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ARMY MEDICAL LIBRARY

      WASHINGTON

        Founded 1836
Section
Number
MMjA
     Form 113c, W. D., S. G. O.
3—10543   (Revised June 13, 1036) 
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          FAMILY


MEDICAL ADVISER;


             CONTAINING

   A COMPLETE HISTORY OF DISEASE,

WITH THE METHOD AND MODE OF CURE.,


      BY I. J. S PERRY, M. D .
   Pres. of Conn. Bot. Med. Soc, and Pres. of the Board of Examiner!.

       TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF TREATISE ON

ANATOMY AND  PHYSIOLOGY,
      AND A HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE
    REMEDIES USED IN THE CURE OF DISEASE,
       WITH DIRECTIONS FOR COMPOUNDING ;

         BY Br. T. S. SPERRY.
        HARTFORD:
J. GAYLORD WELtS, PRINTER,
          18 4 7.' 
WB                                     9
l?47
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year of our Lord 1847,
             BY ISAAC J.  SPERRY,
In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the State of Connecticut. 
PREFACE.
   After having penned our last page, we now seat  ourselves to
indite our first one.  In this place it is that an author can enjoy a
little confidential conversation with  his reader.   We are not about
to ask an apology, or make any excuses, because we have added to
the list of medical books already  extant, for in fact we have no
excuse to offer.   There were many who  thought with us that such
a work as we have now published was demanded; and consequently
we became so far " book makers."   If we have erred, we have done
so in great company, and with a good end in view.  If we fail in
this we have no one to blame but  ourselves.   It is true, that on
commencing we had no thought of the trouble and vexation attend-
ant upon the task.   The saying " O that mine enemy would write a
book," occurring to us otten  during its advancement;  but we had
set our hand to  the plough and would not turn back.
  And now a few words as to the book itselk  It is as the title inti-
mates, designed especially for families, for a guide to them, when dis-
ease shall have entered their circle;  and consequently it has been
written  without regard to scientific  terms, but in terms  plain, and
the rules plain, easy and efficient in application*  One course, and
the correct course, is marked out, and no one need feel fear or hesita-
tion in carrying it out.   It is the practice we have used during our
long professional life,and we have  only to point at our success in proof
of the correctness of the principles  and practice laid down in this
work.  There are in the body of the work typographical errors, as
well as grammatical, which perchance we have overlooked; but for
this we have a good and sufficient excuse.  It has been written by
piece-meal, admidst a press of professional business, the most ardu-
ous and burthensome; while family afflictions, the most severe, have
not tended  to advance its  progress.
  It is due to ourselves  as well as the reader, to give this explana- 
IV
PREFACE.
tion, or else it might seem, from some portion of the work, that eht
charge of carelessness might accrue to us.  We believe, however,
that in no case, is our meaning altered by the  slight slip of the pen,
or wrong punctuation.  We neither  deprecate nor invite criticism,
believing that the critic has neither a very wide or profitable field
for his fault finding  skill.  After all, if our unpresuming book finds
favor with the  Thomsonian  public generally, we will be content
to let critics fume and fret, and enemies sneer  and  curl the lip with
the scorn they try to feel.
  To the Thomsonian family generally throughout  the NewEngland
States, we recommend  it, believing they will find it adapted to their
every want.   Let  none mislead  themselves  by thinking that the
practical portion  of this work, is based upon principles original
with us ; not at all,  they are those discovered  and promulgated by
Samuel Thomson, and in each  and every case  we have followed
them truly, as we understand them and their  application.  Let no
one call us or our book by  any name but that of Thomsonian, for
we recognize no other.   In fact, we " would  rather be a dog,  and
bay the moon," than to be the recipient of all  the honors that could
come, by stealing from Thomson his hard earned knowledge, and put
forth a burlesque, heterogeneous mass, as our  own, and  then curse
him from whom we obtained it, as others have done.
  The printer is obstinate about the space we occupy, and accord-
ingly we subscribe ourselves,
                   Very Respectfully,
                                            The Editors.
  Hartford, August, 1847. 
INTRODUCTION,
     Dcjring the last four  years I have been  importuned to
 give the results of my practice and experience to the world. It
 will be admitted, that in a practice of twelve years, my success
 has been without a parallel in medical history.  This may.be
 deemed egotism, but where I am known it will be set down as
 truth. I do not boast of this as being singular with me, but
 as the result of a thorough and systematic treatment of disease
v according to  the principles and practice of Dr. Thomson.  I
 claim no originality.  Ail the writers who have undertaken
 to  explain the  fundamental doctrines of our  great founder,
 have  failed in adapting the practice  to  the  understanding
 and application  of private families.  To  do  this has been
 my object in writing this Treatise.  I do not expect that I shall
 be  able so  to instruct  families that in all cases  they  will
 not need  a physician.  Most  families have their own  par-
 ticular branch of industry to attend to; but  my  object is to
 give such instruction as will enable them,  in  the early stage
 of disease, to remove it with certainty and success.  And if I
 am able to do this, which  I natter  myself I shall be, I shall
 feel more proud than if I had conquered kingdoms, or at the
 head of armies had slain my thousands.
   Another reason which has actuated me in "perpetrating'''' this
 book, (and by no means the least,) has been to  add my mite in
 perpetuating  the theory  and  principles of the  originator.
              A 
 VI                    INTRODUCTION.
 They who have written have soared too high—have been too
 arbitrary in  their directions, and have not sufficiently adhered
 to the practice of Dr  Thomson.  They have  "sought  out
 many inventions " as  substitutes for the simple and sublime
 truths of our founder, and which will in  future time place his
 name high upon the roll of fame.  I have endeavored to give
 his principles, and explain them fairly, freely, and  without
 any restrictions whatever.
  I may be censured, perhaps, for  associating with me one
 who is comparatively young: but to this practice he has dedi-
 cated whatever of years and judgment he possesses, and has
 been of much advantage to me in this task.   To him has been
 the Botanical or Materia Medica part of this work assigned.
 Although meagre, comparatively, it will be followed by a full
 and complete work on Medical Botany, which is needed more
 than any other.  I shall be understood when I say, hereafter,
 " toe," as  meaning both the compilers of this work.
  We do not claim to be originators entirely, because he who
 gives a  true  history of disease  and pathology, or  symptoms,
must follow  what has been done heretofore.   But in practice
we design to be plain and full, giving to all a treatment which
 they can follow without fear, and with perfect confidence.
  A Treatise upon the  " Theory and Practice of Midwifery,"
with the treatment of diseases peculiar to women and children,
will shortly follow, if this finds favor with  our  Thomsonian
fraternity.
  This work will be divided into three parts, viz: 1st, A short
 history  of Anatomy and Physiology.  2d, The history of dis-
ease, symptoms and cure ;  and 3d,  Medical Botany.
                                         I J. SPERRY. 
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
   1st. The only  duty of the Physician  is to preserve
health, or to aid the sanative efforts of nature when mor-
bidly affected.
   2d.  The state  of  Hygeine or perfect health,  depends
upon an equal  distribution of caloric or heat; a free and
equal distribution of the blood, and a due balance of the
surrounding atmosphere*
   3d.  That whatever tends to diminish the heat, destroy
or obstruct a free circulation, or disturb  the equalization
of the  surrounding medium,  is ihe remote, exciting, or
predisposing cause of disease.
   4lh. That there is  a unity of disease, and that unity is
Obstruction :  L e., when the exciting cause has deranged
or obstructed the functions,  (whether vital, natural,  or
animal,) of any or all of the organs, the proximate  cause
or obstructions  may be said to exist.
  5th. That  any  medicine  or  system of medicine that
will  positively and universally remove disease or obstruc-
tion  from the system  in its incipient stage—equalize the
circulation,  and  restore vital action,  may be termed a
unity of remedy.
  @th. That all disease is direct debility, or a loss of heat
or vital power.
  7th. That the 6ystem of medicine promulgated to the
world by Dr. Samuel Thomson is true, and  will fulfill  all
the indications required of medicines, when faithfully and
perse veringly applied, and is, therefore, a unity of remedy.
  8th. Fever is not  a disease, but a symptom of disease,
and is a sure indication of functional derangement.
             a3 
8
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
  9th. The location and nature of the obstruction deter-
mine the name and  treatment of the disease.
  10th. There is general or  local congestion existing in
all cases of acute disease, owing to the spasmodic  or con-
tracted condition of the blood vessels, especially the capil-
laries,
  11th. This state  of the circulating vessels prevents the
equal and ordinary distribution of the blood, and although
the pulse is more frequent, it requires a much longer time
for the whole blood to circulate through the system than in
a state of health.
   12th. That Lobelia and the Vapor Bath are the best
remedies extant to reduce the spasmodic action of the arte-
ries, and restore the elasticity of the capillaries.
   13th. To remove morbific  matter or canker from the
system is absolutely necessary, especially from the  alimen-
tary canal, that the absorbent vessels may perform their
functions—to effect which Nos. 2 and 3 should be freely
administered.
   14th.  The administration  of depletive  remedies, such
as arsenic, mercury, antimony, cicuta, and other  poisons,
together with blistering and bleeding, reduces vital action
and increases the force of the disease.
   15th. It requires more time and treatment  of the botan-
ic physician to remove the effects of the above  misnamed
medicines  than to cure disease.
   16th. In the cure of chronic disease, the physician will
perform more, by infirmary treatment, in ten days, than in
as many weeks, by any other course.
   17th. In all medical treatment, every indication should
be carelully observed and faithfully answered. 
HEAT AND COLD THE PRINCIPLE OF LIFE.
     Much has been written to demonstrate what does, in
reality, constitute the principle of life, and we are left as
far  in the  dark now,  as  when these savans commenced
their theorizing : neither do we undertake to say abstractly,
what life is; but  this much  is certain, that life,  or  the
living principle, is developed by the action of heat upon
organized matter; and by the action of its opposite, i. e.,
cold, this  principle is destroyed, and organic matter is
resolved again  into its original mass.  It follows, then,
that our 5th proposition  is correct—that  in  all forms of
disease, of whatever name or nature, the vital principle, or
heat, is reduced, and  that the old doctrine  of increased
action, or vital power, is not true.
  If the above position be correct,  what folly—nay, what
madness—what trifling  with  life  is it,  to  exhibit cold,
depletive  drugs, which  still  further reduces  the  living
principle, and  obliges debilitated nature to contend with
both disease and remedy.   To understand rightly the due
balance of internal and  external heat  necessary  for  the
several organs  of the  body to  retain their integrity, is  the
" neplus ultra" of the Botanic Physician's art, and without
            a3 
10
HEAT  and cold
this knowledge, although possessed of all other, he will be
poor indeed.
   It is a well known fact, that in healthy persons more
weight is thrown off by insensible perspiration, in a given
time, than by all the other evacuations.  This was designed,
without doubt, to keep the external heat below the internal,
by the action of atmospheric air upon this external moist-
ure.   That such is its effect is certain, and as long as this
state continues the determination  is outwardly,  the evacu-
ations are healthy and regular, the organs  perform their
appropriate  functions, and  perfect health  is the conse-
quence.  Dr, Mattson, in his book of practice,  endeavors
to bring this doctrine of Dr. Thomson into disrepute, (see
preface,) by  showing that  the  atmospheric air is often
above the internal heat of the body; but he evidently does
not understand the  subject.   He makes no  allowance for
the increased perspiration, which keeps the temperature of
the surface below the internal.  If, from labor, or any other
cause,  the body becomes weak  and exhausted  in hot
weather, and there is no perspiration—faintingis the conse-
quence, as the internal caloric is lost in a degree, and the
outward  increased.   As  soon, however,  as perspiration
takes place,  the  action of the atmosphere upon moisture
lessens  the  outward  heat and  the  system immediately
re-acts.   This is understood by the laboring man, who  feels
best  in extreme hot  weather when he sweats  most.  Dr.
Guy, in speaking of the obstructed capillaries, says " there
is no such thing as  increased action—that  which used to
be called increased  action is in  fact  diminished action;"
and a physician of this city, (Hartford,) whose advantages
in this country and Europe have been unsurpassed, has, 
THE  PRINCIPLE  OP LIFE.
11
in an article published in the " Boston Medical and Surgical
Journal," repudiated the  doctrine  of increased  action-—
and in support of this (to the faculty) new doctrine, makes
use of this cogent argument: " That if in disease there
was increased action, the patient, in passing from increased
action to death, would certainly  pass  the line of perfect
health."  Yet at the same time, and in the  same paper
from  which we have quoted, and in which  he urges the
doctrine  of " decreased action," he recommends the use
of Cicuta,  Belladonna, Hyosciamus, and other kindred
poisons, which directly  tend  to destroy the living prin-
ciple.   It  is for the purpose, as he says, of checking the
power from behind, or the action of the heart,  to relieve
congestion.  The obstruction of the capillaries is in most
cases the  cause of congestion ;  hence it would, in our
judgment,  be more rational and more  consistent with his
own  theory, to remove the obstructions from  before,  or
restore  the action  on elasticity of the  capillary vessels,
when the  blood will circulate in its full, free, and unre-
strained  volume, as  in health ; in  which case congestion
must be relieved.   But with the remedies which the fac-
ulty use, their theory and practice must and will be absurd,
inconsistent, false and dangerous.
   But to return.  We believe that it is absolutely neces-
sary that the heat of the surface or skin should be less than
that of the internal organs, in order that the system main-
tain its integrity,  and the organs  their functions.  Nay,
more, to show fully what we mean, would take an extreme
case to test the principle.   We believe that if the internal
heat could be raised and kept above the outward, in each
and every case, so that the determination would be  to the 
ia
HEAT  AND COLD
 surface, we might walk through the fiery furnace of Nebtt«
 chadnezzar Unscathed and unharmed. It is, therefore, of tho
 \nost vital importance  that  the  skin, or the capillaries,
 should  be unobstructed to  enjoy  health, for upon  this
 depends whether or not the determination is to the surface;
 whether the  morbific matter continually forming  in  the
 system, is thrown off by the evacuants, or whether it "is
 taken up  by  the absorbents, to poison and  disease,  and
 further obstruct the functions  of the organ?.
   Case.  A  young lady in New Haven just coming down
 with the measles, exposed herself  during  a rainy night,
 being ignorant of  her  disease.  I was  called,  with my
 brother,  in  the  morning.    We found her laboring for
 breath, with  severe spasms, and no  appearance of the
 eruption.   My brother immediately raised the windows to
 admit a free circulation of air, gave her freely of Cayenne,
 bathed her face with cold water,  and applied a hot brick
 to the feet, and in half an hour she was completely covered
 with the eruption, and experienced no other inconvenience
 than is common  in  light attacks of  the same disease.  It
 is, then, not  only necessary to health, but it is  likewise
necessary  that the physician understand this  subject fully
to be successful in his profession.
   Much benefit will be  derived from often spongino- the
surface in fevers, if cold and relaxed, with stimulents,—if
hot and dry,  with  tepid  water, vinegar  or spirit,  or
salaeratus.  Cold applications are good if thorough friction
is used  afterwards.  And perhaps it would  be proper to
remark under this head, that the proper temperature of the
sick room is the same as will be comfortable for the nurse
in attendance.  All can readily understand  the  effect of 
THE PRINCIPLE OF LIFE.
13
heat upon vegetable matter.  Here  during the frosts  of
winter death holds undisputed and universal sway.
  The sap which performs the same  office as the circula-
tion of the blood in organized matter, is forced to the roots
until the  sun  returns to dispel the icy chains of winter,
warm the earth, and invigorate inanimate nature. The sap
now circulates freely, the buds and blossoms appear, and
under  the genial influence  of heat,  the whole vegetable
kingdom  resumes her  richest livery.  But we must  be
understood.  The same  agent which has produced this
great and wonderful change in the vegetable world,  will,
if not equalized by the rains and dews of heaven, destroy.
So in the human system, heat without moisture upon the
surface, destroys that which, under more favorable circum-
stances if has  produced.  But this is not  the  theory of
Thomson.  This has been charged upon us by our enemies,
or opponents,  as the doctrine  of  our founder, that  heat,
abstractly considered,  was not only the cause  of life, but
the more heat,  the greater degree of health.  Heat or
warmth is conveyed over the system through the medium
of the circulation, hence the assertion in scripture, that
" the blood is the life thereof:" and  if the blood circulates
freely it furnishes the proper quantity of moisture to main-
 tain a due balance of heat to the principle of life.   Thus,
 we repeat again, that to exhibit the remedies of Dr. Thom-
son, or to carry out  his principles, so as  to be successful,
care must be had to keep a free circulation, as this  furnish-
 es heat;  and atthe  same time to supply a proper quantity
 of moisture upon the surface to keep always " the fountain
 above ihe stream.'" 
STEAMING, OR THE  VAPOR BATH.
   This has  been  used by  our enemies as  a term  of
reproach,  and for the purpose of heaping obloquy upon the
practice, and to bring it into disrepute.  Neither has this
been without its effect.   Many persons have  believed that
there was great danger in this simple process, and many
false and  ridiculous  stories have been circulated, of death
occurring  from  this safe and  highly salutary and sanitory
operation.  We  can safely say, that we have  never admin-
istered a bath to a single individual who did  not speak  of
its effects in the highest terms of approbation.  He who reads
history knows, that to the ancients, so far as physicians and
medication was concerned,  (except perhaps  some simple
vegetables,) the  bath  was the  Alpha  and Omega, the
beginning and the end.   And, indeed; it would be a work
of supererogation to undertake to prove the falsity,of such
reports, or the perfect harmlessness of the vapor bath,   It
would seem to be just and honorable, and indeed Christian-
like, to elevate our great founder as  a mark at which  to
discharge  the envenomed arrows of contumely, falsehoods
and death  ; for while every epithet in our language has
been heaped upon him and his practice, his principles have 
STEAMING, OR
15
 one by one been  stolen from him, and that,  too, by men
 scientific and learned, and in their hands havs been extol-
 led as every thing good and great.  " Dr. Jenning's Med-
 icated  vapor bath," and " Hick's patent  portable vapor
 bath,"  are  both the principles of Dr. Thomson; and the
 Credit of originating the vapor bath  and  applying it to
 remove morbific matter, or  capillary obstructions, belongs
 to Dr. Thomson alone, and to him will the world  accord it.
 So much  confidence have  we in its effects, that in the
 incipient  stage  of fever, three fourths, or  even  more, of
 the cases may be cured by the bath alone.
   The false  and  ridiculous reports  put  in circulation
 respecting this branch of the practice  has operated unfa-
 vorably upon many of the practitioners and friends of the
 system, so much so that it is often neglected when neces-
 sary, or if applied it is not efficiently, or to  such extent as
 to induce healthy action.
   We have before stated that our main  object in publish-
 ing this Treatise is to benefit the people, and to enable them
 to remove  disease in its incipient or early stage.   Hence
 we shall give faithful instructions, leaving  it  to our read-
 ers to benefit by them or not, as they may deem proper.
  In all cases of fever,  the capillaries or pores of the skin
 are closed by the action or exposure to cold,  or cold and
 moisture combined.   This may be more or less  suddenly
 developed, but as soon as discovered  should  be  removed
by opening the pores of the  skin, and thus equalizing the
circulation and removing obstructions.  This can, in most
cases, be done by the  thorough application  of the  steam
bath,  and should  never be  omitted  in any case, though
other medication should be  found necessary.   Often a 
16
THE  VAPOR BATH.
" simple sweat" may be sufficient; but if the patient has
no steaming apparatus, by using the simple means descri-
bed by Dr. Thomson, (see Guide to Health, 10th edition,
page 26,) will answer every indication, although attended
with more trouble.   This is done by heating a number  of
stones of different sizes to red heat, and after placing the
patient in a  chair, covered with a blanket,  with  a pan  of
hot water under the chair, the vapor is  raised  by degrees
by inserting the smallest stone first, and increasing the
steam as  the patient requires,  until complete relaxation
takes place.   Then the cold water should be applied, and
friction raised with coarse napkins, or hair cloth, or mittens,
until a healthy re-action takes place.  It should be borne in
mind that stimulating  medicine should always be  given
previous to going into the bath, and if the  patient is  much
debilitated, it should be repeated, and cold spirit, vinegar
or water applied to the face and chest.
  Much objection has been  urged, and  much prejudice
exists, against the  cold dash or shower,  but it is because
the principle of application is not understood, and because
after the application friction has not been  used  sufficiently
to induce healthy  reaction.   To apply  the  cold dash and
leave the patient  exposed  to atmospheric influence  is
merely to invite morbid reaction ; but if rubbing be contin-
ued  until warmth  and perspiration return to the surface
the disease is removed.
  We have said that the bath must be continued until relax-
ation is effected, though perhaps prostration would  better
express  our meaning ;  but many object to it because it has
always been contended that our practice  is not depletive,
and if by  the term depletive is meant that  it lessens in any 
STEAMING, OR
17
degree the principle of life or vital action, then, indeed, it
is not true ; but in  all cases  where  diseased  action  is
removed, relaxation or prostration takes place,  until the
system reacts.
   Another mode of applying  the  vapor is to convey the
steam from the spout of a teakettle, by means  of a tin pipe,
under a chair, the patient placed as before, the pipe being
divided into joints, with  elbows, so  as  to  give a  right
direction.  The water in  any  case can be medicated so
as to suit the case or the fancy of the patient.  But to
combine efficiency with comfort and convenience, the bath
or steam box must be resorted to.
   It was the custom, years ago, in the early stage of fever,
or in case of any serious indisposition, to sweat, (and the
thought of that sweat now almost  causes the perspiration
to flow.)  But nature and experience taught our mothers the
easiest  and best mode of removing disease in  its  early
stage.  In the steam  lath we have a process at once safe,
salutary and  efficient  in  removing  disease,  and  also
extremely pleasant  as a cleansing operation, and stands
pre-eminently  above  every other means as a preventative
of disease.
   We recollect  a  case of  rheumatism.  A  Mr. K., who
had been attended by Dr. Brigham,  and not finding any
relief, was recommended  by Dr. B. to try the  effects  of
the steam bath ; yet  such was  the influence of previous
prejudice upon his mind, that the prospect of death alone
could have induced him to risk its application :  and when
he at length ventured on the hazardous experiment it was
with fear and trembling, but when once in the bath it was
a long time before he would believe the simple application 
18
THE VAPOR BATH.
could be the same  that he had formerly believed next to
death itself, and much longer  before he would quit  such
" comfortable quarters;" and although he was carried into
the bath,  he walked  out, and to his  carriage ; and the
second  application effectually cured him.
  We would here again remark, that the bath is too much
neglected, and when applied it is  not so thoroughly given
as it should be.  And  let  the reader remember  that it
should  be continued a sufficient length of time to produce
complete [relaxation. 
COURSES  OF MEDICINE.
  In the following pages the reader will find  " Courses of
Medicine " often prescribed, and I have therefore thought
it expedient, in this place, to give directions as to the best
and most efficient mode of administration.  He who resorts
to the Thomsonian system  for cure, should in the first
case prepare his mind  to be  thorough and  persevering,
always bearing in mind that the  medicines are harmless
in their effect upon the human system, but to answer the
indications in removing disease, must be thoroughly, per-
severingly, and judiciously applied.   In chronic forms of
disease, where the vital energy  is  much weakened, to
restore action, remove obstructions, and produce healthy
reaction, courses of medicine are absolutely necessary, and
that often repeated.
  We have before laid it down in our general principles,
that there is in every  departure from perfect health, a sen-
sible  loss of vital power or action—that this  depreciation
of the living principle prevents the  determination to the
surface  from  throwing off  (as in a  state  of health,) by
insensible perspiration, and other evacuations, the morbific
matter which is being continually collected from the innu- 
20
COURSES OF  MEDICINE.
 tricious portions of food.   This'morbific matter, which Dr.
 Thomson calls canker, is, therefore, retained in the system,
 and produces, in most cases, the "proximate cause of dis-
 ease " or obstructions.   If the capillaries or pores are closed
 suddenly, it is acute disease, or fever, the form depending on
 the previous habit or idiosyncrasy of the system,  season
 of the year, &c. ;  but if the change  be more gradual, the
 patient continues,  (although not well,)  about his  usual
 occupation,  until  organic  derangement or chronic disease
 is the consequence.  It is in this state that "  Courses of
 Medicine " have a perfect adaptation to the wants of the
 system in removing disease; or in other words, to increase
 the vital power, remove morbific matter or obstructions,
 and  tone up  the  system,  or to  aid nature in regaining
 healthy action.
   This may be done  by giving a strong tea of No.  3, or
 any article  possessing astringent properties or  the princi-
 ple of tannin,  with  Cayenne  or Composition, as the
 astringent properties of the medicine, with the stimulating
 effects of pepper, detach the phlegm or mucus,  and restore
 the internal heat.   After this dose is given and  repeated
 according to the state of the patient,  an injection of the
 above articles should  be given,  with the  addition of half
 tea-spoon full of Lobelia.   The vapor bath should now be
 applied, and continued until the pores of the skin be com-
 pletely relaxed,(see article on steaming) when a cold water
shower should  be given,  and rubbing  until perspiration
breaks out freely.   The patient should be placed in bed,
with a steaming stone  at  the feet, and if  there be  any
 local pain, another should be applied to the part,  wrapped
in a wet cloth.  I woujd here remark, that if the extremi. 
COURSES OF  MEDICINE.     '~'       21
 ties should be cold and the skin much relaxed,  or  if the
 operation of the medicine should produce the same effects,
 viz:  cold surface  and cold hands and feet, &c, there
 should be no moisture applied, but dry heat, as the  mois-
 ture tends to retard reaction.  The heat or vital action
 having been  increased  by  No. 2, and  No. 3  given  to
 detach the canker from the muous  membrane, No.  1, or
 Lobelia is to be administered to remove it from the system,
 and to promote healthy action.  The quantity of Lobelia
 to be given for a course of medicine cannot be  arbitrarily
 prescribed, for the necessary dose depends on circumstan-
 ces, such as constitution,  temperament, and  violence of
 the disease.   The dose prescribed by Dr. Thomson is three
 tea-spoons full of  the pulverized seed, and this quantity
 would  perhaps be  nearer an average dose than any other ;
but in many cases one tea-spoon full, or even less, will be
 sufficient, while in others  it will require double the com-
 mon average (three tea-spoons full)  dose.   The best  mode
of administering it is to commence with less than a tea-
spoon full to prevent too sudden relaxation of the stomach,
which occasions severe pain.  A large quantity of Cayenne
should not be given with Lobelia, as it, by  its  stimulating
and  relaxing effects, likewise produces great distress.—
Strong doses  of No. 3, or astringent tea, should not  be
given at the same time, as they excite antagonistic effects,
one relaxing, the other contracting the coats of the  stom-
ach.  But as observed above, Nos. 2 and 3, or composi-
tion, should  be given previous  to  the  administration oj
Lobelia.   The best guide is to give small  doses until the
indications are answered,  (i. e.)  relax the capillaries and
remove morbific matter, always bearing in  mind that there, 
22              COURSES OF MEDICINE.
is no  danger from its  effects—the cry of poison, <Scc, has
been raised by  its enemies.   After the patient has  done
vomiting he should be permitted to remain in bed for  some
time, when the bath should be again administered and the
patient thoroughly rubbed, and if there is any difficulty of
the bowels another injection should be given, and perhaps
it would be best in most cases.  A tea-spoon full of bitters
should be given, and  the  patient permitted to  take  light
nourishment.  During the operation give  warm teas or
porridge freely.   If it be necessary to continue courses, or
if the disease is of long standing, the courses should be
repeated every  second or  third  day, and Nos. 2 and 3,
with the best bitters, should be given three or four times a
day between, together with any local remedies the partic-
ular form of the disease may indicate.  The above should
continue until a thorough change in the secretions is effect-
ed.    Dr.  Waterhouse says,   " that  by the ' courses  of
Lobelia,' "as he terms them, " as much may be effected in a
few hours as the regular physician can accomplish in as
many weeks," and indeed  there are  few cases of disease
but will yield  to  this course, whatever their name or
nature. 
CATHARTICS.
   Upon no one question has  there been  such diversity of
 opinion among the Thomsonian physicians as in the admin-
 istration of cathartic medicine.   But we presume that no
 one would object to cathartics as such, so much as to the
 effect produced.   And we  would say, that  if a cathartic
 could be discovered which would cleanse the intestinal ca-
 nal as the Lobelia will the stomach,without producing irrita.
 tion, or  checking perspiration ; or, in other words, would
 reduce  inflammation,*  (equalize the  circulation,) "and
 keep the determining power to the surface," we should hail
 it as the greatest-addition that could be made to the Botanic
 practice.  Indeed, in its practical details we should deem ij
 perfection, as the system is true.   In the early professional
 career of Dr. Thomson, it is evident from his " Narrative,"
 that he used cathartics with good effect, and it certainly was
 at that period of his life when he was as successful as he
e ver was  ; and it was in his speculative days, and when, too,
 his ears were poisoned by evil and selfish advisers, that he
 peremptorily condemned  what he had  before successfully
 used.   Neither was this all  : he alienated the affections
 of a lar<*e  proportion of  his  warmest  friends from  him
  • Letitbe  particularly undeistood by the reader, that by Inflammation, we
mean local Congestion.
           B 
24
CATHARTICS.
forever, by making the exhibition of cathartics  a test of
their fidelity to him and his practice.   To this course  he
was advised by men  who were well acquainted  with his
jealousy of all mankind, caused by continual persecution,
and who, by pampering to his worst traits of character,hoped
thereby to become his  favorites, and to feed  upon his sub-
stance.  Nor were they, to a considerable extent, mistaken,
at least  while Dr. Thomson lived ; but they now exist only
to  be  known as base panderers to his prejudices, and
heartless parasites.
  But to return.  The effect of all cathartics, when given
in  drastic  doses,  is undoubtedly to check  perspiration,
determine the  secretions inwardly, and, if often  repeated,
to diminish the power of life.   The question will then  be
asked, is a cathartic dose  of medicine in any case ever
indicated ?  It undoubtedly is.   Many cases will  occur
when it will be found impossible by common Thomsonian
practice to thoroughly cleanse the first passages, (i. e.  by
injections) when medicine  of a laxative nature  ought to
be  exhibited.   But great judgment ought to be exercised.
  1st Proposition.  The administration of  this  class  of
remedies should always be combined  with  stimulents, to
determine  to  the surface.  Perhaps  practitioners  have
yielded too much to the habits and practices of the public
in prescribing cathartics.
  The empirical practice  of the day is confined  almost
entirely to the administration of pills, which  are war-
ranted to cure all forms of disease.  The growing favor
with  which the Thomsonian  system is regarded  by the
public, has been, to a great extent,  the cause  of this,  for
those who have deemed it too much humiliUj to sloop to the 
CATIIARTfOS.
25
adoption of a practice which originated with  an obscure
and illiterate man, have been enlightened with regard  to
the baneful effects of the old, which has resulted in their
swallowing any thing and every thing, and consulting this
or that travelling impostor,  and paying enormous prices,
rather than resort to the  simple and safe remedies of our
practice and system,  which  has been  practically demon-
strated from Maine to Florida, and from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, to  be true.  The people have called for pills, and
something  must be kept in our shops for  those who call,
and truth compels  us to say that this  something has not
always been the  best.    Another reason  for the (we had
almost said,) universal use of cathartics, is the compara-
tive ease with which a dose of pills may be taken.  There
is often great objection to the trouble of giving injections,
but those who regard health will use them instead of resort-
ing to cathartics, one dose of which only requires another,
and that, too, in increased quantity.
  During the first years of our practice* we never made
use of drastic cathartics, and we think few can be admin-
istered with advantage, and they often  produce the most
injurious effects.  To give rules for the exhibition of laxa-
tive medicines would be  impossible, but will be understood
by  judicious practitioners in treating  their  patients,  or
parents their families.   In general, this principle should
be  adopted, to   administer no  cathartic medicine  when
injections answer every important indication.
  Under this  head  we  shall make a  few  observations
regarding  injections.   Had Dr. Thomson  done no  more
than shown to the world  that, instead of a  little sweetened

  * Tine senior compiler.
              b2 
26
CATHARTICS.
milk and  water being given to  produce dejections  from
the bowels, every ache and pain could be alleviated, every
symptom  mitigated, and many of the  most fatal  forms
of disease could be cured by injections alone,  he would
deserve one of the highest niches in  the temple of fame-
Many physicians will yield to the humors or caprices of
their patients  regarding  injections,  but in many,  very
many cases, to compromise or even temporize with preju-
dice or false  delicacy,  is fatal.   Thysicans  should in all
cases be truthful, and  deal plainly,  though kindly,  with
their patients, and they in  return will yield  them implicit
confidence,   and will   seldom   refuse  any medicament
which they believe for  their benefit.  In  conclusion, we
will add, that ten ought to be administered  where now one
is given, remembering  if more are given than is actually
necessary, they can do no possible injury, 
FEVER.
   Although much has been written upon  this important
subject, the result shows that it has been to little purpose ;
for it proves as fatal now as before so much was written.
Speculation has been rife in arriving at the " sublime art
 of guessing " what it is, what its cause, and what its cure.
 But it  is evident they  have failed in their inquiries,  and
the probability is, as they  by  their researches have  been
unable to render  any important  benefit to others,  they
have failed to satisfy themselves.   The  subject, with all
its consequences and vast importance returns.   Dr. Rob-
inson remarks upon this subject as follows :

  " In  tracing the progress of fever in its direful and  dis-
astrous course, we are compelled  to regard a remedy, at
once safe and  powerful to  still its  raging,  as  one of the
most signal  benefits which the Deity has  conferred on
man.  When we  cast our eye over  the  map of human
misery, and  mark the  monuments of the destroyer—the
scenes of battle and devastation, spread out  over all the
nations of the world, where he has marched with death
and fever inscribed on his bloody banners ; and  behold the
same defence to resist his power,  and to baffle  his malig-
nity, we  may exclaim with the poet—
           "For thou, ten thousand, thousand years,
           Hast seen the gush of human tears,
               Which shall no longer flow."
         b3 
FEVER.
   The tears that have bedewed the earth, were  wo to
 calculate their sum, poured out for the dead that have fal-
 len by this one disease, called fever, they would form  an
 ocean that  might swim the living !   Were the cold and
 ghastly forms of the victims that have sunk into the silence
 of everlasting sleep, by this one disease, since  the history
 of the son of the Shunamite to the present time, collected
 into one  monument,  they  would form a  mountain that
 would  astonish heaven,  and terrify the earth!   What
 heart has not bled over a  beloved friend?  over children
 dearer than their own  soul ? over the wife  or husband of
 their youth ?   And how many have seen all their earthly
 comforts wither'under  the sweeping siroc of this pervading
 and  desolating storm ?   Yes ! from the  first thrill of the
 agitated nerve,  the  stinging pain,' the  hot  and  heaving
 breast, to  " the  pestilence that walketh  in darkness, and
 that  wasteth openly at noon day ;" the  human race, smit-
 ten in all its members,  consumed in every limb,  has sunk
 to the house of silence,  in multitudes innumerable, under
 the single pressure ot  this destructive  power.  Look  at
 the East and West, the silent cities, the untrodden streets,
 the dismal, dark  array of travellers on  the  path of death,
 and ask, who hath done all  this 1  what  enemy  hath been
 here ?  Echo,  from  her thousand caves, would ring out
 her response, fever ! fever ! fever !   This is the disease
 which, to break, to baffle, to conquer, or subdue, the learn-
 ed Colleges  of Physicians  have tried  all their efforts, and
 spent their skill in vain.   It must run  its  course, is the
 common sentiment ; if one mode of treatment fails, we
 must try another, and another, till the exhausted imagina-
 tion,  the worn outsources  of the materia medica, and the
 dying patient, arrest the hand of the experimenter, (and I
 might  have said,  tormentor,) or nature  triumphs equally
over  medicine and disease."

  If the above be no picture drawn from the imagination,
if it be true, and who will attempt to deny it ?  no subject
of equal importance and which involves consequences so
vast in this world, can for a moment occupy the human 
FEVER.
29
 mind.   And what honors  are  not due to  him  who  shall
 mitigate the horrors of this scourge of the human race ?—
 System has followed  system, theory succceeded theory,
 still the conqueror is not  shorn of his  triumphs—the most
 undaunted trembles at his approach,  and the heart  shud-
 ders and sinks as the ruthless invader lays his unrelenting
 hand upon his victim.   It is computed  that  nine-tenths of
 the human race die of fever and its  effects.  If this  be
 true, and who can doubt it, it is  certainly a melancholy
 evidence  of the ^want of success of the regular physicians.
 And if any other system  is more  successful it  will  be
 hailed as  "good tidings of great joy."   Perhaps the diffi-
 culty lies in not understanding what fever is.  We believe
 that the  want of success  of physicians in curing  fever
 arises—
   1st. From their false theory, which teaches an excess of
 action, when in fact there is diminished action.
   2d. In prescribing for the name or symptoms, instead of
 the disease or the cause.  And,
   3d.  From  using  remedies which  would kill without
 disease,  and  consequently the  conservative or sanative
 principle has to contend with both remedy and disease.
   We have  laid down in our general propositions  that
 " Fever " is  not a disease, but merely  a symptom of dis-
 ease, and will vary according to the season, temperament?
 and  previous habit  of the patient.   When exposure  to
 miasmata, to  cold and wet, or  to any thing else which
 produces functional derangement, the  disease will gene-
 rally locate upon some organ or  portion  of the system
which was in  a  previously .weakened  condition ;  but in
every case the  capillaries, in a  measure, lose their elasti- 
30
FEVER.
 city, and consequently  become more or  less congested.
 Here,  then,  is obstruction, functional, and  not  organic
 derangement,
   Dr. Townsend, in his Guide to Health, says, " I am
 ready to allow, with Dr. Cullen, that from  the  exciting
 cause of fever we must  look to sedative powers,  such as
 contagion,  specific  effluvia, putrid   exhalations, driving
 fogs, stagnant vapors, fear, and the vicissitudes of heat and
 cold."   Again he says,  " Debility,  whether arising  from
 heat, intemperance, fatigue, previous disorders, inanition,
 the operation  of medicine, or any other source, may justly
 be considered as the  predisponent cause.  But as for the
 proximate cause, no other, in my opinion, can with justice
 be assigned than the one I have  already  stated."   This
 proximate cause to which he alludes, may be  found on the
 preceding page, from which we  have  quoted the above,
 and  it is this,  " ihe  morbidly  increased  irritability of the
 heart and arteries."  Strange, that after finding satisfacto-
 rily  the  predisposing cause of fewer,  he should then leave
 it, and wander in search of the proximate  cause,  and
 finally conjecture that it is the effect of the proximate cause
 and  not the cause itself.   The  exciting cause produces
✓obstructions, especially of the vascular system and capil-
 laries, and these produce the " the morbidly increased irri-
 tability of the heart  and arteries."  Again, he says, that
 " I must observe that any  one  who is conversant  with
 practical  writers, may collect from their united observa-
 tion, that fever, whatever type  it may  assume, depends
 upon one common cause, because he  will remark  that the
 various species run  into each  other."  Here,  then, we
 have authority for the doctrine* which is the foundation of 
FEVER.
31
the Thomsonian system of practice, that there is but one
proximate cause of disease, and that the  variety of fevers,
or the different  degrees of severity in the  same  form,
depends upon the constitution, temperament, and previous
condition of the patient.  Here, too, we have the work to
our hands.
   In the first stage  of fever the treatment  indicated will
be the same, or nearly  so,  while the after  treatment will
depend upon  the form it  assumes.   Hence the  same
author  says,  in almost every form of disease, that the
indications of cure  are to "cleanse the alimentary  canal
and tone up the system."  Had he added,  " equalize the
circulation," no Thomsonian would  have  objected to his
theory, however  much he  might to  the practical details.
Dr. Comfort, to  whom  we looked  for correct principles,
has discarded the " efforts  of nature" for the, perhaps to
him more euphonious one, of " the recuperative powers,"
the " recuperative efforts,"  &c, &c.   It  would be  found
extremely difficult,  however, for the Dr. himself to explain
the difference, for " recuperative " means healing, and we
are perfectly satisfied  with the term, so long as it means
the same  thing.   On  this "recuperative"  principle  or
sanative effort of nature, the physician  must  depend for
whatever success may attend his professional career, and
his success will be commensurate only with his sagacity
in discovering these efforts and tendencies, and his judg-
ment in affording thern timely and efficient aid.  Nature
does the work—the physician merely  renders his  assis-
tance when so enfeebled as not to be able to accomplish it
herself.   We must repeat again, that if the preceding
remarks be correct, the first or exciting cause of fever  is 
32
FEVER.
the same, and tho proximate cause  the  same, in all its
different forms and names, and  in the inflammatory stage
the treatment  will be  essentially the same.   If  success
always attended the administration of medicine in  the first
stage, little instruction would  be necessary ;  but from
various  causes it is not so.  Hence different treatment, or
different local remedies will be found necessary ;  but in
giving medicines in any stage,  and whatever local medi-
cation may be found  expedient, the first principles of our
great founder should  never bo forgotten or overlooked. 
PART   I. 
 
ANATOMY  AND PHYSIOLOGY.
   Under this head it is our design to give a brief view of
the structure and organs of the body.    Within the com-
pass of a work like the present, it  will be impossible to
enter to much extent  into detail, though enough will be
presented to give the  reader a general  knowledge  of
Anatomy, and of the organs, which constitute the human
system.   As far as the use of technicalities is concerned,
we are aware that many persons  condemn their use, in
works designed for families;  but in the present instance,
we are under the necessity of so doing, from the fact that
many of them are arbitrary, and the term  expresses  the
use and shape  in others.
                THE SKELETON
Is divided into  The Head, Trunk, and Extremities.
           EIGHT BONES OF THE SKULL.
Os Fronlis—this.bone constitutes the forehead.
Ossa Parietalia—side of the head above the ears.
Os Occipilis—the  back and lower portion  of the skull.
Ossa Temporum—bones of the temple. 
36
ANATOMY AND rilYSIOLOC'Y
   Os Ethmoides—bones  situated between  the root of the
nose and the brain.
   Os Sphcnoides—the base of the skull.
            FOURTEEN BONES  OF  THE FACE.
   Ossa Maxillaria Superiora—the two bones of the upper
jaw.
   Ossa Malarum—cheek bones.
   Ossa Nasi—the two bones which  form the arch of the
nose.
   Ossa Lachrymalia—situated within  the  inner  angle  of
the eye.
   Ossa Palatina-—in  the posterior portion of the roof of
the mouth.
   Ossa Turbinaia—interior bones of the nostril.
   Inferior Maxillary—lower  jaw.
   Os Vomer—Partition of the nose.
   In the Adult  there  are thirty two teeth, consisting  of
eight incisors, or front teeth, four cuspidates, or eye teeth,
eight bicuspides, or small double teeth—eight molares,  or
large double teeth,  and  four sapientise  or wisdom teeth.
1    The tongue  contains one bone,  which resembles  in
shape the letter  U, and is termed the Os Hyoides.
    In the ears  are eight bones, termed, Malleus, Incus,
Stapes, and Orbicularia.
   In the trunk are fifty-four bones—viz : of the Spine,
twenty-four, termed  Vertebra.   These are* divided into
seven cervical, twelve dorsal, and  five lumbar vertebra? :
Sternum,  or breast bone: twenty.four ribs, of  which the
five lower ones are termed, false : five  bones of the pelvis.
   The  upper extremities consist of sixty-four bones, viz :
Clavicular,  (collar  bones,) Scapula?,  (shoulder   blades,) 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
37
Ossa  humeri, (bones  between  the  shoulder and  elbow,)
two ulnar, and two radii, (between the elbow  and wrist.)
  In each wrist, or Carpus, are eight bones; in the palm
of the hand are five Metacarpal bones;  and twenty-eight
form  the fingers, termed, collectively: Phalanges.
   The inferior extremities consist  of sixty bones, viz :
Ossa Femoris, (thigh  bones,) Patella., (knee bones) Fibu-
la., (outside bones of  the  leg,) and  Tibia, (bones of the
shin,) two of each.
  In the instep are five bones—Os Calcis, (heel bone,) Os
Astralagus, (part of the ankle joint,)  Os Cuboides, (square
bone,) Os  Naviculare, (bone resembling a boat,) and Os
Cuneiformia, (wedge like.)
  Ten Metatarsi, or foundations of the toes.
  In the toes twenty-eight Phalanges.
  Sesamoides, or bones occasionally  found  in the  feet and
hands, numbering  eight.    Total number of bones two
hundred and fifty-one. 
:h
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
 
ANATOMY  AND PHYSIOLOGY.             39
 
40
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
              EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

   In order to facilitate description, the abdomen has been
 divided  into a  number  of distinct parts  or regions, by
 imaginary lines drawn from fixed points.  (See figures.)
   The division  comprehends the  anterior  and posterior
 region, by a line  drawn  from the posterior margin of the
 axilla, (arm pit,) to the crest of the ilium, (thigh bone,) on
 each side,  (ii. fig. 1.)   The anterior region  is subdivided
 into nine smaller ones, by two  oblique lines, (a a,) drawn
 from the outside of the clavicle, (collar bone,) to the pubis,
 and thence horizontal lines, extending round  the abdomen,
 (bb. cc. and dd.)   The three central regions, thus named,
 are  the epigastric, (4, see plate,) the umbilical, (5,)  and
 the hypogastric. (6.)  The  three lateral  regions, taken in
 the same order, are the right and left hypochondriac, (9,)
 right and left iliac,(10,,) and the right and  left inguinale 11.)
 The posterior region, (see figure No. 3.)  is divided into
four smaller regions, by a vertical line, (kk,)  following the
course of the spine, and by a  continuation of the three
transverse  lines, {b. c. d.) above  mentioned.   These four
 regions are the right  and left inferior  dorsal,  (15,)  and
right and left lumbar. (16.)

                     THE  CHEST.
   The chest, like the abdomen,  has been  divided into
parts by lines  drawn  from  fixed points.  Four  vertical
lines—No. 1 along the  middle  of  the  sternum,  (breast
bone,) from its upper to its lower extremity—No. 2, along
the whole length of the  spine—No.  3, from  the posterior
margin of the axilla  to  the crest of  the  ilium on each
side, (/,)—No. 4, along the  spine of the  scapula, on each 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
41
side,  meeting the transverse lines, presently  to be men-
tioned, above and below, (h,)—an oblique line, (aa.) to the
spine of the  pubis  on both  sides ;  and four transverse
lines, viz :  round  the lower portion of the  neck, sloping
downward  to the upper and front portion of the  sternum,
(g,)—round the upper  parts  of the chest, in a line with
the shoulder blades,  (f,)—round  the  middle of the chest,
crossing the nipples,  &c, (e,)—round the lower part of the
chest, (b,).  By these imaginary lines, the chest is divided
into  the following regions :—two superior (right  and left)
humeral, 1 :  four  anterior  (right and left) subclavian, 2:
and  right and left mamary, 3 : four lateral (right and  left)
axillary, 7 : and right and left  sub-axillary, 8 :—and six
posterior regions, viz : right and  left scapular, 12 :  right
and  left intra-scapular,  13 : and  right and  left  superior
dorsal, 14.   By a close inspection of the cuts, the various
organs  (marked  by dotted lines,) may  be seen in  the
regions they occupy.

                  ORGANS OF THE CHEST.
   A. The  Lungs.
   B. Situation of the Heart.
   C. Situation of the  Liver—showing  that  part which
may be felt below the ribs.
   D. Gall Bladder.
   E. Stomach.
   F. Beginning of first intestines. 
42
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
                  THE  ORGANS.
                         BRAIN.
   This organ is divided into the Cerebrum, (great brain,)
 and Cerebellum,  (little  brain.)  The Cerebrum occupies
 all that portion of the skull above  the  level of the  ears ',
 and the Cerebellum is situated  below the level, and occu-
 pies the lower and posterior portion.  A thin membrane,
 stretched tightly, constitutes the partition between the two ;
 and its being thus tense, is to prevent the cerebrum,  from
 its superior weight, from pressing against the cerebellum,
 and thereby obstructing its functions.   The cerebrum  is
 divided into right and left  hemispheres,  and these hemis-
 pheres again into six lobes, two anterior, two middle, and
 two posterior.  The cerebellum is divided  into  right and
 left lobes.   In the brain originate nine pair of nerves  and
 the spinal marrow, from which arise thirty-one pairs, by
 whose  means the various senses—as  seeing,  hearing
 tasting, smelling,  and  perception—are performed, and
muscular  action  given.  Also,  the  brain is now almost
 universally considered to  be  the seat  of the intellectual
faculties.
                        LUNGS.
   These organs  are  situated  in the cavity  of  the chest,
and constitute the breathing aparatus.   The right lung is
divided into three lobes, and the left into two.  The upper
portion of the lungs are attached to the neck by the means
of the trachea, and to  the heart by the pulmonary arteries.
The air cells of the lungs, which resemble, to some extent
the comb of the honey bee, are supplied with air  by means
of the bronchial vessels, which extend throughout the vari- 
               ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.            43

ous portions of the organ, terminating in the former.  They
are also surrounded by a membraneous covering, termed
the pleura.  The  lungs are the organs implicated in con-
sumption, and are more or less  influenced, or diseased, in
lung fever, pleurisy, &c. ;   although  in the latter, the
pleura is the immediate locality of the disease, yet from its
proximity  to  the   lungs,  and  their  susceptibility,  they
become symptomatically affected.

                        HEART.
   The heart is a hollow viscus situated between the lungs,
in the cavity of the " heart case," or pericardium ; a mem-
braneous sac, enveloping it entirely.   The external  divi-
sions of the heart, are its base, or broad part—a superior and
inferior surface—anterior and posterior margin.  Internal-
ly it is divided into right and left  ventricle.  The  situa-
tion  of the  heart is oblique, its base being to the  right of
the vertebrsel body,  and apex obliquely to the sixth rib on
the left side, so that the left  ventrical is nearly posterior,
and the right anterior.   The  auricles, are two  cavities
adhering to the base of the heart;  the right  being a mus-
cular sac,  having four apertures :  of these, two  are the
vena cava, an opening of the coronary vein,  and one into
the right ventricle.  The left auricle is a similar sac, and
has five apertures, consisting of an opening into the left
ventricle, and the four pulmonary veins.  The cavities, or
ventricles of the heart are two, and  are divided by a fleshy
partition, (termed  septum cordis,) into right and left.   The
orifices of the ventricles are,  one through which the  blood
enters, and the other through which it passes out—each
ventricle having two  orifices.  The vessels  of the  heart
cl 
44             ANATOMY  AND PHYSIOLOGY.
are, the aorta, arising from the left ventricle ;  the pulmo-
nary  artery,  originating in the right ventricle, the four
pulmonary veins, terminating in the left auricle: the vena
cava, of which there are two, which are  evacuated into
the right auricle; the coronary arteries, arising from the
aorta ; the coronary  veins, by which is returned the blood
to the right auricle.  The nerves of the heart are branches
of the eight and great intercostal pairs.
                     STOMACH.
  This organ  is situated  immediately beneath the dia-
phragm, in a somewhat horizontal  position, across the
upper portion of the abdomen.    It is larger upon the left
side, and  diminishes in size as it  approaches the right.
The upper and larger portion is termed the cardiac region,
and the orifice by which it receives food from  the aesoph-
agus, the  cardiaj so termed by ancient anatomists, from its
supposed proximity to the heart:—the outlet,  which com-
municates with the intestines,  the pylorus.   The stomach
is composed of three membranes—the mucous, or internal,
the muscular, or middle, and the serous, or external. The
use of the  stomach is to receive food  and fluid from the
aesophagus, and retain it until by motion, the admixture  of
various fluids, &c, the  process of digestion is performed
and to afford  chyle t.o_the intestines.  From the stomach
is suspended the omentum or caul.
                        LIVER.
   This organ is the  heaviest glandular viscus  in the body,
upon the integrity of which depends, to considerable  extent,
the health of many, if  not all of the organs.  It is divi-
ded into right and left  lobes.   The  right  or  largest lobe 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
45
is situated immediately under and below the false ribs, and
the leftover a portion  of the  stomach, in  the epigastric
region.   The use of the liver is to secrete bile; and, also,
exercises no inconsiderable influence  over the  digestive
process.

               THE GALL BLADDER.
 Is an oblong membraneous sac, situated under and.attach-
ed to the liver in the right Hypochondrium.   It is the re-
ceptacle of the bile carried to it, and secreted by the liver,
and discharges it by a small duct into  the duodenum, just
below the pyloric orifice.

                      PANCREAS.
  This gland is situated immediately between the stomach
and spine, at right angles with the latter.  The pancreatic
juice  is  secreted by the  pancreas, and unites with the
chyle, in the duodenum.   That it assists in the process of
digestion, there can be no question.

                       SPLEEN.
  The spleen is a spongy, livid viscus, and so variable is
it at different times and under different circumstances, that
it is a matter  somewhat difficult to determine accurately,
either its shape or situation.  It will, however, generally
be found between the eleventh and twelth false ribs, in the
left hypochondrium.  In shape, it is oblong and round, or
resembling an oval.
  It is said to be larger when  the stomach is empty, and
smaller when the stomach is full, by which it is compress-
ed.   No satisfactory conclusion has yet been arrived at by
anatomists, as regards the functions of  this  organ, though,
            c3 
46
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
from its situation, and the organs with which it is connect-
ed, it is supposed, and with a great deal of probability, that
it is intimately connected with the  process of digestion, or
the functions of  the stomach.

                      KIDNEYS. ,
   The kidneys are situated each  side of the spine, in the
lumbar, region,*  being  in   shape  something like  a bean.
The uses of these  organs  are for  the secretion of urine.
Near the middle of the kidneys, at the extremities of the
blood vessels, is  a  funnel  shaped sac, termed the pelvis,
forming a  passage to the  bladder, which  it perforates
obliquely.  This passage,  or canal, from the kidneys to
the bladder, is termed Ureter.
                      BLADDER.
   The bladder is a membraneous  pouch, situated back of
the ossa pubis, in the lower portion of the abdomen, pos-
sessing  the power of expansion  and contraction.  Its
figure is that of  an oval, being rounder above than below,
when empty, but when full, is broader below than  above.
   The urine  is  received in this organ by means of the
ureters, and is expelled from thence by the voluntary action
of the muscular  fibres.

                     INTESTINES.
  These are situated in the cavity of the abdomen, and
are divided into small and large, and having besides these,
other marks of distinction.
   The large intestines are supplied externally with three
muscular  bands, parallel  to each other, and having also
' See plate 3, page 38. 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
47
numerous  small  fat substances appended.   The small
intestines, on the  contrary, have not these bands, but are
supplied internally with a continuous line of folds.

                     'THE SKIN
  Is the covering  of the body, and  though  apparently a
simple membrane, in reality consists  of several layers,
the outermost of which is termed the scarf-skin, ox cuticle.
The second, immediately beneath the cuticle, is known to
anatomists by the term rele mucosuin, and has no English
name.
   " If a blister  be applied  to the skin of a negro, it raises
a thin, transparent, greyish membrane, under which  is a
fluid.   This  membrane  is the cuticle,  which, when re-
moved, reveals  beneath,  the black  surface of the  rete
mucosum.    This  membrane is  double, consisting  of a
thin  greyish layer, and a black web.   After removing
this membrane, we come to (as is believed,)the skin proper,
 or true skin, which is white, like that of an European."
   The rele mucosum gives the peculiarity of the different
complexions ;  being  black in  the  negro—brown in the
North American  Indian, and yellowish  or  white in the
European.
   By an examination of the scarf-skin,  with a glass, or
 with the naked  eye, even,  we discover it to be extremely
 porous, though  upon some parts of the surface the number
 of pores  much  exceed  those  of others.  Some of  these
 pores are ducts  of the sebaceous glands, and others, fyr the
 purpose of transmitting the perspiration to the surface.
    The use of the skin  is not  merely  for the purpose of
 feeling, generally, but  for perspiration, absorption, touch, 
 IS            ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.

&c.   The skin  of a  middle sized male, when  care is
taken in dissecting it from the body, weighs about four and
a half pounds.   If the skin be not muscular, it possesses
properties very like those of muscle, for it  contracts, and
relaxes, and is extremely distensible and elastic,
                    ABSORBENTS.
  These are small transparent" vessels, which act in taking
up substances from the surface of the  skin, and in  fact
from any  cavity, and  transmit it to the blood.   There are
two kinds of absorbent vessels, M'hich are named according
to the  peculiar fluid  carried by them ;  they are termed
lacteals and lymphatics, the former conveying chyle, and
the latter lymph.   Their number, when compared  with
other vessels  in the body, is estimated to  be  about four
times greater.
                     CARTILAGES
  Are white elastic substances, growing to bones, vulgarly
termed gristle.   Their use is to facilitate the movement of
the bones, and to connect them.
  In the disease termed " Rickets," the  earthy matter is
withdrawn from the  cartilage by absorption, by which
they are resolved into flexible cartilages.
                       A GLAND
  Is an  organic substance,  composed  of blood  vessels,
nerves and absorbents; their use being to secrete, or  alter
some peculiar  fluid.    They are  generally  divided by
anatomists, according to shape  and structure, or the fluid
secreted.
  They are also divided into four classes, viz :  simple—.
compounds  of  simple—conglobate,  and   conglomerate 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY,            49
glands; which terms only apply to their fabric.  Again
they  are  divided  into mucous,  sebaceous,  lymphatic,
saliva],  and lachrymal  glands.   The duct  by which
the fluid is transmitted, is termed the excretory duct.
  The vessels and  nerves  of a gland  always come  from
the neighboring parts, and the arteries are  possessed of a
high degree of  irritability.   The  use  of the glands is to
separate a certain fluid, or to change it.

                     MEMBRANE.
   A  thin  substance,  expansive,  which is composed of
cellular texture, having the elastic fibres delicately inter-
woven,  which  allows of a great  degree of  pliability.
The membranes may be found  in  various  parts of the
body, as the pleura, dura-mater,  diaphragm, skin,  &c.
   Independent  of particular membranes, or those named
from a particular locality, they are usually divided into
serous, mucous, and cellular.
   The serous membrane lines  the internal  surface of the
skull, and serves to protect the brain ; it also is the cover-
ing of the stomach and intestines, and surrounds the lungs.
   The mucous  membrane lines  the internal surface of the
stomach, lungs, intestines,  bladder, &c, and is so termed
from its secreting a whitish, slimy fluid, called mucous.
   The cellular  membrane, is a cellular tissue, or composed
of a great number of little cells, and is the connecting me-
dium of every part of the body.   It  is found occupying
the spaces between  the muscles, thus filling up those por-
tions which would  otherwise  be   irregular and  uneven.
The cellular texture thus connects the muscular portions,
without interfering  in the least with their natural functions.

                              ^j^"oTcAt~ue«4;
 
50
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
                      MUSCLES.
   We cannot give with accuracy the  precise number of
the muscles, from the fact that they are variously estima-
ted  by  different  authors.   This  diversity  ot opinion,
coming from standard authors, is because  they  do not all
agree as to what are in reality  muscles; some estimating
portions or parts as muscles that others do not.   There
are, however, not far from five hundred, the most of which
are in pairs.   They are  sometimes  divided into voluntary
and involuntary.   The voluntary  muscles act in accord-
ance with the will, and it is by  these we are enabled to
command  our  movements, as walking, dancing, leaping,
and in moving various parts of the  body.  On the contrary,
over the others  the will  exercises  no control;  as for in-
stance, (he will  possesses no power over the  muscular
action of the heart.
   The  muscles  consist of fibres  disposed  of in bundles,
which are easily distinguished by the  eye.   These are
divisible into smaller ones, and again are capable of being
divided into smaller, and  some still farther.  The muscu-
lar portion of an animal, is  the fieshy  substance that we
purchase at the market.  The muscles,  by which the arm
or leg is made to  bend, are termed flexors, and  those which
exercise an antagonist influence, or  opposite action, exten-
sors.
   That portion of a muscle which is  attached  to a part the
most fixed, is the  origin, so termed, and that  which is affixed
to a part more moveable, is the insertion of the muscle. 
              ANATOMY  AND PHYSIOLOGY.            Ol

                     THE PULSE.
  The pulse of an infantat birth, or some weeks after,  even,
is not to be relied upon as a test of health,  from the fact
ot its variableness.   It is  somewhat difficult at this early
age to count thejiulse, and from this reason the beats of
the  heart should be noted in preference.
  The following table of observations  of the  pulse will
show precisely  what we mean :
                     Max. Min.  Mean.  Range.
       1 to 10  days,   180   80     106     100
       1 to 2 months,  150   70     103      80
       2 to 3   do.   ' 100   70     87      30
                  TABLE OF PULSE.
MALES.                  FEMALES.
Age.	Max. 1601	Min. 104	M\an. Raii-in.		Max. 160 j	Min. 104	Mean.	Range
1 week,			128	50 (			1281	56
2 to 7 years,	128	72	97	56 ;	128	70	98	58
8 to 14 "	108	70	84! 38 {		120	70	94	50
15 to 21 "	108	60	76; 48 ;		124	56	82	68
22 to 28 "	100	53	73 ' 47 (		114	54	80	60
29 to 35"	92	56	70 36 )		94	62	78	32
36 to 42 "	90	48	08	43 s 40 )	100	56	78	44
43 to 49 «	96	50	70		106	64	77	42
50 to 56 "	92	46	67	46 {	96	64	76	32
57 to 63 "	84	56	68	28 )	108	60	77	48
64 to 70 «	96	54	70	42 {	100	52	78	48
71 to 77 "	94	54	67	40 )	104	54	81	50
78 to 84 "	97	1 50	71	47 <	105	64	82	41
  It will be seen by the foregoing table that the pulse  of
the adult male may be stated as 70, and that of the adult
female, 80.
  There is  a perceivable difference in the beat  of the
pulse, according to the various positions which is assum- 
52
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
ed by the body, as shown by the following tabic,  which is
made from experimental observation.
  ADULT MALE.
Standing,     79
   Do.        81
 ADULT FEMALE.
Standing,     89
   Do.        91
Sittinj
  d0:
70
71
Sitting, 82
  Do.   84
Lying,
  Do.

