V i 7 '/; f'*- /%■ V A 1 / f u; w - -« \» **> \\ s * • * \\ > H*K '.' \ *• .NT THE INDIAN DOCTOR'S DISPENSATORY, BEING A*.. FATHER SMITH'S ADVICE RESPECTING DISEASES AND THEIR CUBE ; CONSISTING OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOE MANY COMPLAINTS: , \ AND A DESCRIPTION OF MEDICINES, \ * SIMPLE AND COMPOUND, **.: " SHOWING THEIR VIRTUES AND HOVf TO APPLY THESC. BJBTQNED TOR THB BENEFIT OF HIS CHILDREN, HTS FRIEKDS AZCTJ THB PUBLIC, BUT MORE ESPECIALLY THE CITIZBSS OF THB WSST1M* rj FARTS OF TUB UKITBD STATES OF AMERICA. BY PETER SMITH, OF THE MIAMI COUNTRY. If en seldom hare wit enough to priee and take care of their health until they lose it—And Doctors often know not how to get their bread deservedly, until they have no teeth to chew it. ■■—■■mmmmmimmmmmmim^mm^—^———— CIJWUJWATI: PRINTED BY BROWNE AND LOOKEt, FOR THE AUTHOR. 181*. District of Ohio, iowit : BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-ninth »«»#**» day of May, in the thirty-sixtli year of the ZSeqlj* Independence of the United States of America, ^#»*>*< Peter Smith, of the said district, hath deposi- ted in this office the title of a book, the right \\ hereof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit: " The Indian Doctor's Dispensatory, being Father Smith's advice respecting* diseases and their cure, con- fsistiuaj of prescriptions for many complaints ; and a description of medicines, simple and compound, showing their virtues and how to apply them. Designed for the benefit of his children, his friends, and the public, but more especially the citizens of the western parts of the . V -iilul States of America. By Peter Smith, of the Mi- ami country. Men seldom have wit enough to prize aral take care of their health until they lose it—And Doctors often know not how to get their bread deser- vedly, until they have no teeth to chew it." Tn conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled *' An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and hooks, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, •luring the times therein mentioned," and also an act > entitled *: An act supplementary to an act entitled -• An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the co;. us of maps, charts and books, to the authors and j-roprietors of such books, during the time therein men- tioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the arts uf designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints." ANGUS LEWIS LANGHAM, Clerk of the District of Ohio. ADVERTISEMENT. THE author would notify the purchaser that he puts the price of one dollar on this book of advice, well knowing that 73 cents would be enough for the common price of a book of its size. He is conscious that propriety, perspicuity and brevity will be found marked on every piece—and if so, the shorter the better. But those who do not chuse to allow him 25 ejenf s for his advice, may desist from the purchase, 'tie conceives that these advices are calculated to ai^rU every citizen in the preservation of his health, and his recovery if diseased; so that by attending to them, he may easily receive 30, 60, or ait 100 fold for his dollar: by which he may also meet the wished for assistance set forth in simples and prepa- rations, that will be in his own power. Besides, if a physician must be employed, the boss, or head of the family, ought to know so much about the work he hires bis artist to do, as to be able to. estimate the value of it. He claims this lb Lv.as as a small eonoen&ation for the labor a.id observations of iii'jy years, without having mude \.'\* labor an emolument of advantage heretofore to him- self or family. The author is well aware thai, the public mind has been long impressed with these ideas: viz, " The natives of our own country are in possession trf cures, simples, &c. that surpass what is used by our best practitioners." He conceives this publi- cation will gratify such generally, whose minds remain under sueh impressions. Q IT ADVERTISEMENT. He presumes to add, that he conceives nature has made him qj physician : and that to the best of his recollectiotf, he has always remembered every thing that he hjfe ever met with in the medical way, that he has counted valuable. In his youth he had a strong desire to become a student of physic, that be might act with propriety therein as a regular prac- titioner, but he was somehow providentially pre- vented ; and it now appears to him, that his oppor- tunities have been just such as to allow him to roam in search of every thing in the science of diseases, and their cure, and at length to satisfy himself, that generally speaking, his knowledge is accurate, and the prescriptions he has been able to make will be found valuable. As diseases radically are hut few, and may be all cured by but a few medicines, he conceives he has prescribed enough here for general use, and that they are (he best that he has* gained knowledge of. PREFACE. H Something relating to the following work has feeen on ni\ mind for twenty years past. In my younger days I made a few memorandums and receipts ; but finding us I advanced in reading a little on physic, and conversing with my friends who were physicians, that t';r the greatest part of them were trivial, I omitted making many more. However, having an insatiable t-ste and constant desire for relieving the .afflicted and diseased, I have still been trying my hand from my youth up, and I am now in my sixtieth year. My father, old Hezckiah Smith, of Jersey, was always, since I could remember him, a home old man, or Indian Doctor, with whom, in my raising, I contracted ideas, practice and experience, that have never left me. There are a few things I wish to state in my preface. I acknowledge the kindness of my friends in (he medical profession, in every place where I have lived for forty years past, and I must acknowledge that I am conscious I shall transgress a little in publishing their communications without their ex- press leave : but I console myself by recollecting* that great minds are generally liberal. About thirty years ago I called on old Dr. Wil- key, a German, who had been in the business of his profession, in the Flanders wars. He proposed to me to spend a few days with him, to instruct me in some knowledge which he Lad gained in hiB long- life, and which he regretted should die with him : X* ¥1 PREFACE. especially to make his Lcolrill, a liquid which he prepared ; for the obtaining of which he had paid a large sum in Flanders. AVith this medicine he did many o/his cures, both in physic and surgery. With this, said he, ** I can put a person in a com- plete salivation in ten minutes. I need only throw this with a syringe into any sore, nicer or wound, and it is fit at once for healing. Yes (said he) if there is a bullet lodged, it need scarcely ever be cut out; and a cancer in a woman's breast, I have never failed to cure with it." I only called to spend a few hours with this eminent old German, on my route from Virginia to Georgia, but have regretted, perhaps a thousand times, that I missed this great opportunity, so kindly proposed. I sometimes think of going yet to see his children (for he had some beautiful young folks, children by an English wife, when I was there) and try to obtain this Leo- trill, and add it to my prescriptions. There is an herb cultivated among the Germans, on the west side of the big Miami, I think it is in Montgomery county, particularly, I have been told, by the old Dunkard preacher, Jacob Miller. 'Phis herb, I have full reason to believe, is an infallible •ure for the bite of the mad dog, or hydrophobia. I have seen this herb in powder, and was assured that only this was used for several, man and beast, where no scruple could be entertained of their ha- ving been bitten with a mad dog, and nothing of the dire complaint was experienced ; while those crea- tures to which it was omitted, fell victims. I can- not describe this herb, nor do I remember its name. 1 remember the dose is only what you may lift on the point of a case knife in powder. This is to be tat en on a piece of bread and butter, three mornings successively, and the cure is effected. I have mentioned the two foregoing remedies, that if I should never live to obtain them, other persons may avail themselves of them. vii If vouchers for the efficacy of my medicine herein described, may be wished for, I can observe that Mr.-Edward Bartholomew, who lived in Philadel- phia and kept the excise office in 1790, was one of my patients. He was a very heavy fat man ; one of his legs had been broken, which often inflamed, and appeared like mortifying. After he had given out applying to doctors, I undertook him ; no cure, no pay. I saw him in Philadelphia, about fourteen years afterwards ; he then gave me full credit for j my applications, tho he had paid me in a few weeks after I first tried my means. His leg, when I first began with him, was as black as an old hat, and as big again as the other. My applications are descri- ; bed in Nos. 23 and 28. Another voucher I will mention, is Mr. David Jones, a young Baptist minister, who lately lived with Dr. Samuel Jones, of Lower Dublin, Phila- delphia county ; who, residing a few years ago in the Miami country, I heard that he was sick, and went to see him. I found him attended by two doctors. His disorder was what I call the second grade of the bilious fever, attended with vomiting almost without intermission, which had then been for eight days. One of the doctors tarried with him, and I looked on, until the doctor and all pre- sent were convinced that he must die, and that quickly, unless something more effectual could take place. I then begged him of the doctor, who after- wards tarried with us for twenty-four hours. I gave him my emetic, No. 1, and tho' he had thrown every thing suddenly from his stomach be- fore, this lay on for about twenty minutes : he then had three or four reaches, which were moderate, throwing up considerable bile, notwithstanding his violent vomiting before. At this time we thought that alarming symptoms plainly appeared of an ap- proaching mortification} at least his breath, mouth r Tlif PREFACE. and tongue plainly shewed a putrid state: But all yielded to amplications, which under God. effected a sudden cure. As soon as the above emetic had done, I began to apply No 26, to overcome the cholic and spasmodic affections and No. ^^, to act as a tonic, which succeeded so that in one hour he had manifest relief and case. These two last num- bers he continued to use, as directed in the present prescriptions ; and in one week's time was able com- fortably to ride about. He mended unusually fast, and became healthy and well ; taking no other medicine. But he (iiitinujBd to take r»o. 25 three times a day, according to the prescription. This mode of ^treating all bilious complaints, I i have proved for several years past with general ; success ; and several instances somewhat astonish me when I think of them. And 1 have found out fhat in learning to cure one, I have learned to cure \ thi m all. For all the bilious tribe of disorders, if ' I am not much mistaken, will yield to the process tliscribed in the case of Mr. David Jones. But before I conelude, I wish to state my objec- tions against the use of calomel. I learned in early li'"* to give • tlomel both as a purge and as an altera^ the. And tho* I gave it, I believe, with the usual success, it is clear to me now, that I since have it in;* much better without it. 1 have therefore left it out of tny prescriptions. In the winter of 1777, I inoculated about 130 persons for tlu' small-pox* To the first parcel of i'ti m 1 gave calomel in the usual way, with jalap to work it off. The whole of them were allowed to have the small-pox very favorably, so lhat my prac- tise justilh d itself. But I observed that every one whose phvie had worked him pretty well, as we say, had a sulh'cvnt portion of tlu- small-pox; but en the contrary those whose physic had scarcely mo- ted them, all had it yevy >a\orabiy : 1 theu con- PREFACE. IX eluded that I would try Warner's pills No. 28. And living at my father's house at that time, I had plenty of them, where they were always kept. Ac- cordingly I gave them to my next squad of small pox patients which were about twenty. Observing the abstemious diet usual, I gave them nothing till about one day before I expected the fever : then I gave a small portion of the pills above named in such a manner as to purge very little if any, which is usually the case when they are given. But what was very special, there Avere scarcely any of them that were sick with the fever—and they had small pox scarcely enough to give any of them a receipt. Afterwards I proceeded with all the rest in the like manner, and with the same success ; and of several families it might be said, they wanted two cooks for one nurse. While I lived in Georgia, a very great attention was paid by almost every body there, to calomel and jalap; for after Dr Rush's publications rela- tive to the Yellow Fever, there was calomel and jalap prescribed for every thing ; so that the poor old tartar emetic lay dead in the shops : and I, like other fools, gave it liberally, and it was thought to do well; and so I went on for some years, not con- sidering that all the cases in Georgia, and other hot climates, during the nine warmest months, were bilious, and two-thirds of them in the other months, and always belong to debility; or what Brown's Elements state to be the asthenic diathesis ; and in every instance, therefore, I think calomel is impro- per. Besides, I have noticed that when I gave No. 2 (which we had abundance of in Georgia) the relief was sudden ; and if sudorific and bracing medicines were joined, to hold fast the advantage of the purge, the disorder was soon cured, and the patient became healthy. But the speedy restoration to good health was not half so common when the cal- X , PREFACE. omel was used : and besides, a • tat« of languor frequently rested upon the patient who bad taken calomel, with a dull heavy pain about the abdomen or stomach, attended with other expressions of re- maining debility. If ever calomel has been given to advantage, I conclude it has been in the pleurisy; but I will venture to compare notes at any time with those who use calomel, and only let me have No. 2 or \o. 3, there being no comparison (commonly speaking) between the success with which the latter is marked and the former, both as to certainty and speed of the cure. Now if we ean do better without calomel than with it, both in debility and plethora, why should we not throw by the use of it ? especially consider- ing that the unhappy sufferer may perhaps happen to take a drink of cool water, or otherwise trans- gress. I then conclude 1. In bilious cases only, move the bile by taking No. 1, and then follow it with No. 4, or its procu- rations, or No. 5 ; then by some course keep up per- spiration, and you need no calomel. 2. In plethoric and inflammatory cases, take No. 2 or o, and bleed, if the pulse is high ; mind to re- store perspiration, then brace up a little (say by ngrimoney tea) and you need no calomel. 1 call myself an Indian Doctor, because I have incidentally aJdained a knowledge of many of the simples used by the Indians ; but chielly because I have obtained my knowledge generally in the like manner that the Indians do. I have indeed had the advantage in mr early life of a slight classical edm ation, and of reading some books on the medical business : such as Buchanan, Tis sot, Sharp, Culpepper, a little on anatomy, Smith on the nerves. Brown, Ace. But as I never pretended to live by my practice, 1 kept v. :y little of the PREFACE. XI medicine of the shops; consequently my advices to my friends mostly were simples ; and by this mean's 1 have by continued observation come to be of opi- nion, that our best medicines grow in the woods and gardens. I conceive, moreover, that my mind has providentially been led a step higher than the ancients or the Indians ; their views being little more than " This thing is good for that thing ; this medicine will cure that complaint." But it stands demonstrated to me, that there are but two radical disorders (see Introduction chap. 2) consequently there need be only two classes of medicine. In cases of debility, give No. 1 or No. 2, and then hrace up, and correct the flatulence and spasms with No. 9, No. 25 and No. 26, promote a gentle respi- ration, and you will mostly cure all cases of debility. The cases of plethora and irritation are to be corrected on as simple and general a plan. Now since I have adopted these views, I seldom feel at a loss to know what ails any patient, or what medicine is suitable to apply. I have here prescribed many things, so that you may have variety of choice. Some cases, however, require a radical recruit of the iron property in the blood ; and every thing will be in vain until that is done. Such I believe is consumption, derangement, &c. unto which stim- ulants should be applied; such as Nos. 2, 13,16, No. 9 and 26, to take off the spasms and flatulence ; but the radical cure should be attempted with No. 4i and No. 5. See No. 45. I mention so many numbers not that they'should all be used at once. Yet no one alone should be trusted to—and they may all or any of them be ap- plied in their turns, should the first fail. Dropsy,echronie-rheumatism, palsy, uts, cramps, &e. I conceive have the same root, and require the like treatment. But there are some medicines __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________: ■ lu PREFACE. which beeome eommon to both diathesis : they are stimulants, and therefore proper to cases of debility in general. Yet when given in plethora and irrita- tion, they soon carry the tide of flood to its summit, and by an easy transition bring on a salutary indi- rect debility. This may be noticed in the three first numbers and in No. 16, and 26. And corres- ponds with the use of opium generally. This may stand demonstrated in the pleurisy and other cases ; that are akin to it. When these stimulant medi- cines, therefore, are applied, they are not only prop- L er for debility, but perhaps the best that can be for I plethora and irritation. This we may rationally | account for, when we consider that all emetics and ]'. cathartic operate on the principles of indirect . debility. \ My prescriptions in general I must leave to speak i for themselves: I, however, feel a degree of satis- [\ faction in thinking that herein I have in prospect the real benefit of my own children and of their ri- sing, numerous progeny and my fellow men in gen- eral, as to their bodily comfort in this life. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. The Doctrine of Respiration I think somewhat important, because it will show the necessity of breathing good air. An Indian, it is storied, when asked what he thought was the reason of the ebbing and flowing of the tide, made answer : " You know there is a great deal of odds between a big creature and a lit- tle one; a horse draws his breath a great deal slower than a mouse : the world is a big creature— he draws his breathonly twice in the day and night; that makes the tide. Now my intention is not to enquire about the tide, but to state to you how I thiuk we dra\V our breath, or respire. I consider the lungs fo he the pump of life.