MEDICINE CHESTS,
WITH
SUITABLE DIRECTIONS:
PREPARED BY
PRINTED BY W. CARLTON...SALEM. 



DIRECTIONS
For using the Medicines.
No. 1...Emetics.
In sickness at stomach, especially when attended with
pain in the head, loss of appetite,and indigestion—or   
the person is threatened with a fever—dissolve one of these
powders, No. 1, put it into a tumbler, turn upon it a tea-
cup full of boiling water, stir it untill it is dissolved, add
another teacup of cold water; let the person take one
teacup full first, if it does not operate in 25 or 30 min-
utes, give half of the other cup, and if in 15 minutes it
does not work, give the whole. During the operation let
the person drink freely of warm water. To a person un-
der 15 years of age, give but half a cup first.
Should this or any other puke over work, half a tum-
bler of brandy grog, with 20 drops of laudanum in it, may
be given to check it.                            
No. 2...Purging Powders.
When brisk and thorough purging is wanted, give one
of these powders, No. 2, in a little molasses, or syrup—
during the operation, let the patient drink freely of water
gruel, or water porridge. This purge is proper when the
patient is taken with violent pain in the head, with hot
dry skin, a parched and furred tongue, and other symp-
toms of fever.
No. 3...Nitre, or Cooling Powder.
In high burning fever, especially in pleurisy, rheuma-

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tism, or any other fever, where there is great heat, and
thirst, give a tea spoonful of this powder in a teacup full of
balm or other herb tea; it may be repeated once in two
or three hours, or oftener if the pain, heat, and thirst be
great. In case of pleurisy, lung, or rheumatic fever, where
the pain and fever are great, bleeding in the first place
may be proper.
No. 4...Balsam Drops.
In case of fever, especially if the person does not incline;
to sweat, give 25 or 30 drops of this, No. 4, in a little
herb tea, once in two or three hours, or oftener if need
be, first shaking the bottle. In bad cold, or slight op-
pression at the breast, these often give considerable relief,
by producing gentle sweating; 25 or 30 drops taken
every hour or hour and a half, and by drinking freely of
warm tea, at the same time, seldom fail of producing
plentiful sweating.
No. 5...Rheubarb Powders,
This is a mild cathartic, and operates kindly. Par-
ticularly proper to be given in diarrhoea, or in other cases
were gentle purging is wanted; give one of these pow-
ders, No. 5, in a little molasses or syrup, in the morning,
and work it off with gruel. In case of diarrhoea, after the
operation is over, give 25 or 30 drops of laudanum, in
wine and water, or tea.
No. 6...Laudanum.
Good in all violent pains, colick, rheumatism, &c. or
to moderate the violent working of physic; also to pro-
cure sleep, when wanted. From 25 to 35 drops, is a dose
in wine and water or tea. It is proper to put upon a fresh,
wound, where it is very painful, and may be repeated so
often as to keep the dressings wet, until it relieves the
pain. In case of cramp, or violent spasm at the stomach,

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this may be given in the dose of 35 or 40 drops, and re-
peated (if it remains violent) every hour and half or hour,
until it relieve the pain. It should be given immediate-
ly, in case of cramp, spasm, or violent colick. 15 or 20
drops of peppermint may be added to the dose, in cramp
at the stomach, or bad colick.
No. 7...Astringent and Anodine Pills.
In a lengthy purging or diarrhoea, give a powder of
rheubarb first, and work it off, as directed under No. 5;
then give one of thefe pills, once in eight or twelve hours,
or oftener, if the perfon mould have much purging; at
the same time let the perfon take a dore of bitters, four
or five times in 24 hours. (See directions for taking in
No. 8..) These pills are proper in all obstinate fluxes of
the bowels, or violent bleeding.
No. 8...Strengthening Bitters.
Take a paper of these bitters, put upon them a quart
of rum or brandy, let them steep for eight days; dose from
one to two tea spoonfulls; to be taken in a glass of wine,
or brandy and water. These bitters are proper to be
given in almost all cases of debility, especially where the
patient is attended with weakness at stomach, indigestion,
and want of appetite. They may be given twice, three,
four or five times in 24 hours, as the nature of the case
may require.
No. 9...Essence of Peppermint.
Good in pains of the stomach, colicky pains, attended
with wind, in trembling and nervous complaints, and in
tea sickness; 20 or 30 drops may be taken on sugar, or in
a teacup of warm water for a dose; and repeated, as occa-
sion may require.