Lying,
  Do.
67
66

80
80
   This table is the average  of the pulse in the adult male
and female, and includes all exceptions to the rule.   It
should be borne in mind, however,  that there are  excep-
tions  to  these rules, which  must be  determined by  the
judgment of the practitioner.
  In disease, also, where the pulse is much more frequent
than in a state of health, the effect of change of position
increases with the frequency of pulse,  as may be seen  by
the following table :
| Max. and Min. beats	51 to70;7l. to 90 Aven;.'." Avei^e." 61 81	91 to 110 AverHfri.r-101	1 1 I to 130 A vera-re.-' 1JO
Standing,			
Sitting,	55 G8	82	93
Lying,	52 66	74	81
Difference between standing and lying.	9 1 15	27	39
Max. and Min. beats. | Gl to 80 1 81 to 100			101 to 120 Average. 108 97 90 18 ~ 1
Standing, Sitting, Lying,	Average. 71 67 63	Avenuie. 92 85 83	
Difference between stan-ding and lying.	8	12	
 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
53
   The  exceptions  to  the general rule,  of course,  will
decrease as the frequency of the pulse  increases.  The
effect of change of posture, on the same frequency of pulse,
is more in the morning than in the evening.
   The difference of the frequency of the pulse between
sleeping and^waking was noted to be about ten in a healthy
adult female—the  same in a girl three to four  years  of
age, and in a healthy boy, sixteen beats.
   In disease, we distinguish the variations of the pulse by
the terms—
   Frequent and Infrequent—having reference to the num-
her of the heart's contractions.
   Regular, irregular, and intermittant—the irregularity  of
the contractions of the heart; the last]applying to a cessation,
or arrest of the action of the heart, occurring  at intervals.
   Quick and slow—that is, the time occupied  by each
beat.
   Hard and soft—full and small.
   The characters of the pulse above mentioned, will very
seldom, if ever, be met with  singly, but admit of different
combinations.   Thus,  in typhus fever, we find in the incip-
ient stages, a full, frequent, and hard pulse; and  in the
more advanced  stages, we often find  it small,  hard, and
infrequent.
   In lung fever, we find  it frequent, full,  and quick, and
regular.
   In scarletina—frequent, large, and soft,  <fcc,  &c.
   The different combinations of the pulse should be studied
attentively,  for  although  nothing   can  be determined
accurately by the pulse alone, yet, with other symptoms, a
full knowledge of the pulse is necessary, to  enable us to 
 54            ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.

 govern our judgment, or to give an opinion in regard to
 the locality of disease.
       MORBID APPEARANCES OF  THE TONGUE.
   The condition of various portions of the  body is revealed
 very frequently by the appearance of the tongue.  This
 organ, let it be understood,  does  not present the same ap-
 pearance  in  different persons, even in a  state of health.
 In some, it is  habitually  covered with a slight white coat;
 in some,as habitually clean; in some, florid, in others,
 pale; in some, compact  and firm,  in others, flaecid, &c.
 In the morning, previous to the morning meal, as a general
 thing, it will be found to be covered with a thin white coat.
 In disease, it presents  a  variety of appearances.   In in-
 flammation of the  tongue, and in  malignant diseases, it
 will be found  swollen; on the other hand, in chronic dis-
 eases of long  standing, where emaciation is an attendant,
 its size will be diminished, or shrunk.  The  color of the
 tongue, to a certain extent, coincides with  that of the gen-
 eral surface.  The color of the tongue also depends upon
 the state of the digestive organs: thus it is  universally red,
 or red at the tip or edges, or both, in cases of acute inflam-
 mation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intes-
 tines.  It is also morbidly red and tender in some cases of
 fever, as in the scarlet fever, or in typhus,  afier the disap-
pearance  of the coat.  A coat collects on the tongue in
almost all cases of disease;  thus it is covered with a white
coating of  fur  in  the first stages  of fever;  in catarrh, in
most severe inflammations, and in acute rheumatism.   In
more  advanced stages  of fever, a thick brown, or black
coating collects, or the tongue  is dry and tender.   A dry
brown coat exists  in cases  of local irritation, the tongue 
               ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.            55

becoming moist and clean  as the irritation subsides.  In
dyspepsia, the appearances of the tongue are very varia-
ble.   Sometimes a thick fur  collects on  the centre of the
tongue, while the edges  and  point are  quite red—some-
times the fur extends over the whole  surface, and is ac-
companied  by transverse cracks.   It is often, in constipa-
tion, covered with a brown coat;  at other times it presents
no unusual appearance.
  The mode in which the tongue is protruded is often char-
acteristic.   In extreme debility, and often in severe cases
of typhus fever, it is tremulous.   When dry, is protruded
with  difficulty.   Slowly and  hesitatingly, in  diseases
accompanied by stupor,  as if in consequence of delibera-
tion.
  The  following is copied from  Dr. A. Curtis, of Ohio,
and is an excellent article, as are  most of those emanating
from his pen.  The combinations  of the pulse and tongue
cannot be studied too  closely :
  " 1st. A  pale moist tongue, covered  with mucous, indi-
cates great torpor in the circle, or celicia ;  a febrile circu-
lation and functional torpor in the viscera of celiac circle,
particularly in the stomach  and liver.   I will  just say,
that the functions of the animal system  are divided pretty
generally,  I believe,  by physiologists, into two  classes,
viz: vital and natural.  By  functional torpor I wish to be
understood to have direct reference to the natural function
of the animal economy, the functions  of which are those
instrumental in repairing the several losses which the body
sustains, viz: those of digestion, the  formation  of chyle,
&c, come  under this class.   The liver, by virtue of a
power peculiar to  it, forms a liquid, which  is called bile.
The same thing takes place  in  the  kidneys, namely, a
secretion peculiar to  itself,   When an organ ceases to
nourish the system, it loses at the same time its faculty of 
56
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
    acting ; consequently the organs, the action of which are
    oftenest repeated, possess a more active nutrition ; and on
    the contrary, those that  act  ltast, possess a much slower
    motion.   In the above appearance of the tongue, torpor of
    the brain may also exist, with  deficient  mental energy.
    Cases  in this condition demand a  free administering of
    pure stimulants internally, with full courses, &c.   But as
    regards treatment in particular, I  will bo silent, as the
    good judgment  of the  physician  should  determine that
    which is best, when he has learned all he can by  close ex-
    amination of the patient, tongue, die.
      2d. A white tongue, or a tongue of its natural healthy
    color, but over  its  surface  covered  with  fine  white fur,
    something like white powder sprinkled over it, shows a less
    degree  of visceral torpor, and some degree of irritation in
    the mucous surface of the stomach.
»     3d. A red tongue, moist and raw, indicates extreme irri-
    tation in the mucous membrane of the stomach, somewhat
    near sub-acute  inflammation of  the same,  but unattended
    with congestion  of  the collateral organs.  When  all the
    coats of the stomach  participate in the inflammation, the
    tongue becomes dry.
      4th.  A red, dry, chapped tongue, indicates high inflam-
    mation of all the coats of the stomach.
      5th.  A brown tongue,  moist,  and covered with a brown
    thick fur on its surface,  indicates a degree of irritation in
    the lower bowels, whilst the action of the stomach is rather
    sluggish.   This  appearance of the tongue is noticed when
    irritation has been  transferred from the  stomach and small
    intestines to the large intestines of the  lower bowels, &c.
    The ingenious practitioner will  now administer to the best
    interests of the  patient." 
TEMPERAMENT.
   We feel that this  portion of our work would be incom-
 plete without a few words on  the temperaments.  Careful
 attention ought to be given to  this subject, as many times,
 a particular combination of the temperaments' influence
 disease to a considerable extent.
   By the word temperament, is  meant a particular " con-
 dition of the body," or the constitution of the physical
 system, embracing its  texture,  compactness,  activity and
 strength.
   The temperaments, as recognized by medical authors, or
 physiologists, are four, viz :  the sanguine, the  bilious, the
 nervous, and the lymphatic.   The  sanguiferous  system,
 heart, lungs, blood  vessels, &c, constitute the sanguine
 temperament.   The  bones and muscles, or, ns  it has not
 inaptly been termed, the "framework" of the body, con-
stitute the  bilious  ;  the brain and  nervous  system, the
nervous; the glands  and  organs of digestion, the  lym-
phatic.
   The temperaments are recognized  by  signs  peculiar  to
each.  Thus, the  sanguine is indicated by light, sandy,
or red hair, a complexion more or less florid, light or blue
eyes, a full, quick pulse,  full chest,  and much physical 
58
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
activity.   These indications are produced  by the predom-
inance of the organs  named above, as the heart, lungs,
&c.   Persons possessing a preponderance of this tempera-
ment, are very active, extremely fond of being in the open
air,  want considerable  room,  whatever  they are doing.
Lightness or buoyancy  of spirits, an ardency of purpose,
are also characteristics of this temperament.  Such ones
are generally averse to labor or employment of a sedentary
nature; they generally prefer an active life.
   The bilious temperament, is known by large, firm mus-
cles, athletic build, general outline of features bold, promi-
nent, and so much so sometimes as to amount to harshness.
Generally dark complexioned, coarse, dark or black hair,
and a strong steady pulse.  A  person possessing a pre-
ponderance of this temperament, is strong, athletic, hardy,
possessing a hardy  constitution,  and with a large brain,
will endure  great labor, either physical or mental.  The
bilious temperament is produced by a preponderance of the
muscular portions of the body.
   The nervous temperament will present  as characteris-
tics—a moderate sized chest, small bones, light complexion,
fine, thin skin, small  muscles, fine hair,  acute features,
great susceptibility, excitable, thin skull, and a large brain.
The preponderance of the brain and nervous system, gives
rise to this temperament.  This temperament disposes one
to sedentary habits, to  mental, rather than physical  labor.
   The  indications  of  the  lymphatic temperament, are
 corpulency, softness and paleness of the flesh, softness of
the  muscles, inexpressive  countenance,  dullness of the
eyes, 6cc.   In persons  possessing  this temperament, the
brain partakes of the qualities of the constitution ; provid-
ing coolness of passions, and not  much disposed to mental 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
59
or physical labor.  It is tho  result of a large preponder-
ance of glands and digestive organ.1?.'
  ' It is extremely seldom that we find any one of the tem-
peraments singly,  but admit  of different combinations.
Sometimes  they will all be combined in different propor-
tions, in  one person.    The  writer of this is  acquainted
with a young  man  who  has  a "very large"* lymphatic,
and moderate nervous temperament.  This is somewhat of
a peculiar combination. Another, who possesses a " very
large " sanguine, and more  than an everage of nervous.
They  are entirely opposite in  their habits, views, and
feelings, and yet have been almost inseperable for vears.
  Daniel  Webster  has a preponderance of  bilious, and
less  nervous—Henry Clay  a preponderance  of the san-
guine—Andrew Jackson, nervous.
  Such is the interest  at the  present time in Phrenology,
that we have thought it best to insert in this connection, a
cut, showing the location  of the different organs of tho
brain, with a brief analysis of their uses and action.

  *Thi.s phraseology signifies that in a scale of 7, it would be marked
8, the highest number. 
60
ORGANS  OF THE BRAIN.
         ORGANS OF  THE  BRAIN.

  In another place, we have simply stated the brain to be
the  seat of the intellectual faculties.  That it is so, as well 
ORGANS OF THE BRAIN.
61
as the fountain of feeling, both physical and mental, there
can be not  a shadow of doubt.   The time has gone by,
when it  would require argument  to  prove this assertion.
To any one  who will observe what passes around, Phre-
nology will prove itself every day.   Not only the theory
but the practice of the science, should be familiar to the
physician.   It is as much a collateral branch of medicine
as is the study of Anatomy.
   Our limits will not allow us to extend our remarks upon
 this  topic, however much we would  wish  to do so.  We
 shall merely give  the organs of the brain and  the func-
 tions of those organs.
NAMES OF  THE ORGANS.
 1 Amativeness,
 2 Philoprogenitiveness
 3 Adhesiveness,
 4 Inhabitiveness,
 5 Concentrativeness,
 6 Combativeness,
 7 Destructiveuess,
 8 Alimentiveness,
 9 Acquisitiveness,
10 Secretiveness,
11 Cautiousness,
12 Approbativeness,
13 Self-Esteem,
14 Firmness,
15 Consciousness,
16 Hope,
17 Marvelousness,
18 Veneration,
19 Benevolence,
20 Constructiveness,
21 Ideality,
B. Sublimity,
22 Imitation,
23 Mirtltfulness,
24 Individuality,
25 Form,
26 Size,
27 Weight,
28 Color,
29 Order,
30 Number,
31 Locality,
32 Eventuality,
33 Time,
34 Tune,
35 Language,
36 Causality,
37 Comparison,
A. Union for life,
D. Suavity,
C. Human Nature.
  In the science of Phrenology, as in most other sciences,
different authors have different methods  of classifying the
organs.   It seems to us  a matter  of very little conse-
quence, whether one organ be termed Amativeness or Love ;
the name will  not  change the action of the organ.   We
            d3 
62
ORGANS  OF THE RRAIN.
 have as yet seen no improvement resulting  from any
 change of classification.  The classification of the Messrs.
 Fowler is the one of which we make use, and it answers,
 as far as our knowledge extends, all intentions.  The fac-
 ulties of the  mind are divided into two classes, to wit  :
 intellect and feeling—these, again, into genera, and these
 last into species.
   Class or Order, 1st.—Embraces all those propensities,
 sentiments and emotions, either animal, human,-or moral,
 which are termed by us feelings.   All  these feelings need
 the guide of enlightened intellect.
   Genus 1st—Propensities.  It is  these which bring man
 into harmony with nature:  that is, with reference to man
 as possessing animal or  physical being.   They implant
 the feelings which induce  the propagation of the species,
 and impels men to self-preservation—gives the love of off-
 spring,  &c,  &c.  As a whole, they  impart force and
 energy to the character.
   Species 1st—Domestic Propensities.   From these arise
 the  social  and domestic affections—in  fact, are  what
 makes man a social being,
   1. Amativeness—Reciprocity of attachment,  and love
 of the sexes.   The cerebellum'"' is  the seat of this propen-
 sity, and is situated between and behind the opening  of
 the ears, in the base of the  skull.   The size of the organ
 may be determined by the  backward  developement, and
 width between the mastoid  process.
   2. Philoprogenitiveness—Gives the love of children,
pets, young animals,  &c.   When the domestic propensi-
ties are large, that portion of the head  is elongated ; and,
  *See brain, remarks on the organs of the body. 
ORGANS OF THE  BRAIN.
63
on the other hand, when small,  the reverse.   The  organ
is located in the centre of the posterior portion of the head,
immediately above the occipitis.
  3.  Adhesiveness—Friendship, attachment,  a desire to
love,  instinctively.   This organ is located upward  and
outward, from Philoprogenitiveness.
  4. Inhabitiveness—Love of country, home,  attachment
to place ; located between Cautiousness and Philoprogen-
itiveness.
  5.  Concentrativeness—Power  of  concentrating  the
thoughts; power of continued application to one purpose ;
connection of thought and feeling.   This organ is located
immediately above Inhabitiveness.
  6.  Combativeness—Force, spirit of resistance, courage,
opposition, contentiousness,  &c.—located  immediately
back of the top of trie ear, on  each side of the head.
  7.  Destructiveness—Desire  to destroy—gives resolu-
tion, force, energy, power of executing..
  8.  Alimentiveness—Desire for food, &c.  The abuse
of the organ leads to intemperance, gluttony,  &c.—loca-
tion, just forward of the top of the ear.
  9.  Acquisitiveness—Desire to possess ; a propensity to
acquire,  to have, to keep, to hoard—location,  immediate-
ly above Alimentiveness.
  10. Secretiveness—Disposition  to conceal,  and sup-
press thought,  to deceive—power of mental reservation—•
situated next above Destructiveness, and behind Acquisi-
tiveness.
  Genus II. Human, Moral, and Religious Sentiments.
  Species I.  Selfish  Sentiments.
  11. Cautiousness—Fear,  carefulness, anxiety, regard
         d3 
    1*4              ORGANS  or THE  HTiAlN'.

    for the future, apprehension of danger, ^c.—location, next
    above Sccrctivencss, and backward from Sublimity.
      12.  Approbativeness—Love of praise, ambition, desire
    of fame, sense of character—located between Self-Esteem
    and Cautiousness, on each side of the head.
      13.  Self-Esteem—Self-respect, dignity, independence,
    desire to rule and  command—located on the middle line
    of the head, adjoining and backward of Firmness.
      14.  Firmness—Perseverance,  stability,  tenacity  ol
    purpose, obstinacy, will—situated on the top  of  the back
    portion of the head, in front of Self-Esteem;  usually the
—   highest organ in the male head.
      Species II.—Moral and Religious Sentiments.
      15.  Conscientiousness—Honesty,  sense  of justice,
    moral obligation, right and wrong of actions-—located on
    each side of Firmness.
      16.  Hope—Anticipations of success  in  undertakings,
    sanguine in view of the  future—located just forward of
    Conscientiousness, on each side of the head.
      17.  Mara'elousness—Wonder,  faith,   belief in  the
    strange, spiritual ; confidence—situated on each side of
    Veneration, between Imitation and Hope.
      1H.  Veneration—Worship,  devotion,  deference  to
    superiors, regard for things sacred, old and ancient; foun-
    dation of religious feeling—located on the top of the head,
    directly in  front of Firmness.
      19.  Benevolence—Kindness,  sympathy,  generosity,
    mildness of character,  desire to see others happy, to do
    good—located in front of Veneration.
      Species III.—Semi-Intellectual Faculties. 
ORGANS  OF THE  BRAIN.
65
  20.  Constructiveness—Ingenuity,  construction   in
general, the foundation of  mechanics—situated  immedi-
ately in front of Aquisitiveness, on the temples.
  21. Ideality—Refinement, love of perfection;  of  the
beautiful, ideal, exquisite, painting, poetry—location is be-
tween Cautiousness and Marvelousness.
   22,  Sublimity—Love of the vast,  grand and magnifi-
cent—will be found between Ideality and Caution, above
Acquisitiveness.                      »
   23.  Imitation—Ability to imitate, to work after a  pat-
tern, to copy from nature  or art,  mimicry—located on
each side  of Benevolence,  and next forward  of Marvel-
ousness.
  24. Mirthfulness—Perception of the ludicrous, ridic-
ulous, and absurd ; wit, facetiousness, fun,  &c.—situated
outward from Causality, on each side of the forehead.
  Class or Order, II.—Intellectual Faculties.
  Genus I.—Perceptive Faculties.                     ,
  Species I.
  25.  Individuality—Power of observation,  desire  to
notice objects ; curiosity—located at the root of the nose,
in the lower portion of the forehead,  and, when  large,
gives a prominence there.
  26.  Form—Idea of shapes, outlines, faces, configura-
tion, family resemblances,  &c.—located near the inner
angle of the eye, and  when large, gives width between
them.
  27. Size—Power of judging of the size,  height, length,
breadth, depth, magnitude of any object—situated next to
Form, at the commencement of the arch of the eyebrow. 
66
organs of  the brain.
   29.  Weight—Gives  the power of balancing ; riding;
good   marksman,  perception  of  gravity,  &c.—located
next to Size, in the arch of the eyebrow.
   29.  Color—Perception of colors,  shades,  hues, tints,
&c.—situated next to, and outward from Weight.
   30.—Order—Neatness, order, arrangement,  method ;
or, a " place for every thing, and every thing in its place."
   31.  Number—Power of computing  numbers  quickly
and correctly, ability  to calculate sums  mentally—next
to Order, and terminates the arch of  the eyebrow.
   32.  Locality—The memory of place,  location, knowl-
edge of direction, and  the  relative position of places  and
things—located immediately above Size and Weight.
   33*—Eventuality—Recollection  of facts, actions, oc-
currences ;  power  to  treasure  up what  the other  facul-
ties observe—in the middle of the forehead, immediately
above Individuality.
   34.  Time—Perception  of duration, or lapse  of  time ;
ability to  recollect when events  transpired—located imme-
diately above Color, and next to Locality.
  So.  Tune—Perception of melody and  musical harmo-
ny—located forward of Constructiveness, and above  and
backward of the external angle of the eye.
   36. Language—Faculty  of committing to  memory;
power of expressing thoughts by means  of speech—this
organ is  located immediately  over   the eyes, and  when
large, presses the eye downward and outward.
   Genus II.—Reflective or Reasoning Faculties.
  87. Comparison—This  organ, compares,  illustrates,
discovers analogies  ; resemblances and differences in prin- 
ORGANS OF THE  BRAIN.              G7
ciples, objects, &c. ; the power  to  reason from  parallel
cases, to illustrate and classify phenomena—-will be found
in the centre of the upper portion of the forehead.
  38.  Causality—Ability  to reason from first causes,
to trace the relation of cause and effect—located outward
from  Comparison, in  the upper  and lateral portion of the
forehead. 
 
          PART  II,
COMTRIZES THE DESCRIPTION OF DISEASE, SYMPTOMS,
            AND TREATMENT. 
 
INFLAMMATORY  FEVER.
   This form of fever has been noticed, because in  most
 medical authors it has found a separate and distinct place,
 but, from the manner of its attack, symptoms, and crisis, it
 presents  the same phenomena as most forms of fever in
 the inflammatory stage.
   Causes.—Sudden changes of temperature, or  after vio-
 lent exercise, the  sudden exposure to cold ;  drinking cold
 fluids when heated ; intemperance; indulgence in strong
 passions, and cessation of usual vacuations.
   It usually attacks those  of plethoric habits and  strong
 muscular system, and of previous firm constitution.
   Symptoms.—It comes on with great lassitude and debil-
ity, succeeded by head-ache, cold chills or rigors ; pains in
the  whole  body, with great increase of external heat;
thirst and nausea ;  the countenance flushed,  or  pressure
to the head ; the pulse strong, hard and regular ; tongue
white; scantiness  of urine, which  is high  colored, and
deposits a red  sediment; the bowels  constipated ;  some-
times delirium, with impatience of noise, and  light and
oppressive breathing. 
72              INFLAMMATORY FEVER.
                 INDICATIONS OF  CURE.
  1. To thoroughly cleanse the stomach and first passages.
  2, To equalize the circulation.
  3. To restore diminished action.
  To effect the first  intention the body must be sponged
with tepid water or vinegar, or with the following :
     Water,   o. i.               Water,     o. i.
     Vinegar, o. ss.        r   -■   Rum,      o. ss.
     Saleratus, oz. i.—mix.  *■  '*   Vinegar,   o. ss.
                                  Saleratus,  oz. ii. •
   Mix and apply cool—giving  at  the same time copious
draughts of warm diluent teas, such as pennyroyal, lemon,
balm, catnip, &c, until perspiration is induced,  or the sur-
face moist, when cayenne or composition should be added,
and the vapor bath* applied thoroughly, and then an  injec-
tion should be administered of
               Composition,
               Nerve powder,  each, x. i.
               No. 1, brown,        x. £.
which must be followed by a  thorough emetic, given  in
broken doses, say
               No. 1, brown,     grs. v.
               Slippery elm,         v.
repeated in from twenty minutes to half an hour, until vom-
iting has commenced, when enough should be given  to
effect.complete relaxation of the muscular system, contin-
uing the composition and other teas.  After the operation
of the. emetic, if the skin  becomes warm cr hot, bathing the
surface should be repeated often, to relax the capillary ves-
*If not practicable, sweat the bed. 
INFLAMMATORY PEVF.R.
73
sels, and the following decoction given to promote perspi-
 ration :
        Crawley,                    Crawley,
        AVhiteroot,          *   -,    Smartweed,
        Vervain,            L  '-•    Boneset,
        Skunk Cabbage,              Scullcap,
of each a handful.   To each of these may be added juni-
per berries, winter green and melon seeds, to act upon the
urinary organs.   We apply strong drafts to the feet, and
if there is much heat in the head,  or pain, wet with strong
 cabbage tea, cold.
   If the increased heat of the surface again returns, we
 use the following powders :
                  Brown lobelia,     i.              ,t
                  Cayenne,          ii.
                  S.  Elm,     grs.  ii.
                  Bayberry,    grs.  iv.
Given in melasses, from one to six hours, according to the
increase of  external heat.   If the powders nauseate, we
give the stomach pill as  a substitute, which is made as
follows :
                  Boiled melasses, o. ss.
                  Brown Lobelia,  iv. parts,
                 Cayenne,        ii.   "
                  Skunk Cabbage, iii.   "
Sufficient to pill.   If  the injections do  not sufficiently
evacuate the bowels, or if there is evidently obstructions
in the first passages,  not influenced by injections, we give
mild laxative medicine.   Half a tea spoonfull of man-
drake,  or a tea spoonfull of  bitter root, will be sufficient, or
the  lenitive electuary may be given.
  If the above treatment has answered the two first indica-
tions, bitters should be administered to strengthen the vis- 
74
INFLAMMATORY  FEVER.
cera, and system generally, not forgetting to keep the deter-
mining powers to the surface, or the surface moist.
  The bitters we usually give, are—
                 Ginseng,
                 Orange Peel,
                 Fennel Seed,
                 Chamomile Flowers—dram each.
  Steep  in a pint of water,  sweeten  with loaf sugar, and
give table spoonfull.
  If, however, the fever is not " broken up," the same pro-
cess must be repeated, until healthy action is induced.
  This disease  may be distinguished  from typhus by  its
more sudden attack,  the  pulse being harder and stronger,
the whiteness of the tongue, high color of the urine, and its
depositing a sediment, and the functions of the brain being
less disturbed.
  Favorable Symptoms.—The skin becoming more moist—
medicine answering the indication  readily ;  natural dis-
charge from the nose; scabby eruptions about the  mouth,
and the  bowels  becoming regular;  urine free,  and the
mind more composed.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—Violent- pain  in the head, and
continued delirium ;  extremely difficult breathing, medi-
cine producing no effect; picking the  bed-clothes ; reach-
ing after imaginary objects ; hiccup ;  starting and twitch-
ing of the muscles.   These last, however, are not to  be
regarded as fatal as in typhus.

                     OBSERVATIONS.
  We would here remark, that in acute forms of disease,
our guide respecting food  and  nourishment has been the 
INFLAMMATORY  FEVER.
75
wants of the patient.  If often required, to repeat often, in
small quantities of light, nourishing food.   And, likewise,
to give  water in small quantity, often repeated,  when
called for.
  The apartment should  always be kept well ventilated,
and at that temperature which is comfortable for the nurse
in attendance.  This will be a better guide than to be arbi-
trarily  governed by the  thermometer.  When  the  sick
apartment becomes too warm, or the air impure, the patient
is immediately oppressed, and labors for breath, and sinks,
because the " outward heat is above  the inward"] and the
tendency of the fluids is to the centre.  To give temporary
relief, bathe the head with cold water, spirits, or vinegar,
and this will be of much benefit during the progress of the
disease.
   One thing is worthy of remark— the " regular " authors
describe  the  first symptoms of fever as  " tveakness and
debility," and  yet one indication of cure is to "lower exces.
sive action.4"  " Oh  ! consistency, thau art a jewel!"
              TYPHUS  FEVER.

  This form of fever is more fatal than any other of the
continued fevers, and we feel confident that it arises princi-
pally from the fact that its attacks are so slowly made as to
be scarcely perceptible.    Hence the system is completely
deranged before any medication is resorted to, to prevent
or cure.    We believe it possible, in the incipient stage of
any  form of acute disease, by a thorough  Thomsonian treat- 
76                  TYPHUS  FEVER.
ment, to  " break up " the fever or remove the obstruction
and induce healthy action.  And the cause of thi3 form of
fever proving so fatal, is, because the remedy is so long
delayed and there being extreme debility or  great loss of
vitality, and  consequent tendency to putridity, that  medi-
cine when given, fails of its wonted effect, being unable to
arouse the dormant energies, or vital power of the system.
   Causes.—Contagion,  exposure to  cold and wet, intem-
perance,  stagnant waters,  previously  debilitated  habit,
uncleanliness, and other causes which produce  debility.
   It attacks those of weak  constitution and nervous tem-
perament.
   Symptoms.—For two  or three  weeks, and often  more,
the  patient is  sensible  of great  debility, languor,  and
dejection of mind; loss of appetite, or fickleness of appe-
tite, with  a sense of  weight or pain in  the head at  times,
great uneasiness in the day, and restlessness  and want of
sleep at night;  these'are  succeeded  by  pains  over  the
body, appearing  to  be in the  bones,  severe pains in  the
small of the back, extending up the spinal column  to the
neck, and likewise over the eyes; the eyes red  and sore,
quick, weak and often intermittent pulse; at first the tongue
is but  little coated and  moist, a viscid, whitish mucous
appearing on  each side of the middle, but as the disease
advances, becomes dry and brown, or black, or extremely
red, dry,  smooth and tremulous, so much so as to be hardly
able to extend it beyond the lips. As the disease advances,
the countenance becomes peculiarly cadaverous and  death-
like, eyes sunken and  glass)',  pulse  very quick,  weak,
irregular and  trembling, fetid breath, cold sweats, picking
and  reaching,  subsultus' tendency  to  sink toward  the 
TYPHUS  FEVER.
77
bottom of the bed, low muttering  delirium, involuntary
evacuations  from the bowels, cold extremities, death.
                  INDICATIONS  OF CURE.
   1st.  To cleanse the^first passages.
   2d.  To relieve  the congested vessels, or equalize the
excitement.
   3d.  To support the vital power ; and
   4th. To obviate the tendency to putridity.
   From what we havejsaidon inflammatory fever the reader
er will at once perceive what is meant by the first intention,"
and the process will [necessarily be nearly the same in the
first stage, as directed in that form of disease ; although it
will be noted, that, there being a  tendency to sweat in
typhus, it  will  not require the thorough bathing, as in
cases of greater  topical inflammation.  If resort be had to
thorough courses  of  medicine, (see courses of medicine,)
in the early stage  of this fever, it  may be arrested in its
course as readily as any  other.  But if the sinking, or
typhoid  symptoms appear,  the best course to  adopt, to
answer the first indication, is,  to give  fever powders, in
increased doses, so as to induce emesis or vomiting.
               Brown,  No. 1 grs. x.
                Slippery Elm,
               Cayenne,
               Ne"rve Powder—aa. grs. xv.
   Mix and  divide into four parts, giving one every hour.
This should be repeated every  day, if the patient does not
fail in strength ;  and, in the meantime, the following mix
ture may be given, to produce an equal circulation, and at
the same time to sustain the system.
         Mucilage of Comfrey,  or Slippery Elm, o. i.
         3d Preparation of Lobelia, x. ii.
            E 
78
TYPHUS  FKVi'K.,
  Mix, and give a table spoonfull every two  hours.  Com-
position or cayenne tea should be given freely, and brandy
sling  as  often as necessary,  to prevent  sinking.    If,
however, the patient continues to fail, the secretions deter-
mining  inwardly ; bathing in brandy, or rheumatic drops,
hot, giving the same inwardly, will often afford relief.   In
such cases we administer the following :
                   Ginseng,
                   Myrrh,
                   Red Bark—half oz. each.
Pour on a half pint boiling water,  add the same quantity
of brandy, and sweeten with loaf sugar—give freely until
reaction takes place.   Injections, of an infusion of myrrh ?
should be given, and repeated  often,  especially, if there is
a relaxed state of the bowels.   If there is tenderness, and
swelling of the bowels, local remedies must be applied.—
Bitter herbs and rheumatic drops, or a poultice of the sed-
iment of drops, make excellent applications.   Strong drafts
must be used to excite action to the extremities, and strong
cabbage tea, cold,  applied to the head.
  I will here observe, that  the extract of lobelia, recently
introduced by the late Dr. Jacobs, is the best remedy I
have ever used to answer the second intention.  The first
case where I made use of it was a girl of eleven years of age,
daughter of Mr. A. H., of East Hartford.   I had attend-
ed her a  week; the disease was fast  assuming its  most
aggravated form ;  tongue dry and red; abdomen tumefied,
indurated, and exceedingly tender on pressure ; delirium,
especially at  night.  On  the eighth day I  procured the
extract, and  gave one grain  every two hours, until   it
produced  emesis ^effect ;  it was then given every four
hours,  when, on my succeeding visit, every unfavorable 
                    TYPHUS FKVER.                  /y

symptom was relieved ;  the determination to the head was
removed, and all fear of her recovery was past.
  Mr. B., of this city, had been treated by two physicians ;
was laboring under  congestion of the brain, which had
been increased by injudicious management; having been
treated but five days ;—under the use of the extract pill,he
became perfectly rational in three days  ; and remained  so
until  convalescent.  They combine the relaxant property
of the seed,  without the powerful, though uncertain, opera-
tion of the oil.   To  relax constricted vessels, restore an
equilibrium, and remove congestion, I consider it the best
preparation  of lobelia yet made from that invaluable plant.
It should be given in  doses of one grain in from one to
three hours, being careful to sustain the system by stimu-
lants, and, if necessary, by tonics also.
  I have stated elsewhere, and I now repeat,  that one
great object  which I  had  in  view  in publishing this
work, was to benefit the people, that  they may have  a
guide, a resort in the hour  of sickness and distress.   I
know that those who still employ the mineral practice, dis-
pense with it, even in sickness, as long as they dare ; for
they know that if they  call a physician, and commence  a
mercurial course of treatment, they must have a run of fever.
Hence they  put off, and put off, calling a physician, and there-
by lose very many precious moments by delay. But all may
resort to this system with confidence, because its remedial
agents are not deleterious, but act in unison with .the pow-
ers of life.   I make these  remarks  here, because this
form  of disease, more, perhaps,  than  any other,  requires
early and thorough medication.  I believe   delay, caused
by the slow approach of typhus, and  fear of being made 
BO
TYrHUS  FEVER-
sick by mercurial poison, is the fruitful source of the fatal-
ity of this form of fever more than others.
  Favorable Symptoms.—The tongue peeling and becoming
moist first at its edges, afterwards on its surface, an equable
perspiration breaking out upon the skin, a gentle diarrhea,
the pulse becoming fuller and slower;  return of reason,
of sleep and appetite ; eruptions about the mouth; increase
of urine and its depositing a sediment.
  Unfavorable Symptoms.—A continual increase of debil-
ity, continuation of the low muttering delirium, tremulous
motion  of the tongue, lips, and  other parts, convulsions,
difficult swallowing, the patient lying prostrate on the back,
with extended arms, or gliding to  the bottom of the bed,
falling of the  chin, involuntary evacuations, small, quick,
and irregular pulse, hiccup, picking the  bedclothes and
reaching at imaginary things in the air.
i  Prompt and energetic treatment must be given in the
early stage of this disease, after which, care must be had
to sustain the  patient by stimulants, tonics, wine, brandy,
and nourishing food.

          OBSERVATIONS ON CONTINUED FEVERS.
  Continued fever  can only be treated successfully upon
general principles, with close attention to the constitution,
temperament and habits of the patient, and likewise to the
character of the disease at the time prevalent; for it is a
well known fact, that the  symptoms of fever or forms of
acute disease, differ at different  periods, and that every
case will, during the prevalence  of an epidemic, partake
more  or less  of the prevailing  disease.  I  may be  per-
mitted to assert, without fear of contradiction, that no reme- 
TYPHUS  FEVER.
81
dy, or class, or combination of remedies, will, in any stage
of fever, effectually cut it short or remove its cause, unless
they thoroughly cleanse the alimentary canal of  morbific
matter and produce a free  and  equal circulation.   To
effect the  first, a  thorough emetic of lobelia, followed by
a cathartic that will be mild in its operation, and will not
determine the fluids inwardly or check perspiration; and if
necessary to be repeated, may be relied on ; and the steam
or shower bath, if properly applied, will be found effectual
in the  second.  I would here  observe, that  the  effect of
the application of  cold water, or the dash, or  shower bath,
is the same as the  steam bath indirectly applied.  That is,
if the cold principle is applied and continued, death must
ensue, but if  applied and reaction is induced by friction,
perspiration takes  place ; we  have the same result as from
the vapor bath.  The only  difference is, the cold principle
is applied for the purpose of  giving a  shock  to the whole
system to produce reaction, and  this reaction removes the
obstruction, equalizes the  circulation, and determines the
fluids to the surface, it is the indirect and  not direct effect
that we seek in its  application.   The last, continued without
the first, destroys life.  On the other hand, the direcleffecis of
the vapor bath is to remove congestion and promote an equal
circulation—(see steaming.)   Then, in the early stage of
fever,  of whatever name or  nature, the foregoing course
should be faithfully  followed, regard being had to support
the strength of the patient  and sustain the powers  of life.
   For  an  emetic  and cathartic,  I  have  administered
lobelia and mandrake together, with  the best effects,  the
No. 1, serving to  keep the  capillaries free.
              Lobelia,       x.  i.
              Mandrake,     x.  .i.
   Mix and take in melasses. 
82      INTERMITTENT  FEVER — FEVER AND AGUE.

              Lobelia.
              Rheubarb,
              Sulphur, a a,     aa.x. i.
   After the bowels have been  once cleansed, injections
will  generally be sufficient, without the aid of cathartics,
and the vapor bath should be resorted to daily, in the first
stage.
  A Case.—Mr. H. caught a violent cold  by remaining in
water many hours fishing.  Not  being able to labor, went
visiting and ate large quantities  of  fruit, which remained
ten  days  in  the  system undigested.  Symptoms,  when
called, were  delirium, diarrhea, stupor, extreme debility.
pulse 120, tongue red and fiery, and almost total inaction.
I immediately  gave  two   table  spoonfulls of  brandy
in as much water, every hour, (and continued it until the
febrile symptoms abated,) the extract pill every four hours,
and  a  tea compounded  of  whiteroot, composition  and
wild turnip, freely; in  two weeks he became convales-
cent.
  INTERMITTENT  FEVE R—F EVER
                  AND   AGUE.

  Intermittent fever may be said to consist of periods or
paroxysms of fever, between  which there is  a lapse or
period of perfect  intermission of fever.   These periods
may occur at regular or irregular intervals.
  This form of  disease is more generally  known as tho
fever and ague, and is prevalent in and around low, marshy
districts and situations, especially in warm climates. 
        INTERMITTENT FEVER--FEVER AND AGUE.     ^3

   The fever and  ague has  been divided into different
 classes, according to the length of time between the par-
 oxysms.  When it occurs in
          24 hours, it is called a Quotidian.
          48    "      "         Tertian.
          72    "      "         Quartan.
   Cause.—This disease is produced  by any cause which
 has a tendency to lessen or  destroy  the vital power, viz :
 debility, however produced ;  low diet, free use of alco-
 holic  poison preceding  disease and antiphlogistic treat-
 ment,  cold  united with moisture, in any  way applied to
 the body.
 t-- Each paroxysm  of  intermittent fever consists of three
 different stages,  whieh in  most cases follow each other
 regularly, viz :  the cold, the hot, and the sweating stage.
   Symptoms.  The  Cold  Stage.—Languor and  debility,
 weariness,  yawning and  stretching,  and indisposition  to
 move ; the countenance has a peculiar pale and cadaver-
 ous appearance ; sensibility  greatly impaired ;  the urine
pale and scanty ; the  pulse small,  quick  and  irregular,
and breathing short  and anxious.  There  is generally a
severe  head-ache, and  purple  appearance of the toes  and
fingers.  The patient _soon  begins to feel  a sensation of
cold, first in the  back,  and extending over the body  and
extremities;  sometimes it is confined to a  particular por-
tion  of the  body,  &c, for  a  longer or  shorter period
until chills succeed, and  terminates in a universal  shak-
ing.
   The  Hot Stage.—At length-the heat gradually returns
to the body, until a dry, burning, fiery heat, greatly above
the healthy  standard, covers the whole  surface,  which is 
&1      INTERMITTENT  FEVER—FEVER A.NJJ AGUE.

now red, tense, swollen, and often sore to the touch.   The
sensibility is now intensely acute ;  severe pains in the
head, and flying over different parts of the body, and often
vomiting of bile ; pulse quick, strong and hard ; tongue
furred and white ; great thirst;  urine high colored.
   The Sweating Stage.—In a short time moisture is discov-
ered on the face and neck, which soon  extends over the
whole body,  and becomes a profuse though equable per-
spiration.  The  extreme heat  descends  to  the  natural
standard, the pulse becomes full and soft, the respiration
-easy, thirst abates, urine deposites  a  sediment,  and the
system, for a  time, is restored to  a  healthy,  although
weakened state.
   Writers differ with regard to the  location or pathology
of this form of disease ;  but it is  evident that the liver and
biliary organs are those  which  are  most implicated and
most suffer.   This is apparent,  from the  fact that bilious
vomitings often occur ; likewise bilious discharges from
the bowels, and the skin assumes a yellow cast.
   Although  the  above description will give a correct
knowledge of the symptoms, yet there are other phenomena
na which often occur, but may, for the most part, be trace-
able to local causes.   Like other forms  of fever, this often ^
assumes the typhoid type, in which case, it is  needless  to
say, that it is not only  dangerous, but many times fatal.
                  INDICATIONS OF CURE.
   1st.  To cleanse the sys-tem  of bile,  viscid mucus, and
all irritable substances, or whatever tends  to produce func-
tional derangement, and,
   2d. To strengthen the system and tone the fibre.
   To answer the first  indication, it will  be necessary  to
give thorough courses of  medicine.  If steaming be used, 
         INTERMITTENT FEVER—FEVER AND AoEE.      85

 it should be done just previous to the cold stage, so as to
 destroy the arrangement or paroxysms.  After the opera-
 tion of the emetic, some use cathartics, and, perhaps, some
 mild laxative  may be beneficial; but  I have not used
 cathartics in my  practice.   The  blackroot, or, as it  is
 known here, Culver's root, is called an excellent cathartic
 in fever and ague, and it is certainly very mild ; but I
 should use only just enough to free the system of bile.  The
 emetics should be given daily, and  in the interval, the second
 indication of cure should  be strictly attended to.  I give
 pepper vinegar five or six  times a day, together with the
 following:
                   White Wood,
                   Golden Seal,
                   Peruvian Bark, aa. oz. i.
 Mix, and add a  pint of water, pint of rum or brandy, and
 give four times a day, shaking  well.
   Dr. Hersey has the following, which I have found good,
 but not equal to  the above :           K
                   Cinchona,
                   Cloves,
                   Composition,
                   Cream of Tartar—aa. oz. i.
 Put in a quart Lisbon wine.  Dose, wine glass full three
 times a day.
  When the patient becomes convalescent, he should, for
a considerable time, take the pepper  sauce,  and the fol-
lowing:
                   Gold Thread,
                   Wormwood,
                   Blackroot,—aa. oz. ss.
  Macerate in a pint of hot water and pint of spirit.  Dose, 
86      INTERMITTENT FEVER--FEVER AND AGUE.

sufficient to keep the bowels free, without cathartic opera-
tion.  If the patient prefers composition tea to the pepper-
sauce, or if it cause hiccup or vomiting,  the composition
or pepper  tea  may be  substituted.   I  would  repeat the
instructions, to repeat the emetics as long as any superflu-
ous  quantity of bile  appears  in  the system, or until a
healthy action takes place.
   The  practitioner can hardly be too  thorough in his
applications.  In slight attacks, I have been able to produce
healthy action  in  the  biliary organs,  without an emetic,
but the  work can be done in half the time, with them.
   The  object of the mineral  physician  in  this disease,
appears to be to change the action,  as it is in almost every
other form of  disease—that is, to substitute  mercurial
action for diseased or morbid  action,  and then cure the
mercurial action which they  have created.   The above
treatment  will  show the difference.  Nevertheless,  it
should be the object, during the cold stage,  to  produce  a
proper degree of heat, and in the hot stage, to produce an
equal perspiration.
   Favorable  Symptoms.—When  tho   paroxysms  are of
short duration ; when they are  regular in  their recur-
rence, and in the intervals leave the patient free.
   Unfavorable  Symptoms.—The disease proving obstinate,
and the periods returning earlier each paroxysm, and man-
ifesting a tendency to continued fever, in which case the
symptoms will be extreme violence of paroxysms, deliri-
um, obstinate costiveness, hiccup, with vomiting, and pain,
upon pressure, in the region of liver andstomach ; depraved
sense, as  double vision ;  great prostration  of strength ;
vertigo; dry, black tongue; feled  excretions. 
YELLOW
FEVER.
    This form of disease is characterized  by most of the
 symptoms  in  the worst  forms  of typhus,  viz:  extreme
 debility, tendency to putridity, &c.  Symptoms peculiar
 to yellow  fever, are frequent bilious vomitings,  yellow-
 ness of the eyes and skin, constant retching, and vomiting
 of frothy bile, hermorrhage from mouth, ears, nostrils, &c,
 black vomit, &c, &c. ;  in  short, all the symptoms com-
 mon to fevers, but of a more violent and distressing char-
 acter from the commencement.

                  INDICATIONS OF  CURE.
   Very  little time is given to the physician to choose his
 remedies, or to speculate upon the cause.   The indications
 of cure  are  the same as the third and fourth in typhus
 viz.:
   1st. To sustain  the vitality of the system, and,
   2d.  To obviate the  tendency to putridity.  For this
 object, warm brandy, pepper tea and bark,  internally, and
 hot brandy  applied externally,  must be used with perse-
vering industry.   A decoction of myrrh should  be used
internally and  also  by  injection.   The Cholera  Syrup
(see Preparation,)  is one of the best medicines that can bo
used in this  form of disease.   Should reaction take place
and the surface become hot and dry, the same indications 
88
PLAGUE.
as the 1st and 2d In inflammatory fever should be answered
and the same treatment given.
   Note.—The same  treatment  or  course of treatment
must be pursued  in spotted fever or  any form of disease,
when the attack is sudden, and when there  is excessive
debility, or tendency to putridity.
                    PLAGUE.

   From  what I had written upon  yellow  fever, I had
concluded to let the subject pass, as any one would see, by
the nature and treatment  of this form  of debility, what
general remedies or class of remedies it would be neces-
sary to employ.   When the typhus fever, or canker-rash
appears as an epidemic,  or any other  aggravated form
of disease, it is with much more virulence than in ordinary
cases.
   The black tongue (so named) has hardly failed of being
fatal when assisted in its work of death by cold,  depletive
agents which  rapidly  destroy the vitality of the system.
Such was  the cholera  in the hands of the old school doc-
tors, but  under the Thomsonian,  with  the life giving prin-
ciple contained in our medicines,  it  rarely proved fatal.
In  any case of violent attack, be  its 'name plague, cold
plague, yellow, spotted  or any colored fever, or  no color-
ed at all, when, the living  principle or vital power is fast
ebbing, no time is to be lost in fruitless and time-killing
enquiries.   The most potent (if harmless)  remedies must
be used.   Stimulants to excite action; astringents  to restore 
LUNG  FEVER.
S9
ihe firm condition of the relaxed solids, and antiseptics to
guard against mortification, to which, in all such attacks,
thereis a tendency.   Third preparation, brandy, and cay-
enne, rank among  the  first.    Bayberry,  cranesbill,
marsh-rosemary are  among  the  best astringents; and
myrrh in  every form is the best antiseptic I have ever
Used.  These should Ije given separately, or compounded
 into the  stomach, and  by  enema,  and repeated, until
 reaction takes place.  Stimulating remedies upon the sur-
 face, as hot brandy, liniment, third preparation, rheumatic
 drops, may  be used, and that freely,  remembering that
perseverance is the Thomsonian''s watchword.  N
LUNG  FEVER,  OR  INFLAMMATION
              OF  THE LUNGS.

  Cause.__Exposure to cold and wet) sanguinous temper-
ament, plethoric habits, and winter and spring seasons.
  Symptoms.—The local symptoms generally appear before
those characterizing fever.  The first, are a short [dry
cough, difficulty of breathing, attended with dull pain, in-
creasing as the disease  advances.  These will be followed
by  chills,  especially up the spinal  column, fever, thirst,
quick, compressible pulse,furred tongue, at first white, &c.
  If the pleura is involved, it is what is termed pleurisy or
pleuritis, (i. e.) inflammation of the  pleura.  The symp-
toms are  developed more  rapidly, attended with, more
acute pain,  greater  difficulty of breathing, harder pulse, 
90                  lung fever.

  This disease in the first stage yields more readily to the
Botanic remedies than any other form of fever.

              THE INDICATIONS OF CURE ARE,
   1st. To remove congestion,
   2d.  To produce a free circulation, and,
   3d.  To promote expectoration.
   That there  is a  constriction  of the blood vessels of the
lungs  and capillaries, causing congestion, appears evident
from the appearance of the countenance and  other symp-
toms.  To  answer  the intentions of cure,  a  free use  of
courses of medicine in the early stage of lung fever will be
sufficient to effect a cure, but in the more advanced stage,
the following treatment will be necessary and effectual :
   1st.  Fever Powders.
               Green, No. 1,
               White Root,
               Wild Turnip,
               Slippery Elm,
               Skunk Cabbage—aa.
  Give half tea spoonfull every two  or three hours,  in
melasses.
              Cough Balsam,      oz. viii.
              Wild Turnip, fine,   x. ii.
              Green Lobelia, fine, x. ss.
  Tea spoonfull dose between the powders.
                Crawley,
                Skunk Cabbage,
                Scullcap,
                Liquorice.—aa. oz. i.
  Steep in two quarts of water,  and give freely.
  The fever powders should be increased occasionally  so
as to enable  the patient to vomit, andtopical bathing should 
LUNG  FEVER.                  91
be freely resorted  to.  It will  be found that the patient
will sweat freely and yet the surface will be fiery hot, or
in other words the perspiration does not cool the surface or
equalize the circulation.  The diaphoresis should be con-
tinued and  the  surface sponged with  spirit, water  and
vinegar, equal  parts,  with  a  little   saleratus added :
this   will restore  the  elasticity [of the capillaries and
remove congestion.   The bowels, in  lung fever, are very
little  deranged  unless  from the free  use  of cathartics,
which,  in this disease^are highly injurious.  It has been
my practice to administer an injection daily of-—
                Composition,
                Nerve Powder,
                Brown Lobelia—aa.
  A tea spoonfull to two-thirds tea-cup  of catnip tea.
  For children  therinjectionsjire prepared of
                Nerve Powder,
                Catnip,
                Green Lobelia,
                Masterwort Seed—aa.
  Make a tea and use freely.
  If it is difficult to administer the powders to children,
the above injections can be administered every three or
four hours.
  For local applications,  the  Volatile  Liniment  is excel-
lent, but that of animal flesh  is better.   In cases of local
inflammation, a thin  piece of beef has  jafforded  relief
quicker than any other application I ever made.  I have
known  cases when the  beef would become  putrid in four
hours, and would afford immediate relief to the patient.
  Favorable Symptoms.—Diminished frequency ofbreath-
ing ; a free expectoration of mucus ;  equable perspiration ; 
9,-J
bilious Pneumonia.
scabby eruptions about the mouth ; the urine depositing a
sediment, &c.
   Unfavorable  Symptoms.—The  duration of the  disease
beyond the fourteenth day ; delirium ; no expectoration, or
the mucous'of a dark or black color; toogue livid and clam- •
my ; increased difficulty of breathing ; a previously  bro-
ken constitution.
   Note.—In case of a sudden attack of pleurisy, an injec-
tion of a heaping  tea  spoonfull  of  brown  lobelia,  and,
perhaps,  repeated, will be the speediest mode of affording
relief; after which other and a more  milder course can
be pursued.
   1 would  state  here, that  of hundreds of cases of lung
fever which I have  attended, I have lost but one, and in
that case  I was  not the attending  physician ; and the
above is  my course of  treatment, varying as the type is
severe or mild.
   Nourishment—Cracker tea.
   Stimulating bitters are necessary to enable the system to
regain a healthy tone.
         BILIOUS  PNEUMONIA.
   There has  been prevalent within a few years  » form
of fever during the latter part of winter and spring, that
presents the symptoms of bilous fever and lung fever.
   Symptoms.—All those peculiar to the forming stage of
fever—debility, pain  in the head, eyes  red  and watery,
severe cough,  difficulty  of breathing, pain in the chest, 
BILIOUS  PNEUMONIA'
93
Srtilow countenance,  bilious vomitings,  often diarrhea,
with frothy stools, indicating the presence of a large quan-
tity  of vitiated  bile ;  tongue clean or nearly  so, soon
coated, white at first, then changing to a brown ; wander-
ing,  severe chills, flashes of heat, and sweating.
  In the first stage of the complaint, it appears to be a well
developed  case  of lung fever, of a mild type, but the
symptoms  gradually assume all those of bilious  fever.
I have never known a case prove fatal under Thomsonian
treatment; my observation has been limited in this com-
plaint, of those treated by  the  old  school, and  what the
result of their practice has  been, I  cannot  say.
  Treatment.—The same  as in lung  fever in the early
stage.  Cleanse the system  thoroughly,  and  then give
expectorant and diaphoretic powders.
                   Wild Turnip,
                   Skunk Cabbage,
                   White Root,
                   Green Lobelia—aa.
One  fourth of a  tea  spoonful  from one to  four hours,
according to the violence of the attack.
              Cough Balsam, oz. iv.
              Wild Turnip,  x. i.
              Green Lobelia, x. ss.
  Give a tea spoonfull from one to four hours, intermedin
ate with the powders.
              Tea.—White Root,
                    Composition,
                    Scullcap,
                    Wild  Turnip.
  Handful of each, in quart of water, to keep up a mild
perspiration. 
94          INFANTILE REMITTENT FEVER.

  As the  complaint assumes the  bilious form, the  tea is
composed  of
                  Composition)
                  Poplar,
                  Uva Ursi,
                   Wild Cherry.
   A strong decoction, and given in  wine glass full doses,
 every two hours.  A part of the expectorant  treatment
 is now omitted, sufficient, however, is given to produce a
 free discharge of mucus from the lungs.
   If there is a tendency to  typhus, a free use of brandy
 will produce immediate reaction.   If the discharge from
 the bowels  is black   and tarry, I give  a  small dose of
 Culver root,  Bitter root, or Mandrake ; and aa soon as
 the  tongue cleans, I  give bitters, which will restore the
 patient.
 INFANTILE  REMITTENT  FEVER.

  Children in early years are subject to complaints ;  the
phenomena in most cases resemble  each other, but are
called by  different names, as  the more prominent symp-
toms resemble other  forms  of disease.   Thus, in some,
symptoms of lung fever prevail; in some, teething ; others,
worm fever, hectic fever, stomach fever, &c, &c, to  the
end of the  chapter.   The name, however, signifies  but
little,  if the  cause of  the  complaint  can  be speedily
removed.
  Symptoms.—Pale countenance, weakness, chilliness in 
INFANTILE REMITTENT FEVER.
95
the morning ; flush cheek, hot skin, short dry cough, rest-,
lessness, and the general symptoms of fever, towards even-
ing; followed at night by  profuse sweating, and towards
morning by complete remission, which leads to the belief
that the patient is better.  Skin dry ; tongue moist, but
coated ; pulse frequent ; appetite fickle, or entirely want-
ing; urine scanty and high colored, and depositing a sedi-
ment; bowels sometimes costive,  sometimes relaxed,  or
both, alternately ; the evacuations slimy and highly  offen-
sive, dark, green, clayey, or frothy, indicating at one time
little or no bile,  at another a superabundance ;  abdomen
hard, swollen and hot to the touch ; breath offensive ; the
skin extremely irritable, so that the  child  is constantly
picking the nose, lips, eyes, fingers and anus.
   In some aggravated cases of this complaint, most of the
above symptoms will be present,  and  in others of  mild
form, but few.  In  some the fever and  remission will be
very slight; sometimes it becomes chronic ;  the abdomen
becomes more  swollen and harder, with a constant diarrhea,
until  the  little sufferer wastes away to a mere skele-
ton ; as this takes place, it becomes more irritable, until
complete stupor supervenes, when it is in a  state of total
unconsciousness, and dies from exhaustion.
   This complaint may terminate in consumption, in dropsy
of the brain, dysentery, &c.
   It may  be  distinguished from  hydrocephalus, by  the
patient being  easily roused from stupor, if  it exists ;  by
the absence of strabismus and convulsions; by the absence
of heat  in the head as in dropsy of the brain ;  the bowels
are obstinately costive, and urine suppressed.
   Prospect of Cure.—Favorable.  There is hope to the 
96
INFANTILE REMITTENT FEVER.
 last; even in cases where a  total loss of vision has taken
 place for days, a cure has been effected.   Beware of min-
 eral  poison:  it speeds  the  work of death with fearful
 rapidity.
   Exciting Causes.—Bad  air ;  confinement;  improper
 food; irritation of the mucus membrane of the intestinal
 canal by accumulated faeces, or high seasoned diet; worms ;
 diarrhea ; teething.
                  INDICATIONS OF CURE.
   1st. To thoroughly cleanse the alimentary canal, thereby
 removing  all causes of irritation  from the stomach  and
 bowels.
   2d. To support the  strength  of the  patient by proper
 diet,  &c, and,
   3d. To equalize the excitement,  and tone up the system.
   I.  Emetics must be given often,  every day at first, and
 omitting gradually ;  and injections often, sometimes half a
 dozen a day, or even more.   For the emetic,
               Green  Lobelia,  x. i.  -
               Nerve Powder,   x. i.
   Put four table spoonsful of warm water to  the  powder,
 sweeten, and  give to a child one  year old a tea spoonful
 every fifteen  minutes,  until  it has vomited thoroughly,
 after which administer an enema of
                  Nerve Root,
                  Green Lobelia,
                  Masterwort Seed,
                  Catnip.
   A tea spoonful of each—half a tea-spoonful of the com-
pound for an injection, given often—in urgent cases every
two hours. 
INFANTILE REMITTENT FEVER.
97
  II.  The  comfrey  syrup  is  excellent to sustain  the
patient's strength ; but too much attention cannot be paid
to the diet.  If vomiting is frequent, it will be necessary
to exclude all animal food, and confine the patient to light
nourishment, such as are composed of, or prepared mostly
with milk, such as milk porridge, rice, bread pudding, &c.
Milk, warm from the  cow, is no doubt  the best  nourish-
ment a child can receive in  this complaint ; and, indeed,
I have known new milk alone, or with very little medica-
tion, effect a cure.  If very much debilitated, weak broths
should  be  given, and in extreme cases weak sling, or
panada, with a little wine.
   I have found it necessary,  during the whole course of
medication, to  exhibit  expectorants, as the lungs, in this
form of disease, are more or less implicated.
              Cough Balsam,  oz. iv.
               Tine. Lobelia,    "  ss.
               Wild Turnip,     x.  i.
  ■Give according to the stale or irritability of the lungs.
   III. If the first  intention has succeeded, or the remedies
 thoroughly applied, an  equalization  has been  already
effected, and remedies to  raise the tonicity of the system
to a healthy standard, will  be  readily suggested to  any
Thomsonian.   I have  used the following with beneficial
effects,  being mild and pleasant.
                   Ginseng,
                   Myrrh,
                  Cranesbill—each x. ii.
   Steep in a   pint of  water,  and  add  four  oz.  loaf
sugar, and when cold,  a gill  of brandy and  a handful of
raisins, cut fine.  Dose—From  a  tea spoonful  to a table
spoonful.
               f 2 
98
HECTIC FEVER.
  If the diarrhea should assume a chronic form, the follow-
ing recipe will effect a cure.
                    Golden Seal,
                    Nerve Root,
                    R. R. Leaves,
                    Composition,
                    Myrrh—aa. c.
   Steep in pint of water, add four oz. loaf  sugar and  gill
of brandy.   Dose—a table-spoonful, according  to circum-
stances:  or,
                    Comfrey,
                    Calamus,
                    Composition,
                    Golden Seal,
                    Ginseng—aa. c.
   Prepare as above.
   Enough has been  said upon this complaint  to show
what it is, and the necessary remedies to cure.  But truth
compels us to>ay, that thorough Thomsonians  will rarely
or never meet with a case, because they will remove tho
cause in the first stage, by the simple general treatment of
the practice.
              HECTIC   FEVER.

  This form of debility is  rarely or never met with as  an
idiopathic complaint, but  is attendant on, or secondary  of,
many others—but is more generally seen in pulmonary
consumption ;  consequently, it has been considered as a
symptom of that form of disease, but it may be present in 
HECTIC FEVER.
99
any extremely debilitated state of the body.   It resembles
an intermittent fever in some respects, being subject to the
different stages, the same as  intermittent fever, yet differ-
ing in cause.  A  physician, an acquaintance of the writer,
actually treated a number of cases of hectic for intermit-
tent, when  they were  in  the  first stages of consumption,
as the sequel proved.
  Symptoms.—These are  developed by manifest exacer-
bations, beginning with chilliness,  which is succeeded by
an increase of heat, especially on the surface ; the  pulse
becomes wiry and quick,  and these are soon followed by a
perspiration.   There  are  two of  these  exacerbations in
twenty-four hours; the first comes on about  noon, and
abates in about five  hours.  The intermission; however, is
short, and a more violent one  succeeds, till towards morn-
ing, when a profuse sweat breaks  out and  terminates the
fever.   The pulse, during  the hot stage, will often be  as
high as 150; the urine is high colored ; the  cheeks have
a round fiery red spot upon the centre;  tongue generally
clean, moist  and  red ; there is a burning upon the palms
of the hands, and soles of the feet; the pulse always quicker
than in  a  state of health, but small, indicating extreme
debility.
   Treatment.—This will depend entirely upon the cause,
or the disease of which this is symptomatic; but generally,
the indications are  to strengthen the system as much as
possible, care being had to give such local remedies  as the
nature of the case requires.  The physician will seek  to
know the cause of the debility, always  to be met with in
hectic, and will exhibit his remedies in accordance with the
peculiar form of  disease upon which this is an attendant. 
loo
COLIC--BILIOUS  COLIC
For instance, hectic may be found symptomatic ol almost
all fevers, especially when treated with remedies  which
destroy " a great proportion of the vitality of the system ;"
of inflammation of the kidneys, &c.  When, therefore, the
cause is Understood, and while exhibiting remedies which
will restore "the elasticity of the system, such medicines as
were necessary in the idiopathic form of disease, must be
given, to prevent its recurrence.
  Diet.—A vegetable diet, with milk ; if it is fresh from
the cow it will be far better ; the comfrey syrup, sarsapa-
rilla syrup, dandelion, cholera syrup, &c   I cured a case
years ago, which had been pronounced incurable by three
physicians,  with  cholera syrup alone, with the addition of
a little golden seal.   It  was symptomatic of typhus fever.
         COLIC-BILIOUS   COLIC.

   The term " colic " is applied  to all pains in the abdo-
men, indiscriminately, but the  remote causes vary, and
the danger and termination are totally different.   Wlien
the  pain  is  accompanied with a peculiar  twisting pain
around the  umbilicus,  with  obstinate  costiveness and
vomiting of bile, it is called bilious colic, of which I pro-
pose to treat in this article.
   Symptoms*—Great pain in the abdomen, consisting of
a  peculiar  twisting contraction, or  spasmodic action of
that portion of the abdomen around the umbilicus, occur-
ring at intervals, and relieved by pressure ; obstinate con-
stipation ;  wind ; bilious  vomitings  ;  little  or no fever, 
COLIC—BILIOUS  COLIC             101
and the pulse little increased, with excessive thirst and
great anxiety, are at first the most prominent.
  At this stage of the disease,  if injections  are given,
sufficient to cause copious vomiting, it will# generally, and
I might  say almost universally,  remove the complaint.
                Brown Lobelia,  x. ii.
                Slippery  Elm   x ss.
  Mix and give an injection.
  Physic will  many  times remove  the  obstruction, but
generally fails, as it  increases  the  irritability of  the
stomach  and  the  vomitings, and consequently  fails of
producing cathartic effect, or removing the cause.
  If the  above symptoms increase in  severity,  the  pain
becoming harder, and  more local, belching of wind, the
constipation  more obstinate, the vomiting more frequent,
and  of a  green  color, there is great danger of terminating
in inflammation and gangrene.
   The treatment I  have given in this form of disease has
 been, urgent, and always successfull.   From the extreme
 irritability of the stomach, we rarely give much medicine
into  the  stomach ;  for, like Dr. Thomson, we apply our
remedies as  direct  as  possible  to the parts affected ;  as
there is excessive thirst, we give  sufficient diluent teas to
make the patient  comfortable, but our dependence is  on
lobelia, administered by enema, until complete relaxation
is the consequence.
   I  have had  a great number  of patients  of  my  own
laboring  under this form of disease, and have been in coun-
sel in many other cases, and as I have stated above, have
been successful in every case treated on strictjThomsonian
principles.  My object has been to obtain complete relax- 
102              COLIC — BILIOUS  COLIC.
ation.   The  injections must  be  repeated until tho 6kln,
nose, chin and ears are cool, and the bowels arc in a relaxed
condition, indicated by the complete  retention of the injec-
tion, the relaxation of the spJiincter-ani, and the inability or
want of power in the  patient, to  make any efforts to pro-
mote  the dejection of the enemata or  faeces.    Having
done thus much, I wait for reaction, and I have hardly ever
had to produce a second relaxation.   During the operation
of medicine,  or the relaxed state, the patient  will require
drink often ; this should be  freely  given, always warm.
I have given  table tea, pennyroyal, spearmint, peppermint,
lemon balm,  saleratus and water, &c, &c.   The quantity
of lobelia required for a dose cannot be arbitrarily directed
here, but enough must be given to produce the  effect—i. e.
RELAXATION.  I have given three tea spoonsful and
found it sufficient, in  other cases, I have  exhibited one-
fourth of a pound before I could produce thorough pros-
tration,  but I have alioay's found it- effectual.   The physi-
cian's   only  motto  here  should  be—persevere.   The
quantity is of very little consequence,  as there is no danger ;
it is harmless, though potent.
  Causes.—Cold applied to the inferior extremities, and
to the belly ; crude,  indigestible food  ; redundance of  acid
bile;  collection «of  hardened faeces; poisons, as lead;
bilious temperaments.
  This  complaint  may readily be distinguished from
inflammation  of the* bowels, by the  peculiar  twisting  or
wringing pain, by spasms of ihe  muscles, by the  absence
of fever, by  the diminution of pain on pressure, which
increases it in inflammation.
  Favorable  Symptoms.—Discharge  of wind  and faeces,
unattended with inflammation. 
           PUERPERAL,  OR CHILD-BED FEVER.        103

   Unfavorable  Symptoms.—Continuance of obstinate cos.
tiveness, tumefaction, and inflammation of the bowels, the
pulse  becoming   hard,  followed  by  hiccup, fainting,
delirium, and other symptoms indicating mortification.
             PAINTER'S  COLIC.

'  This complaint is so nearly connected with the above,
or the symptoms and character of the disease  so resem-
ble  the bilious colic, that it is unnecessary to speak of it
only to say that the same  treatment is necessary, though
not  so thoroughly applied.   Injections to produce emesis
effect, lightly two or three times, with a tea of butterfly
weed, or whiteroot, being given freely, will be sufficient to
remove the complaint.  For the colic in children, or as it
is frequently called, " dry belly-ache," injections will afford
immediate relief, or a little whiteroot with essence of.pep-
permint,  will expel the flatus or wind,  and remove the
pain.
 PUERPERAL, OR CHILD-BED  FEVER.

   Causes.—The common eause of inflammation, some-
times contagion.
   Symptoms.—Severe chills, commencing from the second
to the tonth day  after chidbirth, followed by  acute pains
in the abdomen,  and generally in the  hypogastric region. 
104        rUERPERAL,  OR C1IILD-BEU FEVEll.
The pain is constant, augmcntedat intervals, increased
by  pressure,  attended  with  fullness and  tension of the
abdomen.   The secretions, especially of the milk  and
lochia, are checked, the  skin hot, the pulse quick and wiry,
and the tongue coated and often  dry.   There  is great
restlessness and want of sleep, with anxious and suffused
countenance, sometimes vomiting, quick breathing, &c.

                  INDICATIONS OF CURE.
   1st.  To cleanse the  alimentary canal  and thereby
 removing loc^l irritation.
   2d. To restore the secretions of lochia and milk.
   3d. To support the powers of life during the progress of
 the disease.
   Prompt and energetic  treatment  is necessary.   Injec-
 tions sufficient to produce vomiting will be necessary in
 the outset of this  disease, and should be continued during
 the progress in from two to twelve hours.
   Generally,  a heaping  tea spoonful will be sufficient to
 vomit freely ; after which, formula under the head of lung
 fever will be applicable in this case.   Almost any indica-
 tion can be fulfilled by injections  by  varying the medi-
 cation.  The stomach pills should be given in from two to
 four  hours.   The  composition  and nerve powder in red
 raspberry tea, should be administered, and summer savory
 tea given without  measure.  Local  applications  to the
 bowels, as fomentations of bitter herbs, or the beef, will be
 found highly  beneficial.
    Favorable Symptoms.—The secretions of the lochia and
 milk increasing, the  tongue becoming moist and clean,
 return of sleep, pulse fuller and slower, and breathing free,
 &c , &c. 
MILK LEG.                    105
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—The pain  and tension of the
abdomen increasing, becoming quite hard,pulse more feeble
and rapid, the skin cold and clammy, the tongue dry and
brown, delirium, vomiting, hiccough, &c.
   Writers have attributed the cause  of this  form of fever
to contagion oftener  than circumstances will   warrant,
although it is certain that it often appears as  an  epidemic,
proving more fatal than at  other times.
                      MILK LEG.