— Fresh, cool air, drawn into the lungs or lights, im- mediately is rarefied by their heat, and is directly forced back again, in the same way that it was taken in ,* then we are by some means (voluntary or invo- luntary) disposed to fill ourselves again with fresh good air. Thus our respiration is carried on by the great author of our existence, to whose praise we ought ever to be ready to say : " I'm spirit moves our heaving lungs, " Or we il.ould breathe no more>" XIV IRTEODrCTION. and however our lungs may act on the principle* of the steam machine, and so operate from natural causes, we shall not always breathe. Men have contrived to break nearly all God*s ap- pointments ; but this " It is appointed for all men once to die," has never been abrogated or defeated yet by any man. And we should always remember, when we are about to take medicine, if the Lord Kill, we shall do this or that with success ; if the Lord will, I shall get well by this means or some other. But to return to the breath—If the air be cool »nd clear, it will always have elasticity, us it is •called ; it will swell and fly back again easily, when we receive it into our lungs. But if the air is warm 'or hot, we should soon find a difficulty to draw our "breath. This was very sensibly experienced in New-York, New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, in which 1 witnessed it, being in those parts about the 4th of July, 1811; and I conclude that a farther degree of the warmth of the air, might soon have prevent- ed us from respiring at all. Such likely was the case in Calcutta, where a close room being filled with about 160 prisoners, it is said they all died except 18 in about 12 hours. If the air is any how nearly as warm as the lungs, I cannot see how we should breathe at all : it is necessary therefore for us to try to breathe good air, if we would wish to live.* * In South Carolina I was once in company wiih old Dr. Dillihoo, who was noted for great skill and expe- rience, having travelled into many parts of the world. In the course of our conversation, I asked him what hm conceived the plague to be, which has been so ivi"h talked of in the world. He readily told me " that it wis his opinion the plague is occasioned by an invisible taseet. This insect, floating in the air, is lik<:: in wiik INTRODUCTION. XV The motion and circulation of the blood is mani- festly connected with our breathing. For every breath extends and contracts our lungs 5 and by this motion I conceive the valves of the heart are kept in operation ; and every spring of the arteries and beating of the pulse are exactly in proportion to the operation of the lungs. When the breath is let out, the breath into the lungs, and there it either poisons, or propagates its kind, so as to produce that dreadful dis- ease. This, he was confirmed, was likely to be the truth, from the experiments frequently made at Gibral- tar. For there, said he, they of the garrison, when. they fear the plague, have a way to elevate a piece of fresh meat, pretty high in the air; they put it- up at night, and if it conies down sound and sweet in the morn- ing, they conclude there is no danger of the plague. But if the plague is in the air, the meat will he tainted and spoiled, and sometimes almost rotten. •• He was farther confirmed in his opinion of the insect, because in and about tobaceo ware houses, the plague has never been known." 1 will remark. Now it is well known that tobacco will prevent moths from eating oar woolen clothes, if we pack but a.little of it with them, that is, the moth cannot breed nor exist, where there is a sufficient scent of the tobacco—-this scent may be death to the invisible insect even after they are drawn in with the breath and fastened upon the lungs. This may ac- count for tobacco being burned (as I have heard it is) in many old countries, on a chaffing dish in a room, that the people of the house nay take in the smoke plenti- fully with their breath, to preserve their health and prevent pestilential disorders. Agreeable to this view, we may conclude &at alj tainted air tnay bring disease and death to us. And tho the plague has never been (properly speaking) in Ame- rica, as we know of. Yet other effluvia taken in with the breath may have occasioned other fearful diseases : such as the yellow fever, and other bilious and contagi- ous complaints. XVI INTRODUCTION". the lungs are immediately, in their blood vessels, filled with blood ; and when the breath is drawn in again, the blood in the lungs is forced out into the heart. That is, they say •* From the lungs when the air is inhaled, the blood is pressed into the left auricle of the heart, from thence to the left ventri- cle, thence to the aorta, and by it and its branches through the body to the capillary extremities of the arteries, through them into the veins* and by the veins to the right auricle of the heart, from thenco into the right ventricle, from thence through the pulmonary arteries, at the time of respiration or exhaling the air from the lungs, into the lungs." Thus the lungs arc alternately filling, first with blood, then with air, at every breath, the one pump- ing or working the other. By this circulation the blood runs its rounds, and is carried (at least some of it) to the extremities of the body in a few mi- nutes ; feeding our nerves, sinews and flesh as it pus .es on, and supplies and forces out that little juice through the pores of the skin, which we call perspiration and sweat. From the blood vessels in the lungs is communi- cated a little steam of moisture, which grows into phlegm, and in a relaxed state produces that matter which is raised and coughed up from the lungs. Indeed I consider that this motion and circulation ©fair and blood is the true cause of heat being kept up in the body; and as the lungs have the most, and most violent motion, they posse si the greatest de- gree of heat of any part of the body, and even heat the blood.* And it is by this motion, together * The heat of the lungs and blood ought,! think' never to be suddenly checked or counteracted by cold : especially when the weather is hot, or when violent ex- creta has raised unusual heat in the lungs, and thru* JNTR0BUCTI0J?> XVI* VfltH some irregularities, that a fever takes place, producing a kind of electrical charge. Whoi* this is attended with too much bile, or an undue portion of the gall of the liver, then the fever is* called a bilious fever, and always belongs to the diathesis ol debility; and if the weakness is very prevalent, the nerves and tendons tremble and start, and the strength to speak or act be suspended, this is called a typhous or nervous fever. But if there be a fullness of blood, a hard pulse, a fresh countenance, and an ability to speak and, act with a, degree of vigor or strength, then the fe- ver may he called an inflammatory fever, and is ex^ actly the opposite to the first mentioned. And- you^r treatment must be accordingly. This belongs t$o the diathesis of plethora and irritation. Here may we reflect on the balance of air antj blood kept in motion to carry on life. For if the air and breath be suspended, how soon will death the system. Then take care how you go into cold wa- ter, to swim, or even to wash. Remember that cold will coagulate and clot blood—and that very soon if its motion and circulation should be much or suddenly abated. Ah ! how many have lost their lives, or their health, or become cripples for life, just by such folly 1 A large drink of cold water has often proved fatal when the lungs and blood have been so heated, for the reason before assigned. Indeed, in very hot weather, I think very eold water ought to be used with caution ; and in small quantities, at least until the stomach is moderately cooled by it. I am persuaded that instead of taking cold drink, when we are very hot, and if w&find it is, with difficulty we get our breath, we had better take warm drink. 1 have noticed how easy it is to breathe in the hottest seasons after I have drank a good dish of hot coffee. 2* XVlll INTRODUCTION. ensue ; * or if the blood be taken aw:iy, how soon will all vital motion cease. * A man who had been prisoner among the Indians, related to me the following most horrid incident. Said he. *.' I was present at the burial of a squaw who died leaving a youna* child. When the Indians met to bury her, an old mother squaw took the infant child and offered it to every squaw in the company to take care of, but they severally refused : she then said, now then the mother must take care of it. She thenw taking hold of the child's nose with one hand, and ap- plying the other to its lips, held them both fastelosed. The event was that the child in a minute or two, strug- gled in death, and expired. She then laid it in the dead mother's arms, who were both buried together. He further said, that he could not but observe how well the old savage auderstood her business." CHAPTER If. The diathesis of diseases, agreeable to Brown's Elements, I conceive to be the truth. I became somewhat acquainted with this system about 22 years ago. Agreeable to that plan, there are but two kinds of diseases of the human body : consisting 1. in Plethora and Irritation ; and 2 in Debility, Weak- **' ness and Languor. Generally speaking, it is of importance for us to know to which of these an afflicted sufferer belongs. The cases I have compared to a lighted candle— if your candle burns strong and has a superfluous wick, then you may safely snuff it; but if it is dim, burns dull, and its wick is too short already, you must beware of snnjjing it, lest you put it out. You had better pick open your wick, and gently feed the flame until you bring it to burn well. Plethora and Irritation are not so critical. You may then bleed liberally ; especially if the pulse is hard and high ; No. 2 or No. 3 may then be given to great advantage. I have sometimes taken blood, and succeeded wonderfully, when mere stagnation had nearly prevented the pulse from beating at all. But it is altogether critical in all cases of real de- bility to which belong all bilious cases, cramps, fits, hysterics, &c. Then blood ought very cau- tiously to be let, if at all. And all diuretic and weakening medicines, should be very cautiously given, and sometimes carefuPy avoid' d. Your treatment should be strengthening and what is call- ed tonic. Such as No. 1, No. 5, No. », tsc. Consequently in co'isumptiv.' eases, no(tine*in my view is more imrworer than tMomel. British oil, Tar water, ccc. A id I think it n > worker that con- sumptions have so long proved uu,tial> when it is XX INTRODUCTION. clear in my mind, that nothing but a recruit of good blood will affect the cure, such poor > ictinis languishing under real debility and weakness. See ■fiy note to No. 4*. So that the elements by Brown seem to me plain, reasonable and practicable. But I have to say of his prescriptions, as David did of Saul's armour, when it was put upon him. " Icannotgo with this, for I have not proved iU" He < hen chose his sling, his staff, shepherd's bag and stones, because he was used, to them, and could recollect what he had here-r tofore done with them. I acknowlede myself highly indebted to Brown fin* his doctrines of exitabiljty, of predisposition of diseases, and observation on the pulse. The nature: and use of opium and other stimulants, and his o* pinion concerning the consumption, and its being a curable disease. But I conceive that after all, he has in a measure missed the radical cause of the consumption, and that mere stimulant* will never effect the cure. But since I have buried two or three of my own family with that fatal disease, the iron doctrine has been strongly impressed en nay mind. Bee the note to Ne. 44. The few experiments that I have been enabled to make, justify what I have inserted on thai subject. I wonder that this doctrine has never been adverted to before (that I know of) especially when I consir der that the iron in the blood: uas heen long disco- vered, and that in Georgia and South Carolina the eaehexy* is often cured wkh iron, when nothing else will cure it ; that a recruit of good Wood is frequently obtained by giving iron in female weak- nesses ; and that the observation may so fairly be * The eaehexy is a kind of dropsy, frequent in southern climates. INTRODUCTION. XXI made, that black-smiths and those that work in iron are never consumptive or dropsical persons. To Brown's opinion I assent in one thing more, for I am quite of his mind : to wit, an old man ought never to marry a young woman. A word to the wise is enough. CHAPTER III. Obstructed Perspiration I suppose to he the real first cause of half the diseases of the human body. In a state of oozing out of perspiration, or what is called moisture on the skin of a person, all over him, which it is allowed (if my recollection is correct) vents and discharges half or more of all that we eat and drink daily. It would surprise you to see this floating all over you, in a state of health, like water over a piece of watered meadow. This salutary perspiration is commonly obstruct- ed, a id the skia becomes dry by what we commonly call catching cold. Its first symptoms ate a stor- age of the nose, sneezing, and frequently a little dull headach. xxii *err«oDve*!no!v. But if the cold is suffered to continue, and fht* perspiration remains obstructed. The lungs will be soon affected. Or the heauaeh will perhaps be- oome violent. Or a lap or griping in the belly will most likely take place, and sometimes a vio- lent vomiting with it ; or a fever of fome sort. The weak and the strong are all the subjects of this kind of the beginning of diseases. All this evacuation is by the perspiration being obstructed thrown baek upon the blood and intes- tines. Now all this mischief may easily, or com- monly be prevented if when the symptoms are first felt, or you have reason to think that you have ta- ken cold, you will pursue the following directions. Drink sage tea* copiously and go to bed—and drink it, hot or cold, but not very strong, until you > bring yourself into a little sweat, then go to sleep and you may expect to wake up well. But if you have neglected a little too long, take a pill No. 26, and go to sleep but dont neglect the tea. If that do not cure you try No. 29, and some physic, perhaps such as No. 1,2, or 5. If the stomach or bowels are affected : or pain or inflammation takes place any where. * Or any other warming, sweating tea will do—such as pennyroyal, miut, sassafras or dogw ood buds. MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS. NO. 1. The hdine Ipecacuanha, or Indian physic, is an emetic, but commonly operates also as a purge. It is always safe, if moderately taken. After dis- charging the bile, it leaves the stomach braced, so that ia the lowest cases of debility, tonics (such as Columbo root or its preparations) may be taken after it to advantage. Contrary to other physics, I have found that Weakly persons, who were of mere broketi constitution, have become healthy and -strong, only by taking this to vomit them on every -occasion. This is my great pioneer to clear the way for other medicine, in all cases of oppression in the •breast, nausea, violent vomitings & fever in general. To use it rightly—take a pugil, or what you can grasp moderately with the thumb & fore-finger, of the green root, four inches long, or the like quan- tity of dry root, make it into a decoction (say half a gill) and to a grown person give one third of it at a time every ten minutes, and if it does not work there is no harm done ; but Ichuse to continue it until it does work up or down. Cool water may be drank during its operation, only quench a coal in it, if you begin that way ; gruel may also be given, so as to keep something in the belly. Should its ope- ration be too fieree, a little laudanum may be ne- cessary ; for if the dose of the ipecacuanha be too large, it is a lion, otherwise a lamb. This Ipecacuanha is a very bitter root. In a *»ood bunch the green root will frequently' be as big as a goose quill, is quirly and lumpy. The roots adhere in all sizes to a common root. The top and leaf resemble a bunch of close set briars, but smooth. The sprout for the new growth very 2fc PRESCRIPTIONS. much resemble the briar sprout. Many stalks grow to a good bunch two feet high, full of branches. On the top of which are very many livid whitish blos- soms. They issue in small knobs or squarish pods, about the size of a buckwheat grain. It grows plen- tifully in many of our mountains in America, and I believe may be cultivated in our gardens, any where in the United States. I have raised, by planting the sprouts in my gar- den, to great advantage. I wish it to be.planted in every man's garden ; 'tis a great ornament—it will grow either from the seed or the sprouts. One hill from a single sprout, when three years old, I have found to make half a pound of dried root. AVhat a pity this should be neglected—as it has been suffi- ciently proved to be fully equal if not superior to the imported Ipecacuanha of south America. It makes a most excellent and wholesome bitter when put in spirits. NO. 2. The Scurry Grass root, is a special good purge. The stalk and leaf is ra- ther of the flag kind, from six to ten inches long, has a small blue blossom on the top, issuing in a four-square pod, full of small seeds like tobacco seeds. The roots arc fine as Virginia snake root, of a pale yellow colour, and taste very hot and pep- pery, turning the lips and tongue yellow. It is found very plentifully in Virginia, and the southern states. And it is sometimes to be found in mead-, ows, in J«-i • v, Pennsylvania and the Ohio states. The top is so hardy as to live thro the winter. 1 have planted this iu my garden for a number of PRESCRIPTIONS. 25 years past, in the manner of shives, and from a sin- gle stool find it increase in two years to a bunch enough for several portions of physic. This can easily be procured from its spontaneous growth in the southern states. The green roots are to be made use of, as the dry will not purge. A pugil of the roots made into a decoction, and given at tw o draughts at 15 minutes distance, may be given as a common purge for a grown person. Its operation is tolerably quick, always safe, and if it. fails workiug, it does no hurt. Phis little native of the woods was shown to me by old Dr. Wilkey, of South Carolina, who highly commended it; saying that he had known more sudden and effectual reliefs from it, than from any other medicine.* This I have abundantly used for 3;> years, without regretting that I had made use of it in a single instance. From my own observations of it as a purge, the idea is impressed upon me, that the waters drained off by it take with them that viscid quality which is the cause of inflammation and pain. Poisons, errors of corrosive sublimate, inflammatory cases, &c. such as pleurisy, are spee- dily relieved by it ; and cases of the contrary dia- thesis, such as costiveness, cholics, cramps, pains * I remesiber that Dr. Wilkey related to me the fol- lowing fact r said he—" I was one morning very early called to visit a woman who had taken a dose of corro- sive sublimate (in mistake, thinking it was tartar emejic) when I came to her, her tongue was so swelled that she could not speak a word. I thought it was over with her, but I would try my little root (meaning the scurvy grass root) I prepared a decoction as soon as possible, and tho it was supposed she could not swallow, yet we tried one spoonful after another, and found it made way for {{self.----And what was surprising, she was so soon relieved, that on that very morning the woman fvied pan-cakes for. my breakfast." 