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No. 10...Bark.
Proper in almost all cases of debility, particularly in
intermittent fevers. Previous to giving it, administer a
purge, No. 2. It is also proper in all putrid and nervous
fevers, especially in the throat distemper. Dose, a tea
spoonful, to be taken in a little wine or warer, and repeated
once in two, three, or four hours, as occasion may require.
In intermittent fever, or fever and ague, (as it is called).
should the disorder not give way, by administering a purge;
No. 2, and the use of the bark for a week or fortnight,
administer a puke, No. 1, when the patient; first perceives
the cold fit cooling on—afterwards use the bark once in
two or three hours. If this does not break it up, at the
coming on of the ague fit, give 25 or 30 drops of lauda-
num, and continue the bark as before; which treatment
will seldom fail of effecting a cure. In putrid fevers, add
to a dose of the bark, ten or sixteen drops of Elixir Vitriol,
No. 11, which will contribute very much to its efficacy.
N. B. In dangerous cases, where the bark is used, it
may be given as often, and in as large doses, as the stom-
ach will bear. It should be given at the going off of fe-
vers of all kinds.
No. 11...Elixir of Vitriol.
From ten to twenty drops of this Elixir may be taken
in wine and water, bitters, or the bark, in cases of debili-
cy, or in putrid disorders. It is also an excellent medi-
cine to create appetite.
No. 12...Purging Pills.
In cases of costiveness, and headache, and where the
person is troubled with indigestion and flatulancy, or in
any case where a person wants to make use of gentle purg-
ing, one of these pills, taken at bed time, will operate two
or three times the next morning.—They are superior to
 


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Anderson's or Lee's Bilious pills, for Bilious complaints
Let one be taken every other, or every third night—at
the same time use bitters, No. 8, once in 6 or 8 hours.—
These pills cannot be too highly recommended.
No. 13...Turling's Balsam of Life.
In weakness, pain, or faintness at the stomach—for sud-
den, cramplike, and rheumatic pains, 25 drops of this
balsam may be given twice or 3 times a day, or repeated
oftener, as occasion may require, in a little herb tea.
No. 14...Elixir Salutis.
A useful purge in colicky complaints, and for those
who have been accustomed to the use of spirituous liquors.
It may be mixed with castor oil—take two table spoons-
full of each, shake them thoroughly, let the person take
two thirds of it first, if it does not work in 3 or 4 hours,
take the remainder. Mixed with castor oil, it is a very
useful purge in dysentery, and is equally useful in colick.
Dose, from 2 to 4 table spoonsful, when given alone.
No. 15...Castor Oil.
This is a gentle purge, and in general produces its ef-
fects without griping. It may be given in cases, where
acrid and stimulating purges are improper. Dose, from
one to two table spoonsful.
No. 16...Salts.
These are a cooling purge, are proper to be taken in all
cases, where gentle and cooling physic is wanted. Dose,
dissolve one of these papers, or 2 table spoonsful, in half a
pint of water, let the person take it all at once.

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No. 17...Tinctura Sacra.
This medicine has long been in great esteem, not only
as a cathartic, but as a warm stimulant irk cold phlegma-
tic habits, especially where there is a cold sensation, with
pain at the stomach. This medicine, given in doses of
half a table spoonful, and repeated two or three times, in
the course of the 24 hours, or oftener, if need be, will sel-
dom fail of giving relief, by gently stimulating and warm-
ing the stomach, and gently opening the bowels. Dose,
as a purge; from two to four table spoonsful—it is a pro-
per purge to be given in all cases where warm and stim-
ulating purges are wanted—It has a good effect as a purge
on those who have long been in the habit of using ardent
spirit.
No. 18...Sugar of Lead.
In inflammations from bruises, or other causes, dissolve
one of these powders, or 2 tea spoonsful, in a pint of wa-
ter, bathe the part affected frequently, and keep a linen
rag, wet with it, applied constantly. It will tend greatly
to reduce the inflammation, and ease the pain.
No. 19...Opodildoc.
In all sprains or bruizes of the joints, or other parts of
the body, this is a very useful and proper application.—
Shake the bottle, No. 19, pour a little of it into the palm
of the hand, and rub the part with it for some time—re-
peat it two or three times a day.
No. 20...Balsam Traumaticum.
In case of a flesh wound, from a cut or any other means,
(if not so large as to want some stitches to bring the lips
of the wound together) first lay a little lint upon it, then
drop enough of this balsam upon the lint to wet it, then
spread a pledget of tow or web lint with Basilican, and
                      