   Symptoms.—Suppression of lochia and milk, severe pain,
 commencing in the  hip, and  extending  down  the  limb,
 severe pain in the head.
   Tratment. —The patient should be  kept in a perspira-
 tion, for which purpose the following diaphoretic powders
 should  be administered :
                Composition,    3 parts,
                Nerve Powder, 2 do.
                White Root,    2 do.
  A tea spoonful to half pint water, and give in  quantities
sufficient to continue a  mild, diaphoresis.  The limb should
be kept constantly wet with  an infusion  of green lobelia,
and the hip bathed  with the volatile  liniment.  It will be
necessary to administer the fever powders or the extract pill,
the pill  being  far preferable, as it tends to remove the
severe pains in the  head. Injections should be administered
daily, or oftener, if the pain is severe.  This difficulty under
regular treatment requires months to regain a healthy ac- 
106
MILK LEU.
tion, if indeed this ever takes place, as the limb is liable to
remain weak.  But under thorough botanic medication, it
is speedily removed  and a  perfect cure effected. I have
recently  attended a number of cases, and  pursued  the
above treatment,  with the same result.   An application of
skunk  'cabbage  leaves, or a decoction of  the  root is an
excellent  remedy and a  free use of the volatile, or rheu-
matic liniment should be continued.   Stimulating bitters
should be given^after a free  circulation has been obtained
and the tongue cleaned,  &c.
   Among the  many cases  which have come  under  my
observation of this puerperal fever  and  milk leg,  one
occurred  in W.,  a few miles from this city.   She  had
been attended by four physicians, and had been continu-
ally growing worse.  When I first saw her she was ema-
ciated  to the  last degree ; the feet swollen  to bursting,
from above the knee downward,  to  the toes; total sup-
pression of all the evacuations ; the hip dislocated, and the
countenance  indicating  speedy death.  I  undertook her
case merely to satisfy her, but had the  satisfaction of effect.
ing a complete cure.   Treatment as above.  The above
case, could the exact truth be detailed here, would be con-
sidered  too extraordinary to be entitled to credit, as the
worst features in  the case have been suppresssed, as being
incredible—but to  which scores  of  witnesses  might be
adduced to verify the statement. 
SMALL  POX.
  This form of disease has been divided into distinct and
confluent, by the mineral doctors ; but this depends on the
previous habit or condition of the patient.   If the system
is in a perfect state  of health*  the  disease  will be light,
comparatively so ;  buf if in a previously weakened  condi-
tion,  there not being sufficient action to determine the dis-
ease to the surface, it ussumes a typhoid type, or tenden-
cy to putridity.
   Cause.—Infection.
   Symptoms—Chills ;  debility ;  severe and distressing
headache ; 'pain  and- Weakness in  the back ;  starting ;
catching hold of objects suddenly ;  disposition to drowsi-
ness  ;   hot  skin ; fever ;  accelerated  pulse ;  restless-
ness—these  continuing to the time  when  the eruption
 makes its appearance^ which takes  place in about  forty-
 eight hours from the attack, commencing on the face and
 forehead.  During the  succeeding  forty-eight hours,  it
spreads to the body, and finally to the limbs.   The pustules
are  completely  formed  on the eighth  day ; the matter
changes from a colorless fluid to yellow ; a crust is  form-
 ed on the top, and  the swelling begins to abate.   In the
 worst form of this disease the fever  is higher, or the skin
 is intensely hot, evidently of the typhoid kind,  attended
 with delirium and stupor.   The eruption makes its appear-
 ance in small red  points,  and spreading, unite and form
 patches : these, instead of being surrounded by an inflam-
 ed circle, as is generally the case, the intermediate spaces
  between the patches, are pale, and  indicating great debili- 
108
SMALL rOX.
ty and prostration,  and the pustules  filling with an iclio-
rous fluid.
   Favorable Symptoms.—From  the preceding  description
it will at once be seen what are the favorable appearances
in small  pox.   The  eruption retaining its distinct forma-
tion, the system retaining its integrity, or all the charac-
teristics of high fever, the pustules  filling with matter
instead of a brownish liquid, &c, &c.
   Unfavorable  Symptoms.—All  those  contra-indicated.
 Tendency to typhoid symptoms,  vomiting, great prostra-
 tion, profuse sweating, excessive diarrhea, rigors, delirium,
 convulsions, and cold extremities.
   Treatment.—In the early stage  of this disease it is
 necessary to cleanse  the system thoroughly of all morbific
 matter, to induce and  continue  as  much  as  possible a
 healthy action.  If this is done, the disease  will  never
 assume the malignant form, but will be  found to be per-
 fectly manageable and rarely fatal.  An unhealthy or
inactive state of the  system in this, as well as in other
forms of acute disease, determine its character and often
the result.  To effect this, courses in the early stage will
 be necessary, and repeated ; continuing stimulants, astrin-
gents, and many times tonics.
                Composition,
                 White Root,
                 White Pond Lilly—aa. oz. ss.
   In  a quart of red raspberry leaf tea, freely.
   The third preparation will be  found  to  determine the
eruption to the surface far better  than any other prepara-
tion, and not  weaken the patient.  Dose—ten drops, from
one to three hours.  Injections of composition  and myrrh 
VACCINATION.
109
should be administered  at  least daily,  or oftener.  The
practitioner or nurse should avoid giving any thing that
will  tend to draw the determining  powers inwardly,  to
debilitate the  patient, or to produce diarrhea.   Hence the
indications are, to cleanse the system, determine the puru-
lent  matter to the surface,  and to  support the  strength of
the patient.
   My experience in this form of disease has  been com-
paratively small, having had  but nine cases  during my
practice.  In this number,  I include myself, having taken
this  disease from a family of three children,  who  had it
the natural way, but all that I have attended have recovered,
with less suffering on their part and less care on that of the
physician than any equal number of cases of canker rash
which I have attended.   It is  my firm belief that treated
by  a judicious  practitioner,*  upon   pure  Thomsonian
principles, it would lose  its terrors, and in  a great measure,
its fatal character.   Give no physio.
    VACCINATION,   OR   COW  POX.

  It is deemed necessary in this work to give some informa-
tion upon this important  subject.   In a debate some time
since with the regulars, upon  the comparative  merits  of

  *I have spoken often in this  work of judicious practitioners.  By
this term  I mean the contra  of those, who, without any medical
study, and scarcely any education, undertake the practice of medi-
cine upon the Thomsonian system, and  who have done more to
injure the highest and noblest cause, than tho most bitter and fierce
opposition could ever accomplish.  We, of all men,  have occasion to
pay, " save us from our friends." 
110
VACCINATION.
the two systems of practice, among other great blessings
to the human race of which they, (the regulars,) had been
the  means, they claimed  this  as one,  when  it is well
known that they opposed and fought its introductien, step
by step, with all the means and measures they could com-
mand, until public opinion declared in its favor, when they
immediately  claimed it as their own offspring.   It cannot
be denied, however, that it  has had the effect  almost to
banish the small pox from the country.   If properly done,
it no doubt protects the body to a certain extent against the
attacks of the small pox, or greatly mitigates it, if it occurs.
   The vaccine matter should  be  inserted under the  skin,
by punctures, in each arm.   If the matter be genuine,
and  the inoculation be properly performed, small red spots
will  be seen  on the second da}',  which feel  hard,  but  a
microscopic view will show them  to'be vesicular.  On the
third or fourth day, the spots are visibly large, and on the
fifth, small pearly vesicles appear.  These are surrounded
by a red,  hard base-;  sometimes this will not appear until
the seventh or eighth day, when it should be hard and cir-
cular, and about an inch in diameter.  About the ninth or
tenth day the disease is at  its height, the  surface of the
vesicle is  uneven, and there is a depression in the centre.
At this time there will be more  or less fever for a  short
period.  About the twelfth day, a scab  is formed  from the
matter which will be ripe about  the twentieth,  leaving a
deep mark or indentation on the skin,  of a circular form,
with as  many pits as  there  were  cells in  the vesicle.
Unless these symptoms have been  observed,  a spurious
matter has been introduced, and a re-vaccination  is neces-
sary  for safety.   The best time to take  the  matter is from 
CANKER RASH.
Ill
the fifth to the twelfth day, after which time it cannot be
depended on ; and if the scab has been disturbed, it  is ot
no benefit to vaccinate from it.
   Much speculation has  been rife respecting the  time
when re-vaccination should be received.   Some say seven
years, some ten, &c.  As a precautionary measure, per-
haps it may he well to re-vaccinate, but in my opinion, if
properly performed, it never loses its virtue.
CANKER  RASH, or SCARLET FEVER.

  This is one of the worst forms of disease that the physi-
cian  has to  encounter.   Under the regular physician's
treatment, it is more fatal than the small pox, and when it
assumes the typhoid type, very few survive its attacks.—
It is not, strictly speaking, a contagious disease, although
it is contended by some that it is so.  It  is likewise said
that individuals can have it but once, but such is  not the
fact, although those who have once had it are not so liable
to a second attack.   It  attacks all ages, from the  babe to
that of three score and ten ; but adults, subjected to proper
medical  treatment,  experience but little inconvenience
from it, excepting the putrid sore throat.  Regular physi-.
cians  have, as  usual,  loaded  this  form of disease  with
various hard names, according to the type it assumes, and
they have,  as  is commonly their practice, prescribed for
the  name, instead of the disease.*
  'Since writing out the above, I have attended  in the space of four
months, more than two hundred cases, and of that  number I have
lost  but one.  A physician of Hartford,  who has had much expen- 
 112                  CANKER RASH.

    Symptoms.—Lassitude, agues, lowness of spirits, pains
 m the head and back, and, in  most cases, copious  vomit-
 ing.  The surface is  very hot and dry ;  the eyes swollen
 and red ; the centre of the tongue  covered with a white
 coat,  where  it can be seen fiery red; an eruption  in  the
 upper part of the  mouth  and  throat.   The patient is fre-
 quently delirious, especially after  slee'p.   The  eruption
 soon makes its appearance on  the skin, giving it  a deep
 red appearance.  After four or five days the rash disap-
 pears, followed by a mealy desquamation of the skin.
    Treatment.—A light emetic is  necessary to cleanse
 the stomach.
               Brown Lobelia,    grs. x.
               Nerve Powder,    grs. x.
               Water,  warm,     gill  i,
    Give a table spoonful every  fifteen  minutes,  to a child
 three  years  old,  and increase according to age.   The
 emetic to be followed by an injection prepared as  follows :
               Composition,     grs. x.
               Nerve Powder,   grs. x.
               B. Lobelia,       grs. v.
   Mix in gill of water, and give.   Then follow with
               Saffron,
               Sage,
               Raspberry Leaves,
               Snakeroot—each drams 2.
   Steep in a quart of water,  and give  freely.
ence, said there was not a parallel case on record, of such success in
that form of disease.  The physicians of the village,  where most of
these cases occurred, lost seven in  one week ; after which, by steal-
thily visiting my patients, and observing my practice, they succeeded
far better ; but it is their peculiar horror and dread.  A physician
of New Haven told me, last week, he had rati er attend  the same
number of cases of small pox, because the mortality would not be as
great as in canker rash, 
CANKER RASH.
113
*  It will be found necessary to keep the determination to
the surface, by using the powder.
              Brown Lobelia,
              Bay berry,
              Cayenne—aa. x. grs.
   Divide into ten parts, and give eyery three hours, or
oftener if necessary.   Continue the injections above, night
and morning.    A  tea  of marsh  rosemary,  bayberry,
sumach, or cranesbill, may be used for a wash, and from
the  first attack, a poultice of boiled beans or onions, Or
raw salt pork, should be applied to the throat.  Composi-
tion tea should be given freely.
   This form of disease, like the small pox,  has  been divi-
ded into the simple and complex, or distinct and confluent.
But the malignant kind depends on the previous condition
or idiosincrasy of the patient.   If the patient,  in addition
to the former symptoms, is attacked with both  vomiting
and purging, with paleness and delirium, the most urgent
treatment is necessary.
   In this case, injections of myrrh, pulverized, infused for
fifteen minutes, with ten or twelve drops of third  prepara-
tion, given often,  and a few dropsof third preparation, into
the stomach, and the infusion of myrrh given_freely.
         Myrrh,     2 tea spoonsful,
         Water, hot, o. ss.
  Infuse fifteen minutes.
  The surface should be bathed with hot brandy,  or No.
6, hot, and applied with much rubbing,  to induce action to
the surface.  A decoction  of one  or all the canker com-
pounds, with a  trifle of cayenne, should be used  freely.
Brown No. 1, should be sparingly  used.  It is needless 1o
              G 
114
CANKER RASH.
say, this form of scarlet fever is very dangerous and oftan
fatal.
  During the convalescent state of the patient, if exposed
to cold, anasarcous, or dropsical swellings  of the  wrists,
ancles and abdomen, with stiffness of the same parts and
neck, paucity of urine, often appear, with  more or less
pain.
   The  indication of cure is to produce perspiration imme-
diately, bathing the parts affected with volatile liniment,
 and giving  a tea of white violets,  or milkweed roots, in
 gin; a  tea  of  watermelon seeds, or any diuretic.  Hot
 bitters are necessary  to perfect a cure.
    When this  form  of disease appears as  an epidemic,
 red raspberry tea and cayenne  should be used freely, and
 will hardly  fail to prevent an attack.  Beware of physic
 of any kind.
    Favorable Symptoms.—The fever or heat being high, the
 skin red, little canker forming  in  the throat,  the fever
 abating  with the desquamation of the  skin,  discharge
 from the nose of a florid red color.
    Unfavorable  Symptoms.—The throat  of a dark  red or
 purple color, without swelling ; brown specks, soon becom-
 ing cankered or ulcers; great prostration  and  constant
 delirium.   The fever continuing after the  period of des-
 quamation,  with a fresh efflorescence ;  diarrhea, anxious
 and difficult breathing, the disease extending to the larynx
 and trachea, indicated by a shrill voice, the disease deter-
 mining to the brain, &c. 
MEASLES.
  Symptoms. — Chills, flashes of heat, pain in the head,
debility, drowsiness, a peculiar hollow and ringing cough,
hoarseness, stuffing of  the lungs,  oppression, sneezing,
smarting and  swelling  of the eyes and eyelids, copious
secretions from the eyes and nostrils, sometimes vomiting,
thirst,  tongue coated, pulse  frequent, with  most of the
symptoms usually attendant on fever.
   The eruption appears on the third day, first on the face
and breast, then extending down the body to the extremi-
ties of the limbs;   These continue for two or three days,
when they end by a mealy desquamation of the skin.  The
measles may  be distinguished from scarlet fever, by the
dry ringing cough, hoarseness, sneezing ; by  the red and
swelled  appearance of the  eyes,  their  itching and sen-
sitiveness  to  light, and by their watery effusion.   The
eruption is distinguished from scarlet fever by the defined
character  of  the pustules.   Persons in the forming char-
acter  of measles and  canker rash, are  often deceived
respecting the nature  of the  disease.    This  may  be
determined by examining the throat and fauces, where the
eruption may be plainly  discovered, two days before  it
 makes its appearance on the surface.
                  INDICATIONS OF  CURE.
    1st. To determine the eruption to the surface.
    2d. To equalize the circulation.
    3d. To produce expectoration.
    A  light emetic in  the first stage of measles  will often 
11G
MEASLES.
 produce the effect intended by the first and second indica-
 tions, and with a free use of composition tea, will in nine-
 tenths of cases be all  that is  necessary.  If the eruption
 does not readily appear on the surface,  the third prepara-
 tion  should be given  in  sufficient  quantity to produce
 vomiting, and if  this is  not  sufficient, give  by  injection
 also.  The diaphoretic powders, often mentioned in this
 work, will  be useful in keeping up a  mild perspiration.
 Care must be taken to prevent looseness of the bowels,
 as in that  case the eruption will  disappear and typhoid
 symptoms supervene.   Injections to  procure evacuations
 of the bowels merely once each day, will  be  sufficient.
 Caution is necessary to prevent the  eyes from injury, by
 too great exposure to light.   To answer the third indica-
 tion, the cough  balsam, with  the addition  of fine wild
 turnip, will probably be sufficient  to prevent the disease
 locating upon  the lungs; if not, small  doses of lobelia
 tincture is highly beneficial, and comfrey  and spikenard,
 bruised and simmered in loaf sugar, is of the first import-
 ance in weak lungs and chest.
   Writers have, as in scarlet fever and small pox, divided
 measles  into the simple  and  malignant,  but it depends
 entirely  upon  the  previous  diseased  condition  of the
 patient, the administration  of  cathartics, exposure to cold
 and wet, or to some  other  extraneous cause, and not to
 any peculiar difference in the  nature of  the disease itself.
   The peculiar symptoms of what is termed the malig-
 nant, are the measles not appearing  upon the surface, or
 faint, dark  or livid  under the skin,  diarrhea, delirium,
laborious breathing,  or stertor, appearing like aggravated
 lung fever,  tendency to typhus, cVc.   Stimulants and 
ERYSIPELAS.                 117
tonics  are necessary, internally  and externally applied.
Injections of myrrh and third preparation  should be often
repeated, and  brandy and myrrh should be given inter-
nally.   Practitioners and  nurses should  remember  that
physic and death are almost synonymous in eruptive forms
of disease.
   I will  here  mention a case  which goes  to prove my
position  regarding the dividing measles into simple  and
malignant.  While  with  my brother in  New Haven, a
young lady was taken with the measles  at the house of
John M. Barlow, in  Olive street, and incautiously arose
in the  night, threw  a cloak over her shoulders and went
some  distance from  the  house.  She  was immediately
taken  with  all  the  symptoms  of  malignant  measles,
diarrhea, disappearance of the eruption, fainting, delirium,
&c.   After examining the patient, 1 despatched a messen-
ger for my brother,  who  arrived in a few minutes, when
he placed hot bricks to the feet, gave the strongest  pepper
tea, applied cold water to the head and face, and raised the
windows, and  in less than  half an  hour,  the eruption
appeared upon the surface, the diarrhea  was checked, and
the patient immediately  roused, and recovered as soon as
patients usually do.  Give no physic.
                 ERYSIPELAS.
  There is a variety of forms of this disease, characterized
by different symptoms, and requiring  different treatment.
The mineral doctors are in the habit of calling every thing
     g3 
118                  ERYSIPELAS.
which they do not understand, or fail to cure, by this name,
and that satisfies all that it is incurable.
   The acute form of erysipelas is very distressing and often
fatal.
   Symptoms.—At  the commencement of erysipelas, the
train of symptoms are those which are perceptible in most
forms of eruptive disease.  Chills;  flushes; confusion of
the head ; nausea, and often vomiting  ;  tongue white and
moist; quick, hard pulse, &c.  In a short time  a particular
portion of the body begins to swell,  attended with inflam-
mation ; the  efflorescence appearing of a florid red color,
not large at first, but gradually extending to the surround-
ing parts.   There  is considerable  tumor, the  redness of
which will vanish upon  pressure,  which, however,  soon
returns upon  the removal of the  pressure.   The swelling
is attended by a  peculiar burning heat of the  inflamed
part, ending in desquamation, small watery vesicles, or in
large ones, filled with a thin yellowish fluid.  If the head
is attacked, as is most often the case,  the nose and upper
lip is generally first affected, but soon extends  to the neck,
but generally to the head.  The face and eyes and head
swell enormously, and the skin is often blistered.   If the
system is in a low state, the tendency of the  fever is typhus
or putrid, in  which case all the bad symptoms in  typhus
will appear,  and the disease terminates from the seventh
to the twelfth day.
   Treatment.—In the first stage, the same treatment as
in all cases of capillary obstruction, will be  found necessa-
ry.  That  is, the  system must be thoroughly cleansed, the
obstruction of the skin removed, and  the  strength  of the
patient sustained. 
erysipelas.                  119
I  The  family  acquainted with our  mode of removing
disease  in the first stage, and the exhibition-of our reme-
dies, will rarely have a case of erysipelas pass beyondjthat
stage, if they are persevering.  If, however, the swelling
becomes considerable, poultices should be applied.
             Slippery Elm,    oz. 4,
             Crackers,
             Green Lobelia—aa. oz. 2—or,
         Onions, covered with  Skunk's Oil, or
  Skunk Cabbage leaves, wilted, and applied cold,  and
changed as  often  as they become hot.
  Fever powders,  (see  previous page,)  should  also  be
given, and a tea to excite diaphoresis.
                  White Root,
                  Scullcap,
                  Composition—aa.  1 oz.
steeped in a quart of water, and a wine glass full given
every two hours, or as occasion  requires.  One of the
best applications I ever made use of as an external applica-
tion, is the root of  the flag,  commonly known by the name
of cat-tail flag.   It must be dug fresh, the outer covering of
the root taken off, and the pith or soft part formed into paste
by working with the hands, and applied cold.   When this
has become  filled with inflammation, or very hot, it should
be taken off and  put in cold water, and  another applied
cold, and thus changed  as   often  as  they become  warn
This form of disease assumes  all the  forms and exhibits
all the symptoms of fevers, and terminates favorably, with
an equable diaphoresis, &c, or fatally, with typhoid symp-
toms, suppuration and mortification. 
 120             CHRONIC  ERYSIPELAS.

   Cause.—Excessive heat, with sudden exposure to cold
air, is, for the most part, the cause of erysipelas ; but
other causes, such as abuse of alcoholic liquors ; checking
of the usual evacuations ; irritants, wounds, &c, are the
peculiar  source of this disease.  It often appears as an
epidemic, and more prevalent in spring and autumn, as the
atmosphere is more humid, and subject to sudden changes.
   Favorable  Symptoms.—The  fever running high ; the
eruption bright, and not extending over much surface ; no
stupor or delirium, and an abatement of the swelling.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—The  disease assuming  the
sinking or  typhoid form ; increase of stupor,  or delirium ;
the vesicles assuming a livid appearance; the pulse weak
and irregular ; great prostration of strength ; tongue  dark
and dry.


CHRONIC ERYSIPELAS, OR  ST.  AN-
               THONY'S  FIRE.

  This form of disease is induced by the same causes as
the acute form, but owing to maltreatment it assumes the
chronic  form, or  becomes constitutional.   It generally
appears in  a fiery red eruption, mostly about the head and
face, but sometimes affects other portions of the body, and
becomes  more perceptible  after  much exercise  or  hard
labor; when, if the patient is suddenly exposed  to the
air, it is driven internally, producing faintness, sickness at
the stomach, and often retching.  The treatment  in  these
cases should consist of thorough courses of medicine,  with
sarsaparilla syrup, (see sarsaparilla syrup,) mandrake  and
spice bitters between. 
SHINGLES.
121
              Sarsaparilla Syrup, 1 quart,
              Mandrake,         2  x.
  Mix and take half a wine glass three times a day.
  The spice bitters, in tea spoonful doses, should be taken
four or five times a day, and the affected part rubbed with
dry flour, slippery elm, or bathed with a decoction of green
lobelia and  ozier.  This   course, perseveringly applied,
will effectually cleanse the blood, as  will the sarsaparilla
and mandrake alone, if used for a considerable time.


                   SHINGLES.

  The eruption which is commonly known by this name,
is another form of erysipelas, and is easily cured by th e
applications  above  named,  as wheat   or  buckwheat
flour, or slippery elm, and medicines to keep the deter-
mining power to the surface,  as the equilibrium is more
or less disturbed.  The stomach pill every  three or four
hours, or fever powder, composed of
                     Whiteroot,
                     Wild Turnip,
                     Camphor,
                     Cayenne,
                     Lobelia, green—aa.
  Quarter tea spoonful every four hours, or according to
the heat of the surface or capillary obstruction.
  A tea of composition, whiteroot and scullcap, will gen-
erally be sufficient to cure,  without any other medication
whatever.
  The*, constitutional erysipelas often  produces sudden
fainting;  great prostration ; spasms, or, as it  is called,
cramp in  the stomach,  and  even  death.   In case  of  a 
122                MILIARY FEVER.
sudden  attack, the best, because  the most  prompt and
efficacious remedy, is an enema of lobelia, or 3d prepara-
tion, given in tea spoonful doses, until thorough relaxation
is effected, when the eruption will appear upon the surface,
or the determination will be to the surface, in which case
the patient will experience immediate relief.  It will perhaps
be necessary to remark here, that if the bowels  should be
in a relaxed state in erysipelas, care must be had to check
immediately,  as the equilibrium is destroyed, determina-
tion is  inwardly,  and  there is a tendency to  typhus or
gangrene.
   Injections of myrrh should be administered freely, and
rheumatic  drops applied  to  the  abdomen,  and  myrrh
administered into fhe stomach.
              MILIARY  FEVER.

  This form of disease has never fallen under my obser-
vation, as a distinct or primary form of disease, but occurs
in persons of  lax habits of body, debilitated constitution,
after other forms of disease.  It is mostly  produced by
exposure to  heat, too much outward covering, and when
confined in warm rooms, and using  alcoholic  stimulants,
cordials,  wines, &c.
  Symptoms.—Cold and hot  stages ;  great anxiety ;  fre-
quent sighing  ; constant perspiration of strong odor,  and
of a glutinous  nature ; a sense of pricking succeeded by a
fine eruption,  of a red color, which become very* small
pustules, desquimate, and  are- succeeded by fresh erup. 
MILIARY FEVER.
123
tions, which  will be  continued as long as  the  causes
continue to operate.
  From the above train of symptoms the course indicated
will be obvious :
  1st.  To restore the action of the surface, or equilibrium,
and,
  2d. To tone up the system.
  To effect  the  first, give the composition  freely and
sponge the surface with spirit and water, nearly cold, until
the surface becomes  cool.  2d,  Follow with
                Spice Bitters,
                Composition,
                Nerve Powder—aa. oz. 2.
                Cayenne,      oz. ss.
  Mix,  and give from two to four hours,  in  warm water,
sweetened.
  If,-however, reaction should occur too  suddenly, and,
instead  of the previcusly relaxed surface, it should become
hot and dry, the bitters can be omitted,  and the stomach
pill given, until relaxation is effected, when the bitters must
be again used.
  The  application bf  cold should  be cautiously used—
superfluous covering removed, at the same time stimula-
ting  medicines should be givep into the stomach to prevent
the retrocession of the eruption.  The following wash will
be found exceedingly serviceable:
                Chloride Soda,   oz.  I.
                Soft Water,      oz. x.
  Mix and bathe often.
   Those who  understand one of the fundamental prin-
ciples of Dr. Thomson,  to keep the " internal heat above
the outward,"  or  the  determination to the surface, will
have very little trouble in removing this form  of fever, or 
121
MILIARY FEVER.
in fact those who  observe the rules  or  general principles
of this work, will  rarely see a case of it.
   By the administration of cold depletive remedies inter-
nally, such as mercury, antimony, nitre, and kindred min-
erals, the action  or principle of life will be still  further
reduced, when the following unfavorable train of symptoms
will often  occur, and  that,  too, with fatal effects.   The
sweating continuing unabated, the eruption appearing and
disappearing, great anxiety, great  debility or flaccidity  of
the parts covered  by the eruption, dejection of mind, diffi-
culty of breathing, the retrocession of the  eruption, great
loss of strength, anasarcous swellings, or in other words,
calomel  swelling,  vomiting, appearance   of  petechia?,
delirium, death.   These symptoms I have never observed
in any case, treated upon Thomsonian principles,  neither
have I known a case prove fatal.   By following the above
old school treatment, the habit of the  body, which  was
before in a relaxed or weakened  condition,  becomes more
so, and the vital power still  further reduced, and rendered
incapable of resisting previous  debility  and  depletive
minerals.
   Favorable  Symptoms.—The  surface becoming   less
relaxed, the pulse slow and full, the eruption of  a fiery
red color, and not re-appearing after  desquimation.
   Cause.—The cause of miliary fever,  may be defined to
be, immoderate  sweating, arising from debility, and  too
much external heat, and use of  alcoholic stimulants.—
There can be no doubt that  this  form of disease  may be
produced in  any person,  by confinement,  giving wines,
cordials, little or no food, and covering with large  quanti-
ties of bed clothes, &c. 
CHICKEN POX.
125
  The miliary fever has been mistaken for  various other
forms of disease, and thereby caused the pathological skill
of the doctor to be doubted, I have thought best to give its
peculiar diagnosis.   This consists of an uncommon anxiety
and dejection of mind, profuse sweating, the peculiar rank,
feted smell,  the appearance afterwards of the eruption, and
its peculiar nature.
                CHICKEN   POX.

  The  first  indications of the  chicken pox, are  slight
symptoms of  fever, such as loss  of appetite, debility,
wandering pains, slight shtverings,  attending with* flashes
of heat; soon after the eruption  appears, resembling the
first appearance of the small pox.  It first appears on the
back, forehead  and  chest.   On the second day, the red
pimples have become small vesicles, containing a colorless
fluid, and sometimes a yellowish transparent liquor.  On
the  third, the pestules arrive at their full maturity.   Soon
after the fluid becomes extravasated, by  spontaneous, or
accidental rupture of the tender vesicle,  and a thin scab
is formed tit  the  top of the pock without pus ever being
formed,  as  inthe true  variola.   Generally  before the
fifth day the eruption  disappears, without  leaving behind
anv scar or mark.
  Dianosis.__The chicken  pox  has  here  been describee!
for the purpose of information,  rather than to direct to a
course of medication.   It is often at first mistaken for other
forms of eruptive disease, and often for small pox. 
126          inflammation of the  bkain.-

  The distinguishing  symptoms are, the slight degree of
fever or external heat; by the short interval between the
first symptoms and the appearance of the eruption ;  by its
first appearance on the back ; by no suppuration taking
place ; by  the pustules not being indented on the lop, and
their falling off in the fifth day.
  This form of disease is perfectly free from danger, and
with  proper   treatment,   hardly  any  inconvenience is
experienced from it.
  Treatment.—All that is necesssary in this  complaint
is to keep the eruption out or upon the surface.
                  Composition, x. i.
                  Snakeroot,  x. ii.
                  Saffron,     x. ii.
  Steep in quart of water and give  freely, if the eruption
does  not  appear  readily,  give a few  drops third prepara-
tion.
 INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRAIN.
  Inflammation of the brain is marked in  its approach by
high fever, severe  pain in the head, redness of the face
and eyes, iiitolerance of light and  sound, restlessness, want
of sleep, furious delirium, as it advances the  symptoms
become  aggravated,  the  eyes   stare,  peculiar  horrid
expression of countenance, sense  of weight in  the region
of the  chest and stomach, sometimes profuse  tears start
from the eyes, often profuse sweating and then the skin
dry and hot, the patient starting up wildly,  grasping objects 
              INFLAMMATION of the rkain.         127

as if falling,  parched tongue, red  at  first and  passing
quickly from  red  to white, yellow or black—pulse very
hard and quick.
   Causc—Vicissitudes of heat and  cold, rays of the sun,
excited passions, intense study, spirituous liquors, secondary
from fevers, particularly from typhus; small pox; but the
most  frequent cause of " brain fever " is from  diarrhea
and dysentery, or  the  improper treatment of these com-
plaints.  As far as my observation extends, I should judge
that three-fourths of the cases of phrenitis are induced by
a  previously  deranged state of the bowels.   Children
during dentition are subject to this form of disease, because
in almost all cases the  bowels are  in a deranged condition,
which,  through sympathy, affect  the head.   It  will be
necessary, first, to promote or produce an equal circulation
of the blood,  and second, to  ascertain and remove the
cause, if local.
   1st. Equalize the circulation.    In  the early stage it
will be advisable to give sufficient lobelia to produce com-
plete prostration or relaxation, and  the quickest mode of
effecting this,  as well as the most effectual, is by injection ;
during the operation, cold  application should be  made  to
the head, and  strong drafts or hot water to the feet; the
diaphoretic tea should  be  given freely.
                Composition,
                Whiteroot,
                Crawley,
                Scullcap—aa. x. i.
   Steep in a quart of water and give freely.
   The tepid or warm  bath should be  administered fre-
quently.   Mildly  stimulating and relaxing  injections 
128         INFLAMMATION OF  THE BRAIN.

should be continued, and  if the cxascerbations continue,
the fever powders must be administered.
                Whiteroot,
                Wild Turnip,
                Green Lobelia,
                Crawley, pulv.—aa. x. i.
   Give as much as will lie on  a five cent piece, from two
to four hours.
   2d.  I have said above that diarrhea or other complaints
of the bowels  often  cause brain  fever, hence it will be
necessary to ascertain what that cause may  be, and direct
the course of medication  so  as to effect its removal.  If
the bowels are  swollen or tender, means must be taken to
remove the irritability, whatever may be the cause.
   Applications to  the head,  of lean fresh  beef, or  any
animal flesh, or poultices, are good, and the same may be
applied to the  bowels.  I  once saw an aggravated case
cured by the application of  the  skins  of cats, taken off
and applied immediately,  while warm.
   This form of disease terminates in stupor, insensibility,
and death ; in consequence of tho effusion of scrum upon,
or dropsy of the brain ; or, in spasm, or paralysis.
   Favorable Symptoms.—The   continuance of  a warm
equable  prespiration ;  mild diarrhea;  sediment  in the
urine ; discharge from the nose :  the pulse becoming more
soft,  slow and  full ;  the return of sleep ;  the patient
 becoming more conscious.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—The pupil of the eye  becoming
dilated,  frothing at the mouth, gnashing the  teeth, insensi-
bility,  tremors,  spasms,   involuntary  evacuations,   the
countenance becoming pale ; suppression of urine ;  fetid 
                  DROPSY  OF THE CHAIN.             129


discharges from the bowels; profuse sweats ; paralysis;

coma ;  convulsions.

   The  patient should  bo kept  perfectly  quiet, his  head

raised, the room darkened and sound excluded ;  and his

food should be of the lightest kind.*




        DROPSY   OF  THE  BRAIN.


   I should not in this  place have  treated  upon this  com-

plaint but from its connection with the former, or inflamma-

tion  of the  brain.  The  latter terminates generally in

dropsy ;  the symptoms in  the early stage  are  all  those

which indicate inflammation of the brain, until the second

stage,  when  the  following  train  of symptoms  occur:

The pupil  of the  eye from being contracted,  begin to

dilate;  strabismus  (squinting)  takes place;  the  pain

ceases  ; sleepiness  succeeds wakefulness ; the pulse be-

comes quite slow and often intermits ; strabismus increases;

the pupils become more expanded'and cease to contract on

being exposed  to  the light; total  loss of sight, with  com-

plete stupor ;  after  a   length  of time the pulse becomes

   *The  following is from  the pen of Professor Curtis, of Ohio, (see
Recorder, Vol. XV, No. 7, page 110,) in answer to one of his corres-
pondents, who inquired, "Howoughtwe to treat inflammation of the
brain ?"  "On the same principle as if it were on any other organ of
the body, viz : equalize the circulation, cleanse the whole system,
 and set and keep in  motion a counter irritation, practice an emetic
 of relaxents,  stimulating enemas, cold bathing of the head, and
 warm or vapor bathing of the body, stimulants to the feet, legs and
 even the lower body.  The  most  powerful of permanent of alter-
 ants of  nauseants and  laxative  bitters.  Repeat  the course if the
 disease  does not readily yield.  Persevere."  The above is a correct
 demonstration of Thomsonian principles.  They should be engraven
 on the heart of every practitioner. 
 130         CHRONIC  DROPSY  OF THE BRAIN,

 extremely quick and small; great difficulty of breathing,
 stertor,  involuntary evacuations ; sometimes convulsions ;
 death.
   The termination of this complaint is ever unfavorable
 where the debility is great, with loss of sight, stertor, &c.
   We have  before  given the treatment in the first stage
 of the disease.  1st.  To  remove congestion by producing
 a complete  equilibrium in the circulation ; (for which see
 inflammation of the brain,) and in the second stage to promote
 the absorption of the fluids when effusion has taken place.
 This must  be done by keeping  all  the  evacuations free,
 especially the capillaries, by sustaining the strength of the
 patient, by moderate diffusible stimulants, to determine
 to the surface ;  and applications to  the head  which will
 tend to produce local  diaphoresis.   The same directions
 are necessary as in phrenitp, respecting quiet, darkened
 room, food, &c.

   CHRONIC  HYDROCEPHALUS,   OR
         DROPSY  OF  THE  BRAIN.

   Children are often born with this complaint; and those
of a scrofulous habit or rickity, are  more liable to it than
others; it manifests itself by most of the symptoms of the
acute form, but characterizedjby others peculiar to itself;
the head enlarges sometimes to an immense size; the bones
of the head separate, but unattended with any great degree
of pain ; the effusion in some cases takes place rapidly, in
others  very slow.
   The only medication necessary or beneficial  in this
affection, is, 
             CHRONIC DROPSY OF THE  BRAIN.         131

   J st. To promote absorption of-the fluid, and,
   2d.  To induce healthy action, and sustain the strength
of the patient.
   Directions in the acute form, will guide in the adminis-
tration of remedies to answer the first indication—bearing
in mind that the warm bath is one of the  best remedies
extant to equalize the circulation and promote the absorp-
tion of serum,  or  remove congestion.   Tonics of a mild
nature, and diffusive  stimulants, are  indicated  in the
second place, to sustain the patient, and enable the system
to regain  healthy  action.  Hooper says, of this  and the
preceding  forms  of  disease:  " When  recoveries  have
actually taken place  in hydrocephalus  we ought,  proba-
bly, to attribute more to the  efforts of nature, than  to the
interferance of  art.   It is  always  to  be regarded as of
difficult cure."
1   Dr.  Gray says : "  No plan  of treatment has hitherto
been sufficient  to cure  this disease;  but the most  likely
remedies to fulfill the indications, are, 1st.  Blisters to the
head.  2d.  Mercury, applied externally and given inter-
nally, &c.   3d. Squills, digitalis and calomel, depletion,
leeching,  purgatives, &c,"  and  adds : " Five  hundred
grains have been administered without causing ptyalism."
O5" The  patient  died. ^0   ^e als0 bears testimony to
the excellent effects of the vapor and tepid baths.
   In this form of disease, I have never pursued a ver?
rigid course of medication, but have mostly made use of
the following treatment, viz  : cough balsam, prepared as
follows:
             Cough Balsam,     oz. viii.
              Wild Turnip,  fine,'  x. ii.
              Green  Lobelia,      x. ss.
              h 
132
INFLAMMATION OF THE  EYES.
  Mix,  and give from half a tea spoonful to two tea
spoonsful, according to age  and  circumstances.   Injec-
tions every six to twelve hours, of
                Green Lobelia,    x. i.
                Composition,     x. ii.
                Nerve Powder,    x. iv.
  Mix,  and give a tea  spoonful for an injection, in hxif a
gill of warm water,
  Or a decoction of
                Masterwort Seed,
                Nerve Root,
                Composition—aa.
  The head being kept cool, and strong drafts to the feet,
and occasionally the warm bath.
  With this course I hqve cured many, even after stra-
bismus  had taken place; but still few recover from its
attacks.
   INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  EYES.

   Symptoms.—Pain in  the eyes, redness, intolerance of
light, with effusion of tears.  The eyes should be poulticed
with
                  Slippery Elm,
                  Hemlock,
                  Crackers,
                  Green Lobelia—aa.
   Mixed with milk.   During the day the eyes should be
washed with cold water, or water and milk, and  when the
inflammation has been reduced, the eye water, made from 
INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT.
133"
                  Beth Root,    x. ii.
                  Golden Seal,  x. ii.
                  Water,       o. ss.
  Digested twelve hours, then well sweetened with loaf
sugar, and half gill of brandy added  ; wash two or three
times a day.
  If, however, the system or stomach should be deranged,
a thorough course of medicine will be necessary.  In
many cases of inflamed eyes, caused by scrofula, I  have
been under the necessity of giving courses  of medicines,
and  repeating, until a cure is effected.
INFLAMMATION OF  THE  THROAT-
                    QUINSY.

  Symptoms.—Chills ; fever ; pain in the back ; redness
of the throat; great difficulty in swallowing; drinks being
thrown back through the nostrils ; expectoration of tough,
white or yellow mucus; pain in  the ear ; great difficulty
in articulating  sounds, caused by swelling of the tonsils.
At the commencement of this disease, I have  applied a
poultice of boiled beans, or raw salt pork, previously bath-
ing with the volatile liniment, and gargle continually with
 the following :
                   Bayberry,  c. i.
                   Cayenne,   o. i.
                   Salt,        c. i.
                   Vinegar,    o. ss.
                   Water,     o. ss.
II 2 
134         INFLAMMATION OF  THE THROAT.
   Mix,  and gargle every ten or fifteen minutes, until it
 forms a crisis ; then use a wash of
                   Gold Thread,
                   R. R. Leaves,
                   Sage,
                   Marsh Rosemary—aa.     «
   And wash often, continuing the poultice.
   If, however, this does not remove the complaint, and the
 disease increases, the difficulty of breathing greater,  dry-
 ness of the throat, and thirst increase, more urgent treat-
 ment  must  be resorted  to.   The poultice continued, the
 patient placed over steam, the feet in hot water, the vapor
 of catnip and green lobelia placed so as to be inhaled until
 the  respiration becomes more free, when an emetic should
 be administered.   A heaping tea spoonful of the pulver-
 ized seed, in  the mucilage of slippery elm, is the best mode
 of administration, as it acts speedily, and produces relaxa-
 tion quickly, which is very desirable, and tends more to
 rupture  the  tumor than any  other  cause.   The tumor
 should  be opened as  soon as  it  is sufficiently ripe,  and
 mucilaginous teas be drank freely.   Sufficient medicine
 should be given to keep the  system in a perspiration, as
 this  continues an equal circulation, and greatly assists the
 respiration of the patient, as well as promoting expectora-
 tion.  The following will be found to  answer these impor-
 tant  indications:
                  Green Lobelia,
                  Bay berry,
                  Slippery Elm,
                  Cayenne—aa. ss.
   Give half  a  tea spoonful  in from one to  four hours.,
according to the urgency of the case. 
croup.                     135
   The following gargle should be used to induce healing,*
and prevent sloughing and gangrene :
                     Myrrh,
                     Slippery Elm,
                     Sage,
                     Rosemary—aa.
   A moderately  strong  decoction,  and  used frequently,
often constantly.
   Causes.—Changes of weather, exposure, wet clothes,
wet feet, causing a sudden check to the perspiration.
   Termination, favorable.—Under thorough and judicious
Thomsonian treatment, it will be of short  duration,^ and
attended with little danger.
   Note.—If there should be a difficulty  of swallowing, to
suchr extent as  to prevent sufficient nourishment being
taken to support  the strength  of the patient, chicken broth,
milk porridge, and other/ood, may be given by injection,
sufficient for every purpose.
                     CROUP.

  This form of disease  mostly attacks children,  and is
seated upon the mucous membrane of the  trachea,  or
windpipe, by the exudation of  tough mucous, forming a
false  membrane, to such an extent as  entirely to prevent
respiration, and is characterized, in its commencement, by a
hoarse,  dry cough,  followed by  rattling  in  the  throat,

  * When I speak of healing, I mean it prepares  the parts  for the
healing process of nature.  Medicine prepares the way,  nature, ov
the living principle, does the work
              H 3 
130
TROUP.
extreme restlessness, and great thirst.   As it advances,the
breathing becomes more and  more dillicult, accompanied
by  a  peculiar  shrill  noise,  the  countenance  becomes
flushed, and assumes a peculiar anxious look, &c.  Some-
times this disease comes on with fearful  rapidity, termi-
nating in convulsions or spasms.
  Causes.—The same as in   quinsy  and other forms of
disease of the throat.  It is supposed by some to be conta-
gious, but my experience has been sufficient to satisfy me
that such is not the case.
, Treatment.—I have always relied upon the  thorough
exhibition of lobelia in the treatment of croup, and ifcxhib-
ited in the forming stage, it is a  specific ;  but if it is
neglected until the strength of the patient is exhausted, it,
will often  fail.  I have usually given sufficient  into the
stomach to vomit thoroughly ;  after which an  injection,
sufficient to produce relaxation, and,  as  the " doctors "
would say, reduce inflammation, or  equalize the excite-
ment—giving warm diluent  and  expectorant  teas,  and
applying cloths, wrung out of a decoction of green lobelia,
upon the neck  and chest of  the  patient,  and keeping
the feet in warm water,  repeating  the above as often as
necessary.  If, upon reaction, the hoarse, stridulous noise
in breathing is renewed, recourse must be had to the same
treatment.   The warm bath  or the vapor bath  are both
excellent in this complaint.   Be thorough in your applica-
tion, and lose no time.
  Favorable Symptoms-.—The expectoration free ; the res-
piration less difficult;  the  voice less stridulous  or more
natural, accompanied by an equable perspiration.
  Uafavorable  Symptoms.—No  expectoration ;  difficulty 
                         CROUP.                     137

 of breathing,  and the  thirst  increasing ; the voice more
 hoarse and shrill ;  skin  hot and  dry, and  great prostra-
 tion.
   A Case.—Twelve years  ago I was called to see a
 case of croup, in the last stage. The strength was so much
 exhausted that I feared to use the seed  of  lobelia to the
 extent I knew  to be necessary to influence the disorder in
 any  degree.  I deemed  it advisable to exhibit  the  3d
 preparation,  and gave a wine glass  full in a decoction or
 infusion of nerve powder.  It instantly  threw the child,
 (18 months old,) into  the alarm  for four hours,  during
 which time the father or  myself  carried it in our arms,
 sometimes in one position  or shape, sometimes in another;
 at the same time applying the  wet cloths constantly to the
 throat and neck.  After it became more calm  it was laid
 upon a  bed and covered  warm,  when it dropped into a
 quiet sleep, broke out into a fine equable  perspiration, and
 awoke in the morning, after a lapse of six hours, perfectly
 free from any symptoms of the disorder,   The^child, pre-
 viously, had been subject to fits and rickets, and had never
 walked a step.   After the above attack it never had a fit,
 was free from rickets, and, as soon as its strength was
 restored, it walked  without difficulty, and was,  in every
 respect, a perfectly healthy child.
   Another Case.—This was a child two and a half years
 old ; was suddenly  attacked, so  much so that about an
 hour from its first attack the difficulty of breathing became
so great  as to produce spasms.   In fact,  it was supposed
she was  dead.   I gave a heaping  tea spoonful of brown
lobelia, by injection, when  she  passed  from  a spasmodic
state, into a  completely  relaxed  or lobeliaized  one, in 
138
MUMPS.
which she lay for a period of seven hours, during a great
part pf which she slept sweetly,  from which she awoke in
a convalescent state.
                      MUMPS.

   A swelling under the jaw, or of the carotid and other
 salivary glands, producing, ordinarily, but little derange-
 ment of the system, and requiring but little medication.  If
 the first  principle of hygiene is  adhered to, to keep the
 determining power to thesurfacewill need very little instruc-
 tion here.  Composition tea, ninety-nine cases  in one
 hundred, if  proper care be had to prevent exposure, will bo
 all  the medicine necessary.   This complaint produces for
 the time'being great debility, with slight symptoms, some-
 times  headache, &c.   It   is  from   exposure liable to
metastasis ox translation from the ordinary place of location,
 to the mammae 4n  females, and to the testes in males.  If
this takes place the vapor bath, and an emetic should be
given, and perspiration continued, and  the parts poulticed
with
                     Slippery Elm,
                     Crackers,
                     W. Pond Lilly,
                     Ginger,
                     Green Lobelia.
  Two  parts of slippery elm and one part  each  of the
others.
  Note.—The application of beef, or  other animal flesh,
is applicable in mumps of this kind. 
      CATARRH —COMMON  COLD.

  This is produced by the same causes as fever, viz :  from
exposure to heat and cold, and exhibit all the phenomena
of fever in its forming  stage.   It sometimes prevails as
an  epidemic, and is no  doubt  contagious; it is  then
denominated influenza.
  Symptoms.—Sense of fullness and pain in  the" head,
stopping up  of  the nose,  the  eyes   red,and  watery j
sneezing,  agues, heat, sore throat, cough, increased dis-
charge from the  nose, flying pains, constant spitting, &c,
&c.  If it was only in  itself considered, I might let this
pass,  but as it  lays the foundation of every form of
disease to which the  human system is incident, a warning,
friendly [voice, I  hope will not be unheeded.   How very
often  does the unsuspecting victim reply  to anxious admo-
nitions : " Oh it is only a cold, it  will go off by and by !"
This  " cold " has dug many and many a grave* and unless
its approach is carefully noted  and  warded  off, will dig
many more.  A writer of eminence says " it terminates in,"
or he  should say, is the premonitory  symptom of  " bron-
chitis, inflammation of the brain, rheumatism, sore throat,
dysentery, skin  disease, erysipelas, typhus."  This, then,
is the great  cause of almost all  the  derangements, func-
tional and organic, to which we are liable.   How import-
ant then that It  should be well  understood, both in  its
nature and cure.
  It may not be  amiss here to speak of and explain the
action of heat  and  cold upon  the system.   A writer
observes, " The heat  of the body is stated to  be 98 degreeo, 
140
CATARRH.
 sinking, however, by  disease,  to 94 degrees, or, perhaps,
 lower ; and rising to 110 degrees,* and in certain circum-
 stances, higher."   " This  temperature,  nearly,  fs pre-
 served  when the  surrounding medium  is either  120
 degrees below blood heat, or  160  degrees above it, as
 appears from the experiments of Dr. Fordyce."
   " It is evident, therefore, that this temperature, so obsti-
 nately maintained, must bo essential to the well being of
 the system, and that the body has some inherent power in
 itself to regulate and  preserve it,  within certain  limits,
 from noxious extremes of either heat or cold.  The genera-
 tion of  animal heat, as I have alreadyhinted, and as it has
 been proved  by others,  is from the  decomposition of vital
 air in the lungs.   Now, in proportion to the condensation
 to the atmosphere by cold, the quantity of vital air inhaleo
 by every inspiration, is increased;  and,  in  proportion to
 the cold, the appetite for substances which  abound  with
 hydrogen is equally increased."  But  as it is evident
 that animal heat, within certain limits, rises in proportion
 to the  quantity  of these  substances  received  into the
 stomach, does it  not follow, that  hydrogen, abounding in
 the system, promotes decomposition of vital air ?   " By
these means, therefore,  nature  endeavors  to preserve the
temperature of the body when that  of the surrounding
 medium is  below 98 degrees."  " As to the process by
 which the generation of superabundant heat is prevented,
that  may be readily conceived  by what* has  been said
 respecting cold.   But the principal  resource is  [C7°from
 copious perspiration,  evaporation,  and  the consequent
absorption of the generated heat.   When tho application
* On the surface. 
CATARRH.                   141
 of cold is sudden, as when the body is immerged in water,
 the means of generating heat, already stated, can give no
 help.   What  effort, then, does  nature make  to relieve
 herself?   The pores strongly closed; a constriction takes
 place in the extreme  vessels on the surface of the body;
 the blood is propelled  with increased momentum to the
 heart, and,  supposing the  body  to be now emerged, ihe
 reaction of the heart, sending back  the blood to the surface,
 diffuses a genial warmth and removes ihe  stricture.  The
 enemy is  repelled; he has retired  to  a distance, and the
 gates  are  again set open to the  citizens.   Should the
 stricture continue, this  effort of nature to relieve herself
 will terminate in fever.
   "Such is the effect of sudden cold when its application
*s universal; but should  the application  be partial, what
 will then be  the consequence ? The effects already stated
 will be partial.   Constriction will take place in the vessels
 acted upon by cold, and  the blood will  be  propelled to the
 surrounding  parts, and constitute the  cause of inflamma-
 tion  or congestion.   This, for reasons assigned  above,
must be, afterwards increased  by  heat.   On  the  whole,
then, it appears  that  if  the change  be  sudden, nature,
 between wide  extremes, can accommodate herself to her con-
 dition; but that when the  change  is partial, gradual and
 continued, it generates disease."
   I have  been led to make this quotation  as  it shows
 conclusively the action  of cold  upon the body, and its
agency in generating disease.   It  goes directly  to prove
the position taken in the general principles of this work,
and is the strongest testimony in favor of the fundamental
principles of the Thomsonian  system.   As catarrh or 
112
BRONCHITIS.
cold is the premonitory stage of every  variety of diseast'
and its  cause the same, I Jiavo  made  these extended
remarks.   For let it be remembered, that he who cures n
cold often cures consumption, or fevei, or rheumatism, &c,
in their early or forming stage.

          INDICATIONS OF CURE IN CATARRH.
  1st. To equalize the circulation.
  2d.  To strengthen the system.
  The vapor bath is the grand remedial  agent in curing
colds or catarrh.   If thoroughly applied,  hardly any
other medication  will be  found necessary, except where
the  system  is much debilitated tonics will be  necessary to
give tonicity to the system.   If, however,  it has  been of
long standing, it will be developed in some form of disease,
which will  be  treated of in other portions of this work, in
their respective places.
                 BRONCHITIS.

  Symptoms.—Most of the symptoms indicating  catarrh
in a*severe  form, sense of tightness or sense of constric.
tion in the  chest;  muscular pains, appearing  as though
seated in the walls of the  chest, increased by coughing;
expectoration of  a tough,  white, vicid  mucus,  scanty  at
first,  then more  copious, purulent, and often  tinged with
blood.   The symptoms are more severe towards evening,
when  considerable fev$r will appear.   These symptoms 
CHRONIC  BRONCHITIS.
113
will generally disappear by the breathing becoming more
free; the expectoration giving relief, &c.
  The indications of cure will be  the  same as  in  lung
fever, viz :  to promote expectoration, equalize the circula-
tion, and relieve local congestion.
              Cough Balsam, oz. vi.
              Wild Turnip,  x. ii.
              Green Lobelia, x. ss.
  Mix and  give freely, with the  stomach pill, from two to
six  hours, with an expectorant and diaphoretic, will be all
that is necessary in ordinary cases; but if the difficulty
does not yield to this treatment, thorough courses of medi-
cine must  be resorted to and repeated  until the  patient
recovers.   If the disorder for any  length of time changes
to the chronic form, it often terminates in pulmonary con-
sumption.


         CHRONIC  BRONCHITIS.

   Symptoms.—A redness  may be  perceived in the back
 part of the throat, the mucous membrane in some places
 entirely wanting, continual irritation or tickling sensation
 in the throat, as if some irritating substance was lodged
 there ; pains about the throat,  thirst,  cough, increasing
 toward night; debility, and sometimes night-sweats.
    The gystem should be thoroughly cleansed,  and tonics
 used as much  as  possible ; and  for local  remedies, cold
 water should  be applied to the throat and neck, and the
 parts well rubbed with  a  coarse towel, or the cold dash
 may be applied  with  benefit to   the whole body,  using
 friction freely to  induce.reaction  to the surface, giving 
144
PLEURISY. .
soothing expectorants, demulcents  and astringents.  The
prepared balsam,  or a few drops of tincturo  of lobelia,
often,  are  among the best expectorants ; slippery elm
should be  used freely, and a  wash  of devil's'bit, pussy
willow, or witch hazle leaves, given often during the day.
                   PLEURISY.

  This  has been  alluded to under lung  fever, but it is
thought best to treat of it separately in this place.
  The regular faculty, in their division of different diseases,
as they call them, divide  pneumonia into peripneumony,
i. e., inflammation of the lungs, or lung fever and pleuritis,
i. e., pleurisy, or inflammation of the pleura.
  The treatment I have given in this form of disease has
not varied materially from that in lung fever, except, per-
haps, the urgency of the case requiring the more thorough
application of the same remedies.   The Thomsonian prac
titioner will relieve the severe pain speedily, by the relax-
ing effect  of lobelia, thus  removing  the congestion  by
producing  perspiration  and  restoring  the action  of the
capillaries. ! Enough has been said on lung fever to give all
information necessary to afford  immediate relief in this
painful disorder. 
 ACUTE  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE
                    STOMACH.

  Symptoms.—A  sharp, local pain and burning heat in
the  stomach, great  prostration of strength; hard, wiry,
contracted, and quick pulse, soon becoming small, irregular
and intermitting ;  great anxiety, hiccup, violent and pain-
ful  vomiting,  the  pain increased  by taking food, and by
pressure, great thirst and desire for cold drinks, tongue red
at the  point and sides, sometimes  over its entire surface,
often becomes parched and glazed.
  Causes.—In addition to the most common causes of acute
forms of disease : — drinking copious  draughts of cold
water while the body is very warm, the " striking-in " of
eruptions, poisonous substances taken  into  the  stomach,
often as medicines; acrid  substances, also,  spirituous
liquors, and acrid bile.
  In mild forms, the mucous membrane alone is affected,
but in the more severe cases, all  the coats of the stomach
are implicated.
  Favorable Symptoms.—Pulse becoming slow  and soft,
pain gradually ceasing, the urine  depositing a sediment.
   Unfavorable  Symptoms.—All those which denote gan-
grene or mortification.
   Treatment.—The vapor bath should be given until ihe
system is completely relaxed, followed by an emetic; after
the operation of which muci'aginous teas should be given,
of slippery elm, comfrey, brakeroot, gum arabic, flaxseed,
&c,  or the slippery elm and third preparation, with the
extract pill, will continue  the equilibrium. 
14G         INFLAMMATION OF THE  BOWELS.

                Warm water,      o. i.
                Slippery  Elm,     x. i.
                Third Preparation, x. ii.
  Give a table spoonful from one to  six  hours, and half
grain extract  pill  from two to six hours, with mucilage
freely.  Beware of physic.
r  Injections should be often used.
                Slippery  Elm,
                Green Lobelia,
                Scullcap—aa. x. i.
  Instances of this form of disease in its worst stages are
rarely met  with,  but that  of the sub-acute form, often.
The symptoms of this complaint are similar to those of the
acute form, but in a less degree.  This is rarely fatal with
the treatment above, in a modified degree;  fomentations or
poultices should never be  neglected, and the feet should be
often bathed with the  most stimulating liniments, to deter-
mine  the  blood  to the extremities,    rood of the lightest
kind should be given, such  as rice gruel, milk porridge,
with not more than one quarter milk ; cracker tea, &c.
  In this,  as in most other medication of the regulars, one
cause of the disease is acknowledged to be drinking copious
draughts of cold water while hot, and  one of the remedial
agents to cure inflammation is to  drink  freely of  cold or
iced water ; consistency with a vengeance.
INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BOWELS.
   Symptoms.—Severe pain in the bowels, increased by
pressure, more severe about the umbilicus;  obstinate cos- 
              INFLAMMATION  OF THE BOWELS.         147

  tiveness ;  abdomen hard  and swollen ; vomiting  bilious
  matter, sometimes dark and fetid; pulse small,  hard and
  quick ; tongue dry and red, or very dark.
     Causes.—The same as in inflammation of the stomach,
  the application of cold to the feet or abdomen;  acrid sub-
  stances ; hard indurated faeces; long  continued  constipa-
  tion.   This form of disease  is  liable to frequent recur-
  rence.
     Favorable  Symptoms.—Pain  subsiding  gradually, the
  belly becoming  less tender  to  the touch,  the passage of
~ natural stools, an equable perspiration, a free discharge of
  urine, depositing a sediment,  pulse becoming more  slow
  and soft, the tongue moist and clean.
     Unfavorable Symptoms.—The symptoms more  aggra-
  vated, or  the  sudden remissiou of pain,  sinking of the
  pulse, great prostration, shrinking of the features, disten-
  tion of the  abdomen.
     Treatment.—The treatment indicated  in interitis, is
  that which will restore the equilibrium of the system, and
  relieve local derangement.  The vapor bath is a necessary
  and  powerful remedial  agent  in this  form of disease,
  and  must  continue until the supface is covered  with a
   healthy,  uniform, perspiration.  It has always been my
   practice to  apply remedies as near as possible  to the part
   affected.   Hence,  in  this  complaint, mucilaginous and
   relaxing  injections should be administered, without  inter-
   mission,  until the indications  are fully answered.   For
   this purpose a decoction of motherwort, catnip  and skull-
   cap, should be  given, to a tea cup  of  which should  be
   added a  tea  spoonful of slippery elm and green  lobelia.
   These should be administered  to such extent as to pro- 
148          INFLAMMATION OF  THE LIVER.
 duce, at  intervals, slight vomiting.  Mucilaginous  teas,
 as in inflammation of the stomach,  should be given into
 the stomach ; such as flaxseed, elm, porridge, gum arabic,
 and nourishment,  as gruel,  sago,  &c.   It may be found
 necessary, in this  form of disease, to  administer gentle
 cathartic medicine, although I have never had to resort to
 this practice.   Poultices, fomentations, or the beef applied
 to the abdomen,  will be found  of the first importance  to
 remove the pain or congestion.   After the pain is partially
 relieved, or the most urgent symptoms abated, the  follow-
 ing will give quick and  permanent relief:
                   Balsam Capaiva,
                   Balsam Fir—aa. i. oz.
   Ten drops every four hours.
   Bitters will be  found necessary  to give tone to  the
 bowels :
                  Gold Thread,
                  Camomile Flowers,
                  Snakeroot,
                  Orange Peel,
                  Myrrh.
   One ounce of the whole to n pint of water and gill of
rum.  Dose—half a wine glass full three times  a day.
  ACUTE  INFLAMMATION  OF   THE
                     LIVER.

  Symptoms.—Fever;  tenderness and pain in  the  right
side, sometimes acute as in pleurisy, but more frequently
dull and obtuse ; referred to the right shoulder and extend- 
             INFLAMMATION OF THE  LIVER.          149

ing under the shoulder blade ; difficulty and pain increased
by lying on the left side; urine high colored and scanty ;
dry cough; painful respiration;  great  thirst and  consti-
pation, with nausea, and  often  vomiting bilious matter ;
strong, hard pulse; the skin  and  eyes yellow, and, in
severe cases, hiccup
  This complaint may  be distinguished from pleurisy, by
the pain  being  less severe and referred to the shoulder;
the pain  being  increased  on pressure, and  pleurisy not
being affected by it ; by the difficulty in pleurisy in lying
upon the affected side, while in inflammation of the liver,
pain is increased by  lying on the opposite ; by the yellow
appearance  of the skin, and no expectoration.
  Treatment.—Thorough courses  of medicine must be
given to effect a speedy and certain cure.  The system in
this complaint, and the chronic  form, will  require more
medicine (other  things being  equal) to produce the same
effect, than  almost any other form  of  disease whatever.
To produce equalization in the  circulation,  is absolutely
necessary, and will require  a bold and thorough  practice.
If large quantities of bile should bs discharged, or a bilious
diarrhea supervene, it will be necessary to give stimulants,
and  tonics  also, to  sustain the  strength of  the patient.
Brandy may be given, with golden seal or peruvian bark,
if rigors or chills are present.
   The following may  be given with benefit, where there
is bilious diarrhea, prostration, or great debility :
                  Brandy,    o. ss.
                  Water,     o. ss.
                  Peruvian Bark,
                  Golden Seal—aa. oz. i.
   Mix, and give a wine-glassfull,  and repeat if necessary— 
150
INFLAMMATION OF  THE LIVER.
 remembering to give  composition  or  other  stimulants
 freely.   Alterants should be exhibited.
   The pain is supposed to  be greatest  when the convex
 side of the  liver is  affected,  and less when the concave
 side is  diseased and referred  to the back.   When the left
 lobe of the  liver is the seat of the  disease, vomiting is
 induced, from its proximity to the stomach ; and when the
 inferior portion is inflamed,  the functions of the kidneys
 are consequently deranged.
   The tendency of acute inflammation  of the liver is to
 suppurate ;  and should this take place, the discharge may
 be by the lungs,by the intestines, by the cavity of the abdo-
 men, or to the surface of the belly.   Should this be the
 case, the strength of the patient must be sustained, and a
 healthy action  maintained  as  far  as possible.   Wine,
 brandy, peruvian bark, ginseng, the bark of the tulip  tree,
 dandelion,  or wild cherry, should be administered freely,
 or any  of  the stomach bitters ; either  wine, ginseng, or
 spice bitters will answer every indication.
   The  administration of calomel in large doses has  been
 the cause of this form of disease so  often  terminating in
 suppuration, and otherwise deranging and often destroying
 the functions  of this organ  forever.   I have known the
 blue pill administered  for  six months in succession, and
 the patient growing  worse  constantly, but living in hopes
 of a final cure.
   Favorable  Symptoms.—Those which denote the favor-
able termination of  any inflammation ;  warm,  universal
perspiration,  large deposits of sediment in the urine, bilious
evacuations,  pulse more soft  and slow,  &c.   Under the
strict botanic treatment,, this disease  is speedily removed, 
INFLAMMATION OF  THE LIVER.
151
but under the administration of poisons, miscalled  medi-
cines, it often proves fatal, and if not  fatal, it proves the
prolific  source  of disorders of every  name and nature.
Most frequently it leaves the patient suffering under the
same complaint in a chronic form, which, although not dan-
gerous under skillful treatment of the disorder, proves one
of the most insupportable  and harrasslng forms of disease
to which the human constitution is liable.


CHRONIC INFLAMMATION  OF THE
                       LIVER.

   Symptoms.—Dull, heavy pain in the right side, referred
to the clavicle, and under  the right shoulder blade ; tender-
ness at the pit of the stomach ; dyspepsia ;  jaundice ; loss
 of appetite;  sense  of fullness  of  the stomach;  sallow
countenance ; lowness of  spirits ;  costiveness,  at times,
 and at  others diarrhea; clay-colored stools,  or  bilious
 discharges ; palpitation of the heart;  cold feet and hands ;
 nervousness ; a peculiar sense of cold shivering, succeed-
 ed by warm flushes ; tongue  coated  in  the morning, but
 preternaturally red  and chapped ; pulse  slow and full;
 urine  heavy,  and depositing a sediment,  and covered
 often, on standing, by a white scum.
    This disease may be distinguished from consumption  by
  the dejection of  mind in liver affections, and in the latter,
  by an unusual flow of spirits.  The patient, in this com.
  plaint, has a peculiar aversion to locomotion of any kind ;
  looks upon the dark side of every  thing, and is always
  going to die.
     Cure.—In  almost every  case of debility, or  loss of
          i2 
 152          INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER.

 vitality, the cause may be more or less traced to a diseased
 state of the liver.   It is, however,  certainly and speedily
 cured, by  thorough and persevering treatment.  I  have
 radically cured scores of cases, and  always pursued one
 plan of treatment.   Thorough courses of medicine  must
 be given in from two  to five days, giving,  between the
 courses, stimulants and tonics.   The following will be
 found excellent:
                 Spice Bitters,   ii.  oz.
                 Cayenne,       i. oz.
   Mix,  and give  a tea spoonful before eating,  and on
 going to bed.   Or  the following :
                 Poplar,
                 Prickly Ash,
                 Golden Seal,
                 Cayenne—ap. oz. i.
   Mix, and give as often as before.
   Steaming, or the vapor bath, is important, and the  best
 practice  is  that  which  will  soonest  cleanse  the system,
 change the  secretions, and tone up the system.   Courses
 every other day, with a bath before and after the emetic,
 with  the above intermediate treatment, will effect a cure.
 Composition powders should be given the night and morn-
 ings previous to giving a course of medicine.   If, however,
 the functions of the stomach and  other viscera  are  not
 deranged, the patient will find relief from the following
 course:
   Take stomach pills, one after dinner and one at night,
the spice bitters, with cayenne, before breakfast,  in a tea
of composition  and scullcap,  a decoction  of wormwood,
with from one to three tea spoonsful of pepper sauce, taken 
             INFLAMMATION  OF THE SPLEEN.         153

before  meals, is one of the  best  remedies extant.  The
side and feet should be rubbed well with the best stimula-
ting liniments, and the bowels should be kept open with
injections.   The aloetic bitters is  a good remedy, (and, in
fact, any bitter herb will  be  found serviceable,) and  ner-
vines should never  be omitted.   The  bitters should  be
continued for a considerable length of time.
   Termination—Favorable, certainly,  if subjected  to
thorough medication.   Beware of blue pills.
INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  SPLEEN.
  Symptoms.—Pain, and swelling of the left side, accorn-
panied by heat or fever, the pain increased on pressure.
  The cure must be the same as in acute inflammation of
the liver, or nearly so—i.  e., to produce an equal circula-
tion, and the  application of  local remedies,  as poultices,
fermentations,  or stimulating  liniments,  will   effect a
speedy  cure.   This complaint, in its  chronic   form, is
more troublesome and  dangerous than the acute.
   CHRONIC  AFFECTION  OF  THE
                     SPLEEN.
   Symptoms.—Weak and sore eyes, pain or weakness of
the back and loins, debility, nocturnal emissions, extreme
prostration of the nervous system, dejection of mind, wake-
fulness.
        3 
154        INFLAMMATION  OF THE KIDNEYS.

