains of calomel, as the case seems to require. I Besides the aforesaid evacuants, clysters ot \urfl soap-suds, or molasses and water, to which may lnaiiß ded a little vinegar, should be employed; asthe\ • ihvi&B only useful in removing from the larger intestiius ¦ oflending matter present, but also in producing tlu eilects oi fomentations. D Attention having been paid to the state of the 1"""^ which is always necessary because of the constant ilflj notion U> accumulate bile, such medicines ns tend to deirr.ii 1 the fluids to the surface* are next to be regarded. XK t ' tills class are the diaphoretic drops, saline mixture, ¦ imliMvnfs spirit, febrifuge and Dover's powder. (See j tensatory.) Either of these may be exhibited in ¦Lir usual doses, every two or three hours: but in des¦piiuMisses, one of the nios; powerful articles, may be j) lit (1. l>v dissolving one or iwo grains of tartar emetic, X, : ounce of wafer, and letting the patient take a tea Ki>o:iiiiH< every half or every hour in a liitle balm-tea Kwi'nn water — or two parts of the above mixture with Bnitart ofsweel spirits of nitre, may be given every half Btiii- initil a moisture is produced and the fever abates. I |Thewann bath admirably promotes insensible perspi- Bi [on. by relaxing the skin, and taking off the stricture ¦ liit- vessels; it, consequently, should always, when Heiicable, be used, and If a bathing vessel cannot be Hocuivd. the extremities should be immersed in warm Hit tat lea si. once a day. The temperature of the bath, ¦oiilil be regulated by the feelings of the patient, and ¦at which aileets these most agreeably, should be prel|TJierold allusion by throwing cold water over the pa- Hut or sponging the body with vinegar and water, has B' i atteoded with tlic best efiects in warm climates, ¦nic.ihrly if the application be made during the height I the paroxysm, when the head is generally afiected. llAftor tho inflammatory disposition has ceased, tonics Hi considerably hasten the cure; but if incautiously Hrd (luring the finer, as unfortunately is too often the H''« J *iey will render every symptom more violent, and H' almost Inevitably prolong' the disease. However, I patient suddeniy becomes giddy, feeble and lanm ¦ quinine, or bark and wine, must be had recourse m id given freely on the remission ; otherwise it will Hpnenue into a true nervous fever. But we must not Betake the debility which arises from oppression, rcquir- I evacuants, for an exhausted state of the system ; as, Hilmt state, the use of tonics would be but little better H butchery. 28 233 234 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Another medicine of grout importance in thighs ( is the Columbo root, which readily cheeks the vointtM so frequently an attendant, and supports the pat:, ; \ strength during the use of such medicines as arereo| site to abate ihe febrile heat, and to carry offthehife, After unloading the stomach and intestines, by twot three brisk purges, and diminishing the arterial actiosl bleeding, it' requisite, a wine glass full of the infusion j Oolumbo, or ten or fifteen grains of the powder mavl» given in a cup of mini tea, every two Ot three roq either conjointly or alternately, wilh some gentle open medicine, as rhubarb, magnesia, cream of tartar, or >a| N to remove the redundant bile by keeping the bowebopei Salts, though a nauseous medicine, may be rendenj much less so by adding a little sugar, acidulated fjj lemon juice or sharp vinegar, as in the form of the d tharlic mixture; and this is an excellent aperient, 10 k exhibited in small doses after the vitiated bile hasßeej removed by calomel. A solulion of salts in Seltzer water, is a form still more agreeable. During this general treatment, particular Bymptoi will require attention. The headache, lor example, wind so frequently accompanies this fever, is to be treated!] applying to the heatl, cioths wrung out of cold \vaM>: vinegar and water often repeated) until the malady is I* moved ; besides which, a blister should be applied Intween the shoulders. As to the vomiting, that depending on thepecoiilft ties of habit, is io be variously treated. InsomelbM found the saline mixture, soda powders, or iiifiisioni Columbo, answer very well; in others, a spoonful or t» of new milk, or equal parts of milk and Ihne-wasj given every hour, have had the happiest effects. A spoi ful of sweet oil and molasses has proved ben^M when vomiting is accompanied with a burning sensat at the pit of the stomach. To others, porter nasaflMWl immediate relief. Never was there a more wekoiw wonderful illustration of this, than in the case ot BW Carroll, consort of Damml Carroll, Esq.. ot Dwl i ng ton. says Ewell :- llliwns my good fortiino to attend tliis very amiable A]\ under a most violent attack of the bilious lover, [Jjj incessant .vomiting, All the usual remedies weYe K-.i.im .1. without any good effect, which excited oon- H'raMe alarm. She being in a st;ite of pregnancy , and El Electing tl 1:1 1 nature sometimes furnished a cure be- Kul i\w rules of our art, I asked her if there were any Keif of drink to which her appetite particularly led X- «\os, sir,' replied she; *l have been craving to Knk some good London porter for two days past, but Koiild not mention it, being under the impression you Hui,! forbid my taking it. 1 Learning that Dr. Thorn- X had some of that description, I immediately obtained Hiw bottles, and giving her a glass, of it, diluted with a He water, it acted like a charm, and, in a few weeks, 1 Hi the very great satisfaction of seeing my fair patient Hm-ily restored lo health." Hriicwann bath, or local applications, such as flannels ¦fin!': oik of a warm decoction of camomile (lowers, or ¦Hi; leaves stewed in spirits, or equal parts of sweet oil Hi laudanum rubbed on the stomach, have done much Hxhaml when these fail, a large blister, or a cataplasm Hiaustard seed, ought instantly to be applied over the Hum of this organ. When the stomach s in a very HtaMc stale, the patient may frequently moisten his Hah and throat with cold water, but should drink as Ho as possible of any liquid. H\ak( i fulness, or inability to sleep, will often yield to ¦ warm bath and blisters; and when they fail, a glass Huo of porter, or the camphorated julep may be given; ¦Hi also failing, a dose oi laudanum is proper at bed- H. provided there exist no considerable inflammatory 1 1 'ho 'Kiin in the bowels is mostly relieved by the warm HrH 11 * ° r il moderate bleeding and emollient injections; ¦wnieh, occasionally, may be added twenty or thirty ¦}>* of laudanum. If these produce not the desired I and the fundament bo scalled from the evacua¦fc. give clysters of milk and lime-water, composed of ¦ B pint of each. These failing, inject every hour 235 with cold water, and apply cloths wrung out of it, i,, If delirium come on in the first stage of the discoa is to bo treated by bleeding, purging, and die agq preacribed above ibr violent headache; bat, should | occur at a later period, the pulse weak and irrenj . with a great propensity to sleep, besides making cold* plications to the head, the hody should he treqoeaj sponged with cold vinegar and water, or equal pas( vinegar and spirits. And, should not the recollection! a few hours become more improved, and the pulse M or and more uniform from this mode of treatment, j will he proper to apply a blister to the head, and m pisms or blisters to the extremities) besides which, v, or some cordial must he allowed; and if there be act! sweat, or coldness of the extremities, flannel wrung* of hot spirits, or spirits of camphor, ought to be applied often around ihe arms, legs, and thighs. On the decline of this lever, patients are Bometnn troubled with night sweats, to relieve which, gentle em cisc in fresh air, and the tonic powder or pills, (see Dk pensatori/,) or bark and elixir vitriol will be proper. The unusual fatality of this fever in Washington,! well as in many sections of our country, during then mer and fall IS'.VA, was sufficient to Create alarm, aw! « induce the benevolent to solicit, through the medkm( public prints, information, relative to the most succeed! mode of treatment. Although the practice I pursued last autumn, did bI materially differ from that above recomniended. yetU persuaded a brief sketch of the improvement, MM panied with a few remarks, will be gratifying ft) moii my readers, particularly as I can state, an iucontrowr; Me fact, not a patient who was governed by iny})iwn? tions died during the sickly season; nor was theiv:n;tf of the disease degenerating into the nervous, v lion can; application was made. This extraordinary success*] the more remarkable, as the number of my patien&H very considerable; in so much, that it was impractifl ble to visit all of them daily, and many were atteas^ 236 237 principally by my students. Some oi the indigent sick would doubtless have followed the fate of many of the paupers who died, had I not been sensible that exhibiting medicines, without paying due intention to regimen would not have the desired effect ; and knowing this fact, I jMi it my cluty to those tor whom I prescribed, to have them supplied with nourishment suitable to the case. [n many instances, the lancet was resorted to; and wiili some patients of robust constitutions, and inflammatory dispositions, it was usvd freely i:i the early stage of the disease, Aperient medicines being of the greatest importance, were frequently administered, and 1 lound their salutary effects evidently increased by conjoining such as determined to the surface. Twenty grains or calomel, united with a grain of tartar emetic, or six or eight grains ot ipecacuanha, were administered loan adult in the morning, and followed in a few hours by an ounce of Epsom salts, or an infusion of sails, senna and manna, in broken do 88. When a preference was given to medicine in the form of pills, 3 directed two of the aperient and diaretic pills {see Dispensatory^) to be given every two hours, or two of them to be. taken at bed time, and the dose repeated every hour in the morning, until several copious evacuations were produced. With infants,calomel and ipecacuanha in large doses repeated occassionaliv, were often found sufficient It should be observed, with respect to aperient medicines, that though active in their operation, they do not weaken the patient, as generally supposed; for they take away the cause of at least apparent weakness; and we bare often found patients in fevers taking bark and stimulus to support them under this apparent debility, who, after the operation of some laxative medicine, required neither. In the employment of this remedy, however, Hia necessary to attend to the discharges. The nurses will often report frequent evacuations, and if examined, hese may be found mucous and insufficient, or a watery fluid scarcely colored. It is necessary that the stools s iioukl be truly feculent, and be continued while the digcharges 238 are dark and offensive. We ought, therefore. not to be governed by the number of evacuations; bm l>y the effects and the. patient's feelings. If he be relieved after each stool, and the pulse become softer, the hand more moist, and the head less loaded, he need not be apprehensive, however violent the discharge. On thecon. trary, if the pulse become smaller and more frequent, the face sink, and faintness come on, however little the discharge, it lias been too much. In some cases, emetics were employed with very good effects. They greatly contributed to relieve congestiog in the liver, and were also useftti in determining to the skin as well as carrying off the bile. When purgatives were not requisite, the febrifuge mixture, diaphoretic drops, or antimonial powders were administered in their usual doses, every two hours, with the view of promoting a gentle diaphoresis, and to assist their effects, the patient being directed to take frequenl small drinks of some tepid diluting liquor. Medicine! of this class, by exciting perspiration, will be found to produce most beneficial effects, in those cases where the vital energy is not diminished; but when considerable debility is present, they frequently fail of having the desired effect, and act on the bowels, producing a danger* ous diarrhoea. When the fever manifested a disposition to yield, the infusion ofColumbo or camomile was given, particularly after the immediate operation of laxatives; which had the. effect of correcting the bile, restoring tin 1 tone of the stomach, and supporting the patient's Btrength, And so soon as there was an intermission of fever, of symptoms of the disease assuming the typhod state, the bark, conjoined with Virginia, snake-roof, was given in such doses as the stomach would retain, and nourishing diet, speedily arrested the, disease, which together with the liberal use of porter and wine. In some instances the nitric acid, diluted, (sOC DUpensatoryj) was employed as a tonic with eonsidernn'* 1 advantage, particularly in delicate habits: or when there were symptoms indicating flic liver to be diseased. With others, again, the solution of arsenic in the usual dose* was administered with the most happy effects. 239 THE FAMILY PIIYSH lAX. The warm bath, in every instance in which it was employed, produced beneficial effects; and when this luxury could not l)o procured, sponging" (he body and extremities with vinegar and water, or equal parts of vinegar and spirits, aflbrded much relief A few cases occurred of patients of robust constitutions, who not only neglected the proper remedies at the commencement, but aggravated the disease by taking stimulating drinksor active exercise., were at length attacked witli great prostration of strength, accompanied with cold clammy sweats, coldness of the extremities ami impeded pulse. These symptoms indicated that considerable congestion had taken place, which would admit of no delay. 1 directed the warm bath, and when lisis could not bo immediately obtained, friction and flannels, wrung out of hot spirits, into which red pepper and mustard seed had been infiisedj were applied to the extremities, and renewed as often ad they became the least cold. As soon as the natural warmth was restored, blood-letting with calomel and aperient medicines was • irtedto; and also blisters over the region of the liver wid extremities, — It will frequently occur, in such cases, thai the action of the heart is so overpowered in the first instance, that the blood merely trickles, or rather oozes, t'roiM tlio punctured vessel for a considerable time, being much darker and thicker than natural. Yet, when a few punces have been drawn, it usually flows With freedom, jiiiid becomes, finally, of a brighter color. The deficiency or irregularity of heat on the surface is among the first symptoms that indicate congestive disease; and if the skin can be restored every where to its natural warmth, a euro may be expected. It is evident the warm bath, frictions of the skin, blood-lettirg, calo:ii and over a brazier of hot coals, until a free perspiration took place. Some patients, in the course of the disease, were it flirted with acid eructations and heart 'burn, but weit relieved by magnesia, the absorbent mixture, or mucil of gum Arabic. These medicines were also useful v giving check to watery evacuations, which sometime) occurred on the exhibition of diaphoretic medicines; others, again, on the decline of fever, were troubled with pain, arising from flatulency, which required occasion. ally a little mint water, ginger tea, tincture of r.safutiila, or spirits of lavender. This symptom, however, seldom came on When proper attention was paid to the discharn of the bowels. In a few cases, ilie hiccough became exectroublesome, but was relieved by taking in turns Jit" gprm of damsons, a lump of loaf sugar moistened With Brandy, tincture ofasafbetiaa, or the camphorated mixture. When these failed, a cataplasm of mustard i^vcd and vinegar applied over the region of the stomach general;} succeeded. Strangury was another spasmodic affection that required particular attention. Although the occurrence of this symptom was frequently the ollectof blister?, (m Suppression of Urine,) yet, in some cases, it evidently was produced from a spasmodic irritation of the neck of the bladder. And when arising from this cause, the camphorated powders, the warm bath, or injections of warm camomile tea or infusion of hops, with laudannm, proved to be the best remedies. Regimen. — With respect to regimen, the food and drink should be varied, and adapted to the taste of the patient. Nature, perhaps, generally takes care that no error should he committed in .'hat way, during the continuance of this disease. The patient is seldom perst* ded to swallow an\ tiling but liquids, during tho pnvn- 240 241 Lirof the fever: ! inattentive to health. The same admonition ap- w iK to their sleeping on deck during the night, and cold P 1 :i| ~ when over-lieated, or in a state of intoxication, V' i. by suddenly checking the copious perspiration, H I perspiration, or a soft skin, so far from medium <>f ir.l perature, by absorbing the excessive moisture ir. ¦. I body during the day. and by preventing the eilnisii.B cold damp air at night. I Cleanliness, both in our persons and :i}»nrtinen:>. >,l essential to health, as to form a leading consider;!!:.; -M all our views to that first of blessings. The negkd I this not only renders a man loathsome and Hi. 1 - I himself, but gives rise to many of our most iin I and fatal diseases. ¦ Among the various means used for tiie prevniiM V diseases, and for the preservation of health mil none, perhaps, is more beneficial in warm cliin;it(\!?B good wine, prudently used. It increases the cirlVr.«] men, who vend, at a low price, tart or half-spoiled «¦¦¦ and. to render, them saleable, adulterate them with 4B* most poisonous ingredients, so that they become tlii'iii-B* insidious toes to health. K^ The common red wines are most generally adu'^^P ted, and artificially colored, as manifested by a nd-iwj ment in the glass, as well as in the botde. Bill flit'W'^F pernicious of all adulterations of wine, is thai i»l '-^P of lead, or lead itself, which gives it a sweet taste: ;ll jß' then lor* 1 , it ought to be remembered, that even "'^J 1 a sweetish taste, accompanied with astringent tjiiniii'^P^ may justly be suspected to b(> adulterated with thai I! 'K, ions mineral. (See I'oison.) Wr' In lik<» manner, we must have regard to a prop! r B ' gulation of diet, which consists in preserving the !¦ ;i ! :^J. ( ' medium between long tasting on the one hand, aim uW|' ; 243 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Umlerato eating on the other. Vegeiablei arc pecutiar- H ;I(|,i|tic(l; l( |,i|tic(l «> warm climates, and, consequently, should Kihiiiiiif the chief part of our diet Bweel oil, when fKirc. i>. perfectly wholesome; Imu rancid oil, butter! tat, U mcai tin* least tainted, must be wholly rejected. I ITo those of weak habit and bad digestion, much Kni'iit will result from a glass of the infusion of I olnm|K or camomile, or cold water, every morning, on an I eaii .. \ Moniach. IBViicli are the general means of preserving health, and BcMiitinii; diseases in a southern (-Innate. The chief Run is to avoid the exciting causes, and keep the bowels |a|w;i\> moderately lax. I NERVOUS FEVER. 1 1 Tn I- lovers already described, and indeed, all diseases Ih mini with a considerable degree of morbid heat, af¦m in some measure the nervous system; but in this Hrunilar species, the nervous system is more imme- Hiiclv and more violently allceted, than in any other. Wiic/i a lever is once produced, from whatever cause, ¦klcloiu tails, bj long continuance, to occasion all the Hn itoins which appear in the nervous or maglignant Ki'i'. llTliis fever has been described by ditferent authors P* llc '' various names; the typhus or ncrrous fever, the Hpt fever, the jail tever, the hospital fever, the ship B»t. the [tetccliial fever, the putrid fever, and the B'/'if/w/// tever. ¦TliMirst appellation it receives from its attacking the B>in. and from the effects it produces on the nervous ¦'•'in. The second, from the slow and gradual manner ¦ it sometimes comes on. The third, fourth, and ¦li. from their being apt to arise in jails, hospitals, and ¦| ls . when numbers of men are crowded together, and ¦"n sufficient care is not taken to have such places P' !i ventilated and cleansed. The sixth, from certain m>t* which sometimes appear on the skin of the patients 244 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. laboring under this disease. The seventh, from I putrid state, or tendency supposed lo take plan }„ 1( fluids; and the last from the dangerous nature and i lignify of the fever; but they are all one and theg disease, variously modified^ according to the rioleoci the symptoms, and the different constitutions oftbti Symptoms. — The symptoms are commonly more ,, ous in this, th in in any other fever. It sometimes en on in such a slow, insidious manner, that the |WJ will have suffered the disease to make OOttfidenblei gress, before he thinks it necessary to use any ream On other occasions it conies on with a great degra rapidity, and with many of the symptoms comma all fevers. Tims, it commences with alternate sensations of and cold, a want of appetite, a nausea, and ocean vomiting. These are followed by some confusion the head, a sense of weakness, dejection of spirits, Mi of the hands, and frequent sighing, without knowing I cause. At this stage the pulse is irregular, sometiiw little quicker; at other times, about the natural stanc, In some, a dull and heavy pain, with a sense of oi ness, possesses the back part of the head; in others pain in the orbit of one eye. These symptoms gradually increasing, the puk conies smaller, and at the same time quicker, whiit arteries of the temples and neck beat with addition force. The patient is generally more restless tow^ night, the breathing is somewhat difficult, and vcrvli refreshment is obtained, from his short and distort slumbers. This gradual increase of symptoms, wiili peculiar, pale, sunk countenance attending fever. I give the alarm, even when other nervous disease ¦ which the earlier symptoms have been confound*! In the progress of the disease, the system is uiuV affected; for sometimes headache, restlessness, and u easiness, prevail in a high degree, while at the stunt jj he tongue is clean and moist; and at other tinie^vli: here is ' 1O headache, or restlessness, the tongue will ho dry and toul, and profuse sweats will break out Tiiis fe/er, moreover, is not only thus irregular, in affecting various parts of the body differently, but it is also irre.Tuhr in its exacerbations; and these, instead of faking place in the evening, will arise often in the morning. brain, sometimes the fever is very violent for the first three or four days; it then diminishes for a lime, and then perhaps increases again. After, or ahout the tenth ( |;iv. the weakness increa^s considerably; the whole perrons system becomes affected with tremors and twitch*inos; the urine is commonly pale; the finger* are in constant motion; the tongue becomes dry, of a dark color, and trembles when attempted to lie pill out ;and sometimes the gums and lips are covered with a dark viscid substance. To these succeed stupor.cold clammy sweats, with a letid smell, hiccough, and twitching of the tendons, together with an involuntary discharge of the excrements. In every malignant case, this fever tends fatally on or before the seventh day: but more frequently those who die. are carried oil' about the middle or towards the end of the second week. When the patient survives the twentieth day he usually recovers. When the fever terminaies favorably before, or at the tmd of the second week, the crisis is generally obvious; but when that happens at a later period, particularly if after the third week, the favorable turn is less evident; and sometimes several (lavs pass, during which the diseases goes olfso gradually, that the most experienced are in doubts whether it abates or not. At length, however, it becomes evident l>v a warm moisture on the skin, by the dark-colored gluey substance which adheres to the gums and lips, Browing less tenacious, and being more easily removed; by the stools regaining a natural color; by the urine being made in greater quantity, and depositing a sediment; by a return of appetite, and by the pulse becoming slower than it was at the commencement of the disease, Deafness ensuing, tumors appearing behind the Wit, a red rush, and an inliained scab buiow the nose, or 245 246 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. about the lips, are alto considered favorable. Thesyni, toms which point out ihe near approach of death, are | change of voice, a wild stare, a constant inclination to uncover the breast, purple or livid spots on the skin. la. borious respiration, profuse evacuations by sweating 01 purging, much watchfulness, sinking of the pulse, gnu incoherence of ideas, muttering, picking at the bedclothes, considerable dilatatioli of the pupil oftbeeycq involuntary discharges by urine and stool, starting oftli tendons, hiccoughs, and convulsions. If many of then , symptoms occur, little expectation of recovery can bee* tertained. Causes. — This fever is occajjoned by impure ;nr, putrid animal and vegetable effluvia, innutritions die, and by living on damaged provisions. We are. there I fore, not surprised to find it often originate in jails.ships. I and dirty dwellings, where numbers are crowded logett I er, and where it is impossible to have sufficient vintilatioi I Though human contagion, and the effluvia arising fros I putrid animal and vegetable substances, are the mod frequent and active" cause of this disease, yet they canooi be considered as the only ones; for we sometimes met) with instances in a country neighborhood, of persons being seized with the disease in all its malignity, where! is not epidemic: nor can it be traced (o any place when the human effluvia could be supposed to be confined s any uncommon degree. Hence Hastiness, a moist atmosphere, much fatigue, cold, depressing passions, scanty diet, excessive study, too free use of mercury, immoderate venery, profllM hemorrhage, or whatever weakens the nervous system, may be enumerated among the causes. Treatment. — With regard to the cure, when 1 1 it* inflammatory symptoms appear to run very high, tbeearlj use of the lancet will be required. It should beobscrv- I ed, however, if blood-letting be employed in all tin 1 vari- 1 ous forms of typhus, without due regard to the periodd I the disease, the quantity of the blood drawn, iiu' BJfl I habit, and constitution of the patient, it will often be t"' - 1 lowed by fatal consequences. On the contrary, it' it lw I used in the beginning of the inflammatory typhus, if Will '>*¦ •' we greatest utility, as it will render the other meani more prompt and effectual, and thereby j facilitate the cure. When the lancel is retorted to, the blood should be taken away in small quantity, and from a small orifice. Vail us the rising of the pulse, under bleeding, is a certain indication of its propriety, so its sinking is as certain an indication of its impropriety; hence we have a criterion to guide us in the operation. Towards the close of most acute fevers of severity, there is some tendency to i change in fhe constitution of the fluids; and this may occur as soon as the second or third day, in the most malignant cases of typhus. The blood, when drawn in this state, loses its florid color, and as it flows from the arm, exhibits a dirty, dark appearance, sometimes of a muddy bluo, and sometimes of adeep black, ft does not coagulate, but continues in a dissolved state in the vessel, which induced the ancients to call it putrid. It is unquestionably very unfavorable, and indicates that depletion is improper. In the early period of the simple typhus giving an emetic, followed the next day by some active purgative medicine, have frequently cut short the fever at once; and when this desirable effect has been produced, they have hardly ever failed to shorten its duration, and to lessen its danger, Although medicines, which might excite profuse sweating would be highly improper in this fever, yet those possessed of a mild, diaphoretic power, as Dover's powders, the camphorated powders or mixture, (see Dispmsiitorif,) the spirits of nitre, or infusion of Virginia snake- I root, may be occasionally employed with advantage. Tlie saline mixture given in a state of effervescence, | •very two hours, readily abates thirst, and removes the increased irritability of the system. In like manner, a ible-spoonfiil of yeast, given every three or four hours, affords much relief, and has, alone, often proved an effectual remedy. Fhe Rev. Edward Cartwright, having read of the power of fixing air in preserving meat from putrefying. 247 was induced to make trial of yeast on a boy of fouriof n yean of age, who had been ill several (lavs of B |tiiiri(j fever, for which bark and wine had been exhibited \vii||. out any apparent advantage, and where there a\;is l^ little hope of recovery. He directed two (able-spoofr fuls of yeast to he taken every three hours, which ha* Dig been complied with, the boy found almost unmedian relief, and recovered very quickly, Mr. Caitwright ft ports, that he gave the same remedy to above lili\ pi tients in this fever, without losing one. Whatever may be die mode of action of yeast inn. phus, the fact appears to he indisputable, that fixed li takes off that extreme debility of the stomach so conspicuously marked in disorders of >this nature; and in jut portion as that subsides, the pulse rises, becomes bJowb and fuller, the burning beat on the skin disappears, and i trace is gained for the reception of nourishing sappiki The most agreeable mode of administering yeast, is to iuh] two table-spoonfuls of it to a quail of beer or milt! porter, of which a, wine glassful may be taken every hour or two. According to the practice of Drs. Thomrts. C^n rrio. and Jackson, as well as other eminent practitioners, the if fusion of cold water is one of the most powerful andrf ficacious means which we can make use of in typtai fever. Its cflccts will be more salutary, in proportional it is early adopted: that is, during the first stage oi lie disease. Imicli being an indisputable fact, established upon tin 1 firmest basis, we ouglt always to employ it, very soon after we have evacuated die contents of the alimentary canal. In the early Stage of the disease, eoid water may be poured in considerable quantity from a height, or dashed forcibly from a pail on the patient But aspersion or ablution of the body, by means of I sponge, will be more eligible and safe in the advanoo periods. The effects produced by both modes are grateful and refreshing to the patient, and they usually brinj font an abatement of fever, followed by more or a diaphoresis, and this again by r. refreshing sleep. Dr. Clirrie states, that the cold affusion may he UN 248 249 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. n( any time of the day when there is no sense of ehillinegg present j when the heat is steadily ahove what is natural; and when there is no general of profuse perspira„„„. During the COW stage of the paroxysm of fever, while there is any considerable sense of chilliness present, or where the body is under profuse perspiration, this remedy ouiiht never to he employed, as hy so doing we m ij»hl extinguish life. In the advanced stage of lever, when the heat is reduced, and the debility great, some cordial, such as wine warmed, with an addition of spice, or oven brandy, should he given immediately alter it. When recourse is had to this remedy, every arrangement should he made for the allusion before the patient is moved at all, and fatigue as well as disgust should he avoided as much as possible. In those cases where the ddicv of the system, or the apprehensions of the patient or of the hy-standers, may prevent cold allusion from beiog employed, we may suhstitute tepid affusion for the more powerfbl remedy, or we may recommend either ablation or aspersion. The tepid allusion, the water bein;: hike warm, or from 87 to 97 degrees of Fahrenheit, produces a cooling effect equal to that of cold allusion; partly in consequence of a more speedy evaporation, and partly because so great a glow or reaction does not succeed. The important object of diminishing heat, therefore, may he obtai. Ed with great certainty hy the repeat* el employment of the tepid affusion, suffering the surface of the body to he exposed in the interval to the external air. A diminished frequency of the pulse, and respiration, and a tendency to repose and sleep immediately ensue, though its effects are not so permanent as those of the cold affusion. Dr. Curnc reports, that a putrid fever having made its appearance in a regiment quartered in Liverpool, lie had the men drawn up and examined, seventeen of whom were found with symptoms of it upon them — these he subjected to the cold atlusion once, and sometimes twice a din. [v fifteen of this number, the contagion was extinguished, and in the remaining two the fever went through its course. The healthy part of the regiment 30 250 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. » bathed in the sea, daily, and by these means, he offec tually destroyed the contagion. He farther relates, tha: of thirty-two who went through the disease, by its being too confirmed to be removed at the time of first seeing them, only two died ; and with these, recourse was not had to the cold affusion. The same remedy has likewise been successfully employed by Dr. Currie, and many others in the morn advanced stage of the fever, so as seldom to fail of proc* ing a safe termination. He relates the case of a soldier who was in the ninth day of the disease when he first saw him, his pulse was 100, and feeble, his heat wi 104, his thirst very great, his tongue foul and black. Ins mind much confused, and at times he was delirious, ami petechiae were dispersed over his whole body. The mode of treatment was as follows: his strength was directed to be supported by administering a bottle of wine a day, with an equal quantity of gruel; every night he took an opiate draught, and his body was kept open by laxative clysters, and when these failed, by a few grains of calomel. A bucket-full of salt water was directed to be iiirown over him immediately, which was to be repeated according to circumstances. The effect was, that in a few minutes after the affusion, the heat lessened to 98, the pulse moderated to %, and his mind became more calm and collected. Two hours afterwards he had relapsed nearly into his former state, but the night was passed with greater tranquiluv The whole of this practice was continued with nearly the same result, until the twelfth day of the disease, the allusion having been performed in the evening, and oca* onally at noon. The fever continued its usual period; but on the twelfth day, the heat having sunk to its natura. standard, the cold affusion was thenceforth omitted, and instead of it the body was sponged all over once or twice a day with vinegar. A memorable instance of the good effects of cold affusion came under my immediate knowledge some ye ar > ago, says Dr. Thomas, whilst I practised in the West Indies. A professional gentleman of my acquaintance, residin" 251 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. in the Island of Nevis, was attacked with this ferer and ' l proceeded with sucli violence, that in a few dins netechinc appeared on different parts of his body, anil a hemorrhage of blood issued from his nostrils, mouth, and other places. Under these unfavorable circumstances, he was freely exposed to the open air, and one or two buckets of cold water were thrown over him ; lie was then wiped perfectly dry, and replaced in his bed ; which plan of proceeding was repeated twice and sometimes thrice a day. By means of this application, the administration of an opiate at night, and a liberal allowance of wine, his life was preserved to the great, but pleasing astonishment of all his friends. In my practice, whilst in the army in the South at New Orleans, Mobile, and other places, I have often used the cold affusion of water, with marked good effect, I believe that the sudden application of cold water to the surface of the body, in this disease as well as some others, not only excites into action the cutaneous vessels and thereby diffuses the circulation over the whole, but, the cold water conveys oxygen to the blood through the cufanious vessels and produces a healthy change in the morbid fluids of the system. At this time, while I am preparing this work for the press, 1 have a patient, the Rev. John Bransford, who has had bilious fever for eight or ten da^s, I found him yesterday morning (2lst of September 1837,) entirely divested of fever, and I was in hopes he would not again be troubled with it, but unfortunately he received something by way of diet, which disagreed with his stomach and produced a chill, which was succeeded by a very violent fever, not wishing to deplete him more, as he was very feeble, nor to annoy his stomach by any of those articles we call febrifuge, I gave him the cold affusion which soon relieved him of fever, and was so agreeable as to make him declare the tub of water was worth fifty The affusion of cold water on the surface of the body, is considered, by Dr. Jackson, as a power which makes a strong and general impression on the system, and which arrests the disease, or change! its condition in virtue of that impression; but not b\ subtracting increased bett as supposed by Dr. Curric. Indeed) the good effects of the remedy in question, cannot, we think, be wholly mv . ing to the mere subtraction of heat; for it lias been used with great advantage in many cases of fever, where tb«n has been bjo perceptible increase of temperature, and where, by allusion, ablution, or aspersion with cold water, the disease has been cut short abruptly, as well us | those where it had risen to a high point. Therefore, w t may safely infer, that cold affusion, or the suddenly pouring cold water over the whole surface of the body, operates as a powerful stimulant, although its effects proU bly are of short duration, unless frequently repetud; they are produced by the suddenness of the application affecting the nervous energy, and by the shock room the dormant susceptibility, so as to induce a new action. as it were, of the nervous system, removing spasmodic contraction of the extreme vessels on die surface, carrying off a large portion of morbid heat by general evaporation, and the remainder by insensible perspiration; thence restoring the healthy action of the exhalents and capillaries. As the danger of this fever is in proportion to tlio debility, the greaf point is to support the patient's stnn^h and spirits by a liberal use of tonics and cordials, which should be early employed. At the same time, a nourishing diet should be used, suitable to the taste of the p* tient, and the most rigid attention paid to clcanlinessainl to a free circulation of pure air. In having recourse 10 these means, with a view of supporting the vital energy, we must take care to prevent the feculent matter &»¦ being confined, by occasionally administering laxative? The sulphate of quinine excels all other tonics in IM variety of fever. It should be given in the usual doe*, either in pills or solution, (me Dispensatory.) and repeated as often as the urgency of the cast 1 reqttiwj Should the quinine not be at hand, the Peruvian bark may be given 01 freely as the stomach will bear, either 252 253 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Ip gbltance, decoction, or infusion. The beneficial eft Vis of tin 1 bark, may be increased by conjoining it with |i,. snake-root, in proportion of one ounce of the former v tuo drachms of the latter, or by adding to each ounce f the bark, a scruple of camphor. Where the quinine , used the snake-root may he given in infusion. (Sfe )ispe*S(ttorjji Mndefthenead of Diaphoretics.) When In- bark is rejected in its various forms, ns it frequently s wo should not despair of finding a succedanium as Mg as our country abounds with the red and black oak. from my own observations in practice, frequent bathing i a strong decoction of the hark of either will produce ie same salutary eileets, as could possibly be expected tun a free exhibition of the Peruvian hark internally. Sir Materia MetUea, — and also Bilious Ferer.) Tlic other tonics of most efficacy in typhus are t'lcminra I acids. I have myself employed the nitric acid and iluied, (sre Dispensatory.) in doses of a wine glassful rery two or three hours, with very beneficial effects* h: Thomas speaks highly of the muriatic acid in all ferilcdiseases of malignant nature. In all such cases, csavs.it will he found a powerful and efficacious meicine, His usual plan of administering it is nearly as llowS: Having relieved the stomach by a gentle emetic, lure nausea prevails, cleared the bowels of their fecu- Dt contents by a moderate dose of calomel and jalap or tabarb, and subjected the patient to cold affusion when <' circumstances already noticed have admitted of it, &gaw to adults ten or twelve drops of the muriatic 'id, guarded with five droj>s of laudanum, in an infuoiiol Cuhnnho, Virginia snake-root, or hark, and rented the dose every four hours, gradually increasing 1 quantity to eighteen or twenty drops, or more. He )>• from using it in this manner, his practice has heen tended with the most decided success. Dr. Thatcher, Is".I s ". boars testimony in favor of tin's remedy. He states Wseof putrid fever, attended with extreme danger, in lli(> li lie administered the muriatic acid in a strong de"Hoii of thoroughwort, with a few drops of laudanum. WO it had been taken freely for about twelve hours, a 254 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. profuse sweat ensued, of a yellowish color, and nau*% svvoll ; a favorable change immediately appeared, ami i|p recovery was rapid. J)r. Armstrong states, that he Ims employed the niuria tic acid in typhus, with beneficial effects, when it didnr.i excite griping pains or diarrhoea. He has pretcribeda much as two drachms of it, largely diluted with wife in twenty-four hours, so as to make it a sort of eominij, drink. Another tonic of considerable efficacy in fevers of a malignant nature, is the solution of arsenic. Dr. I-Yrntr found, in the last stage of typhus, when neither hi wine, or brandy, cold bathing, or even occasional titmi Cayenne pepper, had the ettect of rousing the powers 4 life, or lessening the thick crust which covered the tongue, that most singular advantages were obtained I) giving the arsenical solutions. As soon as the febrile paroxysms are stopped, he considers it best to njci the use of the arsenical solutions, and to support the patient with bark and different cordials. Dr. Thomas corroborates the efficacy of this medicine, in stating a>* vere case of typhus which fell under his care ; the patitiii having suffered two relapses of the fever, and her lift despaired of, when he was induced to make use of til mineral solution. Its effects exceeded his expectation?. for the woman's life was apparently preserved by it. Tlif solution of arsenic may be given in its usual doses evtrv three or four hours. Of every other medicine, cordials only would supersede the bark; and with these putrid fever is sometiin successfully conducted, when the bark is disagreeable rejected. The chief is wine, which it is often necoMf to give in large quantities. It must be recollected, however, that wine is an indirect stimulant, followed I* 3 narcotic effect; so that when we begin, we must coming its use until nature can exert herself. In this case. ¦ in all instances of putrefaction, whether general or loci our remedies are intended to supply the powers a i ture. When these are roused, our exertions UHJ '* safely remitted j and we find that this effect is product L I'oneral fever, when the pulse becomes fuller and softer il'^ v y e more quick, tne s kin wore clear, and the ton', , n ore clean and moist ; in partial gangrenes by a f oniming suppuration of the mortified part. |i is impossible to fix the precise quantity of Wine that wilt to be given, as it must be varied according to the ¦ature of the existing symptoms, the age, constitution, tiul previous habits of the patient. Madeira is uuques- S'ioiiably preferable to every other wine, but, unfortunate; k ii is seldom to be procured genuine from the retail [iton's: consequently! it is better to obtain Sicily, dry ¦hern, Lisbon, or Tcneriflb wine. These should not ftilv be given at first diluted, but in small portions at a EnV. A mixture of wine and milk, in proportion of one Kin of the former to three or four of the latter, consti- Ktcs in excellent drink, as well as diet, in the advanced ¦hire of typhus. When the stronger wines excite too Knell, the weaker, such as claret, may be tried ; and if Hisc should not answer, small repeated draughts of brisk Be or porter, may be given, and in many cases with more Blutary effects than wine; either being calculated, in the Km itoge of typhus, to give that degree of vigor to the Ks'em, requisite to remove those partial congestions mhwh often exist at the period in combination with gen¦nl debility. Good cider is another substitute for wine; Bd brandy, rum, or whiskey, may, though with less de¦d((l success, supply the place of either. ¦ Although stimulants are indispensably necessary, Hiere there is a loss of tone in the vascular system, and ¦al debility existing, yet to employ them inconsiderate¦ will often be attended with bad consequences. ¦Dr. Armstrong observes, that it would be quite as Htionnl to give a half intoxicated man a tolerable free ¦owance of ardent spirits, with a view to make him sober Rain, as to attempt to restore, while the stage of excitefct continues, a typhus patient, by the administration ¦ wine ; for he may be said to be, in some degree, in- Bicatcd by the stimulous of the fever, and he will there¦?\be more affected by every glass of cordial that is ¦ministered. Dr. Potter, also, judiciously remarks, that 255 0 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 't r profuse sweat ensued, of a yellowish color, and nausonin swell ; a favorable change immediately appeared, and tin recovery was rapid. J)r. Armstrong states, that he has employed Uieinuria. tic acid in typhus, with beneficial effects, when it did nor excite griping pains or diarrhoeji. lie has prescript! g much as two drachms of it, largely diluted with w.mr, I in twenty-four hours, so as to make it a sort of coming I I drink. Another tonic of considerahle efficacy in fevers of 3 1 malignant nature, is the solution of arsenic. Dr. Ferrier I found, in the last stage of typhus, when neither hark. I wine, or hrandy, cold bathing, Of even occasional dosrsoi'l Cayenne pepper, had the effect of rousing the powers n| I life, or lessening the thick crust which covered the ton- 1 gue, that most singular advantages were obtained la I giving the arsenical solutions. As soon as the tebrilt I paroxysms are stopped, he considers it best to suspend! the use of the arsenical solutions, and to support the I tient with bark and different cordials. Dr. Thomas cor- 1 roborates the efficacy of this medicine, in stating a^M vere case of typhus which fell under his care; the paw ¦ having suffered two relapses of the fever, and her I despaired of, when he was induced to make use of tlii.'fl mineral solution. Its effects exceeded his expectation?. M for the woman's life was apparently preserved by it. >' : I solution of arsenic may be given in its usual doses evtn ¦ three or four hours. H Of every other medicine, cordials only would sii|wM sede the bark; and with these putrid fever is sometime™ successfully conducted, when the bark is disagreeable?™ rejected. The chief is wine, which it is often liecessiflM to give in large quantities. It must be recollected. I |O *H ever, that wine is an indirect stimulant, followed B narcotic effect ; so that when we begin, we must eoninw^B its use until nature can exert herself! In this case. w^R in all instances of putrefaction, whether general or l|l!l |l! ¦¦¦¦1 our remedies are intended to supply the powers ol B1B 1 ture. When these are roused, our exertions ni.iv I j safely remitted ; and we find that this effect is product 81 fever, when the pulse becomes fuller and softie more quick, the skin more clear, and the tonclean and moist; in partial gangrenes by a | suppuration of the mortified part. It is impossible to fix the precise quantity of wine that Luiiht to be given, as it must be varied according to the Lature of the existing symptoms, the age, constitution, Lul previous habits of" the patient. Madeira is unquestionably preferable to every other wine, but, unfortunately, it is seldom to be procured genuine from the retail pores: consequently, it is better to obtain Sicily, dry Hurry, Lisbon, or Tenerifte wine. These should not pilv lie given at first diluted, but in small portions at a fciiic A mixture of wine and milk, in proportion of one Ran of the former to three or four of the latter, constitutes an excellent drink, as well as diet, in the advanced miwiv of typhus. When the stronger wines excite too nich, the weaker, such as claret, may be tried ; and if Joso should not answer, small repeated draughts of brisk ¦!<> or porter, may be given, and in many cases with more Wutary effects than wine; either being calculated, in the Bis! stage of typhus, to give that degree of vigor to the •stem, requisite to remove those partial congestions which often exist at the period in combination with genkil debility. Good cider is another substitute for wine; lid bnmdy, rum, or whiskey, may, though with less de- Kdrd success, supply the place of either. ¦ Although stimulants are indispensably necessary, ¦tare there is a loss of tone in the vascular system, and Bal debility existing, yet to employ them inconsiderately will often be attended with bad consequences. ¦Di. Armstrong observes, that it would be quite as Bional to give a half intoxicated man a tolerable free ¦owance of ardent spirits, with a view to make him sober ¦&in, as to attempt to restore, while the stage of excite- BPnt continues, a typhus patient, by the administration ¦ wine ; for he may be said to be, in some degree, in- Bicated by the si n unions of the fever, and he will there- B^be more affected by every glass of cordial that is Buinistered. Dr. Potter, also, judiciously remarks, that 0 256 TIIE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. the prescribing of diflusable stimuli in every fever lias the name of typhus attached to it, is one of the g est absurdities and strongest infatuations tliat infest practice of physic There is no fever that will \ )ni much less require, such agents to remove it in Mb fa It should l>e remembered, that when strong stimiilnos are incautiously administered, they have a powerful tea dency to produce inflammation or congestion inthev* cent! organs, and thus to render the chance ofrecoren; at the best, very doubtful. Therefore, it is importaoti administering wine, or any other stimulant, to give it iirst sparingly, and notice its effects carefully. If onttiJ the patient sleep well, breath easily, and feel a univenl glow, wo may safely go on with it ; but if, on the contra?, it produces restlcssness,di(lieuliv of breathing, thetooni becoming drier, and the pulse more tense and rapid | farther use should be omitted until the inflammatory dit thesis be removed. In habitual drunkards, the stageof collapse sometimes rapidly supervenes, and they shod always have an earlier and more liberal allowaiiti ¦:' Stimulous, than those who have lived in an abstemMi manner, otherwise tiiey will sink under the evacnan • which may be indispensably necessary to roinovt > disordered condition of certain organs. Hv this general plan, a cure will, tor the most put,! effected; but in the progress of the disease, partxnli morbid symptoms will require special treatment. Tbl affections of the head, with stupor and delirium. * sometimes be relieved by frequently washing the temph with cold vinegar and water; and occasionally bathi the feet in warm water. But if these affections, U withstanding, should continue, it will be neccswrjf shave the whole of the bead, and apply cloths Wfl out of cold vinegar and water, which should be j quently renewed; and if the delirium be accomj** with wildness of the eyes, a blister must be applied Where there prevails any unusual coldness in ' ] lower extremities, recourse must immediately beli^ TTTF F\MII-\ PHYSICIAN. 257 I jlio warm bath, or to some warm stimulating applications L\utii;illv. us well as the exhibition ofstimuiantsinternal • [\\ in order to restore the circulation to the surface. The t jjjeacy of the bath will be greatly increased, in such cases, |li\ liaviiiii it strongly impregnated with salt, and the pnlii hi should remain in it, till his skin become warm; and if 11 being removed to his bed, he should be well rubbed fall out with hot flannels, and bottles of hot water, or Ki-aieil bricks with vinegar poured upon them and envcrJ(.|Ril in llannel applied to his feet, legs, and under the fcriiipits. When a bathing vessel cannot bo procured, Kx. ;i> an embrocation, a strong solution of table salt, Kiln ai.'d spirits, which admirably recalls the languishing fcrulatiou to the surface. \ depression of the animal heat will sometimes come ftn in tin' collapse of typhus without any apparent cause. Vlu' pulse becomes very small, and the extremities very Bold: and if some warm cordial, as mulled wine, hot ¦nlilv. or ginger tea, sweetened, with the addition of a ¦tile spirits, be not immediately administered internally, Bui warm stimulating applications applied externally, Heath will soon follow. Blisters, as well as sinapisms in Hicii cases, have frequently been employed, and are ser- Bce.-il)(e by their stimulating effects; but they should not ¦ continued on long at a time; and when a blister is »M(i in this disease, the sore should be frequently Bashed with an infusion of red oak bark; and nothing ¦l ii lo he applied to the part which may tend to increase Ht 'discharge; for that, by debilitating the system, would ¦ if nausea, or vomiting continue, apply flannels, wrung m <>(' hot spirits, in which red pepper or mustard seed ¦ been steeped, to the stomach and lower extremities. ¦Ih'.s 1 failing, give the saline or camphorated mixture, ¦' apply a poultice of mint leaves or cloths moistened H"'i laudanum and camphorated spirits, to the stomach, B'l (1 ;uaphisms of mustard seed and vinegar to the feet. ¦ •V>liglu purging, attended with a gentle moisture of m 1m 1 skin, not (infrequently arises towards the close of this ¦^'r. and now and then assists incarrying it ofl"; but where ¦does not seem to produce a critical effect, it ought to be si stopped as speedily as possible by giving charcoal or \\\? absorbent mixture, with a lew drops of laudanum, or In clysters of starch, or the decoction of red oak bark. run. taming in each a tea-spoonful of laudanum. When fli. purging is not considerable, wine or brandy mulled n, with spice, or a free use of arrow root, with plenu ,'• nutmeg, or rice milk with cinnamon boiled in it, is otren sufficient. I If purging be produced from swallowing putrid ma:- give a small dose of castor oil or rhubarb and tnt esia, and afterwards charcoal. (See Bilious Fern, In the stage of excitement, a diarrlura accompaiwi with bloody stools sometimes occurs, indicative ol tiilitr a preternatural fulness of the liver, or inflammation <{ the mucous membrane of the bowels. In this case n must resort to the warm bath, mucilaginous drinks, ami evacuants, as castor oil, &c. It not unfrcquently occurs, that patients, kept in raj close apartments, have, on the approach of the last si;i: . black, bloody stools, without any offensive odor. Aral the same time petechial or purple spots begin to >U themselves upon the extremities, which at first are 01!) few in number, and appear as if drops of black ink BM been allowed to dry here and there upon the skin: Id becoming numerous, they soon spread over (lillini parts of the body, and are generally accompanied H discharges of blood from the nostrils, mouth, Mailikl or bowels. When these symptoms are acoonpUNl with a weak, quick, thready pulse, we may be sun nj stage of collapse is at hand. In such cases, rccoursl must be had to the most powerful antiseptics, such asy-1 getable and mineral acids, yeast, liquors in a state <>M< r I mentation, quinine, wine and bark, and aromatics wi;i very small doses of laudanum. At this momentous ewj bathing the patient frequently in spirits, or in ¦ '' j composed of equal parts of whiskey and decoction* red oak bark, with a free admission of air, will » ott;l l to produce good effects. In addition to this mom j treatment, when the hemorrhage proceeds from thoii'-J mouth, or ears, it is advisable to make use of local m 258 259 plications, as lint dipped in a solution of alum, or blue vitriol, or sonic powerful styptic. Miliarv eruptions sometimes appear as the crisis to ,lijs fever, and ought, therefore, on no account to be durked by any kind of evacuations; nor should the p;i- Itient. on tlie contrary, be kept too warm with a view of forcing mem out. Pronise sweats are to be obviated by sponging the body and extremities daily with equal parts of vinegar ami spirits; by being lightly covered with bed clothes; by admitting fresh air freely into the chamber, and by giving whatever he drinks, cool, and agreeably acidulated with lemon juice or elixir vitriol. It' hiccoughs or starting of the tendons supervene, it will be necessary to give camphor and volatile sal-ammouiac in large doses, with the warmest cordials, or liiict. castor, and laudanum, half a drachm of each every three or four hours, unless relief is obtained. In cases of rentention of urine, the treatment must be varied according to circumstances. In some instances the kidneys become inflamed, and in this state very little urine is secreted, until the healthy action of the vessels be restored by administering calomel and mild purgatives, swallowing freely of demulcent drinks, and, occasionally, using the warm bath. In the low typhus, the kidneys are rendered incapable of performing their function! from a loss of tone, and in such cases stimulants and tonics, with cold applications over the region of the bladder, as cloths wrung out of spirits, or equal parts of vinegar and spirits, are the best remedies. When the bladder is over distended, or inflamed, indicated by acute pain and some tumor, the catheter is indispensably necessary to draw off the water. In febrile complaints, it will be found that, where a small quantity of mine is secreted, the sediment is proportionally copious; and. on the contrary, where a large quantity is secreted, tin 1 sediment is proportionally scanty. If attention be paid to keeping the bowels open from the commencement of fever, a suppresion of urine will hardly ever lake place an advanced Stage of the disease, it sometimes i),, us, tlmi iii addition to a profound secretion of vix-I, saliva, white ulcers. Of aptha>, appear in the mouth, j, such cases the detergent gargle, (400 DfffpeitMfort ihonld he frequently employed, and the month occaaot ally washed with a solution of alum in water, an oim,, of the former to a pint of the latter, and this will qoj^. ly takeaway the stench that arises from them. Theri cid phlegm, which collects about the tongue and teti may be wiped away with flannel, dipped in vinegar,* salt and water, or after washing the mouth with fifan vinegar or some austere acid, it may be Scraped off wj| v knife, or a piece of hent whalebone. For want of sleep, much rambling and low delirrci sometimes occur, which will require an opiate at cariv bed-time. The most advisable way of giving it.fo|»i> Tent any deleterious effects, is to conjoin laudanum, wM the camphorated mixture, or the opium with a few gnij of camphor, volatile sal-amwioniae. or some mild diaphoretic, as Dover's powder. Opiates are moreadw Bible in this fever than in any other, and, as it is of A utmost consequence to procure rest, they should. notn ot the fever, the mineral acids, or stomach bitters, mw he proper. Bathing daily in a strong decoction of jl< '(I or black oak bark, will be found an excellent remedy 262 1 behind; and when there is no visceral obstruction, ,1,, shower bath will be attended with beneficial effect We repeat, it is of the utmost importance throoghoi the whole course of the disease, that the most rigid tendon be paid to cleanliness, and the comiiuiiiica ll( , with the external air kept up in different degrees days night, according to the slate of the atmosphere. V,,, but those whose business it is to attend the sick, atd to he allowed to go near the patient, except when that is little or no allection of the head. In such cases tjJ presence of a friend may sooth the mind and In!;, dispel gloomy ideas; by diverting his thoughts iVf»?n f/ia; l anxiety and dread of danger which invariably aittnol iiis complaint. I Regimen. — In addition to the mild articles ofdi I enumerated in the bilious fever, bread and milk, will .1 little water, sugar, and the pulp of a roasted apple, torn I a most grateful and nutritious food; and, for the s;iki I variety, cider, porter, or any other drink which ilie I tient covets, should always he allowed. I It has been observed, that this fever often origina-l from corrupted air, and, of course, must be Bggreval I by it: great care should therefore be taken to \)\wM the air from stagnating in the patient's chamber. WVM that is small, and cannot be well ventilated, the jwiii.'B should be carried into the open air, and alNmnU-H there two or three hours every day in mild utailu'B When this cannot he conveniently done, every inean> t.H our power to ventilate the room should be eui|)li'^H Strong-scented herbsought every day to be strewed -Mm the room, and vinegar frequently sprinkled altoiit ': J bed-clothes, and some evaporated, by pouring it OB iron. The bed-clothes ought to be in no greater m- I tity than is agreeable to his feelings, and when he l ' ; j« sit up. with his clothes loosely put on, it is often 8 n In«B ing change of posture and situation. The patient slioufl have his linen and bedding changed often, and iliesHW removed as early as possible; for nothing rein '^'^ '¦ sick more than cool air and cleanliness. M In the early stage of this disease, when there is " 11ll "H preternatural heal, washing the faro and hands often in cold vinegar and water, ami wiping the body with wet cloths, Will be highly refreshing; and in the more advanced stage of the disease, when there is less lehrile heat, the vinegar should be united with an equal quantity of spirit. In all eases where the fever is unusually protracted, and leaves the patient in excessive weakness, the recovery is slow and precarious, and the greatest care is required to prevent any error in diet, (luring the convalescence, as a very small degree of excess at this time, will produce very troublesome consequences. Food of easy digestion, taken in small quantities, and otion repeated; gentle exercise, when the weather is favorable; attention to prevent cost ivencss, by some mild laxative; and the use of bitters to assist digestion, or die rust of steel, when there is any prevailing acid on the stomach, are the most certain means of reinstating health. CoNTAGloif. Having in the preceding chapter enumerated the different means for the prevention of diseases. I shall now point out such as are most suitable to arrest the progress of contagion when commenced. When a contagious fever makes its appearance, the first precaution is to separate the sick from the healthy, and thus to cut olf, as much as possible, the; intercourse between them. The next step should be, to purify both beds and clothes from every particle of filth. The chambers must be often fumigated, by burning good sharp vinegar or tar, and the floor washed daily with lie, or the solution of potashes, or strong soap-suds. A cloth wetted in lime-water and hung up i;i the room, and replaced as often as it becomes dry, is also a great mean of purifying infected air. When a contagious disease originates on ship-board, quick-lime should always be added to the water which is used for common drink, in the proportion of one pound of quick-lime to a hogshead of water; but if the water w impure, a larger quantity of lime will be necessary; and some of it should be put also into the ships well, to prevent the putrid and foul air arising thence. 264 Till: FAMILY PHYSICIAN. When thes^ means are ineffectual to stop the pro^n of any contagious disorder, fumigation with the niiiv vapor, will undoubtedly succeed; and the method oj p paring it, is to put half an ounce of vitriolic acid into Cttp, warm it over a shovel of coals, adding to it, by lit] and little, about the same quantity of powdered salnnr, and stirring it occasionally with a slip of glass, agin as the vapor arises. The vessel is then to be ctrriei about the room, the doors and windows being close and put in every corner and place where it can bet* pected (here is any loul air; the fumigation to be coat nued lor one or two hours ever)' day, or ofteiur. uj the contagion shall be destroyed. If the vapor should irritate the lungs, so as to cxcii much coughing, fresh air should be admitted, by op* ing the door or windows of the room. However, atw a little familiarity with it, this vapor will not offend BJ lungs, but on the contrary will prove highly graiefulaini refreshing. The vapor of muriatic acid has also been successful* employed in purifying infected air, and destroying conn gion. It is made use of in the following manner. IV one pound of common salt into an earthen vessel, aim pour over it, from time to time, a small quantity of ai phuric acid, till the whole salt is moistened. It' the ;;ir be fold and peculiarly otfensivcapply a gentle heaiuodef the vessel to extricate a larger quantity of vapor, bat a general, the simple addition of the acid to the sajtwillh found sufficient, unless the apartment be very large. As a purifier, the chloride of lime stands pre-eminent A table-spoonful or so, may be put in a saucer, andmo* ed from place to place in the room, or it may be mixed with a little water, and sprinkled over the floor and wall Care should be taken, that the atmosphere oftheFOOl be not too highly impregnated with the fumes from IW or either of the articles above mentioned, otherwise, 1 troublesome cough, with soreness of the throat and bfeaa^ will be experienced by the patient and attendants. On the first appearance of typhus, or any infect* disorder, in a jail, hospital, boarding-school, or any OB* jpkur where many persons are crowded together, one of Eese gaseous fumigations should be employed in every Viuii;. in addition to a free ventilation and the greatest jruiinliness. \m eminent physician of the marine barracks of ISrest, ¦ %v\w>. i lull previously to visiting the hospital, he was in tin h;il»it of introducing into his nostrils sponge cut into pio'irr size and shape, and moistened with some essential Oil. He also kept in his mouth a piece of orange-peel; j a in this simple method he escaped several putrid and foiilcntial diseases, which in one year killed eleven physjcians and one hundred and thirteen students. ' When 1 any one is apprehensive of having caught in' tviien. which may be suspected by a bad taste of the [ timiiii. and want of appetite, an emetic should be given I'fcuanls the evening, and on the patient going to bed he i);i\ he allowed a little mulled cider, orwine whey, with L a mikill dost 1 of the anodyne sudorific drops. (See J)isf jfdistilori/.) ' The warm bath, if such a luxury can be commanded, [ would here be found exceedingly refreshing and benei ici.ii. ! INFLAMMATORY FEVER. i I When fever is attended with an inflammatory diathe- I •>.(»!• wlion actual inflammation affects any part during I 111- iwistonce of fever, the patient is said to labor under |fJi (1 of an hstJ a minatory kind; but according to the ¦plmiit parts in which the inflammation is seated, dif- K rt ' nt dwiomuiations are given to the disorder. This ¦swiso. however, exists when there is no topical inflam- B'Uion, and is distinguished by more considerable heat pii i usual, indicating an increased action of the arterial HNiiu. The fever continues for several days with nearly •<'suno violence, the morning remissions being scarcely ¦'or observable. II Symptohs, — A sense of lassitude and inactivity, sue- \\-> 266 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ceedcd by vertigo, chilliness, and pains over the who!? body, but more particularly in the head and back; whjri symptoms are shortly followed by redness of the ta ( , throbbing of the temples, great restlessness, intense Im unquenchable thirst, oppression of breathing and m sea. The skin is dry and parched, the eyes inflamed and incapable of bearing the light, the pulse hard and quick, beating from ninety to one hundred and thirty i a minute. The disease usually goes through its course in iba fourteen days, and terminates critically, either byidb phoresis, diarrhcra, hemorrhage from the nose, or 19 pious deposite of sediment in the urine — otherwtoj changes to a typhus. Causes. — Sudden transitions from heat to cold, fc application of cold to the body when warm, BWaUowk cold liquors when much heated by exercise; toofrtei use of spirituous liquors; violent passions of the mod; exposure to the rays of the sun; topical inllnminaii 1 the suppression of habitual evacuations, and the roddi repulsion of eruptions. TreatheHT. — The symptoms which attend this fa indicate most strongly the necessity of having an eariv recourse to the lancet, which should be freely used. In repeating the operation, we must, however, be gOTflnd by the eHect it produces on the pulse, and by the ippew ance the blood puts on after standing some time, v the former continue full, strong, and tense, and the latttr exhibit a bully, sizycoat on its surface, the bleed ingslioiik be repeated by all means. The pulse in this fever isafl to become fuller and stronger after bleeding, which M) easily be explained; for the plethora may be iOfraul to distend the vessels beyond their proper tone. In IW cases, the vessels cannot act fully, and the pulse is contracted : but when the plethora is taken off by copious bleeding, and the vessels are allowed to contract properly, the pulse becomes fuller, which shows that P remedy is proper. When the fever has been of several days' standingand the. head is much affected, either with severe pain 267 or delirium, topical bleeding, by the application of three or four leeches to each temple is advisable, should the uisr not justify the use of the lancet. Applying linen cloths, wetted in cold vinegar and water, to the forehead and temples, will often allbrd conitlt ruble relief. If nausea or sickness prevail at the commencement of the disease, it should be relieved by a gentle emetic. |u1 when the determination to the head is violent, and he vessels have not been sutlicicntly depleted by bkh>dloiiiiiir. the aperient and diaphoretic pills, or a dose of calomel, or infusion of sal's, senna and manna, will be nost proper. Cathartic medicine will not only relieve he head, but prevent determination to the lungs and iver: and medicines of this class should be repeated every day or two during the continuance of much fobrile action. Diaphoretics are remedies also of great utility in continued fever. Therefore, with a view to determine the circulation to the surface of the body, give the febrifuge powders or mixture, the saline mixture, spirit of Mindererus. diaphoretic drops, Dover's, or antimonial powders in flicir usual doses. (See Dispensatory.) The warm batli will be found of considerable eilicacy in encourairiii«i the diaphoretic powers of these medicines. In many cases it will be sufficient to induce perspiration for he patient to bathe his feet in warm water, to lie in bed and drink plentifully of diluent liquors, as balm, ground ivy. or riax-seed tea, with the addition of a little nitre; ol should these simple means not prove efficacious, it will then bo necessary to resort to more powerful agents. It ought to be remembered, in the whole of the inflammatory cases, we should never have recourse to diaphoretics, til! arterial action and general excitement are considerably reduced by blood-letting, and aperient medicines. And, it should also be laid down as a general rule, in every species of inflammatory fever, to solicit Perspiration rather by simple means, than to force it by any violent measures. When the means employed have a tendency to allay heat, soften the skin, relieve delirium^ 268 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. and induce sleep, we may be assured of their propfjq But sweating, when excited in fevers by stimulant, IHm;.1 Hm; . ing and inflammatory medicines, is almost sure (Ofa hurtful. It likewise proves injurious when excited k much external heat, or a load of bed-clothes: as uU wliere, instead of relieving, it rather increases thet>equency and hardness of the pulse, the anxiety and di& culty of breathing, the head-ache and delirium. \\\ H sweating is partial, and confined to the superior jt;ir\ / the body, it will be more likely to prove hurtful i!^ (The torpid state of the vessels of the surface 1 , render? t sometimes necessary to have recourse to artificial beg n order to equalize the circulation and produce peni ration. Therefore, when neither the warm nor vapor bath can be procured, hot bricks, after being dipped i water, or vinegar poured upon them, and BUrroonH with llannels, should be applied to the feet, between k thighs, the sides, or armpits, while the patient is mofo ately covered, so as to confine the steam or vapors. Tha means will very generally and speedily cause a relaxation of the surface, and produce an abundant peivpiration. In having recourse to the warm bath, it is woriliyol remark, that the natural temperature of the human species is about ninety-eight degrees, but owing to the cooling process constantly taking place on the surface, ui> here considerably lower, and hence we fee] the nation of warmth, at several points below animal heat f ! is this circumstance which renders it difficult I adjust a precise standard, though, perhaps, we nw, T not err by fixing it from ninety to ninety-six degree However, it will be 'proper, from the different stUMp bilities of persons, always to consult the feelings oi ilif individual, and to regulate the bath that it may impart* slight, but an agreeable sensation of warmth. But, thoiii'li the application of heat to the surface, in the mode whw we have described, will very generally excitv 1 sweaflsj it does not do so uniformly. There are cases attended!) great heat of the surface, particularly in the early &$ of ihe nervous and scarlet fever, which in aggravated by ¦Jl the means we have enumerated, as designed to create perspiration. And in diseases of this nature, the effusion of cold water will be found more effectual in removing the constriction of the cutaneous vessels, than warm applications. [n the progress of thii feveer, it sometimes happens thai particular parts of the body are much affected, and nai there prevails either great oppression of breathing, in- dial violent pains in the head, stupor or delirium cnne, In all such cases, the application of a blister near liio part affected, will be proper, and relief will often bo nuicklv procured by it. Where there is an unusual coking of the extremities, with a sinking pulse, blisters to be inside of the legs will, likewise, prove highly serviceihlc Their efficacy, in such cases, may be increased by be application of stimulating cataplasms, to the soles of he tint and the palms of the hands. Blisters very DOW* utiillv restore the balance of the circulation, and dininisli morbid congestions. In all eases of fever there bi fulness of the vessels; and we find the vessels of the hresred, the face flushed, and thecyc-ball itself apparently Inlarged; but congestion produces, also, irritation, and fien ;i less degree of phrenzy. The usual wanderings »!' ihc mind are more rapid) the voice quick, the temper rritable, unreasonable, and occasionally violent. In each t;it<\ blisters arc indicated, and often produce the happiest, fleets; sleep frequently coining on as soon as the plaster itgius to stimulate. The milder symptoms of congesim yield frequently to purgatives; and when these have leen freely used, blisters ire not often necessary. In this lever, as in most others, sleep is much interppted; and from a want of this, delirium often arises. 3|mwn, here, would be an uncertain medicine ; for should ifiulto procure rest, the delirium would be greatly in- PMsed by it. In such cases, a pillow of hops laid unkr t!io patient's head, or a strong tea of this herb, will pnerally have the desired eftoct of procuring refreshing pp. The camphorated powders or julep, are of conprocured 269 sleep. The calmness which camphor ofV Es to inspire ; the serenity, and even the temponq which are among its first eilects, render it peculiar Hemorrhages sometimes occur in fever, and at tin are difficult to he restrained. It' the pulse be bard;? much headache have preceded, the bleeding must l, t continued. Hut it' it happens at the conclusion of H v, r or he attended with faintness, anti-septics constitute ii proper remedies. (See Bilious and Nervous Feren Palpitation of the heart, is frequently a trouble** sympton in fevers, it is often produced by redtuxfaiq of hlood, as indicated by a florid countenance, in whjq case the lancet must he resorted to. It sometimes m cceds from the state of the stomach and bowek, aiic may then he relieved by evacuants; but it arises also,;; many cases, from a diminution, or an irregular distrfc tion of the nervous power; and shows that the degreed debility is considerable when stimulants will be requini In some instances, the fever is continued and kept up solely by debility, in such cases, the bark may bo employed, provided on using this medicine, the pniien sleep well, breathe easily, and continue foul, and tlio skin ftlrv. without any abatement of boat and thirst, the then fcii-iv regard it as by no means critical; bui it', on itsta- JL\ntic of an impending disorder. Late hours cannot be [ Jonu 1 with impunity, except by very few; and their prinllKpal effect is to induce obstructions in the abdominal V fjsct'ra. If connected with drinking spirituous liquors [[ Jo effect is usually felt in the liver. The sedentary stuff frm lias reason to apprehend biliary accumulations, with [Bstiveness, and a train of hypocondriac symptoms. [ Excess in eating or drinking will equally lead us to fore[Ml diseases of the stomach, often of the head, connectm with the stomach; but retributive justice is frequently Hen to punish the former error with the greatest severi-11, in the feelings of the patient, by the loss of appetite. Him os t every situation is apparently consistent with Ifealth. if free air be admitted; but its deficiency leads ¦ a variety of diseases from debility, which may be Hsily foreseen, and can only be avoided by a change. H Changes of habits and situations are frequently the ¦uree of different diseases, which we can often prog- Hktiftttc, and sometimes guard against. ¦Abstemiousness, suddenly adopted after free living, Hd the contrary, are sources of disease, the former Hirfly of complaints arising from insufficient stimulus, m" latter from too great excitement. A sedentary, after ¦ active life, is often attended with languor, low spirits, Hd visceral accumulations ; the contrary, at first with Hgnor and fatigue, soon followed by increased tone and Hur. E fie critical periods of life merit attention also in our 83 11 ic > prognostics of various diseases. If scrofulous affection,-do not yield in the early period of life, there is li^ prospect of cure. The same may be said of epilepij,-fits and of Saint Vitus's dance, though to the latter there are many exceptions. The critical period of the ftadj life is that of the cessation rather than appearance oUk catamenia; for unless hectic symptoms come on,theds. charge, though at a much later period than usual, be. comes regular. The period of cessation, if not precc&l by free, often copious discharges of the menses, DRMH ticates a less healthy old age. Prognostics in diseases are usually drawn from fa vital, animal, or natural actions. The vital action which give the best information, are the states of the v dilation and the respiration. The first is chiefly km by the pulse. But before we proceed farther on i subject, it may bo proper to describe its action. Tk pulse consists in the reciprocal contraction and (Manor of the heart and arteries, by the former of which the blood is propelled through every part of the bod v. 3k: attention is required in feeling the pulse, since it oik misleads, unless the practitioner be accustomed toted initiation. In estimating its strength of weakness if necessary to consider the sex, temperature, and M»i the patient. The pulse in women is quicker wa ie men ; in the sanguine than in the melancholic teaperi ment; in youth than in age. During the first year of I infant, its pulse is from one hundred and eight to ow hundred and twenty; during the second, from ninety k one hundred and eight; the third, from ninety to ok hundred. It varies little till the seventh year, when it f about seventy-five; and in the following year scarcely exceeds seventy. These numbers are subject to grei variety. The pulse is quickened after a full meal, of taking any stimulus ; after exercise or any agitation: t\ also quicker when standing than sitting, and in the latter posture than when lying down. In hysterical pnti flls it is excited to an inconceivable rapidity by the slight circumstances without portending danger. A fat perso: has naturally a weak pulse; but it beats, also, ID id* 274 lintafrc beneath a layer of fat. This circumstance should li-so Ih* attended to in our estimate. The size of the ar- Jiv we can often estimate, for we can feel in thin per- Soik two-thirds of its circumference, and errors can Scarcely arise from this source. A natural pulse is from ¦xtv to eighty, more strictly from sixty-five to seventy- Ive. On feeling the pulse, the artery should he first felt liitly, and if any doubt arise whether the pulse is weak, I should be compressed strongly with three fingers, and mt two uppermost slowly raised. If the pulse be strong, ¦ml seemingly weak only from compression, the blood, fcjtidly returning, will strike fully the finger below. If Lilly weak, it gradually recovers its former force. I A strong, firm pulse is consistent with high health ; But If it strike the finger like a tense cord, it shows a liidency to disease, and if with this hardness, it be in- Jrciisi (1 in frequency, inflammatory fever is present. A Hrobliing pulse, which strikes the finger with apparent Hut not real firmness, will sometimes be mistaken for what is styled the hard pulse. But this has not the same 'Mrm resistance which we have described. It strikes miuplv, but not strongly, and the relaxation is as rapid Is the pulse is transitory. When there is internal irri- t mm. the throbbing pulse will continue often to the last, Blowing, in every succeeding moment, its peculiar character more strongly ; but in the commencement of fevers B often so nearly resembles the strong pulse as to deceive. 1% small pulse will also be mistaken for a weak one, un¦psshy a practitioner of experience; but the lightness of D> strokes depends on the small size, sometimes the depth Hf the artery. If a pulse be at fifty-five or sixty, there Hs reason to apprehend some compression on the brain. Wk constant pulse of ninety in a minute, rising occasionally to one hundred and eight, shows a considerable ir¦itation in the system, and is not without danger. [ If, in the early stages of fever, it rise to one hundred Bnd twenty in a female, not peculiarly irritable, it por¦ends considerable danger, either from debility or irrita¦on. If at any stage it exceeds one hundred and twenty 275 or considerably exceed it, except for a short time, w e have the greatest foundation for apprehension. An intermitting pulse is a mark of considerable defc lity, and prognosticates a dangerous disease. It is also a symptom of organic affections. This alarming tin of the subject requires, however, some alleviation. Jb intermitting pulse is frequently owing to fulness of t| lf {tomach and bowels, and often arises from agitation of lind. It is also habitual; a circumstance not uncommon In such constitutions, the usual intermission, on tlieacess of fever, often disappenrs, and the first symptom of mendment is the return of the intermission, which. ai the end of the long fever, may appear alarming, if no! connected with other favorable symptoms. In jjenern!, the favorable signs are, pulses more soft, somewhat fuller, and in a slight degree more slow. The unfavorable signs are, more thready pulses, as if the artery were smaller, pulsations quick, weak, and irregular. The state of the circulation is also known by the complexion. A sallowncss, and a want o! transparenevshow that the blood is not carried to the extreme vessels; ami even when the cheeks are flushed, if the skin round the lips and nose be of an obaque, sallow whiteness, the conclusion will be the same, ai.dthe strength of the constitution is considerably impaired. The appearance of tJie eyes is equally indicative of strength and weakness and the character of the features is preserved in proportion to the remaining strength. Each appearance depend* on the state of the circulation. Respiration is a vital action connected with the stale of the circulation and of the greatest importance as a prognostic. Respiration slow, full, and deep, shows the strength and all the vital organs to be unimpaired, and in every situation is highly favorable. The weak, slisti and insufficient respirations, is, in general, a mark ¦ weakness; the svffoca ing of obstruction, the quicks considerable irritation, exciting rapid expiration. "!t" !t stertorous shows insensibility, from compression onw brain; the stridutous, inflammation of the traclita ; the rattling, accumulations of phlegm often unconquerable; 276 and the intermittent, attends the last efforts of expiring life. The animal actions, from which wo may draw prognostics, are, the senses* muscular, action, and sleep. (Violent delirium is a symptom of active inflammation in the brain, and is dangerous only so far as it shows a violent acute disorder. The wandering delirium, in fevers of alow kind, is a symptom of no great danger, unless it come on early, and in a degree disproporlioned to the Kale of the fever. In other complaints it will excite serious apprehensions, and shows that the inequality of excitement depends on debility. If it persist after the cessation of the fever, unless evidently in consequence of debility, there is reason to suspect an organic injury in (hfl brain, and more so, if violent delirium have occurred in the early part of the complaint. Delirium, arising from want of sleep, is said not to be dangerous; but the want of sleep itself is generally owing to a languid Inflammation of the brain. General restlessness is a symptom of the same kind. Of the external senses, and their organs, the eye affords the most particular symptoms by which the event may be foretold. The sensation of blcick spots, which in luces the patient to pick the clothes, as if he could reliovcthcm, is a symptom of debility, and is attributed to i partial palsy in the retina It is certainly a highly langerous symptom, though by no means a desperate )ne, as it has been represented. A more dangerous ivrnptoin is double vision. It is, in general, an early ivmptom of hydrocephalus. When the eyelids fall, and :an scarcely be elevated by the exertion of the will, it iliowsconsiderable weakness, and when the patient sleeps vithout closing them, great insensibility. The latter ymptorn is, however, often owing to an irregular con- Nction of the muscles of the^eyes; for in such cases "i< J pupil is drawn up under the lid. The symptom is jot, however, on tins account, the less alarming. The pw natural appearance of the eye is a favorable sy np- M»J hut too great brilliancy, or too quick motions of "is organ, show approaching delirium. A severe fixed 277 look, without an object, is a similar symptom. The appearance of the eyelids sometimes points out a weak staie of the system, particularly when there is a blackness in the lower lid, towards the inner corner of the eye. A noise in the ears, in fevers, is said to be a sign of approaching delirium, though frequently, a symptom i weakness only, and often occurs, from this came, in weak and old people. If this noise occur in the beg* ning of fevers, it is said to foretell a violent and a tedious disease. Hearing particularly acute is often a procurer of delirium ; and without fever, it is the effect of tfm excitement in the brain. Deafness in fevers is said to be a favorable symptom: we can, at least, observe that we have not found it unfavorable. Vitiated taste is very common, and offers no particular prognostic. Lassitude on the attack of fevers, in so great a degree as to produce fainting, is always a very dangerous occurrence. If attended with a considerable wandering, the danger is greater. It is a favorable sign if, in the beginning of a fever, the patient can sit erect with his head elevated. And. il' the patient can support himself in bed, and occasional!) turn on his side, about the tenth or twelfth day, the eire instances are favorable. Sleep, if calm and refreshing, is always a favorable symptom ; but if, interrupted, broken by terror, excited by dreadful images in dreams; if, instead of tnßfd rest, the patient starts, catches, talks in a hurried manner, though not conscious of terror, it is unfavorable Deep sleep is itself a disease, and shows a considerable oppression on the brain; yet, at the period of a crisis, if attended with a soft pulse, moderately slow, am! a soft, moist skin, it is salutary. After a crisis, thedecpti long continued sleep is not dangerous, if not attend™ with stertor, (a sound lite snoring,) or with a pulse preternaturally slow. The natural actions which furnish prognostics, are digestion and its consequences, and the various excretions. In fever the appetite is at once destroyed; n crli 278 279 TIIE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Ij, i favorable sigh, in an acute disease, that it should rehnain or return too soon. The appearance of the tongue is of considerable im[iiortance as a prognostic. Whiteness of its surface is a Ljini of fever; and if white and dry, it shows the fever [to be more considerable. In the progress of a fever it Eeconei brown, a darker brown, and even black; and Ehese colors are usually seen when the tongue is dry and ¦hard. While the edges continue clean, and of their natural, speckled appearance, there is little danger; and, in- Sdml. fevers have terminated favorably, though the tonjgue lias been for many days, dark, dry, and even black. §The tongue, sometimes, in the course of fever, becomes suddenly clean, and of a shining red. This, in general, plums that the fever will be of long continuance. The tongue sometimes cleans slowly in elderly and debilitaed constitutions. And, independently of fever, in such rabits, the tongue is often black at the back part. A heavy load on the stomach is an unfavorable symptom, unless it arise from indigestible food; since it shows either an accumulation of viscid mucus, or a want of Inenjrin the organ. When the irritability of thestomach s exhausted by excessive stimuli, the effect is a heavy i (Vomiting is the connecting symptom between the afeiions of the digestive organs, and those of the secretoryones. When violent and incessant, without previms accumulation of bile, it is an unfavorable symptom,as i generally arises from irritation of the brain ; even when, ran bile, it is distressing, for the act of vomiting emulges be biliary duct, and the inverted motion of the duodeimn carries the bilious fluid back into the stomach, thus iirnishing new fuel for the flame. A frequent diarrluea, independently of mucous injanunation, is dangerous, as it shows considerable debi»}. and a difficulty of retaining the food long as is ne•essary for its assimilation. The other excretions, which have attracted attention E prognostics, are the perspiration; the urinary and me evacuations. It is generally acknowledged, that 280 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. the salutary perspiration is not attended with heat, is not clammy to the touch, is generally diffused without am load, uneasiness, or anxiety. The sweat of an opposite kind does not relieve, but debilitate. Cold clammy sweats arise from a total relaxation of the exhalents, and are, in general, the preludes of death. The state of the urine has also afforded numerous prognostics, and the discrimination of its clouds, its se,!i. merit, &c, has been peculiarly minute. The greater number of dicse appearances may be disregarded. Trine must be examined only after it has been made for some time. It should be poured into a glass while yetwnrm, and kept in air moderately cold. With such precaution, some useful lessons may, perhaps, be drawn from its ap. pearance. The quantity of urine varies in different persons, and, in the same, at different periods. Hence, from this no conclusion can be drawn. In general, where it is remarkably deficient, it is at othertimes equally redundant; and this chiefly occurs in hysterical constitutions. The excess is also at no time dangerous, unless the quality oi the urine is changed, since it only depends on irregular action of the renal vessels. When the urine is in small quantity, its color is necessarily high; and at the conclusion of a gouty paroxysm, as well as of a paroxysm of an intermittent, it throws down a brick-colored aliment. When highly red, without depositing any aliment, it shows a violent, and probably a long i'evvr. Id general, a scum on the top, in the early period of levers, seems to show considerable debility; and we have usually found such fevers slow and tedious. A cloud suspended at first near the top, and afterwards falling lower till in succession it reaches the bottom of the glass, are lavorable signs; and a suspended cloud, previously to the fourteenth day, shows that the disease will terminate a! that period. If it appear after the fourteenth d;».V< |' lf disease terminates at the twenty-first, gradually lessening on the intervening days. The progress of the cloud in the urine, in case of fewj is regular. It is, at first, suspended at the top, gradually Uk though tor ;i d:iv or two, often stationary near the Kjdillf of t\\o glass, and at last reaches die bottom. It wL\k id the bottom often some days before it is accom- Ein;((i l>v any sediment; bot when a white or reddish BiiiiMiMit also tails down, the crisis is nearly complete. Hie urine li sometimes turbid, if not at the moment of WM'luirniiii; it. very soon afterwards; and this, according to the authors ot prognostics, is said to show an insidious | *>ease. Frothy urine, or which long retains the air HiMiles, is said to show a tedious disease, or ;i slow roni-fciniiiir fever. In bilious fevers, the urine is sometimes ¦¦aureenor black color, which shows a highly putrid l^itc The black is more dangerous, but unless highly li^inl. we have frequently seen it without its being follow* H) liv a fatal (went, [n chronic diseases, red urine. de- H>sitini, r v copious, red, scaly, or branny sediment, is a [hjtj; irlv of considerable debility. A mucous and viscid Hdiiuent is usually alarming from the apprehensions [¦Inch it excites Of abscess in the bladder. Mucus is, jßwYver, light and equable, Wholly free from firtor, and IBiMs from an inflammation of the mucous membrane. I I arises also from any irritation of the neck of the blad- Hfcr: and is afre>n is peculiarly violent. When the stools, in the be¦niin«r, nvv highly fetid and bilious, it has been ac- Bmited a dangerous symptom ; but if the discharge be free B*l copious, they are rather favorable. Calomel will, B'oiiilli the whole course of a fever, often bring oil' such ¦^i'tiis by its superior power on the biliary secretion. Bwll. black, pitch-like motions, are always dangerous, 'i'\ 281 282 and show equal weakness in the alimentary easily the biliary system. On the contrary, hardened , v , ment. brought off with little straining or colic, is faronl From the remarks which have been ottered, ii « appear that our prognostics of fever must b«» taken -I orally from the signs and degree. of debility, Tln> , ohyious often to the sight. Every circumstance wtt regards a patient in a fever, will, by attentive ofam tion ai the bed-side, throw some light on this subnet The situation of the patient is dangerous, if the dig acter of the countenance is soon lost; if the eyennp entry glare on vacancy; if the answers are rambling^ incoherent; if slight, partial involuntary ContracUoai cur in the features; if the tongue trembles, or is soon tip and dark; if he soon declines turning on his ude,| on his back, and sinks down on his bed; if* the cxinnu. tics are cold and benumbed; if the tendons are pnriicy. larly tense, and occasionally start; and if heappemi pick off or remove any dark spots on the bed cloiliiv Mies some supposed dark object to be removed: t«. hese symptoms is a mark of debility) andllietarlit; they occur in fever, the greater is the danger. I, however, in a fever, the expression of the count' ¦ is unchanged; if the mind is steady and unriitfk Jeep, though short and interrupted, refreshing,! mtient is sensible of having slept; if the tongue i ) at the edges; the abdomen neither tense DOT pi if the patient lies on either side, and awakes \vi;i. uirry or confusion, we may prognosticate a sate ler lion. In the more usual cases of fevers, if the disease lia been properly managed in its earlier period, and the* cumstances are on the whole favorable, there are If instances in which a salutary change does not lakeplaj on the tenth or fourteenth day. Where tbiiWDO*" servable, a gradual amendment takes place, whwl clearly conspicuous on the seventeenth, and the ieverlia disappeared before the twentieth. COLD. I Ok. iv m 0 language °f tnc nosologists, Catarrh, is I disease of the inflammatory kind, which occurs more ¦fluently on sudden changes of the weather, and atfccks personi of all constitutions, but especially those of ¦onsiiinptive habits. I It is also at times epidemic, when it is known by the Jamoof influenza, and has been erroneously consider* El as depending upon a specific contagion for its cause. |Tlie influenza generally pays us a visit every six or ¦hen years. The season of its visitation is the middle ¦r hitter end of autumn, after a long spell of dry weather. m would appear to be no respecter of persons, knocking nually at the door of the rich and the poor, and attack¦m the young no less than the aged. [I Symptoms. — Its first symptoms are a stoppage of the ¦dm 1 , dull pain, with a of weight in the forehead; Hitt'ness in the motion of the eyes, and soon after cough, ¦Darseness, an increased secretion of mucus from the Bdsc and tears from the eyes, attended with more or less ¦vor.and sometimes sore throat. H (!usk. — This disease is generally the effect of cold, Much, by obstructing the perspiration, throws the re- Hniulanr iiumors upon (he nose, fauces, and lungs; or to ¦iN'Mtvat physical changes which give rise to epidemics. ¦ Treatment. — The treatment of this disease, as of all Bpi'is of an inflammatory nature, consists of the anti¦logistic, or cooling remedies. Where ii is slight, little v will In- necessary than to pay attention to the state of ¦ imwels; live abstemiously, avoid cold, and whatever m ¦ increase the feverish habit. ¦Bathing the feet in lukewarm water, or bran and wa¦•ii little hotter than milk just taken from the cow, at ¦' same time that something warm, as a glass of hot HMy, punch, or mulled wine, is taken internally, forms llF«'iiie(fy ii])on which many people place their sole re¦ n I cold water, in the early stage; of the disease, forms a sn; I and a much more efficacious remedy than the admim* J tration of warm or stimulating liquid*. A glass or w I of cold water, taken upon going to bed, is a very emu. I mon, and sometimes a successfid remedy for cold. I The impression of cold drink upon the stomach, iiiii . I pendently of its general refrigerant operation, seem- ¦ I have the effect of promoting the action of nil thesiw-B tory and excretory vessels. Taking a draught ol iv«:l water every hour or two, with ten or fifteen grainsal nitre dissolved in it, will be found a remedy as efl'rc;:: I as it is simple in almost every case of intlammaiiol catarrh. Should it he observed that the nitre hasatin dency to increase the cough, nauseating doses of i;ii";'H emetic should be added to each draught of cold wateßj which promote expectoration as well as ;u j of gore throat must bo resorted to. f In ease of pain or oppression ;it the breast, after the iillatnmatory action of the system is pretty well subdual, thf implication of a blister as near as possible to the fcrted part should not be omitted. r The most prominent symptom of cold is COHgh, which, lein-I uniformly present, and often very distressing, is Luallv that to which the patient directs the chief part of |js attention. — The medicines to be resorted to for the Krposo of alleviating cough, and producing expectora- I foil. are mucilaginous and sheathing drinks, as flax-seed I »a. barley-water, &,c, or taking now and then, a table• Lnmful of the flax-seed syrup, or a tea-spoonful of equal tons of sweet oil and honey, or a mixture composed of Lr part oil, and two of honey and syrup, or some of the Bore simple pectoral mixtures. (]&ee Dispensatory.) Alter the inflammatory symptoms have abated, thepectorl mixtures combined with laudanum or paregoric, {see iisprnsatory,) will afford the greatest relief; anil where jjir patient's rest is particularly disturbed in the night, Hi opiate at bed-time will be highly necessary, but it I mould he combined with some diaphoretic, as in the torm WK the anodyne sudorific bolus or draught, (see Dispen- B'c"7/.) or by giving two parts of paregoric with one of EJDtiinomal wine in some warm tea. [ | Barley, hoarhound, and sugar candies, liquorice, and EHirious syrups, of indigenous simples, are universally'em- Hoyed for the purpose of allaying the tickling which ¦oiluces cough. The effect of all remedies of this kind, II to smearover the glottisor fauces, and, by thussheath- Hg them, rendered them less susceptible to the irrita¦>n. As they have the advantage of being innocent, Hid are usually found to afford a temporary relief, they ¦ay, iii every case, be resorted to with advantage, as I^Vhenever a cold, either in consequence of its severity, BY from its having been neglected in the first instance, Hns out to a considerable length, it is usually kept up ¦ a state of simple irritation of the part, which super- 35 289 290 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. t< venes upon the disappearance of the inflammation, and becomes as it were habitual, exciting the vessels to a n increased secretion of mucus, and producing cough In sympathy with the larynx. In this protracted stage the complaint, when the cough and spitting alone remain it is absolutely necessary that the patient should eardiiliv guard against all unnecessary exposure to cold, and to defend particularly the breast and feet ; and when ob> liged to go into an air of low temperature, to incnm his clothing, and hold a thin pocket handkerchief before his mouth and nose. The vessels are in a state of relaxation or debility, when the cough is long protracted, and the consequence of any unusual application of cold is very generally a suppression of their exertions, and a subsequent renewal of the inflammatory affection. And it is in this way that colds are often kept up for months, until they degenerate into a permanently morbid state of the lungs. In such cases, the nitric lac ammoniac, (m Dispensatory,) in doses of a table-spoonful in a cup of flax-seed tea, or sweetened water, every four hours, to adults, will be found a most valuable remedy. Benefi will also be derived from wearing a Burgundy pitch, or some warm adhesive plaster, upon the breast, or betWM the shoulders. Should these means prove ineffectual, one or two grains of calomel, with a double quantity of powdered squills, taken by an adult at bed-time, and continued until a ptyalism be produced ; and afterwards the nitric lac ammoniac, administered as above directed, may be depended upon. Another remedy which has succeeded in this state ot the disease, is the tincture of digitalis, in doses often drops, three times a day, to adults, and its efficacy will be increased, by using the vapor bath. Inhaling the vapor of hot water is a remedy whHaM long been in use, in all inflammatory complaints ot the chest. However, upon the first commencement of ca tarrh, it has the effect of rendering the subsequent symptoms more severe ; but at a more advanced period o\ m complaint, it tends powerfully to arrest its progress ty increasing the secretion from the glands and vessels of tho part, and thereby diminishing their inflammatory action. The vapor has been found most eflieacious when Impregnated with vinegar or camphor, or infusions from emollient herbs. The inhaler, invented by Dr. Mndge, of England, is well adapted to render the process perfectly convenient for children. But a common funnel ill form a very good succedaneum for the inhaler, when this cannot be conveniently procured, the broad part bein*,' inverted over a vessel containing the water, and the lew being received by the mouth applied to the small end. Should a funnel not be at hand, a tea or a coffeepot, may be substituted, and the operation continued from a quarter to a half hour. In this manner, the vapor bath may be received twice or thrice a day, carebllv avoiding sudden exposure to the external cold air. Wording to Dr. Mudge, a tea-spoonful of paregoric, aken at bed-time, in some warm liquid, and the use of he warm vapor arising from simple water, through this uachino, will be sufficient to cure a catarrhous cough in night's time. An unpleasant and not unfrequent sequel of this comlai/if, is a hoarseness, or diminution of voice, depend g upon a state of the muscles, subservient to speech, iproaching to palsy. This is generally of a temporary Mure, though it has been known to continue for several oaths. In such cases the infusion of seueca-root, with ie fourth of honey, has been employed in doses of a il'le-spoonful every two or three hours, and, at the same me. some of it used as a gargle, with the most happy fete It has also been readily cured by taking a teaoonful of the syrup of horse-radish every hour or two; bf retaining in the mouth a piece of this root, or by lr gling the throat frequently with an infusion of red ! Pper, mustard-seed, or horse-radish. This symptom |i been known to be instantly removed by means of tctricity, and also by inspiring oxygen, or pure air. It ot importance, if the patient be in a debilitated state, "ivigorate his constitution by nutritious diet, regular er cise, and removing to a more salubrious air. A po- 291 292 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. pular writer of considerable celebrity, Dr. White, stat ( > « case in which not only a loss of voice, but a partial palsy of the muscles of deglutition, producing an imp* ifect, and, at times, a total incapacity oftWaDowing,tt sued upon the disappearance of a severe catarrh, attended with sore throat; and which did not gootV for the space of a month. In this case, the patient was in the habit, previously to an attempt of deglutition, to surfer 3 tea-spoonful of brandy to pass over the affected ptri; after which, she immediately became capable of swallow. ing with ease, but again lost the power of doing so, after the effect of the stimulus had worn off. Should hoarseness occur in the inflammatory or early stage of the disease, inhaling watery vapors, bleedi cold water, and demulcents constitute the proper remedies. Although the attendant symptoms of cold, in its incipient stage, seldom amount to such a degree of urgency as to demand the antiphlogistic mode of treatment ¦¦ more active forms; yet if it be aggravated or rondmi frequent in its return, by neglect or imprudence, ii becomes a malady which not only combats, but ofton defeats the skill of the most experienced physician. Al it should be remembered whenever the cough is fivM the fever considerable, and the breathing intercepted 1] transient pain, or tightness of the chest; unless them powerful means, as bleeding, purga'cives, and blisteriii!, with diluting drinks, be early employed, inflammation oi the lungs will succeed, which, if not speedily removd. will inevitably terminate in consumption. I have now presented to my readers, in a manner familiar to every capacity, the most approved plan of curt of this destructive complaint. Should it be adopted n the domestic management of colds, I shall not han wholly failed in my earnest endeavors to lessen some I the dreadful ills; for, of all the diseases incident !o il" human species, there is none so frequent in itt occlir rence — none which excites so little attention — waA Mjj Cps, when neglected, is so often followed by fc"j quences, as that under the name of cold or cow Bi rock upon which the health and lives of thouave been wrecked. The frequency of this disease, from the sudden changes of weather to which our climate is subject, and the slight degree of alarm generally excited by what is called "only catching a cold" too often occasions that neglect, which gives rise to the most distressing maladies, such as quinsy, pleurisy, inflammation of the lungs, rheumatism, &,c. Fully satisfied that numbers fall victims to the supposed insignificance of this insidious enemy, I have thought it my duty thus to warn the inattenlive. RtGlMEtft — A rigid attention to diet, is not to be looked for at the occurrence of every slight attack of cold ; but when the disease rises to such a degree as to produce a state of general febrile indisposition, it will be absolutely necessary for the patient to abstain from every thing of a stimulating nature. He should confine his diet to light things, of easy digestion, as arrow- root, sago, tapioca, rice-milk, custards, jellies, fruits, &c. &c. Where the symptoms are so trifling as not to render an abstinence from animal food requisite, those means of a more digestihle nature should be chosen; and if the patient have been accustomed to the use of spirituous liquors, he should substitute for them, porter, cider, or wine, diluted with water. Every thing which either stimulates the glottis and faucus in deglutition, or proves indigestible after being received into the stomach, invariably increases the cough, and consequently is injurious. Prevention. — To guard against this disease, the utmost attention should be paid to a due regulation of the clothing, which ought to be neither too thin, nor so irregularly disposed as to leave one part of the body MtfAvr/, whilst the rest is burdened, and too warmly clad ; an error frequently committed among children and young persons. Warm rooms and impure air may weaken the body, but warm clothing can never be injurious in bold weather. The use of flannel cannot be too highly recommended as a preventive of this disease; and if an objection should be made to wearing it next to the skin, 293 294 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. on account of the irritation it occasions, it may be worn over the linen. But, while thus careful to guard against tho morbid influence of cold, by accommodating our dress to fc weather, we should be equally cautious not to run into the opposite extreme. Too much clothing produce?! a delicacy of frame that disposes no less to disease than an imprudent disregard of necessary covering. There are two parts of the body more especially Ijable to receive the ill impressions of cold, and communicate them to the rest — the feet and the chest, and, with the delicate and susceptible, if fashion govern in all other respects, these, at least, should be defended with the utmost care. Whenever the whole or a part of the body has been exposed to the long-continued action, or otherwise to die sedative influence of cold, it is said to be chilled, or, in other words, it falls into a state of atony, in consequence of the reduction of its nervous energy, and is therein deprived of the faculty of duly supporting its natural heat. This state occurring universally, and to a groat extent, usually proves destructive to life. When local or general in a less degree, it proves the exciting cause to various diseases of the active kind, determined in their seat by the particular predisposition of the person; the weakest part of the body invariably receiving the noxiousimpression, however generally applied. Thus, those whose pulmonary system is weak and irritable, will have catarrh, or inflammation of the lungs; others, whose muscular Jibres are most susceptible, will be attacked with rheumatism ; and those addicted to drunkenness will. perhaps, be afflicted with an inflammation of the liver; and so of various other inflammatory affections. Colds. however, are by far the most frequent; which, perhaps. may be accounted for, in a great measure, from the lungs being so particularly exposed to all the varieties of atmospherical temperature. A person not particularly liable to catarrh, would probably seldom feel ill effects from being chilled by an * posuro to the cold air, if he were careful to restore the natural warmth of the body by degrees ; but if, during ;lie presence of that uncomfortable state of feeling, produced by the diminished temperature, he either suddenly come into a warm room, or drink of warm stimulating liquids, he will seldom escape with impunity. It should be remembered that when any part of the body has been exposed to cold, it is liable to be much more 1 affected by heat, than the exposure. Of this, the method of treating frozen limbs in cold countries, affords a beautiful and decisive proof! Were a frozen iiub to be brought before the fire, or immersed in warm water, a violent inflammation would come on, and speelilv terminate in mortification. They, therefore, rub the uiris benumbed with snow, and then very gradually ex)ose them to a warm temperament. Hence, it will evidently appear, that strong drinks, >oth before and after exposure to severe cold, must be lighly dangerous; and it should always be remembered, hat when the body lms been chilled or much heated, it must be brought back to its natural state by degrees. The common prudence of shunning, when heated, a torrent of cold air from the crevice of a door or window, •r throwing off the clothing immediately after taking exercise, is so obvious, as not to be required to be enirged upon. Putting on wet clothes, or lying in damp heete, or sitting in wetted rooms, is also so well known to l)o injurious, that it is hardly necessary to admonish eople against such obvious improprieties. The operation of moisture in producing catarrh, ap•m to act in the same way as cold, by proving a sedaive. The feet being most liable to receive the impresions of damp, as they are of cold, one of the most freuent causes of catarrh is getting them wet; to guard gainst which, is of importance to those liable to the wnplaint; and when a person has been exposed to the r et weather, the clothes should be changed as soon as ossible, after wiping the body and extremities with a loth wetted in spirits, to which a little table salt has eon nrl 1 I » 295 296 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. The predisposing causes of catarrh are, first, original peculiarity of constitution; secondly, an .acquired morbid irritability of the pulmonary system; thirdly, amorbid delicacy of frame, induced by enervating indulges. ccs, or weakening occupations, or occasional and iqq, dental debility. The exciting causes are those, which, when applied to the body, under a state of predisposition, excite disease into action. Es worthy of remark, that, however predisposed to se the constitution may be, by carefully guanlu st the causes which more immediately produce ii, its dreaded incursions may usually be prevented, and health may often be preserved to old age. The importance, therefore, of avoiding the exciting causes of a disease, so insidious in its nature, cannot be too Btrotth insisted upon, more particularly in the early periods of life, and in constitutions peculiarly obnoxious to iti attacks. Some persons are so susceptible of cold, as to he unable to endure the least change of temperature, without having a violent fit of sneezing, coughing, and other symptoms of incipient catarrh. And these will recur* frequently, and are of so temporary a nature, as to justify the expression, that they are seldom free from cold. The means of obviating this susceptibility is, by gradual} and cautiously inuring the habit to the impressions of cold, by accommodating dress to season and persona! feeling ; and, when changes from cold to heat, or the contrary, are unavoidable, in guarding against the transition being sudden and immediate. Nothing so much contributes to enervate the powers of the human frame, as an excess of artificial heat The ruinous effect of this indulgence is, that our health ami comfort are destroyed by the frequent recurrence of some one or other of those disorders which have their origin in cold. Debilitated by the perpetual stimulus of W we become sensible to every, even the slightest, tion of atmospherical temperature. Few, indeed, of m refinements of modern luxury are more prejudicial to health, by rendering the body susceptible of cold. than 297 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. the living in rooms heated by stoves or enormous fires. Let those who have at heart the preservation of their health, and the vigor of whose frames is as yet entire, carefully avoid making this effeminate indulgence necessary to their comfort, Let them, by gradually training themselves to bear the impressions of cold, endeavor to induce that enviable state of hardiness, that will enable tiiein to brave, with impunity, the vicissitudes of the atmosphere of our climate. It is in the power of every one to render the apartments they occupy cool and air> ; and there are none, perhaps, who have it not in their power, more or less, frequently, during the day, to breathe the open air without doors. In endeavoring, however, to habituate the system to two degrees of temperatore, one caution is of the most essential importance io be attended to; namely, never to remain inactive, eithefin the open air or cool apartments, long enough to induce ;i continued and unpleasant sensation of actual cold. This, in all cases, would effectually counteract the design proposed ; and by frequent repetition, would, in all probability, ultimately be suHicient to injure thestrongest constitution. By attention to these precautions, those inflammatory diseases, for which cold only prepares the system, may be easily avoided. COMMON COUGH. A Covuii is generally the effect of a cold, which has either been improperly treated, or entirely neglected. — H ben it proves obstinate there is always reason to fear the consequences, as this shows a weak state of tiie lungs, and is often the forerunner of a consumption. If the Cough be violent, and the patient young and strong, with a hard quick pulse, bleeding will be proper; •nit in weak and relaxed habits, bleeding rather prolongs tlie disease. When the patient spifc freely, bleeding is unnecessary, and sometimes hurtful, as it tends to lessen that discharge. When the cough is not attended with any degree of *6 298 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. fver, and the spittle is viscid and tough, sharp pectoral edicines are to be administered; as gum ammoniac, squills, &lc. Two table spoonfuls of the solution ofgon ammoniac may be taken three or four times a day, more or less, according to the age and constitution of the pa. tient. Squills may be given various ways: Two ounces of the vinegar, the oxmel, or the syrup, may be mixed with the same quantity of simple cinnamon-water and an ounce of balsamic syrup. Two table-spoonfuls of this mixture may be taken three or four times a day. A syrup made of equal parts of lemon-juice, honey, and sugar candy, is likewise very proper in this kind of cough, a table-spoonful may be taken at pleasure. But when the defluxion is sharp and thin, these medicines rather do hurt. In this case, gentle opiates, oils, and mucilages, are more proper. A cup of an infusion of wild poppy leaves, and marsh-mallow root, or the flowers of colts-foot, may be taken frequently, or a teaspoonful of the paragoric elixir, may be put into the patient's drink, twice a day. Puller's Spanish infusion is also a very proper medicine in this case, and may bo taken in the quantity of a tea-cupful, three or four times a day. When a cough is occasioned by acrid humors tickling the throat and fauces, the patient should k«f some soft pectoral lozenges, almost constantly in his mouth ; as the pontefract liquorice cakes, barley lOgtf, the common balsamic lozenges, Spanish juices, &i\— These blount the acrimony of the humors, and by taking off* their stimulating quality, help to appease the cough. In obstinate coughs, proceeding from a flux of humors upon the lungs, it will often be necessary, besides expectorating medicines, to have recourse to issues, setons.or some other drain. In this case I have often observed the most happy effects from a Burgundy pitch-plaster applied between the shoulders. I have ordered this simple remedy in the most obstinate coughs, in a great number of cases, and in many different constitutions, without ever knowing it fail to give relief, unless where there were evident signs of an ulcer in the lungs. About the 299 bulk of a nutmeg of Burgundy pitch may be spread thin upon apiece of soft leather, about the size of the hand, and laid between the shoulder blades. It may be taken oil' and wiped every three or four days, and ought to be renewed once a fortnight or three weeks. This is indeed a cheap and simple medicine, and consequently apt to be despised ; but we will venture to affirm, that the whole Materia Mcdica does not afford an application more efficacious in almost evey kind of cough. It has not indeed always an immediate effect; but if kept on for some time, it will succeed where most other medicines fail. The only inconvenience attending this plaster, is the itching which it occasions, but surely this may be dispensed with, considering the advantage which the patient may expect to reap from the application ; besides, when the itching becomes very uneasy, the plaster may be taken off, and the part rubbed with a dry cloth, or washed with a little warm milk and water. Some caution indeed is necessary, in discontinuing the use of such a plaster; this, however, may be safely done by making it smaller by degrees, and at length quitting it altogether in a warm season. Hut coughs proceed from many other causes besides (lefluxions upon the lungs. In these cases, the cure is not to be attempted by pectoral medicines. Thus, in a cough proceeding from a foulness and debility of the stomach, syrups, oils, mucilages, and all kinds of balsamic medicines do hurt. The stomach cough may be known from one that is owing to a fault in the lungs, by this, that in the latter the >utiont coughs whenever he inspires, or draws in his ireath fully; but in the former that does not happen. — llie cure of this cough depends chiefly upon cleansing iiid strengthening the stomach ; for which purpose, gentle vomits and bitter purgatives are most proper. Thus, liter a vomit or two, the sacred tinctur, as it is called, nay be taken for a considerable time, in the dose of one |r two table-spoonfuls twice a day, or as often as it is Had necessary to keep the body gently open. People na > make this tincture themselves, by infusing an ounce 300 Till FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ofhirrc pi ere in an English" pint of white wine, lotting it stand a few days, and then straining it. Jin coughs which proceed from a debility of the stomih, the peruvian hark is likewise oi considerable scree. It may either he chewed, taken in powder, of made into a tincture along with other stomach hitters. A nervous cough can only be removed by a chirm of air, and proper exercise; to winch maybe added rlie use of gentle opiates. Instead of the saponaciotM pill. the paregoric elixir, &.c. which are only opium disguised ten, fifteen, twenty or twenty five drops of liquid laudanum, more or less, as circumstances require, may be taken at bed-time, or when the cough is most trouble some. Immersing the feet and hands in warm water will often appease the violence of a nervous cough. When a cough is only the symptom of some other malady, it is in vain to attempt to remove it without firri curing the disease from which it proceeds. Thus, wlitn a cough is occasioned by teething, keeping the body open. scarifying the gums, or whatever facilitates the cutting of the teeth, likewise appeases the cough. In like manner, when worms occasion a cough, such medicines 11 remove the vermin, will generally cure the cough; as bitter purgatives, oily clysters, and such like. Women, during the last months of pregnancy, art often greatly afflicted with a cough, which is generally relieved by bleeding, and keeping the body open. They ought to avoid all flatulent food, and to wear a loose easy dress. JA cough is not only a symptom, but is often likewise c forerunner of diseases. Thus, the gout is freqofl* ushered in by a very troublesome cough, which atfret* the patient for some days before the coming on ot tin? fit. This cough is generally removed by a paroxysm ol the gout, which should therefore be promoted, by k«ef>j ing the extremities warm, drinking warm liquors, and bathing the feet and legs frequently in hike warm mi* A remedy that has been, and is much extolled, is am given: A piece of turpentine the size of a small nutmeg, rubbed up with the yolk of an egg, until itdissolve*: thru pour gadually on it a pint of llax-seed tea, and let the patient take a small wine glaM full three times a day. quinsy; OR INFLAMMATORY SORE THROAT. I Symptoms. — Is distinguished hya sense of heat, pain, Hid tightness in the fauces and throat, 'accompanied by I difficulty of swallowing, particularly fluids. In general, the inflammation begins in one tonsil, a gland on each Hide of the palate, then spreads across the palate, and ben seizes the other tonsil. When the inflammation possesses both sides, the pain becomes very severe, and wallowing is performed with extreme difficulty; but if it attack the upper part of the windpipe, it create! great danger of suffocation. OjkUltf. — Cold, wet feet, throwing off' the neck-cloth, Dr drinking cold water when over heated. I [ Treatment. — The same rules are to be observed, in ¦his, as in all cases of disease highly inflammatory, such Bps Needing, purging, and other cooling means. The ¦unit to which these are to be used, can only be aseer¦niiirri by the violence of the disease and the constitution <>t' the patient; but, from the danger of this com- Kilnmt. they should be early and freely employed, partic- Bilarlv if there exist any fever. I Local applications have also their good effects, and in Blight cases, are often sufficient to remove the inffamma- Bon. Receiving the steams of warm water, or vinegar and water, through a funnel, or spout of a tea-pot, will give Brcat relief. Much benefit may be derived from the use v< gargles, commencing with the common, and, after the Billannnation is considerably abated, using the astrin- Mtnt gargles, {see Dispensatory.) At this stage of the Hjsi'ase, gargles of port wine, or brandy and water, an¦\\(T every purpose, to restore the tone of the fibres, re- B^'d from over distention. ¦ External applications are, likewise, of great use. Tn Wight cases, it will be sufficient to have the neck rubbed • y ice or thrice a day with the volatile or camphorated 301 liniment, (see Dispensatory,) and a piece of flannel as plied. The embrocation will be rendered still i llo [ c stimulating by adding a small portion of the tincture 4 cantharides. But in those cases where the infiamtua. tion is considerable, the early application of leechei,( a blister or a cataplasm of mustard around the nock.ij most to be relied on ; which, by exciting external inliain. mation, will lessen the internal. Onions (see Mnhk Medico) are also excellent when applied externally 1 this disease. In addition to these remedies, the antimonial iiiixtwy, or decoction of rattle-snake-root, (set Materia Media) given in such doses as will excite perspiration, is much to be depended on, when the inflammatory symptom run high, and before the febrile symptoms are at all v» lent, the timely exhibition of an emetic often proves e\tremely useful, sometimes checking its complete formation. Should these means prove ineffectual, and there appear a tendency to suppuration, it ought to be promoted Ij frequently taking into the fauces the steam of warn water, or applying warm poultices to the neck. As soon M a whitish tumor with fluctuation of matter is diseovmd, it should be opened by the lancet, and then ihedtkr> gent gargles (see Dispensatory) should be used. It in consequence of the largeness of the tumor the pitted cannot swallow, he must be supported by nourisliini clysters of broth, gruel or milk. If persons, as soon as they discover any uneasiness in the throat, were to use the nitrous lozenges, (see Dispe* satory,) or small portions of nitre, as recom mended un der the head of cold ; bathe their feet in warm water: apply flannels moistened with one of the above jininfltt and keep comfortably warm, this disease would seldom proceed to a great height. Regimen — With respect to the regimen, it niu>t In 1 of the cooling kind, except the application of cold. Barley or rice-water, flax-seed tea, and such like, remit wl agreeable to the palate by the addition of jelly or bong should be often taken, although difficult to swallow: for 302 [ tiio pain ronsoquent on swallowing is more owing to the Eriion of tin 1 inflamed parts, by which deglutition is per¦biinnl. than by the passage of the liquid which is swal- I Prevention. — For the prevention of this disease, the Biiri'iions should be adverted to, which lias been given BiultT the head of cold. Where it becomes habitual, Xi issue behind the neck will often succeed in prevent[|Tliis disease has prevailed in Nashville and the sur¦Liiuling country for several years, under the erroneous ¦ lame of scarlet frrt>j\ and was treated as that complaint; ¦initiit many children have been carried off by it. I PUTRID SORE THROAT. [ 1 This is a contagious disease, and appears more gen- Iffullv in autumn, after a hot summer. It oftener attacks Idiiiiiivii, and persons of relaxed habits, than those of Bgorous health. KB Symptoms. — It generally comes on with a sense of Hddiness. such as precedes fainting, and a chilliness or Bivering like that of an ague fit, soon followed by a Beat heat, interchangeably succeeding each other during Bme hours, till, at length, the heat becomes constant and Bouse. The patient then complains of an acute pain II tho head, of heat and soreness in the throat, stiffness if the neck, anxiety and nausea, with vomiting and de- Bum. On examining the mouth and throat, the uvula Bl tonsils appear swelled, and are of a deep red, or shi- Bg crimson color ; soon after covered with white or Bi-colored spots, which, in a short time, become ulcer- Bd. The pain in swallowing is slight, in proportion to B degree of inflammation. The patient often complains if «ii offensive putrid smell, affecting the throat and nos- B sorne "mes occasioning nausea, before any ulcera- B"* appear. On the third day, or thereabouts, a scarlet Bption is generally thrown out on the skin ; first, on the Be and neck, and then, over the whole body and ex- 303 From the first attack of the complaint, there is con. Piderable fever, with a small, frequent, and irrejo^ §; and every evening, there appears a manifest eu lion, and in the morning some slight remission. % v with a debility and general loss of strength. In slighter kinds, the course is not very different from that of the inflammatory species, though Beemuwji slight, with alternate chills and heats, pain in the bed &/C, till the debility appears, when every other hai symptom immediately follows. Every sore throat should therefore, he carefully examined. ¦io putrid sore throat sometimes attends on measly h are of a malignant nature. In a disease which runs its course generally mid than five, always in seven days, no prognostic is tv hi depended on; hut a more florid appearance in thetlnur. and a more healthy aspect of the edges of the sores. Causes. — The same which give rise to the nervous or putrid fever, as had air, damaged provisions, &C. fa TREATMENT. — The indications of cure are similar: those of the nervous or malignant fever, as it is analogous in some essential circumstances to that disease: I which we must add the healing of the ulcers. Therefore, on the first attack of the putrid sore tlima an emetic may he given, which may he repeated on I next day, and followed by a mild cathartic. Afterwardit will be necessary to recruit the patient with bark an; wine, or milk toddy. The ulcers in the throat demand early and COM attention, as a loss of substance here cannot but thrcait much danger to life, or injury to the parts, if the pafit-c should survive: hence the use of gargles must be obvious to every one. When the disease is of a mild aspect common and astringent gargles, {see Dispensahm frequently used, are often sufficient: but when the tf4 toms are urgent, the tendency to putrefaction gret^ sloughs large, and the breath offensive, the *Vfcfjg* gargle must immediately be resorted to. IndepewW of gargling the throat, it is essential that some ot w 304 same liquid bo injected in the fauces, with a small [n votin: subjects, this method is the more necessary, :i> they do no ;hH know how to manage a garble to any purpose, did the soreness of the parts permit them to When the throat is painful, the application of apiece f of flannel, moistened with the volatile liniment, spirits of camphor, or tincture of red pepper, to excite ashtfhtdegree of inflammation externally, will be attended with mod effect But blisters, from the prevailing disposition b putrefaction, must be carefully avoided. According to Dr. Currie, the affusion of cold water is tin beneficial in this disease. It was his practic, after a copious affusion, to have his patient wiped dry and put iito bed, and given about, eight ounces of wine, if an adult, and so on in proportion to children; which plan, t appears, was very successful ; for in fifty out of sixty|wo ruses, where lie had adopted it at the commencement of the disease, he succeeded. Dr. Thomas states, that, when he was in the island of k Christopher, in the year 1787, this disease prevailed , universal epidemic among children, and a vast number f them fell martyrs to it, in spite of the utmost endea- Ml of the profession to save them; when at last the i)st happy effects were derived from the use of a remcy. the basis of which was Cayenne pepper. The mediiniMvas prepared by infusing two table-spoonsful of this Bpper and a tea-spoonful of salt in half a pint of boiling tier, adding thereto the same quantity of warm vinefir. After standing for about an hour, the liquor was rained through a fine cloth, and two table-spoonsful we given every half hour. The speedy and good effects produced by the use of >* medicine, in every case in which it was tried, cvi- Wly point out the utility of giving warm aromatics, l)i ( 'h will bring on a timely suppuration of the sloughs, v "ell us other antiseptics, to correct t'le tendency in the lr '* to gangrene. Since the period above mentioned, any practitioners bear testimony in favor of Cayenne %7 305 306 THB FAMILY PHYSICIAN. or rod popper, {see Materia /1/W/iVv/,) in the putrid sop throat, repper-cbrnfl constantly bitten, and the sain swallowed, have been highly useful. gie grand objects to be kept in view, in this mali^. disease, should he, to check or counteract the m tendency which prevails, to wash off. from time ft , the acrid matter from the fauces, and to obviated* . With tin's view, give quinine or hark, in lan doses, every two hours, in Singer tea, or a strong infiKioj of Virginia snake root. These may he washed down With punch, milk toddy, porter, or cider. It will ho n,, ecssary, also, to make a liberal use of wine, which may be given to persons unaccustomed to it from bnetothni quarts within twenty-four hours. Even sleep is less * cessary than wine and hark, and should it continue aboti three hours, the patient must he awakened, for the Id of time cannot he regained. The quantity of the win, and hark must he regulated by the effect [fwepi nothing in the first thirty-six hours, we may depend oil fatal event; if we lose ground in twenty-four hours. our hopes will be inconsiderable. In addition to those nwdies, we would earnestly recommend bathing the patiesl frequently in a strong decoction of oak bark, with omfourth whiskey. This valuable remedy should alwtt bo resorted to with children, as it is often impractKlN to prevail on them to take medicine of any kind, 11l also advisable with such patients to administer this d» coction ii. :i clyster; or use as an injection twodracbl of Peruvian bark with a gill of thin gruel or barley-wim which should be given every three or four hours m young children; and about hal! an ounce in a prop* tionatc quantity of the liquid to those of eight or M years of age. Should the first clyster come away M soon, from five to twenty drops of laudanum m;iv I* added to the subsequent ones. Should any particular symptoms arise during top* gross which may tend to aggravate it, such as vomitm. I Idiarrhoea, hemorrhage, or suppression of urine, tk^ 1111 remedies must be resorted to as advised under the Ik* 1 of Nervous Fever. Utoniitv, — Medicine will prove of tittle efflcac?, if tin' .niin il powers Ik* not supported by proper n Mrbh* moil: the attendants must, therefore, c mstantlv supply the patient with urrow-root, sago, panado, gruel, &&, to which niav be added, such wine as is most agreeable to Ui|u* fruits ure peculiarly proper, and fermented liquors, as cider, perry, &c, should constitute the chief part ofthe patient's drink. Bui previously to t;i 'vinuf any nourishment, gargles and injections should be very carefully employed i for cleansing away the sharp, acid humorfrom the mouth and throat, to prevent, as much as possible, its being swallowed. The patient should be so placed in his bed, that the discharge may freely run out at the corners of the mouth, and great attention should also ho paid to cleanliness. The fe lings of a tender parent, who views the progress of the disease on a beloved child, cannot but excite our tenderest sympathy. Too often, from an illjudged tenderness to the child, the parent will not suffer this dreadful disease to he checked by medicines. .Hut ir should he remembered, that although the pain is fora moment increased by these harsh, but necessary means, yet the quantity of pain must, on the whole, be much lessened, and besides, which is the sweetest consideration of all, a precious life thereby saved. Prevention, — The same means as recommended in the nervous fever, to correct infectious air, must strictly ' be attended to here, and especially with a view to prevent the progress of this disease. FALLING OF THE PALATE. The falling down, or elongation of the palate, is attended with a sense of tickling in the fauces, and sore- Msiat the roots of the tongue. Treatment. — Avoid speaking, and gargle the throat with the astringent gargle, or, when there is little or no inflammation, apply salt and pepper by means of the handle of a spoon. 