26 PRESCRIPTIONS. i 1 in the stomach, bowels or limbs, etc. can receive no better remedy. It is to be noticed, that if the skin is chafed with vinegar, and a small poultice of these roots applied, they will draw a good blister. When this is given as a purge, bracing medicine should follow it, such as No. 4, No. 5, or No. 9. I have sometimes filled a phial with the roots, and then put on spirits, and given a teaspoonful at a time, where the system requires warming and sti- mulating. NO. 3. Culver's or Brinlon's root, \ is a purge, and famous for the cure of the pleurisy. Its top is a weed growing two or three feet high, having leaves coining out of the stalk at joints, some three, some four and so on to seven at a joint, according to the age of the root; a white tasseled blossom grows on the top of each branch, frequently as long as one's finger. Out of a common stool grow a number of pale yellow roots, about as big as knitting-needles, and tasic very bitter. A large handful of the roots made into a decoction, is enough for a common dose. This root is good for use when dry ; it possesses mud of the narcotic, and requires the patient sometimes to be roused to keep him from falling asleep during its operation. It may be powdered und used like jalap, generally as a purge. Mj father, Hezekiah Smith, for the cure of the pleurisy, practised long with this root, and used to curt; 1 he pleurisy with amazing speed. 1 have found that the root No. 2is fully as good, or better___ Bleeding should precede the purge, when the pul«e beat? hard, and the inflammation is hi(-ii. PRESCRIPTIONS. 27 NO. 4. The Columbo, or Miami root, is found in plenty in the Ohio and Kentucky states. This valuable production is several years old before it sends up its stalk. The leaves are very smooth and grow in bunches nearly as big as mullein leaves, but not so wide ; the stalk is round as a musket barrel, and often grows six or seveh feet high, ha- ving always four leaves at right angles growing at a joint; its seed grows in pods shaped like a horse- bean, and are much, like parsnip seeds. The Columbo leaves occasion sweat copiously, when laid to the forehead, and will commonly relievo the hea«i-ache ; and this relief will be found special in many other cases—to sweat away boils, inflam- mations, and even old chronic pains. The Columbo root ought to be used as a bracing or tonic medicine ; but it is both an emetic and a cathartic, if taken in large quantities. People who will keep this root by them, j-Lnd only chew as much as their stomachs will easily take (taking it in sub- stance, which is preferable to any other way) will find it a remedy for almost any complaint, especially gripings, purgings, cholies, and generally all pains of the bowels. One of the peculiar traits of the Columbo root i.«, that it braces the stomach, if only two or three chews of it are taken, and the spittle or saliva swallowed, that a plentiful drinking of cold water will not hurt you—yet it .will perhaps be the best means in order to a sudden and positive cure. This may be relied on in a cholic, or almost any sudden attack of dis- ease—and if you have an insatiable thirf-t, so that one drink of water only makes way for another, then take this Columbo root until the thirst abates, and drink what cold water you please. But after the thirst is abated, then if you drink eoui water as much as you can well'force down, you will very lilio.lv cure tho fever at once* 28 PRESCRIPTIONS. To finish the cure of fevers, it should be taken in some form, until health is confirmed. Such is the efficacy of this root, that when they who take it re- cover, they are indeed well at once, needing no other medicine. Bitters made of this root, are proper to confirm health : and I believe that this root, or its prepara- tions, is the best relief for the nausea and costive- ness of a pregnant woman. The use of this root will, I expect, supercede that of the Jesuit barks, and so fill their place that we shall need none of them. * This Miami-Columho root is of a pale yellow, its taste is a mild bitter, but of a lower jist *han the imported, allowed to be so by reason of the odds of climate, yet fully as efficacious as the other. This root might be sent to market in great quan- tities from the Miami country. Dr. Richard Allison, of Cincinnati, claims the honor of discovering this to be the Columbo root in our country, and to him am I indebted for my first ideas of its virtues. After Dr. Allison had been informed that the Doctors in Philadelphia denied it to be the Colum- bo root, I heard him say " (know the Columbo root as rvell as any of them—and I believe it to be the Columbo root." NO. 5. The Butternut or IVhite-ivalnut bark pills, are a valuable purge, *fery easy and safe, to all persons under disease. These pills may be prepared by boiling a kettle of the bark of the butternut tree in water, until you PRESCRIPTIONS. 29 gain the substance of the hark, then strain the li- quor and boil it down ; when it becomes thick as syrup, take care not to burn it, but simmer it to a substance like hard wax ; then put it by in a cup or gaily pot, and make it into pills as they are wanted, for if the pills are made up, they will run together and dissolve in a little time. This purge is preferable to any that I knomjjh'a weak and debilitated state of the bowels. It may be taken in as small quantities as you please, for if they do not purge immediately, they act the better as a stimulus and tonie to the system, and will pro- duce a good habit of body by repeating them every night, and this may be done for a month together. This differs from all other purges that 1 know of in this—that your doses may be less and less, but other physic must have more and more, or it will not purge. Other purges generally leave the body in a worse habit, but this in a better. Its general ease and safety, and its answering in almost every disease, so that I venture to say the trial of it w ill never be wrong, make it a far preferable medicine to salts or any other purge, where repeated applica- tions are wanted. 1 advise to begin with one or two pills at night, going to bed, which maybe swallowed in a little stued fruit or rye mush, and the doses may be in- creased a little every night till they purge ; then take less and less till the patient is quite well. Try this for pain in the stomach, worms, colds, consump- tive coughs,costiveness, laxes, hemorrhage, or what you will, all is safe. Those who are exposed by attending the sick, or where fevers or fluxes are suspected to be infectious, 'jp^ftt to take the butternut pills as a preventative. Their nature, and the proofs that I have known, c;tuse me to suppose that t':ey wiH seldom f „il to prevent such infections, if taken for that purpose as 30 PRESCRIPTIONS. here recommended. Drenches made of a decoc- tion of this bark may be used for horses that have the yellow water, or for cattle that have the mur- rain. I have heard of both being speedily and ef- fectually cured by it. f NO. 6. Tlie China Rhubarb root, will vomit and purge both. The sprouts from which this root was first raised in America, are said to have been brought from China by Doctor Johnson, of Pennsylvania. ' It is raised only by Jdanting the sprouts. The leaves arc nearly as arge as burdock leaves and are smooth as beet leaves; it sends up a stalk and blooms plentifully, but always blasts. The roots arc long, and lie in different directions, much in the form of horseradish roots, of a rediih color without and within—the root will come to a good maturity in two years. This I suppose to be a rhubarb of a superior quality. I have chiefly used it by compounding with other medicine. It is a great tonic, but re- quires to be given in small quantities at a time. NO. 7. The Nine-bark root, is found growing plentifully in the state of Ohio, and on the waters of the Ohio river. Its top is a straight stem, partly between the wood and weed , kind, growing about three or four feel high, having a pith tike elder (but there are no joints in the stalk like elder, to prevent running out the pith, of which. weavers' quills are made) the roots grow nearly oa. PRESCRIPTIONS. 31 the top of the ground, and an armful of them can be commonly collected as soon as an armful of the tops. Its situation is commonly near creek banks. This root is said to be a great cathartic^ but I have never proved it. The Indians use a decoction of these roots for fomenting and poulticing, in all cases which require such applications. It removes the anguish, and cures a burn beyond credibility ; cases verging on mortification, fellous, swellings, rising of a woman's breast, &c. yield to its application beyond any thing else. To apply it, boil the roots and make a strong de- coction, then take of the liquor and thicken up a poultice with bran or Indian meal, this may be put into a little bag made of a thin cloth, and apply it as warm and as moist as will be agreeable ; this may be repeated as often as you will, until the pain or inflammation is quite gone, or the wound or sore cured. Linen or cotton cloths dipt in the liquor, hot, and applied as warm as can be borne, and then kept close while the case remains, and so repeated, will be a good way to apply it. # NO. 8. Tlie Square-slalk root, and ijts leaves, are both medicinal. The stalk is square, nearly of the size and shape of the catnip stalk. It is a native of the soil, grows five or six feet high, branching out with two stems at a joint'; its pods and seeds nearly resemble ;he tobacco ; its leau's are beautiful and smooth on both sides.—. The Porter's ointment is principally made cf the?e leaves, The root when pulled up, appears lender 32 PRESCRIPTIONS. and white like a white radish, branching in different directions, somewhat larger than a goose quill.— This root-has frequently been used to make poulti- ces for sores, but its chief use by the Indians is for women's complaints. Use it in tea or decoctions which may freely he drank, being quite innocent, but very efficacious. It is a remedy for pains attending the peculiar state, or purgations of females ; it may be given both before and after child-birth ; it will restore obstructed lochia, and briefly speaking, it is the best women's root that I know. NO. 9. A% rimoncy is a valuable medicine, both the herb r»nd +he root* It is a ionic, or strengthener of the s;,s:ciu, and af- fects most sensibly the regions of the kidneys and bh.dder. A tea or powder of this simple is a remedy fur the diabetes, or involuntary emission of urine. 1 conciude it is very advisable to give it either as a tea for breakfast and supp' i, or as a diet drink, whenever we wish to promote nervous strength. The roots may be boiled in milk and water, and given in dysentery and other fluxes. Culpepper's English physician describes and highly commends this herb. It is a native of the woods, but is friendly to cultivation. T. ere ; '*e two kinds, the highland, and vatcr agrirnoney, it is the fotmer I recommend. It may be known by its little lonely stalks bei-g strung with small yellow bloss' ,us, whh-h issue in small burs, it has a rough leaf, a little like a stra v- hen; leaf, but strung out on each side of a stein in PRESCRIPTIONS. 33 many divisions from the stalk to the tip of its point. It is of a rough-like taste, and eearceLy bitter ; the roots taste much like the tops, grow from the stool in a circular direction, are black, and large as knit- ting needles. The herb and roots may be used green or dry. NO. 10. The Black Snake root, is a purger of the urine and kidneys, and a dissolve* of scorbutics. A tea of it may be freely drank in a fever, a handful to make a quart of tea, and is a special medicine where there is soreness or aching aeross the loins. The yel}ow fever has been suddenly cu- red by this tea, the bile having first been moved by an emetic. It cures the bite of a snake by chewing and swallowing the root, and by applying it to the bite as a poultice, chewed or bruised. The appearance of this root and its top is a good deal similar to the agrimoney, having a leaf more like the strawberry leaf, bnt smooth, and at full growth much larger, more round, and regularly cleaved like a five-finger leaf, and often as broad as a colt's hoof; when it ascends into a stalk with a sp'reading top, it produces at the extremities a bur a little larger than the agrimoney. This root is blackish, tastes earthy and aromatic, is situated regularly round its stool in every direction, in straight roots, a little larger than knitting needles. The Indians cure the ague by sweating with this root. It is friendly to cultivation. It may-be used green or dry. 34 PRESCRIPTIONS. NO. it. The Corn Snake root, grows plentifully in the prairies in the state of Ohio* I call it corn snake root, because its leaf resnnbles young corn, has prickly points all along on its edges, and a superior one at the extreme point of its leaf; it sends up a round stalk sometimes two feel high, with those prickly pointed leaves scattering along upon it; and on the top grows a round ball about as large as a musket bullet, covered thick with white bloom. The root consists of a knob about an inch long, the bottom being the largest, and appears al- ways as if it was decayed or rotted off, there are small roots adhering round this stool or knob The taste of this root resembles the black snake root, but its taste very pungent, and is perhaps fifty times as strong as that. The great use (as far as known) of this root, is to eure the bite of the rattle snake, or any other poi- sonous bite or sting. The root need only to be chewed and laid on the bite, and a little of it swal*. lowed. If this can be done when the bite is first sustained, it prevents the place bitten from swelling. It is generally, first or last, a speedy cure. As this root surpasses every thing we know of for the snake poison, and must pass thro' the secre- tions amazingly quick, moving the urine and per- spiration, and is similar in taste and operation to the black snake root, but vastly more powerful, it becomes an object, cautiously to try it in the eases mentioned, and proved, of the black snake root, that . is, in serophulous and venereal complaints, the hill- \ ous, typhus or camp fevers, and in infectious dis- eases generally. But it should always, be remembered, that when tlhese attenuating, dissolving, diuretic roots are u-ed. they should be continued but for a short time, and then followed with bracing medicine, as agri- money tea,Columbo root, or chalybeate oxymcl,No.44 J PRESCRIPTIONS. 35 NO. 12. The Mountain Mint, is a large wild herb, of a very hot taste, grows fre- quently between two or three feet high, bearing a blossom on the top of its stem like a surall rose. A tea made of this herb has been found very ef- fectual to relieve the gravel, and that when other medicines had proved ineffectual (but see for re- lieving that complaint No. 24.) The mountain mint may easily be raised in our gardens ; and is generally speaking, a fine, safe, diuretic and perspi- rative medicine, when made into a tea. NO. 13. The Horse Balm, er as it is called by some, Clown Wounds Wort, Rich Weed, and Hard Root. The leaves are fa- mous for raising sweat wherever a bunch of them is applied to the skin, and by that means give ease of pain in any part where they are applied. Apply a bunch of them to a stiff neck, bind them close, it will raise a sweat and effect a cure. These leaves thus applied to boils, softens them and eases their anguish, and frequently will carry them away when half grown. The same application will inc.it a trial in any inflammations on the skin, or more deeply seated in any part of your body, or the ach- ing of your back, or any joint or limb. The New-England people, I have been told, makeV-. an ointment of these leaves to-put upon the necks of their oxen. The root of these medicinal leaves is much like an artichoke, but of a wood-like substance; its stem is round and small, grows about two feet high, the S6 PRESCRIPTIONS. leaves are notched like a hickory leaf, but wider and very smooth, its blossoms are yellow, it has a deli- rious smell. It is a native of the woods, hut will; be soon eat out where stock run. It will grow w ell in the garden. . NO. 14. The bark of the White Pine, is a great medicine for sores. It should be boiled, and the soft part stript out and beat to a poult it e in a mortar, and then sufficiently moistened with the liquor and applied to burns, or sores of any kind. Repeat the poultices and wash with the liquor until the sore is well. This will not terrify or smart in its application ; a new skin will come on quickly, without a scar. The same application is a cure for the piles. A little tea of the bark should be drank, while the external applications are continued. As this hark cannot always be had, it would be desirable that an essential oil should be made of the white pine, or an essence of the bark and limbs, which if mixed wiih water in a "bottle, and applied with a feather, it is conceived would answer in place of the above appli- cation of the bark. NO. 15. The Abela, or Trumpet-weed root, is a fine stimulus, and promotes excitability in cases of numbness, and want of sensibility in the feelings, rviiieh follow fever-, or may otherwise exist. Twer; I. drachms of the dried rout, or a pugil of the green, may be put into a pint cf spirits: a teaspoonful: o? two *l a time may be given three times a day PRESCRIPTIONS. 37 when flic stomach is most empty, in a little tea, and a little nouriskn NO. 16. The Blue-berry, or Sore throat root is a very pungent aromatic. The stalk and leaves much resemble the squaw root,but are more slender and nice ; it grows about knee high, & is divided re- gularly into three branches, and then subdivided in the same manner. It bears a few berries on a mid-' i!!e. stem, which when ripe are blue, and rather lar- ger than a blie whortleberry. The roots adhere to a stool, and form a great bushy bunch ; the fibres are not nm'As. larger than Virginia suuke root, znA _______4__________________ 38 PRESCRIPTIONS. are very strong and severe in taste, but leave a sweet and agreeable relish at last. See No. 48. A tea made of the blue berry root, when it comes to be known and proved, will probably be esteemed as the best antispasmodic in the compass of medicine. That is, it will prevent and do away spasms life*, cry description in a safe and superior manner. By spasms I mean involuntary contractions—such as cramp, hiccup, eholic. cholera morbus,# epilepsy, hysterics, and I suppose every other species of ill?., even the ague. Should the blue berry root be wanted abroad and in the shops, the state of Ohio can furnisli great quantities of it for market. The blue berry root is said to be the great medi- cine that the squaws u^e at the birth of their chil- dren. Experience has however proved, among white women, that its assistance is \er\ .special. It is to be made use of in the following maimer— Take a good handful of green or dry roots, make it into a tea (iay half a pint) give the half of it. and fill up with hoi water ; repeat the drinking every 10 iiiinutes, or oftcner, until it has its effect. When a woman finds that she is taken in h.!>■:■', let her drink as abov< , basing her help at hand— if it is not her lime, she will probably get ia-y and, be well ; but if it is her time, expivt the delivery will be facilitated with much safety. It is («> be noticed, that if the anguish aitendia;.; the dclivctf is not moderated, the doses have n< t h:« n stror.£ enough ; for they act on the same stimulant prin- ciples that opium does—and a suitable degree of indirect debility will moderate the great distresl that must otherwise be experienced. The deliver*] is facilitated by it, so as -eldoui to V' slow and lin- gering. But the gce^t beneiit is the -late of sakV'.T and of speedy and sure reco'icry that the. mother experience a afterwards. PRESCRIPTIONS. 