  Cure.—Cleanse the system by courses  of medicine, to
induce healthy action,  and  an  equilibrium in the body.
Give composition, spice bitters and nerve powder, or scull-
cap, equal parts, four or five times a  day.   The cold dash
in the morning, is of great utility in this  complaint; or
applying cold water, with a sponge, the whole length of
the spinal column, will  be very serviceable.  Friction or
rubbing should not be neglected after the cold application,
whether  generally or locally applied.  Bitters  and ner-
vines should be  continued until the  system has regained
its healthy tone.
INFLAMMATION OF  THE KIDNEYS.

   Symptoms.—Fever ;  pain in the region of the kidneys,
and shooting along the ureters to the groin, and down the
thigh, and frequently attended by a retraction  or drawing
up of the testicles.  There is tenderness on pressure ; the
pain is increased  on assuming an upright, or even sitting
posture, the patient wishing to retain a recumbent position
and to  incline to the affected side.   The pain  is  also
increased by coughing, sneezing, and, more especially, by
attempting to walk, the least jar producing  extreme suffer-
ing ; nausea or vomiting; frequent desire to pass urine ;
and often by a partial,  and sometimes  total suppression ;
the urine at first  is colored, and frequently bloody, but
soon becomes pale and watery;  the pulse is full and hard
at first, but becomes small  and  quick as the  disease advan-
ces ; the tongue is covered with a  white fur ; the bowels 
            INFLAMMATION OF  THE KIDNEYS.         155

are costive ; the countenance  is  peculiarly haggard,  and
the mind dejected.
  This disease is often secondary, as transmission of
rheumatism or gout ; and often sympathetic, from the adja-
cent organs.
  Termination—Favorable.
  Treatment.—The object of the physician in exhibiting
medicine  in  this  complaint  should be,  to produce an
equable perspiration, or, in other words, to equalize the
circulation, the same as in other inflammatory forms of
disease,  and  locally,  to excite  healthy  action  in  the
diseased part itself.  A  course of medicine will  answer
this purpose better than any  other means ; but injections
givemoften, will almost instantly relieve, and speedily cure.
The best preparation for the injections which I have used,
is the following:
                   Nerve Powder,
                   Slippery Elm,
                   Green Lobelia—aa.
   A table  spoonful, given in warm water, and repeated
according to the urgency of the symptoms,  in from two to
twelve  hours.  Local  applications   of fomentations, or
stimulating liniment should be applied,  and mucilaginous
diuretics should be copiously used.  The fever powders  may
be  given to equalize the circulation, and excite mild  dia-
phoresis :
                   Crawley,
                   Princess Pine,
                   Green Lobelia,
                   Indian Hemp—aa.
   One-fourth of a tea  spoonful, given in quantity and
frequency, sufficient to determine to the surface.
/ 
 15G       CHRONIC  DISEASE OF THE  KIDNEY.

  Among the diuretic medicines  useful  in this disease,
are, brakeroot,  gum arabic, slippery elm, wintergreen,
juniper berries, cranberry vines; and, after the inflamma-
tion has  subsided,  balsam copaiva,  from ten to fifteen
drops, four or five times a day, will prove highly service-
able.
  Termination—Favorable.
  Favorable  Symptoms.—Gradual  remission of pain and
fever, followed by a  free discharge of urine,  mixed with
mucous or pus ; mild, universal perspiration ;  pulse  slow
and full, &c.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—Pale urine, secreted  in small
quantity; difficulty  of voiding urine; constant desire to
micturate ; sudden cessation of pain ;  hiccup,  delirium,
cold extremities.
  Nourishment.—AH those of a mucilaginous nature.
  A decoction  of the  leaves of the  peach tree has been
found useful  in this  complaint.
CHRONIC DISEASE  OF  THE KIDNEY.

  If the kidney ulcerates, in the preceding form of disease,
a chronic difficulty of ihat  organ may  be expected.  As
in most cases of chronic complaints, it will be necessary to
give general treatment—i. e., to excite healthy action, and
aid  the  efforts  of nature to overcome morbid action, by
proper stimulants  and  tonics,  or any  remedial agents,
which the nature  of the case requires.
  The symptoms which mark the chronic inflammation of
* 
INFLAMMATION of the bladder.
157
the kidney, are similar to those of the acute, differing only
in the degree, and the cure will, for the most part, be  the
same.   Therefore,  what has  been said  respecting  the
treatment of the acute,  will be sufficient guide  in the
chronic form.
  The hip-bath is of the first importance ; and the appli-
cation of the most stimulating  liniments should  never be
omitted.  Copious draughts  of  mucilaginous and diluent
liquids, such as  before mentioned, should be given.
INFLAMMATION  OF  THE BLADDER-
         ACUTE  AND  CHRONIC.

  Symptoms.—Fever; acute pain in the region of  the
bladder ; tumor ; soreness ; pain increased upon pressure
above the pubes or the perineum ; irritation, producing a
desire to void urine; often painful discharges of it, and in
small quantities, sometimes complete obstruction  to its
passage, caused  by stricture,  or spasm ; tenesmus  and
vomiting, and sometimes delirium.
  In the chronic  form,  the mucous  membrane  of  the
bladder, by repeated or continued irritation,  produced by
calculus, stricture, by disease of the prostate gland, kid-
neys, or other causes, become  thickened and ulcerated,
and discharges large quantities of mucous and pus.  There
is often a discharge of blood.
   Cause.—Local  injury ; stone in the bladder ; gravel ;
inflammation of  gonorrhea ; stricture ;  cantharides, or
blister, and other irritants. 
158         INFLAMMATION  OF THE WOMB.
  Treatment.—Injections applied  often,  of the relaxing
and  emolient kind,  the  vapor  bath,  and fomentations.
When inflammation  of the bladder is  caused by Spanish
flies,  (cantharides,)  or  the tincture, (lytta,)  lobelia and
slippery elm are valuable,  or, perhaps it  should be said,
invaluable.  The same diuretic and mucilaginous liquids,
as in inflammation of the kidneys, will be necessary, and
nervines should be administered freely.  If  the  general
system is much deranged, full courses will be necessary,
to cleanse the  system of morbid  secretions, and equalize
the circulation.  Injections,
                  Slippery Elm,
                  Green Lobelia,
                  Scullcap—aa. ss.
  And given often as occasion requires.
  Diuretics and Mucilages :
       Brake Root,           Barley Water,
       Flax Seed,            Melon Seed,
       Ox Balm,             Juniper Berries,
       Gum Arabic,           Burdock Seeds,
       Clivers,               One Berry.
  Any or all of these may be  given copiously, and the
fomentation may be composed of skunk  cabbage leaves,
bitter herbs, or the poultices.
  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  WOMB.

  Symptoms.—Fever ;  swelling and pain in the region of
the womb, the pain extending down the loin and  thighs ;
difficulty of voiding urine ; nausea and vomiting; attended 
RHEUMATISM.                  159
 generally with more or less symptoms'of hysterit.  In
 some cases  the  head is affected,  with slight delirium,
 impaired vision, &c.
   Causes.—Suppression of the menstrual discharge,Trom
 cold ; frequent sexual intercourse; local injury.
   Treatment.—The hipbath ; sitting over the steam of
 bitter herbs, or the vapor  bath ; light emetics ; relaxing
 and  mucilaginous  injections,  and diluent  teas.   This
 complaint  may be cured  by injections  alone, if given
 thoroughly.  Medicines which stimulate the action of  the
 uterus,  should be  given—such  as  tansy,  motherwort,
 summer-savory, black cohush, &c.
   There are a number of forms of disease which resemble
this,  and which  will  be treated  of  more  fully  under
hysteria.
       RHEUMATISM—A CUTE  AND
                   CHRONIC.

  Rheumatism  is  said  to  be acute when  the pain  is
attended by much swelling, heat, and redness of the part
attacked ; and chronic, when there is  little fever or inflam-
mation.  Rheumatism is more prevalent in spring and
autumn, than at. other times, although  it occurs at any
season  of  the  year.   The vicissitudes  of  the  weather ■
sudden atmospheric changes, with exposure, is the cause
of rheumatism.
  Symptoms.—All  those that precede  fever ;  debility ;
hard  and  quick  pulse ;  cold extremities; acute  pain ; 
160
RHEUMATISM.
great •soreness; swelling,  and inflammation  makes  its
appearance in some one or more of the joints of the body.
There is great thirst; loss of appetite ; the tongue white ;
the urine high colored, and the bowels constipated. The
patient often  sweats,  but  without  affording relief. The
pain, usually, is more severe and the fever highest at night.
Rheumatism, unless immediately cured at the outset, sel-
dom confines itself to the joints first attacked ;  but after a
longer or shorter period, it attacks others, and often returns
to those  first attacked, a second time.  Sometimes the pain
will continue unabated  in the joints  first  attacked,  but
generally, there is a complete remission.   Under  the old
school treatment, rheumatism often attacks the vital organs,
such as the stomach, heart, &c.
   Cause.—Exposure  to wet and cold.
   Rheumatism may be distinguished  from gout, by its
attack being  more  gradual ; by its  location upon  the
larger joints,  and  by its wandering from  one  place  to
another.   It may be distinguished from erysipelas, from
its  attacking  the joints,  the  inflammation being more
extended and changing, and being equally painful when
lying quiet_as when attempting to exercise.
   Rheumatism often proves fatal under regular treatment,
but under the botanic practice it is speedily removed.
   Treatment.—The  first object of the physician  should
be to relieve the most urgent symptoms, or to assuage the
pain ;  then  he  should revert to  the  first  principles of
Thomsonism, viz : to  equalize  the  circulation, and  pro-
mote healthy action.
   By glancing at the cause of rheumatism, it will be seen
that the capillary system is obstructed ;  for, thence arises 
RHEUMATISM.
161
the chills, heat, and all the other train of symptoms, usually
present in fevers.  The  reason why it locates  upon the
joints, thereby inducing the peculiar form of diseases which
we denominate  rheumatism, is the previously weakened
condition of that particular portion of the body; its expos-
ure to cold, or having been subjected to local  injury, such
as strains, sprains, or bruises, &c.  Hence it is necessary
to produce an equilibrium.  The system should be well
stimulated, for  remember, there is debility,  or  loss of
vital energy ; composition or composition  and cayenne;
the part  rubbed  well with bathing drops ; the volatile or
 stimulating liniments or the  pain killer ; after which  the
 patient should be well steamed ; the bath  medicated with
 hemlock boughs and an emetic given, after the operation, the
 bowels evacuated, and the part affected again  bathed with
 the  pain killer or rheumatic liniment, and the equilibrium
 maintained by the fever powders.
                    Whiteroot,
                    Crawley,
                    Green Lobelia,
                    Wild Turnip,
                    Cayenne—aa.
   One-fourth of a tea spoonful from two to six hours.
    A decoction of
                   Lettuce,
                    Scullcap,
                    Whiteroot,
                    Crawley—aa.
     May be  given  freely, together with  composition  tea,
  with cayenne added.   Injections to  keep the bowels free,
  must be given ; but if there should be constipation, a mild
  laxative may be  given.  If the pain does not yield to the
  bathing, make  a poultice of 
102
RHEUMATISM
                   Slippery Elm,
                   Lobelia,
                   Ginger,
                   Cayenne.
   Wet with rheumatic drops and apply to the part, which
 will speedily remove it.
   The parts should be kept warm with flannels, and fric-
 tion, as much as the patient can bear, may be used ;  and
 a hot stone or brick to the feet or part affected should on
 no account be  omitted.  Should the  patient  be covered
 with a hot sweat, it  must be rubbed  off and  the surface
 bathed with  spirit, vinegar, water, and a little saleratus.
 But if local  remedies are unavailing, resort must  be  had
 to the vapor bath,  well medicated, and if necessary, to
 emetics also.
   Should the joint or parts affected  be left in a weakened
 condition, water should  be poured upon it from a pitcher
 or tea kettle, as long as  the patient can bear, when the
 part should be wrapped  in  a dry  flanneland kept warm;
 and if stiffness follow, apply stimulating liniments, together
 with soft, relaxing animal oil;  that obtained from  the
horse being the best.
  As soon as the febrile  symptoms disappear, the following
bitters  should  be  given  to aid  naturo in regaining a
healthy tone:
              Golden Seal,
              Cayenne,
              Prickly Ash Berries, or Bark,
              Barberry,
             Bayberry—aa.
  A tea spoonful taken three times a day.
  A case of rheumatism treated in the above manner will 
RHEUMATISM.  ~               163
be thoroughly and speedily cured;  not drugged half to
death and left to be cured by the warm toeather ; and will
be no more predisposed to the disease than before.
  For the cure of this complaint, a "thousand and one "
nostrums have been heralded before the public, but like all
other specifics have failed in every respect, except in dis-
appointing the sufferer.   But he who will pursue the above
course of medication, will  never  find  it  fail him in the
hour of  need and  distress.
  Favorable Symptoms.—A general  and  mild (not  pro-
fuse) perspira.tion over the whole  body; urine depositing
a sediment;  eruptions on the surface, foe.
  Unfavorable Symptoms.—The  swelling becoming dark,
denoting gangrene ;  delirium,  pale  urine,  the  disease
translated to the stomach or heart.


        CHRONIC  RHEUMATISM.

-. The chronic form of rheumatism may be  either sympto-
matic of the acute, or idiopathic of primary.   In the first
case, the parts which were affected are left weak, or rigid,
and the  pain which before was changing from one part to
another, becomes  generally  confined to particular parts;
in some cases, however, it still shifts from  place to place,
but without occasioning any fever.   Exposure to cold and
wet, will often  produce an  attack, which continues for a
longer or shorter period, and at length goes off, leaving the
parts in a debilitated state.
  Cause.—The same as the acute.
  The pain in this form of rheumatism being more endu-
rable, recourse has been had to specifics,  almost exclu- 
164,
RHEUMATISM.
sively, for a cure.  The vapor bath applied at night, with
thorough bathing, and the stomach pills, as  many as the
patient can bear without too much nausea, with a constant
and free use of the composition powders, or rheumatic
drops, will effect  a cure.
   One of the best writers  of the old  school, says:  (Dr.
Hooper,) " The steam bath  is amongst the most powerful
of these remedies;" and adds, " friction  is also useful."
While treating of the steam  bath, a case was related that
shows conclusively the great power of this remedial agent.
In rheumatism it is of the  very first importance.  It need
not be employed in the exact form at all times, suffice it,
that it is given thoroughly ; it matters not in  what way or
form it is done.   Stimulating medicines should always be
given when the bath is being applied.  After the  bath,
free bathing, and friction should be used.   If, however,
the system is generally or universally deranged, it must be
thoroughly cleansed, and bitters given to enable the  func-
tions to regain their lost action.
   Among the many remedies used as specifics, the tincture
of the berries of pokeweed, or garget, and  prickly ash.
              Poke Berries,        o. i.
              Prickly Ash Berries,  o. ss.
   Put in a jar and  cover with spirit.   Macerate twelve
days.   Dose—a table spoonful four  or  five  times a  day.
   Another, which is in considerable use, is
              Guaiacum Chips, oz. viii.
              Black Snakeroot, oz. iv.
              Black Cohush,    oz. iv.
   Pour  on two quarts spirits,  let  it  stand  and digest.
Does—-half a wine-glassfull three times a day. 
RHEUMATISM.
165
  Sulphur is strongly recommended  by some, both inter-
nally and externally ; others recommend the  cold bath.
This last, as has been stated elsewhere, when it is  rightly
applied, has all the  effects of a vapor bath, although it is
an indirect mode of application.  If the  cold shower is
applied, friction sufficient to determine to the surface must
not be omitted.   A free use  of wild  cherry bark is good,
and bathing with a strong decoction  of the same,  is very
useful, especially if  there is much weakness of the parts.
Stimulating bitters will be necessary to sustain  the strength
of the patient.


        NERVOUS   RHEUMATISM.

   This may be distinguished from acute rheumatism  by
the pain coming on  in paroxysms ; by the parts being  free
from soreness, except during the continuance of the exac-
erbations, or for a  short  time after ; by the  pain being
referred to the fingers, or toes, as it attacks the portion of
the system nearest to the superior or inferior extremities;
sometimes it attacks the face, head, and any other part.
   Treatment.—The pain-killer is the best local remedy ;
for bathing, the rheumatic  drops ;  rheumatic liniment,
stimulating or volatile liniments, are also good ;  the most
stimulating is the best.   Friction should  be  continually
applied.  If there   is fever, remedies which  will restore
the equilibrium and remove  capillary obstruction must be
given.   Heated stones or bricks wrapped in wet clothes
are of great utility, and aperient medicines will be neces-
sary to keep the bowels free.   As  in all  other forms of
disease of this class, the vapor  bath is of great power, and 
166
RHEUMATISM.
 should  be employed often, and  thoroughly.   The  cold
 shower will often afford permanent relief.   Should there
 be a manifest tendency to spasms or cramps, lobelia should
 be used freely, and by  injection.  The scullcap or nerve
 powder should be given in large doses, and often repeated.
   Termination—Favorable.  There is  hardly any dan-
 ger in this form of disease, although one  of  the most dis-
 tressing the human  system  is  called to endure.  The
 patient will require bitters, mixed with nervines, during
 almost the whole  continuance of the complaint.


        MUSCULAR  RHEUMATISM.

   Muscular rheumatism may be defined to be, pain, vary-
 ing in  severity and kind, from a dull aching, to that of a
 keen and  lancinating kind, affecting the entire body, the
 trunk, a single limb, or single muscle or group of muscles ;
 coming on sometimes suddenly, at others, after shivering,
 and slight symptoms of fever; sometimes accompanying
 a common cojd, but remaining  after all the symptoms of
 the cold have vanished.   The pain is increased by motion
 of the part, but relieved by pressure, if gradually applied.
   This complaint  is called by different  names, according
 to its  location in the system.  It is called sciatica, when it
 attacks the hip ;  lumbago,  in the back; crick, in the
 neck,  when it attacks the  muscles of that portion of the
 body.
  This form of rheumatism frequently attacks the internal
 organs, as the heart, stomach, uterus, &c.
  It would hardly  seem  necessary to cuter  largely  into
the treatment in this  form of rheumatism, as it will be 
GOUT.
167
nearly the same as in the  other forms  of the same com-
plaint.   Bathing  with the rheumatic liniment or other
stimulating lotion, will  afford relief;  the stomach  pills
given often^ to produce perspiration and  determination
to the  surface.   Composition,  wild cherry,  prickly ash
and  crawley, in infusion, make an excellent  remedy  in
this  complaint.  It  should be remembered  that  if one
remedy fails of its intended effect, another of the same
class should be administered or applied.
   If the system appears to be deranged, measures must
be taken to remove the morbid  secretions or obstructions.
Should  the patient be suddenly taken with muscular rheu-
matism,  or  should it determine to  the internal vsicera or
organs,  the best remedy is the third preparation, given by
injection or taken into the stomach.  It  may  be given  in
doses from a tea spoonful to a wine-glassfull, or even more ;
and it will hardly ever fail  of affording immediate relief,
                  THE  GOUT.

  This disease  is  the offspring of idleness and intemper-
ance ; yet  there is no  doubt that other causes may con-
tribute to  bring on the complaint,  in  those who are  not
subject to it, and to induce a paroxysm in those who are.
But all who would avoid this painful disorder must be
active and temperate.
  Symptoms.—Dyspepsia, lowness of spirits,  torpor  and
great debility, coldness and numbnessof the limbs, cramps,
and  swelling  of the veins of the leg.  The gout attacks
              K 
16$
GOUT.
the joints of the great toe, generally during the latter part
of the night, with excruciating pain, attended  with chills
and  fever.  The pain increases, and  is  referred to the
heel and sometimes to the calf of the leg. The foot swells
considerable, is highly inflamed, and is so sensitive that the
patient cannot bear  to have it touched, or bear the least
jar or motion.
   The gout  is liable to retrocede, or go from  one part to
another, and when it attacks the  heart, head or stomach,
it is  very dangerous and often fatal.
   Medication.—The first intention of the physician  in
the treatment of gout is, to  relieve the pain and break up
the paroxysm ;  and in the second, to remove the predispo-
sition, and thus prevent its return.   The first indication is
the most speedily answered by diaphoretics.   The most
speedy mode of inducing  diaphoresis  is the best.   The
vapor bath should be applied, and during the application
the diseased limb should  be immersed in warm  water, and
when taken out should be bathed with  some of the most
soothing and stimulating liniments ; and after the thorough
application  of the bath,  an  emetic of third preparation
should be administered, and after the operation, the extract
pill,  in half grain doses, should be given, and a decoction
of crawley, whiteroot and scullcap, used freely.
   A great  deal has been written of late, respecting the
use of opiates,  in connection with the Botanic practice.
In fevers of a low type, or any other form of disease, of a
dangerous character, it should be eschewed as decidedly
injurious.   But in acute  cases of rheumatism,  gout, &c,
where there is extreme pain and irritability, there can be
no doubt but medicine will have  a far better effect  if the 
GOUT.
169
patient can be kept quiet, than  when he is in a state of
restlessness  and  pain.   I  have  never given  a dose of
opium in my practice, and  but once  of laudanum ; but
all practitioners feel more or less, at times, that it would
be better if we  had  a remedy that  would ease pain and
induce sleep, with more certainty than any of our nervines,
and each one will do as he thinks best.  If resort was had
oftener to the 3d preparation, or lobelia, in relaxing doses,
the necessity of an  opiate would not be felt as it is now.
There are few, however, in extreme pain, but would be
very willing  to take an  opiate; and  it remains to be
decided  whether the least  objectionable  of this class of
medicines will not  be used  in the practice.   If all would
resort to the thorough treatment of the practice,  no opiate
would be necessary.
  If the treatment has succeeded in breaking up the fit of
gout, the next  indication is to restore  the  system  to a
healthy tone, and thus prevent a return of the paroxysm.
The  patient, if indolent and a high liver, must become
 active and temperate, at the same time use freely of pure
 stimulants, and of light, nourishing  food, cold  bathing,
 stomachic bitters, in a little wine.   But if the gout appears
 of a  desperate character,  courses  of medicine  must be
 resorted to, taking care to prevent the translation of it to
 any other  portion  of  the  body.    For this  purpose, the
 stimulating and tonic course must  be strictly pursued
 between the courses.  The cayenne is  a  good substitute
 for the use or abuse of alcoholic drinks; or the spice bit-
 ters or  composition,  while they  satisfy that  artificial
 appetite for alcoholic poisons, are not only harmless but
 are  beneficial, and act in harmony with the laws of life.
                k2 
170                     GOUT.
   Favorable Symptoms.—Youth,  and  good constitution;
the paroxysms being very severe, for the more painful the
exacerbation, the shorter its duration.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—Broken  constitution ;  predis-
position to the disease; the translation to  other and more
important portions of the body, as the brain, lungs, stom-
ach, heart, &c.
   The science of medicine, ats contained  in the standard
authors, is, to speak charitably, a complete tissue of contra-
dictions, so far as treatment is concerned  ; for while  one
asserts that " there  are no medicines yet  known that  will
cure the gout;" and recommends  the application of wool,
 &c, without showing the reasons why the wool is good,
another  says, " Colchicum,  ice, leeches, stinging with
nettles," &c, &c, are the remedies.  All writers agree
that there is great danger of driving it to some other organ,
and conclude accordingly, that very  little  medicine  is
necessary, especially topical  applications, and the best
way is to let nature do its own  work.   Would it not be the
better way in  every form of disease, than  to use remedies
" whieh destroy, rapidly and suddenly, a great proportion
of the vitality of the system."   It is  true,  that so long as
depletive remedies are used,  it is dangerous to employ
local remedies, because they first destroy or weaken farther
the powers of life, and by stimulating or partially strength-
ening the affected part, will drive to the weaker organ.
Not so  with the Botanic remedies; they aid  nature in
keeping the determination to  the surface,  or the internal
heat greater than  the outward ;  consequently there is  no
fear of the disorder being repelled from the surface, to a
more dangerous  part  of the  system.   The  reason why 
PALSY.
171
wool or woollen articles are good in this'complaint is, from
its peculiar oily and warming properties; it imparts both
heat and moisture to the capillaries, thus producing per-
spiration, and affording certain relief to the patient.  It is
passing strange  that,  while  they recognize  an  equal
perspiration in most forms of disease as the first favorable
symptom, they  never prescribe  medicine  calculated  to
produce this state of things; but, on the "contrary, every
thing cold, or cooling,  as if on purpose to  retard or pre-
vent it.
   It is certain that without a  free perspiration,  to throw
off the vast amount of morbid secretions, accumulated  in
consequence of indolence or intemperance, (I mean in both
eating and drinking,) the patient cannot receive a perfect
cure.  With the steam bath and  its concomitants, there is
nothing to fear.
                     PALSY.

  Palsy may be defined  to be, a partial or total  loss of
action or sensation; either local, or extending  over the
whole body.
  Universal paralysis comes on either suddenly or grad-
ually ; if gradually,  it commences  in  both the superior
and  inferior  extremities, and  extends over  the entire
system.  For the most part, sensibility is retained, though
the power of motion is completely lost; the functions of the
brain are generally paralyzed, and the faculties of the mind
overwhelmed  and  lost. When paralvsis attacks one half of
       k3 
172                    TALSY.
the body, (as  is most commonly  the case,)  it is called
hemiplegia, and commonly attacks the left side.  This is
believed to be worse than when the right side is attacked.
The portion of brain  affected in palsy, is  on the opposite
side from that of the  body.   When  it attacks  the  lower
half of the body, it is termed paraplegia.   It  most  com-
monly affects  just one half of the system.   It  sometimes
makes its approaches gradually, but generally comes on
suddenly.
   Symptoms.—-A total loss of voluntary motion, or sensa;
tion, or both, in certain portions of the body, with slow and
soft pulse; universal  torpor; vertigo ; sense  of weight,
and pain in the head ; loss of memory ;  sense of creep-
ing, of numbness, of pricking,  or stinging, and often of
heat, in the parts afterwards  to be paralyzed.
   Causes.—-Whatever tends to  disturb the equilibrium,
or diminish the power of life.  The  following may justly
be said to be exciting causes  of this  complaint : previous
disease,  action, or great  debility;  poisons;  luxurious
living ; intemperance ; debaucheries ; irregular  habits  ;
and mental  labor and  anxiety ', intense  cold, suddenly
applied ; over exertion, and consequent prostration ; injury
of the  nerves  or  obstruction  in  their course;  hereditary
predisposition.
   Paralysis may be distinguished from apoplexy by the
lo~ss of sense and  motion being partial; by the  absence
of stertor j  by the soft aiid  slow pulse.
                 INDICATIONS OF CURE.
  To relieve  urgent  symptoms;  to  equalize the circula-
tion, or remove the congestion from the brain, and sustain
the strength of the patient, 
PALSY
173
   The first object of the physician should  be to relieve
 pressure upon the brain, which will  in  all cases afford
 relief to the patient.   To effect this object, the 3d prepa-
 ration should  be given in tea  spoonful doses,  every hour,
 or, indeed, oftener, if the case is urgent  ; strong rubefa-
 cient liniment, or those which are highly stimulating, (see
 pain killer,) should be  applied to the whole affected part,
 and especially to the  inferior extremities; and  the head
 bathed with a strong decoction of skunk  cabbage root,
 cold.   When  consciousness  returns,   the   treatment
 should be continued, but not  so thoroughly.  The third
 preparation may be  given  in doses  from ten  to thirty
 drops, every  two, three or four hours, as the urgency of
 the  case  requires.   The nervines should  also be given
 freely.  The  following combination I have found  of much
 benefit :
                   Composition,
                  Scullcap,
                  Black Snakeroot,
                  Crawley—aa. c.
   Steeped in a quart of water;  and a wine-glassfull giv-
 en from one to four hours.
   The stomach pills  can be given  in alternate doses with
 the third preparation, if there  should be much pain in the
 head,  redness of the  eyes,.indicating severe pressure on
 the brain.   The liniment must  be used daily  and freely.
 The rheumatic,  volatile, or stimulating  liniments, or the
 pain killer may be used ;  and their use accompanied with
friction, with a flesh-brush or hair-cloth, coarse towel,  &c.
The application of cold bathing in this form of disease  is
highly salutary, when it can be applied, and when accom-
panied by sufficient  rubbing to induce  reaction.  The 
174
PALSY.
vapor bath, too, is of the first importance,  when it can be
given;  and after its application, water and spirits should
be used for  bathing,  almost  quite cold, and  attrition, or
rubbing thoroughly applied.   When the head is relieved,
medicines of a mild tonic nature can be given ; care being
had to stop their use, if any  symptoms ot vertigo appear.
   The following is an excellent formula :
                  Camomile Flowers,
                  Black  Snakeroot,
                  Vir. Snakeroot,
                  Orange Peel,
                  Fennel Seed—aa. oz.
   Of this  compound two  ounces  to a quart of hot water,
six ounces and a gill of spirits.  Give from a table spoon-
ful to half a wine-glassfull   according to circumstances.
The above tea, or that of composition and scullcap, should
be continued, as well as  the bathing.  Injections shotild
be given  daily, and oftener, if the  pain in the head  is
 severe.
                   Green Lobelia,
                   Nerve Powder,
                   Masterwort Seed—aa. x. i.
    Mix.  A tea  spoonful of the mixture  in  two-thirds  of
 a tea cup of catnip tea.
    Favorable  Symptoms.—-Pain and  itching in the affected
 parts; return of speech and motion;  good constitution.
    Unfavorable   Symptoms.—The  paralyzed parts  losing
 both sensation and motion,  and gradually wasting ; con-
 vulsions ;  hard breathing, during  sleep. 
          MERCURIAL  PARALYSIS.


   Physicians  of extensive  practice  will often  find  cases

that have not the  distinctive symptoms of palsy, and yet

are more or less paralyzed in some or all of the extremities,

yet hardly  ever affecting the functions of the brain.  This

 form of disease makes its approaches gradually, commen-

cing in the arms, by a sense of weakness, slight convulsive

twitchings, and extending  to  the lower extremities, and

gradually to the  whole body.*   All movements are per-

formed with great difficulty, and also very imperfectly.

   *lst.  Case. I recollect a case of mercurial paralysis, who had pre-
viously  been treated  with calomel for typhus fever, and had become
sufficiently able to labor.   While at work at hay, he was thoroughly
saturated with rain from a sudden shower.  He  retired that night,
feeling as well as usual, but in the morning awoke with a complete
paralysis  of both upper and  lower  extremities i and although the
vital organs appeared to retain, in a  great measure, their integrity,
and his mental faculties their action, yet he remains in the  above
horrible state, a  victim to the  fashionable mode of administering
poison.   An M. D. in the place told me he had given him nux-vomica
sufficient to kill ten oxen!! and  that, to cure him.  Query ?  How
much of one poison will it take to cure the effects of another ?
   2d. A lady died of this form of disease, a few miles from the city
about six weeks ago, and in the possession of all her mental faculties
to the very last moment of her life.   The paralysis had extended to
her stomach,  heart, (pulse 150,)  and lungs, (breathing 65 per minute)
and, in fact, to every portion other system.  She was  a very inter-
esting lady, and surrounded with friends and circumstances, to make
life pleasant and desirable, (and she did express  a strong desire to
recover,) but this disease knows no remedy or circumstances.  They
must die.
   3d. A young man, now living some twenty miles from this city,
when a  youth, had the canker rash, was treated (abundantly) with
calomel, &c, and after some considerable time, he discovered  a
weakness in the arms, which extended over the whole body, produ-
cing a relaxed state  of the muscles, and dislocation of the joints,
resolving the whole system into  one general mass.  His mind is of
the first order, and retains its  original vigor.  He is one of the best
writers in the state, [W. J. AnndljJc.]  But he is forever incurable.
  4th. A gentleman in New Haven; complete paralysis of the lower 
l?fj
APOPLEXY.
   Enough has been said respecting this complaint to give
its history and description.   Would it  were  possible to
give equally well, a certain mode of cure.  But, alas, for
this wretched invalid, there is no hope but  in the grave  !
The attendant symptoms, such as fever,  derangement of
the functions, can be prescribed for, and that with success;
but the original form of disease is  beyond  the reach of
medicine.   If the sufferer is not weary of life, and wishes
as much as possible to lighten the suffering incident to his
peculiar situation, let him  beware of using more mineral
poisons.  Let him reject all attempts, under the plea of
benefiting  him, to  subject him  to any course of mineral
poisons, for these will  only destroy what is  remaining of
" the vitality  of the system."
                          APOPLEXY.

         Symptoms.—Apoplexy, for the most part,  occurs sud-
       denly, at others, is preceded by various premonitory symp.
       toms, such as giddiness, headache, a  sense of pr^u.eor
       lightness  in the  head,  confusion of ideas, incoherence,
       hemorrhage  from  the nose,  flashes  of light, noises in

       extremities, from the use of calomel as a medicine ;  was rendered
       capable of sedentary labor, (stamp engraving,) by the use of Thom-
       sonian remedies; but after some years, from a want of circulation,
       the extremities became perfectly rotten, while the vitals were in  a
       healthy state, and remained so for days,  the living and the dead
       united.  I called to  see him about a week previous to his death ;
i       when, by making indentations upon any part of the lower extremi-
       ties,  although apparently sound,  corrupted matter would  gush
i       through.  It was in the hot season, and the odor was overwhelming.
       Other cases could be enumerated, but these will suffice. 
APOPLEXY.
177
tho car,  loss of  memory, drowsiness,  numbness  of the
extremities, pallor, nausea, vomiting, and fainting.   These
symptoms are succeeded by abolition of all the powers of
sense and motion, accompanied  with  noisy  or stentorious
breathing, difficulty of swallowing, flushed and often livid
countenance, prominence  of the eye, dilated pupil, foam-
ing at the mouth, grinding of the  teeth,  the pulse strong
and full.  It terminates in palsy, or, by vomiting and sweat-
ing, the patierit recovers.
   Those most liable to an attack of apoplexy, or the causes
which predispose to this complaint, are, the age between
fifty and  sixty,  plethora, short neck and  large head ; other
symptoms are, indulgence in appetite, suppression of the
usual evacuations, intense  study,  sedentary life, the me-
tastasis or  translation  of rheumatism or gout.
   The exciting causes are, the sudden application of cold
to the  body, violent passions  of the mind, intense  exer-
cise, derangement of the stomach or intestinal canal, vene-
real excesses, overloading the stomach, opium, alcoholic
and fermented liquors.
   There can be no doubt that the proximate cause consists
in an unusual quantity of blood being thrown  upon the
brain'irom some of the exciting causes.   If this be true,
the first indication of cure must be to relieve the congested
vessels ;  and the secopd, to prevent the recurrence of the fit.
   The  object, then, should be, to equalize the circulation
and remove  the  pressure or determination to the brain.
The third preparation  should be given as speedily as pos-
sible, and if the  patient is  incapable of swallowing, the
third preparation, or a heaping tea spoonful of the brown
lobelia should be given by injection, the feet put in hot 
178
APOPLEXY.
water and spirit, and cold water applied to the head, strong
drafts of mustard or horse radish should be applied to the
feet after their immersion in hot water.   As soon as it can
be done, the vapor bath should be applied, with much fric-
tion and rubbing of ihe extremities ; bathing with the stim-
ulating liniments, or pepper and vinegar, or pepper sauce.
The patient should be kept in a position which would  have
a tendency to prevent a determination  to the brain.  As
soon as the patient can conveniently swallow without much
difficulty, a  diaphoretic and  stimulating tea  should  be
given, to keep up  a mild perspiration ;  and  cold applica-
tions, such as skunk cabbage tea, spirit and water, &c,
should  be applied to the head,  and the third preparation,
in small doses, say from ten to thirty drops,  every two or
three hours.  Should fever supervene,  it  must be treated
as any case of continued fever, being careful to support
the living principle.  After the termination of the fit, gen-
eral treatment should  be resorted to, to prevent a recur-
rence.
   The common courses of medicine, with an intermediate
tonic and stimulating plan, will  free the system of morbid
secretions, and produce healthy action.
   Favorable Symptoms.—-The senses little  impaired, the
 functions of respiration not  much affected, or no stento-
 rious breathing, discharge from the nose,  mild  diarrhea.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—The fit protracted  beyond the
 third day, the pulse becoming quick and wiry, much  fever,
 redness of the eyes, drooling from the mouth, difficulty of
 swallowing increased, extremities, cold sweats. 
   EPILEPSY—FALLING  SICKNESS;

  Symptoms.—This form of disease consists in a sudden
loss of sense and motion, with  violent twitching and con;
vulsions of the whole system.   If the patient be standing,
he immediately  falls to the ground with a peculiar cry.
During the continuance of the fit, the whole body is thrown
into strong convulsions, and spasms of the muscles of the
face and eyes, producing various shapes and distortions of
countenance ; foaming at  the  mouth, Contraction  of the
jaws, protrusion of the tongue, which is  frequently bitten.
The fit, generally, is  of short continuance, and after the
cessatton  of the convulsions,  the  patient continues in a
state of insensibility for* a short time, and recovers gradu-
ally, experiencing great languor and  debility, and has nO
recollection of what has taken place.  The eyes'appear,
on recovery, very  red  and swollen, which shows  conclu-
sively, that whatever the remote or exciting cause may bej
the proximate cause is upon the brain.
   It is more commonlamong children than adults, and the
male sex is thought to be more subject to  it than the female.
   Epilepsy may be distinguished from convulsions, by its
 terminating in  insensibility ;  from apoplexy, by  the vio-
 lent convulsive  or spasmodic motions of the body ; from
 hysteria, by absence  of the usual  symptoms of laughingj
 crying, &c,  present in hysteria.
   Prospect  of Cure—Favorable.—When the disease is
 sympathetic,  occurring before the age of puberty,  or from
 functional derangement.   In females, arising from uterine
 difficulties. 
160
EPILEPSY.
   Unfavorable.—The  fits commencing  after puberty ;
hereditary predisposition, or  from their  frequent  occur-
rence, having injured the senses, &c.
   Causes.—Exciting mechanical or mental stimuli, espe-
cially  the  effects  of joy or grief; sudden  fright; indul-
gence in  violent fits  of passion ;  worms;  dentition ;
excessive discharges ;  tumors affecting the brain ;  sup-
pression of the usual discharges.
   Treatment.—1 st. To break the fit, or abate  its violence.
2d. To change the action of the system so as to prevent
their recurrence.
   It will be necessary to give  the third preparation imme-
diately, in doses sufficient to relieve  spasmodic  action, and
destroy the arrangement, at least for the present.   If there
be a continual spasmodic action of the jaw, a piece of wood
should be inserted between the  teeth,  and third prepara-
tion poured into the mouth from a tea spoon, and the neck
or throat rubbed downward, which will  carry the medicine
to the  glands.   As  soon  as  relief has been obtained, the
patient  should be subjected to a full course of medicine,
and often repeated, and the best stimulants and tonics given
between,  especially, if the fits are  sympathetic, or from
occasional causes, or if the patient is young.   By repeat-
ing the full courses you change the action completely ; the
first symptom of which will be  a change  in  the time of
recurrence.
  If worms are indicated, the following will afford speedy
relief:
                  Wormseed,
                  Sweet Fern,
                  Tulip Tree Bark.
                  Indian Hemp—aa. 
CATALEPSY.
181
  Made fine, and a tea spoonful to a child three years old,
given in  water, sweetened, on an empty stomach, twice a
day.
  A syrup of the twigs of butternut  may be given, as a
gentle cathartic.  If the complaint proceed from teething,
the bowels should be kept free and the  gums scarified, to
remove all  cause  of irritation.  If from  acidity of the
stomach, alkalies should be administered, or the following :
a table  spoonful of vinegar  in a gill  of water;  give  a
table spoonful three or four times a day.
  When the approach of the fit is known, a strong dose of
third preparation will instantly remove  the predisposition,
and  prevent an attack.
  When  the epilepsy is  idiopathic,  or hereditary,  the
patient must-avoid all the  occasional or exciting causes;
be regular in his habits ; avoid all excesses ;  make use of
light, wholesome diet.
                 CATALEPSY.

  Catalepsy  is of rare occurrence.  From its  symptoms
is nearly allied to the foregoing forms of disease.  Its  dis-
tinguishing  symptoms are, complete immobility of  the
muscular-system, yet retaining all sense of what is pass-
ing  around.   With perfect consciousness and volition,
the patient has no power to obey the will.
  Cause.—Suppressed catamenia, is the principal.
   Females  are more liable to its attacks than males.  I
have known  children engaged in play, attacked with cata- 
1S2
HYSTERICS.
lepsy,  drop their  play  things  for  a moment, and then
resume them,  as  if nothing  had  occurred.   In these
cases, worms, or a derangement of the  functions of the
intestinal canal, are, in all probability, the exciting causes ;
but the first named  is  the great proximate  cause, i. e.,
obstructions of the functions of the uterus^   A  dose of
third preparation will immediately break up the fit, when
other medication will be necessary to restore the action of
the diseased organ, or  remove  the cause.   This will be
treated of under its appropriate head.
                 HYSTERICS.

  Predisposing Cause of Hysteria.—The persons most
liable to this disease are, females from the time of puberty
to the age of thirty-five years; unmarried women and young
widows; chiefly those of a sanguine temperament; of a
relaxed  habit; of  great  sensibility, and  of an  irritable
fibre, more especially after profuse evacuations ; the indo-
lent, and those who are exhausted by previous disease or
intemperance, and  those  in whom the uterine discharges
are suppressed or obstructed.
  Symptoms.—The distinguishing symptoms are, 1st., an
acute pain in the side and abdomen, with a  sense of full-
ness and rumbling  in the belly, followed the globus hysteri-
cus, or hysteria ball ascending to the stomach  and throat,
with  a sense of suffocation ;  stupor, insensibility, convul-
sions, laughing and  crying without visible  caues.  The
attendant symptoms  are,  great  sensibility and irritability 
HYSTERICS.
183
of mind ; spirits elated, depressed or variable, independent
of any visible occasion, with a disposition either to laugh
or cry, from the most trifling cause ;  ridiculous fancies ;
frequent, sudden  and profuse discharge of limpid urine,
especially previous to the paroxysm; the body is tossed to
and fro;  wild and  incoherent expressions  are uttered;
sometimes raving and screaming, even delirium prevails,
and a frothy saliva is discharged from the mouth.   The
spasms  at length abate,  belching of flatus or wind is
experienced, and the patient recovers the exercise of sense
and  motion, without, however, retaining  other than a
vague recollection of what has transpired.

                 indications of cure.
   1st. To remove the spasmodic action, thereby relieving
the most urgent symptoms.
   2d.  To remove the cause of hysteria during the inter-
missions of the paroxysms.
   To answer the first intention, lobelia is the best remedy
that can be used,  and the third preparation is the best form
to administer it, because the patient can more readily be
made to swallow  it.   A tea spoonful should be given and
repeated,  until the system is completely relaxed and the
patient  relieved.   If much  difficulty  is  experienced in
giving it, from the  rigidity of  trie muscles of the jaws, a
tea spoonful of the  pulverized  seed may be administered
by injection, which  will afford almost  momentary relief.
The  succeeding symptoms, or those  occurring during the
intervals of  the paroxysms, are  severe  pain in the head,
called clavus hystericus ; vomiting, cough, colic, diarrhea,
strangury, pains in the region of the kidneys, swelling of 
181
HYSTERICS.
 the ancles, chiefly in the morning, without pitting ; or after
 exercise with pitting; pains in the teeth ; flatulence;  las-
 situde and palpitations.
   It will be  necessary to observe the symptoms, as  they
 indicate  the peculiar nature of the obstructions,  which
 must be removed  to effect a cure.   In most of the cases,
 a change of  life by marriage, effects a perfect cure.
   To fulfill the second indication, the following rules  must
 be observed:
   1st.  The  system must be  thoroughly cleansed, and all
 causes  of irritation removed.
   2d. The menstrual discharge must be restored.
   3d. The system restored by tonics and stimulants.
   4th.  Exercise on horseback should be enjoined.
  5th.  Early rising should be practiced.
  6th.  The cold bath should be given as often  as twice a
 week.
  7th.  If partial spasms occur, they may be relieved by
 the foot bath, or the hip or vapor bath, and small doses of
 the anti-spasmodic  tincture or 3d preparation.
  Courses of medicine  are  necessary to excite healthy
 action, and remove morbid matter from the system.
  The hip bath is not surpassed as a remedy for restoring
suppressed menstruation.   A decoction of the black cohush
 is an excellent article for the same purpose :
                  Black Cohush, c. i.
                   Water,       o. ii.
  Steep in a  covered vessel,  sweeten, and  take a wine-
glassfull hot,  three times  a day.
                Tine. Myrrh,  oz.  ii.
                Tine. Guaic,  oz.  ii. 
HYSTERICS.
185
   Mix, and give two tea spoonsful, three times a day.
   This is  an excellent remedy in uterine  debility and
suppression.   These, withcoursesof medicine, will hardly
fail to  effect  a" speedy cure.   The  tonics which  are  in
common use among the Thomsonians may be given;  but
one  of the best preparations, is the " woman's friend,"
(see preparation.)   It warms and strengthens  the  organs
implicated in  this complaint, better than any  other I have
ever used.  -
                  Unicorn,
                  Peach Meats,
                  Bethroot—aa. oz. ss.
   Mix.  Add pint  of water, six ounces  loaf sugar and a
pint  of brandy.   Dose—two-thirds of  a wine-glassfull
three times a day.  This remedy is  excellent in profuse
or too frequent menstruation, caused by uterine debility.
                  Camomile,
                  Orange  Peel,
                  Snakeroot,
                  Fennel Seed,'
                  Poplar Bark—aa. oz. i.
                  Qayenne—oz. ss.
   Mix—one ounce to a pint of water and half pint brandy.
Dose,  wine-glassfull before breakfast and dinner.  Dur-
ing the Use of tonics, the nervines, either nerve powder or
scullcap,  should be freely used, with  the  composition
powders.
   A Case.   I was called to see a  young lady  about 14
years of age,  " who had been in a fit,"   as the messenger
informed me, for three  days ;  during which time she had
been regularly attended by a doctor, near by, who honestly
declared  he  did not know what  the  matter was,  but
              L 
186
ST. VITUS' DANCE.
ascribed it to one of three causes.  He prescribed for  all
these causes, being sure to hit the right one. On my arrival,
I ordered an injection, which relieved the patient immedi-
ately from the spasm.  I then gave tonioa and stimulants,
which for the first time produced a flow of the catamenia,
when she  perfectly recovered.
             ST.  VITUS'  DANCE.

   The symptoms are, convulsive twitchings or motions of
 the head, arms and  legs.  It gives to the patient a  ludi-
 crous appearance.   The gesticulations  of dancing are
 often present ;  sometimes it is a mere shaking of the  head
 and limbs.
   The causes  of  Chorea  or St. Vitus' Dance, may be
 said to be, weak constitution, produced by confinement;
 by scanty or bad food;  by exposure to cold and  wet.
   It attacks youth of both sexes, between  the  ages often
 and  fifteen.  Cases occurring after the latter  period, are
 rarely known.  The occasional causes of debility, found in
 St. Vitus' Dance, may be traced to worms, teething, large
 accumulations of cold, tough phlegm and-mineral poisons,
 given as medicines.   The disease, as developed, exercises
 great influence  upon the mind,  or  the mental  faculties,
 prostrating their energies.  In fact,  I have known  chil-
 dren reduced almost to idiocy.
   Cure.—The system must be thoroughly cleansed, and
 healthy action induced, by one or more courses of medi-
cine, continuing the 3d  preparation in small  or broken
doses, from ten to twenty drops, in from two to six hours. 
LOCKED JAW.
187
  The debilitated parts must be bathed thoroughly with
liniment, and the best tonics and stimulants  given to sus-
tain the system.  The application of cold water  bath  in
this complaint,  if properly administered, is of the utmost
importance.
                LOCKED  JAW.

   A spasmodic rigidity of the muscles, of almost the whole
system.
   Symptoms.—Stiffness about the  back part of the neck,
with general debility, so that the  patient cannot turn his
head without turning the whole body.  There is a painful
contraction  or spasm just  under the lower edge of the
sternum, (breast bone,)  referred to the  back, and up the
spinal  column, to the neck and to the jaws.   Swallowing
becomes difficult and painful, and  any attempts of the
kind occasions a return of the spasm, which extends along
the spine to the extremities ; pulse hard ; constipation.
   The spasms  under the sternum  returns every ten or
fifteen  minutes, until the organ of voluntary motion  par-
takes of the disease.  Pulse  at this stage variable, but
always hard.   Countenance  pale  at intervals, but gen-
erally  flushed,  and marked with peculiar expressions of
horror and distress ; rigidity becomes permanent; attempts
to drink, move, or speak,  produce spasms.   As the disor-
der progresses the spasms are more violent,  returning
oftener, and continuing longer; universal  rigidity ; the
head and feet being drawn powerfully toward  each other,
         t2 
lW                 LOCKED JAW.
the spine forming an arch ;  during the spasm the pulse is
accelerated;  during the intervals small  and irregular ;
great heat; profuse sweat; at times  agonizing sense of
suffocation ; sometimes delirium.  A general convulsion
closes the scene.
  Duration.—From four to twelve days.  Many die in
less time, and in some  it is extended  for a much longer
period.
  Causes.—There is no doubt that in hot climates  this
disease may be produced by various causes, and, indeed,
it may be the case in cold or temperate latitudes.  But the
most common cause arises  from injury to nerves or  tcnr
dons, by  puncture  or laceration.  Indeed,  I have  never
seen a case of this complaint produced  by any other cause.
The other causes  are  the  same  that prove the fruitful
source of most other forms of disease : exposure to cold
and wet,  excessive  heat, irritating substances in the stom-
ach, or alimentary  canal, suppression of habitual dischar-
ges, &c.
  Termination—Generally unfavorable.
  I have had three cases only under my care, all of which
were cured.   One other case,  in  Branford, was attended
by a regular physician for  four days.   On my first visit,
I found him  with  spasms every  ten minutes;  complete
rigidity of the whole muscular system, uttering piercing
groans :  incapacitated from either eating or drinking.  I
immediately administered an  injection of lobelia, which
completely relaxed the whole  system, and vomited  him
thoroughly.   During the operation of the emetic, he drank
over two  gallons  of water.  I continued to attend him for
three days, during which  time he never had  a spasm. 
                     LOCKED JAW.                  189

My student, Dr. J. D. Friend, or myself, was in constant
attendance.   On my leaving one evening for New Haven,
(seven miles,) and before Dr. Friend arrived,  a neighbor
had procured the attendance of Dr. I.  from New Haven,
who was just on the  point of administering a tea spoonful
of calomel, with a large  quantity of opium.   In a few
minutes after swallowing the dose,  he went into a spasm,
which lasted about four hours, when the patient died.  He
would, no doubt, have recovered under the Botanic  treat-
ment.
   Treatment.—The treatment  I have  given in this form
of disease, has been one of complete relaxation  ; sufficient
lobelia administered  by injection, to produce and continue
a state of prostration, care being had to sustain the strength
of the patient.   This may be done by  nourishment and
stimulants.   The anti-spasmodic drops,  or 3d preparation,
may be given in quantities sufficient to produce the  relax-
ing effect, but if the spasm should return, the brown lobelia
must be given effectually.
   There is no  time  for hesitancy here.   The first  case I
ever saw I doubted the propriety of giving lobelia in suffi-
cient quantity to vomit, fearing that the muscles of the jaw
would not relax sufficiently to permit the patient to vomit;
but it was in the younger days of my practice, since  which
I  have learned lobelia better.  I, however, administered it,
and, to my great joy, with complete success.  I considered
it a triumph,  as  the  case had been pronounced a hopeless
one by two of the most celebrated physicians in the state.
I  must say, much as I esteemed that powerful plant before,
I  have loved it better since.   It has never  failed me  when
there has been any thing like a fair prospect.   In tetanus
         l3 
1SJ0                 HYDROPHOBIA.

it must be given efficiently, no matter how much it may
require.   Nervines must be  administered  in copious
draughts, during  the  whole  progress  of the  disease.
Stimulants must be given  freely, in connection with  ner-
vines.   The wound must  be attended to in the outset,  to
induce a discharge.  For this purpose I have  used the
garget root, pulverized, and mixed with lobelia and yellow
pond lilly.   I have likewise  used the iris-versicolor or
blue flag,  for the  same  purpose.  I have,  for another
application, used the sediment of No. 6, with lobelia added,
and kept wet with  the drops.   The last I have  found  to
produce a good effect.
  The tetanus, when caused  by wounds, lacerations, or
punctures, will ever be the most difficult to cure.
                HYDROPHOBIA.

  The characteristic symptom of hydrophobia is a dread of
water, as  producing painful  convulsions  of the throat.
The  ordinary  symptoms which  occur after a longer or
shorter  period  from the  bite of  the  rabid animal are,
anxiety, languor, spasms, disturbed sleep, difficult respi-
ration, convulsions of the whole body, the muscles of the
face are  hideously distorted,  the eyes red and  protruded,
the tongue swollen and  thrust out of the  mouth, flowing
of saliva, great pain in  the  throat  and stomach, there is
great thirst, and the sight or the  noise of  water  falling
causes great difficulty of swallowing and horrid convulsions,
bilious vomitings.   These symptoms are continued and
aggravated until death closes  the seen0 
HYDROPHOBIA.
191
   Termination—Unfavorable.
   Treatment.—Recent accounts  from Paris state  that
 complete success  has attended the thorough appplication
 of the steam bath.  In a number of cases the vapor bath
 was continued until the system  was thoroughly prostrated
 by the relaxing  effects of the  bath.   From the symptoms
 attending this form  of  disease, whatever  will effect  a
 complete relaxation of the  system and prevent spasm, are
 indicated in.  the  treatment of hydrophobia.   The vapor
 bath and the anti-spasmodic  drops, are the best remedies
 for  this  complaint;  and the  nervines  should be freely
 used.   The Scutellaria, or  scullcap, is said to be a specific
 in this disease, but I have no confidence at ail in its power,
 aside from the vapor bath and lobelia; with them,  it may
 be employed with advantage. The Indian hemp is another
•article which was  used in Europe for a considerable time,
 and  relied upon as an infallible remedy in  hydrophobia,
 and  in tetanus, likewise ; but  it has  been proved  to be a
 worthless article, comparatively speaking, when unaided
 by other medicines of greater relaxing or anti-spasmodic
 power.   In  tetanus, caused by worms, the  Indian hemp
 would undoubtedly be a  remedy of great service, but in
 an urgent case, and  one where spasms are the predomi-
 nent symptom, it  can be of but little  importance.  In all
 cases where  the  thorough application of the  vapor bath
 and lobelia, -in any form, is administered, the  strength of
the patient must be  sustained.  This must be  done  by
stimulants and nourishing diet.
  It  has  always been my practice  to keep the pulse as
full as I could, consistently  ; or, as the disease gives way
and an equalization takes place, to  sustain the patient and 
192
HYDROPHOBIA.
to support, as much as possible, the powers  of life, espe-
cially  if the disease be of the most acute  form, and the
termination sudden and  unfavorable,  as is  the case in
hydrophobia.   It  will be necessary  while the relaxing
course  is being thoroughly applied, that care be had to
support the living power.  There is no doubt  that lobelia
is the best  antidote for poison as yet  known,  and if it is
applied to  the wound immediately after being bitten, it
will completely neutralize the slaver or virus communica-
ted to it by the animal.   The same given in such quanti-
ties as will subject the whole system to  its effect, and this
long continued, and the  vapor bath perseveringly admin-
istered, and at the same time,  the living principle  sup-
ported,  this disease may be found to be curable, as well as
others.  When the distinguishing symptom  first  appears,
the wound  should be opened afresh, if it has already healed,
and lobelia and slippery elm, wet with  third preparation,
applied.
    It will be needless  to repeat  here what has  already
been urged, to apply the general principles of  our system
of practice, thoroughly  and  perseveringly, i. e., 1st, To
produce a complete equalization of the circulation;  2d,
To  restore and maintain capillary  action, and  3d, To
support the vital power.   In  addition  to this  treatment,
to  neutralize or destroy, by local application,  the active
principle of the virus, upon which this disease  depends. 
MANIA,  OR  DELIRIUM.
   Causes—Whatever tends  to  derange the system and
 produce debility, may be said to be exciting or predispo-
 sing causes of mania.  On  a body thus  previously weak-
 ened by disease, all causes which operate powerfully on
 the mind, have a tendency  to induce this  awful disease.
 It is often believed, and  the poor unfortunate treated, as
 though it was a retributive  visitation of  God, and nothing
 could be  done for his relief.  This, in a large majority of
 cases, is a mistake, for if the cause be removed, or cease
 to operate, the effect  also will  disappear.   Violent  and
 long  continued mental exertion debilitate the body before
 the mind  is morbidly  affected.  The same may be said of
 intemperance, whether of eating or drinking; the use of
 opiUm, or other narcotics, or of  masturbation, which is a
 more fruitful source or cause of mania than  any other, if,
 perhaps, we except that of intemperate drinking.
   I shall be censured, perhaps, for alluding to a subject of
 this kind in a work  designed for the use of families ;  but
 it is for this  very purpose that I allude  to it here.   The
 effects of this pernicious practice  have not been fully
 known, or if they have, they have not been treated upon
 by medical  men as they should have been.  It is not my
 purpose to treat largely upon this subject in this work, but
 if life and health are  spared, I  design,  in a work upon
 Obstetrics, to  lay the  subject open  to the public, and to
expose the baneful effects of this vicious  practice ;  suffice
it for our purpose here to say, that we know  many  cases,
of both sexes, who are  incurably insane from this cause 
194              mania, or  delirium.
alone.   Mania,  from masturbation, is  among the most
unfavorable for medication.
  The  system thus being weakened  by  the  above, or
other causes, the mind  loses its elasticity, and instead of
bending, breaks, before every calamity of any magnitude.
Extreme of joy or grief, often terminate in  passive melan-
choly  or  furious  delirium.   Anxiety, fear,   domestic
trouble, or anger, on  a previously diseased organization,
have the same effect.   Fevers  treated upon the anti-phlo-
gistic plan, often produce  melancholy and  incurable deli-
rium.   It is, then, highly important that all the predisposing
or exciting causes should  be carefully investigated, as
upon this knowledge will  depend,  in a great measure, the
success of medication.    Persons  of sanguine  tempera-
ment are  more liable than others  to mania.  Those who
are subject to intervals of  reason, are called lunatics.
  In the forming  stage  of delirium  we  may  discover,
redness of the eyes, indicating great determination to  the
brain;  headache, unusual quickness of the sense of hear-
ing,  ringing in  the ears,  wakefulness,  great irritability,
manifested by  unmeaning laughter or unprovoked anger.
We' have reason to  apprehend its approach  when we
discover a suspicious  temper, unusual pride and haughti-
ness, strong self-will, impatience under contradiction, with
capricious likes  and dislikes.  During  the paroxysms of
delirium, the  force of the muscular functions are  super-
naturally increased, so as to  require a number of men to
control their actions or prevent violence, yet the vital func-
tions, as appears  by the pulse, are little deranged.
  Maniacs, will,  for a  long time,  bear  exposure to cold,
wakefulness  and hunger, with but  little   or no  incon- 
MANIA, OR  DELIRIUM.
195
 venience.   They seem to bear  the most  hatred to those
 who were previously their peculiar objects of attachment
 and affection.  They will often refuse food  for  a long
 time, from  fear of its being  poisoned.  No  matter how
 modest dr  moral, pure or  pious  may have  been  their
 previous character, they often indulge in the most obscene
 and impious language.   When they  are planning mis-
 chief or brutal designs, they conceal their  real object with
 superior artifice; during ihe  whole  time they are perfectly
 conscious of their  own  acts,  and understand every thing
 transpiring around them, of which they retain a recollection.

                 INDICATIONS OF CURE.
   1st. To restore a perfect equilibrium in  the  circulation,
 thereby removing the determination to  the brain, and the
 preternatural excitement of that organ.
   2d.  To understand the cause of the previously diseased
 state of the system, and  the cause of the determination to
 the brain.
   3d.  To support and strengthen the whole organization.
   Were I  to reduce the whole treatment of mania to a
 few simple rules, 1 would direct: 1st, uniform kindness;
 2d, perfect quiet; 3d, a wholesome and  nutricious diet;
 and 4th, the application  of the cold shower or dash, with
 friction to produce reaction.
   In the treatment of maniacs, the first object is to gain
 the confidence  of the patient.  Without this, it will be of
 little use to attempt a cure.   This is effected by kind and
 gentle treatment; brute  force should be rarely or  never
 resorted to, and when coercion is  necessary,  it must  be
accompanied by kindness and humanity.    For, let  it, be 
196
MANIA, OR  DELIRIUM.
 remembered, that maniacs  know  every thing that passes
 around them.   The3r will turn from, or obey the kind yet
 firm look or word of the keeper, and  will-meet with cor-
 responding force or cunning, his brutality and artifice.   In
 the second place, the patient's mind should  be  diverted
 from those subjects to which it is most apt to recur.  Any
 kind  of amusement  or  occupation, which is light, and
 requires but little thought, is far better  than constant idle.
 ness, where the morbid mind is constantly feeding  upon
 and brooding over those subjects  which  have caused its
 unhappy condition, and of which it retains the most vivid
 recollection.   For, remember, the maniac can recollect, act,
 love, hate, fear, obey, and reason too, and is susceptible
 (though he  may not manifest it,) to obey  the law of kind-
 ness and  oppose brute  force with  obstinacy, artifice, or
 brutal rage.
   The vapor bath and the emetics are necessary to restore
 a perfect equilibrium to  the system, or, if the cold bath
 can be applied  under advantageous circumstances, accom-
 panied by friction, it will produce the same effect.   But to
 fulfill the second indication, in order  to  remove  morbid
 secretions from the system and  induce healthy action, one
 or more  full courses of medicine must  be administered,
 and by the operation of  the emetic, the pressure upon the
 brain may be effected as fully as by the vapor or cold bath,
 at least they ought to be  used adjunctively.  After the
 pressure is  relieved, the cold bath, as a tonic,  ought to be
 continued, to effect the third indication, in connection with
 mild tonics  and  stimulants.   The  head should  be kept
cool and the feet warm.
  For a mild tonic, the  ginseng bitters, or the following
 formula, may be used : 
MELANCHOLY.
197
                   Orange Peel,
                   Camomile,
                   Fennel Seed,
                   Snakeroot—aa. oz. i.
                   Aloes,          x. ii.
   One ounce of the compound to a pint of water and two
ounces of sugar.   Dose—a table  spoonful  three times a
day.  It will  be  necessary to exhibit local  remedies, to
remove  occasional causes  of   insanity,  which  will  be
indicated in the history of each particular case.  Nervines
should be administered freely in  this form of disease.
   Favorable Symptoms.—The   disease originating  from
some temporary cause, such as occasional  excitement of
spirituous liquors ; suppression of  usual evacuations ; par-
ticular period of life, &c,  and the appearance of eruptions
on  the  surface; suppressed evacuations  restored;  any
acute form of disease supervening.
   Unfavorable  Symptoms.—Hereditary  predisposition ;
causes continuing to operate from masturbation, &c.
   Idiotism  is  not  a form of disease, but  an imperfect
organization of the brain.
                MELANCHOLY.