307 308 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. If fever accompany this affection, bleed and give cooling purgatives, using nothing bat a vegetable diet, It is sometimes necessary to cut off a portion of the palate, to relieve the distressing cough which is produced by a long continuance of the disease. INFLAMMATION OF THE SPLEEN. When there is an inflammation of the spleen, considerable pain is felt in the left side, where the spleen is situated, liy pressing the fingers on the left side, a throbbing sensation is easily discovered, and a pain is fell by the patient, extending from the side to the left shoulder. and not unfrequently through the belly. The most remarkable symptoms which attend this disease, and those which may be relied on, are puking of blood, great weakness, watchfulness, and not unfrequently the mind is much confused. This complaint, like all other inrlammntory diseases, is attended with considerable fever. It is brought on by long continued fevers, and by affections of the liver; and persons who have sufiered much from long attacks of fever and ague, are liable to what they term ague cakes, which are diseases of the spleen, and which are apt to terminate, without the application of proper remedies, in inflammation of the spleen. Where there is no inflammation, and the side is swelled, the disease is called chronic. Treat-meat. — Purge well and frequently, with calomel and jalap: — see table for dose. Also, cup over the spleen; tor the method of cupping, look under that head; and always, if the disease is of the chronic form, blister over the spleen in the usual manner. The nitric avid will also be found a valuable remedy: read affections ot the liver, where you will find the acid treated on at largo. A broad belt worn over the spleen, with folds of cloth to press on it, will be a good remedy: as will, also, rubbing the side daily with equal quantities of spirits of hartshorn and sweet oil. INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY& In this disease there if always great pain in the small of the back, similar to that felt in colic, hut seated much nearer the back bone and loins. There is, also, in this complaint, a deadness and numbness of feeling in the roper part of the thigh ; considerable sickness at the Ltoinacli; a gre;it desire to make water frequently, which is done with much difficulty, and in small quantities at ¦be time. The urine or water is of a deep red color, [showing that there is great internal fever; the slightest Lotion gives pain; and even in sitting upright in bed, liu 1 patient is extremely restless, always receiving more mbj laying on the affected part. Sometimes one of llic testicles is retracted or drawn up, so that you can carcelv feel it. The complaint is brought on by great ixtrtion in lifting; by violent and sudden strains; by ex- Dmrc to cold when over-heated; by lying on the damp ¦round; and by too frequent intercourse with women. Biiiiu'tiines the disease is produced by hard substances, fcnlnilus, stone, or gravel, formed in the kidneys: and I lave known two or three instances of its having been ¦rodnml in young persons, by that horrible practice ¦allnl by physicians onnnistn. I Treatment. — I Jke all other inflammations, that of Be kidneys requires the free use of the lancet; always •prating the bleeding from the arm, as the urgency and •verity of the symptoms, may seem to require. Cup ¦My over the small of the back: — for cupping, read un•r that head. Apply flannel cloths, wrung out of hot ¦>Hr. to the small of the back; and give clysters of win milk and water, in equal portions, which must be ¦"own up the bowels three or four times a day. All the ¦nks should be made warm, in which must be dis- M v «l some kind of gum, such as that of the peach ¦¦¦• or any other kind of gum, that will produce a muci- V Flax-seed tea will answer a good purpose, as Jl also tea made of slippery-elm bark; in both of • 1( I' you may put a little of the spirits of nitre. The »<'lsiire to be kept open by castor oil and by moderate 309 310 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. clustering. The warm bath must be frequently u> ( , ; and applied lor a considerable time at once, o?er i whole body; daring which, the patient in the bath, mi have his body well rubbed with a solt brush orwoofa cloth: this bath must be repeated every day, and twin a day if necesssary. The warm bath is a most rtln ble remedy in this complaint, and must not be lH^hcV After the violence of this disease has been rabdofedfa the use of the lancet and warm bath, &c, as before* ticed, to give ease and quiet slumbers to the patient, 4 minister a pill of opium, or thirty-live drops of fail num; lor the dillerent doses of which, proportioned I the different ages, see table for doses. Or ft clyster at ii time, made of llax-seed tea, with forty or fifty dron^ laudanum mixed with it, will give great relief, by A ing both pain and irritation. A decoction or lea Mm of dried peach-tree leaves, made by boiling a handfbfi the leaves in a quart of water until it decreases to tin half pinti, to be drunk occasionally through the davuli is an excellent remedy, and has been known to bqccH in this complaint, when the sufferings have boon niH ally severe. In some cases inflammation of the kklnq cannot be removed, until abscesses or ulcers arc fbrttd this state of the case will always be known by tbesi becoming less severe; by great weight being felt in r small of the back; by chills, succeeded by fata lieat; and when by sutlering the urine or water to sd in the urinal or pot, you can discover a mucus mttitrij When this is the situation of the patient, the MHm Ibe lound a useful medicine: for description of wkj its medical qualities, read under the head ol I , sometimes called the upland cranberry, aiulsoim s the bearberry. The usual dose is, two or ill I a day, half a pint of the decoction, or lea mw ndful of the leaves, to a pint of water; or a vu i a->| l(Hl f the pounded leaves, three times a day, take! kind of syrup. 311 INFLAMMATION OF THIS ISLADDER. Immi::hvti:ly above the privates, in (his complaint, there is very considerable pain, which is much increased iy pressing on the parts with the fingers. There is, also, constant desire to make water, which is voided with ouch difficulty, and in very small quantities. Then; is a constant desire to go to stool, and always some fever; bo great restlessness, where the disease is produced hy tone or gravel; or hy stricture or contraction of the urethra, or canal which leads from the bladder { or by his passage being stopped up; or from the lodgment of hardened lumps in the lower gut, caused hy costiveness ir constipation °f the bowels. In the last case, 1 have friMiuentlv known an instrument introduced, if the finder mild not remove; the solid and hard excrement, called liv physicians the fwces. This disease is, also, sometimes produced hy injuries received, such as blows, kicks, falls, &c: In taking tincture; of cantharides or Spanish flies; nd by that false and foolish delicacy, which leads some enons to hold their urine a considerable length of time. I recollect a case which terminated fatally by this false nmlt'sty. A young lady of respectability was introducrd to a merchant who was travelling from Philadelphia tv \e\v York, and placed under his protection to perform the same journey. The post coach runs the disancv, from ninety to one hundred miles, in about eleve:i lours: iliis distance she travelled in excruciating torment from retaining her urine, and died from the effects of it, mi the second day after her arrival in New York. She rag in the bloom of youth, health and beauty; and I mention the case emphatically, as a warning to others, fho from false delicacy might do the same thing. Tin: atment. — You must, as in all other cases of inunination before mentioned, depend much on frequent 'lit ding, and the free use of the warm bath: and on all Den medicines as will determine to the surface, or in ther words, produce a gentle tn >isttire on the skin. Also, * ;i syringe, and inject water made pleasantly warm "lo the bladder, which will remove the irritating causes: 312 TUB FAMILY PHYSICIAN. I id, after washing out the bladder with warm water, in st directed, make a decoction of slippery-elm btrk,nj t it become cool — with this decoction or tea, ma a Ty weak preparation of sugar of lead, which must Kf ssolved in cold water, and throw up this preparuiq to the bladder occasionally; this will lessen tlie iiiriaination, and assist in finally subduing it; but 1 caQtiq hi to make the solution of sugar of lead very weal You are not to use the blister in this complaint; beam it would act immediately and particularly on the bladder by suppressing the urine. Clysters of the mildest kinc are to be given ; they will always soothe, relievo, a^ reduce the irritation of the bowels, and the adjacen; parts. If the pain is very severe, laudanum should I* given: — see table for dose — and the water frequently drawn off by a catheter: the fact is, that a physician should be immediately called; but, if necessary should urge the use of the catheter, by a person who is not a professional man, a description of the instrument, ami of the precise manner of using it, both in male and female cases, will bo found under the proper head. MU3IPS. tA contagious disease, affecting the glands and muscle* the neck externally. Symptoms. — Slight fever, which subsides upon tlif appearance of a tumor under the jaw, near the extremities; sometimes only on one side, but more frequentl) on both. It increases till the fourth day, and then declines gradually. Eeatmknt. — This disorder is often so slight as torevery little more than to use a spare diet, and keep Ltive state of the bowels. If, however, there he much fever and pain in the head, it will be neceSNfyl addition to the above, to bleed, or blister behind the neck, and take freely of diluting drinks, as flax-seed tea. barley or rice-water. It has been usual to keep the neck warm, but IW< improper. It will be found, generally, that those «lio 313 lave been most neglected, have been soonest restored to There is ;i singular peculiarity now and then attend* j,,,v this complaint; lor sometimes the swelling of the. Keck subsides, the testicles of the male, and breasts of jpc l'eaiale, are affected with liard and painful tumors, |iid fiv;|ucntlv when one or other of these tumors has Suddenly been repressed, a delirium of the milder sort Recurs. In this event, bleed moderately, apply a blister Kctneen the shoulders, give a dose of calomel, and en- Btiivor to reproduce the swelling by warm fomentations Hiul stimulating liniments. I When these tumors are painful, every precaution Ljlioiild be used to prevent suppuration from ensuing, by Heeding, cathartics, antimonia] powders, or mixture, dilu- Hju drinks, and by cooling and discutient applications, R. cloths wetted with lead-water, (ace Dispensatory^ Bud cold vinegar and water. It is necessary, also, that LJir swelled testicle should be supported by v suspensory I Hilling on horseback is very injurious in this com- Bliunt and should be avoided, it is almost sure to pro- Miuvtht' swelling of the testicles. | SORE EYES. II A disease so well known as to render all description Bf it unnecessary. I Causes. — External violence done to the eyelids, or to Hi*' eve itself; extraneous bodies under the eyelids, as Brticles of (lust and sand — acrid fluids or vapors — ex¦osiue of the eyes to a strong light, and night watching, Bjxvhillv sewing, reading or writing by candle light. ¦ liiilnimuation of the eves may also be the consequence BBBIV 111 W w " ' I'iul humors in the system, or may accompany other ¦hviscs of the eyes, and of the neighboring parts, such ¦>tlie tinning inward of the eye-lids, or styes growing B Theatmext. — When the disease is moderate, and the *8 exciting cause no longer exists, the cure is perfeoth easy, requiring little more than external application. sl , r j, as washing the eyes frequently with warm milk and water, mixed with a little brandy, or using for a lotion, mucilage of sassafras, fage Materia Medira,) simple rose-water, or about eight grains of white vitriol dissolved in a gill of spring water. Hut in more severe affections, bleeding, bUttering ho. hind the ears, on the temples, or nape of the neck, with gentle purgatives and the cooling regimen, will be found eminently useful. The greatest benefit will also result from soft linen bandages wet with cold water, applied to the eyes, and frequently renewed until the heat and inflammation have subsided. Soon as this is etiWiul, use the anodyne eye-water, ($w Dispensatory,) or two or three drops of laudanum dropped into the eve, or tathe the eyes in cold water, or brandy and water to 3store the tone of the parts. In all inflammations of the eyes from common CMMQ the remedies above specified will generally succeed' only we should be careful not to use any of the more stimulant applications, till the inflammation begun I abate of its violence, otherwise they will rather increase, than subdue the malady. In obstinate cases, there is no remedy so effectual M a blister plaster immediately over the eye. For this yen important discovery, I am indebted to the adjunct professor of surgery. Dr. Dorsey, whom, on his own polite invitation, 1 accompanied to the hospital, where he showed me a case in point. A man, whose inveterate ophthalmia, after obstinately resisting all the usual applications, was completely cured by a single blister, 8000 l • inch and a half in circumference, employed in this novel way. When the pimples on the eye attend an iiiflainma non and suppurate, they should be opened with the point ot a lancet, and washed with the solution of white vitriol. If the eye remains very weak after the inflammation abates, the best applications are the alum curd, {** Dispensatory,) which may be spread thinly on arafi 314 and applied over the eyes every night; and a solution of alum in the proportion of a drachm to half a pint of water: to which may he added the white of an egg. lathing the f rtce ant l c )' es ever y morning in the coldest ater. will also he found exceedingly useful. Sometimes the edges of the eyelids hecome swelled ami ulcerated, and from the discharge puts on the apteannCG of fistula lachrymalis. When the disease is violent, an adhesion of the eye to the upper lid sometimes takes place, which should he carefully separated In raising the lid, and dissecting cautiously with a roundidged scalpel. In chronic affections of this kind, the application of an ointment prepared by mixing a scruple br half a drachm of white vitriol with half an ounce of ivsh hog's lard to the eye lids, is sometimes alone successful; but when the disease is violent, the mercurial intmenl is required to give a more active stimulus. If ie ulcers are not cicatrized by these means, the solution f blue vitriol, in the proportion of fifteen grains to an wnce of water, will be useful. Each application must K'tnade by means of a camel-hair pencil, and the ointlu'iit softened by a gentle heat. When the ointments ire used, they must be applied in the evening, and con imied on the part all night; the solution must be used n or three times a-day, and the redundant fluid washd away with a syringe and a little cold water. Laudaum may occasionally be employed. In the general widuet of all these remedies, they should excite, on i< ir application, a slight irritation, by which the purirn secretion is at first increased ; but by degrees the Iges of the eyelids become soft, the glands lessen, the ii« rrial surface of the palpebrse become smooth, and of ; u*ual paleness. Inflammations are sometimes followed by specks on B eye, which if not early attended to, will obstruct the .lit. They may be removed by daily blowing into the '• trough a quill, a little of the best loaf sugar, finely wdered. When this does not succeed, unite to the |W an equal quantity of white vitriol or tutty, finely ''gated, or blow calomel into the eye. 315 A Doctor Manlovo. formerly of Virginia, who boon dead about fifty yean, is said to have lefi uni . y margin of one of his books, his testimony thai thea of an eel laid on with a soli brush and with great cm and occasionally repeated, has successfully ivmov t ,< i film from the eye — he says, the writer of this, learesi on record in this place, with the intention that it m»U useful to some fellow creature, when the writer MJI longer an inhabitant of this world. 1 most solemnly 4| clan 1 , that I have experienced the good effects of thea| plication in the course of my practice) but it should;,! used when the disorder is recent. I When this disease is occasioned by morbid im ,< . I the habit, 88 the scrofulous or venereal, we must in J remedies pointed out in the treatment ofthossaafl plaints. If dirt or foreign matter be lodged iinlitt.l it may be removed by passing a small hair pencil ; I ween the eyelids and the ball of the eye. I The defending of the eyes from the light by mini -I ment in a dark room, or wearing a piece of pveiKiH over them, is a caution which, though too obvious I pointed out, is too important to be omitted. I Pui;vi:ntio.\. — To persons liable to this coiiiplnn;! ,M following instructions may be useful. When the I are weak, all painful and fatiguing exertion ot'ilitfl should be carefully avoided, such as looking at ilicmiß sewing or reading by candle light, or sitting inasnuß W there be well grounded suspicion that the I niation of the eyes originates from the suppression »¦!¦ H of the customary evacuations, these evacuations &b I as soon as possible, be restored; and until then. :in •*• or blister on the neck should be kept running, as a sarv substitute. ¦ PLEURISY. I Tin: true pleurisy is an inflammation of that nu'in^B called the pleura, which lines the inside of 1)r B The pleurisy prevails most among laboring pd exhibits a sizy crust on its surface, when cool, 1 violence of the symptoms continues, the lancet he used once or twice a-day, with this exception, ter a free expectoration has commenced, it, will necessary. A blister over the pained part, alter the pulse has been reduced by bleeding, is by no means to be omitted; and 'I ilie pain he obstinate, when the blister on one side ( "' ' ; is «'s to discharge freely, apply another on die other side. \\ hen blisters cannot be obtained, some substitute must be resorted to, as a cataplasm of mustard and vine- 318 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Fith warm water, applied to the affected side, and re. ated as often as it becomes cold, will sometimes atli>r,j little relief. 1 During this treatment, the patient should take freeh p warm diluent drinks, as flax-seed, balm, or ground y teas, barley or rice-water, to which may be added a tie of the juice of lemons. I The decoction of pleurisy, or seneca, or rattle-snake>ot, (see Materia MetUcaj exhibited in doses of one •""two table- spoonsful every two or three hours, abates c febrile heat, and produces expectoration. The mm. onial powers or mixture, or camphorated powders, 00 Dispensatory) also produce these beneficial Hle< is, hen these medicines are not at hand, portions of nitre ssolved in the patient'scommon drink, and ipecacuanali such doses as will keep up a nausea at the stomach. thout vomiting, will answer every purpose. I Inhaling the steam of hot water from the spout of a i-pot, or applying a large sponge dipped in warm viner, to the mouth and nostrils, will be beneficial. Flu* ed syrup (see Mate Ha Mcdica^) is a valuable incdiic in this complaint, in allaying the cough, a symptom ceedingly distressing. When this is not convenient. ike use of tome of the pectoral mixtures, as advised der the head of cold. In the advanced stage of the lease, when the inflammatory symptoms are almost lolly abated, and the cough proves the chief cause of in and loss of sleep, then opiates may be given with ) greatest advantage. llt should be observed in the exhibition of opiates, that they be administered in the commencement of inminatory disease, before the necessary evacuations are ide, they increase the inflammation, and, consequentinjure the patient; but. if given near the close ot "such iladies, they are of the greatest service, and comply 3 cure. When perspiration is obstructed, they should coupled with some emetic drug, as in the form ot the adyne sudorific draught or bolus, {see Dispensatory;) t when this is not the case, opium or laudanum IWW >uld be administered, and that in small doses, when iho patient is much debilitated from previous evacuations. A half grain of opium, or fifteen drops of laudnuin. or thirty drops of paregoric, given about an hour before the evening exacerbation, alleviates the symptoms, and if repeated for a few evenings, gradually increasiiur the dose, ensures the euro. [If the pulse sink and become languid, blister the ex•mities, and give six or eight grains of volatile salts cry three hours with mulled wine. The bowels, in the line of the disease, must be kept moderately open, by emollient injections or mild laxatives, as castor oil, or the cathartic mixture. The bastard pleurisy is often confounded with true pleurisy. It consists of a rheumatic inflammation of the intercostal muscles, often of the other muscles, of the breast or abdomen. The disease is distinguished by external soreness, and is relieved by bleeding, blistering, and exhibiting the seneca-root in decoction. Ri'uimkn. — In no disease is a strict abstinence more necessary thrtn in this, since, in proportion to the nourishment taken, will be the increase of the blood, and consequently of fever. Nothing but diluent drinks, as toast and water, barley-water, bran, or flax-seed lea, ought to be allowed, until the violence of the disease is subdued; and these liquids should be taken often, but in small quantities at a time, and never cold. When nourish inent is required, the lighter kinds only should be used, as arrow-root, sago, panado, 1 1 « » of treatment. Svmitous. — The acute is marked by a pungent pain l;§t' tin 1 '"luhf suit*, rising to the top of the shoulder, some* tlimi lily*' that °f the pleurisy, attended with consider*[ H, liver, difficulty of breathing, dry cough, and often I \\\\o\\< vomiting. The chronic inflammation of the liver, is usually ac|f(i:ii]»;mii(l with ;i morbid complexion. The symptoms lire soaietiines very obscure, and confined rather to the iiommiHi murks of stomach complaints, as flatulence and I .| ( .|tit'iit eructations. The appetite, in cons M|uenee, fails, Ijliiil occasional uneasiness or pain is felt in the region |0l tin 1 liver extending' to the right shoulder, the charac- IfcrNic of the disease. An obscure fever prevails, which i|i.vii;tu!lv worse at night, inducing languor, want of lrf(i!i.;iM(l much opju'cssion. The patient has generally |ei;i\-rol<>i-ed stools, and h i<» 1 1 -colored urine, depositing a ¦ ird >i iliment. and ropy mucus. In the progress of the Ivilil}. the countenance seems livid and sunk, and the ley >dI ;i dull white or yellowish hue. Undor these lty!i|i:oms. the body becomes gradually emaciated, while I in i,ic region of the liver, is felt a sense of fulness, with H>!ii:'!u swelling and ditlicult breathing, attended with a llihim'. (In couoh, particularly aggravated when the pall'ii! !ic> on the left side. II As the disease advances, dropsical symptoms, accom- Biiiu'd with j "inndice, supervene; and under these com- Hii'atcd miladies, the sutlerer sinks. Sometimes an B>h •( ss opens externally, which, if it do not effect a cure, Hbst prolongs the life of the patient. ¦ ( vi six — Violent and repeated shocks from vomits; B'M.'ii change! in the weather, but especially cold H>' lts nficr very hot days; sitting in a stream of air when ¦Wi-lit i ated; drinking strong spirituous li(juors, and us- Bl fit » « H^l Ri'VnitXT. — In this, as in all other cases of visceral Humiliation, the same means to take off inflammation, 39 322 TFTE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. as advised in the pleurisy, should be carefully observe I And. as it is an object of the first importance to prey, I the formation of matter) we should adopt these m,.,,., I as early as possible, to produce resolution, the only >;> I tarv termination. — Scarcely any complaint requires sa I prompt and copious blood-letting, as acute iiiilamm; I of the liver. After the acute Stage is over, we may . I sider the affection of a chronic nature, and the I treatment must be regulated accordingly. I In the chronic species of (his disease, the cure dc I pends principally upon mercury, which may he .m ? I ed in the early slaves of the complaint The m< r I may be introduced in the system, either by t;d¦ account of its antiscorbutic and tonic powers, If slmii : :B be given to tiic extent of one or two drachms " ¦ luted with water, in the proportion of one drachinot V acid to a quart of water. At first, it ought to be iiit'fll in small doses, and frequently repeated, and the di' ü ß< gradually increased, as circumstance require. This B'M dicine, like calomel, must be continued until tlu 1 inoni» T becomes affected, the salivary glands enlarged, and iM secretion increased; and when (his takes place, tlu' ti:^ agreeable sympt .ins will lie removed, and tlio i : Br from being debilitated, becomes healthy, vigorous ;lli( M| 3ly own experience of the efficacy of the nitric" in chronic atKctions of the liver induces mlll'm 111 ' Bi \vell of it: and I am happy to add it was ¦ favorin ~'A medy of that celebrated anatomist, and ili^tinnti 1 * 'A i,vsici;in. Professor Wistar, in this distressing disease, > irtifiilarl v when iliito was an enlargement or the liver. Obstruction:* and indurations of the spleen, b*ar boom M :iil)l;imc«' to a diseased liver, and are very prevalent n low. marshy and aguish situations. Their treatment Miisists iii the use of the same means recommended for 1( . cure of this disease. Ui:<;im:N. — The food should be easy of digestion, licit ;!s veal, lamb, fowls, or fresh beef! Water-cresses, arlir and other pungent vegetables arc useful. A change f climate, and moderate exercise in the open air of the iiimirv, is both agreeable to the patienl and very salu- INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. Symptom* — Acute pain in the stomach, always increased upon swallowing even the mildest drinks. Inipressible anxiety, great internal heat, something like eart-bura, constant retching to vomit; and, as the dis - list advances, the pulse becomes quick and intcrmitng; frequent hiccoughs, coldness of the extremities, nil the patient is soon cut off Cvrsi.s. — Acrid or hard and indigestible substances, Irong emetics, or corrosive poisons taken into the slouch, or drinking extremely cold liquors, while the ody is in a heated state, it may also be occasioned by Eternal injury. Treatment. — Unless the inflammation can be resoliil in the very beginning, it rapidly terminates in a lortification. Therefore, a violent pain in the region of the stomach, i'li sickness and fever, should always be very seriously tended to. Copious and repeated bleedings, not reading the BmaUness of the pulse, are absolutely neceslr.'. .'. and is almost the only thing that can be depended l in no inflammation is the immediate use of tiie ; mii bath so necessary as in this, which attacks at once m "throne' 1 ' of life. If a better bathing vessel cannot 324 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. be had, a barrel or half hogshead, filled with wanniq tcr, about blood beat, will do. Let the patieni In , stamly put in i(, covering the lop wiib a. blanket. Km him in ;ts long as lie can bear it. and when taken < and wiped dry with warm cloths, be should hnmnlir,, ly have a large blister or cataplasm over the Btomad The bowels must be kept open l>\ the mildest clyster*, a water gruel, or weak broth, with the addition 6f aliol saltpetre, and sweet oil or sugar. These injections at swer the purpose of internal fomentations, ;im! al.a 1 . nourish the patient, who is often unable to retain ;i food, or even drink, upon his stomach. , v » The erythematic inflammation of the stomach ofa arises in putrid diseases, and comes on insidiously, I « evident, by the inflammation appearing on the intent surface of the mouth. When, therefore, an inflamn • tion of this kind aliects the mouth and fauces in lite bi ous, typhus, or puerperal levels, with a frequent roni ing. and an unusual sensibility in the stomach, we v suspect that the same alleclion extends downward. 1 such cases, or when the state of inflammation is ii proaching to gangrene, spirits of turpentine in doses mi tea-spoonful, given alone or in o little water, upon (In high authority of Professor Chapman, will arrest disease. — This medicine is to he repeated, more or id frequently, according to the urgency of tin 1 Bymptosi When the disease is a little alleviated, the infusion* bark, with a few. dropsof any mineral acid, is bomewiJ ease, and is highly beneficial. Rkuimen. — When the stomach will admit ofnonritf incnt, only that of the lightest kind should be allowd barley-water, and mucilage of gum Arabic, modern*] warm, are the most suitable drinks. Every thing «f * beating and irritating nature, must be carefully avoiff for some tune after the attack. INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES. Symptoms. — Tension of the belly; obstinate cosoj ness; great internal pain; external soreness, esptf* 325 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. about the navel, and so (revere as scarcely to hear the igiitfel touch; great debility j hard, small, and quick Caubks. — The same, generally, that induce the preceding disease. It- may also be the sequel of other discast's.' as rupture, colic, dysentery, worms, &c SL4TMKNT. — Whatever may be the cause, we must for to bring about, B8 quick as possible, resolution, unification be ihe consequence. The treatment of iiiation ol the stomach will also he proper here, lions bleeding, emollient clysters, frequently re. the warm hath, and immediately afterwards, a . on the belly. — Cupping on the belly is also useful Sucli is the nature of tins complaint, that we e-mnot be 100 cautious in the administration of medicines or diluents by the mouth. Hut the frequent use of emollient injections will, in a great measure, supersede their necessity, and at the same time, act as fomentations to the parts. Fresh olive oil. in the dose of a table-spoonful, is. perliaps, the only medicine that can he admitted with safety. When the violence of the disease has considerably abated, we may venture to give some aperient medicine by the mouth, as castor oil, not rancid, caloiihl. or cathartic mixture. hi this stage of the disease, laudanum may he employed with great advantage, particularly by way of injection. When the disease is combined with spasmodic colic, ibe application of cold to the abdomen, either by means of pounded ice, cloths wetted with very cold water, or (old water dashed from a pail immediately over the belly, has sometimes succeeded, when all other means bave failed, in removing the obstruction; producing an increased action of the intestine s, from sympathy with ihe external parts. Regimen. — After the disease is subdued, the diet pnould bo. for sometime, of the lightest kind, and not flatulent — The patient must be kept quiet, avoiding cold, 326 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. OF Til E IMIU EN IT IS, OR, INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN, This is sometimes a primary disease, butofteneronh a symptom of some other malady; as this inflammatory, eruptive, or spotted fever. &c., ii is very common how. ever as a primary disease in warm climates, and is moa incident to persons about the prime or vigor of lite- The passionate, the studious and those whose nervow system is irritable in a high degree, are most liable to R Causes. — This disease is often occasioned by nigh watching, especially when joined with hard study. I; may likewise proceed from hard drinking, anger, grie£or anxiety — it is oftenoccasioned by the stoppage of the usual evacuations; as the bleeding piles in men, the customary discharge of women, &c. Such as imprudently expoa themselves to the heat of ihe sun. especially by Bleepisj without doors in a hot season with their heads uncovered, are often suddenly seized with an inflammation of (be brain, so as to awake quite delirious. — When repelleM are imprudently used in an erysipelas, an inflammattoi of the brain is sometimes the consequence. It may Ijkewise he occasioned by external injuries, as blows tf bruises upon the head, &c. Symptoms. — The symptoms which usually precede i true inflammation of the brain or pain of the heai^red* ness of the eyes, a violent flushing of the lace, disturbed sleep, or total want of it. great dryness of the skin, cosine ness, a retention of urine, a small dropping of blood fros the nose, singing of the ears, and extreme sensibility « the nervous system. When the inflammation is formed', the symptom** general are similar to those 1 of inflammatory fever. I" pulse indeed is often w the part — when bleeding from the nose does not bappci spontaneously, it may be provoked, by putting a sira". or any other sharp body up the nostril. Bleeding in a branch of the temporal arteries relievo the head, or opening the jugular veins, will he of greftl service, a discharge of blood from the hemorrhokW veins is likewise of great service, and ought by all met* to be promoted. The patients body must be kept open by stimulating glisters or smart purges; and small quantities ofnito may be mixed with the drink. Bathing the feet in warm water, sweating is very important also — if the dfcSMt proves obstinate and does not yield to these mediciw* it may be necessary to apply a blister plaster to the bm II X A D ACHE. If a foul stomach be the cause, give an emetic; after \s\\w\\, take Oolumbp three times a day. If from a i)!i tlioric lial)il. which is known by a heaviness of the li,;kl and flushed face, Meed and give opening medicines. !If t r« >iii rheumatism, apply a blister to the back part of [ tin* neck, or between tne shoulders; and. at bed-time, I luilir the feet in warm water, and lake the anodyne sn- Ediuitic draught, (see Dispensatory?) If from a weak I liiihii. and where the pain returns a! Stated periods, as lln rani's of intermittents, and is confined to one side of iilic ht'ud, as over an eye, the cure will generally depend I D|n>n ilie free use of bark and snake-root, or the solution Kf arsenic, twice or thrice; a day; which seldom fails, I fc-i.riallv if preceded by a brisk purge. In this, as well IV.ni!uT periodical pains, laudanum exhibited in a pretty Rirjjc dose an hour or two before die expected lit, will ¦jiit'ii prevent its coming on. Either externally applied I b\i t i!'c pain on a piece of linen, with a warm band to Rontinr it. will aiFord immediate relief in head-aches at- Hiidid with cold skin. Cayenne pepper mixed with uuili! !iv irritating the membranes of the nostrils, has also Kiu'ii much relief in cold or nervous head-aches. I 1I 1 li is not unfreqnent that the partial or nervous head- Hc!m\ as it is termed, is produced from a decayed tooth, H'iiidi. on discovery, should instantly Ik- extracted. ¦ I Symptomatic head-ache is a disease of so many or¦"'iiis. thai it is ditlicult to ascertain the organ primarily ¦fWiod. Isut when the real nature of the complaint is H- 1 irtaincd, die practice to bo pursued will, of course, Hj'o'ivious. Where (lie causes arc beyond our reach, Hi* (lisi >ase maybe mitigated at least by some of the ¦"iicilic:-. we have pointed out, such as paying attention P 1 ill* 1 state of the bowels, blistering, and keeping up a ¦^'nnination to tiic surface. B :be sympathy between the head and stomach has Br' u noticed. It is the subject of such constant W -'iitv. ii vi i)( enlarge on it would be superfluous. v; ul-aclie attends fever of almost every kind. Every to 329 ' 330 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. I, obstruction in the bowels; every accumulation of snrdc or indigestible matter in tbc stomach, produces die >;n disease; every obstruction to the regular evacuation, X gland, particularly those of the surface; every 09 aflection, either from excessive excitability <>r •\. tion, has a similar consequence. Repelled fluids from the surface produce very en stantly a symptomatic head-ache. A cause of ihkkai is the repulsion of acrid matter from the surface, hyilie application of astringent washes to the cutaneous a'tiictions; bysaturinc or mercurial applications as cosim'iio* from which the head generally sutlers, though tlic at chief is often more extensive, and apoplexy or epitept fits the frequent consequences. Repelled gout is I*j more serious cause. We have not mentioned the mental causes, anxitn. fear, suspense, and grief; for these seldom produce ik complaint until the body, or, in general, the stomach :? affected. The head-ache of students is often nu'ivlv; nervous affection. Whatever be the action of the M vous fibres in intellectual operations, its excess is olfll cause of pain ; though in many instances the head-acini students is connected with obstructions in the bond and very often with increased determination to the In 1 The hysteric head-ache partakes of this nervous CM particularly when the pain feels as if a nail were fixed :: the brain. Are we then to be surprised at its fineqaM occurrence? Is it not wonderful that the head is eve free from pain? In the nervous head-ache, which occurs more I quently than is generally suspected, I have found a remedy so effectual as genuine wine. It may bo iM during the paroxysm, to persons unaccustomed to H»i a half pint to a quart, without producing any other I the pleasing effect of mitigating the pain. It is also I best preventive of all nervous diseases, when DBed«( larlyand in moderation, (see Vim., MateriaMw* When head-ache is accompanied with colclne^ 0 ' 1 ' extremities, bathing the feet in warm water, rub" them with flour of mustard or tincture of Cayenne M nor and keeping up a general circulation to the surface li\ flannel next the skin, will often afford immediate re]„,(• Anil in cases of great determination to the forehead, as indicated by a Hushed face and preternatural Vat. the application of cloths wrung out of cold vine£ar and water to the head and temples will be attended I viih good effects. ' Those subject to this complaint, should bathe their i head every morning in cold water, avoid full meals, lie Livitli their head high in bed; and always keep their feet Kami, and the bowels in a regular state. | EAR ACHE, I Is frequently produced by living insects getting into |tii> tar. The most effectual way to destroy them, is to Blow in the smoke of tobacco, or pour in warm sweet HI. If occasioned by cold, inject warm milk and water R) the ear, or drop in a little laudanum or volatile lini- H m. If this produce not the desired effect, foment the ear Kih steam of warm water, and apply a bag of camomile Bowers, infused in boiling water, and laid on often, as Barm as can be borne. I A fomentation may be applied to the ear by baking a Boe-cake, as it is called, of corn bread, with salt in it, Hid after faking oil* one side of the crust, put a piece of Both round it, and apply it to the side affected ; this may B more easily obtained than camomile flowers. ¦ When the inflammation cannot be removed, it poul- Boof bread and milk, or roasted onions may be applied Btlieoar. and frequently renewed till the abscess breaks; Bit which, it must be syringed twice or thrice a day, Bli Castile soap and water. In this complaint, a blism behind the ear is highly useful. ¦ DEAFNESS, W- occasioned by any thing injurious to the ear, as m noise from the firing of cannons, violent colds, inwniiKitiuu or ulceration of the membrane, hard wax, B'\ v debility or paralysis of the auditory nerves. It also 332 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. frequently ensues in consequence of long protracted fever. Treatment. — It is difficult to remove deafness, ba when it is owing to a debility of some part of fheorng or arises in consequence of any nervous affection, stim* lantfi dropped into the ear, often prove salutary. lather dropped into the ear, seems to possess a twoftU effect, one of dissolving the indurated wax,andtheothq of stimulating the torpid organ; but it is liable loexd some degree of pain, unless it be freed from tbegohini ric acid. No prescription lor deafness from indurated mi ever acted more surprisingly — none, [ am sure, \ m agreeable to my feelings, than the following, rays ft Swell i In consequence ofa violent attack of bilious ferer, which degenerated into thenervous, my honorable frit mi, Colonel George M, Troupe of Georgia, was afflicted with a deafness for a year or two, so entire, thai, in (onpress, when the members were on the floor, he vrasok Bged to place himself close to the orator, and even thru. frequently failed of the pleasure and profit ofhean) his reasonings. Suspecting indurated wax to be k cause of his deafness, 1 directed the cavities of bi ears to be well syringed with warm and strong sudtd Castile soap. This was done twice a day, iheearecm Stantlv lillcd in the interim with pellets of wooldippd in strong camphorated liniment, and sometimes phifßl camphor. In a few weeks, the nerves of hearing r» covered their sensibility, and, as the Colonel bind thought, more acutely, if possible, than before. Suit water is a better menstrum for the wax, andn* be employed, or some of the table salt finely powdeni may be dropped in the ear. There is reason, bowfl* for apprehending one bad efieet from this remwji namely: giving such a susceptibility to the organ, ito* is more liable in future to be affected by cold, and, &* lore, this remedy must be employed with caution. Deafness, in old people, is sometimes attended* noise in the ears, and is then generally owing to dew Every evacuation increases it, and warm tonics, " IIIl! generous diet, are the best remedies. TOOTH ACHE, b best removed by extracting the tooth; but If this cannot be effected, lill the cavity with a little lint di|>pedin th< i tooth-ache drops, Turlington's balsam, or any of ihe essential oils, or With pills of camphor and opium. The nerve may sometimes be destroyed by a hoi iron or knitting needle, A carious tooth is sometimes pained by accidental colds, and in sucli cases, it would not bo prudent u> have it extracted, if the external aperture be smaller than the carious cavity, after clearing away die carious matter, liie access of air ma y he impeded by r-nitrniu* of gold or silver leaf. When the nerve is accustomed lo the external air, it will continue carious tor many years without pain, and he truly useful. When tooth-ache is connected with rheumatism or gout, which sometimes happens, the remedies of either should be employed. This unpitied, though excruciating pain, is, in most eases, no more than the just punishment of our neglect of the teeth. Surely, then, we ought to lake some care oi them, though it were hut for the pleasure of having them sound. Uut this care would he redoubled, were we hut daily to consider the advantage of good and dean teeth and sweet breath. Sune women, indeed, are blessed with faces so nearly angelic, that not the blackest teeth can entirely defeat their charms, nor the vilest breath drive away their lovers. But how different would be the effect of both, if, through their ruby lips, opened with a smile, we were to see teeth of ivory, white as snow, pure as the fair owners fame, and accompanied with breath as sweet as that of infancy. PREVENTION. — To prevent the; tooth-ache, and to preserve the teeth and breath perfectly sound and sweet, the tooth-brush, dipped in warm water, and in the charcoal tooth-powder, [see Dispensatory,) should be used constantly every morning. The charcoal powder, an invention of the celebrated Darwin, is good for whitening ihe •he teeth, and admirable in correcting bad breath. The tootb-piek and tumbler of pure water should never be forgotten after every meal. 333 334 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. gthc calcarious crust or tartar upon the teeth adhere v, a fine powder of pumice stone may be used ?c . nally. When the gums arc spongy, they should l>, ently pricked with a lancet, and gently rubbed with vder composed of equal parts of Peruvian bark and charcoal. When the gums arc so spongy that they blood, and more particularly when the gums have been made soliv the imprudent use of calomel, equal parts of the tiiuiiin of kino and tincture of myrrh, may Jbe rubbed on the j gums twice or thrice a day. Young persons who wish to carry their teeth with them through life, must take care never to sip their lea scalding hot, nor drink water freezing cold. Socfaei< trcmes not only injure the tender coats of the stomach. but often ruin the teeth, and have caused many imprudent person! to pass a sleepless night, distracted with pains of the teeth and jaws. RHEUMATISM. Symptoms. — Wandering pains in the larger joints, and in the course of the muscles connected with them, increased on motion, and generally worse towards night. When with fever, it is called acute or inflammatory rlit'Umntisin; and, without, chronic. Cai six — Sudden changes of weather ; application o! I cold to the body when over-heated ; wearing ol' wet I clothes. I Treatment. — lii the inflammatory rheumatism, large and repealed bleedings are necessary, as indicated If the fulness of the pulse, especially on the first days, and when there is much pain. With this should be combined a free use of diluent drinks, as flax-seed or balm tea. barley or rice water, with a little nitre dissolved in eiffl draught, or the antimonial powders, or mixture in small doses, to excite slight perspiration, which should he kept up with great care, as in this relaxed state of the skin, the disease is liable to recur upon the least application ol cold. 335 In this disease, a very essential discharge is the perspiration; find if this be not produced, every medicine appears injurious. Of the Diaphoretics, Dover's powderseems best adapted to this complaint; and it should (observed, when sweating is once began, it should not intermitted, and when it has relieved, should be iufed very gradually to decline. The foxglove, exhibited in doses from ten to twenty drops every four hours, will be found a remedy of considerable efficacy, particularly when an objection is made Bihe free Hie OI the lancet. The blood root, {see Mauria Medical) is also a useful auxiliary in this disease. Bleeding and blistering over the part affected, when die pain and inflammation continue violent, have likewise their good effects. After the inflammatory symptoms have in a great Kasure subsided, the anodyne sudorific draught or bo, (tee Dispensatory,} or laudanum alone, may be Dinistered iiirness,distention,and considerable immobitityinthe joint. fll this species of the disease, v different plan of cure must ho followed. Large evacuations are to be avoided, and external stimulants of the wannest kind should be applied, as the oil of tar,* oil of sassafras, spirits of turpentine, or the tincture of red pepper and mustard; and, along with this, friction with a flesh brush or flannel over 'lit' afflicted joint is not to be omitted. If these means prove ineffectual to rouse the energy of the part, add to a'i ounce or two of cither of the above articles, one or two drachms of the tincture of Spanish flies. In addition to these remedies, the internal use of the rheumatic lis is decidedly preferable, when it cnn be had, and ought to he rubbed before 336 tincture, (*re Dispensatory^ in doses of a table-noon ful, twice or thrice a (lav in a cup of lea, is much toil. depended upon. When these remedies prove ineffectual, we tnayg* pect that some peculiar fault exist in the habit, wind must he corrected before a dire can he expected, I the patient he much debilitated, or of a scorbutic habit give him the nitric acid diluted, or bark freely. Audi the disease be in consequence of venereal taint, ortakhg cold from the use of mercury, let him take calomel i small doses, or one of the mercurial pills night and moming until a ptyalismbe produced. A strong decocu'onof sarsaparilla (see Materia Medico) is also a useful amiliary, and sometimes a remedy of itself. In some cases of obstinate rheumatism, I have wit nessed the happy ellccts from taking, for sonic time a tea-spoonful of Hour of sulphur night and morning,! milk or spirits and water. In others, again, I found nothing equal to the pbkeberry bounce, (see Materit Medical) in doses of a wine glassful, morning, now, and night. The cuckoo pint, or wake robin, (see Mater}': Mf& <¦•//,) in the form of a conserve, with an equal pan of sugar, is often highly useful, Theseneca root ana me» reon in the form of decoction, has also been exhibited with most happy ellects. Another valuable medicine ¦ chronic rheumatism is the spirits of (turpentine, in doses from twenty to sixty drops three timesa day, whichnMg cither he given on sugar, in a little water, or incorporated with double the quantity of honey, by melting them* sether over a. gentle heal, iliit it should he observed that these active stimulants are never to he. employed when there is the least febrile action prevailing in !: ' system. The solution of arsenic has. in someuiBtances,becnei' hihited with success in the chronic form of this coniplai* Compressing the large arteries by means of a toon* quet or bandage, as mentioned under the head of iu |tf ; mittents, i s another remedy which has been emptop with advantage in severe rheumatic pains, ! THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 837 In recent cases, when tfra pain wanders from one part io ilit* other, or whenever the joints arc Btifiened and ji ill. and the pain upon motion severe, or where ilio Luscles have become contracted, by the length and viotnco of the disorder, immersing the whole body in a vmiiii bath, Strongly impregnated with salt, or applying it bpically, by pouring warm water upon the limb from a Kettle, or fomenting the part with a decoction of mullein Lo or three times a day, will often soothe the pain, and prove a useful auxiliary to the other means we employ. Warm bathing, and warm pumping, are remedied of ' great utility in this disease; but as it requires painful L BiiMiilar exertion tj use the warm bath, it is not often fcsorit'd to. The vapor bath, from its superior tempera- I |ure. is better adapted to its chronic form. ; Two other forms of rheumatism ought here to be men[si»!H\l: namely, the lumbago, and sciatic. The first fttmelvs the loins or lumbar region, with a most acute pain [lliMtiu:* to the joints of the thigh. This affection is litMiiv related to the inslamiuatory rheumatism, and must in the same manner; only, instead of applyrlu Misters over the. affected part, they should be applied on tiie inside of the thighs, and kept running for some I * The second, or sciatic, a violent, or fixed pain, attack- I in. tin 1 hi,) joint, and partaking of the nature: of the ¦ir.>aie rheumatism, is most successfully to be treated || fteaiXKlf. — In acute rheumatism, the patient must be ¦^i'l^a a cool spare diet; but no change whatever will B'm .'fi'ss-.iry in the patients ordinary mode of living, in BifMnie rheumatism, in this species, mustard and horse- Bil:>!i. (sir Matcria Medico?) used freely in their natu- V stale, or united with food, will bi) found very benefi- Bll'B 11 '- 1» all cases of both diseases, flannel, or fleecy ¦P s i ; 'i"y. should be worn next to the skin, a Mesh brusli be Pf " I niorniag and night, an 1 every precaution betaken I guard against exposure to cold and wet, and also to a Bf'^or damp atmosphere. If the appetite be impaired, } i«ach bitters, elixir vitrol or some of the tonic mcdi- 41 338 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. cines may be taken with advantage. Exercise, cith»r of the whole body, or of particular limbs, will be hit important. The want of exercise is apt to produce Mijj. ness in the limbs. Prevention. — Cold bathing, and the use of ilannW next to the skin, are the most effectual means ofpreve* ing the recurrence of both acute and chronic rbeo* tism. POISONS. Any substance, which, taken into the stomach, or into any other part of the body, or applied extern;) llv loth body, so as to produce disease or death, may be calln] a poison. The most active and powerful remedies* use in medicine, if given in large doses operate as poisons; but when given insmall ones, are not only innocent but valuable. There are, also, many medium, which when taken into the stomach are quite liarmltv. indeed very valuable in the cure of diseases; but. when taken into the lungs by breathing or respiration, arc dangerous and destructive in the extreme. The poison : the rattle snake, when taken into the stomach is entirdj harmless, but the same poison, when inserted into ilie flesh so as to reach the circulation, immediate)) prodsces disorder and death, unless relief can be obtained I make these introductory remarks on poison, to throw! much light on their operations as possible, in the few* number of words. I When mineral poisons, such as copper, arsenic. (0 sive sublimate, lead, lunar caustic, &v.&lc, aretafal to the stomach, in too large quantities, you will I" I ' J burning and pricking sensation in the stomach, and jirea: pain in the bowels, accompanied with a constant pukinf and a thirst which cannot be satisfied. Your W& and throat will become rough and dry, as it" yon M chewed and swallowed an unripe persimmon, and ¦ pain will gradually increase, until it becomes almost' supportable. In this stage, unless speedy relict »WJ inflammation will take place, and terminate in mod"* POISONS. 339 uon and death. Should the dose of poison taken, not be sufficient to destroy life, a fever will take place, which will last for some time, attended with a constant tremblIM IM1 r * f the nerves. whea vegetable poison, such as Jamestown weed, 1 hemlock, opium, hen bane, deadly night shade, foxglove, wolf's bane, laurel, &C. fee., are taken into the stomach in 100 great portions, they produce stupor and a constant <|isirt' to sleep. The Jamestown weed usually product's crt'octs peculiar to itself: — for which, and a description of the plant, read under that head. When the poison of animals is introduced into the hu- I. man system, it is communicated by the bites or stings of I nrpt'iits, spiders, Slc. &,c, requiring prompt and imine- I diaic jifiention to the following remedies, which, togeth- I er with those applicable to other species of poison, min-1. er;il ami vegetable, are arranged under the proper heads. i Tki:at>h:nt. — When any poison has been swallowed, livlit'tluT vegetable or mineral the first tiling to be done Ijs to empty the stomach, by an emetic or puke of the I jiiost active kind. White vitrol, from five to ten, and ijtevt'ii twenty grains, should be given in a little warm \va- Hlrr. and repeated every fifteen or twenty minutes if ne- Etvssary, until free and copious puking is produced, fcvliich you must encourage and keep up by large ¦draughts of warm water. The white vitrol is an inno- Kvi.t puke, and acts almost instantaneously; and if the Bpmciic should require assistance, apply tobacco leaves, ¦tceped in warm vinegar or water, to the stomach ; they Ml! materially assist the operation of the vitrol. If the ¦Ktiitni cannot be made to puke, you must immediately ¦iw repeated clysters, made of strong flax-seed tea and ¦«wt milk, and let your patient drink freely of vinegar wul water, sweetened with sugar. If the poison taken ¦jit" the stomach is of the mineral kind — beat up the JHites of fifteen eggs with a quart of cold water, and ¦ lv c half a tea-spoonful every three or four minutes; ¦»•¦* will greatly assist the puking. From taking large Moses of opium or laudanum, your patient will some•nies sink into a stupor, or deep and insensible sleep; 340 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. when this is the case, stimulants must be given, of suffi. cient power to rouse him if possible. In these cam,] have sometimes resorted to scalding the soles of the I, ; with boiling water; and in one instance saw the lili> ofi young man saved, by whipping him to keep him in og, tion. There is one simple and certain remedy, howefer to be found in almost every house: take two tea-spoon ful of made mustard, or in other words, common Diustad seed pounded line and mixed as if for eating — put tbesj into some warm water, and give the whole as an emetic, and copious puking will be almost immediately prod* ced. This simple and effective remedy, has been lot means of saving hundreds, who have accidentally or intentionally swallowed poison. 1 have mentioned that poisons might be taken m the lungs, by breathing or respiration. Doctor Pan^ in his book on diet, speaks decidedly against the inti^ duction of gas lights into the interior of dwellings, ad Es, — u that earburetted hydrogen is a deadly dons, ieh, even in ;i state of great dilution, is capable «>t\\inff Q baneful effect on ihe nervous system. 1 ban in consulted. 7 ' says the Doctor, "on several occasion, pains in the head, and distressing languor, which hal dcntlv been produced by the persons inhaling til Hlrnt gas in the boxes of play houses."' Sir tin • *ey Daw. the celebrated chemist, made an e.\prnmonton himself, by inhaling pure earburetted hydrogeii and the result was, that after three inspirations, his m powers were so completely suspended, that Ik 1 did ii |i; recover them until the next day. Many instances ha* occurred of persons sleeping in close rooms during W night — win re small charcoal fires had beenkepts** warmth, who had been found dead in the morning. ' mention this as a caution; and will, also, notice sonic d er facts respecting poisons, which ought to be attend^ to by those who value their safety. Medicines should always be strictly examined, f-f Cially if to be given by inexperienced persons, ii-' l ' J' 1 not well acquainted with their appearance and qualm even those who make a profession ofsmellinguipdieiiift lometunes make dangerous mistake! in them. I bare now in my office, three pounds of emetic tartar, which 1 received for cream of tartar j and. had f administered this medicine without detecting the mistake, the results must have been fatal to many. A merchant ofKnox\iilc. received from a young man who attended a drug shut in Baltimore, emetic tartar, for cream of tartar, and was in t!ie very act of giving it to a friend who was indisposed, when the master of the shop arrived, in great alarm, having discovered the blunder, just in time to prevent ihe tat ifconsequences. iwill give one case more, hv way of caution respecting mistakes in medicines. During the summer of J 835, a gentleman from South Carolina, stopped at the house of Mrs. SI. of Patrick county, Virginia; he felt somewhat indisposed, and denied to have a dose of salts; through mistake he received and took salf-petre. Nothing saved him hut the esrly arrival of the son of .Mrs. H. a gentleman of superior intelligence, who immediately administered a powerful emetic, and relieved him. Peiaons, communicated by the bites of snakes, spiders, and other insects, are immediately to he attended to. — The moment you are bitten by a snake, you are to tie a tigjn and strong bandage immediately above the lute — this will prevent the circulation of the. blood, and give you time to apply the remedies needful for relief. As won as possible, dissolve six grains of lunar caustic in hx table-spoonsful of water, and wet the bitten part with it constantly. Every man in the country ought to keep I will piece of lunar caustic in his house; it is sometimes called nitrate of silver, nitric acid, and pure water. II ihe caustic cannot he obtained, make a poultice of Ilick lime and soap, and apply it to the part affected, tod give the patient as much red-pepper tea as the stomach will hear, and also every hour give him a table*|">i>nt'ul of the juice of the plantain. In all cases where •physician can he had, the best remedy is to cut out the 11(11 part. The Indians when bitten by a poisonous [jjjake, always extract the poison by sucking the wound. Itore is no danger in this operation — I have told you 341 342 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. before that the venom of the snake, if even taken into the stomach, is attended with no danger. The liL.j should be encouraged to How from the wound, by scan. tying the part iminediatel j about i(, and applying t| k cupping instruments. When you are bitten by a spider or injured by any odier insect, apply a linen rag ,-onstantly moistened with laudanum, s[)irits of hartshorns strong ley. 1 shall record a. few cases, in which it will he evidsj that the hite of the rattle snake may be very easily cured, by extremely simple, and always practicahle remedfe The cases may be found in detail, on pages (519, tittlii (>~l, of the sixth volume of the Medical Recorder. 1 shall abridge them. Ist, ''One evening at my resideiNY, on the hills ol'Santee/' says William Maryant, Em, formerly a member of Congress, "[ heard ;i viohi scream at no great distance. In a few minutes 1 wi called out and was informed that a negro had been hi ten by a rattle-snake, and was dead, or dying. 1 found him motionless and speechless, his jaws locked, and lib pulse fluttering and scarcely perceptible. I had hoard of the successful use of spirits in such cases, both mmm the whites and Indians. 1 therefore took a glaa i whiskey, put into it a table-spoonful of powdered id pepper* and poured it down his throat — in a few minute it was puked up, as were also three or four more doM After the fourth glass it remained on his stomach. H> pulse improved greatly in a short time, and after gettfj live or six glasses to remain, I ceased giving hiniMJ more, until the pulse fell very tiist, and nearly eeastti beating. 1 again commenced giving him the whiflkej and pepper — and soon discovered that on ceasing m Sinn 'i.axts, his pulse would again sink to nothing, f* ter taking more than one quart of this liquor, a copious stool followed; the spirit was again administered, iini" his pulse became steady. During the night he t |)l * three quarts of whiskey; in the morning he was murli better, but very weak — he finally recovered. ISnd, "About a year afterwards, I was called to MO* slave who had been bitten by a rattle-snake; h« ¦¦ 343 iii great pain about the chest, and was poking a green fluid. ! gave nnn Iv f )ratC(^ doses of whiskey mm pepper until his pulse returned, which had nearly ceased jp [ u »;,( — in twelve hours, by the use of about a quart of ihis liquor, he was a well man." 3d, "1 related the above eases to a friend, who had latelv arrived from Rio .lanerio, after a residence of thirteen years. He told me that the serpents of that eoun; irvsvereso extremity venomous, as in many instances to produce death in fifteen minutes; and that the natives effected their cures, by giving large doses of spirits, in which herbs had been stewed. He related an instance in which a man was found with one of these most poisonous snak.s on him, and biting him* repeatedly. The :¦ make was killed, and the man taken 10 the house, to all ' appearances dead, in a short time he came to himself, and was unhurt by the poison. The fact was, that he • had been very drunk, and had fallen on the snake; the stimulus of the liquor had, no doubt, counteracted the influence of the poison; this was the solution of the difficulty." These three cases coincide, Strongly, widi a case pub'• Mud several years since, in the National Intelligencer, liv the celebrated Doctor Ramsey, in which large doses olbraiuly and opium were given with complete success, in the bite of a rattle-snake. 'flic tincture of cantharides, which is nothing more than the Spanish of blistering Hies, or our common potato Hy. steeped for a lew days in whiskey or spirits of any kind. Of this tincture, apply a tew drops to the wound until it occasions a redness. By this application the poisom is rendered harmless; and the stings of insects or reptiles are entirely removed as soon as the blister arises. I'iiisis a late discovery, and truly a valuable remedy. i cannot quit this interesting subject, without noticing particularly, that a most excellent remedy in the bites of Wth venomous snakes and spiders, is the immediate application of the soft black mud from spring branches, — or Rich mud as is ttsed for the daubing of houses. I nave never had occasion to try the experiment myself — but fully believefrom the best authority, that it ban t f. ficient and powerful application. PAINFUL AFFECTIONS OF THE FACE (This disease is called by physicians, tie (lo!omi.r.-^\ appily for mankind, is of very unfrequenl occurrence, t is an acutely painful ailection of the nerves of the tiice, particularly over the cheek bone, in which tin* pti shoots With great quickness and suddenness, mid is almost insupportable for a lew seconds, when it at sot denly becomes easy. The slightest touch will cam it to dart instantly, and sometimes by opening the month quickly, it will return with a jerking and spasmodicallection of the muscles of the face. There is in this coot plaint — neither swelling of the cheek, nor any species of inflammation, nor does the pain seem deeply seated. i .. Ejsatment. — Remedies for curing this complaint, long been objects of attentive research, with ibl distinguisned and able physicians. The remedies usually resorted to, but I confess with very little succes, are sulphate of zinc, which is white vitriol, Peruviu bark, opium and carbonate of iron, given iti doses fli twenty grains every fourth hour. As 1 have just remark' cd, these are remedies attended with very little illcceß; the carbonate of iron was for some time considered efficient and beneficial — but at length, like the other ninedies, it fell into* disrepute. We are now indebted to i common weed for the cure of this complaint, a w«M which infests our gardens, highways, and harM-v;inl>it is the common Jamestown weed, usually called tii (1 stink weed and thorn-apple: — read under the bw Jamestown weed. A physician of much distinction, Doctor John Eberh ofNew York, speaks thus in substance of this weed*—' l July last, I was called to see a lady aged about twenty years, who was suffering very much from this coiflpW* 'in die right side of her face/ The paroxysms or fi»« pain, were sometimes so very violent as to proJuce temporary loss of reason. Sho had been treated by other 344 345 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. nhvsicians with the usual remedies} all of which had been found incompetent to afford the least relief I preicribed fiMrherthe extract of Stramonium or Jamestown weed, and gave her a grain of this extract every four [ping, — She commenced with this in the evening, and towards morning had intervals of ease, ami slept some. She continued this medicine during the succeeding day, Utd experienced much less pain than she had done for eight days previously. After the fourth dose, she felt Boine viliigo or dizziness of the head, and was directed to take the medicine only every six hours, in which she persisted until entirely relieved and fully cured, which was in a few days. "The Jamestown weed," says this eminent physician, *'is undoubtedly a medicine of great and valuable powers. In chronic rheumatism, 1 have employed it in several instances with the most unequivocal advantages. In sciatica, hy which the Doctor means hip gout, "also, I prescribed it with complete success in three cases. We are chiefly indebted to Doctor Marcet lor our knowledge of its efficiency in atfections of this kiul." &c. v IiI were called upon," says this writer, ¦Hoexpresi in a few words, the general opinion which I Ifeel inclined to form from the opportunities 1 have had of fsmdving the properties of stamonium," — Jamestown Ihvrrd, — "I should say, that when given with due caution, land in proper doses, in all cases of chronic disease at¦U'lulid with acute pain, it wi'l invariably lessen the sen- Ifiluliiv to pain and suffering. 91 I fully accord with the XL) >ctor in iiis opinions, and refer the reader to the head ¦Jamestown weed, where he will find an interesting de- Bi'lopinent of the medical properties and powers of this |[ The following remedy is taken from the New York Pltdieal Inquirer: — w Mr. Abernathy has administered B'f nitrate ol silver in this disease," which means lunar ¦austic, "in the dose of one grain twice a day, made into 1 1 * ¦'ll* with conserve of roses," which is nothing more ¦'in syrup made of rose leaves with sugar or honey. ¦ "A Mr. Thomas also recommends this preparation in ¦ I|!i most distressing disease. The following is a copy i' 2 346 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. of Mr. Thomas' proscription: — take of nitrate of silver one scruple, nitric acid fifteen drops," which it commot I ]y called aqua Ibrtis, "pure water three ounces; from fa I ty lo sixty drops t<> be taken twice a day. in two i;ili|,.. I spoonsful of camphorated julep*' 1 Fora description n| l the method of preparing the camphorated julep, read un- I der that head. I LOCKED JAW. I This disease is called by physicians tetanus — whjd I means spasm with rigidity — it is from the Greek wori I which means to stretch. It may be considered an in- I voluntary contraction of all the muscles of the Imklv, I while the patient remains perfectly in his senses. 11l generally arises from wounds; and 1 have even known ¦ it lo originate from the slight puncture of a neeiile. in I which case it terminated in the death of an amiable 'a- ¦ dy. It comes on with a dull stiffness of the m «¦:. : I head; in a short time the head and neck becomes diffi- B cult to move; the tongue also become stiff and (litlidiß to be moved about or put out; the swallowing becooM I painful; there is a tightness across the breast, sometime* B attended with pain in the small of the back; ihe jaws B gradually become still", and the teeth clenched: i!ii>i«B lock jaw. B TREATMENT.' — You are immediately to open I wound, if that bo the cause, with a lancet or other shiirpß instrument, and remove any matter that may be m ii;u wound. Then apply spirits of turpentine to the wound B and if the person is strong, hearty and in lull haliif. .V()l. V()l! B are to draw blood freely from the arm; then DUI . Vlllir B patient in the warm hath; L mean here that the" licit ¦ body is to be immersed in warm water for a time. ;• given two grains of opium. During the time the* "fB erations are making, a skilful physician must . bo soiiiil' l B for: because the immense Quantities of opium "li |tV ;B must be given, will make even the best physician (inn«™ his own practice. Yet such are the fatal eonso<]ti B of delay and timidity in locked jaw, that unless bold nmß »>(lios are used, particularly the use of opium in heavy doses, death must certainly take place. Opium has to ln> liven in this complaint according to the situation of the patient, and the violence of the disease, almost without regarding the quantity. That it is the proper remedy in spasm there can be no doubt; and that the quantities sometimes given in lock jaw are almost incredible, is a I'tci well known to practitioners of medicine. Tobacco is highly spoken of in this distressing spasm — given ill the form of clysters. Doctor Thomas tells vs — •ih;it inanv cases are on record, where the astonishing quantity of an ounce of opium has been given in twentyfour hours." To proportion the quantity of opium given, combined with the administration oi clysters of tobacco, must always require the judgment of a skilful physician, and 1 therefore recommend that one always be procured where practicable. In desperate cases, where by reason of the clenching of the teeth, the patient cannot receive any thing into the mouth, it is necessary to remove a front tooth, and sometimes more than one. 1 have never heard of, nor seen the practice, hut should a case of a desperate locked jaw occur in my practice, I Would try the ellect of a Strong bath made of warm ley, or lye, in which the body of ihe patient should be entirely immersed, at the same time that i would give a clyster containing fifteen grains of emetic tartar — in addition to which I would stimulate the patient freely with warm toddy. CANCER. Cancer generally makes its appearance about the lips, 'li' 1 nose, and about the breasts of females. It sotnetimos, also, but the instances J am happy to say are not v *rv frequent, makes its appearance in the womb, in which the cure is very doubtful. Those who are advan(l('il 'il in life, are much more subject to cancerous affections wan young persons; particularly if they have scrofulous constitutions, which have descended to them from their inceston, — A cancer commences with a small inflamed 347 348 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. pimple of a bluish color, which becomes sore, with dtr| rising edges of a ragged and uneven appearance, 0| a close examination of the sore, you will discover twi whitish lines crossing from the centre to the edge of (In sore. At first, a burning sensation is felt in the ton which is accompanied as the disease increases with star shooting paint. After sometime these pains tn\mk and the cancer discharges a highly offensive matter: this discharge increases gradually, and the matter communicating to the adjoining parts, finally ends inahra offensive sore or ulcer, of a most dreadful and exhaustM nature, always terminating, unless a cure is effected, m a lingering, painful and horrible death. Treatment. — The moment cancer is discovered, & solve ten grains of corrosive sublimate in a gill of win* key, or a gill of strong spirits of any kind. Apply cat tiously this mixture to the affected part; it may beckw by making a small rag swab, wetting it with the solution just named, and touching the affected or sore part wii it very gently. — This operation is to be performed once E, until the cancer is destroyed. This is a powerful 'me, and the pain produced by its application i> severe; but by an early application of this remedy. and bearing the pain of its application fifteen or twenty minutes fora few days, it will kill the cancer. It should never be used on large ulcers or cancerous sores, the pain it inflicts being as severe as if a red hot iron were applied. In many cases, when applied at an eaiiv stagl of cancer, I have known this remedy, successful. Ti Es should be washed with salt and water, and dw» with charcoal plasters. To kill the pain, JIW "I 1 " or laudanum: see table. But notwithstanding wha: has been said of the foregoing remedy, in order to insai a successful cure, I think the parts ought to be removed or cut out at an early period of the disease. I have performed the operation fifteen or sixteen times with •*¦ cess; the last operation was performed on Mr. II — • of Monroe county, Viginia, during my residence in l'°M etourt county, of the same state, assisted by my niev. i verely scalded or burned, apply cloths kept eonstan , Wei with the coldest water. Where the scald or limi takes place in children, and to no great extent, theappfii cation of common tar immediately to the injury, i valuable remedy not often resorted to, but which I earnestly recommend. The application of carded cottti to a scald or burn, is also an excellent remedy, and oh which is nearly always convenient. The old iniiliml ; I applying sweet or olive oil immediately to a scald or I ll*' v J I burn, is a bad plan, and ought never to be resorted \\ until cold water or ice has been applied for reducing ib inflammation ; then olive or sweet oil will answer a valuable purpose. If oil is not convenient, which is liti the case, the poultices made of raw Irish potatoes, cirrots or turnips, will he proper; the oil, however. ifpo» ble to be obtained, is preferable. When the patient hi been in the greatest pain, and every remedy I had ap plied gave but little relief, I have always been iblel give instant ease, if I had or could procure it. by tin 1 »¦ plication of Turner's cerate. For the method ot'inakni: this very valuable salve, look under that head. It " llb be applied by spreading it on linen rags, and covering^ burned or scald parts with them; and 1 suppose 1 n" not tell you that these cerate plasters are to be supple by new ones, every day laid on fresh. This coolingaai soothing remedy, seems to act like magic, in giviiiiirtlief from the most horrible Buffering. On my arriwilin Montgomery county, Virginia, I was called in consult' don with Dr. Joseph Miller, who was a physician ty nature, and a man of the highest native genius, a " iall l who must have stood at the head of his profession. I'^l 351 \ u< peal intellectual powers been Bided by adequate op* nortunitiea of education. With this gentleman 1 attended J (|j jyfgjor • H»* had been taken with a lit. and j a l| ( .,, into the lire, by which he was lifting, after his family had retired to bed. Before he was discovered by Ins family and taken out. lie was literally roasted: his ribs were perfectly exposed on the right side, and the motion of the abdomical viscera, the intestines or gats, could easily be distinguished through the thin membrane. His situation was as truly horrible as can well be inia(l. and his sufferings were so very great, as frequently 1,1 induce him to pray to us, that something might be given him to end tne miseries of his existence. Those Mill.T itles must indeed be unspeakble, which destroy in iikiii the natural and deep-seated love of life. B>y the application of Turner's cerate, which was spread on a jheetaud applied to him, and slippery-elm tea riven in- Miinllv. this gentleman recovered, and is now living in Montgomery county. Virginia, near Christiansburg. 1 mention this case in all its horrors, to induce every liimilv into whose hands this book may fall, always to have in their possession Turner's cerate for immediate application. CORNS. We all know what corns are, and it is useless to con- Rime time in describing them. l'it!:.vnn:\T. — To get rid of them in the shortest DOSliWetime, bathe the foot or feet m warm water, about li ; ' ; t' an hour before going to bed. When the corns bvo become soft from bathing, shave down the horny v:rfs smooth, but not so close as to produce blood; then Boisten the tops of them with spittle, and rub over them l fittle lunar caustic, which you can easily procure. This niwic must be gently rubbed on, until a sufficiency "I it sticks on the corns to change them first to a dark (nijf color, and next to a deep black. Put a little cotton l)Vl 'nln>m. to prevent the stocking from rubbing them, |[]( j ||» qI , |i\f /^•^\"" t tlifur 1 1 ri ) I » /\ 1 1 1 \\\7 t\\(.\ I* /i\t ' • I'll' ¦ "n.iv »v 1 1 ( . \ ¦ lllvy Xy 111 0011113 OUI I/y if 1 v rOvllo • 11119 352 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Pc remedy of Doctor Brown of Philadelphia, and; good one. WARTS. Wi: Jill know what warts are, and it is also useless to describe them. Treatment. — Put on each wart a small blister • Spanish flies, which can easily be confined by Bdhesni plaster of any kind. In a few days the warts will com out, when you may use the lunar caustic, as in theou of corns; or you may wet the warts wtth a little mUg ric acid or oil of vitrol, which will soon bring theroof; or with nitric acid or acjua fortis, which will produce ill same effect. VACCINE DISEASE, OR COW-POX. Thk vaccine discovery may be justly considered a? one of the most extraordinary blessings entailed on man. since it is incontestably a certain security against the small-pox, a disease distressing in its symptoms, formidable in its appearance, doubtful in event, and to wliict mankind are generally exposed. The comparative advantages which the kine-poi hi over the small-pox, are very great and striking. I ir>» it is neither contagious nor cominunicahle by etllima; secondly, it excites no disposition to other complaint; thirdly, it can be communicated, with safety, to children at the earliest age, and almost in every situation: ami fourthly, it is never fatal. What more can be requird to produce a general conviction of its superior Utility) Tlk; method of performing the inoculation is. to bold the lancet nearly at a right angle with the skin, Inordu that the infectious liui (shape is circular, or somewhat oval, but the margin H> always well defined, and never rough and jagged. The ¦"(b's rise above the level of the skin, but the centre is B<|»'<'>s('d, and has not that plumpness which marks the ¦•nall-pox pustule. As soon as the pustule contains any Jh'id. it may be opened for future inoculation. About ¦^> days before, and two after the eighth day, making a ¦mod often impracticable, it is advisable to hold the infected lancet over the steam of boiling water to soften the hartli'iied matter. Where the virus has been procured upon thread, make a small longitudinal incision in the arm, Uml insert in it the affected thread, and detain it thereby until the disease be communicated. Matter i»i:iy also be procured from the scab. The mode of inranilating from it is the same as from the fluid, taking tifarc. however, previously to moisten it with tepid water, [ ami to use the matter of the inner side of the scab. The ['tab will frequently retain its virus for months, provided lit he kopt in a close box. The first indication of the success of the operation is I | small inflamed spot where the puncture has been 1 tKidc. which is very distinguishable about the third, •Ewurth, or fifth day. This continues to increase in size, liiriiiius hard, and a small circular tumor is formed, jiisiiuia little above the level of the skin. About the I |i\ih or seventh day, the centre of the tumor shows a li lisc'olored speck, owing to the formation of a small quan|[|t\ of fluid, which continues to increase, and the pustule I Id (ill. until about the tenth day. I 1 At this time it shows in perfection the characteristic Iwatiuvs which distinguish it from the variolous pustule. m> nhape is circular, or somewhat oval, but the margin B always well defined, and never rough and jagged. The Bilges rise above the level of the skin, but the centre is ¦grossed, and has not that plumpness which marks the Biijill-jiox pustule. As soon as the pustule contains any Huid. it may be opened for future inoculation. About days before, and two after the eighth day, making a ¦friod of four days, is the season when the matter is ¦:iiul in its greatest activity. • 1 At the eighth day, when the pustule is fully formed, Bl'B 1 ' effect! on the constitution begin to appear. The gen- D->! indisposition is commonly preceded by pain at the 48 354 pustule and m the armpit, followed by headache, Mm shivering, loss of appetite, pain in the linihs, and a fa* ish increase of pulse. These continue with more or fa violence for one or two clays, and always subside NX* taneously without leaving any unpleasant consequents During the general indisposition, the pustule in \\w arm which had been advancing to maturity in a regular, unj. form manner, becomes surrounded with a circular ir, flamed margin, about an inch or an inch and halfbrosi and this blush is an indication that the whole system , effected; for the general indisposition, if it occur at a always appears on or before the time when the efflon* cence becomes visible. After this period, the iluiij | the pustule gradually dries up, the surrounding Mush k comes fainter, and in a day or two imperceptibly <];>> away, so that it is seldom to be distinguished alieriii thirteenth day from inoculation. The pustule now i longer increases in extent, but on its surface a hard thid scab, of a brown or mahogany color is formed, which.;:' not removed, remains for nearly a fortnight, until spontaneously falls, leaving the skin beneath pcrllc sound and uninjured. rThe above is the progress of the vaccine inoeuhin the greater number of cases, from the time of ins.' tion to that of drying up of the pustule, with only t variation of a day or two in the periods of the diflen changes. The successive alterations, that take plltt the local affection, appear to be more constant and in" necessary to the success of the inoculation, than tbef eral indisposition. With respect to the latter, thedep is very various; infants often pass through the d«i without any perceptible illness; with children It SI tremely moderate; and even with adults, its severity but for a few hours, and then never dangerous. Very little medical care is necessary to conduct patient through this disease with safety, especially** children are the patients. Adults may take a dosfj salts on (lie eighth day, which will be particularly 0* in plethoric habits. In general, no application to ;:! inoculated part will be required, unless the inflaming iicreaso, and the pustule became painful; then the part lould be kepi moist with cold vinegar and water, or eatl-water, till the pustule be dried up. To conclude, much attention and discrimination are eceftary in the vaccine inoculation, toascertain whether |u> infection have fully taken, and whether or not the lisordiT be complete and genuine. The regularity, with fbich the local disease at tiie place of inoculation runs liroiiijli its several stages, seems to be the principal oint to be attended to; for the presence of fever is cer&inly not necessary to constitute the disease, since the reater Dumber of infants have no apparent indisposition. Therefore) when the vaccine inoculation is followed y no local disorder, or only a slight redness at the puncirod part, for a day or two, we can have no doubt that u 1 operation has failed. When the pustule advances i vitv hasty and irregular progress, when the inoculated mieture, on the second or third day after insertion, wells considerably, and is surrounded with an extensive pilnoss. the premature inflammation very clearly indiatts a failure in the operation, even when the inoculaonhas advanced for the first few days in a regular manor: but when, about the sixth day, instead of exhibitig ;i well formed pustule and vesicle of fluid, the part mis into an irregular festering sore, the purpose ofinocuition is equally defeated, and these varieties require it ) ho watched with an attentive and experienced eye; net' they might readily lead to a false, and perhaps fatal Ira of security against any subsequent exposure to smallox. The circumstance, however, which most strikingly isiiniiuishes the genuine from the spurious disease, is if appearance of the pustule. Jn the genuine, the pusk has a well-defined elevated margin, with an indenon in its centre, resembling a button mould. The spuriik is cither pointed like a small common abscess, or is [gaud and irregularly formed, like an ordinary sore. Ivery other symptom, almost, occurs in each disease. 355 356 THE FAMILY PIIYSICIAIf. SMALL-POX. It would seem unnecessary to take any notice of At small-pox, after having treated so largely of its mild and merciful substitute, the cow-pox; but as that drc;ultiil disease does sometimes find its way on board of s\m and into country neighborhoods, sweeping whole tiimi. lies in its progress, it may be very proper to subjoin the following history of its symptoms and treatment. Symptoms. — A few days prior to the attack, the p* tient complains of languor and weariness, succeeded by cold shiverings and transient glows of heat, immediate]} before the fever, which is accompanied by violent mji of the head and loins, and, frequently, with a seym, oppressive pain at the pit of the stomach. The pmitm is very drowsy, and sometimes delirious. About tk third day, the eruption appears like flea-bites, first on the face and limbs, and afterwards on the body. From thi> period, the pustules gradually increase, and on the fifth or six day, will begin to turn white on the tops. The throat, at this period, often becomes painful and inflam«J; and sometimes on the seventh day, the face is eonderably swelled. In the confluent, the spots assume a crimson color, and instead of rising, like the distinct kind, they renal flat and run into clusters; and, during the first days of the eruption, much resemble the measles, but are of a purple color. The flow of saliva is constant in this fen of the disease, and becomes so viscid as to be discharge! with the greatest difficulty. Treatment* — The cure of small-pox depends on ik general principle of the antiphlogistic plan, especially m a tree admission of cold air, which may be carried BWi farther in this than in any other disease. Bleeding! the first stage of this disease, or when the pulse is full. may be allowed; but the use of cooling purgatives. with acid and diluent drinks, are indispensable. I hen the eruption makes its appearance in closteri*' rk red color, the disease is more of a putrid u;> |lirt; consequently, instead of bleeding, requires a liberal PC of bark and wine to invigorate the constitution, as directed in the nervous fever.J (See Oak, Matcria Me- But. besides this general treatment, there are some gymptOOM which require particular attention. Thus, when convulsions or great restlessness prevails, exposure to cold a' r « and a dose of laudanum are enjoyed. Where perspiration is much impeded, or deglutition difficult, blisters may be applied to the breast and neck; and crirgles, iUCn as recommended tor sore throats, frequently employed. If the perspiration be obstructed, the antimonial mixture may be used. When this disease ihula its may aboard of a vessel, or in a family, all those who have not had it, should immediately be inoculated with the variolous matter, if the vaccine ihiid cannot be procured. The benefits which result from inoculation are great, as we have an opportunity to prepare the system by abstinence from animal food, and by taking one or two purges of calomel and jalap before the eruption takes place. Hut if the subject be of a weak delicate habit, a restorative diet alone should be proper. In every stage of the small-pox, the bowels should be kept, open, either by mild purgatives or clysters. RlQinur. — The diet is to consist of vegetable substances; as arrow-root, panado, milk, rise, &,c, and when tin eruption is completed, a more nourishing diet may be allowed. If the disease be of a putrid kind, wine, cider, perry, porter, or milk toddy, may be given freely. In this, as in all diseases connected with putrescency, the advantages arising from cleanliness, as well as from frequent ventilation of the chambers, are so obvious, that to insist on them is unnecessary. (See Nervous Fever.) MEASLES. This disease is the effect of a specific contagion, and "tacks persons only once in life. Symptoms.— Alternate heat and chills, with the usual of cold.. On the fourth day from the attack, 357 eruptions like flea bites arise on the face and body, and in about four days more, these eruptions disappear with the lever. TftBATMENT. — When the disease is very slight. |j| t | f more is necessary than to keep the patient's body opq with the cathartic mixture. But, should the febrile symptoms run high, with difficulty of breathing, bleed blister the breast, and give Dover's or antimonialpow. ders, the febrifuge mixture, or diaphoretic drops. [8n Dispensatory.) The cough being usually trottblesone, it will be proper to take freely of flax-seed syrup, or some of the pectoral mixtures. Breathing the streams of warm water will also be useful, in relieving the cough as wel as the eyes. The water should be put. in a basin, and the head covered with a flannel large enough to biu over its edges. After the eruption is completed, theanodyne sudorific draught, paregoric, or laudanum, will Ik serviceable at bed-time, to allay the cough. If tin* spot? suddenly disappear, immerse in warm water, or bailie the legs and feet, and give freely of warm wine who). until the eruptions return. The consequences attendant on the measles, arc often more to be dreaded than the immediate disease; tor although a person may get through it and appear lor a time recovered, still pulmonary consumption frequently arises and destroys him. Another bad consequence a the measles is, that the bowels are often reduced 10 a Very weak state, a diarrhoea remaining, which has sometimes proved fatal. An obstinate ophthalmia, or atleetion of the eyes, will also ensue, if proper attention JN not paid in managing the disease. Most of these disagreeable symptoms may be prevented by blood-letiiiii! and administering emetics, cathartics, and diaphoretics in the first stage of the disease. Should the symptoms manifest a malignant kino • the disease, and a putrid tendency prevail, we musi tod adopt a very different mode of treatment from whal ¦" been advised for the inflammatory. The cure mo* * conducted on the plan recommended for the nervou? fever, and putrid sore throat. 358 Rr<;iMKN. — The diet should he low and proportioned t () the degree of fever. Bariey or rice-water^ flax-seed ? or other cooling mucilaginous drinks, with jellies, as arrow root, gruel, sago, &C., will in general, he all ihal is necessary, until the feverish symptoms he evidently on the decline. Much caution is necessary, that tho patient he not suddenly exposed to cold air, which might repel the eruption, and produce fatal effects. CHICKEN, OR SWINE-POX. In this disease, an eruption much resembling that of a very favorahle small-pox, appears after a very slight ti'vtT. This eruption soon proceeds to suppuration, in which state it remains hut a little time, before the disease terminates by the drying up of the pustules, which seldom leave scars behind. As to the treatment, medicine is very seldom necessary, it being generally sufficient that the patient be kept moderately cool, and supplied with the diluent drinks and lijjht food. — Should there be fever, a cooling purge, and afterwards, the antimonial powders, or mixtures, may be employed. MLIAIRY FEVER, Is now considered to he symptomatic, only, because it never appears contagious or epidemic. It sometimes attends febrile affections, as well those of an inflammatory as of a putrid nature ; but it seldom occurs in any, unless a hot regimen and sweat precede. The symptoms which attend, are restlessness, frequent sighing, fetid sweat, pricking of the skin, and an eruption of red small distinct spots, at first confined to the neck, breast, and arms, but soon spreads over the whole skin, except the face. When these eruptions make their appearance, llwjf must be treated according to the rules laid down under their proper heads. 359 SCARLET FEVER. Symptoms. — Chilliness, followed by a burning fa heat; the pulse frequent, respiration irregular, a dejee. tion of spirits, great prostration of strength, and often 1 stiffness of the neck. The face and neck nre at fag covered with red spots, which soon extend ov»>r ih, whole body. A sore throat generally comes on n l»our the second or third day, but sometimes is wholly absent however, a redness of the fauces in every case is Coanj. cuous. This fever is distinguished from the measles In the eruption being less distinct and more like a red t" 1 profuse, the patient should have his head raised ami imposed to the cool air. Beside which, cold acidulatd drinks should be used, and the patient should rather # nurse his head in very cold water, or have cloths dippd in cold vinegar and water frequently applied to the D* trils, face and back of the neck. A piece of metal,aM key for example, applied cold to the naked back. ¦ > familiar remedy, and often succeeds. If these show not prove sufficient, a pledget of lint dipt in strong aJunj water, or a powder composed of Hour and alum of equal quantity, should be introduced into the nostrils, with* fieient force to compress the orifice of the ruptured w* sels. In addition to these means, give a dose (A Ep*J or Glauber salts, to evacuate the bowels, and from HM 362 wrntv grata of nitre every liour or two, in a glass of cold wafer. Immersing the feel in warm water while the cold application! are continued to the bead, will also (( . found beneficial. One of the most powerful styptics which we ran use, says Dr. Thomas, is powder of charcoal. It may be apilied by means of tents, first moistened with water, and foen dipped in this powder; but in slight cases, it will answer by being taken like snuff After the bleeding has ceased, the patient must bo careful not to remove the touts of clotted blood, but should allow them to come away of themselves. SPITTING OF BLOOD. Who there is a discharge from the mouth, of blood ; of a florid color, brought Up with more or less coughing, preceded by a sense or tightness, weight, and anxiety in the chest, and attended with a saltish taste of the spittle, il is in consequence of a ruptured vessel of the lungs. CAUSES. — Plethora: violent exercise of the lungs; and, frequently, mal-conformation of the chest, Treatment. — TRe most important remedy in this alarming complaint, is blood-letting. Which should be actively employed, paying, at the same time, attention to the state of the bowels. Spitting of blood, however, is sometimes owing to the contraction of the chest with debility; and in this case, the lancet must not be so freely used. Sedatives, particularly those which repress the activi'y of the circulation, are highly useful. Of these, the chief are nitre and foxglove. Nitre, in doses of ten grains, given every hour, in the coldest water, and swallowed while dissolving, is much to be depended on in &• early stage of this disorder. — The tincture of foxglove exhibited in small doses every hour or two, by retarding the action of the pulse, will also prove a most useful auxiliary in suppressing pulmonic hemorrhages, particularly in those cases where an inflammatory diathe- Sls prevails. Whenever there is fixed pain in the chest, 363 364 THE FAMILY PIITSICIAN. F blister applied to the breast or back will do muchser. cc. According to Dr. Rush, two tea-spoonsful of com. mon salt, dissolved in a small quantity of water, and exhibited every two hours, or oftener, will check this disease, as well as hemorrhages from the stomach and uterus. Astringents are frequently resorted to, as alum, kino, and sugar of lead; but they are of little utility, ex«p in the passive hamioptyses, and < yen in these, nitre i> of ten found preferable. Ethe cough be troublesome, it will be necessary m recourse to demulcents and pectorals, as advised r the head of cold. Sometimes a spitting of blood is produced in consequence of suppressed evacuating in this case, it is not dangerous, and only requires rein* dies to restore the customary discharge. A spitting of blood may readily be distinguished lion; a discharge of it from the stomach, as, in the latter. IM quantity is usually more considerable, of a darker color and is generally unattended by coughing. RegiMEN. — A low diet should be strictly observed and the body kept as quiet as possible. Nothing shone betaken warm; flax-seed tea, barley or rice-water, acidulated with the juice of lemons or elixir vitriol, od;: to be used as common drinks, and taken as cold as possible. Prevention. — Carefully avoid all exertions wfaid either detain or hurry the blood in its passage throng! the lungs, as singing, loud speaking, running, or life great weights. Obviate costiveness, by the occtMOff use of mild aperients, and use a spare diet. On evidencing any pain in the chest, blister, bleed, and constantly wear flannel next to the skin. Swinging, sailing, travelling in an easy carriage. II riding on horseback, will be the most appropriate exercise A CONS VMP T I O IV . Symptoms. — Those which mark its first stage, arc a «|i.r** ! and back, and employing, at the same time, a cooling ft In almost every species of the disease, blisters or i?-sues are often a means of relieving the cough: for < vtll when they have no tendency to remove the stknuW cause producing cough, as when it arises from a loW cle. vet they diminish the effect of the stimulus " ie * 367 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. nnrtinilarlv usotul in thnt period of the disease, when catarrhal lias ¦ disposition to degenerate into a phthical affection; for in t Uat modification of the disease* derivation from the limits is ofthe utmost consequence* 1)V thii means, a change may often be effected in that xiati 1 of suppuration which takes place from the internal membranes of the lungs, and the purulent discharge U i;i\ thus he converted into the natural mucus. \inong Other remedies in consumption, the use of lemetica ii strongly recommended. lsv the action of vo- Initing, the blood is propelled to the extreme vessels in ¦every part of the body, particularly to the extreme yes- LeU of the surface. Thus, there is produced a derivation from the lungs, and a consequent change in the kite of suppuration at thai part of the system; but they ¦air chielly useful in consumption, as obviating symptoms, ¦particularly cough and difficulty of breathing, and by ¦promoting expectoration. A considerable variety of medicines of the rcfrigcrat- Hn>i kinds have been strongly recommended for combat- Bii:: consumption in its incipient state. They tend to diminish the impetus of circulation, and although they do fcot immediately remove a phlethoric state, yet they, per- Hi;n>. loud to diminish the inflammatory diathesis even m\wc effectually than the repeated blood-lettings. The Br»'i!iiisi neutrals, through the whole course or the dis¦pisc. are useful; particularly nitre, which may be ad¦rania^i'ously taken in any period of the complaint De¦niilcnusare always indicated, and usually employed in ¦lit' manner we have recommended under the head of He ¦ !. to sheath the fauces, and lessen the violence of B"i:h. Gum Arabic held constantly in the mouth, will m- be found extremely useful in relieving this distress- Hn^vmpt')in. I Ot ull the remedies which have of late beenfashiona¦>' in consumption is the foxglove, (see MtUeria Me¦"'".) hut it does not seem to merit all the praises which Bavt> been given it. Under proper management, the fox- Hlovc produces a slowness of the pulse, not perhaps to W obtained from any other medicine yet discovered. 368 And it has boon the opinion of some, that, by redacini it to the natural standard, from the employment of din talis, conramption may be overcome. Jsut it should 01 observed, that the quickness of pulse iii this disease i merely symptomatic, and that the reduction of it, erg below the natural standard, can have no effect either i I removing a tubercle, or in healing an ulcer in the |an« Hence, on (his ground, it is vain to expect aridicalcurt I from its use. However, as a diminution of (he celerity I of the pulse will somewhat alleviate the hectic fever,! I may, in certain cases, be employed with advantage, The I most eligible mode of using the foxglove is in a tincture, I beginning with the dose of ten drops, and gradually m. I creasing it to sixty to an adult, morning, noon, and nigfat I In exhibiting this medicine, it should not, however, be I given in such doses as to induce much sickness. I Among other active medicines, recourse is iroquonth I had to mercury, but unless consumption was excited In I a venereal taint, we haw newer witnessed benefit from I this medicine. On the contrary, when mercurial saliva- H tion is produced in the genuine consumption, it has uni-H formly hastened the death of the patient. I The Iceland moss, or liverwort, has been, of Ime.l highly extolled as a remedy in this complaint that ivadilvM allays cough, facilitates expectoration, abates hectic -I ver, and quiets the system without constipating ' 'I bowels. It is likewise said to strengthen the organs otH digestion, without increasing the action of the heart nnilH arteries. Indeed, the physicians of Europe have spokenH so loudly in its praise, that every patient ought ceriainhß to give it a trial. The most approved method o!'u>iitiH it, is in the form of decoction; an ounce of the herldoaM quart of water, boiled for fifteen minutes over a S ' Jl '^B fire, to which two drachms of sliced liquorice-root ma.^H be added about five minutes before it is taken off I' A tea-cup full of this decoction should be taken MiM times a-dnv. Another form is by boiling two (irarliiiMj; of the herb in a pint of milk for ten minutes, and I;l " ;ii^B ¦breakfast and supper. If chocolate be preferred be blended with it, by making the chocolate wiiW 369 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. a decoction of the moss, without the liquorice, as above Of all our indigenous plants, the Indian turnip, (see Mute rid Modica ,) has the highest reputation as a remetlv lv in consumption, It is evidently an active expectorant, aiul may he useful in the latter stage of the disease. In the treatment of this disease, balsamic medicines ire frequently resorted to. They are totally unsuited to die inflammatory state of any one of the complaints of the lungs, whether acute or chronic. Action having been sulliciently subdued by depletory measures, they liiiiv be safely and advantageously administered in cauirrlial consumptions and protracted coughs; and will be tiiiuid particularly useful when expectoration is checked from debility, and a want of irritability of the glands. So opposite are the states of the lungs in catarrhal affections, that it required essentially different substances to produce expectoration. It may be depressed or imperfectly performed, by a constriction of the lungs; by the removal of which, an infinite degree of relief is often ifibrded It is also apparent that the lungs, occasionally, from extreme debility, pour out an excessive discharge; and that by direct stimulation of the exhalents, the elliision is abated and oppression removed. The advantages of the vegetable balsams, as they have been called, were supposed to consist in their power of promoting the healing of wounds and ulcers. Atone tiim . many of them were highly extolled in pulmonary consumptions; but each have had their day of fashion, and have each fallen into deserved neglect. According to the testimony of Drs. Duncan, Simmons, and other eminent physicians, gum-myrrh, exhibited in doses of Stilly or thirty grains thrice a-day, united with an Cl |ual quantity of nitre, has, in many instances, been employed with the best effects in this intractable disease. There has been a very simple, but at the same time, McceMral remedy recommended by an eminent pliysi:!a». ». late of New York, it is this: — Go to a Camomile Nearly in the morning while the dew is on the plants nd collect all the d w drops you can into a vessel, and 45 370 TIIK FAMILY PnVSIC'IAIf. give the patient from ft tea to ;i table-spoonful three* five times a-day, as he ran boar it — particularly in fa morning fasting, orimmediately before going to bed v night — it lias been found an excellent remedy in some very obstinate eases — and if the dew drops cannot bi procured — a strong decoction of camomile tea may be of service, although it is not as good as the former. This remedy was discovered in (he following manner; a young lady who had been given up by her physician as beyond all hope of recovery, was sent into the country by her parents for the purpose of spending the remnant of her days as comfortable as possible, being nimble to rest on account of her severe cough, gol up one ni nil- I ing about break of day, and was siding at her chamber I window, which opened into the garden, observed nth- 1 vorite dog, which had been for a considerable time, I nothing, as it wore, but a bundle of dry-bones, go to the I camomile bed, and Hck the dew from the leaves; this I tUe sagacious animal did every morning — and present)]! I he began to fatten and look as healthy as it ever had- 1 the young lady took the hint, used the remedy pointed I out by her canine favorite — and in about two months I was pronounced by her friends entirely cured. She is I now the mother of a large family of as healthy children I as can be found any where. I While, for resolving tubercles or healing ulcerating I in the lungs, many medicines have been taken internal- H ly, some modes of cure have been recommended viilifj i I the view of acting topically on the deceased part*. > I this way, different articles have been directed to be iu-l haled into the lungs, under the form of vapor, in I inflammatory state of the bronchial glands, warm water ¦ vapor may be useful, and vinegar has occasionally '^'"M added; but it seems often to irritate the cough, and I more stimulant vapors are evidently injurious. i\\( |"H where expectoration is difficult and deficient In casesß where the accumulations of the chest are owing f () ( ' l> 'H bility of the lungs, or are retained by the viscid itvaiiuß tenacity of the matter, sulphuric ether is strongly rt« corinnendcd ; and, we are told, upon the high authont™ 371 of Doctor Pearson, that its powers are improved by Egral substances which we soluble in it. Hemlock is ik'.iiliirly praised, half a drachm of which ;< to be dii;«il in an ounce of ether, for several days so as to >nna saturated tincture of this, two or three tea-spoons full are to be put into a wineglass, to be hold up to the mouth, and inspired till the whole is evaporated and reieated several times in the day. Similar in its eifect to those inhalations, is the practice of smoking tobacco, the stramonium, and other sub- BtlDCeij With the same views, tar fumigations, according to a distinguished Russian physician, Dr. Crichton, of St. Petersburg, have been employed, and, it is said, with triomphant success. The mode he recommends fordoing [lik is, fo put the tar in an earthen vessel over a lamp, or heated iron, so as to cause a volatilization, till ihe air of the room is sufficiently impregnated, and this process is to be repeated three or four times a-day. Having stated the remedies which have been most highly recommended in consumption, and from which, when properly adapted to the circumstances of the case, ibere is the host chance of recovery, we will conclude with a few remarks on the means of obviating urgent symptoms. i It is a fortunate circumstance, that even in those diseases where the prospect of recovery is the most faint, an I where there is next to certainty of an approaching dissolution in no long time, we still have it in our power 9 protract the period of hie, and to alleviate the distress ot the patient. In many cases of this terrible disease, it Jail that we can reasonably expect to accomplish. Although colloquative sweats are not productive of •io, yet they tend very much to debilitate the patient, Ou by the loss of strength, the chance of recovery is io y much diminished. Hence the necessity, in such »8, of giving some tonic, as the elixir vitriol or inra'ion of bark. In every instance of consumption, it is of importance o Prevent (VMtitrnAaja iiifl if is nlwAva # i riAflira.hlfl circiunstance 372 Till FAMILY PHYSICIAN. to keep the boweli in a soluhle state, whirl) should be obtained rather by diet than medicines, lfo; when diarrJuca occurs spontaneously, this should j n like manner be restrained by shunning the use of th o>e articles which are observed to increase it, and by m . I ploying what are found to moderate it. I Of all the symptoms which require to be mitigated, I there is none which more frequently demands attention I than the cough. For this purpose an almost infinite y* I riety of articles, either of the demulcent or sedative kind. I (sec Cold,) may be employed with advantage. Hut of I these substances, after the inflammatory symptoms have I been subdued, none is so useful or so powerful as opium, I This article, however, valuable as it is, cannot be eoiw.l dered free from inconvenience. There arc some imln ¦ I duals with whom, from peculiarity of constitution, it a!- 1 ways disagrees, producing confusion in the head, voni^B sickness at the stomach, and various other distressing symptoms. In these cases the solution of sulphate url acetate of morphine might be given with advantage. a>! it is free from most of the objections just mentioned;! (see Dispensatory.) Recourse has, however, been -I to a variety of other sedatives, both with the view I laying inordinate action, and of procuring sleep. Oti'i! the substitutes for opium, none, according to the ttsfi-H mony of one of the most celebrated and distiniiiiislifilH physicians in England, Dr. Duncan, equals the prep ::: -M tions formed from the common garden lettuce. ( V "H Materia Mcdica.) ¦ »It has been supposed, that by the continued nsooH piates, we might allay irritation, and contribute I() ¦ reat object, the healing of the ulcer. They have. M ever, failed in this view, though we cannot refuse t^H employment to lessen pain, and keep up thecalmsrrrn^B ty, the pleasing delirium, in the midst of distress anil™ state of hopeless relief. H From what has been said of the principal re inert i^rj commended in consumption, the reader will find Inn > : H tie encouragement to indulge a hope of relief! llo wl H probably exclaim, Is consumption then, never c\mW Whence can arise the confident promise, which every newspaper offers, and which the nKMt respectable authorities confirm? The deception arises from two sources. Catarrhal complaints are, in many instances, confounded with consumptive, and the most experienced eye is occasionally deceived. In some cases, also, vomica* arc completely evacuated by expectoration, and the wound heals. So insidious is the attack of consumption, that it lias often been taken for catarrh; and, on the contrary, so violent is often a catarrh, that it has been pronounced to he truly phthisical, by practitioners of judgment ami experience; nor has the delusion been destroyed but by expectoration. — From such errors it is not to be wondered that so many medicines should have gained credit in the cure of consumption. To say, however, thai this disease is never cured, would certainly appear rash; for instances have occurred in which a recovery lias been perfected by nature; but they are so few that they can scarcely inspire hope. Doctor Cooper of South Carolina, has very lately men to the public through the newspapers, what he says is a cure tor the consumption or chronic bronchitis, he siys. it has never failed him in the cure of consumption in all its various forms when in its chronic stages, and live from any inflammatory symptoms. This treatment is bated on the pathalogy of consumption as a generic name for disease, under the name of consumption are Deluded, says the Dr., that variety of diseases of tfic lungs attended with expectoration of purulent matter, from the breathing surface of the lungs, connected with omaciation, hectic fever, and its concomitants, night sweats, colliquative diarrhoea, &c, all the forms of consumption act on the general health from one common auae, the presence of matter acting upon absorbing surfaces, and thus producing those symptoms known as hectic fever — it is the presence, and violence of this symptom of consumption, that prostrates the patient, until it move or less slowly ends in death — it is the consequence Jjj this hectic fever, and not the immediate disease of •)e lungs causing it that forms the source of fatility from 373 374 consumption. The treatment I now with reluctant £ fidence submit, says 1 1 1 <> Dr., I have successfully u>, , : . more than twelve years, and during that period ofn^,. oal practice, 1 am not aware of having lost more tt four or five patients from all the various forms of cia^ disease where the structure of Hie lungs had becomei extensively diseased as to.preclude the use of more tsj palliative treatment — cases of chronic bronchitis wq in every instance cured by it, even when the purulent » pectoration amounted to pints daily, with hectic few diarrhea, cold sweats, and entire physical prostration, The treatment is the administration of sulphite i copper in nauseating doses combined with guni;iiiin:ii;n, given so as to nauseate: but not ordinarily to produce! vomiting; the usual dose for this purpose is about bitf grain, and five grains of the respective ingredients, iot tea-spoonful of water, to be taken at first twice, and I convalescent stages once a-day. In cases of chnsj bronchitis a gargle of the sulphate of copper is supers] ded — in this latter form of consumption, this treatM almost invariably suspends the hectic symptoms mats days, and the disease rapidly advances to its final con In cases of the more proper forms of consumpM the treatment must be intermitted frequently, and agsi returned to; and whenever sorei ;s of the chest, I other symptoms of inflammatory action exist, the tot* ment should be suspended; as it is in the chronic sal alone that the remedy is indicated or useful — thatfll in which the condition of the general system as synipa thetically involved becomes the more prominen! synf torn, ami the success of the treatment depends chieflj* the breaking up this sympathetic action ofthediseasj lungs, on the more healthy tone of the stomach, jhhl'9 creasing of its digestive powers, ami likewise cai - during nauseating action, a more active, and healthy*! dilation of the blood through the lungs, itscuritivepw ers are more immediately attributable to these enecti' its action. — But theory assert, says the Doctor, the tm ment is based on more than ten years experience o 375 liritiw 1 advantages. In the proper treatment of iniicoput,.m. mill purulent expectoration. I Regimen. — Perhaps a greater number oi' euros in ¦o-Hiinpiion hare been effected by regimen than by me¦u'ii 1 . especially if under tliis head be included* not Ltfelydiet, l)lltl )llt :l ' r » exorcise, and similar circumstances. 111 1 it has been but too common io prescribe the same diet X, ,-vcrv stage of the disease, which lias been attended X the most pernicious elleets, and lias often hastened ¦it dr;ith of (lie patient. While the Brunonian fed his Biiciits to avoid debility, the other practitioners carried Bijiaivntly their antiphlogistic system too far. [njudg- B: of that diet which is host suited ti> phthisical pati- X . due attention must always be paid to its effects upon Bo system. While a considerable discharge by blood- Bmni: is requisite, it is certainly proper to avoid those Bulcs which can furnish a large supply of rich chyle, I i, although t\\ay should be, like milk, of the very Bi'iitst nature. Isut after the suppuration takes place, Bid there is a free discharge of purulent matter, the anti- Bilonistic plan should be pursued no farther; onthecon- Bnrv. a more nutritious diet is essentially necessary. The Baling of tuberculous ulcers in the longs, as well as of Brolhlor.s sores at other parts, is only to be expected Bom rirniiting and giving vigor to the. system. In this Bile of the disease, therefore, a nutritious diet is natu- Bllv indicated; and, indeed, the evident marks of exm point out the propriety of a due supply. Hc¦< these particulars, a liberal and nutritious diet is Bi« ii manifested in this stage of the disease by the feel- H: • ol die patient; for it is by no means uncommon to ¦i-orve even a craving tor animal food; and it may be B lliar '^ >( l< that in very rare instances only arc such calls Bnaturo entirely to be neglected. ¦ Phe diet in the inflammatory stage of consumption m be light, and composed of articles that tend to cor- B t acrimony, and diminish inflammation, as milk, but* ¦"•iiiilk, rice-milk, arrow-root, sago, fruits of every kind, ¦•1 vegetables. In the advanced stage of the disease, Bdwhen the pulse is weak, a more cordial and stimulating 376 diet, «md strengthening remedies are Momm To prevent weakness, and other ill ctlects of an egJ stoinaeh, |)atients should partake frequently of 5 with wine, porter, or toddy; raw oysters are though | be peculiarly proper. With tliis cordial diet, tar A bark, and elixir vitriol, or an infusion of the inner li; ;r< of the wild cherry tree, or hoarhound, and hitters of kinds, have been exceedingly useful in this state ofm, sumption. Air and situation are apparently objects of considerable importance, in a disease where medicine must eg fess the utility of her resources. Change of air is warn the remedies constantly recommended; and to ehtm is often professedly the only object. Exercise, when not carried to fatigue, in a dry cm try air, often does more good than medicine; and. oa> sequent ly, should always he taken. Long journeys on horseback are the most effect modes of exercise, carefully avoiding night air, and k extreme heat of the day in summer. That this exercai may not be carried to fatigue, patients should, ;it in travel only a lew miles a-day, and gradually increaiei distance as they increase their strength. When exact on horseback cannot be supported, sailing and Bwingi should he substituted, and no efforts to cheer the spirits or innocently to amuse the mind, should be neglected Great care should he taken to regulate the dress according to the changes of the weather. The chest, in particular, should be defended from the cold, and tho teei ironi tlie damp. In the various stages of this dnordfl the bowels ought to be kept moderately open by torn ent clysters, or the mildest laxatives, if the diet shouli not have the desired effects. INCONTINENCE OF URINE SYMPTOM. — An involuntary evacuation of unnj CAVaaft — A relaxation of the sphincter of the bW*j injuries received about the neck of the bladder; m sure of the womb in a state of pregnancy, &>£¦ 377 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ITrkvtmevt. — When the disease proceeds from a relation of tlio sphincter of the bladder; a large blister tin 1 os sacrum, or lower part of the back-bone, will be found highly beneficial, and often effects a cure in one or two days. The uva |irs ' given, from twenty, to sixty grains, at a time, three times a-dav, has been used with good effect. The cold hath, or dashing cold water upon the genitals, and tonic medicines, as the nitric acid, lime-water, h;irk. steel, and Oolumbo, arefyeculiarlv proper in obstinate cases of this kind. The tincture of cantharides, in doses often or twelve drops, every three or four hours, is said, by Dr. Morton, 10 be a specific in this complaint, )ihers recommend alum whey, made as strong as the siomach will bear it. and direct half a pint to be taken night and morning. With others, the blue vitriol, in doses of half a grain, given twice a-day in any agreeable liquor, is most to be depended on. 