39 The squaws, I have heard, drink a little of a tea of this root for two or three weeks before their ex- pected time. I have given this tea in a ease of in- flammation of the uterus, and found it a speedy cure. The tea of this root is neither a purge nor a vo- mit, but acts as a stimulus to the nervous system, till by indirect debility it will give ease in any dis- tress I believe that it is always safe. NO. 17. The Squaw root, is also called Rattle weed and Black Snake root. Its stalk is parted regularly into three branches, which support nice leaves at about two feet Mgh, hut the stiffk that goes to seed is often four or five feet high, strung towards the top with white blos- soms, which terminate in a jumble of pods filled with fine seed ; adhering to the stool is a great bunch of small black roots : these roots arc purga- tive, make a good bitter when put in spirits, famous for curing the chronic rheumatism, and strength- ens the system when moderately used. See No. 48 and No. 65. I have heard that this root is famous for the cure <51* a snake-bite. * The root is to he applied to the bite in a poultice, and a little taken inwardly. 4fl PRESCRIPTIONS. NO. 18. The Back-ache root, is. I believe, the sum;* that is called Devil's bit by the New-England people. It grows plentifully in the priaries of the Ohio and western country. The stalk is a round weed about three feet hup\ lightly strung with long leaves, am', towards the top arises a kind of tassel of purple bloom. The root is a knob much like the corn snake root ; its taste i» mild and spicy, but with all resembles the taste of a pine bud. This root, if made into a tea, is said to promote a gentle sweat, and cur'' the backache. The croup, or bold hives, used to he speedily cured in New- England, I have been told, by giving this tea, and taking a handful of these roots sliced, hot out of the decoction, and binding them to the child's breast. ■ NO. 19. The Devil's nip, as it is shamefully called, grows about knee high, parting its stalk into three branches, on wRich are situate handsome oval pointed leaves ; on a slender middle stem grows one handsome flower, resembling a liily, some of which are white, and some of a pale * pink color. The root is a knob ; the whole rescm- ; bles the well known Indian turnip, but the root is more eoni'.l; its taste is too severe to be endured, but not biting like the Indian turnip. Jt is said, that any person carrying a root or two, need never ' fear that any snake will bite him. A little of it put \ Sn tae mouth of a ssake, is instant death to him.— ■ A German doctor used to give it to persons deran- ge! and announced their cure by it. Tts stimulant qualities are certainly rare. PRESCRIPTIONS. 41 NO. 20. The Devil's bit, like the foregoing, has an ill name, but is a good root. This is, in some places, known by the name of Star root. It has a small round stalk, about nine inches or a foot high, scattered round with little leaves* resembling corn leaves, and has a white tas- soiled bloom on the top ; the root is conical, being a knob about an inch long, largest at the bottom, and appears as if it had rotted off. This root is a delicate nice bitter, and of a tonic and bracing nature. It is said to be excellent for a sore throat, and is one of the ingredients in a for- mer celebrated preparation for the choaking quinsy. It has been called Maiden's Relief, because when used in tea, it relieves from pains and distress which arc peculiar to the fair sex. It will help with dog wood and wild cherry bark to make a very pleasant and wholesome bitter when put in spirits. NO. 21. The small Jlsmart, If dried, makes a tolerable and very wholesome tea. It has been used by persons troubled with the gra- vel, or otherwise passing their urine in distress, to their great relief. It is amazing to see how plenty this invaluable remedy grows in our country every where, arid how few know and respect it. A tea made of this herb would probably cure a cough or cold in a special manner, and will always be quite innocent. The herb is so common and so well known, that I need not describe it. I will only add, I have drank it myself,and know what I have here w ritten to be true. r- PRESCRIPTIONS. I conjecture that the asmart t**a would destroy and expel worms ; hut the thought is new with me. I recollect that I Once saw some boys catching lMi in a jittie. pond where they had previously scattered asiuart, and in a little time they had the fish floating dcao on top of the water. NO. 22. / John's Wort, is a valuable herb, aud should be cultivated in out gardens. It is so generally known, that I hardly need to describe it. But I will just say—the tops of its branches grow full of little yellow flowers, and contain its seed in small knobbed pods, not much larger than buckwheat grains. It is a native of the soil, and grows in all parts of our country. (But it should always be noticed, that what I here commend, is not that noxious weed which grows in old fields, and causes sores and scabs on the hor- ses noses that are white.) A tea made of this herb, relieves the lungs and breast, when respiration is obstructed, especially if joined with sage. Ointments and Oils prepared with it, are delieatc and valuable, and may be ap- plied to a fretted skin, a galled groin, a swelled fate, &c. See No. 47 & 48. NO. 23. Eye- Wuter. first prepared by Doctor Elijah Reeder. To make 3 gills—tale a spoonful heaped up of) white vitriol, and the same quantity of common salt, calcine them together on copper, or a pi tarthen, on coals, stirring it with a .lick, uutil deec on Uitbe-1 PRESCRIPTIONS. 45 comes a grey powder ; then put it into a bowl, and add to it three gills of rain water. Strain it thro paper, or a fine rag two or three double—then add *■ two table spoonfuls of white sugar and a lump of L blue-stone, as big as a large grain of Indian corn, and bottle it for use. Three times the quantities wiH make a bottle, or quart. Remember, no iron or pewter is to employed in the nrocess. This eye- water wilMtecp good for years, but beware of frost, lest you loose your bottle. This eye-water cures , the western eountry sore eyes, which are scarcely, •, if ever relieved by the old eye-waters. This eye- , w ater I have kept and used these fifteen years, with .( the greatest success, and without a single complaint ,■ of its doing hurt. Throw a drop or two of this eye-water into your eye out of a silver teaspoon, and repeat it often, if your eyes are bad ; or wet them with your finger, \ and you will find, commonly, that the inflammation will soon abate, and the eye will bear it better and better ; and then you may prolong your times to two or three times a-day, but continue to use some till your eyes are quite well. This eye-water will scarcely affect a well eye at all. It cures old sore eves of drinking people—but a gentle purge, and sometimes a blister, in highly inflamed cases, have been necessary. NO. 24. Dr. Perkins' last remedy, is prepared by taking a small quantity of good vin- egar (say two table Kttoorifuls) and dissolve ccmirion y salt in it as long as it will melt ; then take a table spoonf.il of this mixture, put it into a teacup, a*id add iour table spoonsful of boiling water, and as soon as It is cool enough, it as to be drank. Or it 4i PRESCRIPTIONS. may be taken gradually ; and respect should always be had to the age and strength of the patient. This is recommended in obstinate fits of the cholic. dy- sentery, and in all cases where pains are occasioned by obstructed perspiration. I have given it in ob- stinate vomiting, dividing it into three doses, and giving it af ten minutes distance, and when thrown up, repeating it until it did stay. The whole sur- face of the body being cold, became warm, and tIn- patient lived, when probability said he must die. NO. 25. The Columbo Root Oxymel. To prepare— When our Miami root (No. 4.) can be bad green, slice up enough to fill a tin cup ; put it in, and cover it with good Vinegar, and stew, and fill up, until the root will yield its strength to the liquor. Then •itrain and wring it out, and return it to stew: then add a teacup of sugar and a gill of spirits : then simmer it down tomolabses, and bottle it for use. The process with the dry, or the imported root, will be easy ; and larger quantities may be made by proportion. . Thisoxjmel may be take: hourly for three or four hours, a teaspoon full at a en more liberally, cool water may be drank plentifully, in all eases, a few minutes after taking the oxymeib. The third PRESCRIPTIONS. *5 will undoubtedly abate, by the oxymel being thus taken ; but t'.ien, a plentiful drinking of cold water ^wjJUk£featly facilitate the cure of a fever. Respect should be ha:Ho the strength of thepaf- tient ; for excess or indlscression may occasion in- direct debility ; but a long continuance (at times omitting it) will never do hurt, but is always calcu- lated to promote health and strength. Glveitin cases of nausea, diarrhoea, dysentaryand costiveness. The last will be relieved in two Oi' three days without any other.medicine. It is calculated to brace the system, especially the stomach and bow. Is, acting principally upon the nerves : and where this is used, harks and wine may be omited, Nothing can be better to relieve the sick qualm and costivenebs of a pregnant woman. NO. 26. Anodyne Pills. for the cholic, hysterics, &e.—Take half a ounce of opium and one ounce of asafoetida, rub them ir; a mortar, and moisten them with a few drops of spirits, till they form a mass of pills. This- may be put by in a roll, and made up as they are wanted. A pill of a common size should be given us early »«< possible, when a cholic is approaching, and if in one hour the symptoms do not subside, repeat the pill hourly till ease and drowsiness takes place $ for the exart dose can never be known but by this sparing hand procedure; hut one pill will be a cure nine times out often. The hysterics, and all spasms and cramps, espe- cially of the stomach, may be relieved the same way. 46 PRESCRIPTIONS. • Children that suck, have often taken this te quiet them and cure their belly-ache ; a pill as big as the head of a pin is commonly enough for a child six months old. This composition is such as to flux the opium, that its killing power seems to be laid aside ; and a person mav safely take four times as much opium in this state, as they might otherwise dare to take. This pill I have always fouVi to be laxative, and slowly operates in that way in the course of 2i< hours. I have carried these pills with me constantly for more than twenty years, a > I tried them instead of 1: -1'inuni, on \'n:- st every o casion. A eiii'■! in *ny "i^l.aorhood was obliged constantly to take these pil's, twice a-day for six months, and increase their size ; he throve well upon them, and finally they overcame his spasms, belly-ache (and otherwise continual crying) and after awhile he could do as well without them as any body, and is now a stout hardy boy This child doubtless par- took of the affection of his mother, who was dread- fully affrighted before he was born. NO. 27. Dr. Rceder's chalybeate, for female weaknesses. To prepare—take three quarts of strong vinegar*. two ounces anvil scales, pounded fine and the dust blown out, one pugil of Virginia or Seneca snake root, one pugil of mountain ditny or garden ground ivy, simmer them together in an iron pot to a pint; then strain the liquor and return it into the pot; put into it ten grains of myrrh and ten grains of aloes, a pound of sugar and a gill of spirits ; cover it close, and simmer it down on coals to thick mo- lasses, and put it by for use. PRESCRIPTIONS. 47 A teaspoonful is a dose, night, morning and night; then miss the like times, and take it again ; and so continue the course till nature is braced k. strength- ened. This is a cure for obstructed menses, or wasting fluor. Sec No. 44 how to give it. With this medicine many have been relieved : the barren have become fruitful ; and those des- pairing of life> have been restored to health by ta- king this. The prescriptions No. 25 and No. 44 were devised after the pattern of this, for which I am ever in- debted to the friendship of Dr. Elijah Reeder, of Franklin, on the big Miami. NO. 28. Warner's blood-purging pills. To prepare—take one pound of ipecac. No. 1, of dry roots, or two pounds of green roots, foun pound*; of green horse radish roots, and two inches of blue flag root; put them into a pot and bod them in stale cider until you gain the strength of the roots ; then strain and wring out the liquor ; boil it down to a quart; then add half an ounce-of aloes and half an ounce of myrrh, and simmer it down to a mass for piils : then put it by for use in a vessel or g? Iky pot. This kind of piils, my father used to snake, and • keep in my day of living with him. ami long before. * 1 was born. He used always to sell thun id un\ie prices. He used to give them in iii.s cures of o!;l uiceis and sores, frequently two or three Mines a ^ week. Those who took, them said they gea^*:;'!,•- J made them hungry. 1 believe they give the blood a lively circulation. I have given them to my patients inoculated; with the small pox, a few hours before I expected tho fever, La>i^'g givca. nothing before it ; the efHi is DESCRIPTIONS. was favorable, beyond all expectation ; for they then had little or no fever at all. . Three or four pills of common size, is a common dose : it is expected on-.v to be a slow purge, but it will soinetrmespuke a little. Take care to give little enough, and you are always safe. NO. 29. Porter's ointment. ^ To prepare—take four pounds of square-stalk IcaNe^.No. 8, two pounds of elder leaves, undone pound of catnip leaves ; beat them well in a mortar and mix them up in fi*esh butter or good hog's fat, put them in a brass keit'e or an earthen pot, and heat it or stew it moderately, keeping grease enough in it to cover the herbs ; keep it about the lire, a? d simmer it at times for a wee!; ; then wring out the ub.Tnser.t, and'put it by for use. The Green (>inlnieul, or tent salve, is made by ta- king of the above ointment and Venice turpentine, of each half a pint ; put them in a saucepan or some suitable vessel, not iron ; add of blue stone the s'»/c of two grain-; of Indian corn, and the same quantity of >e?Mii^ivase: both are to be powdered and stii red in: the v, 'hole is to be boiled or :■ homered on ilic lire u:.-;2I it looks like green gla*.s. This tent oint- ment cleanses ulcers and old s/avs to t':e h. (lorn, and keeps out prof.d iicsh or fun;*;:-. My fe.t'-cr o**ed to*say it\w)*ihi scrape a bone. T';e. ewe may always ^elooJ^PT upon as sound, w.'x-re this is n:wi The first;-*jprittiient is to be used for f.»:iten»i*j ■'btihuin.be J and wither yd limbs. Such ! . ve b«_vi often restored b; it, \>hna mar, other «wp;Ie%v.i-..ns hau failed. ** PRESCRIPTIONS. 49 Sores are to be anointed : with this first oint- ment, around, even when the tent ointment is put in ; and it is very excellent to anoint a woman's sore breast. No. 30. The Red Lead Sear Cloth Salve. To prepare—take three half pints of Sweet Oil, or in case that cannot be had, take the like quantity of fresh butter when boiled & skimmed; one pint of Linseed Oil : boil them in a skil- let, so hot that it will burn a feather ; then add one pound of pulverised Red Lead to be stirred gently into it, while hot, (but the oil must be somewhat Pooled or it will foam and run over) until it becomes like sofTwax. Tliis is to be spread on thin leather, and ap- plied as a Sear Cloth or Plaster ; which is not to betaken off, until it comes off of itself. If matter should catke-r in a sore, it must be let out by an awl through the plaster. This plaster I have heard was formerly in the possesion of a German whose name I do not re~ collect, who lived laterally in Kentucky. He performed many astonishing; cures with it. 1 £aw one of his patients, who had been wounded at the Germantown battle, 1777? in the Revolu- tionary war; one of his legs had fceen broken a»d shattered, while he was one of the forlorn party sent to tear down the fence and paliugi about Chew's house. He told me that due care had been taken in setting the bone, and trying 5 50 PRESCRIPTIONS. to cure the humours, but all in vain, he had to endure grievous sores, every application being i of little or no avail; until in about twenty years, J he fortunately fell in with this German, w ho by -j the means of this plaster, cured bis leg. It was then sound and well, when I had this story from ' his own mouth. Since the secret has been disclosed, I know families who keep it and use it on all occasions, and speak in the most absolute terms in its praise. Before this disclosure, there were people who would have paid twenty dollars for this receipt, as willingly as any of you would pay twenty dollars for a horse worth an hundred. Put this plaster to a fresh wound or cut, it keeps all close, and you have no trouble with it as a gaping, fre ting and running sore. No. .31. Common Salve, May be made by taking Horse balm leaves, (No. 13.) Burnet, Mallelet, Spikenard Root, or any two or three of them ; beat them well in a mortar, and stew them in tallow and fresh but- ter, equal quantities ; and when you get the 4j strength of the herbs, strain and ring out the gsese, and add equal quantities of Rosin andfl Castile Soap, until your salve becomes a right consiste:v;e. PRESCRIPTIONS. 51 No. 32. Wild Pursley Ointment. There is in our western country, near our creeks, on places overflown in high water, a lit- tle wild Evergreen, much resembling Pursley. It is one of the Indian medicines for Snake-bites, and other poisons ; they use it inwardly and outwardly; but when an ointment or salve is made of it, I have found it very cool and paci- fying to freting, smarting sores; it is the best for blistering humours, of any thing I have ever tried. I have proved it on sore lips and other inveterate smarting sores. A little Tar put into this ointment will add to its excellence. No. 33. A Tent Salve for Fellows, May be made, by talcing equal quantifies of Brimstone, Blucstone and Allum ; rub them in a brass mortar, and when powdered, moisten It with spirits, honey and white of an egg. mixed, equal quantities ; rub all together fifteen minutes with a brass pestle, and make it of a ri^hi con- sistence. The property of Has tent salve is to destroy fungus or inflamed flesh, by turning it qsti'kh in- to matter; and if followed up and a Lie-iclcd right- ly, it will bring out the core, and p:et to the bot- tom of any rising in two or three ihiys. Cancers may be destroyed and eaten out by it. This will answer all the ends of what is call- ed caustic, with less anguish. »3 PRESCRIPTIONS. No. 34. The Tooth-ache, to cure by Sympathy. The process—The patient is enjoined not to narrate what is done to him, or the Tooth-ach will return, (but a repetition will restore the cure.) All the finger and toe nail9 are to be trimmed, the pieces off of each are to be laid on a rag or paper ; to which also is to be laid a lock of hair taken from the head ; then the gum of the tooth is to be gouged or pierced, to add some blood to the nails & hair ; then the whole is to be wraped together in the bank of some creek or gulley, at a place wrhere no creature crosses. The opera- tor may keep the putting away to himself, if he pleases. Indians they say have queer notions. Hah ! but I have tried this for perhaps fifteen years, on myself and many others, and seldom without immediate success. The tooth, it is believed, when it becomes easy, will never ache again.— If the pain remains, chew root, No. 2, or No. 16. If you are willing to try this, you may rest as- sured, it will do you no hurt. No. 35. Tlie Ear-Ache, Will often be cured by the application of Spikenard Root. Take the c.rcen Spikenard Root, l>eat it and add a little water to moisten the r*»ot ; then s ^uee*e out the juice and put ii into a phial; drop this into the ear, morning and PRESCRIPTIONS. 