  The predisposing causes of melancholy, are, for the most
part, the same as in mania.   It depends upon, or is induced
by, a previously weakened condition  of the body, and is
never to  be met with when the system is in  a healthy
state.  All  functional or  organic  derangements  of the
liver or biliary organs, produce melancholy;  but  I have 
198
MELANCHOLY.
found no one cause as common as masturbation.   It may
be known by a peculiar  absence of mind in  the patient, a
disposition for solitude, and harrassing fear respecting his
pecuniary  affairs,  pursuing a  peculiar  train of thought
relating to himself, and finally by attempts to destroy him-
self.   The termination of melancholy is often  insanity;
unless the  causes  are  removed by the same course  of
treatment as in mania.  I have cured  melancholy by the
cold shower bath alone,  thus equalizing the excitement and
removing  the pressure  upon  the brain.  The occasional
causes must be removed by courses, tonics and stimulants,
given to restore action \ to the  system.   The bowels  will
generally be in a constipated state, arising from a morbid
condition of the liver, which must be relieved, temporarily,
by injections, until a healthy action can be restored  to the
functions of the liver.   The mind should be kept cheerful
as possible, and busily engaged in some light employment.
  The physician will hardly  need be  reminded, that  in
this  case, pre-eminently, the patient must be dealt with
candidly, and  with  perfect  truthfulness,  for,  unless the
physician enjoys his perfect  confidence, the medication
will be of little benefit.   A long  continued  use of worm-
wood,  in  decoction, with pepper sauce  added, will be an
excellent remedy to restore action to the liver, after equali-
zation has been effected  by courses.   Dandelion, in  sub-
stance, or decoction of wild cherry bark, or the bitterroot,
in small  doses of one-third  of a tea spoonful every night,
will be found  serviceable.    But  general treatment must
be given first, and then the local causes must be attended to. 
HYPOCHONDRIA.
   This form of disease is generally, if not always, symp-
tomatic, and the cause will be found in a deranged state of
the biliary organs.   Hence the treatment given in chronic
inflammation of the liver, will be necessary in this com-
plaint.
   The symptoms  are the same, almost, as characterize a
morbid state  of the  liver, such as dyspepsia,  pain in the
side, debility,  languor,  listlessness, aversion  to  labor or
locomotion, a constant state of apprehension, scepticism in
the use of-remedies, fear of impending evil  and  death.
These opinions and feelings  he  entertains and   defends
with the greatest tenacity.  Rigid treatment is necessary.
Stimulants should be administered for a day or two, or
                Bayberry,     oz. i.
                Spice Bitters, oz. ii.
                Cayenne,     oz. ss.
   Mix, and give every  two hours.   After twenty-four or
forty-eight hours, a full course should be given, the last
bath accompanied by the cold dash, and friction thoroughly
applied.   Injections should be given  twice a day,  morning
and night.  After  the course, the same powders should be
continued, and  the hypochrondriac  region  bathed with
stimulants that will excite action upon, or irritate the sur-
facs.   The injections may be composed of
                   Bayberry,
                   Cayenne,
                   Lobelia—aa.
   A tea spoonful of the  mixture for each administration. 
200
DELIRIUM TREMENS.
After  the  stomach  and   alimentary  canal  have been
thoroughly cleansed, and the elasticity of the  capillaries
restored, the  spice bitters, &c, should be continued, in-
jections used at a certain hour of the day—morning is the
best time.  The  wormwood  and pepper  sauce  may  be
substituted for the bitter powders, or  a syrup of the fol-
lowing may be taken:
                  Dandelion,
                  Black Snakeroot,
                  Sweet Appletree Bark,
                  Barberry,
                  Indian Hemp,
                  Camomile Flowers,
                  Fennel Seed,
   Of each a handful.   Steep in a gallon of water to two
quarts  ; strain, and add a  pint of melasses, pint of gin,
and a  heaping tea spoonful of cayenne.   Dose—a wine
glassfull four times  a day.  Nervines are indicated  in
hypochondria, and should be used  freely.
   Termination—Favorable.   With the above course  of
treatment, a radical cure will be effected.
          DELIRIUM  TREMENS.

  The distinguishing symptom in  this complaint, is the
total want of sleep.
  Cause.—The habitual  abuse of intoxicating liquors;
the use  of opium, and other roisonous narcotics of the
same class. 
DELIRIUM  TREMENS.              201
   Symptoms.—Wakefulness ; delirium, during which the
patient is conscious; shaking or trembling of the lips, hands
and muscles generally, manifested more particularly, in at-
tempting to drink or to move ;  the patient is continually
talking, fearing some great evil has befallen him, suspicious
of those around him; fancies that sheriffs, ordevils are pur-
suing  him, from which he  wishes to escape ;   peeping
under  the bedclothes, or under the bed ; double vision ;
universal tremor ;   subsultus  tendinum ; death.   The
pulse is small  and rapid ; the surface cold and clammy.
   Treatment.—I have had a  great  number of cases of
delirium tremens, and as yet I have  not lost one.  My
practice has been to give stimulants of the diffusive kind,
but do  not give any spirit, unless there be extreme  debil-
ity. I have given the stomach pill sufficient to induce nau-
sea, with a decoction of composition and nerve powder ;  a
wine-glassfull  every hour. The cholera syrup, a wine-glass-
full four or five times a  day, or oftener, if very weak.  An
injection should be given two or three times a day, of
                   Nerve Powder,
                   Green Lobelia,
                   Composition—aa.
   A tea spoonful in a half tea-cup of warm water, from
four to six hours.   I have administered the cholera syrup
in  doses of half pint,  when the debility was great,  and
the patient fast sinking.  This form of disease, like all
others of the same class, shows, on dissection, a determi-
nation  to the  brain.  Whatever tends  to  diminish  that
pressure, or to distribute equally the  circulating fluid,  is
indicated.   Thorough  courses I have never tried, having
been able to remove the  disease without.  I have never
failed  to induce sleep in less than  thirty six hours, and that, 
202        DISEASE OF THE SPINAL COLUMN.
too, without the use of opium, in any form, or any other
narcotic.   Relieve the pressure upon the brain, and equal-
ize the  circulation, and the  patient will sleep, and that
calmly  and undisturbed.
   It is evident that there is debility from a  lack of the
usual supply of stimula ;  consequently this lack must be
supplied, while other medicine is administered.   By bleed-
ing, calomel, and opium, the debility is increased,  and the
principle of life destroyed.  It is certain that  this disease
is much more prevalent than formerly, owing to the  base
practice of manufacturing good or  pure spirit into a spu-
rious kind, and  using poison to give the appearance of
being of usual  strength.   In fact, the  manufacturers  of
ardent spirit are no better than murderers.  But the best
practice is, to entirely repudiate  the  practice of using
alcoholic liquors,  which,  in a state of health,  are never
necessary.   But  the  writers  of the old school attribute
delirium  tremens to  the use  of narcotic poisons,  and
depend upon them to cure.
DISEASE  OF THE  SPINAL COLUMN.

  I have encountered this form of disease in the course of
my practice often, and have found but little respecting it in
any authors to which I  have had access, and  no one of
the Botanic writers, to my knowledge, have alluded to it.
What I have to say concerning this, will  be from my own 
             DISEASE OF THE SPINAL COLUMN.        203

 experience.   In the treatment of spinal affections, I have
 been successful where there were  fair prospects.  Spinal
 affection embrace many forms of disease, but are more
 or less connected with each  other.
   The spine is liable  to the same  affections as the brain.
 There is inflammation of the spinal cord, also of the mem-
 branes ; likewise irritation and curvature of the spine.
   Symptoms.—Pain  in the affected part, and  when the
 location is in the dorsal portion of the spine ;  the  pain is
 referred directly forward, and is often more severe than at
 of portions  of the  system,  according to the location of
 the disease ;  pain and stiffness of the neck ;  pain over the
 the part affected.   Paralysis, both of sensation and motion,
 eyes ;  the eyes tender or sore to the touch ;  difficult vis-
 ion, especially  at night.   When  the cervical  portion of
 the spine, (neck) is affected, there is paralysis of one or
'both the superior extremities; difficult  breathing,  &c.
 When the dorsal, or  middle  portion of the spine  is dis-
 cased, there  are  convulsions or  nervous spasms of the
 body,  severe  pain, palpitation of the heart,  so that this
 form of disease has  been mistaken  for  different affections
 of that organ ;  with some  fever,   and great  prostration.
 When it attacks the lumbar, or lower region of the spine,
 there is paralysis of the inferior extremities ;  ineontinence
 of urine ;  constipation ; often involuntary evacuations ;
 and, frequently, impotence of the organs of generation.
   Cause.—The exposure of the back  to  the rays ot the
 sun ; local injuries, and exposure  to cold and wet.  But
 the most general  or common cause I have alluded to as
 being the cause of melancholy, &c.—I mean masturba-
 tion.  Could I, by  expostulating with the young of both
         M 
 201        DISEASE OF THE  STINAL  COLUMN.

 sexes, or  by portraying the sufferings they entail upon
 themselves and their offspring, (if they are so unfortunate
 as to have any)—could I  prevail upon them to abandon,
 or prevent the commencement of this degrading and  life-
 destroying practice, I  should   consider  myself  amply
 rewarded for the labor I have bestowed  upon this work.
 Many, I know, are ignorant of the  effects resulting from
 this debasing practice ;  while  there are others who reck-
 lessly continue onr although  the evils consequent upon
 their persisting have  again  and again been pointed  out
 to them.  It destroys the mind, producing complete idiocy ;
 fills  our  madhouses  and  insane  2}r^sons whh tenants;
 induces every ache and pain to which the  fallen race of
 Adam is  liable ; renders  them unfit  to propagate their
 own race; makes them a burden to their  parents, or their
 friends ; in short, defaces and destroys the fairest portion
 of God's work.   How extremely foolish, nay, how guilty,
 to continue in habits at once  so subversive of their own
 happiness, and the happiness of all around them.
  Irregular,  or  painful menstruation is another cause ;
 likewise, tight lacing;  dressing the feet thin, &c.
  Treatment.—The course of medication I  have usually
 given in spinal affections,  has been—1st, To relieve  the
 most  urgent  symptoms; 2d, To  cleanse the system of
 morbid secretions ;  and, 3d, To strengthen the body  and
 restore healthy action.   For local applications, the stimu-
 lating or  rheumatic liniment,  should be applied  to  the
 whole spinal column, and rubbed as thoroughly as can be
 well borne; or the application of cold water and friction
will answer  every indication,  if properly  done.  This
should be repeated  night and morning, and  the  liniment 
            DISEASE  OF THE SriNAL COLUMN.        205

should be applied  to the arms and  feet, if there are any
symptoms of numbness or paralysis. Sufficient relaxing or
alterative doses of lobelia should be given to equalize the
excitement, for which purpose the stomach pill, in from
six to eight ho urs, or  the extract, in grain dos.es, as often
as the above, will be sufficient  for this purpose.  As a
tonic and stimulant,  the following is an excellent combi-
nation :
                  Spico Bitters,
                  Bayberry,
                  Nerve Powder—aa. oz. iv.
                  Cayenne,           oz. i.
   Mix, and give a tea spoonful five or six times a day.
When the system  is deranged, courses must not be neg-
lected ;  when given, the vapor bath will not be necessary
to the extent that is  required in many forms of disease ;
but sufficiently to  restore action to  the surface.  Lobelia,
generally acts kindly and efficiently in spinal difficulties,
and  may be given often.  Indeed,  the oftener given the
quicker the cure will be effected.   Here, again, the physi-
cian should  be  honest and straight forward in his dealings
with the patient, making it imperative to follow all neces-
sary directions, and abstain from every thing which would
retard or prevent a recovery.
   When the substance of the spinal cord has become dis-
eased, so as to produce complete paralysis of both sensation
and voluntary motion, it will be found impossible to restore
them.   All that can be done by  medicine is, to keep the
system in a healthy state, or support the vital power.
   Spinal Irritation.—The symptoms in  this form  of
spinal affection, are the  same as the preceding, differing
only in  degree.   Pain  in  the  side, sometimes over the
         m2 
206
DISEASE OF THE  SPINAL COLUMN.
  whole abdomen ;  difficult breathing, palpitation, dilatation
 of the pupil  of the eyes, impatience of tight lacing, hys-
 terics, nervous debility,  disordered  bowels,  costiveness,
 flatulence, indigestion, often fullness and hardness of the
 abdomen, lowness of spirits, irritability of temper, extreme
 nervous sensibility, and deficient or depraved menstruation.
   On examining the patient, the fingers should be pressed
 upon each vertebra or joint of the spine,  from the neck to
 the  lumbar  region.   Upon  such  careful  examination,
 one or  more points, which   are tender,  and rendered
 extremely painful upon pressure, will be discovered.  In
 some cases will be found  curvature, embracing incurva-
 tion, excurvation, or  lateral  inflection,  that is, curving
 inward, outward, or to either side.
   This complaint is common to young females, and arises
 from relaxation, sedentary pursuits,  tight lacing, want of
 sufficient exercise, sluggishness, or late rising ; constipa-
 tion and painful menstruation.  The original cause and
 the effect continuing to act upon and increase each other.
   Treatment.—What has been  said respecting the dis-
 ease of the substance of the spinal cord, will apply in this
 form of disease equally well as in the other.  All causes
 must be removed, so that  they  cease to operate ; the sys-
 tem  thoroughly cleansed ;  stimulants and tonics given to
 produce healthy action,  or aid  nature  in regaining  a
healthy  tone; and local remedies applied to the affected
parts.   The hip bath is excellent in vitiated or suppressed
menstruation, and the female powders or woman's friend,
is not excelled as  a tonic, in all local  weaknesses of
females.
  Termination.—Favorable—if the remedies are  thor-
oughly and judiciously applied. 
    PLETHORA,  OR  FULLNESS   OF
                      BLOOD.

  I have  noticed  plethora merely because other writers
have  treated  of it as a distinct form  of disease, when it
is merely symptomatic of some  other  diseased portion of
the system.
  Symptoms.—The general appearance is, full body and
florid countenance, the  capillaries congested,  pulse  full,
much exercise producing palpitation and difficult breath-
ing, prostration, pain in  the  head  from  a  preternatural
determination of blood to that portion of the body.
  Termination—Favorable.
  It will be necessary to ascertain the cause of the mor-
bid state of the system in plethora, and direct the  attention
to remove  predisposing causes.   There is always a want
of a free  circulation, or  the  blood is  thickened  and the
circulation  languid.   The  best  course is  to apply the
vapor bath and give stimulants for a time, and then admin-
ister courses sufficient to produce healthy action.  Local
affections will of course require local remedies, but if the
original difficulty is fully understood, the cure of  plethora
will be  effected in the removal of the idiopathic  form of
disease  upon which it depends.
m3 
BLOODLESSNESS.
   Symptoms.—Paleness of the skin, whiteness of  the
tongue, gums, and mouth generally ; cold hands  and feet,
indeed, all the symptoms denoting extreme debility, palpi-
tation, faintings, and difficult respiration on the slightest
exertion,  pulse weak and quick, great depression of spirits,
evacuations scanty and  the bowels costive.
   What I have said of plethora will also apply to blood-
lessness.   It depends on some other form of disease, never
existing,  to my knowledge, as  a distinct  form of disease.
The causes must be ascertained and removed, which are,
generally, hemorrhage, or other excessive discharges, such
as leucorhoea, prolonged nursing, poor living, or any other
cause inducing extreme  debility, which will be treated of
respectively in  their proper  place.   Whore  there  is
extreme debility, there is always an accumulation of mor-
bid  matter, which  must be removed, the  vital energy
restored, and  tonics administered,  to enable  the system to
regain a  healthy tone.
   The remarks and instructions in  the foregoing, may be
applied to" cachexy, or bad habit of the body" which like-
wise depends on, or is symptomatic of  some  other form of
disease, and the same  indications of cure, with  the same
general  treatment, will  be  found  necessary.   Morbid
secretions must  be displaced, the exciting causes  carefully
investigated and removed, and the condition of the  circu-
lating fluids improved.
   The causes which produce emaciation, are various, and
therefore  the remedy will vary according to the location
and development of the  original disease or cause. 
    CHLOROSIS — GREENSICKNESS.

   Causes.—Debility or laxity of the constitution in gen-
 eral, and of the uterine system in particular, amenorrhoea,
 mental  anxiety and disappointment,  sedentary habits or
 want of exercise, poor diet, impure air, ungratified desires,
 or disappointed and hopeless love, excessive evacuations,
 previous sickness, &c.
   Symptoms.—Discoloration or livid paleness of the skin
 and lips, flaccidity of the muscles, fullness of the veins,
 oedcmatous swellings of the  feet, pulse  small,  feeble and
 frequent;  extreme lassitude, difficult  breathing, fainting,
 great prostration, palpitation, especially on going up stairs ;
 mental  inactivity, coldness of the  extremities, flatulence,
 costiveness,  pain in the back and loins,  heaviness, dys-
 pepsia,  depraved appetite, requiring chalk, lime,  clay,
 coal, &c; the eyes have a livid appearance around them,
 hysteria, cough, and sometimes hectic fever.

                  INDICATIONS OF  CURE.
   1st. To invigorate or restore healthy  action to the sys-
 tem in general, and
   2d. To excite action of the  uterine vessels in particular.
   Treatment.—There is in  this and the three preceding
 forms of disease, a deficiency of oxygen in the blood,  hence
 a change of air, and of scenery,  as well as increase of
 exercise are necessary.  I repeat again, that in all cases of
 extreme debility, or debility in any degree, there is a cor-
responding accumulation  of  mucous, canker, phlegm or
morbid secretions, clothing the entire surface of the mucous 
210 ,         CHLOROSIS—GREEN SICKNESS.

membrane,  consequently  obstructing the mouths  of the
absorbent vessels and preventing the food from furnishing,
for the support and nourishment of the system, the usual
quantity of nutriment.  These morbid secretions must be
removed, the system  aided in its efforts to regain healthy
action.   After stimulants and astringents  have been given,
emetics are indicated.  The  beneficial effects of emetics
have never  been more apparent than in chlorosis; after
the  administration of which, tonics  and stimulants are
necessary.
   2d.  For local remedies, in  certain cases of this disease,
marriage is the  only cure, failing  which  consumption is
most sure to supervene.
   The following mixture  is  an excellent remedy  where
amenorrhoea is a symptom :
              Tinct. Black Cohosh,
              Tinct. Myrrh,
              Tinct. Guaiacum—aa. oz.  ii.
   Mix, and give a tea spoonful four or five  times a day.
The " woman's friend " may be given  for  a tonic, tea
spoonful doses, three times a day—or the following  bitters
will act as tonic and emmenagogue :
                  Orange Peel,
                  Myrrh,
                  Unicorn,
                  Black  Cohosh,
                  Fennel Seed—aa. oz. i.
   A tea spoonful given three times a day in a decoction of
summer savory.   But the whole system  should be thor-
oughly cleansed, after which, the composition powders and
scullcap should be freely given, together with the woman's
friend, or the foregoing compound, for a tonic.  Medicine 
SCROFULA—KINU'S-EVIL.
211
to remove the occasional causes will also be necessary.  A
small quantity of aloes may be given with myrrh, ginseng,
and barberry.
  The bath will be  of great service in this complaint;
and the application of the electro-magnetic battery to the
pubic region will also facilitate  recovery.   Any of the
common emmenagogues may be given, if the patient is
not much debilitated ; but if there is any great degree of
prostration of the vital power, the system must be strength-
ened, and healthy action induced, before powerful medi-
cines of that class  can be used.   In  this complaint, the
cold shower will operate as a local tonic, and also equalize
the circulating fluid.
        SCROFULA —KING'S-EVIL.

   Symptoms.—Swelling of the lymphatic glands, chiefly in
the neck, ending in  inflammation  and obstinate ulcers.
Its attack is make  between the third and seventh year ;
after which, the first attack  is scarcely known.  Children
of a lax habit, light complexion, fair hair, with smooth and
soft skin, large upper lip, prominent eyes, are most liable
to this  complaint.  A disposition  to rickets,  likewise pre-
dispose  to scrofula.
   Scrofulous tumors come  on insensibly,  and  mature
slowly,  unattended by any great degree of inflammation,
until they discharge healthy pus.    They  break out,  usu-
ally, toward spring, and  appear on the neck, below the
ears, for the most part, but sometimes  on other parts,  par- 
212            SCROFULA—KING'S  EViL<

ticularly about the  joints.   The  matter discharged from
scrofulous ulcers, is not pus, but a kind of stringy serum,
or curdly substance.  Pus is not produced until inflamma-
tion  is  excited, and the  healing  process commences.—
Scrofulous ulcers  have their edges irregular and smooth,
without the least  disposition or tendency to  head, unless
tumors appear  in some  other  place.  They  often spread
to a great extent, eroding cartilages, and producing caries
of the bon^s, until the constitution gives way from fruitless
efforts,  and finally terminates in consumption.  Scrofula
is a  fruitful source of tubercular consumption, as dissec-
tion  show the lungs to be full of small tubercles.
   Cause.—Hereditary  predisposition is, undoubtedly, the
common cause of scrofula.  When parents are  afflicted
with  any  humor, whether  erysipelas,  salt-rheum,  or
syphilitic taint, it may, from local causes, develop scrofula
in their  children.  ' These local causes may be, cold and
da,mp, bad living,  crude,  indigestible food ; living in low,
damp  situations, and any other  cause  which will pro-
duce debility.

                  INDICATIONS of  cure.
   1st. To cleanse the system of morbid matter, thereby
promoting the absorption and dispersion of the tumors and
healing of the  ulcers.
   2d.  To tone up the system.
   Treatment.—There is no form of disease which will
tax the patience and skill  of the physician more than scrof-
ula, if he renders much service  to the patient.   The first
indication  is answered by the  general treatment  of the
•Thomsonian practice.   I have  hardly been able to do 
SCROFULA—KING'S EVIL.            213
 much good without  giving  thorough and  often  repeated
 constitutional treatment.   The patient should be directed
 to drink freely of a decoction of ozier, burdock, and black
 alder, with spice bitters, five or six times a  day.   To  the
 bitters, a  little cayenne  should  be added.  The ulcers
 should be  thoroughly syringed with a strong decoction of
 ozier and  myrrh, and in some cases, lobelia should be
 added.   The application of  poultices, compounded   of
 white pond lilly, crackers, ginger, slippery elm and lobelia,
 should not be omitted.  After subjecting the patient to this
 treatment  for a few  days, full courses should be admin-
 istered, continuing the above as intermediate medication.
 When there is  considerable improvement  of the general
 health, the courses may be  omitted, and the sarsaparilla
 syrup given freely.
                   Sarsaparilla,
                  Princess Pine,
                  Blue Flag,
                  Ozier,
                  Black  Alder,
                  Indian Hemp—aa. oz. viii.
   Steep slowly  twelve  hours,  strain  off two gallons  of
 liquor, to which add four  ounces  of gum  guaiacum and
 four ounces mandrake, finely powdered.   Give sufficient
 to act moderately upon the bowels, daily.
   The above treatment, viz  : poultices, wash, and bitters,
 should  be perseveringly  used.   The tumors will heal
 under the  application of poultices, better  than under any
 other treatment.  They  absorb  the corroding matter,
 thereby preventing the spreading of the  ulcer, shield the
diseased parts from atmospheric influence, and prepare the
parts for the healing process.   It should  be  borne  in 
214                  SALT-RHEUM.
mind that  any preparation containing animal oil or  fat,
will only aggravate  the ulcer and  increase  the virus.
Where there  is much debility, the cold bath will  be of
essential service, and the bitters should be continued for a
considerable time.
                SALT-RHEUM.

  This may be said to consist of a collection or assem-
blage of little  ulcers, itching much, and  not inclined to
heal, terminating in  a dry, scaly substance.  It is evident
that the ulcers contain virus, as the disease is carried by
the fingers after scratching, to  different  portions of the
body, until the whole surface is covered by the eruption.
This disease appears to be at the outset, local, or cutane-
ous, confined to the surface or  skin-  But  by improper
treatment, or by becoming general, the system sinks under
the irritation of this filthy disease.
  Treatment.—1st, To  determine  the   eruption to  the
surface.  2d,  To  destroy the virus and  heal the  ulcers;
and 3d, To induce and maintain a healthy action.
   This form of disease  often perplexes the  practitioner,
because the patient will  not subject himself to a thorough
course  of medication;  and hence many have  failed  of
curing, when  under  full treatment, the cure would have
been perfectly easy.  To fulfill the  first indication, the
syrup of ozier, &c, with spice bitters, with cayenne added,
or the following powder: 
SCALD HEAD.
215
                  Bayberry,
                  Spice Bitters,
                  Prickly Ash—aa. oz. ii.
                  Cayenne,        oz. ss.
  Mix, and give a tea spoonful three times a day, in a
decoction of sarsaparilla, ozier and sweet fern.'
  •2d.  The vapor bath should be given every  night, the
affected parts bathed with a  decoction  of  ozier and green
lobelia, after which  a  little clean  melted lard should be
applied to the parts.  The diseased portions of the body
should be kept from the air.   When the disease becomes
constitutional, the general treatment should be resorted to,
until the  system is  invigorated;   when  the bitters with
cayenne, in the above decoction, will answer the third indi-
cation.
  I have treated  some of the worst forms of this disease,
which had become constitutional, and which had been pro-
nounced past recovery  by science,  and by the above sim-
pie  process  have effected  a perfect  and  radical cure.
Indeed, it is generally cured quicker, when constitutional,
than when merely local, because the patient will then sub-
mit to a general and thorough course of medication.
  Termination—Favorable.
                 SCALD  HEAD.   '

  This complaint appears to be nearly allied to salt-rheum,
and  locally confined to the head.   It consists of small
ulcers at the roots of the hair, covered with a white crust. 
216
RING-WORM.
The eruption stimulates the parts, producing intolerable
itching and extfeme suffering.  It is principally confined
to infants and children of a relaxed habit, who are ill fed,
or glutted with food of a.greasy nature, or who have not
been kept clean.
   Treatment.—The  hair should be cut short and the
affected part washed well with soap-suds, after which the
ozier and lobelia decoction should be applied, and the head
covered or kept from the atmosphere.  After the irritation
is allayed, a plaster or  salve made  from the nipplewort
may be applied, or it  may be washed with  an infusion of
white oak bark and lobelia ; or a poultice  made by pul-
verizing  charcoal and adding  slippery elm, and the bark
of hemlock, pulverized,  equal parts, wet  with lobelia.
Care  should be  taken, however, in  the last application,
that all inflammation  has been removed.
       RING-WORM,  OR  TETTER.

  This cutaneous eruption appears  to be nearly allied to
salt-rheum, and  is of little consequence, except that it is
exceedingly  vexatious.   On the first appearance of ring-
worm, it should be  covered by slippery elm mucilage,
made sufficiently thick to  adhere to the part.  It should
remain and be moistened every morning, and another coat of
dry, powdered  elm  applied.    Vinegar and gunpowder is
a popular remedy for  tetter, as also an application of beef
or fish brine ; but the application of elm I  have always
found sufficient.   The  same  application is excellent in 
ITCH.
217
barber's itch, so  called, as well as the scaly eruptions of
syphilis.   The 3d preparation has been uded to advantage
in tetter.
                       ITCH.

  This filthy and infectious disease appears  in small pus-
tules, with watery  heads,  about  the wrists, between the
fingers and  across the chest, soon spreading to all parts of
the body, producing an intolerable itching, when exposed
to heat, or when warm in bed.   The  common  mode  of
cure has  been by  anointing  with  brimstone  and lard.
But this,  latterly, has been in rather bad odor, and persons
afflicted with this eruption have resorted to different kinds
of applications, but with indifferent success.  The applica-
tion which I have of late used, and in  every case with
success, is the following :
       i         Hellebore Root,
                Black Cohosh Root,
                Yellow Dock Root—aa. oz. viii.
  Boil in two quarts water until the  strength is extracted,
strain  and add one pound  of  lard, and half pint of rum,
simmer away to a salve, and apply every night.  The
spice bitters should be given two or three times a  day, to
keep the determining  power   to the surface.  I have no
doubt that a decoction of the articles named,  would answer
every purpose, but in order to keep it on hand, I have pre-
pared it in form of salve.  Some will, no doubt, object to
using the hellebore because it is of a poisonous nature, but 
218
RICKETS.
 I have seen  no bad  effects  from its  use as an outward
 application, and as long as  the determination is to the sur-
✓ face, there is  no danger.
                    RICKETS.

   The distinguishing symptoms are :  largo head ;  prom-
 inent forehead ;  breastbone  protruded ;  joints  swelled ;
 enlarged  abdomen;  emaciated limbs; great debility.—
 The attendant symptoms  are,  universal softness of the
 flesh ; offensive evacuations ; teething is slowly performed;
 the sutures are open ; the legs become twisted or crooked;
 and the spine is often much distorted.
   Causes.—The  occasional causes may be traced to bad
 air, bad food, often bad nursing,  and want of cleanliness.
 But the most common cause of rickets,  may be  found in
 hereditary predisposition.  Infants may be kept perfectly
 clean ; regularly fed; well exercised, and breath a fresh
 and pure air;—all their motions and actions may be gov-
 erned by the clock, yet, if their  parents were  scrofulous,
 of an irritable fibre, or erysipelatous,  the children will be
 predisposed to rickets.   The proximate cause is no doubt
 traceable to a deficiency of bile ; to acidity of the  stom-
 ach, and the presence of cold phlegm, which obstructs the
 absorbents,  destroys  digestion, and  prevents food  from
 nourishing the system.   Hence fetid stools, and continual
 wasting of the body, although the patient  may and gener-
ally does possess a good appetite.
  Treatment.—The occasional causes must be removed ; 
                     rickets.                       219

food of easy digestion, and of a nourishing kind must be
given ; fresh and pure air must be supplied, with plenty
of exercise, and light clothing.  The  application of cold
water  will be beneficial in rickets,  because there is great
debility;  and  the  direct effect of  the  cold bath  is to
give tonicity to the parts to which it is  applied.  I have
used   brandy  immediately  after  the-cold  application
with decided benefit.   It will  be necessary to use the
emetic to cleanse the alimentary  canal of tough  viscid
mucous ; as well as to induce action in the liver.  Stimu-
lants and tonics must likewise be administered.
   I have given the  following syrup  with advantage in
this complaint:
              Ozier Bark,
              Black  Snake Root,
              Guaiacum Chips—aa. oz. iv.
             Agrimony,           oz. viii.
              Masterwort Seed,     oz. ss.
   Steep in  four quarts  water to  two, strain and add a
pound  of loaf sugar, half an ounce of magnesia,  an ounce
of golden seal, and half a pound of  raisins or figs, cut fine.
A  table spoonful four or five times  a day.   If the evacua-
tions continue to be offensive and light  colored,  rheubarb
and  magnesia  should be given until  they  become of a
natural color, when the syrup will be sufficient.  The cause
of debility fn children, without developing  any particular
form of disease, may be found in  the  same cause  which
most often produces rickets- The liver  becomes torpid,
causing a deficiency of bile, or if sufficient  in  quantity, is
of bad quality ; in consequence  of which, the  intestinal
canal loses its  natural stimuli, and is  not  freed from the
mucous, which  closes the lacteal absorbents  ; the food is not 
220                     rickets.
 digested, assimilated nor transmitted to the  blood, to nour-
 ish and support the system.   Hence debility and disease,
 and a general wasting away  of the whole body.  I recol-
 lect being called to see a child,  suffering from the above
 train of symptoms.  It had been treated by science, almost
 into  the grave.   I gave a disordered state of the  liver
 and organs of digestion, as the location  of the difficulty.
 The  previous physician being told of  my decision, replied
 with great sarcasm: " That is likely, when the child never
 knew it had a liver!! "  Wisdom  personified.  I mention
 this here to show that we overlook, many  times, the real
 cause of disease in children, for it is  hard  to make many
 physicians believe that children can be diseased like adults.
 A syrup of
              Sweet Fern Twigs and Leaves,
              Whitewood Bark,
              Agrimony,
              Golden Seal,
              Fennel Seed—aa. oz. ii.
   Steep in two quarts of water to one quart, strain and add
 four ounces  sugar and a heaping tea spoonful of magnesia.
 Dose—a table spoonful  three or four times a day.   The
 limbs and bowels should be bathed with strengthening and
 stimulating  liniment  freely.   The rheumatic liniment is
 the best preparation for this purpose.  Injections should be
administered often, at least daily,  and when there is much
distention of the abdomen they should be repeated often.
   The following is the best  preparation  I have ever used
in this form of disease : /
                Catnip,
                Nerve  Root,
                Masterwort Seed,
                Green  Lobelia—aa.
   Steep and  give half a gill as often as necessary. 
SCURVY.
   Symptoms.—After  slight uneasiness, or giddiness,  an
eruption of small  round  patches,  of a  dark red color,
chiefly on  ihe  thighs and legs, but sometimes extending
over the whole body ; the spots become dark, and some-
times filled with  blood;  bleeding from the gums, nostrils,
and mucous membranes generally ;  stiffness of the legs.
   Causes.—A deficiency of diet, or composed chiefly of
one kind, or lack of vegetables.
   Treatment.—The  system must be strengthened  and
invigorated ; the diet  of  a  light  and  nourishing kind ;
acid fruits and  vegetables; the surface  rubbed with stim-
ulants, especially the feet and hands. If fever supervene,
the crawley should be given, together with the extract pill.
                Crawley,
                Whiteroot,
                Wild Turnip,
                 Scullcap—aa. oz. ss.
   Steep  in  a  quart of water and give freely.  The  pill
should be given in doses of half  a grain, every two hours,
or according to  the degree of fever.    But  generally there
will be but little need of this  treatment, as there is com-
monly great debility.  Wine or brandy has been indicated
in all cases  that have  come  under  my  care.  Give  no
physic;  but make use  of injections, if  required.    Be
careful to sustain  the  strength of the patient  with stimu-
lants and tonics, should  there be great  prostration.  Mu-
cilages are of service to check hemorrhage.
n 
 DIARRHEA —LOOSENESS,  OR  PURG-
                        ING.

   Symptoms.—Frequent liquid stools, attended by griping
 and pain, but  not  contagious, and seldom attended with
 fever;  each stool preceeded by a murmuring or rumbling
 noise, and flatulence of the intestines, with sense of weight
 in the lower portion  of  the abdomen, which cease imme-
 diately on the  discharge taking place, but renewed again
 before  another ensues.    There is frequently  sickness,
 nausea, and vomiting; the countenance is sometimes pale,
 at others, slightly flushed ;  thirst, dryness of the mouth,
 furred or morbid  red tongue; the  skin  dry,  and if the
 disease is of long continuance, great debility and emacia-
 tion succeeds.
   Causes.—The  remote  or  predisposing  causes  are,
 poisons, cathartic medicines,  food of an acrid and indiges-
 tible kind, acid fruits, oily and putrid substances,  exposure
 to cold and  wet, with  suppressed perspiration ;  worms,
 and  dentition; these causes produce  irritability  of the
 intestines, and increase the  peristaltic motion.
   Treatment.—When  the  diarrhea is in the first stage,
 or recent, the  cure  is  easily  effected.    Dr.  Townsend
 observes justly :  "Emetics   are  indicated in diarrhea, as
 they serve a double purpose : evacuate offending matters,
 and  determine to the surface, restoring obstructed perspira-
 tion."   I hardly ever knew  a  thorough emetic of  lobelia
 fail of a speedy  cure, if administered immediately after
the  attack,   It  determines  to the  surface,  and  allays
irritability, especially if administered by injection. 
DYSENTERY.
223
   The cholera syrup is a remedy in this complaint, which
 may be considered almost a specific.  If there  be nausea,
 the stimulating properties  of the  syrup will  sometimes
 cause it to be rejected, but if it be thrown off, it should be
 repeated until the stomach becomes warmed, when it will
 be retained.   The cinnamon cordial is likewise a medicine
 of great power and utility—given in from forty drops to a
 tea spoonful every half hour, will afford speedy relief.
    If, however, the  complaint has been of long standing,
 the general system has become involved, and a' more
"thorough  course of medication~.;will be necessary.  For
 this purpose, the vapor bath should be administered, to
 determine  the   fluids  outwardly,  which  were  before
 inwardly, and an emetic given  to relax the system, remove
 the irritability, or any acrid substances  from the stomach.
 Injections of a  stimulating and astringent nature should
'be given.   But generally a heaping tea spoonful, by injec-
 tion, will be sufficient to cure all ordinary cases of diarrhea.
                 DYS ENTERY.

  Causes.—The  most common cause  of dysentery  is
specific contagion.   But any of the remote causes of fever,
in the season, occurring  to the  predisposed, will produce
it.  Exposure to wet and cold  after excessive perspiration ;
fatigue, unwholesome and indigestible food, noxious vapors,
operating upon the previously weakened system.   During
the protracted heat of summer  the determination is to the
external surface, but when cold and  wet succeed to heat,
         n2 
-21                  dysentery.
the determination is reversed, the perspiration is checked,
the quantity of urine is increased, and the secretions, both
of bile and mucous, to the intestines, are not only increased
in quantity, but rendered more acrid, and increase by their
acrimony  the  peristaltic  motion  of the intestines, produ-
cing spasm.
   Symptoms.—Chills are  commonly the first  symptom,
but  often  the  local affection  is  first  perceived ; severe
griping pains, loss of appetite, nausea,  vomiting, discharge
of fetid matter from  the  bowels, as  mucous, or  mucous
mixed with blood ;  pure blood or putrid matter proceeding
from ulcerated parts.   There is great debility,  weak and
quick pulse, tongue red and dry, hiccup.  This disease
may  be distinguished from diarrhea by the acute pnin in
the bowels, and  the bloody stools, and by fever.  It may
be distinguished from cholera morbus, by its not  being
attended by such violent and frequent  fits of vomiting.
   Favorable Symptoms.—A gentle perspiration, the stools
becoming yellow and less  frequent, the strength little
impaired, and sediment in the urine.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—Violent and distressing tenes-
mus,  hiccup, vomiting, difficult  swallowing, cold extremi-
ties, delirium, cold  and partial  sweats, the pain suddenly
ceasing, great prostration of strength,  involuntary evacu-
ations, intermitting pulse, &c.
                 INDICATIONS OF CURE.
  1st. To promote diaphoresis, and  prevent the preter-
natural determination of the fluids inwardly.
  2d. To remove all acrid bile  or occasional causes from
the stomach and intestinal canal.
  3d. To restore the action of the digestive organs. 
DYSENTERY.
225
  To answer the first indication, the vapor bath is the best
remedy extant; it  should be  given faithfully,  and con-
tinued until an equable diaphoresis takes place.   Secondly,
An emetic sufficient to remove the spasmodic action of the
bowels and  all acrid substances from the stomach and
intestinal  canal.   In connection with the emetic, injections
of a mucilaginous  and  antiseptic character,  should  be
repeated often.
                Slippery Elm, fine,
                Myrrh, pulv.—aa. x.
                Water, warm,     gill i.
   Mix and give from one to six hours,  according  to the
symptoms.  The  cinnamon cordial should  be adminis-
tered, a tea spoonful for an adult, every three  hours, vary-
ino1 according to age and circumstances.  I  have often
given injections  of milk porridge every half hour for days;
it is necessary to sustain  the strength of  the patient, and if
the stomach is  irritable, and refuses  nourishment, it can
be  given  by injection.  I have often given brandy sling ;
and have found great benefit  from  oft  repeated  topical
bathing.   For a drink, I  have  made free use of a decoc-
tion of black birch bark.
   But I repeat again, that the  first  and continual object
should be, to obtain and continue an equable  perspiration.
When this is done, the patient will speedily recover.
    Third: When the frequency of the  stool  has  abated,
or  changed in its  appearance, the bitters and astringents
should be given, to restore tone and vigor to  the digestive
organs.   During  the continuance of the complaint,  the
bowels should  be  kept constantly wet  with  brandy and
myrrh, hoi, or sedative liniment may  be employed for the
        n3 
226
CHOLERA MORBUS.
same purpose.  Bathing the surface with spirit, water and
saleratus, if there be extreme heat a.nd dryness; or, with
brandy, hot, if the surface be  cold and  dry, or  flaccid.
In general there  is  much less  danger when the heat is
great upon the surface, than when it is cold.  In both
cases, there is no perspiration.  In the restoring process, a
decoction of  witch-hazel  leaves, or  sumach lark  and
cherry  stones, with  loaf sugar and a trifle of brandy, is
a  good  remedy;  or  wild cherry, with a little oak bark.
   The dysentery cordial may be given during the whole
continuance of dysentery.   One thingis worthy of notice,
in bad attacks, it is of  no use  to  exhibit astringents, cor-
dials, or any  " specifics,"  until  perspiration  is produ-
ced, and the stomach  and  bowels are  freed from  acrid
deposits, or substances.
             CHOLERA   MORBUS.

  Causes.—Sudden transitions from  excessive  heat  to
cold and damp, or suppressed perspiration ; rancid food, or
that which is  indigestible;  cold, watery fruit, such as
cucumbers, melons ; or those of the acid kind, cherries,
pine-apples, &c, acting upon a stomach previously weak-
ened by heat or fatigue.
  Symptoms.—The first symptom  of cholera  morbus is,
flatulence,  sour belchings,  with pain  of the  stomach and
intestines.   These are quickly succeeded by nausea, vio-
lent vomitings, purging of bilious or feculent matter ; fre-
quent, small, and often  irregular pulse ;  great thirst;  at 
CHOLERA MORBUS.
227
first, heat, but quickly succeeded by cold clammy sweats ;
spasms of the extremities, often convulsions, flaccidity of
the skin,  hiccup, and often  death in the space of twenty-
four hours.   The discharges are  often green, yellow or
black ; in the latter case, the spasm will be  greate r and
the termination more sudden and more fatal.
   Treatment.—Nature at the  outset  shows, by the vom-
iting and  purging, that  an effort is being made to expel
some obstruction or  offending cause from the system.   It
i£ necessary, therefore, to aid her in her efforts to remove
them.  For this purpose I  have, as  soon as practicable,
administered an emetic  of third  preparation, and have
found it to operate better by injection than by giving it into
the  stomach, as  it  more effectually  relieves spasmodic
action, expels hardened faeces, removes all acrid  substan-
ces from  the stomach, at the same  time warms and invig-
orates the system,  equalizes the  circulation, and  deter-
mines to  the surface.  I have cured  the most obstinate
cases by one injection, followed by  the cholera syrup.
   An emetic and injections are indicated, and should, in
some form, be administered.  As long  as the  spontaneous
vomiting continues, it may be known  that some irritating
cause  remains, which  should   be expelled ;  and  if the
sanative  efforts of nature  are  not sufficient for  this pur-
pose, they should be assisted ;  remembering, as long as
the strength of  the patient is  not much diminished, vomit-
ing may  be continued, until the nausea, and  spontaneous
vomiting cease.  The patient should be  allowed  toasted
bread water, spearmint tea, or weak chicken  broth. 
         SPASMODIC  CHOLERA.

  This disease is, no doubt, from  the  same cause as the
cholera morbus, exhibiting the same symptoms, and for the
most part, requiring the same treatment, excepting  that
the  attack is more  severe, and the medication   must be
more urgent and thorough.
  Dr. Guy has described the symptoms and causes as fol-
lows :
  " Character.—-Vomiting and purging  of watery  mat-
ters, without  any  appearance  of bile; spasms in the
inferior,  extremities and abdominal  muscles, extending
through the body, speedily followed by sinking of the  vital
powers ;  lividity of the face, extremities, and entire  sur-
face of the skin.
  "Pathological  Symptoms.—The symptoms almost al-
ways show themselves during the interval between sunset
and sunrise, beginning sometimes suddenly, at others,  after
slight uneasiness and  some  degree  of  diarrhea.   The
diarrhea  is more or less intense, with  feculent dejections
(milky)  at first, but speedily assuming the appearance of
rice water or gruel, flying pains, or  sense of coldness in
the  abdomen, as if purgative  medicine was about to  ope-
rate ; countenance  pale, no appetite, nervous agitation,
diminished muscular power, nausea or vomiting,  slight or
severe cramps in the arms, legs,  abdominal muscles and
loins ; small, weak  pulse ; cold,  clammy or  moist skin ;
thirst, and urgent desire for cold water ; these symptoms
varying  in intensity, may appear  successively or simulta-
neously.   In some cases the patient is struck down almost 
SPASMODIC CHOLERA.
229
lifeless, in others the disease steals on for eight or ten days.
When -it comes  on suddenly, in  addition  to  the above
symptoms,  the cramps commence  in the fingers and toes,
and rapidly extend to the trunk ; the eyes are sunken
and surrounded by  a dark  circle ; vomiting and purging
white colored matter,  mixed  with  flocculi;  features con-
tracted and sharpened; wild and  confused  expression of
countenance.   The face,  extremities, and sometimes the
whole surface of the body assume a  leaden,  bluish or
purplish hue,  varying in the  degree of intensity; the
extremities are shrunk  and contracted, nails  blue, pulse
thready, or imperceptible at the wrist, arm or axilla, tem-
ple or neck ; skin cold and damp ; great restlessness, inex-
pressible pain in the epigastrium ;  loud moaning or groan-
ing ;  restlessness and tossing to and  fro; oppressed res-
piration ; inspiration effected with  great difficulty ; expi-
ration short and convulsive; voice plaintive  or nearly
suppressed ; speech in a plaintive whisper ;  tongue white,
cold and flabby ;  temperature as low as 79 or 77 degrees ;
convulsions, tremors.   The  secretions  of bile,  saliva,
tears and urine, are entirely  suppressed, and there is an
earthly or  cadaverous odor exhaled from the body.  Death
generally takes place in from six to twenty-four hours, the
patient retaining his faculties to the last.
   "Favorable Symptoms.—In cases about to  terminate
favorably,  reaction  takes place gradually,  and all  the
symptoms  improve; the  cramp ceases, the dejections con-
tain bile, urine is secreted, the  voice  and pulse return ;
there is an increase of animal heat in the extremities and
surface of the body, and  improvement in countenance,
circulation, respiration,  and  muscular  strength.  Youth
and previous health  are favorable circumstances, 
230
SPASMODIC CHOLERA.
  " Unfavorable  Symptoms.—Delirium ;  sordes on  the
teeth, lips and  gums;  increased prostration of the vital
powers;  coldness and blueness of the surface;  collapsed
countenance ;  small, irregular  and  thready pulse;  op-
pression and difficulty of respiration; involuntary evacua-
tions ; subsultus  tendinum ;  convulsions, advanced  age,
previous debility or ill health, are unfavorable circumstan-
ces, and the disease is more fatal in females than in males."
   Treatment.—It will be noted from,the symptoms, that
they are the same, (only more severe,) as in cholera mor-
bus, hence the  treatment must be  the same, except the
application must be more  thorough and more urgent.  It
is the extreme  of debility,  or  almost total  loss of  vital
power.  Hence the indications of cure:
   1st. To supply the loss of stimuli or caloric to the sys-
tem.
   2d. To remove any cause of irritation from the alimen-
tary canal.
   3d. To sustain the strength and energies of the patient.
   Medicines which are stimulant, astringent, and antisep-
tic, should be given freely.   During the prevalence of the
 cholera  in 1832, the Thomsonians  were very successful
 in their treatment of it, losing, comparatively, but very few.
 Their practice was to  exhibit in the first place stimulants
 and antiseptics.   The cholera syrup was  originally pre-
 pared for administration in this form of disease, and con-
 tains some of the  best stimulants  and antiseptics  in the
 materia medica.
   The  following was the treatment of the late Dr. B. W.
 Sperry, who was for a long time employed exclusively in
 the alms house of Dutchess County, near   Poughkeepsie'
 N~ Y.  The  old school physicians  were  employed for 
SPASMODIC CHOLERA.
^•51
 some days, without curing a single solitary case.  On the
 arrival of my brother at the  alms house, after his appoint-
 ment, he was accosted by the physicians : " Well, Doctor,
 have you  come ; go to work, for  God's sake, for we have
 not saved  one yet."  He did  go to work, with his accus-
 tomed perseverence, and cured every patient, except one,
 and he attended a  great many there, and in the village of
 Poughkeepsie.   He  was attacked with it himself, passed
 into the stage of collapse, but was cured by Dr. T. Lap-
 ham, with whom he was practicing at that time.   He gave
 a strong  decoction  of cayenne, sweetened, with myrrh
 and cranesbill added, to  arouse the dormant energies of
 the system ; bathed continually with the most stimulating
 liniments, using friction  upon  the surface; giving  occa-
 sionally brandy and wine to  sustain  the  vital powers.
 Caloric or heat must be supplied  to the system, and action
 restored to the skin.  If the application can be made upon
 the first attack, the third  preparation  should  be given in
 sufficient quantities to produce vomiting;  care  being had
 to support the  strength  of the patient.   The  treatment
 should be prompt and energetic, and the practitioner should
 keep in view the indications of cure, viz : To restore heat
 to the system ; remove all irritants from the stomach and
 bowels, and support the  strength of the patient, and sus-
 tain, at all  hazards, the  living principle.   Whatever will
 effect these objects  with  the  greatest facility, must  be
 given.   I have known a  pint of brandy or port wine given
in the space of an hour, with decided benefit. 
ASTHMA.
  Symptoms.—Difficult respiration, returning at intervals,
with sense  of stricture  across  the  breast   and lungs;
wheezing;  hard cough at first, but more free towards the
close of every paroxysm, accompanied by a discharge of
mucous.  These  distinguishing symptoms  are generally
preceded  or attended  by a  sense  of fullness about the
stomach, lassitude, drowsiness,  eructation,  wakefulness,
nausea.   All these symptoms increase as  the paroxysm
progresses, until  there is extreme difficulty  of breathing,
the patient is threatened  with suffocation, the cheeks are
red or livid, the eyes prominent.  These symptoms con-
tinue for a longer or shorter  period, when expectoration of
mucous takes place, and the patient breathes more free, is
every  way relieved, and  soon falls asleep.   Sometimes it
is accompanied by spasms, when it is attended by suffused
countenance, indicating great distress; the  veins on  the
surface are distended;  the skin  is covered with  a profuse
perspiration.  The body is bent forward, the arms resting
on the knees, the  shoulders are  raised, the abdomen con-
tracted, and the  muscles  of respiration are thrown into
violent action.
   Termination—Favorable.
  Treatment.—I have hardly  failed  to give immediate
relief, or preventing a  paroxysm, if the remedy  is season-
ably administered.   In young persons, a radical  cure may
be effected, especially where the constitution is unimpaired,
and free  from organic disease; old  age,  and  repeated
attacks, are of more difficult cure, but may  be relieved at 
HOOPING-COUGH.
233
 the commencement of the paroxysm.   The vapor bath will
 afford relief in almost every case, especially if followed by
 an emetic.  But the best remedy I have used is a decoction
 of the green  herb of lobelia,  boiled a sufficient length of
 time to destroy its emetic property, and given in quantity
 to produce  powerful diaphoresis; it may be drank in any
 quantity, without fear.  The  emetic principle of the herb,
 is very volatile,and by boiling, isthrownoffby evaporation.
 It however retains its relaxent property, and removes con-
 striction of the lungs  better than any other remedy with
 which  I  am  acquainted.   In young persons, it  may be
 considered  almost a specific,  and in any case will afford
 immediate  relief.   In cases of asthma  and spasm, an
 injection of brown lobelia, of from one to three tea spoonsful
 will  instantly relieve the spasm.   The extract pill, given
one grain every hour until relaxation takes place,  and a full
 and free perspiration is induced, will afford immediate relief.
  Causes.—Hereditary predisposition,  sanguine temper-
 ament, confinement in close rooms, cold and wet.
              HOOPING-COUGH.
   Distinguishing Character.—Convulsive, strangulated
cough, with hooping, relieved by expectoration and  spon-
taneous vomiting.   It is contagious.
   Symptoms.—The disease  commences with difficulty of
breathing, thirst, quick pulse, some fever at night, cough,
hoarsness, and all the symptoms  of a  common cold.  In
about eight or ten  days' after  the attack, it assumes its
peculiar  and characteristic  symptoms.  The expiratory 
23 i                 HOOPING-COUGH.
motions, peculiar to coughing, arc made with more than
ordinary rapidity and violence ; and after several of these
expirations, a sudden and  full  inspiration succeeds, which,
by the air rushing through the glottis with more than usual
velocity, causes a peculiar sound, which has obtained the
name of whoop.   When this has taken place, coughing is
again renewed, as before, until a quantity of mucous is
thrown up from the lungs, or the contents of the stomach
evacuated by vomiting, which terminates the fit; the patient
has then an interval of freedom  from cough, and often calls
for food ; but in  many cases,  when  the  attack  has been
severe, it is followed by fatigue, languor, and great debility.
This, in different cases,  continues for a longer or shorter
period, when  the paroxysms become less severe and finally
cease.   The  cough often  lasts for months, or even a year.
  Treatment.—The spasmodic, or convulsive cough, will
continue until expectoration takes place, or as it is vulgarly
said, the cough breaks ; hence, in the treatment of hooping-
cough, expectorants or emetics are  indicated.
                Cough Balsam,   oz. iii.
                Tincture Lobelia, oz.  i.
  Mix, and give a tea spoonful to a child two years old,
five or six times a day.   This is one of the  best medicines
in this form of disease I have  ever  used.  The tincture of
lobelia alone, in sufficient doses to vomit, daily, or oftener,
will soon break the force of the spasm, and, comparatively
speaking, effect a cure. Riding, until weariness is induced,
is said to break up the cough.   Nausea is necessary, and
ought to be continued, with short intervals, until expectora-
tion is induced, and the convulsive  character of the cough
is removed.  The vapor or warm bath can be administered
with great benefit in this  complaint. 
WATER  BRASH.
  This troublesome complaint may be said to consist of a
copious eruption of a watery, insipid fluid, attended with
heart-bum.   There  is  nothing of an  alarming nature
attending it, but often induces other forms of disease.  An
emetic will generally afford relief, and by the aid of alka-
lies and tonics, will effect a cure.  In some cases it will be
necessary to give acids, as they  will as often and as effect-
ually cure  heart-burn, as alkalies, and in some cases, it
cannot be  removed without them.
   This disease may be  known by, pain at the  pit of the
stomach, commencing generally  when  the  stomach  is
empty, attended by a sense  of  constriction.   The pain is
increased  when the body is  in an  erect position, and con-
sequently it is bent forwards.   The  eructation  affords
relief.
CANCEROUS  AFFECTION   OF   THE
                   STOMACH.

  The presence of schirrous tumors may be distinguished
by pain in the epigastrium of a burning, gnawing, crawl-
ing or lancinating kind ;  nausea,  acid or bitter belchings,
vomiting mucous, sometimes  blood; fullness of the stom-
ach, emaciation, constipation.  The location of the tumor
is on the pylorus.
  Treatment.—Emetics have afforded  relief more than 
330
VOMITING BLOOD.
any other medication I have ever used.  In addition, plas-
ters,  embrocations,  liniments,  with  continued  friction;
injections to remove costiveness.  Physic  only increases
the difficulty.   A mild and nourishing diet, such as sours,
arrow root, puddings.
   Termination—Unfavorable.   The most that  can  bo
done is to render the patient as comfortable as possible.
             VOMITING   BLOOD.

   A  hemorrhage  of dark colored, or dirty blood, mixed
with the food  or contents of the  stomach, accompanied
and  preceded by a  considerable degree  of debility, and
sense of weight, and  heavy  pain in the region of the
stomach.
   Causes.—Generally the  rupture  of a  blood  vessel,
from violence ;  lifting great weight, free use  of ardent
spirits, tumors, &c.
   This form of disease does not often prove fatal, but pro-
duces extreme debility, and is  often  the cause  of other
forms of disease.
   Treatment.—When first attacked,  an  emetic will gen-
erally check the hemorrhage, by equalizing the circulation.
Mucilaginous drinks, such as comfrey, slippery  elm, with
bethroot,  cranesbill,  or other astringents, must  be used.
No physic should be given.   The  feet  should be kept
warm, to  induce a  free  circulation to the  extremities.
Quiet should be enjoined upon the patient. 
PILES.
  The piles are called by different names, according to the
forms they assume. One form is termed the bleeding piles,
the characteristic symptom of which is, bleeding internally,
without external  tumor or protrusion of the part.  Blind
piles, with pain and tumor, without hemorrhage. Another
form is the protrusion of the parts, but all have their origin
in the same causes—habitual costiveness ;  dyspepsia, or
any derangement of the functions of the  liver ;  excesses ;
suppression of long accustomed evacuations ;   syphilis ;
aloetic or  other str&ng  purgatives; pregnancy,  are  all
causes of  this  complaint.
   Symptoms.—Tumors, 'itching,  weight or a "sense of
bearing down, pungent pains  in the  back and loins ;  fre-
quent desire to go to stool;  excoriations.
   Treatment.—When there  is no constitutional derange-
ment, a constant use of injections should be employed.  A
strong decoction of witch-hazel  leaves, ot  sumach  bark
should be administered,  cold, at least  twice  a  day, or
oftener.  The  spice bitters, with the addition of bitter root,
should be given three or four times a day.
                Spice Bitters, oz. iv.
                Bitter Root,   x. iii.
   It should be administered in a decoction of witch-hazel
leaves.
   Injections of cold water should be administered as soon as
the first symptoms are discovered, which will in that stage
effectually cure.   Should  there be protrusion or tumors,  a
piece of mutton suet, as large  as an Indian corn, should be 
 23^                   dyspepsia.

 inserted on going to bed.  Poultices of slippery elm, lobe-
 lia and crackers, wet  with  witch-hazel  lea,  should  be
 applied,  when  there  is much  inflammation.  But  in  all
 cases of piles, or nearly so, which  have come under my
 notice, have been caused by other, and constitutional diffi"
 culties.  The liver is more or less implicated, and piles
 area consequent result.  The same treatment, in such cases,
 must be  given in piles,  as in the  original  complaint of
 which this is symptomatic; and the local treatment.  From
 inflammation, the rectum often becomes ulcerated, in which
 case courses of medicine should not be neglected, and  the
 emetic given per rectum, and to the injection of witch-hazel
 leaves,  myrrh should be added,  which will remove  the
 canker and heal the ulcer.  Care should be taken by those
predisposed to this complaint, to return the part to its place.
 If, however, it becomes strangulated; instead of leeching,
 apply warm water, and  change as often as it becomes cool;
 after a short time the inflammation will be removed, so that
 tho part may be reduced without difficulty.'   If necessary
 to keep the  protruded part in   its place, a  bandage can be
placed around the body above the hips, and a perinceum
 strap, with a support, can be  applied.  The bowels must
 be kept free, with  the spice bitters  and bitter root.  Cold
 water applied to the back, is excellent as a local tonic.
                 DYSPEPSIA.

  Character.—Want of appetite,  nausea,  vomiting food,
flatulence, heart-burn, pain in the stomach,  costiveness. 
dyspepsia,
239
   Attendant Symptoms.—Debility ;  languor, and aver-
 sion to motion;  low  spirits, pains in the stomach, acid
 belchings, fickleness  of appetite, costiveness or diarrhea ;
 small, low pulse ; tongue dry  and coated in the morning,
 urine pale, and depositing a brickish sediment, or a scum
 on the surface; sallow countenance, cold extremities, dry
 skin, disturbed sleep, frightful dreams.
   Causes—Remote or Predisposing.—All causes of debil-
 ity,  the  use of spirituous liquors, of tobacco, or narcotic
 poisons;  want of exercise, imperfect  mastication of food,
 disease of the liver, hysteria, excess  of venery, exposure
 to cold and wet.
   Proximate  Cause.—Deficiency in the secretion of bile,
 saliva or gastric juice, caused by disordered functions of
 the digestive system.

                 INDICATIONS of cure.
   1st. To remove the causes which continue to operate.
   2d.  To cleanse the alimentary canal of morbid matter.
   3d.  To restore the  tone of the stomach  and digestive
organs.
  First: The patient must give up all habits which have
in any way  led to, or  caused  the  train  of symptoms
in dyspepsia ;  use exercise, such as riding on horseback ;
he must rise early,  be much in the open air, and use sea-
bathing as much as  possible.   He  must be temperate in
all things, eschew coffee  and tea, and greasy food of all
kinds.   He must have his mind occupied about some light
employment, and take food which  is at once both light and
easy of digestion.
  Second:  To fulfill  the second indication, there is no
       o 
240         -           DYSPEPSIA,
process hitherto discovered,  which will remove morbific
matter from the  system, like full courses of medicine.
The vapor bath will produce healthy action of the surface,
while the lobelia, if properly administered, will throw off
the cold  mucous  from  every outlet  of the body.   The
stomach  becomes  contracted, and  the operation of the
emetics will  restore its  elasticity, and give healthy tone
to that organ.  The courses should be repeated often, and
bitters and astringents  should be given  as intermediate
treatment.
   The following combine the tonic, stimulentand astringent
principles which are necessary.   The stimulant to restore
vitality, the astringent to detach the mucous from tho  mem-
branes, and the bitter  to tone up the living fibre :
                   Golden Seal,
                   Bayberry,
                   Cayenne—aa.
   Give  in  tea  spoonful doses  five  or six times a day.
Injections of stimulants and astringents should likewise be
administered, to remove the mucous or false  membrane
from the bowels.   I have seen strips  of false  membrane,
in this complaint, thrown off the intestines, of more than a
yard in length.  This will be the case when healthy action
takes place.  The region of the stomach should be bathed
with stimulating liniment, and rubbed hard.  Sea-bathing
is excellent, as a tonic, after the alimentary canal has been
thoroughly cleansed.   There is  no form of disease that
requires  thorough  courses, and often repeated, more than
dyspepsia.  It is of no use, comparatively speaking, to deal
out a little medicine or bitters, as is unually the case, but
the course of medication must be thorough, and continued,
and a radical cure can be effected. 
JAUNDICE.                  24l
  A tea spoonful of golden seal,  taken after  meals,  will
prevent the distress caused by food.
  The following compound should be taken during recov-
ery:
                  Peruvian Bark,
                  Golden Seal,
                  Orange Peel,
                  FennelSeed,
                  Ginseng,
                  Cayenne—aa.
  A tea spoonful before meals—or,
                  Golden Seal,
                  Poplar Bark,
                  Prickly Ash—aa. oz. i.
                  Cayenne,         oz. ss.
  Mix, and give a  tea spoonful as before.   Any of the
vegetable bitters may-be  given  with advantage: worm-
wool,  boxwood, balmony,  wild cherry, gentian, columbo,
&c, but the cayenne should be used with them.   Worm-
wood  and pepper sauce will prove highly  serviceable in
dyspepsia.
                   JAUNDICE.

   Distinguishing  Character.—Yellowness  of the eyes
and skin, fieces white, urine high colored  and communi-
eating a yellow  tinge to linen ; universal languor, lassi-
tude,  and costiveness.   There  is pain in the right side,
referred to the back;  heat or pricking of the skin, bitter
taste in the mouth, pulse slow, dryness of the skin, the skin
covered with yellow scurf, cold  shivcrings, hot flashes ^ i 
212
JAUNDICE.
   Causes—Predisposing.—Whatever  tends  to  produce
debility ; all or most of those producing dyspepsia.
   Proximate Cause.—Obstructed  or diseased state of the
liver or biliary organs.   The liver  is  in  a torpid  state,
secreting a superabundance of vitiated bile, the ordinary
passage of it to the intestines is obstructed, and it is then
taken up by the circulation, giving  the  yellow  tinge  to
every part of the body.

                * INDICATIONS OF CURE.
   This form of disease, like the preceding, requires :
   1st. That the remote or predisposing causes be removed.
   2d.  That the system  be  cleansed of mucous, or what-
ever tends  to destroy action.
   3d.  Tonics to restore and strengthen the vital principle.
   First.  The action of  the capillary vessels must be
restored, for it will  be observed, in jaundice, that there is
little or no perspiration.  The circulation, therefore, must
be equalized and quickened, and the  determination thrown
to the surface.
   Second.  The  circulation having been  attended to, the
morbid secretions or mucous, which  have accumulated in
consequence of debility, (the universal torpor having been
so great  as to  render it impossible for  the vital power to
remove it  by the usual evacuations,) must be detached
and thrown off, or medicines will produce  no effect upon
the living fibre.   To  accomplish this, bayberry and cay-
enne may  be administered freely,  and  lobelia  given to
induce thorough  emetic effect.   Tonic bitters  must be
given to fulfill the third indication ;  and should be freely
used by those who are predisposed  to jaundice.   The cold 
BILIARY CONCRETIONS.             243
bath in  this form of disease, if administered judiciously,
will answer the first indication equally as well as the steam
bath.
  Termination — Under the  Thomsonian  treatment  it
will be favorable, unless other and more complicated forms
of disease are present.
         BILIARY  CONCRETIONS.

   Biliary calculi, ox gallstones, as they are called, produce
no inconvenience, unless they occasion  obstruction in the
gall ducts.   The symptoms  are:  intense pain  in the
epigastrium, extending to the  side and  back, occurring in
paroxysms, with  intervals  of comparative ease, except a
dull pain in the epigastric region.  The pain varies with
the size of the gall stone, and with the obstruction which
it occasions.  The pain is liable to  be more severe after
eating than at other times.   The paroxysms come on sud-
denly, and when the calculi passes into the intestines, the
pain ceases as suddenly,  There is  heavy  pulse, bilious
vomitings, some fever, and often profuse perspiration.
   Treatment.—The only  treatment I have  ever given,
and  which I have found successful, is lobelia, by injection,
sufficient  to prostrate the  system immediately, and when
reaction  takes  place, the gall stones will be discharged.
Bitters are necessary to induce healthy action and secre-
tions of the liver.
o3 
ASCITES — DROPS Y.
               DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN.
   Symptoms.—These  are, irritability and dryness ol the
skin, torpid state  of the system  generally, oppression of
the chest; dry, irritating cough ; decrease of urine, cos-
tiveness, swelling of the abdomen.  This gradually extend-
ing, at length occupies the whole abdomen, which becomes
uniformly hard, and in a small degree elastic ; and when
examined by both hands, pressing by each in turn, a sense
of undulating liquid is communicated.   As the distention
increases, the difficulty  of  breathing increases; the
countenance exhibits either a pale or bloated appearance ;
great thirst, excessively dry  skin;  scanty,  high colored
urine, the pulse  generally quick and feeble, the  tongue
pale.   This  state continues for a time  when it assumes
the form and  appearance of
         ANASARCA, OR DROPSY OF THE FLESH.
  Symptoms.—The disease makes its appearance first in
the feet, towards evening,  which by degrees ascends to
the trunk of  the  body.   When  it becomes general, the
lungs are considerably affected, breathing is difficult, there
is a peculiar, irritating cough ; urine  scanty and  high
colored, costiveness, great thirst, skin pale, and when there
is great swelling it becomes hard and shining.
  Causes.—I  have mentioned the  two  forms  of dropsy
together, as the exciting or predisposing causes are the
same, and will require almost the same  treatment.   The
preternatural  collection  of serous  fluid,  whether in the 
                  ASCITES—DROPSY.                A'i.O

cellular membrane, or in any cavity of the body, is caused
by an increase of action of the exhalents, or debility, or
diminished  action' of the  absorbents, probably  from the
latter.   The causes which may produce diminished action
of the absorbents, are those which will induce any other
form of disease in a constitution predisposed,  such as pre-
vious disease  or  debility,  obstructing the  circulation ;
excessive discharges, suppression of the usual evacuations,
exposure to atmospheric changes,'translation of eruptive
complaints, drinking  large quantities of watery fluid, free
use of  spirituous liquors, jaundice,  gout,  dysentery, and
intermittents caused  by calomel.
   Favorable Symptoms.—-The disease ' depending   upon
causes  easily removed,  strength  little diminished ; good
constitution, good appetite, breathing free,  no great thirst,
free perspiration.
    Unfavorable Symptoms.—Organic  disease, great  ema-
 ciation, erysipelatous  inflammation;  much drowsiness,
 hemorrhage, fever, great thirst, and quick, small pulse.