'The occasional use of rhubarb, in small doses, to keep the bowels easy, tends greatly to alleviate the affection. When it is produced by an impregnated womb, little more can be done than observing a horizontal position as much as possible. DI F FI C ULTYOFU It I N E . Wiik.v there are frequent uneasy urgings to avoid urine, and it is discharged with difficulty and pain, the disease is called a strangury, and when it is totally retained, is called a suppression of urine. 'Causes. — It arises from a variety of causes, as calculous concretions: obstructions in the urethra; blisters; or 'litMincture of cantharides, taken internally too freely; rounds, bruises, &,c. Tkbatmbnt. — The cure must greatly depend on the °ause. If the pulse be full and feverish, bleed and prosore stools by emollient clysters and cooling laxatives, ? "cli iis castor oil, or the cathartic mixture. (See Dis~ jfcftMfory.) Much dependence is to be placed in the I* use of demulcent drinks, as barley-water, flax-seed te a, mucilage of gum Arabic, decoction of marsh-mal- 46 378 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. lows, of parsley roots, or of waterniollon seeds, especially if the affection be owing to the cantharides, or any injury of the bladder; One of the camphorated powders, (see Dispensatory^) given every three or far hours, in the patients common drink, often effects a dire. Great relief will be obtained from the warm bath, Died oftener or seidomer as the case may require, or sitting in a tub of warm water, or from the frequent applic* tions to the belly, of cloths wrung out of hot-water, or bladders half filled with it. Opiates are very Berne* able, but should never be used in the height of fever. A starch clyster, with laudanum, has very frequenth given immediate relief. Cooling laxatives and diuretics. which operate without any stimulus, particular!) ihe EpsOm or Glauber salts, as in the form of the cathartic mixture, often relieve. Asa diuretic, the following mi* ture is considered most salutary. Take, of sweet spirit of nitre, one ounce, laudanum and antimonial wine, each, two drachms, a table-spoonful of which may In given in some diluent drink, and half this quantity repeated every hour, if necessary. In the chronic stranguary, after other means ban failed, the use of calomel in small doses, or mercurii ointment rubbed into the thighs every night till a gligfa ptyalism ensues, has frequently effected a permanent con In such cases an affection of the prostrate gland maybe suspected to have been the cause. Walking on a coiii wet flood, perhaps dashing water against the legs and thighs, would, in obstinate cases, succeed in procuring discharge of urine, as it has done the fa-ces. Wheel suppression of urine arises from partial palsy, as tic quently occurs in the old and debilitated constitution* our best chance of success, in giving temporary relict, 'n to give the spirits of turpentine in pretty large doses make use of general stimulants, and apply a large b» ter to the loins. When this complaint is in consequence of c;jl lien the neck of the bladder is greatly inflamed; when a scirrhosity or preternatural tumor of the prostrate gland or stone obstructs the passage; when the uturus is remarkably prominent and pendulous over the pubes; or when the uiurus is relroverted; in which siate it drags the bladder upwards and backwards. When the application of blisters causes a difficulty order assumes a chronic form in the more advanced periods of life, or when the piles do not b eed, they are 380 fLiurallv attended with considerable pain; in which \\<{\ dossils of lint dipped in olive oil may be applied, Er olive oil with an equal portion of laudanum, may bo Ljutjul on soft rags and retained by the Tubandage. In ildtlition lo this mode of treatment, when the tumors are to,rv painful, it is necessary to sit over the stream of hot ¦pier, which seldom fails to produce immediate relief. Xv j)oke-weed (sec Matcrla Medicaj) has. in some Bviam'es, been employed with good effects. The balsam Kipaiva, in doses of a ten-spoonful night and morning is Kid to be useful in relieving the pain, and will sometimes Klirt a permanent cure. According to Dr. Thomas, Xc tincture of foxglove, given in pretty large and frc¦iKiit doses, is a remedy both for the external and in¦tmai piles. II When the tumors will not yield to the external appli- Huion* above recommended, anoint them night and mornbi: with the mercurial ointment, to which may be ad- Bpil one-fourth opium. V \i the blind piles encompass the anus so as to prevent Hit discharge by stool, and prove otherwise troublesome, ||i< largest may be removed by a ligature. If the distend ¦pin is high and inflamed, it may be opened with a lanm When from long-continued piles a fistula is appre- Bmlrd. WartVs paste is sometimes useful. It consists m pound of Elecampane root, with half as much black Bpper, and a pound and a half of fennel seeds, made Bio l paste with honey. Perhaps the remedy of the Honorable John Taliaferro. for whitlow, might be useful H hen the piles are apparently continued from relaxa- Hoii. two drachms of the tincture of steel, with nearly He same quantity of laudanum, and four ounces ofbar- Hy-water or thin starch may be injected as a clyster, Honing and night. H Prevention. — Those who are subject to this distress- Bg complaint, may be assured of preventing its recur- Bn«\ by keeping the bowels in a soluble state with the Bcnsional use of sulphur at bed -time, by washing the Bndnment night and morning with the coldest water, 381 and by making use of a sponge absorbed with cold wj. ter, after obeying the calls of nature. BLEEDING AND BLIND PILES A discharge of blood from the hemdrrhoidal v,\< t ¦ is called the bleeding piles. When the venekoal swell, and discharge no blood, but arc exceeding pat ful, the disease is called the blind piles. Persons of a loose spungy fibre, of a bulky size. w'u live high, and lead a sedantary inactive life, me nw, subject to this disease. It is often owing to a heredkan disposition. Where this is the case, it attacks penoi more early in life than when it is accidental. Menu more liable to it than women, especially those of a sanguine plethoric habit, or of a melancholy disposition. The piles may be occasioned by an excess of blood, by strong aloetic purges, high seasoned food, drinka great quantities of sweet wines, the neglect of blonlin; or other customary evacuations, much riding, great ca tiveness, or any thing that occasions hard or diffia stools. Anger, grief, or other violent passions, will likewise occasion the piles. I have often known them brood on by cold, especially about the seat. A pair of ilhd breeches will excite the disorder in a person who i subject to it, and sometimes even in those who never hi it before. Pregnant women are often afflicted with pile A flux of blood from the anus is not always to I treated as a disease. It is even more salutary m bleeding at the nose, and often prevents or carnal diseases. It is peculiarly beneficial in the gout, rlu wiw tism, asthma, and hypochondriacal complaints, amloiui proves critical in colics, and inflammatory fevers. In the management of the patient, regard hnustbeM to his habit of body, his age, strength, and maniioro B, A discharge which might be excessive* afl hurtful to one, may be very moderate, and tUI ry to another. That only is to be esteemed l ' lll ' s which continues too long, and is in such q« ; " l!|1 . 382 Ii to waste the patient's strength, hurt the digestion, nulljoo, and other functions necessary to life. When thi* * s tno case, the discharge must he check|by a proper regimen, and astringent medicines. The jet must he cool hut nourishing, consisting chiefly of reed, milk, cooling vegetables and broths. The drink n« be chalybeate-water, orange-whey, decoctions or in- I>l( ins of the astringent and mucilaginous plants, as the Miiuntil-root, bistort, the marsh mellow-root, &c Old conserve of red roses is a very good medicine in |iis case. It may he mixed with new milk, and taken , the quantity of an ounce three or lour times a-day. his medicine is in no great repute, owing to its being ildoin taken in such quantities as to produce any ethi; but when taken as here directed, and only perisitil in, I have known it perform very extraordinary uns in violent hemorrhages, especially when assisted v the tincture of roses; a tea-cupful of which may be ikon about an hour after every dose of the conserve. Flu 1 Peruvian hark is likewise proper in this case, oiliasa strengthener and astringent; half a drachm of maybe taken in a glass of red wine, sharpened with a L drops of the elixir of vitriol, three or four times a», [ IV bleeding piles are sometimes periodical, and re¦im regularly once a month or once in three weeks. In BL- case they are always to be considered as a salutary HisHiarge, and by no means to be stopped. Some have ¦wnvly ruined their health by stopping a periodical dis¦h;ir<:e of blood from the hemorrhoidal veins. lln die blind piles bleeding is generally of use. The B must be light and thin, and the drink cool and di¦iti"!.'. It is likewise necessary that the body be kept ¦roily open. This may be done by small doses of the ¦nver of brimstone and cream of tartar. These may ¦*' mixed in equal quantities, and a tea spoonful taken y° M three times a-day or oftener if necessary. Or an ¦"«'!' of the flower of brimstone and half an ounce of Birilii'd nitre may be mixed with three or four ounces of B e lenitive electuary, and a tea spoonful of it taken three m 'our times a-day. 383 Emmolient clysters arc hero likewise beneficial; h r there is sometimes such an astriction of the amis. i!,. they cannot he thrown up. In this case I have knowm vomit have a very good effect When the piles are exceedingly painful and swell,,) I hut discharge nothing, the patient must sit overt!*! steam of warm water. He may likewise apply alia* I cloth clipped in warm spirits of wine to the pan, or [x»ul- 1 tices made of bread and milk, or of leeks fined with but* I ter. If these; do not produce a discharge, and thcpihl appear large, leeches, must be applied as near thnna»| possible, or, if they will fix upon the piles themselves, vj much the better. When leeches will not fix. the , .. I may be opened with a lancet. I The operation is very easy, and is attended wiilm I Various ointments, and other external applirmioiKirel recommended in the piles: hut I do not remember:" I have seen any effects from those worth mciitioniii:-! Their principal use is to keep the part moist, which ma»B he done as well by a soft poultice, or an eminolieni caia-H plasm. When tiie pain however is very great, l -I ment made of two ounces of emmolient ointment, ami! half an ounce of liquid laudanum, heat up with thevolkH ran egg, may he applied. I DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX. I Symptoms. — A discharge of mucus hy stool, oft™ bloody; violent gripings; pain in the loins; a constauß inclination to go to stool, without being able to void ainH thing; and sometimes fever. I Causes. — Putrid air and aliment; green fruit; sironfl cathartics; obstructed perspiration, and whatever nifl creases the natural irritability of the intestines. I Treatment. — To conduct the patient safely throngj this disease, the bowels should be evacuated by talonuM castor oil, or the cathartic mixture, and if the pa'iin'W of an inflammatory disposition, or their be febrile * vlll pH toms, blood-letting will also be required. Alter tl" ;url B 384 385 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. oonteiitsof tlio stomach and intestines have been evacuat,(l. die anodyne sudorific bolus or draught, (see Dlspen- Mtorif.) may k° S* V(MI :lt bed-time; and on the follow-02 day, it there be no evacuation of a natural appear- Lnce, one or other of the above aperient medicines must |lv exhibited in small doses, until the desired effect be To produce a natural evacuation daily, is a circum- Ltaiieo of the greatest importance in this disease, and khoulil. Jit all times, be kept in view. To neglect this, as jiiiv <;ood old friend, Doctor Henry Stevenson, of Baltimore, used often to say, would be like "•Locking the liirf in the house, to do all the mischief he could" t ¦ sometimes proper, instead of bleeding, to give an meric in the beginning of the disease, to persons of mk habits; but where there is a great degree of irritaiilii\ of the stomach, or obstructions of the liver, vomitnn will do more harm than good. It is my usual practice, at the commencement of this omplaint, to administer to adults about a scruple of alomol, conjoined with five or six grains of ipecacuanha, m I sprain of tartar emet;c, and a. few hours afterwards, I it" the medicine be taken at bed-time, on the next Iwrning, to give a small dose of Epsom salts or castor lil. With children calomel, in large doses, united with Ismail portion of ipecacuanha, are the principal medi¦iics I employ, as it is difficult to prevail on them to Ivallow either the salts or castor oil. This mode of prac¦>•. together with a plentiful exhibition of arrow-root, ¦it occasional use of the warm bath, and after the in- Baminatory symptoms subside, an opiate at bed-time, has ¦litormly succeeded. When the febrile symptoms justi- III I the use of the lancet, it was, of course, resorted to in m early stage of the disease. By conjoining the ipeca- Bianha with calomel or opium, a determination to the ftm is produced, which is very desirable in this com¦aint. It should be remarked, however, though dia¦lort tics are indispensable, yet the patient should not be ¦itfered to sweat profusely. The object is rather to prom^ a general relaxation, than to weaken by the dis- 47 charge. A soft pulse, and moist skin, are the chief am of the good effects of the remedies employed, and oft certain amendment. The sulphate of magnesia, and sulphur, equal pin rubbed together in a mortar, and from one to two |? , spoonsful given three times a-day will in general rt lm ( the tenures or straining when at stool — when infiyj are troubled with this complaint a powder of from four eight grains of rhubarb, and the same of magaeaa wi be better than calomel which I approve of altogether! this complaint, in children at least. If acidity prevails in the stomach and intestines, a< marked by oppression, heat, sour belching, and vomitin.-. and excoriations about die fundament, besides a Kbfl use of mucilaginous and sheathing drinks, a wine*ghi full of the absorbent mixture, (see Dispensatory.) on spoonful or two of new milk and lime-water, should \ given every two or three hours. Frequent injections': cold water alone or flax-seed tea, or barley-water, wi a table-spoonful of laudanum, are of infinite lenie when the pain in the bowels and tencsmus are dim In obstinate cases, or when there is the least app hension of an inflammation of the bowels, the warm n or local fomentation to the belly, and afterwards, a bli> tcr, are indispensable. At the close of the disease. I when it indicates symptoms of the putrid nature, tli charcoal, Columbo, quinine, bark, and wine, are ihei propriate remedies j and, as a purge, rhubarb may o employed. Children that have been very much BOW ated by this disease, have been most wonderfully resior ed to health, by bathing them night and moraiog ¦ strong decoction of oak bark, (see Materia Media ••• • 1 I impregnated with whiskey or common spirits, and I putting on them bark jackets, as advised in the BgO6* fever. Doctor Mosely, a physician of great celebrity, state that in chronic dysentery, unattended with lever, m is not a more efficacious medicine than the vitriolic > 386 387 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. lutioii. (Iff Dispensatory,) in doses of a table-spoonful every morning, with an opiate at bed-time. lii preparing this solution, the proportion of either the Ltriolor alum may be increased or diminished accord¦ ?•t o circumstances; that is, when evacuations are re- Ljjred, the quantity of alum may be diminished, or en[tirclv omitted ; and when great is required, [tluMiiiantiiv of alum is to be increased, and the vitriol [timiinislu'd. A simple, though ethcacious remedy in this disease, L a solution of common salt in vinegar or lemon juice, penned Jimi-dysenteric mixture. (am Dispensatory.) ¦This medicine has also been strongly recommended in liilious fever, or putrid sore throat, when the bowels are lit an irritable state. Dewberry is likewise a valuable Kicilicinv in this distressing disease. (See Mater ia I Regimen. — In the violence of this disease, the diet klumld consist only of arrow-root, sago, panado, or gru- K.aiul the drinks of a cooling and sheathing nature, as fcarlov or rice-waier, flax-seed tea, or mucilage of gum ¦Uabic, or sassafras. {See Materia Medico,.) But Mien ilio disease has existed some time, the diet should m more nourishing, particularly if the patient has been wakened by preceding disease, or is either of a tender ¦ran advanced age. Oranges, and whatever ripe fruit ¦: st ason affords, may be allowed. I The room should be constantly fumigated with vine- Bar, mid well ventilated. The clothing, as well as the Bulilinii, ought to be often renewed, and all offensive ¦iitrs, particularly the fieces, should be removed as ¦K'l'tlily as possible. ¦ l'limivnoN. — The same means of prevention are ¦W to be used, as under the head of bilious; and, as Bi> disease becomes infectious, by neglect of cleanli- B>*. its farther progress, through the medium of bad air, ¦^ be checked by attending to the mode of purifying ¦atHement prescribed under the head of nervous fe- 388 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. LAX, OR DIARRHEA. This disease is unattended with any fever, and mi contagious or catching, as is the disease immediately 1» fore mentioned. It generally prevails among penoog i weakly constitutions; persons advanced in years; ami those who have lived intemperately. Many are natural- t and constitutionally of this habit of body; indothea I subject to its attacks, on the slightest cold or en •c which at all affects their bowels. The appe» ?es of the stools in this disease, arc very different a: times: sometimes of a thick consistence, sometimes thin, at times of a slimy nature, and then again of a whiti-h color — changing to green, yellow, dark or brown. ture on the skin. This troublesome complaint, frrqinw ly continues on many persons through life: such peiW should be particular as to what they eat, and avoid t' Vi ry thing that disagrees with their stomach and baww always taking care to defend their feet against the dam ground, and wearing flannel next to their skins, m tion, or rubbing the whole body every day witli a Mi — particularly over the region of the stomach, liver ao bowels, will be of much service. Old French brain! taken in moderation, and well diluted with water, is ix o nly a good remedy in this complaint when constitution¦il hut frequently a preventative against attacks. When worm «ire presumed to have any influence in producing rt^ disease, which may he suspected from a fetid or offensive breath, the complaint is to he treated for worms —wfaiofa head see. When the complaint arises from weakness, opium will he found highly important in restraining its excess, and removing the debility. By using I the clysters of slippery- elm, or those made of common : starch and warm water ; for directions how to use which, look under the head clustering. Much benefit will re- Lnlt hv cooling the bowels and allaying the irritation I which always exists in this disease. APOLEPTIC FITS. Symptoms. — Sudden falling to the ground, with a deprivation of sense and motion, attended by deep sleep mid noisy breathing, the circulation remaining unimpair- C vises. — Plethora; hard drinking; too large doses of opium; blows; tight neck-cloths, or whatever interrupts the return of the blood from the head. ITIEATMEHT. — In the cure of a disease threatening such iiilden fatality, remedies must be speedily employed. lie patient's head should instantly be raised and sup'ortfil, and he be placed in a situation where he can •spire a cool air. He is to be bled most copiously, to lie amount of a quart or more, and this must be rcpoati\ after a short time, if he is not relieved, especially if lio disease occur in a person of robust and plethoric iiil>it. Cup also on the temples. Brisk purges are next i be administered, and when these cannot be swallow•d. the most stimulating injections should be thrown up. UiPLroton oil, (see Dispensatory,^ will in these c&- p bo valuable ; for when the patient is unable to swal- K. from one to two or three drops, dropped on the pnijue, will soon find its way into the stomach, and prouce the desired effect. >N lure the disease depends rather on a depletion of 389 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. the blood vessels, than on too great fulness, which may be known by its attacking old people of debilitated hah. I its, bleeding is sparingly to be resorted to, particul;ul\ jj \ the countenance appear to be sunk and pallid, [nthne I cases, the patient ought to be laid on a bed, will! |, |s I head elevated, and turned vwry hour. Clysters m I then to be given, and as soon as liquids can be swallow. I ed, the contents of the stomach and bowels should ln> I evacuated by a brisk purge. I Sinapisms and blisters to the extremeties, should n ot I be neglected. But scalding or searing the soles ol iln> I feet with a hot iron, will more certainly and suddenly I rouse the torpid system. I REGIMEN. — The diet should be of the lowest kind, I consisting principally, for several days after the attack, I of diluent drinks, such as rice or barley-water, tamarind' I water, or flax-seed tea, &C. I Prevention. — In full habits, let the diet be liglu aad I sparing, and the bowels kept open. In debilitated hub. I its, the diet should be more nourishing, and the sirengih- I ening medicines, as bark, steel, &,c, employed to give I tone to the vessels. ¦ EPILEPTIC FITS. I Symptoms. — The patient falls suddenly with a depri- 1 vation of sense, while the muscles of the face and every I part of the body are violently convulsed. H Cainix — Excessive drinking; sudden stoppage I the courses; severe fright: injuries of the head; teeih- ¦ ing, in children; and irritation from worms in the stom- 1 ach and intestines. B TsBATMSNT. — To prevent the patient from injuring ¦ himself by the violence of his struggles, he ought iinmt-B diately to be placed on a bed. The clothing should l» I every where loosened, and the head moderately elova- ¦ ted. A slip of wood should be placed between the ja«j ¦ toj>revent their closing on the tongue, and nothing ««•¦ministered in a glass vessel. Should it appear thai ¦; patient has been drinking too freely of spirituous liquors ¦ or lia? loaded his stomach with indigestible matter, a sironu emetic should be immediately given; which, by cleansing the stomach, will often terminate the par- It' suppressed evacuations be the cause, they must be re-excited by such means as are calculated to restore ihe course of nature. If the patient complain of pain in iht' head, a seaton in the nape of the neck should not be omitted. If worms be the fault, which may be known hv an ollensive breath and irregular appetite, they must be removed before a radical cure can be effected. The suppression of cutaneous affections has occasiontlihe disease; the repulsion of the gout; and sometimes w deficiency of the constitutional strength, which pretMits its formation, has had the same effect In all these istances the knowledge of the cause will suggest the vans of relief. When causes of debility, and irritability, produce epilepsy; in other words, when the irritability is so great that die slightest irritation will induce the fits, the remedy is equally obvious. Warm, generous diet, which ippearat first indicated, must be used with caution; since a fulness of the vessels is, alone, in tender habits, I cause of instability. Tonic medicines, with some of the narcotic bitters ,as hops, Iceland, Liverwort, and lettuce, are the best remedies insuch cases, anxiously guarding as usual, against any accumulations in the head; but not by such medicines as will weaken. Sometimes an epileptic fit is preceded by an uneasy sensation in some of the limbs or trunk of the body, creeping upwards to the head. In this case, the fit will be prevented by applying a ligature above the part so affected. Many cases have occurred, in which this disease has been cured with the sugar of lead, particularly under wage of maturity. It should be commenced in small doses, beginning with one-fourth of a grain, for a half grown person, and gradually increased to two grains or more, thrice a- day, made into pills with the crumbs of read If from using this medicine the bowels be dis- » 391 ordered, it should be laid aside until relief is obtained In the use of the bath, mild laxatives, and opium in mor, than usual doses. A small portion of opium, combined with the lead, (see Dispensatory.) will generally obr> ate or correct its unpleasant operation. The good effects of nitrate of silver, commonly called lunar caustic, have also been attested by eminent phm cians, in doses from one-fourth, very^gradually incroud to a grain, twice a-day,made into pills with bread. The flowers of zinc have likewise been highly spoken of. ami are said to have performed permanent cures, in doses nf six or eight grains, morning and night. E there is incontrovertible evidence, that those m 4 ; have succeeded in certain cases, they are all d» lg of a fair trial, particularly in the treatment of a disease in which no plausible remedy should be left nt tried. FAINTING FITS. Symptoms. — The pulse and respiration suddenly Income exceedingly feeble, insomuch, at times, as to create a fear of the total extinction of life. Cajjsks. — Fright; long fasting; large evacuations; de- Treatment. — The patient should be placed in a reclining posture, and every part of the clothing, which by its tightness is likely to interrupt the free circulation I blood, must be immediately loosened. The doors ami windows of the room, especially if the weather be warm, should be kept open, and no more persons admitted wM are necessary to give assistance ; and these should Ml prevent the free access of the air to the patient. Sprinkle the face with cold water or vinegar, and apply volatiles, burnt linen, or feathers, to the nostrils: ant that the stimulus may with more certainty be inhaltu the patient should be kept from breathing through W mouth, by holding a handkerchief forcibly against inking care, however, to leave the nostrils perfectly W^ 392 393 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. HYSTERIC FITS. Tms disease more frequently occurs in unmarried or bairtn women, and those who lead a. sedentary life. It v, tv seldom appears before the age of puberty, or after ibe tie of thirty-live years. The time at which it most n adilv occurs, is that of the menstrual period. Symptoms. — Generally commences with universal languor and coldness of the extremities. The color of the tare is variable, being sometimes Hushed and somenines pale. The pulse becomes unequal and obscure. The stomach is sometimes affected with vomiting, the lilies with difficulty of breathing, and the heart with pal- Hiations. A painful sensation is often felt, like that of a lobe or a ball in the left side of the belly, advancing upwards, and producing the same uneasiness in the stomach, from which it rises to the throat, occasioning by its pressure, a sense of suffocation ; when a degree of fainting comes on, certain convulsive motions takes place, fhadog the trunk of the body and limbs in various ways; after which, alternate fits of laughter and crying occur, and a remission then ensues. In some patients, a violent beating pain takes place in some part of the licad, as if a nail were driving into it. Sharp pains, likewise, attack the loins, back, and bladder, and the patient ttkei an usual quantity of urine as limpid as water; which is one of the most characteristic signs of the disp;ise. The appearances which take place in this affection, ire considerably varied in different persons, and even in lif 1 nine persons at different times. It differs by having nore or fewer of those circumstances above mentioned ; >v those circumstances being more or less violent, and >.v. v the different duration of the whole lit. tVsix — Excessive evacuations, particularly of the umses, depressing passions, continued anxiety, violent x< itement, sudden surprise, grief, indigestion, &,c. • ki: .vtmkxt. — If the patient be young and of a pletonc habit, blood-letting will be required during the fit; l 't in delicate constitutions, this operation is not advi- 48 394 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. c sable. Volatiles, singed feathers, and the like, ifcoqU be applied to the nostrils; and iT the patient caniwallow a tea-spoonful of ether, or tincture of nsefiwida, or tln r . ty or forty drops of laudanum, may be given, in ;i fhun( cold water, and repeated in a couple of hours, oriooaa if necessary. Clysters of gruel, to which may bo ;u a tea-spoonful or two of laudanum, will also have a m^ effect. The feet and legs should, as soon as possible, |, c put in warm water, and well rubbed with the hand Cold water sprinkled on the face, and the admission „; the cool air in the room, are likewise proper auxiliary. During the intermission of the fit, the nervous system should be strengthened to prevent a recurrence, by & tonic powders, pills, or drops, (see Dispe*B4Uery,} i their usual doses, after having administered some porgv tive medicine. — Upon the approach of any languor, fc patient should instantly take a glass of wine, or IMI spoonful of lavender, or ten or twelve drops of 'laudaiiun. in a glass of cold water. When hysteric affections originate from a suppression or obstruction of the menses, these must be promo ted by adopting the means advised under those beads. Regimen. — An attention to diet is highly proper A the removal of this disease. A milk and vegetable A duly persisted in, will have the most salutary effect. I pecially in sanguine constitutions; but, should wged bles create flatulency and acidity in the stomach M bowels, in such cases animal food will be the most ai> propriate diet. The best drink after dinner is wiM vith a little good wine, or a smaller quantity of old ifi te. Tea should be prohibited altogether, or used spiri y. — Moderate exercise, particularly riding on horsebai s of the greatest service, as are likewise amusements an cheerful company. PALSY, Is a disease consisting in a loss of the posver of * untary motion, but affecting certain parts of the body o 395 'i |v. and by this it is distinguished from apoplexy. In the m osi violent degrees of palsy, the patient looses both the [power of motion, and sense of feeling, either of one side L»r the lower half of the body. The first is termed hemi\\u'/ui the latter paraplegia. When it affects particular parts only, as the tongue, the lip, eyelid, &,a, it is Caed a l° ca ' paky-1 fiiMFIOMi — If this disease be not the effect of apo- Ipli'xy it is often preceded by universal torpor, giddiness, E souse of weight or uneasiness in the head, dulness of Icoiiiprohensioii, loss of memory, and a sense of coldness Bin the part about to be affected ; there is also, sometimes Irinior. creeping, and pain in the part. C vises. — Compression of the brain from any of the :aiises inducing apoplexy; certain poisons received into he body, as lead, arsenic, alsit>, I Aseton in the neck, particularly if the patient ho 4> fected with giddiness, willallbrd considerable relief, mill should not he neglected. Cases of palsy have linn I cured by salivation. If the disease be inconsequence of a curvature of tb I back bone, compressing ?' spinal marrow, a perpetual I blister or issue over the v atlected, or on each side of I the diseased portion 01 the bone, is the only remedy, A I local palsy, particularly when it is confined to onemiivl cle, will generally yield to the application of a blister a? I near to the part atleeted as possible. I Regimen. — In plethoric habits the diet should 1m 1 oil the lightest kind, but quite the contrary in debilitatnll habits. In such cases the diet should be warm and I strengthening, seasoned with spices and aromatic ini^l dients, and the drink must be generous wine, mustard! whey, ginger tea, or brandy and water. Flannel won;l Ethe skin is peculiarly proper; so is regular exnvbt.l i not carried to fatigue or used in a cold damp aif.B HYPOCHONDRIAC DISEASE. I (Commonly called Vapors, or Low Spirit*.) I us complaint chiefly occurs in the male, and that afl iced life; and it is confined, for the most l ):irt [« nsof a sedentary or studious disposition, especially as have indulged in grief or anxiety. I 397 Symptoms. — Languor, listlessncss, or want of resolution and activity, with respect to all undertakmgs; a disposition to seriousness, sadnrss, and timidity, as to all fumrc events; an apprehension of the worst or most un|ia|,|,v |,|,v ia state of them, and, therefore, often, on slight pound, a, dread of great evil. Such persons are particularly attentive to the state of their own health, and to [he smallest change of feeling in their bodies, from an unusual sensation, perhaps of the slightest kind, they apprehend great danger, and even death itself; and in reipeei to all their feelings and apprehensions, there are, lor the most part, unfortunately the most obstinate belief and persuasion. This diseased state of mind is sometimes attended with symptoms of indigestion, hysterical aifeclions, and sometime with melancholy; hut these are merely effects. Cavsis, — Indolence; violent passions of the mind; suppression of customary evacuations; obstructions of some of the viscera, &c. ; but its immediate cause appears to be a loss of energy in the brain, or torpid state ot'the nervous system. It would Appear, however, that these complaints proceed from an original affection of the stomach. Tri:vtmi:nt. — The cure of this disease seems to depend on exciting the nervous energy which is depressed, and that particularly by attending to the state of the mind. A constant state of motion should, therefore, be advised, especially by riding on horseback, and making lonii journeys, which present new objects to the view. Nothing is more pernicious in this disease, than idleness, but in avoiding it, all application to former studies is to he prevented. The present emotions must be fa- MWed and indulged; and though an attempt should be made to withdraw the attention of such patients from themselves, yet their confidence ought first to be gained : ttd smoo the persuasion of their own opinion is strong, ail( l the infallibility of their own fears and sensations root W, however absurd these may be, they require a very ¦w management Raillery must never be attempted, from this supposed bodily affection, the mind should be 398 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. diverted by employments suitable to the circuiiistaiu-tx and situation in life, and unattended with much emotion anxiety, and fatigue. Company which engages atteutko, and is at die same time of a cheerful kind, will afaayi be found of great service. The occasional reading o( entertaining books, or playing at any game, in wiim, some skills required, and where the stake is not aimb. jectofmuch anxiety, if not too long protracted, will tin-. ther assist in diverting the mind from itself! The symptoms of indigestion, and hysteric complains, that so frequently attend this state of mind, although lh( effect, rather than the cause, arc objects of practice; inasmuch as they tend to aggravate and realize the lake apprehensions of the patient. The secondary affection require the same mode of treatment recommended tor indigestion and hysteric disease. The warm bath is peculiarly beneficial in this complaint, and when the s» tern becomes somewhat invigorated, the cold bath may be employed with advantage, provided there exist no obstructions in the bowels. From an acid acrimony generally prevailing in the stomach, the rust of steel, or lilings of iron, in doses of ten grains thrice a-day, is the most salutary medicine of all the tonics. Magnesia and lime-water are useful on the same account. [A case is related of a gentleman living some years ago six miles from Nashville, who was afflicted with the hypochondriac disease very often, his Physician who lira in Nashville was frequently sent for in the night when the gentleman thought himself about to die, the Doctor knowing his patient well, would sometimes refuse to go until morning, and would then find his patient walking about having forgot that he had sent for the Doctor, but at other times he would express much displeasure at the Doctor's treatment of him, after a quarrel between the patient and his physician, it would terminate in friendship and a perfect recovery; on one occasion however, the Doctor was sent for in the night, who believing his friend in one of his old ways, refused to go, although urged by the faithful servant, but on the arrival ol a* I 1 cond servant he reluctantly set out, he had not reaeneu the plantation, however, before he was k inet by another, or third servant, who urged the Doctor to more speed ; ¦fating that n ' s ma ster was indeed very ill, when the Doctor entered his patient's room and took his seat beside his bed, he soon found it was as he suspected, but ln> suppressed his anger, Jolt the pulse, t while his friend chktod him for his slow movements, and said he was now dying, lie feared he could not do him any good now, hut it* lie had come immediately, he might have saved | ns |if o—the0 — the Doctor begged his friend to forgive him, and said he had expected lie was in one of his old whims, biii he found indeed that it was all over with him, he must die and suggested to him to arrange his worldly ifiun — the gentleman becoming now alarmed, begged the Doctor to pray for him, although from the Doctor's habits he knew he seldom prayed unless it was to ask his heavenly Father to damn his own, or some others' souls. The Dr. said he would try to pray for him, and kegtt by asking the Great One to look down on this most miserable sinner, who was now about to leave this world, conscious of his vileness, and wretched condition, he prayed that God would forgive all his sins, but one which lay heavy on his mind, lie prayed particularly to be forgiven, — and that was his having cheated a poor widow woman out of six hundred and forty acres of land; the patient sprang up in his bed and stated that it WM a lie, a damn lie, lie never had done so. It is added that as his rage subsided he found himself well.] RIHJIBIM. — A proper diet constitutes an essential part in the treatment of this malady. In general, light animal food is what alone agrees with such patients; for there are few, if any, vegetables which do not prove flatulent in their bowels. — Acids are particularly injurious. VI! malt liquors, except porter, are apt to excite too high a fermentation in the stomach? and wines, for the most part, are liable to the same objection. If an exception «H be made in favor of any, it is good old Maderia, *hen it can be obtained, which not only promotes digeston, and invigorates the concoctive powers, but acts, immediately as a generous and wholesome cordial. The 399 use of spirituous liquors is not to be recommended a < an habitual recourse, though they may be taken < ,< sionally, in a moderate quantity, diluted with Water, I and coffee, though hurtful to people with bad dkestiq are often useful, however, to the hypochondriac. )|, H . crate exercise, we have alrendy observed, is inHinpom ble in the cure of this complaint; and it cannot betikd any way with so much advantage as in lon;| relieved by standing up, which simple act, by throwin;! the weight of the body on the toes, forcibly extends the I muscles, and thus takes off the spasm. If the mini: I arise from acidity or indigestion, give every nighl ;i I composed of half a grain of opium, with six grains endl of rhubarb and prepared chalk, and administer mI grains of the rust of steel, morning and noon. I A cramp is speedily relieved by dashing cold watwH on the feet and legs, or standing on a wet cold heariiß A cramp of the stomach is best treated by an inl'usioifl of red pepper, (see Materia Mcdica,) or a large d -¦ of ether or laudanum, accompanied with friction on m part, either by a flesh brush or flannel. When these liuM a very copious bleeding will sometimes remove ¦ spasm, after which the patient must be purged. I The chief remedies of spasm are those which remo'J the irritating cause. If this cannot be ascertained. u fl must endeavor to lessen irritability by anodynes. A den terror, the apprehension of a severe operation- fl| t return of the tit, and unexpected surprise, have .»uj| led. Dashing water in the face, touching ' l |'^ r:>ll B 400 401 with something cold, or throwing up a cold clyster, have, from the same principles, boon effectual. IVrsons subject to the cramp in the leg may prevent it by wearing stockings in bed, and occasionally rubbing die part with camphorated oil. According to vulgar authority, sulphor grasped in the hand, is good to cure, and carried in the pocket, to prevent cramp. PALPI TAT 1 0 NO F T II E II E ART. Symptoms. — In this disease, the motion of the heart is performed with more rapidity, nnd generally with greater force than usual, which may not only be felt by the I hand, but often perceived by the eye, and even heard: I there is frequently a difficulty of breathing, a purplish I hut 1 of the cheeks and lips, and a variety of anxious and I painful sensations. It sometimes terminates in sudden Ii Causes. — A morbid enlargement of the heart itself, land of the large vessels; organic affections; an heredi- Itarv disposition ; plethora; debility, or a morbid condi- Irionoftlic system; mal-conformation of the chest, and Ininnv of the causes inducing fainting I TiEATMBIfT. — This complaint is best relieved by keep- Ini'j tlu> mind and body at rest, avoiding every cause of Brntation, and keeping up a proper equilibrium of the cir¦culation. I When the disease arises from plethora, and the action Mt' the heart is violent, bleeding is indispensable, which ¦Imuld be followed by a cooling cathartic, and after- Bards the exhibition of nitre every two or three hours, Br the tincture of digitalis, in doses from ten to twenty BB r 'T> thrice a-day, by lessening the action of the arterial ¦}>" in, will effect a cure. HWhen there is reason to believe this affection is in B'u^'iuonce of debility, the solution of arsenic, in its l:i ' doses, taken for some time, is a certain remedy. H^ Mfii the nervous system is affected, small doses ofeth¦ laudanum, or some cordial will be found very ser- 49 402 The feet should he kept dry and warm, frequently rubbed, and, if not otherwise warm, with powdered mustard seed, or tincture of Cayenne pepper. ThOM who are subject to a palpitation of the heart should carefullyavoid violent exercise, irregular passions. costiveness, and all circumstances that may tend to increase the action of the sanguiferous system. HICK UP. A SPASMODIC affection of the diaphragam, and some- I times of the stomach, is a troublesome, but not often a I dangerous complaint. I Catsj:s. — Debility, acidity, Hatulence, cold drinks win n I the person is warm, repletion, worms, repelled gout. \c. I Tmcatmeht. — When it arises, as is most frequently I the case, from spasm induced by debilitating causes, the I warm antispasmodics, as ether, laudanum, the cumplio- I rated mixture, hartshorn, tincture of asaftrtida, or low I of the essential oils, will be useful. A tea-spooniiil ol I vinegar, slowly swallowed, has frequently afforded relief. I Preserved damsons have likewise been found oi' excel- 1 lent use in this complaint. I When acidity is discovered to be the cause, give the I absorbent mixture, or twenty drops of hartshorn, with a I tea-spoonful of magnesia in a cup of mint tea, or a spoon- H ful or two of milk and lime-water; and, to prevent it>M recurrence, take ten grains of the rust of steel thrice ;i-M day. When occasioned by poisons or improper iood.H an emetic will be proper. H In weak stomachs, oppressed with indigestible KmLH a glass of good wine or spirits and water often relict >•¦ Ether applied externally to the stomach on a soft liiwH rag with a warm hand to confine it, is a good reined*™ so is the application of an acrid cataplasm or blister M obstinate cases. I' Like other spasms, ii is often stopped by strong :I 'B' V resting the attention, whether by hope, fear, or terror. «/> sudden alarm has often succeeded in curing this atlt« tion after every other means had failed. On thetf'"»ii principle, a deep, continued inspiration will often remove tighter degrees of this troublesome complaint. NIGHT-MARE. Symptoms. — An alarming oppression of weight about the breast, with dread of suffocation. C.u'sks. — Late and excessive suppers; great fatigue; drunkenness, or sleeping on the back. TftIATHBNT. — If tl ie patient be of a plethoric habit, bleed) purge, and use a spare diet. And when the disease is the consequence of debility and weak nerves, the tonic medicines, as steel, bark, or Columbo in their usual doses, are proper. A glass of brandy, at bed-time will generally prevent the attack. Prevention. — The patient should sleep on a hard bod. which invites to frequent changes of sides, eat light suppers, which, with due exercise, and cheerfulness dur- I ing the day, form the best preventive remedies. I ASTHMA, [ Is often hereditary. When attended with an expecto- I ration of phlegm, it is termed moist or humeral; and I when with little or none, dry or nervous asthma. | Symptoms. — It generally attacks at night with a sense I o( tightness across the breast, and impeded respiration. ¦ The person thus taken, if in a horizontal situation, isob- Blisied immediately to get into an erect posture, and so- Hlidtsa free and cold air. In violent paroxysms, speakling is difficult and uneasy. B Treatment. — On the first attack of asthma, bleed¦insi is serviceable, if the pain in the chest and difficulty ¦ot breathing be considerable ; but less so afterwards, ¦smce the disease has a natural tendency to take off the ¦plethoric state of the system. I Emetics frequently repeated have been found of considerable utility in this disease. When there is reason B° apprehend a paroxysm in the course of the night, an 403 emetic exhibited in the evening will generally prevent it; and when the fit conies on in consequence of a loaded stomach, it will often afford immediate relief. Equal parts of laudanum, and tincture of castor mixed, and a tea-spoonful given in a little tea or warm wife will relieve the patient, if necessary, repeat it in half an hour. As in other spasmodic affections, the most powerful antispasmodics, as laudanum, and ether, should lie resorted to. These may he given conjointly or sepnraiciv, , but in large doses, to allay the violence of the fit, or n I prevent its accession. Thus, half a tea-spoontiil ot'laudanum, or one of ether, to be repeated in an hour, if necessary, in a glass of cold water, has frequently relieved the symptoms, or, when taken at the approach of the lit. I have suppressed it altogether. A cup of strong collii I has sometimes afforded great relief; and when the di>- 1 ease proceeds from the irritation cf mucus, a table-spoon- 1 ful or two of viegar in a glass of cold water is a good re- 1 medy. I The skunk cabbage and stramonium, or thorn apple. I are considered most valuable antispasmodics, aniltvl ceedingly beneficial in this complaint. According I Dr. Cutler, the emetic weed or Indian tohaceo. (m I Matvria Medical) is a certain remedy. And Dr. Thorn- H as speaks highly of the efficacy of the tincture of foxglove I in doses of fifteen drops twice a-day, conjoined withal few drops of laudanum. I In every stage of this disease, the bowels must ho ail tended to. The connection of asthmatic paroxysm, with ¦ flatulence and costiveness, plainly points out the import-H ance of aperient medicines and those of the warm cla&B as aloes and rhubarb. I Expectorants are frequently required in this (lisi'ii*H The powder, or syrup of squills, or gum-aininoniar e» hibited in rather larger doses than usual, will often brinsß on expectoration, in cases apparently desperate. I Blisters near the back are singularly useful, and sliouW be often repeated. Cataplasms of garlic or onions to ; 1 feet are also valuable assistants. I 404 405 Regimen. — A light diet, easily digestible, and not flatulent, i* always bfoper for asthmatic persons, and during „. tit. cool drinks and fresh air are proper. It will al>v;l s be found serviceable to wear a flannel shirt and to k.rp the feet warm. I'kkvkntion. — During the absence of the paroxysm, tunic medicines and the cold bath, together with moderate exorcise, will be most elticacious in obviating its recurrence. HEART-BURN. Symptoms. — A burning sensation about the pit of the stomach, with acid eructations, flatulence, and sometimes retching to vomit. Cuses. — A relaxed state of the stomach, generating acidities and acrimonies from food too long detained. As it is often a symptom of indigestion, the cause may be found under the head of the following chapter. Treatment. — The first indication is to remove the unpleasant sensations existing, which may be done by taking either a small tea-spoonful of salt of tartar, or a table-spoonful of magnesia in a glass of mint-water or tea; or 1 tumbler of mucilage of gum Arabic or flaxseed ten taken cold, with a small piece of liquorice ball dissolved in it. But, to cure the disease effectually, m an emetic give the lime-water, or ten grains of the nisi of steel, thrice a-day for some time, and keep the bowels moderately open with magnesia or the root of rhubarb chewed occasionally, or the tinctureof it, taken In small doses; or the aloetic pill. It' it should arise from bile, lemonade, or some of the eatable acids, or a tea-spoonful of the spirits of nitre » a glass of the infusion of Columbo, will often aflbrd nunediate relief. hen not arising from the contents of the stomach, fcnernl warmth, particularly of the feet, is essentially ls °ful; and even rubbing them with flour of mustard, Ir tincture of Cayenne pepper, has produced good ef • Kk, Great benefit has also been experienced, and 406 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. sometimes a complete cure effected, by the application,, a blister to the pit of the stomach. To render it tfo more efficacious, the blister should be kept running fa at least a week. REGIMEH. — The diet of those who are subject to thi< complaint, should consist chiefly, of animal food; vi all fermented or acid liquors and greasy aliment imtstli strictly avoided. A glass of brandy, or gin and wav after dinner, is the best beverage. Moderate exettft is particularly beneficial. DYSPEPSY, OR INDIGESTION Symptoms. — Want of appetite; nausea; sometimes vomiting; heart-burn; costiveness; distentions of ik stomach, particularly upon taking a small quantity 0/ food; frequent risings into the throat of a sharp acid liquor, and eructations of imperfectly digested matter, Causes. — Errors and irregularities in the mode 4 living; cold and moisture; intense study; depressing passions; and abuse of tobacco, opium, or spirits. One of the most general causes of indigestion or d\> pepsy, is the too frequent use of calomel, and I will venture to assert, that nearly four-fifths of the easel 0! Dyspepsy in our country, have been brought on by ihe improper use of calomel. TREATMENT. — To succeed in the cure of this disease. we must avoid the occasional causes, remove rack symptoms as tend to aggravate or continue the disease. and invigorate the tone of the stomach. Crudities, act dity and costiveness, must be obviated, at least in thef excess, as they tend both to aggravate and continue indigestion. The management of diet is also of considerable importance. The stomach should never besot fered to remain any time empty in dyspepsy, as all m symptoms are aggravated by it. Persons afflicted vvitn this complaint, should frequently eat a cracker or a pied of ship biscuit, as bread not subject to fermentation i one of the best substances to be frequently taken. 1" some weak stomachs, a singular aggravation ot w 407 j,vn]|itoms comes on in about an hour or two after a full ¦jjeal, attended With a sense of sinking or weakness. Tins leems to be owing to a digestion unusually rapid, and consequently imperfect hi such cases, aliment of more (liiliciilt digestion, as eggs boiled bard, or the addition of condiments which retard digestion may be allowed ; but, p general, «i bit of biscuit and a glass of wine will remove the sense of weakness, which is owing to the sudden emptying of the stomach before too much distended. In order to the cure, recourse must be had to emetics, whenever the stomach is oflended with mucus, bilious, or oilier humors. It is not unusual for a large quantity tf vm viscid mucus to be thrown up on the exhibition of an emetic And this must occasionally be discharged, jiuliis accumulation prevented by aromalics and tonics. The Cohunbo-root is a medicine of great utility, when lie stomach is languid, and the appetite defective. It nay be given thrice a-day, in substance or infusion, with mni-water, or ginger tea, or infused in Madeira wine, r French brandy, now and then interposing small doses ifihe tincture of rhubarb. Taking a tea-spoonful of wisianl seed with half the quantity of Columbo thrice •day. will be found particularly useful, where acidity ml flatulence prevail A great variety of stomachics ml tonics of the vegetable class, as camomile, gentian, uassia, Peruvian, and black oak bark, have been ernloyed in the cure of this disease ; but scarcely any mer- II preference to the Columbo, unless the Samson imke-root. (See Materia 3leriiea.) However, it is lot proper to continue the use of any tonic longer than W weeks at a time. When acidity predominates, a M glass of lime-water, with an equal quantity of new itlk.or ten grains of rust of steel, or filings of iron, will ftfand exceedingly beneficial. In some cases the digestion is injured by putrid matter, Om decayed teeth, constantly mixed with the saliva, timing the organs of taste, and destroying the appetite. 11 such cases, the charcoal tooth powder, {see Dispendory,) or washing the mouth night and morning with 'solution of alum, will correct this tendency. Even when the teeth could not be the cause of digestion. I have seen the most happy effects result from the exhihi. tion of charcoal powder, in doses of ;i table-spoonful twice or thrice a-day, particularly when conjoined will a few grains of rhubarb, and double the quantity 4 powdered ginger, or by taking, after dinner, as much of the tincture of rhubarb as would keep the bo web in i regular state. Another medicine, apparently twtk though of considerable efficacy in this complaint, is tli? cob-web of the black spider, which generally inhabits tta cellars, barns, and stables. Of this, from five to ten grains is to be given morning, noon, and night, in tinform of pills. ({k lf the disease, as is too often the case, have him brought on by hard drinking, its only radical euro is to be found in temperance, cordial nourishment, exercise, and the use of elixir vitriol with bark, the nitric acid or the tonic powders or pills, (see Dispensatory.) When the patient complains of a pain in the stomach, resort to the remedies for heart-burn, and use t'riotun with a flesh brush or flannel over the part. Should tin fail, give a dose of ether or laudanum; and, in die of costiveness, administer an injection. This treatment will generally palliate the pain; after which, endeavor to restore the tone of the stomach by tonic medicines. a> the nitric acid bark, Columbo, steel, &,c. The costiveness peculiar to persons in this complaint. must be removed by medicines which gently solicit the intestines to a more regidar discharge of their confetti; and this effect is best obtained by flour of sulphur, magnesia, or rhubarb chewed every day, and only the saliva swallowed. Strong purgatives are unfit to correct baton of costiveness, as they weaken the action of the intestines, and thereby increase the complaint when the evacuation fhit nothing can so effectually obviate this affection,* constant custom, most invariably observed, ot gomg every morning to the privy, although you have not a mutual inclination. Regimen, — The diet should consist chiefly of aftiW" 408 409 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. food well chewed, and taken in small quantities, followed with a glass of brandy and water, or good wine. pr*quent friction with a flesh brush or flannel over the region of the stomach and belly will be found exceeding* lybeneficiftL Alter taking an emetic, we have known a milk diet, penererod in for several weeks, effectually cure indigestion. This article, almost always offends the stomach at tirst: but by continuance, becomes agreeable to it, and effect! a cure. The milk should be new, and free from Early rising, and moderate exercise in the morning air, c;m hardly be enough recommended, inasmuch as they contribute so happily to restore the tone of the stomach, a* also the whole system. It is impossible to furnish a plan of regimen adapted to every constitution and habit; but if the patient will but pay due attention to what benefits, and what injures him. wisely regulating his mode of living by the information thus obtained, his present maladies will soon disappear, and their future recurrence for ever inhibited. CHOLERA MORBUS,oit PUKING & PURGING. This disease is generally produced by the food becoming rancid or acid on the stomach ; and if from an over quantity of bile, the purging and puking will show it. by the discharges being intermixed with a dark bilious nttter. This disease is also produced from breathing damp air; or from being exposed to inclement weather; or from getting the feet wet; but mostly from eating such food as disagrees with the stomach and bowels. Ihe mind has a powerful influence in this complaint; ami I have frequently observed in my practice, that the disease was produced in many cases of females in deli- We health, by the passions of the mind, as well as by •dden Stoppages of the menstrual discharge. The disease generally commences with sickness of the stomach; painful griping, succeeded by heat and thirst, quickness Q nd shortness of breathing, with a quick and fluttering 50 410 HIE FAMILY I'llYSlt'fAN. pulse. When the case is dangerous, the extremities be come cold; the perspiration or sweat is clammy a&4 cold; then; is also cramp, and great changes and jm. gularities of the pulse, which, when accompanied wn| miccuping, are strong (evidences of the approach (J f death. Tki:vtmi:.\t. — Apply to the stomach and belly, cloth Steeped in warm water, or in spirits in which camphor has hcen dissolved; or you may apply a warm poultice, made of garden mint stewed; or a poultice made if mustard and strong vinegar will he found of groat si vice applied to the stomach; or a blister of cantharidei or Spanish Hies: and in extremely dangerous c;i> >, where it is not practicable to draw a blister in the nml way, do not hesitate to scald the part with boilmg water; at the same time applying hot rocks or bricks to ilie feet. — (live hot whiskey toddy, or that made ofanyotbs kind of spirits; let it be strongly mixed with peppermint, or ginger, or calamus; and let chicken water or thin grod be freely taken by the patient iiive clysters made l>v muring boiling water on the inner bark of slippery elm. or those made of flax-seed tea, either of which must lie thrown up into the bowels milk-warm. See under ilio head of clystering, for the manner of administering thi operation. The first object in this dangerous complaial is, to cleanse the stomach and bowels of any oftnsw matter; after which the giving of thirty-five or t'oriv drops of laudanum in mint tea will be proper; and I these should not arrest the progress of the disease, make a clyster of a table-spoonful of starch and a half pint oi warm water, in which pat a tea-spoonful of laudanum, and throw it up the bowels as directed under the li*^ "clyster." If this docs not give relief in fifteen or twenty minutes, repeat it again — and again. If the person who is attacked is of fall habit, that i fat, stout and vigorous, the loss of some blood by the 1 arm. and the warm bath will be necessary. If the attack* moderate, a good dose of calomel will generally pin a stop to it — for this will evacuate the bowels, operau a; a stimulus, and remove the diseased action. Very frequently this disease appears as a symptom of ti'ver; and then of course you are to treat it as you would my other kind of fever. la all eases, after using laudanum to relieve your patient, particularly when you have used it to any extent, it is proper and necessary to rire,|»;isms of the stomach, which usually terminate in death. ah the year 1810, I saw live persons expire in less than f en minutes, in the city of New-York, from drinking cold 411 412 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. water; in truth, the deaths became so frequent at the different watering places throughout the city, that pit cards or printed hills were ordered by the city council to be stuck on the different pumps, to caution all person against drinking cold wafer when over-heat^l and bathed in sweat. This dangerous and Altai practice, if it even does not produce immediate death, almost §. variably lays the foundation of lingering and destructive diseases, which are extremely difficult of cure. That eminent and distinguished physician, Benjamin Rash, describes the causes of fatality in these cases, in tinfollowing manner: "When large quantities of cold water are suddenly taken into the stomach, under circumgtaoctl of an over-heated system, the person in a few minutes afterwards loses his sight, and every thing appears dark about him ; he staggers in attempting to walk, and unless supported, falls to the ground ; the breathing soon becomes very difficult and a rattling noise is soon heard in the throat; the feet and hands become cold, and the pulse cannot be felt — and generally in about five minutes, death is the consequence, unless speedy relief can be obtained." Iced toddy, when taken under t ho same circumstance of being over-heated, has often been known to produce the same fatal effects; and I have known many instances, in which ladies in full health, have been brought to the brink of eternity in a few minutes, from eating ice cream when over-heated by danciiur. The truth is, that very cold articles of food or drink, even when the body is moderately cool, sometimes, in peculiar constitutions, are productive of dangerous consequences ; cases which arc not very violent, and which come on with cramps or spasms, should be immediately attended to, or they will also terminate fatally in most instances, by inflammation of the stomach. Treatment. — "I have discovered," says Dr. Ru* "but one certain remedy in this desperate, and it not immediately relieved, fatal disease — this remedy, and it may be relied on, is laudanum; which has to l>e given in the quantity, of from a tea to nearly a table-spoontul immediately in violent cases, before relief can boon- ¦mod." When laudanum cannot be had in time, a ¦Kiss <>f str°ug whiskey or brandy, one of which is gen- XK r illy found forthcoming every where, may be given, ¦/iiulaiiuin, however, is so easily made, and so frequent¦ luHvssary in all families, that it ought always to be ¦•nt in preparation tor use: it will frequently save the ex¦ nsi 1 of sending tor a physician at an unseasonable hour, K,,,| olu'iitimes save lite in sudden and desperate cases. ¦or the mode of preparing it, see under the head lauda¦inii. Every person about to drink cold water, when Kirm and in high perspiration, should observe faithfully He following rules. First, pour quantities of water on ¦n> wrists; and next, wash the face, temples and hands, ¦nth water, and sutler them to dry. These measures ¦mh the coldness of the water applied, and the evapo¦noii which succeeds, will abstract or draw from the ¦lerior of the body, and particularly from the vital parts, ¦ considerable portion of heat; and prevent the sudden ¦ml danjierous action of the cold on the stomach, and ¦liicr vital parts of the system. You are, also, when you ¦rink, to take the water in small quantities at a time; in Bet. not more than half a pint at once; repeating the ¦rauiihts about every tive or ten minutes. It would be ¦t satest plan, even with the above precautions, to mix Home spirits with the water. Farmers engaged in har¦esiiiiij their grain, should always let the water remain ¦oiiu'tiine in the vessel before using it — many fatal dis¦asi's have originated, in an imprudent disregard of this ¦aiitious practice. I DROPSY. I Dropsy is a disease of the whole system, arising from ¦oliilitv or weakness, and can easily be distinguished * i ¦oin othor diseases, by the collection of water in some ¦w of the body. 13y pressing the lingers on the flesh ¦ 'tli some force, a depression or pitting will take place, ¦'lichcanbeseen some little time after the fingers have ¦eon removed: in other words, the ilesh will have lost its ¦ asticity, and will not immediately spring back, on the 413 removal of a pressure. Or, if the water is lodged inn f particular cavity of the body, it may also be Beard ( tinctlv, on any sudden change 01 position, or m movement of die body. Among physicians, it is aj by different names, according with the different pin the system, in which the water may he deposited. \\ Jlt Jltthe water is seated in the cavities of the head or bn the disease is called lnjd race phai its: — When seated the cavity of the chest, it is Injdrotliora.v: — when m of the belly, aseitcs: — when seated in the scrotum,, bag of the privates, it is called hydrocele: — and v ] the water is diffused in the cellular membrane, whick the thin and delicate skin found among the mtttcleii ilesh of the body, and which is the same that butch blow up in their veal and mutton, the dropsical dim is called unasarca. There is strong resemblance. \ tween dropsy of the testicle or stone in men, and isck ornril in women; the latter being small Collection dropsical fluid, in the oraria, which are two oval I bodies, which are about an inch in length, and half inch in breadth, situated an inch behind the womb, a: which are supposed to contain and supply whatever i female brings to procreation or formation of the fat or child. This is proved from analogy, by tbesnf fact, that an animal deprived of the onirhi, as in i case of spaying swine, looses all power of conceira and all venerual desire. I omitted to mention, thati drocephalu* or dropsy of the brain, is a disease N nion to children, and will be treated of under the pi per head. I have, in the first instance, and contrary the impressions of some medical men, given it Ml decided opinion, that dropsy is a disease of the WW system — and my reader may be assured, that I am si tamed in that opinion by many of the most distinguish physicians in the United States. TREATMENT. — Afore diseases of dropsy have beenl moved by bleeding, and more relief has been oh\m from it, than from any other known remedy. ioMvliw reasons, it is now considered as satisfactorily pro« that this complaint is more frequently inflammatory ¦ 414 HI MMfftOy supposed. For this very important inlbriiiii >ii, we are indebted to that highly distinguished (ivsiciau, Doctor Benjamin Rtuh. Bleeding must be nt'jrely regulated, as to frequency and quantity, by the >|jef it affords to the patient. In my practice, I always pc it freely: and never omit at the same time to purge v, Iv with calomel and jalap — sec table for dose — or Jap alone. If these purges operate without pain, and ie stools are fluid or watery, and your patient is not inch weakened by them, it does not matter how many ools are produced daily; because the remedy is an et(itii! and proper one. — Oik; ounce of cream tartar, in llf a gallon of water, drank during the day, will be of nidi service: in truth, all articles which will increase ie flow of the urine, or water from the bladder, called y yhyncittOß diuretics^ are very useful in this complaint. V following cures, which 1 shall notice in the words I an experienced and distinguished 111:111, give evidence [the correctness of some of my introductory remarks, nong which are the following: "The discoveries of iich succeeding day convince us, that the Almighty has ranously furnished man with the means of curing his n discuses, in all the different countries and climates 'which he is an inhabitant; and there is scarce lya-day, onth or year, which does not exhibit to us, the surprisl cures made by roots, herbs and simples, found in our IB vegetable kingdom, when all foreign articles have iitrly tailed," «fee. &c. — The truth is, that the wise and meficent Creator of the universe, has made nothing in mil: and the time will come, when the apparently most •liss and noxious plants, will be found eminently me- I in the cure of diseases, which have hitherto bafHed 1 profoundest skill, and the most powerful energies of nuns. The following are the words of the author just hded to: "lam knowing to two extremely distressing us of dropsy, being entirely relieved by means of the ik of common elder. One, a woman advanced in age, 1 to last stages of this disease, who lost a brother some W time previous, by the same complaint. The other, young woman, who had been for eighteen months con- 415 fined to her bed, during four of which she wasunahlt lie down, and who is now wholly free from dropsy, n recovering strength in a most surprising and unexpected manner. — A great many other eases, less ¦nrtfi^ have been cured by the bark of the common older;! have used it myself with universal success; RndHiJi mediate adoption by the afflicted, is truly important a deserving attention. The receipt is as follows:— take two handsful of the green or inner bark of the wfci common elder; steep them in two quarts of Lisbon wi twenty-four hours — if this wine cannot be had, Tea rifle or Madeira will answer; take a gill even niormi: fasting, or more if it can be borne on the stomach. Tk bark and leaves of the elder, have long been known aj powerful evacuants. I ought to have said in ibepn per place, that the young woman I have mentioned. m{ the elder barked wine, at the instance of one of the N distinguished physicians of Boston ; who had previous* tried every known prescription without success. and liiai the use of the elder entirely cured her.*' The fbllowq remedy, handed to me by a respectable man, who re sides in Roane county, Tennessee, Mr. William Ndi will undoubtedly be worthy of trial, and I therefore fll mit itto the reader: "Take two orthreehandsi'ulofribi nails, and put them into half a gallon of good ififi vinegar; then boil, or rather simmer the vinegar, (iu«i to a quart, and strain it well through a linen cloth: no add to the vinegar a quart of molasses, a handlni camomile flowers, and a handful of lavender from I garden. Boil or stew this mixture down to a quart. T| dose for a grown person, is a large table-spoonful, to ' increased gradually to one and a half: the do?o. o course, must be smaller for younger and more woi persons." The character of 3lr. Mead for integrity" veracity, and his solemn assurances that the presenf lion has often been eminently successful, induce nej place it on record. The oxide of iron, in other won rust of iron, would probably answer a better pwp* than the nails mentioned by Mr. Mead. 416 417 SCURVY. This disease is frequently of a highly putrid nature, and generally afflicts persons who have lived a considerable time on salted provision, or unsound and tainted aiiiiiKil food. 'Those are also subject to it, who have been long confined without due exercise: (hose, also, who have been unable to obtain vegetable food for a considerable period. Cold moist air, bad water, the in irlml influence of depressing passions, such as grief, lour, &c, and the neglect of personal cleanliness, will also produce scurvy. With regard to cleanliness, I j must speak in plain terms. Neglect of personal or bodily ablutions; in other words washings, among females at particular periods, are in reality the causes of very niiiii v cases of scurvy: and here 1 am compelled to say, that such are the cleanly habits of the French of the better order, male and female, I have never known a §m» gkcasß of scurvy among them, although much accusjoined to their society in Europe; they are in the constant habit of using the warm bath. The disease called scurvy can always be known, by the softness and sponginess of the gums, which even on being gently rubbed with a soft sponge, will invariably bleed. Ulcers next t'rm round the teeth, and gradually eat away the lower edges of the gums, by which the teeth become loose, and sometimes fall out. The breath is always offensive, and smells badly; the face is usually of a pale yellow color, and considerably bloated ; the heart palpitates, or beats nijMillv and irregularly, on slight exertion; the legs and MM swell — small ulcers or sores break out on different parts of the body, and more generally on the legs; pains are felt over the whole body; the urine or water is high colored; the stools smell very badly; the strength be- Gomea very much reduced, and bleeding takes place at W noso, cars, gums, and fundament. When these last take place, the sufferer is near the terminatl()|i<>t i<>t his earthly career: and it is no less singular than | Ill '(\ that the appetite remains good to the last, together I with a perfect retention of memory. fil Treatment. — The scurvy prevailed in our Armvr 1809 at Camp Torre au 15eof, 15 miles below New Or. Jeans, and when the army ascended the Mississippi tll Natchez, and Washington, a small town six miles fcm Natchez, it still prevailed with great violence. 1 founc at Washington in great abundance the scurvy graft a it is called, and caused the sick to use it with marked a 4 vantage, the men were very fond of it and devour* large quantities. All the acids are valuable medicines in scurvy: such as common vinegar with fresh vegetables; in fact ahatli made of vinegar and water, in which the whole boih can be frequently bathed, will be of essential service; a< will also the plentiful use of ripe fruits. Boor Kroot,* pickled cabbage, is so excellent a remedy in scurvy, ilia; a Dutchman, whose name 1 have forgotten, received I large premium from the British Government, for intro during it into the English Navy. When there is much debility, the moderate use of good old wine will he prop er; as will also the use of nitric acid: see diseases oftM liver, where you will see this medicine plainly described, together with its effects, by which the bowels will got erally be kept sufficiently loose, at the same time tha: the system will be strengthened. If, however, the bo* els should be bound, dissolve a table-spoonful of cresi tartar in a pint of boiling water, and when cold use it a? a drink. 1 must not omit to mention, emphatically, ilia' regular exercise is absolutely necessary in this complain;. You will find the following medicine, also, a good windy; dissolve three ounces of common salt-petre. ;n a quart of good vinegar, and take one or two table-spoon* ful three or four times a day; or Jess quantities itilif state of your patient will justify it. When the gomsW much swollen, with considerable ulceration, and m mouth, teeth, and breath have a fuHid or bad smell, tw mouth must be frequently washed with water, prepare as follows; boil red-oak bark in water, then strain tin' water well, and in it dissolve a lump of alum to whKj added a tea-spoonful of finely powdered charcoal, whii'n is to be prepared by burning common smith's coal over 418 419 Igajn, I have omitted to state, that if the breathing is difficult, or there is much pain in the breast, a blister ihould be applied on the chest over the pain; yon are never to bleed in scurvy, if you do you will lose your patient Pure air, moderate, yet sufficient exercise, and the warm bath of pleasant temperature, with a sufficiency ol'vinegar in it will restore your patient. WHITLOW. This is an inflammation at the end of the finger or thumb. The pain gradually increases, attended with a throbbing sensation, and always produces in its progress he most excruciating torment. In whitlow, the finger ir thumb affected, always puts, on a glossy or shining appearance. After six or eight days, matter forms under the nail or at the side of it, which, on being opened, gives immediate relief Treatment. — The old plan of treatment in whitlow m been entirely laid aside; it consisted merely of poulioesMld warm applications. The method of cure now idoptod in the European hospitals, which may be said to bean infallible one, is simply as follows. — The moment ihe whitlow is discovered, press the part gently and inultially with your thumb and fore finger; then with a. litre oftape or narrow binding, bind or wind the sore liyer or thumb tightly, from the point upward toward Ilit body of the hand. This bandage must be permitted d remain on, the object being merely to stop the circu- Won, until a cure is effected. You may unwind it once d:tv to examine the whitlow, but it must immediately ( put on again. If the bandage give much pain, so that W cannot bear it, it must be gradually loosened until 111 can bear the pressure. By this simple method, I'ii'ow may be easily cured, if matter has not formed in ¦ ere I not convinced, that many wise men and old omen will laugh at this simple cure, I would not put tiyself to the trouble of proving its efficacy. Doctor 'Hiain Balfour, of Edinburgh, relatesmore than fifty caof whitlow being cured, some of them with matter formed and highly inflamed, by this simple method, I will give two cases of success, selected from the London Medical and Physical Journal. "James Briddet," nan the writer, "who was a tanner, aged twenty-five yean. applied tome on the 25th of August, with a whitlow 01 one side of his thumbs. lie knew no cause for the con plaint, which had existed about a week, and prevented him from following his occupation. When I had pm. I sed the parts firmly, and applied a bandage. I desired I him to call the next day. He looked at me as if he would I have said — 'Is this all that you are to do for me? I found this fellow," says the Doctor, "quite doubtful with I Ed to my cure, and again desired him to c;i]| i!k I day. In the morning he accordingly returned. I I found the inflammation and swelling considers I bly abated. On the third day the pain was entirely I and the man had the free use of his thumb. 1 now nskuil him if he was not at first quite distrustful of the mode oil cure 1 had adopted ; he laughed, and admitted tbtliel was; expressed his surprise at the quick result; iiimitl his acknowledgments, and went about his business. IV B ter Fraser received an injury on the 26th of Dt'etmlurß last, by having his thumb bent forcibly backward in I ing a heavy stone. When he applied to me on the '.",'ili.H he complained of having passed three days in great n^B ny, and three sleepless nights. The pain was conliiifdH to the first joint, but the swelling extended a considerable^ way upward. I never handled a more cxcmciaiinJjH painful case, and believed it must soon terminate in m« partition" breaking and running. "Such was n'soiluß opinion of Dr. Anderson of New York, who hai'i>t'i'.f» to be with me when the patient presented liimselt. ¦ told that gentleman, that exquisitely painful as w;isil™ complaint, 1 had no doubt of curing it in a week. "; LI B out any other application than my own finger.", nivl fl simple bandage of narrow tape. The cure was comply led in six days, inclusive of that on which the |>ntie™ applied to me." I have thus given two cases, in mik'™ whitlow has been cured by the mere application <'!¦ bandage ; and I will adventure another suggestion, wucM 420 . [I,^, that even in cases when suppuration lias actually iken place, and the lancet lias been used, the use of an gy bandage would be greatly beneficial, applied to evrypart pftbe finger or thumb, except immediately over tin small point of discharge. (.OUT, Is often hereditary, but, generally, indolence and luxuv. ilio hated parents of this disease, which righteous leaven has marked with such severity, that, like the ,-prosy of Naaman, it is hardly ever curable. liiii though art lias not often succeeded to cure the r mit. yet it has discovered a variety of means to shorten befits, and to render them much more tolerable, Symptoms. — The gout mostly aflects the joints, but be viscera are not exempt from its ravages. It sometimes comes on suddenly, passing from one part of the body to the other, in the twinkling of an eye; but generally is preceded by indigestion, flatulency, loss of aptetile, unusual coldness of the feet and legs, with frequent numbness, sense of pricking, and cramp. These symptoms take place several days before the paroxysm comes on. but commonly the day preceding it, the appetite becomes greater than usual. The next morning, the patient is roused from his sleep, by an excruciating pain in the great toe, or ball of the foot, resembling the gnawing of a little dog. Trkatment. — No matter what part of the body this disease first seizes, the lancet will be required in every case where there is an increased action of the pulse, to take off the inflammatory disposition. The extent to "Inch die blood-letting must be carried, can only be ascertained by the violence of the disease, and the sex and constitution of the patient In this, as in all inflammatory levers, the bowels ought to be kept open freely by laxative medicines, as castor oil, sulphur, cream of tartar, rhubarb, senna, jalap, or calomel. Indeed, a fit of the gout may be oftentimes entirely, and is almost in- 421 422 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. stantaneously, removed by active purging. Even (W tic purges need not to be dreaded in this disease. Nitre, with diluting liquors given in such quantities to excite a gentle perspiration, are of great utility in the inflammatory stage of the disease. After the action nf the pulse is somewhat reduced by evacuations, blistoi over the pained parts are greatly to be relied on. As soon as the inflammatory state of the gout has uhsided, stimulants and tonic medicines, as bark and site!, are the best remedies, Laudanum, ether, good Frond] brandy, and aromatics, as calamus, ginger, Viipt snake-root, and red pepper, ($66 Male r in MetUcaJ i the form of teas, arc all exceedingly useful in this titl!e state of the disease, especially when it atlects the tioft ach or bowels. Hesidcs these internal remedies, frictki on the stomach and bowels, or the application of cloth? wrung o it of hot spirits or water, over the pained pare:, and sinapisms to the feet, should be employed whenever the gout attacks the head, lungs, bowels, or stomach. Gentlemen long in the habits of intimacy with tb disease, should remember that it is of immense radenea, and ready on the slightest provocation to quit the tod and knuckles, and seize on the very stomach and bowed of its best friends. They should, therefore, be constantly on their guard, and keep always by them a vial of ether or laudanum, or a case of good old French brandy; the latter of which is admirable for chasing the gout from the stomach. The white hellebore, (see Materia Medical) is highly extolled as a remedy in this distressing disease. Regimen. — The diet should be regulated according to the state of the patient. If feverish, and of a pi* thoric habit, the lightest diet ought to be used. If debilitated and of a relaxed habit, generous diet should bell* lowed. Exercise, although painful at first, must be freely taken. Eieventiox. — If the person be plethoric, and W accustomed to drink freely of wine, and eat hearth ! should gradually diminish the quantity of the ah; particularly every spring and fall, as the disease ¦Oft liabl e t0 recur at thoso seasons than at any yg time. But in debilitating habits predisposed to „. .rout, a stimulating diet is most proper, assisted with ggge of the rust of steel, bitters, or bark, in every case, gtireiietl should be avoided ; and llannel worn next , tlio skin is peculiarly proper, nothing however pre,-nts this disease, more than temperance and exercise. ERUPTIONS OF THE SKIN. Theri subsists so intimate a relation between the inriial and external parts of our body, that no disorder carcely takes place within, that does not show itself uliikiiolv on the surface. Discuses of the skin are therefore very numerous, and, I they most commonly arise 1 from a constitutional ausi 1 . should be treated by general remedies. Local applications, particularly quack remedies, which re composed of mineral poisons, by repelling the vitiaiil humors to the brain, lungs, or bowels, have often toduced fatal consequences. Penoni of relaxed habits, especially females, are submo an eruption, attended with redness and sorenes, the skin, forming large spots- on the nice and nocks 'his is certainly the mark of a constitutional debility, id ran only be removed by tonics; as the bark, bitters. lution of arsenic, nitric acid, &/C, and exercise. At- Kioa should also bo paid to a frequent change of lin). and the skin occasionally dusted with starch. Cutaneous eruptions oftentimes arise from a foulness 'lit 1 stomach, in which case, occasioned vomiting and fging arc found to be highly useful. ibere are eruptions iv the race of persons of apparent 'I'll, called gl*og blossoms, which are the cones* (Wee of an inflamed liver, from a too frequent use of llk 'inul spirits and high living. An attempt to remove these pimples by external Ups, would not only bo fruitless, but highly dangerous. l'°ir cure can only be effected by gradually correcting f ' nnbits of intemperance, both in eating and drinking. 423 424 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. The primary affection must bo first relieved. Thj< X to be clone by taking, every night, from half a gn^j one grain of opium, combined with two grains of ah me). After using tins medicine for some time, or m tbe mouth is a fleeted by salivation, the nitric acid d';. ted, (see Dls prnsatory) in its usual doses will ct| plete the cure. Scaly affections of the skin, or clusters of small pimph over the body, usually occur, in some habits, in ; spring and fall, which will generally jield tosamfa tea, or cream of tartar and sulpher. in doses ot' ait, spoonful, night and morning. Should this foil, the A coction of sarsaparilla, and one of the mercurial p| night and morning, for a week or two, and aftenmi tl\e solution of arsenic will always succeed. Th« prickly heat, is an eruption which is sometime very troublesome, but commonly disappears on keepaj moderately cool, and avoiding warm drinks. Wfcfl this is not sufficient, and the itching is severe, the caihar tic mixture taken two or three times a week, and !< external applications of elixir vitriol diluted in water,! the itch lotion, (see Dispensatory.) with the additioi of a little more water, will prove a good remedy. The nettle rash, so called from its resemblance I eruptions, made by the stinging of nettles, is sometiiM attended with intolerable itching. VV hen many of 111 eruptions run together, the part seems swelled, lormir tumors, such as appear after being struck with the ¦ of a whip, and betwixt them, the skin is inflamed mI very red. The elevations appear suddenly, but sew continue long, aid are apt to disappear from one parti the body, and appear again in another. The itching is the greatest inconvenience, as it bo* times prevents the patient from sleeping, but the t!i^ - t!i^;-is not dangerous With respect to the cure, observing a cooling reginM and a laxative state of the bowels, is generally siiiii^i but if fever supervene, it will be proper to bleedandgj the antimonial solution in small doses, to determines fluids to the surface. When the disease is of a rlirom 425 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. pure, and often returns, twenty drops of elixir vitriol, taken thrice a-day, in a. cup of camomile or centaury n, or the infusion of Columbia, sliould be directed. '['o aliav the itchingf a solution of borax, in vinegar, an ounce of the former, to half a pint of the latter, affords a (good wash. ITCH. The itch consists of small watery pimples of a contagious nature, which first appear between the fingers, and )u the wrists, but in process of time, spread over the whole body, except the face, attended with a great dejree of iteliiness, especially after heated by exercise, or ftlit'ii warm in bed. In the cure of this disease, sulphur, used internally and (Menially, is considered as a certain specific A tcai|K);)iilul of the flour of sulphur, taken in milk, or spirits uul water, thrice a-day, and some of it rubbed on the innile of the arms and legs at bed-time, either dry, or in lie form of unction, will soon effect a cure. Where the ulpliur is disliked, the mercurial ointment may be rubied in every night about the size of a nutmeg, until the eruption entirely disappears. The itch lotion, (see Dismisntory,) will also be found an effectual remedy in Ins complaint, by washing the parts affected with it two )r three times a-day. The internal exhibition of sulphur tone, or combined with cream of tartar, should always (recede or accompany the external applications. Dockroot, tobacco, and Virginia snake-root, (see Materia Mfilica.) have sometimes cured when the above remedies failed. TETTER OR RING WORM, I s in eruptiou that attacks various parts of the skin, n ii circle, with an inflamed basis, which gradually preads, forming an extensive excoriation, sometimes »°ist. at other times dry, and is attended with smarting itching, succeeded by scurfy scales. 52 426 TTTE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. TftBATMENT* — If the habit of body be not faulty, B ternal applications alone, are often sufficient to n m, ,. this affection. The saturated solution of borax, with vinegar orW on juice, one drachm to an ounce of the aci.l. niOQ celjent remedy, without producing the least pain on | application. The itch lotion, when prepared with fc ble its strength, is also equally good. Covering | eruption daily with ink, or the juice of black wihq (sec Materia Medical) has often effected a cure. Where the disease is inveterate, internal medicii must be exhibited and continued for some timo. sucli a lime-water. Hour of sulphur, the mercurial pills, i which is preferable to all of them in obstinate cases, i solution of arsenic. (Sec Dispensatory.) TINEA, OR SCALD HEAD Symptoms. — This disease consists of little aken I the roots of the hair, which discharge a humor | dries into a white scab, or thick scales, and has an oil sive smell. It is not only a yerv troublesome complain: but contagious, and, when united with a scrofulous co: stitution, is found extremely difficult to be cured. Treatment. — When it is merely a complaint of 4 skin, it may be successfully treated with topical applies tions. In the beginning of the affection, washim' i sores well, night and morning, with strong soap-suds/ a decoction of tobacco, or by applying an ointment, mi of Jamestown-weed, or pride of China, (see Makrkm diva?) will frequently effect a cure. But if the dim* prove obstinate, the head ought to be shaved) and* being well washed with soap-suds, covered withttffl' suet, spread on a bladder. My very ingenious frill Dr. Chapman, has assured me, when every other apt cation failed in removing this disease, he always^ ceeded, by having the affected parts washed with l! following lotion, twice a-day: — Take liver o( siilp i: three drachms; Spanish soap, one drachm; lime-wjj eight ounces; rectified spirits of wine, two drachms:^ Hut, in cases where topical applications are resisted? edicine sjiould be given internally, as Ijjhe^water, Hour sulphur, or calomel, according to circumstances; and, hasten the cure, the course ofthe fluids may, in the nan time, be in part diverted from the head, by blisters ¦ sinapisms. SCROFULA, OR KING'S EVIL. This disease is most frequently among the children of o|K);>r, and negroes, who are ill-fed, ill-lodged and illothed; it is also hereditary, hut never contagious. It Mtcotnmoniy occurs in children from the third to the veiuli year; frequently, however, it discovers itself at a ler period in habits peculiarly disposed to it. SvHi'Tinis. — It is known by indolent hard tumors of t> lymphatic gland, particularly those ofthe neck, beiml the ears, or under the chin. The upper lip, and ivwonof the nostrils are swelled, with a smooth skin, nl hard belly. In the progress of the disease, these tuondegenerate into ulcers of bad digestion; the dislarge of which consists of a white curdled matter, reiiiMing somewhat the coagulum of milk; and, previi>lv to their breaking, they acquire; a sort of purple red- W,and B softness to the touch. Tkf.atmint. — As soon as the tumors are first discovcd. endeavor to disperse them by sea bathing, or baiog in salt and water, one pound to three gallons of Iter, or cold water alone, or by the frequent applicadii oflead-water. Warm fomentations and poultices of ftrv kind do harm, as they seem only to hurry on a ippuration, which, if possible, should be prevented, draught of sea water every morning is a useful drink. truvian bark and steel, used alternately every two Beks, or the nitric acid, will be of infinite service by ring tone to the system. The remedy, ho\vever,"most I" 1 depended upon in this disease, is the muriate of lu> . given in doses of ten to eighty drops, gradually intoied, three or four times a-day, diluted with water or a < When a suppuration takes place, the solution of 427 428 TTIE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. arsenic should bo given twice or thrice a-dav. ]U best application to scrofulous ulcers, is fl powder comi seel of one pound of finely powdered hark, and oneoo&g of white lead in fine powder, mixed well together orj fine powder of calainine stone alone, and the uloJ covered with it daily keeping it on by brown paper ar I a bandage. Where these are not to he obtained, ;>J constant application of linen rags, moistened with asij.l tion of one ounce of sugar of lead, in a pint of water, m J answer every purpose. I With respect to the diet, it should be nourishin<: aJ easily digestible, avoiding all viscid food. Moritraa exercise, in a dry warm air. is exceedingly beneficial I JAUNDICE. I Symptoms. — Yellowness of the skin, but chiefly of J eyes, the urine is also yellow; inactivity; anxiety I uneasiness at the pit of the stomach ; itchiness ol'iH skin. I Catses. — Whatever obstructs the passage ofthrbi!«H through its natural channel. I Treatment. — The indications of cure are, to reninvß the obstructions, which, as it originates from dilltmM causes, will require different modes of treatment I As viscid bile is the most common cause of thii <¦ m plaint, in full habits, and where there are any fnirifl symptoms, begin the cure with bleeding, aiierwarclsuifl an emetic, and then a day after, a dose of calomel ;i fl jalap, which, if necessary, should be often irpcMfl Common soap, in large quantities, has been e.\liil"'fl with much success in this case; but, as this is r hags of hot salt applied to the right side, are likewise beneficial. After the obstruction is removed, ihc Colombo or nitric acid, tonic powders or pills, or dogwood, or cherry-tree bark, (see Matcria Medico*) with portef and wine, are necessary to restore the lone of the system. Kuuimkn. — The diet ought to be regulated according to the constitution of the patient. In plethoric or feverish habits, the diet should be low; and in cases of excessive debility it should be of the most nourishing kind. Vegetables, by creating flatulency and acidity, arc to be avoided. 3lucilaginous drinks are peculiarly proper; and. in many instances, sucking a new-laid egg every morning, on an empty stomach, has succeeded in curing this disease, when all other means failed. WHITE SWELLING, Is distinguished by an acute pain, without any external inflammation, of a joint, attended with a gradual ineretteof its size. Though all the joints arc occasionally subject to it, yet its most usual seat is the knee. White swellings are generally of a scrofulous nature, but sometimes they are produced by rheumatic affections, and sometimes follow strains that have been neglected, or badly treated. Treatment. — As soon as an affection of this kind is discovered, the patient should remain in bed, and the limb kept perfectly at rest, without which, remedies cannot produce any good effect. The great object is to prevent the formation of matter, by the immediate application of leeches, or scarifications to the part affected, and by which, eight or ten ounces ot blood may be taken away, every other day, or oftener, to circumstances. The whole joint should 430 then be kept continually wot and cold with the solution of crude sal-ammoniac, (see Dispcnsdfin'if.) I>\ niran< of tour or live folds of linen. After the local afiectioaji somewhat abated, frictions witli the volatile liniment, cr. But nothing will be found more serviceab'e, BH oxrrri^o, cheerfulness, and fresh air. Persons should, therefore never go below, but romp on the decks, cut open in die shrouds, and divert (heir minds and move their bodies as much as possible. V certain preventative of sea sickness is 10 go on deck, and look as far as the eye can reach, and watch for other vessels, by doing so, they become insensible to the motion of the vessel in which they are in. INTOXICATION. Symptoms. — Like every other kind of frenzy, it comes on with l burning redness of the cheeks; a swelling of the jugular veins, and fiery wildness of the eyes. The idiiL'iio is considerably ailcetcd, but very differently in I different itages of the disease. At first, only glib and voluble — then loud and louder still — at length noisy and excessively disagreeable. The patient is now quite on his top-ropes, and nothing goes down with him, but the most ranting songs, roaring laughs, ripping oaths, and the bluntest contradictions, accompanied with loud thumping of the li-t on the table, especially if politics be ihc topic of conversation. There is no complaint that inflects patients so dillerently: some it makes so ridiculously loving, as to hug and kiss one another; others it kindles into sik h rage and fury, that they will frequently throw the bottles and ghsscs at the head of their best friends. And, indeed, so wonderful is its influence, that kis no uncommon thing with it to inspire cowards with courage 5 to teach truth to liars, and to make persons nat'.iralh reserved, loquacious, and even boisterous. The memory now partakes of the general infirmity, being hardly able to connect the parts of a story begun. The tongue, at length, as if about to lose its powers, bepins to trip; then to stammer; and, at last, the utterance dies away, generally, in some idle half finished threat or Wth. Hickups now ensue, with a silly grin of the mouth, which continues half open, from the falling of the lower JWfc The face puts on an air of great stupidity — the e )es turn heavy and sleepy, and the patient begins to 431 nod, with his head banding forward, until, becoming too heavy, he sinks under the table, and not unfirequentlt after a filthy vomiting, falls asleep among the dogs uiid TIUUTMJBIfT. — In a fit of drunkenness, the patm,: should instantly be placed in an airy situation, the head and shoulders kept erect, and the neckcloth and collar of the shirt unbound, and copiously bled, if his Btaatkij seem alarming. The next step is to provoke vomiiin;, by the most expeditious means, such as tickling the thru with a feather or a finger. Cold applications to the hat as cloths wrung out of cold water, or vinegar and wit*, often renewed, will hcive the happiest effect; so will plunging the body in cold water; for many instance! have occurred of persons having fallen overboard in a tlninken fit, who have been picked up sober. Therefore, it will be found an admirable mode of sobering those vagabonds, who, as a nuisance, infest fa streets of every city, to take them to the nearest pump, and there deluge them with cold water. This will M only bring them to their senses, but send them ofljnuln that sense of shame, which ever follows the commission of a crime so truly ignominious. TO RECOVER PERSONS APPARENTLY DROWNED. As soon as the body is taken out of the water, i should instantly be rubbed dry, and wrapt in warm blankets, unless the cooling process should be first necesttty in consequence of the patient being in a half frozen state For, in that case, the body ought to be rubbed with booh or flannels wrung out of cold water or vinegar, befofl any degree of artificial warmth be applied. After wliiih the patient is to be placed on a bed or mattrass, with t«< head elevated, and air is then instantly to be blown in the lungs, by inserting the pipe of a pair of bellows in fie nostril; or, for want of that article, a tobacco pip*. quill, or even a card folded in the form of a tube, wW 432 433 THE FAMILY PfIYSIUIAN. 10 mouth and opposite nostril are closed by an assistant, r i-oveivd with some wet paper. By thus forcing air ,i (l tin 4 lungs, and alternately expelling it by pressing the get, respiration may happily be restored. Volatile j|[s. or vinegar, should also frequently be applied to the ostrils. Neil 1 1 ic^ intestines are to be stimulated by injections I warm spirits and water, or mulled wine. It will be ion 1 effectual still, if some warm spirits and water be iirodueed immediately into the stomach, by means ofa nnov and A long flexible tube. While using the inter-11 stimulants, a bladder of warm water should be apjedto the region of the stomach, and the legs and arms isklv rubbed with a warm hand, or with flannel, exiiiliiiji tlie friction gradually to the thighs, belly, and At this critical period, when sneezing, slight twitehts or gasping, mark the lirst dawn of returning life, it ill he prudent to moderate the stimulating powers. I'lien respiration and the power of swallowing are reinvd. the patient should be kept moderately warm, and rude perspiration encouraged by warm drinks. Shook! feverish symptoms ensue, moderate bleeding, gether with mild laxatives and cooling regimen, will Dinplete the cure. TO RECOVER PERSONS ppumitly idUcd hij Lightning, or noxious Vapors. Titrmior. — Instantly throw cold water, with some ree. m large quantities, on the face and head, which Mild he often repeated for some time; and, if convciii|t. the whole bodj may be plunged into cold water, and towards wiped dry, and warmth gradually applied. ihe body and the extremities feel cold, instead of the plication of cold water, the warm bath, about the tern ?r;uure of the blood, should be prepared as soon as posl>tf. and the patient immersed in it for twenty or thirty mutes, using frictions at the same time with the hand. I soon as the patient is taken out of the bath, his skin 63 434 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. must be wiped dry, and wrapped up in warm llantif and gentle stimulants employed to produce a reaction. The vital principle is not unnVquently ¦Dspendedt the deleterious fumes arising from fermenting liimr^ from charcoal, coke, &c. ; from combustion, from nu-ials in a state of fusion, particularly arsenic and Heron as, also, very often, from respiring the foul air ofa privies, caverns, and mines. In such cases, the per* should be freely exposed to pure and cool air, :in<| urported, at the same time, in a leaning posture. Yolaiii salts, or other stimulating substances, are then to heap plied to the nose, and cold water made use of, as IWI directed. When by these means the circulation of 'tin blood is increased, and the extremities become warm bleeding will be proper, and must be often repeated, i the patient have fever, or complain of pain. BtsJ which, evacuations must be procured by purgatives dicines and clysters; and the antiphlogistic plan in ever respect strictly pursued, until the febrile symptom abate. After which, tonic medicines, with wine, in & of debility, are of infinite service. In places where a lighted candle will not burn, nnini life cannot be supported ; and, therefore, in all can where wells, cist-pools, or deep vaults, are to beopOM a large candle, lighted, ought to be let down very slow! to the bottom, before any person attempt to descend If the candle be extinguished, means must beadoj* to remove the noxious air, before any one descend I effect this, the following modes will answer: Ist I the leather pipe of an engine be introduced to the 1") torn of the well, if empty, or the surface of the wait and affix a blacksmith's bellows to the other end, win by well working this, the foul air may be expelled. « Carbonic acid gas may be bailed out with a bucket ma of coarse cloth like a bag, with a round piece oi l»° ar nearly the diameter of the well at the bottom; left bucket, thus made, down upon the water, so that tin 1< torn may rest upon it, and let the bag foil upon lhe» torn ; then draw it up, when it will be filled with fottU which may be brought up to the surface, and emptied L rn injr out and shaking the bag. 3dlv. Lot down about I bushel of quick-lime, dipping it into the water occasi- Kinllv. to slack it: or, if there be no water in the well, brow down some for the purpose, lth! y. Pour down a me (liiantity of boiling water repeatedly into the well. lUTES OF MUSKETOES. Mi sketo bites often degenerate into painful acrid ulcers particularly on the legs, in consequence of scratchm them. It is, therefore, proper, where these insects ire troublesome, to wear loose linen buskins to guard the « in the evening) and when this has been neglected, ijtplv oil, vinegar, lime juice, or camphorated spirits, to lie part, to allay the itching and tingling occasioned by I BITES OF VENOMOUS ANIMALS. Treatment. — The bites of venomous animals are ved by the same means, which are very simple, if the mtediee were always at hand. The caustic volatile lkali,or eau dc Ihcc, is a certain antidote against the bites or stings of the most venomous serpents or spiders. Lint wotted with either of these should instantly be ap"lied to the injured part, and renewed as it becomes dry. A tea-spoonful of the same medicine must also be given D tlio patient in a little water, every hour, or oftener, as ttv be indicated by the symptoms. Lunar caustic possesses the same admirable virtue, and should always be employed, when the other medicines arc not at hand. The best mode of using it, is to dissolve five or six grains of the caustic in two or three ounces of water, and keep the affected parts moistened w >tli it. as above directed. Some of the same ought also to he given internally, only in a more diluted state. When bete remedies cannot be procured, a cataplasm, made °t quick-lime and soap, should be applied to the bitten )art , and as much Cayenne, or red pepper, mixed in spi- 435 436 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. rits, swallowed every hour or two, as the stomach m possibly hoar. The juice of plantain and hoar-hound, in doses ?f-. table-spoonful every hour or two, is considered a remedy against the bites of venomous serpents, asisali squirrel ear. (See materia Mrdica.) As soon as the person is bitten by a poisonous boh a tight ligature; should be made above the injured i •, until suitable remedies enn be employed. When the I or Anger is bitten, Cutting it ofl'immediatcly will pin, mischief from the poison. It is also a fact that sucking the wound, iminodintclt after being bitten, will arrest the progress of the poisoi This was lately verified in the neighborhood of AogM, in the case of a youth who was bitten by a rattlo-snakf. and the wound lining instantly sucked by a n inn prism prevented its mischievous effects; nor did any injury* suit to the operator. When this remedy is resorted to, it may bo prink for the operator to guard his mouth with sweet oil 0 milk, and not swallow the saliva. It should never be a:-tempted by a person with a sore mouth or vm bad HYDROPHOBIA, OR THE BITE OF A MAD DOG. This disease is so dreadfully alarming at all lUM that we ought, as the best means of security, to endctn Therefore, as the infection of a rabid animal is Ml veyed by his teeth into the wound, the sooner it beX moved, the less chance is there lor absorption. (»"*(( »"* ( quenfly, the bitten part should immediately bewwW and, where it can be cxxl out, this should be donede«f and more extensively than the wound itself Tlun ;l P ply a cupping-glass, with previous scarification, and*"" l ' terizc the wound with lunar caustic. If the woiiihj part cannot be excised from its situation, it mustta 1 " 0 ' washed, and then scarified, and a free discharge ofoiooc 437 TIIJ£ FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ,, ilu ,uml by a cupping-glass. This, being done, the [itten part wto >0 w kind has passed into the stomach, to endeavor to hasten its passage through the bowels, by giving some openij Milk alone, or mixed with raw eggs, should be immediately taken, as by the coagulation which take- place, the substance may become so involved, as to prevent it doing injury to the stomach; and on the same principle, should opening medicines, which render the fieces thin. be avoided ; as by allowing the fteces to obtain some firmness, there will be the greater probability of the pointed parts of the substance being so sheathed, ns to prevent their injuring the intestines. It is but rare, however, that any serious injury is done to the stomach bj the point of the pin. CHILBLAINS. Symptoms. — A number of inflammatory swelling chiefly affecting the heels, feet, and toes, and sometime? the arms and hands, attended with a degree of pain and excessive itching. Causes. — This disease is owing to a weaker action ot the small vessels most remote from the heart, occasioned by cold or dampness; and occurs most frequently ¦imoiij; children, and people of delicate constitutions. Tkkatmknt. — Where the parts are frost bitten by | 01li r exposure to the cold, they should he plunged into the coldest water, and afterwards robbed with salt. — When me y aro ou 'y benumbed, they may he ruhhed frith Wong brine, or spirits of camphor, or opodeldoc, [tee Dispensatory,) to which a little laudanum may bo idded, if die pain or itching be very troublesome; but when they crack and discharge an acrid matter, poultices should be applied, but not for any length of time, as their continuance is apt to produce fungous excrescen- Cg, — The application of diachylon plaster to the part, if the exciting cause be avoided, will afterwards cflect a SCALDS AND BURNS. The leading indication in affections of this kind, is to abate the pain; and this is effected by whatever induces insensibility of the part, as plunging it suddenly into cold water, covering it with ice or snow, or applying soft soap, brandy, laudanum, ether, or spirits of turpentine. Of these remedies, spirits of turpentine deserves the preference, especially where the skin is detached. A liniment prepared of bascilicon ointment and spirits of turpentine, and applied twice a-day to burns, when there is a loss of substance, alleviates the pain like a charm, and hrings the sore to suppuration in a few days, which may afterwards be healed, by a liniment composed of equal parts of linseed oil and lime-water, or by the application of the simple saturine ointment, or Turner's cerate, (see Dispensatory,) or, what is preferable, an ointment made with thorn Jipple. (See Materia Me(Ucii.) The application of cotton to a burn or scald, admirably alleviates the pain. My honorable and highly esteemed friend, Dr. James Jones, of Virginia, stated to me the case of a child which fell into a tub of scalding 439 440 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. water, being most wonderfully relieved of pain, u) lnif> diatelyon covering it with carded cotton. After afa days, he directed the sores to be dressed with the fag apple ointment, which soon completed the cure. Blisters, which occur from burns, should he op«Mj as soon as the irritation induced has subsided: and in order to prevent any bad effects from the admission o f air, small punctures ought to be made, in preference \ v incisions. When fevers attend burns, mild laxatives becomenecessary; and where the pain is violent, laudanum oegh to be given in pretty large doses. Should the sores no: heal kindly, astringent washes are necessary, us recommended for indolent ulcers. HERNIA, OR RUPTURES. The term rupture, was adopted when it was supposed that the disease was almost in consequence of a rupture of some of the parts, which form the cavity of the abdomen or belly. But anatomical examination ii;i> shown, that this disease, as it most commonly appean, takes place in consequence of the protrusion of some W the contents of the abdomen through openings whiek are natural to the human body, and without airy vioini: separation of the parts. It will not be necessary to doscribe, particularly, the several kinds of ruptures which may occur. It will be sufficient to observe, that rapture will generally appear in the groin, in the upper and ion part of the thigh, and at the navel. Those which appenr. at first just above the groin, will, in general, if neglected, soon descend into the scrotum, in men, and into tlielabia pudendi, of women. The tumor, in this disease, i* PW* commonly formed by a pan of the intestinal canal, or of the omentum or caul, or of both. In those ruptures which are capable of easy reduciion. as soon as a pressure is properly made, the protrude* intestine generally slips up, all at once, with a kinj J gurgling noice, and the tumor immediately snbttWi where the tumor has chiefly been formed by the omen- 441 I'liE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. mm. it passes up more slowly, and without that particular liaise which fieeompanies the return of the intestine. In these cases of rupture, where stricture has taken Uea on the protruded parts, and the reduction is thereiv rendered difficult, the belly becomes tense and painful, the pain of the belly, as well as of the tumor itself, HQg much increased on the least exertion, a total stopige of discharge by stool takes place, and the patient i> distressed by a sickness at the stomach, which incruists until there is almost constant retelling and vo- To prevent these evils, it is only necessary that such a pressure be kept on the opening through which the part protruded, as may prevent its again falling out. The tressure of the fingers shows how difficult this may be dmo; and if, at the time this pressure is made, the patient hut gently coughs, he will discover how forcibly the protruding parts are driven outwards, and how neetstry it is to guard against their future propulsion. Hie ingenuity of artists has devised a mode, by spring russt's, of applying a constant and properly adapted iressure, requiring little or no exertion, or even atten« ion. of the patient himself. No person, therefore, in lie situation just described, should suffer a day to pass, ON than is absolutely unavoidable, without obtaining In: comfort and security which will follow theapplica- M of a truss, since, if it be adopted at the first appearnce of the disease, not only will the malady be stopped n its progress, but, if employed with constancy andstea- Imess, a radical cure may be gained. It it be discovered that the return of the rupture is •tcomo difficult, and that a structure on the protruded W has perh ips taken place, the person should place '| ! nself on his back, inclining to the side opposite to that totted, with the head low, and the breech raised high, |Jj knees being drawn upwards, and a little outwards. ? hilst lying in this posture, he should endeavor, by such r «sure as he has been accustomed to employ for its auction, to return the protruded part. Should he not "cceed in this attempt, he may lay on the part a piece 54 of folded linen, dipped in cold water, and repeat his at. tempi?. If these be also unsuccessful, he may then bj assured that a stricture has taken place, and as Ins !r depends on its speedy removal, no time should bo log I obtaining the best surgical assistance that can bo had, The umbilical hernia, or the rupture of the navel. J most common in childhood, and is easily cured. If nrlvl The means to be adopted are simply these: — the proj truded parts are to be returned, which may be easily done,! by slight pressure with the finger, and retained in iheirl proper situation, by a conical piece of very soft spon^l thoroughly cleared, by rubbing between the tliunili ardl fing< r, of sand and minute shells, which may be loibJ in its cavities. This being kept to the part, by tliepoiiJ of one finger, is to be secured by several slips of strong™ adhesive plaster, three inches in length, crossing c-achl other in a stellated form. I PROLAPSUS ANI, I OR FALLING OF THE FUNDAMENT. I It is occasioned by weakness of the part, which m aggravated by costiveness, hemorrhoidal swelling*.^ arrhceas, and particularly a tenesmus. I Tkeathert. — The cure is to be effected by reduction of the part as soon as possible, and retaining it in its liafl tural position, by a compress, secured with a bandngeH To eflcct its reduction, the patient should be laid oi'J'fl face in bed, with his buttocks raised above the rest oi I body, and while supporting the tumor with the palm J one hand, the gut least protruded, is to be first introduce with the fore finger of the other. As soon as the 1" "¦ els are returned, the bandage is to be applied. W> l j the protruded parts become inflamed, from being v\\^m ed to the air, before a reduction be attempted, the intlanß mation is to be alleviated by blood-letting, and foint'iitnw re part with a warm decoction of mullein. I Persons who are subject to falling of the fundanitnPJ 442 443 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. w.v.ild do well to ffash the part, immediately after evaciitimi, with a strong decoction of oak bark. Such remedies as tend to recover the tdna of tha parts , n m readily, are to hr» mod, as cold bulling partially ipi>lied, and injections of the decoction of bark, with the iddition of a little laudanum, or starch, if there bj an icrid discharge. With tho same view, tonic madieinos, isstodl, Ci)luinho, or bark, should bo taken thrice a-d.iy. Pbnons subject to this disease, ought to ms such dietas pro luces but little excrements, and those of a soft conli«enof. Ryo mush and molasses, used exclusively as a diet for a few weeks, has been found to produce a perfect cure. TUMORS, OR BILES. Every tumor terminates in one of the following ways: By an absorption of the substance into the circulation, by i conversion into pus, or degeneration into scirrhus or cancer. There are two plans for the treatment of tumors. Ether by resolution or maturation. In the first, there is a dispersion of the swelling; and in the second, it is brought to maturity, and of course, a discharge takes place by spontaneous rupture, or by incision. Trk vtment. — In the treatment of tumors, we must be regulated by the nature and condition of them. If. for example, they should appear on any part of the >odv, with only a slight degree of pain, tension, and inbnination, and no preceding indisposition, that may in* tore us to believe it to be die effort of nature to get rid >t some noxious matter, we should then endeavor to dis»erse the inflammation, by strictly observing a cooling Bgimen, by bleeding, by mild cathartics, and by topical fintdies, as cloths wrung out of lead-water, or saturine •ouhices, (see Dispensatory,) often renewed. But when they arise from bad habits of body, their suppuration in all cases should be promoted as soon as >ossible, by warm emollient poultices, as milk and bread, flax-seed, or mush and fat, renewed every three or four hours. When the suppuration is complete, if the matter do not make its own way, the tumor is to be opened wii'n a lancet or caustic, and after applying one or two pouln. ces, it should be dressed with basilicon, (see Ditpam toryl) spread very thin on lint, night and morning, until it ceases to discharge; after which, with Turner's cerate, or some healing ointment. If fungous or proud \h\ appear, it must he destroyed by sprinkling red precipi- Fte, burnt alum, or rhubarb over it, or touch the promsrantpart with blue vitriol or caustic. Attention must also be paid to the general state of the system, since, if that particular state on which the tumors depend be not changed, the patient may be harassed a considerable time by their recurrence. Hence, in debilitated constitutions, the tonic and strengthening remedies, such as bark, sea bathing, &c should be employed, and in robust and gross habits, sulphur, and cream of tartar, ought, to be taken in doses of a tea-spoonful thrice a-day. A tumor on the gums is to be brought to suppuration, by applying roasted figs internally to the part, as warm as can be borne; and afterwards, the mouth is to be frequently washed, either with the astringent or detergent gargle. (See Dispensatory.) But when it arises from a carious tooth, a removal of it becomes necessary, in ortr to effect a cure. COMMON ULCERS. No disease occurs more frequently among the poor d negroes, than ulcers of the legs; for this obvious reason, they are more exposed to accidents, and when they meet with a wound or contusion in the leg, tin 1 * jured part inflames, and becomes an ulcer for want ot proper care. Women with obstructed menses are IP subject to this disorder. Ulcers receive various appellations, and require different modes of treatment, according to their appear- 444 ances, or the causes ;uid peculiarities of the constitution o f the patient. Where the disease is local, topical renu'dios only are necessary; but when it is connected with any disorder of the constitution, medicines that af[t'ect the wlioie system, are absolutely necessary. When ulcers appear to have had any effect, either in carrying olfor preventing disorders to which the constitution Lay luive been liable, a cure should not be attempted, until an issue be made in some more convenient part, which should be made to discharge nearly as much as the ulcer. (See Issues.) An ulcer not attended by any considerable degree of pain and inflammation, and which ailbrds a discharge ot mild matter, of whitish consistence, the granulation firm, red, and of healthy appearance, is called the simple purulent ulcer, and is entirely a topical affection. This ulcer is the most simple that can occur, both in its symptoms and method of cure; and it is to the state of such a sore that every other species must be reduced before a permanent cure can be effected. The causes of purulent ulcers are, all wounds that do not unite without the formation of matter, and every external accident that terminates in suppuration, with an opening as a consequence of it. In the cure of this species of ulcers, first remove any inflammation which may attend it, by emollient poultices, as bread and milk, renewed every three hours. As MM as the inflammation subsides, omit the poultices, lest tiie granulations be rendered lax and flabby, but ¦ftp the sore clean, and dress with some mild ointment, fwch as Turner's, or the simple cerate, (see Dispfnuttori/.) spread very thin on soft lint, or apply dry Imt, and upon that, a piece of linen spread with the ointment. The thorn apple ointment (see Mater ia Me- J*») is a most valuable application to heal sores. The frequency of dressing ulcers must depend on the quan¦y oi matter discharged ; but in general, they should * droned once in twenty -four hours in winter, arid ccw 'cc in summer, and the greatest care should be taken, to renewing the dressings, not to expose the sore for any 445 time to the air. When the ulcer is filled up with sound flesh, the remaining part of the cure consists in the tormation of a cicatrix. This is frequently the work of nature, hut, in many cases, when every deficiency an. pears to he supplied, still a cure is tedious, the surface of the sores remaining raw, and discharging freely { n such cases, the sores should be washed twice a-dav. with f'mple lime-water, or with some of the astringent "wash. i. {See Dispensatory.) Ulcers of the irritable kind, which yield a thin ichorous discharge, sometimes bloody, and give pain on bern touched, are brought to a favorable state by warm tomentations, as decoctions of marsh-mallows, llippen elm, wormwood, camomile flowers, or hops, (sre )Interia Medical) and by poultices of the same ingredients, to which may be added bruised flax-seed or oatmeal. But as soon as the irritability of the ulcer is removed, these applications should be discontinued, and the common remedies for ulcers employed. However, there are cases of irritable ulcers being rendered more painful by the application of any thing warm, and when this happens, such fomentations are not tube employed. There the sweet oil or saturine poultices applied cold, will be found most beneficial. Indolent ulcers, which are marked by a backwardness in forming granulations, and in those that are formed, a want of sufficient strength to bring about a complete cure, require stimulating applications, as lime-water. solution of kali, blue vitriol, or any of the astringent washes. Lint dipped in either of these solutions, thai may be found to agree best with the patient, should bo applied twice in twenty-four hours to the sore, after being carefully cleansed with Castile soap and water. 