53 evening, a drop or two at a time, and continue it as long as you please. This is likely to help a deaf ear, if any thing will, and is a real Indian cure. The Oil of Spikenard, used in like manner, might perhaps be better than the above. No.. 36. Tlie King's Evil, Has I know been cured by the Pond Lilley R^iot; I mean those of a slender stem, a floating leaf, shaped like a horse's foot; often growing in water eight or ten feet deep ; the Lilley is the most delicious, also floating on the water, held by a slender flexible stem. The root is knotty and oval, like a Calamus root, and as large nearly as a chair-post. This root should be boiled, beat soft in a mortar, and moistened to a poltice with the liquor ; a little of which should be drank morning and evening, and the poltices repeated. These boils and risings in the glands of the neck, called the King's Evil, have been also di- gested and cured, by applications of green Frog- spawn, taken out of springs, and applied as a poltice. I would recommend the root and bark, No, 7 and No. 11 to finish the cure. *5 J 54 PRESCRIPTIONS. No. 37. Cold Water Applications, I reckon among the choicest of my discove- ries. The following I recommend : When the accident of a bruise, piercing of a nail, a cut, a broken bor\e, an eye knocked out and put in again, &c. takes place, immerse tho part in cold water as quick as possible, and then dip a large soft linen cloth into cold water and apply it, and keep out the air. This cloth should be kept close ; aid this by droping cold water upon it for fifteen minutes, and continue it close • for twelve hours. Theinflamationhy this means will be kept back, and the cure by any thing else, will be almost forestalled; and then a hruipe, a strain or broken bone, will scarcely swell at all; and a like application to a burn will have a similar effect. In about fifteen mi- nutes the first pain will be over, and the future ease will be stedfast. I have tried the foregoing applications of cold . water, with full demonstrations, for forty years ( past. : ___________ '\ ----------- J _ No. 38. The W-"** "J".-,'* Medicine. Boil four ounces of pure Quicksilver in an iron pot, with two quarts of water, until half is. evaporated, aud bottle the water for use. • ~» The same Quicksilver will serve, again and again, as often as you want a fresh supply of 4 PRESCRIPTIONS. 55 he water. This medicine is said to be as sim- ple in taste, and as safe in using as so much sim- ple water, aud may be drank as often and as much as you please. The virtues are many : it may be used externally or internally; it destroys wormsy purifies the blood, opens obstructions, scours the glands, cures all impurities of the skin, ulcers, scald-head, &c. The yellow water in horses, we have oftem cured, by boiling only one ounce of Quicksilver in a large pot of water; letting the horse drink a gallon at a time, or mixing his feed with the wa- ter ; continuing the course for about ten days, and boiling the Quicksilver again and again ; and I have found them cured, of imp~*s*,hume*, following the throat-distemper, by tue same means. No. 39. A Sweat of Virginia Snake Root and Sage Tea, Is one of my old remedies for fevers. Take one drachm of Virginia Snarkelloot, and make it into a decoction, say half a gill ; let the patient drink it and cover warm in bed; then have ready a coffee-pot of weak Sage Tea, say three pints; let the patient begin to u; ink in ten or fifteen minutes, as warm and as m|tch as be can, out of the spout, not rising oruric'overmg.— By this drinking keep up the sweat for four hours; then cool moderate iy arid f&ke care of all exposure and excess for the first twenty-four hours. Follow it with No 9 or 85, "~" 55 PRESCRIPTIONS This sweat I have often given (after a puke or purge), in obstinate fevers, such as the nervous, the intermittent, the fever and ague, kc. I have used this sweat in old second or third day agues, always with success. I have chosen I to begin about an hour before the ague, and take ; up the hour of ague in the sweat. In other cases, ' I have chosen the wellest time, and never omit it | when pain or sickness^attend the rise of a fever.— ; Chips or blocks of wood taken out of a pot of boil- i ing water, may be wrapped up and put in the bed with the patient, to set the svi eat agoing. « This swe*.t should be repeated again, after two> 1 or three days, if there is not manifest signs of re- * coverv. Such a sweat has appeared to me, to move off the obstructions to a right circulation, and to take away the very offending matter out of the blood. Persons very weak, and especially those who i have pain in any part of the body, or all over them, ought to fry this. But it should always be fol- lowed with bracing medicine, such as the above cited or No. 4. Dont omit, even if the patient •seems fairly well by the sweat. No. 40. To cure the Jaundice. i. Give the Emetic No. 1. 2. Give the Pills No. 41, every night, what the stomach can bear. 3. Make a diet drink of wild Cherry bark, and. use it constantly till well. PRESCRIPTIONS. 57 4. If the case is obstinate, give one dose of No. 24, to move the perspiration. 5. Then save the urine, (say a pint) mix it into a cake with rye meal, and burn it slowly behind the back log twice or three times, (per sympa- thy.) 6. Give Chalybeate Oxmel, (No. 44.) Doctor Hole relates, that he was cured of an obstinate habit of the Jaundice, into which he had several times relapsed, and which he had proved on others for twenty years, with the most happy success. The process is as follows : i. Put wild Cherry bark into stale cider, (say a double handful to two quarts. S. Take the scale that forms on an old chim- ney back-wall, or on an old iron tramel, (scrape off a good handful) and make a decoction.— Drink turn about of each of these, five or six times a day, as much as the stomach can take, and fol- low it up till the cure is perfected. Probably there is a good portion of Oxigen in the scale that is generated by smoke. See note, No. 41. You can have choice, and if one thing wont do, try the other. No. 41. Pills for the Jaundice. Take three ounces of China Rhubarb, pow- dered (No. 6) one drachm of Myrrh, aud one drachm of Alloes, rub them fine, and put altoge- ther, and moisten it with spirits to form a mass of Pills. They must be made up soon, or they 58 PRESCRIPTIONS. become hard. I choose always to keep some of this preparation by me in a roll ; I can then put some of it into a phial of spirits, so that a tea spoonful will be a dose. This roll will make excellent bitters, will be an antidote against Dysentery, excess of Bile, the Jaundice, &c. A little matter of these pills, will answer to relieve costiveness; they answer best, gently or gradually taken ; they will then strengthen the system. In this they will be good in Diarrhoea •r fluxes, but are not equal to No. 25. No. 42. An Antidote for Epidemic Diseases. Prepare you a few Brimstone matches, and a . bottle half full of spirits; light a match and thrust it into the month of the bottle, so as to fill the empty part with smoke. When the match is ta- ken out, put your thumb on the mouth, and shake the spirits, to i icor-orate the smoke what they can. Do thus with several matches. .„ _ This I had from a very old man, when I was bufa little hoy. I remember he said, a dram of , this rum will keep you from catching the Small- ' Pox or Measles; yes, if you will driftk a dram of this in the morning, you may go safely where the plague is all day. But I ralher suppose it had better be taken morning, noon and night.— I tried it myself before I had the Small-Pox.__ See Antidote, No. 5. PRESCRIPTIONS. 59 No. 43. Huron's Cure for the Dropsy. Take Bitter Sweet Root, White Roots of El- der, Horse Radish Roots, of each a large hand- ful, steep them in one gallon of Cider. Take a tea cup full in the morning, and always before meal times through the day. In a very weak case, a jelly of calf's-feet is to be eaten cold, with vinegar. If the stomach re- jects food, a little Elixer of Vitriol made into punch, may be allowed. Diet is not to be high seasoned, but any kind to be liberally used, that the stomach will take. This medicine may be prepared with Vinegar, or even with water where cider cannot be had. This receipt came to me well attested ; by it was performed several sin- gular cures, after patients- were given over by physicians for lost. A single instance experienced but in one trial, from a child of my own I wish to relate. My youngest daughter, when about two years * old, lost her appetite, became uncommonly dis- posed to sleep, her sprightliness turned to stu- '■ pidity, and in a few days she become bloated and * apparently filled with water or dropsical swell-. ing in her whole frame ; and as I could not con- ceive how I could administer any means of relief to her by any thing I could give her internally, I studied to endeavour it by an external applica- u tion. t I took Horse Radish and Spiknard Root, (two t diureticks) equal quantities, pounded them in a - mortar, green, and applied them by way ©f pol- - tice to the bottoms of her feet. The wished for 60 PRESCIPTION8. effect, a plentiful emission of urine took place, & cleared the dropsy in about forty-eight hours. I gave her a few doses of Linseed Oil, agreeably to No. 55, and she soon became well and hearty. But try the following (No. .44) for the Drop- sy. , No. 44. I Chalybeate Oxymel. | Take two ounces of Columbo Root,* one !| drachm of Virginia Snake Root, twenty ten- f penny Nails, and one quart of good Vinegar, put them together in anjron pot ; simmer it a little overfire; then let ffstand forty-eight hours; then boil it down to a pint; strain arid wring out the liquor, and return it into the pot; then add one pound of sugar and a gill of spirits ; simmer it down on coals to the consistence of molasses, and bottle it up for use. The common dose for a grown person may bo a tea-spoonful, morning, noon and night, when the stomach is empty, about ten minutes before meals; but begin with less, and increase the dose, as you find the stomach can bear it * The intention of this medicine is to recruit the blood, and strengthen the system. It may be taken a week, and then miss a week ; and then take it agaiu; and so at intervals renew tne * The Columbo Root, if left in whole p'eeea, mtij- afterwards be struntr unci dried, it will lucu Le t>ood t» »hew, or to be used iustcitd of barks. .«. PRESCRIPTIONS. 6i course, more or less,' until the patient is quite well and strong. In consumptive cases the person should drink ground ivy or agrimoney tea, for two or three days at a time, and then miss as long, and then resume it again. The latter of these herbs is preferred for bracing and giving strength, but the former is conceived to touch the disorders of the liver. This medicine will be found a superior reme- dy for worms, as those vermin cannot live with the iron. It is most excellent for the weakness- es of women, either under suppressions, or in excess of the fluor of either kind. But when it takes place, "tn"e doses should be omitted until it subsides. It may be given to finish the cure of fevers ki general. It merits a trial in all reduced and low cases of the blood, such as consump- tion, dropsy, asthma, jaundice, derangement, &c. ' to recruit the oxygen,* or iron property in the blood; a deficiency of which, as I conceive, is the" radical cause of these diseases. Healthy persons have a right proportion of oxygen ; but an excess or deficiency may either of them be the occasion of disease. The excess * Take notice—There is a eertain part of our bodily substance that I call oxygen, or iron; this is the basis of strength. There is abundantly more oxygen in tho blood than in any part of us. When blood is taken in a vessel and stands to be cold—1. There is tho clods, or rise;.I, tenacious part, called the grume : 3. The tliin and watery part, called the swum. It is said there is much more iron in the serum than in the grume. 6 6S PRESCIPT10NS. ef oxygen* is not so much to be feared, and occurs but seldom; but deficiency of oxygen happens very often, and 1 expect always in con- sumption, dropsy, jaundice and palsy ; but I leave it to future observation more accurately to determine this. I have however observed, that blacksmiths, or those working in iron, seldom if •ver have the consumption or dropsy. A late patient of mine, who had been a year or two in a state of melancholy, told me that the electrical machine had been tried on her, but the same charge that would shock other people hard, had little or no effect on her. I leave it to those who have opportunity to observe, whether the electrical shock will not be the same in the ca>os of consumption, dropsy and jaundice : and whe- ther it does not announce a deficiency of t>xygen, But the great question with me is how to re- store the oxygen in a consumptive person : iron or a preparation of it being my alternative. Two things I fear—1, An increase of the pulmonary, or pain in the breast; 2. Bleeding at the lungs. My prescription No. 44,1 conceive will not ex- pose the patient either as to pulmonary or bleed. ing at the lungs ; but will gently increase the oxygen, and innocently prepare good blood: the issue will be a recovery to good health, if such a bing be possible. * I have noticed that blacksmiths are very subject ts heumatic pains : the cause, I conceive, is an excess of xygen; and this may most generally exist with, and be lie root of the diathesis of plethora and irritation. The emedy most probably will be No. 39 and 7J. PRESCRIPTIONS. 63 My children and friends—after you look over this, when you see a person with a white face, male or female, you will be ready to say " That person wants Father Smith''s chalybeate oxymel" No. 44. No. 45. Dw Tiffin's prescription for derangement, or mania. Get gum myrrh, asafcetida, aloes and castor, of each a quarter of an ounce, opium and cam- phor, one drachm each; powder them separate- ly, and mix them all together with oil of amber sufficient to make them up into piils the size of garden peas. Get at the same time two ounces of Peruvian bark, red or yellow, and half an ounce of rust of steel; mix them well together into a powder. Give two of the above pills morning, noon and night; give also a teaspoonful heaped up of the powder every day, an hour be- fore breakfast and dinner, which is twice a day. The diet may be any thing that the patient likes best, and which w ill best agree with the stomach. This prescription I was honored with by Dr. Edward Tiffin, late governor of the state of Ohio. I used it for my daughter, Nancy John, who had been four months in a state of alarming 'mania, or derangement; when she had taken it about two weeks, she suddenly came to her reason ; and after using agrimoney tea a few weeks, be- came very stout and healthy. 64 PRESCRIPTIONS. The Doctor, in his letter fo me, stairs, hw diathesis "I take to be groat debility, and (to use a common expression) the nervous system nnstrung**'. I think to apply in such a case No. 44 and | 36, also No. 9, will likely prove a cure. iNo. 46. Syrup for the Dysentery. I have for a long time, perhaps 30 year*, pre- scribed in the following manner, and it has near- ly always been used with success : Take a £ handful of garden rhubarb, or patience, or horse dock roots, or any one of these, and shred them up green or dry. Also, a handful of persimmon or wild cherry bark (either will do) put the root and the bra-k together into a quart mug or pitcher that will bear the fire, and put in with them four fabtespoonfuls of sugar, and fill up the quart with boiling water : set it on the coals until it is drawn like tea. The patient is then to begin to take it, a tablespoonful at a time (if a grown per- son) every fifteen minutes, vntil ease begins to take place in the bow els ; then not so often, and |! .so by degrees break off ; yet take some until good health takes place. This syrup should be boiled every day, and a 'j little spirits put into into it to keep it from getting , sour; and may be filled up and sweetened to the taste, or renewed as there is occasion. ;' Give at the same time a flour coffee (wheat or rye meal fried brown) boil it with milk and su- PRESCRIPTIONS. 05 gar in it, to fill up the belly and promote sweat by a plentiful drinking of it hot or cold: this will greatly assist the cure. By this course the faeces, or lumps in the illiuni guts (which occasion the dysentery) will be gra- dually dissolved? and the cure be permanent; but the first effect or sympton of cure, is ease in the belly. See No. 25, 9, and 41. This syrup may be given in any diarrhoea or flux. No. 47. The Croup, or Bold Hives, that so alarmingly choak cliildren to death, being ' a swelling or stoppage of the lungs, I have cured by the following syrup for 12 years past: the success has been truly singular; it is a discove- ry of my own, by mere accident. Take a handful of John's wort, No. 22, and a handful of sage, and sugar sufiicient; make them into a syrup, in the manner directed in the foregoing number. The dose for a child six months old, should be only a teaspoonful; but to one six years old, a tablespoonful. The times and continuance may also be like No. 46. Se© No. 18. No. 48. Syrup for the Quinsy, catarrh, and ulcerated sore throat. To prepare—Take one ounce of squaw root dried, or a like quantity of green, No. 17, half 6& PRESCRIPTIONS. as much blueberry root. No. i"»: boil the roots in three quarts of waier ;«> les* than one, add alum and honey to make it rough and palatal le.; Gargle the throat, & swallow some pretty often.1"" Report is, that a noted root doctor of Jersey, near Elixabethtow n, made use of tins with the greatest success. I had it from Dr. Hole, who highly recommended it; but as these complaints scarce ever have prevailed where I have lived, t have never put it to the trial. V tea made of the root"No. 16, will probably be a relief and cure in the most of such cases/ •— I No. 49. For the Canker. TL2 CLTiker is a hot humor which has its seat in the stomach; shows itself in whitish sere spots on (lie tongue, palate, and inside of the mouth ana :i»r:, that will sometimes eat and consume a a.vay li:a r-alate. It is generally attended with J Te er.'jid great thirst, uneasiness aud distress.! Children have been mostly the subjects of it, but s>oi:iei!n:*?s it goes throi the whole family,% and "to Sinai; children^it ha? sometimes proved very ^ mortal. ^ "*>*- A Mr. Huston, from whom I obtained the re- ceipt, cured it easily and certainly, if applied to in time. His prescription is as follows : lignum ■ito chips or dust, black snake root, No. 1(X J squaw root, No. 17? Virginia or Seneca snake r:.-.-t. Mack haw bark, John's wort, No.22, beech ' drop s of each a tablespoonful powderedj of blue PRESCRIPTIONS. 67 flag root, and blood or puccoon root, eaeh a tea- spoonful, if powdered ; these put together are - to be made into a - v rup (say 3 half pints) in like manner as No. 46, and given like No*. 