                  INDICATIONS OF CURE.
    1st.  To remove the preternatural  collection of serous
 fluid.
   2d.  To produce healthy action and restore tone to the  .
 system, thereby preventing its accumulation.
    In abdominal  dropsy it will  be necessary to  draw off
 the fluid by tapping, after  the  usual exhibition of  those
 remedies which excite the absorbents and increase the
 evacuations, have failed of producing  any effect.   Per-
 sons predisposed  should use the  cayenne freely, together
 with the spice bitters,  as they combine  the two principles 
246
ASCITES—DROPSY.
necessary to  prevent  and  cure—i.  e. :  stimulant  and
tonic.
  If the application of courses of medicine  can be made
before the strength or vitality of the system is much im-
paired, they should be administered  and repeated.  The
vapor bath is one of the best  remedies for dropsy known.
If the vapor bath and  emetics are  given, the spice bitters
and cayenne should be  given between, from three to six
times a day.   Diuretics, such as ox balm, clivers, brake-
root, dwarf elder,  uva ursi,  &c,  &c, should  be given.
It is the practice of the old school physicians to give dras-
tic purges, but I have found that if it does carry off serum
by stools, it reduces vitality^ to such an extent that the col-
lection is greater afterwards. By combining a tonic and
stimulant treatment with the purges, the difficulty might,
to a considerable extent, be obviated, and cathartics prove
salutary.  The mandrake would be  a  medicine of con-
siderable power,  and combined  with cayenne, would
undoubtedly  be of service'in answering the first indication.
  ■ Second. If the serum be removed from the system, and
the strength  of the patient remains good, the second indi-
cation will be effected.  This demands  stimulants, tonics,
a light,  nourishing diet, and wine.  The use of diuretics
and  the cold or vapor bath, to  determine to the surface.
I knew a gentleman affected  with anasarca, in the town of
E., who was pronounced incurable by the  regular physi-
cians, and his life limited to three months, who lived more
than five years by the use**of rheumatic drops and spice
bitters.   A lady who was troubled with ascites, enjoyed a
good degree of health by using cayenne and] spice bitters.
If she left off  the medicine  the fluid  collected, but by 
GRAVEL.                    247
exciting  action  in the absorbents,  it was immediately
removed.   Any of the  vegetable  bitters may  be used,
wild cherry, white wood, &c, but the tonic should always
be combined with a stimulant.
                     GRAVEL.

   Symptoms.—Dull or  acute  pains in the small of the
back, with heat  and heaviness; pain  in  passing urine,
irritation at the neck of the bladder, and pain at the end
of the penis.  There is often a retraction of the testicles, "
with discharge of bloody  urine  or  of clots of blood.  In
the urine will be found  a sandy  powder, or small cal-
culi.   The urine is scanty, a disposition to void it often;
it is  high colored, and  of strong  odor.   The digestive
organs  are  deranged ;  there is  acidity of "the stomach,
with  flatulence,  constipation,  furred tongue,  dry   skin,
fever.                      '
   Causes.—Hereditary predisposition,  "infancy  and old
age, high living, blows  and injuries to the back and loins,
acid fruit, organic disease  of the kidney and bladder.
   Treatment.—There is no doubt  that by producing and
maintaining a healthy action  in the system, this form of
disease  can be cured, and the predisposition to its attacks
permanently removed.  Full courses of medicine must be
given, and followed by bitters or tonics, and mucilaginous
and diuretic drinks, such as slippery elm, poplar, ox balm,
linseed.
  An aggravated case of gravel came under  my care in 
24fe            %      DIABETES

the town of B., which  had been treated  by one Thomso-
nian and a number of old school doctors,  and had by them
all been  pronounced  incurable, was cured, as far as a
broken down constitution could be  cured—that is, he was
made able to attend to his daily labor, in  a few weeks.  I
made him  but one visit,    The  treatment consisted of
courses of medicine, given by  injection,  and an interme-
diate treatment of nervines, tonics, and diuretics.
                   DIABETES.

  Symptoms.—The first symptom which  will be likely to
arrest attention is, a  frequent desire to  void  urine.  On
examining the urine it will be found excessive in quantity,
and containing sugar, is limpid, and sweetish to the taste ;
voracious appetite,  excessive thirst,  skin dry,  pulse fre-
quent and feeble, emaciation, tongue red at the edge, gums
tender, the breath of a sweet odor.  The mind is gener-
ally  affected,  the power of memory being weakened, and
the patient rendered melancholy, anxious, and irritable.
   Causes.—Hereditary predisposition, cold, drinking cold
water when the body  is heated, imtemperance.
   Favorable Symptoms.—Commencing medication in the
early stage of disease, urine not exceeding six quarts per
day, flesh not  much wasted, the  thirst  and  appetite  but
little  increased, the  perspiration  still existing.   When
under treatment,  the symptoms of amendment are, dimin-
ished quantity of urine,  increase of flesh, diminution of
thirst and appetite, the skin becoming softer and  more 
pulmonary consumption.
249
perspirable, the eye brighter, the mind more cheerful, the
body more strong and active.
   Unfavorable Symptoms.—Great emaciation, prostration
of strength, urine  profuse and increasing,  intense  thirst,
inordinate craving for food, other forms of disease  super-
vening, extreme debility.
   Treatment.—In  the  diabetes my course has always
been, to administer the vapor bath to induce action  of the
capillaries; or  in  other  words, to  determine the fluids
to the  surface, using much friction ;  and using the third
preparation for emetics,  as it sustains  the strength  of the
patient more than  any other preparation of lobelia.   The
cold bath, or local bathing  to the spine, I have found  of
great utility.  I have used diuretics of the acrid kind, as
princess pine, uva ursi, &c.  1  have made use of  injec-
tions to the  urethea, of  princess  pine,  sumach, myrrh,
bayberry,  of one, or all  combined.   I have given the
princess pine and the canker  lettuce, in powder, a tea
spoonful five or six times a day.
     PULMONARY  CONSUMPTION.

  Character.— Emaciation,  debility,   cough,  hectic,
purulent expectoration, raising blood, diarrhea.
  Consumption is so slow in its approach that  it excites
but little attention.  The short and dry cough is not heeded
until the patient expectorates pus, which denotes  an ulcer-
ated state of the lungs.
  Symptoms.—Hurried respiration on the slightest increase 
 250            pulmonary consumption.

 of bodily motion ;  the system becomes languid, and grad-
 ually loses strength ;~the pulse is increased injfrrquency
 and  very small ;  at length,  from exciting causes,  gen-
 erally from exposure to cold and  wet,  or night air, tho
 cough becomes more  troublesome ;  there is  a sense of
 tightness or oppression of the  chest ;  the breathing is more
 frequent, and,  shortly, pains in  the  chest, referred to the
 top of the shoulders and back ; expectoration takes place,
 at first of a frothy substance, afterwards  becoming  more
 copious, viscid,  and opaque, and is more freely discharged
 in the morning  ; the matter is often  tinged with blood, or
* hemorrhage occurs to  a greater  extent;  the pain in the
 chest is increased, and  felt in both sides,  is increased  by
 coughing,  and sometimes becomes so acute as to prevent
 the patient from laying upon  the affected .side.  The face,
 at this stage, assumes  the  hectic  flush towards evening,
 the pulse increases in quickness, the urine is high colored
 and deposits a  branny sediment, the palms of the hands
 and the  soles of the  feet are affected with burning heat,
 the tongue, which was before furred, is now clean and red ;
 purulent  matter  is expectorated, the fever assumes the
 hectic form, having an  exacerbation twice a day, the first
 about noon, which is  inconsiderable, and soon suffers a
 remission  ; the other,  in  the evening, which gradually
 increases  until after  midnight.   Each  exacerbation  is
 usually preceded by chilliness, and terminates' in a profuse
 perspiration.  The appetite|at this stage often mends, and
 generally  becomes better  than in  the  first stage of the
 complaint; there  is a  circumscribed redness appearing
 on each cheek  during the exacerbations; at other times
 the face is  pale, and the countenance dejected;  food is 
               PULMONARY CONSUMPTION.           25i

often rejected  by vomiting ; a diarrhea supervenes, with
colliquative sweats ; the emaciation is extreme ; the coun-
tenance assumes  a  cadaverous appearance; the  cheeks
are prominent ;  the eyes hollow  and languid; the hair
falls off; the nails are of a livid color and much incurva-
ted ; the legs swell and are odematous; aphthce appears in
the throat; the appetite is often  good at  this stage, and
the  patient flatters  himself  with the  hopes  of speedy
recovery, and is vainly forming distant projects of interest
or amusement, when death puts a period to his existence.
   Causes.—Hereditary  predisposition,  particular forma-
tion of  the body, marked by long neck, prominent shoul-
ders, narrow  chest, and long slender fingers; the san-
guineous temperament, indicated  by a  fine, clear  skin,
fair hair, delicate complexion, and great sensibility ;  or
the black hair, dark eye, and sallow complexion ; consti-
tutional irritability of the lungs, sedentary life, bad air, and
unwholesome  food.   Certain  preceding diseases  induce
consumption, as raising blood, lung fever, catarrh, asthma,
scrofula, syphilis, small  pox, measles.   Persons exposed
in their labor to dust, which, when inhaled into the lungs
proves  a source  of irritation, stone-cutters, filers, millers,
&c.  The fumes of metals or minerals, intemperance of
any kind ; profuse evacuations, as diarrhea, diabetes, fluor
albus, menorrhagia.   But the most fruitful source  of this
great scourge of the human race is, exposure to cold and
damp in various ways,  such as  sleeping on damp  beds,
going with the feet or body  thinly clad,  exposure to cold
when the body is heated ; these acting on the body of the
above peculiar formation and predisposed, arc almost sure
to develop consumption. 
252
PULMONARY  CONSUMPTION.
  Favorable Symptoms.—The disease not being traceable
to hereditary predisposition, and being limited in extent,
slight emaciation and debility, pulse and breathing not
much increased  in  frequency, absence  of night sweats
and diarrhea, which will indicate  that there are no ulcers
as yet formed upon the lungs, and will justify a favorable
opinion of the existing attack.  The physician  should be
guarded in his opinion, as after  treatment may develop
symptoms which will  assuredly prove that he  was  mis-
taken, and he become obnoxious to censure.
   Unfavorable  Symptoms. — Hereditary  predisposition,
high degree of hectic  fever, great frequency of pulse and
breathing, extreme  emaciation and  debility, a morbidly,
clear and fiery red  tongue, fixed pain or soreness in the
chest, colliquative  sweats and diarrhea, profuse purulent
expectoration, odematous swelling of the  legs, dropsical
enlargement of the bowels, apthse.
  Treatment.—This must  vary with  the stage of the
disease.

                 INDICATIONS  OF CURE.
  1st. To promote the absorption of  tuberculous matter.
  2d.  To improve the general health.
  In the forming stage of consumption, or before ulcera-
tion has taken place, it  will  be easy of cure.   Emetics,
by all writers, are  considered the best remedy, except in
the last stage  of consumption, and there can be no doubt
that those of lobelia, with other treatment, may be called
a specific ; as they allay irritation, reduce inflammation,
produce expectoration, and induce absorption.   My mode
of giving lobelia in this  form  of disease has been in  bro- 
PULMONARY CONSUMPTION.           253
ken doses, commencing in  the  morning with perhaps one
grain, just sufficient  to  produce nausea, and repeat, so as
to keep the patient as  sick  as  possible without vomiting;
continuing  this  for  some  eight  to  twelve  hours,  when
enough is given to produce quick vomiting, giving mucila-
ginous drinks during the day, such as a decoction of slip-
pery elm, comfrey,  or  milk porridge.   The  succeeding
day I give as much milk porridge as the patient will drink ;
and the second succeeding day again  repeat  the emetic,
&c, &c.   I  have raised those, by this course, who were
apparently past all  hope of recovery.   It has been con-
tended by some that astringents should be given, and that,
too, with  considerable  reason.   Dr. J.  D. Friend  has
made some  remarkable cures,  which he attributes to the
use of astringent medicine.   I had a case of tubercular
consumption in my infirmary eleven years ago, which was
completely cured, although on the  first examination it
appeared impossible to render him any assistance, which I
candidly stated to him.   But it was his last resort, and he
would not be denied.    I administered to  him over  forty
courses of medicine, vapor bath, and every thing  consti-
tuting a full course, and between gave stimulants, astrin-
gents and mild  bitters.   Before  suppuration takes  place
the patient should be subjected to full courses of medicine,
and, indeed, in any and every  stage  of the disease, if the
strength is not too much  reduced, alternating with stimu-
lants, astringents, expectorants, and tonics.   If, indeed,
there be hope or prospect in any  course  of medical treat-
ment,  full  courses  of Thomsonian  medicine afford  that
hope and support.  The great difficulty lies in the patient
being unwilling to resort to medication of any kind, until 
254
PULMONARY CONSUMPTION.
it is too late,  and even then, hops  holds out to the  last.
The pulmonary balsam is one of the remedies I have used
with excellent success, after ulceration has taken place.
The cough powder is an excellent remedy in this complaint,
in all the different stages, to reduce inflammation, and to
relieve the cough.
   The following is also a good medicine in  the earlier
stages:
                 Liquorice, pulv.
                 Elecampane, pulv.—aa. oz.  i.
                 Sugar,                 oz.  iv.
   Form into confectionary  and use freely.   The  expec-
 torant syrup will relieve  the irritability of the lungs, and
 should be used,, during the whole course of the  disease.  I
 have  used cholera syrup  to sustain  the  strength  of the
 patient, with good effect.   When  emetics are given, they
 should be  administered  in the  morning.   The  patient
 should be allowed a light and  nourishing diet, such as
 milk, in various preparations, but especially warm from
 the cow, several times a day,  and should be  allowed free
 exercise.   The inhalation of vapor from various substan-
 ces,  has  been  used, and  with considerable  success,
 especially that  from tar.   I have never used  it  in my
 practice,  but  believe  it  might be used with good effect.
 But  in the early stage  much  greater benefit may be
 derived from the vapor of lobelia.   This will at once afford
 relief in  stricture and  inflammation ; especially  where
 the cough is tight and  irritating.   The common or deple-
 tive  treatment  is death.   Dr. Townsend says:  " If the
 disease has slain its thousands,  physicians,  by this mode
 of treatment,  have slain their tens of thousands."   Tonics
 can only  be administered in connection with free expecto- 
              NEURALGIA--NERVOUS PAIN.           255

ration.  Ginseng, balmony, camomile flowers, black snake
root, are among the tonics  made  use of in  my  practice.
For sweats, I have used daisies, red^clover blossoms, cam-
omile, &c.  The lung* wort  from soft maple _trees is an
excellent drink, or the Iceland or Irish|moss, or the liver-
wort.  But to sum up the whole matter, the patient should
be subjected to thorough courses atjan early stage of the
complaint, when [a. radical  cure  may be effected,  or the
physician should be candid, and promise no  more thamhe
is confident he can perform.
   NEURALGIA — NERVOUS  PAIN.

  There is scarcely a form  of disease which is not more
or less accompanied by  neuralgia, in some form ; but it
may likewise exist as idiopathic, or  distinct affections of
the nerves themselves.  To this has the term  neuralgia
been  applied.  The most common  forms of idiopathic
neuralgia, are tic-doloreux, or affections of the nerves of
the face, that of the sciatic nerve,  and tooth-ache.  Tic-
doloreux is  a most distressing complaint,  but is easily
removed in the commencement of the affection, by  bath-
ing with the third preparation until the parts become, to a
considerable degree, irritated, red, and sensible  of heat,
when a plaster, made  by spreading upon a thin piece of
leather a coat of the elastic plaster, and sprinkling upon it
a  trifle of  lobelia, cayenne, and pulverized camphor.
The third preparation should be  taken internally, in doses
from ten to  thirty drops,  every two hours.  When it has 
256
PALPITATION OF THE  HEART.
been of long standing, the same local treatment is neces-
sary, together with full courses of medicine, to remove
constitutional difficulties, and thorough stimulant and tonic
medicine should be given as intermediate treatment.  The
third preparation  applied to the gum or tooth will fre-
quently  relieve that distiessing  pain.
   Neuralgia may  be distinguished from muscular pain by
motion  increasing the pain,  if it be muscular; whereas
neuralgia is neither affected by motion nor relieved by rest.
   PALPITATION  OF  THE  HEART.

   This may be said to be a symptomatic affection, accom-
panying other forms of disease ; but as it is  many  times
taken  for  an  organic disease  of the  heart, it  may be
proper to speak of it in this place.  Some of the forms of
disease which are attended by palpitation are, chronic liver
affection, chlorosis, spinal affections, a particular period of
life, all  complaints caused by dissipation and masturbation,
amenorrhcea.
   Causes. — The  nervous temperament;  female  sex;
debility, however  induced.  Persons  of both sexes, of a
nervous temperament, who are subject  to hysteria, hypo-
chondria, melancholy, epilepsy, and nervous disorders, are
predisposed to palpitation.  Other causes produce palpita-
tion, such as joy, grief, anger,  fear, &c, &c, but is only
temporary.
   Treatment.—The indications of cure are :  1st, To
remove  the idiopathic form of disease,  of which  this is 
SYNCOPE — FAINTING.
257
symptomatic.  2d.  To strengthen and tone up the system.
  Of the first, the treatment has already been given with the
history  and treatment  of the different forms  of disease
upon which this is dependent.
  Secondly. Tonics and stimulants are necessary.  One
of the best preparations is  the woman's friend or the uni-
corn bitters.
                   Unicorn,
                   Peach Pits,
                   Poplar Bark,
                   Prickly Ash—aa. oz. i.
   One ounce of the compound to a quart of wine.  Dose—
two-thirds of a wine-glassfull three  times a day.  Nerve
powder or scullcap should be given freely.
          SYNCOPE —FAINTING.

  Symptoms.—A person about to be attacked with faint-
ing, experiences an  indescribable feeling of distress ;  the
eyes become dim, and covered  with  a kind  of film; there
is a sense of singing  or buzzing in the ears ; the counte-
nance and lips are pale ; the mind fails, the body is covered
with a cold perspiration, and the patient, if unsupported,
falls to the ground.   Sometimes the loss of sense is incom-
plete, when the patient'turns pale, and cold, yet the pulse
continues to beat,  and respiration  is just  perceptible; at
others, not the smallest signs of life can be perceived ; the
face has a death-like paleness,  the extremities are cold, the
eyes shut, the mouth sometimes shut, and at others open,
       p 
258
SYNCOPE — FAINTING.
the limbs flaccid and strength quite gone.  A recovery is
announced by deep and  heavy  sighs;  and is frequently
accompanied by vomiting.  It  may terminate  in epilepsy
and convulsions.   Syncope  does not continue in general
 longer than a few  seconds; but  in  some cases it persists
 for several minutes.  It must not be confounded with cata-
lepsy or hysterical species, which continues without intel-
 ligence for days,  because  the  complete cessation of  the
 vital  action   could  not  continue without  causing real
 death.
   Causes—Predisposing.—Nervous irritability and deli-
 cacy of constitution; debility,  however  induced; profuse
 evacuations, especially of blood  ; violent passions of  the
 mind,  excessive pain, organic  disease  of  the  heart  or
 large  vessels.
   Proximate  Causes.—Mental emotion,  such as joy, grief,
 fear, love, &c, of sensations produced by sight of certain
 objects, such  as blood, wounds ; by sounds, smell.  Nar-
 cotic poisons produce syncope; also, loss of blood.
    Treatment.—When  syncope  is purely nervous, as in
 nervous or hysterical women, there is seldom any danger.
 The patient  ought to be placed directly on the back,  and
 fresh air  admitted freely.  Cold water sprinkled on the
 face and "neck, ammonia applied to the nose,  &c, &c, will
 be sufficient to restore animation.
    Other indications are to remove the proximate cause-
 to improve the general health by mild aperients, tonics and
 stimulants. 
WORMS.
   There are three kinds of worms which are more or less
 troublesome in this community :
   1st. The ascarides or pin worm, which occupy the rec-
 tum or extreme lower portion of the intestines.  2d. The
 long round worm ; and  3d. The tape worm.
   Symptoms.—Colic pains, variable appetite, fetid breath,
 picking at the nose, hardness and  fullness  of the  belly,
 sensation of heat, and itching in the anus, preternaturally
 red tongue, or alternately clean and covered with a white
 slimy mucous, grinding the teeth  during sleep, short dry
 cough, frequent  slimy stools, emaciation, slow fever with
 an  exacerbation at evening, irregular pulse, urine becoming
 white or milky on standing, sometimes convulsion and
 fainting fits.
   Worms appear more  frequent in those  of a  relaxed
 habit; those whose bowels contain a preternatural quantity
 of mucous or phlegm ; in those who live on vegetable food,
 and in the dyspeptic.  Eating unripe fruit is the cause of
 their production.
   Treatment.—The grand  object should be  to prevent
 their production by maintaining  the integrity  of the sys-
 tem.  For worms would hardly produce any troublesome
 complaint unless from  eating  to  excess, or  that which
should not be  eaten.  The system becomes  deranged or
 debilitated,  which causes the secretion of vast quantities of
viscid phlegm.
  The 1st. indication of cure, is to cleanse the system of
morbid secretions.  2d.  To remove the  worms; and 3d.
To strengthen the system.
      r2 
260
WOK MS.
  First. It will hardly be necessary to repeat here that
stimulants should be given to excite action,  and an emetic
to remove the mucous, which will be all that is necessary in
the first place ;  in the second, for the pin worms, it will be
necessary to  administer injections of the most bitter medi-
cine ; that which I have found  the best, and  universally
sufficient  for the purpose is, a  strong decoction  of white-
wood bark, administered on going to bed, and  a decoction
of the same and Indian hemp, made in the form of syrup,
and preserved by gin.
                   Indian Hemp,
                   Whitewood Bark—aa.  oz.  ii.
   Steep in a quart of water to  a pint, strain and add four
ounces  loaf  sugar, and a gill of gin. Give to a child three
years of age  a table spoonful twice a day, fasting.
   For the round or tape worm, I have used the  following
preparation  with  excellent  success.   I have  removed a
number of tape  worms,'' one thirty-six feet long: Take
the burs and leaves of sweet fern, give a tea spoonful pul-
verized, on  an  empty stomach, three times a  day, giving
every fourth day a decoction of butternut buds, sufficient
to produce considerable cathartic  effect.    This I repeat
three or four  times, which will be generally sufficient. The
worm powders given in tea spoonful  doses on an empty
stomach, will be found an invaluable remedy, (see formula.)
To tone  up the  system,  give any  of the bitter  tonics
with stimulants added.  Those of a lax  habit, who  are
predisposed  to  worms, should  make  use of bitters  occa-
sionally, as  they tend to keep the  digestive organs in a
 healthy state. 
HERNIA — RUPTURE.
   This more properly belongs to the surgeon's department,
 but some simple  suggestions here may  be of no small
 benefit.  That form of hernia of which I shall treat is a
 protrusion of a portion of the intestines into a kind of sac,
 composed of the portion of the perineum  which is pushed
 before them, and called enterocele.   When it descends no
 lower than the groin, it is called inguinal  hernia, or  rup-
 ture ; and when it passes lower, it is called scrotal hernia.
 When the portion which is protruded, lies quiet and is easily
 reduced or put back, or returns  of itself on  the patient
 lying down, it will occasion but little inconvenience; but
 when it  becomes  strangulated,  from  spasm contracting
 the aperture, or by distention of the part by flatus or wind,
 producing inflammation, it is very dangerous, as it checks
 the  peristaltic  motion  of the intestines, impedes circula-
 tion  through  the  arteries,  producing gangrene,   very
 speedily destroying the patient.   It  is the reduction of the
 strangulated hernia, of which more particularly I propose
 to give some instructions.
   In  its early stage, hernia may be  cured by inducing
 some degree of inflammation of  the edges of the aperture,
 and keeping them  together ; this is  done  by wearing a
 bandage or truss, with a small point pressing directly into
the opening or aperture, until the proper degree of inflam-
 mation is produced, when the edges are brought  in contact,
when they will speedily heal.  It has been the  practice of
the old school physicians to make cold applications to the
strangulated part, bleed  and treat on  the most  approved 
262                     CANCER.

anti-phlogistic plan, thus destroyingvitality, and hastening
mortification ;  for it is the  want of circulation, or total
absence  of vitality that induces the state  of gangrene.
On the contrary, I have  always given stimulants to quicken
the circulation, apply fomentations to the strangulated part,
cloths wrung out in warm water, or the stimulating and
relaxing  poultice of lobelia,  slippery elm  and ginger.
These applications will remove spasm, thereby allowing
the  wind, or the contents of the  strangulated part to
return by the  aperture,"and allowing the hernia itself to
be easily reduced.  Should these applications,  however,
prove ineffectual, an injection  of lobelia, sufficient to pro-
duce relaxation, will hardly ever fail.
                     CANCER.

   Character.—A hard tumor of a glandular part, painful
and obstinate, which terminates in the foulest ulcer.  This
is one of the worst forms of disease to which the human
machine is liable.  The eyes, the nose, tongue, lips, cheeks,
groin, uterus and breasts, are most liable to an  attack of
cancer.  There can be no doubt that the cause of can-
cer is the want of action in the vessels of the part affected.
In the early stage of cancer, before it has formed an open
ulcer, or as it is generally called, schirrous, I have, by
promoting absorption and by inducing healthy action in
the system, been  able  to remove the cancerous humor
without its  developing  its  real  character.   Thorough
courses of medicine should bo given, and  repeated until 
CANCER.                    263
 the whole system is in a perfectly healthy state.   During
 this process I have used a poultice of slippery elm, skunk
 cabbage, ginger,  and a little cayenne, or the  clover plas-
 ter.  If, however, it prooeeds to ulceration, I  make use of
 the cancer plaster,  (see plaster,) for a longer or  shorter
 period, when I apply a poultice of slippery elm or bass-
 wood bark, with white pond lilly, ginger wet with a decoc-
 tion of ozier ; as soon as the irritation caused  by the plas-
 ter is allayed, I change the poultice for the plaster, and
 continue the latter as long as the pain can be well borne,
 when the poultice is again applied, continuing until the
 tumor is extracted, which will  be  in  a longer or shorter
 period, according to size, &c.   It will be understood, that
 the courses of  medicine must  be continued  during the
 applications of the  plaster, to  cleanse  the blood of the
 humor and preserve a healthy action of the system ;  giving
 as  intermediate treatment, the  spice  bitters in ozier tea,
 and giving  the decoction of ozier freely.   Other applica-
 tions have been used with success.  My brother cured a
 number of obstinate cancers with the garget root, and
 others have used the sorrel poultice or plaster with success.
 I have found them to slough too much, if the cancer is on
 a fleshy part, like the  breast.  Indeed  I have known no
 application  equal  the cancer plaster I  have used for  the
 last six years.
  Cutting does no good.   I never  knew one cured by this
process, as it is  impossible to cut  away all the  roots, or
parts. 
 DYSURIA — DIFFICULTY   IN   VOID-
                 ING  URINE.

  Dysuria may exist in every  degree, from slight and
momentary obstruction of the urine, with or without pain,
to complete anduobstinate retention.  Some degree of pain
generally attends the abortive attempts to discharge urine ;
and in severe cases, the suffering is of the most intense kind.
It is most commonly a symptom  of other forms of disease,
such as gonorrhoea ; inflamed, prostate gland ; of gravel,
of  stone,  inflammation of  the  bladder or kidneys,  of
worms, uterine affections, and  pregnancy.  Strangury,
an aggravated form of dysuria, is produced by cantharides
and other strong irritants.   Strictures in the urethea also
occasion dysuria.
  Treatment.—If  symptomatic,  the  original form  of
disease must be removed, in  which case dysuria will, as
an attendant symptom,  be  cured  likewise.   The local
treatment must  be  that which  will stimulate or provoke
action  in the parts themselves.   Diuretics are necessary,
as they act directly  on the urinary organs, such asuva
ursi,  wintergreen,  oneberry, clivers, juniper berries,  ox
balm, gum arabic, &c.   A tea  spoonful of the expressed
juice  of onions or garlics,  with half a  tea  spoonful of
lobelia, is said to afford immediate relief.  If, however,
these remedies fail, an  injection  of two  tea spoonsful of
lobelia  in the mucilage of slippery  elm, will relax the
spasmodic action of the vessels,  reduce inflammation, and
give permanent relief. 
    AMENORRHCEA —OBSTRUCTED
              MENSTRUATION.

  Any prior form of disease or debility may be the cause
of amenorrhcea,  or the last may cause debility, and thus
act upon each other.   Obstructed menstruation may be
the first, or almost  the first symptom of  disease, and at
other times makes its appearance after debility has  for a
long time existed.  In either case, the disease is marked
by  the appearance, of the countenance,  which  is either
pale or transparent, as if from mere  loss of blood, or
waxen sallow and muddy, as in chlorosis.
  Treatment.—In this form of disease  the local ailment
or symptoms are not generally all the indications  that
require medical treatment.  The constitution generally
suffers, and requires thorough  medication.  The system
or circulation is slow and languid, hence  there are large
secretions of mucous, which prevent the absorbents from
supplying to  the circulation the usual quantity of nutri-
ment.  The  system must  be  thoroughly cleansed  and
invigorated by  lobelia,  stimulants  and the vapor bath.
The hip bath is an excellent  remedy  in amenorrhcea,
repeated  often.   The feet  should be kept  warm and well
clothed, and  the head cool.  After the system has been
well cleansed, the female powders or woman's friend, in a
tea of black cohosh, will strengthen the organs  and excite
local action.  Stimulants should not be neglected, as they
keep up a uniform  action in  the different  parts, and thus
remove that sluggishness which is more or less  attendant
upon this disease.  It is  thought that cayenne is too pow- 
266    DYSMENORRHEA—PAINFUL MENSTRUATION.

erful to use, as it is what is termed^orcmg, but this is a mis-
take, for it operates as an emmenagogue only, as it excites
action in the system.   It will equally quick, check exces-
sive hemorrhage from  the same organ, hence it equalizes
the circulation, or removes pressure or  congestion.  Gin
and water, equal parts, hot as it can be well borne, used as
a foot bath, is a powerful emmenagogue.  Motherwort is
likewise good as a local remedy, and an excellent nervine.
 DYSMENORRHEA —PAINFUL   MEN-
                 STRUATION.

  Symptoms.—This distressing  disease is  preceded  by
pains in the loins, for a longer or shorter period before the
expected menstrual  discharge;  tenderness  in the hypo-
gastric region, and  sometimes over the whole abdomen;
sense of soreness, or acute darting pains, resembling those
of colic, and occurring mostly in paroxysms ; vomiting;
sometimes diarrhea; tenesmus, and dysuria.   The nervous
system is generally  more or less affected, and hysteria in a
variety of forms is often present.  These symptoms continue
and increase until the menstrual discharge takes place, and
then  suddenly cease, or gradually  pass off.   In this form
of disease, the discharge is generally scanty, and of un-
healthy character.
  Causes.—Sudden and violent passions  and emotions,
determination of blood  to  the uterus; all  causes which
diminish the  discharge; constipation,  spinal  affection,
exposure to cold or  wet. 
  MENORRHAGIA—IMMODERATE FLOW OF THE MENSES. 267

  Termination. —The  cure in most  cases  is generally
easily affected ; but some  cases  resist medical treatment
until menstrual discharge ceases.
  The indications of cure in this complaint are :
  1st.  To excite action in  the  uterine vessels;  and 2d.
To prevent their return.   I have cured the most obstinate
cases of painful menstruation, by simply
                 Composition,
                 Nerve Powder,
                 Spice Bitters,
                 Cayenne—aa. oz. i.
   A tea spoonful given four or five times a day, or even
more in extreme cases.  To afford immediate relief, the
rheumatic drops, a table spoonful,  in a little warm water,
sweetened, will give  immediate relief,   Marriage gener-
ally effects a perfect cure.
    MENORRHAGIA—IMMODERATE
        FLOW  OF  THE  MENSES.

  The menstrual discharge is to be considered immode-
rate when it either returns more frequently than what is
natural, continues longer  than is ordinary, or is  more in
quantity  than is usual with  the same  person  at  other
times.
  Symptoms.—The pulse" is  generally small and feeble,
the  face pallid, respiration short and hurried on the slight-
est  effort; the general leucophlegmatic appearance of the
patient indicates a laxity of every muscular fibre ; the pains
of the back and loins are rather aching than acute. 
268 MENORRHAGIA—IMMODERATE FLOW OF THE MENSES.

   Cause—Proximate.—Debility  of  the  uterus, arising
from frequent parturition, difficult and tedious labors, inju-
ries from  ignorant  midwives, sedentary and inactive  life,
drinking warm enervating  fluids as tea and coffee;  fre-
quent  miscarriages, and  living  in  heated apartments.
Weakness or debility of the uterus, may be, and often is,
the result of violent exercise, dancing when tired and in
a perspiration ;  strains, violent  strainings at  stool, tight
lacing, or any  impediment to a free circulation  of blood ;
excessive venery, cold  and wet to  the feet, and organic
affections of the womb, such as polypus, cancers, &c.
   Treatment.—The  system  should  be restored  to a
healthy condition by removing any occasional causes of
the complaint, and cleansing it of all morbific matter.   If,
however,  there  be  any  prolapsus or bearing down,  me-
chanical support should be applied  previous to giving a
course of  medicine.  After the system is restored to a
healthy tone, local  applications will  be found necessary.
For a local tonic in this complaint I have found the follow-
ing to answer every indication :
                    Unicorn,
                    Peach Pits,
                    Bethroot—aa. oz. i.
                    Water,       o. iss.
                    Brandy,      o. iss.
   Mix and give two-thirds  of wine-glassfull before break-
fast and dinner.
   Injections  of sumach bark  or leaves, or witch  hazel
leaves with a little myrrh, should be used per vaginum,
two or three times a day.
   Golden seal,  bethroot  and bayberry, equal parts ; a tea 
              LEUCORRHffiA — THE WHITES.          269

spoonful should be taken after meals, to prevent flatulence,
and also to  act as a local astringent upon the uterine ves-
selsi
  But if there be constitutional debility, courses of medi-
cine must be  used, before local  remedies will  be of any
essential service.   Wine may be used in connection with
astringents  and tonics.   The  rheumatic drops will like-
wise' induce healthy action,  given  in tea spoonful doses
two or three times a  day.   The back should  be  bathed
with  cold water  and thoroughly rubbed; this will pro-
duce tonic  effect upon  the diseased organs.   Tonics, as-
tringents and stimulants should  be  used until the  system
is fully restored to its usual vigor.
   LEUCORRHCEA —THE  WHITES.

  This term was originally  applied to a white discharge,
consisting of mucous;  but it  is now applied to any dis-
charge, arising from  merely  functional  causes, whether
the color be  white, yellow, greenish, or slightly red.  The
discharge varies in  consistence from a limpid fluid, to that
of a tenacious ropy mucous, and in quantity from a slight
increase  of  the natural  secretion  of the part, to  several
ounces in the  day.   The general health is liable to suffer
in a variety of ways.  The stomach is generally more or
less deranged; the  bowels  are  constipated, or extremely
irritable; spinal  irritation  is  often present, and there is
palpitation,  and a long train of hysteric symptoms.
  Causes.—Luxurious living, warm rooms, masturbation 
270
LEUCORR1KEA--THE WHITES.
spinal affection, irritation of surrounding parts, producing
debility or functional  derangements of the uterine system.
The disease occurs at all ages, from fifteen to fifty, and
is not uncommon in children under puberty.
   Termination.—It  will be necessary to ascertain in the
first place  what has caused the complaint, so as to  restore
healthy action to the system:
   First. To  remove exciting causes, and restore the'tone
of the system;  and Secondly, to arrest the discharge.
   Few can be afflicted with, this  troublesome and debili
tating disease unless the uterine  system has been previ-
ously weakened by over  action.   The patient  should be
questioned closely, to ascertain what this exciting cause
can be ;  and justice compels me to  say, that it often pro-
ceeds from their own acts.   Whatever they may be, they
must be  removed, and  the  system  renovated,  morbific
matter  thrown  off", and  the  system restored to a healthy
tone.  If this cannot be done without courses of medicine,
they must be given thoroughly, and often a cure cannot be
effected  without.   Tonics, such  as the unicorn bitters,
with myrrh added, will be found necessary.
                     Unicorn,
                     Peach Meats,
                     Myrrh—aa.  oz. i.
                     Cayenne,   x. i.
   Mix and give in brandy or wine.   The woman's friend
or spice bitters, will be of essential service.   The compo-
sition and nerve powder, or scullcap, must be given three
or four times a day.
   To  answer  the second intention, injections are impor-
tant,  and  in  fact, absolutely  necessarv.   I  have  used 
WOUNDS.
271
sumach and brandy, and found it to answer well, although
at first, it will be necessary to use  a little rheumatic drops
to produce action.   If necessary, a  cylindrical  shaped
sponge, wet with brandy, and an astringent wash, can be
applied to the  vagina, and should there be any prolapsus,
it should never be omitted.  Any  of the astringents may
be used.   Oak bark is too drying, unless brandy or a small
quantity of drops is  added.   The latter is the best.   The
back  and loins  should be thoroughly bathed with cold
water, and friction continued until  reaction is induced.
                    WOUNDS.

   The Treatment of wounds, bruises, sprains, and ulcers
 or old sores, more properly comes  under the department
 of the surgeon, but every physician and family will have
 more or less of them to  treat; consequently, some direc-
 tions may be necessary here.   When a wound has been
 made, it should be immediately closed, or the edges drawn
 together and held by a plaster; or if it occur on a part
 liable to keep  separated,  a  few stitches should be taken,
just  sufficient to bring the lips of the wound together.
 Light bandages should then be applied to prevent the ac-
 tion  of the air upon the wound, when it will  immediately
unite.  This is called healing  by the first intention.  It is
exposure of the part which causes so much trouble  in heal-
ing wounds.  If,  however, the wound is foul, it  must be
cleansed, every particle of a foreign nature  must be ex-
tracted, or it will  cause inflammation.   But if  thisopportu- 
272
WOUNDS.
nity be lost, and the mouths of the/livided vessels contract,
they will no longer throw out blood, but  lymph, and the
parts being brought into contact, may yet unite by adhe-
sion.   It will be remembered that  all divided parts must
be brought into contact, either  by bandage  or adhesive
plaster, and the air must be kept entirely from the wound.
  If a  scab  forms upon  the surface, and matter or  pus
escapes from  under  its edges,  this may be cleansed but
the scab should  not be disturbed.   Should  inflammation
be  present, a poultice of slippery  elm, will  relieve it.—
When  these operations have been  neglected, suppuration
will take place, and granulations  be formed, which is the
third mode of union.
   Nothing is wanting in the first  place but to free  the
wound of all irritating  substances, and be kept free from
atmospheric influence,  or in other  words, prevent from
taking cold in the part.   In the second place, should there
be  inflammation,  attended with burning and pain, the
poultice—-
                Slippery Elm,—oz. ii.
                White Pond Lilly,
                Green Lobelia,
                Crackers,—aa. oz. i.
  Mix and apply, and keep constantly wet with cold water.
  If, however, the wound becomes a foul cankerous ulcer,
a poultice  of  the sediment of drops, with the addition of
an equal quantity of  fine slippery  elm, and kept wet  with
the No. 6, or  rheumatic drops,  until healthy  action takes
place.    If there  be  what is termed proud flesh,  in the
wound, it should be made to bleed by pricking with sharp
hazel nut sticks, and the best of African  cayenne should 
GONORRHOEA.
273
be sprinkled upon it.   Salves generally are worse than
nothing, especially if they are compounded with grease.
The same treatment may be  observed with regard to
ulcers.  A decoction of myrrh may be used to wash, and
should never be omitted where  there  is the least fear of
gangrene.
                 GONORRHffiA.

  Character. — A preternatural  and  involuntary  dis-
charge of infectious matter  from the parts of generation
in either sex.  It makes its appearance ftom  three to
fifteen days after the infection has been received; but the
medium time is five days.  It has been known to make its
appearance  in  twenty-four hours, and in rare instances,
not until the expiration of a  month,
  The first symptom which  will  be  noticed, is a  small
degree of itching and  darting pain in the  genital organs.
A scalding or burning sensation  is  soon  felt on voiding
urine, which is followed by  a discharge  of  thin, whitish
matter, attended by a slight degree of redness and inflam-
mation.  As the disorder advances, the pain, scalding of
urine, and discharge increase, and  fresh symptoms daily
ensue.   In men, the erections become painful  and involun-
tary, and are more frequent and lasting than when natural.
This is most troublesome when the'patient is warm in  bed.
The pain which was perceived only towards the extremity
soon extends to the whole urinary passage, and by sym-
pathy affects the kidneys, producing a dull, heavy pain in 
271
GONORRHOEA.
the loins.   The discharge soon loses its  thin, transpa-
rent  hue,  and  grows yellow  or  green.    At this stage
all the symptoms  are more  intense,  the pain in voiding
water is extreme,  and is  dreaded by  the patient;  there
is a  constant indication  to micturation, but  it is passed
with  great  difficulty and only  by drops.   The involun-
tary  erections are now very painful, and more frequent;
there is a sense of  heat, soreness, and  fulness about the
perinaum, and the discharge free, and often bloody.   By
a proper treatment the violence of the symptoms gradually
abates, the heat and scalding of the urine goes off, painful
erections  become  less frequent, the running decreases,
grows light colored and  thicker,  and finally disappears.
By attending  to these symptoms, the gonorrhoea may be
easily distinguished, from any  other form  of disease.—
There  are  complaints which  may be mistaken for gonor-
rhoea ;  such as ulcers of the  kidney, or bladder, or the
whites in women*   But is known  by the discharge being
constant in the former, and in the latter it passes only with
the urine.
   Much speculation  has been rife respecting  the mode of
taking the infection.   It is possible that the  virus may be
communicated by other means  than  impure connection ;
but it is barely so.    No case has ever yet"come under my
treatment, or  observation, where I had any reason to be-
lieve it  was taken by other than the  latter cause.
  Preventive.—Whether or not it is the duty of the com-
piler to publish any  preventive, is rather doubtful;  still,
it is necessary to give every important information, leav-
ing it to the moral sense of the reader whether he  will
place himself  in  a situation to require its use.   After 
GONORRHOEA.
275
 doubtful  connection,  if the following wash  is used  this
 filthy and painful disorder may be avoided.
   The virus  is deposited  upon  the  external parts and is
 taken up by absorption ; consequently any fluid applied
 before it is absorbed, which will neutralize, and  carry it
 off, will of course prevent.
               Infusion of Green Lobelia, oz. i.
               Chloride of Soda,          x.  i.
   Mix and wash  the parts well, will surely prevent the
 introduction  of the  virus.   Seme  have  recommended
 brandy, but it is not sure.   It  should  be  injected  into the
 vagina of females, and the external parts  well washed.
   Cure.—I have avoided using any thing in my practice
 which is of doubtful character,  but the secrecy which all
 ardently covet in the  treatment of this  disease, has led me
 to use a  great variety of applications to cure ;  first, se-
 cretly, and second,  speedily.   I have invariably found
 the following  the best to effect the combined intentions,
 although one of the articles, when  taken  in the stomach,
 is poison,  but the other remedies employed  with  it pre-
 vent  any  bad  effect, if, indeed, any  would occur, which
 I doubt, in the particular mode of application.
              Infusion of Lobelia,  o.  i.
              Chloride of Soda,    oz. i.
             ' Sulphate of Zinc,    x.  i.
  Mix and use as an  injection, three or four times a day.
 Balsam copaiva capsules, from four to twelve a  day, should
 be taken, and a constant drink of mucilage of gum arabic
 should be  used.   The patient should be  particular to
 abstain from all sexual intercourse, and from ardent spirits,
and confine himself to  a light diet.    Strong astringent
       Q 
276
GONORRHOEA.
injections are used by many, which, by drying up the dis-
charge  without removing the  cause,  aggravate every
symptom, and produce swelled testicle and chordee.   All
preparations of lead should be avoided.
   The  following  compound can be  used  instead of the
capsules :
              Erysipelous Mixture, oz. iv.
              Balsam Copaiva,    oz. i.
   Mix and take a  tea spoonful three times a day.
   The  following has  been in common use as a popular
 remedy in this complaint:
            Mucilage of Gum Arabic, oz. iv.
            Balsam Copaiva,          oz. ii.
            Tinct. Lavender,
            Tinct.  Guaic,
            Tinct. Wintergreen—aa.  drams ii.
   Mix  and take a tea  spoonful three times a day.   But
 most patients  prefer to use the capsules, as they are not
 liable to taint the  breath.   If  the  discharge continues for
 a lono- time and becomes chronic, it is called  gleet, when
 tonics must be used, and likewise astringent injections, as
 there is' debility of the parts, and there is no fear of pro-
 ducing inflammation by using  astringents.   For a tonic,
 golden  seal, a tea spoonful three times a day  ; and injec-
 tions to the  urethea of devil's bit, night and morning, will
 check the gleet.  All preparations of lead and mercury
 should  be avoided, as tenfold Worse than the disease itself.
 For let  it be remembered, that gonorrhoea, would  never
 become constitutional, unless through the effects of mer-
 cury.  The bowels should be kept free during the contin-
 uance of the complaint.  Injections  of slippery elm and 
SYPHILIS.
277
green lobelia, in milk, would be the  best remedy, but as
this might  cause exposure, the bowels can be kept open
by:
                Epsom Salts, oz. iv.
              -  Water,      o. ii.
  Mix and take two or three  table spoonsful daily, or
sufficient to keep the bowels open. Mucilaginous diuretics
should be drank freely.  The above  treatment will cure
gonorrhoea in two weeks, if the patient is strictly temper-
ate in all things.
                   SYPHILIS.

  I have before stated that gonorrhoea would never become
constitutional, that is,  would  never produce chancres,
buboes, ulcers of the mouth  and other parts, caries of the
bones, &c, &c, unless from the use of mercury.  There
appears to  be a specific difference between the  virus of
gonorrhoea  and that of a chancre,  &c.  But I must say,
also, that I have never had a case of syphilis ever become
constitutional  under strict  botanic  treatment.    I  have
recently treated some of the worst cases of chancres I ever
saw, which had been under the care of New York doctors,
and in every instance, have cured permanently and effect-
ually.  Chancres  generally  appear on the glands penis,
and consist of small,  painful  tumors, with  a white head,
and having a hard base.  These,soon break and  the mat-
ter spreads, communicating with the surrounding  parts
until a large open ulcer  is formed,  with unequal and hard
       q2 
278
SYPHILIS.
 edges.  As soon as the little pimples  appear they should
 be wet with chloride of soda, diluted ten times.
                 Chloride Soda, oz. f.
                 Water,        oz. x.
    Mix  and wash well, and apply a powder composed of
 the following:
                    Green Lobelia, x. i.
                    Slippery Elm, x. iii.
    Mix and sprinkle on the chancres whilst moist from the
•application of the  soda,  and if possible, keep  it on, and
 moisten three or four times a day, and add at each time a
 coat of  slippery elm.  This simple application  will  cure
 in a few days, for it is certain that lobelia is the best medi-
 cine  to neutralize  the syphilitic virus  (as  well as other
 poisons,) that has hitherto been discovered.  If an open,
 eating ulcer is formed, the wash  should be made of the
 devil's bit, a decoction of which should  be  used three or
 four times  a day, or night  and  morning, and  the above
 powder wet with a decoction  of devil's bit should be applied
 constantly.  A bubo is a hard tumor seated in the groin,
occasioned by the translation of the venereal poison to the
part.  When these  appear they should  be poulticed  until
matter is formed, when the bubo should be opened, by as
small an orifice as is consistent with a free discharge of
the matter. The poultice should be continued and the ulcer
syringed thoroughly with an infusion of  green lobelia and
devil's bit,  or  lobelia alone, remembering, that an ulcer to
heal should be kept covered.   If the venereal poison has
become diffused  through the system, constitutional treat-
ment should be given, continuing  such local applications
as the case demands. 
SYPHILIS.                   279
   Courses of medicine will remove the venereal taint from
the system effectually, as well as that of mercury, which
usually accompanies, or rather, which has caused it; for
I have never known a case of constitutional syphilis, which
had  not been  treated with mercury.  Ulcers appearing
upon different portions of the  body,  may be cured by the
application of  the  devil's bit, and keeping the ulcer from
the air.  In the application of courses to venereal, I make
no difference  in the general  course, but  vary the  local
application according to the local symptoms.   I make use
of the sarsaparilla syrup, with a trifle of mandrake added
sufficient to keep the bowels open.    Poultices should be
applied  where there  is much  discharge, as they absorb
and carry off  the  virus  which  would  otherwise spread
over surrounding parts, thereby extending the ulcers; but
they likewise prevent  the action of atmospheric air.   The
courses of medicine, with sarsaparilla, will cure any case
of constitutional  syphilis,  without  the  aid of mercury,
which only adds to  the disease and renders the original
disease tenfold  more difficult of cure.   Indeed, a case of
constitutional syphilis  is never eradicated  by the use of
mercury, but aches and pains attend  the unhappy sufferer
to the grave.
   Note.  I may be   censured for  treating of the  last
seven forms of disease, (excepting wounds,) but I consid-
ered it my duty to do  so, although I  have not done it as
fully as the subject demands ;  but if this work is favora-
bly received by our botanic friends, I shall shortly publish
a small treatise, designed  for the use of mothers, and in
which  these  forms of disease will  be treated fully  and
more plainly.
       Q3 
 
PAET   III,
COMPRISING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST PROMI-
  NENT ARTICLES IN THE THOMSONIAN MATERIA
    MEDICA, AND THE MODE OF COMPOUNDING. 
 
MATERIA  MEDICA  BOTANICO.
   In this portion of the work we shall not be as full, proba-
 bly, as other works of a similar stamp; neither do we
 follow the  course  pursued by others,  and  that for  very
 good reasons.   The works to  which  we  have  referred
 wexe written more as  text  books for physicians  and stu-
 dents than  as guides for families, and, consequently, there
 is much matter that is entirely useless;—and, again, the
 frequent use of terms unexplained,  render  it still worse.
 Another fault, and one much too common among Botanic
 authors, is that of taking for granted  what old authors
 have said respecting the properties of our remedies.   Hor-
 ton Howard is particularly  amenable  to this fault.   He
 derives the greater portion of his authority  of the proper-
 ties of the remedies in  his work from Dr. Thatcher, who
 intimates that lobelia inflata is a poison.  It  is a fact  now
 almost universally conceded, that of the greater portion of
 our remedies the faculty know absolutely nothing—that is
 to say, practically.   In the present  work it has been our
 endeavor to remedy  this, giving the true definitions, in a
 concise table, of the various technicalities, with regard to
the properties of remedies.
   The Botanical portion, as  we have said above, will be
adapted to every practical want of a family, though not so
full  and prolix with  regard  to the  descriptions of plants, 
264
MATERIA MEDICA.
to which in works like the present, we should attach but
little importance.
  The terms most in common use are :
Stimulants.	Antacids.
Antispasmodics.	Lithontriptics.
Tonics.	Escharotics.
Astringents.	Anthelmintics.
Emetics.	Demulcient.
Cathartics.1	Diluent.
Emmenagogues.	Emolient.
Diuretics.	Enema.
Diaphoretics.	Antiseptic.
Expectorants.	Nervine.
Sialagogues.	Aperiant.
Errhines.	Rubefacient.
Epispastics.	
    Stimulants-—Those medicines which possess the pow-
 er of exciting the  animal energy.  They  may be divided
 into diffusive, narcotic and local.
  By a diffusive stimulant, we mean those remedies which
 impart  energy to  the animal fibre;  and from the use of
 which, arises no depression  after reaction.   In a general
 inflammation or fever, where the pulse ranges in the mean
 from 75 to 110, or even  more beats  in  a minute, a diffu-
 sive stimulant  so acts upon  the heart as to reduce its con-
 tractions  to a healthy standard, and this  by exciting the
organs to  a healthy action.    Also,  when the number of
pulsations is as much below, a diffusive stimulant acts in
precisely  a like manner, by adding energy to and exciting
the  organs to perform a healthy action.
  All narcotics are more or  less stimulants:  that is, stim- 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
285
  ulation is the first perceivable effect.   They act, however,
  directly upon the brain and  nervous system—stimulating
  the brain to greater and  more intense action ; and, as a
  consequence of this unnatural excitement of the  brain,
  and hence of the whole nervous system, when the reaction
  follows there is a proportional decrease of the powers of
  those organs.   Hence,  when a narcotic is administered,
  after the stimulus it afforded has subsided, sleep is pro-
  duced, by rendering the nervous system quiescent : or, in
  other words, by destroying in a measure its sensibility.
    The sense of touch, feeling, pain, &c, have their origin
  in the brain, through the  medium  of the nerves; hence,
 powerful narcotics are frequently given to remove violent
 pain from the system.  The  exhibition of a narcotic does
 relieve the pain, by (as we have  said above) destroying,
 or deadening their  sensibility. Their power is detracted
 from.  The power which they  have,  in common with
 every organ of  the body, of resisting disease, is partially,
 if not wholly, destroyed; and when reaction takes place,
 we find them with increased sensibility, and deprived of the
 power of resistance.  The reader,  by  the  above  defini-
 tions, which  are derived from an experimental  knowledge
 of the operations of two  classes of stimulants, can very
 easily determine what articles are  " diffusive stimulants,"
 and what are not.   They will also see  that the exhibition
 of narcotics is attended with danger.
   Local stimulants, are those which  are applied to  disease
located in some particular portion or  part of the body.
Warm  water,  and  all the diffusive stimulants, whether
applied as drafts, poultices, embrocations, or plasters, are
termed local stimulants. 
286
MATERIA  MEDICA.
   Antispasmodics—Are those remedies  which  possess
 lhe power of removing or alleviating  spasmodic contrac-
 tions of the  muscles.   The  most powerful relaxants are
 the best antispasmodics.

   Tonics—Medicines  which  increase  the  tone  of the
 muscular fibre.   The term signifies, to'strengthen.

   Astringents—That which  renders the  solids  of the
 body more dense and  firm, by contracting the  muscular
 fibre, independent of their living power.  They thus act in
 diminishing excessive discharges, such as  dysentery, &c.

   Emetics—That which is capable of exciting vomiting,
 independently of any effects arising from the mere quan-
 tity of matter  introduced into the stomach, or of any nau-
 seous taste or  flavor.

   Cathartics—Medicines which, when taken internally,
 increase  the number of alvine discharges, or produces an
 evacuation of the bowels. It is synonymous with the terms
purgative, laxative, physic, dejectoria, &c.

   Emmenagogues—Those medicines which  promote the
 monthly evacuation from the uterus, which, in accordance
 with a law of the animal economy, should take place peri-
 odically in the female system.

   Diuretics—Medicines which by acting  on the kid-
 neys augment the flow of urine.

   Diaphoretic^—Remedies which have a"tendency to in-
crease the discharge from the skin, or, in other words, those
which produce  perspiration.    It  is   synonymous with
sudor ifics. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
287
  Expectorants—Those  medicines which  increase the
discharge of mucous from the lungs.
  Sialagogues—Articles  so  called  which  excite  an
uncommon flow of saliva.
  Errhines—Those articles which augment the secre-
tion of the mucous  membrane of the nostril * and excite
sneezing.
   Anthelmintics—Possessing the power of producing the
expulsion  of worms from  the stomach  and  intestines.—
Medicines which  are intensely bitter and laxative, are of
this class.  This is synonymous with  vermifuge.
  Demulcient—Medicines  suited  to  obviate the  action
of acrid stimulant matter ;  not by changing its acrimony,
but by combining with it a mild and viscid matter, which
prevents its acting upon the sensible parts of the body, or
by covering  the surface exposed to  their action.  Mild
mucilaginous fluids, such as slippery elm, flaxseed tea, &c.

   Emolient—Signifying to soften.  Medicines possessing
the power of softening indolent tumors, and relaxing the
muscular fibre,  independent of any  mechanical action.
 Cataplasms, or poultices are generally of this class.
   Antiseptic—Having a  tendency  to prevent  mortifi-
cation.   Amongst this class may be  found,  gum, myrrh,
some of the stimulants, charcoal, &c.
   Nervine—Possessing the power of relieving preterna-
tural sensibility of the nervous system.  Antispasmodics
act as powerful nervines. 
288
MATERIA  MEDICA.
   Aperient—Remedies that gently open the bowels.
   Enema—Clyster or injection.
   Rubefacients—Those local  remedies,  which  when
 applied lo  the surface,  induce a redness, or an  appear-
 ance like inflammation, without producing a blister.
   Alterative—Medicines  which  produce a change of
 secretions or symptoms without thereby effecting any sen-
 sible evacuation.

   Epispastics—Remedies which, when applied to the sur-
 face, produce a serous discharge  by exciting  a previous
 inflammation: the term properly applies to blisters.
   Antacids—That  which  removes or prevents acidity
 of the stomach.  All of the alkalies  are antacids.  Their
 action is purely chemical, as  they  merely combine with
 the acids, and neutralization is the effect.
   Lithontriptic—Remedies, strictly speaking, possessing
 the power of dissolving calculi or stone, in  the  urinary
 passages.

   By the term Materia Medica, we  are to understand
 that part of medical science which treats of the compound-
 ing, the properties and the relation of remedies used in the
 cure and  mitigation of disease.  We  have made use of
 the word •' Botanico," in order to  particularize, instead of
 using the term in its general sense.  It is a common say-
ing, that every country produces  native plants, sufficient
for the cure of every disease  incident to its climate,   How
rich then is the great botanical garden of North America, 
                   MATERIA  MEDICA.                ■*»»

how plentifully sprinkled, by the beneficient hand of an
All-wise Creator, are our  mountains,  meadows and val-
leys, with all  that is needed  by mankind for the  allevia-
tion of disease.
  The  Flora of our country is surprisingly abundant  in
remedies ;  they spring up beneath our feet, and  by the
wayside they  are strewn ; and it is as easy for all to ac-
quire their  use, as it  is to  learn  what is healthful  or
hurtful as food  and drink ;  and  comprehends  no more
mystery or scholastic lore.  When we find that the inno-
cent, harmless plants of our  country will  not answer the
indications in  the cure of disease, then let us search the
bowels  of the  earth for  the  deadly mineral, and garner
the baleful and poisonous plant; but not till then, let us
give them the preference.   However  much men  may
sneer at a system of practice based, as is this which we
advocate,  upon a sure and firm foundation, and having for
its  remedies those exclusively vegetable, and harmless, it
will be of no avail, for it  requiies something stronger than
sophistry, hypothesis or speculation, to " argue down " the
common sense of the people.   Nor have we, as many say,
a  circumscribed circle  of  remedies—the  whole broad
field of nature is ours from which to cull as we list.
   Previous to commencing the list of medicines, we would
simply remark  that care  should  be taken in drying and
preserving the roots and  leaves of vegetables,  As a gen-
eral rule, roots should  be procured in the spring, before
the sap begins to rise, or in the autumn, after the top has
arrived at maturity.  When  the bark of a tree or shrub
is to be procured, it may be done at almost  any period of
the year.  As a general thing, the  inside, or that portion 
290
MATERIA  MEDICA.
next the tree should be  used.   Plants  may be gathered
during their respective  periods of blossoming.  Seeds to
be procured when  fully ripe.
   Care should be taken to dry all medicinal vegetables in
the shade, spreading them thinly, in a loft or other appro-
priate  place, where they will be neither too warm  or
damp; and when  thoroughly  " cured," should be closely
packed from the air ; as by this course, all their virtues
are  retained.  Some botanists are  of the opinion that
flowers and herbs  should  be  dried by a gentle  artificial
heat.  If at any time this should be done, great  care should
be taken not to render them unfit for  use, by having the
heat too great.   It does unquestionably render both herbs
and flowers better  for  use,  by drying them quickly, but
in getting out of  one dilemma, do not get into a worse
one.  The  best test of  the preservation of herbs is, that
they retain  their  color  and odor : where  these are gone
they are useless.
   Artificial heat  should never be used  as  an agent in
drying herbs, higher than  100?  Fahrenheit, and some-
times even less, and never unless the articles are exposed
to a current of air.
   Roots  when dry, ought to be  cleansed quickly with a
brush and water, for when suffered to remain long in wa-
ter they are apt to become porous  and spongy.  When
fibres are connected with bulbous roots, they are to be cut
away and dried separately if wished.
   {We have followed in the classification of remedies, the
plan of Dr. Thomson, from the fact that it is the simplest,
and at the same time has method to recommend it; and
as agreeing with the system which the reader  will find in 
MATERIA  MEDICA.                291
this work; the  botanic  names, corresponding  with  the
latest authorities.]
            LOBELIA  INFLATA.
                   (See figure No. 1.)
    Common Name.—Indian  tobacco, eye-bright, emetic
herb.
  Properties.—Emetic, stimulant, expectorant, alterative,
antispasmodic, relaxant, diaphoretic.
  The lobelia inflata, is a very common plant,  and may
be found in most parts of the United  States.   Its  best
situations, or where it flourishes in the greatest abundance,
is in stubble lands, pastures that are dry, and is also found
plentifully by the road side.  The plant is biennial, (that
is, arrives at maturity once  in two years,) is from eight to
twenty inches in height;  stem erect and branched; leaves
extended alternately along the  stem and branches, and are
oblong,  sharp, the  edges  marked with  unequal  jagged
teeth.    The flowers  small,  and pale  blue.  The seed
vessel is small, roundish and egg shaped, surmounted with
a number  of small  bracts, similar to the flower.   The
seeds are extremely small, numerous,  and  when ripe, a
very dark brown.   The stalk, on being broken, discovers
a whitish acrid juice, which,when applied to the eye-lid, is
said to produce a powerful  effect.   The first year of  its
gTowth it throws out a  few flat oblong leaves, which  lay
flat upon the ground, and  in the second is  produced  the
branches, leaves, flowers and  seeds. 
_>92
MATERIA MEDICA.
     It is  one  of the most efficient emetics afforded by the
  vegetable world, and at the same time as harmless as the
  most harmless article in existence.
     The  various slanders against this article, we do not con-
  sider of sufficient importance to  merit  any argument  to
  refute them.  They are, as a  general thing, a tissue  of
  falsehood and misrepresentations.  In fact, we  believe that
  no  physician can be found at this day, so foolhardy, as  to
  stand up  and hazard his botanical and medical reputation,
  by saying unequivocally  that  this plant  is poisonous.   It
  acts upon the various organs as a sudorific, expectorant,
• antispasmodic,  stimulant,  relaxant,  and  sialagogue.—
  From the fact of its possessing this latter property, origi-
  nated, we suppose, the mistaken idea that it produces the
  " slaver " in  cattle and  horses.  It is not  known that  it
  will produce  this effect, on the  contrary, we  have fre-
  quently given in different quantities, both the  green herb,
  and the pulverized  seeds, to  horses, and other animals,
  and never in  a single instance has this effect been the re-
  sult.
    As a  stimulant its effects extend to every portion of the
  system, removing obstructions, and giving a healthy action
  wherever the one exists or the other is  needed.  The
  " peculiar symptoms," which sometimes attend its admin-
  istration, often  alarm those who are  not thoroughly ac-
  quainted with its use ; but to such we say, we never knew
  a case where ihe alarming symptoms occurred, that was
  followed  by any bad results :  on the  contrary, is  always
  productive of the happiest effects.
    As an antidote to poison,  whether vegetable, animal,  or
  mineral, it stands pre-eminent.   The representation of Ihe 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
293
plant  will  give a better  idea of its appearance than any
effort  with the pen.
  In order to preserve the seeds to the best advantage the
plant should be gathered in the early part of September,
and in the morning while the dew is yet on it, as the moist-
ure prevents the seeds from falling from the pods.
  For the different preparations of lobelia, see list of  com-
pounds.


       R 
 
STIMULANTS.
            CAPSICUM,  ANNUUM.
                    (Sec figure No. 2.)
   Common Name.—Cayenne, bird pepper, African pepper.
   Properties.—Stimulant, aromatic,  expectorant, siala-
 gogue, alterative, errhine.
   This is a genus of plants,  common to East arid West
 Indies, South America, and Africa^   The seed vessels or
 pods, when reduced  to a powder, are termed cayenne, and
 are more or less used by all practitioners of medicine.
   The capsicum procured from Africa is the best, either
 for table or medicinal use.   Its stimulant properties are
 not so  evanescent, and. the effects  are much more lasting
 than that obtained   in the Indies.   The African cayenne
 is a shrubby plant, rising from twelve to  thirty-six inches
 in height, having branching limbs, narrow, lance shaped
 leaves, blossoms of  a  pale  white,  and  an  oblong, erect,
 pointed seed vessel of a deep orange  or light red  color,
,when  fully ripe.    There  is  much  similarity  of shape
 between the fruit of  the African and India pepper, though
 that of the former is  more acutely,  or sharper pointed, and
 both the leaves and pods are of a finer texture and a little
 smaller than the latter.
  This article, according to Dr. Hooper, " is one  of the
        k2 
296                MATERIA MEDICA.
best stimulants known, and entirely free from any poisonous
or deleterious qualities."  Cayenne is of great  value in
equalizing the circulation, promoting perspiration, correct-
ing flatulency, checking hemorrhage,  &c, &c.   Much
vituperation has been often called forth by the use of  this
article: " poisoning," " burning holes in the stomach,"
&c, has been cried loudly; but it is found that an article
of real utility can never be sneered down.  If,  however,
there is any danger of spontaneous combustion, we should
imagine there must be a horrible waste of life in southern
climates ;  for it is a  well known fact, that it is  used as a
common article of food, by all portions of society.   Upon
their own  testimony and  showing, it is not merely an arti-
cle of  luxury, but one of the principal  agents upon which
they depend for  the  maintenance  of their health.   In
Mexico it is introduced  at every meal, in some one of the
various methods  of cooking—such as  baked, stuffed with
raisins and fried, &c, &c.  The reason for this is plain,
(see remarks on  " heat and cold,") it accords  naturally
with our  system.  These diffusive stimulants  must be
resorted to  in  those warm and hot  climates, in order to
keep a determination continually to the surface.  In the
West Indies, during the  ripening of  the  pods,  they  are
picked from the shrubs and eaten by the negroes,  and more
or less by all, as  people  in this climate do strawberries or
whortleberries.
  For  compounds of which  this  article is a component
part, see list of compounds. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
•297
               PIPER  NIGRUM.