'Hit 1 strength of the solution should be gradually increased every two or three days; for what at first gives considerable pain, will soon lose that efiect. Tincture of lmrrh. pure or diluted, according to the state of the ulcer. B>fl many instances, a good application, and a decoction fl walnut leaves, is exceedingly useful in disposing foul u '| cers to heal. I 446 447 In some superficial ulcers, attended with a thickening pf the skin, and when there is an unusual coldness of the limbs, without any tendency to mortification, warm nil water lias heen used with the greatest advantage. There is nothing of more importance, both in facilitatini: and ensuring fi permanent cure of ulcers on the lejjs. than compression, which, however, should never be employed until the inflammation has subsided. As iooo as this desirable event has taken place, and the usual dressings are applied, the affected part should be covered with several foldings of soft linen rags, and the whole secured upon the part with a calico or flannel bandage, three inches in breadth, and four or five yards in length ; or rather, as much as will support the limb from the foot to the knee. This bandage should be applied with as much firmness as can be borne by the patient, and as much evenness as possible, by passing it first round the leg at the ankle joint, then once or twice round the foot, and afterwards up the limb in a spiral manner, until it reaches iheknee, observing that each turn of the bandage has it lower edge about an inch above the lower edge of the told next below. If the compression should give pain and produce inflammation, the part that is affected should be moistened with cold water, poured from a tea-kettle or tea-pot, and repeated as often as the above symptoms may indicate the necessity. Should any disease prevail, its removal must first be Acted. If the patient be weak, the diet should be nutruious, and tonic medicines, as bark, or the nitric acid, given in their usual doses. But if, on the contrary, of a plethoric habit, he should observe a spare and cooling regimen, and take a tea-spoonful of cream of tartar and I sulphur thrice a day. In obstinate cases, small ' calomel, until the system becomes affected with c use of pokeberry bounce, will assist the cure. WOUNDS. cure of all wounds is effected two ways, either sion or suppuration j and previously to attempting 448 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. either of these modes, the hemorrhage or farther effusion of blood should be restrained, and any extrane. ous substance removed. Hemorrhages are to be restrained by the application of dossils of lint, or by the tourniquet, or pressure with the hand above the wounded part, until a ligature can In dangerous hemorrhage, or bleeding in the extremi. ties, we have known the curative operations wonderfully assisted by simply raising the limb as perpendicularly as possible. In the erect posture, the gravisy of the blood so checked its velocity, as to enable the surgeon, with great care, to stop its effusion, which he had not been able to effect while the limb was pendent, and its vessel distended with blood. Simple as the suggestion may appear, it is a new discovery in the science of healing, for which we are indebted to Professor Physic, whose extraordinary skill in that noble art, has conciliated to him that very amiable title, "the American Hunter," and, for safety of all surg operations, has placed Philadelphia on the same level as Edinburgh itself, hen ligatures are necessary, in consequence of Inrge ies being wounded, the following rules are to bed served in applying them: If, you have no tourniquet. take a garter or a cord, make a small linen cushion, abou: four or five inches long, three broad, and about two thick, or roll up a handkerchief hard, in a similar form, and lay it on the trunk of the artery, above the wounded part; put the garter or chord over the handkerchief, round the limb: tie a knot, leaving a proper space; and then twist the ligature with a piece of stick, until the hemorrhage be completely restrained; you ore then to prepare a ligature, formed of two or three white waxed threads, proportioned to the size of the vessel; alter which, slacken the bandage, in order, by its hemorrhage, to discover exactly the situation of the artery, and wjfc a tmtwuluin or a crooked needle, stick its point into the coat of the artery, and draw out the latter for the eighth of an inch, when a ligature, previously placed over the THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 449 instrument in the manner of a ring, by one of the ends being | )Bt twice through the other, termed the surgeon's knot, is Wl) 0l )0 Polled over the point of the needle by an distant; and when upon the vessel, its two ends should |be drawn gently, until the sides of the latter be compres- L ( ] A second knot, if Hie artery be large, maybe then Limit 1 ; after which, the instrument is to be removed, and ilu> ends of the thread or ligature cut off, at such a distance, that they may hang at least one or two inches without the edge of the wound. When a small artery is wounded, if it be divided, it retracts, and the hemorrhage presently ceases. If it be punctured, the wound should be enlarged, and then the artery may be tied, if proper pressure prove ineffectual. Situl. dust, or small pieces of glass, &,c, are best removed by washing the parts in warm water, either by means Ml sponge, or of a syringe. In the third place, as the principal object, proceed to the employment of those means, which will probably itiil the wound in the most easy and expeditious manner; for the longer this be neglected, the less is the part disposed to heal. — Whenever the nature of the injury will admit of it, the divided parts should be immediaolv brought into contact, the irritation excited by the Pound itself, will then generally be productive of a ceram degree of inflammation, which will accomplish a ¦on in the course of a few days; however, in relaxed ibhs, with symptoms of debility, the application of some nmulants, as Turlington's balsam, spirit, or balsam of pple, will be required to produce that effect. The Wmd is then said to be healed by the first intention, nd this mode of cure should always, when practicable, J attempted. The means of drawing, and preserving Wded parts in contact, are bandages, adhesive plasters, nd sutures. With respect to the two first, these should (1 preferred to the latter, in wounds that do not pene- W" to any considerable depth. Hie mode of applying adhesive plasters is by straps; to half of which is fastened on one side of the wound, n d the other on the skin on the other side of the wound, 55 450 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. drawing it tight, and holding it firmly, until the warmth of the part secures it; but If the wound he dotp. this rntact of" the sides must be made by sutures. In forming sutures, it should he ohserved, that one stitch, or suture, is sufficient for every inch of wound, and that the ligature or stitch should always he carried in* the bottom of the wound, and the threads passed from within, outwards. Thus, a needle being put upon each end of the same thread, well waxed, and each of tin needles inserted at the bottom of the sore, when pushed outwardly, about half an inch to an inch from the mil if the wound, according to its depth, will form one stiicli, and the needle being withdrawn, the same tliinji nui>; be repeated, according to the extent of the wound. Winn all the stitches are completed, the lips of the wound are to be pressed together, and supported in that position, until the ligatures are tied in the manner as already directed for making a surgeon's knot. It is of consequence to observe, that where the sutures or adhesive plasters have been neglected at first, liny maybe employed with advantage during any staged the sore, as the parts will unite at any time very readilvi and it will expedite the cure very much, to bring tiiel edges of the ulcer into contact, whenever it can bedoneJ When the parts are brought together, in the manner dil reeled, in order to prevent the access of air, it \villl« proper to cover them with lint, spread either with a iliii'M mucilage of some mild train, or some bland ointment:;™ ill I the simple saturine, or thorn apple ointment. Indiliiij tated or relaxed habits, apply 'Turlington's balsam. (&¦ Dispensatory.) I The first dressing of wounds should never be renioj ed, until the cure be completed, or until they appear «¦ vered with matter, unless the pain in the wound luvoinß severe, and be productive of much inflammation; m then the dressings should immediately be removed, aiw the parts gently rubbed with some olive oil, ami a plafl ter of saturine cerate, spread on soft lint, applied IJ this prove insufficient, and the inflammation be obseruj to rise still higher, a separation of the lips, the stitcuj tense, and the points where stitches pass, particularly inri;iinwl,cutt!io ligaturos, and take away every thing that ii like stricture upon the wound. All hope* <>t" procurer idhesioa must now bfl abandoned, and the wound should l)o brought to a speedy and plentiful suppuration, In llax-seed, or milk and bread poultices, often renewed; a i i( l as soon as there is a full appearance of pus, with relief of the more violent symptoms of inflammation, the poultices should be laid aside, and the sore then treated as a simple ulcer. When the sutures or plasters have been applied, and the svinptoms of pain and inflammation continue moderate, they may generally be removed about the fifth or sivili day, as a union will by thai time be produced. Gun-shot, or lacerated and contused wounds, as marked by their ragged and unequal edges, are the most dangerous of all others, from their disposition to gangrene. Hence, it is obvious, that in these wounds, the means to guard against mortification should be early employed. In the treatment of wounds of this description, three stages are to be observed in its progress, which may be termed the inflammatory, suppurant, and the incarnating. In tin management of the first or inflammatory stage, espedally if the patient complain of much pain, blood-letting should be had recourse to, and repeated according to the inflammation and strength of the patient; and, if possible to procure feeches, these should be applied near the edges of the sore. .Emollients are then to be used, as pledgets of mild ointments on the wound, with poultices of bread and milk, or flax-seed laid above, and renewed every three or four hours, in order to promote a speedy suppuration, which are the best means of preventing gangrene. When the pus is freely formed, a separation of the most injured parts takes places, and as soon as they have come away, the edges of the wound may be brought together by plasters or bandages, but no kind of suture should be employed; and the sore will then come to be treated as a simple ulcer. In the second or suppurant stage, the chief point is to check the excess of suppuration, and dispose the wound 451 452 to heal. This depends on a light nourishing diet, uj| fine, and the plentiful exhibition of bark and elixir vii. The third or incarnating stage is promoted, by pbcoi the member in a proper position, to give a free dischar^ of matter, assisted by pressure at the same time, and Itv opening every collection which appears, by remorju splinters, bones, or whatever causes irritation; and In healing with astringent dressing of lint, dipped in the* lution of alkali, lime-water, or any of the Mtrinmtf washes, (see Dispensatory j) when the discharge is ». cessive. In the progress of wounds, certain constitutional symptoms arise, that demand particular attention: these are pain, inflammation, and convulsive affections. The first of these usually goes off in a short time, by attending to the posture and ease of the wounded part, and mming any extraneous irritation; but when it continues very violent, and for a longer time than usual, it will be necessary, in the first place, to try the effects of laudanum. in dose 6of eight or ten drops (very two or four hours: and when the inflammation is violent, to unload the vessels by topical bleedings; which may be farther aided by fomentations and emollient poultices. If these be insufficient, and the pain still continue acute, it probably depends on a partial separation of nerves; to relieve which. a complete division of them should be made. The latter complaints are spasmodic, which vary in degree iron) the slightest convulsive twitching, to the highest state of the spasm in the attack of the lock jaw. They are frequently the effects of trifling injuries; a small scratch. for instance, which does not penetrate to a greater depth than the skin, will sometimes induce them ; and. when they happen as the consequence of large wounds, tlu'.v do not make their appearance until the sore seems near- Upon the first symptoms of these affections, the patient should be immersed in a baih of warm water, soap-siuk or a lie made with wood ashes, as long as he can bear it. and opium should be exhibited in pretty large don* v ,rv two or three hours, as the symptoms may indicate. V'hen this fails, the malady ii to be treated by remediei ntcribed for tetany. Hie constitutional treatment of wounds requires, dur* ilu> inflammatory stage, the strictest attention to the ooJing regimen, a low spare diet, the occasional use of ixaiivt's, and the wounded part kept in such a situation oilords most relief. When suppuration is formed, a liter diet will then he necessary; and if the discharge I maiter be excessive, hark and elixir vitriol must he niployed. MORTIFICATION. Tiik word mortification, in its present acceptation or leaning, is generally supposed to have place where the irculation is no longer performed through the diseased ;iri. which generally turns hlack, and becomes putrid, roilucinga separation of the diseased surface from the wind llesh, like an eschar, in consequence of a caustic nog been applied. In the incipient stage of this dis- X, which is termed gangrene, there is generally a very ii.li degree of inflammation, and a swelling of the parts ikied, with some vesications, like those from scalds, in of dillerentcolors, according to the extravasated fluid, nth which they are replete; sometimes pellucid oryel dw. at other times black or brownish. While things are in this state, attempts should he •de to prevent a sudden change to a mortification? but, i "ider to effect this, it must be observed, that a tenden- Ito mortify may be owing to very opposite causes. It wst. therefore, be extremely obvious to every man of ' usideration, that there cannot be any thing properly a •cifie for a disease, where a plethora or fulness is the illl >'' in one subject, and inattention in another. >>tknow very well that all inflammations may ter"li;|tp tp li;| in mortifications. It is also of importance to WW, that where there is a languid circulation, as in la:i ge,or in cases of excessive debility, from protracted '«Hi the extremities not only threaten soon to become 453 454 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. gangrenous, but the progress to mortification is often very rapid under such circumstances; for not on!v i|, e vital heat is deficient, but the vessels themselves are frr. quciitly diseased ; and, though duly distended with h10. .,i are incapable of reacting on the contained lluid, whirl), consequently, in time, must stagnate in the small rcfceli Hence, it is obvious, that a mortification mayprocw from a circulation that is too rapid, or too languid; and, consequently, the treatment must vary according to cir cumstances, and the cause of disease. Jn the first case, general blood-letting, diluent drinks with nitre dissolved in them, and the cooling regimen i every respect, are indispensable for its cure. Ami | the second, a liberal use of cordials and invigoraiui; medicines, as wine and bark, to raise and maintain tl* vital heat, and to check the progress of putrefaction, can alone be depended upon. When the mortification proceeds from too languid a circulation, or when there is much pain, opium or laudanum is one of the greatest cordials, and should betaken freely every three or four hours, but not in such doses as to produce a narcotic effect. The best external application to arrest the course ct gangrene or mortification, is to apply a blister over the gangrenous part, sufficiently large to cover one or M inches of the sound flesh, and afterwards to dress the part with cataplasms, made of bark, charcoal powik and yeast, to be renewed every three or four hour*. or as often as they acquire a putrid smell. When the mortified parts begin to separate, remove no more at each dressing than comes away without pal or loss of blood ; and as soon as the gangi ene slops, and E'ltions of good flesh appear, it is to be treated HI ulcer. SPRAINS AND BRUISES. M treatment of sprains and bruises, the chief pom ;ive an instantaneous vigor to the solids, soasji t the increase of effusion. Hence, the part shoult | lt instantly plunged into cold water. After this, cloths [netted with vinegar or lead-water, to which, laudanum L:IVL :1V be added, should he applied, and renewed as fast las they grow warm, until the pain and inflammation have somewhat subsided. The sprained part may then be dressed two or three times a-day, with a bandage of brown paper, dipped in warm vinegar and spirits, or Lnbrocated ww ' tn opodeldoc or volatile liniment, (sre Dispensatory,) always observing to preserve the part in the easiest and most relaxed posture. I In addition to this local treatment, if the patient hoof |t plethoric habit, or the injury ?©ry severe, blood-letting, cooling cathartics, and a light diet, are particularly enjoined. When bruises have been neglected at the onset, or become painful, warm fomentation! of bitter herbs are extremely useful; and their good effects will be. considerably aided by applying the ingredients themselves as a poultice to the part, as warm as can be borne, and sprinkled with a little finely powdered camphor. Alter serious sprains, the patient often complains of weakness and uneasiness in the injured parts. In such cases, a stream of cold water poured on the part at a considerable height, from the spout of a tea-kettle or piidier. two or three times a-day, completes the cure, especially if a flesh brush or flannel be vigorously used immediately before and after the implication. Some iMWrtIWCO will likewise be obtained by the use of a bandage or roller, to confine the swelling when that symp- DISLOCATIONS. Dislocation is the removal, by force, of an articulated bone from its natural situation, which is easily known by a degree of protuberance on one side, equalled by a hollow on the other; by comparing the J°i'it of one member injured with its fellow; by an inability to move the injured limb; and by pain and tension ¦the part affected. In wlmtever part a dislocation happens, it is of great importance to have it reduced as soon 455 lossible, because, by delay, the operation broom* Miiely difficult, and is very frequently rendered im. ticable, after the inflammation and swelling ban 0 on. i Therefore, whenever this accident happens in the untrv. if medical assistance cannot immediately fc tallied, the most intclligant person present should r* cc the bone. In the replacing of dislocated limbs, the principal ot ject to be attended to, is the mode in which the extension is made; for the success of the operation depends mon on this, than the force with which it may he iptlM Therefore, gradually extending from one side to the other, and gently moving it upwards and downwards, i more likely to succeed, than strong extension in irifk line: the force should be begun very gradually, and increase slowly at each trial, in case it resists the first. In case of a luxation being obstinate to reduce, bleeding,* us to cause faintness, may often be used advantageously, and whilst the patient is in a weak state, there is a graty er probability of success, from extension well directed: the operator, at the same time, endeavoring, with hi hands, to replace the dislocated end of the bone. After the bone is replaced, compresses made by tm or three folds of old linen, wetted with vinegar or loadwater, should be constantly applied to the part, in order to obviate inflammation; and the limb should he refined in ils natural situation, by bandages, which should neither be applied over-tight, nor over-loose ; as in one case, they would compress too much, and in the other. they would be of no use to the parts. Where inflammation has taken place before the mine tionis accomplished, it cannot be performed until that be overcome. For this purpose, we must adopt the mmphlogistic plan, such as bleeding, keeping the bowels ¦ a laxative state, by the occasional use of the cathartic mixture, and using warm drinks, together with the cnniphorated powders, and the antimonial solution, (see Dispensatory.) in their usual doses, in order to promote perspiration. 456 457 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. DISLOCATION OF THE JAW. The lower jaw may be Knotted by yawning, blows, folk chewing hard substances, or the like. This accident may be known to have taken place from the patient's being unable to shut his mouth, or cat any thing. IV chin, likewise, either hangs down, or is wrested to Lit' side ; and the patient is neither able to speak dis- Itinctly, nor to swallow without considerable difficulty. The common method of reducing a dislocated jaw is iphcetht patient upon a low stool, in such a manner, that an assistant may hold the head firmly, by pressing it liiainst his breast. The operator is then to push his wo thumbs, (protected with linen cloths, that they may lot bo bitten when the jaw slips into its place,) as far ick into the patient's mouth as he can, and then, with us lingers applied to the outside of the angle of the jaw, inltnvor to bring it forward, till it move a little from its imatmn. He should then press it forcibly downwards, lid backwards; by which means the elapsed heads of le jaw will immediately slip into their place. ______ DISLOCATION OF THE SHOULDER. The luunerus or upper DOM of the arm is the most ibjed to dislocation of any in the body, and may be Bled in various directions. The accident, however, ipl'ttis most frequently downwards, and very seldom welly upwards. This dislocation may be discovered [the patient's inability to raise his arm, as well as by oltut pain in attempting it, and by a depression orcavi-108 the top of the shoulder. VVhen the dislocation is "award or forward, the arm is lengthened, and a ball ¦Up is perceived under the arm-pit; but when it is Award, there appears a protuberance behind the Wider, and the arm is thrown forward towards the Wit usual mode of reducing a dislocation of shoulder 0 sot the patient upon a low stool, and to cause an astont to hold his body firmly, while another lays hold ¦i arm a little above the elbow, and gradually ex- fifl tends if. The operator then puts a napkin under the patient's arm, and causes it to be tied behind his own neck. 15v this, while a sufficient extension is made,ht lifts up the head of the bone, and with his hands direct it into its proper place. In young and delicate penou an operator may generally reduce this dislocation hi extending the arm with one hand and thrusting in || u ,| head of the bone with the other. In making the e\ttn-j lion, the elbow ought always to be a little Belli I If much difficulty occur in the operation, blood-ltJ ting, sometimes so far as to produce fainting, beconuJ necessary. This remedy seldom fails to facilitate the reduction. DISLOCATION OF THE ELBOW. The bones of the fore-arm may be dislocated in ant direction, but most commonly upwards and backward In this luxation, a protuberance may be obscrred o that side of the arm towards which the bone is pushed from which circumstance, joined to the patient's inabilil Band his arm, a luxation at the elbow may be know, MT reducing a dislocation at the elbow, two asskta for the most part, necessary: one of them must l;i of the arm above, and the other below the joi and make a pretty strong extension, while the operitt returns the bones into their proper place. The U must afterwards be bent, and suspended for soim-iini with a sling about the neck. Dislocations of the wrist and fingers are to be ledwt in the same manner as those of the elbow; namely* making an extension indifferent directions und thrustin the head of the bone into its place. DISLOCATION OF THE THIGH. When the thigh-bone is dislocated forward and do* ward, the knee and foot are turned out, and the limi longer than the other ; but when it is displaced bat* ward, it is usually pushed upward at the same time. 458 which means the limb is shortened, and the foot is turn- When the thigh-bone is displaced forward and downward, the patient, in order toils reduction, must be laid upon his back, and made fast by bandages, or held by assistants, while by others an extension is made by means of slings, fixed about the bottom of the thigh, a little ahovo the knee while the extension is made, the operator must push the head of the bone outward until it gets into the socket. If the dislocation be outward, the patient must be laid on his face, and during the extension fee head of the bone must be pushed inward. Dislocations of the knees, ankles, and toes, are reduced much in the same manner as those of the upper extremities; namely, by making an extension in opposite directions, while the operator replaces the bones, in main cases, however, the extension alone is sufficient, and the hone will slip into its place merely by pulling the limb with sufficient force. It is not hereby meant that force alone is sufficient for the reduction of dislocations. Skill and dexterity will often succeed better than force; and one man who possesses them has been able to perform what the united force of many was found inadequate to accomplish. INJURIES OF THE HEAD, AND FRACTURES OF THE LIMBS. If, inconsequence of a bad fall, or blow, a considerable injury appear to have been received, the sufferer being unable, in consequence of the loss of his senses, to point out the injured part, some consideration is necessary, before any attempts are made even to raise him from W ground. Because, should a fracture of one of the '¦ones have happened, and not suspected by his assistants, their exertions to raise him, and to place him on his feet, miidit force the ends of the fractured bone through the W part, and convert a simple fracture into a very dangerous compound one. The limbs therefore, should be 459 carefully examined; but even if they seem to have sustained no material injury, yet should the patient not I* precipitately raised, until something be provided n which he may be placed; as, thereby, unnecessary an< perhaps injurious exertions are avoided. As it will be fair to conclude, from the deprivation of the senses, that the brain may have sustained soim» injury, great care should be taken to convey the patient to his apartment, with as little injury as possible; and, whilst lying in bed, the head should be somewhat raised. If the patient be of a plethoric habit, a moderate hlctdmi; will be required as soon as possible after the accident; after which, the bowels should be evacuated either by purgative medicines or clysters. One or two stools lit". ing procured, and if possible the warm batli used, the anodyne sudorific drops, («fe Dispensatory.) should next be exhibited to produce perspi ration, and to excite absorption of the extravasated blood ; and this mixture should be continued, in doses often or twelve drops, every four or six hours, until the patient is out ofdangflj Ibserving to keep the bowels open. During convalescence, the bark, Columbo, or sitv!, fith wine may be employed. If there be a laceration f the scalp, every attempt should be made to induct suppuration of the part, by the application of warm fomentations or poultices, and this taking place, a relief fl all the symptoms will occur, when it is to be treated I a simple wound. But should it be discovered, that a leg or thigh is bro ken, the patient is not to be stirred until a proper vehkk as a door, or two or three boards well secured together, is procured, on which he can be placed. To place liini on this, two persons may raise him by means of a mh |£ slid under his hips, whilst one raises him by ilie show ders, one person raising the sound leg, and one carew ly conducting the fractured limb, which should be place! on a pillow, with the knee a little bent. The best mw of conveyance is undoubtedly by two or ibur men. am a carriage should never be employed, when this mo* can be adopted. As the patient will be under tin " l " 460 ..^sitv of lying some time without getting up, much sublequentpain and exertion will he prevented by preparing the bed in the following manlier: — In place of the laced canvas, bottom hoards arc to he laid across the bed frame, which makes the bed hard, and keeps it perfectly level and smooth during the cure. hplaoe of a feather bed, a mattress only is to be laid above those boards; over this another, cut into four naris. with a piece of a sheet sewed round each portion, Ito be placed, that they may be shifted under the patient from time to time. On the bed, thus prepared, a pillow, like a mattress, flat and linn, is to be laid for receiving In setting a broken bone, very little extension is required, nor should tight and firm bandages be used, which give considerable pain to the patient without the least benefit. In a simple fracture of the thigh or leg, with patients noMinruly, very little more is necessary than to restore the foot to a right direction with regard to the leg, and then stretch out the limb on a well made pillow, observing to extend, straighten, and lay it anew, when it is disordered or shortened, without fear of hurting the callus. And when you have placed the limb between two splints, or troughs, made of untanned leather or pasteboard, which have been previously soaked and softened, the whole braced down with ribands or tapes, to preserve it steady, you have done every thing. Having prepared two long troughs, or pieces of untanned leather or pasteboard bent in a hollow form, lined, or rather cushioned with two or three folds of flannel, with tapes or ribands four or five in number, attached to tlie outside of one of the splints, by which both splints may, after all is over, be gently tied together with bow knots, to be slackened or tightened, according to the ¦welling of the limb; you are then to place these by 'ho side of the fractured leg, and direct one of the assist- a "ts to apply his hands broad aro md the upper part of •lie limb, and grasp it gently and steadily; take the foot I and ankle in the same manner in your own hand; slip I your left hand under the broken part of the limb, slide it 461 Intly along, and then lay it upon the splints, to which o ribands arc attached. If the bone cannot be reduced by this extension, en. favor to force it in with your thumbs. Begin then i y the limb smooth ; let your assistant again grasp it, l)vl )v reading his hands upon the thigh, or below the kin th the design of extending, along with you, not by lift ing the leg from the pillow, but rather by keeping w down, and steadying it by pressure, while you. with both hands, lift the foot and ankle, grasp them gently, Inn firmly; raise them a little from the pillow, and draw gently, steadily, and smoothly. When you have thus extended and smoothed the broken leg, in a manna which you almost suppose agreeable, rather than painful, to the patient, press it down gently, and steadily upon the lower splint: the upper is then to be laid above kj and by grasping the soft and moistened splints, you mu>; model them a little to the shape of the When ilie whole has taken a form, tie several tapes, one afier another; and after having tied them in a general way,p over them again, one by one, and tie them a little closer. so as to keep the limb agreeably firm. The process is either slower or more impeded in children and old people: their bones, therefore, are more apt to be broken again ; hence with them, the splints should be kept longer applied. On particular occasions, also, particular precautions must be taken. Tim*. with delerious patients, and those who are liable to sudden motion, as when at sea, the limb, after being set, must be laid between two pillows, and the pillows tautened to the bed. It is, also, sometimes necessary II make the splints more secure, and this may be donebj soaking a roller or bandage in whites of eggs, mixed with a little flour; or by strewing a little powdered rosin on the bandage, and afterwards soaking it with spirit* « wine; or, finally, by soaking the bandage with tincghio. which makes a firm case, and is far from being oilV'iisive. Lastly, though splints and bandages, in general, WJ unnecessary during the cure; yet, when a patient rial from bed, rests the weight of his body on a fractured 462 bone, and begins to be exposed to accidents, the splints luil along the limb should be made firm by a bandage or roller as above described, to prevent those accidents jriiioh may be incurred by precipitation and rashness. In fractures of the arm, the parts hang naturally in ;he Mft posture, and require but two splints of thin pasteboard, rolled gently with a linen roller: and, in fractures of the forearm, the limb preserves its natural length or form; it requires merely to be laid upon a |oq« splint of pasteboard) with a small splint laid above, the two splints being secured with light ribands or tapes, and the arm, from the elbow to the finger's ends, supported by a sling or handkerchief round the neck, raising the palm of the hand to the breast, with the fingers moderately bent. When the arm is fractured between the elbow and shoulder, the forearm may be placed in the same position, as already described; but the sling, instead of supporting the whole length of the arm, should only support the hand, which should be raised higher than in the former case, the elbow being allowed to sink; its motion, however, being prevented, by a handkerchief passed moderately tight round the trunk, including the fractured arm. When the small bones happen to be fractured, they must be replaced and retained in their situation, by splints aid bandages fitted to the part. In using splints of puteboard or untamed leather, it is always necessary they should be applied, in the first instance, wet, so as to assume the form of the fractured part. After the first fortnight, the dressings should be occasionally removed, foal low some motion of the joints; and then replaced, and daily removed for the same purpose. When there is an external wound, communicating with the cavity of the fracture, it is termed a compound fracture, This sometimes occurs by the protrusion of ihe bone; at other times by the same force which caused tiio fracture. In such cases, the bone is to be reduced by carefully attending to the posture of the limb, and oy dilating the wound, when the bone becomes girded 463 464 TIIE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. in it. The wound is then to be dressed with dry |i nt in order to allow the blood to coagulate, which will fa* a kind of scab, and every effort should be made to unite the wound by the first intention, thereby converting t|,,-. accident to the state of a simple fracture. Almost all fractures are attended with contusion, and, consequently, swelling; the abating of which is die fin step that should be taken towards the cure, and is to lie effected by bleeding, if the patient be of a plethoric liali. it, by mild purges, a cooling regimen, and by the exhibition of the anodyne sudorific drops, as already described; the application to the parts affected should be vinegar Of lead-water, with crumbs of bread, or poultices made of stale beer, or vinegar and oatmeal, with a little oil to prevent their growing dry or stiff! The swelling of the limb being subsided, and the cat lus formed, cold water may be poured through the spout of a tea-kettle over the fractured limb, every morning. iv t store the tone of the injured parts. FRACTURES OF THE RIBS. The ribs are broken for the most part, near the mid- The accident usually proceeds from blows or falls, ami is known by an acute pain in breathing, and a crepitu or grating being perceived, on pressing the rib in diliirent places. By carefully passing the hand over the rib. the inequality produced by the fracture may be sometimes distinctly felt. Coughing produces a crepitation, which is frequently perceptible to the patient himself as well as to the bystanders. The only treatment necessary, in simple fractures ot the ribs, whether one or several be broken, is to keep the part, during the reunion, as much as possible in I state of rest. This is done by counteracting, to a considerable extent, their motion in respiration. To effect this, a bandage, six inches wide, is to be passed repeatedly round the chest, as tightly as the patient can suffer it THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 465 to be drawn. Its slipping down may be prevented by ]llt , all s of a shoulder strap. Or, instead of a roller, a jacket, of strong linen, capable of being drawn very tight, by means of tapes, may M ,, sl >(|. Until the reunion be completed, the patient bould be kept as quiet as possible. If the lungs be wounded by a splinter of the rib, blood rill bespit up, and high fever and inflammation will be jjlety to ensue. In this case, blood must be drawn copiously from the arm; and the patient should be treated, in all respects, as if he were laboring under pleurisy. BLOOD- L B T T I N G . The art of opening a vein, and the necessary cautions respecting the operation, should be learned by every M; since cases of emergency may happen, when the meanly of its being performed is evident, and where ft may be lost before medical assistance can be obtainkl. Another qualification necessary to be pessessed, is hat of being able to stop the How of blood from a vein thus opened. To bleed, you are to apply a riband or ligature with a legree of tightness, an inch or two above the elbow ttt; and as soon as a vein is conspicuous, place the bub of your left hand about an inch below the place •f your puncture, and then with your right hand, liold- Ig the lancet firmly betwixt your thumb and fore finger, Mean incision obliquely into the vein, without chang- Ig its direction, or raising the handle, lest the point, beh t lowered in proportion, should cut the under part of I)* 1 vein, or perhaps even wound an artery. When the quantity of blood you wish is drawn, untie to ligature, and close the orifice. To accomplish this, p t the thumb be placed on the orifice, so as to bring its ides together, and to press it with a moderate force, he How of blood will now be stopped, and the operaar - with the hand, must apply a compress, made by ivi^o doubling a piece of linen, about two inches square, «ween the orifice and his thumb; over this, place an- 57 466 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. other compress, three or four inches square, of a thickness sufficient to fill up the hollow of the bend of \\ u arm, confining the whole with a riband or tape, passinover the compress, and above and below the elbow, in the form of a figure eight, finishing with a knot over the rom press. If the bleeding continue obstinate, the sleeve of t!i f gown or coat above the orifice, ought to be ripped or loosened ; and if this do not succeed, the lips of the foci sion should be brought nicely together, and while they are compressed firmly by the thumb of the operator, the coldest water should be poured on the arm, or orifice washed with sharp vinegar. The placing of a piece ot adhesive plaster over tin; orifice in the vein generally iucceeds in checking the flow of blood. To bleed in the foot, a ligature must be applied above the ankle joint, and after opening the most conspicuous vein, if the flow of blood be not copious, it may be increased by immersion of the part in warm water. On removing the ligature, the blood will readily cease io discharge, and a piece of court-plaster is the best bandage. Topical blood-letting is executed by the application of leeches, as near as possible to the part inectri or by a scarificator, or an instrument witli a number of lancets acted upon by a spring. When leeches are employed they must be previously prepared by drying them, or allowing them to creep over a dry cloth ; and the part to attract them should be moistened with cream, sugar, or blood, and they oonfiofl on it by applying a wine glass over them. When the scarificator is used, as soon as a wound i made, a cup exhausted of its atmospheric air, by burning over it, for a few seconds, a bit of soft paper dipped I the spirit of wine, and on the flame of which, being near ly exhausted, must instantly be applied over the scariM part ; when full, it is easily removed by raising out 1 suit of it to admit air. When you have taken away, in m manner, a sufficient quantity of blood, the wounds M rbe covered with some cream or mild ointment. In the operation of blood-letting, certain morbid con sequences at times arise, which demand a special treatment. The most common of these, is a swelling of the part, termed ecchymosis; and when it occurs, shifting the position of the arm, so as to induce a free discharge, will I,^lll the tumor, if not entirely remove it. Should this fail, compresses, dipped in the solution of sal ammoniac or brandy, are to be applied. These also failing, and ihe swelling still continuing, without any diminution, the tumor must be opened, and after removing the coagulated blood, the sore should be treated as a common wound. This result, however, very rarely occurs. Another consequence, which sometimes follows bloodletting, is an acute pain immediately felt on the introduction of the lancet, and communicated from the part 10 the extremity of the member. The treatment of this complaint consists in the early use of cloths, wrung out of lead-water, applied to the part, and adopting, in every respect, the antiphlogistic plan, as blood-letting, cooling, cathartics, and a low diet, to obviate inflammation. This treatment not succeeding, laudanum must be given in large doses, which, also failing, a free division of the nerve or tendon, which was pricked with the lancet, is the only remedy left. The last accident required to be noticed, is the wounding of an artery, which is known immediately after the operation, by strong compression of the vein, above and below the orifice, by the tremulous motion in which the blood flows, and by not being able to stop the discharge as usual. The cure of this affection may be attempted in the early stage by compressing, and observing the antiphlogistic regimen. On their failing, the tumor must be extirpated, and then the ends of the vessel secured by means of a ligature, until a reunion of the parts be effected, when the circulation is made to pursue a different B. ISSUES. c are a kind of artificial ulcers, formed in differi of the body, for the purpose of procuring a di§charge 467 468 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. of purulent matter, which is frequently of advantage in various disorders. Practitioners were fo merly of opinion that issues served as drains to cam of noxious humors from the blood : and, therefore, the) placed them as near the affected part as possible. ]jjutj j ut' t as it is known that they prove useful, partly by theqoaoi tity of matter which they produce, and partly by svinpathy, they are generally placed where they will Occam* the least inconvenience. The most proper parts for them are, the nape of the neck; the middle, outer, and fore-parts of the shoulder; the hollow above the inner side of the knee; or either side of the back-bone; or between two of the ribs; or whenever there is a sufhYi. ency of cellular substance for the protection of the part beneath. They ought never to be placed over tin- belly of a muscle; nor over a tendon or thickly covered bone; nor near any large blood-vessel. Hie issues commonly used, are the blister-issue, the pea-issue, and the st ton or cord. When a blister-issue is to be used, after the blister is removed, a discharge of matter may be kept up by drying the part daily with an ointment mixed with a little of the powder of cantharides, or Spanish flics. If the discharge be too little, more of the powder may bo used; if too great, or if the part be much inflamed, the issue-ointment may be laid aside, and the part dressed with basilicon, or with common cerate, till the discharge be diminished, and the inflammation abated. It is sometimes most proper to use the issue-ointment, and a mild one alternately. A pea-issue is formed either by making an incision with a lancet, or by caustic, large enough to admit one or more peas; though, sometimes, instead of peas, kidneybeans, a gentian root, or orange-peel, are used. A) hen the opening is made by an incision, the skin should ho pinched up and cut through, of a size sufficient to receive the substance to be put into it. But when it is to M done by caustic, (the common caustic,) or lapis infernalis of the shops answers best. It ought to be reduced to a paste with a little water or soft soap, to prevent it from THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 469 and an adhesive plaster, with a small hole cut jiithe centre of it, should be previous/y placed, and the tustk: paste spread upon the hole. Over the hole, an nilhosive plaster should be placed to prevent any caustic OB escaping. In ten or twelve hours the whole may \$ removed, and in three or four days the eschar will separate, when the opening may be tilled with peas, or m of the other substances above mentioned. The seton is used when a large quantity of matter is nanti'd, and especially from dcep-seued parts. It is frequently used in the back of the neck, for diseases of the itiilor eyes, or between two of the ribs, in affections of lie breast. When the cord, which ought to be made of threads of otloa or silk, is to be introduced, the parts at which it is o enter and pass out, should be previously marked with nk. and a small part of the cord being besmeared with MM mild ointment, and passed through the eye of the eton needle, the part is to be supported by an assistent, ml the needle passed fairly through, leaving a few inbnof the cord hanging out. The needle is then to be (moved, and the part dressed. By this method, mater is produced in quantity proportioned to the degree of rinuion applied ; and this can be increased or dimin;ht(l, by covering the cord daily before it is drawn, witb n irritating or mild ointment. If we consider but for a moment the wonderful po*i which superior beauty in women exerts over the liiimun breast; how instantly, on the approach of its possessor, the hearts of the young are thrown into the inostdelii.4 ful palpitations, and the looks of the aged brightened with admiration and pleasure; we can no longer won. der that it should be highly prized by the sex. Hut jti to be lamented, that the most preposterous means should be employed to gain a property so desirable, and tlia; real beauty should be so often abused. Thus, some girls fancy that beauty can only exist i forms slender and delicate. At the very thought ofbeing corpulent, they are alarmed, and to obviate grossness, as they call it, they drink such quantities of vinegar, that it not only dtstroys the tone of the stomach, but introduces a withered ghastly paleness. For the same purpose, they continue the absurd practice of wearin; jackets, or corsets, so oppressive, as, by compressing die ribs, to prevent the expansion of the lungs. Another imprudence, and still more detrimental. i> that of appearing at assemblies, in winter, in light dress, exposed to the baneful effects of cold, with the aggravating addition of extraordinary warmth, by the b&M of dancing; hence, consumptions, and a train of maladies, too long to be here particularly described, are produced. Motives of delicacy, as well as regard for health, have been repeatedly urged in vain to enforce the necessity I relinquishing these destructive habits; the argument ol the moralist and of the physician, having alike failed w convey conviction ; and hundreds who would now hrn been shining forth among the loveliest of their sex. ar dressed in shrouds, because, "in an evil hour," they lai< aside those articles of their apparel which health, as fl as decency, forbade them to relinquish. There are others, who, reading of the fair-skinned ie y O i of Europe, foolishly conclude that the rose and tl,e lib Vte the only colors of beauty. (etching at this female passion for fair and unfrecklcd faces, the quacks have prepared a number of nostrums, called cosmetics, or beautitiers, which, they vauntingly nroi'oss, are to heal the chaps on the lips; to remove pimples and freckles ; and to give the countenance such a fair smooth and charming appearance, as to render it impossible for any one to contemplate it without being enamored. But, unfortunately, these cosmetics, instead of heightening the polish and charm of beauty , too often contribute to tarnish and destroy them. Hut to such of my readers as are partial to the use of them, an infusion of horse-radish in milk is recommended as one of the best and safest. Another innocent preparation for clearing the skin of pimples, and recent eruptions, is the expressed juice of house-leek, mixed with an equal quantity of sweet milk or cream. When these fail, blistering the face all over the eruptions will often succeed in removing The truth is, beauty is not the creature of a quack, but the gift of nature; and to bring it to perfection, nothing more is necessary than exercise, cleanliness, temperance, and cheerfulness. These are the handmaids of health ; and health, to persons of certain symmetry and expression, is beauty. How much, then, is it to be deplored, that so many of our young females should think so meanly of exercise, which, alone, brings the female frame to perfection, paints it in the liveliest colors, and, by giving richness to the Mood, and vigor to the nerves, disposes to habitual cheerfulness, and alike qualifies the mind for thought, and the heart for love. On the contrary, how different is the female who leads an inactive and sedentary life, too generally looked on proofs of a fine modern lady, which seldom fails to relax the system, retards the circulation, vitiate the blood, and obstruct the secretions. Hence that chalky paleness °' the face — that faintness of the eyes, indigestion, flatulence, 471 weak nerves, low spirits, irregularities of nature and constant complainings. Yes, many a girl, by constant muffling and housin is usually, but not always, defended by X (hin tough membrane resembling a fish scale, called Eu h/mai; which was once supposed to be the test of fcilinity, which is always destroyed on a first connexion Kith a "male. Some females have this membrane so (ronuly formed by nature, as to prevent their menses or tiroes from flowing; when this is the case, they collect Xi [lie womb in such a manner as to resemble pregnancy. ¦ have seen several cases of the kind; and 1 recollect Biii particular instance, in which a lady of great respec- Kiihiv had to undergo an operation, before her husband Kumtf have sexual intercourse with her. When the ¦ntiiM'sclonot How at the usual period, and proper means ¦ been used to bring them on, it is always proper for Hit female parent to examine particularly into this mat¦;. or the consequences of neglect may be fatal. The Hiriinul of relief, when the hymen is imperforated, or in ¦ilit r words, has no hole in it through which the menses Him (low, is simply to puncture or open the hymen with B lancet, or any other instrument that will answer. In BiiK ¦females this hymen docs not exist: but this is no Bidence of the want of virginity, for the membrane is ¦un destroyed by jumping, romping, running, &c, at m tarlv period of lite. ¦ About the age that females usually marry, the vagina m entrance of the birth-place, is from two to three Hrius in length, and capable of some distention. At the ¦ i end of the birth-place or vagina, is the mouth of which can be felt with the finger. 31id wives ¦¦Hild be particular in becoming acquainted with these ¦ns. and particularly with the mouth of the womb, be¦useitis from the peculiarities of its feeling, that we be¦'iif confident of the presence of actual labor. Labor Bf'ins nothing more nor less, than the efforts of the ¦"lib itself to expel the child, at the period fixed by ¦tore for its entrance into life. Labor is considered 477 478 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. natural if the heed of the child presents itself fob ;l the time of labor is longer than twenty-four boon I may he called a lingering or difficult labor. It' iinv^rj of the child, other than the head, presents itself, i;,', bor is called preternatural; and every other case r» mi ing assistance, is called complex. I The bones necessary to be described, are those whirl form, or appertain to. the pelvis or basin. The ]v lvi >r j sembles in ibrm, a wash basin with the bottom on;, [¦ women, it is very shallow and very wide, and it ,. I these marks, that the skeleton of the female rani,! ,M tingnished from that of the male: in women the bones I the pelvis are very slender, and the opening ;n < I torn so very wide as easily to permit i!ie rliiid >.• M In some instances, this opening suddenly li;ruii,.fl wide, that the head of the child presses with \iolnn, ¦ the soft and fleshy parts, and tears the pnvniuin. w, ¦ is the membrane between the birth-place and iiu> linifl ment. This pelvis or basin, is formed by four hones itlifl os sacrum behind, the ossa iniwminata on either sidfl and the os vocijgis below — the vulgar sometimes raM this the crupper bone. This last bone is so formed M to move back when the woman is in labor; and frequeniM makes a grating noise in women who have been in fl ried late in life. I have now explained to you thee.wH Eal parts, and also the hard or bony parts, which it v < I c well for you to remember. H The bladder is very near to the front bones; so ikA ideed, that for want of an instrument called a catlietcH when in the country, I have frequently drawn waitnß by a common goose quill. The womb lies next to M bladder; in shape it resembles a pear, is of an ol>l"jB form like the pear, and in its natural position has ¦ largest end turned upward toward the stomach, I vagina neck downward towards the external parts. ¦ womb is supported by small membranes or little strinfl interwoven together and to the sides of the pelvis or I sin, which I have already described to you: it is so coij modiously and admirably arranged, as to float about coH siderably. On each side of the womb, and coming I 0 its sides, are (wo fleshy tubes, which are called the illopian tubes, firom tbe name of a physician who differed in |547. These tubes are about three inches length* and th6 ends look as it' they had been cat otV ; |, ;, dull knife. On each side of the pelvis or basin, i llU iul a lump about the size of the end of the thumb: lr , are the female testicles, which supply the seed at 1 time the female conceives the child. These ovaria reticles, have small cells in them, which burst like nil blisters, in the act which gets a woman with child. 'he tabes which i have mentioned are constantly floatflboot, and the moment the seed of the male comes icontact or touch with them, it stimulates them to take nthe contents of one or two of the small cells I have mitionod; and to convey their contents through the fa of the womb, by what is called by medical men wistdlic motion. The seed being now deposited, the nkl commences its formation and growth; this commcement of growth takes place, as is supposed, about iiw weeks after the sexual commerce has taken place; (cause aixwt that time the ovaria or egg passes through w Fallopian tube into the womb. About the fourth lonih. the woman feels a peculiar sensation about the iiiiil); this is called quickening; and is caused by the twnb suddenly rising above the brim of the pelvis or unhand is suddenly pressing on the inside of the belly. lie womb is much' thicker at the sides than any where be; it is a hollow fibrous mass, which means that it is omposed of fibres or threads, interwoven with each >iin t. It has the power of contracting or drawing up, ml of expelling its contents, whatever they may be. hose fibres secrete and hold the discharge called the ftuetor courses. I have now given you a full and bin description of the female organs of generation; of hai is believed to be the manner of conceiving ; of the of the womb; and of the different presenty- PM of labor; and 1 have been thus particular, in order ¦1 you may the better understand the information I i«ve to communicate on the diseases of women. 479 480 TIIE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. MENSES OR, COURSES. The early or late discharge of the menses or co*j depends very much on the climate; the constitution, the woman as to strength or weakness; on the eaxxjn or passions of the mind, or in plain terms on the I;n, viousnessor chastity of her venereal desires. In all (ll| climates, this discharge is later in making its appears than in warm ones. Fruit ripens sooner in warm fc tudesthan in cold ones, and it is the same with femal-s In the genial climate of Italy, girls have their coon at nine years old, but in the colder regions of Rn» M 1 this discharge does not come on until women arc fron twenty to twenty-live years of age, and then not imfo qucntly in very small quantities. In all warm ctimuq says a distinguished writer, women exhibit all thespla dor of their charms, when they are mere children iiimi derstanding; but when their minds have arrived atimturity, they cease to be objects of love. In the western country, although the climate i* mild it is much subject to sudden changes, particularly in l\;i> Tennessee. These changes produce powerful eflectoci the health of women, and also on their constituiioiis- The western country is damp and wet during the winter season, in consequence of which, women, from bra| exposed to wet fvcu are subject to more irregularitiei in this discharge, called the menses or courses, than in am other part of the United States. When the usual perkx for this discharge comes on, a little attention on the pan of the parent will be sufficient to discover the symptotis Many girls have their discharges without inconvenience while others suffer considerably when the period is about to come on, such as a great restlessness, slight fever, head-ache, heavy dull pain in the small of the back II bottom of the belly, swelled and hardened breasts. II so on. The appetite becomes delicate, the limbs tremble and feel weak, the face becomes pule, and there* l 11*1 peculiar dark streak or shade under the eyes. IfM these symptoms and feelings occur, every tiling show be done to assist nature in bringing forward this di* ¦The family physician. 481 RThis is a critical period of life, and much dei the result. The greatest possihle precautions >c used to prevent the girl iroin taking cold at 5, because by very slight exposures, nature may nted from performing this very important oflice, lilure of which, some of the most fatal female diseases are produced. Exercise should be taken on horseback at this time, or indeed any exercise that will lire free circulation to the blood ; the emotions and passions of the mind ought also to be particularly attended to; a cheerful disposition should be produced and kept up, at the same time that every effort should be made to banish grief, despondency, or any of the depressing passions, which I need not tell you have a powerful effect in preventing the due discharge of the menses or courses. The discharges, in their first appearance, are in small quantities, and rather irregular as to time, but they grailuallv, in healthy women, become regular, and Bow monthly. While in a state of pregnancy, or when suckling children, women do not have these menses or courses, nor do they ever become pregnant, or in plain terms, get with child, until this menstrual discharge makes its appeartoce on them. Women also cease to breed when this menstrual discharge leaves them, in advanced life. The period when this discharge commences on women, and the period when it leaves them, are critical and dangerous periods of time to the health and constitutions of women. As I shall describe the remedies more fully, in cases where the menses have been established, and have suddenly stopped from cold 01 other causes, I shall merely remark here, tiiat in all cases where the first symp'oiiis of menses make their appearance in young girls, they should use mild and gentle methods of courting nature to the performance of her office, by sitting over the >team of warm herbs, bathing their feet and legs at the HIM time in water, as high as the knee, or what is preierable, use the warm or tepid bath — see that head — and drink freely of warm pennyroyal tea. These remedy should be used a short time before going to bed, so mat a gentle moisture or sweat may be produced on the 69 6kin, which generally causes the menses or courses to flow. This discharge is usually at first very small, t* by attending to this simple course, which I have laid down, when the proper or expected time has arrived tor their appearance, nature will gradually become regular, and the menses or courses he produced. The quanthr as I have observed, will at first be quite small, petbau just sufficient to stain the linen or shift, which will * crease in quantity at every period or monthly return. \> this discharge depends very much on climate, eoMtife tion, manner of living, and exercise, you will oasilv ar. count for its differing in quantity, not only in ditleren: women, but even in the same woman, increasing or diminishing to the state of the system. In all southern or warm climates, the quantity discharged is from eighteen to twenty ounces; but, in colder climates, it diminish** accordingly, even to one or two ounces. The menses or courses remain on, and the time of their monthly return, differ very, much in women; in some it will remain but a few hours or a day — in others, from two to four days, and I have even known it to remain ten dan. The common or usual time, however, is from three to six daji In the western country, the menses generally cease I about the forty-fifth year: this, however, depends very much on the period they make their appearance,— il a; an early age, they go off earlier, and if at a later period they sometimes continue to fifty years. About the fl pected time that the menses or courses should tlo«. which will be easily known from the descriptions I bin given you of the symptoms, you are to avoid even tiling that may injure the digestive powers, and particular!) costiveness or being bound in the bowels, loss ot sleep exposures of any kind, such as damp feet, or sudden changes from warm to thin clothing. Girls in the coin) try should be prevented, about this time, from wadin: in the water, or walking bare-foot through the dew. I it often stops this discharge. Getting cold, from am inj prudence or unnecessary exposure, must also be avoided On the subject of medicines, you are particularly rt quested, as you value the health of your child, to gi v < 482 n0 strong medicines in the first stage of the menstrual jKharge, called vulgarly forcing medicines. This infeed M* l proper "m instances this obstruction of the menses or courses, arises from debility or weakness of the constitution. Thi will be known by the whites making their appeanuxt When this is the case you must not force nature, but on tonic or strengthening medicines to restore the sysitm first; then the remedies that follow, beginning with ibon that are most simple, until the menses or courses an produced. Tkevtment. — If the woman is of a robust or full habit of body, the loss of some blood from the foot will bi proper. A short time before the return of the memet or courses, warm clothes wrung out of hot water mix be applied to the bottom of the belly; this is to bedoM a few nights before the expected time, or you inav si; over the steam of common pine tops, on which l>oiiing water has been poured; or you may sit in a tub of warm water for fifteen or twentyTninutes before you go to bid, and while sitting in the warm water, have your fa bathed in another tub or vessel, in whicn the waur should be as warm as you can conveniently bear it. or plunge your feet and legs in and out frequently as \ou may be able to bear the heat of the water. AViiilo you are bathing or steaming over the pine tops, use the following remedy, which must be prepared and kept ready for use when you are going to bathe — one ounn 1 d seneka snake root is to be bruised with a hammer, thon put it into a quart of boiling water, and stew it overa slow fire to half a pint; of this tea, take a table spoonful every ten minutes while bathing or while over the steam — for a full description of this valuable root, see IDll head. When you have used these remedies for a quarter or half an hour, retire to bed, and have the bottom L mQf belly well rubbed with ;i coarse warm towel, or X brush: iliis is called friction, the intention of which I rouse the circulation, excite the womb to action, ¦j cause the menses or courses to discharge or flow. K HI will find the following medicine, to be a valuable K. slant in producing the discharge, and it should be ¦L.n lor one, two, and even three nights before the ex- Kicdtiine: — live grains of aloes, live grains of rhubarb, ¦id live grains of calomel, must be finely powdered and B\n! together well, and should the dose not produce a m or two by morning, you are to take a small dose of Rmuii salts to assist the operation. If the dose should ¦in:*' you too severely, the next dose should be less, say Km grains of each will answer; your own judgment ¦ill easily regulate the dose to the constitution of the Brsou. Or you may apply a. small blister a day or two ft ore the time, between the fundament and birth place, ft .ni by physicians the perineum, giving at the same Bno. a purgative twice or even three times a-dayof al- Bp>. oaeli dose five grains. Should these remedies all nl. inject or throw up with a syringe or squirt, into the fti.iihi. a mixture of strong whiskey and water, so as to ftniiiit 1 or excite an action in the womb. As I have re- Biiirkod in the first instance the loss of some blood will ftnorallv be found beneficial, unless the constitution or m ilrli of the woman will not admit of the loss of blood, Kuril is not very frequently the case. The loss of blood ¦kiv.s tends to assist the womb to return to its natural ¦ciion. Madder, which is known to every person in the ¦wintry as a dye. and may be purchased at any of the ¦ores, is highly recommended by the late Doctor Barton I Philadelphia, late professor of the medical school in ¦iiit city, in doses of twenty or thirty grains. The tincture Pi-inn guaiacum in doses of a table spoonful in a cup |l Dew milk may be given. -This tincture is made in the Plowing manner: — obtain one ounce of gum guaiacum, Piiieli is worth about ninepence; mash or pound it Aim full a hammer, and put it in a pint of spirits of any kind; | [ it steep for ten days, shaking daily, and you have the incture of gum guaiacum, it being then fit for use. Doc- 485 tor Dewees, professor of midwifery in the niedica school of Philadelphia, asserts that in the experience „ thirty-two years it has never failed him in prodocittth menses or courses. Of this spirit, put a table spoonful v the milk, and gently pour off the spirit, so as not | shake it at the time you are to use it. I have ftoWfj?t you the different and important remedies, out of wfcid you may select which you please for use, they are a| valuable. — You will however bear in mind, th;it theft forts to be made to bring on the menses or courses, shonit take place about the expected time, or a little time k fore it. The constitution of the woman must be tullv and properly examined, so as not to force, but to assist na ture in her operations GREEN SICKNESS. When the menses or courses have been retained 01 stopped for any length of time, and the whole systen becomes diseased for want of this discharge, so neces sary to the health of every female, it terminates or end frequently in what is called chlorosis, or green sick ness. When this is the case, the skin turns of a pale yellow or greenish hue; the lips become pale or of a purple color; the eyes have a dark or purple tinge around them ; on making the least exertion, the heart palpitates or beats ; the knees tremble, and there is a sighing without knowing the cause. The mind is very fickle, and the woman dislikes, or seems to want the power to attend to her domestic concerns. The cheeks are frequently flushed similar to consumption ; the feet swell, and the whole system seems to sink under debility or great weakness. I have now described to you the symptoms which I alluded to, when I directed you to examine the constitution, and not to force nature, especiall when tonic or strengthening medicines are required to Etore the whole system, before any attempt ought to made to bring on the menses or courses. The treat- 486 487 0 i n this last stage called green sickness, should be |i little medicine as possible should be given: in fact, othing but some simple medicine, such as will prevent rfjreMM by keeping the bowels open, such for inlance as a tea spoonful of cpsoin salts, and a tea-spoonilof magnesia, ground finally and well mixed together, pin- taken in a cupful of cold water when necessary for ii< purpose ; travelling on horse-back, or moderate exgjn, Good Maderia wine, taken frequently and in mall quantities; bitters, made of equal quantities of rild cherry-tree bark and poplar bark usually called wamp poplar — steeped in wine for several days, and fen in moderate doses ; or tea made of the flowers of arden camomile, and taken cold, in a dose of a wine lass full, three or four times a day. The chalybeate ater should be used very freely. The western country bounds with these waters: for they are to be found on Imost every branch or creek. Chalybeate waters, are lose springs which are impregnated with iron. By ie>e remedies, the whole system will be restored, and 1 due time the menses or courses will again appear; at hicli time, mild and gentle remedies are to be used, to ourt nature to the proper performance of this necessary nd important discharge. However, it is not always that these Chalybeate waffs can be had, and a most excellent Medicine may be btained at the shops, viz; twenty-five grains of carboate of Iron, or rust of Iron, and six grains of sulphate I Iron or what is called coperas, Gum Arabic sufficient • make them into twelve pills, let the young lady take no of these twice or thrice a day, and also some good liters three times a day. HE GREAT DISCHARGE OF THE MENSES OR COURSES. When the menses or courses come on suddenly or "regularly, and the discharges for several days are i 488 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. later than usual, by which the woman b greatly » and weakened — this is called excessive mousing i causes are, too great a determination of hloaj womb ; or in other words, too great an action v' ;els. This over quantity, or large discharge, m takes place in delicate women, particularh !h! h ? take but little exercise, or those who sit a great d-j i as milliners or seamstresses, and in fact alUj sedentary lives, and are addicted to such unluai; its. Treatment. — Draw blood from the arm j|J ately; and regulate the quantity taken, by the com tion, the habits, and the strength of the woman: l are few cases that do not admit of a little blood M drawn. Give a purge of epsom salts or castor oil. si let your patient go to bed and there remain; she ¦ be kept as cool as possible, with her hips a little m The room also must be made and kept as cool as m ble. •If the discharge of blood is considerable, ¦ cloths wet with cold water to the birth-place, ami h push them up it; at the same time injecting cold u up with a female syringe or pewter squirt. There i danger whatever in these cold applications; thereto do not hesitate to use them if necessary. I liavealwa used ice in my practice in Virginia, by putting it in towel or piece of flannel, and applying it to the belly, the blood flows rapidly, make a plug with cloth, ai push it well up the birth-place, so as to prevent the Ui from flowing, or that it may congeal and stop. Shi these remedies fail, you must resort to the follow |)ip a towel, in cold water, and vinegar and slap t ill of the back, a few times, and then stop; give aB or large pill made with three grains of Kino. I *c grains of Alum mixed with conserve of roses, cv two hours, continue to slap the back suddenly I cold towel, say every half hour. ii some extraordinary cases, what is called Urn vagina, is proper, that is, introducing soft rifi k handkerchief into the vagina, to stop the bleedir ,t in common cases, I have seldom failed to relievo 0 patient, by the astringent Bolus, and the cold towel dileiily applied to the back. If there is great pain in the womb, administer a clvsr__look __look under that head. The clyster must be made the bark of slippery elm, by pouring boiling water on c inside part of the bark. It is to be perfectly cold, id in it put a tea-spoonful of laudanum. . Throw this Her up the fundament, out of which passes the stool. hese clysters are to be given every hour, until relief is tuned. Every thing used at this time as a drink, oukl bo perfectly cold. Nothing heating, of any desjption, ought to be given, either as food or drink, dvii this great flow of the menses or courses. to prevent a return of this discharge, when once revod, take moderate exercise ; bathe the back and belfrequently in cold water, and take the salt bath — see dor the head cold bath. Take moderately, the best 1 Madeira wine ; and a short time before the expected charge lose some blood from the arm. At all times, v are to pay particular attention to your bowels — that not to permit them to become costive or bound. orning and night, when you rise, or retire to bed, use rtion— which means rubbing the whole body, for twenor thirty minutes, with a brush or coarse towel — this ould be done by a servant or assistant. This last niwly is truly worthy of strict attention. ESSATI.ON OF THE MENSES OR COURSES A cessation of the menses or courses, means an entire >ppage of these discharges, or a change of nature in is respect, at an advanced period of life. This revolion or change takes place, generally, from the forty-ond to the forty-seventh year: it is a critical and exwely dangerous period of a woman's life, and although cusands pass through it without experiencing any 489 490 th* *4H»T **TOCUH. great inconvenience, it is a period which requires particuJ lar attention and care. All exposures to cold and damp must be scrupu!ous]J avoided ; and particularly wet feet, and remaining anil length of time on the damp ground. Sudden chan-J of dress arc also extremely hazardous at this period; J fact, every thing that produces sudden revolutions in : J bodily system, from extremes of heat, cold and dp.mpneJ — By not attending to what I have just laid down, \J will be sure to lay the foundations of diseases of a uiuM tiplied and stubborn character, which will be sure J embitter and distress the remainder of your life, 1 The courses, about this time of life, begin to lessen 1 quantity, and to become more or less irregular in tin I discharges. When you are likely to suffer some incoil venience in this change of nature, you will have warnin by the occurrence of the following symptoms. 1 You will have pains in the head and small of the barlfl trembling of the knees, flushing and burning of the km choking sensations in the throat, sickness of the stomacil dizziness or swimming in the head, and frequently inn before your eyes. You must now live on spare diet, anl as I have just told you — avoid all kinds of cold, ihiiM and wet. I Treatment. — Very few medicines are to be taken ¦ this state of the system, and those that are taken mufl be of the most simple, mild, and innocent kind. Ffl the purpose of keeping your bowels open, and removiij| all causes of irritation, use purges of epsoni salts, or Q tor oil when necessary ; they will always cool tlio - ¦ tern, and allay any irritations. If you are of a robust ¦ full habit of body, and have dizziness and pains in M head, cupping on the temples so as to draw some blofl will give relief. For the method of cupping, whichß very simple — look under that head. Or, if you shouj not like the plan of cupping, or if it be inconvenient, yfl may occasionally draw a little blood from the arm; whS those unpleasant feelings I have described make tW appearance. Temperance, or in other words, abstaiß m from strong food, and living on very spare and Sims' diet, is greatly more important than any medicines But can be taken — nor will any medicines be necessary Kuiost cases, other than such as will keep the bowels X a (T ontly laxative state, as mentioned before, with cup- Bing if considered necessary. You should take moder¦re exercise in good weather on horseback, and above l|| other remedies, use regularly friction; which means Bibbing the whole body, twice a day, with a brush or Hoarse towel — morning and evening. This friction you Hit not to neglect, because it is very important at this B, nod. You are, also, to keep the birth-place perfectly ¦bn, by washing daily those parts in milk-warm water Bid soap. Unless these parts are kept perfectly clean, m \ retain a secretion which I need not name — which Briiates and excites diseased action in the womb. When- Bver you feel pain in your back, belly, &c, &c, take Be warm or tepid bath, which you are to make suffi- Biently warm to be pleasant. For a description of this Bath— see that head If pain is felt in the head, stomach w breast, a blister must be applied between the shoul- Hers, which will give relief. You may take off the blis¦rr. after it has been on two or three hours, if the pain ¦as been removed by its application, as is sometimes the lasc after the skin has become red from the blister. But Hie warm bath, moderate bleeding, and keeping the Bowels open with the mild medicines I have described, Hviil afford you the necessary ease and relief in your situ- Btion, provided you keep yourself in a perfect state of I If the pain in the womb be considerable, and you have Bny fears of an inflammation in those parts, apply a large Bister over the belly — which blister is to be dressed with Jweet oil. You are, also, to give clysters frequently, Phich are to be thrown well up the bowels, say, three or Pur times a day. They are to be made of slippery elm P^k, by pouring boiling water on the inside bark, and letting the water stand until about milk warm — this water Is to be thrown up, as directed under the head clyster- Ing- If the inflammation is great in the womb, throw up 491 the birth-place, with the clyster pipe, the slippery vk\ water, live or six times a day; but remember it is to be perfectly cold, when you throw it up the birth-fog. when thrown up the fundament into the bowels, it is to be milk warm. There is an excellent preparation, which can easily bo made, to throw up the birth-place-— which is perhaps better than the slippery elm water. Talu two tea-spoonsful of sugar of lead, and put them in a quart of the coldest water. After the lead is dissolved it will be fit for use. Of this lead water, throw up about a gill, mixed with about a gill of slippery elm water. Do this occasionally. Should an ulcer or sore break out on the legs, or any part of your body, be very careful not to heal it up immediately or very suddenly; it is an effort of nature to relieve herself of the discharge. It may be necessary for me to remark, that if the womb is painful, and there is no danger of inflammation, apply over the belly and M the small of the back, warm herbs, or warm salt, or bladders filled with warm water — and take a dose ol laudanum or opium ; — see table of doses. By attendiM closely to these instructions, which I have laid down plainly, you will pass through this change of nature with safety, and no doubt enjoy through the winter of old age, an exemption from those complaints which are too apt to occur, from neglect of this important change of the ¦ male constitution. THE WHITES. (This disase is called by physicians Jlour dibits. 1 ; an unnatural and white colored discharge from m irth-place, and is produced from various causes— sue! for instance, as the powders of the womb being «hH ed, by severe labors, repeated miscarriages, getting on of bed too soon after child-birth, or by taking cold I this time, or any other time when the menses or course) are about coming on ; or, by over fatigue or weakness produced by general bad health ; or where the genera secretions and excretions have been deranged by disease 492 (jlo( j lo womb always more or less sympathizes with the iviolo system. Women who are of weakly or delicate CQRgtttutioilSi and take but little exercise, and such as have liatl many children, are much subject to the flour alkis or whites. I have known many instances, in which i| lt - whites made their appearance monthly, instead of ili,' natural menses or courses. This is generally the oase where the woman is laboring under the suppression of ihe menstrual discharge, or some weakness or denogmflnt of the whole system. I shall now describe die means of knowing the whites from the clap. E lie clap there is a swelling of the parts, an itching, asy feeling, and much heat in making water. In i time, both the inside and outside of the parts bcintlamcd, and give much heat and scalding incva mildest and its severest form; and if permitted to run on, it will entirely destroy the constitution of the woman, by reducing her ilesh and muscular strength. Her complexion will change to a sickly pale color; she will become very weak, and her heart will palpitate or beat with the slightest personal exertion. As this disorder seldom stops without medical assistance, means ought always to be immediately used, or it will commit great ravages on the female constitutions. The whites come on very irregularly, sometimes the discharge is in lumps, but more frequently it is of a white, slimy, ropy consistence. If the disease is of the mildest form, the discharges resemble the white of an egg, having no smell, and no color but that just mentioned. In the second stage, the discharges are of a light yellow or straw color, and something offensive to the smell. In the third stage, the discharges are of a greenish color of a tough and gluey consistence, and quite offensive in smell. 493 494 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. E[n the worst stage of the disease, or when the ds*g ; been permitted from ignorance or negligence to run the discharges are very offensive, and mixed *j| blood; the face becomes of a sickly greenish hue; « der the eyes there is an unnatural color; the lips | )e . come purple — the feet and legs swell — the face herons subject to flushes of heat— there is a dry cough and groat difficulty of breathing, particularly on the slightest oxertion; and unless relief is obtained, the disease will, afa this stage, terminate either in consumption or dropsy. I shall now proceed to describe the effects which the diseases produces in the different stages of its advance. ment. When it is slight, or in its mildest form, and the general health of the woman is not much impaired, there is a pain in the back, the menses are not regular, and on the slightest exertion the woman feds a shooting; and afterwards a heavy pain in the back. In the second Stage, the above symptoms are felt most constantly and severely; the stomach becomes disordered ; the head aches; the bowels are costive or bound up; there is a a dizziness or swimming in the head ; and there seems a heavy pain in the bottom of the belly, and at the upper part of the thighs.) In the severest form of the disease, the symptoms of which I have already described, all the indications or marks of dyspepsy or indigestion take place: for a description of which complaint see under that head. The whole system becomes disordered and unhealthy ; the menstrual discharges entirely stops, and the woman, from general debility and weakness, sinks rapidly into a decline, and ends either in composition or dropsy, as I have said before. Treatment. — There is no remedy in the first stage of this complaint equal to scrupulous cleanliness, or bathing well those parts in cold water three or four times a-day, and injecting up the birth place, frequently, the same thing, cold water. Sleep on a mattress instead of a feather bed, or in other words, a hard bed of any kind. Rise early and take proper exercise; and if convenient to a chalybeate spring, or one whose waters are impregnated with iron, drink freely of those waters. rr| l 0 western country abounds with waters of this description ; and they are a most valuable remedy for worn tii laboring under this disease, or any irregularity of ke menses or courses. The bowels are to be kept open, with mild laxative medicines, such as epsom salts or casior oil. From fifteen to twenty drops of balsam copaiva art < 10 be given on sugar, three times a-day ; which if nepftfr are to be continued eight or ten days, or even pore, if found essential. I have relieved this complaint, vhen all the different remedies had been tried, by sininlv using the turpentine from the common pine tree. It must be made into pills with honey, and one of the pills livtii two or throe times a-day, using at the same time, L following injection, which is to be thrown up the birth place three or four times a-day. A tea-spoonful of Mr of lead is to be put into a pint of spring water and permitted to remain until dissolved. Obtain at any doctor's shop a female syringe, which is a pewter squirt with holes in the end of it. With this instrument you are to throw up the lead water three or four times a-day. You will find this a valuable remedy. If it be inconvenient to get the sugar of lead, make a decoction of white oak bark, by boiling it in water — and of this water, when perfectly cold, throw up the birth-place as often, and about the same quantity that you would of the sugar of lead. If the discharge is very offensive from the parts, you should introduce up the birth-place every morning and night about a tea-spoonful of common charcoal, pounded as tine as possible. This will entirely remove the offen- If the directions I have given do not restrain the discharge, you will apply a large blister to the small of the back, at the same time using the injections freely as directed. Should the constitution be much injured, and the woman greatly reduced by the discharge, obtain from any doctor's shop a tincture of sal martis, which is a preparation of iron dissolved in muriatic acid. Obtain a ko a box of soda powders. On these boxes you will find directions how to use them ; if not, look under the 495 head soda powders. When you have mixed your pa pers of soda powders with water, in two tumblers, and before you have poured them together, drop into fa tumbler in which you have put the contents of tbebln paper, eight or ten drops of the medicine in the phial Being now ready, pour it all into one tumbler and drink it down immediately, and while it is foaming or (tf, r . vescing. This drink should be taken three times a-dav I have merely to remark, that this is a preparation of one of the most valuable mineral waters known in Karope, and is admirably adapted to debility of the >;„. macli, or indigestion, affections of the womb, and indeed. debility of any kind. After all tbese remedies have failed, polypus of the womb may exist, which always requires the assistance of an able physician. PREGNANCY. LWhen the sexual connexion between a male and feale, has been favorable to the increase of our species. the seed of the man and that of the woman are conveyed as already described, through the Fallopian tubes into the womb, and there deposited. Here the growth of the foetus or child commences, whilst at the same time there is formed, a bag or covering for the whole, ailed the membranes, which lines the womb. At the same time, there is a fleshy substance formed, which very much resembles the liver; this substance is called the after-birth, and by physicians the placenta. This fleshy substance, called the after-birth, receives and prepares the blood, which is supplied by the womb for the child From this after-birth to the navel of the child, there is a small cord or tube called the navel cord, or umbilical cord. This tube admits the circulation of the blood between the mother and the child. There is also a fluid. known by the name of the waters, in which the fauus or child moves and increases in growth. You will now readily perceive, that the womb contains when pregnant, the child, the waters in which it moves, the membranes which support it, the navel-cord. 496 and the after-birth. From eight to ten days after the Win has conceived, the first formations of the child If be distinguished ; it is, however, so extremely delicate M t0 require the most minute attention to discover I with the naked eye. The face and form of the large feaftl, areas yet not sufficiently plain to be distinguished; you can merely discover the formation of the head and rank— the trunk being the longest and most delicate — he whole resembling a bit of jelly of an oblong figure. I'ou will perceive by close examination the resemblance )f i small feather, which comes from the navel, and i in the membrane by which the womb is enclosed. This tine feathery fibre, afterwards the navel cord con- Xi the young with the after-birth. In about three weeks after conception, the formation of he infant may be plainly distinguished, because by this ime the head and features of the face begin to assume oinething of a strong outline ; in other words, they bein to show the realities of what they arc. The arms nd legs are next seen to project from the body ; two lack specks represent the eyes — and two extremely mall holes make the places of the ears. The ribs on acii side are about the size of common threads; and the ngers and toes about the same magnitude. The arms uv something longer than the legs, in consequence of io growth being more rapid. In aboutone month after conception, the fetus or child ? about one inch in length ; and it now takes a bending osture in the middle of the water or liquor I have decnbed to you. About this time the membranes, some-11l called the bag or covering, become enlarged, and N thicker and stronger, and the whole mass together — about an inch in length, and nearly the shape of an In about six weeks the motion of the heart of the child •y be perceived. In fact, in surgical operations which have seen performed, where the child was taken from >c womb, the heart was seen to beat for a considerable !n gth of time. 61 497 Jn three months, the child is three inches in Imf and its weight is from two to three ounces. WomeiTac sert that they have felt the motion of the child ifo this time — but I would suppose it doubtful at tfauen period. In about fourteen weeks, the head of the chj is bent forward, and the chin rests on the breast: die knees are lifted up; the legs bent back on the tlujjn and both the hands lifted up towards the face. In the lapse of time, the child acquires more strength and is constantly changing its posture; but the heading commonly inclines downward. JVear the fifth mom!] the mother enn distinctly feel the motion of the child which is called quickening, and which is often ictta panted with sickness at the stomach, and vomiting, parti cularly in the morning. When this quickening is ft It. i is a very certain symptom of pregnancy. About the timi of this quickening, the womb seems as if it were loose ii the lower part of the belly. As long as the womb is de tainedin the pelvis or basin, you can, by introduchntlK ringer up the birth-place, the woman being in astandi position, distinctly feel the mouth of the woml>, which i lower down than in the natural andtmimpregnifedattl This is occasioned by the weight of the womb and il contents, continually and gradually bearing downward Thus the mouth of the womb can be felt, after the wo man has become with child, for several works, ami at fords another evidence of pregnancy. After this time the wound begins considerably to in crease in size, and ascend gradually up into the abdo men or belly, growing at last so large that it remain mostly above the bones of the pelvis or basin, and |* tially rests on them. lii the beginning of the fifth month, the belly become hard, and the navel of the mother is perfectly even an smooth. From this onward the woman increases 1 size ; pregnancy being now evident, a further descriptio of its progress would be unnecessary. In nine niontbs.o in about forty-two weeks from the stoppage of the men* or courses, the child is prepared for its entrance into In and nature prepares herself for a delivery of her burth 498 cii. by a contraction of the fibres of the womb, which an 1 no longer able to bear the irritation. Here como#et the pain of labor, in other words, restless and llu >asv sensations, pain in the small of the back, fireu-nt -nt desire to make water, accompanied with bearing jowiiwards, particularly at the bottom of the belly; connaiii desire to go to stool, perhaps without being able to many thing; costiveness, with a small discharge of pcuf or slime from the birth place, *fee. Slc. 1 have mentioned to you, the waters in which the child novcs, and changes its position. As to the quantity of me waters at the birth of the child, it varies, very umli in diflerent women. In some I have seen not more lian a There is, however, no certain sign of prcgiincv, but the motions of the child felt by the mother; 4 iill tho symptoms I have mentioned, although suf\cicnt t cicn to induce the belief of pregnancy, may be decepive. For instance, the menses or courses may stop, and I may be produced by cold, or some cause other than — therefore, until about the third or fourth oath, doubts may exist as to the actual situation of the I have mentioned, that after conception, and before the womb began to raise above the pelvis or basin, by introducing the finger up the birth place, the mouth of liie womb might be plainly felt. This is the fact, and iht reasons are obvious. The increasing weight of the womb, at this period, lowers its mouth in the vagina or birth-place, so that it can be easily touched with the iiner; and an experienced physician or midwife, by such in examination, could easily tell whether the woman was with child or not. The indications, however, are more thinly felt in a young married woman, than in one who H borne children. In making this examination, the room should always be in a standing posture, leaning on (he shoulder of the operator, so as to relax the parts is much as possible. In women who have borne children, or suffered injuries from child birth, the mouth of liie womb is very apt to protrude downward through the •irih-place, and is called falling down of the womb. This is caused by the ignorance and stupidity of common widwives, from pulling the after birth away, and producing this descent of the mouth of the wound. You will be made fully acquainted with this falling of the wound in the proper place. CAUTIONS DURING PREGNANCY When the woman discovers her change of situation, °r in other words, that she is with child, she is to attend 10 her bowels particularly, so that they may not become costive or bound up. She must steadily bear in that more than half of the diseases which arise (lu riljl | pregnancy, are more or less occasioned by neglect 2 keep the bowels regular. If you cannot have a>; daily, take a clyster of simple milk and water; there i no indelicacy in this matter. There are instruineiiN called self pipes, which you can use yourself, ami then ought to be one of these in every family. For a dttcrip> tion how to prepare and administer clysters, read umhr that head. I have known many women, who, by in. glecting their bowels during pregnancy, were compelled to submit to having the hard excrement removed lrom the fundament before a passage could be obtained. Tins is certainly more indelicate, than using a clyster pj^ and merely throwing up a clyster of milk and water, and I do assert, that if these clyster pipes were more used a the United Statos, both by women and men, there would be many constitutions saved, and very many 6mm and sufferings avoided. Is it not reasonable to presume, that more danger is done to the stonuich, by eternity keeping it loaded with drastic purgative medicines, ilian would be done to the system by the simple use of the Women, during pregnancy, may be said to labor under constant irritation, however delicate their constitutions ; and therefore clysters not only afford an easy and pleasant passage or stool, but cool the bowels, and allay the irritation of the whole system. The tepid bath ought to be used during pregnancy. It will entirely sooth, not only the bodily irritation, but also tranquilize the mind and feelings. You will recollect, that the water of this bath is to be but pleasantly warm, because hot water has been known to produce abortion, which means lottttj the child. The bathing I recommend, will have andfeet to preserve and equalize the healthy action of the womb, and all the parts connected with it. Particular attention should be paid to the diet or food, let it be simple and plain, and of such a quality as agrees with you. If you will but attend to these instructions, I may assure you that you will pass through this period, not only with 502 Ijta but with great comfort, and product in due time, lotonlya healthy, but a vigorous offspring. By all means, banish gloomy and depressing fears; lOT listen tor a moment to the idle tales of misfortunes vhieli are said to have happened to others; all these alis arc without a shadow of truth. Think of the count(,>;md ,>;md Innumerable millions, who have passed through jusc feelings and trials without the slightest accident. Hurt fore, place full and implicit confidence in the beerolerice, wisdom and mercy, of that (rod the Great ilher of the Universe, who rules and governs all hunn destinies! — Be cheerful, collected and serene, for ii multiplying and replenishing the earth, you arc fuIHIIwi an imperious command of an Almighty power, in ivhu'.i he will never desert you. DISEASES OF PREGNANCY. The many diseases to which women are generally ¦ble during pregnancy, mostly arise from the causes 1 §T6 already enumerated, such as costivcness, improper diound so on. The womb at this period is extremely [rritiibk 1 , and always sympathizes with the other parts of be system, and particularly with the stomach and head. •oino women suffer a great deal during pregnancy, and ttben very slightly. The fact is, that the mind, the pasiimis, and even the feelings of women, sometimes partici * wt, 1 strongly with the physical system during pregnancy; not only leaving powerful impressions on the foetus or Hiild itself, but exercising a strong influence on the very product of the woman herself! 1 hardly need instance tuch matters as longing for particular articles of food, or the vast and countless variety of whims, caprices, sympathies, antipathies, and so on, which beset some pregnant women ; nor need I point out to the reader, the abortive proportions of birth, and the varieties of injury sometimes sustained by the child, through the mind, imagination and feelings of the mother. Pregnancy also, and not unfrequently, exercises a moral influence. 503 504 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. SICKNESS OF THE STOMACH This is common in the commencement of pregnancy particularly with the first child: it generally lasts qmj the quickening sensation is felt, and no longer. If t| le vomiting or puking is not severe, it will do no injury; bui if it should continue, or become severe, which is >oi lle . times the case, you will find relief in the following treatment. Treatment. — If the habit of body be full, that ¦ strong and fleshy, the loss of some blood from the arm will be proper. But, if the woman should be weakly ami delicate, omit the bleeding, and use the following rest dies: of Columbo root and camomile flowers make a strong decoction of tea, to which you may add a little 1 ginger: let this tea get perfectly cold, and give three or four table-spoonsful occasionally. Or you may obtain the Columbo root in powder, and give fifteen or twenty grains, mixed with a few drops of peppermint, and ;i littie good old spirits of any kind ; or take an ounce of Columbo root, and bruise it with a hammer, then pour a pint of boiling water on it, and let it get cold. Take a wine-glassful of this decoction, with a few drops of peppermint in it, three or four times a-day, or when you feel this sickness of the stomach. This bitter is very serviceable in weak stomachs and laxative bowels.— Where the vomiting or puking is very severe, apply the stewed leaves of the garden mint to the pit of me stomach : the application must be warm, and it will stop the vomiting or puking without fail. Or purchase a box of soda powders, on which you will find directions, orif there are no directions, see the head soda powers. Give tfaei powders three or four times a-day. Ginger tea, and mint tea, are also good remedies. Or use elixir vitriol, in doses of ten or fifteen drops, three or four times a-day. in a glass of cool water. Should the vomiting be extremely severe, rub a little laudanum over the pit of the stomach : if this does not stop it, give ten or fifteen drops of laudanum, occassionally, in a little mint or ginger tea. — In very stubborn cases of vomiting, the follown,» THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 505 ,» will always give relief: — mix in a phial, equal quanj,* s of compound spirit of lavender, Laudanum, and writs oi' hartshorn: of this mixture, give a tea-spoonful , | little cold water, three or four times a-day, or as ¦ jickncss and vomiting may take place. COLIC. This is a common complaint during pregnancy; and us ¦ the reason why I have cautioned you so particurly respecting your diet or food, and hy all means to roiil cost iveness or in other words, permitting yourself bo too long a time without having a stool. The bowels, iring the time you are with child, will always be much ibjeet to flatulence or wind, which is called in the couny windy colic. Treatment. — Bathe the belly with warm water, or t in a tub in which there is warm water, and take a tae-spoonful of castor-oil. Or you may apply to your plly warm salt: or you may apply cloths wrung out of arm water to the belly, and throw up the fundament, iththe clyster pipe, the following injection: make a nf or quart of thin gruel ; strain it clean, and put into a table-spoonful of hog's lard or less ; let it stand unit becomes milk warm, and take it as a clyster: — see elieadclystering. ADI IN THE HEAD AND DROWSINESS. When there is pain in the head, or a heavy dull drow- M is felt, it is apt to arise from the blood vessels beg 'oo full. This is generally the case with fleshy, strong, 'aitliy young women. In delicate and weakly women, mm the head and drowsiness are sometimes felt, but 9 generally arise from an opposite cause, from a want due circulation of the blood, which induces debility weakness. Treatment. — If the woman is fleshy and strong, and thus afflicted, draw blood from the arm, and give a of laxative medicine, such as epsom salts, castor 62 506 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. oil, &c. But, if on the contrary, she be delicate an weakly, bleeding in any way would be highly Wfm She is to take moderate exercise on horseback, attendthe state of her stomach, and also to her food ; use fa ly the tepid bath — see that head — take very gentle ii« dicines, or a clyster to keep her bowels regular if bom, bathe her forehead and temples frequently with spin in which camphor has been dissolved ; and take occas onally through the day, a glass of real good wine, i some toddy made with any kind of spirits. IfthttH or heaviness of the head still remains, after the m means have been resorted to, it may arise from thosioi ach — if so, the Columbo root, as already descrihed.w be found of great benefit. HEART -BURN. Tins complaint generally arises from acid on the i mach, and very few women escape it during pregnanc If the heart-burn is attended with a constant htwfcj up of tough phlegm, the stomach should be cleansed «i a gentle emetic or puke, of fifteen or twenty grains ipecacuanha. But, if the heart-burn is accompanied ni a sour taste in the mouth, or a belching up of sour w ter, it will be relieved by the use of very weak lime-w ter, or a tea-spoonful of magnesia in a cup of cold vat This last, or either of them, may be taken whenev these acid tastes take place. The magnesia is goner ly preferred in lumps, and may be eaten in modal quantities, being perfectly innocent. When a consider ble lump is used, it will act as a mild purgative. By a ding a little rhubarb to the magnesia, it is an excell< purgative for women in a pregnant state. — As both ai cles are quite innocent, they may always be used, wli found necessary for opening the bowels. SWELLED LEGS. This swelling is produced by the wound, which is< larged during pregnancy; the weight of the womb pro L. on the vessels which return the fluids from the lower En of the body. When the woman is far advanced, BB M < swellings frequently give much pain; there is, However, no danger; nor should they give any distress lo the afflicted woman. These swellings are very apt to Hoott' if she will take rest on a bed, bathe her feet at Hj(rjit in strong salt and water, and steam herself over Kiillein, on which boiling water has been poured. As m<. in a recumbent or lying posture, lessens very much Ij swellings, it would be advisable for the woman to re- Hi;im as quiet as possible, and loose a little blood from Hir arm occasionally. Attention to these things, with a Btle cooling medicine, such as epsom salts, or a little Bream of tartar, will nearly always allay these swellings I CRAMP. I Cramp generally comes on about the fourth month ¦after pregnancy, and is often very troublesome at night, ¦while the woman is in bed. Its attacks are generally ¦in the legs and thighs, but sometimes in the bottom of the Whelk and hips. Those women who have never before ¦been subject to cramp, are very apt to have attacks of lit during the last stages of pregnancy. I Treatment. — When the cramp is frequent and se¦vere, the loss of a little blood would be proper. Cramp ¦sometimes arises from costiveness or constipation of the ¦bowels; when this is the case, give a clyster or a I cooling purge, such as epsom sails. Standing a few mi- Imitcson a cold hearth with the feet bare, is a simple I remedy, and will always give relief. I have known a I small garter or belt, in which was confined some pounded brimstone or flour of sulphur, relieve several ladies who I were much subject to cramp. Sponge the parts cramped with a towel wet with cold water, or slap the parts with 507 508 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. CONSTANT DESIRE TO MAKE WATER. The constant desire to make water, or pass of urine, is occasioned by the weight of the womb con stantly pressing on the neck of the bladder. Wfceaeq this desire becomes troublesome, rest as quietly on yon bed as possible, taking at the same time a cooling mm If convenient, and whether so or not, the Me of I warm tepid bath will be very beneficial ; by which mean that the whole body is to be placed in water aboc milk warm; if this be impracticable, for want ofavej sel large enough, you may sit-once a day in a tub of waie of this warmth. The fact is, that by bathing occasioi ally in water milk warm, during any stage of pregnanrj much benefit will always be derived. STOPPAGE OF URINE. This is called suppression of urine by physicians, an means when the water is stopped from flowing from th bladder, at those periods when nature requires the ova cuation. When this stoppage takes place, the biadde becomes distended or swelled with the water, and is als severely painful. Relief must now immediately be ha< by applying to the lowest part of the belly cloths wrun out of warm water, and taking a clyster of warn mil and water — (see the head Clystering\) Clystering is c* tremely beneficial in this, and all similar cases, and H t should early be taught to know, not only that ther indelicacy in the operation, but that in all wan .tes, it is absolutely essential to most women in of pregnancy. All the lying-in hospitals of Eii are amply furnished with the apparatus for clyster ing ; but in the western country of America, when 1 tin 1 ' is certainly as much general intelligence as in any pai of the world, it seems that you might as well desire! lady to swallow an elephant, as to take a clyster instoai of a purgative medicine. This is all false modesty: ill women of all countries ought to know, that the nici 509 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. simply their diseases are treated, and the more accordjiiiblv be procured. If the blood should continue to f in any considerable quantity, a soft piece of cloth gill to be introduced up the birth-place, also wet with jii water. These cold applications, however, ought it to be continued so long as to produce a chill; but ule they are continued, they ought to be occasionally d often renewed. A clyster of cold water, occasionr thrown up the fundament, will also be very effective slopping this flooding. If the abore remedies should fail, which is sometimes ecase, give the patient a bolus of three grains of kino id three of allum, made with a little conserve of roses; ipor sponge the small of the back with a towel dipped cold water, or salt and water, or water and vinegar; this should not stop the flooding, repeat the bolus in If an horfr or less time, and use the cold towel freeutly. You may also put twenty or twenty-five grains sugar of lead in a quart of water, and when it is dished, you may throw about one-fourth of it up the wte, and with the residue, occasionally wash the birth ace. these measures will greatly assist the cure, and if Many, they may be repeated two or three times. The st remedies mentioned, are generally attended with refj but there is always considerable danger of the rem of the flooding; therefore, it is very immaterial how ell the patient may feel after relief, she must continue bed three or four weeks, and be kept cool and quiet, ways ready for the application of cold wet cloths to the %, and up the birth-place: her situation will still be "igerous for that length of time, and without this cauli and circumspect conduct, she may still be lost 'thout three hours warning of her fate. If, however, ' remedies should fail to stop the flooding, and to W«ofl its reaching the stage in which the woman inltably perish, an abortion must be resorted to, as the ")' possible means of saving her life. «s 514 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, ABORTION, ¦ And the means to be observed in preventing or I procuring it. I I intend by abortion, the expulsion of the I'm- ,1 child, at such an early period of pregnancy, ihaufl cliild is either dead when it is brought forth, or die* soM afterwards. Whilst speaking of flooding, many of tl symptoms and circumstances attending lniscarria^ I abortion, are named ; but there are several others w\ I precede and cause abortion, which must be particutaß mentioned. They are the following, and are akav>iiH exercise; violent and sudden exertions of strength: >uB den and agitating frights; fits of excessive and violel passion; excess of venery, by which I mean too frl quent sexual communication with the male; a morbid m diseased state of the womb; external injuries of all dfl scriptions which affect the ganerative organs, and urnfl ral and excessive debility or weakness of the whole syß tern. I say nothing of those means of procuring abofl tion which are sometimes used by pregnant women. witß the intention of relieving themselves of their charge-1 these are matters to be referred to the lofty and unerriil tribunal of God himself; they are accounts between sucl women and their Makek. I Generally speaking, before abortion conies on, tliei will be some slight pains felt about the lower part ot ill belly, and also in and about the loins; there will be! looseness and flabbiness about the breast, and some gel eral sensations of shuddering and coldness; and in^l men of full, strong and muscular habits of body, tluil will nearly always be some considerable degree of W Next to these symptoms, slight discharges of Mood v| take place from the womb; and these discharges vij continue to increase, perhaps occasionally stopping I short time, until they amount to absolute flooding,™] I have particularly described. When these dischar?^ ¦urn. after they have become copious and debilitating, ¦ van' always attended with a sense of dead weight, X: i hetvy bearing down about the womb, great aick* By of tlw stomach, and sometimes frequent fain-tings. B^ are self-evident indications of immediate miscar- HiTf or abortion, which soon takes place, and is always ¦lowed by profuse bleeding, which soon, however, sub¦.. Alter the expulsion of the contents of the womb, B| the bleeding has gone oflj there is a serous dr waft discharge mixed with a little blood; but this is a But of no consequence. ¦l'liis is an abortion according to the dictates and ope¦lolls of nature herself! It may sometimes, however, Buoided, by observing the following simple treatment: B the occurrence of the first symj)toms of abortion, ¦ woman must be placed in bed, and kept cool and Bit! until the matter be decided. If she is of a full and Bong habit of body, she must be bled. Every thing of Beating, irritating and stimulating nature, either as food I drink, must be entirely avoided. Nothing but cold Bter or very weak tea is to be drunk by the patient. — Be bowels maybe opened, if 'costive, and kept open, B merely injecting up them some milk-warni water. The ¦itation of the womb is to be lessened immediately, and ¦ much as possible; to effect the lessening or reduction I ibJi irritation, the woman ought to be placed in a tub ¦ warm water, and when taken out, to have large quan¦b of sweet oil rubbed about her back, loins, belly and ¦tiist. If these means fail in preventing the abortion, •lure will effect the expulsion of the child, in the inanm I have just described. She may, however, be assistmin her exertions by the following means: The woman Ito keep quiet, and treated as in common labor; after pich, cloths wet with cold water must be applied to the Pb\ t0 aid in the contraction of the womb, after the explsion of its contents. IV| hen abortion is to be brought on, in order to stop |"ius,' and dangeroui flooding, it is to be done in the 81l * ¦•'owing simple and easy manner. I will here adopt if language of Doctor Bard, with some observations. 515 516 'ill E 1: A!»IIIj ¦ FHiSlvlAlfi "The woman is to be brought down to the edge of bed, either lying on her side, with a pillow or two be tween her thighs, which are to be drawn vp — or tykt% her back, with her hips a little raised, and her Veet ng the lap of an assistant on each side. The operator nu],-sit on a low seat immediately before her: whilst a double sheet thrown over her body and that of the physician | midwife, must protect her from cold, and form adiceni coveri^. The hand of the operator, well robbed win good oil or hog's lard, with the fingers collected into 3 point, must then be slowly introduced through the birth place to the mouth of the womb, which will Bometnn make considerable resistance against attempts to opet it. This resistance must be overcome, by cautious, gen tie and patient efforts. When the mouth of the womb begins to dilate or widen with the efforts of the operator one of the fingers must be introduced into it, then anoili er, and so on, until by patient and gentle attempts, itad mits the hand. The efforts to dilate and widen the moiiili of the wornb — and you must remember this particularly — are always to be suspended or stopped, whenever ilif pains come on, and whilst they are on. In other words whenever the pains cease, you are to proceed in pin efforts to widen gently the month of the womb. Whfl the hand passes into the womb, it is to be opened and laid flat; this will prevent a contraction on the bMckfaq which might rupture the neck of the womb, and do much injury. The mouth of the womb being sufficiently widened, if the hand can then be easily passed over the (¦! of the contents, called by physicians the placenta, or I ter-birth, which is separated from the womb, until n fingers reach the membranes, this is to be done; aix breaking the membranes, it is to be immediately pa* into the womb. But if you cannot readily pass the separated portion of the placenta, and the flooding b< great, you are to pass through it, which is less dangerous than to separate a larger portion, by passing ihe W between it and the womb. — The hand being now in to womb, the neck will generally cling so close to the wrisj as to prevent the escape of much water, and you will ml room to net with freedom. Here you are to dclibrato.and to refresh the woman with some proper drink. ou ought now to get at the feet of the child, by all raciicable and gentle means. You are to recollect, that ie most natural presentation is the most common ; and ithat case, the child's head is at the brim of the pelvis r basin, with the face and belly to the back of the mour, the knees bent to its breast, and the feet towards the pper part of the womb. As, therefore, the clnra must I ultimately turned, this is the best time to keep the end and shoulders up towards the fundus, and to turn leiiicc of the child to the back of the mother, which is lost easily done within the membranes; by this movenut, the feet of the child will be brought within reach f the hand, and having secured them, they may be asily brought by a waving motion, into the vagina or linii-place. You are always to remember, that you are [i pause whenever a pain comes on. Next you are to bring Unihe hips and body of the child; and if it be neccsary. to turn the child gently, so that when it is delivered oilio arm-pits, the belly of the child shall be turned to ho back of the mother, which is the position in which harms and head can be most easily delivered. Now, ir before this time, examine the navel string, and occaionally pull it down a little, so as to prevent its being iretelied. If the pulsation has ceased in the cord, or if he woman floods freely, either the child or the mother liny be lost by delay ; and you are to finish the delivery s soon as you prudently can, in doing which you are to emembor that gentleness, caution and dexterity are to be i>ed in preference to force. There are few conditions more truly dangerous and ilarming. than flooding to any excess, towards the expiation of the natural term of pregnancy ; and I thereore strongly and emphatically advise, that in all such ;ases,; a$es, where an experienced and skilful physician can >ossih|y be had, he be immediately sent for — and espe¦lly where a (breed abortion is essential to the preser- Mion of the life of the woman. Such cases always reire skill, judgment, promptness of conduct, and dcci- 517 518 THE I'A MIIA x lIYssICIA^. sion of resolution; lie must therefore be a man whocti decide coolly, and act with firmness and caution. After the delivery, or rather the abortion has been produced, the womb may be assisted in its contraction, and tlu Hooding retarded and stopped by the means I ha?e al- E noticed so plainly; in addition to which, the rest I woman will be promoted, and her recovery much icd, by small or weak anodynes, in some cordial or julep, silHi as spirituous cinnamon water, or a little good weak toddy with nutmeg. These are the remedies fin) called for, and they are to be succeeded by small portions of nourishing diet, repeated with caution whenever called (or, and by strengthening articles, such as tonics in which Peruvian bark has been infused, and port wise, in which cinnamon bark has been infused. LABOR. The commencement of labor means, the time the woman begins to be delivered of her child. She is it ways warned of the approach of her time, by pains which are called labor pains. They are produced by contraction or drawing up of the womb, which at the commencement expels or forces out a slimy matter, generally colored with blood, which is called the shew. As soon as this matter is discharged, the mouth of the womb, Itach pain, begins to open and widen itself, soas to mit the contents of the womb to pass. You will rolect, that 1 have before informed you what the womb ?recnancy contains. These pains increase gradually, belly diminishes in size, and the womb seems to sink. ipproach nearer to the birth-place. — The pains are at first quite short, and only come on after considerable intervals: the woman is now restless, first hot and thai cold, and not unfrequcntly sick at the stomach. She i» also often griped, and frequently belches wind, or parses it oil' backward, which should never be restrained from false delicacy. These pains now fly quickly to the back, and then again to the bottom of the belly. lL> woman has now a great desire to urinate, or muko wawr frequently, and to go to stool. These inclinations are always to be attended to, because emptying the bladder, ux) eyacaating tlie bowels frequently before actual child-birth comes on, are highly important, and ought Deter to be neglected. The pains having been sharp ami some time between them, she then begins to be imc;)<\ and fretful, and requests something to be given to her, to bring on the pains more rapidly. This is the precise point of time in which so many injuries are done, by ignorance and oiliciousness, in attempting to force nature into premature exertions, who if left alone a little while, would in almost all cases perform her office, according to the dictates of divine wisdom, and with safety both to the mother and child: for you may be assured that what you so much dread, is inteoded for your eventual benefit, by permitting the womb gradually to distend or open, with perfect safety to the pirts, and in order that you may be blessed with an easy bind, and a living and uninjured offspring. You will always know the pains I now speak ofj by an irresistible desire to catch hold of every thing within your reach, such as the bedstead, a chair, and so on. These pains, M 1 have already told you, arise from the constant cfforis of nature to open the mouth of the womb, and they most and will continue, until she accomplishes her end. When this is the case, and the mouth of the womb is mfficientJy widened, nature will immediately commence lier efficient and powerful operations, to press down the infant, so as to empty the womb. You will immediately know this change, by a pressing down pain, if I may bo allowed the expression, which gradually increases to a strong sensation of bearing down. Although these forcing pains are powerful and strong, yet the woman will bear them with more apparent ease and fortitude, ton those which were felt in the first stage of labor. Auhis time, the membranous bag which contains the foW and the waters which surround it, and which I we before described to you, is pushed out of the womb In degrees at every pain. The distance which this bag extends out, varies in size in different women ; sometimes 519 it is very small , and sometimes of considerably fan & mensions. It continues gradually to force open, and widen the mouth of the womb, until it opens the | )!rL , sulliciently to permit the head of the child to pass. You will now perceive, that by these gradual exertions of nature, to arrange and prepare all things properly, (fag delicate parts, which by sudden and powerful exertion? would have been seriously injured, are now sufficient!) enlarged to permit the birth of your infant without b» ry. And you will also discover, by what I have disci) sed to you, that if nature is hurried by an imprudui; physician or midwife, by forcing the child away bell ire the parts are sufficiently widened, great and signal b» riesmustbe the consequences, both to the mother in As soon as the parts are sulliciently prepared lor the birth of the child, this membranous bag bursts open, aikl the waters are discharged; sometimes, however, dm events take place at an early stage of the labor. When this is the case, the labor is never so easy as under i!i-er circumstances. The quantity and quality of this water, differ in different women, as I have before ml you. — When these waters then, burst forth in propel time, which I have pointed out, the bearing down pai continues, and the child gradually enters into the world As soon as the child's ht;ad passes, the woman's lvl/tl i xery great, and a little rest ought to be allowed her: yoi are by no means to pull the body out by force, lor b\ >o doing, you will produce great injury to the soft \>urts and at the same time render it very difficult to debw the woman of the after-birth. I must here remark emphatically, that this is anotlie stage of labor, at which thousands of women arc injure materially and fatally, by the hurry and olHciousness I midwives in hastily forcing the birth. Give time, aw will ensure that nature will exercise sufficient power expel the child in her own time. The body of the clitit is not to be pulled aud forced outward ; let it aloneconverse with the sufferer, and cheer her spirits, w tell her that from the time the child's head makes its ap 520 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 521 pgyanoe, s!ie is not to force and boar down. Tell her fi i; ,( |,v so doing, she will force the child forward, before Je parts aw ready; and that the consequence may be, jbetetringor rupturing the perineum. This is the part Uweetl the fundament and the birth-place. Tell lier Ml wch injury would leave her in a wretched condition |or life, and must be avoided by all means. It is the duly of the midwife or physician, as the child's head passes, lo keep one hand pressed firmly yet cautiously against jit> perineum, which must of course, from distention or (retching, be very thin and easily torn; and at the same lino gently press so as to incline the head of the child praid toward the pubef. When the woman has rested, and the pains again come I, the hand must again be pressed against the perineum lith steadiness and care, until the shoulders and hips if the child pass, at the same time gently supporting the fcild. and delivery is over so far. The child being now born, you are to permit it to lie tili a few minutes, without being molested. Give it fresh ir. and time to breathe, and the pulsation in the navelord will begin to diminish. This pulsation, by all Mm, should be suffered to subside, before you separate lie child from the mother. You will then, with a wax- I thread, or a small string, make a moderately firm tie bout the navel-cord, about three inches from the navel ilthe child j then make another tie, about three inches iirther from the child, on the navel-cord, and cut the tod asunder between the two ties, with a pair of scisiors or sharp knife. You are now to hold steadily, but by no means, as on value the life of the mother, to pull the navel-cord Wch lias been tied and cut off, because this cord is ataehcd to the after-birth, which is still in the body of the iiother, and is yet to be delivered. Permit me to cauion you, to implore you, to command you, not to pull iH.iv. by force, the after-birth; tor I do now know some >' we finest women in the United States, who are sutforng daily and hourly, and will continue to radar during '*ir lives, from officiously and imprudently forcing away 64 from thorn the after-birth, which nature herself w oii m have effected without risk or pain, had she been loft i her own exertions. By pulling away the after-birth be fore the proper time, and before naturo expels it bywL are called after-pains, the consequences will and n^ always be, Hooding, and great loss of blood; bec^ you force the separation, before you give time for | contraction of the blood vessels — in other words, btfa the mouths of the blood vessels have had time to close In fact, the exercise of common sense cannot fail to tear! you, that where the after-birth is yet connected *ji and strongly adheres to the womb, force will ihtn tear the womb from its connexions, and be product^ of unspeakable injuries. From this plain statement'! facts, and the reasoning I have employed, I am convnv ced you will exrecise due caution, in a matter of ¦ vast importance to the future health and safety of \k mother. According to the old usage and practice, the eUI would be immediately washed in warm water, and no unfrequently in spirits. Either of these plans of treatini the infant; in fact both of them are highly improper. am have been the causes of destroying thousands of eliil dren. Warm water or spirits, ought ne\ er to be mod ii this manner, unless the infant be born apparently dead in such a case, warm water, merely is proper to bo ap plied. For a further explanation of this important ma: ter, look under the head ''treatment of new-born inland The woman having rested for a short time, alter bl separation from the child in the manner I have dcM bed to you, the after-pains may be expected to come oi for the expulsion of the after-birth. These ptlM at produced by the contraction or drawing up of the womb to deliver or expel this after-birth ; they generally com on, in the lapse of from fifteen minutes to an hour, alte the child has been brought forth. You are now tori' member, that none but gentle and simple measure ar to be used, in order to produce the expulsion or dellW of the after-birth. You are now to rub the belly of t woman, and gently extend or pull the cord at the sani 522 H that she l)Iows with some force into the palms of trown hands; the policy of this blowing is obvious — it ill CBQ9G a gentle and natural bearing down, without which would arise from holding and forcing « breath. If the woman be healthy and Strong, if she a* lost no blood, and if she feels able, let her stand up, ml support herself on the shoulders of the operator or Indian, while he is endeavoring, by the means just united out, to relieve her of the after-birth. I have, mvever, often succeeded in delivering the after-birth, hen the womb would not contract, and when the woan was in a lying posture, by introducing the finger up ii' birth-place, and gently turning it around m the mouth ithfl womb; in this case, the sensation felt in the mouth the womb, will generally cause it to contract, and ex- I the contents. If all these means fail, and an hour passes without the pulsion of the after-birth, you arc to introduce your and with great caution, the parts being very sore, and ion your lingers inside and round the edge of the omb: at the same time that you feel cautiously, and owly separate, between the edges of the after-birth and ie womb, any parts which may adhere as the womb •dually closes. When the after-birth is expelled or ought away, and any great discharge of blood takes hoe. apply to the belly some cloths wet with cold wair.aiul put one up the birth-place, as directed in Hoodl The woman is then to be wiped, or very gently Ibbed dry, and suffered to rest quietly for several hours. I DIFFICULT LABOR. I Host cases of tedious labor, arise among women with ptir first child, with women who have married late in lit', and with those who are so healthy, robust, and corlulent, that the parts seem to relax so slowly, as hardly P permit the birth of the child. The loss of some blood pin the arm will be proper; and I have frequently, af¥* bleeding, put them in warm water; in doing this, lowever, you must be careful as to the child. I have 523 known instances, in which women have had their cful-J dren in the close-stool or pot, while in the act of enA ,' voring to urinate or Jiave a stool. r l he warm bathijJ bleedmg will relax the system, sufficiently in all pfojj bility for the child to he horn: but take care that tb 1 child is not injured by the water, while the womiQ i<]l the hath. When convulsions or fits take place during labor, m the woman has before complained of great pain j t , ,| le head and dimness with loss of sight, remember ihatra arc to bleed freely, and to open the bowels with clygten or some gentle laxative medicine. The most powerii means, and the best known, for relieving tedious or dn'ri cult labor is blood letting from the arm; and it sliuiilj always be done if the woman is strong, healthy, and of [ vigorous constitution. TWINS. What I have already said on the subject of labors re lates to cases in which nature presents the mother wid but one offspring from a pregnancy. You are \\d aware, however, that she sometimes presents I jiann with two children; and, in the western country, i! in mor speaks the truth, she in more than one iusianec.b not even stopped at this number. In about ninciv-iiin cases out of a hundred, the directions I have given \*ut which relate to the birth of one child, will be round m ficently ample and particular; but 1 must not omiu« instruct you also, as to cases of child-birth, in whuM more than one child is to be born. I It is not easy to ascertain, that there are twins. o| more than twins to be borne, until after the birth ot tiifl firsi child; and if there are three to be born, not uniiH after the birth of the second. Where twins arc to km produced, the membranes of both children may lie t'B at the birth-place, sometimes before the delivery ot onfl of them, but not often; and sometimes, but very schloinß it may be distinguished on examination, that difK'N-nB parts of both children present themselves!. Twin^M 524 ihvavs considerably smaller than single children, which eoeralty causes their birth to be more easy and rapid; , mi, die rapidity of a first birth, generally produces Lg lirst sucpicion that there are twins. Generally making', immediately alter the birth of the first child, itiher may ot3 lby very aeeurale pressure on the H |h ot' the mother. But it' the womb be very capaci* or large, rather than subject yourself to great unceraiiiiv. the hand may be very cautiously and gently intro|uml, and the child distinguished by the touch. Where ken are two twins, the second child is brought forth, Mihin about an hour of the first, and in a position directi contrary to the first; bo that when Ihehrstis present>J with the head foremost, the second may always be gpected with the breech or feet foremost. •The first child being delivered,*' says Doctor , •as prescribed in single cases, sometime must be allowed o recruit the woman's strength, and to afford nature iiue for bringing on the next delivery. There are cases n which it would be necessary to wait even three or inir hours. Ist. — When artificial aid was used in the intcasa 2d. — When the child presents unnaturally. Id— When tits of blooding come on. •When both children present naturally, and the labor f the first ends without aid, and without much liuiguo i) tht 1 patient, I wait for the secondary pains; but should Ikseuot come on in a reasonable time, four hours, 1 inroduce my hand cautiously, and rupture the membranes j ivnen. commonly, the second child passes readily rough the pelvis or basin. If the first labor has been laiural. and the second child presents in a wrong direction, I have generally, without delay, extracted it by the tW'i. If the first labor has been unnatural, with but little delay, the membranes are to be ruptured ; and, wheth- Pr the child should be brought down immediately, and delivered by the feet or not — the operating physician or udwife must decide. The rules applicable to twins, rill equally apply to cases where there are three or lore children." Where a woman has brought forth twins or more, 525 526 THIS FAMILY PHYSICIAN. great care and attention are necessary to prevent |] (r from fainting-. She should, therefore, not have her | |(;il | raised or elevated ; and even in moving, should htr< herself rolled over in the bed. A broad bandage round the belly, should never be omitted in the case of twins. ( 0 support the belly of the mother. The directions I|m already laid down, respecting the after-birth of wrt children, are fully and entirely applicable in the cumi twins, and more children even than two. DIRECTIONS FOR MID WIVES The following remarks are especially intended for & serious consideration and benefit of midwives; and ¦ deed of all such as are in the practice of officiating i the delivery of pregnant women. Regularly bred ia licensed physicians are always presumed to know thci duties, and to perform them with skill and judgment! this highly responsible department of their profossion.