47. The dose fora child is a teaspoonful every 10 minutes for the first hour ; a tablespoonful for a grown person ; then lengthen more and more between times of taking of it. If the belly is bound, ' clystering, castor oil, or some other gentle, easy purge ought to be given : sweet fern, blue whor- tleberry bushes "and healall,* or some of them, are to be used as a tea. The syrup should be given warm, especially at first; and heated, filled up, or renewed, till its end is answered. I have known cures by this medicine when tke tongue had become black, and the blotches were spreading, eating sores. Milk diet is to be avoided, and all salt and dried meat; any other food may be freely taken. This disease is sel- dom found in southern climates. Try for it No, 11 m tea, and No. 48, but more particularly No. 16 in tea. No. 50. Pain in the Breast, is often occasioned by an acid, or sour state of the stomach, or if you please, the stomach having too much rennet. Make the following drink : chip green horse radish roots, as much as will lie in a haK pint i * The heal id I is a wild herb, bearing a whitish blossom, resembling red clover. : 68 PRESCRIPTIONS. • tumbler, and put them in a quart boliie ; ilim, take vinegar, and if strong, mix it half water. ' sweeten this with sugar pre.ity sweet, and fill up your bottle with it. Take this drink three times a day. about 10 minutes before meals ; tho j| dose a spoonful or two, or a wine glassful, as the , stomach will bear it. This course will generally I help the digestion: the want of which is fre- I quently the occasion of the pain in the stomach. I But sweet tea or coffee must sometimes be avoid-' I ed, w ith every thing else :!iat would turn to vin- ■ egar quickly. But when there is a burning at fl the stomach, which frequently happens by drink- ! . ing di*ams, grog,punch, wine, &c. these are to be *\ forborne or left off, as it may be presumed that they are the occasion. My No. 26 will oi.enbe a temporary cure, and ought to be tried, especi- ally if there is flatulence or colic symptoms; yea, this pain is frequently only wind pent up, and the beginning of a colic. Pain in the stomach is a common attendant in a consumption, together with pain in the side and shoulder; then both tjie above may be mode- rately vied : but No. 44 will be most likely to effect the cure. No. 5\. U Persons stunned with thunder, drowned, stran-' I gled, or the breath sudde-ny d,st or struck out of them hy any accident, such as damp in a ■f well £V. may often be restored by the follow* V ing process: PRESCRIPTIONS. 69 Let a person of good strong lungs apply his ] mouth to the sufferer's, holding at the same time 1 his nostrils close, and blow his breath ^as we say) 1 . as hard as he can into the sufferer's lungs; he must then leave him to expire while he gets his , own breath, and then repeat the effort as soon i and as often as he can, perhaps a hundred times, j if self respiration does not take place sooner. A ; reed or pipe like a weaver's quill may-be madek use of for the purpose, and sometimes a pair of • hand bellows have been used ; but I would pre-1 fcr the breath, as most likely to keep the lungs j and blood warm. For drow7ned persons, cloths dipt in hot water ought to be laid on the breast as warm as a living person could bear, and a blanket dipt in lik« manner ought to be wrapt round the naked body, and the hands and arms, feet and legs should be rubbed with hot wet cloths ; this warming and rubbing is prescribed in order to keep the blood from coagulating. Drowned persons, I think, should not be rolled upon a barrel, but only be laid with their heads down, so that that the water in them may run out, and no violence done them; but the blowing should be begun and kept on as soon as possible. In a treatise that I have read respecting the recovory of drowned persons, it is stated (if I mistake not) that they have been recovered who have been under the water five or six hours. I once happened to be present at the town of Washington, Georgia, when a person was struck dead (as we say) with thunder; and I witnessed the before described process, as it relates to blow- 70 PRESCRIPTIONS. ing the breath, and beheld the recovery of tho person. This happened on a court day, about 30 years ago: many as well as myself saw tho melancholy, but afterwards joyous scene. 1 as- sisted shortly after the shock, in opening a vein in the young woman's arm : but there was no spring or motion in the blood. The whole pro- cess ti.'it proved her recovery was ordered by Mr. Jer. Walker. "So%22. Stopping of Blood, and of Hemorrhages, arc of great importance to be known. If you should be wounded, so as to wish to stop the blood : i. Close the wound as well as you can, j and put to it a large cloth wet with cold watei/J and drip on a little cold water for 15 minutes, | keeping it as close as possible for twelve hours ; 1 sometimes it will be best to take a few stitches I to close the orifice. But apply No. 37 in pre- ference to every thing, if you can ; and then the phster, No. 30. Or 2. Take vinegar and dis- ohe alum in ii as much as is suitable, then scrape the soot from the bottom of a dinner pot, and moisten it with the alum and vinegar, so as to make a small poultice, and apply that; or ii* you can get it, take the powder of the" leaves of lamb's quarter, and apply closely : this well known herb has been proven to be first rate for stoppin"* blood. Or 3. Boil a strong decoction of the bark of the pignut hicory,lthis is the Indian stvp. tic, and probably as good as any thing. PRESCRIPTIONS. *fi In hemorrhages, or discharges of blood from the womb or bowels—take a little vinegar pre- pared with alum as above, give a teaspoonfiil every 10 minutes, or as much and as often as the stomach will take. At the same time, if the case is urgent, apply cloths wet with vinegar prepared with alum as above, or in cold water, put them cold on the belly, and repeat them as occasion requires. But sometimes it is needful to take a little blood from the arm, as that will turn the circulation; then'probably the above above ap- plications will take the desired effect. Alum dissolved in water, or alum whey, taken as much as the stomach can bear, until the hemorrhage ceases, are proper in extreme cases. But drink agrimoney tea, if you can get it, for two or three days, as stated in No. 9 : and if the unhappy sufferer is much exhausted, to restore strength and good blood, try No. 41. No.. 53. Bleeding at the Nose is sometimes to be a little indulged, as they say it prevents the headache ; but generally it is from debility, and shows a weak state of the system, therefore the sooner it can be prevented the better, In order to which, observe the fol- lowing directions t 1. Blow your nose pretty smartly two or three times, and then bear against it where the blood issues, if you can, with your thumb, and hold it close a few minutes. 3. If this fails, dissolve 72 PRESCRIPTIONS. alum in good vinegar, as in No. 52, dip a little lint or fine rag in it, and put it into the nostril. 3. But sometimes a habit of bleeding at the nose frequently and every day takes place, and the blood becomes very vapid, so that it will hardly fctaiu a cloth. When such a habit takes plate, the only effectual remedy that I have ever found is to learn the person to smoke tobacco. This i have had to try for myself, or be exposed to bleed to death at the nose ; but smoking a little every day has always overcome this habit, us far lu my knowledge extends. No. 54. a Bleeding at the Lungs i I believe, may always be considered as one of the expressions of great debility. What 1 shall say about it, take as follows : 1. Try about a teaspoonful of fine salt, w hich you may lick up by itself out of your hand ; do this every day, or oftener, if the complaint is ur- gent. 2. The most likely thing that now strikesj my mind, to be a radical cure, is to make use of^l agrimoney tea, the root as well as the tops; use it cold about three days at a time, and then mi.-.* , three days, and so use it as a diet drink in some j form. See No. 9. I You will wonder, perhaps, why I am always commending No. 9 for every thing: but as a reason I will shcio, the following fact, which 1 personally kn jw to be the truth ; PRESCRIPTIONS. 73 An old man of my acquaintance, after a spell of the gravel, which nearly took his life, was for several months unable to retain his urine, but it dript from him continually. He was at length advised by Dr. George Foulk, a German, to driuk agrimoney tea : this tea being the only medicine he used, he became a well man in a few days, being as free from this complaint as in his youth, and he was then above eighty years of age. No. 55. Linseed Oil, for children supposed to be troubled with worms, has been generally my medicine. In raising my , own family I have scarcely ever given any thing else. Let it be taken as follows : Give a teaspoonful of linseed oil, put with as much sugar or molasses, morning, night and morning ; that is, three times, then miss three, then give it again, and so repeat it until the child has takes it nine times. This is a dose for a child two or three years old, and respect should always be had to the age and strength of the pa- tient. But see No. 44 for worms, and No. 2i. No. 56. Preserving the teeth, and curing an odious taste in the mouth, may always, I presume, be ef- fected by this little simple process : 74 PRESCRIPTIONS. Only wash and rinse your mouth evory morn ing in your own urine. Hezekiah Smith, D. D. deceased, latt of Ha- verhill, Massachusetts, had his terdi all entire when he was above sixty veers old. He told me the only means he had used, \* what 1 h: vo above advised, which he kivl fuiiowed iYom the1 days of his youth. Relief from ll".e ill taste I have proved, and I do not think the remedy worse than the disease. Those who know this in their youth, and w.J not try it, who can pity them when tl:e\ :;;;u>] with the tooth-ache ! No. 57. The curs of venomous Bites and Sfivgs, ought to be known, if possible, by evi .y r.ody ; for a little delay will o: en render the bite or sting dreadful, and sometimes incurable. How important must it be to be able to cure the bite or sting of serpents and spiders, especially the bivk soidei with a red spot on his ! : k, called lue tarantula, so common and dreadful in southern climates, hornets, was^s, bees, k,c. To. cure any of tin -0. yxw may only wet a thimbleful of indigo w id) good vinegar, to-make it'into mud, and apply it to the bite or sting. Jf done soon, the danger will immediately be over; and it is stated to me, that the place will not swell at all. The above is a discovery'lately made in Sus- sex county, New-Jersey, where the *>i>.ake ch'.'caI PRESCRIPTIONS. 75 the pilot, or copper-head, was so common and bit so many, that the mowers would scarcely venture into the meadows, until this discovery Was made. They then kept some of the indigo mud by them, and found that they could cure themselves at once by this simple application. But see Nos. 10, 11, & 17, and you may a'»o remember that honey, sweet oil and hog's lard are severally good to take inwardly and out- wardly, both for bites and stings. Thai; man who received the sting of a bee 011 ilic tip of his nose,* and died in a few hours, might likely have been saved by^ any of these, had the application beeu made in due tiine. No. 58. * The Thrush V is a sore mouth common to young children, be- ginning in little white scruffy blister*. Its cure may be attempted, 1. By the white elm bark \ (that is, the rough, not the slippery) make of . the bark a strong tea, wash and gargle the mouth , and let the child often swallow some,if it is only / a teaspoonful at a time; this commonly bvings off tin scruff in aTtty or two, and dob*.not ter- rify at all. Or 2. Make a syrup by dissolving loaf sugar in three or four tablespoonfuls of wa- ter, and add borax (the size of a grain of Indian corn) made fine ; give the child a teaspoonful every 2 or 3 hours, until you find it is mending ; then not so often, and by degrees omit it. * The case was related in a late newspaper. 76 PRESCRIPTIONS. No. 59. / Solution of Corrosive Sublimate, for the yaws and venereal disease, may be pre- pared and applied, by taking, 1. Ten grains of corrosive sublimate, to a pint of good spirits. 2. one drachm of gum guiacum, to sweat. 3. one drachm rhubarb, to render it purgative. Scorbutic and venereal diseases are cured by taking a spoonful of the above, morning and evening: drinking sarsaparilla tea plentifully, our bitter-sweet root, or little parilla, is quite a« good, and I presume my No. 9 may be found a great deal better. The course about 10,12 or 14 days, as the case may require. Caution—This course ought always to be ma- naged by a person of tolerable medical skill, for edge-tools may be dangerous in aukward hands. 4 Pain in the breast or bowels, or excessive lax, r or salivation occasioned by the above, are reme- died by taking brimstone; a large teaspoonful of the flour of sulphur mixed in honey or molasses, per dose. This is to be repeated daily until ths •complaint subsides, and the solution omitted— ■•'J But see No. 2. * With this course of the solution I once saved a man, nearly covered all over with ring-worms ; I other small applications having failed. No. 60. /Solution for Tetters and Ring-worms. To prepare—take Rve grains corrosive soldi- mate, put lo twe tablespoonfuls of spirits in u PRESCRIPTIONS. 77 phial, and if found too biting, add more spirits. The teller or ring-worm only need be touched with a feather dipt in this, two of-'three times daily. Warts, pared a little, may be touched in the same manner ; continue to touch tJiem till they are dead. No. 61. Tetters, or obstinate breaking-out a-kin to them, on the hands, feet or any wrhere else, I think may be cured by the following pre- 1 paration : take a half pint of brandy (peach I prefer) put it in a skillet with half a gill of tar, heat and stir them together, and stir in a large teaspoonful of potash ; then bottle it for use. » This need only be put on with a feather pretty 4 plentifully for a few times, say every day for 4 • or 5 days. My ideas are that some small inha- i bitants have their cities and plantations in these - regions, but this anointing will overcome these * ' Anakims as effectually a,s the people of the old \ world were overcome by the flood. You may try tills for the itch, and for wens and cancers. No. 63. Old Dr. Witts' cure for Wens. 1. TThe patient must wash the. wen morning '». and evening in his own urine., ancionce a-day he must grease it with grease h /o'led out of a wood- en poilid, such as in old times they used on the* *7# 78 PRESCRIPTIONS. dinner pots ; probably the marrow out of a.** old bakened hog's jaw would do as well. Thi-, i- expected to break the wen in about two or three weeks, without pain; the contents being turned into pure, pus or matter, will be discharged, and then the place may be cured up like any other sore, and will never rise again. 2. Should the above fail to break the wen, a hubbcd toad may be just knocked in the head, and laid upon it ; this, it is said, will surely break it. I think it ought to be two or three times repeated. This account I received from Dr. Daniel Hunt, of North-Carolina, above 30 years ago: he told me he had made several trials "of it, and always succeeded ; one he told me of, was as big as a two-quart bottle, and hung down by a neck. I have made two small trials with suc- cess, which are all that I have had opportunity fo attend to. No. 63. Cancers have been cured by the common Snails. They are to be dissolved in salt, on a pewter pln-e set on coals, and the slime or ointment ap- plied by way of tent. In one instance, I was fold, only the naked snail was laid to the cancer, and dried fast, and in a few days the cancer and its roots all came off together. Tins is a late discovery, but came to me well attested. Try muscles or clams out of the creek, if mi dis can- not be !n.d. Cancr-; have also been cured by the following .preparation : Take a handful of PRESCRIPTIONS. . 79 comfrey root scraped, fry it in half a pound of v hog's lard, until it is crisp, then strain and wring out the grease ; then add a tablespoonful of gun- powder pulverised, and a quarter of an ounce of red precipitate, rubbed together ; then stir in and htcw the;whole to make an ointment. Put a fresh plaster of this on the cancer, morning and night, until the roots come out, or are killed : if it occasions much pain, there is too much preci- pitate in it. From Dr. Chn. Coffman. No. 64. The Tape Worm has been expelled by taking alum, as follows : Take pulverised alum, as much as will lie on the eighth of a dollar, mix it with a teaspoonful of molasses or honey, and let the patient take it in the morning, fasting ; increase the dose a lit- tle every morning, and take it three mornings and miss three, until he has taken it nine morn- ings. This course, it is supposed, will destroy the whole breed of the tape worm in a person ; and no one need be afraid of alum : at the same time let the patient drink a tea of the herbs No. 9, IS or 21. Look at Buchanan's Family Phy- sician for the symptoms. No. 65. Ointment for Burns. To prepare—take six pounds of the leaves oft an>!'^v root. No. 17* or as much or as little a/" SO PRESCRIPTIONS. you please, bent them well in a mortar, then mix up these pounded leaves with fresh butter (say three pouud) then wrap it up in rolls, about a handful in each, and l.sy them on a dish or board, and set it by in your cellar until it is covered and filled with mould (say two weeks) then mash i' up again in fresh butter, and stew it gently an boar or two on coals, having grease enough to cover the herbs ; then strain and wring out and put by your ointment for use. If this ointment can be applied to a burn or sc.i!d,l>efore it blisters, it will prevent its blister- ing at all; when a burn is raw, and exposed to smart, it will terrify a little when first applied ; but if yo i melt your ointment and apply it gently and fioquently with a feather, it will terrify less and loss, until the smarting will be overcome by it, and you may expect the cure to be eoou coiuidelcd. The green ointment. No. 29, maybe applied in like in-inner, a*:d will Jiave the like effect. &eo a!;o No. 7 and No. 14. An account pf this ointment for burns I ob- tained from Dr. Peter Eva-is, of Montgomery, Pennsylvania, about 35 years ago. lie used r.lways to keep it, and spoke in the most absolute terms in its comniendaflcftk ^- . The follow: rig advice may be useful to some, res; acting burns: f have been told, that in glass houses is kept and used, a preparation of lime and linseed oil : unslacked or fresh lime is mixed in a vessel w iih water and stirred up, a d when it settio, the water being poured off, they then pour off*'.'■♦*, PRESCRIPTIONS. 81 pure whitewash, leaving the grounds or gritty part behind ; this lime batter is then mixed With linseed oil, put in a bottle and kept in readiness. If they get burnt, who work at the glass, which often happens, they take a patch large enough to cover the affected place, and make a plaster by spreading it with this preparation, put it on, and go on with their business ; this plaster, in common, being an immediate cure. If this is true, it may be of great use to be more generally known. Note.