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put it snug over it—let it remain for 4 or 5 days before
removing the dressings.—This Balsam is remarkable for
easing the pain and accelerating the healing of fresh
wounds. In cases where the wound is so large and deep
as to require sewing up, make as many stitches as are ne-
cessary, then apply the lint, balsam and pledget spread as
before directed.
No. 21...Basilicon Salve.
This is proper to apply to a fresh wound, after apply-
ing the lint and balsam as directed in No. 20. This salve
may be used until the wound puts on a healthy appear-
ance, and is disposed to heal; after which, use No. 22.—
This salve is proper to be applied to old sores, which have
a sloughy and black appearance, and may be continued
until they cast off their slough, and put on a healthy ap-
pearance.
No. 22...Healing Salve.
This Salve is proper to be applied to all slight wounds,
(spread upon web lint, or a piece of rag,) such as scalds,
burns, sore shins, or slight flesh wounds.
No. 23...Powder for Proud Flesh.
When fungous flesh rises up in wounds, and has a red
appearance, and upon being slightly wiped or daubed with
a rag, or has proud flesh in it, as it is called, sprinkle a
little of this powder upon it, lay a little scraped lint over
the wound, and over that lay a pledget spread with Basil-
icon; repeat it until it puts on a healthy appearance, and
is disposed to heal; after which use No. 22. In high
edged foul ulcers, in old sores which are black and sloughy,
and in all foul ulcers, which are not difpofcd to heal, sprin-
kle over their surface, a little of this powder, and dress
with Basilicon, as before directed—continue this dressing
B

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every day, or every other day, as may be necessary, until
they shall put on a healthy appearance; after which dress
with No. 22.
No. 24...Mercurial Ointment.
In case of buboes in the groin, from venereal infection,
or swelling from other causes, rub in a piece of this oint-
ment, as large as a nutmeg, once or twice a day, upon the
part, and on the inside of the thigh, as low down as the
knee—continue the use of it, until the swelling is reduced.
During the use of it, take a pill, No. 25, every, or every
other night. Should the mouth become sore, and
the person begin to spit, omit using the ointment for a
few days, until it abate, then use as before, (if the swelling
is not wholly gone.) This ointment is proper to be used
in almost all hard, indolent tumores. In case of swel-
ling and hardness in the right side, from inflammation of
the liver, with obtuse pain under the short ribs, rub in a
small piece of this ointment once or twice a day thorough-
ly. Should the mouth become sore, and spitting come       
on, omit the use of it until it abate; then use as before,
if need be. During the use of this ointment in the liver
complaint, let the person take a pill, No. 12, every other
or third night, or oftener if need be, at bed time. Should
the person be weak and languid, let him take bitters, No.
8, 3 or 4 times a day. This ointment will kill lice and
oiher vermin.
No. 25...Laxative Pills.
One of these Pills, taken at bed time, will generally
work once or twice the next morning. They are proper
to be taken in case of clap or pox, every or every other
night.

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No. 26...Powder for Claps,
In recent claps, take one of these powders, put it into
a bottle that will hold half a pint, fill the bottle with rain
water, shake it until the powder is dissolved. First take
a pill, No. 25, night and morning, for one or two days,
then after having dissolved the powder, as above directed,
(bake the bottle thoroughly, turn out a little of it into a
tea cup, or wine glass, take the syringe, and fill it, intro-
duce it into the end of the yard, and gently throw it
up; keep it up for three or four minutes, repeat the same
once in eight; or twelve hours, but never oftener than eight.
By this treatment, a simple clap will generally be cured in
two or three weeks.
No. 27...Cream of Tartar.
A table spoonful of this, dissolved in a quart of boiling
water, (sweeten it a little, if more agreeable) makes a
pleasant beverage, and forms a good cooling drink in fe-
vers; and may be used freely.
No. 28...Flower of Brimstone.
This is a useful medicine, to be given, when a person
has got a sore mouth by taking mercury; a tea spoonful
of it may be taken for a dose, night and morning, in a lit-
ltle molasses. It is an excellent medicine in almost all
cutaneous diseases—a tea-spoonful of it may be giv-
en night and morning, mixed with a tea spoonful of cream
of tartar, No. 27, and continued as long as necessary.—
It should be given alone for a mercurial sore mouth.—
Take of hog's fat, half a pound; flower of Sulphur, four
ounces; mix them thoroughly together. This ointment
is a safe and sure remedy for the Itch. 
No.