- The practice of midwifery, by those who are notrogu larly taught the medical profession, and who aro pic sinned to know little or nothing about the organizatia of the human system, implies the assumption of a m> awful and dangerous responsibility; especially when iti considered, that the fatal consequences, of ignorano and i)rcsumption, if combined with total disregard I moral feeling, duties, and principles, arc nearly I chargeable with criminality, as if they proceeded mM voluntary and intentional violations of the laws of Gd There is very little difference, in other words, betwM the disregard of those duties which are enjoyed by I laws of justice and humanity, and their palpable and M conditional violation. The directions which I shall lay down for your con siderate adoption, will be plain, simple, and natural: ill will be obscured by no technical language, and rendew unintelligible to you by none of the mysteries of ¦ medical profession; and if you scrupulously attend I them, they will enable you to be successful in iiinety-nini cases of midwifery out of a hundred, in which you ml I rugged. If you wish to bo esteemed groat anil skilj m your calling, and if you desire to be an instrument niho hands of divine providence, for affording consola-1011 and relief to your sex, in the hour of affliction, treageup the salutary advice, and never lose sight of it — Hiyoa are never to force nature; that you are to give or tinio to perform her operations; and, if you have v doubts as to the success of the delivery, you are to mi no risks, hut to call in the aid of a skilful and expeeoced physician. By attending to this course of conuct, you will relieve yourself of dangerous responsibility, discharge your duties to a fellow creature, and apear in the presence of your Creator, with the conscilsness of having acted in obedience to the most solemn [junctions of humanity. Ist. Immediately on your being called to deliver a wnan, your first inquiry of her should be, as to the late of her bowels, whether she has had a stool, and father she is bound or constipated in her bowels. I ceil not tell you, that the discharge of the bowels, and Iso of the urine or water from the bladder, are both Iportant and even necessary — first, in preventing injues to the jmrts, as the child enters the world — and seoiul. to render the labor and birth more easy and safe. on will, of course, therefore, strictly attend to these variations, and in proper time. 2d. You are now to ascertain and determine, wheicr actual labor has taken place or not; and, the only main and satisfactory signs of actual labor, are such s I have before minutely described to you. The mouth I the womb is to be felt, by introducing the finger with inch tenderness up the birth-place; and if you feel that dilates or opens, during the time that a pain takes lace, the woman is in actual labor. 3d. When examining, conduct the operation with aut'.on and tenderness ; and at the same time, take care > have your nails closely and smoothly pared, because our finger will feel the membranous hladder or bag ontaining the waters. If the labor be not much ad- 527 528 TTIK FAMILY mYSICIAIf. Tanced, you will only feel the mouth of the womb ami I its dilatation or opening at every pain. I lth. Place a pillow between the thighs of the woman.! so as to give sullicient room for the child to pass, ;ii| ( i| for its head to rest Upon as it enters into the world, I let the woman draw up her legs. I stb« As the head of the child advances, press \ -I right hand steadily and firmly against the part between! the fundament and birth-place, called by physician*! perineum, so as to give it support, and prevent its rnptnr*! ing or tearing; at the same time that you incline the! child's head to the tubes, which are the parts which hum the arch in front. If you will recollect, and if you do nut,B read the part over again. I have fully described and m-fl forced the necessity of your being extremely eanliilioH prevent injuries to the perineum; for by its being ruji-l tured or torn, which is sometimes the case from inraii>fl no means to strain, bear down, or force her pains, v I told you before, and gave you the reasons, she iiiafl blow strongly into the palms of her hands, but exercw impulsion or force no further. I 529 TIIK FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Bth. Thfi child being born, you have now nothing to ja for 8 few minutes, but to give it fresh air, and permit jj („ ciy. After it has had sufficient time to breathe freely, and the navel cord lias in some Measure ceased Id pulsation, the cord is to be tied about three inches gomthe navel of the child, and then again about an inch iada half from the first knot, and cut asunder between „ two ties, with a pair of scissors or any other sharp instrument. Hut I have told you this before. 9th, When the child is separated from the mother, no ire not to wash it, according to the old custom, this is a wrong and highly improper plan, and frequently produces serious injuries to the child, as you will be fully nfornted by reading under the head ''treatment of newborn infants," which you will find among the diseases of 10th. Now comes the period in which so many wonen are injured for life, by ignorance and imprudent haste. TiCt the woman rest a. short time, and await patiently the return of the pains which are to expel the afterbirth, which the womb will do by contraction. Your own good sense will teach you, that if you pull or force down the after-birth, you will also pull down the womb, or separate the after-birth before the womb has contracted, so as to stop the blood vessels from pouring out their contents. Now, if you do pull, after all the advice to the contrary I have given you, the consequence will be, that the woman will bleed to death. 1 have told you before, how to excite the womb to action, so as to bring on the pains for expelling the after-birth. You are to nib her belly; and if she is a strong woman, and feels ible, you may, by assistants, raise her up by supporting lior under the arms. She may then blow in her hands, a l>ng breath, for the reasons I have already given you. As soon as an after-pain comes on, the midwife is gently t( > stretch the cord, bin not to pull it or use any force. JSy demotion of the cord, or ils gentle extension, the afterbirth is very apt to come away. If you do not think proper to use these measures, you may turn the woman oy pr on her belly, and introduce your finger into the f.& mouth of the womb, with much care, the parts being p*. tre?nely sore; then turning the finger gently round fa mouth of the womb, as you would round the edge of| cup, the womb will contract; now gently streteli the cord, and you will extricate the after-birth, generalh speaking, with safety. An hour, an hour and a half, v two hours, may be allowed for the expulsion of the after- When it cannot be delivered, proper means are to be used for its expulsion, in other words, for its dbchant, These means are the following: — Let the midwife intro duce into the birth-place, her hand, with the fingers collected into a point, and made as small as possible. At the mouth or edge of the womb, let her open or < wtend her fingers, and rub them carefully round the edge.- These measures will cause the womb to contract; then, with the fingers gently introduced between the alterbirth and the womb itself, she must slowly separate them from each other, should they adhere or stick together. Recollect distinctly, that all this is to be done, while the contraction is going on. 11th. If the discharge of blood is great, after this operation, apply cloths wet with cold water to the lull) of the woman, as in flooding; and push up the birthplace gently, and not too far, a soft cloth also wet with cold water, as directed in flooding. 12th. When the woman is relieved of the after-birth let a wide bandage be placed round her, pleasuid] tight, and let her also be wiped dry. The clothes whid are wet, and those which were placed under her, art now to be removed, and she permitted to remain pef fectly quiet, and to take her repose. If she complains o faintness, or seems exhausted, give her some wine n water, or a little toddy on which some nutmeg has Md I have now given you a full description of what I ¦ tended, and I am persuaded in such plain terms, tha any woman of common sense can afford the requisites sistance in,common cases of labor. 530 DIRECTIONS AFTER LABOR. Arm labor, the more quiet the woman can be kept [ho better. The fact is, that she is to move or he moved, U little U possible, and to lie principally on her back. — Her nipple* are to be washed with milk-warm water, before the infant is put to the breast, which ought to be done within twelve hours after the birth. If the woman has lost considerable blood during the labor, the milk will be longer in flowing than otherwise. When this is the ease, apply bread and milk poultices warm over the nipples; these will soon cause the milk to discharge. You will frequently observe, in women who have had children, that their bellies protrude or stick out, as if they were always in a state of pregnancy. This is owing to Mglect and bad management. To avoid it, on the second day after child-birth, you are to apply round the whole belly, moderately tight, a broad bandage of cloth or flannel ; the last is the best, which is to be worn for at least one month. It is not to be too tight, but merely tight enough to support the parts pleasantly. This will prevent the woman, after having recovered from having l large and ill-shaped belly. You are now to bear in mind, and that too, particularly, the advice I am about to give you, especially if you value your health, and probably the preservation of your lite. On the second day after delivery, you are to take a dose of castor oil or epsom salts. More than twothirds of the women who have been afflicted with, and finally died of child-bed fever, have owed their fate to neglecting, after the birth of their infants, to attend to the evacuation of their bowels. If you do not like to take salts or castor oil, evacuate the bowels with clysters:—see the head clustering. The fact is, you are not to let twenty-four hours pass, after the birth of a child, without a passage or stool. The consequences of this neglect always are, that it is not only an injury to your- N{ but the child. When you have such passages as I have told you arc necessary, you are not to exert yourself by getting out of bed, but to have a basin or other 531 532 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. handy convenience placed under you; folding a blanks Re same time to prevent you from getting wet In way, without any danger or indelicacy, bare thea iges, from which you will receive much relief m and mind, and derive much benefit in your ncu You are every day, without fail, to have the birth-pan washed with milk-warm water and good clear nil This is to be done, by putting under the bed clothing,! basin of warm water, and having your hips and thin raised with a pillow or some bed clothes. — In thisaM tion, a common squirt made of elder or cane majrkj used, or a female syringe, which can he procured itaa doctor's shop in the country. Kvery day warm wm is to be thrown up the birth-place, so as to ckanttij parts; and to remove any clots of blood or matter, d led by physicians thclochia, which by remaining won produce irritation and fever. If you wish to escape child bed fever, and the whole train of afflictions incidents thereto, you are particularly to attend to thesedinvtions In two or three days after delivery, for a short dm you may sit up in the bed, supported with a chair ritvmu back, covered with pillows; this will assist the n;imr;i discharges from the birth-place. You are not to stain up before the sixth day; and in making any change, yol are to do it very gradually. You are to be kepi neithl too warm nor too cool ; the air of the room is to be kip pleasant and agreeable ; and you are never to be export to a current of air. Two weeks after delivery, is dud the general time of leaving your room; thisbowen will depend on your situation; caution must always m used in the change, so as to bring it on gradually. Mid den changes are always dangerous, to women immeiiia tely after delivery, and indeed until after they are col pletely restored. From the moment the woman is delivered wDJ child, the whole system becomes inclined to fever, m particularly for three or four days after delivery. *^ own good sense will now teach you, that the practice j giving in such cases spirituous liquors, highly *aiop 533 food. beating mm * lilts « an( l Btrengtheiiing medicines, is dinpctly contrary to what ought to be done; giving such matters us I have just named, keeping the woman in ;i constant sweat, and closing the room sous to confine all [the t'oul air around her, are the very means of bringing ()1 i the fever which you ought to endeavor to escape. Therefore, let mo tell you, in as plain and emphatic lanmage as 1 can find, that whatever adds to the heat of .n ( > woman's body, or to the febrile or feverish action of ilic system, will always encourage the coming on of fever, or increase it if it hits come on. On the contrary, light tooling diet mast be used; the woman must neither be ¦bjecttd to extremes of heat or cold; her clothing and lur bed-chamber must be so attended to, as neither to oppress her with coldness nor heat; attention to these things, in ten days or two weeks; alter she has had her child, will so exempt her from lever, that in a little time her health will be fully established. LOG HI A. This word is derived from the Greek. It means to bring forth, and also, die cleanings, by which are intended lure, the serous or watery, and often green-colored discharges, that take place from the womb and birthplace, during the first three or lour days after delivery, men they generally subside. During the first four days, •CM discharges are apt to change their color, and frequently to become offensive, unless due caution and cleanliness have been observed. It' they are profuse or great, and there is considerable weakness, cloths wet with cold water must be applied to W belly. There must also be cold water thrown up Ike birth-place, and also a clyster of cold water taken, at the same time that some laxative medicine is taken to WO the bowels; as these, however, are necessary discharges, they are not to be too suddenly checked, unless tlioy seem to be going on to a dangerous extent. ' 'n the contrary, if they should stop too suddenly, they pst be immediately brought on again, by a course of 534 THJS FAMILY PHYSICIAN. treatment directly opposite to that I hare just laid fa Applications of a warm naturo must ho made to belly; and clysters of milk-warm water, instead of c ones, must he given — see the head clysterinjj. shu,,' the woman be feverish, or of a fat and full habit of b« the loss of a little blood will be proper. PAINTINGS. If the woman should faint after the delivery of | child, ascertain immediately if there is a flooding, Should this be the case, use the coldest application, directed under the head flooding. On examimtt should there be no flooding, give her wine, or sum toddy, or some spirit and water, and draw the baadi tight, for an hour or too, round her belly. If her let! an legs are cold, apply hot bricks, or other warm inatona to them. CHILLS. When the woman complains of cold after her do very, or that cold chills are stealing over her, which sometimes the case, make warm applications to Ik belly, feet, and legs, and give her nothing but war balm or sage tea to drink. If the shake is very wre let the person round the bed, grasp with both hands 1) thighs and legs, and hold them firmly but tenderly un the shivering subsides. Recollect, now, that you are give no heating spirits at this time, or you will certain produce a fever. Should the chills continue, you an have recourse to laudanum or opium — see table ofdol These last articles are not, however, to be given, unit the chills continue, or are very severe. AFTER PAINS. These pains arc brought on by the contraction ot I womb, in the exertions of expelling the clots of blood an secretions, which arc contained in the womb after it j r[ |]. When not very severe, you are to let them alone ; g jf too excruciating and severe, you will generally reno them, by applying cloths wrung out of warm water iilu> back and belly. If the pains continue to be seue, tlirovv a clyster up the bowels or fundament, made fihin gruel, milk-warm, in which pat .1 tea-spoonful of iiiilaiiuin — see the head clystering. I N F L A 31 M A T IONS. Paoi difKcult or tedious labor, the parts frequently come inflamed and swelled; and sometimes there are entities of blood, which form a substance in the mouth [the birth-place, which I believe lias no name. Aloiigh there is no danger in this matter, yet it frequent* produces great pain and uneasiness. These inllamma-111s are to be relieved by cold applications, such as ild poultices of light bread and milk; bathing the parts nil. and throwing up injections of cold water; or by iking use of the following preparation: — In a pint of Id water, put a tea-spoonful of sugar of lead, and bathe B parts with the mixture. Or you may rub them well tb sweet oil, keep them cool, and daily cleanse them iih cold water. It' the belly feels very sore on being pressed, bathe it ion with warm water ; or apply cloths to it wrung out warm water, and rub the belly well with the follow* liniment Get equal quantities of spirits of hartsn and sweet oil; mix them well together, and :ui> 0 belly two or three times a-day with tins mixture. — t with warm bathing, as just directed, will give imediatc relief. 1 INFLAMMATION OF THE BREASTS. fins disease generally arises from want of care, after liTeryj by which want of carol mean, that proper atution has not been paid to your system, in order to prepl fever, which is always produced from eating or '"king stimulating articles too freely, and before the 535 536 milk has had time to secrete freely. This effort is al<.J produced, by permitting the breasts to remain dist»>iui,.J too long with milk. In this case, great pain with iiuhmij ¦nation comes on; in other words, feyer is the conse quence of tins neglect. If there seems any disposition to inflammation, tk best preventive is to apply, a few hours after deliven warm poultices of light bread and milk to the breasts for at least three hours. This will assist the natural dS charge of the milk. If the child refuses to suck, I common black bottle with warm water, and apply ifcl nipple to the mouth of the bottle, which will gemlvilrJ the milk, as the water becomes cooler. Bathe the ImiJ well with sweet oil or hog's lard, at the same time, [1 the inflammation continue, put a tea-spoonful of suuar fl lead, iii ;i pint of cold water, and keep a cloth, wet wifl this mixture, constantly to the breast; but recollect, to are not to wet the nipple with this mixture, by whir! means it may get into the child's mouth. When the a (lamination is severe, Doctor Physic recommends aWi ter over the breast. When matter is fully formed, nul a small puncture or hole with a lancet, so as to permit Gradually to escape. I have always, however, rdiew by poultices and sugar of lead, as above directed, wiA out the painful necessity of'using a. blister. MILK FEVER. This fever is owing to the change of the system, aft the delivery of the child, by the swelling and irritatio of the breasts from the milk secreted in them. Thisi ways occasions the discharge from the womb to lesseni quantity. You will now recollect the advice I W given you before, as to applying poultices to the bn^B for ;i few hours, anointing the breasts well witbsWJet m or lard, taking some laxative medicines, and liv!iii ri « low diet. These measures and precautions, will eiwWH you to avoid the following unpleasant feelings; iu' ; B thirsty head-ache, and fever. Although this fever is I common, and may be easily removed, yet the iiuprM jfnrr of neglecting the above advice, may be the cause of other complaints, which I shall in their proper places lOllioO. If the breasts are painful, take a dose of salts 0 cool the system ; and if the fever continue, the loss of a Kttte blood from die arm will be proper. Drink mild balm or sage tea, in which put about twenty drops of antimonial wine. This drink may be given occasionally, s0 as to produce a gentle moisture or sweat on the skin. Take no heating articles, and live on light cooling diet. In a few days the milk will flow, and the SWELLED LEG. This disorder takes place after child-birth, and I am linppy to say that it seldom occurs, when due caution and cleanliness have been observed. lam of opinion, ilnii it arises from some irritating matter being left in the womb, or at its mouth. When you discover this disorder, which is known by a pain inside of the leg, extending to the heel and the groin, the limb always begins to (well, so that the slightest motion gives great pain. The wise becomes quick, the skin hot, the tongue white, the irino thick. There arc, also, slight pains about the ivomb. and the discharge from the birth-place is dreadhllv offensive. TUEATMBNT. — On the appearance of this complaint, jet a syringe for females, or what will answer the same mrpose, make a squirt of elder or cane, and throw up ho birth-place, several times during the day, some warm vater to cleanse it — and in the intervals of time, some ood sweet oil. — Wash the parts well, with water made letstntty warm, and rub the leg or legs with the followng ointment. — Take a gill of sweet, oil, a table-spoonful •t laudanum, and to these add a gill of spirits in which amphor has been dissolved. With this mixture rub or lihethe legs twice a day; and provided the woman has 0 purging of the bowels, let her take at night, and also 1 the morning, two grains of calomel, mixed with the 537 same quantity of squills, and made into a pill. This g Eepeated, until relief is obtained. CHILD BED FEVER. s disease is called by physicians puerperal fever, orally comes on, from the fifth to the eighty dm ie woman has been delivered: but its being earfa or later, depends very much on the woman's constitution, and the particular state of her system. I have befbn mentioned to you, that you arc to be very prudent m your conduct, respecting your food, drink, and ihestaia of your bowels; for on these three things depend, in a very great degree, your uniform health, and exemption from this dangerous disease, puerperal or child bed lever, This fever sometimes arises, from a stoppage of tin discharge which I have described to you, called lochia! discharge, and from the putrid matter which I told \ou it was composed of, and which I directed you to cleanse; — see the head lochia. An undue secretion of milk, I stoppage of the lochia] discharge the absorption of putrid matter from the womb, exposure to too great cold or heat, all these things are capable of producing Hiilil bed fever. This fever is extremely dangerous, and requires the immediate attendance of an able physician; but, as you may be so situated as to be unable to obtain one, I shall explain to you clearly the symptoms of this disorder, and also the proper remedies. Child bed fever comes on, with a chill in the finl instance, then a Hushing heat; next the woman become* restless, and a sweat breaks out. In a short time this sweat dries up, and the skin becomes dry and burning to the touch: there is now great thirst; Hushing of the iiuv: whiteness and dryness of the tongue: W&&& pwn in il' l> head and back; sickness at the stomach, sometimesattended with puking. In a short time the belly iwelki feels full, and becomes very painful; so much so, IW the weight of the bed clothes, gives considerable increase of pain. The bowels become quite loose in some 538 539 cases, » in^ m of ' iers much constipated or bound ; so much to iliat it is difficult to get a passage through them. Uy (lu.se symptoms you are to know this fever. 1 must here remark, that if this fever continues for lome time, it is very apt to change to a typhus fever. — When this is the ( ase die inflammatory symptoms subsiilo. the tongue and teeth are now covered with a dark brown coat; small sores break out in the mouth and throat, similar to those in a child that lias the thrush: the breath smells very badly; the stools are dark and very offensive; and not unfrequently small purple spots appear on different parts of the body. When the last symptoms appear, the case is certainly a very doubtful one. In the typhus stage of child bed fever, refer to the head nervous fever for the remedies. The remedies in the first stage I have described, or child bed fever properly so called, are as follows. Treatment. — While the cold stage is passing over, wtnn applications to the feet and legs are to be made; lod, when the inflammatory or hot stage comes on, as before described, the woman is to be bled from the arm, and immediately purge freely with calomel, — see table of doses. This purge of calomel, is to be followed up with v dose of epsom salts, — see table, [f the woman is of a full, stout, and healthy habit of body, and the pains and fever, in eight or ten hours do not begin to givo way; and if the pains in (behead and back continue Kvere, I generally draw more blood from the arm. During this fever, obtain a phial of antimonial wine, and one of sweet spirits of nitre; mix, as you can, equal ijiiantiiies of these two articles, and give a tea- spoonful of this mixture every half hour, in a little water or tea; in other words, give it in such a manner as to produce a little sickness of the stomach, attended with a gentle moisture on the skin. If it be inconvenient for you to obtain these articles, put into a pint of milk warm water, ten grains of tartar emetic, and give of this water one or two table-spoonsful, every one or two hours, so as to produce and keep up a constant sickness at the stomach. This will lessen the fever. Rub the belly well with sweet oil, and by injecting a little up the birth-place occasionally, the irritation will be greatly lessened. The application of flannel cloths, frequently wrong out of warm wvq and laid to the belly, will also be highly important in lessening the pains and inflammation. Should the pain continue in the belly, apply a blister at the upper part of each thigh. I would advise blistering on the belly, thai being the proper place, but then you could not apply the warm cloths, which are highly important. It will, therefore, be better to apply blisters as directed. Clysters made of slippery elm,:jnd about milk warm, throwiuip the fundament with a proper pipe, three or four times a-day, will answer a valuable purpose, and be a cooling and soothing remedy in this complaint. — You will recollect particularly, that in this disease, operations must be had by the bowels, during the inflammatory period; and that when the disease changes its appearance and character to typhus, as it will sometimes do, you are apt to gently keep the bowels open, but not to purge, so as to weaken the patient. In this event, the continuance of mild clysters will be found truly a fine remedy. For the method of clystering, &c, see that head. AVhen purging comes on, so as greatly to awaken the woman, which is not unfrequently the case, you are to check it by giving a clyster, made with common starch, on which hot waterw ater has been poured. This clyster must be about the thickness of gruel, and be about milk warm, in which you are to put twenty-five or thirty drops of laudanum ; it must be repeated three or four times a-day, as the pain and looseness may require. tAt the commencement of this child bed fever, the diet food must be very cooling and light; but as the di>se advances, and the woman becomes weaker, let the nourishment be increased ; and if necessary, from lur loss of strength in purging, or from other causes, or ii the disease seems to be approaching to the typhus or nervous fever, the symptoms of which I have fully explained, it will be necessary to support her system, '\vthe assistance of good wine or toddy, and sucl. nourishing food as will support the enfeebled action of the system. 540 Hiioso cases, wine and barks may be given also; or Kotuilo tea made strong, and taken cold, occasionally X , Ji the day; or, you may give a strong decoction ¦dou-wood bark, wild cherry-tree bark, and swamp- Ir w bark, made from equal quantities of these barks ¦lid together and perfectly cooled, in the quantity of Hut i wine glass full three or four times a-day. These ¦ltdios are all valuable tonics, or strengthening mcdi- X, ferae of eternity, she quickly recovered. 91 I will give but orle other case. It is one communica- Itoihc Medical Recorder, (>th vol. page 615, by Dr. iei if. Lucas, of the county of Madison, and State Georgia. It is ably and clearly detailed, and will be -hlv satisfactory to the reader. On the 15th July, I was called to a woman who had m delivered five days before of her third child, after iteriog labor of two days and niffhts. When! saw r. there was a wildness of expression, and great anxi.witli considerable sharpness of the 1 features. — Her so was from 100 to 110. She had a severe pain »vo the eyes, a hot and dry skin, and great restless- I; the tongue furred in the middle, and a red apnnce of the edges. There was niuch tenderness of belly, with an appearance like a hall over the pubes. r bowels' were costivo; her extremities cold, every ming about two o'clock, with a scarcity of the lochial barge; the restlessness was also much more troublen. in the ailernoon. The child and placenta were li delivered as usual. As a preparatory means, ten Hof calomel were given, to be worked oil' with casoil. This relieved her considerably, particularly her d. The next morning, the Kith, ordered her to take i ten-spoonsful of the spirits of turpentine, in a solui of gum-arabic, or beaten up with the white of an with a table-spoonful of castor oil in the evening to Ithe operation of the turpentine. On the 17th, the lerncss of the belly had nearly subsided ; the pulse less frequent ; and four more stools, of a green color offensive smell from the oil and turpentine were W. She was ordered to continue the medicine. On 18th, the tenderness was gone, except on pressure; the pulse was but 00 in a minute. Three stools had I passed of a less offensive smell, and but slightly 1(1 with green. The skin was much cooler than on day before. The medicine was still continued. On 194, the pulse was natural, with a slight perspira°n the surface ; the tenderness of the belly was en- 543 tirely gone; the lochial discharge of its proper qumji and color; five stools had been voided, the two fag wliich were of a natural appearance; and herippetj was good. On the '20th, I found her up, quite eta fill, and free from fever or disease, and she has oooti ed so ever since." From these cases, wliich are drawn from high tufa ities, the value of spirits of turpentine, as a most ftii ble remedy in child-bed fever will probably be ac know ledged by every reader of this work. PROTRUSION OF THE VAGINA. The vagina, or passage to the womb, is sometinit protruded or pushed out of its natural situation. 1 disease appears in the form of a soft compressible iinno or swelling, protruded without the external passage, i some cases extending backwards, and in other cm situated on one side. It is not painful when pressed op and most commonly it subsides when the patient li down, being only troublesome when she is in an ere This disease is owing to local relaxation, and there frequently the consequence of mismanagement alt If the prolapsed part be not inflamed, and there little or no swelling, the tumor will be very little trouli The part may be restored with the fingers, which, wi done, the patient should rest in some days, and inject! the vagina, three or four times a-day, warm TineglM water, or port wine and water, or lead water, or ¦olutl of alum in a decoction of red oak bark or water. the patient be weak, strengthening remedies will be i quired, as the cold bath, bark, rust, or tincture ot >tt or tonic powders, or pills. At the same time it W» prudent to wear the T bandage. When these Bfl fail, it is recommended to make scarifications in tin m scending vagina. 544 545 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. FALLING DOWN OF THE WOMB. This is a much more common complaint than the inner, and takes place in women of every age, and pry rank. As iis name implies, it consists of change i the situation of the womb, by which that organ lies imh lower than it ought to do. In some cases it absoinlv protrudes entirely without the parts. The slighest great are styled bearing down ; and the more violent us. descent or falling down of the womb. In general, the first symptom of this complaint is an itasv sensation in the lower part of the back while Hiding or walking, with now and then a kind of presn> and bearing down. If these feelings be disregarded, the complaint incises, and the patient becomes incapable of making iikf without first lying down, or pushing up a swelling lich seems to stop the discharge of urine; and if the ieaso continue to increase, the womb is actually forced tot' the parts, and takes on the form of a bulky subne 1 hanging down between the thighs. This extreme gree of the complaint can seldom happen, excepting iroonen who have had a great many children, but the I degrees of it occur occasionally in very young unirried women. The causes of descent of the womb ought to be known every woman, as many of them may be avoided. — erv disease which induces weakness of the habit in Mai, or of the passage leading to the womb, in pariliir, must lay the foundation for the complaint Frefiit miscarriages, improper treatment during labor, too vf or violent exercise after delivery, are in married men, the most frequent circumstances by which falldown of the womb is produced. In the unmarried, apt to take place in consequence of violent exercise, iiulancing, riding, &c., while out of order, a fact that I' 1 to be impressed on the mind of every young won. II the treatment of this complaint, the means must be pted to the degree of its violence. When the descent 67 is inconsiderable, and the case is of recent dnto. thnhiiJ use of the cold bath, invigorating diet, very nioiiinnj exercise, and the injection of any mild astringent !n iii M added to the above means. 1 Dr. Leak advise, that after the parts are reduced. \M intention of contracting the relaxed vagina so as to pnfl vent its future descent, may be effected by the freqoe use of the following astringent injection: Take of aim and white vitriol, each, one drachm; boiling water « pound, mix and filter through paper. Inject it into 4 vagina, milk warm, with a womb syringe. At the hi time endeavor to strengthen the whole bodily system I nourishing diet, and tonic medicines. When the complaint resists such remedies, or wh from its degree, it may appear unnecessary to empl them, the only relief which can be afforded, unless tt womb become pregnant, is to be obtained by wearing I instrument called a pessary. It is made of wood or ivur and if properly adapted to the passage, and of a prop construction, it can be worn without much inconn ience, and it never occasions pain. Certain attend are, however, necessary whenever such an instrumeiii used. Thus, the pessary should never be allowed to I main in the passage above a tew days at a time, other" ¦ it becomes the source of great irritation. It muhiß therefore, be occasionally withdrawn on going to Iv well cleaned, and re-introduced in the morning. brtß the patient rises. In some instances, after a pessan I been worn for several months, one of a smaller NM comes better adapted to the passages, and in other cafl one of a larger size is required. I Sponges of sucii a size as, when expanded, nu n ¦ cavity of the vagina, are very good pessaries. n support the uterus, and, by putting B string tlu^« them, the end of which is to be left hanging out ¦ 546 547 H extern***) the woman can take them away and apply ,:',. -I herself very conveniently. To answer this purpose, a fine sponge, wrung out in .jlnin water, may be dried in a compressed stale, and cut jnio any convenient form, so as to be introduced as high m possible: this will act by its astringencv, and by its mflOl*, m ¦ gentle and uniform manner. During the lX of this application, an astringent injection may be IlI lw d twice a-day; and the sponge lent should be made ndaalljr smaller aa the vagina contracts. The application of the bandage round the whole belly, iviih I moderate degree of firmness, often gives great dief to the uneasy feelings. The T bandage has also mil worn in this case with considerable advantage. It' a woman, liable to falling down of the womb, be- MB6 pregnant, there is no occasion for the pessary after In third month, and by proper treatment after delivery, he return of the complaint may be prevented. hithe Edinburgh '"Medical Commentaries' 1 is thefolowing account. A woman of singular fortitude, about By years of age, was much afflicted with prolapsus fcri After trying many remedies in vain, and being bed out with the continuance of the complaint, she at hgtfa cut into the substance of the worn!) with a comloii kitchen knife. A considerable hemmorrhage cniiul; after which, the uteris gradually contracted, and be had neither a return of the prolapsus, nor was she Oicted with any other symptoms. Having boasted of it success, many women in the neighborhood, afflicted 'ith the same complaint, applied for her assistance, and It similar operation, were effectually cured. I It is supposed that scarifications may succeed, instead V incisions of the prolapsed womb, and the same me- I mil of cure is still more strongly recommended in the Intrusion of the vagina. sT 5 POLYPUS IN THE WOMB. I fin: vagina and womb are subject to fleshy exeres- Puces, called polypus tumors, in common with some 548 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. i other parts of the hody. These, in many cases, are soft as clotted blood ; in others they resemble flesh j and Kg times they are found of a hard consistence. Theyu of different sizes and shapes. The mild polypus is connected to the womb notfi by a narrow neck. As it grows, the womb enlarm and presently its mouth dilates, so that the polypQKj be felt with the finger. Then it gradually descends ii the passage, or, in some instances, is forced down, wj pains like those of labor. Excrescences of the womb differ from descent of tha organ, in being attended with the frequent difchtrra blood, and when felt, in being broad and bulky, and hay iug no orifice like the protruded womb, and in bei easily moved or twirled around, as it were by the finge The cause of this complaint has not been ascertained It is evidently unconnected with the married state, as i occurs in unmarried women ; and it does not appear I attack, exclusively, any particular constitution. No medicines have any power over this tumor, but i may be safely and successfully removed, by the applica tion of a ligature around its neck. This operation give no pain, and is practicable, whenever the month of til womb has dilated completely. But. if the symptoms U not urgent, it will be better to delay, until the polyp have wholly, or in part, descended into the panage,! the ligature can be still more easily and successfully ;ip plied. , There is a tumor of a different kind, met with hi womb, which does not spring from the surface ot i cavity, but is imbeded in its substance. It forms a knol or projection, which gradually increases; and, in son* instances, several of these form in succession, and & womb becomes considerably enlarged. This tumor is called a tuhercle. It produces vor nearly the same symptoms with polypus. The distiK tion between this disease and a polypus, can only made by a skilful examination, which determines ¦ The growth may very frequently be checked, nnd « trertl cases its mm may be even greatly diminished, iviakiuir. for Jl length of time, two or three drachme of y viiriolated tartar, or cream of tartar, in ¦ glass of uter, every morning before breakfast Should this not ttofficient to keep the bowels in rather a. laxative tate. I* operation may be assisted by taking, at bedime. an aloetic pill. Much advantage is also derived ,v (he use of tlje warm sea bath, which if not attaina>j,>.a little salt added to the water may be substituted. Hie patient must observe a light diet, and carefully avoid HOag and stimulating drinks. Perhaps a, mercurial Mine might bo attended with good effects in ibis af- IcOOOof the womb, and afterwards the nitric acid. The possibility of removing this complaint, or ofkeepnu it in subjection by proper remedies, and the great lobability of completely curing a polypus, by a simple iporation, or of relieving by a mechanical contrivance, a (taring down of the womb, must be surely powerful in- Keroentt for women laboring under symptoms of these ompiaints, to submit early to a skiiful examination, Ibich can alone determine the precise nature of their liseaso. CANCER OF THE WOMB. This disease most frequently appears about the time flm the menstrual evacuation ceases, but no age is exmptod from it. Its approach is, in general, gradual. At first, the paitnt feds an uneasy weight in the lower part oftho belly, vitli the sensation of heat or disagreeable itching. By logrc es irregular shooting pains, darting across from the hare bones, take place. The pain at last becomes fixed I the womb, and is described to occasion a constant iiawing. burning sensation. A discharge of ill-colored, tid. acrid matter from the vagina, attends this pain; nil. notwithstanding every attention to cleanliness, exco¦tel the neighboring parts. The nature of cancer is not yet properly understood y practitioners; but it is well known, that the first 549 550 TflK FAMILY PHYSICIAN. change in the part which afterwards becomes rancorous is a thickening and hardening of its substance, Thj may be suspected to have taken place in the womk there be pains in the thighs and back, bearing downwhc using exercise, and occasional violent discharge ofclottc jlood. Isy early attention to such symptoms, many jq£ viduals have had the progress of the disease completeh arrested. In the early stages of cancer of the womb, a continue )crseveranee in milk and vegetable diet, a total abtci lence from animal food of all kinds, and every ferment ed liquor, and occasional blood-letting, and in some cm the establishment of one or two issues in the arms or above the knees, together with frequent dosesof coolin laxative salts, tends most materially to relieve the Bynn toms, and to retard the progress of the disease. Pain and irritation, which strongly tend to increase are allayed by the use, every night, of the warm baiii, impregnated with salt. This soothes the part, andindee the whole system, and contributes materially to the relic of the patient. The injection of decoction of enmomil flowers into the passage, morning and evening, i? alwij proper. Discharges of blood are moderated by m keeping the patient cool, and pressing a cloth firmly a the passage. Should the size of the tumor render n passage of the stools or urine difficult, it will be neca sary to assist the evacuations of the former by laxative and to have the latter regularly drawn off. Care DM be taken, however, to give no stronger laxatives than i sufficient to produce the desired effect; for frequent stool in such circumstances, give great fatigue and prodno much injury. Should there be, in the last stage, much pain or ri>: lessness, these must be overcome by opiates. Theietii discharge is to be carefully washed away, and every* tention must be paid to the mitigation of those evils and distresses connected with protracted disease. A variety of medicines have been proposed for v cure of cancer in every part of the body. These are generally useless, and sometimes hurtful. The prcteti- Log of empirics, and die no loss injurious interference and acsqaainlances, who have all their own pode of cure, too often deceive {he patient, and prevent [er using those simple but salutary means, which at first keep the disease in subjection, or from submitting to an opt ration when the complaint is seated in apart capable if being removed. The only time when benefit can be ferivedf is thus lost, and nothing afterwards remains but to diminish, as much as possible, the misery of the paiient. A MOLE, Is ;i fleshy or bloody substance contained in the womb, mul its size varies from that of a nut to an orange, or it lay even become larger. The symptoms are very niucli ¦essme at first with those of pregnancy, so that this MB been called a false, conception. However, in pregnancy the belly often becomes llat and less, until the end if the second month; on tin; contrary, when there is a mole, the belly increases from the lirst, and so continues to the second or third month, at which time it generally Hints away. If it continues longer, it often proves troublesome by the flooding it occasions. After the periodof four months, the mole excites no motion in the iromb like those of a living child: it distends the belly squally, and changes its situation according to the posture of the mother, which is never known to happen while the ftßtUf is alive. It is produced by the retention of a clot of blood in the womb after a miscarriage, a profuse menstruation, or lit may follow a delivery at the full time, or may be occasioned by the retention of a blighted conception. U hen a mole occasions no ill symptoms in the mother, |no violence should be used to bring it away, but it may [continue many years without creating any remarkable It' it comes away by the end of the third pionth, it rarely happens that any assistance is necessary. H't-'t the linger be gradually introduced into the womb, rid if that suHice not, introduce another, and thus the 551 552 TIIE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. mole will generally be excluded by the pain which attends on these occasions. The mole is expelled with the same symptoms as in a miscarriage, and rectum similar management A substance of a different nature is occasionally \ m with, namely; amass consistng of small bladders, called hijdatuls. These bladders, which contain water, may be very numerous, and somewhat resemble a thick cli* ter of grapes. Some of them are not larger than iin head of a pin, others larger than a nut, or one or twi may even acquire a greater size. Generally speaking, they are produced from the retention of a blighted co* caption, which comes to be converted into hydatids. In this last case, the time when the embryo or fotttl perishes, is marked by the breast becoming llaccid, and the morning sickness going off The belly does not increase a size, or if it does, it is slowly. The patient does not become regular, as ?;he would have done, had the womb been emptied; but she may be subject to irregular discharges of blood. At length, after an uncertain period, pains like those of labor come on, and the mass is expel ed, often with a very considerable Hooding. Thfl management is the same as in an abortion. After the expulsion, milk sometimes appears in the breasts. INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB, Commonly occurs about the second or third day alter delivery, though in some instances later. The existence of it may be ascertained by pains in the lower part of the belly, which are greatly increased, by pressure, a constant fever, with a quick hard pulse, and a great prostration of strength. The lochial discharge is very early suppressed, and the secretion of milk very much dimiii- It is commonly attended with sickness. It often happens that the woman can only lie on her back, and on turning to either side, she feels a painful heavy mttl I 11"I 11 " to that side, and at the same time an excessive pain m the loin, kidney, and groin, of the opposite side. Many causes tend to induce inflammation of the wink such as abortion, difficult or tedious labor, the exhibition ofheatipg and stimulating drinks, exposure to cold after delivery, &c. As this disease is very rapid in its progress, it calls for to earliest attention. Blood-letting is of great importance in the incipient stage, and may be repeated in ten or twelve hours if the effect produced and the constitution of the patient would justify it. Although strong active purges would be highly improper in this disease, vet it is necessary to preserve the regular motion of the iunvels by giving, occasionally, the cathartic mixture of Epsom salts in small doses. Emollient and aperient clysters should be frequently administered, as they not only unload the intestines, but likewise act as fomentation. Medicines which determine to the surface, as Dover's powder, or diaphoretic drops, with the saline mixture, are also highly serviceable;. To remove the tension, and alleviate the pain and nreness, flannel cloths wrung out in a warm decoction of camomile flowers, or any bitter herbs, with the addition of one-fourth of spirits, to which a little laudanum may also be added, should be kept pretty constantly applied to the lower part of the belly, and at bed-time it nay be rubbed with the camphorated or volatile anodyne liniment. (Sec Dispensatory.') In using fomentations, due care must, however, be taken that they are in applied so wet as to run about the bed, and thereby invasion inconvenience to the patient. Opiates are necessary to procure rest, but they should XX l)e employed until the inflammation has been subdud by blood-letting, and aperient and diaphoretic mcdi- Too much caution cannot be observed by women in [iiarding against any exposure to cold after delivery, as wy are thereby apt to bring on diseases, which, if they lo not prove quickly fatal, not unfrequently leave effects •hind them, of which they will be sensible the whole >"ure period of their lives. 553 DROPSY OF THE OVARIUM. The appendages of die womb culled Oraries, are frequently the scut of dropsy. This disease occurs at every period of life, It is a most extraordinary fact, that a small body, no; larger than a nutmeg, and having naturally no cavity, should by disease become so enlarged as to contain, in many instances, above ten gallons of watery fluid. At first, dropsy of the ovariiun is very considerable, and attended with no disagreeable symptoms It in. creases gradually in bulk, and is originally confined to one side only, more frequently the left one. The patient enjoys usual good health, in most cases, till the tumor has acquired & considerable size ; it then inducts pain and numbness in the thigh corresponding with thl side in which the swelling is situated, and by degrees th body becomes wasted, the appetite bad, and the strength impaired. Nothing can be more uncertain than the progress or termination of this complaint. Experience has proved, that, under the most apparently desperate circumstance the health hns been in a manner restored, or life for a considerable time protracted ; while, on the other hand, where no urgent symptoms have appeared, a sudden aggravation of complaints has occurred, and a rapid advance to the fatal termination has taken place. With respect to the cause of this disease, nothing ¦* isfactory can be offered. Women of every age ami condition are found afflicted with it. Human prudence. there is no reason to fear, can neither foresee nor prevent its occurrence. This disease can be very rarely cured. Our chid vi most rational object is to keep it from increasing quicklj. For this purpose diuretics have been tried, but they have no effect. The best practice seems to be, to make g* tie pressure externally with a bandage, so as to WippoJ the parts, at the same time, that we may keep the bow* open, and use means for invigorating the constitution. 554 Troublesome symptoms must bo palliatod by appropriate remedies. When the tumor lias acquired great size, and produce.; taMUhfatsnen and other urgent symptoms, the water may be taken off by the operation of tapping. A temporary relief howeter, will only be obtained by these means, ior the iluid is commonly soon again accumulated in increased quantity. In some rare cases, where the general health of the patient remains unimpaired, by the use of strengthening remedies, the disease has been prevented from returning liter tapping; and hence patients, under such circumstances, should not altogether despair. Dr. Cutbush gives an instance of a dropsy of the Fallopian tubes, being effectually cured by the application of tobacco. (See Materia Medico.} WORMS. Womkn after child-birth, are very frequently much troubled with worms, particularly the small white worms called ascarides. These produce a very troublesome itching about the fundament or lower part of the intestine. They also occasion want of appetite, or depraved appetite, itching in the nose, pale face, irregular pains in the belly or sides, and sometimes a difficulty in making water. If the stools are examined, they may often be found mixed with slime, and worms can be discovered like small pieces of white thread. The most effectual means of destroying these animals, is. to use morning and night, as long as the symptoms continue, a clyster, composed of two drachms of aloes robbed up with a pint of mucilage of gum Arabic, slippery elm, or flax-seed, or thin gruel. If this should not answer, injections of half an ounce or more of the oil or spirits of turpentine, mixed well with the mucilage, or gruel, should be repeated twice or thrice a week A different kind of worm is found higher up, having, to a superficial observer, much the appearance of the 555 556 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. I common earth worm, whilst another species, name] the tape worm, is flat and jointed. These product,,/ eralfy, more pain in the belly than ascarides, and seidoi any itching about the extremity of the bowels. The treatment is twofold, first to give calomel at bedtime, followed by brisk purgatives the next ttorniu which not only forces the worms away, but by remorit much of the slime of the bowels, destroys their favori and necessary habitation. The second part of the treatment consists in giving such medicines as are supposed to kill the worm, me as the filings of tin or iron, or Carolina pink root, or pride of China. (See Materia Medica.) For the destruction of the tape worm, the oil of turpentine is considered very efficacious, as also the mafe fern root. The dose of the former, is from a half to an ounce given in milk, mucilage, or thin gruel. The don of the latter, is from one to two drachms, which may hi taken in the morning on an empty stomach, for two or three successive days, and the following morning after the last dose, take a dose of calomel and rhubarb, jalap or castor oil. As an Auxiliary remedy in cure of worms, considerable benefit is sometimes derived by applying, external!*. over the region of the belly and stomach, a rataplan made of the leaves of tobacco pounded and wetted i vinegar, or one of ox gall formed of a due consistence with corn or oat meal. These remedies have been known to succeed after powerful vermifuge medicines, internally administered, have failed to produce any good effect. An hereditary predisposition to have worms formed in the bowels and stomach, seems to exist in some persons, as all the children of one family have been know to be troubled with them BARRENNESS. Sterility is a misfortune few women become ato 1 gether reconciled to. In various countries and in ditto- .[italics of the world, charms and spells, and powerful lixiis, have been resorted ioj rich dfieringa have been resented at the shrine of a favorite saint; pilgrimages nit been undertaken to holy wells: and. in addition to Jl the virtues of potent herhs and drags have been made rial of, for the removal of this infirmity. When we gttilt tlie writings of the old physicians on this suhject, M tirni numerous recipes, containing medicines soincmus of opposite qualities, and sometimes no quality at 11, The practice of the moderns is, at. least, more sim| ( >, if not more efficacious. Sterility proceeds from ither B temporary or permanent incapability of conceiv|oC retaining the embryo, till it ac<{uires a form. The MM producing this incapability, may consist in some Kilforination or deiieiency of the womb, or itsappendao, which cannot always bo discovered during life, or I merely a weakness in the action of the womb. 'This ist is by far the most frequent cause, and it is occasionil by local weakness of the womb, or general affections I the whole system; and is marked usually by an obnction, deiieiency, or redundancy of the menstrual radiation, or by the complaint termed female weakess, It is very rare, indeed, ibr a woman to be barren, iho is, in all respects, regular. We do not, in the present age, pretend to the knowl- Ige of any elixir or medicine, which has the specific nwer of curing sterility. We proceed on the principle r rectifying the constitution, where it is injured or weak, nil of restoring the menstrual evacuation, to its due nil honlthy state. The means lor effecting these pur- Hes, must depend on the situation of the individual, nil may be learned from some of the preceding chap- Hof this work. There are chiefly two states of the constitution proactive of those deviations in the action of the womb, Inch cause barrenness. The first is a state of fulness, ', breasts with the hands, the milk is pushed forward At the same time the pressure is made, tlu> bjm should be drawn out by a breast-pipe, and the ii lstan the glass is removed, the child being put to the fa| will keep it out by sucking until satisfied. After the op oration lias been repeated two or three times, the cti except in extraordinary cases, will find no difficulty ¦uckinff rMii i\ni n . Thoie who have been subject to sore nipples, shoul< endeavor to diminish the sensibility of these parts, b applying to them, for several weeks previously to del erv, cloths dipped in alum water, in strong spirits, or i the pickle of salted meat boiled, which latter has lire recommended as an infallible specific for that purpu When little sores appear in the brown circle sur rounding the nipple and correspond with similar appeal ances in the child's mouth, or other parts of the boil there is just cause to suspect some latient poison Id within the system, which, it is more than probable. will require a mercurial course of medicine to subdui DELERIUM, Or wtnuiering of the mind, seldom occurs sooner i lying-in women than eight or ten days after delivery, an sometimes not for a much longer time. It makes i appearance very suddenly, the patient not nnfreqttMl awakening terrified from a dream, or all at once i breaks out in some absurd or furious conduct. There is often very little increase of heat of the ski or other appearance of fever; though in some install there is considerable heat; and the pulse is very quic and this is especially the case where there has just N some strong exertion, or much speaking. But, 111 all other cases of nervous constitutions, the state ot ill pulse is subject to considerable and sudden variation The patient is usually extremely talkative, and son) times speaks with wonderful volubility. In some etf 560 561 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Pl ic idea seems to possess the mind ; and in others the [limrt of apprehension Of consideration is rapidly varied. »|u> can, however, for a short time be commanded, and it limes, at least, appears perfectly sensible of what is joiog on beside her. It is not easy to say what cause ¦educed this disease, for it does not appear to be conhvuhl with a tendency to mental derangement in other iiruinstances. It is, however, a curious and an importin; tact, that sometimes suckling the infant produces iiclaiicholv, or other modifications of this complaint. When delerium accompanies the milk fever, or the reed, it is only a temporary symptom, and ceases upon lie original diseases being removed. When it is the efjctof phrensy, the treatment consists in those means as ilvised under the head of inflammation of the brain. lut when it appears to be dependent on nervous irritaoa,tfae most successful mode of practice is, shaving and littering the head, keeping the bowels open by cooling axatives, determining to the surface by the diaphoretic lowders or mixture, and afierwards allaying irritation iv the camphorated mixture in their usual doses. If those remedies prove of no avail, the most soothing nild conduct towards the patient ought to be invariably iiirsued, and the suitable means to promote general rod health are to be adopted. The woman should be ireHillv watched, and never left alone. The recurnceof this disease, in cases where it has formerly tain place, may be prevented by pursuing steadily such leisures as shall remove the increased susceptibility of npivssion which follows delivery, and by guarding gainst all exciting causes. MILIARY ERUPTIONS. These certainly originate in a child bed state from "proper treatment; for whenever a woman in such situion is confined within a heated room, oppressed with peat quantity of bed-cloths, and forced to drink itimutag liquors, with a view of promoting a sweat, acording to the absurd and pernicious custom in the treat- 6D ment of lying-in patients, she is generally seized with ra«h fever. (See Mi ittry Fever.) To conduct the patient with safety through tin* £, ease, we must haverecourse to some opening medieim and afterwards restore the strength by the use of Pen. vian bark, elixir vitriol, and other tonics. Where th c rash suddenly recedes, it will be necessary to have r» course to cordials and diaphoretics. Affections of this kind may, in general, be avoided U attention to diet, by keeping the patient's bowels ¦ i good state, and by admitting a proper ventilation through the chamber. 562 DISEASES OF CHILDREN. SvBILT tiiere can be nothing more painful and disrobing to a mind of sensibility, than to be compelled to liuioss, in very many cases without being able to reit\t\ the various and often fatal diseases to which inuits arc liable. That most of them are of a morbidly rriiative character, is probably well known to every hysician who has attended to their symptoms; but what [is that particularly excites this diseased irritability in 10 intestinal canal, it would probably be d illicit It for vcn the most learned and skilful of the profession to etermine. The foolish and dangerous custom, of giving infants ediciM the moment they are born, in order to keep uni quiet, is a practice which ought always to be distiiinteiuinced, as laying the foundations of many disorers. sometimes destroying life itself, or entailing upon 10 ((institution maladies which last for life. Various Bdtcinei are given to infants, for very foolish and friulous reasons, which had better be let alone entirely; nil, for instance, as Godfrey's cordial, Jiatcman's rops, &c, &c, all of which contain opium, and do inoncei/able injury to infants. Ido not mean by these marks, that these medicines are not sometimes benefillj but to be constantly administering them on all oc- MOM, and for nearly all possible purposes, must connce any person of common sense, that they are injurik both to the health and the constitution. By suckling Jams, then feeding or rather stuffing them, and then Mowing up both by medicines, to keep them quiet, W tender stomach are kept constantly loaded; and if e )are not fortunate enough to puke up part of what 564 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. they have been compelled to swallow, fermentation must and will take place, the stomach being unable to mast* such a mass, followed by colics and purgings. The abort remarks are made in terms thus plain, that they may U distinctly understood by my readers, and thai they may profit in the treatment of their infant children, by ilmr true meaning. STILL BORN. Wiikn an infant is born apparently dead, orgifjmrj signs of life, it is said to be still-born. This appearance! however, should not prevent the midwife from niakinj every possible exertion for the restoration of the child'! by patience and perseverance, thousands of infants Inn J been restored to life. If no pulsation or beating can I J felt in the navel-cord, and if there be marks of putrciiir-l tion and decay, I need not tell you that all your dlirtl will be fruitless. The infant, in this case, where there i> I hope, ought to be separated from the mother as early M possible,and wrapped in a blanket made warm by thctirrl As soon as possibleafter this, its breasts are to be bntiicdiifl warm spirits, at the same time that you gently apply \oM nostrils spirits of hartshorn. If these remedies tail ¦ restore the circulation, put it in warm water, keeping™ head in such a position as to prevent suffocation. Ycfl may loosen the string on the navel-cord, so as toktiß bleed about a table-spoonful, when it must be again M While these measures are in operation, you are to preß pare a clyster, made of a table-spoonful of spirits ofanfl kind, and three table-spoonsful of warm water; anrifl the child does not breathe, you are to give this clv>m up the bowels with a proper instrument — look under tiiß head clystering. The lungs are to be filled with air.tfl means of a common syringe, the pipe of which is to U introduced into one nostril, while the other nostril I mouth are to be carefully closed; when you are thenW gentle pressure on the breast of the child to empty tlirnH in this way the lungs are to be frequently tilled MM tl ™H pressed until natural respiration or breathing takes placH ¦ ;i iiin(S the application of a little 1 cold wafer to the I ,*,- will restore eliildren. In many instances, when X , jljolitest action of the lieart lias been perceived, it Hoiild be advisable to keep up a friction or nibbing over X body, tor at least an hour. Cases are stated, and XK L n\ of them, of infants still-born being restored by m n'utli and gentle nibbing, even when no signs of life B appeared for an hour or more after the birth. This ¦liould therefore encourage you to persevere, by every Kossible method, for the restoration to life of a still-born I There are instances, in which the child is born of a ¦ark purple cast, in which the breathing is scarcely perwptible, and where death ensues in a few moments. ¦Vlien these appearances take place, the infant has generally some defect in the formation of the heart and limns. Doctor Hosack advises, that a bath be made of ¦ak-hark, tour ounces of which is to be boiled tor a thw iiiiiutes in about two gallons of water. When this bath \ prepared, add to it a pint of spirits of any kind, permitting it to become pleasantly warm, bathe the child up I the neck in this water. If it is convenient, you may ulil to this bath occasionally, a table-spoonful of spirits lot hartshorn, so as to render it stimulating. When the [child shows symptoms of recovery, take it out of the ¦bath, and wrap it in warm flannels; and should the input be taken in the same way again, you must immediately make use of the bath, after again warming it. TREATMENT OF NEW BORN INFANTS. According to the old custom, the moment the child | was separated from the mother, it was plunged in warm water, or washed with spirits of some kind, and well nibbed with a towel, to remove the mealy matter which adhered to it, and to prevent its taking cold, or perhaps to harden its skin. These foolish and dangerous prac- Heea, have caused the death of thousands of infant children, or produced some other consequences highly detrimental to their constitutions. The consequences always 565 566 THE FAMILY riIYSICIAJf. are, that by washing and rubbing the child. I irritate and inflame the skin, which is at this time s«l tender, that nature in her wisdom has covered it I this mealy matter, to defend it from injury in enterjj the world, and to preserve it from irritability and intiaafl niation afterward. I An infant born in the winter season, has more ofth,»H mealy covering than if born during the rammer; it ,1 also more thickly covered with it at the arm-pit!.. J bends of the joints, and so on, which are more likel\ ,¦ rubbing or frictions] injury during labor, than oilier [>;tr^l of the body; and, in addition to these consideration! this covering is intended to protect the infant against ij action of the atmospheric air. This covering is pertVc;.! ly natural, and should always be permitted to remain ui,-l til nature herself removes it. This will be done in al day or two, without assistance or artificial means M which tlieskin will be left white, soft, and beautiful, aniil the child exempted from innumerable diseases— di* I eases, which by the old custom of washing and initial would almost invariably ensue. By the old custom, the I skin is greatly irritated and inflamed, then becomes dial dark red color, and afterwards breaks out wiili those I eruptioni or pimples, which usually appear on children. l Eled red-gum. I Every person of common sense must know, that the I )lication of spirits of any kind, especially when rub- 1 J on the head and body of a grown person, will pro- 1 duce smarting and give pain. Now, I ask, what hum I be the consequence to an infant, whose skin is so delicately tender, that nature herself has shielded it trow the atmosphere, until it will bear the change without injury. In many cases of grown persons, the application of brandy to the head, and washing the body xn it h it. have been known to produce inflammation of the brain, or lungs, or bowels; the evaporation from the surface being so great, ns to induce a degree of cold sullicientto slop the perspiration or sweat. In infants, this evapori 1 tion produces inflammations of the bowels, or ut IM lungs, and sometimes of the membrane which line W !bv which the child is afflicted with a disease icsiiii flics, proper plan, and the one now praciiscd in (ho lying-in hospitals throughout Europe and the States, is simply the following. Cleanse the fare (lerness and caution, with a little milk and water ileasantlv warm: then cover the body with thin over which is to be put the llannel. In a day the mealy covering will entirely peel oIK and ii due time, will exhibit a healthy, delicate, and I skin, free from every disease, and entirely cxiin all those painful and eruptive diseases to which re usually subject, from the old method of treat- MECONI U M . Wiikn a child is first born, its bowels are filled with a irk colored greenish matter, called by physicians inemiiun. In a short time after its birth, or as soon as it iininences sucking the first milk from the mother, ! licit milk seems by nature to be intended to remove us dark colored or greenish matter from the bowels, rit is almost immediately discharged by a stool. This the reason, and I think an amply sufficient one, why nldren should be put to the breast as early as possible fter their birth. Sometimes the milk in the mother's roast is rather slow in coining; or from some particuir cause, the child will not suck the breast, and conseiiently it will not discharge by stool, this matter from I bowels which I have described. It will then be ne- MUJ to give it something to open the bowels, such as little molasses and water, which should be given freuuitly until the bowels are properly opened. Or you Vf obtain from any doctor's shop a small piece of janna, about the size of a walnut, and dissolve it in a ill of boiling water, and when it becomes cool, give the ilant a tea-spoonful frequently, or until it operates fre|uently. Or you may, if these remedies fail, give a teapoonful of the best castor oil, which will remove the 567 568 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. meconium immediately. The two first being the m o simple remedies, should always be used first. 8m times, but the cases are not frequent, this Decenary j charge is prevented from passing, owing to the tacj the fundament, from some defect or other cause, h^ stopped up. Such cases require the immediate aid, an able physician, to examine and remove such (life ties or obstructions. ORIGINAL IMPERFECTIONS Immediately after the birth of an infant, examine ;i body and limbs, and particularly its private parts, fx cause children are not all born perfect in these respect The passages of infants are sometimes closed up wj: slime or tough matter, which require the aid of urgia operations to open them, before they can pass cii their stools or their urine. Great care and ammo ought always to bo paid by parents to these examination Ruptures arc very common among new born inlk particularly about the navel. When these ruptures I very early observed, they may speedily be removed h bathing the belly frequently with cold water, and ittoi ing to the child's bowels; in other words keeping thfl regularly open. If the rupture should be at the nave apply a piece of adhesive plaster, so as to give support) the parts ; but by no means apply a bandage, which li do injury to the delicate and tender parts by the pi sure. The fact is, that the constant application of col bathing, as the infant advances in age and strength,* always remove these early ruptures. Tongue tied. — In this case, the tongue is confined : the roof of the mouth, by a small cord, which prevol its motion. Sometimes, indeed, the tongue is so contio ed that the infant cannot suck. But, I have somciinie known children cut for it where it did not exist; there fore great caution ought to be used in this operation, a! though it may bo a very simple one. If the physician or other person, who cuts this small cord, does notun derstand it properly, or does it carelessly, so great : 569 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. BjiiantitV of blood may be lost as to prove fatal to the K'hlil. As many women are very uneasy, respecting I v childron being tongue-tied, I will inform them that Kov arc often alarmed unnecessarily, and have their Blii'lilren operated on when they are not tongue tied. A X, tv simple method of discovering its situation is, by Hinting the end of your finger in the child's mouth; if it ¦. able to clasp it with the same force it would the nip- Kle.or the end of the tongue moves, it does not require [ Htnr lip. — There are different kinds of hare lip, dis- Biisuishcd under the names of single and double hare ¦p— and not unfrequently, both lips are disfigured by the Bponiiiii or space extending along the roof of the mouth. MVlieii this is the case, it has a very unsightly appearance; Bud the operation of closing the lip cannot be perform* Ed. however skilful the physician, with any probability m\ success. But where there is only a single opening, or ¦yen double, provided it docs not extend to the roof of the Biioutli, us I have described, the cure or operation, can fte performed without much difficulty. — You will bear In mind, that an operation, which means endeavoring ¦o close up the lip, ought never to be performed on an in¦ant. until it is a year old ; requires strength to bear the Iteration, by which it is to be removed. In some cases, ¦Hit they are very rare, the infant is unable to suck ; if ¦his is the case, the operation may be performed; but at iliis early stage, I should consider the success very Boubtful The method used in the country of sewing it pp. is highly improper. The operation to be performed Inclosing up the lip, where the fissure or opening does lot extend beyond the upper part of the gum, is as follows: At any silversmith's shop have two silver pins Ude, vsomething longer than a common pin, and with)l't 't any heads to them. With a sharp knife pare well he edges of the opening ; then with one of these pins, ¦WOB the lip at the upper side entirely through, in a 'anting direction; then pierce through on the other side III I the same way. You will recollect to take a good hold, 1° that it will not easily tear out; then with your thumb 70 and finger close together the edges that have been m now you are to wind tight round these pins some £ whicli has been properly waxed, so as to draw it to,] ther that it may heal. In six or seven days, or periug earlier, it will heal or adhere together: then draw on; the pins, and dress it with any simple ointment or salve and if properly performed, the scar in a few days will scarcely be percept ible. Club fnet. — Infants are sometimes deformed, lnwb; are called club feet; if this is permitted to go on,wi4 out immediate attention, the deformity will be very grt« and cannot be removed after the infant is a few moffifa old; the bones of the feet become hard and firm, whereas, at an early age, or immediately after birth, they are in a soft grisly state, when, if proper means in used, the foot or feet, by gradual compression may he reduced to their natural form in a few months, if the deformity is not great: but in some cases a longer time will be required. THE SNUFFLES. This stoppage of the nose is quite common to young children. It frequently prevents them from brcathiii* freely and they cannot suck or swallow without considerable difficulty. This is quite a simple complaint. which will be speedily removed by giving the infanta purge of castor oil; about a tea-spoonful is the do>e; and bathing its feet or body in warm water, pleasant!) warm; and for a few days keeping its head a link warm. A little lard or sweet oil may be rubbed upon the nose and around the nostril. THE RED G DM, Tut. red gum breaks out in small pimples on tlifi A* generally of a red, but not unfrequently, of a yellow appearance. This complaint appears principally on UJ face and neck ; but it sometimes breaks out on the hand* and legs, and the pimples contain, not unfrcqucntly.a 570 571 i white clear matter. It would bo highly improper to uso any means outwardly to remove it, ibr by so doing, you might suddenly drive in the complaint, and thereby desirov 1&& life of the infant. The child while laboring under thi* disorder, should be prevented from being oxposed to the cold air. The only danger in this disorder is in driving it in ; when this is the case, the infant is irettty distressed in the bowels, screams, and cries constantly; and not unfrequently has fits. In the management of this disorder, you are to keep the infant's bowels open with a little magnesia and rhubarb: — for the dose of either of these medicines, see table; or a teaspoonful of castor oil may be given. Should the disordersuddenly disappear, and the child become sick from it, put it immediately in warm water — and give it one or two drops of antimonial wine, in a little sage tea. This may be repeated every hour or two, until a moisture on the skin is produced, and the pimples or eruptions brought out again on the body. YELLOW GUM. This is a disorder similar to the jaundice, and takes place with some infants a few days after their birth ; it is known by a yellow tinge of the skin, high colored urine, and a constant desire to sleep. This simple complaint can be removed by a gentle puke of one or two grains of ipecacuanha, mixed witli a little warm water, and in a short time followed by some mild purge. THRUSH. The thrush or sore mouth is a very common disease in early infancy. The child suffers a great deal of pain in sucking, and frequently this complaint is attended with some fever. This disorder appears in small white spots on the tongue, corners of the lips, and inside the ehceks, and by degrees spreading itself over the whole inside of the mouth and throat; and, in some cases, extending down through the stomach and navel. If the 572 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. white spots on the tongue resemble coagulated milk, or in other words, look as if the child had been eato curds, and that some of them remained sticking on fe tongue, you will know by this appearance, that the thftyk or sore mouth is commencing. The thrush is produced from acidities in the stomach and bowels, occasioned from some particular quality of the milk; which disagrees with the infant, or from improper food. Those children who are raised by hand, arc more subject to this complaint, which shows plainly, that it is the food whicfc disagrees with the stomach and bowels, and brings on the thrush or sore mouth. The remedies arc then very plain and simple; attend to the stomach and boweli first, before you use any astringent washes; after which it will be proper to use a wash for the mouth, made of a little borax, honey, and alum, dissolved or mixed in i small quantity of sage tea. Then with a rag tied to a stick, rub or wash the mouth with this preparation, two or three times a-day; regularly persevering in washing while any appearance of the disease remains. To regulate the stomach and bowels, give equal quantities of magnesia and rhubarb ; for doses of either of these me- i lines refer to the table. CONSTIPATION. Constipation means costiveness, or being bound in 3 body, so that the infant cannot pass its stools. This complaint is sometimes hereditary, or natural to the child ; when this is the case, and it does not exceed proper bounds, it may not require the use of any remedy; but should the infant's health begin to suffer, from frequent attacks of colic, flatulence, (fee, it should be strictly attended to, as it may produce convulsions or fits, inflammation of the bowels, or other diseases of a difficult and lingering nature, thereby establishing this costive habit of body for life. If the predisposition descended from a mother of the B habit, or in other words, if the mother herselt i$ : to being bound in her body, the child may be repved for ft short tinio, but it will again return. When il pains, griping and purging are the consequences. ' raftering of the infant in such cases being very acute ''inful, recourse is had to Bateman's drops or Godl cordial, and somes laudanum or paragoric, all of « contain opium, and relieve the little sufferer for jri time; when the colic or griping again returns. R om my experience in the diseases of infante," says 573 574 TflE FAMtt,Y PHYSICIAN. a distinguished writer in the New York Medical Kni;,]l administering ipecacuanha in the dose of one n Ta j n M as to produce puking in imitation of that excited by r] ture; and I am happy in saying that in no instancy , M it fail to produce the desired ctlcct; that in some oka nate cases, it has acted like a charm, and that the I declared it must have contained opium. ¦ ••In cases of griping, or violent pain in tiie boweb m infants, I have also found the application of thefoiiuumß anodyne plaster to the abdomen or belly, highh v m ••Take of gum plaster three drachms; camphor. ,M a drachm; opium, twenty grains; oil of aniseed, fl drops; to be made in a piaster and spread on ¦•• , I k - Professors Meyer and Reich, of Berlin, employ I a principal remedy in cases of bowel complaints ol'i m dren, one drachm, of tlie diluted muriatic acid fl ounces of simple syrup, of which they direct a tea-spo M fill to be given about every two hours." I One of the best things for colic in young cliiiihfl which I have used for many years is a strong tea m fl of aniseed and sweetened with loaf sugar, let the I be given a few tea-spoonsful of the tea, anil it will ¦ found to be more effective in relieving this tormina H gripes than laudanum or paregoric; which by the m think injurious to the bowels of children. ¦ Colic generally takes place in early infancy, from I first six weeks, to the tenth or twelfth month ; and i; < -H known by the infant's suddenly screaming or crviii^.iH^ ill the same time drawing up ifs legs; it' the ci.in, l- -S, severe, the child cannot urinate or make w:i. H^. tlic colic is slight, and arises from Hatulcncc " r ;¦• give one or two drops of peppermint, to which il i' ( H sary, you may add a drop ov two of laudami n: S^ same time expose the infant's belly i<> a warm i;i ' 1 •;¦&¦, rub it with the following mixture: — Take ihn c B 575 ¦ooorfl] of spirits, in wliich camphor has been dissolv- I add to this a tea-spoonful of laudanum, and bathe fc child's holly with it. You will also find the appli- Mtioiiof warm salt, or bathing it in warm water, valuable reined ios. When the colic originates from acidity, as may bo gown by the bowels not being bound, and the stools of awn color and sour smell, in addition to the above leans, you should give occasionally a dose of magnesia, _<((> table for dose; this will correct theacidity, and as- Btthfl discharge of the offending matter from the bowk Yon will find the infusion of rhubarb, in small jom, given so as to keep the bowels gently open, whilst a; ilr> same time it communicates tone to the stomach and bowels, and increases the peristaltic action. The n:';iiit must be kept warm, and a flannel be applied round the belly, which gives support to the muscles, and II valuable assistant in diseased conditions of the intcs;inal canal. ¦s o Rj : c yes Soli eves are very apt to make their appearance a W dayi or weeks after the birth of the infant, which oonsions it to be fretful and uneasy, and sometimes if Kgfocted, may produce blemishes or blindness. It is An brought on by exposure of the infant to large fires, irihr imprudent practice of holding it to alighted candle to keep it quiet. It is also caused by cold ; and ihenthe eyes are sore at a more advanced age, it may it produced by cutting teeth. The remedies arc, to avoid cold, and exposure to too much light, particularly t^tire; bathe the eyes three or four times a-day in fold water, or make the following preparation, with (y iiich you are to bathe the infant's eyes frequently woagh the day; about the size of a common pea of suflr of lead, dissolved in a pint of cold water. If this ¦wld not relieve it, give it a purge of castor oil. The l ?plicatioii of the lead water as mentioned, is generally and a valuable remedy. TEETHING. Children suffer a great many complaints, during tti time of cutting teeth. Some infants suffer much le than others; but all seem, during this necessary opw tion, to undergo pain and a disordered state of the >v tern. The symptoms which go before and accompany i cutting of teeth are more or less violent, BOOOfdiwi the manner in which the teeth come through the ta or in other words, the resistance which the gum make and to the irritability of the infant's constitution, &< I When the child cuts its teeth in the most easy mail ncr, the pressure on the gums, however slight givesjuiitJ and produces an increased flow of the fluids fiirnislu J by the mouth ; the child is fretful and restless (luriij the night, is constantly putting its little hands or I thing that it can get hold of, into its mouth. The >:> . I which it is constantly discharging or slobbering fromilJ mouth, when swallowed, produces sickness, gripes 1 looseness ; after a short time, the corner of a tooth I perceived; but the pain and uneasiness stiil continue \M several days, when a second tooth is cut. I During the time between the cutting of the lower anil upper teeth, the child generally improves in health I strength; but in a short time is again subjected to ilifl same uneasiness. In strong, healthy, or fat children. 4 fever generally, and that sometimes violent, conies I before, or about the time of cutting every tooth: m gums are swelled and inflamed, the eyes much dison™ ed, the belly bound, the skin hot, and the child cries coin stantly, and sucks with much pain; sometimes it is i^H ble to suck, audits sleep is very much disturbed. WoakH ly and delicate children, where teething is painful nnfl difficult, lose their color, fret constantly, vomit or ]¦ M frequently; attended with looseness or purging, MM '*¦ come quite emaciated, or in other words, reduced I great weakness. I have discovered that those chil^'H I have last mentioned, pass through the painful ami < I gerous process of teething, much easier, and with grtf"M 576 577 THE FAMILY THYSICIAN. r safety than those who are fat and robust; and have jocularly remarked, that those children who slaver, nilirarlv called slobber) most, cut their teeth with the palest cage. The treatment during teething, should be a particular ,i ( i,iioii to the bowels, by keeping them Sufficiently open; Iwavs paving due attention to every circumstance likely ! promote the general health of the child, such as pure r< t\m ise, strict cleanliness, food easily digested in i, stomach, and taken in small quantities. As the dif[iliics sometimes are greatly lessened, and frequently mrclv prevented) by a looseness coining on spontaneity, or more plainly speaking, of its own accord, it M not be checked, particularly in children of a fat or ill habit, but permitted to go on, unless it weakens the liint too much, or runs to excess, when it may be stop- Jby degrees. But if the child is bound in its body, mi will recollect that it should takesomc laxative purge, las lo produce two or three stools daily for this urpose, give two grains of calomel, to which add three lour grains of rhubarb or magnesia. If necessary I operation of this medicine may be assisted by pten, — for directions, &,c, as to clustering, look Her that head. When fullness and quickness of the ifae, increase of heat, flushed face, frequent startings, proved breathing, immoderate fits of crying, &c, dele fever; the irritation on the gums must be removed, liich is done by cutting or lancing the gum down to i tooth, for which purpose, a gum lancet must be made I ot! CONVULSIONS OR FITS. Convulsions or fits, are at all times alarming and ingerous, and require a very great variety of treatment ; tiojbre, procure in such cases a skilful physician. But 1 these fits are frequently very sudden, I shall direct the oans which may be used before a physician can be obinocl,aiidlwill make some observations as to the^eneral l uscs which produce them. It is not unfrequently the X for convulsions or fits, to come on suddenly, in 71 578 THE FAMILT PHYSICIAN. others, to attack is gradual, and the symptoms s 0 £d as to pass unobserved by the mother or nurse, j,, | former, the child, from being in the most perfect healtj turns of a purple color, the features and eye? are cfatMM and the whole frame is violently convulsed or agitMi In a short time these symptoms are followed byfiuotju or medically speaking, by a suspension of the vital m ers; after which, the child gradually recovers; but fo some time, remains stupid and drowsy. — In die lath cases, the infant shows uneasiness, changes color swldi i ly and frequently, the lips quiver, the eyes are torn upwards and it stretches out, the hands become cloud ed, when the convulsion or tit comes on. Fits are apt to be produced by any thing which atlie the whole nervous system, or that which produces irrit; tion of any particular nerve ; and by the sudden strikin in any of the eruptive disease, such as the measles, or ao complaint which breaks out of the skin; from impmyi food, or irritating substances applied to the stomach o bowels will produce this disorder. These convulsioi frequently occur during the period of teething: but have found from particular attention to the causes wine produce convulsions or fits, that worms are very otte the cause of this complaint. But if they take place trt quently, and with great violence, occasioned from pn sure on the brain, or any cause in that organ, they i r i nerally terminate fatally, or cause the child as Ik 1 I vances in years, to become foolish. The treatment of convulsions or fits must depend i the cause which produces them. If the sudden strikii in any of the complaint, as the rash, the measles, && the drying up of any eruption or discharge on the bod it ought to be brought out by putting the child into a wan bath, then giving a dose of Godfrey's cordial or lfe man's drops, so as to produce to the surface, the con plaint ; if indigestion or improper food has occasions it, give a gentle emetic or puke of ipecacuanha, or M tic tartar — see table for dose. If the bowels are * ped, or the fits are supposed to arise from irritating nia ter of any kind in the body, it must be removed by p« stive medicines, as two grains of calomel, mixed with v,' (trains of rhubarb or jalap, which, if necessary, as- H with a clyster — for the method of preparing and adunistering a clyster, read under that head ;— but if proved by teething, then scarify the gums, or in other ronls, Cttl them down with a lancet immediately over ip tooth ; this operation ought to be performed daily, mil the tooth is through the gum, or the fits cease. When worms are suspected to be the cause from rhicli the convulsions or fits are produced, the remedies prommended under that head must be employed. CROUP. This is a very dangerous complaint, and the rapidity ith which it proceeds, requires prompt and immediate ttention, or the disorder will prove fatal in a short time. )f all the diseases to which children are liable, croup certainly the most dangerous. Every mother should nderstand the symptoms and treatment of this disease; lin many instances, before a physician can possibly be btained, suffocation is the consequence. The croup nines on with a difficulty of breathing and wheezing, a Eiort dry cough, and a rattling in the throat when asleep, i a short time the difficulty of breathing increases, the cc of the child is flushed, and the veins in the neck are cry full of blood, and throb or beat very fast. The we and coughing has a strange sharp sound, something fee the crowing of a young cock ; the child is very rest¦ and uneasy, the body is hot, and attended by great nrst. and the pulse very quick. Those in whom the cc is much flushed, seem overpowered by a heavy ecp, from which they are roused only by the violent fits F coughing. As the disease continues, the fits of coughpig return more frequently, and are attended with an kominon degree of agitation throught the whole frame; P breathing becomes more and more noisy, and unless f'iof is speedily obtained, the infant will die by suflbcafhe remedy is an emetic, or puke. The moment the 579 complaint is discovered, put six grains of emetic tanaj into six table-spoonsful of warm water, and give therhJ |J about half a table-spoonful every ten or fifteen iniiiiu, J The intention is, to keep up a constant sk-kiic}* ;in J vomiting or puking. But if it is a violent case, yon I to bleed it from the arm, and put it up to its ned il warm water. But recollect you are to keep up the sic J ness at the stomach, and puke it freely. I have J quently, when the croup was severe, kept the child 1 ing occasionally, through the whole night, and usii)u,J and then, the warm bath, before relief could be mM In this complaint you will find the seneka snake n>o;l valuable remedy; it must be given to the child fre<|iiei):M made into a strong tea. The tincture of bark also will be found to be a very useful remedy; or bark and \M ginia snake root, boiled together very strong, and ' M cold, let the child take a tea-spoonful every half In 1 Tincture of castor and laudanum, given from m M twenty drops, according to the age of the patient, willH found to be an excellent remedy, in what may be icnin the spasmodic stage of this complaint. I The following simple remedy is highly recoiiunendrl by Doctor John D. Goodman, an eminent physician iM Charlottsville, Virginia. The simplicity of the rnndfl and the facility of its application, entitle it to a trial. I "Whenever children are threatened with an at lark J croup, I direct (says the Doctor) a plaster covered I dry Scotch snuff, varying- in size according to thengiiS the patient, to be applied directly across the top of m chest, and retained there till all the symptoms disapptafl The remedy is found to be always effectual vvhniajM plied to the first and second stages of the malady. J ¦ mode of treatment was from prejudice, neglected byinfl and in one instance, in which, with very consider;^™ difliculty, one of my children was rescued by tlie ord^H nary treatment. But on being urged to make a trials the snuff plaster, I determined to make the exporimfljM whenever opportunity presented. This was not I wanting; and when called to a child laboring under aH ¦ the symptoms of the early stage of croup, such a fl; 580 ( r. made by greasing a piece of linen, add covering it nell with snufti was directed to be applied to the chest The event was most happy, the symptoms of* irritation, and half Grouping cough, ceased shortly alter; the child till into a profound sleep, with gentle perspiration, and by next morning, wag free from all distressing symptoms. The plaster was reapplied for a night or two following, iml then discontinued. Since that time, my family has ben saved from a great deal of anxiety and alarm, to which previously they were subject, as we were obliged io kit}) Cox's hive syrup, tartar emetic, and all other articles resorted to, constantly ready to meet the attacks of the croup, which were very sudden and frequent in cold wet seasons. Since then we have found nothing Ncentry but the snuff plaster. If a child is heard to breathe hoarsely, or cough with any of the dreadful rimiing sound of croup, it is only necessary to apply the !>mill' plaster, and we feel under no further anxiety. In- I stead of being obliged to watch with the child all the ¦rest of the night, when once the snuff is applied, we go to [rest again, with a feeling of entire security, which we I have never had the least cause to regret." FEVER OF CHILDREN. The various complaints to which children are subject, being, as I have before mentioned, of an irritative nature, will generally produce fevers, and although severe while they continue, are not frequently productive ot danger, if properly managed. A disordered state of the stomach and bowels, teething, exposure to cold, striking in of any eruption, and in every thing which can excite an increased action in the heart and blood vessels, will produce more or less lever. The treatment of these complaints has already wen described. When these fevers take place, cleans¦g the stomach and bowels will be proper, for which purpose, give an emetic, or puke, followed by two or three grains of calomel, to which add four, five, or six grains of rhubarb; — for the dose of either of these medicines, 581 see table; after which, Bateman's drops, God. frey's cordial, or paregoric, at the same time batnbgthe child in warm water, will greatly facilitate in tenetUM the irritability of the system, and removing the fever. SCALD HEAD. This complaint begins in brownish spots on the head, and in a few days forms a scab, and discharges a ittid gluey matter, that sticks among the hair. The sorts gradually increase, until the whole head is covered with a scab, discharging this matter, which is very ofieiMtvt You are to cut off the hair as close as possible, and wash the head well every night and morning with Ires! lime water. This is easily prepared, by slacking a piece of quick lime, of the size of a hen's egg, in a quart of water, and when settled, pour the liquor into a bottle. and keep it corked for use. CHOLERA INFANTUM OR PUKING AND PURGING. This vomiting and purging of children, called byplivsicians, cholera infantum, prevails during the heat of summer; it is a dangerous and destructive disorder throughout the United States. Of all the complaint? with which childhood becomes afflicted in its earlier stages, this is, at least among the inthntile population oi the western country, the most destructive. When tln> disease commences, it is very rapid in spreading Had through the section of country or neighborhood in which ibfirst makes its appearance. Its desolation or fatal termination depends very much upon the season, section o! country, and state of the atmosphere. This disonltr generally shows itself before the middle of June, or about the commencement of our summer months, continuing its ravages through the warm season, gradual!) lessening in violence as the cool weather approaches- Its frequency and danger are always in proportion to ¦ heat of the weather; children are subject to it from ¦ 582 583 ; |,jrcl week after birth, to the second summer, at which ¦eriod it is the most fatal to them. Many distinguished physicians have been disposed to connder teething as the cause of this complaint. I am, however, convinced, that this is not the cause of cholera mtiintiun, or puking and purging. Vet, in children laboring under the irritation of cutting teeth, [ have no doubt this complaint is much more severe than it otherwise would be, and that it is more easily taken by them, and that the disorder is more apt to be fatal in its consequences I admit. But tliat it is brought about by the causes which I have before mentioned, will be admitted by every physician who has taken the trouble to investigate, or, in other words, to search out the original causes of this disease. As I have before told you, the digestive organs in the early stages of childhood, are liable to constant irregularities and irritations ; but what excites morbid irritations in the intestinal canal, is perhaps difficult for the most learned of the profession, at the present day, to determine. Yut, whatever influence the irregularities of diet, teething, or other complaints, may have in producing this disorder, I am assured from long experience, that the violent heats of summer, together with sudden changes, or exposure to a moist and unhealthy state of jbe atmosphere, are the usual exciting causes of cholera intiintuni, or puking and purging. Symptoms. — This disorder commences generally with I purging, but when severe, the child is seized with a puking and purging at the same time, when a few moments before it appeared in the enjoyment of full health. lhe discharge, or stool, is highly offensive, and colored, Fro a dark or yellow hue; the stools now become fre- Roent, attended with severe griping; probably the motions will be as often as fifteen or twenty times during •he twenty-four hours. So soon as the operation commences freely from the bowels, the vomiting or puking fcgins to cease; over the region' of the stomach the iiiihtest pressure will give pain, being very tender, and ""obably swelled ; tongue white, thirst great, a constant < craving for water between the times of pnrgitw, vv ) IK ,j, cannot be satisfied. The skin becomes dry, and from the chiiti falling away, which it does with great rapidity the skin is very much shrunk on the inside oi* the tnighs' and while the feet are cold, the head and belly are Hot' pulse small and quick, sometimes full; generally towardi evening the child is better, but after a short tine the purging commences again. Countenance pale, w;in.;in, languid; eyes sunk and dull; the child moans and si^ much; cannot sleep; is excessively irritable, somninus attempting to bite its nurse, or rolling about its head, or constantly putting up its hands to its face; the gtooa become bloody. Even water itself will produce pursing. The least jar or irregular motion gives it pain: noise and light cannot be endured. It Will scream on barely being touched. The gums are black and swelled; the lips or their edges are filled with a dark scurf; inflammation takes place; the breathing becomes hurried and laborious; the pulse quick, weak and irregular, ;uiu death closes the sufferings of one of the most painiulawl distressing diseases. Remedies. — When this complaint is about to make id appearance which you will know by a purging, a white tongue, skin dry and hot, slight fever, attended with gripings, and occasionally accompanied with cramps of the abdominal and other muscles — nothing is of great* service than a gentle emetic in the morning, followed bj a dose of rhubarb and magnesia equal parts, that is to say, from four to eight grains of each according to the age of the patient. The chalk mixture, as it is called, it is made as follows, half an ounce of prepared chalk, double refined sugar one fourth of an ounce, mucilage* gum arable, one or two ounces; mix them together ai then add of water a pint, let the child take one or Wl table-spoonsful every hour or two, calomel is inadmissible altogether to children. i3ul should there continue looseness of the bowels, with a dry skin and wakefulnesftjfM are to obtain, at a doctor's shop, a phial of wineot ipec* cuanha — which is nothing more than the ipecacuana steeped or mixed in wine — of this medicine, give i' 11 * 1 584 585 THB FAMILY PHYSICIAN. child a few drops through the day, in a little warm tea of any kind ; this will produce a gentle moisture, or in oilier words, a moist sweat. At night, give a dose of paregoric. For dose of this, or any other medicine, re{er to the table. The warm bath, that is, bathing the whole body of the child once or twice a day in warm water, will be found a valuable remedy, and greatly assist in the cure. Many children have entirely escaped this dangerous complaint by using daily the warm bathj By following the directions I have laid down in a great many cases, the complaint will be so relieved as to render the further use of medicine unnecessary. The tincture of Cinnamon will be found to be an excellent thing for children who have been weakened by this complaint it acts as an astringent and as a tonic — it may be given in a little tea or water, from 10 to 15 drops three or four times a day. A plaster of Burgundy pitch may be applied to the whole of the belly, so as to cover it, or where the child is weakened, and the skin dry, sponge the body all over with a towel dipped in cold water, at jeast every morning then wrap the child in a blanket or flannel — You will find great benefit from covering the child's belly with carded cotton, over which you are to put a broad bandage, drawn moderately tight. The cotton thus borne, will check the purging. Should the child be teething when it takes this complaint, immediate attention ought to be paid to the gums, and cut, if necessary, when the teeth cannot pass through them. If the emetic or puke which I have directed, should happen to act too severely, you can easily stop it by giving a dose of paregoric or laudanum, in a little tea made of cinnamon. So distressing in some cases are the effects of the vomiting or puking — not from the emetic, but from the disorder itself — that you will be under the necessity of seeking means to check it; for this purpose there is nothing better than w eak lime water and new milk, in which put a few drops °flaudanum or paregoric, or apply green peach-tree leaves, beat up, over the stomach and the breast — this is a valuable application for putting a stop to bilious vom- 72 586 TIM FAMILY PHYSICIAN. iting: sulphuric ether is also a good remedy. If t| le^, however, should fail in removing the vomiting or raking, a blister applied over the pit of the stomach will tauten ever fail. This last remedy should not be applied until a fair trial is given those which precede it. WHOOPING COUGH. This complaint occurs only once during life, and is contagious or catching. It prevails in the western country during the winter and spring months, and its bcin^ mild or severe, depends very much on the atmosphere When the winter and spring are extremely cold and net, the whooping cough is generally severe, but on the contrary it appears under a much milder form. Symptoms. — Whooping cough commences like a common cold, and as it gradually advances, the breathing becomes more hurried and difficult, the voice hoarse, attended with cough; great thirst; after a few days, a strange whooping sound is made whenever the child draws a long breath, followed immediately by the cough. The agitation of the whole system is such at this moment, that the child lays hold of whatever is nearest, in order to support himself during the fit of coughing; after which he pukes or spits up a tough, frothy, slimy mucus, and is for a short time releived. The treatment is quite simple: — when you discover the child to have taken it, give instantly an emetic, or puke, of antimonial wine — see table for dose— and should this puke not lessen the severity of the complaint. you are to give a second, and if necessary, a third; il bound in the body, a dose of castor oil. To lessen the cough, give frequently the juice of garlic sweetened with {mey, or a tea-spoonful of sweet oil, to which you may Id a few drops of paregoric or laudanum. The whooping cough is generally most severe during ght: to allay or ease the cough, the use of paregoric laudanum will be highly necessary — for doses see table. I have found great benefit in my practice by using in this complaint the tincture of assafoedita— which g nothing more than a small lump of assafcrdita steeped tor B few days in a little whiskey, or any kind of spirits —of this tincture you are to give a few drops whenever the cough is severe, and you will find it to allay the irritation of the system, and mitigate or calm the cough. Doctor Robertson, in the January number of the London Medical Repository, states that, of all the remedies he has ever employed in whooping cough, friction, —which means rubbing — on the region of the stomach with the tartarised ointment, has been the most undevialinjjly useful ; for as soon as the pimples begin to appear on the breast, the disorder begins to abate. This ointment is nothing more than emetic tartar mixed with a little hog's lard. For a description how to prepare it, look under the head "tartarised ointment." MEASLES. The measles generally make their appearance in the spring season. It is a contagious, or catching disorder, and like the whooping cough, attacks but once during Symptoms. — For a few days before they break out on the body, the child complains of sickness; seems dull and heavy; very great thirst, short, dry cough, with frequent sneezing, as if laboring under a severe cold ; the eyes look red, and much inflamed. On the fourth day, the eruptions, or red pimples — which resemble flea-bites nake their appearance on the face and neck, which soon extend to the breast, and then cover the whole body. In three or four days they begin to go off; at the same time, the fever which always accompanies the measles, begins gradually to decline. In some cases, the fever and cough will continue without lessening in their violence for several days or a week after the measles have entirely disappeared. Treatment. — As soon as the sickness or drowsiness is observed, and you have cause to apprehend, from the symptoms I have already described that your child is about to take the measles, open the bowels by castor oil, 587 588 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. so as to procure two or three stools: the next evening-. for it is at this time the fever is at the highest — crjye a gentle vomit, or puke of antimonial wine. You will find, by giving gentle pukes, that the child will be greatlyrelieved, by lessening the fever and oppression— this being the cause of the drowsiness and stupor. If t) ie vomit should both puke and purge, so much the better, for the child will be sooner relieved. When the fever and cough continue for a few days after the measles have entirely disappeared, a dose of castor oil will be proper, and which should be occasionally given during its continuance. About this time, there is a dark and offensive matter remains in the bowels that produces this fever, and which ought and must be removed by means of these gentle purges. You will always know if the fever continues, by the dullness, thirst, and want of appetite. Sometimes the measles and whooping cough attack the child at the same time: when this is the case, a physician should be immediately called, as there is considerable danger. I The diet in this complaint ought to be low; such as ush and boiled milk, chicken soup, &c. Nothing to 5 taken cold or hot, but moderately warm. Exposure to cold or damp must be avoided, or the disorder may strike in, which would be very dangerous. Let the child be kept in a room neither hot nor cold, but of a pleasant temperature. And you are to recollect that spirituous liquors of any kind, administered in any way, is highly improper. Bleeding is sometimes necessary when the inflammatory symptoms run high, or the cough is very severe; but it ought always to be performed, it possible, under the advice of a physician. — Blisters applied between the shoulders, or on the sides, will abate the cough, and may be safely used at any time during the complaint. WORMS. The worms which infest the human body are— the long round worm, the maw, or thread worm, the tape, or long joint worm, and the fluke worm. The long omul worm is called by the physician?, the ascaris uinbricoides, deriving its name from its slipperiness. — i has three nipples at its head, and a triangular mouth n its middle. Its length is from four to twelve inches, and its thickness, when at its largest size, about flint of a common goose-quill. The body is furrowed uu eacji side, and the tail somewhat blunt. This worm is quite common in children, and not unfrequently it crawls out at the mouth. It is generally of a milky, brownish, or ish color. The maw or thread worm — called by physicians asms vermicularis — has a blunt head ; the tail of the nale is blunt, but that of the female quite sharp and nnding. It is generally from two to four inches long, |uite small, about the size of a small thread, of a white :olor, and very elastic or springy. This worm is generally found in the straight gut, or iindarnent — most commonly in children, but not unfre- HOtlj it is met with in grown persons also. They are requently found in the intestines, or guts, in the form ifa ball so completely covered with a slimy mucus, as to irevent the medicines which are usually given for worms, on acting — or in other words — causing their discharge iv stool. In women, they sometimes escape into the vain, or womb, and thence into the urethra, or canal irough which the urine passes — and they are also found i the intestines of children. The long thread worm — called, medically speaking, 'icocephahts dispar — is from an inch and a half to two iches long — of a clear white; the head is sharp; the ody of the male is constantly in motion, in a curved or inding form. The female is straight, with a blunt head nd sharp tail ; they contain a brown matter, and gener* Iv inhabit the large intestines. The long tape worm — called by medical men tania oljuni — is from one to six hundred feet in length: it is fed with the power to contract or enlarge its diameter: tot is, to draw up or increase its size at pleasure. It >•'* itself into a round form, and falls from one side of 589 590 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. the stomach to the other on turning, when in a n cum. bent or lying position. When cramped by the position of the patient, or by hard pressure over the belly, or dig. turbed by food which does not agree with it, by \ m \ lm cine, or some diseases proper to it, or tormented by the approach of death, it leaves its hold, leaps about and falls, as it were, into convulsions or fits. The broad tape worm — called, medically, bothrionphalus lulus — the head is longer than it is broid scarcely any neck. Its body is Hat, generally, from td to twenty feet long, and at its broadest part, from i quarter to a half an inch across, and of a white color. The fluke worm is about an inch long, and of a dim yellowish, greenish, or brownish color; you will bow it by examining the worm which infests the liven of animals, as the sheep, the hog, the goat, &c, being tbeflUD worm. It is extremely difficult to say what are the original causes which produce worms. It is therefore imposi hie that any physician, however learned he may bo. cai determine with any kind of certainty their origin. Tha improper diet or food, assists in producing worms, i correct; but it is only true so far as this improper fbo deranges the action of the stomach and bowels, id weakens their action ; for worms seldom occur it to action of the bowels is healthy, strong and vigoroi "Few infants have worms until they are weaned, whicl is to be accounted for on the principle, that the bowd are in better order during suckling than afterwards, wlm the diet is more varied and indigestible." Climate, infancy, weakened state of the bowels, am improper food, favor the production of worms. Th climate has a particular influence, and is favorable I the origin of certain worms, is evident. A fourth pH of the inhabitants of Grand Cairo have the tape worm and ingllolland — according to Rosen — it is quite Mi inon. In the United States it is quite rare. Symptoms. — The head is generally allectcd: tholacß is pale, and sometimes of the color of bees-wax; «'¦ lower eye lid becomes of a leaden color; itching i* '°B m [he nose, occasionally picking it; the saliva, or spittle UK down over the pillow during sleep; die breath has I remarkable bad f(Btor, or bad smell; frighted dreams; j lt > child cries in its sleep and awakes with great terror; itching about the navel; creeping or tearing pain in the M!v, or a pricking and gnawing about the stomach; constant hunger, and yet the system becomes weak ; fre(jiieiit itching of the fundament; frequent dry cough, \uili tickling in the throat, accompanied with slow fever; these symptoms, singly or together, denote the presence of worms. Tri:at>ient. — A great many medicines arc daily employed for worms. From long experience, and an exicnsive practice, 1 have had a fair opportunity of testing dn'ir virtues, at the head of which stands calomel, wormed oil, Carolina pink root — sometimes called Indian pink root, or pink root — and spirits of turpentine; all of which, when properly given, are valuable medicines for melting worms. You are first to commence by giving the child a suitable dose of calomel; — tor which see table of medicines. You are occasionally to repeat this medicine as long as the stools have a very offensive smell, and look unnatural! On the days between the administering die calomel, give the child a little aloes, pounded very fine, and mixed with honey. — For dose see table. "I have never known a case of failure," says a distinguished physician, "when the patient or child was freely purged with calomel, and then given either the worm-seed oil, agreeably to the directions on the phials, in which it is sold, orthe Indian pink rook in tea." For a description of this root look under the head Carolina pink root. — The oil should be given on an empty stomach in the morning, on a lump of sugar, and when the pink root is used make fa of it, by pouring a quart of boiling on a handul of the roots, of which you are to give a cupful night and morning to the child; and to cause him to take it '"ore readily, you may add milk and sugar; by this Means children will take it as soon as any other tea. the pink root will occasion the eyes to become 591 sore; when this is the case, you are to stop uS IIVI it until the eyes are perfectly well: this is produced, II supposed from some other root which grows with the pink root, and is frequently gathered witli it. \f !er using the pink root for a week or ten days, give a dost , ,f calomel or castor oil. In those species of worms which I have described as uncommon in our country, their expulsion, or discharge, is produced by spirits OUqtm tine, in large doses, requiring the advice and attendaiice of a physician. Mr. Cloquet, a distinguished physician of France, affirms, that he has seen the long worm, or the one | which children are most subject, evacuated, or discharged by stool, after the belly had been rubbed with a innture of ox's gall and common soap, oil of tanseyoro camomile, mixed with spirits in which camphor has beei dissolved, or garlic; and by the application of a pi* composed of common yellow wax, litharage, assafirtida and galbanum, applied to the belly. Pure air, simple digestible food, exercise, and the u>< of all those means by which the system is strengthened should be attended to; otherwise as soon as they an expelled, they will again return. For this purpose oc casionally administer to the child or person subject I worms, a simple dose of charcoal in new milk. Accord ing to the latest and most enlightened experience of 1 Medical Schools in Europe, charcoal is highly recom mended. 592 ACCIDENTS. I When ID accident takes place, by a fall from a horse, La height, or being thrown from a carriage, or receiv¦iiiia blow from a stick, or any similar injury to those I Ravr mentioned, it will be proper, if possible, to bleed ¦rom the arm, but from any other part, if these parts are ¦njiircd so as to prevent it. The loss of blood must be palliated according to the situation and circumstances ¦if the case: for frequently, the injury has been so severe Ks to deprive apparently, the patient of life; in this situation, you must wait for the returning symptoms of animation, using friction; or in other words, rubbing, so as ¦01 cstore the circulation; this will be proper over the ¦region of the heart and stomach, temples, and the ox¦rcmitics, and bathing the temples with the spirit in which camphor has been dissolved, or spirits of hartsmorn, or strong vinegar, at the same time applying it occasionally to the nose; and should the person be able to ¦wallow, or so soon as they may be a little restored, it [will be proper to give a little wine and water, or water [and spirit of any kind, or any other gentle stimulant that [may he convenient. In all cases of suspended anima[tion, it is highly essential to continue for a length of time, friction, and in many ditlicult cases, you will find the tepid bath of great service in restoring life; for I have frequently witnessed the person restored when all, and wen the most distant hope seemed at an end; theretore. Ictnic implore you in such cases, to use gentle and continued friction on the body, for some vital spark may yet linger, and be warmed into animation. — Providence may bless your kind efforts, and what heart-felt gratification will it afford you to be the humble instrument of res- 73 toring the life of a fellow-creature, who, porlmps. j n unexpected and unprepared state, has been thus situate with the last glimmering hope sinking last into etrnm If I had space — and I regret I have not — I could,, you several interesting cases that have fallen under » care, and many I have witnessed, particularly j|, | cases of drowning, in which the most happy effects han been produced by perseverance. — Cut on this 1:H; important subject, let me refer you to the head. Sum dec! Animation In all cases, where the patient is unable from km injury to walk, it is necessary immediately to prepare] conveyance — and for this purpose take two boftrdi suf. ficiently long and broad, and then nail two crosspied with the ends projecting like a foot for handles— or make, if the plank is not convenient, a litter formed of £ branches of trees. On either of these, convey your n tient to the nearest house. If the person should I* bleeding, you must stop the blood before moving him or her. In removing him on and from this litter tothebd, be extremely careful, as many serious accidents oca by being in too great a hurry and alarm; frequently there is considerable pain inflicted unnecessarily, l»r awkwardly stripping oft' the coat or pantaloons; thai fore rip up the seams, by which you prevent very olttn, much unnecessary pain: recollect never to use thekU force. When the patient is stripped, and the room cleared of all unnecessary lookers on, which is generally the case, much to the annoyance of the patient and ki physician, particularly if a female, then proceed to ascertain the injury, if a male, with calmness and fiimneiH if a female with tenderness and delicacy, yet with certainty as to the nature of the injury. I would here n mark, in plain language, as I have always done in "i my advice and writings, that false delicacy has in DMIJ instances, destroyed the lives of many females, that iiiil'lh have otherwise been easily preserved. With these itmarks and directions, I shall in as few words as post ble, and in plain language, proceed to give such diwfr ions in surgery, as may be easily performed by the 594 ,llo Symptoms.— The person stunned — the breathing slow — great drowsiness and stupidity — the pupil ot the ew rather contracted, or drawn vp — frequent vomiting or puking. After a time he recovers. Treatment. — Apply cloths dipped in cold vinegar and water to the head ; and if you have ice, its appD* iioii will be greatly beneficial. ISo soon as the stupor is oft bleed, and open the bowels with epsom salts, or any coolingpurge; by all means confine him to the bod, and die lowest and most cooling diets and drinks — the room kepi dark but cool, and no noise whatever. Jn !!»•* quiet situation, you are to endeavourgto prevent inilammation of the brain, which, if it comes on, must be met by lie and copious bleeding, blisters and purging. COMPRESSION OF THE BRAIN. SYMPTOMS. — Loss of sense and motion — slow, noisy, ami dillicult breathing — the pulse is oh; for I shall give you such plain and ample direci>ns,that any person of common sense may lake them it and secure them in a proper manner, and perfectly •itc. lii the first place, wax together three or lour ireadsof a sufficient length, cut it into as many as you link there arc vessels to he taken up, each piece being [bout a foot long. IN'ow wash the parts with warm watr. and then with a sharp hook, similar to a crooked wl. or a slender pair of pincers in your hand, fix your \e steadfastly upon the wound, and direct the handkerinel'to be gently loosed by a turn or two of the stick: on will now see the month of the artery, from which ¦ho Mood springs: seize it with your hook or pincers, ¦raw it a little out, while the person who assists you, ¦asses the wax thread (called by medical men, a liga¦irc) round the artery or bleeding vessel; now tie it up ¦_ii>. with a double knot. In this way take up one after Hie other, each bleeding vessel you can see or get hold | Should the wound be too high up in a limb to apply He handkerchief don't be alarmed, for the bleeding can ¦nil be commanded. If it is the thigh, press firmly on Heroin, or if in the arm, with the hand, the end or ring Hi ;i common door key, make pressure above the collar m ¦'!.'. and about its middle, against die fust rib which ¦ - under it. The pressure is to be continued until you Han obtain assistance, and then tie tip the bleeding ves¦!s as before directed. If the wound is on the head, Hou imisi })ress your linger firmly on it until a compress ¦which means several folds of linen,) is furnished; this Bio be bound firmly over the artery by a bandage. If ¦ wound is in the face, or so situated that pressure can¦ be effectually made, or you cannot get hold of the ¦t!