—Whatever is a cure for a burn, will also be a cure for a frost bite, or sore occasioned by frost. No. 66. Pepper, for preventing the Fever and Ague. If rightly taken, I suppose, pepper will com- monly prevent all persons and families from ta- king the fever and ague, and perhaps most other bilious disorders. At a season when you expect yourself exposed to the ague, keep fine black pepper by you; take i; about as much as will lie on the eighth of a dol- lar, and lick it up ftjf itself if you -please, or mix it in a teaspoonful of molasses or a little water, and swallow it. Do this every morning for about four mornings, before you go out, and then you may miss a week, and then take it again, and so go on, more or less, until the sickly season is over. The story connected with this process is as follow**: S3 PtlESClPTlQXS.' A certain man inadvertency rented a good farm, lying in the bend of a river, but was lnurli alarmed when he heard that, the ague always had heavily afflicted every family who had lived upon the place : but meeting with a certain phy- sician, he received from him the before stated advice ; this advice he and his family took, and found that they could escape the ague there, on that farm, as well as any where. No. (57. For the Asthma. i Take sena, pulverised; sulphur, and sperma- » ceti, of each one ounce, two ounces cream of || tartar, half an ounce annisced, pulverised ; rub j them together in a mortar: take a teaspoonful in molasses, going to bed, two or three nights at a v time, I have found enough for to relieve me. It is a moderate purge, and a little debilitating-, See No. 44. No, 63. jP«w — 0intment for the Itch. To prepare—take sulphur or fine brimstone, salt, black pepper, pulverised; gunpowder or salt petre, and tar, of each a tahlcspoonful : put them in a mortar, and add fresh butter or fat, - enough to make it into an oitcment, and rub or ' mix it well together. Apply this about the joints, hands, wrists and hams, every night, f ;• '"'.'■ PRESCRIPTIONS. 83 M a week ; wear the same clothes for a week. This quantity will be enough for ten persons, never fails curing the itch, or does any hurt. Precipitate Ointment. To prepare—take three quarters of an ounce of red precipitate, three ounces of Venice tur- pentine, and half a pound of fresh butter ; rub the precipitate in some of the turpentine and but- ter in a marble or brass mortar (not iron) or an earthen bow 1, and then add the remainder of the turpentine and butter, and stir it again; then add nine spoonfuls of water,'one at a time, stirring a little between e/ery one, until all is well mixed. This ointment is to be applied like the fore- going, only not so Urcivdly, for the' itch. It w ill also be good for any Lot, itching humor. Bat care must always be taken not to expose your- self much in coid water, to wash in, or drink it, ; lest it bring a worse evil than it cures. If yoti get pains after using this ointment, by being ex- posed, take brimstone (say a teaspoonful) a^d \ drink sage tea till you sweat; do tliis for two or J three nights. No. 69. A dishcatc/J Shoulder r^.yv be replaced by toe fokowi: g pioec-ss :— i. Tie the body fast to a post v-idi a sheet,.or ■; something, to keep it from giving way when the $ extension is made. 2. Let a strong person be t iro fi> o-d to grasp the arm, and be directed to pull 84; PRESCRIPTIONS. it in an even direction, from the body ; he is to be instructed, at a signal to be given by the ope- rator, that the arm must be moved forwards and a little down, so that the elbow will be moved , about ten inches, a little briskly. 3. TI.e ope- rator ninst put his hands, one under the hollow of the arm, about where the knob or end of the bone is, and the other hai.d on the top o.;' the shoulder, and when the extension is sufficiently mi ly 'i not a ha©! operation, but it is important to know .how r1^H*l;f to go a.bout it. If possible, when the MO<\lder ;•* first dislocated, apply No. 37, and rep hoe i'. as soon as yoa can ; but if this has been neglected six hours, it is best to bathe the shoulder with hot vinegar, which may be repeated twice a day for tiuce or t'^-ir « days ; afterwards cold vinegar will be best, and lastly, if the shoulder remains weak, try No. 37 for a few days, beginning in the morning, and j continuing the cloths for half an hour : but the whole of this vinegar, &c. may be omitted, if tha j first application, No. 37, be applied in time. | Follow it then with the plaster No. 30. No. 70. For a broken Bone. When a bone is broken, let it be leg, arm, or any other limb, the process may be much like PRESCRIPTIONS. 85 that of the dislocated shoulder, and I think no material difference is necessary in the applica- tions. The main thing is, at the time of the ex- tension, try to get the broken-off ends of the bone together as well as you can, and have the bone straight in its natural position. Then if you have used No. 37 in time, you may imme- diately apply the plaster No. 30; then have ready a splinter work fixed between cloths and quilted, so as to wrap round and fasten with a lace or running string thro' holes, that you may loosen it and take it off when you please. W hen you have reason to believe that the bone is knit and getting strong, the stays may be taken quite away ; but if the limb should seem to wither, or remain very weak, try the cold water cloth for a few days> as advised in the -foregoing No. 69— for cold water is certainly, I think, the best thing to strengthen such withering limbs. After the wet cloth is taken off, the limb should be wrapt in dry flannel, but not kept very hot. Every body should know that a light diet is the best for such unfortunate sufferers, or espe- cially they should not eat much pork; otherwise they may eat and drink according to their own mclmatfon, what is moderate and reasonable. No. 71. For a sprained Ankle or Wrist, er indeed any other wrench or bruise, I advise 1. You had better try No. 37, than any thing else, at the beginning. 2. Then apply the sear 8 8* PRESCRIPTIONS. cloth, No. 80, and little more need be done. :i But treat it otherwise with hot vinegar, and ge- nerally like as directed No. 30, or 69. 70. Tho Porter's ointment, No. 29, may sometime* be ef especial service. No. 72. General directions for venesection, or letting blood. It is necessary to know—t. How to bleed— 2. Where to ' bleed—3. When to bleed— 1. When not to bleed. 1. How to bleed—The, operator should havt a good lancet, sharp as a razor; let him then put a bandage on the arm, above where he wish- es to raise a vein, or on the leg or round the neck, so as to prevent a sufficient quantity of blood from reaching the heart, and to rai^e a vein : he should also be capable of opening the vein in a delicate and suitable manner, so aa to make the vent or orifice about one-fourth of an inch in length. I have been told that the Indians make i. lan- cet of a nice piece of flint, which thejAtic in a stick & strike it, like a fleam, with another stick, and so open a vein very well : and it vexes a- body to think that any white man should make a more bungling and indifferent hand at letting blood than the poor Indian. But to be serious, due care and discretion ought to be used, not hi injure the place on w'hich you operate. If >,ou hare a spring-lancet, set it with judgment, just PRESCRIPTIONS. S7 fairly to go into the vein, and no deeper, and by no means strike thro'the vein. When I lived in Georgia, in bleeding the blacks, I learned to rip the skin with my thumb-lancet (for I always have bled with sort) and then I could fairly and safely open the vein; and when I have bled a white person, I have chose to do it, by a slanting thrust, in the ripping way. 2. Where to bleed, I think of some importance —When you bleed for a bruise or pain, I think it best to chuse a vein as near the affected part as you Can get; and if for the pleurisy or pain in the side or shoulder, chuse your vein on the same side that the pain is, lest, as they say, you should draw the pain across the heart; and for a violent pain in the head, I would recommend to open a vein in the forehead. You may by drawing a handkerchief about the neck, raise good veins in the forehead ; and if you open cne of them, it will bleed as well as the arm, and 1 count it the safest place in the body; the skin is a little thicker than elsewdiere, but the blood will never flow when the neck is loosed. I have experienced, from this operation, the most sensi- ble relief in my own person, when from the pain in my head (as we used to say) my eyes were ready to burst. Let this be a general rule, when you bi.,d up an arm to raise a vein, take that vein which rises best. From half a pint to three half pints, is a suitable portion of blood to take from a grown person at a time : and that ought to vary according to the strength and circum- stances of the person. 3. When to bleed, I think a matter of singu- 88 PRESCRIPTIONS. lar importance—Generally, it will he safe (• bleed in all cases of plethora and irritation : then expect the countenance fresh and the pulse high. If then the patient has pain and distress any where in the body, especially in the breast, you may let blood, and it will likely lie to considera- ble advantage. Young mm, they say, should be bled, if they are healthy, once or twice at about 20 or 21 years old ; and women, if strong enough, about the turn of life, at the age of-10 or 45. Pregnant women, if strong and hardy enough, are recommended to be bled about the third, the fifth and the ninth months ; and near tty delivery, when their labor is like to be tedious. 4.fc When not to bleed, is a matter of still more importance for us to know than the former, if it be possible-r<-I advise generally not to. bleed in the cases of weakness, debility and languor; then the anise will be low, the countenance pale, and bleeding will always then reduce the patient and make him more weak, and sometimes, I be- lieve, will be the occasion of inevitable death. No. 73. For the Dew-worm, or child?8 sore head. . Take one spoonful of tar, one spoonful of the scraping of a copper kettle, black pepper and brimstone, of each a teaspoonful, and tallow the size of a hen's egg ; put all in one pint of spi- rits, and simmer them together over a fire to an ointment. Anoint the child's head once a-day until it is well, aud let him wear the same cap. PRESCRIPTIONS. 89 No. 74. Ointment for the Piles. To prepare—Take elder roots, hearts of plantain, of burdock, of mullein,mallows,catnip and motherwort, a handful of each ; to be stewed in one pound of fresh butter—with this the pa- tient is frequently to grease himself. SeeNo.il. Note—No. 73 and No. 74 are old Dutdi re- ceipts, that have often been proved. No. 75. For a person breaking out with Boils. Take elder stalks one year old, cut them in chunks, split them. open, and fill a pint mug or vessel with them, and put on cold water to stand all night; let the person drink half a pint of the water in the moridng. Renew and drink three mornings successively. This little course will so purge and cool the blood, as to prevent their rising any more. Boils are generally thought to be a sign of health, but they are so sore, that you will wish to prevent them, if you can. When a boil first appears, it commonly has a little white head with a small drop of matter in it: if tnen you will pierce it, a little lower than the skin, and squeeze out a drop of black blood from the bot- tom, it will die aw ay and hurt you more. But sometimes boils rise in great hlmndance, and I have heard of some instances of their taking life. Prevent them then, in time, if you can. 8* SO PRESCRIPTIONS. No. 7'fi- The cure of bilious, typhous or nervous fevers maybe attempted in the following manner." 1. Give No. 1. to move the bile ; this is pre- ferable to any thing else, I believe, to lay the foundation of a cure, as it will brace the stomach (the common ipecacuanha may answer) and fit it to receive the following. 2. As soon as the puking has ceased a little, give No. 25, and continue this according to the prescription, until the patient is quite well. 3. Keep No. 26 in readiness, and if any thing of the flatulent or colic kind is perceived-, give it freely according to the prescription, until that is overcome ; No. 25 and No. &6 may both be used together, and I believe they will always be found sufiicient to carry off the remaining bile, and they will give ease and sleep; but the patient should take, as soon as he can, the coffee directed in No. 46, and proceed to other nourishment as the sto- mach will take it: this commonly finishes the cure. ' 3. When an obstinate bickup has taken place, I have dissolved three or four pills, No. 26, in a (, »p oiful of hot water, and given it; and conti- nued to repeat it while there was occasipn. Pe*ft*t haps No. 16 in tea would do as well, or belter. 4. At the beginning, if there is extreme pain in the head, take a little blood from the forehead, as mentioned in No. 72, but the quantity ought. to he according te the strength of the patient; i and blood in like manner may be taken A t>n>. the arm, in case of extreme pain or distress in the i breast. PRESCRIPTIONS. 91 5. If coldness of the extremities remain after the operation of the emetic, give No. 34. I have found the needed, tho' despaired of, assistance from this. I have by this course recovered per- sons who had been vomiting several days (as long as ten) and have found them recover, when even dying symptoms were upon them. I have tried to excuse persons who have been long and hard vomiting, from taking No. 1, but have found it impracticable. These hard cases I have succeeded in, wdien their physicians have aban- doned them. See preface. 6. Every body should know, that a passage should be procured, in a fever, thro' the draught; but after the puke, if need be, it will be best to procure a passage by injections. 7. If the fever does not yield to the above ap- plications in two or three days, give the sweat No. 39 ; and always try to keep up the perspi- ration by a plentiful drinking of some suitable herb or root tea, such as No. 9,10 or 12, or sage tea. It matters little what you call the disease— remittent, camp, bilious, nervous, typhus, yellow fever or sick stomach ;* all will yield to the above directed process, 6'r T am mistaken—the / ' commission of death only excepted. * The yellow fever and the sick stomach I take to • he the same disease ; their difference hehi.-- chiefly in external circumstances But they are both, properly speaking, the bilious fever. 93 , PRESCIPTIONS. No. 77. For a swelling of the belly and legsafterafevev. or by taking a cold. Take a pint of mustard seed, ground or poun- ded, aud a double handful of horse radish roots, scraped or shreded: steep them in half a gallon of stale cider, in a jug, and shake it often. After 24 hours begin with half a gill per dose, or what the stomach can bear; take it in the morning, and always before meals thro' the day, till you p.re relieved : and continue to take Kirae at times. If hot pimples or boils break out on the skin, wash them with a decoction of maple bark. This has been found a very successful remedy in the southern states. If cider cannot be had, this medicine may he prepared with vinegar, reduced, sweetened, kc. like No. 50. No. 78. The Hydrops, a cure for the Hydrophobia, or bite of a mad dog. A certain herb is now known, and cultivated in gardens, that from the !>< st information Js en effectual remedy for this most alarming and aw- ful disorder. * This herb I call hydrops, but by some of the German^ it is called hunor dorm (or alsine, lain) and from among them it came into use. i'ui from a Dutch herbal, the herb by that name ap- pears to he another thing—that has a yellow blossom, this a beautiful pink red ; that lives PRESCRIPTIONS. 93 thro' the winter, this dies with the frost, and comes up from the seed in the spring. The hydrops is a small running vine, a little resembling the madder; its stalk or vine is four square, having ttfo leaves at a joint, one on each side, and the next leaves are transverse; a grown leaf is about three-quarters of an inch in length, ■ a beautiful oval, without notches or roughness any where ; the under side of the leaf is thickly speckled with brown or dun-colored spots, not much larger than the prick of a pin ; on the set of the leaf, joining the stalk, are sprouts, some becoming roots, some new vines, and some the beautiful lilly, which begins to show its red leaf when near the size of a grain of wheat, supported by a little round stem about an inch and a half from the stalk ; the bud or heart abounds with these little transverse leaves, closely crouded. These vines put out thick in every direction, creeping on the ground and taking root at the distance of a foot or two from the.first root; and when it has once gone to seed, it will come again the next year without sowing. The tradition or saying is, that this herb ought to be gathered on the longest day in the year, in the forenoon; but I believe this is only a foible, for it must*be like other herbs, best when in its bloom and greatest perfection. The Dutch herbal directs to gather the huner dorm when the sign is in the twins, or breast; and they may do that who please, I dare say it will do. However, the old lady, mother Cints, in whose garden I found the herb, and who gave me the most correct account, which she states from cer- 94 PRESCRIPTIONS. tain facts with which she was acquainted, say9 it will do to take it green out of the garder, at any time, and make a tea of it, and it wityt-cure the bite of the mad dog. The manner in which the hydrops was dirccled to be given by father Miller, is to have it dried and powdered, and to put as much of the powder as will lie on a quarter of a dollar, on a piece of breaJl and butter, and let the person or creature eat it ; and let this be done three days succes- sively. (But wrc may know that a cow or a horse may take ten times as much as a man.) It is advisable to lose no time in giving it. In this manner a family with whom I am ac- quainted, made a fair and successful proof of it. A boy and a dog crtwo took the powdered herb, and continued well; while some other creatures, bitten at the same time, underwent the awful iigony and died. Tho efficacv of this herb, in curing the bite of tiie mad dog,^ts asserted by so many, that no doubt of it canVcmain. It has been published in the publicflnews, and in a Dutch almanac, but I have no? haime advantage of cither of them to assist me irKplprescriptioii. This is the cure mentioned ir^pe preface. .^ - My acquaintance with the hydrops is too small to enable me to judge much of its virtues, or of its general operation. But I make no doubt that it possesses the most rare qualities. Proba- bly it maybe found an antispasmodic of the most fce frequently relieved by a mode- rate, but plentiful drinking, and prudent bathing. 4. Consumptive persons may be cured by these waters, w hen other means would fail.* 5. Those families who live by. and drink this kind of wrater, are peculiarly healthy (co au individual) in every part of America. But observe for the diseased, 1. There should be a copious drinking of the water for a conside- rable time, perhaps for three or four months to- gether ; and drinking w ill frequently answer all purposes, without hftjhing. ^ ^^. -"-^-P-- k 2. Bathing ellrmld be quickly performed, and the body should be covered and got warm as » There are sulphur springs in America; they have r yellow sj>ew, but smell and taste like gunpowder, the drinkina; of which is noted for hurrying- off con- * iraptive people. The warm springs in Bath county, Virginia, and those on French Broad mcr, North Ca- rviiva, haw the same character. »L_ _ PRESCRIPTIONS. ** soon as possible ; once iu 2b hours is enough— oftener will do more hurt than good,, especially if they take cold, and that a person bathing is sure to do, if not soon got warm. 3. No person should take the cold bath when heated t.y walking or work; the morning is generally the best tin;?. 4. It may be noticed as an invariable maxim, that whoever takes the cold bath (sT'k or well) and can get quickly warm, will be benefitted by it. These waters, if good, are covered wilh a blue scum, where they stand, and do not run off immediately; and are frequently,.very cold— they cover wood and stones (diatthey run^nver) with a deep yellow paint, like what is commonly called copperas color. The Yellow Spring, in Green county, Ohio, has emitted a spew like the above, that has formed a vast heap of paint, like iron rust or Spanish brown : and the water is conceived to be of the first rate medical quality. Also, there are many other springs in the state of Ohio of the like virtue, and doubtless in many other places iu America. .