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No. 29...Gum Arabic.
A very useful emollient. In claps, dissolve two table
spoonsful in a pint of warm water, set the person drink it
freely all the time, for his common drink—in all cases of
suppression or smarting of the urine, this isof great service
and should be taken very freely.—It is of great service in
dysentery, and should be taken freely; it is likewise good
nourishment.
No. 30...Barley.
Take a table spoonful of this, put upon it three pints
of water; let it boil away to two; then strain it, if more
agreeably—in case of fever, or any other indisposition,
this is a very nutritious and useful drink—it may be taken
very freely.
No. 31...Sago.
This is a proper nourishment to be taken in all fevers,
or any slight indisposition—it is particularly useful in dy-
sentery, and in a lengthy purging or diarrhoea.
No. 32...Oatmeal.
Take from one to three table spoonsful to make a quart
of gruel, as you may wish for the consistence of it;
boil a few raisins in it, or sweeten it if you please. This
is proper nourishment to be taken in fevers, and to be
drank during the operation of physic.
No. 33...Humour Drops.
This is a useful medicine in scrofulous swellings about
the neck, and in almost all bad humours. When contin-
ued for some time, it seldom fails of giving relief.. Dose,
from 35 to 45 drops, to be taken in a little fair water,
night and morning. In swellings ol the neck, wear a plas-


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ter, No. 34, at the same time you are using the drops.
This medicine may be taken in pox, night and morning.
No. 34...Mercurial Plaister.
This spread on leather is proper to be put upon hard
scrofulous tumors about the neck, or other parts of the
body, and to be applied to buboes of the groin, while using
the Mercurial Ointment. It is often of great service, ap-
plied  to any hard indolent tumor.
No. 35...Eye Water.
In weak and inflamed eyes, wash them with this eye
water, two or three times in 24 hours—should it prove
too strong by producing much tingling and smarting,
weaken it by adding a little rain water. This eye water
only needs use to recommend it.
No. 36...Itch Ointment.
In case of itch, rub a little of this ointment on any part
of the body, where there are pimples, and repeat it as of-
ten as the pimples appear—continue the use of it in this
manner, until they are wholly gone.
No. 37...Sal. Æratus.
Take three tea-spoonsful of this salt, put it into a tum-
bler, measure upon it eight table spoonsful of water, stir it
until the salt is dissolved. In case of puking, or sickness
at stomach, especially when the person is troubled with
bile, take a table spoonful of this medicine, put it into an-
other tumbler, and put upon it a spoonful of lemon juice
or sharp vinegar; let the person swallow it at the moment
of mixing. This medicine is remarkable for turning sick-
ness, and carrying bile off the stomach; it may be given
every hour, or oftener, in bad sickness at stomach. It is
a useful medicine, to be given in all fevers, and in the first
                     

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stages of them maybe given once in 2 or 3 hours constant-
ly. In sour stomach, a table spoonful of this medicine,
taken without the acid, will give relief immediately, and
may be repeated as often as the complaint returns.
No. 38...Sudorific Pills.
One of these Pills, in a bad cold or fever, where the skin.
is hot and dry, may be taken every hour and half, and re-
peated until they produce free sweating.
No. 39 ..Mercurial Pills.
These Pills are proper to be given in almost all cases,
where mercurial medicine ought slowly to be introduced
into the system; they may be given once or twice a day.
In the pox, these pills may be used, and also in obstruc-
tions of the visera: in recent claps they are not to be used.
In any case where they are used, after the mouth begins
to be sore, and the person begins to spit, omit the use of
them.
No. 40...Stoughton's Elixir.
This is a good bitter, excellent to create appetite, and
exhilirate the spirits, and to remove weakness and faint-
ness from the stomach. From one to two tea-spoonsful
may be taken in a glass of wine, cider, or water, in the
morning at eleven o'clock, and at 5 or 6 in the afternoon.
Anderson's Pills—British Oil—Leather—Lint—Lan-
cet;—Knife—Crooked Needle—Syringe.