*H, and the blood flows fast, put a piece of ice, or a ¦ wet with tanner's ooze, or Hour, and let it remain ¦ n '!::!il the blood coagulates, you can then remove it ¦"' apply a compress and bandage. It is important that Bis simple method I have described, should be practised ¦ as to enable any one to cempress the great arteries in 599 these situations, thereby preserving many a inan,%ho would lor the want of this simple assistance, bleed to death, before a surgeon or medical aid could bo p ro j INCISED WO UN 138. I Tiik meaning of an incised wound, is, a clean orfre>ti| cut. Wash away all the dirt that may be id (be wound with a sponge or linen rag and warm water; when ihe blood is BtOpped« draw the sides of the wound nicely in. get her, then confine it. in this situation by narrow Mm of sticking plaster, placed at, short distances apart and directly across the wound. Now a fold (or, soli eoo< press of cold linen or lint,) is to be laid over and conliiuJ In many cases, you will find inflammation lbl/ow. I this should be the case, then remove the strips, and! bleed and purge the patient, and keep him on very lorn diet, and as (juict and cool as possible: in other or nnm plain language, endeavor to keep down fever — and mm recollect that matter must form before the wound i 1 heal; therefore it is best to encourage it by apphiniral soft poultice of any kind, until the matter is product™ after which you may use any simple ointment in m place. The usual or common method of narrow stripfl of linen, spread with sticking plaster, called by pli)>fl cia»:s adhesive plaster, form the betf means of keeping the 6 'sof a wound together when they can be appli^B yet if the wound is in the ear, nose, tongue, lips, bag.l'B which I mean the privates, on the eye lids, then m stitches which are made in the following inannm Thread a common needle with a double waxed throaiß pass the point of it through the skin at a little distant from the edge of the cut, and bring it out of the op™ site one to the same distance. Should the wound ¦ large, so ;is to require more than one stitch, cvi nii ¦ needle, thread it again, and proceed on to take as miifl stitches as necessary : leave all the threads loose until 1 the stitches are passed, when the ends of each thread 600 must be tied in a hard double knot, drawing the thread jo such a way that it hears a little on the side of the cut. Wlun the edges of the wound are partly united by iu;!aininatioii, cut then the knots, and draw out carefully lU the threads. From the plain manner in which I have written and explained to you, you will easily perceive, that in all wounds, after stopping the How of blood, and cleansing the parts, the important point is to bring the sides of the wound even, and together, so that it may together as quick as possible, without producing any matter: this is called by physicians, healing by the tirst intention. Now to produce this desirable effect, in addition to what I have already mentioned, you must recollect two things necessary to be attended to; first the position of the patient; and secondly, the application of the bandage. Let the position be such as will relax as much as possible, the skin and muscles of the part wounded ; by attending to this strictly, you will prevent, or in a great measure lessen the tendency to separate or open. My method in such cases, is as follows: take a common bandage of proper width and length, and pass it over the compresses moderately tight, so as to keep them in their proper place, and by its pressure, the wound will heal immediately, and keep it from separating or opening. In many cases, the wound is so large and severely painful that the limb or body of the patient cannot be raised or moved, for the purpose of applying or removing it; then spread the ends of one or two strips of linen or leather with sticking plaster, which may be applied in place of the bandage, in the following way: stick one end of the strip to the sound skin, at a short distance from the edge of the compress, over which it is to be drawn with moderate firmness, and secured in the jUM manner on the opposite side; if you see that it is necessary to secure it more fully, apply a second or third, j* until properly secured. As I have before told you, if violent inflammation comes on, in all wounds the proper practice is to reduce it by bleeding, purging, &c, but "you see any symptoms of approaching locked jaw, give 601 602 TIIK FAMILY PHYSICIAN. your patient wine, brandy, opium, porter, &c, in o;hei words stimulate him freely, and give a generous dip;, PUNCTURED WOUNDS. These wounds, called by physicians punctured wound, are produced by any sharp pointed instrument! as m| awls, needles, &c. TREATMENT. — First stop the bleeding, then withdm the needle, splinter, glass, or any thing that may beiij wound of this nature, provided it can be done easily. am if enlarging the wound a little will enable you to geta foreign body out, it is best to do so. Though ii is n' Pys necessary to enlarge wounds of this nature: \ t 1 the weather is very warm, I advise you not lonci loing so; because; it is a precaution against loch] which occurs frequently in wounds of this descrip tion. I recollect a case in 1810, that occurred USi vannah CJeorgin. A MissD L , a most ami ble and accomplished lady, in making preparations fi a ball, by accident stuck a needle slightly inherbci The puncture being slight, she attended the ball. 0 the following day, symptoms of loeked-jaw commend and the second day, notwithstanding the skill afibrdt her by several eminent professional gentlemen, she d» 80 soon as you enlarge a wound of this description ni rected, pour a little turpentine in the wound, or toock with caustic, and then cover it with a poultice, niois'ci ed with laudanum; the object of the poultice is to torn matter. When this is done, you must then treat it H common sore, with mild ointment of any kind.— lr< quently in such cases, there is a great deal of pain; ifi hunt balls, because they take a wayward course, and tun find a lodgment where the surgeon or physician odd be feast inclined to look for them. Even if the all can be felt, and yet die skin is sound, some eminent irgeone think it will not be prudent to extract it before 1(1 original wound is healed, because, where it rests it an do no harm, and it is better to have only one wound tii time than two. Wiien a ball has wounded a cavity, s tor example, the abdomen, which means the belly; if 1(1 nnll has passed with little velocity, the parts will heal the first intention. You will recollect I explained win!) to you the meaning of heating by the first inten-011 - If, however, it has passed with such velocity or sickness, as to procure a slough, meaning an inward 603 604 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. huse, the adhesive inflammation will take place on \\ lIVl lV peritonaeum, meaning the skin which lines the belly, covers the ahdoininal viscera, or in other words, il k bowels, and the organs in the belly and chest. The adhesive inflammation, as remarked, will ttke place,]. this peritonaeum all around the wound, which will i irt , vent the general cavity from taking part in the infli^ mation, although the hall shall have not only perpetrate but wounded those j)arts not immediately emntiilt life, in its passage through the body ; for whatever solid viscus has been pierced, the surfaces in contact, surrounding every orifice, will unite by the adhesive in- Humiliation, so as to form one continued canal, wit which the general cavity has no communication. Urn extraneous or outward body has been carried in by the ball, it will be included in these adhesions, and with the sloughs, will be conducted by one of the orifices to .lie outward surface. klf the ballhns wounded the liver on the surface, these ay soon acquire the healing disposition; if the stow:h, intestines, kidneys, ureters, or bladder, such iojvil are generally mortal; for their contents escape into th* cavity of the abdomen or belly, and universal inflammation of the peritonaeum takes place, attended hv grtiii pain and tension or swelling, which terminates in deatii. But if the wound is small, and the bowels are not lull, adhesions may take place all round the wound, which will confine the matter, and make it go on in its rii'ln channel. When a ball has not penetrated any of * viscera of the abdomen, but only by contusion product death in a part, whenever the slough comes away, I matter contained in that viscus will escape, but M I adhesive inflammation takes place between the surtax in contact, the new channel will be preserved entire, ¦ cut otF the communication between the external air aiw the cavity of the abdomen. This channel may, however in time be closed, and the contents may pass hy HMJ accustomed course. A young gentleman was shot tliroui T ij the body, the balls, three in number, entered on the ¦ side of the navel, and came out behind just ahove ¦ Inferior vertebnr of the loins, The first water ho made m bloody — in loss than a fortnight. John Hunter, die KBt eminent surgeon of London, pronounced him out I danger, being persuaded that whatever cavities the alls bad entered, were united by the adhesive inllamuiiion, so as to form one complete canal, and that neiier the extraneous matters, carried in with the balls, or any sloughs, which might separate from the sides of lie canal, nor matter formed in it, could get into the avily of the abdomen, but must be conducted to the sternal surface of the body, either through the wounds r from an abscess forming for itself, which would work is own exit somewhere. Soon after this conclusion, oino lieccs (meaning that which should pass from the iiiuluiucnt,) coming through the wound, confirmed him 11 his opinion respecting the efforts of nature, which n great on such occasions to secure the cavity of the iluluineu: yet he feared this wound might in future perorin the functions of the fundament. He saw clearly hut an intestine had received a bruise sufficient to kill [ho part, and that till the separation of slough had taken bee* both the intestine and canal were still complete, and therefore did not communicate with each other, but that when the slough was thrown off, the two were laid Dto one at this part, and that therefore the contents of he intestine got into the wound. This symptom, however, gradually decreased, by the contraction of this opining, till an entire stop to the passage of the fleces by ;t took place, and the wounds were healed, and the gentleman entirely restored to health. Having fully described to you the effects of gun-shot wounds, and their general effects, I shall conclude by directing you in such cases, should the inflammation be Igroat, bleed and purge. If your patient labors under peat pain, give laudanum, and if the parts assume a prk look, threatening a mortification, cover them with a ftlister. Where the wound is much torn, wash the parts pry nicely with warm water, and then (having secured [every bleeding vessel) lay them all down in as natural a position as possible, drawing their edges gently together, 605 0 ¦ . i i i ¦ > « U 1 . ; ¦ < ¦ ? ¦ ¦ il I I V . < « i 606 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. las much so as possible, by strips of sticking pfag* stitches, it' necessary. Now apply a soft bread *j Ik poultice over the whole. WOUNDS OF THE EAR, NOSE, l c THIATMSNT. — Wash the parts well, so as todeuj Jin from all dirt, &c, and then draw the edges offc wound together by as many stitches as are Decenary.*. If the part is even completely separated, and basbeei trodden under foot by washing it in warm water, ami placing it even, and accurately, in its proper place, bf the same means it may still adhere or grow on. WOUNDS OF THE SCALP. Treatment. — In wounds of the scalp, it b neoonn to shave off the hair. After this operation is performed, wash the parti well, and draw the edges of the wood together with sticking plaster. If it has been torn up in several places, wash and lay them all down on the skull again, drawing their edges together as nearly as possible by sticking plaster, or, if necessary, by stitches. Thai cover the whole with a soft fold or bandage, smeared with some simple ointment of any kind. WOUNDS OF THE THROAT. TjUSATMEAT. — Seize and tie up every bleeding V«d you can get hold of. If the wind pipe is cut only partly through, secure it with sticking plaster, if it is completely divided, bring its edges together by stitclios. taking care to pass the needle through the loose membrane that covers the windpipe, and not through the windpipi KThe head should be bent on the breast ihirin? peration, and secured by bolsters and bandars in osition, to favor the approximation of the wound 607 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. WOUNDS OF TIIH CHEST. If the wound in the chest is a simple incited wound, ]r;i\v the edges of it together by Sticking plaster, cover tby ;i Ibid or compress of linen, and pass a bandage oiiiid the chest. The patient is to be confined to his «d, kepi on very low diet, and bled and purged, in inlcr to prevent inflammation. If, however, intlammaon should come on, you must reduce it by copious and rt'(|iinit bleeding. Should the wound be occasioned iv a bullet, extract it, and any pieces of cloth, &c, that ikiv be lodged in it, if possible, and cover the wound ritha piece of linen smeared with some simple ointment, iking great care that it is not drawn into the chest. If i portion of the lung protrudes or project out, return it oils place immediately, but be as gentle and cautious as wssible. WOUNDS OF THE BELLY. Ik wounds of the belly, close it by strips of sticking (aster, and stitches passed through the skin, about half n inch from the edge of the wound, and cover the bole with a soft compress of linen, secured by a band* ii v <'. Any inflammation that may arise, is to be reduced iv bleeding, purging, and a blister over the whole belly. hould any part of the bowels come out at the wound, clean and uninjured, return it as quickly as possible; covered with dirt, clots of blood, &c., wash it careilly in warm water previously to returning it. If the nt is wounded, and only cut partly through, draw the ro edges of it together by a stitch, and return it; if Nnpletely divided, you must connect the edges by four itches at equal distances, and replace it in the belly, Iwayg leaving the end of the ligature or thread procted from the external wound, which must be closed f Kicking plaster. In five or six days, if the threads re loose, withdraw them very gently and carefully. 608 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. WOUNDS OF JOINTS. In wounds of this description, you arc to brio* t! edges of the wound together by sticking plaster, wit out any delay ; keep the part perfectly at rest, hi, J purge, and live very low, so as to prevent inflatniwj| Jsut should it come on, it must be met at its fii>; ¦ proach by bleeding to as great an extent as the condnj of the patient will warrant, and by a blister covering whole joint. If the joint seems like it would he ; f sni one, keep the limb in that position which will pm most useful ; that is, the leg should be extended, ami i arm bent at the elbow. Wounds of the joints ami ways highly dangerous, and frequently terminate fatally WOUNDS OF THE TENDONS. Tendons or sinews are frequently wounded and rupl tured. They are to be treated precisely like any otliJ wound, by keeping their divided parts together, 1:1 tendon which connects the great muscle forming theca of the leg with the heel, called the tendon of Achilit is frequently cut with the adze, and ruptured in jumpm from heights. This accident is to be remedied bydm ing up the heel, extending the foot, and placing a spin on the fore part of the leg, extending from the kneel beyond the toes, which being secured in that position il a bandage, keeps the foot in the position just mentio:iel The hollows under the splint must be filled with towJ cotton. If the skin falls into the space between (he enl of the tendon, apply a piece of sticking plaster, so >l draw it out of the way. It usually takes five or six wet j to unite, but no weight should be laid on the limb '¦ several months. I As I have before plainly pointed out to you how fracires may be known, it will he unnecessary to dwell on us nibjeot It will, however, be advisable for you to collect this general rule: In cases where, from the companying circumstances and symptoms, a itrong gpicion exists that a hone is fractured, it will he proper r you to act as though it were positively ascertained: to 'SO. FRACTURES OF THE BONE OF THE TREATMENT. — From the exposed situation of the Ml of the nose, they are frequently forced in. When is is the case, any smooth article that will pass into the itril should he immediately introduced with one hand, as to raise the depressed portions to the proper level, iilc the other is employed in moulding them into the quired shape. If violent inflammation follows, bleed, rge,and live on the lowest kind of diet. LACTUREB OF THE LOWER JAW. Treatment. — There is no difficulty in discovering i accident by looking into the mouth; and it is to be ievod hy keeping the lower jaw firmly pressed against ' "pper one, by means of a bandage passed under chin and over the head. If it is broken near the an'"' that part nearest the ear, place a cushion or roll linen behind it over which the bandage must pass, so 10 make it push that part of the bone forward. The rt * are then to be confined in this way for twenty or toty-fi?e days; during which time, all the nourishnt that is taken by the patient should be sucked be- 610 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Seen the teeth. If, in consequence of the blow, a tooth loosened, do not meddle with it, for if let alone, it* >\v fast again. FRACTURE OF THE CLAVICLE OR COLLAR BONE. The clavicle may be broken by a blow directly upoi it, but it is most commonly broken in consequence o the person pitching on his shoulder, as in fall ing tmn horse-back. The fracture of this bone is ascertained! remarking that the shoulder is fallen down towards tli breast, and on feeling along the bone, the crepitation o the broken ends is perceived, or the broken endlM found to have passed each other and one of them to li upon the other. The motion which the patient makes with the noil difficulty, is to touch the shoulder of the opposite sidi or to raise his hand to his forehead ; for this RMJ twists the broken clavicle, and forces the broken nn into the cellular membrane. The indication is to U the shoulder from falling forward, and the arm tru dragging. If the patient be drunk, compresses are be put over the tendons pectoralis major, or the point ot it shoulder, as it is called, and a figure of S bandage to 1 so applied as to draw the shoulder powerfully back, tii no struggling or thoughtless motion be allowed ws might tear the parts against the sharp bones. When the bone is to be set, an assistant draws Ik the shoulder, while the surgeon examines the position the bones; and when the broken f>uds have been lira* into their natural relation, SOB v Ba< compresses ot I" 1 arc to be placed, as directed, Ijeiore the arin-pils, that bandage may not cut the skin. The double-headed roller is now to be applied: (¦ we mean by double-headed, is a piece of cloth, Hp mestic, with each end rolled up until they meet in : middle.) Putting the middle of the roller aero* back, the surgeon brings two turns under the armpit* 2 over the shoulder, then, by crossing the roller on i I lark and again bringing tho turns to bear on the shoul- Lrs they are retained or braced back: after a few yards tithe roiler are thus applied, the shoulders are fixed, and [lie arm cannot fall forward. [ Now a soft cushion, or pad of lint, is to be placed in the Ljilla, and the turns of the roller being secured, the end |»io be brought down upon fhe back and outside of the (inn, so as to bear on the elbow and brace it to the side. This, in consequence of the compress being in the axilla, sail farther removes the shoulder from the sternum, or breast bone, and keeps the broken ends of the bones promp rom passing each Other, If the bones cor. Ie easily into their place, then the id need not be ftpplied in the axilld, until after the time ho roller is somewhat loosened by stretching, or it be loeessary to make some substitute ibr the severe bracing of the roller. When the shoulder is braced back, we must notice if the bones be on the exact level; and at all events, it is necessary to sling the arm, to pre vent the falling down of the outer portion of the clavicle; for I !ns purpose, the fore-arm is put in a large handkerchief, the ends of which are to be tied round the neck. iVo kind of compress must be allowed on the ends of the broken bones, for they are ineffectual as to keeping the bones in their place, and only press the tender skin against the sharp bone. If it be found that the patient is often feeling and pressing the bone, it may be well to put a piece oileafther, spread with adhesive plaster, over the clavicle, simply to keep off his fingers. FRACTURES OF THE ARM. Treatment. — Seat your patient on a chair, or the side of a bed, let some one assist you to hold the sound arm, while another person grasps the wrist of the broken one, and steadily extends it in an opposite direction, bendiijg the fore-arm a little, to serve as a lever. You must now place the bones in their proper situation, two splints, made of shingle or stout paste board, long enough to reach from below the shoulder, to near the elbow, must 611 612 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. then be well covered with tow or cotton, and laid a], I)[y each side of the arm, and kept in that position £• bandage. The fore-arm is to be supported ma Jm Two smaller splints may, for better security, bo laid!,, tween the first ones, that is, one on top, and the otbet underneath the arm, to be secured by the bandago, m the same way as the others. FRACTURES OF THE BONES OF THE FORE-ARM. As I have before, and I now again tell you, it is thai part which reaches from the elbow to the wrist, that is designated or called the fore-arm. When this is fractured, they are to be reduced precisely in the same wit, with the exception of the mode of keeping the upper portion of it steady; which is done by grasping the in above the elbow. When the splints and bandage whidi I have directed you how to make, are applied, Nippon it in a sling. FRACTURES OF THE WRIST Fractures of the wrist very seldom take place- When this accident does happen, the injury is general!) so great as to require amputation or taking it off It I is possible to save the hand, lay it on a splint, well covered with tow or cotton. This is to extend beyond the fingers — place then another splint opposite to it, lioM with the same soft materials, and secure them by a bandage. The hand is then to be carried in a sling. Thl bones of the hand are frequently broken. In Mich a case, fill the palms of the hand with soft compresses, or folds of linen, or soft domestic cloth, or tow or cotton. and then lay a splint on it long enough to extend OT the elbow to beyond the ends of the fingers, and 111011 10 be secured by a bandage. If the finger is broken, ex-¥~\\ 1 tend the end of it until it becomes straight. 1 laceu* fractured or broken bone in its proper place, and appl) two small paste board splints, one below and the other tore, which you must secure by a narrow bandage, — •bo upper splint ought to extend from the end of tlio „„, rover the back of the hand. 1( may sometimes bo r "iit>r to add two additional splints lor the sides of the iger. FRACTURES OF THE RIBS, \Vhi:n after a fall or blow, the patient complains of a pm king |>:iin in his side, we may suspect a rib is broken. lie way to discover it, is by placing the ends of two or fee of your lingers on the spot where the pain is, and oiring the patient to cough, when the grating sens ition nil bo felt. All that is necessary, is to pass a broad mdage round the chest, so tight as to prevent the lotion of the ribs in breathing, and to live on a light FRACTURES OF THE Til Kill. I\ the treatment of the fractured thigh bone, we have ¦any things recommended, and a variety of apparatus pilvised, because, in truth, every surgeon has experienced lifficulty and disappointment in managing it. What I law now to oiler will, 1 hope, be found simple, and, n proportion to its simplicity, effectual lor securing the iml) in the best position. It will be necessary for awhile to secure the limb with ho common splint and bandage, and lay it out on a •iUow, In an hour a frame may be constructed: two nurds of tenor eleven inches in breadth, and of a length qua! to the distance of the heel from the back of the nee joint, are to be united at an angle, answering to an asy and relaxed flexion of the limb, and secured by a orizonta] board, so that the knee will be drawn up bout half way to a right line with the body or hip joint. tear |he edge of the inclined boards, holes are to be luule and pegs of wood fitted to them ; cushions or pads re to be laid on this frame, when it is leady to receive lie limb. The limb is to be laid over the cushions or 613 fmttrasscs thus supported on their frame. Tho h0,,.,. ow to he accurately set. (if it has not been already d,,,^ by the assistant taking the knee and gently extending j| while the surgeon puts his hands wide over the (hid and the fractured part, that he may feel the crepitatnt and the motion which the broken extremities oftj lf bone suffer. Now one long splint is to be laid on tin outside of the thigh, reaching from the hip to the sided the knee, another upon the inside of the thigh, andorq these the bandage which surgeons call the eighteen taild bandage, is to be applied. What we mean by a bands* with eighteen tails, is simply a piece of cloth, say d» inewtic, of the width of from the knee to the Upper m of the thigh, then cut it from the ends, say six oreigb inches, into tails of from one to two inches wide ai each end. Having applied the bandage, it is now to be ok served how far the thigh answers to the inclined planed which it rests in the position I have above mentioned The most frequent kind of defect is shortening of tin thigh, together with a twist of the limb, which lama the patient by depriving him of the strength from ilit muscles of the leg, and takes at the same time, the leogl of the toot from the step of that leg. Having, as we hope, done all that can be done, by the substitution of I simple contrivance, and by making the Weight of dn body the counterpoise to the strength of the muscles, iv prevent retraction of the limb, and consequently dM permanent shortening of it. FRACTURES OF THE BONES OF THE FOOT. This accident seldom occurs — the bono of the bed is sometimes though rarely broken. It is known by crack at the moment of the accident, a difficulty* standing, by the quick swelling, and by the grain. noise on moving the heel. To reduce it, take ahv bandage, lay die end of it on the top of the foot, coj vey it over the toes under the sole of the foot, ami tbei by several turns secure it in that position. The foot* 614 615 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. L extended as mucli as possible, carry the bandage l]ong the back of the leg above the knee, where if is to v secured by Btveral turns, and then brought down on |u> front of the leg, to which it is secured by circular mnis. In this manner, the broken pieces will be kept in loiiiact, and in the course of a month or six weeks, will In 1 united. All fractures of the foot, toes, &c, are to be treated jkc those of the hand and lingers. OF DISLOC A T 1 O N S. The signs by which a dislocation may be known have been already explained to you. Rut remember that tin sooner the attempt is made to place it in its proper place, the easier it will be done. The strength of one man, properly applied at the moment of the accident, will of. ten succeed in restoring the bend of a bone to its place, which in a few days and even hours would have required the combined efforts of men and pullies, After toi have made several trials with the best apparatus that an be obtained, and you find you cannot succeed, make the patient stand up, having all things in readiness, and Meed him in that position until he faints; the moment this occurs the muscles will relax, and a slight force will oftei be sufficient, where more powerful ones have been used without effect — Also recollect to vary the direction of the extending force. A slight pull in one way will often effect what has been in vain attempted by great force m another. DISLOCATION OF THE LOWER JAW Dislocation of the lower jaw is produced by blowso* yawning, usually called gaping. It is known by an inability to shut the mouth, and the projection of the skin To reduce it is quite simple: Seat the patient in a chair, with his bead supported by the breast of an assistant. who must stand behind him. Your thumbs being covered with leather [or a glove] are then pushed between the jaws, as far back as possible, while with the fingen outside, you grasp the bone, which must be prestM downwards, at the same time that the chin is raised.— If this is properly done, the bone will be found moviity when the chin is to be pushed backwards, and the thumb* slipped between the jaws and the cheeks. If this is not 617 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 06, they will bo bitten b? the sudden snap of tho tooth ;thef come together. The jaws should be kept clos,| hv a bandage for a few days, and tho patient live upon >ISL<)( ATION OF TILE SIIOU LDER. Tins accident is quite common, and the most so of II the dislocations mentioned. You can easily discover i, i>\ the deformity of the joint, and the head of tho l> >no tiii^ found in some unnatural position. To reduce h i us proper place, seal your patient in a chair, place one ami on the prominent part of the shoulder blade, just hove the spot where the head of the bone should be, bile frith the other you grasp the arm above riie elbow, ml then pull it outwards. Sometime! this will not succeed ; if so, then lay the pa- BDton the ground, place your heel in his arm pit, and mi steadi l y and forcibly extend the arm by grasping it i liit 1 wrist. DISLOCATION OF THE COLLAR BONE. Tin: Collar B me is seldom dislocated; but should it ke place, the treatment is. to apply the bandages, *fee. lyou have been already directed for a fracture of the une part, which see. ISLOCATION OF THE ELBOW. If this dislocation has occurred by falling on the hands, nich is most common, or hold his amis bent at the eldw, and every endeavor to straighten it gives him threat »n» it is dislocated backwards. Seat the patient in a »air, let some one grasp the arm near the shoulder, and •other the wrist, and forcibly extend it, while you inter«kthe lingers of both hands just above the elbow, and D « it backwards, remembering that under those circum- Wceg, whatever degree of force is required, should be pplied in this direction. The elbow is sometimes dis- 76 618 THE FAMILY PIIYSICIAN. located sideways or laterally. To reduce it. RMfoJ tension by pulling at the wrist, while some one s ?, the arm above; then push the bone into its place, «& inwards or outwards, as may be required. Atir reduction ofo dislocated elbow, keep the joint at perfa rest for five or six days, and then move it gently. [fjJ flamtnation should come on, treat it as I have; ben told you in all inflammations — bleed freely, purge, ft] DISLOCATIONS OF THE WRIST FINGERS, &c. Dislocations of this nature are common, and ad known, by the least examination: they are all to ben duced by forcibly extending the lower extremity oti! part, and pushing the bones into their (dace. Ifneai sary small bands may be secured to the fingers bj narrow bandage, to assist the extension. These ted dents should be attended to without delay; for if tin arc neglected fora little time, they become irremediall or incurable. D I SLOCATI () NO F T lI E Til I G II Notwithstanding the hip joint is the strojut l^ (I i in the whole body, it is sometime! dislocated. Tl method of ascertaining this accident is by a careful 0 nmination of the part. Comparing the length andl pearance of the limb with its fellow, Sec. sufficieni tirk the nature of the accident. 1 will proceed to W 1 remedy. Place the patient on his back, upon a table' coTtfl th a blanket. Two sheets folded like cravais. arc Ai be passed between the thiffh and the testicle oi eM c, and their ends (one half of each sheet passing « uely over the belly to thcopposito shoulder, while* other half pastes under the back in the same direct** given to several assistants, or what is much better. W very firmly to a hook, staple, post, or some imnioveab.' ¦oik A large and very strong towel, folded as beforo ¦niitiiinnl. like a cravat, is now lo be laid along the top X (high) BO thai its middle will he just abovo tnC knee, Wk m n is U) he well secured by many turns of n han- B The two ends are then to he knotted. If you X no pullics, a twistnd sheet or rope inav he passed lirniii;li the loop formed hv the towels. If yon can oh Km iiie (brmcr, it is bettor. Cast the loop over die hool ¦the lower block, and secure the upper one to the wall ¦in ilv opposite to the hooks or men that hold the sheets mH n pass between the thighs. A steadily increasing ¦ forcible extension ol ihe thigh, is then to he made ft (ho men who are stationed at the pullies or sheet ft .; ¦ \(iu are turning and twisting (he limb to assist in m- ¦il-m^ it from its unnatural situation. By these means, ¦\>:>!t!v applied, the hood of the hone will frequently slip ¦tothe socket with considerable noise. I Should you be unable to succeed, change the dirccloii of the extending force, recollecting always, that it is I In sudden and violent jerks that it can he put in line, but by a stead), increasing and continued pull. Ihoiild all your efforts prove unavailing (I would not Idwsc you to loose much time before you resort to it) liivc your patient, as before directed, submit in such |..» i to loss of blood, hy which means in those difficult IMS you arc to succeed. OF THE KNEE PAN. ir this small hone is dislocated, you will perceive it at nee by the slightest glance. Now to reduce it, lay your itienton his hack, straighten the leg, lift it up to ;i right Dglc with his body, and in that position push the hone ad to its proper place. Then keep the knee at per- Ct rest on a pillow for a few days. DISLOCATION OF THE LEG. Accidents of this kind cannot happen without tear- lacerating the soft parts; but little force is required 619 620 THE FAMILY EHYSICIAN. to place the bones in their propersituation. ShooL the parts he so much torn that the hones slip again on of place, you had better apply Hartshorn's or Desa^ apparatus, which I fully described to you for fracture DISLOCATION OF THE FOOT Dislocation of the foot seldom takes place. It ho* ever may occur; therefore I will give you the treatment Let one secure the leg, and another draw (he fool while you push the hone in the contrary way to that i which it was forced out. Then you are to cover it will folds of linen dipped in water in which sugar of hj has been dissolved, and apply a splint on each gidetl the leg, so that it reaches below the foot. — An acciden of this nature is highly dangerous, requiring the imme diate assistance of a skilful physician; as even thai all that can be done to remedy them is, in the speed; reduction of the bone, keeping the parts on a pillow a: rest, and subduing inflammation by bleeding, low did, and all such directions as already given to subdue lever. OF COMPOUND ACCIDENTS I have fully, and as plainly as I could, before told you how to treat accidents of this kind, and what plan you are to pursue when single ; it now remains for me to state to you what is to be done when they are united. For instance, an accident happens by which a mani thrown from a height. On examination, a wound I found in his thigh — it is bleeding profusely, his ankle on examination is out of joint, with a wound communici ting with a cavity, and his leg broken. In the first p»* stop the bleeding from the wound, then reduce the dislocation next, then draw the edges of the wound logetM* with sticking plaster and lastly apply to the fracturt Hartshorn's or Desnult's apparatus, which 1 l»a vi> ¦' fully explained before, that any carpenter can construct it for you. A M P U TATJ O N • Tins moans the cutting off* limb, or other part of the body* How often do those accidents happen where ihere is no physician or regular surgical assistance, (oflenatsea,orat a distance in the country,) mid the limb rt'i|uirinii' immediate amputation) or cutting oil." — The only difficulty, 1 confess to you, is to know when this operation ought to be performed; font is sometimes the ease, that the most skilful Burgeon is mistaken, or at a Hand whether he shall operate or not Ido know several cases that have been preserved by the obstinacy of the patient, refusing to have the operation performed. iiut this was running a great hazard of life, and should be in all such cases ventured upon with due caution — ;iiid the operation ought not to be performed unless under ilif most careful and sound judgment — Now, to perform this operation, requires nothing but firmness and common dexterity, for any man, and that too, to perform it wi'li. Although, as 1 have told you, there are many doubts whether an amputation should take place or not, ycl in others, all difficulty vanishes; as lor instance-, when a ball has carried away an arm; or during a Norm, a tree happens to fall and mash the knee, the leg or ankle, so that those parts are greatly lacerated, Of torn, and ihe blood vessels are severely lacerated, also nerves Hid tendons; or the crushing or splintering of the bones, almost necessarily resulting from such accidents, render immediate amputation an unavoidable and imperious tint). Now you v ill ask, what shall 1 do for instruments With which to perform this operation? If it is difficult to obtain surgical instruments, which is often the case in the country or at sea, it is of no consequence, The in* fruinents for this purpose, are few and easily obtained, in all cases, will answer as a valuable substitute. 'irst,geta large carviu h. knife — a carpenter's tenon, or mitre saw — B slip of lead), er or linen, three, inches wide, and twenty inches lon*. slit up the middle to the half of its length — a dozen oj more of ligatures, each about a loot long, mode of \v;i\. Ed thread or line twine — a hook with a sharp point, oi ashoemakcr's crooked aw! will answer, — a pairofslctidci pincers — several narrow strips of sticking plaster, called by physicians or surgeon's adhesive plaster, or adhesive strip — some dry lint — a piece of old linen, large enouiA to cover the end of the stump, spread with Bimple ointment or lard — v bandage three or four yards long, alum the width of your hand — a piece of sponge, and boim warm water. You arc now prepared fully to herforq amputation; which 1 will so plainly explain, iliat anj man, unless he is an idiot or an absolute tool, can perform this operation. AMPUTATION OF THE ARM. HOW T > PERFORM THE OPERATION. — Give the ps> tient about half an hour before you intend operating, sixty drops of laudanum j now haying all things in rent!' mess, seat him on a narrow and firm table or chest, ofi convenient height; he is now fo be supported by ;ina.» sistnnt, by cfasping him round the body. If the hand" kercl i fand stick have not. been previously applied, place it as high up on the arm as possible, (the stick being very short.) and so that the knot may pass on the innei side of it. Your instruments having been placed rep? larly on a table, and within reach of your hand, wliih some; one supports the lower end of the arm, and 81 ill same time draws down the skin, take the large kliifc OB make one straight cut all round the limb through ihi skin and fat only; then with the pen-knife separate* much of the skin from the iiesh above the cut, riw» round if, as will form a Hap to cover the face or endj the slump; when you thii.k there is enough separated] turn it back, where it must be held by an assistant, \yb< with the large knife you make a second straight fociM* round the arm and down to the bone, as close as you rm to the doubled edge oflhe flap, but takingfgreat care ioi to cut it. The bone is now to be poised through the Jil in the piece of linen before mentioned, and pressed by (sends atrainsi the tipper surface of the wound by the person who holds the flap, while you saw through the boiio as near to it as you can. With the hooks or pincers rou ihen seize and tie up every vessel that bleeds, the urges! the first and the smaller ones next, until they arc illsecsred. When this is done relax the slick a little — it any artery spirts blood, tie it as before directed. The wound is now to lie gently and very carefully cleansed wiih a. sponge and warm water, and the stick obe relaxed. If it is evident that the arteries are all ieri, bring the flap over the end of the stump, draw then lie edges together with strips of slicking plaster, leaving bo ligatures hanging out at the angles, Lay the piece ii'hio.ii, spread with simple ointment of hog's lard over he straps, and a fold or pledget of lint over that, and secure the whole by the bandage. Then put your patient to lied, and rest the stump on a pillow. The handkerihiefand stick are to he left loosely round the li lib, so bat if any bleeding happens to come on, it maybe tightrued at once, hv the person who watches by the patient Ithis accident should toko place by which I mean the feeding, the dressings an; to be taken off, the flap raised, :nl thfi bleeding vessel sought for and tied up; after vliich, every thing is to be placed as before. I have mentioned n handkerchief and a stick; these are subsumes for the instrument used by surgeons called a tourtquiet. Remember in sawing through the bone, a long ml tree sir. )ke should be used to prevent any hitching; lan additional security against which, the teeth of the IW should be well sharpened and sot wide. It is of the greatest importance to attend to this ciruiistnnce. The ends of divided arteries cannot at the in* 1 of operation be got hold of; or being in a diseased inc. their coats give way under the hook; so that it is "•possible to draw them out, and not unfrcquently they re found ossified, which means turned into bone. In 623 all such easts, baring threaded a needle with a Ijgtun well waxed, pass it through the flesh round the ;ir; , rv so that when lied, there will bo a portion of it include^ in the ligature along wiih ihc artery. The needle 01^ by surgeons for this purpose is a curved or crooked onbut a straight one will answer. When the ligntureh* been made to encircle the artery, -mi oil' the noedieid tie it firmly in the ordinary way. The dressings should not he removed forsevtraldati say fr >m live to seven, if the weather is cool; but if warn weather, it should be removed in three days. JJut thi you must do with great care, after soaking it well wiili warm water, so that you can take it away without it sticking to the stump, bleeding or otherwise producuM pain. Then apply a clean plaster of lint, over which pi a bandage as before directed; — which dressing is to k removed, and a fresh one applied every two daya la about fourteen or sixteen days the ligatures will general ]y come away; and in from three to live weeks, if I goes on as might be expected, without any accident, the Wound is well. AMPUTATION OF THE THIGH Amputation of the thigh is to be performed in to same manner as that of the arm, with one exception,! being proper to put a piece of lint between the edges! the flap, to prevent them from uniting until the Barfed of the stump has adhered to it. A 3l P U T A T lONO F T lI E t E G Thkrk are two bones in the leg, which have a U muscle between. In such a case, you must have an M ditional knife to those f have before mentioned lodifW it. The knife required for this purpose must have a ImiS narrow blade, with a double cutting edge, and a slum point. You can grind down a carving or a csseWw to answer every purpose, the blade however must be n duced to less than half an inch in width.— The linen 01 624 giber strip should also have two slits in it instead of ia Having all your preparations in order near you, our patient is to be laid on his back, on a table covered nth a blanket, or on a hard bed, with as many persons s may be necessary to hold him. The handkerchief ml stick are then to be applied on the upper part of the ijgh, One person holds the knee, and another the foot ml !(><; as firmly as possible, while with the large knife ii< operator makes an oblique incision round the limb, iroiiijli the skin, and beginning at five or six inches behv toe knee pan, and carrying it regularly round in such manner that the cut will be lower down on the calf wn in front of the leg. As much of the skin is then to i' separated by the pen-knife as will cover the Slump. t is here important for you to take the principal part tilic flap from the hinder part of the leg; for the cut Nog made as directed, it should require only one inch fdun to be raised in front, and of course you must take Hugh from behind to meet it. When this is turned ;uk. a second cut is t > be made all round the limb and own to the bones; when with the narrow bladed knife (fore mentioned, the flesh between them is to be divi- NL The middle piece of the leather strip is now to be lilcd through between the bones, the whole being held iik In the assistant who supports the flap while the AM are sawed — which should be so managed that the wler one is cut through by the time the other is only Jfoff The arteries are then to be taken up, the flap ought down, and secured by adhesive plaster with adages as I have before plainly explained to you. MPUTATION OF THE FORE-ARM. The ibre-arm has two bones in it; therefore, you re•ir 1 in this operation the narrow-bladed knife, and the r '|> oflinen with three tails. Let the incision be made Might round the part, as in the arm ; with this excep"'< complete it as I gave you directions in the case be- 77 625 626 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. AMPUTATION OF THE FINGERS \\[) TOES. When amputations of this kind are made, yon ni!N . draw the skin hack, and make an incision round i finger a little helow the joint it is intended to remorj turn hack a little Hap to cover the stump, then cut dowi to the joint, bleeding it so that you can cut through t ligaments that connects the two hones — the under of blood from the hollow of the bone, make use of small plug of cedar; and if violent spasms of the Stan take place, hold it carefully by your assistants, and ii mediately administer large doses of laudanum; it ¦ be understood as a general rule, that after every open tion of the kind, laudanum must and ought to begin according to the sufferings of the patient. t MORTIFICATION. the general treatment of wounds and in surg«j mber always to stop excessive inflammation: whici 627 fallowed lo go to ;i certain point, frequently produces Bonification, or the death or the parts. Therefore alraya ya be on your guard against fever — which you may asily know, by heat, pain, redness and swelling. Now again repeat that yon must bleed and purge as much g you think your patient may be able to bear, from his imaiion, constitution, &c. oLC These matters are to e entirely regulated by the appearances at the time. [the fever and pain should suddenly cease, and the Ui which before was red, swollen and hard, becomes il;i purple color and sofi. you are lo slop at once all reucing measures, put a large blister over all the parts, ndgive good wine, porter, barks, and wine or quinine, r other generous stimulants, so as to support the sinking ondition of the patient, tor mortification has or is tout to commence; and should you lind the blisi< rs KNlid tail to put 9 stop to the disease, and the parts look Bid and become offensive, cover them with charcoal, 1 fermenting poultices, until nature separates the dead irtsfrom the living; during which lime give a free, Hterous, and strengthening diet and good wine. in mortification of the lore-arm, it frequently becomes ecessary to amputate, This ought never to be done ntil after blisters have been fairly tried to the sound mis (above the mortified,) as they often separate, you lOttld be careful to examine strictly the parts, so as to bower in time, that which may be necessary. I) 1 11 E C T I O N S F O R C A T II E T E R . A catheter is a surgitr.l instrument made use of for rawing the water from the bladder. There are two uxls, male and female. The difference between them very little. The female is shorter than the male, and ut slightly curved, whereas the male catheter is longer W more curved, sometimes there are only one boh; in wend of the male catheter, but often they are made 1 'I' ninny holes in the end like the female catheu r. y this simple operation which any man of common ense tan perform, the lives of thousands have been preserve 628 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. — and this is one among the many reasons I COll v advance for having explained the outward parts off,.. male generation so plainly. Now many tools say I omL to have left out an explanation of these parts. \ l( j why do they say so? Because they do not read tin hook, so as to see the necessity of writing so plain. \ r , we ashamed of the parts which the diseases of oar ft turcs require to be explained, so as to olitain relief j cases of disease? lam writing a book not for the lean ed but for the unlearned, not for amusement, hut too. plain, in plain language, the diseases to which wo m subjected, and the method to obtain relief from pain nl sickness. — With these remarks I shall proceed. THE METHOD OF USING THE CATHETER Tiik patient should be placed on his back with H knees drawn up. The operator standing on the patienh leftside, will lay hold of the penis with his left hand, iiiiii will take the catheter in his right hand, the upper part* handle should be turned towards his knees or reel almost in a right line with his body, he then introduces k catheter into the Uretha and carrying it down until i passes the bone in point or pubus, then gently uiriiinjitlie handle round, the knees being extended or widened.!) suffer the band with the instrument to pass towards tlir patient's belly gradually and gently, elevating the handle the instrument easily passes into the bladder and the water Hows. THE NURSE'S GUJ D E . ¦ h the preliminary observations of this work, we stated Iris illustrative of the important advantage! resulting Km good nursing and dieting. The frequent occur- Hkv of fatal effects when this is neglected, imperiously Biiuiiuis that I should present to my readers the most Bjuoved rules which ought to he understood by every Him 1 , is well as to exhibit the mode of preparing such ¦incuts as are most proper tor the sick; in order that Hrtmmmels of ignorance in nurses, if possible, may he Htken. and simplicity of diet and general management ¦come an increased object of our attention. ¦J)i rv OF a Nintsi:. — Before we proceed farther on ¦s subject, it may be necessary to observe, that none WkvW he nurses unless they possess ftottrstj/i sobriety, ¦d/M7////. The more equal and cheerful they an; in «r dispositions, the better, provided they keep at their H);ht distance, and never incommode the patient with Hr chit chat, or any thing mat can occasion sudden ¦nil. They ought to be expert in the execution of Bintilice, yet without hustle or noise: the track being Hi!v kept when once got into, and the objects to be at- K'lu 1 ofliee of a nurse, however trifling it may appear, ¦JRvll known and rightly performed, is unquestionably Kicat benefit to mankind. To prove this fact, it is By necessary to appeal to every skilful physician, whe- V. when the plan prescribed by him has been punc- BK observed, he has not commonly seen the disease B iirising through the course of it. Whereas, on the ¦trary, when liis plan has been altered, as for instance, 111I 11 the medicine has not been taken at the appointed ft: when improper diet has been given instead of 630 that directed ; when the air in the rooms and mam . circumstances have been improperly attended tn. R ther he has not then known the disease to be either h gravated, or diverted from its course, often terminal fatally; wlien. if no such errors had been commute there was the highest probability of the patient's n Air ahdTehferatvri< — It being a well known fc iliat the life of every animal depends as much on air on diet; and its health also as much on the goodnes the former, as on that of the latter, care should be tiki what sort of rooms we sleep in, hut more especially i when confined by sickness. It is a misfortune that the poor as well as the situ are constrained from necessity to sleep in lowdwellin and many of them in the same room, by which duel tention is not generally paid to cleanliness; hence it air becomes impure and extremely offensive, Oihen again accustom themselves, sick or well, to the curtail drawn. This is equally detrimental to health, for 4 air being thus confined, becomes contaminated, anil offensive as to be disagreeable to any one entering I room from the fresh air. Uow much more sotbl must this be the case in sickness, which tends greatijl destroy its purity. In warm weather it is necessary to keep a wind* open da> and night, during the whole course of the! ease; but in this case the nurse must take care that A patient is not exposed to either a damp or violent a rent of air. Whenever a fire is required, it shouldl kept up, and regulated according to the nature o( i disease, and state of the weather. The room '» • brought to a due heat, should never be Buffered i'>i ! suddenly; for the air ought to be kept as tempeitM possible. When the general exhaustion is great, the tempefl ture of the apartment should not by any means be p mittcd to be so low as to endanger an attack ol cW ness; as in this case a rapid reduction of the aim* heat may speedily be fatal, by sinking the heart's M i some instance! an exposure to the cold air, in petting •) to tin* night-chair, has been the cause of a shivering ; , under which the patient died in a few hours; but eaih will rarely happen, if some warm stimulant be im), liately administered internally, and sufficient warmth wJied to the extreme parts of the body. Chills and Fevers. — It is too prevailing a custom in c cold [it of an ague, or when the patient complains 'chilliness, for the attendants to heap* great loads of dl clothes, which never tail to produce difficult or opnsscd respiration, In such cases, warmth should bo stored by applying warm flannels to the stomach and xlomen, and the same or warm bricks to the leet. — should also be had to friction with a flesh rush or flannel on the extremities. It is vulgarly imagined that it is absolutely necessary i promote and under this absurd idea, eating and stimulating drinks are given by way of corals, which readily induce delirium or a more obstinate !\( t. The fact is this, when the ptdse is quick and tho mlv hot, sweat can only be induced by lessening theacmof tiie pulse, and heat of the body. And this can n'v be accomplished by strict observation of a cooling gimen. l:i some cases, it is necessary that the sick person KHild be kept out of bed as much as possible, and accd so as to face die current of air; the body being tended sufficiently by the clothing to prevent any iunvenience being experienced. It should be recollected, wever. as we have already noticed, that in the stage of i)!iUj>se, or when the exhaustion is? great, this practice is M admissible. Hut there is much less reason to fear is practice will be too frequently adopted, than that it ill be neglected, in those cases in which it is recoinended. For, too often, in this point, are the wishes of p physician opposed, and his directions disobeyed; the nguor of tijc patient, and the unwillingness to be rowed, with the prejudices against a practice so novel, fining, very often, almost insuperable obstacles. Indeed, is very difficult to persuade those who have not wit- 631 mowed tho effects resulting from this mode of pramce that it is not decenary for efery person in a fe?erttl kept closely routined to his hod under a Weight of |m clothes, MM supplied with heating drinks. It trciju, ; , happens, therefore, that no sooner has a physician I the room, than the patient is supplied with warm lion the windows and curtains are closed, and the bed-cloth which had been removed, are replaced. Such on* tion to the directions of a physician, viewed in them favorable light, is highly eensurahle; being, in aen measure, the effect of ignorance, it is all that prevent from heing really criminal. Nurses should, therefore, he on their guard, ami i ther deviate themselves from the rules laid down. ¦ permit any person at the expense of the patient's lift I interfere with what might he considered their doty,otbo wise their conscience will upbraid them as murdera It is to he hoped, by means of this treatise, ignoni will no longer he a clonk tor omissions, and that one a form method will ho attained in the management ofv sick, which will unquestionably he of vast importance I mankind. Clean'lini:ss. — It is certainly of ing mattresses are clean horse-hair, Carolina moss p» perly cured, corn husks split, or straw. When a bod is unsettled, or a patient's head uncoj fortably low, or when his feet are pushed from under" 632 d-clothes. he should ho raised in hod, and the hod, gter, and covering, shook Up and smoothed. Tin 4 patient's faco and hands are to be washed every [truing. And when he is no longer Able to assist himt.liistiico, brent, hands, and arms, must be frequently aged with vinegar and water. The floor should be * clean and occasionally sprinkled with vinegar, parularlv before it is swept, and 00 no account should v thifm the least offensive be suffered to remain in the ML 1: is also the duty of the nurse to pay great attention I tho state of the patient's mouth. When his tongue and m> arc covered with a brown or dark crust, she must N them with a bit of flannel, moistened with salt and ,ter. two or three times a day; or, if this cannot be acuplislied, she must put a thin slice of lemon, without (rind, in his mouth. The patient is often unable to allow, from the dry and shrivelled state of his tongue; such cases, the nurse;, before offering him drink, should 1 1 ten-spoonful of lemon-juice and water, or vinegar wtened, into his mouth; after which, the scum upon [tongue will become softened in a minute or two, and d then he will drink with ease. Delirium. — When, during greatderangement of mind, iitiont insists upon leaving his bed, the nurse most enivor to calm him: or, if that should fail, she may speak li authority, but she is not on any account to use forcirestraint. The nurse must wrap his legs in a blanket, 'm his bed gown, or cover his shoulders, and permit no sit on his bed, or even to go to the fire, till the viopof his derangement shall abate. When indulged Biis way, he will, in general, soon return to the bed ¦>is own accord. In the putrid fever, delirium is one ¦lie most constant and alarming symptoms, and the Boval of it depends much upon the nurse or attendm We have seen a temporary stop put to the paws raving, by making him drink, or upon his dis¦"iunghis urine or ficces: for being then unconscious ¦I'irst or other natural wants, he is, therefore, igno¦ <>t the means of satisfying them ; and when he does 78 633 634 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Bhe fancies he is about something else, which is L ect of his delirious thoughts. This ofatern^ s to a material practical purpose; for it follows fa it, that unremitting attention should be given to theiaticnt's feelings, and all his possible wants, as those m ral notices, and instinctive cravings, which occur a health, are now wanting, in consequence ofthedeptm state of sensation. The following excellent passage will be found in [ vant's Chapter on the Synochus Putris (Nervous Fevi As soon as the delirium comes on, the pain BUbodo, at least the patient does not complain of pain, nor serin to feel any; but replies in a hurried manner, whenasU how he does, that he is very well ; according to the oil vation of a French physician, "(-litand It' malade reprii jf me porte bein, 00 seul mot sufjit* il nest pas a' fa "When the patient answers that he is very ircli, tli; alone convinces me," says Dr. Cheyne of Dublin, II he is no longer himself. In all these cases, tin 1 patim endeavors to get out of bed, to sit up, or even to w about from one room to another; but, unhappily. im attendants are solicitous to confine him to bed, and load him with bed-clothes; nay, he is frequently b struggling for two or three days together, with twosmm people lying upon him continually. Now, to prevent ,; this misery, I know no method equal to what is toll commended; namely, let the patient have his dome put on, and be placed in an easy chair ; let his head i> shaven, washed with vinegar, and covered with I fal caj). When he is tired of the erect position, let him ajong on a couch, or upon the bed, with his head hi Let his diet be cooling, and his body be kepi open b clysters, repeated occasionally. Let this method bepl sistcd in till his delirium goes off; or till the pulse I sides, and he seems exhausted ; then, perhaps, Ik 1 « begin to doze, or slumber on his chair, which will don harm, and when he is inclined to go into bed, let him' l down. "By this method," adds Dr. C, "I have recoufl great numbers of persons, when I was suffered to coi duct them in the hospital; and I do believe some lw v rished by an opposite treatment, who might have been Mkmiine. — Although it he admitted, the cure of disses depends very much upon the right choice of mejnegj yet, it cannot reasonably be expected that these II produce the desired effect unless they be punctually en, agreeably to the directions given. It has oftentimes occurred, that when aperient powders miming calomel have been prescribed, and directions BO that they should be administered in syrup or mo- M, the physician, on making the necessary inquiry the following* day, has been told by the nurse that yhad QO effect upon the bowels. "How was the mete given?" "In tea, sir." "Why was it not adminisd agreeably to instructions?" ".Because the patient tared taking it in a liquid, and 1 thought it would per as well." 15y thus changing the vehicle, (he calo- I. being heavier than the tea, was left at the bottom of spoon, and, as it was not swallowed, could not, of irse, have any purgative effect. In like manner, the hit or nurse frequent!? thwarts the intention of the sician by making use of the medicines prescribed, irularly; so that if there be any particular action to be up on the system, it is rendered abortive, and blame where it should not rest. It is not unusual for ineiK's, though ever so well adapted to the case, to exnausea and retchings immediately after each dose been taken. Hence, a prejudice arises directly inst the medicine, which being taken for the cause, condemned and set aside. The consequence is, the ase becomes more aggravated. Cases may happen, rein if but one medicine be neglected it can never dminutered again properly; and, consequently, the Nit may either be lost, or greatly injured. It is, afore, the duty of the nurse, when a physician pres- M in whom confidence can be placed, strictly to adto the curative process he selects, as without such Won .Esculapius himself might fail, commonly occurs, through the course of many dis- Pi particularly fevers, that the patient has little or no 635 636 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. inclination to eat, till nature has gained the victory. Bin this not being rightly understood by either him ot\k2 tendants, an outcry is made that he will never but an appetite whilst he takes medicine. Hence the remedies are discontinued ; yet the appetite does not recover, noi does the case grow better, but rather worse. Thenoj is obvious, if they would but only observe, that as ihe£ ease is cured, the appetite in consequence will revive. Again, it not unfrequently happens in diseases wfcji are obstinate, requiring a long course of medicine!;, ¦ the patient becomes impatient and discontinues the i« of the remedies. And in such cases, it is too cofflni that the patient becomes prejudiced against hisphysidi and mistrusts his ability wholly, though perhaps he h been conducted by him through the most difficult MM of his illness, and commonly sends for another, who if not so honest as to undeceive him, enjoys the hoimi that was due to the former. By these observations we do not mean to screen am unskilful or improper use that may be made of medicine or to raise it into higher esteem than what it deserve on the contrary, it will ever be found that he who kmntt his business best, will make it his constant MJtl heal -with fewest medicines; and will always be MM ready to resign his patient to diet alone, as soon I he knows it can be done with safety. During a long spell of sickness it not unfrequently incurs, that good-natured friends are in the habit « re commending nostrums, each on the supposition thai L:i own is infallible. When the patients are credulous, a is too often the case in lingering diseases, they reiuii!) grasp at any relief, however monstrous the propofltil may appear: the consequence is, that in nineteen CM out of twenty, the medicaments of which they are composed are utterly unlit for the disease, and, consequent prove deleterious in their effects. It too frequently occurs that insuperable difficuw of another kind arise. For, there are some persons bra up with strong prejudices, and an excessive like or fj like of certain things, and cannot easily be persuade p comply with what is thought the most proper method fciire; namely, a particular regimen, bleeding, vomitf &c. And thus their lives are often lost, or if they rriv6, the filttire period of their existence is rendered en miserable by some consequent disease remaining Bed in the constitution. Again, we often lind, with reecl to children who have been much indulged, when the livsirian ascertains the nature of the disease, and prefibes suitably to the case, he will very likely be told by c parents, if he expect any medicine to be gotten down, must either be nicely flavored, or absolutely without lift Or, should he advise topical bleeding by leeches, I will more than probably be told, however necessary eir application may be, it is a remedy which must be (dined, for the very sight of them would throw the Inld into convulsions. And, as to a blister, the infliction I' this torture on such delicate skin could not be enured; for as soon as any pain from its action was proced, it would be directly torn off. Placed under such nutations, it cannot be expected, however capable and ixious the physician may be to procure relief to his pant, that much advantage can be obtained from his vscriptions. He, therefore, either declines his attennce, or acting within the bounds to which he is limit-1. bedoei little more than alleviate some of the more stressing symptoms, whilst he has the mortification to itiitss the almost uninterrupted progress of the disease. liKW ues. — As these little animals are depended on r the removal of very dangerous diseases, and as they ten seem capriciously determined to resist the endears made to cause them to adhere, it will be proper to ye a few directions, by which their assistance may, ith more certainty, be obtained. This useful ally to the physician, it may be remarked, as little fond of the taste of physic as the physician Bbc himself. The introducing of a hand, to which iv ill-flavored medicine adheres, into the water they 8 kept, will be often sufficient to deprive them of life; c application of a small quantity of any saline matter their skin, immediately occasions the expulsion of the 637 638 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. contents of their stomach ; and, what is most to our pr* sent purpose, tlie least medicament that lias been applied remaining on the skin, or even the accumulation of j| M matter of perspiration, will prevent them from fastening. The skin should, therefore, previously to their application, he very carefully cleansed from any foulness, ami moistened with a little milk. The best mode of applying them is by retaining then to the skin in a small wine-glass, or the hottom of a bum pill box, when they will, in general, in a little time, fasten themselves to the skin. On their removal, the rejection of the hlood they have drawn may be obtained by the application of salt externally; but here, tor the sake of those to whom we are so much indebted, it may In necessary to remark, that a few grains of salt are tomci cut for this purpose; and that covering them with it, as is sometimes done by nurses, generally destroys them. It sometimes happens, that the blood will continue to flow from the orifice made by a leech longer than is desirable; and, sometimes, children have been nearly lost from the inability of the attendants to suppress the discharge. In such cases, the blood should be washed oil clean, and the point of the ringer pressed moderately hard on the orifice, when the blood will cease to flow, A small compress may then be applied to the wound, which may be retained by the point of the finger aslong as the blood appears?upon withdrawing the pressure; remembering that no more blood need be suffered to Hon. than is thought necessary; since all that is required to prevent it, is patiently to persevere in the necessary prossure. It sometimes occurs, on the application of leeches to the fundament, in order to relieve the piles, that ihej gee into the rectum. If that accident should happen. an injection of a solution of common salt is the propel remedy; but the animal is soon gorged, and they may be destroyed. Clysters. — As the use of clysters is also of great importance in the cure of many diseases, and as nurses an not always conversant, even in this part of their otfieo. 639 i; niav be proper to give some directions relative to the idministration of them, which may be done in the follinvinj;manner: the bed being prepared with a sufficiency of clothing to keep it dry, the patient must be placed on tho side across it, with the knees forward, and then covered decently; the clyster being likewise prepared, and brought to that moderate heat called milk warm, must be poured into the bladder and secured by tying the opening; which being done and ihe pipe anointed, the whole must be placed in the bed near to the patient. The nurse must now pass the point of her left forefinger, tin 1 vail being cut short, close to the anus, or a little within it, and then slide the pipe along this linger, till the greatest part of it be entirely introduced. In doing this, (be pipe must be directed a little backwards, taking care not to push it against any part so as to cause pain. When thus introduced, its outer end must be held fast with one hand, whilst with (he other she takes hold of Ihe string, and pulls out the cork; which done, the bladder must be grasped with both bunds, and the contents forced u;\ keeping tin; pipe in its place at the same time. When the clyster has been pressed out of the bladder, die pipe must be instantly withdrawn. V large pewter syringe is more convenient to administer mi injection; and some of them are so constructed that the patient may use it himself! EhjET. — In the cure of diseases, experience proves "w much depends upon the choice and administration ft' diet. We see one series of disorders, wherein the ippetite, either from a bad habit or some morbid effect, ['raves such things chiefly as have a tendency to heighpn the disease. Another series, in which the whole ibric being fully engaged and struggling with the disuse in order to conquer it, the stomach, till in that conlut nature gets the better, loathes every kind of aliment, ixcepi such as is fluid. And we see in the third class, lie stomach not affected, but dispensing with all kinds of food. VY T et these being taken indiscriminately, the liwase is not only nursed , but the medicines usually the 640 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. most efficacious in curing it, arc rendered entirely trf The nurse should, therefore, be extremely canting how she deviates from the diet which has been preterit ed, as fatal consequences may arise from what m seem to have been but a trifling variation. The stomach must never be oppressed witli much a; a time, about half a pint being enough, and that sliou!,: be repeated only as nature indicates. This will, genet 4 ly, be known by the patient's desire or dislike of it. W( say generally, for in some cases where there is gng weakness, insensibility, or both, the patient may not W able to give such indication. And there are easts, tv pecially fever that terminates badly, where the patieri thirst is insatiable. In either of these exigencies, ilk nurse must proceed with discretion; that is, inthefbm er she must rouse the patient every hour or two. uj give a cupful or half a pint of such drink as directed and, in the latter, she must give drink more frequently but small quantities at a time. But it should be observed that, whenever patients fall into tranquil sliiiiilk: they should hardly ever be disturbed to give them drill or food until five or six hours shall have elapsed Ssd a repose is most desirable, and will, sometimes, mi vate nature, when her faculties had before seemed pn» trate beyond the power of recovery. It is a vulgar error, and a very common one too. tin a sick person is to be supported by rich broths, In [W try, or by solids. The outcry is, that the doctor wi starve him. Hence a variety of dishes is prepared to tempi stomach to take food, and, in order to provoke the appetite, pickles are frequently given. The patient, (H* the extreme kindness of friends or officiousness *»! I nurse, is teased with repeated urging, to try to Uih little more, until the stomach lias received so much I to produce etiects directly opposite to those intends Even after the disease is conquered, and the ftpW begins to crave, it is always advisable to feed the pstHjJ sparingly for several days. Unlimited indulgence in ¦ fciclo of food, is a source from which a Multitude of senses arises in health; then how much more delcteri- I in its effects, must this he the case in a state of con- Jescenoe. At this crisis, it is, indeed, a nice point to avoid giving B patient too much or too little nutriment; hut even r<\ perhaps, excess is the most dangerous extreme. leal anxiety to prevent the sick from sinking, often inicefl their attendants and friends to give much more Kul that can possibly he digested, and it often lies as an ¦eiisive load upon the stomach, or induces an exhaust¦ vomiting or diarrhea. When the weakened condiii of the digestion or assimilative organs are consi¦v1 the mode to prepare the various articles of diet suiiali J for the sick, and, with such, this part of the work, m I Family Assistant, must be of incalculable value, tJ the inquisitive mind, the attentive perusal of this boo J from the beginning to the end, will be found to ooniaitl so many interesting facts, as will not fail to prove M source of rational and inslrueiive entertainment I E diffuse medical knowledge, is the most effectm of checking the career of empiricism; and, in f so obvious is this, that it is surprising to find bead of families pay so little atlention to the perusal of book of this kind, wherein they might obtain such inform* tion as would enable them to detect ignorant pretenden in the healing art, as well as afford them the rery grea satisfaction of rendering that assistance in the manage ment of the sick, for which humanity often loudljr catti Such knowledge is also highly useful, on the one hand in preventing unnecessary apprehension rmpectinj symptoms by no means dangerous; and, on the oilier, in giving the alarm, where delay might be injurious q fatal. And, again, there are situations in which a link medical knowledge may be of essential consequence til the comfort, or even the life of the patient, before rcgula assistance could be procured. DIET FOR THE SICK. Sage Tea.-— Take of the leaves of green sage, pluck ed from the stalks and washed clean, half an ounce. ( handful,) loaf sugar an ounce, outer rind of lemon p« undried, a quarter of an ounce, or a little lemon or fan juice, boiling water, two pints. Infuse them in a 111" or pitcher, covered, for half an hour, and then pour 0 ttea. When the sage is dried, it must be used in proportion than that above. In the same manner teas may be made of balm, rrouiul ivy, cat-mint, rosemary, southern wood, &c. The lemon peel, or lemon juice, being omitted or not, and the sugar lessened or increased, as occasion re- Lemonf} or apples cut In slices, tamarinds, currants, trcsh or in jelly, cranberries, dried whortleberries infused in boiling water, sweetened with sugar or syrup; fete may be so prepared and varied in form, as to suit tvorv taste, and to answer the purpose of pleasant, coolliiir. and salutary drinks, in all febrile complaints. Such drinks should always be kept in a covered vessel. Bran Tea, — Take of bran, fresh ground, two handstiil: molasses or honey one spoonful; boiling water, six [nuts. Mix them well, and when they have stood covered about three or four hours, strain off the tea. Flax-MUU) Tsa. — Take of flax-seed, one ounce; white sugar, one ounce and a half; lemon juice, t.vO table-spoonsful j boiling water, two pints. Infuse them in ;i pitcher some hours, and then strain off the liquor. An ounce of liquorice shaved, may sometimes be used instead of sugar. Cahomilk Tea. — Take of camomile flowers, one hudfbi; boiling water, one gallon* When they have Hood covered about half an hour, strain off the tea. If ihe drinking this tea be to strengthen the stomach, it must be made stronger, as for instance, about a quarter of an ounce to a pint. Lemonade. — Take of the outer rind of fresh lemon peel, about one drachm; lemon juice, one ounce; double ft lined sugar, two ounces; boiling water, a pint and a WC When they have stood in a vessel about ten minuies, strain off the liquor. OftAßttEASfe — Take of the fresh outer rind of Seville °ninge, one drachm; orange juice, two or three tablefoonsfu); white sugar, one or two ounces, or enougii to take it of an agreeable sweetness; boiling water, one luart. When they have stood in a pitcher about ten minutes, strain off the liquor. 643 644 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Imperial Drink. — Take of cream of tartar, cie drachm; the outer rind of fresh lemon or orange mJ half a drachm; loaf sugar, one ounce; boiling tig two pints. When they have stood in a pitcher about iq minutes, strain off the liquor. Barley Water. — Take a handful of either purl barley, or the common sort, wash it clean, first in coU, and afterwards in boiling water, then simmer it in a quart of water for an hour; when half done, put into it a In; of fresh lemon peel and a little sugar. — Rice water may be prepared as above. Toast Water. — Toast slowly a thin piece of \viii:e bread till extremely brown and hard, but not the least black, then plunge it into a jug of cold water, and com it over an hour before used. Pectoral Dhink. — Takeof common barley and raisins stoned, each two ounces; liquorice root, half* ounce; water, two quarts. Boil the water first with the barley, then add the raisins, and afterwards, near ik latter end of the boiling, the liquorice. The decoctm then will be fully completed, when one quart only of tb liquor will be left after straining. Arrow-root Jelly. — Mix a large spoonful of the powder with a tea-cupful of cold water, by degrees, tha pour this into a pint of boiling water, stirring it well, and when it boils it is finished. A little sugar and nutmeg may beadded. Or prepare it as directed under Al head of Arrow-root. — (See Mater ia Merfica.) Sago Jelly. — Take of sago, washed well, one large spoonful; water, nearly a pint. Boil them gently, siirniL' often, till the mixture is smooth and thick; thenaddtu spoonsful of wine, a little nutmeg, and sweeten it tow taste. A bit of lemon peel added to it when boiling gives it a pleasant taste and flavor, and with some patients it agrees better when boiled in milk. Topioca Jelly. — Choose the largest sort, pourcoj water on to wash it two or three times, then soak it 1 fresh water five or six hours, and simmer it in the 68* until it becomes quite clear, then put lemon juice, wine. I
      much. (\i,yfs' FcBT Jelly. — Hoil two calves' feet in one ullon of water till it comes to v quart, then strain it, lu | when it is cold, skim the fat entirely off, and t:ke ie jelly up clean; if there he any settling at the bottom, aye it. Put the jelly into ¦ saucepan, with a pint of KMMtain wine, half Q pound of loaf sugar, the juice of (Ur large lemons, and the white of six or eight eggs, Mi up the whisk; mix all well together, set the saucean upon a clear fire, and stir the jelly till it boils. When has boiled a few minutes, pour it through a flannel 12 till it runs clear. — Have now ready «. large china Basin, with some lemon peel in it.^cut as thin as possihle, |lc the clear jelly run upon them while warm, and from Rise it will acquire both an amber color, and an agrcclltlo flavor. Afterwards it may he poured info glasses. I Boilei) Flour. — Take a pound or two of fine flour, leu up as tight as possible in a linen rag, dip it repeat¦rilvin cold water, and dredge the outside with flour till ¦ crust is formed around it, which will prevent the \van soaking into it while boiling. It is then to he boiled ¦II it becomes a hard dry mass. Two or three tableft> onslul of this may he grated down and boiled in ¦ilk and water to a proper thickness, and sweetened to Be patient's taste, and a little nutmeg or other spice ¦ay he added. This forms an excellent food in dysen- Hrv, and in bowel complaints in children. II Water Gruel. — Take of the coarse part of corn ¦ral or grist, two handsful; water, three quarts; boil it ¦I only two quarts remain, then strain off' the liquor, and ¦ason it to the palate with salt, sugar and nutmeg, to ¦Inch may he added a spoonful or two of wine. II Or, take of oatmeal, two large spoonsful; water, one ¦lart; mix them well, and boil them about ten or fifteen ¦iiHitcs, stirring often; then strain the gruel through a ¦pvc, and add sugar and salt enough to make it agreea- H<; to the taste. When it is designed as a meal, dissolve |in a little butter, and then add bread and nutmeg, as Bcasion requires. 645 Rick Milk. — Take a large tea-cupful of rico, w^. Ed nicely: water, one pint; boil it for about hall an hog then add a quart of new milk; let it simmer ovcrusU fire till it is sufficiently done, and then add to italic sugar ami nutmeg* TbeAOLE Posskt. — Take of milk one pint, put iu r the coals till it just begins to boil, then add twoorthrif table-spoonsful of treacle or molasses, stirring the du| as it is poured in. When mixed it is fit for use. Panado. — Tike of bread one ounce; niaee, one blade; water, one pint — Boil them without Bttrring, nil they mix and turn smooth, then add a litile grated m meg; a small piece of butter, and sugar enough to nafa Eie mixture agreeable. When butter is not apprord f, two spoonsful of wine may be used in its stead. Off set a little water on the fire, with a glass of while rine, some sugar, and a scrape of nutmeg and lew peel; meanwhile, grate some crumbs of bread. Tlit moment the mixture boils up, keeping it still on the Ik put the crumbs in, and let it boil as fast as it can. Wha of a proper thickness just to drink, take it oft! WhriTE Curdle. — Take of oatmeal two table-spooi ful; water, one quart.; mace, two or three blades; thrtt or four cloves. Mix them well together, boil them aba fifteen minutes, stirring often,, then add a few slices < outer rind of a lemon; when the mixture hasboilm al : «it fifteen minutes, strain it thnjugh a sieve. Asiti used, add to it white wine, grated nutmeg, white rag enough to make it agreeable to the patient, Toaitt bread is to be added likewise, as the appetite may re (uire. Or, put info a pint of fine gruel, made of coarse con leal, or grits, while it is boiling hot, the yelk of ami. eaten with sugar, and mixed with a large spoonful cold water, a il>, pwir into it B'l > flour and water, and stir it under a slow fire twenty Bnimitrs. li is a nourishing and gently astringent foo '. I I Kick CaVDLB. — When the water boils, pour into it Koine grated rice, mixed with a little cold Water; when ¦I' a proper consistence, add sugar, lemon peel, and cin¦;mmn, and a glass of brandy to a quart. Boil all I I Bkead Soup. — Take the upper crust of a roll, the Brier the better; or two or three crackers, cut or break Bkmii into pieces, and put it into a saucepan,, with a pint m\ water, and a piece of butter about half as big as a ¦-.ilmit; boil them well, every now and then stirring and ¦siting them, till the bread is mixed; then season the ¦oiij) with a very little sail, and pour it into a basin. I Bog Soup. — Take of water one pint; the yelk of an mpz: butter, the bigness ofa small walnut; sugar enough Ho make it agreeably sweet. Beat up the yelk with the ¦vater. and then add the butter and sugar. Stir it all the ¦mo it, is upon the (ire; when it begins to boil, pour it to And fro between the saucepan and mug til! it, be smooth nulwell frothed, and then it will be (it to drink. I BftßF Tka. — Cut one pound of lean beef into thin Wins or shreds, and boil it in a quart of water for twenty ¦limit's, taking off the scum as it rises. After it grows Bold, the liquor should be strained, in which state it re¦hm!>Nn a light infusion of green tea, has a very grateful Biivor, and is more strengthening than other broths. I Cuickkx Broth. — Take a middling-sized chicken, ¦ivide it into two parts, p it one half into a saucepan, ¦'ith a quart of water, seasoned with a little salt; as the Bnini rises take it oiT; then may be added a small bun- Hie of parsley, and a crust of bread ; wiien they have ¦oiled about three-quarters of an hour, the parsley may ¦<' taken out, and the broth will be lit for use. or it, may o used seasoned only with salt, 1 Mutton Broth. — Take of mutton one pound; water Jree pints. Put them into a saucepan, and set it upon 647 648 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. a clear fire, throw in a little salt, and as the scum n>e> take it carefully off with a spoon; then add a small onion. if there he no objection to it, and a little parsley. Bgj till the meat is very tender, then take it out, poiir; it broth into a basin, and when cold, skim the tat par: which is congealed on the surface, entirely olF: ;if; ir which, a part of the broth may be warmed and given v the patient as often as needful. A little boiled rice a barley may be added here occasionally. Calves' Fjekt Broth. — Boil two feet in three quan> of water, to half, strain and set it by, when to be u.vd. take oft' the fat, put a large tea-cupful of the jelly into I saucepan, with half a glass of sweet wine, a little am and nutmeg, and beat it up till it be ready to boil, tbn take a little of it, and beat by degrees to the yelk of an egg, adding a bit of butter, die size of a nutmeg, stir tl together, but do not let it boil. Grate a bit of fresh leoM Boiled Pigeon. — Take one pigeon, drawn ami washed very clean; boil it in sufficient quantity of nil Ik id water; that is, about half a pint of each, for fiflea minutes. When thus prepared, it may be taken out anu eaten with the followingsauce: — Take the liver parboiled, bruise it line, with a little parsley boiled, and limi chopped ; melt some butter, and mix a little of it fir* with the liver and parsley, then add the rest, and pour the whole upon the pigeon. To Broil Pigeons. — After cleaning, split the back. pepper and salt them, and broil them very nicely; bltf with butter, and serve as hot as possible. RoASTEO PIGEONS. — Should be stuffed with parsley, either cut or whole, and seasoned within. Serve wi parsley and butter. Pahtiuduls and other birds may be dressed as above Bread Pudding. — Take of crumbs of bread aW half a pound; new milk, about three-quarters of a pi* Pour the milk boiling hot upon the bread, and let * stand about an hour covered close up; then add U" yelks of two eggs, well beaten; a little grated DUUWO 649 THE FAMILY riIYSICIAN. ¦kbout a spoonful of rose water; a little salt, and sugar Bjso if agreeable; beat the bread well, and mix the Bliolo together with a spoon. Tic it then close up in a B|( an linen cloth, and when the water boils, put it in ; Eoil about three-quarters of an hour, then take it out, lay B upon a plate, pour over it some melted butter mixed K-jth a little mountain wine, if there be no objection, and Bprinkle a little sugar over all. It Bvtteh Pudding. — Rub three spoonsful of fine flour Bxtremcly smooth, by degrees, into a pint of milk ; sim- Bcr till it thickens, stir into it two ounces of butter, set Bto cool, then add the yelks of three eggs ; flour a cloth Bat lias been wet, or butter a basin, and put the batter Bito it; tie it tight, and plunge it into boiling water, tho Bottom upwards. Boil it an hour and a half, and serve Bith sweet sauce. If approved, a little ginger, nutmeg, Bid lemon peel, may be added. ¦I Rice Pudding. — Wash and pick some rice, throw Biiong it some pimento finely pounded, but not much ; B tho rice in a cloth, and leave room for it to swell. Boil it in a quantity of water for an hour or two. When Bono, eat it with butter and sugar, or milk. Put lemon Bel if you please. It is very good without spice, and Btenwith salt and butter. II Or, swell the rice with a very little milk over the fire, Bin add some more milk, an egg, sugar, allspice, and Bmon peel. Bake in a deep dish. I $ Potato Pudding. — Take eight ounces of boiled po- Btoes, two ounces of butter, the yelks and whites of two H?gs, a half pint of now milk, one spoonful of white wine, |WIW In °rsel of salt, the juice and rind of a lemon beat all Ito troth ; sugar to taste. — A crust or not, as you like. — flake it. \k Cistard Pudding. — Mix by degrees a pint of good Bilk with a large spoonful of flour, the yelks of four eggs, Uour a quart of boiling water on them, or on roasted pples, strain in two or three hours, and sweeten lightly. ON EPIDEMIC CHOLERA. It may appear strange, and even superfluous, formic who is situated, as I am, in a comparatively small cm, not affording that field which many have had in lar^r cities, to investigate the nature of this dreadful nialadv, to give to the public my views of it. lam aware tha; many of the most enlightened and scientific pliysicums have written much on this subject — and many of them have had ample opportunities of studying the nature : the Cholera. But scarcely any two of them aim i the mode of treating the disease — indeed we iind thai all who have written, have ideas diametrically oppoil and contradictory, and few have given us their views o: the cause and nature of this epidemic, and yet they, speak very positively of remedies, or things which tin 1 call remedies; but they do not inform us of the mtM opperandi, of the medicine they propose; or for wiiar object they give this or that article: it is in vain wo loot for their reasoning on these subjects. Some have supposed the epidemic cholera to be an inflammatory diseatf. and although they recommend bleeding, they also recommend calomel to promote the secretions; musiarc emetics, opium, camphor, &c, &c, many have written theoretically alone in their closets, or even before ity ever saw the disease. Many presumed to give direction' bowto guard against the disease, and what medicine* 1 prepare themselves with, and what doses the piwj should take immediately on the near approach ot I cholera.— -This we know have been done by jpnlWg of standing and reputation in the Medical profession.^ I expOCt they have been ashamed of the course they 'pursued, for there is no doubt, but that through mese moans many have brought on an attack or predisposed themselves to the disease. When the cholera was announced as having reached Montreal, a clerical gentleman called on me to enquire ¦piow I contemplated treating the disease, if it should [reach Nashville — I replied I did not know ; such had Kbecn the contradictory accounts. I had seen, that I Kfhould wait until I could judge for myself. lie observ¦ cil that he had called on several of the physicians of ¦this place, and made similar inquiries; that one hud said Bio intended to give one hundred drops of laudanum, which was to lock the cascal up, until he should have ¦time to act on the liver by calomel. I must confess I Bad no such foresight, and when I was called to see a Base of cholera I was much perplexed and did not know Hum to treat it, I found myself entirely at a loss. II We are told that the cholera is no new disease; it has Been conjectured that it was the cholera that carried oft* Beventy thousand persons in King David'j time, Bfl men- Boned in 2d Samuel. Josephus says, that seventy Bliousand died from early in the morning until dinner the Bune day. It is thought that Hippocrates makes mention lof a disease which was the cholera, and that Arates of B-appadocia has described it, and in 1629, Banticus a B)utch physician notices something like it in his writ- Bigs, he resided at Batavia; he says it carried off its vie- Itims in twenty-four hours, such he says, was the fate of BWneliutf Van Royen, Steward of the hospital of the Bick — who being in perfect health at six in the evening B'as suddenly seized with the cholera, and expired in Berrible agony and convulsions, before twelve o'clock at Bight. Sydenham speaks of the cholera in 1(569. Le- B^ue de Preslc says it destroyed in Upper Hindostan in B?G$, upwards of thirty thousand blacks and eight hun- Bied Europeans. Curtis in his work on diseases of Bulia, says, that the cholera is often epidemic there and Bestroys great numbers of blacks, M. Sonnerat in his Bavcls in India from 1774 to 1781 says, that cholera 653 prevails epidemically on the Coromandel Coast; fog. that they have no remedy for this current of the i^ which they call a sharp tlux — the symptoms of this fr ease were a watery flux, accompanied with tobmj and extreme faintness, a burning thirst — an oppress of the breast and a suppression of urine, &c. &c. In 1782 and 1783 it prevailed with great violence, and the patients were often without pulse, the hands and m were cold, the face lengthened ; the sinking of the cavity of the socket of the eye was the sign of death; hen the greatest pain they felt, wns a burning thirst. In 1783 the cholera appeared at Hurdwar on I Ganges — this place was held sacred by the Hinfai and it was computed that from one to two millions i people had assembled on the banks of the Holy Gag The cholera suddenly appeared among this crowd, am the writer says, it was undoubtedly generated m them and it destroyed more than twenty thousand pi pie in eight days, the disease however did not sjra from this point not even to the villages within a tew milt but ceased immediately on the dispersion of the mult In 1787 it prevailed as an epidemic, and in ITWII it prevailed and in one/ division of one thousand soldier it destroyed seven hundred in six days. In 1817 the cholera commenced its ravages at Jessar a city somewhat less than one hundred miles from 0 cutta, in two months from the invasion of the disease destroyed more than ten thousand of the inhabitant* is to be observed that the cholera has visited J«* and other parts of India every year — since in Septen ber of the same year it made its appearance and it i calculated that thirty-six thousand were attacked in first three months. The proportion of men to won* who were attacked was as four to one. In the district of Nuddea containing one million tlin hundred thousand inhabitants, twenty-five thousand ti ( hundred had the disease, and sixteen thousand live k dred died of it. The epidemic this year extended » most every direction from Jessare to the distance oi' 1 654 Luulred and fifty miles, and it has been supposed that Ijx hundred thousand persons died one year in thirty- Kvo cities. In 1818, the cholera spread in every direction, and rera vast extent of country. At Benares 15,000 persons iod in two months — at Calcutta the same year, 5,000 crsons died, at Panderpour 350 died c;ich day, so that i a short time, 30,000 perished of the disease. In this ear its ravages were as great or greater than they have vrr been since, in one year. More than 110 cities ore visited by it, and it extended from the equator, to Wof North Lattiude, and over an extent of 30 degrees I In 1819 it is thought that the progress of the cholera ¦as not so great as in the two preceding years; yet, wo L told that 150,000 persons died in the presidency of Bombay, of this disease, entire villages were depopulated. Bi the kingdom of Arican, and in the kingdom of Siam, Be disease entered, and made dreadful havock. At ¦alacca, more than 400 persons perished in a few days, Bankok the capital of Siam, lost more than 10,000 of its Bhabitants, by cholera. The people attributed this dis- Bscto the influence of an evil genius, which under the Brm of o JTish, had sought refuge in the Gulf of Siam, Be authorities ordered a celebration of a great religious Bleinnity, but the collection at one place of so great a Bass of human beings, redoubled the fury of the disease, Bid it is said of this collectton, 7000 died in a very Bort time. Bin 1820, the cholera visited many of the cities it had Blacked before, and carried off thousands. Bin 18*21, the cholera invaded countries it had not be- Brc visited, and among the many cities it attacked this Bar, was Bassara, in which city it manifested extraor- Biary violence: of a population of 60,000, from 15,000 ¦ 18,000 died of cholera, this year the deaths by chole¦ wßatavia, were 17,000, and the entire Island of Ja¦.lost 10*2,000 persons. <£ ¦In 182*2, the disease prevailed again at Japan and 655 656 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. visited the course of the Malabar, and many of the ekfa 1n China, were vi sited by it. In 18*23, the cholera approached Europe, but itua* not so destructive as in other years, in the places it bj In 1824, few countries were visited by the cholera. In 18*25, the Presidency of Calcutta, was re-visted, and it prevailed with great violence, more than 500 pa sons died in Calcutta", daily in August and September; in Japan the disease again appeared, and more dual a day, died of it at Benares, more than (>()()(> Hindu died of cholera in the course of the summer, and main other cities were invaded by this disease. Atßombav.ilie return of the disease created great alarm — I^6 k cholera still continued to invade the cities of India hut. not so extensive. In 1827, from the month of January, the city of Calcutta was again visited by the cholera, it was now observed that the Animals were under the influence o! ikl epidemic, and to such a degree that they were, killed ml great numbers. Many cities in the Presidency of Btn-I gal and of Hindostan were invaded by the cholera. I the course of this year. I In 1828, the cholera continued its march towards tiki North. From Lahare where it destroyed 30,000 inhalm ants, in 1826, it extended to the neighboring towns wml the autumn of 1828, but it is said the cold very soon I °In 1829, the cholera crossed the Ural mountain which separate Asia from Europe, and appeared in I city of Orenburg, in the 57th of North Latitude. I city contains 11,000 inhabitants, it spread over a count* of 200 miles square, but by February 1830, it subside* In 1830, the cholera spread over various province* around the Caspian Sea, it was noticed in several pJ^W in the Persian province of Ghilan. In the town ol r la * rees the mortality was not less than 5,000, it attack*. 579 persons in Tiflis, the capital of Georgia, of wh<« great numbers died. On the 15th of September, oi 'I* year, the cholera arrived at Moscow, in Russia; ww 657 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ¦t occasioned great alarm, 50,000 persons are said to Lye tied from the city in a few days, at the end of three Bionths, the council of health reported 8000 cases as Raving conic under their own observation, and that, of ¦his number, more than one half had died. Early in ¦he spring of 1831, the cholera re-appeared in Europe, X was seen in the north, as far as Archangel, and in the Bvstat the Baltic Sea, it reached Warsawin April ; here it Blacked all ranks and ages, though most prevalent Biiiong the lower order. In July its ravages were very Brcat, not only in Warsaw, but in almost every village of ¦\)land. In May, it invaded Rega, where it raged until Into in July, on the 26th of June the cholera appeared Bi the city of St. Petersburg, about this time the cholera Bppcared at Archangel on the Dwina near the White Bta,and Odessa on the Black Sea. The disease prevailed Bo a great extent this year in Hungary, during the first Beck it prevailed in Vienna 764 cases occurred, and 303 Beatlis during the time it prevailed at Vienna, which was Bliree months, 4016 cases were noticed, and 173G died Bf this disease. The cholera also prevailed this year at Constantinople. The board of health of Sunderland, in Kngland announced, officially, on the 26th of Octo > r, hat the cholera existed there; we are told that all atcinpts to prove that the disease was imported into Sunlerland and England, have as yet failed, and the opinion bat it was not imported at all, has become very general Jiroughout England, among the Medical Profession. A ew weeks after it broke out in Sunderland, it spread to >t!ier towns in England. In 1832, the cholera made its appearance in Edinburgh, >n the 27th of January ; it also appeared in various places n the neighborhood of Edinburgh, and Glasgow; and arly in the year it reached London, the largest city ever isited by pestilence, but in all these cities its ravages jere inconsiderable, it appeared at first at Paris, the 'ith of March, and in this splendid city it prevailed with ;rcat severity. It appeared also in many other towns in 1 ranee, soon after this it broke out in Dnblin, and other owns in Ireland. The first appearance of the chclera n 658 THE FAMILf PHYSICIAN. on this continent was at Quebec, where it broke nut ¦ an epidemic of great malignity the Bth of .luno; in a \days it appeared in Montreal, where it prevailed with much violence: the last of June it reached New Yo»t and Albany. In July the cholera appeared atDetroi and also at Buffalo. About the middle of July, it nppe» ed at Norfolk and Portsmouth in Virginia; it tlien spread to many other parts, and towns in the United States, In December, 1832, the cholera appeared at Nashville i Tennessee, in this month a few cases occurred, but | July, 1833, it raged with some violence. SYMPTOMS OF CHOLERA. The symptoms of this disease have been Msrij the same in all countries. Some patients in all ooontria have experienced premonitory symptoms for some limo. such as diarrha\ nausea, and slight vomiting, and in all countries, some have been prostrated at once by the lid than rejected, together with a quantity of phlegm ¦ whitish fluid like see. things of oatmeal. The action ¦ liic iieart and arteries now nearly ceased ; the pul tf e ¦i!:cr becomes altogether imperceptible at the wrists ¦id temples, or so weak as to give to the finger only an ¦distinct feeling or fluttering. The respiration, waslaftrious, and hurried: sometimes with long and frequent¦ broken inspirations. The skin grew cold, and clammy, fevered with large drops of sweat, dark and disagreca- Icio the feel, and discolored, of a bluish, purple or livid ¦ie— there was great and sudden prostration of strength ; Bluish and agitation — the countenance became col¦|w ¦os, the cheeks and li|>s livid and bloodless; and the hole surface of the body nearly devoid of feeling. In eble habit* where the attack was exceedingly violent id unresisted by medicine, the scene was soon closed. M circulation and animal heat never returned, the uniting and purging still continued with thirst and istlrssness, the patient becomes delcrious or insensible, iih his eyes fixed in a vacant stare, and sunk down in 8 bed; the spasms increased generally within four or to hours. The disease sometimes at once, and as if fwere momentarily, seized persons 141 perfect health, other times, those who had been debilitated by previs bodily ailment, and individuals in the latter predica- 659 660 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAIf. menf, generally snnk under the attack, someiimesth stomach and hovvels were disordered for some dayi | )f . fore the attack; which would then come on in full force, and speedily reduce the patient to extremities. Such was the general appearance of the disease whj it cut off the patient in its earlier stages. The primary symptoms however, in many cases admitted ofcoomlft ahle variety — sometimes the sickness and looseness wer? preceded by spasms, sometimes the patient sunk at once, ; Her passing off a small quantity of colorless fluid U vomiting, and stool. The matter vomited in Che ed stages, was in most cases colorless or milky; some tin it was green. In like manner the stools were usually watery and muddy; sometimes red and bloody, and in few cases they consisted of a greenish pulp, like liaii digested vegetables. The cramps usually begin in ilit extremities, and thence gradually crept to the trunk: sometimes they were simultaneous in both ; and some. times the order of succession was reversed; the alxlomen being first affected, then the hands and feet. These spasms hardly amounted to general convulsion, tlic-y seemed rather affections of individual muscles, am thrilling and quivering in the affected parts, like the Id of crimped sajmon; and firmly stiffening and contort! the toes and fingers. The patient always complained pain across the belly; which was generally painful to I tauch, and sometimes hard and drawn back towards I spine. The burning sensation in the stomach and bowels, was always present, and at times extended along I cardia and oesophagus to the throat. The powers I voluntary motion were in every instance impairs The patient staggered like a drunken man; or I down like a helpless child, headache over one I both eyes, sometimes, but rarely occurred. The pw when to be felt, was generally regular, and extrenu! feeble, sometimes soft, not very quick; usually ranger from eighty to one hundred. In a few instances it rose' one hundred and*fortyor one hundred and fifty, s ' ior! before death. Then it was distinct, small, feeble. ¦ irregular, sometimes very rapid, then slow for one ft Iwo beats. The urine at first generally limpid, and rcclv passed; sometimes scanty, with such difficulty as Jmosl to stranguarv and sometimes hardly secreted in ny quantity, as if the kidneys had ccasetl to perform lioir office. In a few cases, the hands were tremulous. 11 others, the patient declared himself free from pain ml uneasiness; when want of pulse, cold skin, and nxirty of features portend speedy death. The cramp ws invariably increased upon moving. The above history of the symptoms is taken from the oport of the Bengal Medical Hoard, as given to us by )octor Brigham of New York. The Medical Board f Bombay has also given a history of the symptoms. They say, the invasion of the cholera generally takes hoe in the night, or towards morning. The patient \ sick at the stomach ; he vomits its contents and his lowclsaro at the same time evacuated. This evacuaon is of a nature quite peculiar to the disease; the enro intestinal tube seems to be at once emptied of its real or solid matter; and an indescribable, but most ulxluing feeling of exhaustion, sinking, and emptiness Hs produced; faintness supervenes, the skin becomes Bold, and there is frequently giddiness, and ringing in ¦ie cars. The powers of loco-motion are generally soon ¦nested; spfismodic contractions, or twitching of the ¦msclcs of the fingers and toes are felt: and these ai¦eetions gradually extend along the limbs, to the trunk ¦ft lie body. They partake both of the clonicand tonic ¦Kisin, but the clonic form chiefly prevails. The pulse, ¦oin die first, is small, weak, and accelerated; and af¦i% % a certain interval, but especially on the accession of ¦pasms, or of severe vomiting, it sinks suddenly, so as Wbe speedily lost in all the external parts. The skin, which, from the commencement of the disease, is below W? natural temperature, becomes colder and colder. ¦is very rarely dry, generally covered with a profuse ¦old sweat, or with a clammy moisture. In Europeans, • often partially assumed a livid hue; the whole surface ¦»pejired collapsed, the lips become blue, the nails premnt t n a similar tint; and the skin of the feet and hands 661 662 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. R me much corugated, and exhibits a sodden appear. . In this state tlie skin is insensible, even to t! nof chemical agent! ; yet the patient generally c u;il . s of oppressive lieat on the surface, and Wtthei to throw oil' tlie bed clothes. The eyes sink in their orbk which arc surrounded by a livid circle, the corner or gkiss of the eye become flaccid, the conjunctiva is tivquently suffused With blood; the features of the &cec4 lapse, and the whole countenance; assumes a cadaverooi aspect, strikingly characteristic of the disease. There kit most always urgent thirst, and a desire for cold drinks, it though the mouth be not usually parched. Thetongaei moist, whitish, and cold. A distressing sense of pain iiiij of burning heat at the epigastrium are common, little tr no urine, bile, or saliva, is secreted. The voice beconM feeble, hollow, and unnatural, the respiration is opprefr sed, generally slow, and the breath is deficient in belt, During the progress of these symptoms, the alinieiiiary canal is very variously alleeted. After the fust d» charges by vomiting and purging, however severe then symptoms may be, the matter evacuated is always wito ry and in a great proportion of cases it. is colorless, inodorous and often homogenous. In some it is turbid. resembling muddy water, in others it is of a yellowish « greenish hue. A very common appearance is that which has been emphatically called the conjee stools, an appearance produced by numerous mucus iicaks floating in the watery or serous part of the evacuation. 'll' e discharges from the stomach, and those from the bowel do not appear to differ, except in the former being ¦* ed with the ingesta. neither the vomiting or the purging are symptoms of long continuance. They are either obviated by art, or the body becomes unable to peribra these violent actions. If blood be drawn, it is always dark or almost black, very thick and generally of slow and difficult eft* sion. Towards the close of the attack, jaritation COB* on with evident internal anxiety and distress: and tMJj takes place often in ten or twelve houis generally. Win* eighteen or twenty hours from the commencement ot • ll a track — during all this mortal straggle, and coniniotion pi the body, the mind remains clear, and its functions |uiulisiiirl»(?(l almost to the last moment of existence. ¦The patient though sunk and overwhelmed, listless, linci^ 1101 10 speak, and impatient of disturbance, still retains Itlic [lower of thinking, and of expressing his thoughts a< lons as his organs are obedient to his will, such is bo most ordinary course of cholera asphyxia, when i:s tendency to death is not checked by art — as has been In-fore observed alter the first emptying of the bowels, he discharges have been observed to be generally yellouisli, turbid, frothy like yeast, and sometimes bloody, i some cases they are inodorous, iii others they have i rank fleshy smell. Isut by far the most common, is tli:ir ofpnre serum so thin and colorless as not to stain lie patients linen. The quantity of clear watery fluid lischarged, is sometimes very great of cholera in Russia, as given by Dr.s Rusel and Barry in a. report made to the British Covern:k nt. These gentlemen say we have but lew opportunities of witnessing the presence of all the preliminary ymptoms, some of these precede the complete seizure, ysoshortan interval, that the utmost diligence isscarcey sufficient to bring the patient and the physician toether, after their occurrence before the disease is fully Httted, they say ho.vevcr that diarrlue, at first feculent rith slight cramps in the legs, nausea, pain, or heat 'out the pit of the stomach gives the longest warning. ideed purging or ordinary diarrlue has been frequenty known to continue for one two or more days, unacompanied by any other remarkable symptom, until the atient is suddenly struck blue, and nearly lifeless. U lien violent vertigo, sick stomach, nervous agitation, iitcrmittent, slow or small pulse, cramps, beginning at ie tips of the fingers and toes, and rapidly approaching '"•'trunk, give the first warning; then there is scarcely 11 interval — vomiting or purging, or both these evacua("isare "isare of a liquid like rice water or whey, or barley fHtor come on; the features become sharp aud contrnc?,. totally extinct. The skin is deadly cold, and oti damp, the tongue always moist, often white and load.-,!, but feebly, and chilled like a bit of dead flesh. The voice is nearly gone, the respiration quick, imp lar, and imperfectly performed — perspiration appears ft be effected by an immense effort of the chest, the Mi instead of expanding, collapse and stops the ingRM ^l to point out the seat of his agony. The secretion urine is always totally suspended, never have we ob>tv v ß ed tears shed under these circumstances. I The cholera in England has maintained a striking r« semblance to the disease in other countries. Thcsevtfß vomiting and purging of peculiar characteristic sror« tions; the nausea, internal burning at the epigastrium intolerable weight, anguish and oppression; ihi \®m oxysms of severe pain, commencing at the stomach mfl rapidly extending over the whole alimentary caw The ardent thirst ; the cramps; the deadly prostraii'B fnxiety and dejection, the conscious feeling of the WM f death; the failing of the circulation and animal l« 664 1,0 peculiar cold sweat, shrinking <> r the skin, and roburiiii tbsues, sharpening of the li'iiiuns, commotion •>, lie fingers, the hollow sunken eye; the leaden aspec of >e surface, particularly visible in die hands, feet, nails, Hand tin' circles around the mouth and eyes; the lack thick blood often not to be attained; the difficult ntl glow respiration; cold breath and tongue; the whisering voice. the sudden invasion, speedy death, or a ipid recovery have all been witnessed in England as id! :is in Russia and on the banks of the Ganges* The history of the symptoms of cholera at Montreal, i reported by Dr. Nelson, after a trifling diarrhflß of sevralaays duration, to a few hours only, nausea quickly Billowed by vomiting and an increase of diarrhea would Mar him into that stage of the disease which may be Hailed the second mode of attack; and now the patient ¦ ;ill»rted with a Blight blneiicss of tie hands and face, ¦Dinriimes accompanied by a distressing sensation of Irujitand burning in the stomach, rapidly followed by Wiiiniiii: ;and di;srrh;c, the thirst is intolerable, cramps ¦ die limbs and about the pericardia, ! hi mess quickly Hcmling towards the trunk, loss of voice &,<•., besides Hpc intestinal canal and the skin, all other organs fur- Bmic(l no secretion. Tears, saliva and urine, the secrc- Hoii of which, is totally suspended. As to tears the ¦v;;u>st anguish of dying in full possession of the intel- Hrt. surroimdv ti by ail thai is at once endearing and af- Bciinrane could form matter like unto that discharged, B>rriii>ated. There seems no sufficient evidence of any ¦uncommon tendency in the body to putrefaction afler ¦(itatli. nor any characteristic fetor from the abdominal ¦cavity. No particular morbid appearance have been ¦('•mid in any of the cavities of the body which are lined Hu irli serous membranes, as in these membranes them¦si'lvi's. The cavities of the pleusa of the pericardium ¦ami of the peritonium have almost uniformly been found ¦ir, a natural state. The lungs have not unfretjuently ¦ born found in B natural state, even in cases where much ¦ o;iprossion of respiration had existed previous to death, ¦ much more generally, however, they have been found IriiliiT to be gorged with dark blood, so that they have lost their characteristic appearance, and have assumed more the appearance of liver or spleen; or they have been found to be in the opposite state, that is. collapsed into an extremely small bulk, and lying in the cavity, on etch side of the spine, leaving the cavity of the thorax nearly empty. The blood formed in the lungs lias been always black. The stomach and intestines generally preserve their ordinary volum. but sometimes the stomlehhai been found lined with calomel!! The intestinal filial is sometimes collapsed, but ofiener found to be more or less filled with air. distended in some parts into mp or pouches, containing whitish, turbid, dark, or green colored fluid ; and in others having the appearance of spastic constriction; — the latter however, is not common. No foecal or other solid matter are found in 667 668 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. the intestines." but very commonly large quantities oft* bid iluid or serous inn tier are found in them. Tracts*/ bile in the intestines, or any substance apparently deem, ded from the stomach are extremely rare. The thoracic duct is stated to have been empty of chyle!! ;lie urim bladder is found almost universally without urine!! |J very much contracted. The gall bladder is genenli found gorged with bile, and in most cases is comma* cated freely with the intestine, viz., with the doodea but in a few cases the duct appeared to be constrictedaai the gall bladder was in a few cases flacced. Dr. \| t \. ander Gordon, a surgeon attached to the Bombaj Pr» dency, says, the appearances of . dead bodies werein uniform; yet, he goes on to describe the appearance generally similar to the above- In England we are told, the dissection of subject! wlii died of cholera, have not been frequently performed, bl so far as they have, the same general appearance! bin been observed as in other countries. Notwithstanding what has been said. I hope 1 shall h nblc to show that the post moriem examinations i throw light on the character and nature of the died*. and point out the remedies in cholera. TREATMENT OF CHOLERA. I hare here to observe, that the first case of cholen to which I was called in Nashville, occurred OB Bl 3rd of December, 1832; the patient was a man ibooti years of age; this man was convalescent from fever, bit was attacked about 12 or 1 o'clock in the night, *¦ discharges from the bowels of a rice-water color. M stomach, cramps, very slight, &c. On entering Nl chamber I found him without pulse at the wrist, cole skin, hands and feet, breathing hurried, great thirst*** c £j * I Isibleof approaching death, died about 2 or 3 oeM I confess 1 was at a lost how to treat this case, and dc* closed this scene before I could do more than give *on» tincture of cinnamon and laudanum. On the 4th of December, about 11 o'clock, I » il< called to Miss S. ¦ child 9 years old: I saw ber about |*J o'clock. She had been in perfect health previous to ili t > moment she was seized with puking and purging; the discharge* from the bowelawere copious and at Brat fecal matter; bat they became watery and of a whitish co.or, then clear as common water, and immensely copious, so clear were the discharges that one of the physicians though! surely some of the servants had emptied spriiiii water in the chamber; in a few hours death closed the scene of her sufferings. The death of this child greatly distressed me. and 1 thought intensely day rod niiihf on her case. At first she refused to take any thing, except once or twice she was forced to take a little tincture of cinnamon, until she lost her pulse; she then look -0 grains of calomel, and as she sunk and became cold I gave her Strong tincture of cayenne pepper. j. On t!»<" I Ith of December, I was called in the night to tee ;> man aged about 50 or 00, intemperate in his habits, poking, purging with cramps and great {hirst, pulse flickering and weak. I did not suffer him to be brought nciir the lire, and as the night was cool, as also the morning, [ had him exposed to the cool air hv having him TaUon out oi* the house into the open air. I gave him lime-water and opium and kino; the discharge! were ••opious and not unlike rice-water; about sun rise I saw lono of the medical gentlemen of Nashville, riding at tome distance from me; I waived my hand to him to come that way, which he did, and saw my patient; he rnt satisfied it was a severe case of cholera, said he must die. 1 thought so too as he was now in a stale of collapse; I asked him to prescribe; be had nothing to Pggesl but what we had seen in cholera reports, which w;is calomel. I thought I would wait two hours, though pontUMling the lime-water and kino and opium. On my return to nay patient in less than two hours I perceived pirn better; I therefore did not give the calomel, but Continued mv first prescription ; he mended fast, got well find is so at present. I now believed that the idea I had formed relative to this complaint was correct. During my attendance on this patient, I was asked by the same 669 physician whom I called to sec my patient, to poo oi^f his, and I believe his first cholera patient. The d- r informed me that he had given him calomel tod laid him close to the lire and used frictions all ovoru - mercurial ointment, but he died that night I coin; :••. nicated my ideas to several physicians freely, and cov^ objections to my views; among the number was 1), : John Shelby of this city, for whom I have always w.. tamed sentiments of very high esteem and respect, k4 as a physician and a gentleman. The doctor expnaj himself towards my theory favorable as to its plaosibilitr, as did some others. Before I proceed to give any further details of;;; treatment to other patients, 1 will mention Bomeofi most striking symptoms of the disease, as it occomj here. The sudden sinking of the circulation, whim I think to be connected with the copious discharges fru the bowels of whitish fluid. The sinking of, and linaii loss of the pulse, the great thirst, the collapsed state, il shrivelled skin, the dark or black appearance, the it sence of urine, the sinking of the features, the uneartklj voice, Slc. &c. That the remote cause of the cholera is atmospherics! cannot be doubted. But the proximate or immeditt cause seems to me, to be a super-abundance of carboy or may be Nitrogen in the system, which makes itsuscef tible of an attack of cholera, when this carbon aci> immediately on the lungs through respiration as it doa ( the bottom of wells, or in long closed cellars or house* it produces instaneous death, as is well known ; but wM it acts on the skin and produces a retrograde aciiom the lymphatics and lacteal vessels, they pour their con tents into the intestines, and hence the great quanUM of what is called rice-water discharges from the bo** 1 think this connot be doubted when we consider tl very large quantities which arc gushing from ihe Wf els, and it will be now recollected that the ThottJ duct was found empty, and when we consider the iM* ing of the skin and the absence of the serum o\ ¦ blood; for it will be recollected that in all the exanui 1 * 670 font, the blood was observed to be deprived of its watery nils and left thick and dark. As the disease advances iere is no increased action of the intestines, bat a want f action, a lifelessnessj tliey became llaceid and lank. ,'ow we see a flooding from the bowels, not of red blood i be sure, but of white blood, the new blood, and tho Ml of it, tor the constant supply through the Thoracic net of the chyle and lymph is now cut oiF, and the Mine is changed and thrown into the intestines and so nut. It we are correct we can easily understand tho teason why there is no bile in the discharge!, viz.- tho ivcris not supplied with any new blood out of which to ecrete bile; and hence the absurdity of giving calomel W any thing else to force the liver to act when the liver taa nothing upon of which to make bile; this surely can Ik* understood by considering the state of the blood, as eported by every medical gentleman who has made post lortem examinations, or examined the body of persons Jvlio have died of cholera. Here also is the reason that ithc bladder is empty, because the kidneys are not supplied with new blood out of which they could secrete ¦urine; all this new blood has been thrown back on tho Kntistines before it has entcred]the left suhclaviaii vain — ¦all anatomists know that the chyle is taken up by innumerable small vessels, called absorbent vessels; they. in Ipussinir along come together until they form one trunk I which mounts upwards until it reaches the left subcla[viiii vain, or the left collar bone vain, and then it dis*'Marges this fluid which is of a whitish color into the red blood which is conveyed directly to the heart, and from thence it is thrown to every part of the body, as the blood passes slowly through the kidneys they secrete tho urino and send it to the bladder through the tubes called the aretus. But here we can understand, if the blood should he deprived of its urine, the kidneys cannot make more, so it is with the liver, the blood being sent to the liver through the vena porta, as we call it, and tho liver performs the office of separating the bile from tho blood, but if the blood contains no bile the liver cannot furnish « )Ut l 1 think this connot be doubted when we consider '• very large quantities which are gushing from the l>4 els, and it will be now recollected that the Tlior ;! l duct was found empty, and when we consider the »M I ing of the skin and the absence of the serum ol I blood ; for it will be recollected that in all the exaifl* 0 &<>!!.«, the blood was observed to be deprived of its watery Ibharis and left thick and dark. As the disease advance! j {lure is no increased action of the intestines, bin. a want of action, n lifelessnossj they became flaccid and lank. flow we see a Hooding from the bowels, not of red blood to hi' sure, but of white blood, the new blood, and tho ILesl of it, for the constant supply through the Thoracio !;.«•( of the chyle and lymph M now cut off, and the Curse is changed and thrown into the intestines and so >ut. If we are correct we can easily understand the bason why there is no bile in the discharges, viz: the ivoris not supplied with any new blood out of which to terete bile; and hence the absurdity of giving calomel !• any thing else to force the liver to act when the liver ns nothing upon of which to make bile; this surely can fc understood by considering the state of the blood, as Sported by every medical gentleman who has made post lortem examinations, or examined the body of persons ho have died of cholera. Here also is the reason that ie Madder is empty, because the kidneys are not suplied with new blood out of which they could secrete rine; all this new blood has been thrown back on tho itestinefl before it has entered.'the left subclavian vain — II anatomists know that the chyle is taken up by innu- Qerable small vessels, called absorbent vessels; they, in nssing along come together until they form one trunk rhich mounts upwards until it reaches the left subclaian vain, or the left collar bone vain, and then it disharses tin's fluid which is of a whitish color into the red lorn! which is conveyed directly to the heart, and from lence it is thrown to every part of the body, as the blood asses slowly through the kidneys they secrete the rine and send it to the bladder through the tubes called be uretus. Hut here we can understand, if the blood bould be deprived of its urine, the kidneys cannot make lore, so it is with the liver, the blood being sent to tho rer through the vena porta, as we call it, and the liver Brforms (he oiiice of separating the bile from tho blood, iit if the blood contains no bile tho liver cannot furnish ny; and wo all know it would be useless to goad tho 0 TIIL FAMILY PHYSICIAN. liver into action, if wo could do it, to cause it to secrete bile when it had nothing out of which to make the bile, Now let us see If we can account for the different phenomenon in cholera. 