^l... Commonly when a perSPitakes a good potion of this water, in a little time (perhaps in half an hour) his urine will become as clear as the water he drank, aud he finds himself cool and lively in his feelings. Persons should drink this water, not because thev are thirsty, but because they will drink ii. Tho* the taste of this water is disgusting to sonto at first, a little use brings it to be altogether 400 PRESCRIPTIONS. agreeable. The quantity to be drank at a time, may vary from half a pint to a quart, as the sto- mach can receive it; but some drink two quart?*. It should be drank some time before meals (say half an hour;) mostly after a light draught, the stomach throws or gulps up a little wind; the person then may drink copiously afterwards, and all will lie easy: but if the wind is not thrown up, it causes to vomit. But a few trials, and a little use, will make it perfectly agreeable to every one. The water is never counted good, when kept long from the fountain. THE END. w3CIiIiaT5 PRESl* TIONS. lit [The following Numbers; additions and alteration! have been collected and written since the book was put to press, and a considerable part of them bound.] NO. 86. Vaccine Innoculation Is now fully established to be an antidote against the small-pox. This was discovered and introduced about the begin- ningof the present century, (i.e. the 19tb) by some Doc- tors in England, who transmitted it to America. It has now been practised with, for about 12 years, to general satisfaction, and patronised by two of the honorable presidents of the United States of America, Jeftcr.-()ii and Madison. Thehistory, as near as Ireeollect, is as follows: Cer- tain Milk-Maids, in England, being inoculated with the small-pox, it was found that the small pox could not be communicated to them ; and when the reason was sought, if was conceived that the said Milk-Maids had taken an infection from the Cow's bags or te&'ts, on their hands, which had brought blisters and s.ores on them ; and that in the instances where this had takes place, the small-pox could not be communicated. * The Cows are said to have had such watery blisters, terminating in a scab, on their bags and teats ; and it was from these blisters, found upon the caws in Eng- land, that the vaccine inoculation was begun: and for this reason it was called the Cow-pox or Kiue-Mox. Now the process 1 would advise : 1. Take the watery slime, at about the 6th or 8th flay, from the arm of a healthy., person who has been in- noculated, while the blister is still hi its clear state ; for when it becomes yellow^ it will be uncertain to givo the infection, 2. Raise the cutis, or grain of the skin, about two inehes above the knuckle bone of the wrist, with a lan- • Whether Gows in America have ever such watery blisters snd scabs, I am not able to assert:—But I have heard that a cow was inoculated with the small-pox, and she had the disease fairly. Matter was taken from her and tried (at least on one person) but it was found to be the small-pox still, in all it» in. wteracy. This wu done in the st*tc of Ohio. im rnT5Sc:iVYT(M»9. •ef or needle, into a little cup. so deep Hat (he water i --prill just rise in it ; then introduce a small drop of t!n« *-. above,such as you can carry on the point of your lan- cet or needle, into the raised cup—and cover the ino- culated cup, with a little lint or clean cotton, touched with spittle, or*the white of an egg. to make it stick. 3. In a few hours the lint may be removed from tbe • arm ; and if the infection has taken, it will show a lit- tle inflammation in -IS hours. All excesses in eat in-.-;, drinking and excrcis", should he avoided, as the sy»- tern will be thoroly affected ; an*1 .frequently the per- son will experience,chills andarstight t\\er— and ker- nels in their groi'.is and undiT their anas—aud you may expect the sore on the ana to he considerable. The reason \t hy 1 would prefer the wrist to the upprr ' part of I lie arm, is because I think it a more favorablo plaee to keep cool, and wash frequent!) with a rag dip- [ ed in cold water, wliich should In- carefully attended to, during tin* first stages of the rising of the blister, and inflammation; and if you must have a sore arm it is j better to have it there. If you have to carry the infection any distance or time, I would advise to carry it on a cotton thread, ab- sorbed fall of the vaccine water, dried moderately he- fore the i';r-"», and dropped into a phial—this may he" . cut to pieces, and moistened with spittle on a bit of glass or earthen, and the bigness of half a pin"* head will do to inoculate a person. If you wish to preserve the infection for a considera- ble lime,you may save-j*fte "first scab, taif*ir"rtfr as" -non as the watery «tate¥ubsides. S.-al it in apl.ia!, and it will amwerfor years, to begin this inoeiiJation. "Wc'have to say, in favor of this vaccine in >; ;,!ation, that no one ever catches the infection otherwise-than hy being inoculated ; and we have heard of no on'1'* death being oei-uiioned by it. young or old : but the sinall-p >\ inoculation carries oif many. If this inoculation should be >lill att'-nded to, the ri- sin - n-'neratiun Mill scaicc ever see ih* truly djilor*- bleaad allcciing scijue <;f perjous dylnj, or tuia to pi-- PRESCIUPTiaXS to* ees with the small-pox, which every human creature is exposed to, if not secured from it by vaccina inocula- tion. NO. 97. Tincture of Cantharidts. To prepare—Take half an ounce of cantharides, (op Spanish fiies) pulverise them and put them in a bottla with half a pint of spirits, shake them together a suffi- cient time, then strain out what you want for present use, thro' a fine rag, two or three double. The particular use of this medicine is to remove, in females, that obstruction usually occasioned by catch- ing cold, frequently so fatal to women, (i. e. obstructed menses.)-* I would advise to have this in readiness ; and after trying No. 37or.No. 44, to recruit the system if possi- ble and prepare good blood, for 3 or 6 days, then «\\% this tincture. Begin by dropping three drops in a little water (say a wine glass full)' let her drink it, and repeat the do- ses three times a day, adding one drop more in every potion, until a stranguary takes place, or the wished for fluor ; then stop, and attend to the remedy for th« stranguary, No. 80. Then rest from this 4 or 5 days, and in this time givt one of the chalybeates above mentioned ; then give the tincture again, begionijrg*i w]th the number of drops which you last gave, three times a day, till one or the other of the ^fore-mentioned succeeds j then stop and proceed as above directed. If the end is not answered by the second effort, try the third ; but I think, common- ly speaking, you need not rise above 15 or 20 drops at a dose. This course commonly speaking,gives no disturbance, and will be found a safe and easy process, and very sure to succeed, if such a thing be possible—-it being •ae of the gentle attempts to be made in the stimalaa* *»* PRESCRIPTIONS; course, and will frequently be the cure of fit-*, approach- ingconsumption, &c. The fluor, once obtained, will commonly regulate it- self: at least with the assistance of No 8.—Hut in the uses,s~ - e undc be had. self: at least with the assistance of No 8.—Hut in tho cases, so critical and delicate, 1 advise,that the patient he under the notice of a skilful physician, if such can NO. 88. To prevent or counteract a mortification. Prepare the following: Take brimstone and allum, equal quantities (say the size of a thimble) put them both in a scale and balance them with gun-powder ; then pulverise them separately, and mix them well to- gether. Take of this mixture, as much as can lie on a quarter of a dollar, make it into a potion, with vinegar and water (say half a gill) for a grown person ; and in proportion, for a child. Let the patient drink it with- out delay. Its first effect, commonly, is a chilly fit or shivering, which is to be esteemed a good symptom of its success. The like potion may be repeated daily, till taken three times which is commonly enough. It usual- ly will bring the patient into a good state of perspira- tion • but its peculiar intention is to move and loosen ull obstructions thro' the system. The good effect will commonly soon appear iu the tumor or wound, or affect- ed part of the body, where the mortification is feared, or may be begun ; and will greatly assist external ap- plications to ?ave life, if it'*ne jJo^STMe. For external application, applyJ'Vo 7 or No 14, if convenient; but a decoction ofwgWood and sassefras rootsj'to wash and poltice with, is very good. I have applied this mixture for an obstinate cold, as We call it, \. ben the lune.8 could not be relieved by rais- ing or coughing up any thing, and I found it to have a speedy and happy effect. I was favored with this medicine by Dr. Geo. Foulk* a German. , PRESCRIPTIONS. its r no. 89. for persons lean and poor injt-esh, I would advise the following : fake a teaspoonful! of sugar, and just whiskey or spirits enough to dissolve it and make it swim, (say a tablespoonfuil) infuse them together, and let the poor person drink it of a morning and eat something in about 10 minutes ; but drink no more spirits thro' the 24 hours. Try this every morning, for two or three weeks. This I conceive will increase the quantity of chyle in the sto- mach, and recruit the blood, and nourish all the exte- rior of the body iu a;special manner. These ideas I have farmed from what took place by two of my acquaintance making use of the sugar and whiskey as above ; and from being very spare and poor in flesh, as was their common habit, they became vtr^ healthy, stout, robust, and fleshy enough ; and 1 thiuk they may be a good example for others. NO. 90. Tlie, Silver Boot Is famous, as a poltice, to relieve rheumatic pains, when seated in a knee, shoulder, Sfc. This root may be known by its small stem, about two feet high, strung towards the top with blue blossoms. It grows in marshy places, and on sandy banks of creeks, where the freshes have washed. The roots, when dig- { ged or pulled up, a^ewhite as silver, from whence it ' has its name—are smattf and. grow from their stool in every direction. They taste aromatic, but not severe. They should he pounded and applied/' I have tried this hut a few times. They succeed beyond expectation^ «4id its character is that of an absolute cure. 138 Pu::srRiPTio\?. [T.';? fo!!mcinz;is inter.dil, in anyfuturr edition, tf> I" inserted instead of the »Vu. is. In page 10 of this boo!.-.] NO. 18. The Back-ache root Grows frequently in dry prairies and glady barrens, in the western country and state of t?!;i » ; and I h. !i'»t it may be cultivated*from the seed. :tU called back-ache root,from its special use for that complaint (the back-ache.) It is also frequently called colic-root, because it is a known care i >r the eolic. Dut its more ancient name has been The Devils Hitf. The top is a round weed, from two to five feet hi^h, having no branches at all, but thickly tring with long scattered leaves. About one fourth of the stalk from Mis top point, is covered, in the suaimer, wiih pur;dj blos»'i:ns growing out of the stalk !'.!;c the mutieu ; b::t the stalk is not much lugger than a pipe stem, and seems as if it t;re\v alwajs iu a bunch of grass, which grass indeed, is the haves of the root. The rout itself is a lump or knuh of irregular form, and various in shape and size: is taste is mild, resem- bling the Kiste of allocompain, or a pine bud* or both. The properties of this root 1 conceive are special, be- ing a mild aromatic, yet a powerful stimulus ; answer- ing generally as an antispasmodic, and may be found useful in all the nervous disorders. In using the Back-ache root, observe, 1. A chew of this root is a quick relief for the tooth- ache. s'HB^ v 2. By chewing this root, persons have been cured of the colic and fi.ially of the habit, or return of it. 3. The Croup or bold Hives, have been speedily cu- red t>y drinking a decoetion of this root, making the same root into a poltice, and laying it warm to the pit of the stomich. The decoction should be given, as liberally as possible, till the child gets relief. 4. I have found the decoction of this root, a speedy remedy for the hcad-aehe. f. The back-ache has been cured by thi* root, and in PRESCRIPTIONS. £07 cue instance, it was taken in bitters, chewed, and in de- coction, so that a man took as much as six pounds of (he root in nine days, but had his back cured, with which he had been a cripple for some years. 6. 1 have experienced myself, great reliefin a chronic rheumatism, by only taking it in liquor as bitters. 7. From the foregoing facts, I am encouraged to think, that a decoction of this root will likely cause the iutermission of a fever, aud may perhaps become a. gen- eral cure for fevers ; but a purge, or vomit, should he given before it. 8. It merits a trial in hysteric, and hypochondriac complaints, and in all cramps, spasms, epileptic and convulsion fits, and to prevent the return of the appo- plexy, that king of terrors. Observe—That the using of this root has never hecn known to issue in indirect debility. It ncer occasions vomiting or purging, nor a flow of urine, sweat, or «ali- * va ; nor does it occasiou sleep or stupor, like opium • but the patient sits easy as to all these, tho using this pan- gent root most liberally. If these ideas should be justified, when put to a suffi- cient farther proof, this root must be placed in the first, rank of simples, of all the materia inedica: and I should not hesitate to conclude the entire proprii ty of these remarks, was it not that I remember to have heard, fifty years ago. that it was a root of excellent virtues ; and we may wonder why those virtues have not brought it into use, more generally ere now. But why should we *« onder when so smalja portion of the riehes of the field ef nature is yet'discoverM? -. ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS. Page xxi, instead of the second paragraph of chapter Jii,read—It would surprise you to see (his floating all over you, in a state of good health, like water over a piece "of watered meadow, and a steam fijin»-from yon in every direction, like your breath in a frosty morning, r..i.:.i. . ~.i i»*n.ht rliunnvpr liva srood inicrosconc. * «!•• ALTERATIONS &e. To be added to the introduction, page xxii. Before I quit my introduction, I wi-di to lay down two general rules in taking medicine. 1. It' the patient has ever received special relief from anyone mediciue. try that again in almost any complaint, for that person. 2. Never trust to oue medicine alone, where the complaint is severe or obstinate ; but give the lir-1 aid * hy the next best that you can gel.—Two men with handspikes, maj roll a log that one cannot. Page 69, line 13, add—New-bora infants, strangled I in the birth, may frequently be restored to life by the like process. Page 77, at the end of No 61-—rNote, if it be true that cancers and we us are occasioned Jiy the residence of a family of worms, we may be pretty sure of the success of this preparation, if duly applied. A tincture made \ of No 19, and applied as above, would likely succeed. t If there be a running sore, dress it with the berk of the common Red-root made into a powder, and cover as far as yon have anuoiuted round,with some kind of plaster to keep out the air, and dress twice a day. ^ Page 90, at the end of article 3. 21st line from tho , top, add the following: Give No 2 every other day as ' Jong as the fever continues. If the distress is great, give it in the fever. I have found the distress abate immediately. ERRATXT \ f Page vi, 1st and 18th lines, for " Leotrillt" read Lee trill. Paire xxii, 4th line, for "lap" read lax. Page 44, last line, for "third," read thirst. ~do. 89. 4th Hire, from the bottom, for ''hurt ye« ■Bote,*' read, hurt you no more. Page 4G,3d Hue No. 27, for "twe aavil scales,*' read two ounces anvil scale*. CONTENTS. I. A brief Preface, showing the author's opportunities, &c. Page 5 II. An Introduction, containing three chapters ; attempting ideas upon 1. Respiration, the circulation of the blood and the origin of fevers, 13 2. Upon the diathesis of diseases, agreea- bly to Brown's Elements, 19 3. Upon obstructed perspiration, and its remedy, . SI III. Prescriptions, &c. No. 1. The home ipecacuanha, or Indian physic, S3 2. The Scurvy-grass root, 24 8. Culver's, or Brinton's root, 26 4. The Columbo, or Miami root, 27 5. Butternut or White walnut bark pills, 28 6. China rhubarb root, 30 7. The Nine-bark root, 30 8. The Square-stalk root, 81 9. Agrimoney, 32 10. Black Snake root, S3 11. Corn Snake root, 31 12. Mountain mint, 35 13. Horse h&leu, 35 14. Bark of the White Pine, 36 15. Abela, or Trumpetweed root, 36 16. The Blueberry, or sore throat root,- 37 17. The Squaw root, 39 18. The Back-ache root, 40 19. The Devil's Nip root, 40 20. The Devil's Bit, or Star root, 41 21. The small Asmart, 41 CONTENTS. Pa if.* p~* Johu*s Wfi;l, !-J 20. Eye Yvatcr, ,{ ■n ?A. Dr. Perkins'-; las', remedy, 43 25. The Culumrio root oxynnl, ii *>i. Anodyne pill-, 45 Dr. Keedcr'9 cha^heute for fe-male weaknesses, 1.) 23. Warner's blood-purging piil-, 17 29. Porter's ointments, \ * ''<>■. ileJ Cold water applications, 51 s.s. The poor man's medicine, 5 k CD. Virginia Snake root and Sage tea sweat, 55 40. To cure the Jaundice, 50 11 Pills for. the Jaundice, 57 13. AhtJdolc for epidemic (Use: c«, 58 43. H-.mm'seure for the Dropsy, 5{J 44. 15. Chalvbsate 03*iR|e*M ' + Tiffing mtfWcription for deran-e-I'lentyOVTuauia, 6'J (i.J 16. S\ run for the Dysentery, li- -17. F:>r the Croup, or Bold IHvcs, ef) 48. For thc(|ui*i> oy, Catarrh, &. uUe.. rated Sore iliroat, r:. 49. For the Canker, r>;> 30. For the pain iu the Stomach, 67 M. CONTENTS. Page. 51. For the recovery of a person stun- ned with thunder, or drowned, strangled, &c. 68 52. Slopping of Blood,Hemorrhages,&c.70 5-3. Bleeding at the Nose, • 7 { 5 h. Bleeding at the Lungs, 55. Linseed oil, for Worms, 55. For preserving the teeth, and for an o;lious taste in the mouth, ^y. Cure of venomous bites and slings, 58. Thrush, orchlld's sore mouth, 5;J. Solution oi Corrosive Sublimate, for the Yaws & Venereal disease, 60. Solution for Tetters & Ring-jworms 61. Brandv, Tar and Potash for ditto, 02. Old Dr. Witt's curts'for Wens, 63. For Cancers, R1. For the Tape-worm, Alum, 05. Ointment for Burns j G'>. To prevent the Ague, and.other bilious disorders, 67- For the Asthma, 68. Ointment for the Itch, 09. How to treat a dislocated shoulder, 70. A broken bone^ 71. A sprained ankle or evrist, 72. General directions for venesection, or letting blood, 86 73. For the Dew-worm, or child's sore head, . 88 74. Ointment for the Piles, 89 5 5. For a person breaking out fre- quently with Boils, 89 72 73 1 73 1 75 75 1 « 76 76 77 » 77 "' 78 7& 79 81 '*■ 82 82 ! S3 i 84 * 85. I CONTENTS. *Yo. Vnze. 76. The cure of bilious, typhous or nervous Fevers, 90 77- For a swelling of the belly & legs after a fever, or by taking cold, 92 78. The Hydrops, a cure for the Hy- drophobia, or bite of a Mad Dog, 92 79. For a Diarrhoea, or looseness of the belly, 95 80. For a Stranguary, or depression of urine, 95 81. For the Diabetes, or an excess of urine, 96 82. For a person struck- with the Dead Palsy, 96 83. To expel Worms in children by external application, 96 84. The cure of Fevers, by external application, 97 J3S. Yellow Springs, or chalybeate waters, 97 1; •# ww^ '*ir ".;■.'*• -/ * *.;■