   Common Names.—Black pepper, India pepper.
   Properties.—Stimulant, aromatic, astringent.
   This article comes to us from the East Indies, and is the
unripe fruit of the- tree dried in the sun.   It is a gentle
stimulant, and is frequently used in dyspepsia, flatulency,
dysentery, and is an excellent agent when used as a gar-
gle, for contracting the uvula, (palate.)
   The black pepper is sometimes  used as a substitute for
cayenne.  It is much  less powerful as a  stimulant, but
more so as an astringent.  The white  pepper is merely
the berry deprived  of  the  outside skin.   The article of
ginger, and one so  well known as not to need a descrip-
tion, is also a diffusive stimulant—also the common gar-
den pepper of the country.
r3 
 
ASTRINGENTS, OR  CANKER  MEDICINES-
            MYRICA  CERIFERA.
                   (Sec figure No. 40
   Common Names.—Bayberry, candleberry, wax myrtle.
   Properties.—Astringent, stimulant, errhine, alterative,
 antiseptic.
   The bayberry is an indigenous shrub, and maybe found
 in almost every State adjoining the sea coast, from^Maine
 to Georgia ; growing in pastures, and in sandy and rocky
 soils.  Its height and  thriftiness depends somewhat upon
 the climate  and the soil it inhabits.  At the south it not
 unfrequently attains the height of eight or ten  and even
 twelve feet, while at  the  north  six is about the average
 height.   The bark is of a grayish  hue, thickly branched
 and  leaved  at the top.  The leaves are  narrow, lance
 shaped, although  they are narrower at the base,  or the
 part next the stem, and wider towards  the point.  At the
 point of the leaf will be found a few teeth, or notches.  It
 blossoms in the month of May, and  if in a healthy  condi-
 tion the flowers  are  succeeded by small berries growing
 in numerous clusters  close to the bark.   The hue of these
 berries are at first green, then changes to a  gray, and still
later in  the season becomes a blueish white.  It has been
noticed  that the bayberry growing  in  sandy soils  has a 
300
MATERIA  MEDICA.
thicker bark upon the root, and superior in quality to that
found in other situations.   The  root  should  be gathered
either early in the spring, or late in  autumn.   The rea-
sons for so doing will be  found in the directions for pro-
curing and drying herbs  and vegetables.   After the roots
come from the ground, let them be quickly cleansed, and
the roots separately  pounded  with a mallet  or hammer,
when the bark will  readily come off from the woody por-
tion, clean and ready for  drying.  It should be  dried in
the shade, spread thinly and perfectly free  from dampness
of any kind : neither should it be placed where there is
danger of its  heating, for the danger is as great from this
cause as if it were allowed to mould.
   For detaching  morbid matter, (or  what Dr. Thomson
calls " canker,") in all forms of chronic disease, this arti-
cle is invaluable.   It is  one  of  the best astringents of
which we ever made use, or with which we are acquainted.
This property accordingly renders it  an agent of no small
importance in the cure of disease of the bowels, such as
dysentery, cholera morbus, and diarrhoea.  It can be used
with advantage in  cases of hemorrhage, also in  those cases
where there is  weakness, protracted relaxation  of  the
muscles, or ligaments.  Its use is of course indicated, then,
in the various diseases of the uterine  system, administered
per vaginum'. Of all the various astringents used by prac-
titioners, the bayberry is undoubtedly the  best. 
MATERIA MEDICA.
301  '
           N Y M PI-IIA  O D O R A T A .
                   (See figure IVo. 3.)
   Common Names.—White  pond liily, water lilly.
   Properties.—Astringent, tonic, antiseptic.
   The  llily may be found throughout the New England
States,  growing in  small sluggish streams, and  in fresh
water ponds.  It may be known by the peculiar beauty
and sweet  odor of its white  flower, which grows just
above the  surface of the water, (see drawing.)   The root
of the  lilly in its  natural  state is quite large, but when
dried loses nearly two-thirds of its bulk and weight, being
then light and porous.   It is an excellent astringent, and
is employed with success in  the cure of  old  sores, ulcers,
&c, applied locally. The roots should be procured in the
autumn—cleansed,  then cut into strips,  and proceed  ac-
cording to our directions, given in another place, in drying
and getting ready for use.   It  should be pulverized  when
thoroughly dry,  and put into a glass jar  or bottle,  secured
from the air.
   The  various  methods of  preparing this will  be given
with the recipes.
          PINUS  CANADENSIS.

  Common  Name.—Hemlock,—(the  inner  bark of  the
tree.)
  Properties.—Astringent, tonic, diuretic.
  This is the common  hemlock of the United States and 
302
MATERIA  MEDICA.
Canada,  and scarcely needs  any description  from us, as
there is, perhaps, not a school boy eight years old, who is
not perfectly acquainted with its appearance.  The portion
used as medicine, is the inner bark of the tree, dried, pow-
dered and compounded  in various ways.   (Refer to list
of compounds.)
           STATICE  SIMONIUM.
   Common Names.—Marsh rosemary, sea lavender, sea
 thrifty, and ink root.
   Properties.—Astringent, tonic, emollient.
   The rosemary grows principally in the salt  marshes
 almost all along the  American sea  coast.   The  time  for
 flowering is in August and September.   The root is the
 only part used  in medicine—is of a brown  hue.  It  is
 large,  long, and tapering, and firm and fleshy, sending up
 a small stem, something like eight to twelve inches high,
 and branched quite  thickly at the top.
   The leaves are oblong, pointed  acute, edges smooth,
 growing in tufts or clusters from the root, on long footstalks.
 On the edge of the leaf may be seen, by holding it to  the
 light, a small silvery streak or border.  The flowers which
 grow very near  the  branches, are quite small, and  of a
light purple hue. The root affords a jet black ink, which
is said  to be superior to that prepared from galls. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
303
              RHUS  G LAB RUM.

   Common Names.—Sleek, smooth, or upland sumach.
   Properties.—Astringent, tonic, diuretic.
   The common  upland  sumach  grows from six to ten
feet in height; it produces a long compound leaf, of a light
green; but in the autumn they change to a bright  red.
They grow in pairs, opposite, supported by a long, smooth
footstalk.   The  edges are notched  from the base to the
point, which  is  long  and slender.   The berries, which
grow in large conical clusters, are .small, and in the au-
tumn are of a deep crimson.                           ,
   The bark, leaves, or berries, may all be used as medi-
cine, in the same way, and for the same purpose that any
article of the same property is.
        HAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.

   Common Names.—Witch hazel, spotted alder, snapping
hazel nut.
   Properties.—Tonic, astringent, styptic, antiseptic.
   The witch hazel is an  indigenous shrub, growing from
eighteen to twenty-five feet in height, branches crooked,
knotted  and irregular, bark  smooth, gray  and spotted.
Leaves oval, large, anxl alternative.  Flowers appear very
late in the fall, generally after the  leaves have fallen—
the fruit  ripening the  next autumn.  Medicinal uses the
same  as  other astringents, though used more, perhaps, in
connection with  the red raspberry, than many, on account 
301
MATERIA  MEDICA.
of its peculiar mildness.  As a wash for old sores, ulcers,
scaldhead, salt-rheum, canker, sore  mouth, sore nipples,
&c, &c, it is perhaps the best article used.
           RUBUS  STRIGOSUS.

  Common  Name.—Red raspberry.
  Properties.—Astringent, tonic.
  The red raspberry is  an indigenous  plant,' growing
generally from two to four feet high ;  stem erect, covered
very thickly with  fine stiff hairs, and  having but few
branches.   The  leaves are somewhat similar  to the com-
mon black raspberry leaves, being light green on  the
upper side, and the under of a silvery white.
  The medical properties are very like those of the witch
hazel, so much so  that  they are  very frequently used in
conjunction.
       GERANIUM  MACULA TUM.
                   (See figure No. 5.)
   Common Names.—Ganesbill, spotted geranium.
  Properties.—Astringent, tonic, aromatic.
  This  is a perennial indigenous plant, and  growing  for
the most  part in meadow grounds, and not  unfrequently
may be  found in low wood  lands.  The  stem is long,
erect, round, and  branched,  from  twelve to eighteen 
MATERIA MEDICA.
305
inches in  height, and of a  light green.   The  leaves are
cut into five lobes, of which  the three  largest are before
and the smaller ones  are  behind the stem.   The flowers
are purple, and somewhat large. The root is long, knobby
and crooked];  the  external surface is of dark brown color,
while  the  internal is of a reddish hue.   The  root is the
only portion of the plant used as medicine.
   This root is a very valuable astringent, and as such has
long been held in great estimation by physicians.  It may
be given in  all cases where a strong  astringent is indi-
cated, as in  dysentery, bloody flux, &c,  and as a local
remedy in diseases of  the  uterus,  such  as immoderate
flowing of the menses, flodr albus, &c. ;  also, in gleet, dia-
betes, involuntary flow of urine; likewise, old ulcers, scur-
vy, &c.
   The black  oak  is  aho a  very valuable  astringent, pos-
sessing but very slight tonic  properties.   This tree is too
well  known  to need a description.  A decoction  of the
inner bark of this tree, or the white oak, makes an excel-
lent application for the hair,  when there is a disposition to
its falling  off, which is  produced by the  skin becoming
diseased.   A composition for the hair will be found among
the formulas.
                   S A L V A .

Common Name.—Sage.
Properties.—Astringent, tonic, aromatic, stimulant.
Sage is a perennial garden plant, growing from twelve 
306
MATERIA MEDICA.
to eighteen inches high ; the leaves and  flowers  have a
strong fragrant odor, and~a bitter, aromatic, and astringent
taste.
  In common with most of the aromatic plants it is pos-
sessed to a considerable degree of  astringent and tonic
powers.   When combined with borax, alum, and vinegar,
or with cayenne and  honey, and  used as a gargle, it is an
excellent remedy for inflammation of the throat, quinsy,
affection of the uvula, (palate,)  canker, sore  mouth,  &c.
There are many other astringents which are 'sometimes
made use of that are not here given.   The reasons are, a
few good  astringents, answers  as good a purpose as a
long list to choose from, and we have here given the prin-
cipal and best  ones ;  also, only those of which the astrin-
gent property  is  superior to any other possessed  by the
plant. 
TONICS.
            CHELONE  GLABRA.
                   (See figure No. 9.)
   Common Names.—Balmony, snake head, bitter herb.
   Properties.—Bitter tonic, vermifuge.
   Root perennial, stem erect, grows from two to five feet
high, and is angular or square.  Leaves  opposite, resem-
bling, to some  extent, the  mint leaves, of  a dark green
when fresh, and very dark when dry, and. intensely bitter.
The flowers are white and of a singular shape, resembling,
very much a snake's head with  the  mouth open ;  hence
its vulgar name, snake head.  It grows in low, moist, wet
land, by  the side of brooks,  both in open and shaded
lands.
   It is extremely valuable  as a tonic, preventing morbid
secretions of the  bile, increasing  the action of the liver,
creating an appetite,  removing jaundice.    Rafinesque
states that it is  used by the Indians, in decoction  for erup-
tive  diseases, sores, piles, biles, &c.  As a vermifuge, it
is a good remedy for worms in children.  It is said by Dr.
Matson to be slightly purgative, and by Rafinesque to be
considerably so.  From our experience, we cannot accord
it this  property.  It may  be as  well  to say here, that  all
tonics  possess the properties of a vermifuge, that is, the 
308                MATERIA MEDICA.
power of expelling worms, though some possess it more
than others.
   With regard to its being a purgative, we here  say, in
order to  a  right  conception of our meaning,  that it pos-
sesses no cathartic powers at all.  Still it is  very true,
that it not  unfrequently operates  as  an aperient, yet it is
only a secondary, and not direct  action upon  the  bowels
that produces this effect.   It acts precisely as does any
other tonic, by increasing the action of the liver, stimula-
ting that organ to a greater secretion of healthy bile, which
is " nature's physic," and  thus  the bile acts in producing
a gentle opening of the bowels.   This is the only  way in
 which it aefs as a cathartic ; the  action being only  second-
ary, while the inference to be drawn from  the above au-
 thors, is that it is primary.
      HYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.
                   (See figure No. 7.)
   Common Names.—Golden  seal, yellow puccoon, Ohio
kercuma, yellow root.
   Properties.—Tonic, stimulant, astringent.
   Root perennial, crooked, knobby and rough, of a bright
yellow, sending out many small fibres.   Stem round, sim-
ple and erect, growing from  eight  to fourteen inches in
height, having commonly two rough leaves at the summit,
which somewhat resemble the leaves of the sugar maple,
and  edges with  sharp irregular  teeth or notches.   The
upper leaf is invariably the smallest, having very rarely 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
309
but three lobes,  while the lower one has generally  five.
In the centre of the upper leaf appears  the flower; this
soon disappears and is followed by a fleshy, many seeded,
red berry.
  This plant is a native of the Western States.
  The golden  seal  is a very active  and powerful bitter
tonic, and of great value in all cases of debility, affections
of the liver, &c.  It is given on recovery from fevers, also
in removing those peculiar painful sensations arising from
eating indigestible food.   It is also an excellent wash for
sore and inflamed eyes, for scurvy  of  the  gums, when
they are livid and spongy.  Rafinesque says  " the Indians
use it for sore eyes,  and many other external complaints,
as a local tonic.   The goldon seal enters into the compo-
sition of some of  our compounds, which may  be found
among the  list of formulas.
       POPULUS  TREMULOIDES.

   Common Names.—Poplar tree, American aspen.
   Properties.—Tonic, aromatic.
   This article is one of the  most common among  the
Thomsonian class of tonics.  It is a  mild  aperient and
also diurectic.  It enters into almost all the different com-
pounds, possessing  restorative  properties.   The black
poplar possesses  the  tonic property in a greater degree
than any other  kind, although the white poplar, from  its
abundance, is  most used.  It-is  an excellent remedy  for
worms.  Another species called the  Balm of Gilead, is 
310
MATERIA MEDICA.
much used in salves  for burns, and  preparing  old  foul
ulcers and sores for  the healing process.   The buds are
an  excellent remedy for coughs, and, also, a  valuable
pectoral medicine.
          BERBERIS  VULGARIS.

   Common Name.—Barberry.
   Properties.—Astringent,  tonic.
   This plant grows abundantly near  the  sea shore, ik
various parts of the United States, is from  four to twelve
feet in height.  It bears in clusters large quantities of red,
acid berries, which are much used in jellies, &c, for the
table, for pleasant drinks for the sick, and have been used
by some in dysentery.   The bark of the body or root ,is a
strong bitter, and one of the  best remedies in the whole
range of medicine to restore action or tone  to obstructed
biliary organs, remove costiveness  and  improve the appe-
tite.  It  is  much  used in spring for jaundice, and  is a
valuable remedy  for that complaint.    With  an equal
quantity of golden seal,  infused in  cider, it will effectually
remove it.
APOCYNUM  AND  ROSEMIFOLIUM.
 Common Names—Bitter root, wandering milk weed.
 Properties.—Emetic, cathartic, alterative,  diuretic. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
311
   The  bitter root is an indigenous and  perennial  plant,
 growing about two  feet high,  (although  it is often found
 double  that  height, in  hedges and rich meadows,) the
 stalk is of a  reddish color, and covered with a tough rind
 or bark, which, when  broken, throws out  a milky, and
 exceedingly bitter juice.   The blossoms are white, with a
 little reddish tinge, which are succeeded by small pod»,
 somewhat resembling  the milkweed.  The root is creep-
 ing, about the size of a pipestem, and consists of a woody
 substance covered by a thick bark.   The root is the part
 used for medicine.   It should be dug in the fall  after the
 plant begins  to die, the root dried and  pulverized, and
 kept from the air.   It is a good remedy in affections of the
 liver, compounded with  equal parts of cayenne and lobe-
 lia ;  and a pill  taken  night  and morning.   This will ex-
 cite  action in  the  liver, remove constipation, and  assist
the functions of the digestive  organs.  A  tea  spoonful
taken at  night, will operate  mildly as  a cathartic, and
will  not leave  the  bowels  costive like most cathartics.
In dropsies it  is a good medicine.
            HELONIAS  DIOICA.
                   (Sec figure Tio. 6.)
   Common Names.—Unicorn, starwort,  blazing star.
   Properties.—Expectorant, tonic, alterative.
   This excellent herb we have never seen growing, and
are unable to give a description from personal knowledge.
Dr. Howard says, " root perennial, smaller than the little
       s 
312
MATERIA  MEDICA.
finger, crooked, from one to thee inches long, very hard,
having numerous small, dark colored fibrous roots," &c.
" Leaves radical, pale, smooth,  evergreen, lanceolate, and
in winter laying flat on the ground in rays  resembling a
star, whence its name."  " Stem from eight to eighteen
inches high; upright,  naked, terminating in a spike or
tassel of white dioecious flowers^that is, bearing male and
female flowers on different plants."  The root is the part
used  for medicine, and  ranks among the first class  of
tonics.  It is valuable, combined with whiteroot,  for colic,
rheumatism and flatulence, and, like other remedies of this
class, is  good in jaundice,  and all affeotions of tho liver
and digestive organs.   It is good to prevent  abortion, as
it acts as a tonic to  the  female organs.  In  all female
weaknesses,* it  should  be used in connection  with peach
meats and myrrh, (see formula.) * A dose of the root pow-
dered is a tea spoonful, taken two or three times a  day.
  The stargrass has been confounded with the  unicorn,
but is a different article, although for the most part pos-
sessing the same properties.   We have used some  of this
in our practice, but prefer the unicorn.  The leaves of
the former  are narrower and  more spear shaped than the
latter, and  the blossoms are  entirely different.  It is an
excellent bitter tonic and stomachic.
           CORNUS  FLORIDA.

Common Naines.—Dogwood, boxwood.
Properties.—Astringent, tonic, antiseptic. 
MATERIA MEDICA.
313
  This is a small tree, growing from ten to twenty-five feet
high, and is known  generally by the  name  of boxwood.
It flowers very early in  the spring ; the flowers are very
large and white, and are esteemed an  excellent bitter in
the country.
  The bark, dried and pulverized, is a valuable remedy
for  bilious complaints, jaundice,  dyspepsia, low spirits;
and compounded equal  parts, with whitewood,  golden
seal and Peruvian bark, is good in intermittent fevers.
            COPTIS  TRIFOLIA.

  Common Name.—Goldthread.
  Properties.—Tonic, astringent, antiseptic.
  This  remedy  grows in wet, marshy  swamps, among
bogs ; is perennial, root creeping, and of a bright yellow,
leaves evergreen, and growing on slender footstalks, three
together.  It is one of the most valuable tonics we have
ever used.   It is intensely bitter, and promotes digestion,
and may be used in all cases of debility.   It is likewise
valuable for sore mouth, and in canker-rash, it should not
be omitted.   We have  used it successfully in  nursing
sore mouth,  combined  with nipplewort, red  raspberry
leaves, and marsh rosemary.
   LIVIODENDRON  TULIPIFERA.
  Common  Names.—Tulip bearing poplar,  whitewood,
cypress tree.
       s 2 
314                MATERIA MEDICA.

  Properties.—Antiseptic, tonic, vermifuge, alterative:
  The whitewood is one of the most beautiful and noble
trees of the American forest.   When in flower it presents
one of the most splendid of all forest scenery.   But it is
as useful for medicine as beautiful  to  the sight.  It has
been  too long  neglected by our practitioners, but is des-
tined  to occupy  the  first place in this class of remedies.
It may be used  in any  case where bitters or tonics are
indicated.   It is one of the best  remedies we  have ever
used  in fever and  ague,  with either or all of the following:
black alder, Peruvian  bark,, golden  seal,  or  boxwood.
Three ounces to a quart of  wine, a wine-glassfull three
times a day.  It is also a valuable remedy for worms; for
pin-worms,  given  in infusion by  injection  at  night, and
a decoction of the  same  into the  stomach, we have never
known fail.   It is excellent as a restorative after fevers,
and in all  cases of debility ;  also to excite action in the
liver, and assist digestion,
        PRINOS  VERTIC1LLATUS.

   Common Names.—Winterberry, black alder.
   Properties.—Antiscorbutic,   alterative,   antiseptic,
tonic.
  The black alder, although arranged in the olass of bit-
ters  or tonics, has other properties of much more value.
It is known all over  the United States, by  its red berries,
which are retained  upon  the shrub during winter, and 
MATERIA MEDICA.
315
present a pleasing contrast  to the surrounding  desolation.
It grows mostly in swamps or marshy places.
  It mav be used in connection with  any of the bitter
tonics, and for the same purpose, but it is most valuable
for its antiscorbutic property.  In salt-rheum, by washing
the  part affected, and taken with sarsaparilla  and  ozier,
hardly ever fails to effect a cure in a short time.   It can
be administered  in any other case of impurity of the blood
with equal prospect of success.
          PRUNUS  VIRGINIANA.

   Common Name.—Wild cherry tree.
   Properties.—Tonic* expectorant, alterative, aperient,
   The wild or black cherry tree is too common to need a
description.  It  grows wild in  hedges,  open fields  and
woods, and attains  in some places to a large  size.  The
bark of the body and root  is the part used for medicine.
It  is among  the  best remedies of  this class,  and  can be
used in many cases where other strong  tonics would be
entirely inadmissible.   The cherry is good in all cases of
diseased liver, debility of the  digestive  organs,  constipa-
tion of the bowels, &c.   But it  is in  difficulties of the
lungs, where  it  is  extremely difficult to exhibit a medi-
cine of this class, that  the prunus  is exceedingly valua-
ble.  We have cured cases of lung affections by causing
the cherry  bark in decoction  to  be drank  freely.   In
r vrups, combined with boneset and other expectorants, its
       *3 
316
MATERIA MEDICA.
operation is Wonderful in weak or functionally diseased
lungs.  It enters into our syrup for liver affections.
      PANAX  QUINQUEFOLIUM.
                   (See figure No. 8.)
  Common Name.—Ginseng.
  Properties.—=ToniCj nervine^ alterative, antiseptic
  Ginseng grows in the hilly regions of the northern por-
tions of the United States, is about eighteen inches or two
feet in height, has three branches terminating  in  three
leaves.   The root, which is the part used in  medicine,
grows somewhat like  the ground-nut, being largest in the
centre and tapering towards each end, and as thick as the
finger.   The ginseng  has been  but little  used  in the
Thomsonian  practice, and its value comparatively but
little known.   We commenced the use of it about seven
years ago, and have used it  in  increased quantities ever
since; and as a restorative and stomachic, it is not ex-
ceeded  in the materia  medica.   For colic, flatulence,
faintness, &c, it is a remedy at once prompt and effectual
in its operation.  We have used it in debility of  the lungs
with success; and the ginseng bitters, (see  preparation,)
is the first tonic we use in  febrile complaints.   Its pro-
perties correspond to  those of balmony. 
MATERIA  MEDIC/..
317
                    M Y R R H A .

   Common Name.—Gum myrrh.
  Properties.—Tonic, alterative, antiseptic, bitter, astrin-
gent.
  The tree producing this gum grows in the East Indies.
It has been of but little  account in the practice of the old
school physicians, but forms quite an item in  that of the
new school.  Gum  myrrh  is a stimulant, aromatic, tonic,
antiseptic,  and aids the secretion of all the  fluids.  In
suppressed urine, catarnenia,  &c, it is  of great value.
It strengthens the stomach and  other viscera, and produces
diaphoresis.  It prevents gangrene or mortification, hence
it can be used to advantage  in all cases where there is a
tendency to putridity, such  as canker rash,  typhus, putrid
sore throat, pestilential fevers, small  pox, &c.  It is good
in old sores or foul ulcers, to cleanse and induce the heal-
ing  process.   It  enters into the  combination  of various
preparations  of the Thomsonians, the most prominent of
which are  the- rheumatic drops and  the female powders.
Tincture of myrrh and guaiacum,.equal parts, make an
excellent  emmenagogue.   It  is  likewise an expectorant,
and can be employed in .lung  complaints advantageously.
It is likewise a good article, combined with golden seal,
bayberry and charcoal, for  foul and spungy gums.
   ARISTOLOCHIA  SERPENTARIA.
   Common Name.—Virginia snake root.
  Properties.—Antiseptic,  stimulant, aromatic, tonic,
carminative. 
318
MATERIA  MEDICA.
  Snakeroot  grows  in  dry situations, in woods or shady
places, and consists of one or more  stalks, from six to fif-
teen inches high, and gently bending toward the ground.
The leaves, which are  heart shaped, grow on the upper
edge, on each side of the  stalk.   The roots are fibrous
and  matted together, are of  a pungent,  aromatic and
agreeable smell and taste.  It is  diuretic,  diaphoretic,
stimulant, tonic*, and antiseptic.  It is commonly given as
a restorative, combined with camomile, orange peel and
fennel seed, which  is a good  remedy for debility and flatu-
lence.  We have used the  two former in infusion during
the whole course of fever, especially when there are typhoid
symptoms.   It is an addition to most preparations of  bitter
tonics.  It is excellent to settle the stomach after vomiting,
and in cholera morbus.
      SANICULA  MARYLANDICA.
   Common Names.—Sanicle, black snakeroot.
   Properties.—Aromatic, corroborant, alterative, tonic.
   This plant grows about three feet high, the leaves resem-
ble somewhat  the crowfoot, excepting they are larger and
of a deeper green.  It grows in damp  meadows, by  the
side of brooks and  streams ;  the  roots  are small and
fibrous, of a deep brown or black color, emitting a strong,
aromatic odor.
   The black snakeroot is sudorific,  tonic, aromatic, stim-
ulant and  emmenagogue.   The  sanicle, in decoction,
drank in large doses,  has been  known to break up  the
intermittent fever.  Combined with other tonics, it is both
pleasant  and  useful;  expels  wind,  and  aids digestion. 
MATERIA MEDICA.              319
A tea-cup full of an infusion at bed-time,  using  the foot
bath at the same time, and  repeated, will  hardly fail  of
procuring a return of the catamenia.  Fevers have been
cured by this  article alone, when other  remedies  have
failed.
        LEPTANDRA  V1RGINICA.

   Common Names.—Blackroot,  Bowman's root, Brinton
 root, Culver's physic.
   Properties.—Cathartic, deobstruent, tonic, alterative.
   The stalk rises  from two to five feet high; leaves long,
 narrow and serrated, growing in whorls of four or  five at
 a joint.  The flowers are white, and  set on a spike, of
 which  there are a number on each  stem.  Many stems
 often proceed from the same root.   The root is perennial,
 growing in clusters and covered with small fibres.  The
 blackroot is esteemed by many as a specific in various
 forms of disease, and  accounts have  been spread  of its
 wonderful properties, wholly at variance  with the expe-
 rience of those who have used it most.   It is, undoubtedly,
 a cathartic of considerable power, when used in its  fresh
 state, and does not depress the vital energies like most ca-
 thartic medicines.   It certainly in the early stage of fever
 answers a good  purpose for removing the  contents of the
 first passages, without weakening the patient.   It should
 be  taken in doses  of a tea spoonful, in a gill  of  warm
 water, and  repeated if the first  does  not operate.   But it
 is very  liable to lose  its strength.   The  bitter-root will
answer equally well as the blackroot. 
 
NERVINES AND  ANTISPASMODICS.
                CYPRIPED1UM.
                   (See figure TSo. 11.)
   Common Names.—Nerve  root,  umbil, valerian, ladies'
 slipper.
   Properties.—Nervine and antispasmodic.
  There are a number of species called by the general term
 of cypripedium, but varying according to the color of the
 flowers.   The kinds most abundant are the  red, white,
 yellow, and red  and white; the medical  properties of all
 are much alike.   This class of remedies remove nervous
 irritability, thereby  predisposing  the  mind to quietness,
 and the body to sleep.  It is good to use in  the operation
 of any of the other kinds of medicine,  and  may be com-
 pounded  with other  medicines or used alone to  advantage.
 It is valuable in  all  cases of nervous weakness or irrita-
 bility, and in all hysterical  complaints.   It is perfectly
 harmless and may  be used to any extent  without fear.
 Valerian leaves the  system in an active  state, free from
 that deathly debility, consequent upon the use of opium.
 A tea  spoonful in a gill of hot water may  be taken and
repeated as often as necessary. 
322                MATERIA MED10A.

   SCUTELLARIA  LATERIFLORA.
                   (See figure No. 13.)
   Common Name.—Scullcap.
   Properties.—Nervine and antispasmodic.
   The virtues of this plant may be said to  be'similar to
 the  valerian, but  is not as offensive to  smell  or taste.
 Many wonderful  cures  have  been recorded of the scull-
 cap which will not stand the test  of experience.   It has
 been called a  specific for hydrophobia, but probably  pos-
 sesses no power in that disease  aside  from  its nervine
 property.   It grows from  one to six feet high, on places
 which have  been overflowed  by water during  winter or
 spring.  The leaves  grow  directly from the  stalk,  arc
 heart shaped and serrated.  The flowers are blue and arc
 on the end of a long stem.   It branches somewhat  like
 lobelia.  It is an excellent nervine, and may be given in
 tea spoonful doses, and  repeated to any extent.  From its
 being more pleasant, it is much preferred  to the valerian.
        FERULA  ASSA  FCET1DA.

   Common Name.—Asafetida. 1
  Properties.—Nervine,  antispasmodic, aperient,  diu-
retic.
Y  The plant which produces this gum grows in the East,
and is procured from the root.  That which is clear and
of a reddish class is esteemed the best.   It has a strong,
fetid smell, like  garlic, and a peculiar bitter, acrid taste. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
323
It  loses  most of its power by keeping.  It is an expec-
torant, stimulant, antispasmodic, and mildly laxative.  It
has not been used, to  our knowledge, in the botanic prac-
tice, for what reason we know not, for it is the most prompt
and effectual nervine we have ever used. In cases of spasm,
flatulence, hysteria, and  all nervous irritation, it affords
great and speedy relief.  It is said to be a laxative, but no
case has come under our observation where we had reason to
believe that any cathartic effect  was  induced by  its
operation, except as lobelia operates as a cathartic, that is,
by stimulation.  Dose—from four to  six  grains, four to
six times a day.  It has  also been recommended for injec-
tions, in  case of spasms of female organs, &c, and believe
it may be used with good effect.  It has been administered
in this manner to the extent of a fourth part of an ounce,
dissolved in water,
          LAURUS  CAMPHORA.

  Common Name.—Camphor.
  Properties.—Stimulant, antispasmodic, tonic, errhine,
narcotic.
  This  is the product of a tree growing in the east, and
is much used as a popular remedy against fainting, and to
restore suspended animation ; also, in  sick  rooms, as a
neutralizing or disaffecting agent.   So far as this is con-
cerned, it is well enough, but in our practice, we have used
but little camphor,  deeming it rather an unsafe article.
It  is stimulant,  and no  doubt, narcotic, as all cases ot 
324
MATERIA MEDICA.
fever in which it has been used, (and which we have seen,)
have been made worse from  its use;  more deranged, or
has produced greater determination to the head, which has
been wholly or partially relieved  by its  discontinuance.
It also causes dry  mouth, increased thirst, dark  tongue,
and  aggravates most of the symptoms.   We have dis-
carded its use, or rather we have  used  it but little.  The
preceding remarks we have made from the results of our
observations on  the  patients of others  who  have been in
the habit  of using it.   For bathing, also, we consider it
dangerous to  use to any considerable extent, without care-
fully guarding the stomach.  It is, to say the least,  a ques-
tionable article, and its use  may, with no injury,  be dis-
pensed with.
          AMYGDALUS  PERSICA.

   Common Name.—Peach tree.
   Properties.—Bitter, tonic, diuretic, antiseptic.
   This tree furnishes excellent medicine from every part,
a decoction of the leaves, sweetened with loaf  sugar and
good  brandy sufficient to preserve, is said to be excellent
in diarrhea.  The  bark is  valuable  in liver  affections,
jaundice, &c.   But the pits, meats, or kernels taken from
the stone of the peach, is the part  most  valuable  as a
medicine.   It  possesses  tonic  properties  of  that kind
which renders it of great importance in the practice.   In
the cure  of leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, and all  female
weaknesses it is a medicine  of exceeding great value.  Ii 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
325
enters  into various compounds in the practice, as dysen-
tery  cbrdial,  unicorn bitters, ginseng bitters, &c.  The
bark of the  peach tree is  used  for  worms, but whether
with any benefit we cannot say.
       AGRIMONIA  EUPATOR1A.

   Common Name.—Agrimony.
  Properties.—Antiscorbutic,  tonic,  corroborant, anti-
septic.
  Agrimony grows common in fields, in hedges and shady
places; has a perennial  root, and a round, rough  stem,
with leaves resembling the crowfoot, but of a lighter green.
The blossoms are yellow,  growing on a long, naked spike.
The blossoms are  succeeded by a green, prickly  bur,
which sticks to every object with which  it comes in con-
tact.  Agrimony is a mild tonic, and is considerably used
in diarrhea ; is  an excellent deobstruent,  and of great
value in cutaneous forms  of disease, attended  by a lax or
weak state of the solids.  Hence it is employed,  and  with
great success, in the  cure of rickets.  Compounded with
other antiscorbutic remedies, as burdock, sarsaparilla, &c,
it is, perhaps, the best remedy known in that complaint.
     ANETHUM  FCENECULUM.

Common Name.—Sweet fennel.
Properties.—Carminative, aromatic. 
326               MATERIA MEDICA.
  Fennel is a native of the south of Europe, but is culti-
vated in England and in the United States.   The root is
perennial, but care is necessary to  preserve it during the
long severe winters of the north.   It is aromatic and car-
minative, and is good in  bitters, and is useful in almost all
the compounds.
       ANETHUM  GRAVEOLENS.

  Common Name.—Dill.
  Properties.—Carminative, aromatic.
  The seeds of this plant resemble the fennel in their
medical properties, that is, aromatic and carminative, but
are not  as much used as the fennel, being less pleasant.
They expel wind, remove flatulence, &c.
    ANGELICA  ATROPURPUREA.

  Common Name.—Masterwort.
  Properties.—Aromatic, carminative, stomachic.
  The roots of this plant are perennial and large.  The stem
rises  in  strong, rich  soils,  to seven feet and even to a
greater height; is  hollow, and bearing on its top a cluster
of greenish white flowers, which are succeeded by a head
of large flat seeds.   The leaves are few  and large.  The
seed of this plant  is the part which  we have used, and
have  found it useful in colic, and all complaints attended 
MATERIA MEDICA.                327
with flatulence, being an agreeable aromatic,  stimulant,
carminative and stomachic medicine.   We have used it
much in  injections, especially for children, and always
with good effect.
             AMOMUM  REPENS.

   Common Name.—Cardamon.
   Properties.—Aromatic, carminative.
   " The seeds of this plant are dried and  imported in thin
capsules,  by which  their strength is better preserved.
They are a pungent aromatic, and  are used for the same
purpose as the other aromatic seeds.  They are frequently
compounded with bitters.  They are frequently prescribed
by the old school physicians because they  are imported
and cost more than fennel, but are in reality no better than
the latter.   If they should  prescribe fennel, the common
people   would afterwards  use it without a prescription,
which would infringe upon the divine rights of doctors.
           ANTHEMIS  COTULA.

   Common Name.—Mayweed.
   Properties.—Sudorific, stimulant, emmenagogue.
   This plant needs no description in this place, as it grows
common  by the wayside, throughout the whole length and
breadth of the  country.   It is mostly used as a sudorific, 
32*
MATERIA  MEDICA.
for which purpose it is \freely employed by the  country
people in the early stage of disease, and if given freely,
will hardly fail to arrest a fever in its first stages.  It is
good for colds,  fevers,  rheumatism, suppressed menstrua-
tion, &c   It is also  useful for fomentations, and is good
to promote vomiting during the operation of  an emetic.
The blossoms arejhe most pleasant.
           ANTHEMIS  NOBILIS.

   Common Name.—Camomile.
  Properties.—Tonic, diaphoretic, carminative, emmena-
gogue.
  The camomile is perennial, and grows spontaneously in
some parts of England, but for the  purpose of medicine,
is cultivated in gardens both in  that country and in the
United  States.  The flowers have a  pleasant  aromatic
smell, and bitter taste.   It  is tonic, carminative, diapho-
retic, antiseptic, and antispasmodic.   It is useful in flatu-
lence and debility, promoting digestion, and strengthening
the stomach and other viscera.  It is used with success in
hysteria, flatulent  colics, suppressed menstruation, in  the
vomiting of puerperal women,  in after pains, in fevers of
every description.    It is good  as a bitter fomentation, in
colic, &c.  It  enters into the compounds of various pre-
parations of  bitters in  the practice.  It is a pleasant and
very useful medicine. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
329
        APIUM  PETROSELINUM.

  Common Name.— Parsely.
  Properties.—Stomachic, diuretic.
  The medical properties of this  plant  are  carminative
and diuretic.  It is cultivated in  gardens for the table ;
but its prompt and efficient  operation on  the urinary or-
gans  has led to its use as a medicine.   It  is useful in
dropsies generally, in strangury, in suppression of urine,
in painful  micturition ;  and it is  said that the stomach
will'retain it under all circumstances.
      APOCYNUM  CANNABINUM.
                  (See figure No. lO.)
   Common Name.—Indian hemp.
   Properties.—Tonic, alterative,  diuretic, cathartic, an-
tiscorbutic.
   This plant resembles the  common milkweed, (asclepias
syriaca,) in its  medical properties, and  somewhat in ap-
pearance.   Wood and Bache, in  the United States  dis-
pensatory,  have given entirely wrong description of the
Indian hemp;  and Howard has  followed them in  their
mistakes.  The root is represented as "creeping, horizon-
tal, five  or six feet long,  one-third of an  inch thick," &e.
The roots are fibrous, about the size of a knitting-needle,
and do not exceed six or eight inches in length, and grow
upon  a  head, mat-like.  The  medical properties of the
plant are likewise erroneously stated.  It is not emetic or
cathartic.  It is aperient,  bitter, &c.   It is an excellent
       t 
330                MATERIA  MEDICA.
article in suppression of urine, for costiveness and worms.
It  is  alterative, and as such composes  an ingredient in
our formula of " sarsaparilla syrup" and likewise in the
" worm powders."  It is a valuable medicinal plant, and its
virtues are but little understood.
           ARALIA  RACEMOSA.

   Common Names.—Hungary root, spikenard,
   Properties.—Antiscorbutic, healing, discutient.
   This is a perennial plant, the roots brown, fleshy, send-
ing up one or more large stems, growing in hedges, in woods
and shady places.  It is good  in coughs,  soreness of the
chest and lungs,  and combined  with comfrey, makes an
excellent drink in all forms of  disease of the lungs, and is
likewise good in female weaknesses.   It is antiscorbutic,
hence its use in syphilis and  all  impurities of the blood.
It  likewise makes  an excellent salve for old sores, &c, to
cleanse and prepare for healing.
             ACTEA  RACEMOSA.
                  (See figure No. 13.)
   Common Name.—Black cohosh.
   Properties.—Expectorant, emmenagogue, tonic, stim»
ulant.
   This plant rises to the height of six feet in rich soil;
has many fibres issuing.from a large  woody head or cati-
dex.  The root is perennial, throwing up, in some instan- 
MATERIA MEDICA.               331
fces, a large number of stalks, which terminate in spikes,
Covered with white flowers.   It grows over most parts of
the United States.  It is mostly used in suppressed men-
struation,  but is good for various  other forms of disease.
Its emmenagogue  property has been considerably  over-
rated.   It is, however, an unsafe  article to be used freely
in pregnancy.   In consumptions  it is given for the cough
and to produce slight  tonic effect.   It is much used by the
old school physicians  in rheumatism, but have discovered
no great benefit from  its use in that complaint.   It is one
of the  ingredients in our itch-ointment.   A  tincture of
actea, myrrh and guaicum, is  a good remedy for amenor-
rhea.
             ARCTIUM  LAPPA.

  Common Name.—Burdock.
  Properties.—Alterative, antiscorbutic, diuretic.
  For  various medical  purposes burdock  is one of the
best articles in the materia medica.  For cutaneous erup-
tions, we have considered it of equal value to the sarsapa-
rilla.   It is used in the sarsaparilla syrup.  The seeds
are a powerful diuretic, and  may be used in rheumatism,
or any disease of the kidney and urinary bladder.  The
toots are diuretic, though not in as great a degree as the
seeds.   The leaves  are good for drafts, and for this pur-
pose they can be  dried in the  summer, and kept until
wanted, when, by soaking in warm water, they will an-
swer every purpose of green ones.
          t2 
332                MATERIA MEDICA,
           ARUM  TRIPHYLLUM.
   Common Names.—Wild turnip, Indian turnip, dragon
 root, wake-robin.
   Properties.—Expectorant, diaphoretic.
   Arum is a perennial plant, seeking  rich shady  places
by old  logs  and fences,  in  moist situations.   The root
is round, flat, and tuberous ;  the leaves are green, three in
number, growing on the top of the stem.   It bears a single
flower,  of a dirty white color, and a peculiar cluster of red
berries.
   The  wild  turnip in its  green state is  powerfully acrid,
in which state it is but little used for medicine.   It should
be gathered, the outer covering taken off, and the root cut
in slices and dried quick.   It should be then pulverized
and  kept from the air.  It is expectorant, sialagogue, as-
tringent, and  diaphoretic.   It is one of the best articles we
have ever used  for colds, coughs, and  all affections of the
chest.   It is one of the best ingredients in fever powders,
exciting diaphoresis,  and enabling the  patient to expecto-
rate  the tough mucous, which is  always present in fever.
   It is an ingredient in the cough balsam, cough powders,
fever powders.  It is an exceedingly valuable article.
          ASCLEP1AS  SYRIACA.
   Common Names.—Milkweed, silkweed.
   Properties.—Cathartic, diuretic,*emetic, hydragogue.
   The milkweed needs no description,  growing common
in gardens, by the side of fences,  in rich  grounds, &c. 
                   MATERIA MEDICA.               333

We have used this plant in our practice, and found it one
of the best  diuretics with which we are acquainted.  It is
prompt in its action, especially where there is a tendency
to anasarca.   The root should be dried and pulverized, as
the green  root  will  nauseate, and often vomit.  When
given to much extent it possesses considerable cathartic
power.   We  have used it in the secondary scarlet fever,
where there was a retention of urine, and have admired  its
astonishing effects.  It is good in every form of dropsy.
        ASCLEPIAS  TUBEROSA.

   Common Names.—Pleurisy  root, white root, butterfly
weed, colic root.
  Properties.—Sudorific, carminative, aperient, expecto-
rant.
   The white root is one of the most beautiful plants with
which we  are  acquainted.   It  grows  in a warm  sandy
soil, and most  plenty near the  sea shore.   The  root is
large, porous and fleshy, throwing up a great many stalk*
about the  size  of a pipestem,  with  pale,  promiscuous
leaves, and ending in a large cluster or head, of beautiful
orange colored  flowers, which may be seen as far  as the
eye can distinguish objects.  Beautiful as is the flower to
the eye, the root is still  more valuable  for  medicine.  In
our boyhood it  has relieved us from many a painful fit of
colic,  and  in our practice, it has hardly ever  failed us.
For colic, a tea  spoonful, in  a gill of water sweetened,
with a few drops of tincture of peppermint added, will
afford immediate relief.   It enters into  the combination of
       t3 
334
MATERIA MEDICA.
our fever powders, in its various formulas, as well as the
drinks used in fevers to  induce equal circulation, or dia-
phoresis.   No  family  should  be without  this valuable
medicine*  It is said to  be a diuretic, but its powers as
such; are feeble if indeed it possess any;
            ICTODES  FCETIDA.
                  (See figure No. 15.)
  Common Names.—Skunk-cabbage, meadow-cabbage.
  Properties.—Expectorant, stimulant,  nervine,  sudo-
rific.
  The skunk-cabbage  is a common plant, and well known
from its peculiar odor,  which gives it its  name.  It is
one of the first plants which make their appearance in the
spring,  and is  one of  the  first that dies.   The  whole of
this plant is useful.  The  root is good  in  all affections of
the lungs, and in cases of nervous spasm.   We have used
this root freely, and as far as its  expectorant, nervine, and
equalizing effect is concerned,  have never been disap-
pointed.   The  seeds are said to  be narcotic to  a consider-
able extent, but we have never used them in our practice,
the roots  answering every  indication.  The  leaves  are
excellent for fomentations, for applications in erysipela-
tous inflammations, in "milk leg,' &c.   It  enters  into
the combination of many of our preparations, and we con-
sider it one of our best remedies. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
335
        BAPTISTA  INDIGOFERA.

   Common Names.—Wild indigo, indigo weed.
   Properties.—Discutient, nntiseptic.
   We have mentioned this plant because it is much used
in fomentations or poultices, for which it is said to be val-
uable.  It  grows  common  in bushy  pastures, is about
twenty inches high, very bushy, with small leaves, largest
on the outer  end, root large,  woody, and dark  colored.
The plant is said to be both emetic  and cathartic, but we
consider its operation doubtful, and have never used it,
except in poultices, &c.  These may be used on swelled
breasts, or any tumor, but more particularly on old ulcers
where there is fear of mortification.  It is highly recom-
mended for this purpose, but we consider the sediment of
No. 6, better as an antiseptic.
r-            BETULALENTA.

  Common Names.—Black birch, rock birch, sweet birch.
  Properties.—Tonic, astringent, diuretic.
  The birch tree is too  well known to need a description,
especially the sweet birch.  For medical purposes, it is
used  principally for its  astringent properties in dysentery,
as it agrees with the stomach.   It is  a good tonic, espe-
cially in debility of the  urinary organs, and female weak-
nesses.   It  affords  relief in  gravel, dysuria, &c.   It  is
excellent to give strength or body to beer. 
336
MATERIA  MEDICA.
        CASSIA  MARYLANDICA.

  Common Names.—American senna, wild senna, locust
plant.
  Properties.—Cathartic, diuretic.
  This plant possesses ail the properties  of the senna of
the  shops, though  perhaps in a less degree than the Alex-
andria.   It has not the excessive griping property of the
imported, but acts more mild and equally efficient.  Those
who are  in the habit of using physic  for every  ache and
ailment  will have in this article a mild and  cheap  one,
ready at  their hands.  It grows by the  road side,  from
two  to seven feet  high;  stem round, leaves  compound,
from five to ten  pairs  on long foot  stalks; blossoms  yel-
low, on a  spike, terminating the stem.   The plant  very
much resembles branches of  the locust tree.
        CELASTRUS  SCANDEUS.

   Common Names.—Bitter-sweet, staffvine.
   Properties.—Discutient,  stimulant,  diuretic, diapho-
retic.
   The bitter-sweet is  described in Thacher's Dispensa-
tory under the  name of solanum dulcamara ;  and Wood
and Bache, describe the garden night shade  under the
name of bitter-sweet.   It is a woody vine, creeping upon
fences, or climbing upon trees, delighting in solitary places,
and reaching the length of  fifty feet, or even more.  The
body is a porous wood, and often grows as thick as a man's
arm.  It is given in decoction of half a pint or  more. 
MATERIA MEDICA.
337
In rheumatism it has been given with success, and excites ,
healthy action in the system as it increases the secretions
generally.   The bark of the root in decoction,  simmered
in lard, and a little rum added, forms an excellent plaster
for old sores, filthy ulcers, &c.  The berries grow in clus-
ters, and are of a bright  orange color,  these compounded
with the nipple wort  and made into salve, in  the  same
manner as above, makes the best salve for sore nipples we
have ever used.   It is good for any hard, inflamed tumor.
The poisonous nature of  this plant exists only  in  the
imagination of the wise.
         CARDUS  BENEDICTUS.

  Common Names.—Beloved thistle, holy thistle.
  Properties.—Tonic, diuretic, diaphoretic, lithontriptic.
  We have been led to give this a place not so much from
our experience of its  medicinal virtues as from the report
of others.   If it  possess  one-tenth part of the virtues
ascribed  to it,  it  is  indeed a  valuable remedy.  It  is
undoubtedly a diuretic, sudorific, and corroborant; but its
chief value depends upon lithontriptic powers.  We have
had  information, upon which we  can rely,  sufficient  to
satisfy any reasonable person, that it possesses powers  of
this nature as great, or greater than any vegetable remedy
known.  (See formula.)
          PYROLA  UMBELLATA.
  Common Names.—Pipsissewa, princesspine, rheumatic
weed. 
338
MATERIA MEDICA.
  Properties.—Diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic, antiscorbutic.
  The pipsissewa grows in dry, sandy woods, has  a long
crooked root and stem ; towards the top of the latter are a
few whorls of fleshy,deep green leaves, with serrated edges,
evergreen, and have a peculiar shining appearance.  The
leaves pulverized and compounded  with other diaphoretics
make an excellent fever powder, and a decoction is good
in rheumatism, and  all cutaneous  affections, and should
be used for a wash in the same complaints.  We use it in
our sarsaparilla syrup, and in cancerous humors, &c.
     GAULTHERIA  PROCUMBENS.

   Common Names. — Wintergreen, checkerberry, box-
berry.
   Properties.—Diuretic, aromatic, astringent.
   This beautiful and  pleasant little  evergreen  grows in
most parts of  the United States, on dry, sandy soil, among
woods and in  shady places; is about four or five inches
high, terminating in a tuft of green, shiny leaves.   The
flowers are white arrd droop from the stem ;  the berries
are red and pulpy, and make, a pleasant drink  in fevers,
as does also  the plant.   It is pleasant to the  taste  and
grateful to the stomach.   It is an excellent diuretic  and
carminative.   It is likewise valuable in dysentery.  The
tincture is much used to cover the taste of other more
disagreeable medicines. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
339
            MICHELLA REPENS.

   Common Names.—Partridge berry, one berry.
   Properties.—Astringent, diuretic, tonic.
   The one berry is an evergreen vine, of a foot or more
in length, laying flat upon the ground, with small, green
leaves, and  red berries.   It is an excellent diuretic, and
likewise acts as a tonic, upon the urinary organs.   Used
in dropsies,  suppression of the urine, &c.  It  has of late
been given  to women for two or three weeks  previous to
parturition, for the purpose of facilitating child-birth.  It is
likewise  used in disentery, for  which it is valuable, as it
possesses tannin to a considerable degree.
             GALIUM  APARINE.

   Common Names.—Cleavers, clivers, goose grass.
   Properties.—Diuretic, discutient, tonic.
   Clivers justly ranks among our  best diuretics, and for
that object may be  depended on.  It is excellent for poul-
tices.  It grows in moist meadows, and hedges, from three
to eight feet high, creeping  upon bushes,  fences or what-
ever  comes in  its  way.   The  stem is  square,  having
sharp teeth on each corner.  Leaves small, growing at the
joints of  the stem, flowers small and white.
 ERIGERON  PHILADELPHICUM.
Common Names.—Cocash, frostweed, scabious, scabish. 
340
MATERIA MEDICA.
  Properties.—Tonic, aromatic, diuretic,  sudorific, and
astringent.
  The cocash is a perennial plant, with fibrous roots, of a
strong and not unpleasant odor.  The stems rise from two
to six feet, hairy, of a reddish cast, very branching, leaves
large near the stem, which they clasp, pointed at the outer
end.  Flowers resembling a daisy, excepting that they are
smaller,  and have  a  faint, blueish tinge,  which remain
until the plant is killed by the frost, hence its name.   The
leaves may be found all winter.  Grows common in moist
pastures,  &c.  This  is an excellent remedy for colic ;
infused in spirits will afford immediate relief.  It  may be
used in  fevers,  rheumatism,  dysentery,  suppression of
urine, and is a good restorative.   It may be used freely.
The blue scabious grows in old pastures,  and has dark
colored stems, rising about three feet, with promiscuous
leaves, and terminating in a cluster of blue flowers, which
soon change to down and are scattered by  the wind.  Its
properties are  much like the  cocash.  Another species
of this plant is called colt's tail, grows common after rye,
and by the side of fences in  old  fields, has a branching
stem and  faint yellow flowers.  It is an excellent remedy
in dysentery.
CHENEPODIUM  ANTHE LMINTI CUM.

   Common Names.—Oak of Jerusalem, worm-seed.
   Properties.—Alterative, anthelmintic.
   This plant  grows in rich places, about barns and old
buildings, is about a foot  in height, has a strong, unpleas- 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
341
ant odor, and is valued for its anthelmintic  properties.  It -
is in universal use for worms, both in this country and in
Europe;  It is one of the ingredients of our worm powders.
The oil is preferred by some practitioners, but it is rather
dangerous.  We prefer the herb or seed in substance.   It
can be mixed in honey, or any other article,'^) cover  the
unpleasant taste.
     COLLINSONIA  CANADENSIS.

   Common Names.—Oxbalm, hard root, stone root.
   Properties.—Diuretic, mucilaginous.
   This plant grows in rich soil, by the side of fences, and
in woods, has a round stem, two  or three feet high, of a
blueish green, with  large serrated leaves,  opposite and
alternate.  The root is of a knobby, hard, jagged  appear-
ance.  The  root is an excellent diuretic,  and possesses
mild tonic properties.  It is adapted to inflammation of
the bladder or kidneys, as it is mucilaginous, and may be
given in  any quantity.   It is likewise good in external
applications.
    COMPTONIA  ASPLENIFOLIA.
   Common Names.—Sweet-fern, sweet bush.
   Properties.—Anthelmintic,  antiscorbutic,  astringent,
tonic.
   The sweet-fern  is well known in the country, and will
not need a description here.   It is good for dysentery and
diarrhea.  The  leaves  and burs, stripped from the bush, 
312
MATERIA  MEDICA.
dried and  pulverized, make  an  excellent  medicine for
worms.   It is one of the ingredients in the worm powders.
It is also good for a wash for old sores, and  any eruptive
disorders.
    CONVALLARIA  MULTIFLORA.

   Common Name.—Solomon's seal.
   Properties.—Corroborant, healing.
   The root is long, white, rough, and often an inch thick.
The stem rises  from  one to four  feet high, with leaves
upon the sides.   The leaves are ribbed and of deep green.
The stalk always inclines towards the earth.  The root is
good in  female weaknesses, and for this purpose should
be combined with comfrey and spikenard.  In syrups it is
good for weak lungs, and is a mild restorative medicine.
Like all other mucilaginous medicines, it is good for poul-
tices.
           MENTHA  PIPERITA.

'   Common Name.—Peppermint.
   Properties.—Aromatic,  stimulant, carminative, sudo-
rific.
   This plant  is common, and is much  used in the ordi-
nary treatment of the country people, and is excellent in
colds, or the early stage of  fever, colic, or flatulence.  Is
good to prevent nausea, &c.  The mentha viridis, (spear-
mint,) pennyroyal, (hedeoma pulegioides,) mountain mint
or hyssop, (cunila mariana,) very nearly possess the same 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
343
properties, and may be used for  the same purpose.  The
oils are excellent in liniments, for bathing, in rheumatism,
&c.
         CROCUS  OFFICINALIS.

  Common Name.—Saffron.
  Properties.—Tonic, stimulant, aromatic.
  Saffron is cultivated in gardens, is about two feet high,
and has a tuft of yellow blossoms on the top, which is the
part  used in medicine.  Saffron is used in jaundice and
in eruptive forms of disease to determine the eruption to
the surface.   It  is no doubt useful in jaundice and  hys-
teria.
   EUPATORIUM  PERFOLIATUM.

  Common Names.—Boneset, thoroughwort, cure-all.
  Properties.—Tonic, emetic, expectorant, sudorific,  ca-
thartic, diuretic.
  Boneset is a perennial plant, with round hairy stalks,
rising from two to four feet high, pale green leaves, which
are opposite and alternate.   They  are so  formed that  the
stalk appears to perforate them, which gives  the plant its
name.   Flowers on the top, of a dull white  color.  The
plant is good in coughs and  colds, and if given freely in
the early stage of fever,  so as to  produce emetic and ca-
thartic effect, it rarely fails of removing the disease.  It is
an exellent diaphoretic.   It forms a part of the cough 
344
MATERIA  MEDICA.
balsam, cough powder, &c, &c, and  is one of the best
domestic medicines in use.
     EUPATORIUM  PURPUREUM.
  Common Names.—Queen of the meadow, gravel root.
  Properties.—Diuretic, tonic, astringent.
  Queen of the meadow, grows in wet soil, by the side of
streams and in meadows, and  is from two to eight feet
high,  stem round, smooth, of a reddish color, jointed,
leayes in whorls at each joint, and having a large head
of pale red, or pink colored flowers.   The root is fibrous,
of a dark brown color.  The  plant is a powerful  diuretic,
and may  be  used in female  weaknesses,  suppression of
urine,  for dropsical complaints, &c.  It may be given in
decoction, a half pint, and repeated a number of times a
day.
        GLYCYRRHIZA  GLABRA.

  Common Name.—Liquorice.
  Properties.—Expectorant.
  The root of this plant is the part used in medicine, and
is good in coughs, asthma, sore throat,  as it serves  to
loosen the tough mucous, and  produce expectoration.  It
is frequently used to cover the disagreeable taste of other
medicines. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
345
         , GEUM  VIRGINIANUM.

   Common Name.—Evans root.
   Properties.—Astringent, corroborant, tonic.
   The evans root is used principally for  dysentery, or
chronic debility, for which it is an excellent medicine.  It
is a mild restorative,  and can be used in lung affections to
advantage.  A  strong decoction  given in diarrhea affords
immediate relief.   It grows about  wet places,  is found
green during winter ; the leaves are large, round, and ser-
rated, root dark, knobby, somewhat resembling the cranes-
bill.
           HUMULIS  LUPULIS.

   Common Name,—Hops.
   Properties.—Narcotic, tonic, stimulant, diuretic.
   The hop-vine and  fruit are  too well known to require
a description.   A medicine of  great narcotic power is ob-
tained from the fruit  of the hop-vine, called lupuline, and
is  much used by the  old school, but  is of the same nature
of opium, and ought  not to be used by Thomsonian  prac-
titioners.  A tea of  hops is a good nervine, and  antispas-
modic.  It is good in complaints of the kidneys and uri-
nary bladder, and  has been said by some to be  a lithon-
triptic, but of  this we know  nothing.  It is, however, a
good tonic, and stomachic, and for fomentations, is one of
ike best articles known. 
340
MATERIA  MEDICA.
            INULA  HELENIUM.
   Common Name.—Elecampane,
   Properties.—Expectorant, tonio, putoral.
   This plant is common  in  low, rich situations, by the
roadside and fields, has a large fleshy root,  rank round
stalk, with large leaves, and crowned by yellow flowers.
Elecampane is a common and  useful domestic remedy;
good in all colds, coughs, asthma, and all forms of disease
to which the lungs are liable.   It excites insensible perspi-
ration, is aperient, and a mild restorative medicine.   It is
valuable in  female  debility.  It  may be taken in form of
decoction, or the pulverized root  in melasses, or made into
confectionery.
             JUGLANS  CINERA.

   Common Name.—Butternut.
   Properties.—Emetic, cathartic, anthelmintic.
   The butternut tree grows  common in all  parts of the
country.  The bark in decoction is an active and efficient
drastic purge, and  if given in large quantities acts as both
emetic  and cathartic.   After the administration of the
sweet-fern for two  or three days, a  decoction of juglans
will  remove  worms.  The operation of this  medicine is
irritating to the mucous coats of the  stomach and bowels,
and  should be used with  caution.   The inner bark fresh
applied to the skin will blister, and  is a good remedy in
rheumatism, applied a sufficient length of time to determine
from the diseased  part; and it makes excellent drafts for
the ieet. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
347
         JUNIPERUS  COMMUNIS.

   Common Name.—Juniper.
   Properties.—Diuretic, anthelmintic, emmenagogue.
 '  The  juniper  grows  in  dry,  sandy soil, near the sea
shore, and sends out roots and branches to a great extent,
covering in some instances a number of rods of ground.
The leaves are numerous, sharp or prickly.   The  shrub
bears a large quantity of berries, black when ripe,  and
are the  part principally used in medicine.   They are a
valuable diuretic, and  may be  used where medicines of
this class are indicated.  They  yield a large  quantity of
oil, which is used in the manufacture of gin,  and  which
gives  to it the  peculiar flavor  and diuretic  properties.
Good in dropsies.
     XANTHOXYLUM  FRAXINEUM.

   Common Name.—Prickly ash.
   Properties.—Stimulant, diaphoretic, tonic.
   This is a shrub,  growing from five to ten feet high, in
different parts of the United States.   It is much used for
jaundice in the spring, and is useful in that complaint as
well as other cases of debility.   In  all  impurities or low
state  of the circulation, the prickly  ash stimulates and
produces  healthy  action.   We  make  much use of it in
bitters.   The berries in tincture, make an excellent appli-
cation in tic-doloreux, tooth  ache,  and  neuralgic com-
plaints.
       tr 
34*
MATERIA MJtDICA.
           VERBENA  HASTATA.

  Common  Names.—Vervain,  vervine.
  Properties.—Expectorant, emetic, sudorific.
  Vervain is a common plant, growing  by the side of
roads, about houses and open fields, has a strong, branch-
ing stem, ending in  spikes of blue or white flowers.   The
white vervain  is  the  most  branching, but  the  medical
properties are alike.   It is an excellent medicine in colds,
catarrh,  coughs,  consumption, asthma, and other com-
plaints of the  chest  and lungs.   It ranks next to lobelia
for  an emetic.   Combined with boneset it  vomits thor-
oughly, efficiently,  but mildly,  producing at  the  same
time powerful  diaphoresis.  Good in the forming stage of
fevers.
          CISTUS  CANADENSIS.

  Common Names.—Rock-rose, Frostwort.
  Properties.—Antiscorbutic, tonic.
  This is an article lately introduced into the practice of
medicine, and we have used but little of it; not sufficient
to permit  us to speak of  its medical properties with any
degree of confidence  from our own  experience.  Tho
following is  from the " Medical Herbal: "  " This plant
rises two  feet in  height,  leaves numerous, ovate, very
email, of a whiteish  color like  frost, and grows on small
purple stalks ; flowers of a pale color, and inconspicuous,
which  terminate in  a  small  pod,  containing very small 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
349
seeds; grows  in  the  woods in New Jersey and on Long
Island, and is known  by the name  of frostwort from its
color.   It has been found effectual in the cure of scrofula
and king's evil."   From the experience of those who have
used this  plant, it possesses antiscorbutic properties in a
great degree.   Dr. Ives, of New Haven, in his lectures or
instructions to his class, advised the use of this plant in a
great variety of complaints.  So great was his confidence
in its power  and  virtues that he  directed his students
when  they were  in fault respecting the nature of the dis-
ease  or remedy, to give calomel,  opium, antimony, and
the rock-rose, and  they would  always be right.   It un-
doubtedly is good in scrofula and other eruptive forms of
disease, and is mild and harmless.
         CORNUS  CIRCINATA.
                  (See figure No. 16.)
  Common Names.—-Dog-wood, pigeon-berry, ozier, itch-
wood.
  Properties.—Antiscorbutic, tonic, astringent.
  The ozier tree or shrub grows  from ten to twenty feet
high, in hedges,-marshy places, and in woods, in all parts
of the United States.   The young sprouts are smooth and
green, which  change to a light  brown  and white.   The
lower branches extend as high as the top ones, giving the
tree a peculiar  flat appearance ; leaves round, or nearly
so,  serrated ; the flowers are in clusters^of a greenish
white, and are succeeded  by blue berries, on red foot
stalks.   There is scarce a plant in the vegetable king-
          r/2 
350                MATERIA MEDICA.
dom, possessing greater  antiscorbutic  properties than the
ozier.  Combined with sarsaparilla,burdock and princess-
pine, we  consider  it the best purifier of the blood, in the
materia   medica.    In  saltrheum,  scrofula,  cancerous
humors,  itch, and all other cutaneous  eruptions  it is not
excelled.  It is likewise an excellent tonic ; good in jaun-
dice, and all affections of the liver and stomach.  Cancers
have  been cured  by drinking a decoction of  the  bark or
the root, alone.   We use it in our sarsaparilla, and use it
internally, and externally in all eruptions and humors.
                ULMUS  FULVA.

   Common Names.—Red elm, slippery elm.
   Properties.—Mucilaginous, discutient.
   The bark of the slippery elm is much used in the prac-
tice of medicine, and as its virtues become known, its use
will be increased.  It  is good  in  dysentery, in fevers,
coughs, consumption, sore  throat,  and in  almost  every
form of disease it  can be employed  to advantage.
   It is the best application for old sores, foul ulcers, &c,
in the  form of poultices,  that  has  been  discovered.   It
cleanses and prepares for healing, allays pain, reduces
inflammation, &c.   For syphilitic  ulcers it is an invalu-
able article.   It will cure the barber's itch, by mixing the
pulverized powder in  soft water, and applying as much  as
will adhere to  the part, and letting it remain, and apply-
ing a new coat night  and morning. 
MATERIA  MEDICA.               851
         VERB A SCUM  T HAPS US.

   Common Name.—Mullen.
   Properties.—Relaxant, astringent, discutient.
   Mullen is an excellent article in dysentery, and is good
in fomentations, by wringing out a cloth in a decoction of
the leaves, and applying to the part affected.   The leaves
are good to use after the application of the cold bath.  A
good remedy for weak eyes  may be obtained  by  putting
the blossoms  in a bottle, corking it tight, and  exposing it
to the rays of the sun.
            LAURUS  BENZOIN E .