1 think 1 hare shown the ret. son why there is no bile in the discharges from the bow. els. It may he asked how i account for the great thin in cholera; 1 answer it is owing to exhaustion; the patient is bleeding to death, and nature calls for something to support her. it is the case with all persons who arc dying from a loss of blood: they cry tor water and we are told by hunters that when they wound an animal and they are bleeding they run to water* The cramps or spasms which are observed in cholera, are similar to those observed in bullocks slaughtered by the butchers. it proceeds from a sudden subductiou of life, a loss of blood, it is not from the pain, and those muscular spasms continue after the animal is dead and his hide oil! So we see the same spasms continue in persons sometimes after death from cholera. The abstraction of the serum of the blood from the skin and the surface of the body, and the blackness orbluenessof the body, are produced by the original poison driving these iluids from the surface upon the intestines, and the pressure of the air upon the body and upon the red muscle and vessels containing the red blood; thus we see the sinking and changing a the features and the whole body. The want of oxygen in cholera patients and the presence of a super-abundance of nitrogen, appears to me to be evident from the color of the blood, from the suddenness of death, from the oppression and difficulty of breathing, from the fact that there are more negroes die of that complaint than white persons, and more nun than women; this maybe owing to the negro having more of this air about him than the white, the same is believed to be the case in men more than females. Women's manner of dressing allows a more free circulation of air around their bodiesjthan that of men. Again, I have observed that when cold water has been thrown on the body, and then wrapped in blankets; there was an exhalation from the body even of those who had been <(l iiiPtimc without pulse, and who was actually in a coliped state; this odor had an extremely disagreeable t! !Wt on the persons wlio were in the room, hut under lose circumstances the patients never failed to recover. Hence it is my belief, that all who would avoid an attack fchofrra may do so, at least nine times out of ten, by ;akinu n. cold shower hath, or by keeping the body paused and well ventilated as it were, once or twice a ieek, should cholera be in the country where they are. jJiit we are told that some have died of cholera so .mldcnly that they had little or no discharge from the levels; they were struck down as with a blow from a |ck; in that case the bad air seems to have acted on ben as it does on those who go down into wells, or into joiur locked up houses or cellars having foul air in them. Tkkatmknt. — I come now to the treatment of ehol- H, corresponding to the views which I have taken of be pathology of the disease, and my experience of the ttikacy of my course of practice. The indications of cure appear to me to be, to stop the hemorrhage or feeding from the bowels, to restore the circulation of ;!ii fluids of the body to their natural course, to relieve he spasms, and to restore the natural heat. The hemorrhage or bleeding may be stopped by the R of astringents, such as lime-water, kino and opium, ibere these cannot be had, oak bark tea, brier root tea, or soot tea, or the like. We niiiy restore the circulation I ihc fluids to their proper course by throwing cold »ater on the body. The spasms may be returned by siulanum and tincture castor, as well as by the cold lower bath, or cold etfusion, this also will restore the itural heat of the body. When we consider that the hklv can be warmed sooner by the cold shower 2ili. than by the warm bath, we do not hesitate which I prefer in cholera, every body knows that when he topi into cold water and does not stay too long, on his "ing out he feels a glow or warmth over his whole •ty. And where is the physician of any experience, ¦o does not recalled that when he is called to a lady °°ding, he orders a towel dipped in cold water or vine- 83 673 674 gar and water, and sponges the small of the back till the bleeding stops. The great sympathy between tj 1( . bowels and skin as well as the sympathy between fa uterus and the skin and the stomach, and this will tea,-|| us the good eflecl of the application of cold water to the body in cholera. I assert it to be a fact, that when nt dents have been moaning and sometimes screaming wjd pains and cramps. I have thrown cold water onto! 'a pale, and that the pains and cramps have ceased in rive minutes or less time. The kino and opium either in the form of a pill or in the form of tincture, acts so as to constrict the mouth of the vessels which are bleeding, not indeed of ;•« blood, but white blood, so acts the lime-water. In 1832, in December, in the 3d case of cholera] saw, I formed my opinion of the nature of cholera in; number of cases that I had that mouth, i put nivihe ory into practice and proved it successful. In 1833. ii June and July, I had a number of cases and 1 tgai proved my practice to be successful. In the summer o 183 1 the cholera raged in Nashville, when I again bid ; fair opportunity of testing my plan of treatment, li 1833 there were 24 deaths out of about 80 convicts ir the Penitentiary, about one mile from Nashville: aagai n 1831, 2 i or 2(5 died at the same place. Recapitulation of my TKBATMBNT of CHOLili.-lf the patient is puking and purging of white colore fluid give a pill of one grain of opinm aiurtwo of kino every two hours, also two or three table-Spoonsful o lime-water, as often as he pukes up what he has taker Have him stripped of his clothes and throw the coldts water you can get all over his body with a piggin or pti do this quick, and if there is time, wipe him with th coarsest towel you have and then lay him in Wankei and cover him warm; if he has emptied his bowels am stomach, take care that you have some well boiled cor meal gruel made, and let the patient take a little at a tin. and if lie should puke it still, give him more after waitm sometime, if he becomes sick and pukes — again give W tho cold shower bath or dash it on, and again wrap M . THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN 675 up in blankets — and so on. The same course maybe observed in milder eases, although it may not require medicine whatever, for when the circulation shall return to its proper and natural course, and new blood bo sent to the liver, it will perform its office. So will die kidnies secrete urine when they shall be supplied with new blood containing water. DIRECTIONS F O X PRESERVING HEALTH, ON REMOVING FIIOM A NORTHERN TO A SOUTHKRN CLIM\TI:. ¦ The following letter was written twelve years ago, fa friend going to the lower country who requested me to give him directions how to preserve his health in that climate. My Dear Sir: — According to your request, I now write you a few directions to govern you in the preservation of your health, or should you not he able to pivserve it, to point out a few general rules and direction"! for its restoration. I scarcely need say any thing to you ahout the importance of TEMPERANCE, as I know you arc strictly bo, both in eating and drinking; — but I also know, we Hi all sometimes imprudent in exposing ourselves to certain species of intemperance — I shall therefore notice some of them. I would urge you on descending the river, not to expose yourself to the night air, more particularly, it the day has been unusually warm, and recollect tlwajl to keep your feet free from wet, but keep the head cool. and you can do this by bathing it in cold water at any time of the day. more particularly, if you should feel liverish. Should you be pre-disposed to perspire, you should keep flannel next your skin, and think not because the weather is warm, there will be no use tor thmnel, for the warmer the country the more need you will have for it. Let your dietbe as usual in quality, although you nwy lessen the quantity, especially in warm weather. Ho! and heavy meats at dinner, and supper., are improper. you should never eat when hot. I would therefore earnostly advise you to repair to the place when you intend ;o dine or sup, sometime before, so that you may avoid silting down whilst you are too much heated. Whilst I am on the subject of eating, if may be proper for me to mention some few articles of diet which should, with !>.¦ ject of preserving your health, 1 will now give you i few directions in case you should he attacked with fever, dysentery, or diarrhce — and these directions must, of necessity, he general. It will not be expected oi" me to to give all the symptoms of fever in a letter, as all persons can determine when they have fever. 1 shall only say, that when you have fever, or when the pulse is quick. full and hard, the skin dry and hot, headache, gnat thirst, and sickness of the stomach, pain in the hulls of the eye, &c, sometimes pains of the bones and heavy dull feelings, &c. &C: under these circumstances let blood be taken, and take some cooling purgative; should the nausea at the stomach be great, it may be necessan to take an emetic first, and after it operates, then change the action to a cathartic or purge, by giving gruel, nap or such like ; if that will not purge, then a cooling pone, as sulphate of Magnesia or Epsom salts. Should the bowels however, be hard to move, let the patient take twelve or fifteen grains of rhubarb with eiglu or to grains of calomel at bed-time, working it off in the usual way, viz: by gruel, soups, &c, should thai not operate by ten or eleven o'clock — rub together thirty grain of jalap with thirty cream of tartar, this should be repeated. The warm bath at this time, will facilitate the operation of the medicine. After the bowels are sufficient open and blood has been taken, and yet the fever doe? not abate, the cold bath may be used by throwing cold water on the body from buckets, on the head, breast, arms,itc; may be frequently bathed in cold water, by pacing the head ever the side of the bed. The ftfi s.iould not be bathed in cold water, notwithstanding tney may be hot, unless when the whole body is bathed 678 ;,iv reason tor this is. T have known other disorders shper?ene in consequence — such as dysentery. Cold salt uiitor is better to use as v bath than sprint*' or river waler without salt Dysentery becomes next in be sivoken of. hisad' <~ ease very prevalent in warm low countries. The djß.¦niory comes on with fever, a frequent desire to i^o to M ool. a difficulty ofpassing the faeces, frequent inclination to discharge, but art Inability to do so,,as the passages ire snail and mixed with slime and Mood. Such are gome of the symptoms of dysentery, {Should you be itkicked inthis manner, take a common dose of s.'lts. ,iirideit into three parts, lake one of those in the morning, another at twelve or out; o'clock, and the other ai three or four, taking gruel, or chicken soup, and let the drink be flax seed toa; if the disease should not give way <•> this on the second day after, take other three portions in die same way; after that is relieved and the conte .is if the bowels are sufficiently removed, the llax seed iea for drink, and the arrow root for diet, will be all important [ might here enter more minutely into particulars lon this.subject — and [mint our a number of similar artilcles,but it will not be necessary, as yon ought to eal! :n: n iivsieian, ii the disease is nol checked by J!i<> above. Iremeoies — 1 will only mention, that bathing the feet in warm water before going to bed will be of much service [lift disease; fcfter which put oh worsted socks, and < ¦- I*(I *( iall) keep the feel dry. The Diarrhcß is a Jiseas(3 which seldom attacks per- I sons primarily — when it does, however, 1 have, ibr the most part gave no medicine, hut directed my patients to t!- it on with gruel or soup, as though they bad taken cathartic. This is a disease commonly known by the leoi Lax, iris a free discharge from the bowels with little orrto fever, when there is fever, or when the discharses are hqf, then, the Epsom salts may be given as > cathartic, or the common salts as in dysentery. If Mia is neglected, it frequently becomes a dysentery and Oust be treated as such. Hut diarrnQß is more frequentt;a 679 — it then becomes necessary to have it particularly ended to by a judicious Physician. There are many hiuulreds of young men who fall ;1 prey every year in New Orleans, to the diseases of a southern climate, who hya very little attention might be saved to their country, and friends. I have lived in New Orleans, and have practised medicine there, as ftellu oilier points on the Mississippi, and on the borders of the Gulf of Mexico, for a number of years, and I hope I nu« say that 1 speak understandingly. J have known thousands who found a premature grave, who might htrc been rescued therefrom by following a little friendly advice. Let me assure my readers that intemperance nf every kind should be shunned by all, hut more particularly, by persons going from a cold or moderate climate to a warm one. Spirits even in what is railed moderation should he totally abandoned, nothing is more commonin IV. Orleans tian (o 666 eve.i men who are called sober, after walking some hundreds of yards to dinner, sit down exhausted from walking, and no desire for fond, take however a little spirits to give them an appetite— this indeed has the desired effect* they eat hot and solid dinners, a headache and fever is the consequence, they are taught to take a large dose of calomel, and soon another, this increases the disorder of the stomach. C.ilomel and Dovers powders are continued, the whole intestinal canal is torpid and loaded with hardened faces, it requires strong convulsive elibrts, as it were, to move this long, though corrobutcd^canal bythe article of medicine, and if the patient's constitution does not support him, he is oft. Walking in the sun or much fatigue oi any kind just before eating warm or hot meals is injurious. Persons in a hot climate, and particularly in warm weather, should repair 10 the place where they mean to dine, sometime before the hour of dinner, so as to cool themselves, then they would be more sensible of the quantity of food they take into their stomach ; it would he best to eat cold victuals in warm weather, or in warm climates. Intemperance in eating is very injurious, and should be avoided during the summer months. Kvery 680 thing that would debilitate the system should be careful|v avoided. Almost all the acids will be good in moderation in the warm seasons — cold water is the best drink, as well as the best diluent to our food. If wine is Used, it should be Claret and water. Sitting up late at night, more particularly in the open air is prejudicial to good health — therefore go to bed early and rise early. Illicit indulgence in vencry is in ever* sense injurious. Your friend and weil wisher, A. G. GOODLETT. 84 MATE'KIA MEDICA- \\'i have endeavored to give a general description of the important diseases to which the human body is liable, and of tho various remedies to be used in their cure. We shall now proceed to describe, as far as practicable, all the valuable roots, plants, &x., tint can conveniently be included in a work like the present; and here we are ready to admire, like the Psa'mist, and to say, "How wonderful are thy works, O Lord! In wisdom but thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." 1 In all parts of these his glorious works, in their admirable fitness to one another, and their constant subserviency to the good of all, we behold the wisdom and goodness of the Great Creator. But in no department of his works do mingled icisf/om and podnets shine with greater lustre than in the vegetable kingdom. The American continent, though the last discovered, s not tho least favored of God in this respect, — embracing almost every climate and soil of the globe, it richly abounds with drugs of every iioaling quality. It is a common saying, that every country contains the best cures for its own diseases; this seems to be verified in our beloved America. AGARIC See Touchwood. AGIIJMONY, Agrimonia — Grows two or three fret high, in edgei and the margins of fields — blossoms in July on long spikes, yellow. It is known by the vulgar name of cuckold, from the seeds sticking to the clothes in the fall of the year. lv whey 01; tea it forms a good drink in fevers. The juice of M plant, or a strong infusion of the roots, two hands-ful to a owl of boiling water, and sweetened with honey, is an exce!- Hlt medicine in the jaundice, scurvy, and habitual diarrlura or t'l'scness. Dose of the infusion half a pint; of the juice a tine glassful three times a clay. The herb has been applied xternaljv to fresh wounds. ALDER, BLACK, AlwuNigra — Sometimes called Virginia ' interberrVj grows in most places, generally sending up several lender stalks to the height of ten feet, and bears a rvd berry. The bark is tonic, and accordingly is used in substance, or in 'long decoction, like the Peruvian bark, in intermittents, and wer cases o/ debility, as dropsy, gangrene, &c. The inner rt in the shape of poultice externally, with the decoction inmally, a handful or two boiled slowly in three pints of water > a quart, is celebrated both by Professor Barton and Doctor lease, as of admirable use in arresting the progress of mortifi- 684 MATERIA MEDICA. S. A strong decoction of the berries formed into a S yr lolasses in doses of a wine-glassful, or two tM-spoom powder of the inner bark, is said to be a good purge. Thatcher recommends a decoction or infusion of the!*} internally in doses of a tea-cupful, and employed also a*a for the cure of cutaneous eruptions, particularly of t. f ie kind. GXANDER. See Parsley, Wild. xiuUM ROOT, Heuchera Americana — Called also American Sanicle. The root is a very intense astringent. It is the big of a powder which has lately acquired some reputation inthe tfd of cancer. Professor Barton observes that, ne does not |» sve that the alum root has cured genuine cancer; but th;i;i: has proved very beneficial in obstinate ulcers which have bee: mistaken for cancers. He says it is one of the articles in tit Materia Medica of our Indians, the powdered root of wind they apply to wounds, ulcers, and cancers. ANGELICA, Angelica — Grows in marshy woods andhefe, flowering in June and July. It is frequently cultivated in our Every part of this useful vegetable partakes of its aromatic virtues, but especially the root, which, in the form of powder, tincture or tea, is useful in flatulent colics. Conjoined with dot wood bark, or any other tonic, it may, like the Peruvian ban, be employed with advantage in intermittents and low stages o! fever* The dose, one tea-spoonfal, in substance of the former, M two of the latter. It may also be employed in the form of stronj decoction, in doses of a gill, or in cold phlegmatic habits, in tincture, either alone, or with dogwood berries, centaury, lemon peel, or any other article of the bitter and tonic class. A strong decoction of the root, combined with red oak bark, a large baneful of each to a pint of boiling water, makes an admirable gargle tor relaxed and spongy gums, and ulcerated sore throat. APPLE, PERU. See Thorn Apple. ARBUTUS. See Bearberry. ARROW ROOT, Muranta Arundinacea— ls cultivated in the southern states. A table-spoonful makes a pint of the finest jelly in nature, which ailbrds the most nutritious food in Mt diseases for children. To persons laboring under bowel complaints, as diarrhoea and dysentery, it is of itself a remedy. The jelly is made in the following manner: — To ¦ tllh spoonful of the powdered root, add as much cold water Blfj make it into a thin paste, and then pour on boiling water throup the spout of a kettle, stirring it at. the same time briskly, till ij becomes a clear jelly; after which, season it with sugar anl nutmeg, and, to render it still more palatable, a little wine or enion- juice may be added. But, to children, blending it with cw milk is best. ASARABACCA SWAMP, Atarum — Crows in low lands. t has but two loaves, which rise Immediately from the root, ml divides from one stem. The flowers are purple and bell|li;i|)cd, and proceed from between the leaves. : The whole of this plant has a nauseous bitter taste. The X>t, from a half to a tablo-spoonful in powder, operates both upnrdl and downwards. In the form of infusion, a half handful o a quart of boiling water, is said to be serviceable in the [hooping cough, in doses of a table-spoonful to children every ait hour, or oftener, until it vomits; and in doses of a teau[)!iil three times a day, it has been used with success to proote the menses, or courses. AVENB COMMON. Gnun Urbanum— Grows a foot high by ncei and borders of fields* The blossoms are white or yeliwish in July. Its smell resembles that of cloves. A strong tincture of the root, two hands-full, steeped in a art of spirits, given to the quantity of a half wine-glassful or le powder, in doses of a tea-spoonful, several times a day, has Forded an excellent remedy in intermittents and other disorm where strengthening medicines are requisite. It is said to be quul to the Peruvian hark. There is another variety of this plant, called water avens, iroat root, cure all, which is to be found in boggy meadows. 'ho blossoms are purplish, and appear in May. Its properties re t!\e same as the preceding. A decoction of it has been found enefieial as a gargle in ulcerated sore throats, which probably me rise to the name of thraot root or throat wort, HACK -AC LI BRAKE. Sec Fern Female. BALM, Melissa Ojjiciailas — Makes an excellent tea in fevers, nil when sweetened, and acidulated with the juice of lemons r cream of tartar, forms a most grateful beverage. BARBERRY, Btrberis Vulgaris — Grows along the sides of kuls in hedges; — leaves oblong, tender, and subject to the rust; ie ilovvers are in clusters; the fruit oblong and acid; the stem is et'en.led by three thorns. A double handful of the berries, boiled in three quarts of water ) two, and given in doses of a tea-cupful four or five times a IV, sweetened with white sugar, is extolled as a remedy in di- Tbcea, dysentery, and jaundice. BASTARD IPECACUANHA. See Ipecacuanha American. BAYBERRY, Afyrica Ccrifcra Humilis—CaWed also Dwarfandlebury Myrtle, grows in swamps to the height of two or ice feet, and bears numerous green berries, of which tallow is nde. The bark of the root has been considered a good remedy for 685 686 MATERIA MEDIC.4. the jaundice. The powder of it, in doses of twenty or thin I grains, hai been employed as a mild emetic. The innerbS j in poultice, applied moroing and evening to scrofulous swolijj • <'| and drinking a tea-cupful of a strong infusion of the lt;u, I said to have wrought surprising cures in a lew weeks. I BEARBERRx, Arbultu Uva Urti — Hears wortloliem-l Wild cranberry. Is a low evergreen shrill), somewhat resemhi^l the myrtle* I The leaves have a bitter astringent taste, and iin([iipsti t , n ;i!. Irß1 r B possesses great medical virtues, especially in relieving the ;>' r IH tat ion of the stone,£mvQ\, and old cases of'glionorrluta^ncnstria'B discharges, also catarrhs and consumptions. ¦ The dose — half a pint, twice or thrice a day, of a docoetHiß made of the leaves, a handful to a pint, or a tea-spoonful in I stance, two or three times a-day. fl BEECH DROPS. See Broomrme Virginia. ¦ BENNEf Se Bamum Oriental* — Is now cultivated inScutliM Carolina and Georgia* The leaves, by infusion, allord ;m ,\.B Oellent mucilaginous drink, which is used with manifest ;u!v.,B tage in dysentery, diarrlura, and cholera infantuin. B The seeds yield a pure and pleasant oil, which in doses limibH one to two wine-glasscsful, acts well on the bowels. It is j B. generally used at the tables of the wealthy, and from the sjuvi-B men I had of it at the table of my honorable friend, Govi B' Milledge, near Augusta, I consider it equal to the best Fluiv:: fl r < or sallad oil. ¦[. I3ETII KO< >T, Trillium Uhumboydum — Grows in hk'ikU'Hjv about a foot high — the leaves oval, three at the top of i BLB L stalk, one flower of a purple color, bell-slnped, produek'B small berry, that contains the seeds — the root of a brown iv/:Bnr externally, bulbous and full of small fibres. Bi. The [)owder of the root, in dosesof one tea-spoonful three B^< four times ;i otv The roots ( f these vines, but especially of the dewberry. 'Bi ur famous as astringents. From my own observation in j)i;an ¦onis two handsfull 01 the clear root in three pints of milk or vsM\ ]),• boiled to a quart, and given in doses of a tea-cupful every p 687 MATEKIA MEDICA. H three hours, has often cured obstinate diarrhoea and dysentery, when the best medicine of the shop hud failecL BLACK SNAKE HOOT. See Virginia Snake Root. 151 A Z I NG STAR. See Devil's Bit. BLOOD HOOT, Sanguinaria Gtmadpuii — Hai a variety of Dimes, Bfl Red Hoot, PUOCOOn. Indian Paint, Turmeric. It grows ibottt a loot lugh in rich woodlands, and llowers in April. The leaves are roundish and deeply indented, somewhat like the white oak leaves — steins naked, supporting single llowers; blotjoins white. When the fresh root, which is about the size of the ihtle finger, and blood red, is broken, a juice issues in large drops resembling blood. According to Dr. Downie, the root in powder, from twenty to thirty grains, is strongly emetic. Professor Barton considers it nearly equal to the Seneca or rattle-snake root in cases of ul(vrous sore throat, croup and hives, and other similar affections. tofenor Dexter exhibits it in doses of one grain of the powlered root, or ten drops of the tincture, every two or three hours, Han excellent diaphoretic in colds, or pleurisies, rheumatism, and other inflammatory complaints. A tincture maybe prepared by steeping a handful of the root slim! in half a pint of spirits, it may also be exhibited in the form of decoction, a handful to a quart of boiling water, and a table-spoonful for a dose every two or three hours. The blood root is considered the chief ingredient of the quack medicine known by the name of Kawson's bitters, recommended as a remedy for the jaundice. The juice of the root is said to be pod for destroying warts. To Professor Smith, of Hanover, N. 11., the world is indebted. or the discovery that this plant, used as a powder and snuffed p the nose, is a certain cure for the polypus. Professor Smith ilso found it of great use in the incipient stages of pulmonary consumption, given in large and repeated doses, and in cases of Treat irritation it was combined with opium. Professor Ives, of New Haven, considers the blood root as a emedy in many diseases of the lungs and liver. He observes, hat in tyhoid pneumonia, "in plethoric constitutions, when respiation is very difficult, and the cheeks and hands become livid, he pulse full, soft, vibratiug an I easily compressed, the Blood loot has done more to obviate the symptoms and remove the lisease, 1 ' than any remedy which he has used. He infuses from scruple to half a drachm of the'powdered root in half a gill of lot water, and gives one or two tea-spoonsful every half hour, n urgent cases. This treatment has often removed the symponis in a few hours. Dr. Ives thinks highly of its use in influenza, in consumption, md particularly in whooping-cough. He also states that, given 688 MATIRIA MEDIC A. tn large doses, sufficient to produce vomiting, it often remove he croup, it' administered in the first stages. * k lt has boon preo," he remarks, "for many years, in the country; some physiciam relying wholly on this remedy for the cure of the croup." J)r. Macbride, of Charleston, S. C, has found the Blood Hoot useful in llydrothorax, given in doses of sixty drops, thrice ;i-dav, and increased till nausea followed each dose. He also used i: with advantage in torpor of the liver, attended with colic and yellowness of the skin, a disease common in southern climatei BLOODWORTH STRIPED, Lapathtm Qangurnim £ hrum — Crows six or seven inches hi. It is generally found under the shade of the American beech tree. hence it is sometimes called beech drops, but more generally cancer root. Every part of this plant is considerably astringent, and aloiy with the astringency, especially in the recent plant, there is combined a peculiar and extremely nauseous bitterness. It has been celebrated as a remedy in dysentery, but its principal reputation is in cancerous affections. It is supposed this ionnoJ part of the celebrated cancer powder of Dr. Hugh Martin. whose success in the management of many cases of this dreadful disease, has been acknowledged by the regular practitioi)^ of Philadelphia. It is certain, says Professor Barton, that the powder of cancer root has been of great service, externally applied to obstinate 689 MATWRIA IUEUICA. v ' lL «ert,Bom© of vrhich had resisted all the ordinary applications. TV fr©«h bruised root has also been applied with good c Meets X i-anccrous sores. In the form of decoction it has been found u t u l to a quart of water, with or without milk, taken freely, is lerviceable in coughs, consumptions, diarrhoea, and dropsical complaints* The leaves, finely powdered, and used as a inufij remove giddiness and obstructions of the head. COLUMBO AMERICAN, Columba Americana — Grows plentifully in the western country, in the vicinity of the Ohio fiver; anil, from abundant experiments, is found fully equal to the imported. It lias long been esteemed a powerful antiseptic and tonic; and as such, has been employed with manifest advantage in gangrene, cholera niorbus, bilious vomiting, bilious fb?er, indigestion, want of appetite, &c. It ma)- be given in powder, in doses of a small tea-spoonful every three 01 four tours, or in decoction, in doses of a tea-cupful. Two or three ounces of the root, steepeed in a quart oi spirits, form an excellent bitter, which, when taken in mint water, or infusion of orange peel, in doses of a table-spoonful, is excellent for mod* crating the retching in pregnant women. COMFREY, Cunsolida — Grows about two feet high in moist n'tuationi near springs, but is cultivated in our gardens. Tlie leaves are large, similar to water dock, llowers of a pale blue color; the roots long, rather thicker than a man's linger, mucilaginous, and black externally, but white within. A handful of the roots boiled in milk, and given in doses of a tefrcupful three or four times a-day, is a popular remedy in dysentery, bowel complaints, and the lluor albus, or whites. It is also beneficial as a diet drink in the clap, or in other cases attended with a burning heat in making water. CORIANDER, Coriandruni — Is cultivated in our gardens. The seeds are warm, and of a pleasant flavor, and in doses of a tea to a table-spoonful, have been found useful in cases of indigestion and flatulence. When mixed with senna, they more effectually correct the odor and taste of the infusion, than any other aromatic. They also form an excellent addition to ingredients for bitters. COW PARSNIP, Hera chum Spondylium — Is found in hedges, meadow*, and pastures; but should be carefully distillgufohed 693 694 MATERIA MEDICA. from the hemlock or wild parsnip that grows in ht&om and is poisonous. According to Dr. Orne, of Salem, it has been often niedwitb success in epilepsy, especially in cases of indigestion vrith flatulence. The dose is three drachms oi' the powdered root taken daily, and a strong infusion of the leaves and tops drank at bed-time* CRANE'S BILL, Geranium Maculatum — Improperly called by some Crow Foot. It grows five or six inches high in me ,j. ovvs and woods; has long slender stalks, with Mvenlong Dimw leaves at a joint. The root is generally crooked and knotted, blackish on the outside, and reddish, has a rough taste, with an When applied externally, it is highly extolled for its typtic power, in stopping hemorrhages of wounded vessels. The powdered root, in doses of a tea-spoonful three or four times! day, or a decoction in milk, used as a common drink, is said to be excellent in checking immoderate menstrual discharges, also the whites and gleets, and obstinate diarrlura. The following account of the efficacy of Crane's Bill, v stated bj Dr. Mease, in the Medical Museum, deserves the attention of the reader. The son of Mr. David Cooper, near Woodbury, partially divided the artery at the wrist with the point of a hatchet in trimming a tree; the wound bled profusely, and an an eurismatic tumor, of the size of a pullet I egg, was quickly formed. Dr. llendry, who was immediately called, applied a tourniquet, and also apiece of Hut lead to the tumor; and apprehending that the usual operation would be necessary, requested the assistance of Dr. William Shippen from Philadelphia* On the arrival of that gentleman, the operation was resolved on; Mfhen the lather of the young man insisted upon the trial of a vegetable remedy, which he said he had learned the use of from one of the aborigines of the country. He immediately repaired to the wood?, and returned with some of the specilic, which was pounded in a mortar with a little cold water, and applied to the part, and in a short time, to the great satisfaction of the sullcrer and his friends, checked the bleeding. The tourniquet was left on a.*a precautionary measure, but fortunately no occasion offered tor using it. In the course of a few days the wound healed, ami the youug man had no further trouble. A man in pruning a tree, divided the stout muscles of the forearm in an oblique direction; the wound was lull four inches in length, and bled profusely from a large artery, and numerous smaller vessels. His shirt sleeve was lull of blood; for, being made tight round his 'wrist and forearm, it prevented the blood mflHMiMfi and forming a concilium round the blooding orifice, checked for a short, timo farther clliision. The powerful effects produced by the geranium in the former case, induced Dr. Hendry to apply it in the present; aeev»rdinsly, lie procured some of the roots, and niter washing and pounding them, filled the wound therewith: the effect upon the smaller vessels was almost instantaneous in checking the profusion of their contents, and the bleeding in a short time entirely OMttdj and although, as in the former case, the tourniquet was very properly suffered to remain, yet no occasion ottered for ¦ing it. Another case occurred of a wound in the ankle from a scythe, which had bled so profusely as to cause the man to faint; but on the application of the geranium by Dr. Hendry, as above, it erased in n short time. In the instance of a violent vomiting of blood, which had resisted a variety of remedies, an infusion of the plant in water, produced the desired effect in a few minutes. Another instance mentioned to me by Dr. 11., of the astringent eilectof the geranium, was that 01 a young man who had I most obstinate hemorrhage from the socket of a jaw-tooth, which had been extracted. An attempt, was made by a physician from Philadelphia, to close the bleeding orifice by burning it with a red hot needle, but without effect) on the application, however, of the geranium, the bleeding soon ceased. In consequence of the virtues of the geranium having been so often experienced about Wood bury in cases of hemorrhage, the inhabitants have been induced to cultivate the plant, in their gardens; and it would be well if their example were followed by every one in the country; for though Providence has diffused the valuable plant over «very part of our country, yet as it grows principally in the woods, and the accident it is intended to relieve may admit of no delay, and often happen! in winter, when the plant cannot be found, it should be transferred to every garden, that it may be at hand when wanted. CROSS WORT. See TkmvugkxoorU CIiOVV FOOT, Ranuculus liulbosus — A very acrid plant, growing in meadows and fields. The leaves or roots bruised and applied to any part of the body, will soon raise a blister, and wight to be used when the Spanish Hies cannot be obtained. The roots, collected in the fall, may be very well preserved through the winter by burying them in some fine dry sand. CUCKOLD, See Agrimony. CUCKOW BREAD. See the following. CI'CKOW PINT, Arum Macukthtm — Also called lords and ladies, wake robin, dragon root. The leaves are generally be'pangled with black aad white spots, etriped in gaudy style; 695 696 fIATKMA MEDICA. whence the country people have given it the name of lords and ladies. The root is bulbous, resembling ¦ small turnip. Hoth this and the leaves, in a fresh state, are extremely : and have been used with advantage externally tor blistering. ;.r_ internally in cachexies, rheumatism, and all other complaints o( cold phlegmatic hubits. Of the fresh root, from ten to thirty grains may be taken thrice a-day, in the form of emulsion, vq gum Arabic, or cherry-tree gum. The root, which should k used fresh, may be kept so for a year, by burying it in a c> in sand* CrcUMIJER HOOT, Medeola Virginica—AcconYm?; Professor Uarton, is a very common plant. The root is white, and tastes a good deal like the cucumber. It possesses diuretic properties, and hus cured dropsies. CURE-ALL. See Jims. CURRANTS, Kibes— The white, red, and black currants, all grow luxuriantly in our gardens; anJ when perfectly ripe, and made with sugar mid water into the form of lemonade. serve as a most grateful and cooling drink in fevers. An infusion of the bark, sweetened with currant jolly, n honey, is an excellent gargle in sore throat, and an infusion 01 the young shoots is said to be beneficial in eruptive \v\r\ Currants afford an excellent wine; for making which, the :.• lowing is an admirable recipe: — Of red or white currants, ripe* take fourteen pounds, brobi into three gallons of water, and let it stand for two days, whe:. the stalks, tc, will be at the top. Press oil' all the stalks, a:ui. while straining the mixture, add twelve pounds of sugar; turn it into a cask, and keep it full enough to let the feculent mutter work out — repeatedly removing it, and tilling it up, until Domo» rise, which will be in about fourteen days; add to it onequartfl •pints nearly tasteless, or else brandy, and bung up close, luvping it at least six months before it is bottled. Let the curnno be gathered free from dew or rain; and if they be spread a (hf or two before they are used, they will be none the wonfc- Fourteen pounds will make one gallon of juice, twelve potiJMI of sugar another gallon; therefore, the above ingredients ihouii bo equal to five gallons, and enough to fill up with. CUSTARD APPLE, AnnonaTriloba— ls said to be SgW purgative medicine. DANDELON, Leontodon Taraxacum — Vulgarly called pi» a-beds, grows in meadows, pastures, and road-sides, and ditto* banks, with yellow flowers, which blow from April to Soptcnber, and possess the remarkable quality of expanding early n> the morning, and closing in the evening. The root, leaves, and stalk, contain a large proportion o\ bitter milky juice, which, in doses of a wine-glassful twice < 697 tIATERIA MBUICA. thrice a-day, is good in chronic inflammations of the liver, drop- I jjes, difficulty of making water, and other complaints arising I from obstructions of the viscera. It may also he taken in the I form o( a strong decoction, from a gill to a half pint, twice or DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. See Nightshade, deadly. DEERBERRY. See Mountain Tea. I DEVIL'S I JIT, Veratrum Luteum — The root of this plant lisa very pungent hitler, and is employed as a tonic, either in I the form of tincture or infusion. In this last form it has been I employed as a vermifuge. I 6EWBERRY. See Blackberry. II DILL, Ant-thrum Gravolcns — Flourishes in our gardens, pro¦ uuing seed delightfully aromatic, which, in doses 01 one or two Hta-sjtoonsful, is excellent to remove llatulent colics, and assist (digestion. I DOCK WATER, ok WATER DOCK, Jimnex Aquaticus— ¦Grows in wet ditches, mill-ponds, sides of rivers, and in shallow Bvmut. flowering in July and August. I Half a pint of a decoction of the leaves or roots, two hands¦ultoa quart of boiling water, or two or three tea-spoonsful of Hhe dried roots in powder, taken two or three times a-day, is an Blmirnble medicine to sweeten and purify the blood in scurvy, H aid head, tetter- worm, and other cutaneous diseases. The ¦ - 1 roots bruised, and mixed with vinegar, or in strong de- B motion, are a good cure of the ring-worm, and have often sul> B that filthy complaint, the itch, when quack medicines, and B sulphur, had tailed. They are also worth trying in the Bun of a poultice to tumors and cancerous ulcers. I Tlu> curled dock, narrow and broad-leaved dock, which grow Biy;mUand Cultivated fields, arc all varieties of this useful plant, BnJ possess similar virtues. It is said the narrow-leaved dock, Bi'ieil in the form of fomentation and poultice, to a cancerous Be. and from a pint to a quart of the decoction, taken daily, B kes ;i perfect cure. B HOGWOOD, Cornus Florida.— The bark of this famous tree, Bliich may well be termed the chicona or Peruvian bark of jß'ith America, possesses, like that, all those tonic powers, BUcli give it such admirable control over interniittents, gan.B.'-'iul all diseases proceeding from debility. ?BFn>in my own observation in practice, I am abundantly war- B '¦'¦ '1 in pronouncing it generally preferable to the imported B;.\vliicli is often injured by adulteration. Like the Peruvian B^luit in somewhat larger doses, it may be used in substance •.B'>n)ctinn, infusion or tincture, either alone or conjoined ¦R ' *| ia ke root, or some o( the aromatics. But the shape in ¦uch it will be found most agreeable, is that of an extract; 8C 0 HATEIUA MADICU. whence tho country people have given it the name of lords and ladies. Tlu> root is bulbous*, resembling a small turnip. Both this and the loaves in a fresh >tate, are extreme! v acrid and have been used with advantage externally for blisterin . internally in cachexies, rheumatism, and all other complaints of cold phlegmatic habits. Of the fresh root, from ten to tinny grains may be taken thrice a-day, in the form of emulsion, w^ gum Arabic, or cherry-tree gum. The root, which shouki k used fresh, may be kept so for a year, by burying it in a cdsj in sand. CUCUMBER HOOT, Medeola Virginica— According to Professor Barton, is a very common plant. The root is white, and tastes a good deal like the cucumber. It possesses iliuß'i: properties, ami hus cured dropsies. CURE-ALL. See Jims. CURRANTS, Kibvs— Tha white, red, and black currou, all grow luxuriantly in our gardens; and when perfectly ripe. and made with sugar mid water into the form of lemonade. servo as a most grateful and cooling drink in fevers. An infusion of the bark, sweetened with currant jelly, Of honey, is an excellent gargle in sore throat, and an infusion oi the young shoots is said to be beneficial in eruptive (tun, Currants afford an excellent wine; for making which, the following is an admirable recipe: — Of red or white currants, ripe, take fourteen pounds, broken into three gallons of water, and let it stand for two days, when the stalks, ice, will be at the top. Press off all the stalks. ami. while straining the mixture, add twelve pounds of sugar; turn it into a cask, and keep it full enough to let the feculent matter workout — repeatedly removing it, and tilling it up, until no mmt rise, which will be in about, fourteen days; add to it onoquartoi spirits nearly tasteless, or else brandy, and bung up close, keeping it at least six months before it is bottled. Let the curranti be gathered free from dew or rain; and if they be iprcad :i day or two before they are used, they will be none the worse.- Fourteen pounds will make one gallon of juice, twelve pounds of sugar another gallon; therefore, the above ingredients should be equal to five gallons, and enough to fill up with. CUSTARD APPLE, Annona Triloba—ls said to be a good purgative medicine. DANDELON, Leontodon Temxacuin— Vulgarly cnlled p a-beds, grows in meadows, pastures, and road-sides, and tllK ''' banks, with yellow flowers, which blow from April to September, and possess the remarkable quality of expanding early'" the morning, and closing in the evening. The root, leaved, and stalk, contain a large proportion OJ l)i:-ter milky juice, which, in doses of a trine-glassful twice or 0 MATBRIA MHDICA. thrice a-day, is good in chronic inflammations of the livor, dropsies, difficulty of making water, and Other complaints arising I from obstructions of the viscera. It may also be taken in the I form of a strong decoction, from a gill to a half pint, twice or I thrice a-day. DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. See, Nightshade, deadly. DEERBERRY. See Mountain Tea. I DEVIL'S BIT, Veratrum Lukum — The root of this plant lis a very pi'ngent bitter, and is employed as a tonic, either in I jie form of tincture or infusion. In this last form it has been ¦ employed as a vermifuge. I DEWBERRY. See Blackberry. II DILL) Andhcum Gravolens — Flourishes in our gardens, pro- Btiiu'ing seed delightfully aromatic, which, in doses 01 one or two ¦;;i-<|toonsful, is excellent to remove flatulent colics, and assist ¦digestion. I DOCK WATER, or WATER DOCK, Jiuniex Aquaticus— BGimws in wet ditches, mill-ponds, sides of rivers, and in shallow Bwator. flowering in July and August. I Half a pint of a decoction of the leaves or roots, two hands¦l:l to a quart of boiling water, or two or three tea-spoonsful of ¦he dried roots in powder, taken two or three times a-day, is an Admirable medicine to sweeten and purify the blood in scurvy, ¦ :a!d dead) tetter-worm, and other cutaneous diseases. The ¦ - 1 roots bruised, and mixed with vinegar, or in strong de- B'Vtion, are a good cure of the ring-worm, and have often sul> B that filthy complaint, the itch, when quack medicines, and B i sulphur, had tailed. They are also worth trying in the ¦ r m of a poultice to tumors and cancerous ulcers. I The curled dock) narrow and broad-leaved dock* which grow Bayards and cultivated fields, are all varieties of this useful plant, m - 1 possess similar virtues. It is said the narrow-leaved dock, ¦pplieil in the form of fomentation and poultice, to a cancerous B^e, ;ind from a pint to a quart of the decoction, taken daily, Bikes a perfect cure. ¦ I>OG WOOD, Cornus Florida.— The bark of this famous tree, ¦hich may well be termed the chicona or Peruvian bark of jH'ilh America, possesses, like that, all those tonic powers, ¦rich give it such admirable control over intermittents, gan.¦//''• ;i 'iil all diseases proceeding from debility. ..¦Fn>in my own observation in practice, I am abundantly war¦'¦'"'' "' pronouncing it generally preferable to the imported ¦ •which is often injured by adulteration. Like the Peruvian ¦•k. but in somewhat larger doses, it may be used in substance -.¦'''vuctiun. infusion or tincture, either alone or conjoined . Bj'i aiake root, or some of the aromatics. But the shape in ¦uch it will be found most agreeable, is that of an extract; 698 MATERIA MBDICA. which is easily prepared by boiling the bark, straining it, an( j then evaporating it very slowly to the consistence of hp • To prevent the fatal effects of burning it, the vessel in \ V |.;' 11 I it is evaporated should be of the wide mouth soil, placed im large pot of boiling water, and often stirred towards the i - I of the operation. I The dose is from a half to a whole tea-spoonful, three or fa I times a-day. The beautiful red berries of dogwood, combined I "with lemon-peel, snake-root, calimus, or any other warmarol matio seeds, form a fine bitter against the common fall coin- 1 DRAGONS CLAW. See Fever Root. I DItAG( )N ROOT. See Cuckow Pint. I ELDER COMMON, OR BLACK, Sqmkucu* Niger-Gmmt to the height of a small tree, in hedges, and along tiia border oil meadows; the young shoots are full of pith, and the olil>;/k>B empty; flowers in July, and the berry of a biackish -rplecolorß wlien ripe. I The expressed juice of elder berries put into a plate, orwideß mouth vessel, and evaporated in the sun to the st;ite of an ox-H tract, in doses from a tea to a table-spoonful, acts as ;i good :i -I rient medicine. A tea made of the leaves, a large handful val quart of boilim* water, and taken freely, removes a O'.v:pH habit, promotes perspiration, and thus proves useful in eni|itior.B of the skin, St. Anthony's lire, colds, dropsies, and oil ol»t:i-H tions of the viscera. The inner green bark, Steeped in \vi;ieß a large handful to a pint, or made into a strong decoction, pur^eH gently, in doses of a gill. The flowers stewed with lard, fl a good ointment for burns. fl Ulder berries also make ;ui excellenl wine, according lo fl following recipe: Elder, wine la made by mixing twelve gal :.B and a half of ripe elder berry juice, and forty-two pounds '¦ sugar, with thirty-seven gallons and a half of water, that p'"B ously had boiling in it six ounces of ginger, and nine ounces (¦ pimento, bruised and strained off: and when it has nearly eooleW rather less than milk warm, add a pint of thin brewer's y- ; H and let it foment for fourteen days in the barrel, then buii.iß close, and bottle in six months. I ELECAMPANE, Inula Helintum — Grows throe oii"i"vß high, in stony pastures, and by the road-side; flowers larg^ -|B yellow, in July and August; and the root, when dry, I-¦I '- ¦ agreeable aromatic smell, and in a decoction sweetened «¦ honey, or in the form of syrup, or a tea-spoonful of the p ¦ dered root in molasses, is recommended for promoting expet« ration in asthma and coughs. The fresh root in oiutmeniß strong decoction, is said to cure the itch. ¦ ELM, AMERICAN, OR SLIPPERY— Uhmu Amerimm >Iv very learned friend, Professor Mitchell, has witnessed its mod effects internally in catarrhs, pleuiisies, and quinsies, and externally as a poultice in gun-shot wounds, tumors, and all l)cen and sores accompanied with irritation. A tea-spoonful of the inner bark in powder, to a quart ol boiling water, or a simple infusion of the bark in boiling water, forms an astonishingly rich jelly, which 1 have often tried with the happiest effects in diarrhoea and dysentery. With the addition of a little sugar, lemon-juice, citron, or nutmeg, it might he made an excellent Mlbftitute for sago, or arrow root* 1 am indebted for this improvement to the Reverend and very amiable Dr. Gant, many years chaplain to Congress, and physieiftO to Mr. Jellerson. This learned gentleman, universally celebrated for his successful treatment of dysentery, declared t»> me with great candor, that he ascribed much of his reputation in that dangerous disease to this fine jelly. EMETIC WEED, OR INDIAN TOBACCO, Lobelia lnliiil — Grows in dry fields, and rises to the height of one or two feet, with branched stems, flowering in July and August, with blown cups, filled with numerous small seeds. The blossoms are solitary, in a kind of spike, ol a pale blue color. The loaves are oblong, and have a very acrid and pungent taste, similar to that of fobacco. The leaves collected in August, while the plant is in blossom, and carefully dried and preserved, act as a speedy and excellent emetic, in doses from ten to twenty grains; or it may be exhibited in the form of a saturated tincture, in doses from a tea to a table-spoonful. As it is •: medicine of considerable activity, it should be given in small quantities, and the dose repeated every ten or fifteen minutes, until it excites vomiting. From its speedy operation as ta emetic, there is no doubt it would be an effectual remedy lor the croup and whooping-cough. In small doses it must be of great utility in consumptive and other coughs, by exciting expectoration. ]t is, however, valued on account of its approaching nearer to a specific in that most distressing disease, the Uthma, than any other that has been yet discovered. The lollowing highly interesting observations from the Rev. Dr. M. Cutler, an eminent botanist, who first noticed the virtues of this plant, is related in Dr. Thatcher's American New Dispensatory. "By chewing a small portion of it, commonly not more than. one of the capsules, it proves a gentle emetic. 11 the quantity bo a lttUe increased, it operates as anemetic, and then as cathartic, its effects being much the same as those of the common emetics and cathartics. "Jt has been my misfortune to be an asthmatic for about ten 699 years. I have made trial of a great variety of the usual rem?. dies, with very little benefit. In several paroxysms, I had fond relief mure frequently than from any thing else, from the dug cabbage. The last summer I had the severest attack 1 ev< ft* perienced. It commenced early in August, and continued aU lt eight weeks. Dr. Drury, of Marblehead, also an asthmatic, had made use of a tincture of the Indian tobacco, by theidvig of a friend} in a severe paroxysm early in the spring. It n| ( him immediate relief) and he has been entirely free iron! me complaint from that time. I had the tincture made of thoi.oii plant, and took care to have the spirit fully saturated, \\hi>:,,l think) is important. In a paroxysm, which was, perhaps, as severe as 1 ever experienced, the difficulty ol' breathing was extreme, and alter it had continued a considerable time, 1 u^ ; . table-spoonful. In three or four minutes my breathing was a? free as it ever was, but I felt no nausea at the stomach, la ten minutes I took another spoonful, which occasioned sickne>s. After ten minutes I took a third, which produced sensible ciiecis upon the coats of the stomach, with moderate puking, andakmj of prickly sensation through the whole system, even to the extremities of the fingers and toes. The urinary passage wm perceptibly allected with a smarting sensation in passing urine, which was probably provoked- by stimulus on the bladder. Bo! all these sensations very soon subsided, and a vigor seemed to be restored to" the constitution, which I had not experienced tor years. I have not since had a paroxysm, and only a few times some small symptoms of asthma. Besides the violent attacks, 1 had scarcely passed a night without more or less of it, and often so as not to be able to lie in bed. Since that time, 1 have dijoyed as good health as perhaps belore the first attack. Dr. Cutler states a particular case has been related to him, ol an elleetual cure of the hydrophobia, or bite of a mad dog in the last stage of the disease, by this plant. In a disease so iormidable as this, it is certainly worthy of trial." Dr. Bradstreet, of Newburyport, has given the saturated tincture in cases of dyspepsia, also in some cases of a rheumatic nature, with beneficial consequences. He considers its sensible etlects to be very like those ot comiru n tobacco, but its medical action more speedy and difluaibbj and of shorter duration. He thinks that it affects those accustomed to the use of tobacco as readily as others. The active properties of the Lobelia are readily extracted both by Wi W and alcohol. The tincture, however, is most easily kept. ¦¦ is the most convenient form for exhibition. The tincture is pi* pared by digesting two ounces of the dried plant in a pinto: diluted alcohol. A tea-spoonful given to an adult, will gener ally produce nausea and sometimes vomiting. In certain instances 700 however, much larger doses have been given, without producing any other effect than B tlovvot' saliva. BRGOTTOU SPURRED RYE, SecttU Conutum— Rye is subject to a disease, in low wet situations, or when a hot summer succeeds a rainy spring. Tiie spurious substance called fjntf Ii found projecting from among the leaves o4 the spike or ear; it is a long crooked excrescence resembling the spur of a cock, pointed at the extremity, of a dark brown color externally, and white within. Some spikes are wholly occupied by spurs, liile others have two or three only, interspersed with genuine seeds of iye. This extraordinary substance possesses considerable medicinal properties. In lingering and laborious cases in child-bed, it ictfli an invaluable medicine, speedily inducing forcible pains, and expediting delivery. It is given in the form of powder, in lowa of from live to fifteen grains; but it has sometimes been found more active in the form of decoction, prepared by gently boiling thirty grains of the powder in half a pint of water, of which one third may be taken every twenty minutes, until pro;jr pains shall have commenced. It is proper, however, to caution the domestic practitioner Igakllt employing this powerful medicine in cases of preternatural presentation, or even in every case of natural presentation. The powerful and continued ell'orts of the uteris, from the etlects of the ergot, prevent the retreat of the child's head after being advanced, and the unceasing pressure, in some instances, occasioned the death of the child. Let this circumstance, therefore, have its due ellect, and induce ihe utmost precaution in the administration of this powerful article. This medicine has also been successfully employed in cases of obstructed menses, or monthly evacuations. (See Thatcher's Dispensatory*) EVERGREEN CASSINE. See South Sea Tea. FEATHERFEW, OR FEVERFEW, Matricaria Vulgaifc—lt is frequently cultivated in gardens. A handful of the MTM and tops infused in a quart of water, and given in doses of Hea-cupful three or four times a-day, is used by country people to promote the menses, to strengthen the stomach, to raise the pints, and promote perspiration in colds and fevers. FENNEL, SWEET, Famiculum Dulce— Grows kindly in W gardens. A tea-spoonful of the seeds, with a little sugar wd spirits, is a common remedy among the country people in lituleiitcolie. To children ofilieted with the above complaint, an fusion of the seeds, sweetened, is highly serviceable. The wdi yield an aromatic oil, which, in doses from two to twelve ropg, removes flatulence, promotes expectoration, and is sericeable in coughs. 701 FERN FEMALE, OR BACK ACHE BRAKK-Gr v , near ponds, and in moist pastures, about twelve inches high, The leaves are single, winged, about a hand's length) the i,, • ? about the size of a goose-quill, of a brown color, very sweet, asd of a mucilaginioui taste. A quart of a strong decoction of the roots, and a pint of J loa . ey, fanned into a syrup, by gentle simmering, and given in dwa ota table-spoonful every hour or two, is esteemed highly >„,,,,,. ficial) in all violent coughs. It is said that three parti of fj mots of this plant, and one part of sumach root, boiled slowly in any kind of spirits, until it becomes slimy, and then apj.ii warm to the spine, lias frequently relieved the back ache: nence the vulgar name backache I rake. It has also been emplored as a remedy lor the rickets in children. FERN MALE, Poiypodium — Called also sweet fern, male polypody. It grows in woods and stony places; flowering from June to October. The root, when chewed, is somewhat mucilaginious anJ sweet, and aitrrwards astringent and bitter. Sweet fern in powder, in does from one to two tea-spoonsti;!, or a decoction, a pint a day, followed on the fifth day with I dose of castor oil, or some purgative medicine, is e^toonmlal powerful medicine against worms, and particularly the i\ : M FEVER BUSH, OR WILD ALSPICE. Dnnus FckitM Grows in meadows and swamps, and generally rises five or m feet high, leaves numerous and somewhat spear-shaped; the m •omt rather of a reddish color; the berries are blood red, aiuioM a pleasant smell. I A handful of the twigs of this bush, infused U) a quart ol Kiß ing water, and given in doses of a tea-cupful every hour or uv« is said to be extremely cooling and beneficial in fevers. I A handful or two of the berries iui'uscd in a quart of spirit forms a pleasant bitter. I FEVER ROOT, OR DRAGON'S CLAW— Grows | mountains and the sides of hills; about six or seven inches h\;M the leaves grow in a cluster from the top of the root; spe;:j| shaped; blossoms yellow; the root black, about the li» M cloves, very tender, resembling the claws of the animal v>'; 10 -iH name it bears. When it is pulverized and exposed to the ¦ will liquify. . ¦ The root in the form of powder in doses of a tea-spoontul on! the form of ilecoction, a handful to a quart of water, in aM* H a tea-cupful every hour, is esteemed an excellent mediciiu M bilious fever, pleurisy, colds, St. Anthony's Fire and other ¦ brile diseases. ¦ FIG TREE, /Vcu*.— This tree ought more generally HW 702 cultivated in our gardens, as it alVords a fruit both grateful to the stomach, and easy of digestion, possessing also medicinal properties! Adecoetionof Jigs makes an excellent gargle for cleansing the throat and mouth; and the fruit, externally applied to tumors, or gum biles, ia good to promote suppuration, when unripe f'ms, as well as the whole tree, yield an acrid milky juice, which, it taken, proves both emetic and purgative, but externnl[i is a mild caustic: hence it is frequently used to remove warts, riii" and tetter worms. FLAG, BLUE, OR WATER FLAG, bit Pseudacoru*— I Growl by the brink of rivers, in swamps and meadows. blossom* ling in July; Rowers blue, variegated with white, yellow, and Tlie juice, in doses of a tea-spoonful, diluted with water, is ?;iiil to be an active cathartic medicine, and to produce copious l eracuations from the bowels, and to be useful in dropsy and jvsentery. It produces similar effects in powder, from thirty to I suty grains, and has been employed as a vermifuge. In the libra) of decoction, used OS a diet drink, it is greatly extolled in venereal cases. The root of the yellow flag, mixed with the food of hogs that hive been bitten by a mad dog, has been known to save, when without it others have run mad. FLAG, SWEET. See Calimus. FLAX-SEED, Linum — Possesses great medicinal virtues. Au infusion, or tea, is the most suitable drink for patients labor- I ing under violent colds, coughs, diiliculty or burning in making [water. The flax-seed syrup, which is prepared by adding a pint lof honey to a quart of strong tea, and simmering it away slowly by B gentle fire for an hour, observing to take oil' the scum as it rises, 1 have found to be a most valuable medicine in diseases of the breast and lungs, in doses from a tea to a table-spoonful every hour or two, or ottencr, when the cough is troublesome. The flax*seed bruised, also forms one of the best emollient poultices with which we are acquainted* PLEA BANE, PHILADELPHIA, Erigttron Phlladrlphicn — Called, by some, skerish. It is said, by Professor Barton, to be a very common plant in many parts of the United States, ami that in the form of infusion or decoction, it operates powerfully as a diuretic, and also as a sudorific. It. is likewise reputed to Ne a good remedy for promoting the menstrual discharge. In Virginia there is a plant called Pisswort, which is esteem eda powerful medicine in cases of strangury, or diiliculty of FLOWER DE LUCE. See flag, Blur. FLUX ROOT. See PUurity RooL FOXGLOVE, Digitalis Purpurea — Has lately been cult-vated 703 in our gardens. It rises to the height of two or more feet, ¦Sd its leaves are large, egg-shaped, notched like a saw, an covered with hairs. Blossoms ol'u heautiful purple color, han* ing downwards in a row along one side, which are compared to the lingers of a glove, and in the inside are elegantly mottU with spots like little eyes. The foxgloves lias been employed with advantage in (ho* disorders where the frequency of the pulse requires to be aba. ted. In the incipient stage of consumption; it has. by iliuimishing the circulation through the lungs, frequently lucceededi arresting the progress of the disease. It has also been admit* geously employed in the second stage, but here it should he t >\. bunted with the greatest precaution. The treatment of consumption with foxglove, cannot be more satisfactorily shown, than in the following practical remarks of my learned friend, Dr. John Spenee, of .Dumfries, Virginia, communicated in that uselul work, the New York Medical Repository: — "In the incipient stage of consumption, where there is considerable vigor of constitution, particularly if attended with active hemorrhage from the lungs, 1 push the use of the ili^iwlis cautiously, but freely; that is, I try to reduce the pulse under sixty strokes in a minute, and maintain this depression for two or tiisee weeks, notwithstanding there be occasionally considerable and distressing nausea. At the same time, I advise ;i milk rtnd vegetable diet, with gentle exercise on horseback, o»in a carriage, when the weather will admit, and the use of the s\vin, T Tchair for an hour at a time; twice or thrice a-day. When the pains about the chest are wandering, I also advise (he repeated application of a blister, and other stimulating plasters, to the breast, and between the shoulders; but if the pain be fixed, I E'fer the introduction of a seton, as near the part affected M isible. My patient is also directed to drink moderately ot olhent teas, or tar-water, to be warmly clothed, to avoid cold and wet feet, and sitting up 'ate at night. All great exertions ot the body, but particularly of the lungs, as singing, or speaking loudly, must also be carefully avoided. •'In the second or more advanced stage of this disenso, accompanied with a quick pulse and great general debility, the treatment is very ditfcrent. The foxglove must be so manned. as to lower the pulse, and moderate the fever, but never putbed to such an extent, as to excite nausea or sickness at the stomach A little experience will soon enable a judicious and attentive practitioner to ascertain the dose adapted to his patient's constitution; and as soon as he has attained this knowledge, he inu>t he persevering in the use of the medicine. At this period of the disease, the patient's strength must never be suffered lo languid- He must be supported by nutritious diet. Agreeably to the 704 705 MATERIA WEDICA. ( f ci spices, wine. or spirits. 'The same directions respecting ¦ ¦licnl applications and exercise, are equally applicable to this B> tho incipient stage, and particularly the exercise, of swinging; ¦ :iii';ire must he i.iken that the swing*chair he so constructed. B the patient may ho perfectly at ease without being afflicted B ; fatigue or bodily exertion.*' I Many Other respectable physicians bear testimony ill favor of Hi..- medicine in consumptive cases. Dr. Beddoes oi London, ¦ :piJers the foxglove almost as infallible a remedy in consump¦ t).ast!ic Peruvian baric in intermittents* From its power of B iciagthe force of the circulation, it is esteemed likewise a H table remedy in bleeding o( the nose, spitting of blood, and m -wo discharge of the menses, and also palpitation in the Hnn.iVom the passions of the mind, or intemperance. I Dr. Hand, of Boston, lias experienced the most decidedly B>tl effects of this medicine in most of the preceding corn- Hunts. In one instance, hasmoptoe, or spitting of blood, in a H athletic young man, where the discharge eluded the force H very other medicine, it reduced the pulse in eight hours, B^i'iie hundred to fifty pulsations in a minute, and Stopped B hemorrhage. He has also given the medicine with complete H "oss incases of mental derangement* ¦ i-'i'X^love jiosse^ses also diuretic power; and has long been .B;loy, i d in dropsy. It unquestionably acts powerfully as a hi evacuating the water in dropsy, and will he found B e greatest utility in ever; species of tliis disease, bul more j ¦ ' tally the dropsy of the breast, where there exists an in 1 i, H '-ed action in the system. B >vever, Irom the resspectablc authority of Dr. Withering, ¦ the celebrated Dr. Darwin, we are assured it had been ? ;B-':ii\| with the most happy oilccls, in cases of extreme de- B.- w h re tin- pulse was feeble, intermitting, and the counte,.;.B; l i'ale. It should not be jjiven in such doses as t'» excite heß^hsicknesi or purge, otherwise it will not produce its diuretic 87 706 MATEKIA MEDICA. elleet. The liest rule for its administration) is to commence with the irnaller doses, twice or thrice a day, and gradual!} ; . crease the quantity daily, until the medicine either 'act kidneys, tin* stomach or the bowels; and <>n the firsi appeal of any of these effects, it is to be suspended* After evacuating the water, tonic or strengthening medici should be employed* Dr. Currie, another physician oi eminence in England) has employed this medicine with >_ advantage in inflammation of the brain, heart, and lungs, found it also an excellent remedy in the inflammatory rh tism. The leaves of this i hint are the part in use, ofwl ; from ono to three grains In powder, may be given to an i twice or thrice a-day, alone, or unite ii with some aromatic, powder may be formed into }>il!s with soap, or the crum - <sc for an adult. Another m convenient way of ascertaining the dose of foxglove, n by making a saturated tincture of it in proof spirits, which has the twofold advantage of being invariable In its original strength, si i keeping a long time without losing any of its virtues. Puttwo of the leaves nicely dried, and coarsely powdered, int< pint of spirits] let it stand by the lire-side twenty-four hours or longer, frequently shaking the bottle^ and thus making a saturated tincture of foxglove, which must be poured from thesed* or passed through filtering paper. From twenty to sixtj drops of the tincture may he taken in a little mint- water, or tet, two or three times a-day. This medicine has also been externally applied with good effects. An Infusion of it is re< ommended as a good wash for painful cutaneous eruptions, or ulcerat'ion* An ointment prepared by simmering the leaves In lard or t'resfa butter, has been found successful in scrofulous ulcers and sc head. FRENCH APPLE. See Thorn Apple. FROSTW OUT, .S//.57/.s Canadentu — Grows, in woods, aboul two teet high, leaves small and numerous, of a whitish color, M frost; the stalk purple; ilowcrs of a pale color, producin small pod with very small seed. It is said, in cases of scrofula, or kiog'i evil, an infusion ol U leaves, a handful to a quarL of boiling water, in doses of 8 X cupful three times a-day, and tlie leave? in the tonne!- ]• " tice, applied to the swelling twice a-day, has performed cure* FUMITORY, Fumaria OJicinali/— Grows in corn-fields, and by fences, and rises a foot high; leaves pale green, and I flowers of a reddish purple. The leave?, in the form oi infillW 707 a handful to a quart of boiling water, and token in doses of a ten-cupful thrice a-day, are esteemed a good medicine in scabby eruptions* and all cutaneous diseases* particularly it the eruptions be washed \\ i 1 1 1 the infusion* GARGET. See Poke Weed, GARLIC, COMMON, Ml nun Satitum — la highly stimulating, ami. therefore, useful to persons of cold, phlegmatic constitutions, lr provokes the appetite, assists digestion, removes flatulence, promotes expectoration and urine; and hence lias long been used in scurvy, asthma, and dropsy. Where it cannoi be token in substance, the best form is eithj or in s\ nip or pills. Externally applied, it blisters the skin. A poultice o. cataplasm oi equal parts of bruised garlic and crumbs of bread, mixed with sharp vinegar, applied to the soles of the tirt. in the low stage of acute disorders, or nervous fever, is good to raits price being too expensive for tk common people. The sick take it to recover health, and ti healthy to make themselves stronger and more vigorous. T. J affirm thai it removes all fatigue, either of body or mind,diss humors, cures pulmonary diseases, strengthens the stomach,* creases the vital spirits, and prolongs life to old age. Jis \ at Pekin, according to travellers) has been eight or ninetimesit weight in silver, and even more. The report of the high value of the ginseng in China led to an inquiry among Europeans, whether the plant was not I found in parallel latitudes in the forests of America. Fathi I iitcau, a .Jesuit, after much search in Canada, found the plan the year I*l7. The French and the Anglo-Amercimis cdmnn red the collection of the root, and large quantities were exportf The first shipments to China proved extremely profitable^ short time, however, the supply overstocked the market, ¦¦¦ Chinese began to think the American ginseng interior t" ; Tartarian, and its value depreciated, so that it ceased to bean N 708 vet of profitable commerce. Its demand has not materially risen at any subsequent peiiod, though it is still occasionally ex' , r ted. The Chinese most readily purchase the forked or anching root; and those exporters have been most successful v:l ,, have prepared their ginseng by clarifying it after the Chinese manner. They dip it in scalding water, and scour it with a brush. The roots are then prepared with the fumes ol a spe c ies ofmilletjto give them a yellow color* The millet is put in a vessel with a little water, and boiled over v gentle lire. The roots arc placed over the vessel upon transverse pieces of wood, I in 'nm firsi covered witha linen cloth or another vessel* When I eated in this way. they assume, upon drying, :i homy orsemitransparent appearance. Tlic roots may nlso be dried in the sun. or by the fire, and retain their qualities perfectly. In this case, however, they have ,i thai jrellow color which the Chinese so much admire. A.sfaras ginseng has been tried in this country, and in Europe, its virtues do not appear, by any moans, to justify the high estimate of it. by the Chinese. That is not ;i very active sul stance, [proved by the fact, thai ;i whole rootma) be eaten without inenience. Its place in the Materia Medica is among demulcents. It lias an agreeable taste*, consisting of a mixture ol sweet and bitter, with some aromatic pungency. Dr. Fothergill tells us that **in tedious chronic coughs, incident to people in years, ;i ction of it has been of service. It consists ol a lubricating mucilage, coml hied with some degree of aromatic warmth. Ginseng is principally used as a cordial; many persons cfaewagit or taking it steeped in wine or spirits, in doses ol ;i wine issful twice a-day. As a masticatory, ginseng is innocent and I refreshing. It forms an excellent substitute for tobacco. 1 have repeatedly prescribed it to those whose constitutions havjebeen injured by the immoderate use of tobacco, and, in every case, have witnessed the most beneficial consequences from its use* It is necessary, however, that the saliva should be swallowed. GOLDEN ROD, OR THREAD. See Mouth Hoot. GOOSE GRASS, Oalium Aparine — ('ailed by some Poor I', ibin's plaintain, from its efficacy in curing the gravel. Grows in hedges, low grounds, and near broolci,tothe height pf live or six feet, climbing on (he brushes near it. The upper pde of the leaves is white, with sharp prickles: the flowers small, wd divide ! into four segments: these change into a fruit rather brge, composed ol two berries slightly adhering together and Wvered with hooked prickles, containing two seeds. The leaves in the form ol' decoction, a handful to a quart of prater, are highly celebrated as a remedy in gravel complaints, pid suppression of urine, in doses of a tea-cupful every hour or 709 710 two, until relieved* It has also been recommended in ;! • of scurvy, spitting of blood, and epilepsy or fits. GROUND HOLLY, Pyrola Umbelatta—h is i oailcd Pippsissewa, which is its [ndian appellation. It in an eminent degree, the Bame properties &i Bear's VVort berry, w lnch see. GROUND PINE, Arthetica — Grows plentifully in stony] about Bix inches high, sending forth many small branched, • sm:ill narrow grayish leaves, somewhat hairy; floweri of j color, growing Irom the joint of the stalk, among the li alter which BOrne small round husks. A large handful of the leaves and flowers steeped in a pintoi wine,(it>d taken in i A decoction <>f the roots is said to have been found aver\ • cacious remedy for worms. GUINEA PEPPER. See Pepper, Red. HART'S TO^NGUE — Grows among rocks and shadj i , the leaves being of a shining black color, long, pom tongue-shaped. This herb. in the form o{' infusion. a handful ton qnarl ing water, i:i doses of a tea-cupful two ot three titnea ¦dayj said to be a good remedy in diarrhoea and dysenten : tin I thi form of ointment, prepared by simmering a handful of the 1 .<¦ in half a pint or more of lard, is a good application to* and burns. HEART'S EASE, OR HERB TRINITY, Viola Trice Grows generally in com fields, producing white and yelfoi blossoms, intermixed with purple, which flower from May I September. A decoction oi' a handful of the fresh leaves, or ball quantity oi' the dried, in a pint of milk, u?ed daily lor s wedks, is «:<.id lo be a certain remedy for that, disorder in drcn, called milk scab, or that species of scald head which ; the faces of children. HEART SNAKE ROOT— Flourishes in Carolina andGa gia. in rich and high lands, never exceeding the height i I inches. The root is of a. very aromatic taste, aiul the > ; ;somewhat resembling the sassafras. The leaf shnped 1; heart, dark green, and very glessy on the upper surface. juice of the (oot and leaf pounded together, in doses oi spoonful for an adult, is an active and safe emetic; and a dec< Uon in as large quantities^ and as frequent as the stomac bear, is of excellent service in the jail, camp, and nen us HELEBORE, WHITE, Verairum Aibut*— Grows inw. meadows and swampy places. The stalk is thick, strong I-: 711 v. and usually rises from two to four feet. The leaves : ¦>, ov;il. ribbed^ plated, of o yellowish color, and surround . in al in base* The flowers are ol a greenish color, and , r from June to August., followed each by thre > flat pods, lining whitish triangular seed. The rool is short, commonly an inch thick, with numerous fibres hanging from it, of a n color externally: iLfJias, when fresh, ;> nauseous bitter burning the mouth and fauces; and, snuffed up the nostrils q very small quantities, excites most violenl sneezing. ivery part of thi-< plant is extremely acrid and poisonous. jy the nand of skill, it nasbeen employed internally, with bene'•i;il effects, in several obstinate diseases, its those <>l the mcl: ichoic and maniacal kind, nnd epilepsy, kind's evil, herpetic, nd other cutaneous affections. In these complaints, the bark < 'lu 1 root, collected id the spring, has been given in the form f powder, beginning with half ;i grain at ;i dose, and gradually lcrcasing the quantity daily, according to its etfects. The American species, says J)r. Thatcher, very probably posss all the properties of the foreign officinal root. It Isun-0 itedly a plant of highly active powers, meriting a particular tigation as an article of our Afateria Medica. In fact, a ew interest has lately been excited both in Europe and the 'nited States, relative to the properties of white helebore. Itis ren supposed to be the basis of the French specific remedy, ailed Lav Medicinale d'Husson, so highly famed for its almost ifallible powers in the euro of the gout, us to command the enorioQ3 price ol from one to twd crowns a dose* This remedy ras discovered about forty years ago by M. Efusson, a Prencn Beer, who affirms it to be prepared from a phut whose virtues rere before unknown in medicine; and it has long been cele¦ated in France, and other parts of the European continent* The importance and popularity of the subject were incitements in \:i'i his attempts for that purpose, and to the ingenuity 1 Mr. J. Moore member of the royal college of surgi ons, Lonon, the public are indebted i'oc a composition, which if not idenically tlu> same, hears a strong resemblance to the Eau Mediinale,in smell, taste, and dose; and also in all its effects, as far il Ins been tried, in the cure oi' gout. The composition of Hi. Moore consists of wine of opium Sydenham, one part; rine <>f white helebore, three parts, made by infusing for ten vs, eight ounoes of the sliced root of that plant, in two and a 1 piats of white wine, and strain -d through paper. This 'pound, wlicn exhibited in doses from one to two drachms, 1 ¦• in a variety of instances, effected a speedy cure <>l gouty Woxysms, There are, indeed, well attested facts, where the Kttt painful gotUy affections have yielded to a single dose of boat one drachm; and the instances "of its failure have hitherto. 712 MATOKIA. MEDICA. it is believed) been more rare than can be taidofanj remedy. The employment of the composition ol U . has also, in the hands ol respectable physicians, been ex to acute rheumatism) and toiome comatose affections, wi most decided advantage; ami a perseverance In similar trials ij strongly recommended. Its operation may be promoti some aromatic, or by peppermint) penpwroynl) or ginger tea. j'. in genera] occasions some nausea aim vomiting) followed bilious stools. Exterrtally applied in the form of ointra dccociion.it cures the itch, and other cutaneous affections. &g ointment ii prepared by simmering the root slowly in hog's lan The decoction is made by boiling two ounces or a handful of root bruised, in a quart, of water, to a pint ami a hall', ai strained. The addition of a lew ounces ol lavender, rose, or lemon water, may be made, if convenient* With this the parti affected should be washed twice or thrice a-day. HEMLOCK) Conium Maculatum — Grows to the height si\ or seven feet, in rich land, near ditches, and in moist, shady places. It is an umbelliferous plant, with large leaves, 0 green color on the upper side) ami a whitish green underneath; much resembling parsley) especially the leaves of the sn Borts, whose poisonous quality is the most violent. The stalk a round, smooth, hollow, and marked with brown or red snots: the flowers are white; the seeds greenish, flat on one side, verjr.con* vex, and marked with five furrows on the other. Therootk long, yellowish without, white and fungous within, and urn* what resembling a carrot. It changes its form according to tin season; i.w.l the leaves have a rank smell, resembling theuriw of a cat, hut do not much affect the taste. This poisonous plant possesses greal medicinal virtue when j* diciously employed* It has been used with considerable advantage in painful cancerous ulcers, venereal ulcerations, cutaneow ;: lections, gleets, painful discharges from the vagina, and in i variety oi' cases o[' scrofulous affections* It has also been o: great efficacy in epilepsy, chronic rheumatism, and jaundice. Externally applied, it has been useful in discussing scirrhoui tumors, particularly those of a scrofulous nature* The proper method of administering hemlock, inwardly. W & begin with a grain or two of the powder of* the leave-. Of inspissated juice, and gradually to increase the do'¦ lasses, commonly called tn ac/c, stirring them %yell together; a little yeast, ii' the vessel be new, but if it has been used* the same purpose, the yeast is unnecessary. Keep tbeb hole open, till the fermentation appears to be abated, and th close it up. The beer will in a day or two afterwards I' drink. A few hands full of hops,' boiled in the water, eiU with a little orange peel, or without, a wholesome and p« sant hitler to this beer, and assist in keeping it from turning* If tops of the spruce-fir be added to the water whicii i^ W for making this beer, it is then called spruce beer. 714 Exiemporntteons Small Brer, — To two quarts r>f common porter, add of molasses half a prat, of (finger two drachms, water just warm, four Quarts; let the who!.' ferment in n warm place, then rack «»il. \nniinT. — Lemon peel one ounce, cream of tartar four ounces, hops one ounce, molasses one quart, ginger one drachm, bruised cloves four in number, boiling water four pilous, ferment with yeast* To make YtfasU — Boil a pint bowl lull of hops in two quarts of water to one quart: put eight table-spoonsful of flour into :i poD, and strain the hop wafer boiling On it: when mixed, it should be thick batter, and when milk warm, stir in if H breakfast cup of good yeast: put it in three porter bottles, stopping them with paper; put them into 0 milk-pan near the lire, and as soon as toe mixture rises to the top of the bottle, remove them 10 the cellar until it subsides, then cork the bottles, and let them on q cool cellar floor, or in an ice-house. In very warm weather, the corks ought td be taken out every day 1 , to let owl the carbonic acid air, and the bottles again stopped. Another valuable, recipe — Boil twelve clean-washed, middle sized potatoes, and id the same time, boil in another vessel, a handful of hops in a quart of water,peel and mash the potatoes in a mortar or howl: pour part of tin- hop writer, while not, upon (he potatoes, mix them well, and pass them through a sieve, then add the remainder of the hop water, and half a tea-cupful of honey, heat all well, and add ? small portion oi leaven to bring on the fermentation. Put the whole in a stone jug, and set by the lire, in the winter; all the utensils must be scalded every time they are used, and washed perfectly, clean. One tea-cupftdof the above potutoe yeast, will answer fdr two quaffs of Dour, in siimnier the yeast ought to be made every second day* llORKlKHXl), Marruheum Vulgare — Grows among rubbish* flowering from July to September. The leaves have a wry bitter taste* An infusion or tea of the leaves sweetened, is a very common remedy for colds. A syrup prepared by simmering slowly for OB hour, a pint of honey in a quart of a strong decoction of the plant, is, from my own experience, an excellent medicine in coughs, or any breast complaint, in doses of a small table-spoonful every two or three hours, or oftener, when the cough is very troublesome. In like manner a candy prepared by simmering siowly half a pint of the juice with a pound of sugar, will be tound equally serviceable. \n the southern slates there is a plant, called wild horchound, growing to the height of one or two feet, ol which a tea, prepared by adding one or two kandsful of tlie fresh leaves, or half tna quantity o( the dried, to B quart of water, m doses of a gill 715 716 MATKM A MEDIC A. or more, every two or three hours, acts gently on the skuu\| bowels, ami is used like the Peruvian hark, as a tonic in the cm of ague, and bilious lever. IIOKSIvRADISH, Oochiiaria AmtoraeeM — Growi on tie sides of ditches and damp places, hut is cultivated inotirgardeoi for culinary and medicinal purposes. It lias long beeiknowi as a most powerful antiscorbutic, and when taken freely, ? stimulates the nervous system, promotes urine and penparation. and is, therefore, usefully employed hi/palsy, dropsy, $arvv, nnd chronic rheumatism. The root should be cut into torn pieces, without bruising, and swallowed in the dose of i tabiespoonful, without chawing) once or twice a-day, or it mj be steepeil in wine, and takcu in doses of a small Wine-gianfaL Upon the authority of the celebrated Dr. Cullen, it is. in the form of syrup, excellent in hoarseness, or in the decline nl violent colds and pleurisies. Whether externally or internally employed, horse radish proves a stimulant; hence it hu Wen found serviceable by chewing it in palsy of the tongue, and lp plied in paralytic complaints to the aU'eeted parts. The root, scraped, and applied in the form of poultice, to the foot. mm", some inflammation •* ' roduced, in low stages of fever, attended with delirium, has also produced good etlects. It is said, the root steeped in vinegar, will remove freckles o the face; if so, it deserves to be tried in cases oi ring or Mil HOUSELE22K, Sempervivum — Grows on the roofs ot bow and old walls, flowering in July. The juice of this plant, mixed with honey, is said to be of ON siderable service in the thrush of children. Stewed with I'reni:. it is a great favorite with the country people for the cure ot COM fresh burns, stings of wasps, bees, and other external influnm mations. An infusion of the leaves is also said to be cooling «i laxative. HYSSOP, Hi/sso/ms — Is cultivated in our gardens. An I fusion of the leaves, sweetened with honey, or in the formi'l W rup, is useful in humoral asthma, coughs, and other disorder the breast and lungs, accompanied with inflammatory symptom ICE-PLANT, Mesc/tibrt/an/hetnu/n — Grows in woods lot height of six inches, and becomes white in September; the <"•>¦¦ and leaves are like frozen jelly, and when handled, itissolvo The root pulverised, in doses of a half or tea-spoonful; in morning, is said to be a good remedy for children troubled « fits; hence it is called by the country people, Fit mot. -»v may take it in much larger doses. INDIAN HEMP— Grows in woods, and on the boniermeadows, three feet high; the stalk is bare for a foot, thensp" l many branches, loaves numerous, flowers whitish, similar to buckwheat) which terminate in seed podfl resembling a eucum- The bark of the root, in the form of powder, in doses of from twenty lo thirty grains, or half a tea-spoonful, will generally oporate as an emetic and cathartic. In doses ol five or six grains, or a wine-glassful of the infusion, every two hours, promotes perspiration* It has been found beneficial in rheumatism,dropsies, audasthmatic complaints. A table-spoonful of the infusion, half a handful of the bark to a pint of boiling water, given occasionally to children in the whooping-cough, throws off the phlegm^ and prevents straining. INDIAN PHYSIC, OR AMERICAN IPECACUANHA, Sjpf'ra TriJ'ofeata — Crows about two or three feet high, in low woods and meadows. Professor Harton says, the root, which is the part made use of, is a safe and e&cacious emetic. The celebrated Colonel Bird, of Virginia, was so enamored of this plant* that he wrote a pamphlet on its virtues, which he found) from great and successful practice in his own very numerous family, to be at least equal if not superior to those of the imported ipecacuanha* In the dose of thirty to forty grains in powder, for an adult, it is one of the most safe and certain emetics. In broken doses of five or six grians, every two hours, it is equally valuable as a sudorific. It may also be given in infusion, a handful to a pint of boiling water, of which a small tea-cupful may be taken every fifteen or twenty minutes until it 'promotes vomiting. INDIAN TOBACCO. See Emetic umtL INDIAN TURNIP, Arum Tripkylbum — Grows in meadows and swamps, six or eight inches high, purple stalks, leaves three ni number, roundish, and berries of a bright scarlet color. It is a very acrid plant. An ointment, prepared by simmering the fresh root in hog's lard, and one eight part of wax, is said to be a good application in the scald head. From the authority of Professor Barton, we learn that the recent root, boiled in milk, has been advantageously employed in cases of con sumption. He even cites a very striking instance. It is also recommended in the asthma, and whooping-cough, in the form of conserve, made of a pound of the peel«d root pounded finely in a mortar, with three pounds of loaf sugar; dose, a tea-spoontul twice or thrice a-day. INDIGO WEED, OR WILD INDIGO, Sophora Tincioria — Grows in great abundance on the road sides, and in the woods, and is used by travellers in the middle states to drive *way the flies. A decoction of this plant in large doses, is said to operate 717 718 powerfully on the stomach and bowels, but in smaller dom wine-glassful, proves ft mild laxative. An infusion, or v said to be cooling and good in levers; and, in the rormi mentation and poultice, to arrest the progress of mort especially if 3 little 'of • the infusion be taken internally game time. Ati ointment prepared by simmering the !i. the root in cream, fresh butter, or lard, fan been recoinme If a good application to sore nipples or ulcers of the bretot, IPBCACfCJANHA, AIpIRICAN. See Indian Pfn IS V. Sco Calico tree, JAMESTOWN, OR JIM ON WEED. See Thor I JERUSALEM OAK, OR WO KM SEED, Ch ? /Lnthelmcnticum — Has long been employed to expel m - One or two tea-spoonsful of the seed with molasses or hooey, are generally given to d child two or three years old. in tb morning, on on empty stomach, ;mhl the dos* is sometimefit peated at bed-tfane. It bught ;; quart of bailing woter, in doses ofa tea-cupful three four times n d.iv. lias lonir been employed in dropsy. sciiivv.r: • yel, or difficulty of urine. The oil of juniper powessesfl same properties in a high degree, and imparts them to ardfl spirits. The peculiat flavor, and well Known diuretic eli'ed: Holland gin, are owing to this oil. Hoffman found it 01 great use in debility of the stomncti ;l intestines, particularly m old people. The stronger prepin'r have beefl found useful in uterine obstructions, and in pu& atfections of the bladder. LAMBKILL. See Culieo Tree. LAUREL. See Calico Tree. LAVENDER THRIFT, Btatic§ tarritic. In Inrjge doses it operates as an active emetic, ndin siiKtJlor. as ;i strong expectorant. LEMON TREE, Citrus Medicfl— ls now cultivated in the lOUthem stales, and holds the iirst place among the cooling and antiseptic vegetables, to correct the putrid tendency oi animal food iv summer. T!ic acid ol' lemons, iVoin its antiseptic properties, has long been employed as a remedy in the scurvy. Dri Cutbush says, from the commencement " ; out navy, ii lias been used on hoard the ships of war willi very great success, in preventing, ;s well as curing, this (Jisease, 'The fresh fruit is preferred. Lemon, or lime juice, i the most grateful beverages in bilious and nervous levers. When saturated with common table salt, it proves a valuable medicine in dysentery, putrid sore throat, and remitted fever* In disrrhte and diabetes, where the aliments are apt to run oil' in their crude Itate, this mi\!i;"e is said to ho a most cllicacious remedy* A table-spoonful of lemon juice, fifteen or twenty grain,sbf salt oi tartar, or sail <>l worm-wood, with the addition of a little w . i . •r, ¦-wallowed in ;i state ol eflervescence, is excellent to slop nau>v':;, and allay febrile heat. The acid of lemons is a common remedy against narcotic vegetable poisons, such as opium. Either of the following methods is recommended for preserving the juice of lemon or limes. Boil the juice after straining, and bottle it, or squeeze the fruit, put the juice and pulp into a hott! . 'over the top with an inch of oil, cork and rosin the bottle* — Tiie juice is supposed to feed on the pulp. Before using the juice, the pulp and oil must fee carefully taken out* The dried peel of lemons is a grateful aromatic, and as a stomachic generally constitutes one of the ingredients of bitters. LETTUCE, LatucaSlatna — From the fortunate discovery and perseverance of the celebrated Dr. Duncan, the inspissated juice of the common garden lettuce is found to he but little inferior in sodorific power to opium. In those constitutions in which opium cannot he emyloye;! without producing very disagreeable consequences, we may with safety employ, as a sedative, the lettuce opium or tincture. Many eminent physicians hear testimony of the good eilectsof this medicine in procuring sleep, in alleviating pain, and in allaying inordinate action, particularly a troublesome cough. And in no instance has it been found to produce nausea, eostiveness,or irritation of the skia, which gen erally follows the use of opium or laudanum. The best method of obtaining the inspissated juice of leliuce in abundance is as follows: Let the ice-lettuce, which is considered best for this purpose, be planted in rows; and when the topol the stem is about a foot above the ground, cut oil' about an 720 MATERIA MEDICA, inch from the top of each plant The milky juice immediate;. rises above the wounded surface. But it is better to eutoilV f tops of all the plants before you begin to collect. After | done this, begin to collect tho milky juice by means of sponge WWft the incision was first made, and as you go aloncut oil' a thin cross slice from the stem of each plant, loavirfresh waunds. After going round the plants about five or q times in the way mentioned, they will cease to yield any bum milky juice at that time. But this process may be repeated tve or three times in a day. The milky juice collected in this uav is to be expressed into a tea-cup, or any similar vessel, ling acquires a dark brown color, like opium obtained from the a* py; has all its other sensible qualities; and hence it may ph be distinguished by the title of lettuce opium. It may be administered in the form ol pills, in doses from one to two grains. The tincture is prepared by adding one omet of the extract to a pint of spirits, which may be giveu in (km of a tea-spoonful. Another mode of preparing the tincture is by steeping two or three ounces of the dried leaves and stalks in a pint of spirits, for eight or ten days, in a warm place, frequently shaking the vessel, and then let it be strained through paper. LETTUCE, WILD, Lactuca Virosa — Grcrwi about four toot high, about hedges and the borders of meadows. It has three different kinds of leaves: those proceeding from the root aw slightly toothed ; and those attached to the llower stalks ;uo arrow-shaped, pointed, and minute; the flowers are yellow. mill small; the leaves are milky, and smell like opium. An extract prepared from the expressed juice of the leavei, gathered when in flower, and given in doses of from five to too grains, twice or thrice a-day, is said to be a powerful diuretic, and of great efficacy in the cure of dropsy. LICHEN, OR LUNGWORT, Lichen— ls a thin shell, a skin, which grows on the bark of the white oak tree, reseinl>lin.' tha lungs, from whence it is called lungwort. It is said to possess the same qualities as the Iceland moss, o: lichen, so celebrated in the cure of consumption. An infusion, a handful to a quart of boiling water, used as i common drink, or a strong decoction formed into syiup. v> "' : honey or sugar, may be taken in doses of a wine-glassful throe o r four times a-day. It is also said to be a useful medicine in 1 whooping cough. LIFE ROOT — Grows on the borders of meadows; ibtf two feet high; leaves large and saw-edged; flowers yellow, «¦ the roots small and fibrous. An infusion of this plant, a handful to a quart of boiling f* 721 MATERIA MEDICA. ter, taken in doses of ¦ tea-cupful five or six times a-day, is said to be an excellent remedy foi the gravel. LOBELIA, OK BLIJE CARDINAL FLOWERS, Lobelia Suphilitica — Grows abundantly in (lie middle and southern states in moist grounds, and near springs; has an erect stalk [hree or t'ouv feet high; blue flowersj a milky juice and a rank m.HI. j Professor Barton says this plant was purchased from the lorthern Indians by the late Sir William Johnson, as a remedy i the venereal disease: henco its specific name syphUitiea* lie oubts, however, its power to cure the pox; though, from its liuretic quality, it certainly has been found useful in gonorrhea rclap. Me stales that many persons in the western country, .'in their ignorance >*( botany, nave made use of a plant which lu-y call ohctin. in the venereal complaint. Hut from the speciiumi he ins received, he believes the plant to he the seratula i ata or spiked lawwort. It is a powerful diuretic, and there I good reason to believe that it has been found uesful, not only i venereal complaints, but also in cases of gravel* Thus, ignoince sometimes leads to knowledge. The lobelia is generally administered in the form o\' a decocpn, a handful o[' the root and leaves boiled slowly in three ¦iiiN of water to a quart, of which a gill or more may be taken Hive times a-day. II MADDER, WILD, Rubia Tinctorum — Is cultivated in Perm- Hivania and South Carolina for dyeing a fine red color, but also B's-^ses great medicinal powers. I Ithaa been highly recommended in visceral obstructions, parllriilarly of the uterus, in coagulations of the blood induced Htiior by falls or bruises, in dropsical complaints, and especially Hi tiie rickets. It may be given in powder from live to fifteen H ins to children, and from a half to a whole drachm three or Hur times a-day to adults. When taken internally it. possesses Bi remarkable quality of tinging the urine of a ]\h\ color, and Hvnluees Bimilar effects on the bones of animals, when eaten with H> I!" food. ¦I MAGNOLIA — (iocs by several names, as beaver tree, swamp B>>;ui\is, elk bark, Indian bark. It is an agreeable aromatic H r ' ;> ' bitter medicine. ¦L An infusion or decoction of the bark has been used in the ¦^ 8 and fever, and is much celebrated among the western Jn¦•ns as a remedy in rheumatism. J am informed, Irom a re¦etiljle source, that John Dickinson, Esq., author of the cele- Ppted Pennsylvania Farmer's Let ers, was completely cured w+\ violent attack of the chronic rheumatism by a strong de- W^i"n of the twigs of the magnolia. Xl >'' species Magnolia Gramlijlora, evergreen laurel, some- 89 722 MATBRIA MSDICA. times called tulip tree, grows to the height of eighty feet near Savannah. The bark of the root of this tree is also used as a i substitute for the Peruvian bark in intermittent fevers. The c^nej or seed-vessels of the magnolia, which is commonly called o cumber tree, has been advantageously used in Virginia in the Rf tincture, in rheumatic complaints. IDEN II Alll, Asplenium Trichomanes — Called also milk spleenwort — Grows on old walls, rocks, and shady stony , generally to the height of seven or eight inches; leaves ne and soft, and spotted underneath; stalks of a dark color; flowers from May to October. Its leaves have a ginous sweetish taste, without any peculiar odor, infusion, by pouring a quart of boiling water on ihutfl ot the dry herb, sweetened with honey, and taken in the quantity of a tea-cupful every hour or two, or a spoonful in the fin of syrup, is said to be good in tickling coughs, hoarseness, mi disorders of the breast, proceeding from acrid humors in irregularities of the menses, and obstructions of the viscera. MALE FERN. See Fern, Mate. MALLOW, COMMON, Malva Sylytstris— Grows in hedges, footpaths, and among rubbish; flowering from June to AogHl The leaves possess a mucilaginous sourish taste. A decoction of this plant is said to be useful in dysenteries and gravel complaints, though it is chiefly employed as Ml CM lient poultice to produce suppuration. I MANDRAKE, OR MAY APPLE, Podophyllum PeltatimM Grows on low grounds, two or three feet high, leaves genera,* three, broad at the base, and terminating in a sharp point; t\o\\tm yellow; the fruit resembling a lime, or a small yellow appM which is much admired by some. I The root is an excellent purgative, and may be taken indo« from ten to thirty grains in substance, or double the quan:i:« infused in a gill of water. Dr. Little, of Pennsylvania, esteo::« it preferable to jalap. The honorable Paul Hamilton, whooM used it, directs equal parts of the juice and molasses to :¦ mixed, and a table-spoonful taken every hour or two until :¦ The best time of gathering the mandrake, for medicinal fW poses, is in autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow and- M about falling oil*. The Indians dry it in the shade, and po«™ MARSH TREFOIL, OR BUCK BEAN, Menyanthcs TrM liata — Is ¦ native of Europe and of America. Spongy <>W boggy soils which are inundated at certain seasons ot the )'4 and are never wholly destitute of water, are the favorite si:.«jj tions of this plant. The root penetrates horizontally » uo m bog earth to a great distance, and is regularly intersect I with joints at the distance of about half an inch from each other. The stalks are long, and from each of them proceed three loaves. Flowers white, tinged with red. The root is intensely bitter, and has long held a place in the European Materia Mediea, as a powerful tonic. When given in small doses, of about ten rrains, it imparts vigor to the stomach, and strengthens digestion. \Ve are told by authors that it has been employed with advantage in intermittent and remittent fevers. Boerhaave, in his Dwn case of gout, was relieved by drinking the juice of the plant mixed with whey. Other physicians have ibund it useful in keepng ofl* the paroxysms of that complaint. Taken by infusion, t also has good efleots in some cutaneous diseases of the herlatic or seemingly cancerous kind. We may regard this plant as one of our numerous vegetable itters, which are fully equal in strength to imported articles of leir class. MARSH MALLOW, Altkaa OfficinaUs— Grows in marshes ad wet places. The leaves have a soft woolly surface, feeling ke velvet. The flowers are of a white pale flesh color, and ppear in August. Every part of the marsh mallow, and especially the root, 'hen boiled, yields a copious mucilage, on account of which it employed in emollient cataplasms or poultices, for softening id maturing hard tumors. It is likewise of eminent service, in le torm of infusion, in asthma, hoarseness, dysentery, and ¦avel. MARSH ROSEMARY. See Lavender Thrift. MASTERWORT, Imperatona — Grows in meadows and rich lils, two feet high; leaves, three together, saw-edged and spearlaped; flowers in June. The root of this plant is a warm and grateful medicine in tulency, weakness of the stomach and bowels, and dropsical fections. It may be taken in the form of powder, decoction, tincture. One drachm, or a tea-spoonful of the powder, in a ass of wine or spirits, and taken an hour before the fit, has tquently prevented the ague. The decoction or infusion is ide of one handful in a quart of boiling water, and the dose a tea-cupful three times a-day. MAY APPLE. See Mandrake, MAY WEED, OR WILD CAMOMILE, Cotula Fcßtida— owi about two feet high, in pastures near fences; the flowers i yellow, resembling camomile flowers, and are frequently Xl as a substitute for them. MEZEREON, Laphne Mezereum — Called also spurge laurel, a l^ .k av * Grows plentifully in woods and shady daces near Ohio, and flowers in the month of February or March. The »t is a berry, in which is found a single seed. The leaves are 723 724 MATERIA WE DIC A. spear-shaped, and the flowers grow of a beautiful red or r, «, The bark of the root of this plant is the part used in niedicir,, and has an extremely acrid burning taste in the mouths fauces. J)r. Withering asserts, that a patient who lived under 1 1\ difficulty of swallowing for three years, was effectually cured two months, by chew ing the root ai often as she could np] orl irritating ellec'ts. The fresh root scraped, and applied to then& face of ihe skin, atlbrds an ellieacious blister — when takenb ternally, it determines to the surface, ami has been found greath I serviceable in rheumatism and obstinate cutaneous diseases. : 'I principal use, however, is in the venereal disease, in il I stage or when mercury has failed. It is particularly effic; in relieving nocturnal pains, and removing venereal nodev- One gill to a half pint of the decoction, made of two drachm or a' handful of the bark, with an equal quantity ofliquoria root, boiled in three pints of water U) a (mart, may be three or lour times a-da\\ MILK, OR BILK WEED, Vincetoxicwn— Grows by I road-sides, and on sandy ground, about three feet high; thestai Square; leaves oval and milky; flowers yellow, which termini in ;i pod resembling a cucumber, filled with down, which, wh ripe, is blown a\v;:y. A handful of the root, boiled slowly in a quart of water! half an hour, and given in doses of a gill or more three or fill times a-day, is reputed to be an effectual remedy ii) the cure dropsy, and serviceable in catarrhs, scrofulous and rheunrf disorders, and (ravel complaints* MILK.WORT, COMMON, Polygala Vulgaris—thmn dry pastures, anil flowers in June and July. Its roots po* an extremely bitter taste, together with all the virtues oi I American rattlesnake root. A table-spoonful of a strong decoction of the root, two! 1 .:" ful boiled slowly in three pints o( water, to a quart, and B every hour or two, promotes perspiration as well ;is exp«c tion, and has, therefore, been used with advantage in colds,p risies, and other disorders of the breast. Ml I.T WAST B. See Maiden Hair. MINT. See Peppermint. MISLETO OF TIM-: OAK. Vimtm— ls to bo found several kinds of trees. That which grows upon the oaki*' to have cured epilepsy or fits. Is is directed that the mi>l l separated from the oak, about the last of November, gr* dried, and when pulverized, confined in a bottle well cor* be given in doses oi' a tea-spoonful three or four time* M gradually increasing the dose according to its effects. MOORWORT, BROAD-LEAVED, Andromeda Mariana—- Called wfcke at the southward. A strong decoction of this plant ii extremely useful as b wash in that disagreeable uleerauonofthe feet, which is nailed toe-itch, and ground itch, a very common complaint among the negroes and lower class of people in South Carolina ami Georgia. RfOTHERWORT, Leonurm Cardiacca — Grows in waste places, and (lowers in July and August. The Mowers are in thorny whorls, purplish within, and white on the outside: the loaves arc opposite 1 , two to each whorl; they have a strong disagreeable odor, and bitter taste. An infusion of this plan! is a common domestic medicine in fainting and disorders of the stomach. It is said to be peculiarly adapted to some constitutions affected with nervous and hysten* il agitations; and that, it' taken ;it bed-time, procures refreshi" deep, when opium and laudanum had failed. MOUNTAIN TEA, OR DEERBERRY, Gaultheria Promihm — it spreads very extensively over the more barren mountainous parts of the United Slates. A strong infusion of this plant, B large handful to a quart of boiling water, in doses of a tea-cupful three or lour times a-day, is esteemed useful in asthma, and for promoting the menstrua] 'moUTH ROOT, OR GOLDEN THREAD, Xtgelia— ls found in swamps; the stems erect and naked; the leaves crow by threes at the termination of the stems; the while solitary blossoms appear in May: the roots are thread-shaped, and ol a bright yellow color. 'This plant has heen supposed to he ellicacious, as a local application, in iileeration of the mouth. Its reputation in this case X however, wholly unmerited, since it possesses no astringent or stimulating quality, by which it can act on the ulcerated spots. As a pure tonic bitter, capable ot* strengthening the viscera and promoting digestion, it is entitled to rank with most articles ttf tin 1 ,, kind now in use. MUGWORT, OR COMMON WORMWOOD. Artemisia Absinthium — Grows two or three feet high, on road-sides and unong rubbish; leaves deeply divided, pointed; on the upper side >f B deep green, and on the under, soft or downy, (lowers small aid purplish. An infusion, a handful of the tops to a quart of boiling water, H doses of a tea-cupful} or a tea-spoonful of the powdered leaves hree or tour times a-day, is an admirable stomachic in weakness •t the siomnch, lowness of spirits, and hysterical affections* t is also said to be a useful medicine in difficult menstruation, in iitermittents, jaundice, and dropsical affections. Externally it 725 726 Mi^T*RRIJaL jßxEl^vO^w is applied in the form of fomentation and poultice to resist p* trefaction and relieve the pains of bruises, as well as prevent the swelling and discoloration of the part. MULBERRY TREE, Morus, Nigra et Alba—\is fruit has the common quality of all other sweet fruits, quenching thirst, abating heat, and proving laxative in its effects. A syrup made of the juice of tho fruit, serves as an excellent gargle for mitigating inflammations of the throat and ulcers oi the mouth. The bark of the root of the black mulberry tree, in doses , t thirty grains, or half a tea-spoonful of the powder, or double the quantity infused in a gill or half a pint of boiling water, or equal parts of a strong decoction and molasses, formed into a syrup, in doses of a wine-glassful, is an excellent purgative, and has been used with success as a vermifuge, particularly for tie tape- worm. The fruit of the common mulberry tree, when properly fermented and prepared, yields a pleasant vinous liquor, known under the name of mulberry wine. Considerable quantities of these berries are likewise consumed in the cider countries, where they are mixed with the apples, in making a delicious beverage called mulberry cider. For this purpose, the ripest and blackest mulberries are selected, and the expressed juice is added t the cider, in such a proportion as to impart a perceptible flavor. The liquor thus acquires a very pleasant taste, as well as a deep red color similar to that of the finest port wine, both of which continue undiminished by age. MULLEN, Vei-bascum — The leaves, a handful to a quart of milk, is a common remedy in bowel complaints. In the form of fomentation or poultice, it is employed to relieve the piles, and other painful swellings; and in a dry and pulverised state, to destroy fungous or proud flesh. MUSTARD, BLACK AND WHITE, Sinapis Ngni j476tf--Mustard used with our food, provokes the appetite, assist* digestion, and promotes the fluid secretions, and is especially adapted to persons of weak stomachs, or where much acid prevails, as it acts upon the system generally without producing much heat. A table-spoonful of prepared mustard in a pint ot warm water, on an empty stomach, operates as an emetic in nervous disorders. A table-spoonful of the unbruised seed, taken t*w or thrice a-day, proves a gentle laxative, increases the urinar) discharges, and is useful in chronic rheumatism, asthma, pals}' and dropsy. In obstinate intermittents, or ague and fever, or wit persons who find the Peruvian bark oppressive at the stomachs tea-spoonful of the whole seeds, or the flower of mustard, united with the bark or any oi its substitutes, will very frequently-^" ceed in the cure, when a pound of bark alone would not produce the desired effect, la languid constitutions, or low stages of fevers, a gill of the seeds mixed with a small handful of horseradish, and infused in a quart of wine, in doses of a wine-glassful, occasionally, is a most cordial stimulant. Another excellent form in which mustard may be taken, is that of whey. It is prepared by boiling two or three tablespoonsfuls of the seeds bruised, in half a pint of milk, and as much water, till the curd be perfectly separated, to which a little sugar may be added, and of this drink, a tea-cupful may be taken three or tour times a-day, in nervous fevers. The powder of the seeds, mixed with the crumbs of bread or flour, and formed into a poultice with sharp vinegar, is an ex" cellent application to the parts affected with rheumatism, and to the soles of the feet, and palms of the. hands, in fevers, where there is a languid circulation, or cold extremities, or in cases of delirium. NETTLE, STINGING, Urtica— The expressed juice of a wine-glassful, or a decoction, one handful to a quart of boiling water, in doses of a tea-cupful three or four times a-day, is said to be useful in jaundice, asthma, consumption, and gravel complaints. It is also said that the flower and seeds, in doses of a drachm thrice a-day, may be substituted lor the Peruvian bark in ague and fever. Externally, it has been employed in restoring excitement to paralytic limbs, and other cases of torpor and lethargy. It may be applied by stinging the part with the nettles; or the fresh leaves may be applied to the arms or legs. NIGHTSHADE, AMERICAN. See Pokeweed. NIGHTSHADE, DEADLY, Atropa Belladonna— Grows , two or three feet high in hedges, among rubbish, and uncultivated places; flowers dusky brown on the outside, and a dull purple within, appearing single among the leaves in June or July; the berries round, green, changing to red, and, when ripe, of a shining black. The whole of this plant is poisonous, and children allured by its beautiful berries, have too often experienced their fatal effects. Like all other strong poisons, in the hands of skill it performs wonderful cures in palsy, epilepsy, melancholy, jaundice, dropsy, and cancer. "I have," says the great Professor Cullen, "had a cancer on the lip entirely cured by it." A scirrhosity in a woman's breast, ot such a kind as frequently proceed to cancer, I have found entirely discussed by the use of it. In the employment ot this dangerous medicine, it is necessary to begin with jWy small doses. Half a grain of the powdered leaves or root, °r two table-spoonsful of the infusion, prepared by infusing :wenty grains in half a pint of boiling water, and strained after cooling, is a sufficient dose for adults to commence with. The 727 728 MAT Bill A MEDIC 4. dose is to be gradually increased, and repeated daily; but soon as any dangerous symptoms occur, its use ought to i . , i pended tor some days, and afterwards resumed in Btnaller doses Externally, the powdered leaves are applied to mitigate the n in cancerous and other ill-conditioned ulcers, and the li I in the form of poulticej to discuss scirrhous and cancerous ¦ I mois. I The garden nightshade, growing also on dung-hills, with white I flowers, odor ol musk, and the berries, when ripe of a shinm I black, possesses virtues similar to those of the deadly nightsh :, I From one to three grains of dried leaves infuted m boiling I water, and taken at bed-time, will generally induce a copious I perspiration, increase the discharge of urine, and operate aii I mild laxative on the following day. If alter Increasing the d n I some visible effect he not produced, its farther use willnot i I much. The dose is to l)e repeated every night, or every other I night. In the form of poultice, it has abated the inflammatk I of tbe eyes, painful swellings, and inflammation of the venen I kind, and scrofulous and canceroua tumors. I The woody nightshade, called also bitter swpct, because hi I first sweet, and then bitter, growl on the sides of ditches, and is I moist hedges, climbing upon the hushes with winding, wtvnly, I but brittle stalks. The llowers are in clusters of a blue |u;r; : 1 1 lorni is made by steeping four ounces 01 t'ne twigs 111 a juni.H wine. The dosu a wine-glassful. In the form of poultice I ' cataplasm, it is also said lo be a powerful distutient . ol hardti I » mors. For this purpose boil two or three handsful of the lean Iti in wine or vinegar, to which n;.iy be added a little llax-*^M> and this to be applied warn to indurated or hard tumors 1 ¦to application of the juice aim naves to cancerous sores, in sl> : Br instances, has performed a cure. B^ OAK, Quercus — The bark of the oak possesses, in a cor.»i ¦ hi erable degree, astringent, tonic, and antiseptic proper'!' I » Hence, we can never be at a loss for B remedy ill those di?o:'.s'| M in which the Peruvian bark has been recommended. In '" I"* tennittents and low stages of fever, in the advanced stlfl I 729 MATERIA MEDIC A dysentery, diarrhn\i, indigestion, and other diseases of weakness, or loss of tone in the system, I have myself employed internally the black and red oak bark with equal efforts, though in rather larger doses than the Peruvian bark. Many cases have COTO6 under my knowledge in practice, of persons, especially children) reduced to mere skeletons, by protracted disease, of bilious fever, nervous fever, and bowel complaints, whose rtomachfl would not retain medicine, being most wonderfully restored to the blessing of health by bathing in a strong decoction of oak bark, not more than milk warm, twice a-day. M In farther proof of the tonic and antiseptic virtues of the bark, I beg leave to cite the following case from Professor Barton. "In a case of gangrene of the foot," says this learned professor, ''from the puncture of a nail, which came under my notice in the course of last summer, I gave to the patient very large [ quantities of the decoction of oak bark, at the same time that the affected part was constantly kept wet with the same uecoc- Ition, or with a poultice made of bread and milk and |the bark. I cannot but ascribe the recovery of my patient to the use of ("these means, and I am imboldencd to recommend the use of [this cheap remedy, as one highly worth attention in similar ca- I OAK POISON. See Poison Oak. i ONIONS, AUium Ccpa — Possess similar virtues with the karlic, only in a less degree. The disagreeable smell which they Hmpnrt to the breath, may be effectually obviated by eating ¦ Hew leaves of parsley immediately alter the onions. Onions are justly reputed an efficacious remedy in suppression of urine, in dropsies, and in abscess of the liver. The following exemplification of the virtue of onions in liver complaints, | deserves the attention of the reader. 1 Captain 13. Burch, of the District of Columbia, was afflicted [with an abscess of the liver, deemed incurable by his physicians, lAd seeing some onions in the room, expressed a wish to eat one. I Thinking his case desperate and no longer a matter of any confluence what he ate, his wife immediately gratified his appe- M|e. After eating one or two onions he found himself much litter, which induced him farther to indulge his appetite. He [•bsisted for several weeks entirety on onions, with only the Ifclition of a little salt and bread; and from using this diet he jtos restored to perfect health, and is now a very hearty man in IjP 53rd year. This, with innumerable instances of a similar I Ai, ought to convince the young practitioner, that in the cure Jphis disease nature ought always to be consulted, as she selwn or never errs. Wi' activity, that, but a short time before his death, he walked Iron! his country-scat to Alexandria, a distance of eight miles! 732 I The virtues which ailorn the husband, the parent, the friend, md the master, have seldom been seen to shine with more durable lustre than in Dr. Craik. In reward of his virtues, Heaven was pleased to distinguish him with uncommon favors. For upwards of forty years ho wai honored in an extraordinary degree, with the friendship of the great Washington) being all that time nil companion and physician. This, however, Was nothing compared to the happiness he enjoyed in marriage with a lady, who,for all the charms I'vt' a mind-illumed face, and the graces of truth, gOOfkwiS, and harmony of love,*' never had her superior among the fairest laughters of Eve. "So like an angel did she spend her days, So like a blessed saint's, were all her ways, So bland, so gentle, all her actions were, One would have thought her an immortal here" After more than fifty years of the happiest life, Dr. Craik Mis removed to those scenes where bliss immortal reigns. But Mir separation was short. He first deceased, she for a few months tried To live without him — liked it not, and died. — Heath. PEPPER, RED OR CAYENNE, Capsicum A?wum— la ¦Unrated in our gardens; it is a powerful stimulant, and has Mn found beneficial in chronic rheumatism. Those who are Uriect to flatulence will find benefit in using it with vegetables tod soup. In cases of violent pain or cramp in the stomach, jo medicine is superior to a strong infusion 01 red pepper, one frtwo pods to a half pint o\' spirits, in dose of from a half to a line-glassful. It is also useful, both as a medicine and gargle, B putrid sore throat, when infused in water. Steeped in spirits applied warm to the extremities in chronic rheumatism, or low •ages of nervous fever, when the circulation is languid, it has Jti'dueed the most happy effects. Pl\K ROOT, CAROLINA, Spigdia Maralandica— Grows ibundantly in the southern states, and is deservedly esteemed a Wmifugt\ or destroyer of worms. An infusion, a handful to a qanrt of boiling water, and one or two tea-cupsful night and Irning, is the usual form and dose. With the addition of milk i sugar, children will take it almost as readily as their tea. It netimes occasions di«agreable affections of the eyes; when s occurs, suspend the use of the medicine until these symptoms ippear, and then select from another parcel, or make tea of ' tops only, as it is supposed the deleterious effects are in conluence of some other root being attached to it. ['ink root is always considered a valuable medicine in fevers, M verified daily, when given to children in a febrile state for 733 734 MATERIA MEDICA. a vermifuge, when no other effect has been produced than n removal of the fever. PISS-WORT. See Flea Bone. PLANTAIN, Plantago — Has lone; been employed as an antidote against the bites of snakes, spiders, and other vonm. insects. The juice, extracted from the whole of the plant. .< generally given in doses of two table-spoonsful every hour, , oftener, until the patient be relieved. It is sometimes given i conjunction with horehound or rue. The leaves, bruised, are considered, by some, a good application to fresh wounds. PLEURISY ROOT, Asdepitu Decumfau— Hai a varies of names, as butterfly weed, ilux root, decumbent 8Wallo»] wort. It is a beautiful plant, growing two or three feet !:i:::. under fences and upland pastures. The ilowers are of ahrw orange color, and appear in July and August. These arenfrl ceeded by long slender pods containing the seed, which haml delicate kind of silk attached to them. The root is spindle or I carrot-shaped, of a light brownish color on the outside, white I within. This plant possesses great medicinal virtues, and ought, the:?-! fore, to be cultivated in our gardens. It has long been employe;! as a remedy in the treatment of violent cold find pleurisies. 5m medicine is better calculated than this to produce gener;:! ac;l plentiful perspiration without heating the body, and hence ml well merited fame in curing the disease, which nmne it bear>H Mr. Thompson Mason, of Virginia, was among the first who r.M tieed the virtues of this plant, and from his long exponent I its utility in pleurisy, recommended it as a specific. He state™ that after the use of an emetic, and the loss of some blood, in :i incipient stage, he administered, of the pleurisy root. tiii»:« powdered, as much as would lie upon the point of a ease-knreß in a cup of warm water, and repeated the dose every twolucß until the patient recovered, whichhappened frequently in; 1"™1 "™ few days. By these simple means, Mr. M. cured great niim!** We have, also, many of the most respectable physicians ct Ml brating its virtues in pleurisy, and other recent aileetionsol-w breast. A tea-cupful of a strong infusion, a handful to a if- Bl of boiling water, is given every two or three hours. Prole* ¦ Barton says the root of this plant in powder possesses a pu'Bi tive quality, and that he has used it with advantage in dysenttji In Virginia, also, it has been used with great cllect in t ' !lSl ¦ plaint. This root is frequently resorted to by country for the relief of p.iins of the stomach from flatulence and'-* f gestion; hence it is called, by some, wind-root. ¦" JCThelate Paul Hamilton, Esq., ascribed the same virf^Bfa curing pleurisies and dysentery to a plant that grows inN««w Carolina, and which is also called Pleurisy Root, Asclcpias I'lrctus. lie thus describes it: — "It grows in rich high lands. The root has tho appearance Mid taste of a small, long, sweet potato; the stalk erect; the leaves resembling the persimmon leaf, is situated trail versely, and when broken, it throws out a viscid milk; blossoms in May and June. The blossoms are a cream color, with purple centres. Twenty grains of this root in powder, he says, given in warm water or tea, is excellent in llalulent colic; and the same quantity repeated every two hours, in pleurisy, will seldom fail \o bring on a perspiration, while the pectoral effects are ad* wimble/ POISON OAK, R/iu.f Toxicodendron — Embraces several the most dangerous of which is the swamp sumac. The poison may be communicated, not only by the touch, but also by Ilio smoke, smell, or steam producing an eruption on. the skin, with fcain and itching, and sometimes attended with swollen head and Hover. One of the best remedies which lias come under my no- Koc, is a wash of crude sal ammoniac and corrosive sublimate, tt\vo drachms of the former to one of the latter, in a quart of Water, used externally twice or tin ice a-day, with a dose or two let salts, or an infusion of senna and salts. 1 have lately been ¦formed, from a source which can be relied on, that umk- water, ¦xoells any other application as a wash in this distressing afleclon of the skin. The species called sometimes poison wood, las a low shrubby stalk, the leaves somewhat heart-shaped, the Bowers small, the berries round, and ot a yellow gray color when ¦pc. Dr. Anderson, oi' Hull, has employed the leaves of this ¦teoies in doses from half a grain to four grrins, three times a By. with success in par;d\ tic eaies. I Poison vine, called also poison creeper, lias a slender stem, Ip'l frequently climbs to the top of our tallest trees. The llowm>. which appear in June, are small, of a light yellow color, ¦id have a delightful odor. An extract of the leaves, two grains ¦ a dose, and increased, has been successfully employed in par¦ tic ailections, as well as an infusion in tetter-worm and scald ¦ Professor Barton says, that a decoction has been used with Beniing advantage in cases of consumption; and others saj, that ¦decoction of the root is serviceable in asthma. jBI'OKE WEED, P/if/tolacca Decandra — Is known by a va- Ifttyof names, as American nightshade, coacum, garget, skoke. Sbbl berries, steeped in spirits, have long been employed in the IBronie rheumatism. It has, however, sometimes failed, which ¦y have been owing to the peculiarity of constitution, or to the •rtnoss of the bounce or tincture from age, an effect often ob- Wrved by Professor Barton, as also by myself. From the authority 735 of this learned professor, the juice of the ripe berrie« inspissated to the stuie ot an extract, and spread upon & Its, or upon the leaf of the plant, is an excellent application to sen% I lous or indolent tumors. The juice of the leaves has been a. I plied in the same manner with equal advantage. An ointment !f I the leaves with lard is good in various kinds of ulcers. The I roots, hruised, are sometimes applied to the hands and feet of the I patients in ardent fevers. To make an extract, expose to mod- I crate and continued heat, the juice of the berries or leaves, until I by evaporation, it thickens to the consistence of honey. It nay I also be made from the root, which is equally efficacious. l!j I the roots for some time, strain the decoction, and then reboi i: I to a thick consistence. Other virtues have been recently » I Clibed to this plant by respectable physicians. I An infusion of the leaves is recommended externally as an ac- 1 mirable remedy for the piles. One onuce of the root steeped ia I a pint of wine, and given to the quantity of two table-spoonsi'd I is said to operate mildly as an emetic. It is also said that this H plant may be relied on as an eilicacious remedy for the venereal ¦ disease, in its various stages, even without the aid of mercury. I From my ovrn experience of the virtues of poke weed, I can H recommend it as a most valuable medicine in rheumatic I gouty all'cctions, as also in nocturnal pains, and obstinate uder-H tions in the venereal disease, brought on by the excessive useeiß mercury. The usual form of exhibition is the bounce, a wiiif-H glassful three times a-day. The bounce is prepared by lillin:;B jug with the whole berries when ripe, and then pouring as mu^H spirits to them as the vessel will contain. I An ointment, prepared by simmering slowly the leaves, I handful of the root scraped in a pint of hog's lard, with a smiiß portion of bees-wax, has been used with great success in ca:-H cers, and various kinds of ulcers. I ( POLYGONUM— An infusion of it, as a diet drink, is ap^B i erful promoter of urine, and very useful in gravel complaint* ft POLYPODY, COMMON, Polypodium -Grows on oldw-« shady places, and at the roots of trees, flowering from Jiw-B * October. The root has a sweetish taste, but by long boiling *Mf comes bitter. An infusion of half an ounce ot the fresh rdi in half a pint of boiling water, in doses of a wine-glassful ev^l hour or two, operates as a mild laxative. H2f POMEGRANATE, Punka— ls cultivated in the sows** gardens. The fruit is agreeable to the palate, and possesses ¦• properties of subacid fruits. Its rind, boiled in milk, aiul^-Mjg freely, or in powder, a tea-spoonful a dose three times a-day-Wy been used with success in diarrhoeas, dysenteries, and other "¦* •• 736 737 MATJJRIA MEDICA. HIM requiring astringent medicines. The flowers possess the virtues of the rind, only in :i less degree. POPLAR TREE, OR WHITE WOOD, Liriodendrum Tu> lipift ra— The bark of this noble tree, M well as the root, is a very strong bitter, and considerably aromatic. In intermittent*, la the last stage of dysentery, and other disorders requiring tonic medicines, it is considered but little inferior to the Peruvian bark, and is generally employed in similar doses and forms. Professor Bigelow states that the bark is acceptable and apparently useful to patients who have derived occasional benefit from "Huxham's tincture," "Stoughton's elixir," and similar compositions of bitter and aromatic drugs. There w another species of poplar, the aspen tree, populus ' ircmuhii the bark of which, according to Professor Barton, is also an excellent tonic and stomachic. POPPY, WHITE, Papaver Somniferum— Grows in our gardens, and yields ajui" which when inspissated to a proper consistence, is called opium. According to the experiments of Dr. S. Ricketson, of Duchess county, New York, the opium obtained from our poppies, is equal, If not superior to the imported. With respect to the method of cultivating the plant, and preserving the opium, we shall insert •the directions given by Dr. Ricketson. ¦ "The poppy seeds should be planted about the middle of May, tin rich moist ground, an inch deep, and ten or twelve inches |»part, and kept clean. When the plants are arrived to the state [©' flowering, on a sun-shining day, cut of the stalks at about an inch distance from the flowers, and as soon as the juice appears, ¦which it does at first equally well on the part of the stalks cut off frith the flowers, as on the standing part, collect it with a small koop, or penknife. After the juice ceases to appear on the itanding stalk, it should be cut off about an inch lower, when it i will be found to yield almost as freely as before, and repeated » long as any juice appears. The juice, when collected, should lie put into an evaporating pan, placed in the sun's heat, and fre- I Wendy stirred, till it becomes of a consistence to be formed into |£lk or to be made into rolls for keeping and exportation. The |l;ll ;ll >tity of opium that may be preserved, depends very much lykthc largeness of our plants, and the care used in collecting it. K»oin one poppy plant, I have obtained seven grains of opium. rßany would choose to have the opium freed from its impurities, twiay be easily done by pressing the juice, before it is inspis- IBed, through a linen strainer; but if pains be taken, according I ¦the tbregoing directions, I believe there will be little or no ¦»asion font.'' I % strong decoction of the dried heads mixed with half the 91 quantity of sugar or honey, and formed into a synip, by . . mering slowly by a. gentle lire lor an hour, is occasional!) - in doses of a table-spoonful in coughs and breast Complaints, account of its anodyne elleet:*. Poppy heads are also used cxi • nally in fomentations and poultices, either alone or conjoini with the leaves of southern wood, camomile flowers, or other ingredients* POTATO, SWEET, Cohvobuhu Batata— From thkrool Bowen's patent sago is prepared) which forms a very nutriti i jelly, like arrow root, and is prepared in the same manner, 't which the reader is referred* The process generally used for procuring the powder of fa sweet potato, is to grate the clean roots, wash the mass tin . brass sieves of different sizes, and collect the llour at the bottoa of the vessel which receives the fluid ; finally, dry it in pan I either by the fire or in the sun. The vine of the sweet potato supports the famous inwcl I called the potato lly, which, from repeated experiments, i> in: I fully equal in all respects to the best Spanish flies* The poll! I flies generally make their appearance about the last of July or I August, and may Lie collected in great abundance morningattl evening, hv shaking them from the leaves in a vessel "i I water, and afterwards drying them in the sun. Those ii-1 also feed upon the vine of the Irish potato. As they can Iv I cured in immense quantities annually, with but little tr< I every family should carefully collect them. I POTATO, WILD| Convolvulus Panduratus — Grows in /•¦ grounds and sandy soils, near running waier. — It trails : I the ground several fret, much like a grape vine, thfl rootvi I large, hard, and white, running deep in the earth; the It ' ¦ triangular, the llowers are whitish, with a purple tinge. fO&k I shaped* Jt is called Wild rlmharh, and from the article "• I name it bears, is employed as a purgative in doses from a ' ¦ a table-spoonlui of the powdered root. Professor Mart<'"K-'H the root in powder or decoction has been much reeninim 1 !- i -' : H in Virginia, and other parts of the United States, in cases ¦ gravel. The decoction is prepared by boiling slowly ;i i:- I of the root, sliced or bniised, in three pints of water too <. i;: 'H | of which, in gravel complaints, a tea-cupful may be tnki'' 1 ' I Hi or five times a-day. fl| PRICKLY ASH. AM) PRICKLY YELLOW WOOD,** 4 thoxiflum — Possess the same virtues. Both species Brecon ¦« wilh numerous prickles, whence the name. Both the bt W\. berry are of a hot aerie taste, and when chewed. p< )WVI;; KJ| promote spittle. It is used in this way to cure the toothy Mil well as putting some within the hollow, also to cure the y^M 738 The prickly ash hrs n great deal o\' reputation in the United States as a remedy in chronic rheumatism. In thai disease its operation seems nearly analaffous to that of Rffezereon and Guaiacum, which it neaHy resanbles in its sensible properties. It is not only a popular remedy in the country, but many physicians place great reliance on its powers in rheumAtic complaints, so that npotheenriel generally give it a place in their shops. It is most frequently given in' decoction: an ounce being boSed in abdut a quart of Water. Dr. (i. Hay ward, of Boston, states that he took this decoction in his own case of chronic rheumatism, with evident relief. It was prepared as above stated, and about a pint taken in the course of the day. diluted with water sutficienl to render it palatable by lessening the pungency. It \yns warm and grateful to Ihe stomach, produced no nausea nor effect upon the bowels, and excited little, if any, perspiration. There is ne medicine which I have found so effectual in relieving^noctorhtil pains, and disposing venereal ulcers to heal,ai the prickly whin t i 10 above form and doses. A tincture prepared by steeping half o pint of the berries, or n handful oi' the hark, in a bottle of spirits, is much esteemed as I remedy in doses of a wine-glassful, in flatulent colics. It is sometimes employed in this form, in cold phlegmatic habits, iff] ie ted with the rheumatism. PRICKLY PEAR — Grows on sandy lands and rocky places. ¦A large handful of the pear cut in slices, boiled in a quart of milk, and taken in doses of a gill every morning, is reputed to !>•,' iA' great benefit in scurvy, dropsy, cancers, and cutaneous Eruptions-; and that the inner soft mucilage of the pear, while ¦re en, on a rag, to ulcers, morning and night, is very efficacious. It is also said that a fresh piece of the inner side of the pear, ¦pplied twice a-dav to corns, after soaking the feet in warm waif r, and paring On the horny part, will, in a few days, perform ¦ PRIDE OF INDIA, OR CHINA, MeKa Azcdarnch— ls now •ohil'k'tely naturalized to Ihe Southern states. The public walk Bid streets of Savannah and Augusta are ornamented by rows If this tree, a mile long, which furnish a most delightful shade ¦rainst the scorching sun, and add not less to the healthiness Ban to the beauty of these cities. Independently of its luxujjvnit verdure and cooling shade, it is highly valuable for its me- Bntiiil properties, being now ascertained to bo one of the best ¦nnifuges in nature. •i-Mnny physicians in the southern states have witnessed its re- Bnka!>le effect 1 in destroying and dislodging worms. It has B cu even found a remedy against the tape-worm. ¦I have not myself made use of this medicine, possibly because 739 740 MATERIA WEWCA. of the deleterious effects of the berries on some pigs and a parrot. In the fall of the year 1795, at a country seat which I then owned, in Lancaster county, Virginia, a sow with eight or ten pigs, came into the yard where I had several trees oi the Pride of China, and observing the pigs to eat with avidity of the berries which were dropped on the ground, I had many of them thrown from the tree, and in a few hours all the pigs were seized with the common symptoms of inebriation, and died. The sow did not appear to be the least all'ected, although she also ate oi them. The death of the pigs would not have operated so Itnorii on my mind, had it not been for a parrot, which not long me fell a victim to these beriies. This enchanting bird, which spoke many words as plainly as a human person, and which lor several years had teen a pet in the family of Dr. Andrew Rot ertson, the father of Mrs. E****, had n©t long arrived at r.s new home, before it was tempted to eat of the fruit of this tree. A gentleman who was not apprised of the deleterious properties of this berry, presented the much admired Poll with one of them, vrhich she soon ate, and relished it so well, as loudly tj call out, "give me some more! give me some more!" 1 Alter 0* suming several, she in a short time fell into a state of stupolaction, followed by riolent purging, which noon terminated he: existence. The common modes of using this medicine, are the infusion or tea, and saturated decoction. Of the former, a handful of the bark to a quart of boiling water, is given in doses of a small tea-cup;u. morning and night. The decoction is made by boiling a law handful of the fresh bark of the root in three pints of water to a quart, which is given to children in doses from a half to a whole wine-glassful. Dr. Kollock, of Savannah, observes, when exhibited in the latter form, every three hours, until it operates, n has found it beneficial as a febrifuge in those affections uiuaUj denominated worm fevers, but where no worms are voitled. Ire pulp which invests the stone of the fruit, pounded with tallow. has been successfully employed in cases of scald head. Wow not an ointment prepared by slowly simmering the root in hop lard, be found also an excellent application to that loathsome disease; also to tetter worms and ulcers? PUCCOON. See Blood Hoot. QUEEN OF THE MEADOWS— Grows in hedges, and o: the sides of meadows, about four feet high; the stalk redbilr <>;' Sthe rattle snake. A reward was given by the legislature of -Pennsylvania, to Dr. Tenant, for the promulgation of this sup[ *posed property. When, however, we consider the number of [leases of recovery from the bite of this serpent, under every va- IJriety of treatment, we cannot avoid the conclusion, that these I'jinjuries are not necessarily dangerous, and that spontaneous re- Hcovori«a are, perhaps, as frequent as those which are promoted Hby medicine. [ In violent colds, croup, pleurisy, acute rheumatism, and all infflammatory complaints, I can recommend it as an admirable I itiedicine to promote perspiration. The best form of using it is 1 In decoction, a handful to a quart of boiling water, a wine-glassf«ul to adults, every two or three hours,' increasing or lessening nlie quantity to avoid vomiting and purging. I I Professor Chapman recommends it very highly in obstructions ci the menses; four ounces of the decoction to be taken in the [Bourse of the day, increasing the quantity when the menstrual IFa ort * s cx P ecte d> as far as the stomach will allow. If this «xcite 741 nausea, nromaties are to be added, as cinnamon. CftlimuiVnd angelica* Dr. Archer, of Hertford county, Maryland, was among (he first who noticed the efficacy of this medicine in cases of < lie directs a lea-spoonful of the strong decoction In begiren to a child every hour or half hour, as the urgency of thesynpi 1 tomi may demand, and, during the intervals, a lew drops occ* I sionally, until it acts as an emetic or cathartic; then repeated in small quantities, to keep up a constant stimulus in themoutl I and throat. Patients who use (his medicine, should not beptr- I milted to drink any thing what' ver lor some time after I I do^c. He employed it in the form of n powder in dosesoffom I or five grains, mixed witha little water* I Professor Barton, with his usual candor and liberality, obi I serves, H am persuaded that the Seneca is a very importanl I medicine in tue treatment of tin's common, and too frequently I unmanageable disease; and praise is. in my opinion, due u> Df, I Archer lor his important, discovery, lor such 1 cannot but deem I it. That the Seneca is a specific or certain remedy for the cure I of croup, I do not believe; but. from my own experience, [an I led to repose more confidence* in the use of this medicine than- is I any other. 1 have made use of a very strong decoction ft the I root. 1 iiave alway s given it in large quantities. It 'appeais to I be chiefly beneficial when it occasions an expectoration ofn» I CUB, and when it proves emetic. It is also very useful by virtue I of its purgative quality, lint I have known it occasion very I plentiful stools, without benefitting the patient* Indeed, in thi I exhibition of Seneca, I would rather wish to guard against I purgings. I have sometimes treated my patients almost entirety I with Seneca* Even in such cases 1 have perceived must inu- I quivooal good effects from it; but have more generally givea I along with the Seneca, calomel, and sometimes calomel comoiud I with ipecacuanha* 1 have not omitted the employment ot lh M lancet, though this in many eases of the croup is not absolute)/ I necessary, and the use of blisters or sinapisms applied near the I seat of the disease. lam happy to close this short notice bj I observing, that several respectable physicians in Phflndel] I inform me that they have used the Seneca with much ailvaii';::- X in the disease in question* I In various forms of dropsy, the. Seneca root has been resorttd ¦ to With advantage, and has received the commendations o! j' I cival, MiUman, and some others. Its cathartic and diuretic v' ¦' ¦¦'"¦ are very considerable, when persevered in, in large quanting I and have, in many instances, effected the dissipation oi'di' 0 ! 1 - 1 ' I cal swelling-'. In the prevailing epidemic I have found a decer- ¦ 742 tion of this vegetable, taken freely :it the commencement of the disease* fl medicine of greatutiu'ty. RATTLESNAKE VIOLET. See Violet* RED CEDAR, Juniperu* Virginiana — Is found from Lake Cham plain to the Capo of Florida. The leaves have a strong disagreeable taste, with so. no pungency and bitterness. Its in >st frequent use ia in the composition of (he cerate enjoyed for keeping up the irritation and discharge of blisters. This preparation is the same with the Savin cerate, used in Europe, the leaves of the red cedar being substituted for the Savin. — When properly prepared by boiling the fresh leaves lor a short time in about twice their weight of lard, with the addition of a Hide wax, a cerate is formed, of peculiarefficacyasa perpetual epifyastict When applied as a dressing to a newly vesicated surface, and afterwards repeated twice a-day, it rarely fails to 'keep up the discharge for an indefinite length of time. Under its operation, the discharge usually changes from a serous to a puritorm appearance, find concretes upon the surface; so that it requires to be removed from time to time, to admit the full action o\ the cerate. Internally, the leaves have been found to exert effects very similar to those of the Savin. They have proved Useful Man einenajjoirue, ;md as a general stimulant and diaphoretic in rheumatism. They have also had some reputation as a diuretic in ropsy. RHUBARB, WILD. See Potato, Wihl. RO3E, Rosa — The hundred leaved,' or damask rose, is justly termed the (ineen of flowers. Otto or essence of roses, is obfuied from these by distillation, and is doubtless the most eJenit perfume in vegetable nature. Independently of their use in this manner, a decoction of its leaves will be found a mild laxa tive,and, when formed into a syrup, may be given with advan tage to children. Tiie conserve 01 roses is also prepared from them for medicinal purposes. ROSE WILLOW, Stilis — Grows near brooks, along the hanks of river.*, and on the borders of meadows. It is about the size of an apple tree, and covered with a grayish colored hark, and very red within, with a bunch in the top resembling a hunch ol roses. Pour ounces, or a large handful of the bark, boiled in three pints of water to a quart, and taken in doses of a tea-cuplul three 01 f. ur times a-day, is said to be an excellent remedy in cases of gleet, the whites, immoderate (lowing of tin- menses, and in cutaneous eruptions. RUE) Huta — lias an ungrateful smell, and a pungent bitter aste. The leaves are acnd, an. l when applied to the skin are ipt to produce blisters. Employed in the form of tea. they are 743 744 MATEKIA JUEDICA. reputed to be of great servico to persons of cold phle?mat r hahtts. According to Uoerhaave, an infusion of the let** powerfully promotes perspiration, quicfceQl the circulation, n. moves obstructions, and is particularly adapted to weak Vnd hysterical •onstitutions, suffering from retarded, or obstructed secretions. SAGE, Sahia — An infusion of the leaves or tea, is considered serviceable to persons of cold phlegmatic habits, laboring uudw nervous debility. Sweetened with the addition of a little lemon juice, it forms an exceedingly grateful and useful drink in febrile disorders. Sage was supposed by the auaionts to possess the virtut of prolonging human life ; hence the i •-."¦ v great degree tonic powers. He gtated to me, that b*q him>elf reduced ro a mere skeleton by dyspepsia, or indigestion, and havingtried the usual remdies employed in such eases,without receiving any benefit, he was at length induced, as hislaj: hope, to try the virtue of this plant, wnich had be^n recommended to him by a negro man. He was directed to steep a handful o: the root in a bottle of spirits, of which he was to take half a wine-glassful diluted with water three times a-day; and Mobil the astonishing effect wrought by this medicine, that in a fe» weeks his health was perfectly reinstated. He discovered tiie plant to grow near Fredericks burg, Virginia, and collected some of it to exhibit in Washington. Several persons in dedicate health, and troubled with dyspepsia, were readily persuaded, from the recommendations of Col. Mayrant, to make use of his favorite remedy, and not without receiving considerable benefit. It may be taken in the form of powder, tincture, or decoction. SANICLE; AMERICAN. See Alum Root. SARSAPARILLA, Smila.r Sarsaparilln — Grows in several parts of the United States. It is a small vine resembling a bramble. \ decoction offcariapftrilla, prepared by boiling (i large handful of the root, in a quart of water, till the third part be evaporated has long been employed as an auxiliary to nu'ivury. in the treatment o\' venereal complaints. It promotes perspiration, attenuates viscid humors, relieves venereal hendac.h, nocturnal pains, and disposes venereal ulcers to heal. In rheumatic affections, oUtan«oui disorders, and scrofula, it is a very useful medicine. It may also be exhibited in the form of powder in doses of two drachms, or extract in Jost\s of one drachm, three or four times a-ilav. SASSAFRAS, Laurus Z&iHrfrtU — An infusion or tea of the flowers or bark of the ft , has often been successfully given as a sweetener or purifier of the blood, in scorbutic, venereal, and cutaneous disorders, or where an acrimony of the fluids prevails. Conjoined with bark of dogwood) cherry tree or oak, it is very useful in obstina. Intermittents. The oil externally applied, in chronic rheumatism, and also in wens, has oftentimes proved salutary. The pith oi' the small twigs, in water, forms a mucilage of excellent use for sore eyes, and as an injection in the incipient stage of gonorrhoea. It. also allbrds, when sweetened, with the addition of nutmeg; n palatable jelly, useful in dysentery and febrile diseases. SCU I .I . PA P, BLUE. See Hooded Widow Herb. SCl'llY V ¦JGRASS, Cor/i/enru Ojjicinalis — Is a pungent stimulating plant, and in til'- 1 simple state of asallad, or in the form of expressed juice, a wine-glassful three times a-day, has long been esteemed one of the best of all the anti-scorbutic plants. SENNA, AMERICAN, Camq MarilancUca—U easily cultivated from the seeds, andought to be more generally introduced into our gardens. It has long been employed ns a purgative. To increase its effect! 011 the bowels. manna, snlts, or. tamarinds, are generally added. To correct, its ilK flavor, and prevent griping, it should • be joined with some aromatics, as coriander or fennel seed, ginger, «^c. )w the form of decoction, a handful to a pint of boiling water, the dose is a tea-eupflul every hour or two until it operates. It may also be exhibited in the form of tincture, to re| lieve flatulent colics, four ounce.-, of senna to a quart of spirits, with an ounce of coriander seed, or ginger, and a wine-glassful thedoie< 8K O K B. See Thorn Apple. SKUNK CABBAGE, Draconitu, Fadidum— Abounds in i swamps and meadows, and emits a disagreeable smell, nearly re- I 92 745 746 MATBRIA XEDICA. semblingthat of a skunk or polecat, and from this, and its leaver resembling those of a cabbage, it has acquired its name. The roots dried and powdered, have proved of excellent use in asthmatic cases, and often afforded relief in this distressin; disease, when other means were ineffectual. It should be c\. hibited during the paroxysm, and repeated as circumstances may require, in doses of thirty or forty grains. It will be proper to persevere in the use of it for some time after the paroxysm has gone olf, until the patient has perfectly recovered. Dr. Cutler has celebrated its efficacy in his own case of asthma, after other medicines had failed. In one of the most violent asthmatic cases; two tea-spoonsful of the powdered root, in spirits, procured immediate relief; and on repeating the tny with the same patient, it afforded more lasting benefit, than am other medicine. In child-bed it produces the desired etlect. ia doses of a tea-spoonful repeated occasionally. In numerous other instances of spasm, and also in chronic and acuate rheumatism and dropsy, in powder or decoction, it has performed important cures. The seeds possess the same virtues as the root Dr. Cutler vehemently cautions, that, in collecting the roots, the white hellebore, or puke root, which some people cull skunk weed, be not mistaken for this plant, as the consequence midit be fatal. There is an obvious difference, the hellebore has a stalk, but the skunk cabbage has none; and the roots of the latter are much larger than those of the former. SNAKE ROOT. See Virginia Snake Root. SOAPWORT. Saponaria Ojficina lis-Grows \ n moist swamp* and meadows, particularly on the Ohio river, where it is used as a substitute for soap. It rises about a foot high, the leaves are pointed, and furnished with three ribs, tne flowers numerous, large, and of a pale pink color. A handful of this plant boild in three pints of water to i quart, in doses of a half pint three or four times a-day, has been found useful in the jaundice, obstructions of the liver, and the venereal disease. SORREL. Oxalis Acetosrfla — Called also sour trefoil, (f cuckoo bread, yields, on expression, a grateful acid juice, whitf has been beneficially used in the scurvy and scorbutic eruptions. An infusion of the leaves makes a palatable diet drink in fevers. and on being boiled in milk, forms an agreeable whey. A«# serve made of the leaves, with double their weight' ofloif* gST. forms an excellent substitute for lemons, and°may bo given with advantage in all putrid and other fevers, where antiseptic are indicated. The leaves bruised, and externally applied X lofulous ulcers, have produced excellent effects, by promoting munition and granulation. SOUTHERN WOOD. See Mugwort. SOUTH-SEA TEA, OR YAUPON, Alex. Vomotoria— aws abundantly in the southern states. It rises about twelve t high, shooting into many upright, slender, still* branches, rereowith whitish smooth" bark; the leaves small, ever-green, 1 saw-edged; the flowers small and white, and grow promiseulv among the leaves, succeeded by small berries, which bene red in October, 'and remain so all the winter, tis held in great esteem among the southern Indians. They st the leaves and make a decoction of them, which is called black drink. An infusion, or tea of the leaves, is considered as palatable as Bohea tea, and when used freely, is a powerful diuretic, and hence of service in the cure of dropsy and suppression of urine. SPIKENARD, Aralia Kacemosa — Grows in low rich grounds and among rocks, to the height of three or four feet; the leaves are many, on long branches, from a thick purplish stalk; flowers very small, of a bluish color, producing berries much resembling those of the elder, of a sweetish pleasant aromatic taste t The roots are very long, and about the thickness of a finger. A pint of berries steeped in a quart of spirits, in doses of a wine-glassful, is said to be a speedy cure for the gout in the Itomach. The roots in the form of infusion, a handful to a quart of water, and given in doses of a tea-cupful three or four times a-day, have been found efficacious in gouty complaints. The fresh root, applied in the form of poultice, is said to be excellent for wounds and ulcers. SPLEEN WORT. Sec Maiden Hair. SPRUCE LAUREL. See Mezereon. SQUIRREL EAR, OR EDGE LEAF— According to the late Paul Hamilton, Esq., is produced on barren pine land, in Carolina and Georgia. It is a species of sage, and very efficacious as an antidote to the poison of the snake bite. It is kno\rn by the remarkable characteristic which forms its name; the leaf, instead of the surface, presents its edge to the sun, and is in color and shape very much like the ear of a squirrel, although large. The stalk never rises beyond three feet, and its leaves are alternate and transverse. A wine-glassful of the juice of this plant has been known to rescue from death persons bitten by the rattlesnake, who were so far gone, as to be incapable of speaking. The flower of this plant is white and fuzzy, and appears in every warm month m the year; the smell that of mellilot, with a slight tincture of the aromatic. STAR GRASS, Aktrit Farinnsa— Grows in fieldi and about 747 the edges of woods, and flowers in June and July. The leaves are grass-like, but smooth and still', of a willow -green color, ud spread like a star upon the ground. "No plant/ says Dr. Bum. low, "surpasses this in genuine, intense and permanent hii-.-. ness." Hitherto, it has been chiefly used as a tonic, exhibited in small doses. JS'IMJNK WEED. See Thorn Ajtph: STRAWBERRY, Fragaria— r the fruit of this plant is deft cious, and being of a cooling and laxative nature, mny bo considered as medicinal. If freely eaten, they impart their nculiar fragrance to the urine, and when retained in the mouth for wag time, dissolve tartareous concretions on teeth. They are ?f great service in catss of scurvy, and, according to Linnanu, i copious use of them has proved a certain preventive ofthestooi In the kidneys. An infusion of straw berry leaves, while* and tender, makes excellent tea; but for such purposes they ought to be dried in the shade, being slightly bitter and styptic They have been used with advantage in laxity ami debility of tin intestines, as likewise in hemorrhages and other iluxes. Lastly, they are of considerable service as aperients in suppression of urine, visceral obstructions, and jaundice. SUMACH, COMMON, Rhus Copallinum— The berrieior seeds, when ripe, are red and very acid. An infusion of them, sweetened with honey, is a good gargle for the sore tnro.ir. and for cleansing the mouth in putrid levers. Mr. Jesse Torrey considers the bark of the root of sumach to be one of the best antiseptics produced by vegetation. Catroding ulcers, defying every common application, immediately began to heal by washing them with a strong decoction, and ap plying the boiled bark as a poultice, lie says it is a very imp"!-tant material in decoctions for hectic and scrofulous disease* Sumach constitutes one of the ingredients of the following I*" cipe, which was handed to me by a gentleman of the first respeft tability and veracity, as a remedy for the venereal disease. Of the inner bark of pine and swan p elm, and the barkofthl root of sumach, take each one pound; boil them in a gallon « water to three quarts, drink half a pint three times a-dav: H c* tiveness pc produced, a dose of salts may be used. If there i* ulcers, they are to be washed with a decoction made warm.!" detergent effects will appear in a very short time. Abstinent from too much stimulants will accelerate the cure. This remeflj is one of Heaven's best mercies to ollending man, and instaßi can be produced of the effects of it, which would staggercW dulity. Mercury, and nitric acid have failed, but this hasner* been known to fail when properly applied. It is, moreover. 4 fine application in dysenteric affections. 748 749 MATERIA MKDICA. f' SUNDEW, Uo§ s <>lis — Called also rod root, or youtluvort. Irowa m mosssv bogs, flowering in July and August. * The whole ot this singular plant is acrid, and its juice sutfitiiiitlv caustic to corrode corns ami warts. It is said the juice, preperly nii\ed with milk, and applied to the skin, will remove kcklefl and Min-burns. SWALLOWWORT. See Pleurisy Root* ,' TANSY, Tanacetum Vulgar* — This plant possesses a warm liner taste, and may be mvi\ as a substitute lor hops. An infui».u of the leaves is recommended lor a Weak stomach, hysteric Jomplaints. and obstructed menses. ¦ According to Dr. Withering* its seeds are an excellent vermi- Ipge, indosei from a temple to a drachm, and thai if animal Ebstance be rubbed with the herb, it will he effectually pre* Jfrved from the attack of the ilesh lly. 1 THORN APPLE, Datura Stramonium — Has a variety of limes, as James-town, or Jimson weed, French apple, Stink teed, &c. Its common name, Jamestown weed, is said to have an- n from the circumstance oi' a number oi' sailors beingvio- Ently diseased by ignoronily eating the boiled plant at James* bwn, in N irginia, al its first settlement. It grows among mbish, and on dung-hHI», to the height oi' Iwo or three feet; llovvrs in «'uly and August. The corolla is funnel-shaped and plated fhite wiilia linge of purple. The capsule is large, egg-shaped, nd covered with thorns, which have four divisions, and contain omerous kidney-shaped seeds. The leaves are large, e^-shaped, liul deeply indented, of a disagreeable smell, and nauseous iste. • Every part of this plant is a Btrong narcotic poison; neverlieless, when judiciously adminini.siered, it is unquestionably |)IH' oi the most valuable medicines in our possession. Profefkr Barton considers it a medicine of great and invaluable Bowers, especially in cases i^i' mania, attended with little or no lever, or with a cold skin and languid circulation. The form in Brhß'h he exhibited it, was that of an extract prepared from the ¦resh leaves, beginning with a lew grains, and graduallyincreaipigthe dose to fifteen or twenty grains. In one ease of mania, I a woman, he increased it to sixty grains. In a few weeks it Irought on an eruption in various jiarts of the body, "and she raa dismissed,'' he observes, "from the hospital, perfectly cured*" fcr. Fisher recommends it highly in those cases of mania in Oong persons, where fits occur daily, or monthly, at regular eriods, especially if assisted by chnlybeates, or such other iedicinea as particular symptoms require; but advises the iree^ iul regular use of it, oneor two doses every day. The most onvenieDt form, especially for children, fie thinks, is the saturated tincture: the requisite dose may be known by the dj'.a tion of the pupils. Dr. Alexander King, of Connecticut, has employed thtt i, cine, in the form of decoction, one drachm ot theteed , t boiled in half a pint of water to a gill, in several caswof flammation of the brain, attended with delirium. The foUowj is one of the cases recited by the doctor. A man of robust constitution, and sanguine habit, about twer. ty-six years of age, after drinking pretty freely, was seized urn a slight paroxysm of the apoplexy, which was followed by j cold lit of fever, attended with a violent pain of the be*),* delirium. On the second day, I found him delirious, wiiluuiuflammation of the brain, or rather meninges. I bled him i. : so that he even fainted in a recumbent posture, which was* ceeded by another partial paroxysm, similar to the fust. I; • him on a course of medicine, nearly the same as prescribed ia a former <-ase. The next day 1 found no abatement of the symptoms; he had slept none for two nights past, and was quite ot rageous. I then prescribed for him a decoction of the tttbi the datura stramonium, and directed the nurse togivehu.-tea-spoonful every Quarter of an hour. J found, on VMltingiip the next morning, that soon after taking the decoction, he & came calm and composed, and went to sleep. 1 continued it same medicine through the course of the lever, which El* about seven days, except one day in which I purposely Offita the use of it, in order fully to satisfy myself as to the opertti ot the medicine. On that day the delirium returned, and bed none the night following. The next morning I had recourse. the decoction as usual, and it produced the same salutary etfc; as before. In this case, I had a fair opportunity to observe the actioa the medicine, in an early stage of the disease, which wasa ing, anodyne, and sedative. As a remedy in epilepsy, Professor Barton thinks it may bo lied on even in the most deplorable cases. A lady, agedr.:" live, having for some months been afflicted with alarming ;it:a of epilepsy, by which her powers of intellect and of artinilatf were impaired, happily experienced a restoration, by tati one grain of the extract once in twenty-four hours. Altafl she did not sutler another attack, after commencing the ceo ¦he found it necessary to continue it for several months > : move all apprehensions of a recurrence. A single grain : failed to excite unpleasant vertiginous sensations, iccomp* with efflorescence of her face, and some degree of sleeps' In asthma and spasmodic cough, stramonium is said to proved essentially beneficial. It ia also said to have prod^ 750 fealutarv efiects in cases of chronic rheumatism, and difficult Njfiistruation. FAs thifl medicine is endued with most active powers, it ought Up be administered in very small dotei ftt first, and the quantity f|iiilu;o:ale over a gentle fire, without taking oil" the scum, until |W<;!S acquired the thieknos.; of syrup; then place it in a warm 11 1011 01 ' 5 l n an eartMen vessel, until it becomes of a proper consis\\m (V '° ! usc# A' ne( l oso 's frofh one to two grains, or more, for jiMndult. The saturated tincture is prepared by steeping one I ¦twohandsful of the leaves in a half pint of spirits tor a few I ffl' u> stramonium has also been employed externally with the I m>\ happy etlecis. In recent wounds, inflammations', or bruises, I * leaves, either alone, or united with bread and milk poultice, I Hyp been applied to the part with manifest advantage. In the I mn of ointment, which is prepared by simmering slowly the I »sh leaves brused in hog's lard, with about one-eighth part of I WW < "n ; ! X ' 1 -° r an nour ' aml (lien strained through a course cloth, I ¦will be lound excellent for the piles, scalds, and burns. From 751 made to obstinate cutaneous sores, ill-conditioned ulcen, v painful cancerous affections* THOIIOUGHWORT, Eupatorhtm Porfoliatum—h nl?o by the following names: thoroughstcm, crosswort, I and Indian iage. The Brat of these names, thoroughstem, | ; been imposed upon it from the peculiar structure oithe leara which arc opposite, and appear as though the stem Wtn thrust through them. It has received the second name, of ... wort* by which it is known in many parts of Virginia, from i I position of the leaves, each pair of which take their organ fro I opposite sides of the stem, so that they cross each Other new I at right angles. lamat B loss, says Professor Barton, vrd I the word honest ro its real organ; but I presume tlu>ph!i:r-»l ceived this name from the great relief which on nnnv <¦••..¦ lions, it has been found to allord to persons laboring r.u.le , -I lent remitting and other fevers, in which the bones are . I pained. The resemblance of the leaves of this plant to thai of the common sage, was long ago remarked by the lv:;/:,l Henrc the name Indian sage, by which the eupatoriwniski I in some parts of Pennsylvania. I This plant flourishes in wet meadows, and other innk pi I The stalk is hairy, and rises from two to four feet. Thetloi I are white, and appear in July and August. The leaw* ;< ; I joint are horizontal, saw-edged, and rough, from three to :.l inches long, and about one inch broad at the base, gradus I lessening to a very acute point, of a dark green, and cove:;B With short hairs. I This plant possesses very active powers, and has bct'im:« ited with uncommon advantage in intermittents, remittents, I other diseases of debility. When exhibited in the l'orm :¦ warm decoction, a handful of the herb boiled in a quart ol I tor, a wine-glassful every two ho'jrs, has proved peculiar I Jiciol, says Professor Barton, in levers, by exciting a I perspiration. In larger do.;es it proves emetic; with which I it is used in some parts of the united States, as an exa :M remedy in intermittent?. The dried leaves in ppwder,ifl I of twelve or fifteen grains, are said to operate gently ¦ bowels. Every part of this plant may be advantage* ¦ I ployed in practice. The flowers, as a tonic bitter, rk <¦ ¦ cental to the flowers cammomile, for which thej mij ¥ substitued on many occasions. I This medicine has al <> been found very efficacious in c I ous diseases. In a peculiar and distressing affection I herpettc kind, which vras formerly very common in -I j and there known by the name of James River ring-w^ -¦¦ lessor Barton states, from the respectable authority ol 1 1 5 Thomas Knox, of Culpeper county, Virginia, that a Jo ''• m 752 of this plant drunk daily, lor a considerable time, made a perfect cure. A wine-glassful of the expressed juice of the green herb drunk every hour, if celebrated as a certain cure for the bite of a rattle-snake. The bruised leaves should be applied to the THROAT ROOT. See jbetu. THYME) GARDEN, Tkymui Vtrfgaris — Is one of the most powerful aromatic plants, and as such, is frequently employed in the form of tea, in those complaints where the medicines of this class are indicated. TOBACCO, Nicotiana Tobacum — This "obnoxious luxury," is a medicine of the most uncommon powers; being emetic, ca! thartic, sudorific, diuretic, expectorant, narcotic, and anti-spasmodic; hence its utility in a variety of diseases. Happy if this plant '-of many virtues" could always be exerted to beneficent purpose-;, and for which, no doubt, it was intended ! by the all-wise and benevolent Creator: but alas! we are con• strained to deplore not only the idle and expensive, but too often fatal abuse of it, by snufling, chewing, and smoking practices, which cannot be too severely censured, especially in young ! persons, and those of weak digestion, consumptive or delicate i habits. When used in either of these forms, by persons unao 1 oustbroed to He use, it will in small quantities produce stupor, giddiness, and vomiting: hut, like spirits, opium, and other nar- I colics, llio use of it may be introduced by degrees, so that its peculiar effects, even from large quantities employed, seldom TOE ITCH. See Moorwni. Broad-leaved. TOOTH ACHE TREE. SeePHich Ash. TOUCHWOOP, Boletus Igniarhis— Called also spunk. I, is a spongy substance, growing on the white oak, pine, and hickory trees, generally used for catching fire with flint and steelt The heart of that which grows on the oak reduced to powder. and applied to violent hemorrhages from wounds, is said to be an excellent application to stop the bleeding. TREFOIL, WATER, Mmianthes— Grows about twelve inches high, in marshes, swamps, and wet meadows. It bears many elegant flowers, in a spike, which are sometimes white, but are commonly rose-colored on the outside, and in the inside finely tnnged; the leaves are three together, resembling our garden beans. A drachm of the powdered leaves, is said to operate up and down. An infusion of the leaves, two handsful to a quart of boiling water, in doses of a tea-cupful two or three times a-dav, no • * 93 753 I esteemed a useful medicine in chronic rheumatism, in scorhucomplaints, and in all impurities of the blood. TULIP-BEARING POPLAR. See Poplar. White. TURMERIC. See Blood Root. UNICORN ROOT, Alrtris Farinasa— •Grows in meadow;, and on the sides of mountains, about six or seven inches !>l leaves spear-shaped, lying on the ground, and are green all the Winter* Tiie ilowers grow on the stalk from the ground, which hang down at the top when fully blown; the root is whitish, tv!) of small fibres, about the thickness of the end of the little finger, and crooked at the end. The powdered root, in doses from half to a tea-spoonful. i| said to ailbrd relief in hysteric, and flatulent or wind colic. A large handful of the root steeped in a quart of spirits, in dotes of a wine-glassful three times a-day, is highly esteemed by someai a valuable remedy in chronic, rheumatism. VALERIAN, WILD, Vakriana Officina Us— Grows afaofr dantly in the vicinity of the Ohio river. It rises two or three feet high; the leaves in pairs, large, hairy, and of a, dusk}- gr color; ilowers stand in large tufts on the top of the branches, a pale whitish-red color. The root, which is the part used in medicine, consists of a number of slender fibres, matted together, and attached to OM head, of a brown color, having a strong and unpleasant smell. Valerian has long been recommended by the most learned physicians as a medicine of great use in nervous disorders: and H particularly serviceable in hysteric cases, as well as in epilepsy, proceeding from a debility of the nervous system. According to Dr. Withering, it is an excellent medicine in cases of habitual eostiveness. It should be given in doses from one to two te* cupsfull or more, in powder, three times a-day. It seems mod useful when given in substance, and in large doses. VIOLET RATTLESNAKE— Grows about four inches high, on the banks of rivers, and in pine woods: leaves grow in I cluster from a stalk, oval-shaped, Ueshy, and lull of small veins; flowers of B pale blue color. An infusion of this plant, a handful to a quart of boiling water. taken in doses of a tea-cupful three or four times a-day, ;"' come of the green leaves bruised, and applied twice or thrice* day to scrofulous tumors, or king's evil, is said to be an infi* ble remedy. VIOLET, SWEET, Viola Odorata— ls cultivated in our gardens; leaves heart-shaped, notched, flowers deep purple* odo A tea-spoonful of the powdered herb is celebrated as a niiM laxative. To children, a strong infusion or decoction form* 1 " 754 Ito ITttfp With molasses, honey, or sugar, incloses of a wineasstul, will be more acceptable. VIRGIN'S IJOWKR— Grows about two feet high, near mils ami low pastures; leaves opposite in pairs, and terminated , on odd one; the 1 lowers somewhat resemble the appearance ' feather tails,. V small handful of the leaves infused in a quart of boiling war, and given in doses of a gill three times a-day, is said to bo Ty beneficial in venereal sores, or cutaneous eruptions of long ftixHng, particularly if the sores be washed with the same. The vised green leaves have been applied to ulcers, as an escharo•. to destroy fungous or proud llesh. VIRGINIA OR BLACK SNAKE ROOT, Serpentana irginiana — Grows in rich woodlands, from seven to nine inchi high, leaves heart-shaped, tlowers o\ a. purplish brown color, he root is composed o^i a number of strings, or fibres, issuing Din one head, and malted together, of a brownish color on the itside, and pale or yellowish within, ft has an aromatic smell, and a warm, bitterish, pungent taste. It promotes perspiration, raises the pulse, and resists putrefaction. Hence it is especially adapted to the low and advanced stage of tjpus or nervous lever. It may be given in the form of infusion or tea. a handful to a quart of boiling water, in doses of a tea-cupful, or in powder, from ten to thirty grains, every two or three hours. Conjoined with I the Peruvian bark, <>r any of its substitutes, it is an admirai ble remedy in obstinate eases of the ague and fever, and other I dttordi ra of general weakness. In cold phlegmatic habits, it ¦ has also been exhibited in the form of tincture, and when united I with double the quantity of dogwood bark, or berries, it affords I a good bitter. Professor Barton observes, that a strong decoo I tion of the root was used with great benefit as o gargle in a uu- I trivl sore throat} which prevailed in New Jersey. , In that species of pleurisy, which is properly enough designa- I ted by the epithet bilious. Professor Chapman states, he has° re- I peatedly had occasion to recur to the serpentaria, and always I with more or less utility. This bilious ¦ K-iuisy he considers as I having all the characteristics of pneumonic inflammation, with I Ihe addition of some of the symptoms incident to autumnal leaver, such as head ache, great gastric distress, and almost always ¦ violent vomitings of bile. It differs, also, from ordinary pleu- I risy, in having less activity of intlammaiion, and consequently ¦in not bearing the same extent of depletion, 'ihe system, in¦ deed will often be very evidently depressed by one or two ¦ blofdinus. In this case, the practice wl.ich had been common¦ly pursued is, after the removal of a comparatively small por¦tion of blood, and the thorough evacuation of the alimentary ca- 755 756 MATERIA MEDICA. nal, to administer very freely draughts of the infusion of the serpentaria in order to excite perspiration. Externally applied, the decoction has been found to cure the WAKE ROBIN. See Cue/cow Pint. WALNUT WHITE, JugUuu Alba— Affords one of & finest cathartic medicines in the whole American Materiafti ica. The inner bark, boiled for several hours, then strained and reboiled to the consistence of thick honey, forms the best preparation of this invaluable medicine. A common-sized pij/ o r two, at going to bed, is admirable to remove those costive habits, which occasion head aches, loaded stomachs, roll -. \. ¦, And, in increased doses, say double quantities, it will be in . sovereign medicine in dysentery, bilious fever, and all othe complaints requiring aperient medicines, more especially if combined with equal quantities of calomel. I cannot quit this extract without most heartily recommending it to every Ame;> i can family to keep it constantly by them. j The bark of the root is excellent to raise a blister, therefore may be substituted for Spanish ilies. I WATER CRESSES — Grows in running brooks and we: I The green herb, eaten as a vegetable, and the expressed juice I in doses of a table-spoonful two or three times a-day, is an ollec- 1 tual remedy for the scurvy. I WATER TREFOIL. * Sec Trefoil, Wafer. I WHITE I3RYONY — Grows in low meadows and swamp. I the stems twist about bushes, and shoot out to a great oxten: I the leaves pointed, irregularly toothed, very large, diuiini."!iir.;B gradually to the top; flowers of a yellow green, which produce I a red berry; the root is white and large. I A very strong decoction of the root strained, and then »P mered slowly by the fire, until it becomes of the consistence:! honey, is said to be a good purgative medicine in doses nunotf! to three tea-spoonsful. I WHITE WOOD. See Poplar. I WILLOW", Salic — Professor Barton thinks that our willows! possess nearly the same virtues that have been ascribed to tlioaßj of Europe, and that they might be substituted for the lVnivi^B bark. The bark of the white willow, smooth willow, and ei^B willow, so called from the remarkable brittleness of its brancteH collected when it abounds with sap, has been successful!) <••¦¦¦ ployed in intermittent or BgUfl and fever, in doses of oneort^B drachms. The broad-leaved willow is said to possess irro^-B virtues than either of the above. This species may be dijU-B ' guished by the shape of its leaves from all others exfC| ) - !: jH bay-leaved willow. The leaves of the latter are smooth ffj I «tiiiiinii, of* a deeper green, and have not the downy appearance on the" under surface, which is so remarkable in this. It is found i» woods and hedges, on hilly situations, and delights in cold clayey moist grounds. A strong decoction of this bark resembles port wine in color. It is astringent to the taste and somewhat bitter. According to Dr. Wilkinson, it is a remedy of great efficacy in most cases Where the Peruvian nark is indicated, lie directs OHe ounce and a half (a handful) oi' the bark to be infused In one quart of water lor six hours, then boil it over a gentle lire for a quarter of an hour, and strain for use. O( this the ordinary dose is n wine-glassful three or four times a-day. But in ague ami (over, he dose may be repeated every third hour in the interval of the lit. WINTERBERRY. See Alder , Black. VVINTERGREEN. See Calico Tree. AVOOD BETONY — Crows about a foot high in upland roods and old pastures; the stem square and hairy; the leaves ppositeand hairy; the flowers in spikes, of a purple color. An infusion of the. herb, a handful to a quart of boiling waer, in doses of a tea-cupful every two hours, is said to be civieeable in rheumatic or gouty allections.? WORM3EED. See Jerusalem Oak. WORMWOOD. See Mugwort. Sf ARROW — Grows in dry pastures and along the sides of snees, about a foot high; leaves pointed; ilowers white, tinged ith a little purple beneath. A handful of the tops ol yarrow, infused in a quart of loilig water, in doses of a tea-cupful three or four times a-day, is iputed to be a valuable medicine in the dysontery, bleeding iles, and restraining immoderate flow of the menses. A table>oonful of the expressed juice taken twice a-d;iy, and the >rb bruised, or in the form of a poultice, is said to have cured cancer of the breast. Th' 3 green leaves pounded, and applied per a bruise, dissipates it in a few days. DIII EC T I C) N S Respecting the Collection and Preservation of Vegetable Substances. Uf.iuss and leaves are to be gathered in dry weather, after the Iw is off them, and are to be freed from decayed, withered, or reign leaves. They are usually tied in bundles, and hung up a shady, worm, and airy place, or spread upon Lhe floor, and Muentljr turned. If very juicy, they are laid upon a sieve and ned by ¦ gentle degree of artificial wnrmth. They should 757 758 MATERIA MEDICA. be dried in such quantities at a time that the process m» l finished as quickly as possible; for by these means their |?v . ./ are best preserved; the test of which is, the perfect prea » tion of their natural color* Flowers ought also to be collected in clear dry weather,tjb the dew is off, immediately alter they have opened. They 5i,,,. also be dried nearly as leaves, but more quickly, and \\y more attention* As they must not be exposed to the sun, hh best done by a slight degree of artificial warmth. Barks and woods should be collected when the tnostactni part of the vegetables are concentrated in them, which happen in spring ana in autumn. Spring is preferred tin ra&ot barks, ami autumn for those that are gummy. Barks should fc laken from young trees, and freed from decayed parts, aoJJ imparities. Seedtand fruits arc to be gathered when ripe, but beiwetb fall spontaneously. . ..Roots which are annual, should be collected before da shootout their stalks or Jlowers. Those which are worm-win or decayed, are to be rejected. The others arc immediatelyu be cleaned with a brush and cold water, letting them Ik i :'. ,: as short a time as possible; and the fibres and little roots, wk| not essential, are to be cut away. Hoots which consul pri pally of fibres, and have but a small top, may be imnu\li,i; > dried* If they be juicy, mid not aromatic, this may bedoneb] a moderate heat; but if aromatic, by simply exposing ii' :.. and frequently turning them in a current of cold tin air. I very thick and strong, they are to be split or cut into slic - strung upon threads; if covered with a tough bark, they in,;; be peeled fresh, and then dried. Such as lose their virtues); clr) ing, Or are directed to be preserved in a fresh state, are 10l kept buried in dry sand. The proper drying of vegetable substances is of thcgrwH importance. It is often directed to be done in the shade m slowly, that the volatile and active particles may QOtbett paied by too great heat; but ibis is an error, for they ah* lose infinitely more by flow than by quick drying. When on i count of the color, they cannot be exposed to the sun. warmth of the atmosphere is insufficient* they should be work ¦1 inoie complete, I have, in these tables, annexed to the mcdi Hos their doses, according to the age of the patient; observing, Rover, that whatever general rule may be given, it can only ¦applied with reference to the habit and state of the patient, ft judgment of the person who administers the medicine must, ftvfore, be exercised in this respect. It will be found that, the Hsiitution is often attended with certain peculiarities, both in fttion (o medicine in general, and also to certain substances, which knowledge is only to be obtained by e.\pe» IftXPLANATiON OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. ISO grains make ..... 1 scruple, Ift scruples 1 drachm, Ift drachms 1 ounce, Ift ounces Impound. I I tea-spoonful is equal to 60 drops, or 1 drachm. I I table-spoonful is the measure of 4 ounce. I 1 '' l rge wine-glassful is equal to 2 ounces. WITH THEIR DOSES AND QUALITIES ANNEXED. QZrThest doses must be increased, or diminished, according to the strength and habit of the patient. Medicines. [~ Adult. \From \sto 10] From 10 to G] From 6to i. {From 4to 2.\From 2to \.\ Under one~. Qualties. Arsenic, solu. of, 5 to 12 drops 4 to 8 drops 3 to G drops 2 to 5 drops ;1 to 4 drops 4 to 3 drops ij to 2 drops Tonic. Antimonial wine 3to 4 drms. J24 to 3 dnns. 2 to 24 dim?, 4 t.o2i dims. ;l to 2 drrns. 1 to li drm.s \i to 1 drm. Emetic. — as a diaphoretic 2G to GO drops|ls to 40 drops 12 to 30 drop? 10 to 20 c!rops,B to 15 drops G to 10 crops A to 8 drops Diaphoretic. Alum 5 to 15 grains|3 to 10 grs. 2 to 7 grains 1* to 5 grains 1 to 3 grains . . . . . . . . Astringent. Aloes 5 to 20 grains 34 to 15 grs. 3 to 12 grains 2 to 10 grains H to 8 grains . . . . . . . ."¦ Cathartic. Arrow root .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Nutritious food. Balsam capaivi 20 to 80 drops 15 to 40 drops 12 to3o dropsilGto 20 dropep to 15 drops 5 1o 10 drops . . . . Corroborant. Balsam, Turlington, do do do. do. do do do. do. I do. do. j do. Co. do. do. Corroborant. Barley .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Nutritive. Bitters 2 to 4 drms. 1 to 2 drms. .... .... .... .... .... Stomachic. Borax ... .... . . . : .... .... .... .... Deterg. externally. Bark, Peruvian, 30 grs. 2drs. 25 to li dra. 20 to 1 drm. 15 to 40 gife. 1121 12 to 30 grs. 10 to 25 grs. 0 to 16 grain? Tonic & antiseptic. Calomel 10 to 30 grs. S to 20 grainsjG to 15 gr:iin:-|5 to 12 grain? 1 to 10 grains 3 to 8 grains lto 5 grains Active purgative. Camphor 4 to 20 grs. 2 to 10grains|2 to G grains 2 to 4 grains II to 3 grains |l to 2 grains 4 to 1 grain Stimulant. Cream of tartar 4 to 12 drms. 3 to 8 dnns. 12 to 5 dims. 2 to 4 drms. II to 3 drms. '4 to 2 drms. 4 to 1 Jnn. Cooling aperient. Caustic vol. alk. liq 4 to 2 drms. i to 1 drm. 25 to 50 drops 20 to 40 dropsj 15 to 30 drops: 10 to 20 drops . . . . Stimulant. Corrosive sublimatct .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Anti -venereal. Columbo 110 to 00 grs. 0 to 40 jrrs. 7 to 35 jjrain.- (*» to 2. r > gnku 5 tv 20 grsinf I to 15 graint 2 to 10 grmini Stomachic &¦ trtiic fjtwilk, prepared, «6tosOsra. L6to4o. Medicines. Adult. Fr >m \~ito h>. From 10 to 0. From G to 4. From 4 to 2. From 2 fo 1. Under one. | Quaitticx. Castor oil k to 12 drm&. |3 to 8 drma. 2t loGdnns. £tosdnns. lit to 4*drms. 1 to 3 drawl I iu2dnn-. [Purgative. Essence peppermint 10 to 50 ilrops'B to 30 drops l> to 20 drops 1 to 13 drops 3 to 12 drop? 2 to 10 drops 1 to G drops C uininalivc. Elixir vitriol 115 to 40 drops 10 to 30 drops 8 to 20 drops ',('» to 15 drops 4 to 10 drops I to 6 drops 1 to4dro;is Tonic. jgihlT Tltrinlir ' 4 to 2 drms. 130 dps.to ldm. 18 dps w> 1 din! 15 to 50 drops 12 to 40 drops 8 to 30 drops ',5 to 10 drops Stimulant. Flax-seed ... ... ... Pectoral &, obtund. Ginger 5 to 25 gljulM 1 to 18 grains 3 to 15 grain? 3 to 12 grains 2 to 10 grains 2 to 8 grains ' 1 io G grains Aromatic. Gamb'gc 0 to 12 grains 4 to 8 grains 3 to G grains ... ... ... j ... Purgative. Gum Arabic ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Obtunding. Hartshorn, spirit, | to 14 dims. J2O to 50 drops 15 to 30 drops 10 to 15 drop? 5 to 10 drops 3 to 8 drops >2 to G drops Stimulant. Houey ... ... | ... ... ... ... ... jPectoral. Ipecacuanha 15 to 30 gr\ 10 to 20 grs. '8 tf> 15 u.-ainSiG Io 12 grains 5 to 10 grains 1 to 8 grains 1 to 5 grains |Emetic. Jalap 15 to 40 gn. 8 to 2~> gruin- 0 Io 20 grainslS to 15 grains' 4 to 12 giainsi3 to 8 grains 2 to 5 grains Purgative. Lunar caustic 1-G to 3 gn*. i to 2 grains 1-10 to li gis. 1-10 to 1 gr. 1-12 to 4 gr. j . . . j ... Stimulant. 20 foGO drop?il2 lo4odroj)fl|loto2s drops 8 to 20 drops 5 to 15 drops [3 to 8 drops i*2 to G drop? Anodyne. Morphine, solu. of, G to 21 drops J5 to 20 drops 4 to 10 drops 3 to 12 drops 2 to 8 drops ;1 to 4 drops 1 to 3 drops Anodyne. Magnesia 4 to 2 drins. 20grs. to 1 dr 15 to 50 gn. 10 to 40 grs. 8 to 30 grains 0 to 20 grains,4 to 10 grains Absorbent. Manna 1 to 2 ounces 4 to 14 o;:nce ; 4 to 1 ounce |3 to 0 drtns. J2 to 4 drms. 1 to 3 drms. 4 to 2 drms. j Mild aperient. Nitre 10 to 30 grs. 8 to 20 grains 5 to 12 grains 2 to 10 grains 2 to 8 grains [1 to 6 grains 1 to 4 grains Diuretic &. febrile. Nitric acid ... ... ... ... ... | ... ... JT(,nic &j anti-scor. Oil of oiive ... ... ... ... ... 1 to 3 drms. |l to 2 drms. lObtunding &. open. Opium 4 to 3 grains \ to 1 grain ... ... ... ... ... I Anodyne &. antisep. Paragoric Elixir 1 to 4 drins. 1 to 2 drms. jsodps to 14 dr-30 dps to 1 dm 20 to 50 drops 15 to 30 drops 3 to 20 drops JAnodyno &, PectrL Pink root, Carolina.: ... .... ... ... ... ... ... iVermifuge. Rhubarb, powdered.!ls to 50 grs. 10 to 40 grs. J8 to 30 grains G to 25 grains 5 to 20 grains 1 to 12 grains 2 to 10 grains.Mild Cathartic. Rattlesnake root ... ... ... ... ....... ... [Diaphoretic. Rust of steel 5 to 25 grains 3 to 15 grains|24 to 3 grains 2 to 10 grains 1 to 6 grains b| to 2 grain 3 . . . [Took. Red precipitate } . . . . . \ . . . ...... j ... ... jEscharotic. Medians. Adult. From 15toli)~. From 10 to Vt.Trom oto 4. From 4to ~\ /vom 2tol. | Under one. '" ' Qualities. Sugar oflcad Ito 6 grains Ito 4 grains ito 8 grains ito 3 grams 1-6 to 2 grs. 1-8 to 1 grain' .. . .Astringent & tonic. Spanish flies ... !o ...'... ... ... ... ... glistering. Salts 4 to 16 draw, o to 12 cirms. 2 to 8 draw. 2 to 6 drms. 1* to 4 dims. 1 to 3 dnns. i to 2 draw. Cathartic. Salt of tartar 10 to 30 grs. j to 20 grains 6 to 12 grains 4 to 8 grains 3 to G grains 2 to 4 grains 1 to 3 grains Absorbent & febri. Spirits of turpentine ... ... ... ... ... ... ... iStimulant. Siilammon. volatile 5 to 20 grains 4 to 12 grains 4 to 10 grains 3 to 8 grains 2 to G grains \t to 4 grains 1 to 3 grains jStimulant. crude ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Discntient. Senna ... ... ... I ... ... ... ... Purgative. Spirits of lavender 30 dps to 2 dr. 20 dps to 1 dr. 15 to 50 drops 12 to 40 drops 10 to 30 drops 6 to 20 drops 2 to 10 drops Cordial. Sulphur, flour of, 2 to 8 drms. I to 4 drms. ;1; 1 to 3 drms. ,£ to 2 drms. 20 grs to 1 dr. 10 to 40 grs. 5 to 20 grains Aperient. Tamarinds ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ICooUag laxative. Tartar emetic '2 toG grains 2 to 4 grains li to 3 grains' 1 to 2 grains I lo 1 grain i to 1 g:ain i to 1 grain Kmetic. Turner's cerate ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 'Healing. Tincture of steel 8 to 18 drops 5 to 12 drops 'A to 10 drops ,3 to 8 drops |2 to 0 drops 1 to 5 drops 2 to 3 drops jTonic. rheumatic | to 1 ounce 2to4drms. 1 to 3 (inns. \i to 2 drms. 20 to GO drop';. ... ... jAnti-rheumatic. bark 2t;Gdrin<-\ I| to 4 drms. |l to 34 (Inns.. |1 to 3 drrns. || to 9 drms. I to '1.1 dnas. B0 to 40 drops Tonic*. rhuharl) \4 dms to 2 ozs. 3 to 8 drms. 2 to G drms. t to 5 draw, li ioSdrms. I to 2 drms. 20 to 40 drops Mildc ithar. &. stom fo.vgluvc 'id to GO drops 8 to 40 drops G to 30 drops 5 to 20 drops 4 to 15 drops 2 to 12 drops 1 to 8 drops Diuretic. cantharides ]oto 50 drops 10 to 40 drops 8 to 30 drops G to 20 drops 4 to 15 • rops 2 to 5 drops 1 to 5 drops Stimulant. Columbo 1 to 4 draw. 1 to 3 drms. 40dps lo 2i dr3o dps to 2 dr2o dps to ] i dr 15 dps to 1 dr. 10 to 40 drops Tonic. myrrh ... ... ... ...;...(... ... (Detergent. Vitriol, white, 20 to 60 grs. 111 1 to 30 grs. 8 to 15 grains 4 to 10 grains 2 to 5 grains 1 to 3 grains I ... jEmetic. as a tonic 2 to 5 grains .1 to 3i grains 4 to 2 grains i to 1 grain ... ... ... Tonic. A TABLE OF MEDICINAL COMPOSITIONS, WITH THEIR DOSES AND PROPERTIES, '~Cumiw : ihons7~ Adult. From lft to IQJFrom 10 to «.( From 6to 4. JFVow 4f» 2. ] From 2 to~T I' ndrr <>„<¦. Properties. Antitnoniai powders 8 to 15 grain.-, / lv 12 grain* 6 tv Bgrains8 grains I lotf gimiui 3 losgraiw to 4 mains [ to 3 grains Diaphoretic, Ami. solu.or mix. 3 to 6 drms. 2 to 1 dims, 14 to 3 dims. 1 to 2 dim?, i to 2 draw, i t<> I 60 drops J2O to 50 drops 10 to3odropss to 20 drops Anodyns smlor. Absorbent mixiure 4 to 8 drm. I to 5 dnns. 3 lo 4 dims. 2 to 3 dims. lito2idrms. I to 2 dim*. I to 1 dim. Absorbent Absir. &aperi.nn\. ... 3 to 4 dnns. 2 to 4 dims. itoSdrms. ItoSdrms. Absorb. «»|iijimm Anti-dysenteric mix 6 to 12 dims 5 to 8 dims. 1 to 6 dims. 3 to 5 drms. 21 to 1 dnns. 2 to 3 dnns. 1 to 2 dnns. Anti-dysenteric. Astrin-rent mixiure 5 to 8 drms. Bto6dnw. ,2 to i dims. 2 to 3 dim.-,. U to 2 dross. 1 to 2 dims, i to 1 drm. AstrmgenL Cathartic mixture 6 to 12 dnns. 5 to S drms. A to G dims. 9 to 5 drms. 2i to 4 dnns. 2 to 3 'inns. 1 to 'I dnns. Cooling ciitharlic. Camj.hor powders ] 0 to lo gr*. 8 to 12 gnunsw to 10 grains "> lo 8 grains i to 6 grains 3 to 5 grains -I to 4 grains Stim. Camp, julep or mix. ti to 0 drms. 4 lo l> drms. 3 to 4 dims. 2 to 4 dims. 1 to 3 dims. 1 to 2 dims, i to 1 dim. Stimulant. Decoc.or infus.i»aik2 to Oounces 14 to 1 ozs. !H to 3j ozs. ,1 to 3 ounces 1 to 2 ounce? 0 to 12 drms. 4 to 8 dims. I MMC. Decoc. of seneca 6 to 12 drms. 5 to Bdrms.8 drms. i to G drms. 3 to •"> dims. 2| to li drms. 2 to 4 dnns. 1 to 3 dims. Di;i|>horetic. Diaphoretic drops 1 to 3 dnns. 1 to 1 i dim. I to 1 drm. 20 to 40dropa 15 to 30 drops 10 to 20 drops 5 to 10 drops Diaphoretic Diuretic mixture '2 to 4 ounces 2 to 3 ounce* U to 3 ozs. 1 to 2 ounces 1 to li ounce I to 1 ounce 1 to 4 drms. Di'iretic. Dover's powder iloto2ograinMt> to 12 grains 5 to 10 graintU toBgrain9 3 to (i grains 2 to 4 grains 4 to 1 grain Ljnpuorehc. Febrifuge powders 8 to 15 grains-? to lOgrainsp to 8 grains 4 U>6 grains 8 to 5 grains 2 to 4 grains 1 to 3 grains P^bnfuge. fCebrifuge mixture !fi to 12 drms. 5 to 8 drms. 4 to li o'rms. [4 to G dim?. 3 lo 5 drms. 2 to 4 dims. 1 to 4 drms. Febrifuge. Infusion of Columbo 1 to 3 ounces 1 to 2 ounces 1 to 2 ounces i to 2 ounces 4 to 1 ounce 2 to 6 drms. 1 to 4 drms. Tonic. Lime water II to 4 ounces 1 to 3 ounces 1 to 2 ounces 4 ;o 2 ounces Mo 1 ounce 2 to G drms. 1 to 2 drms. Absorb, aud tonic. Pectoral mixture 4 to 8 drms. 3 to G dims. Bj to 5 drms. 2 to 1 drm?. 14 to 3 drms. 1 to 2 drms. 4 to 1 drm. Obtunding. Purgative electuar T . 2 to 4 drms. 14 to 3 drms. 1 to 2 dims. '1 to 14 drm. 4 to 1 drm. i to 1 drm. : Saline mixture G to 8 drms. 4 to 7 dnns. ,4 to '6 drms. 3 to 5 dims. 3t3 to 4 drms. 2 to 3 dims. \ to 2 drms. Diaphoretic. Compositions. \ Adult. tFrom 15 to IQ.jfVom 10 to 6. 'From 0 to 4. | From 4 to 2. From 2 to 1. j Under one. Properties. Spirit of mindererus.ti too arms. 4 to 7 arms. i4to ttdrms. 13 to 5 drnis. |3to 4 arms. 2 to 3 dnns. 1 to 2 drms. Diaphoretic. Syrup of flax-seed J6 to 8 drrns 4 to 7 drms. 4 to 6 drms. j3 to 5 drms. [3 to 4 drms. 2 to 3 drms. 1 to 2 drms. Pec. &, obtunding. Solu. sul. quinine 1 to 2 drms. 4 to 2 drms. I Jto 1 drm. 20 to 40 drops 15 to 30 drop? 10 to 20 drop? 5 to 10 drops.Tonic. Tonic powders 15 to 50 grs. 10 to 30 gra. j8 to 25 grainsjO to 20 grains 4 to 12 grains 1 to 6 grains 1 to 3 grains Tonic. Vitriolic solution 4 to 6 drms. 2 to 4 drms. Ifto3drms. Jli to2i drms.jl to2drms. |l to 2 drms. i tol drro. JAstringenL EMETICS, j Ark medicines which exoiU vomiting, and are usually em- Hlovcil iii fevers pf almost every species, especially when ac- Rc:i>|t:niioil iii the commencement with nausea, vomiting, and |-«tii I- svmptpins indicating a disordered state of the stomach. ¦fiu'v cleanse the ttoinach of its noxious contents, ami prepare jjvu.iy tor the reception of other remedies. r As a* general rule, emetics should always be given on an *ii|'t_\ stomach, and in the mornings They aci with greater and with let! distress to the patient* They will, 4mve\er. answer very well in the evening. In ordinary cases, administer the medicine in divided quantities, so as to guard .lg:«;ii-.t too violent an effect, and encourage its operation by drinking freely ot* warm water. [ i To check inordinary vomiting from too large a dose of emotic I" io.licine, give laudanum, combined with some cordial, apply [•mentations to the pit o!" the stomach, and sinapisms to the ex[•t'niities. Chicken water, copiously drunk, is sometimes USe[il l»y turning the action downwards. When these fail, anodyne injections may be resorted to, and a large blister should be j pin on over the region of the stomach. ¦Of the emetics, the mildest ore ipecacuanha, the antimonial IJfcliiiion, and :;i\iimonial wine, in bl'OKendoses. The most active ijld expiditioua arc the white and blue vitriol. Where poisons [jpve been swallowed, one or other of these should be given in I fr.'v large doses, and repeated ever}' Hfteen minutes until the Ipm red eiieet be obtained. (See Thorn A/>p/t\ and Poiron*. i Antimonial Solution* — Take of tartar emetic six grains, water Alt' a pint, spirits ol lavender thirty drops, sugar one lump — nix. Dose lor adults a wine-glassful every iittecn minutes, ?which should be encouraged by drinking freely ol warm water, i'-jtkl afterwards turned downwards by taking a bowel of thin gruel made very salt. CATHARTICS, I Are medicines which, by quickening the peristaltic motion, t«crease the evacuations of the intestines, or as may happen, r»(hice purging. Cathartics differ very materially in their dc- Mj'ce of activity; some operating mildly, while others are more , Jiolent in their cll'ects. The former is usually distinguished by Be title" of ht.rtithrs, and the latter by that of purgative*) the jjMirshest of which are called drastic purgatives. | The primary and most obvious effect of cathartics, is the jvaeuution of the bowels. These are liable to various accumu- Ations of a morbid nature, which, remaining, disturb health, JH'l lrequently excite or confirm disease. Cathartics, in reliev; 765 Ing the bowels, under such circumstances, extend : : k,. I operation upwards, and Wring down, in many instances,! I tents of the stomach. To tliis may be added, tint •? , I impression which they impart to the liver and pnncreas, en I these glands (o invigorated efforts, and the result is a \;i« crease of their respective secretions. It is in this v congestions are removed, biliarly calculi dislodged* and iai and other affections^ from organic obstruction, cured. r | also subdue the pulse, equalize excitement, and render i, tant service in the management of the febrile and inflanuiw cases. Exhibited in the commencement of almost an\ ; affection, they will often arrest its progress, and, during subsequent Or more advanced periods, they are sometimes repeated, and, so far from weakening, add to the itrengthoft patient. As in the case of emetics, give the medicine on an tag stomach, and either in the morning or at bed-time. By da this, we prevent its being rejected, and secure a much m easy and effectual operation. And it. should he recollected,! cathartics are of very different properties and modes of om tion, they should carefully be selected according to tin circa* stances of the case* ]j;/.riiions,or Aperient and Diaphoretic Pills. — Takeofolj nu'l. jalap, each twenty grains; tartar emetic, two grains; sj^ or mucilage of gum Arabic, sufficient lo form Q massji eight pills* Dose for adults, two at bed-time, and the tiose » peated every hour in the morning until it operates suffices Or take four in the morning, and one every hoar until tin sired effect he obtained. Purgatives. — Th« drastics are the croton oil, gambog^a calomel, jalap, rhubarb, and senna, the purgative infusion.p-guiive powder, stimulant purgative pills, and purgative elect! The distinction, however, between laxatives and pir.ra >vi by no means easy, since by diminishing or increasing the • of the former, they may, with some propriety, bi consider!' bjlonying to the first or second class. 766 767 DISPENSATORY. 0/7. This oil is obtained from the. seeds of the Grot* L'l' .jiuni: a native of the East indies. It is one of the great¦ ;mTI most powerful cathartics, with which we are acquaint C. like all other active cathartics, St aome times gri pea the K.,l This effect may be relieved by drinking freely of Hfk.'ii water. EfUel, or flaxseed tea; Or, If necessary, by a lit- IB ;. iiiiini. The "sual dose, for an adult, is one drop, hut B"< live are sometimes gi\ on, it may be given in syrup, or yilr into the form of h piu with crumbs 01 bread — the latter Hfei! is preferable. , , , • fnfution — Take ot senna and manna, each, hall an one ounce; ginger, one drachm; boiling water, one B ' Dose for adults, one gill every hour or two, until it Ope« 1 ///••,•• it." ¦• Powder. — Take of calomel and jalap, each, twenty ¦bus. to bo taken in the morning ih syrup or molasses, by a- lake o\ rhubarb and vitriolated tartar in fine powder, each drachm: mix well t »i. r ether. and divide into four powders. — HL tnkiMi uuing to bed, and another in the morning, will be Kill an etli "a( ions remedy, whenever it is required to cleanse El>i<>;nach and h->wrls ¦>f hilious and other offensive matter. IFy /.jui/iint Purgative Pills. — Take oi' calomel and gamboge ¦¦h one dracliin; syrup tufficienf to form amass. Bent them IBmlhm-. and then make twenty-four pillf. Dose tor adults, ¦toti: liin-e 1" [I).--, take o( calomel, aloes, rhubarb, and soap, each, one Hjßr'un, syrup or mucilage of gum Arabic, sufficient to form a ¦mas- . -li'-at t Tin well logetiier, and make forty-eight pills. pi I'm- ad id!', from four to eight. Ill;', take of calomel and jalap, each, one drachm; powdered tt'iT and soap, each, half a drach.m; mucilage or syrup sufficient ¦Sunn a mass — divide into thirty pills. Dose for adults from ¦foui • I'l-ht. ¦Hi/iills. Dose for adults, two at bed-time, or a sulii- HBi; number to keep the bowels in a regular state. ¦¦'»/;'///>< Electuary, — Take of jalapi one drachm; cream of BBl:i>'. one ounce; syrup or molasses as much as will give the ¦ Bt>le a proper consistence. Dose far adults, from one to two ¦ BB s ' >oolls * u^ m *' ie niormn o5 to keep the bowels in a soluble 768 DIAPHORETICS. In the common language of the schools, the term diaphoretic is restricted to those articles only which promote the insensible perspiration; and such as occasion sweating, are distinguished by the appellation or fudor\fict, Hut, ns in the medicines arranged nnder these titles we can discern no difference, except in the degree of force, or what arises from the manner of ad« ministration, we shall comprehend the whole nndor the head of diaphoretic. To promote perspiration itisessentially necessary that the patient should be confined to his bed. Let. his pulse, and the temperature of the body, be carefully watched. It is a principle settle I and fully recognised, never to resort to diaphoretics ia fevers of an inllammatory species, till arterial action and general excitement are considerably reduced by previous venesection and evacuations by puking or purging. Alter this direct depletion, diaphoretics then come in with great advantage, and will commonly either mitigate or completely arrest the progress of the disease. In the exhibition of diaphoretics give diluent drinks, unless the stomach be irritable. This remark particularly applies to the antimonial preparations, and some of the combination of ipecacuanha. The temperature of the drinks must be regulated by that of the skin. The latter not being high, they should be warm, or even hot; but if the contrary prevail, they must be given cold. In the low stages of disease, while pursuing the diaphoretic plan, studiously avoid purging, unless circumstances imperious* ly require this remedy. It is very apt, in this state of the system, to check sweating, and to bring on an aggravation oi the complaint. It does this by diverting action from the surface of the ( intestine?, and by exposing the patient to cold. Diaphorc'ic Drops. — Take of sweet spirits of nitre and antimo- I nial wine, each, one ounce. — Mix. — Dose for adults, a tea-spoon* I fu! every two hours. If the stomach is in an irritable state, add I only half the quantity of antimoni'.l wine. Antimonidl Wine, — Dos for adults, twenty drops every hour I or two, till the proper effect be produce I. Saline Julep or Mix.'mr. — Take of lemon juice, one ounce; I volatile sal ammoniac, one drachm, or salt of tartar four scruple?. I After the effervescence, add syrup, two tea-spoon* fulj simple I ¦ cinnamon water, or tea, half an ounce, or spirits of lavender, li thirty drops; spring water, six ounces. — Mix. Dose for adults, I two table-spoons-ful every three hours. 1 Effervescing Draught,— Take fifteen grains of salt of worm- II wood, or volatile sal ammoniac, dissolved in a table-spoonful <» I water, in one cup; in another, two largo tea-spoonsful oflimo juice, lemon juice. or one t.;ble-spoi>n'ul of very g»>J '¦ \• ¦ , with one or two table-spoonsful of water sweetc/ied; pou to the other, nod let the patient drink immediately white they •Tervesee. When made with fresh lime or lemon juice, tins is an elegant, pelaianU al *d iweful medicine in all fevers, and put* ticularTy eJiectnal in removing nausea and vomiting; ii may be repeated every IWO or three hours. Spirit of Mituh rents. — Tike of volatile sal ammoniac, two drachms; lemon juice or vinegar, half a pint, or as inuftfa as may be sulHcint to saturate the volatile alkali. — Mix. A dose to be taken every two hours. Antimonial Solution. — Dose for adults, a table-spoonful every two hours as a diaphoretic. {Sec Emetics.) Antimonial Powders. — Ti.ke of tartar emetic, three grains; nitre, two drachms. — Mix, ami divide into twelve doses. One dose to be taken every two or three hours by adults. In obstinate, cases, the addition of ten or twelve grains of calomel to the above recipe, will render tiie medicine more salutary. Febrifuge Pvmdcrt* — Take ofipecacunba, two scruples; nitre two drachms. — Mix, and divide into twelve do.-cs. One dose to be taken every two or three hours by adults. Febrifuge Mixture, — Take of nitre, two drachms; lemon juice or vinegar, mc ounce; water, half a pint; sugar a sufficient quantity to sweeten it. — Mix. A wine-glassful to be taken by adults every two hours. It will be rendered more active by the addition of two drachms ot antimoi ial wine. Dover's Potcrfcr. — Ipecacuanha, powdered, and opium, each, one drachm; vitriolaicd tartar, in povvder, one o cc. — The greatest possible pains >hould be taken to grind thj mass to a completely fine powdn*. Nitre may be substitued ;.r t.'ie vitrioiated tartar, when that is not- at hand. This powder is the most efticae ous sudorific we possess. It is an admirable remedy for quieting the bowels, when affected by ihe exhibition of mercury, or any other cause. Dose for adults irom ten to twenty grains every three or four hours. Camphorated Powders. — Take < if camphor, two scruples; nitre, powdered, two drachms. Moisten the camphor with spirits, and after reducing it to a fine powder, add the nitre. Divide it into twelve doses. One tv be taken every two or three hours by adult?. Infusion of Virginia Snake Root. — Snake root half an ounce; boiling water, half a pint; ii fuse for two hours in a covered vessel and strain. — Dose. A table-spoonful occasionally, taken Warm* It is used to aid other diaphoretics, and in its ell'ects, resembles camphor. Anodyne Sudorific Drops. — Take of laudanum half an ounce; 95 769 antimonial wine, one ounce.— Mix. Dose for adults, two teaspoonsful at bed-time. Anodyne Sudorific Bolus. — Take of opium, one grain and a half; ipecacuanha, ten grains; syrup or mucilage, sufficient to form a ho I us. Or, take of opium, one grain and a half; tartar emetic one grain; or golden sulphur of antimony, two giains; mucilage sufficient to form a ] till. To be taken by adults at bed-time.* For children, the best means of procuring a perspiration is the tepid path, succeeded by the use of a table-spoonful of saline julep, or the diaphoretic drops, every two or three hours. besides the warm hath, the external stimulating diaphoretics are, friction, rebefacients, and blisters, which oxcitP copious partial perspiration, previously to their vesieation. There are many vegetable substances which belong to thii class of medicines, particularly the Virginia and senecfl snake roots, sarsapnrilla, thorough wort, &c. (See Male no Medica.) DEM r L CENTS. Demulcent Drinks — Are those which sheath the r.crimom of the humors, and render them mild, such as flax-seed tea, rnanhmallow tea; mucilage of quince seeds, pith of .sassafras, slippery elm,(se< ; Materia Medica y ) and gum Arabic* A solution pfgum Arabic isainde hy boiling an ounce of picked gum Arabic, in a little more th:in a. quart of water, until it be dissolved. Alf these are useful to sheath and defend Vfiff sensible parts From the irritation of acrid humors, OS is the case in tickling cough, and common lax, or bloody ilux, heat of urine, &c, in all which, the natural mucus of the, parts is defective. ABSORBENTS. Absorbent Medicines — Are such as correct acidity in the Calcined Magnesia — One or two tea spoonsful to be taken occasionally mixed in milk or mucilage ofgUtn Arabic, by adults* Prepared Chalk. — A tea-spoonful to be given io the same manner as magnesia. Lime Water. — A wine-glassful, with an equal quantity ot new miik, to be taken occasionally by adults. Absorbent Mixture. — Take of chalk prepared, half an ounce; gum Arabic, powdered, and white sugar, each, two drachms; water, four ounces. Dose for adults, a table-spoonVul every two or three hours. Absorbent and Aperient Mixture. — Is made by adding one i drachm of rhubarb in powder, or half an ounce of the tincture w rhubarb, to the above recipe. Or, take of prepared chalk and magnesia, each, half an ouiUs«i st.?-*- -; rub them well together, then add mucilage 770 771 DISPENSATORY. of zwrri Arabic, two ounces; weak cinnamon ton, four ounces. — Mix. Dose for children, from one to two tea-spoonsful. Arc remedies 'o promote the urinary discharge, which may take place, either by stimulating the kidneys, or byaninvmora* tion of the powers o( absorption, and especially in cases of dropsical effusion. It hence appears, that diuretics are of two species, though in whichever mode they operate.it is by an action nrimarialy on the stomach, extended to the absorbents or kidneys, according to the affinity of the article to the one or other of these parts. Mild Diuretics. — Of tin's class of medicines, nitre, by reducing the force of circulation, will be found eminently useful in febril cases. Dose, ten or fifteen grains, for adults, every two or three hours. Conjoined with camphor, as in the camphorated powders, its diuretic pffectSj in some cases, is increased. Dulcified Spirits of jV/lre. — Dose for adults, half an ounce, every three or four hours. Unless this medicine be given in large doses, it will excite perspiration, rather than act as a diuretic. It is chiefly valuable in the cases of children. There is, indeed, scarcely any medicine which, in their complaints, we can substitute in its place, and it may be given to them, in the same proportion even in the earliest periods of life. Cream of Tartar. — Dose for adults, half an ounce, dissolved in a pint and a half of water, to be taken throughout the course of the day. It must be gradually increased, as the stoimch becomes accustomed to it. Of all the diuretic medicines, this is perhaps most fitted to thos.) cases of dropsy which are accompanied with increased or febrile action of the pulse, though it here sometimes operates more effectually when combined with jalap, as in the form of laxative electuary. (See Cgtharties) Dose for adults two teaipobnsful every three or four hours, where we wish to evacuate large accumulations of fluid, and here an abstinence from drink must be enjoined. Suit of Tartar — Is considered, by some practitioners, a valuible diuretic, in doses of half a drachm, dissolved in water, thiTe or four times a-day. By combining it with the infusion ot Columbo, or some of the bitter tonics, its efficacy is very much improved. Thus exhibited, it. is said to increase ihediuretic effwt. while at the same time it invigorates the system generally. Parsley. — The common parsley of our gardens is another valuable diuretic. A strong infusion of the roots in doses of a teaordinary 772 DISPENSATORY. suppression of urine. It is customary to unite with the parsley the seeds of the water melon. Diuretic Infusion. — Pound a handful of the kernels of pump. fc'H seeds or melon seeds, with a small quantity of hard white sugar, to a smooth pnstc, then add a quart of boiling water, and a quarter of an ounce of saltpetre, or half an ounce of sweet spirits of nH re, and rub I hem well together. This is a pleasant and mild diuretic, particularly useful where the discharge of urine is attended with heat and pain. A tea-cupful may be taken every hour or two by adults. Diuretic Pills. — Take dried squills in fine-powder ami calomel, enrh, half a drachm; mucilage of gum Arabic, sufficient to form it mass, and then make twenty pills, two of which are to be token at bed-time. These pills powerfully promote urine, and are very efficacious in carrying oil" cold, phlegmatic humor. in Jill dropsical swellings. When the squill alone is given, it may be taken in doses of two or three grains, three or four times n-day, in the form of pills, by adults. Od of Juniper. — Dose for adult.-., ten drops in gruel. — (Set Maler'm Mrdica. See ( ' :: eca. squills, garlic, Indian turnip, meadow safti'on, and tubac* (Ste Mater i a Mcdica.) When the expectoration is too viscid the vessels not sufficiently irritable to assist the excretion, exp^' tornnts, strictly so cnlled, are useful. These are the more stimulating medicines just, mentioned; lo which may be added all the variety of fetid gums, and the turpentines, Including the balsams. Steams of warm water, impregnated with vinegar, aromatic herns, and ether, are adapted to the same purpose. Nitric Lac Ammoniac. — Pour very gradually two drachms of nitric acid, diluted in eight ounces of water, on two drachms of ammoniac, and triturate them in a glass mortar till the gun) is dissolved, forming a milk (luid. Of this a table-spoonful may be taken every two or three hours in sweetened water. Laudanum, in some cases, may be usefully added. Pectoral Mixture. — Gum ammoniac, two drachms; syrup of squills, half an ounce; laudanum, fifty drops; spring water, six ounces. Reduce the gum to powder in a marble mortar, and gradually add the water, and trituate till the gum is dissolved, then strain from the impurities and add the other articles. Do.se, a table-spoonful every two or throe hours, for adults. Or, take of sweet oil, one ounce; rain or soft water, half a pint; salt oi tartar, five grains; white sugar, half an ounce. Dissolve the salt of tartar and the sugar in the water, and afterwards add the oil, when, by agitating the phial, a mixture will be formed of cream-like appearance. 'To thisadd paregoric elixir, bnlfon ounce. Dose a table-spoonful every hour or two. Pectoral Emulsion. — Take ofoil of almonds, or pure sweet oil, one ounce; b.arley-water, six ounces; best white sugar and gum Arabic," powdered, of each half an ounce; laudanum, forty drops. Incorporate the sugar and gum Arabic together in a mortar with a small quantity of the barely-water, then gradually mix the oil, and afterwards nddf by little at a time, the remainder of the water with the laudanum* One or two table-spoons ful of this emulsion may be taken frequently. Or, take of the best purified honey and pure sweet oil, each, two ounces; fresh lemon juicj, one ounce- syrup, and paregoric, each, half an ounce. Mix, to form an emulsion. Dose, v teaspoonful whenever the cough is most troublesome. Cough Mixture. — Take of paregoric elixir, one ounce; powdered gum Arabic, one ounce; simple water, two ounces; sweet spirit of nitre, two drachms; antimonial wine, one drachm. Mix and dissolve. Dose, one table-spoonful to be taken whenever the cough is troublesome. But, in the first stage of catarrh, when inflammatory symptoms arc present, this and all opiates, are improper. 0/-, take of elixir paregoric, one ounce and a half; antiinonial wine and syrup of squills, each one ounce; lac ammoniac, four ounces; syrup bal. tolu, one 6unc*« Dose, half a table-spoonful every two or thr eehours for adult. c . Or, take of tincture of opium, one drachm, wine of ipecacuanha, 773 hflf .7 drachm; oxymel of squills half an ounce. Mix. Dosp for adults, a tea-spoonful every two hours while the cough is severe. Domestic Remedies for Wiioopinfr-Couzh. — Dissolve thirty grains of salt of tartar in A gill of water, add to it ton groina of cochineal finely powdered, sweeten this with fine sugar, and give an infant, a tea-spoonful four times a-day. To a child of two or three years old, two tea-spoonsful: from four years and upwards, a table-spoonful or more may be taken. The relief is said to be immediate, and in general within five or six days. Or, lake equal portions of new milk, and the lie strained from hickory ashes, of which one table-spoonful may be given every hour through the day to a child of seven or eight years old. — Thir remedy is ;,Iso strongly recommended. Pectoral Loxengcs — Take of purified opium, two scruples; tincture of balsatri of tolu, two drachms; sy nip, composed of one part of water, and two par!s of white sugar, four ounces; refined Spanish liquorice, previously moistered with a little warm water, so as to make it soil; gum Arabic, in fine ponder, each, two ounces and a half; emetic tartar, eight grain:;. Rub the opium a\d the tmt&ic tartar with the tincture and syrup until the tor mer is perfectly dissolved, then add the liquorice, softened wiih warm water, and whilst beating them together, gradually sprint ed in the gum Arabic. Divide the mass into lozenges or troches each weighing ten grains, and exsiccate them gradually in the air. One may be put in the mouth and gradually dissolved. every hour or two when the cough is troublesome. Nitrous Lotenget* — Take of purified nitre, two drachms: refined sugar, reduced to a fine powder, six drachms; pulverized gum tragacanth, three drachma.-— Beat these together with a small portion m water, until they are intimately mixed, and form a coherent mass, which may be divided into moderate sized troches or lozenges, to be dried by means of a gentle heal. In cases of quinsy or sore throat, one of these lozenges freqi ently put in the mouth and suiicred gradually to dissolve, will be found very beneficial. I ANODYNES. nodynes arc medicines which ease p;:in and procure sleep. pint)/. — Of all flic articles of the M ateria M edic •, this is. per- I, the most extensively useful; there being scarcely on6moraffection, or disordered condition of the system, in which. If certain circumstances, it is not exhibited either alone of nnbination. Opium, the product of the poppy, with some rms, leaves unpleasant eifecis; and with which such, the letopium. (See Materia Midica,) should be employed. mate Pills. — Take of pure opium, and powder of cinnamon, ncer, each, twelve graihfi mucilage of syrup, sufficient to 774 make them into twelve pills. Dose, tor adults, one or two j*t bed-time. Anodyne Draught. — Take of laudanum, .1 ton-spoonful; syrup, two tea-spoonsful; cinnamon, or herb tea, one ounce. — -Mix. This to be taken at bedtime by an adult. When laudanum disagrees in the ordinary quantity, it. may often be given with much advantage in doMB pi five or six drops every hour till the proper effect be produced: or it may be given in vinegar, whew or con joined with the anthnonia! wine, as in the form of the anodyne sudorific draught* (See Diaphoretics.) As laudanum is extremely prejudicial to children, it. ought not to be administered to them, except, under peculiar circumstances. Instead ol its internal use, a little <>i it should be rubbed on the backbone; Or the same c Meets may be produced by rubbing on that part a tea-spoonful of anodyne balsam. When laudanum is prescribed byway of injection, the proportion must be more than double what can be given by the mouth. Paregoric. — Dose, for adults, one <>r two tca-snoonsiul, in a cup of tea or gruel. Morphine, — For this article, as well as for the quinine and most of the other improvements, in pharmacy and chemistry, we are indebted to the. skill and industry of the French chemists, it is an alkali obtained from opium, raid is that principle in opium which quiets irritability ">^^ disposes to sleep, without producing these dnrgreeabie effects, which sometimes arise, from any other preparation of that valuable medicine. Efenceit is particularly valuable to those with whom opium generally disagree?. Morphine is used in medicine in combination with sulphuric, or acetic acid, forming the sulphate, or the acetate of morphine, of vhich the sulphate is to be prepared. They are used in solution; which may be obtained from any apothecary, and is thus prepared: — Take oi' sulphate, or acetate of morphine, sixteen grains, water one ounce, acetic acid, or strong vinegar five to six drops, alcohol one drachm. Mix. The dose for an adult is from six to twenty-fuur drops of the solution, or one-fourth to one-half grain of the morphine itself, in pills or syrun. ANTI-SPASMODICS. As the causes of spasms differ essentially, the remedies mus equally diller. Bleeding, mercury, warm bathing, blister, opi' ates, camphor, volatile alkali, musk, castou. asaliruidn, garlic etiier, wine, and spirits, bark, steel, and other tonics, aro the remedies usually resorted to. In the choice of these, we employ the sedatives and foQtids to 775 shorten the 6'fj and 111 1 c stimulants and tonics to prevent re Gum Pilh.— Take asafrctida, three parts; gum ammonia, two parts; camphor, one part; beat them well together, and with as much syrup as is necessary, made into pills oi' the size of a common pea, from three to five may be taken at a dose, and repeated as often as shall be found necessary ; not,ho\vevcr, exceeding three or four doses in a day. This is a powerful antitpasmodic, and very useful in all nervous and hysterical complaints. When it is wished to render the mnss purgative, which is generally propel) add as much socotrine aloes as of camphor. CORDIALS. A glass of wine or a little brandy toddy. Compound Spirits of Lavender* — Dose, for adults, a tea-spoonful on a lump of sugar, to be dissolved in the mouth, and gradually swallowed. Cordial Mixture, — Take of aromatic spirits of hartshorn, two drachms; compound spirit of lavender, three drachms; ciinamon water, two ounces; spring water, three ounces. — Mil. The dose lor adults, a table spoonful now and then* Con/in/ Draught. — Take of volatile tine ure of valerian* one drachm; simple syrup, water, of each four tea-spootitffuL — Mis them together* To be taken at once by adults* Cordial Drops. — Take of paregoric elixir, volatile tincture o! valerian, »if each equal parts. — Mix them well together. Dos:. one tea-spoonful in a glass of water, for adults. For children the best cordial is white wine whey. STIMULANTS. In relation to general stimulants, (here is a distinction too important, to be overlooked. We have v set distinguished by great diii'usibility, and which, nearly as soon as exhibited, occasion universal excitement over the body; and there is a second section, by which tone is imparted, though very slowly. and by a long administration. The diltusible are very transient in their ellects, while such as are more gradual in their operation, produce permanent or enduring impressions, and are called tonics. As in the administration of stimulants, we hope to overcome an existing action, by exciting a new and stronger one, it is obvious that they can only be resorted to with 'any hope of advantage, in the feeble shapes of disease, or in more violent forms, reduced by previous evacuations. lint, in determining the exact point at which to commence the use of stimulants, we may also be aided by watching their operation. Being ill-timed, they commonly produce pain in the head, or delirious wanderings, or 776 morbid vigilance, or stricture ot the breast, restlessness and anxiety, with a hot dry skin, parched tongue, and a quick, small, and corded pulse. In the administration of stimuli, wa should endeavor to graduate the article to the state of excitability. This is a point of infinitely ''greater importance than is commonly imagined. It is not always the most active article produces the greatest effect* In the low states of disease, we have witnessed, in some instances, mare ellects from wine whey, than strong toddy. This proceeds from the article being in unison with the condition of the system. Narcotic** —That the purer narcotics are endowed with a stimulant power, is very satisfactorily proved by the operation of opium. Exhibited in a moderate dose, the purer narcotics excite activity both of body and of mind. But to command their stimulant power, they ought to be given in small doses, frequetly repeated, and gradually increased, and the excitement which they enkindle is thus sustained. But when the design is to mitigate the pain, or to procure sleep, or to relieve irritation, or deaden sensibility, they should be exibited in a full dose, and at more distant interval*. It should be remembered that the indications, chieily, which narcotics arc capable of fulfilling, are to excite and support the actions of the system, to assuage pain, and allay irritation, to relievo spasmodic atlections and to induce sleep, ::nd to check the morbidly increased secretions and excretions. Volatile Sul Ammoniac. — In a great variety of febrile affections this medicine has been prescribed, though it is in the low, or typhus fevers, that it is chieily employed* In one respect the volatile alkali differs from every article of the class to which it is attached, and. it would seem, from all other medicines. The peculiarity to which we allude is this, that the excitement it raises approaches more nearly 10 that of healthy action, ancf hence it may be recurred to earlier than stimulants generally, in the inflammatory affections, and with greater safety in mixed cases so equivocal or obscure, as to render uncertain the propriety of stimulation. It may be given in the shape of a pill or julep, in the dose of five or ten grains, every hour or two, according to circumstances. The best form, however, is the latter, which may be made agreeably to the annexed prescription. Take of volatile sal ammoniac, two scruples; gum Arabic, white sugar, each one drachm; oil of cinnamon, five drops; spring water, five ounces. — Mix. Dose, for adults, a tablc-spoonul every two hours. Camphor, — No medicine, perhaps, has been prescribed for a 96 777 greater variety of purposes than camphor. In o very mollification of febrile action, when approaching to the typhoid state. camphor has been resorted to, and not without success. It excites perspiration, quiets nervous irritation, removes delirium, and abates the force of (he disease. Camphor is best exhibited in the form of a julep or mixture* Camphorated Julep, or Mixture. — 'rake of camphor, one drachm; sunn Arabic, two drachms; while sugar, hnlfan ounce; water, half a pint* Moisten the camphor with spirits, and after reducing it to powder, add the gum Arabic and sugar, :ind (hen. by degrees, pour on the wa;er, while triturating them together in a mortar. Dose for adults, a table-spoonful every two or three hours. O/-, take camphor, one drac'im; myrrh, half a drachm; white sugar, two drachms; spring water, six ounces. — Dose, for adults, a table-spoonful. The mixture, thai made, is perfectly transparent and very palatable. Of late, however, the solution. <>; rather suspension of camphor in milk, has nearly superseded nil other preparations of the medicine in practice. It is made by simple trituration. The dose of camphor is from five to ten grains, to be repeated once in two or four hours, according lo circumstances. Pills of Camphor and Asafirlida. — Take of camphor, asallrlida, each one drachm; moisten the camphor with a few drops of alcohol, unite them together, and make thirty-six pills. It is sometimes advisable to add half a drachm of calomel to the abovdt This is an admirable combination, as well as camphor united with opium, for that species of mania , excited by frequent intoxication. Dose, for adults, two pills every three or lour hour* Spirit of Turpintinc.- — This is one of the most active and diffusible of stimulants. In the typhus or low fevers, when other diffusible stimuli are given, much imv be expected from lurpenline. It promptly relieves gout in (lie stomach, and is partiuularly suited to periodical colics, arising from llatulence. Tno dose of the spirit of turpentine, in those cases, is about a drachm, to be repeated more or less frequently, according to the nature of the disease, and the best mode of giving it is alone, orwitlii small portion of water. By attempting to blend it with murage or any such vehicle, it seems in some degree to be vohli; ized, and is thereby rendered more pungent to the fauces, and difficult to swallow. Aromatics.- — Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmegs, allspice, &M all (he aromatics are more or less stimulant* Wine. — As a cordial and tonic, wine is o ten directed i" r:-rious chronic cases, attended with debility. and also in the <• ;'¦ valescence from acute diseases. Compared with ardent spirits. 778 779 the action of wine is infinitely loss injurious in B state of health, and .is v remedy in disease-, it evinces the same superiority. The effect it produce! is slower, and more permanent, combining also qualities which, while they blunt the nrdenryof the stimulants, nflbrd no inconsiderable portion of nutriment-, by which the Bystem is sustained and invigorated. In exhibiting wine we arc cautiously to regulate Its administration by the effect! it manifests since, na'nl too far. it might induce indirect debility, and thus 'cause Irrepairable mischief. Wine may always be considered im doing good, when it renders the pulse fuller, slower, and stronger, when it removes or lessens delirium, calms irritation, and composes to sleep. But if, on the contrary, it accelerate the pulse, (lush the countenance, increase the temperature of the skin, excite thirst, aggravate delirium, or restlessness, and .'bus occasion an exacerbation of the disease, the evidence of its iujuripni tendency is no less decisive, and we should at once withdraw it altogether, or reduce the quantity. Astringent Medicines sate employed for checking hemorrhages, and immoderate evacuations of every kind. infusion of Hoses.- -Upon a. large handful of diicd red roseleaves, pour a pint of boiling water; let them infuse half an hour. In fusion of Oak B?^M cies. This consists chiefly of frictions, which may be »*¦¦ 780 with a naked hand, or with a brush, either alone, or with tho addition of some stimulai ing matter. To rub at least once aday for halfan hour or more, the whole body with lino dry salt, creates an universal glow, renders the skin smooth and florid, imparts vigor lo the muscles, improves appetite and the powers of digestion, and m all its tendencies is highly salutary. When the patient is able to take exercise, let the mode be adapted as much as possible to the seats of debility or disease; tmt be careful of fatigue. Menial Tonics, — Of this class, nature has been lavish in in her supplies. Two of her kingdoms, at least, arc exuberant in articles possessed of such powers; namely: the vegetable and mineral. Peruvian Bark — Is one of the best strengthening . .ucdi 2s; it may be taken in powder alone, or conjoined with one-fourth of the Virginia snake root, in doses of a tea-spoon ful, five or six times a-day. When the dotes arc to be frequently repeated, as soon as one is taken, put another, with a .small quantity of wine or water, into a glass, by which means it will become equally and universally moist; and may be mixed more easily and more smoothly. As many persons cannot tai;e the bark in substance, it should be exhibited in infusion, or decoction. Cold Infusion of Bark. — Mix one ounce and a half of bark in powder in a quart of water; let it stand twenty-four houiVj occ isionallv shaking the bottle, and then strain on the liquor. Dose, for adult:?, a Wine glassful every two hours. Decoction of Bark. — l\it two ounces of coarsely powdered bark into a quart bottle of water, which, after being corked, is to be placed in a pot of water, and boiled for tw> or more hours. This is a very elegant preparation, and one of considerable efficacy. The dose of the decoction, for adults, is a wine-glassful every two or three hours. To correct some inconveniences occasionally produced by tho bark, it is frequently combined with other remedies. When it excites vomiting, or oppresses the stomach, cinnamon, or some aromatic, must be added ; when it purges, opium; when it induces constipation, rhubarb; and where there is much acidity of the stomach, magnesia, or small portions of the mineral or vegetable alkali. As children cannot be induced to tike the bark in sufficient quantities, it should bo administered in the form of clysters, united with a little milk or ilax-seed tea, to which may be added a little laudanum. Applied externally by means of a bark jacket, [See head Peruvian Bark) it will be found to have as salutary an effect as when exhibited internally. Quinine. — For this article we are indebted to the French chemists. It is an alkali, obtained from the Peruvian bark, and is used in medicine in combination with sulphuric acid, forming 781 782 the sulphate of quinine. It is the most powerful tonic with which we lire acquainted, and so .superior is it considered to the bark, that it has almost entirely driven that article out of use. Its dose being extremely small, ami its taste that of a simple hit. ter. it will not disagree with the stomach when any ionic won.,! be proper, :iihl it may DO given to children of any age. Like every other tonic, it should not be given during active lever, nor until the bowels are thoroughly cleansed. Dose, one grain every hour or two^ According to circumstances. It may be taken mixed in syrup, or made into pills with erninhs oi bread) or in solution. The solution is prepared as follow.'. Solution of Sulphate of Quinine, — Take of sulphate of quinine, eight grains; water, one ounce; mix, and then add sulphuric acid, or elixir vitriol, from twenty to thirty drops. Dose, for adulis, a ten-spoonful every hour or two. P.rfh of Sulphate of Quinine. — Take of sulphate of quinine, twelve grains; crumbsof corn bread, or mucilage of gum Arabic, a sufficient quantity to make twelve pills. Dose, for adults, one every hour or two. It would sometimes be advantageous to add a little rhubarb to these pills, to prevent eosliveness. CohiDi/io.- — Pose, for adults, in powder, a tea-spoonful; to bo given in mint tea or water. Infusion nf Colombo.- — Take ofCaluthbo, bruised, one ounce; boiling wnier, one pint. Dose, for nduJU, a large wine-glassful every two hours. This bitter is peculiarly serviceable in casea of Weak stomachs and bowels, attended with lax, and abounding in bilious crudities. Infusoin of Gentian* — Put half on ounce of genitian, bruised, And two drachms of orange peel, in a pint of cold water for twelve hours, then strain; when used in hot weather, add half a ••ill erf brandy. Dose, for adults, a wine-glassful three times a day. Hitters are properly considered strengthening remedies, when not continued too long; they improve the appetite, and strengthen the Stomach and bowels, but a constant ami long-continued use of them, or any one tonic, is generally prejudicial* The blank oak, the dog*wood baric, the wild cherry tree, and thoroughwort, [See Matetia Medica,) claim our attention as ton- Mineral Tonics. — Iron, in its operation on the system, evinces all the eiiects of a powerful and permanent tonic; no medicine, perhaps, leaving behind it such lasting impressions. Th« indications, therefore, that it is calculated to,l'ullil, are numerous and important, most of which, however, are embraced within the sphere of chronic debility. Iron Filinge* — If made with a fine file, will require no other preparations; the dose, for adults, is six or eight grains, or about as much as a common pinch of snu(V, with tin equal quantity ot DISPKNSATOIIY. 783 powdered ginger, to he mixed in syrup, or molasses, and taken two or throe tunes in a day* !n this simple form, iron acts as well as in any more laborioui preparation, It is a most useful tonic in all pale and relaxed habits* subject io watery swellings J particularly for children of this description! with the pale laces and distended hollies, whoso complaints are frequently accompanied by worms. The dosvi lor young and old, provided tiie iiiinns be made with a I'm:* file, may he much tin* same, as no more arfs than what is dissolved. The rust and tincture of steel are employed with the same view. Tonic Pointers. — Take ol Coiumho, in powder, and rust of steel, each, one ounce; unite them well together in a mortar, and then divide into forty-eight closes — one to be taken by adults, ihriee a-day. n Tonic Pills. — Add to half OH ounce of the tonic powder, a sufficient quantity of mucilage to forma mass, and mike pills of an ordinary size. Three or lour of them, 01 the number constituting a dose, to be taken thrice -a-day. Incases of debilitated stomach, an equal quantity of powdered ginger may he added to the above* Chatyb&ate ]Vinr. — Put rust of steel, one ounce and a half; orange peel and gentian root* each half an ounce, into a bottle ol wine. The vessel containing these ingredients is to be exposed to the sun, or near the 6re«. for three days, and to he repeatedly shaken during. this time* This preparation is nn excellent stomachic, and agreeable tonic. Dose, for adults, two or three tea-spoonsful thrice a-day. Blue Vitriol^ or Sulphate of Copper. — The fourth of a grain, united to n small portion of opium, given three or (our times a-day, gradually increasing the dose, is celebrated as a valuable remedy for obstinate intermitlents. White vitriol, in doses from three t,> live grains, for adults, in the form of pills, is also considered highly useful as a tonic. Solution of Arsenic, — Tins is a valuable tonic, and may be given with perfect safety, cautiously administered, to persons of Pills of Sulphate of Quinine. — Take of lulphtVc of quinine*, twelve grains; mucilage of gum Arabic, ft sufficient quantity to make twelve pills. Dose for adults, one every hour. Solution of Sulphate of Quinine. — T.ike. of suiphatc of quinine, eight grains: pondered gum Arabic, thirty grains: cinnuii" ior ginger tea, on? ounce. — Mix gradually. I> -se, tor ft* dutts, a tea-spoonfui every hour, observing to shake the mixlure just i cfore using it. This is an excellent anti-fehrifugeand tonic. Nitric At id. as -well as Elixir Vitriul, given in closes from ten to twenty drops, in a glass of ssweetened water, thrice a-day, 784 DISPENSATORY. 81l b3 found vory pie isant and useful tonics. Tiioy spe3di'y ickcn tlio appetite and restore tone to tli3 digestive organs. ALTERATIVES. lAllerathss, — hte those medicines itipposod to con-cat the rimoay w'.iieh appears on eruptions of tlu skin, au:l in ra mv. z venereal complaints* Thew are almost exclusively nmrcu. ils, assisted by the warm bath, s.irs.ip;jriila, nuzereon, slippy. elm, lobelia, (Sje Malaria MtUca^ nitric acid, tar water, 4c, MSrcurial Pills. — Take of calomel, one drachm; opium and rtar emetic, each, ten grains; crumbs of bread, a small qua* y; syrup, or mucilage of gum Arabic, sufficient to form a mm Divide into forty parts; one pill to be taken night and morning by adults. Mrcurinl Solution. — Take of corrosive sublimate, twenty-tour grains; laudanum, half an ounce; spirits, one pint and a half.— Mix. Dose, for adults, one table-spoonful morning and night, Calomel — In doses of one or two grains, given every night, or I every oilier night, drinking with it the following diet drink.— l ficse, together, make a powerful alterative for blotches on the I in, foul eruptions, and all other cases, in which the object isl to remove obstructions, and sweeten the humors. An occasion!:! warm bath greatly promotes their good effects, whilst, al ih?l same time, it con tributes to prevent the mercury attacking the I mouth, and bringing on salivation, which, during the use of mer-1 cury, must be carefully watched and guarded against, by avoiJß ing cold, and suspending the medicine, from time to time, tor al Alterative Diet Drink. — Boil one ounce uf the borings ol'llM numvita?, and two ounces of split savsaparilla, in three pints cl water until it comes to a quart; then strain it through linen, I b^ drunk in one or two days, by divided doses. The sarsapaß rela, which is the least efficacious, is by far the most expensive article in this diet drink; it may there'ore, be omitted, adding* its place half an ounce more of lignumvitae, or two ounces of '\>M sley roots. In either case, a handful of stoned raisins, or :«¦ I or three sliced figs, or half an ounce of liquorice root, will reM der it more agreeable. I s: Nitric Acid, diluted. — Take of nitric acid, two drachms; m - ter, one quart. — Mix. As this acid is not always to be got m equal strength, it would be best to make a quart of water assoßta With it as can be drunk; which quantity sweetened, may be takßge daily by adults, in doses of a wine-glassful every hourortn»or To prevent it injuring the teeth, it should be sucked throng* . quill, or its sharpness may be obtunded by washing the motlcoi with milk, or mucilage of gum Arabic. r"" Nitric acid is diffusible in its operations, pervading every pi C of the system, and imparting more or less vigor to all the f#>no tions. It is, henco, an exceedingly useful remedy in a great variety ofafleetiow. Of these) perhaps, the most striking are certain forms ofinflammation of the liver; to most glandular disoases. it is, indeed* well adapted* Whoro there is too much debility to justify the use of mercury, or when it his already been used ineffectually, it. is unquestionably the host medicine that can be administered, and, therefore, should be uniformly employed in siu'li cases* TINCTURES, ELIXIRS, fee. Laudanum. — Take of purified opium, two ounces; brandy, two pints. Digest for eight or ten days, frequently shaking the bottle, then strain off the tincture* Tincture of Ulntbarh. — Take of rhubarb, three ounces; lesser cardamon seeds, or ginger, bruised, half un ounce; brandy or rum, two pints. Digest for eight or ten days, and then strain. Tincture of Bark. — Take of Peruvian bark, powdered, two ounces; orange peel and Virginia snake-root, each half an nee; brandy or rum, two pints. Digest for eight or ten days, aTTd then strain. Tincture of Columbo, — Take of Columbo root*, bruised, three ounces; brandy, two pints. Digest lor several days, and strain. Tincture of Foxglove* — Take of dried leaves of foxglove, one ounce; brandy half a pint. Digest for a week, and filter through paper. Tincture of Canth'ir'rJes. — Take of cantharides, bruised, two drachms, brandy, one pint. Digest tor seven or eight days, and strain. Tincture of JShjrr.h. — Take of myrrh in powder, one ounce and a half; spirits, one pint* Digest lor seven days, and strain. Paragoric Elixir. — Take of purified opium, flowers of Benzo:n, camphor, and essential oil of annis-secd, each, two drachms; brandy, two pints. Digest for eight or ten days, frequently shaking the bottle, and then strain the elixir. Turlington s Baham* — Take of Benzoin, three ounces; bal- Isam of torn, one ounce; aloes, half on ounce; brandy, two pints I — Digest for seven day::, and strain. Rheumatic Tincture. — Take of gum guahc, and vitriolated ¦ tartar, in powder, each, three ounces; Spirits, two pints. Di|ge>t for eight or ten days, and strain. A dose to be taken twice lor thrice a-day. i Bitters. — Take of gentian root, two ounces; orange peel, and •coriander seeds, each, one ounce; brandy, two pints. .Digest ibr several days, and then strain. V Camphorated Spirits. — Take of camphor, two ounces; brandy, m> no pint. Mix them together, that the camphor may be disfcolved. 97 785 Antimonial Wine. — Take of tartar emetic, one drachm; boiling water, two ounces; wine, one pint. Dissolve the tartar emetic in the water, and when cold, add the wine. Dose, for adults, two tea-spoonsful every fifteen minutes, until it excites vomiting. To hasten its operation, the patient should drink freely of warm water. As a diaphoretic, it may be given in dost-s, from twenty to thirty drops, every two or three" hours, Domestic Rt medics for Rheumatism. — Take of sarsaparilla and walnut shells, each, half a pound; antimony, half an ounce suspended in a bag; water, three quartet Simmer slowly by the fire down to two quarts* Strain and use a pint in broken doses daily. Or, take a large handful of rattle-snake root, bruised; spirit, one quart; let it steep by the lire for several days, frequently shaking the bottle. Of this a wine-glassful is to be taken night and morning. Saturated Solution of Arsenic. — Take of arsenic, in powder. about one drachm; water, half a pint. Boil it for half an hour in a Florence ilask, or in a tin saucepan, let it stand to subside, and when cold, filter it through paper. To two ounces of this solution, add half an ounce of spirit of lavender. A dose to be taken twice or thrice a-day. Lime- Water. — Pour two gallons of water, gradually, upon a pound of fresh burnt quick-lime, and when the ebullition ceases, stir them well together; then surfer the whole to stand at rest till the lime has settled; after which strain off the clear liquor, and keep it in vessels closely stopt. Calcined oyster-shells may be used instead of quick-lime. Tar-Wat cr. — Pour a gallon of water on two pounds of tar, and stir them strongly together with a wooden rod. When they have stood to settle two days, pour of]' the water for use. Caustic Alkali, or Soap Lees. — Mix too parts of quick-lime, with one of pot ashes; and suller them to stand till the lixivium be formed, which must be carefully filtrated through paper before it be used. If the solution docs not happen readily, a smII quantity of water may be added to the mixture. Itch Lotion. — Take of corrosive sublimate, one drachm; crude sal ammoniac, two drachms; water, one pint and a half. — Mix- Solution of Crude Sal Ammoniac, — Dissolve half an ounce cl crude sal ammoniac in one pint and a half of cold water, MM then add half a pint of vinegar. Saturine,or Lead-Water. — Take of sugar of lead, two drachms: vinegar, one ounce; water, one pint and a half. — Mix WARM AND DISCUTIENT LINIMENTS. Opodeldoc. — Take of Castile soap, powdered, three OUBC* camphor, one ounce; brandy, one pint. Digest the soap, in " lt! spirit by the fire until it be dissolved, and then add the eamjpk* 786 787 DISPENSATOUV. Volatile Liniment. — Is made by mixing one part of spirit of hartshorn with two of sweet oil, good hog*! lard, or fresh butter from the. churn: they should unite into a uniform, white, soapy Mixture; and if they do not, it is owing to the spirit of hartshorn not being sufficiently caustio. When lard or butter is made use of, they should be first melted; they may then, like the oil, be mixed with the spirit, of hartshorn, by shaking them together in a phial. Camphorated Oil. — Take of camphor* half an ounce; olive oil, two ounces. Moisten the camphor with a little spirit, and then rub it in a mortar with the oil until dissolved. Anodyne Liniment — Is prepared by adding hall' an MUH3C of laudanum to two ounces of either of the above liniments. Mtndercrut* Spirit — Applied warm, by means of a softilannel, very pi wefully tends to discuss an incipient tumor, or other inflammatory swellings. Ether. — Pour about a tea-spoonful into the hollow of the hand and immediately apply it over the part affected, keeping the hand on the part until the ether ! >e evaporated, or as long as the patient can bear the heat it excites. No remedy so suddenly and effectually removes cramps and all spasmodic pains. Warm Plaster. — Take of the gum plaster and Burgundy pitch, each one ounce; of blistering plaster, one quarter Ot an ounce; melt and mix. them together* This is a most useful application whenever it is required to keep up a constant perspiration, and gentle irritation of the skin, over any particular part affected with rhumatism, or any internal pain, unattended with external inflammation. Charcoal Powder,— -Put lumps of charcoal a second time into the fire until they are red hot; then take them out, and as soon as they become cool, blow off the external ashes, and immediately reduce them to a fine powder, which must be kept in a corked bottle. This powder is admirable for correcting bad breath, as well as arresting theprogreu of mortification. Take of vinegar, one ounce; spirits or brandy, half an ounce; rose or spring water, half a pint. The strength may be diminished or increased, according to circumstances/ This is a useful application to weak, watery eyes, or to remove the pain and sense of pricking, experienced in the globes of ihe eyes, after they gave been fatigued by close attention to some one object. Another. — Take of sugar of lead and white vitriol, each, twenty grains; spring water, half a pint. — Mix. After the sediment is formed, pour off the clean liquor, with which wash the eyes repeatedly during the day, and at bed-time apply a thick fold of linen ov cotton i*flg moistered with it ovpr thp ovps 788 Another*-— Take of corrosive sublimine, from two to lour grains. Water* h&ifa jiint. — Mix. This solution may ho used in gencr* al with great advantage in syphilitic or icrofuloufl cases, when tlie ejeledl have been long affected with chronic inflammation, ASTRINGENT -WASHES. Take of lime-water, hall" a pint; brandy, lour ounces. — Mix. Or, lime-water, half a pint; corrosive sublimate, fifteen grains. Or, lime-water, half a pint; tincture of myrrh, one ounce. — Or, make a solution, either of lunar caustic, or blue vitriol in water, of sufficieut strength to produce a little smarting. To be applied on lint to the tore* Solution of Kuli* — Dissolve from me to two drachms of salt of tartar in half a pint of water. To be applied as a'nove. Common Gargle* — Take of barley water., or flax-seed tea, half a pint; crude sal ammoniac, one drachm. — Mix* Or, sage tea*, half a pint; vinegar, half an ounce; nitre, one drachm: honey, one ounce. — Mix* Or, take oi decoction of barley, one pint; nitre, six drachms, honey three ounces* — Mix* These arc mild, cooling applies lions, and very serviceable at the commencement of iniJamma tory affections 61 Uie tonsils and fauces. Gargle of Borax* — Take of borax, t\\ o drachms; ilax-seed tea. or mucilage of quince-seed, six ounces; honey, om. ounce. The borax gargle, is very much in use as a mild detergent in aptjious affections in 'children, and for removing superficial inflammatory ulcerations of the gums; especially if attended with a copious secretion of saliva* Linseed Gargle* — Take ofilax-sced tea, twelve ounces; honey, two ounces; elixir vitriol, half a drachm* Where mild astringents are indicated, this gargle will l?e found to answer very weft Astringent Gargles* — Take of sage tea, or infusion of rose*) half a pint; vinegar and honey, each, two ounces; alum, hall I drachm. — Mix Or, Infusion of oak bark, half a pint: honey, one ounce; ulufli half H drachm. — Mix* Detergent Gargles. — Take of astringent gargle, halfapintjj tincture of myrrh, from half an ounce to an ounce — Mix. Or, take of corrosive sublimate, three grain.-;: dissob dl spirits of wine, half an ounce; and then add decoction of barij six ounces; tincture of myrrh, half an ounce; honey, one ounce- Mix. In venereal cases, of long standing, the tonsils w uvala, or part of tlie fauces, are fcund in a state of ulceration." 789 which case?, besides the intern;!! administration ot mercury, the parts should be frequently washed with the above gargle. Simple and Emollient Clysters* — lUilk aud water in equal parts; flax-seed tea; mallow tea; infusion of quince-seed; barley water; mucilage of gum Arabic, or slippery elm; thin starch; from half a pint to a pint of either of these) should be administered a little more than milk worm. They are useful and eliieacious where mete relaxing and emollient effects are required; the addition of the mucilaginous substance will occasion them to be longer retained than simple water would be, and are particularly proper when any irritation or remarkable tenderness of (he intestines exists: with the same intention, a of good sweet oil, fresh hog's iard, or fresh butter 1 ¦)•' churn, may be added; hut, unle.-s perfectly p > ->> , >'i.;i;^M^>iii'.n.(l, as the least rancidity will irritate nnd injure* Common Clyster. — Take of barley water, or flax-seed tea, from one to two pints; sweet oil, two or three ounces; Glauber or Epsom salts, one or two ounces. — Mix. O/-, tuke of warm water, ci;e pint or more; molasses, one gill, or brown sugar two table-sn< onsful; bog's lard, one spoonful, or sweet oil, two ounces. — .Mix. This quantity is intended Stimulating Clyster* — Common Bait and brown sugar, each two large table -spoonsful; hog's lard, two table-spoonsful; or olive or castor oil, lour ounces; water, one pint. — Mix* Or, take of senna, one ounce; spring udptr, two pints. lioil them till a pint only remains; and, to the strained liquor, ndd common salt and hog's lard, each two table-spoon»ful. — Mix. Turpentine Clyster* — Take of turpentine, half an ounce; the yelk of an c^ flax-seed tea, or solution of gum Arabic, ten ounces. Rub the turpentine with the cy:<^ till they are perfectly incorporated, and add the linseed infusion. The turpentine injection has frequently been of service in suppression of urine, arising from a stone in the bladder* Anodyne Clyster, — A gill of new milk, or thin starch, or the same quantity of any of the mucilaginous substances enumerated under the head of Simple and Emollient Clysters, with the addition of one or two tea-spoonsful of laudanum, for adults. In general, the patient will hear three times the quantity of laudanum administered in this way, than would be a proper dose when taken into the stomach: so that, to procure rest, twentyfive drops would be given in Q draught) seventy-live may be administered in ii clyster, and the sickness, and other ii! conse quenccs, which some perftpni complain of after laudanum has 790 been taken into the stomach, seldom follow when administered by clyster. Nourishing Clysters — May be formed by adding (O( O a o-ju or half pint of beef tea, arrow root, or gruel, twenty or thirty drops of laudanum. The addition of laudanum is made to prevent the clyster from being rejected. OINTMENTS. Simple Ointment* — Take of olive oil, five parts; white wax, two parts. Mix them together, by a slow fire, and stir unul it be cold. Saturnine Ointment. — Take ot' sugar of lead, two drachmt; white wax, two ounces; olive oil, half a pint. Rub the sugar of Ie ;d, ]ire\ ii^^junwdrivl. with soi.ie part >>f the olive oil; then add ii to fl K\ melted with the remaining oil, and stir the mixture until n^Pold. Basilicoii Ointment. — Take of rosin and bees-wax, < ach. one pounds hog's lard, one pound and a half. Melt them together by a slow lire, and Btrnin the mixture while hot. Turner's Cerate. — Take o[' calamine, prepared, yellow wax, Ich half a pound; hog's lard, one pound. Melt the was with ; lard, and as soon as the mixture, exposed to the air, begins to cken, mix with it (he calamine. and stir the cerate until H be Mercuriil Ointment* — Take of quicksilver, half a pound; routi suet, the more rancid the better, or old mercurial ointment. Bounce; bog's lard, one pound. Triturate the mercury with ¦ prepared suet^d a small portion of the lard, till the globules perfectly disappear; after which, add the remainder of the lard, and let the whole be intimately mixed. It is requisite that the trilurntion be constant and uniform, and continued in the fin! instance, till the globules be perfectly extinguished, and after* wards till the ointment be intimately mixed. If « small quantity of old mercurial ointment, or rancid l;;rd, be employed, the extinction of the quicksilver is much more rapid and effectual This ointment is principally emp'oyed, with the intention < >f introducing mercury in an active state into the circulating system. which may be effected in the sound skin of any part by gentle friction, particularly on the inside of .the legs and thighs. Cninplior, in the proportion of a drachm to an ounce of the ointment. is sometimes added, in order to render this application »wi' e stimulating and to promote the absorption of mercury. Hemorrnodial Otntment* — Take of galls levigated, two parts 1 , hog's lard, eight parts. — Mix. Tar Ointment. — Take of tar and mutton suet, each one pound. Afplt fl'pni tcfether md Strain thrniif'i rnTse linen This is ¦ much extolled for removing tottery eruptions, and tor curing I scald-heads. Itch Ointment. — Take of hog's lard, t\v«> ounces sulphuricf I acid, two drachms* This ointment should be formed in o Wedge- I wood's or glass mortar, it is s;iid to be an effectual cure tor the i Blistcr'tii"- Plaster--— Take ot' wax, rosin, tallow, and canthari- I ties, each equal parts. I laving molted the three first ingredients I together* sprinkle and mix in the flies powdered a little before they become firm* When the blistering plaster is not at hand, ' its place may he supplied by sprinkling the Hies over any ointment or paste, spread thin, on leather or cloth. CATAPLASMS AND POULTICES. I Cataplasm of Alutn^commonly called . Ihwi .(.grd — Is made by I briskly agitating the whites of two eggs wiUfelump of alum till a coagulum is formed* It is useful in somorases of ophthalmia, when attended with a watery excretion, it applied to tho eye between two pieces of thin linen rag. The alum curd has been found an ellicacious remedy applied to chilblains, previous to tbe skin cracking and becoming sore. Cataplatm of Mustard. — Take of good mustard and flour, or crumbs of bread, each, equal parts; sharp vinegar, sufficient to form a poultice. It may he rendered more stimulating, if necessary, by the addition of a little garlic cy horse-radish* Cataplasm of Common Salt. — Take of linseed, or Indian meal, and crumbs of bread, each, equal parts; saturated solution of Common Salt* sufficient to make a poultice. This form of poultice has lately been brought into considerable repute for the rc| duction of indolent strumous swellings and enlargement of the i glands. After being some time used, it generally occasions very j considerable redness upon the surface, and excites, not un frequently, so much inflammation upon the part to which it is applied, that it becomes necessary to abstain from its use, and sub- I stitute the common white bread and milk poultice in its stead; as soon, however, as the inflammation subsides, the saline poultice should again he employed; and by alternating this mode of practice, strumous swellings, and scrofulous enlargements, of a chronic, obstinate nature, have very frequently been totally dis- Sai'urnine Poultice. — Crumbs or slices of bread rue to be loaked in lead water, which are afterwards to be simmered in an farthen vessel, over a gentle fire, to a due consistence. To superficial inflammations, this form of cataplasms, or making a P"Th of corn meal and lead water frequently repeated, are very Hk and Bread Poultice.— This poultice, which is generally 791 in use, is commonly made by soaking crumbs or slices of bread in milk) nn proper consistence of & poultice. The whole is then to.be be:;t smooth with a spoon, and applied as warm as the patient 1 ! feelings will readily admit, which should be repeated every four hours. Ftax-scrrf Poultice. — Take of flax-seed bruised, half a pound; boiling water, half a pint, to be formed into a. poultice. Or, this poultice maybe made/by stirring linseed powderinto boiling water, in a quantity sufficient, to form it of a proper con- Carrvt Poultice. — Hoil any quantity of fresh carrots till they are sufficiently soft to be beat into a smooth, even pulp, which is to be applied as a poultice. This has been found very effectual for BweeteningjOancerous sores and foul ulcers, thereby rendering the conditip^pf the patient much more comfortable. Turnips used in the same way have been found to produce the same effects, and apparently in a greater degree than carrots. Charcoal Poultice. — To a sufficient quantity of the bread and milk, or linseed poultice, stir in as much charcoal in line powder asitwill bear, andlet the whole be well mixed. This cataplasm is often used to sweeten foul, offensive ulcers and venereal sores, and for this purpose it is of great service; it will, likewise, often dispose them to assume a more favorable and her.Uhy aspect. - Jt \ IfrM