   Common Names.—Spice bush, fever bush.
   Properties.—Aromatic, sudorific.
   It is  deemed unnecessary to give a description of this
shrub, as  it is  too common to  require  it.  A tea of the
bark or branches is good  in fevers, being both  pleasant
and  sudorific.   The  sassafras,  (laurus sassafras,) has
nearly the same properties, and may be used for the same
purposes.   The oil is an excellent  article for dysentery;
and  the pith, infused in a glass of water,  is a valuable
remedy for sore eyes.   It  is said to be  powerfully anti-
septic in poultices, or in  a wash of the tincture.
       u3 
352
HATERIA  MEDICA.
     LEONTODON  TARAXACUM.

  Common  Name,—Dandelion.
  Properties.—Aperient, expectant, tonic, alterative.
  The dandelion is common in all improved lands, mead-
ows, yards and  pastures.  It is one of the best remedies,
and  is generally  applicable to  all the  aches  and ills to
which  the human  body is liable.   It is a mild tonic, and
as such, may be used in weak lungs, &e.  It is bitter, and
is one  of the best remedies in  aflections of the liver, that
we have ever used.  It  may be given  in  tea, syrup, or
any other form.   It  excites diaphoresis, and, indeed, in-
creases all the secretions.   For jaundice, dyspepsia, and
general debility,  dandelion may be  used freely, and with
best prospects of success.
             LIATRIS  SP1CATA.

  Common  Names.—Devil's bit, gay feather.
  Properties.—Astringent, tonic, detergent.
  The devil's bit has a root about the size of a butternut,
though nearly round, rough and knobby, and has the ap-
pearance of having a  piece bitten' from it, from  which
circumstance it derives its name.   The stem  rises from
one to three feet high, supporting on  its top a  spike  of
tassel flowers, of a purple or pale red color, resembling a
very small thistle  blossom.  The plant is  an excellent
application for venereal ulcers, some of the most obstinate
of which we have cured in a few days  by an  infusion of 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
353
this plant, and that, too, after a year of continual efforts to
cure.  It destroys the virus, and changes its character to
a common  ulcer.  It is equally applicable  to gonorrhea,
in the form of injections.   It may be used in dysentery,
in canker, bronchitis, putrid sore throat, and for a  wash in
any eruptive disease.
         MARRUBIUM  VULGARE.

   Common Name.—Horehound.
  Properties.—Expectorant, tonic, aperient.
  The horehound is used with advantage in coughs, and
debility of the lungs ;  is emmenagogue, and promotes the
secretions generally.
            NEPETA  CATARIA.

   Common Name.—Catnip.
   Properties.—Sudorific, nervine,  deobstruent,  discu-
tient.
   This common  plant  may be  beneficially employed in
almost every form of disease.   In fevers it induces per-
spiration, relieves  the  determination to the  head,  pro-
motes natural and  quiet rest ; in  poultices and fomenta-
tions, applied to inflammed parts, affords immediate relief.
It  is also an excellent carminative, and expels wind.   For
children, it makes an excellent  tea, and  for injections, it
should not be omitted.  If it was not common, it would be
highly prized.
            4 IT 
354                MATERIA MEDICA.
          T A N A C E TI ' V U L G A R E

  Common Name.—Tansy.
  Properties.—Tonic, emmenagogue, stomachic.
  The tansy is an excellent bitter tonic, and is good in
bilious affection, jaundice, debility, loss  of appetite, &c.
In female  obstructions  it is one of the best  remedies
known.
       ARTEMISIA  ABSINTHIUM.

   Common Name.—Wormwood.
   Properties.—Tonic, stomachic, deobstruent.
   The four last named plants grow  common by the way-
side, and also in gardens; hence a  description would be
superfluous.   Wormwood is a valuable medicine, and may
be used in debility,  hysteria, jaundice, dyspepsia, &c.—
The plant is also powerfully  antiseptic, and  is often used
as fomentations,  to resist putrefaction.  If macerated in
boiling water and applied to a bruise, or inflamed part, it
will speedily remove the pain,  remove the swelling, and
reduce the inflammation.
     TRILLIUM  LATIFOLIUM.

Common Names.—Beth-root, birth-root.
Properties.—Astringent, antiseptic, styptic.
The root grows somewhat like  the  wild  turnip, being 
                    MATERIA MEDICA.                355

 large  and fleshy, but round.  It sends out a number of
 stalks  about ten inches high, with three  diamond shaped
 leaves  united  near  the stalk, from  the  centre of the
 leaves   the flower puts forth, which is always a solitary
 one, and white, red or purple ; but all the varieties have
 the same medical properties.  It is a valuable remedy for
 hemorrhage, more  especially  uterine.  It is valuable in
coughs and phthisic.   It is a tonic in female weaknesses,
and is  used in the female powders.   It is likewise an
excellent  article  for poultices, being discutient and anti-
 septic.
      PHYTOLACCA  DECANDRA.

  Common Names.—Scoke, poke, pigeon berry, garget.
  Properties.—Antiscorbutic, aperient.
  This  is common by the side of roads qnd fences, in
rich soil, has a large  root, sending up large hollow stalks,
covered by a thin rind of a red color, having many large
leaves.   The stalk is branched, and  from the branches
sends out  many flowers on one foot  stalk, succeeded by
berries,  which are dark. red  or black, and full of juice.
The juice of the berries, tinctured in spirit, has been used
in rheumatism with success.   The root bruised, has  been
applied  to cancers and has  cured  them.  Dr.  Asa  E.
Sperry, of New London, was very successful in the treat-
ment of cancers with the scoke root, but we have always
found it too sloughing for use.
          u5 
356
MATERIA  MEDICA.
          PIMPINELLA  ANISUM.

  Common Name.—Anise.
  Properties.—Aromatic, carminative.
  The anise is  used for the  same  purpose  as the fennel
and other like  seeds.  It is  good  for flatulency, and the
oil is used for the purpose of covering the  taste  of other
medicines.
            PINUS  BALSAMEA.

   Common Name.—Balsam fir, Canada balsam.
   Properties.—Pectoral, diuretic, healing.
   The tree from which this balsam is procured, grows in
Canada, and resembles the spruce.   The balsam may be
used internally, for coughs, soreness of the breast, stom-
ach, or bowels.  It is a  gentle aperient, loosening the
bowels like balsam  copaiva, which it resembles.   Exter-
nally it is used  for  wounds and  ulcers, and  is good as it
induces the healing  process.
      PODOPHYLLUM  PELTATUM.
   Common Names.—Mandrake, May-apple.
   Properties.—Cathartic, emetic, deobstruent.
   The  mandrake is common  at  the  west  and north.—
Howard says : " It grows in shady places and moist situ-
ations ;  roots perennial,  horizontal, round,  long,  larger
than a goose quill, jointed, with fibrous roots issuing from 
MATERIA  MEDICA.
35?
each joint.  Stem smooth, round and erect; from eight to
eighteen inches high, divided at the top into two branches,
each branch supporting  a  single large leaf.  Flowers
white, large, only one on a  plant,  growing from the forks
of the stem.  The fruit of the mandrake is by some con-
sidered poisonous, and  unfit  for medicine, whilst by others
it is regarded as one of the most valuable articles."  We
have used the mandrake for nine  years, and with proper
care, we consider it one of the best deobstruent medicines
in the materia  medica.  It acts,  when combined  with
lobelia and cayenne, with promptness and efficiency upon
trie liver, producing healthy action. It  may  be given in
bilious complaints with  an equal quantity of lobelia, and
will  act  as an emetic and cathartic, the lobelia serving to
keep up a perspiration or the determining powers to the
surface.   Where a  cathartic is indicated an even tea-
spoonful  of mandrake  is  the best medicine that can be
given.  A tincture of one ounce of the root, in a pint of
proof spirit,  operates  mildly and  efficiently in doses of a
table spoonful.
     POTENTILLA   CANADENSIS.
  Common Names.—Five-finger, cinquefoil.
  Properties.—Astringent,  tonic.
  Five-finger  is  a  little vine  creeping on  the ground,
growing in old fields and uncultivated grounds, having a
yellow blossom ; the vine throwing off footstalks bearing
five leaves, which gives it its name.  It is good in canker
and dysentery, and  for  night sweats, and debility of any 
35S                MATERIA MEDICA.

kind.  The strawberry vine is good for the same purpose
as the five finger, especially for sore mouth.
             RUB US  VILLOSUS.

   Common Name.—High vine blackberry.
   Properties.—Astringent, tonic.
   This is too common to require a description here, as it is
known by all, young and old.   It is an excellent remedy
for diarrhea and dysentery.  This  and  the low running
blackberry, (rubus trivialis,)  are among the best astrin-
gent tonics.  The  best mode of preparing the blackberry
for use, is to steep  four ounces of the  bark of the root in
a quart of water sweetened well  with loaf sugar, and add
brandy sufficient, to preserve; and give often in small doses
or its powerful astringent properties  may produce  vomit-
ing.   It enters into the preparation  of  dysentery cordial.
Another  species  of the  rubus  trivialis grows in  low,
marshy places,  and bears a fruit resembling the common
running blackberry,  but  not  as  large, and possesses the
same properties as  the other species, but is much better for
canker than either.
            RUMEX  CR1SPUS.

Common Names.—Yellow dock, curled leaf dock.
Properties.—Tonic, antiseptic, antiscorbutic.
Root  biennial, spindle  shaped, yellow, &c.  The 
                  MATERIA MEDICA.                359

is good in any case of impurity of the blood, scrofula, salt-
rheum, and in cancerous  affections.   It should be com-
bined with the burdock and sarsaparilla.  The water dock
(rumex hydralapathum,) is considered better  by many
than the yellow dock.  It is an excellent remedy in cuta-
neous  eruptions,  employed  externally  and  internally.
The red dock, (rumex sanguineus,) is good  for  the  same
complaints as the preceding, and is one of the best reme-
dies in asthma, and all  complaints of the lungs, that  we
have ever used.   Put a tea-cup full of the root cut fine in
a pint of gin, and give a tea spoonful three  times a day.
For asthma, cut the roots fine, dry well, and smoke them.
This is also good in  consumption.
       SAMBUCUS  CANADENSIS.
   Common Names.—Elder,  white elder.
   Properties.—Diuretic,  discutient, resolvent.
   The flowers of the elder are nervine, slightly cathartic
and sudorific, and make a  valuable medicine for .children,
especially infants.   The berries are considerably diuretic
and cathartic, and may be administered to children where
there is  constipation.  The  bark makes  excellent poulti-
ces and salves for wounds, piles, &c, and is good in drop-
sies.  The dwarf elder, (sambucus ebulus,) is much used
as a diuretic in dropsies and other difficulties of the urinary
organs.   It should be used  with caution, as it is a medi-
cine of considerable power. 
360
MATKUIA  MEDICA.
     SANGUINARIA  CANADENSIS.
   Common Name.—Blood-root.
   Properties.—Emetic, cathartic, expectorant, sudorific.
   The blood-root is a popular domestic remedy in coughs,
colds,  and all  complaints of the lungs.  It is a remedy
used by the great  mass of travelling pretenders for every
form of disease.   It is an emmenagogue of considerable
efficacy, but should  be cautiously used.  We have used
but little in our practice, considering it of rather doubtful
character.   It is said to be good when infused in vinegar,
to cure tetter and other eruptions, and likewise to remove
proud flesh.  We  have used the tinctures  of blood-root
and lobelia, a few drops every half hour, with good effect,
in colds attended with cough.
                AMARANTH US.
   Common Names.— Crawley, chicken's foot, fever-root.
   Properties.—Febrifuge, diuretic, diaphoretic.
   The crawley grows on dry hilly ground, in the northern
part of the  United  States,  has a  cluster of roots, of a
brownish color, is  shaped like a chicken's foot, and  very
tender,  and  breaking at  the  least  handling.  The stalk
grows from eight to eighteen inches high, of a dirty brown
color, the leaves appearing almost brown, and wrapping
almost entirely  around the stem, the  flowers are few, to-
wards the top of the stem, procumbent or hanging down,
white, and  as large as a very small  thimble.  The root
of this plant is the best medicine, without exception, that 
MATERIA  MEDICA.                361
we have ever used  in  fevers.  It  produces perspiration
without  increasing  arterial  action.   In  doses of a tea
spoonful of the powdered roots, given in from  one to six
hours, it will break up a fever in a few hours, in the first
stages.   It is likewise an excellent nervine.   The  beech
drops, (epiphegus  virginianus,)  is no  doubt of the same
nature of the amaranthus.  From what we have seen of its
effects, we think it equally as good as the crawley.   It is
said to be good for cancers.
          CHI   ONIA  ANGULAR1S.

   Common Names.—Centaury, bitter herb.
   Properties.—Restorative, alterative.
   The centaury grows in old gravelly fields,  is about ten
inches high, with small  leaves, opposite, thickly set upon
the stem ; the  stalk terminating in a tuft of  yellowish
flowers.   The  centaury is a pure bitter tonic, and may
be used in all cases of debility,  and in jaundice.   It  im-
parts its  properties to  spirit  or water.    This  plant,
orange-peel  and  black  snake-root, form  an  excellent
tonic.
    ACHILLEA  MILLEFOLIUM.
Common Name.—Yarrow.
Properties.—Tonic, aromatic.
The yarrow is  an excellent  remedy in jaundice, in 
362
MATERIA MEDICA.
female weaknesses, fluor albus, and in any case where a
bitter tonic is indicated.  It grows plenty in old pastures,
about  one foot  high, and resembles tansy in its general
appearance.  The flowers are on the top of the stalk, and
white. 
DIRECTIONS  FOR PREPARING AND COMPOUNDING THE MEDICINES

       USED IN THE THOMSONIAN  BOTANIC PRACTICE.
                    LOBELIA.

  Is* Preparation.—Take four pounds of the green plant,
when it first begins to flower, or before, and bruise fine ;
add one quart  of proof spirit and  the  same quantity of
water ; let it macerate ten days then strain and press  the
herb.  Filter for use.  This is a mild preparation of lobe-
lia, and is  much used for children.   Dose, from one tea-
spoonful to a table spoonful, and repeat.
  2d Prep. This is simply the herb dried and pulverized,
or the seed pulverized. Dose, a  tea spoonful for an adult,
and repeated until sufficient emetic effect is produced.  It
may be given to any extent without fear.
  3-d Prep. Take one pound of  lobelia seeds pulverized,
one pound of nerve  powder or  scullcap, four  ounces of
cayenne,  and  one gallon of rheumatic  drops, mix  the
whole together.  It should be shaken several times a  day
for  fifteen days, when it may be filtered for use.   This is
the most efficient and prompt medicine in our practice.  It
may be used in any case of  fits,  suspended animation, or
for an emetic.  Dose, a tea spoonful, and  repeat accord-
ing to circumstances.
   Uh Prep. This is the  juice of the green  plant  evapo-
rated by heat  not  exceeding 98°, to a proper consistence
for pilling.  This is the  best preparation of the lobelia for
common use.   It  may be  given for  an emetic, and  acts
kindly and thoroughly.  In  alterative  doses, it is better
than the powder.  Dose, for an emetic, from ten to twenty-
five grains. 
364
RECIPES.
   COMPOSITION,   OR  DIAPHORETIC
                    POWDERS.

    Dr. Thomson's formula:—Take  four pounds of bay-
 berry, two of ginger, two of hemlock, four ounces each of
 cloves and cayenne pepper.  The whole pulverized and
 well mixed.  Dose, a tea spoonful and repeat.
    Another formula:  Take of bayberry and ginger and
 hemlock,  each two pounds  ; golden seal, one pound; cay-
 yenne and cloves, each four ounces.
    Another :  The best preparation which we have used is
 the following: Take bayberry, four pounds ;  ginger, two
 pounds; hemlock bark one pound; cayenne and cloves each
 four ounce ; mix, and give  a tea spoonful in two-thirds of
 a tea-cup  of hot water, with milk and sugar added.   This
 may  be repeated  as often  as necessary.  It will arrest a
 fever in the first stage, remove colds, coughs,  and indeed,
 there is scarcely a complaint but this preparation will be
 beneficial.  The addition of golden seal or poplar, is good
 in chronic cases, but for common  use the last formula is
 the best.   Two or three tea  spoonsful in  half a pint of
 water on going to bed, will  " break up " a cold.

              COUGH   POWDER.

    1st  Preparation.   Dr.   Thomson's  formula:   Take
 skunk cabbage, six ounces ;  four  ounces of  horehound ;
 one each of wild turnip,  boneset, bayberry, green lobelia,
 cayenne, bitter-root, and nerve powder, all made fine and
. sifted  through a fine sieve, and  well mixed together.
 Dose, a tea spoonful three times a day.
   2d Prep. Wild turnip, skunk  cabbage, green lobelia,
 and beth root, of each four ounces; cayenne half an ounce;
 mix, and 'take half a tea  spoonful three or four times a
 day.  The same  preparation may be given  as a diapho-
 retic powder in fevers.

           DYSPEPSIA  POWDER.
   Take one pound each of golden  seal, poplar, prickly 
MATERIA  MKDICA.               364
 ash, and one ounce each of bitter-root and cayenne;  mix,
 and give a tea spoonful before each meal.


               SPICE  BITTER S.

   1st Preparation.  Take golden seal, balmony and poplar,
 each one pound ; bayberry, unicorn, bitter-root, cinnamon,
 barberry, xanthoxylum, of each half a  pound;  cayenne,
 cloves, ginger, orange peel, fennel seed, each four ounces ;
 all made fine and sifted ; sugar ten pounds;  mix. Dose,
 a tea spoonful before eating.
   2d Prep. Take poplar, three pounds ; balmony, golden
 seal, barberry, ginger, each one pound ; prickly ash, bitter-
 root, orange peel, fennel seed, each half  a pound;  cay-
 enne  four  ounces ; sugar ten pounds ;  mix,  Dose, the
 same as before.  We consider this  the* best  preparation
 we have ever  seen.—Dr. B. W. Sperry.

              GINSENG  BITTERS..

   Ginseng, balmony,  each  one  pound;   poplar, peach
 meats, fennel  seed,  orange peel, prickly ash, each half a
 pound; mix,  one ounce to a quart of  wine, or a fint of
 spirit and  pint of water.  Dose,  half  a  wine-glassfull
 three times a day.

                WINE  BITTERS,

   Balmony and poplar, each one pound ; golden seal, bar-
berry, each half a pound ; bitter-root, six ounces ; cloves,
fennel  seed, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, xanthoxylon,
and  unicorn,  each  four ounces ;  mix; one  ounce  to a
quart of wine.  Dose as above.
  Unicorn,  peach meats, fine, beth-root,   of each  four
ounces ; one ounce to a pint of water, pint of  brandy, and
four ounces of  sugar.  Dose, half a wine-glassfull  before
eating.  Good  for female weaknesses, menorrhagia, Leu-
corhea, &c.—Dr. B. W. Sperry. 
3G»;
I.KCirE:>.
           SNAKEROOT  BITTERS.
  Black snake root, Virginia snake root, camomile flowers,
orange peel, ginseng, of each  one  pound.   Mix;  two
ounces to a quart of wine.   This is an excellent restora-
tive.
    BITTERS  FOR  FEVER  AND  AGUE.
  Peruvian bark, white wood  bark,  golden  seal, equal
parts, four ounces to a quart of wine.  Dose, a  wine-glass-
full four times a day.

               MEDICAMMTUM,
   Myrrh,  snake root,  anis-seed, curcuma, of each one
pound ; aloes,  four  ounces.   Mix ;  one ounce to a quart
of spirit, or pint of water and  pint of gin.   Dose, a table
spoonful three tiirfes a day.   There is no better prepara-
tion than the above for constipation,  jaundice, liver affec-
tion, debility, loss of appetite.

             LAXATIVE  BITTERS.
  Aloes, senna, rhubarb,  each one ounce; fennel seed,
cardamon seed, orange peel, each half an  ounce; add a
pint and a half pint of warm water, the same  quantity of
rum,  and a  gill  of  melasses.  When macerated suffi-
ciently, pour off  Good for children.  Dose,  from a tea
spoonful to a table spoonful.—Dr. B.  W. Sperry.

         FEVER AND AGUE  POWDERS.
  Composition, chincona, cream of tartar, cloves, each one
ounce in a  quart of Lisbon  wine.   Dose, a wine-glassfull
four  times a day.  Shake  well before  using.—Dr. Kea-
sey.

  LADIES'  SPICE  BITTERS, OR  WOMAN S'
                      FRIEND.
  Unicorn, golden seal, poplar,  each half a pound ; nerve
powder, ginger, cinnamon,  cloves, bayberry, gum myrrh,
beth root, fennel seed, orange peel, bitter root, each  four 
                        RECIPES.                   367

ounces ;  pulverized loaf sugar four pounds ; cayenne half
an ounce.  Mix.  Dose, a tea spoonful three times a day.
It is an excellent preparation for female weaknesses, irreg-
ular menstruation, for bilious and liver affections, debility,
loss of appetite, low spirits, &c.   It may be taken in wine,
one ounce to  a pint.—Dr. B. W. Sperry.

         ANTI-BILIOUS  POWDERS,

  Peppermint  plant  pulverized,  jalap,  senna, each one
pound.   Dose, a tea  spoonful.    The operation  of this
cathartic is mild and  not attended by nausea or griping.

                WORM  PO WD E R.

  Worm seed, golden seal, bitter root, sage, mandrake,
white wood,  bayberry, Indian hemp, of  each  one  ounce.
Dose, half a tea spoonful for a child two years old, on an
empty stomach, in melasses.  Increase according to age.—
Dr. A. E. Sperry.

                NERVE  POWDER.
   Valerian,  scullcap, skunk cabbage, of each an  ounce.
 Dose, a tea  spoonful three times  a day, in warm water,
 sweetened.
                CATARRH  SNUFF.
    1st Preparation.   Bayberry, bitter-root, blood-root, sas-
 safras, cinnamon ; scent with sassafras or any aromatic oil.

             SNUFF  FOR  POLYPUS.

    2d Prep.  Bayberry, blood-root, equal parts; use three
 times a day.                                :
    2d Prep.  Bayberry, bitter-root,  slippery  elm;  scent as
 above.
                FEVER POWDER.
    1st Preparation.  Brown lobelia/wildlurnip, white-root,
 skunk cabbage, slippery elm, of each one ounce.   This is 
 368                    RECIPES.

 good in lung fevers, and for children.   Divide into three
 grain powders, and give from one to  four hours.
   2d Prep. Wild  turnip, bayberry, cayenne, of each two
 ounces; green  lobelia, one  ounce.   Divide and give as
 above.                                       *
   3d Prep. Crawley,  white-root, wild turnip, of each two
 ounces; green  lobelia,  a table  spoonful.    Divide into
 ten grain doses, and give  every hour until  diaphoresis is
 produced; then lessen the dose, or increase the time.
   Alh Prep.  Crawley, white-root, and  wild turnip, each
 one ounce  ; give in tea spoonful doses every hour.

            INJECTION  POWDERS.

   1st Preparation.  For common  use, composition, nerve
 powder, slippery elm, green lobelia, each one ounce.  A
 tea spoonful in a gill of  water sweetened.
   2d Prep. To  operate as  an emetic : brown lobelia, a tea
 spoonful; slippery elm, one-fourth of a tea spoonful; add a
 gill of warm water and administer.
   3d Prep. For piles: witch hazel leaves, sumach  bark,
 pulverized  and given in cold water.
  &th Prep. For children : masterwort or fennel seed, nerve
 powder,  catnip, green lobelia, equal parts, pulverized, and
 a half tea spoonful steeped until the strength is extracted.
 These may be repeated every  hour or two as necessity
requires.
   5th Prep.  Composition, nerve  powder, and cayenne,
 equal  parts ;  a tea spoonful in a gill  of warm  water, and
 followed after the first has  passed off, by milk, a gill; two
 table spoonsful of melasses, and two tea spoonsful of fine
salt.  This will  hardly ever fail of procuring a dejection
from the bowels.   Every  indication  can be answered by
 injections, and they can be  medicated to  suit the particular
case.
  6th Prep. For diarrhea  and  dysentery ; a decoction of
myrrh, a gill, with a half tea spoonful of slippery elm, and 
RECIPKS.
369
hemlock bark.  After  the alimentary  canal  has been
cleansed, this  preparation will be found  beneficial.   The
first preparation with rheumatic drops, or third prepara-
tion added, will produce prompt action, and stimulate the
bowels.
           FEMALE INJECTIONS.

  In  menorrhagia, and  debility of the female  organs,
remedies of this kind must  be administered.  For this
purpose they  must be  composed of astringents, in some
cases, and in others stimulants,  &c.   For the first, witch
hazel and sumach bark, in decoction, or the white oak bark,
cranesbill, or  any  other of  the astringents, may be  used ;
sometimes it will require, in addition,  brandy, infusion of
myrrh ; and sometimes the rheumatic drops will be neces-
sary.

               COUGH  BALSAM.

  Skunk cabbage, liquorice-root, each two pounds; wild
turnip, horehound, elecampane, boneset, each one pound ;
blood-root,  green lobelia half a pound,  (all crude); steep
slowly in  eight gallons  of water  to six gallons, strain ;
then  add  one ounce of cayenne,  twenty-five  pounds of
honey, five pounds of loaf sugar, and  three quarts of me-
lasses ; simmer, and skim;  then  pour into a keg, seven
quarts of spirits, a pint and  a half of tincture of lobelia and
four- ounces of essence of vvintergreen ;  add four ounces of
fine wild turnip, and pour in the syrup and shake well.


               HONEY  BALSAM.

  Tincture  one pound of balm of Gilead  buds, in one
gallon of fourth proof  spirit, for ten  days ;   then steep
one pound of horehound,  in  one  gallon of water, to two
quarts ; then  add to it the tincture of buds  and honey;
scald, skim, and strain. Dose, from one to two tea spoons-
ful.   This is  excellent  in coughs, weakness and soreness
of the lungs, and chest. 
370                    RKCIPKS.
                COUGH  BALSAM.

   Lobelia,  bayberry, horehound,  skunk  cabbage, each
 four ounces.; xanthoxylum, wild turnip and nerve powder,
 each two ounces;  pour on good liquor sufficient to cover
 it, set it in a warm place for twenty four hours or longer ;
 draw off tincture, pour on more  liquor and draw off until
 you get two quarts, then pour  on water, and  get a pint
 more.   Mix them together, and add a pint and a  half of
 honey, and  one ounce of essence  of wintergreen.  Dose,
 half a tea spoonful.

            PULMONARY   BALSAM.

   Black cohosh, blood-root, boneset,  each three ounces;
 camomile one ounce;  steep in four quarts  water to  three;
 strain ; add five ounces extract of dandelion, eight ounces
 syrup balsam tolu, and one and  a half pint of honey ;
 simmer, skim, and add a pint  of  spirit.   Dose, a wine-
grassfull twice a day.
   The following are said to be  the component parts of the
 Pulmonary Balsam at the shops :
   Nitric ether, six ounces,  syrup of  squills, six ounces,
 syrup tolu, ten ounces, black drop, two ounces; scented
 with essence of peppermint.  Whether this is the exact
formula of the  above we do not pretend to know, but. one
 thing we do know, we never used  it, and  would not  re-
commend  its use.

           SARSAPARILL-A   SYRUP.

   1st Preparation.  Sarsaparilla root, five pounds;  pip-
 sissewa, guaicum chips, each two pounds ;  mezereon bark,
bayberry, sassafras, and  prickly ash, each  half a pound ;
macerate the whole in eight  gallons warm water, twenty-
four hours, and add ginger, bitter-root, golden seal,  poplar
bark, each half a pound;  keep hot  for four or five  hour,?,
then strain and  add four  gallons New Orleans melasses; 
RECIPES.                    371
simmer, and skim for one hour ; add when cool one gal-
lon of rum, and half a pint of essence wintergreen.—Dr.
B.  W. Sperry.

          SARSAPARILLA  SYRUP.

  2d Prep.  Sarsaparilla, six ounces ; wintergreen, bur-
dock, ozier, Indian  hemp,  each one  pound ;  sassafras,
sweetfern,  prickley  ash,  each half a pound ; princess-
pine, one and a half pound ; steep in hot water for twenty-
four hours, (it should  not boil,) in eight gallons  of water;
strain off four and a half  gallons liquid ;  add  one  and a
half gallon of New Orleans melasses ; simmer,  and  skim;
then put in a keg, one gallon proof spirit  and four ounces
essence of  wintergreen, and  add the syrup.  This is an
excellent purifier of  the blood.  Dose, half a gill,  three
times a day.
           SARSAPARILLA  SYRUP.

  3d Prep.  Sarsaparilla, princesspine, wild cherry, bur-
dock,  comfrey,  prickly ash ;  steep  in  two  gallons  of
water to three quarts ; strain, and add a pint of melasses,
and a pin* of rum.   Dose, as above.

  TONIC  OR STRENGTHENING  SYRUP.

  Camomile flowers, prickly ash bark, whitewood,  sweet
apple-tree bark, bayberry, bitter-sweet, black snake root,
each four ounces; sarsaparilla, comfrey, spikenard, fen-
nel seed, orange peel, each  two ounces ;  steep in four
gallons of water to two ; strain, and  add one quart  spirit,
four pounds loaf sugar; half a pound  cf peach-meats
pulverized ; two pounds  raisins  cut fine.  Dose,  wine-
glassfull  before eating.   Good to restore weak patients,
for impurities of the blood and bilious complaints.

               CHOLERA  SYRUP.

   Take bayberry two pounds, ginger  one  pound,  nerve
root half a pound, cinnamon half  a pound, sediment of 
372                    recipes.
drops, three pounds; cayenne, one  pound; steep at two
or three different times until three gallons is attained ; then
strain, and  add one gallon of melasses ; scald and skim,
and add  when cold, a  gallon  of brandy, or rheumatic
drops, and two ounces  essence peppermint.   Dose, from
a table spoonful to a-gill.   Good for  cholic,  diarrhea, de-
bility, and almost every complaint.

            EXPECTORANT  SYRUP.
   1st Preparation.   Liquorice and skunk cabbage, each
six ounces ; horehound, elecampane,  wild turnip, boneset,
blood-root, green  lobelia, wild cherry, each  two ounces;
steep in two  gallons of water to one gallon ;  strain  and
add a quart of melasses or  honey,  a pint  of rum,  and
eight ounces of figs cut  fine.  Dose,  half a wine-glassfull
four times a day.   Good in  coughs or any disease of the
lungs and chest.
  Note.  The articles for  syrups which are steeped or
infused, or of which  a decoction is made, should be crude
or coarse.
  2d  Prep.  Fresh  onions,  four ounces ;  spikenard, and
skunk cabbage, each two ounces ; horehound arid lobelia,
each one ounce ; water, six quarts'; steep to three quarts ;
strain  and simmer  to  two quarts; then add  honey and
vinegar,  of each one pint;  simmer to two quarts.  Dose,
from a tea spoonful to a  table spoonful.  For coughs, &c.

             SYRUP  FOR DROPSY.
  Large  brake-root,  ox balm, clivers,  each one pound;
steep  slowly in three gallons of water to one, sweetened
with honey, and add a pint of gin.  Use freely.
  Another:  White elder, and dwarf elder, two ounces
each  in  a quart of Lisbon  wine.  Wine-glassfull  three
times a day.
            DYSENTERY CORDIAL.

  High brier roots, one pound ;  poplar, hemlock and bay-
berry, each half a pound ; wild cherry bark, hops, cranes- 
RECIPES.                   373
bill, myrrh and fennel seed, each four ounces;  steep  in
six gallons of water, down to four gallons ; strain and add
twenty  pounds  loaf  sugar ; simmer and skim, half an
hour ; then add, while hot, six ounces of cloves ;  eight
ounces of peach-meats, very fine, and stir well together ;
when cool,  add six quarts  best French brandy, and a
quart of rheumatic  drops.  Dose, from a tea  spoonful to
half a  gill.  This  preparation  is excellent  in diarrhea,
dysentery, and for debility.

   Another formula :   Pomgranate  shell, comfrey,  two
ounces each ;  cinnamon and nutmeg, half a  pound each ;
boil  in two quarts of water to one quart; strain, and add
six ounces loaf sugar,  and half a pint of brandy.  Dose,
from a table spoonful to half a gill.—Dr. B.  W. Sperry.

            CINNAMON  CORDIAL.
   Brandy, one and a half pint;  loaf sugar, half a pound ;
oil of cinnamon, a tea spoonful ; oil of peppermint, half a
tea  spoonful ;  mix.   Dose,  from a  tea spoonful, to  half
a wine-glassfull.

          DYSENTERY  CORDIAL.

   Poplar, hemlock,  barberry,  each  four ounces;  wild
cherry,  hops, myrrh, each three ounces ; high brier root,
one pound ;  fennel seed, four ounces; boil in  three gal-
lons of water to two  gallons; strain, and add ten pounds
of loaf sugar;  scald  and  skim; then add three ounces
fine  cloves, and  six ounces peach-meats, pulverized ; stir
ten minutes ; then to three quarts of French brandy  add
eight tea spoonsful oil  of cinnamon, four oil  of pepper-
mint ;  shake well  together.   Dose, from a table spoonful
to half a gill.
   Another:  Sweet flag,  wild  turnip,   cranesbill, four
ounces of each ;  loaf sugar, one pound ; water, one quart;
brandy one  pint;  bruise  the three  first articles, and mix
the whole together.and let  them stand.  Dose, a  table
spoonful, and repeat. 
374
#        RECIPES.
  CORDIAL  FOR  CHRONIC  DIARRHEA
   Golden seal, nerve-root, red raspberry leaves, bayberry,
 each four ounces;  steep in a  gallon of water  to  two
 quarts; strain, and add one pound of loaf sugar,  pint of
 brandy, and two ounces of peach meats, fine.

              MOTHER'S CORDIAL.
  One berry, one pound ; cramp bark, motherwort, Uni-
 corn, each four ounces.   Steep in two gallons water, down
 to six quarts, strain and  add five pounds loaf sugar.—-
 Scald, and skim  when cold ; add three  pints Holland  gin
and one pint French brandy.  Dose,  wine-glassfull three
 times a day.
     FOR THE  PROMOTION OF THE URINE.
  Red cedar  and bitter-sweet twigs, and poplar bark, each
 four ounces.   Steep in a quart of water, to three half
 pints, add four ounces sugar, and a  gill of Holland gin.
 Dose, a wine-glassfull three  times a day.   The foot bath
 should be used on going to bed, at the  time of taking the
 syrup.
            ERYSIPELAS MIXTURE.
   Red oxide of iron, five drams ; syrup  balsam tolu, oil
 lemon, oil cinnamon, each twenty-five  drops; soft water
one pint ;  Holland gin half a pint; loaf sugar two ounces.
 Mix.   Dose, a table spoonful three times a day".

          NEUTRALIZING  MIXTURE.
 , Rhubarb one ounce ; saleratus one tea spoonful; pepper-
 mint  two tea spoonsful,  loaf sugar two ounces.  Pour on
 a pint of boiling  water; steep ten minutes and  strain.—
 When cool, add  half pint French  brandy.   Dose, table
 spoonful  every two hours  until it operates.  For diarrhea,
acid stomach, flatulency &c.

              CHOLERA  MIXTURE.
  Alcohol two quarts ; gum myrrh,'gum guaic, swert flag, 
                       RECIPES.                    375

prickly ash,  each two ounces, made fine ;  cayenne one
ounce;  oil  sassafras, oil  peppermint,  oil cinnamon, oil
wintergreen, each one ounce ;  one pint melasses;  let it
stand and macerate.   Dose, half tea spoonful in  water
sweetened, and  repeat.   For cholera  morbus, extreme
debility, &c.
             VENEREAL MIXTURE.
   Balsam copaiva four ounces ; mucilage gum arabic,
tincture of cubebs, each six ounces;  simple syrup, (sugar
and  water,) eight ounces,  tincture guaic, tincture winter-
green, compound tincture of lavender,  each four drams,
or half an ounce.   Dose, a tea spoonful three times  a day
or oftener.
              RHUBARB  MIXTURE.'
   Rhubarb four ounces; fennel and cardamon seeds  each
ounce;  water and spirits each one pint; sugar eight ounces.
Pour on the water warm, and add the spirit in four or five
hours ;  filter for use.

              DIURETIC   MIXTURE.

   American gin, one pint; saltpetre, Jacob's ladder, hearts-
ease, thistle root, juniper  berries, each one ounce ;  onion
juice two tea spoonsful.   The first night take half a gill,
afterwards a tea spoonful before  eating.  This is said to
be an excellent lithontriptic.—From Mr. Wheat.

         MIXTURE  FOR  THE BLOOD.
   Wild cherry  bark,  sarsaparilla  root, boneset, ozier,
comfrey, each two ounces;  burdock three ounces;  steep
in six quarts water to two quarts ; strain and add a tea-cup
full of melasses  and a pint  of  gin ;  bottle.    Dose, half
gill three times a day.

          MIXTURE  FOR  CHILDREN.
   Saffron, myrrh, aloes, each two ounces;  rhubarb half
an ounce ; sugar half a pound ;  alcohol one pint.  Dose, a
tea spoonful and repeat. 
376
RECIPES-
           RHEUMATIC  LINIMENT.

  Alcohol and rheumatic drops, each two'quarts; purified
white soap, two pounds ; cayenne, four ounces ; put in a
jug, and the jug unstopped in a kettle of  water ; boil the
water  until the soap is dissolved ; then add, oil penny-
royal,  hemlock,  peppermint,  origanum,  of each   four
ounces ; put into open  mouthed  vials, and cork tight.—
This is one of the best external applications we have ever
used.  For rheumatism, sprains,  bruises, cold feet, pains
in the side and chest, &c,  it is a superior article.—Dr.
B.  W.  Sperry.

         STIMULATING  LINIMENT.

  Rheumatic drops, one gallon;  oils  hemlock, origanum,
pennnyroyal, rosemary, of each four ounces; sweet oil, one
pint; mix.   This is a good remedy for external applica-
tions, and may be used in rheumatism, pains, cold  feet,
&c.

           VOLATILE  LINIMENT.

  Aqua  ammonia, sweet oil, rheumatic  drops,  each  four
ounces; oils hemlock and  spearmint, each two  ounces;
mix.   Good for swellings, tumors,  bruises, sore throat,
&c.  Medicines should be always  taken to guard  the
stomach, when any stimulating  application is made exter-
nally.

                 PAIN  KILLER.

  Alcohol, one gallon; gum camphor, half pound;oils origa-
num and hemlock, eight ounces each  ; oils turpentine and
cayenne, each one ounce; oils sassafras, peppermint, spear-
mint, each  two ounces ; mix.  This  is an  external appli-
cation  of great power, and should be used internally at
the  same time, in tea  spoonful doses.  For rheumatism,
both acute,  chronic and nervous, sprains, stiff joints, chil-
blains, swellings of all kinds, &c, &c. ; this has  been
used with success where "Davis' pain killer" has entirely 
RECIPES.
377
failed.   It is above all praise.  The recipe alone is worth
the price of the work.
           SEDATIVE  LINIMENT.

  Acohol, one quart;  opium and camphor, half an ounce
each;  oils hemlock, cedar, origanum, each one  ounce;
oil  cayenne, two ounces.   We do not know from whom
we received the above recipe ; we have never used it, but
should think it would afford relief in acute pain.

           AROMATIC LINIMENT.

   Alcohol, two quarts;  oils hemlock, wormwood, cedar,
each two ounces.   Good for sprains, bruises, and for the
common purposes of other liniments.

             RHEUMATIC   DROPS.

   Fourth  proof brandy,  one gallon ;  gum  myrrh, one
 pound ;  best African  cayenne, one ounce ; bayberry and
 golden seal, each 1 oz. ; put in a jug  and boil  15^ minutes
 in a kettle of water, with the jug unstopped : or the whole
 may be put in a jug and corked tight, and left to macer-
 ate ten days;  the jug should be shaken well two  or three
 times  a  day.   This article is good for  wounds,  bruises,
 rheumatism, pains  in the head,  or any  part of the body.
 Internally it  is a tonic and stimulant, removes flatulence,
 colic,  &c, and can be used to advantage, in almost  every
 form  of disease.   It  is excellent for  an application to
 horses or neat cattle, for galls, wounds, lameness.  The
 drops  sold by many  are  made  from the common  cheap
 spirits,  and  the  fetid resinous myrrh,  and are  good for
 nothing, or at least not fit for  use.  Beware of imposition
 in this article, and in composition.

               PECTORAL  DROPS".

     Alcohol one gallon ; balsam tolu, oil  hemlock, gum
 guaic, gum hemlock, each two ounces ;  mix.  Dose, a tea
 spoonful three or  four times a day.  Good  for soreness, 
373
RECIPES.
flatulence, chills, languor, debility, and should be used
when any liniments are applied.

              ANODYNE  DROPS.

  Angelica roots, four ounces; valerian and scull°ap,each
two ounces; sweet flag one ounce ;  anise, dill, and fennel,
each one ounce ;  catnip blossoms and leaves, two ounces ;
motherwort, two ounces ; white-root, three ounces.  Infuse
in two quarts of brandy and one quart of water, and keep
warm for ten  days; strain and add one pound  sugar.—
Dose, for a child, from twenty  to sixty drops; adult, from
one to four tea spoonsful.

   HEADACHE,  OR STOMACH  PILLS.

  Extract of dandelion, brown lobelia, three parts ; cay-
enne one part; bitter root one part;  slippery elm one part.
Pill in cinnamon.   Dose, from one to four ;  for an emetic,
one every fifteen minutes, until nausea is induced.   Then
take warm teas.

                 BILIOUS  PILLS.

  Extract dandelion and boneset, each six ounces ; extract
butternut twelve ounces; warm slowly, and thicken with
the   following  powders,  finely pulverized :  aloes  twelve
ounces;  gamboge six ounces ;  senna four ounces ;  myrrh
four ounces;  cayenne three ounces;  add  half an ounce
oil peppermint, and pill in fine cinnamon.  Dose, from two
to six.—Dr. B. W. Sperry.


                 TOMATO  PILLS.

  Extract tomato one and a half  pound ;  senna,  aloes,
rhuburb and gamboge, of each half a pound ; oil pepper-
mint half an ounce. Mix  well together, and pill in liquor.
ice.  Dose, from one to fbur. 
RECIPES.
379
                STOMACH  PILLS.
  Castile soap, • six ounces ; aloes,  four  ounces ; scam-
mony  and gamboge,  each half an  ounce ;  bitter-root,
cayenne  and golden seal, each one ounce ;  mandrake, two
ounces.  Pill in extract of butternut.   Dose, two to six.—
Dr. Jacobs.
                 COUGH  PILLS.
  Skunk cabbage, three ounces; wild turnip, two ounces ;
green lobelia and cayenne, each one ounce.  Pill  in  ex-
tract of boneset.  Dose, one every two hours.

                BILIOUS  PILLS.
  Aloes, mandrake, gamboge,  each one ounce ;  blue  co-
hosh, half an ounce;  brown lobelia, cayenne, blood-root,
each one-fourth of an ounce.   Mix  well,  and  pill  in
extraet_of butternut.  Dose, from  two to  six.

             ALTERATIVE  PILLS.
  Mandrake, cayenne, brown lobelia, golden seal, each
one ounce.   Pill in  the  extract of boneset.  Dose, one
after each meal.   For dyspepsia,  constipation, loss  of
appetite, this is  a superior remedy.

             ALTERATIVE  PILLS.
  Black-root, bitter-root, blood-root, mandrake, gamboge,
rhubarb, cayenne,  brown  lobelia, pearlash, each equal
parts.  Pill in extract of boneset. Dose, from two to six.—
Dr. Cotton.
              MANDRAKE  PILLS.
  Mandrake, four ounces ;  cayenne, one ounce ;  bitter-
root, two ounces.  Pill in  extract butternut.   Dose, from
three to  six.
                BILIOUS   PILLS.
  Rhubarb,  four  ounces;  golden seal   and  bitter-root, 
380                   RECIPES.

each  one ounce ;  cayenne, two  tea  spoonsful.  Pill in
extract of dandelion.  Dose,  from two  to  five.— Dr. A.
Gardner.
               HEALING  SALVE.
   White turpentine one and a half pound ; salt butter one
pound;  beeswax and  balsam  fir, of each twelve ounces ;
melt,  and  simmer.  This is an excellent remedy for burns,
old sores,  &c.—Dr. Thomson.

                   FOR  BURNS.
   The following is the best application that can be made
to a recent burn to remove  inflammation.   Take equal
quantities of soot and lard, mix  well together, and apply
until the inflammation is reduced, then  apply the above
salve, and  there will be no scar.

       STRENGTHENING  PLASTER.
   Linseed oil, half a pint; rosin, one pound;  white and
brown diachylon, each half a pound;  melt and mix  well
for use.
            .SALVE   FOR  WOUNDS.
   Venice turpentine,  one  pint;  brown dachylon,  four
ounces ;  beeswax, two ounces ;  rosin and burgundy pitch.
each one ounce ;  melt, simmer and mix.   For strength-
ening plaster, add  more rosin.

                       SALVE.
   Oil linseed, one and a half pint;  yellow beeswax, two
pounds ; rosin, three pounds; Burgundy pitch, one pound;
litharge, half a  pound ;  melt altogether excepting the
first and  last.   Triturate  the  oil  and  litharge together
in a mortar, and add, slowly stirring, constantly,  until cool.
Good for any purpose where a plaster  is necessary.

                      SALVE.
   Bitter-sweet, elder, burdock, plantain, mullen, boil equal
parts  until the strength is extracted;  then simmer down 
RECIPES.
381
 and add four ounces of lard, and two ounces of brimstone;
 simmer to the consistence of salve.   Good  for piles, old
 sores, &c.
           SALVE  FOR PROLAPSUS.
   Take cranesbill, elder, mullen and nipplewort, each one
 pound ; boil down strong ; add one pound lard and a pint
 of rum ;  simmer  down to  the  consistence of ointment.
 Use for bathing the lower part of the abdomen.

                   RED   SALVE.

   Take one pound of bitter-sweet bark (of the root,) and
 one pound of the berries ;  boil until  the strength  is ex-
 tracted, then add  a  pound of mutton tallow and a pint of
' rum, simmer away to salve.  Good for canker sores, piles,
 &c.
                 NIPPLE SALVE.

   Nipplewort, one pound  ;~steep until the whole strength
 is extracted, then add half a pound of lard and four ounces
 of bayberry  tallow ; j simmer down.   This is the best
 application for sore nipples we have used.

          STRENGTHENING  PLASTER.

   Burgundy pitch,  rosin, white pine, turpentine, equal
 parts ; beeswax, half.a part; melt and simmer, spreadand
 apply.
              ELASTIC PLASTER.

   Oil origanum,  one  pound ; gum elastic^(India rubber,)
 one ounce, cut  fine ;  put the gum into the oil and macer-
 ate until  the gum is entirely dissolved ; then  add two
 pounds of rosin and  half a pound of  beeswax ; let  them
 simmer over a moderate fire until the rosin and  beeswax
 are dissolved;  then continue stirring the  mass until it
 is  cold.   This may  be  medicated  with any  other arti-
 cle to irritate the surface. 
3S2
RECIPES.
               AQUA  COLOGNE.

  Alcohol one pint;  oil bergamot, oil  lemon, oil laven-
der,  and orange water, of each  sixty drops.  Mix.
       PROMISCUOUS  RECIPES.

                SEALING  WAX,

  Rosin half a pound ; beeswax and trieste vermilion, each
one ounce.  Melt the rosin and^beeswax, and add the ver-
milion ; stir well.

                COUGH  CANDY.

   Horehound eight ounces ; seeds of paradise,  Iceland
moss, wake-robin,  cardamon^and fennel seeds, each four
ounces ; elecampane, green lobelia, prickly ash, each two
ounces ; skunk cabbage,  liquorice  root, each one pound ;
boil  until %fhe  strength is extracted;  strain  and simmer
down to a quart ; then add two tea spoonsful of cayenne,
and the liquid, to one hundred pounds of sugar;  make into
candy.  For coughs, colds, catarrh, and  every complaint
of the lungs and chest.

             SALVE  FOR  BURNS.

  Beeswax and burgundy pitch, four ounces, and as much
sweet oil as will make a salve.

            SYRUP FOR  GRAVEL.

  Smartweed four ounces; blue flag-root one ounce; horse
radish, daisies and  comfrey, each  two ounces; steep in
two quarts of water to one quart; strain and add loaf sugar
four ounces, and a half pint gin.  Dose, four table spoons-
ful before eating. 
                        RECIPES.                   383

              FOR  GONORRHOEA.

  Erysipelas mixture, (see  formula) four ounces; muci-
lage gum  arabic, six ounces; tincture cubebs and balsam
copaiva, each  three  ounces;  oil  lavender and winter-
green, each sixty drops.  Dose, a table spoonful  three
times a day.

               ITCH  OINTMENT.

  Helebore, black cohosh, the root of the curled leaf dock,
of each a pound ;  steep in three quarts of water until the
strength is  extracted;  strain  and add a pound of  lard;
simmer until a salve is formed.   Apply for four nights in
succession.   The spice bitters  should  be taken two  or
three times a day.

           LENITIVE  ELECTUARY.

  Senna, pulp of tamarinds, pulp of  purging cassia, each
half a pound ; coriander seed, two ounces ; liquorice root,
three ounces ; figs, one pound ; refined sugar, two pounds
and a half.   The figs and  liquorice, are to  be boiled in
water and strained;  the coriander and senna must be pul-
verized  and sifted,  and the  whole  mixed  and evapo-
rated to a proper consistence by  means  of a  water bath.
A piece as  large  as  an ounce  bullet should be taken at
night.  A substitute may be found in senna and figs.

             AQUEOUS  SOLUTION.

  Sulphate  of magnesia, a table  spoonful; oil of pepper-
mint, (or  any  other  oil,) twenty-five drops;  water, one
pint; triturate in a morter, and filter through paper. This
is an excellent  menstruum  in which to give  other medi-
cines, as it is incorruptible.

               COMFREY  SYRUP.

   Take half a pound each of comfrey, spikenard, washed
clean, and raisins or figs, boil them in two quarts of water 
384
RECIPES.
until they are  soft, then  strain or rub them through a
coarse sieve, add the liquor, two quarts, in which they were
boiled, and a pound of loaf sugar; then  beat up four eggs
to a froth, and when  the  liquor  is  almost  cold, add  the
eggs,  stirring constantly,  and  a quart of  sherry  wine.
Dose, a wine-glassfull  three  times  a day.   An  excellent
tonic in female weaknesses, consumption, and  any case of
debility.
                        ERRATA.
  Page 59, in note at bottom, read " it would be marked the highest number."
  Page 72, in note at bottom, read "sweat in bed."
  Face 130,15th line from top, for "phrenitp," read phrenitis.
  Page 187, 9th line from bottom, for " organ," read " organs."
  Page 203, 10th line from  top, omit the  words  " of portions of the system ac-
cording to," and same page, 14th line from top,  omit " eyes."
  Page 212, 6th line from top, for " head," read '■ heal."
  Page 235,3d line from top, for " eruption," read " eructation."
  Page 304, 6th line from bottom, for " Caneshill," read " CranssbilL"
>• 
t N
Dfit
Anatomy and Physiology, Absorbents, .....	Page. . 35 : . 48
Apoplexy, .... Asthma, ; . . . ;	. 176 232
Ascites, ....	. 244
Anasarca, . . . . .	. . 244
Amenorrhea, .... Apocyaum Androsemifoliuni, Aristolochia Serpentaria, . * Asafoetida, • . . .	265 310 . 317 322
Amyirdalus Persica,	: . 324
Agiimonia Eupatoria, Anethum Fceneculum, ;	: 325 325
Anethum Graveolens, . . ,	326
Angelica Atropurpurea, Amomum Repens,	326 . 337
Anthemis Cotula, .	327
Anthemis Nobilis, •	328
Aphvm Petroselinum, . . Apocynvtm Canuabinum, ; Aralia Racemosa,	329 329 330
Actea Racemosa, • . . .	i 330
Arctium Lappa, . -. Arum Tryphyllum, Asclepias Syriaca, Asclepias Tuberosa, Anise, :	331 332 i 332 ; 333 356
Amaranthus, . . . .	360
Achillea Millefolium, . • t	361
Arpieous Solution, . • ,	383
 
386
INDEX.
Anti-bilious Powders,	367
Aromatic Liniment, i	377
Anodyne'Drops, . ' .	378
Alterative Pills, ....	379
Aqua Cologne,	382
Brain, ....	42
Bladder, ....	46
Bilious Pneumonia,	02
Bronchitis, ....	142
" chronic, .	; . .148
Bloodlessness, ....	. 208
Biliary Concretions,	243
Black Pepper, ....	297
Baybeny, ....	299
Balmony, ....	. 307
Barberry, ....	310
Berberis Vulgaris,	. 310
Bitter Root,	310
Boxwood, . . • ,	. 312
Black Alder,	314
Black Snakeroot,	. 318
Black Cohosh,	330
Burdock, ....	. 331
Baptista Indigofera,	334
Betula Lenta,	. 335
Black Birch, .	335
Bitter-sweet,	336
Boneset, ...	•■ 343
Butternut, ....	. 346
Beth-root,	354
Blackberry, high vine,	. 358
Blood-root,	360
Bitters for fever and ague.	. 366
Bilious Pills, .	. 378,379
Courses of Medicine,	19
Cathartics, ...	23
Chest, ....	40
Comfrey Syrup.	383
 
INDEX.
387
Cartilages,        ......       48
Cholic Bilious,         .....          100
Cholic Painter's,         .....       103
Child bed or Puerperal Fever,      ....    103
Canker Rash or Scarlet Fever,   ....       m
Chlorosis,     •       •       •      »      .      L      .    209
Consumption,      -      -      -      -       .       .       249
Cancer,       -------    262
Cayenne,         -      -      -             -       -       295
Cranesbill,    -       -       -      -      -      .      -"   304
Chelone Glabra,           .....       397
Cornus Florida,      -      .      -      -      -      -312
Coptis Trifolia.           -                                  313
Culver's root,         ....      *           317
Cassia Marylandica,       .....       333
Celastrus Scandens,   --....    335
Cardus Benedictus,       .....      337
Clivers,       .......    339
Cocash,       .......      339
Chenepodium Anthelmmticum,     ....   349
Collinsonia Canadensis,                              -       341
Comptonia Asplenifolia,      .....    341
Convallaria Multiflora,          ....       342
Crocus Officinalis,    ......    343
Cistus Canadensis,        .....       34g
Cornus Circinata,     ......    349
Crawley,         ......      360
Chionia Angularis,    -      -      -       -       - '    -   361
Composition,    .......    364
Cough Powder,    ......      364
Catarrh Snuff,         -      -      -      -       -      *   367
Cough Balsam,    .....         369, 370
Cholera  Syrup,        -      -      -      -       -      -   371
Cinnamon Cordial,       -      -      -      -       -      373
Cordial Diarrhea,     ......    374
Cholera  Mixture,          .....      374 
388
INDEX.
Cough Pills, .....	- 379
Cough Candy, ....	382
Chicken Pox, - - - - -	- 125
Chronic Dropsy of Brain,	130
Croup, .....	- 135
Catarrh, or common cold,	139
Catilepsy, .....	-- 181
Cholera Morbus,	226
Cholera, Spasmodic, ....	- 228
Cancer of the Stomach, . - -	235
Cypripedium, ....	- 321
Camphor, ....	- . - 323
Cardamon, .....	- 327
Camomile, ....	328
Catnip, .....	- 353
Dropsy of Brain, ....	129
Delirium,	193
Delirium Tremens, ...	200
Disease of the Spinal column,	- 202
Diarrhea, -	222
Dysentery, .....	- 223
Dyspepsia, ....	238
Dropsy, - -	- 244
Diabetes, .....	248
Dysuria, .... . .	264
Dysmenorrhea,	266
Dill,......	. 326
Dandelion, ....	352
Devil's Bit, .....	. 352
Dyspepsia Powder, . '.	361
Dypentei-y Cordial, ....	372, 373
Diuretic mixture,	375
Explanation of plates, . :	40
Erysipelas, ....	117
do. Cronic, or St, Anthony's Fire,	120
Eupatorium rerfoliatum,	343
Eupatorium Purpurium,	344
 
INDEX.
380
Evans Root, . . . : .	345
Elecampane, .... Elder, ......	346 359
Expectorant Syrup, Erysipelas Mixture, . Elastic Plaster, ....	372 ; 274 .381
Fever, ......	27
Figure of a perfect head, Fainting, . . . . .	60 257
Ferula Assafcetida, ....	. 322
Fennel, .....	325
Frostwort, .....	. 348
Fever and Ague Powders, .	366
Fever Powder, . . . :	. 367
General Propositions, Gall Bladder, . . . :	7 45
Gland......	48
Gout, .....	- 167
Green Sickness, . - - -	209
Gravel, -	- 247
Gonorrhoea, - - -	273
Geranium Maculatum, ...	- 304
Golden Seal, ....	308
Gold Thread, . . - -	- 313
Ginseng, - - - - -Gaultheria Procumbens,	316 - 338
Gallium Aparine* Glycyrrhiza Glabra, - - - -Geum Virginianum, Gmseng Bitters, . . - -Gonorrhoea Mixture, Heat and cold the principle of life,	339 - 344 345 - 365 - 383 9
Heart, - - - -	- 43
Hectic Fever, - - - -Hysterics, Hydrophobia, . Hypochrondria, Hooping Cough, - - - -	98 - 182 - - 190 199 233
 
390
INDEX.
Hernia, .....	. 261
Hemlock, .....	301
Hamamelis Virginica, ....	. 303
Hydrastis Canadensis, . .	308
Helonias Dioica, ....	. 311
Hops, .....	345
Humulus Lupulus, :	345
Horehound, .	; 353
Honey Balsam, ....	. 369
Headache or Stomach Pills,	: 378
Introduction, ....	5
Intestines, . . . .	46
Inflammatory Fever, . . .	. 71
Intermittant or Ague and Fever,	82
Inflammation of Lungs, .	. 89
Infantile Remittent Fever, .	94
Inflammation of the Brain,	. 126
" of the Eyes,	132
" of the Throat,	. 133
" of the Stomach,	145
'' of the Bowels,	• 146
" of the Liver,	148
" of the Liver, chronic,	. 151
" of the Spleen,	153
" of the Spleen, chronic,	. 153
" of the Kidneys,	154
" Chronic,	. 156
" of the Bladder,	157
" of the Womb,	158
Itch, .	217
Itch Ointment, ....	383
Immoderate flow of the Menses,	. 267
Indian Hemp, .	334
Ictodes Foetida,	• 334
Indigo Weed, .	335
Inula Helenium, *	• 346
Injection Powders,	368
Injections, Femalo, ...	• 369
 
INDEX.	39]
Jaundice, • . -	214
Juglans Cinera,	. 346
Juniperus Communis,	347
Juniper,	. 347
Kidneys, .	46
King's.evil. • - . .	• 211
Lungs, . ...	42
Liver, ... ,	43
Lung Fever,	- . 89
Locked Jaw,	. 187
Leucorrhcea, ....	269
Lobelia Inflata,	. 291
Liriodendrou Tulipifera,	313
Leptandra Virginica,	.319
Lauras Camphora, . . .	323
Liquorice, ...	. 344
Laurus' Benzoine,	351
Leontodon Taraxacum.	. 352
Liatvis Spicata, ....	352
Lobelia, Preparation of	. 363
Laxative Bitters, . . .	, 368
Ladies' Spice Bitters, . .	. 366
Lenitive Electuary,	383
Membrane, ....	49
Muscles, ....	50
Milk Leg, ....	105
Measels, ....	114
Miliary fever, ....	252
Mumps, ....	. 138
Mercurial Paralysis,	175
Mania, :	. 193
Melancholy, .	197
Menorrhagia, .	267
Materia Medica,	287
Myrica Cerifera,	299
Marsh Rosemary,	302
Myrrh,	. 317
 
39-2                        in vex.

                                                        .   32C
Masterwort,           .         •         •
Mayweed,       .                                           3~2
Milkweed,         .                                         3 [r>
Mentha Piperita,        .         '         4
Mullen,            .        •         •                       '
                                                           3jJ
Marrubium Vulgare,            .          '

Medicamentum,         .         •        *
                                                            374
Mother's Cordial,             •
                                                            375
Mixture for the blood>          >
                                                            375
Mixture for Children,      .
Mandrake  Pills,        .
                       •                                    °35
Neuralgia or Nervous Pain,

Nymphia Odarata,           .         •         k
^T     T,   .                                         .       321
Nerve Root,.            ...
»t    ^  n  i  •                                    .           353
Neneta Catana,
 >t     t,    i                                        .367
 Nerve Powder,          .         •
                                                            1~4
 Neutralizing Mixture,
 Organs of the Chest,                         »

 Organs of the Brain,          .
 r,   i                                                .339
 One berry,
 ^ i  r t     i                                         .    340
 Oak of Jerusalem,          -,
 mi               '                              .341
 Oxbalm,                         •
 n ■                                            .349
 Ozier,                      •
 t>                                                  •         46
 Pancreas,      .
 i> i                                                    .50
 Pulse,             .
 Plague......88

  Pleurisy,                                                •    144
  v i   "               .                            .171
      7'       "                          '                   or.7
  Plethora or fullness of blood,       .         .        •       ~07

  Piles.......237
  Panax Quiuquefolium,       .         •         ;        •

  Palpitation,           .                                      25C
  Painful Menstruation,       .                                  2GG
  Pinus Canadensis,     .       .         »         •         •
  Populus  Tremuloides,            .         •        •         309

  Poplar,         ....          •     309
                                                              318
   Prinos Verticillatus,                  *         * 
INDEX.
393
Prunus Virginiana. ,	315
Peach Meats,	. 325
Parsley,	329
Pyrola Umbellata, . ,	337
Princesspine,	. 337
Peppermint,	342
Prickly Ash, . . .	347
Phytolacca Decandra,	. 355
Pimpinella Anisum,	356
Pinus Balsamea, . . ,	356
Podophyllum Peltatum,	; 356
Potentillia Canadensis,	357
Pulmonary Balsam,	370
Pain Killer,	. 376
Pectoral Drops, . ,	377
Queen of the Meadow,	344
Rheumatism,	159
" Chronic,	163
" Nervous,	165
" Muscular, , Ring worm, Rickets, . • < Rupture,	166 216 218 . 261 303
Rhus Glabrum,	
Rubus Strigosus, . ,	304
Red Raspberry,	. 304 348 358
Rock Rose Rubus Viliosus,	
Rumex Crispus, . .	358 . 368 375
Recipes, . Rhubarb Mixture, . .	
Rheumatic Liniment,	, 376
Rheumatic Drops, . .	377
Steaming, or Vapor Bath,	14
Stomach, . .	44
Spleen, , . .	4i
 
394
INDEX.
Skin, The	47
Small Pox,	. 107
Shingles,	121
St. Vitus Dance,	186
Spinal Irritation,	205
Scrofula,	211
Salt Rheum,	214
Scald Head,	215
Scurvy,	239
Syncope, .	257
Syphilis,	277
Statice Limonium,	302
Sumach,	303
Salva, (Sage)	305
Snake-root,	319
Sanicula Marylandica,	318
Scutellaria Lateriflora,	322
Spikenard,	330
Skunk cabbage,	334
Senna,	336
Sweet-fern,	341
Solomon's Seal,	342
Saffron,	343
Slipperry Elm,	350
Spice Bush,	351
Scoke Root,	355
Sambucus Canadensis, . .	359
Sanguinaria Canadensis,	360
Spice Bitters,	365
Snake-root Bitters,	366
Snuff for Polypus,	367
Sarsaparilla Syrup,	370, 371
Syrup for Dropsy,	372
Stimulating Liniment,	365
Sedative Liniment,	377
Stomach Pills,	379
Strengthening Plaster,	380, 381
Salve, Healing . ,	380
 
INDEX.
Salve for wounds,       ,
Salve for Burns,
Salve for Prolapsus,
Salve,
Salve,  Red,
Salve,  Nipple,
Sealing Wax,
Syrup for Gravel,
Tongue, morbid appearance of
Temperament,
Typhus Fever,
Tetter,
Thistle,
Tanaceti Vulgare,
Tansy,
Trillium Latifolium,
Tonic Syrup,
Tomato Pills,
Unicorn,
Ulmus  Fulva,
Vaccination,
Vomiting Blood,
Verbena Hastata,
Vervain,
Verbascum Thapsus,
Venereal Mixture,
Volatile Liniment,
Water Brash,
Worms,
Wounds,
White  Pond Lilly,
Witch  Hazel,
Whitewood,
Wild Cherry,
Wild Turnip,
White-root,
Wintergreen,
Worm, wood,
Wine Bitters,
Worm Powders,
Xanthoxylum Fraxineum,
Yellow Fever,
Yellow Dock,
Yarrow, 
39(3                       INDEX.

                      PLATES.
                                                        r.is;c.
Fig.  1. Lobelia,......................................... 291
     2. Cayenne,........................................ 295
     3. White Pond Lilly,................................ 390
     4. Bayberry,....................................... 20:)
     5, Cranesbill,...................................... 304
     6. Unicom,........................................311
    7. Golden Seal,.................................... 308
    8. Gmseng,........................................ 310
    9. Balmony,....................................... 307
   10. Indian Hemp,...................................629
   11. Nerve Root,..................................... 321
   12. Scullcap,........................................  322
   13. Black Cohosh,................................... 330
   14. Rock Rose,...................................... 348
   15. Skunk Cabbage,................................. 334
   16. Pigeon.berry, Ozier,............................... 349
       Phrenological  Chart,............................. 60
       Figures  explaining different  portions of the  human
          system,...................................... 33
       Figures showing the situation of the vital organs,.....39



   EXPLANATION  OF  CHARACTERS.
      qt.            ...       quart.
      0.         ....   pint.
      oz.            ...       ounce.
      ss.        ....    half of anything.
      aa.            ...        of each.
      dr.         ....   dram.

   *  grs.          .       .        .        grains.
      x.          ...           teaspoonful.
      c              -                -     tablespoonful. 
1 
 
 
 
 
'^M|t^; 
 
S3